FORBES COLUMN: Failure Is Not An Option: The Pressure Black Women Feel To Succeed

As a Black woman in media, I’ve always felt my success was bigger than me. This idea fueled me to push through moments of fear and doubt because no matter how scared or nervous I was before taking a risk or taking on a major opportunity, I humbled myself with the thought that it’s not about me.

The need to succeed is a natural human desire, yet for Black women, our success is beyond simple bragging rights or a pat on the back. Our success represents something bigger than our own personal victory.

This concept can serve as a motivator but it also presents an added pressure. Often when presented with a major opportunity we feel we can’t afford to fail.