15: Removing the Cape–Sometimes

Remembering an incident at a gas station that carved out an important understanding of community, no one person had to always assume responsibility, changed my perspective. Black women developed a prowess that often made us feel like we had to do it all. Black women have been infamously known for our strength. Alice Walker said that we were the mules of the world because we did the work others did not want to do. As a full professor I demonstrated transformational leadership skills to obtain the highest rank in professorship as a mean to practice self-awareness and passionately lead teams. I learned how to use what I termed as my superpowers: truth and transcendent knowledge. These powers helped me navigate the terrains in high education. I expressed an understand of bureaucracy that caused me to color inside the lines instead of getting entangled in red tape and thwarting innovative efforts to make small changes instead of none. I wore my superwoman cape sometimes and owned my superpower as a way to separate myself from the crowd and be noted as one who could be trusted. There were strategies that offered support and helped me move genuinely in spaces as a woman of color and faith with goals that aligned to who I am authentically. These strategies were expressed in a personal manner that can be adopted by those looking to find a way to lead. I discovered three concepts that have proven to set me apart from others—being vulnerable, being visible and being vibrant.