Source: Renae Bluitt / She Did That
Change is never easy and being the one to lead the charge for change is especially difficult. Add in factors like being a woman or a minority — or both when it comes to Black women — and taking a stance to demand people do things differently, or simply leading by example, at times is nothing short of a miracle.
Often we hear Black women talk about not seeing anyone else do what they want to do or even what they’ve done, but in a climate where being a trailblazer is more burdensome than ever, it’s important to have at least one other leader to look to as you prepare to break down barriers. Keeping that in mind, we put together a short list of documentaries every Black Women should check out as she prepares to take on her company, her community, or even the globe.
SHE DID THAT (TRAILER) from Renae Bluitt on Vimeo.
She Did That
She Did That is a documentary film by Brooklyn-based executive producer Renae Bluitt that explores the journeys of today’s Black women entrepreneurs and celebrates their accomplishments. Featured women include best-selling author Luvvie Ajayi, The Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler, Carol’s Daughter’s Lisa Price, and My Fab Finance founder Tonya Rapley discussing the obstacles they encountered while building their brands and the legacies they are creating with their businesses.
Becoming
We don’t need to rehash all of the hardships and criticisms the Obamas faced while in office, but Becoming is a visual representation of the rewards of living by our forever first family’s mantra, “When they go low, we go high.” Seeing all of the lives Michelle Obama touches as she embarks on her book tour across the United States is a reminder of what makes the dark days of leadership worth it, and some days we need that reminder more than others.
Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed
The title of this documentary on Shirley Chisholm — the first African-American woman elected to the United States Congress, the first African-American candidate for a major party’s nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination — says it all. Being unbought and unbossed are crucial characteristics of leading with integrity in any environment and Representative Chisholm was the embodiment of both.
Iron Ladies of Liberia
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, nicknamed “The Iron Lady,” became the first elected female head of state in Africa when she was named the 24th President of Liberia in 2006. But that was just the beginning of Sirleaf’s quest for equality. With a predominately female cabinet, Sirleaf and her fellow iron ladies worked tirelessly to rebuild Liberia after a 14-year civil war and rid the country of the very corruption that could’ve lead to more battle.
Audre Lorde – The Berlin Years 1984 to 1992
This 2012 documentary takes a look at the life of African-American lesbian poet Audre Lorde while she lived in West-Berlin, Germany, during the ’80s and early ’90s. The film specifically explores Lorde’s political influence and how her work gave rise to the Afro-German movement and the acknowledgment of white privilege in the country.
