Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

Sisters…yall alright?

Did you know that August 3, 2021 is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. The extra 214 days into the year that Black women must work into 2021 to catch up to what white, non-Hispanic men earned in 2020.

That is not right at all. According to the National Women’s Law Center Black Women make .63 cents on the dollar ro white male counterparts.

I’m sure this number is drastically lower when you consider entrepreneurs, contractors, full-time self-employed women who have been the driving economic force for starting and growing businesses over the last 10 years.

My solution to this problem is the following:

Ask for more money.

We must charge our worth from the first meeting, contract, product, grand opening and launch.

Asking can end in one of two ways. Either you get it or you don’t. Either way you will immediately see the value that your worth to yourself and what someone else is willing to pay.

Raise The Price.

Stop what your doing right now and raise your prices. You don’t need a reason other than getting what has already been left on the table.

I personally decided that last year was my boundary year. I said yes to the work that fulfilled me intrinsically and financially.

Raising the price can be as simple as a change on your website. It can be an email to existing clients letting them prepare for the price hike. It can also be reaching that coveted number with your next client on boarding.

Take a note from the gas company. They literally tell you eveey day you’re going to pay more if you want this gas. It’s your choice to take it over leave it.

Set a Goal.

This is how we have and keep nice things. When you have a goal in mind, it has a time, place, date, and amount of money it will cost to get there. Whatever that goal is whether it’s an extra $100, $1000, or $10,000; it needs your commitment to get the money.

The goal is here to challenge you to get directly to the money. The goal doesn’t care how you get there, only that you do.

Have a real talk with yourself, significant other, kids, accountability partner, mentor, accountant; whoever can help you achieve this goal.

Create a plan and stick to it. One helpful guide is The 90 Day Focus: Your Action Plan for Success, as it literally helps you build a savings plan and helps you to prioritize what is important in your life.

Walk Away.

We have ro be willing to stop settling for the same old thing. Being compared ro what was and who did something for less is not your concern. The walk away is a courageous and can be frightening. What happens as a result is that you stand taller on principle and word gets around that you, your product and service are premium.

You might get a call back and you might not. I do guarantee that you will get another call. That call will respect you and your price.

The knowledge that we earn less is here and we don’t need another disparity study to prove it. However, we need to recognize the lack of equality and individually do what is necessary to get what we deserve.

Now go out into the world and #GiveItToThePeople™️.