Pressure Makes Diamonds: Becoming the Woman I Pretended to Be

Pressure Makes Diamonds: Becoming the Woman I Pretended to Be
Author: Valerie Graves
Publisher: Akashic Books
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2016-11-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1617755206

"When you get dealt a tough hand, you might choose to fold or you might decide to hold. If you're Valerie Graves, you reshuffle the whole damn deck...Graves's can't-stop-won't-stop energy offers a jump start toward meeting objectives and renews hope. Pressure Makes Diamonds is about more than overcoming." --Essence Magazine "This is the unflinching memoir of a Black woman’s journey from the projects of Motown-era Michigan to the skyscrapers of Madison Avenue and beyond." --New York Beacon "A gem of a book . . . Valerie Graves has spun an appealing narrative with a protagonist who reads like an African-American female counterpart of Horatio Alger. Her journey from Mud Lake, Pontiac, an exurb of Detroit, to a corner office on Madison Avenue is exhilarating, marking her rise to the upper echelons of advertising and providing readers with an exposé of her creative life and the world ruled by 'Mad Men.'" -- New York Amsterdam News "Graves paints the picture of how she was a determined woman who faked it till she made it--and made it big. [An] inspirational memoir." --Black EnterpriseLibrary Journal "Graves established herself as a fierce force in the advertising field and a greatly admired role model for black professionals establishing themselves in American business. In a moving book steeped in perseverance and empowering determination, the author fully embodies the challenges of her culture and those of being a motivated businesswoman . . . Optimistic and galvanizing, Graves' message of hope and hard work is timely and applicable." --Kirkus Reviews "Barrier-breaking, highly celebrated creative director and advertising executive Graves is about more than glittery and impressive national advertising campaigns and her association with international celebrities and various Fortune 500 companies . . . No one was looking for her, but she showed up, spoke directly to the public, and captured the world's attention. Graves' well-told tale, set against a detailed social and cultural backdrop, of courage and success both personally (including a happy marriage) and professionally is moving and inspiring." --Booklist "A story about an accomplished woman who is the epitome of grit . . . Whether recalling the guilt she felt as a working, absentee parent, or how she came to adopt new age thinking, the author's storytelling skills and use of humor, imagery, and figurative language is noteworthy. At an early age, Valerie decided she would fake it until she made it. Now a success by most standards, she no longer has to pretend. Anyone who enjoys reading about those who travel difficult paths in life will find Pressure Makes Diamonds to be inspirational." --Foreword Reviews This is the unflinching memoir of a female African American advertising executive's unprecedented and unlikely success, which began in the Mad Men era. It follows her journey from the projects of Motown-era Michigan to the skyscrapers of Madison Avenue and beyond. With marches, riots, and demonstrations as the backdrop, and rock 'n' roll as a soundtrack, this book accompanies Graves as she traverses the seismically shifting terrain of 1960s and '70s America on her quest to "be somebody." In the '80s and '90s, as Graves makes her ascent to the East Coast heights of the white male–dominated advertising world, she turns familiarity with harsh realities like racism and sexism into robust insights that deeply connect with African American consumers. During the golden era of black advertising, she becomes an undisputed "somebody." Soon, though, she learns that money, success, a good marriage, and connections that reach all the way to the White House cannot entirely insulate her against the social ills that threaten to crush black Americans.

The Routledge Companion to Marketing and Feminism

The Routledge Companion to Marketing and Feminism
Author: Pauline Maclaran
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2022-02-25
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1000521990

This comprehensive and authorative sourcebook offers academics, researchers and students an introduction to and overview of current scholarship at the intersection of marketing and feminism. In the last five years there has been a resurrection of feminist voices in marketing and consumer research. This mirrors a wider public interest in feminism – particularly in the media as well as the academy - with younger women discovering that patriarchal structures and strictures still limit women’s development and life opportunities. The "F" word is back on the agenda – made high profile by campaigns such as #MeToo and #TimesUp. There is a noticeably renewed interest in feminist scholarship, especially amongst younger scholars, and significantly insightful interdisciplinary critiques of this new brand of feminism, including the identification of a neoliberal feminism that urges professional women to achieve a work/family balance on the back of other women’s exploitation. Consolidating existing scholarship while exploring emerging theories and ideas which will generate further feminist research, this volume will be of interest to researchers, academics and students in marketing and consumption studies, especially those studying or researching the complex inter-relationship of feminism and marketing.

Urban Emergency (Mis)Management and the Crisis of Neoliberalism

Urban Emergency (Mis)Management and the Crisis of Neoliberalism
Author:
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 467
Release: 2021-08-24
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9004446176

Urban Emergency (Mis)Management and the Crisis of Neoliberalism: Flint, MI in Context examines the malfeasance and mismanagement that poisoned a city’s water. The authors emphasize the structural forces that engendered the water crisis, and, especially, the long history of racial oppression, racist government policies, and everyday forms of inequality, that shape the life chances for Flint’s residents.

Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction, Courage, and Calculated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life

Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction, Courage, and Calculated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life
Author: Michelle Gadsden-Williams
Publisher: Akashic Books
Total Pages: 196
Release: 2018-05-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1617756466

"Gadsden-Williams is an award-winning global diversity expert who launched Ceiling Breakers LLC to help women and professionals of color to reach their potential. In her book, she talks about her journey as a woman of color who's had top senior-level positions in corporate America while managing a chronic illness. She also provides solutions to address the challenges women face navigating the business world, essentially a playbook for dealing with some of the most demanding workplace issues." --Ebony Magazine "The first book from diversity expert, philanthropist, and Accenture lead executive Gadsden-Williams incorporates both memoir and career guide...Hers is a realistic, pragmatic discussion of what it takes to make it in Fortune 500 companies, and in life." --Booklist "In this memoir and guidebook, Gadsden-Williams interweaves the story of her life as a black female executive with research statistics and savvy career tips for minority women also seeking to occupy the 'C-Suite'...Always candid about the realities of corporate life, the author offers sound advice for minority women seeking advancement, recognition, and meaningful lives. Illuminating and useful." --Kirkus Reviews "Michelle Gadsden-Williams has accomplished something rare for a black woman in America: maintained a successful corporate career at the highest level. Climb is the story of her journey to the top, and her generous effort to send the elevator back down for the rest of us." --Tiffany Dufu, author of Drop the Ball "Gadsden-Williams has written a brilliant book that reveals how companies can leverage diversity as a competitive advantage in today's marketplace. With vivid stories from her twenty-five years [of experience], Climb is a book that will reframe HR into a powerful strategy function for twenty-first century organizations." --John Gerzema, New York Times best-selling author of The Athena Doctrine "Gadsden-Williams has used her personal story of resiliency to provide invaluable insight into how to build a fulfilling life, not just a career. She pulls no punches when sharing her experiences as an African American woman determined to fulfill her dream to help others live up to their potential." --Linda A. Hill, professor, Harvard Business School, and author of Being the Boss "Most organizations were not designed for women of color. [In Climb] Gadsden-Williams takes us on a journey of her career--the winding road of making tough career and family decisions, seeking out and shaping opportunities, and walking away when others thought she should stay. There is raw, sincere vulnerability displayed in this book...[and there] is also a call to action--intentionally shape your career and be an active partner in shaping the organizations you are a part of. Thank you for sharing your story! I am sure it will be an inspiration to its readers. Keep climbing!" --Katherine W. Phillips, Paul Calello Professor of Leadership and Ethics, Columbia Business School "A frank memoir plus career guide, Michelle Gadsden-Williams shares personal stories of self-assurance, resilience, and bravery that serve as lessons for women in the workplace. This book is essential reading." --Angela Rye, CEO, IMPACT Strategies Renowned as a diversity and inclusion strategist, Gadsden-Williams held C-Suite positions at major organizations for many years...and then took the off-ramp to probe a different career path, launching Ceiling Breakers LLC, with the primary goal to help women and professionals of color reach their full potential. As a woman of color and corporate executive who has worked and traveled the world for several Fortune 500 companies--all while managing a chronic illness--she provides insight into overcoming the barriers facing professionals in today's workplace. In Climb, Gadsden-Williams combines her inspirational life story with pragmatic solutions to address problems facing women in corporate America, offering a professional playbook for tackling today's most pressing workplace issues.

The Crisis

The Crisis
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 48
Release: 1998-02
Genre:
ISBN:

The Crisis, founded by W.E.B. Du Bois as the official publication of the NAACP, is a journal of civil rights, history, politics, and culture and seeks to educate and challenge its readers about issues that continue to plague African Americans and other communities of color. For nearly 100 years, The Crisis has been the magazine of opinion and thought leaders, decision makers, peacemakers and justice seekers. It has chronicled, informed, educated, entertained and, in many instances, set the economic, political and social agenda for our nation and its multi-ethnic citizens.

Los Angeles Magazine

Los Angeles Magazine
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2003-11
Genre:
ISBN:

Los Angeles magazine is a regional magazine of national stature. Our combination of award-winning feature writing, investigative reporting, service journalism, and design covers the people, lifestyle, culture, entertainment, fashion, art and architecture, and news that define Southern California. Started in the spring of 1961, Los Angeles magazine has been addressing the needs and interests of our region for 48 years. The magazine continues to be the definitive resource for an affluent population that is intensely interested in a lifestyle that is uniquely Southern Californian.

No Pressure, No Diamonds

No Pressure, No Diamonds
Author: Teri A Dillion
Publisher:
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2020-10-19
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780578736884

In this intimate memoir on terminal illness, psychotherapist Teri A. Dillion asks if the most brilliant jewels of healing could be found in what we lovingly carve out of life's roughest blows.

Gender and Women's Studies, Second Edition

Gender and Women's Studies, Second Edition
Author: Margaret Hobbs
Publisher: Canadian Scholars
Total Pages: 784
Release: 2018-05-03
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0889615918

Now in its second edition, Gender and Women’s Studies: Critical Terrain provides students with an essential introduction to key issues, approaches, and concerns of the field. This comprehensive anthology celebrates a diversity of influential feminist thought on a broad range of topics using analyses sensitive to the intersections of gender, race, class, ability, age, and sexuality. Featuring both contemporary and classic pieces, the carefully selected and edited readings centre Indigenous, racialized, disabled, and queer voices. With over sixty percent new content, this thoroughly updated second edition contains infographics, original activist artwork, and a new section on gender, migration, and citizenship. The editors have also added chapters on issues surrounding sex work as labour, the politics of veiling, trans and queer identities, Indigenous sovereignty, decolonization, masculinity, online activism, and contemporary social justice movements including Black Lives Matter and Idle No More. The multidisciplinary focus and the unique combination of scholarly articles, interviews, fact sheets, reports, blog posts, poetry, artwork, and personal narratives reflect the vitality of the field and keep the collection engaging and varied. Concerned with the past, present, and future of gender identity, gendered representation, feminism, and activism, this anthology is an indispensable resource for students in gender and women’s studies classrooms across Canada and the United States.

Best Life

Best Life
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 140
Release: 2008-04
Genre:
ISBN:

Best Life magazine empowers men to continually improve their physical, emotional and financial well-being to better enjoy the most rewarding years of their life.