Don’t Confuse Social Clout with Money Moves

If you had the option to choose between attending a brunch with a room full of women who are senior leaders at their companies or attending a brunch with influencers and celebrities which one would you choose?

Most of you would choose to attend the influencer/celeb brunch so you can get pictures for the ‘gram with your faves and act like y’all are real-life friends. We love to attend events where the cool kids are. We want to mix and mingle with people who have 20K or more followers. It’s those folks that our generation seem to pour into and uplift but get mad when the influencer decides to clap back. Meanwhile, you miss the opportunity to be in a room of women who control million dollar budgets. You picked being around folks who have followers over the chance to pitch your way to funding or a new job.

I was invited to New Orleans to attend the Ciroc Brunch where I had the honor of speaking with Dia Simms about the lack of WOC in senior leadership. While at that brunch I met many women of color who are quietly making an impact in Corporate America. Many of them barely have a social media presence, but they are in positions to help pull me and other women forward. I felt so grateful to be in that room, but before that day I was salty to not have also been invited to other events. I wanted to celebrate Lisa Price and the 25th anniversary of Carol’s Daughter, have brunch with Omari Hardwick and the cast of Power or mingle with Issa Rae at the Insecure activation. Why couldn’t I be in those rooms, too?

It disappeared quickly, once I stopped looking at my social feeds and embraced the moment that I was in. God positioned me to be in the right room at the right time to receive what was for me. It’s amazing what rooms open for you when you aren’t chasing them. One day I’ll meet Issa, Omari and Lisa, but I’ll wait for that moment instead of chasing it. As you continue to network and build your tribe be mindful of your moves.

Are you chasing clout or are you building meaningful relationships? The people who look like they are winning, more than likely want to be “put on” like you. Don’t confuse social clout with money moves.

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