Table of Contents
Foreword Joy Reid ix
Introduction 1
The Crossroads for Black Faces in High Places 6
The Rise and Fall of Black Faces in High Places 10
Why We Wrote Black Faces in High Places 13
The 10 Strategic Actions to Reach the Top and Stay There 15
The Strategic Action Plan: Mindsets, Skill Sets, and Tool Sets 18
Level I Independent Action 21
The Obama Identity 22
The Obama Presidency 24
The Obama Mindset, Skill Set, and Tool Set 24
Your Mindset, Skill Set, and Tool Set at Level I: Independent Action 26
Strategic Action 1 Exercise Self-Determination 31
The Secret to Life: Self-Determination 32
Identity: Who Are You? 33
Purpose: Where Are You Going? Why Do You Exist? 36
Independent Action Steps for Exercising Self-Determination 38
Strategic Action 2 Value Exploration 49
Comfort Zone to Growth Zone 50
The Three Categories of Experience and Exposure 51
Independent Action Steps to Value Exploration 57
Strategic Action 3 Develop Self-Mastery and Find Meaning 63
From Excellence to Ikigai 64
Independent Action Steps to Develop Self-Mastery 78
Independent Action Steps to Find Meaning 84
Level II Interdependent Action 91
The Benefits of Personal Diversity 92
Global Citizen Trends 94
Your Mindset, Skill Set, and Tool Set at Level II: Interdependent Action 97
Strategic Action 4 Network and Build Power 99
Understanding the Social Capital of 'Networks and Power 100
Independent Action Steps for Networking and Relationship Building 108
Interdependent Action Steps for Networking and Relationship Building 111
The Social Capital Basis of Power 115
Interdependent Action Steps for Using Power and Influence 124
Strategic Action 5 Maximize Mentoring 128
Mentors and Proteges 129
Independent Action Steps for Protégés 137
Interdependent Action Steps for Protégés 138
Independent Action Steps for Mentors 143
Interdependent Action Steps for Mentors 145
Interdependent Actions Steps for Mentors and Protégés 146
Strategic Action 6 Leverage Our Might 149
Two Moments, Two Movements 150
Individualism: "I Think; Therefore I Am" 152
Collectivism: "I Am Because We Are" 156
Examples of Leveraging Our Might 157
Independent Action Steps to Leverage Our Might 162
Interdependent Action Steps to Leverage Our Might 164
Level III Collaborative Action 177
The Intrapreneurial and Entrepreneurial Mindsets 177
A Two-Pronged Approach for Collaborative Action 182
Strategic Action 7 Think and Act Like an Intrapreneur 183
The Five Principles of Intrapreneurship: Your Inside V.O.I.C.E. 185
Becoming a Black Intrapreneur 189
Independent and Interdependent Action Steps for Intrapreneurship 190
Becoming a Black Social Intrapreneur 197
Collaborative Action Steps for Social Intrapreneurship 199
Strategic Action 8 Think and Act Like an Entrepreneur 213
Lessons Learned from the Most Successful Black-Owned Businesses 216
Lessons Learned from the Fastest Growing and Most Successful Businesses 216
The Five Principles of Entrepreneurship: Your Outside V.O.I.C.E. 217
Independent and Interdependent Action Steps for Launching Businesses and Social Ventures 222
Collaborative Action Steps for Growing Businesses and Social Enterprises 223
Collaborative Action Steps for Growing Business Enterprises 232
Collaborative Action Steps for Growing Social Enterprises 239
From Entrepreneurship to Intrapreneurship 243
Institution Building 244
Level IV Amplified Action 245
From Independent Action to Amplified Action 245
Changing the Game 252
Strategic Action 9 Transform Systems 255
The Continuum of Strategic Partnerships 256
Collaborative Action Steps to Find Synergy 272
Amplified Action Steps to Reach Scale 278
Transforming Systems and Leaving a Legacy 289
Strategic Action 10 Seek Significance 291
Seeking Significance: Strategic Giving and Philanthropy 293
Key Tools: Time, Talent, Treasure, and Touch 298
Epilogue: Where Do We Go from Here? 320
Acknowledgments 323
Notes 325
Index 329
About the Authors 339