Amidst the influential figures shaping international industries, Bozoma Saint John emerges as a definite beacon of management and authenticity. Her illustrious profession, marked by pivotal roles at Netflix, Uber, Apple Music, and PepsiCo, not solely showcases her skilled prowess however has additionally earned her the excellence of inspiring a Harvard Enterprise Faculty case research titled “Main with Authenticity and Urgency.” Past the realms {of professional} achievement, Bozoma stands as a catalyst for optimistic change, investing her time and experience to contribute meaningfully to causes that resonate deeply together with her.
In a dialog with 1000 Spotlights, Bozoma shares her steadfast dedication to reshaping perceptions of Africa. Learn her story.
What drives you to provide again?
During the last 7 years I’ve achieved loads of professional bono advertising work in Ghana to raise the consciousness of what the continent has to supply to those that do not reside in Africa. As part of that work I wrote the advertising technique for The Yr of Return which was an extension of the President of Ghana’s 2017 United Nations Common Meeting handle which declared 2019 as The Yr of Return for all folks of African descent within the diaspora. The technique included occasions and actions to raise music, trend, sports activities, meals, night time life, and historical past. It ranged from celebrating festivals to highlighting eating places and alluring influencers with massive platforms to return to Ghana between Christmas and the brand new yr, (which is likely one of the most festive instances of the yr) to hitch within the revelry.
I do that work for the 12 yr previous me who immigrated to america and needed to battle the demeaning stereotypes of Africa and Africans. So giving again implies that I take advantage of my skilled acumen to vary notion.
What’s one trade guide {that a} newcomer should learn?
The Artist Approach by Julia Cameron as a result of everybody no matter their trade is an artist. We’re in fixed creation of concepts, methods, plans and outcomes. So if you wish to unlock your finest creativity, that is the perfect guide to learn.
What recommendation would you give to your youthful self?
I’ve all the time been proper in my instinct. Due to this fact I’m the one who is aware of what’s finest for my life, profession and my future.
Do you have got a favourite quote?
‘I do not need to get to the tip of my life and discover that I’ve simply lived the size of it. I need to have lived the width of it as nicely.’
What’s one factor that conjures up you?
Not a what, however a who. That’s my 80 yr previous self, as a result of I would like her to be pleased with the person who I’m as we speak.
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is my daughter Lael, as a result of despite the fact that I take little or no credit score for the human that she is. If she wasnt my daughter I’d nonetheless need to be her pal. She’s that cool!
How did you find yourself the place you might be as we speak?
Bozoma’s memoir, The Pressing Life was printed in 2023. Her work has been lauded and awarded with notable recognition together with (however not restricted to) induction into the American Promoting Federation Corridor of Achievement (2014), induction into Billboard’s Girls in Music Corridor of Fame (2018), induction into the Advertising Corridor of Fame (2022); and has been included in Quick Firm’s Most Inventive Individuals (2013), The Hollywood Reporter’s Girls in Leisure Energy 100 checklist (2018) and topped as The World’s Most Influential CMO by Forbes (2021). Boz’s profitable on-line tutorials “The Badass Workshop” train others to be their best selves. However by far her best achievement is in elevating her 14 yr previous daughter, Lael.
Discover her at @badassboz on ALL Socials!
1000 Spotlights: Why We Give displays our mission of giving again, to mentor and to encourage these round us. Via a sequence of interview questions, we discover intrinsic motivations behind why we give, and speak with these inclined to make a distinction within the lives of others. In case you are concerned in charitable actions, volunteer and paid tutorial engagements or in group service, we need to speak to you.
Write to us to appoint somebody distinctive who’s making a distinction in extraordinary methods.
1000 Spotlights is a part of UGSI that additionally owns SpeakerPost.com, a free social impression international platform that connects educators with trade specialists and with different educators for volunteer visitor talking in school school rooms. In case you are in search of a visitor speaker for a student-focused occasion, or need to discover methods to share your profession journey with college students, please attain out and request your free invite code through SpeakerPost.com
