82 PROFESSIONAL WOMANS MULTICULTURAL MAGAZINE WWW.PROFESSIONALWOMANMAG.COM CEO. Im an American citizen. Im a black woman, shared Ross. These different, but inclusive identities drive her pleas to other black and women voters to harness their powers and use their voices to bring about nec- essary changes in this continuously discriminatory and marginalized society. It takes a lot of courage to advocate for yourself. As a woman, and as a Black woman, advocating for yourself is actually a form of resistance. It is how each of us push the world, to make sure that the real estate matches the reality of who we are and what we deserve, Ross said in a chat with fellow Golden Globe-winner Kerry Washington for Elle this past August. And every courageous act that a marginalized person takes opens up a space for somebody else, she continued. The system is mirroring back a pow- erlessness. Thats not the truth, but we so often be- lieve in the system-because how could you not?- and you think thats the truth. She went on to discuss the value of power in community. That is one of the ways that the system keeps you powerless. The sys- tem says, youre alone in this, its only you. The more that you link arms and realize the fellowship that oc- curs in the same feelings, the more power you have. As for her haircare line, Ross said to InStyle that she believes her company to be inherently political, because the celebration of Blackness in the face of racism in and of itself is a political act of resistance. Pattern supports multiple related initiatives such as the Crown Act, the African American Policy Forum and United Way Worldwide, specifically as it relates to their programs helping Black communities which have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Ross told Yahoo! Finance this past December, Particularly during this pandemic, it was a little scary. And I think so much of whats happened in this very unprecedented time has really reinvigorated my mission for the company, my intention and my promise of the brand. Ross, with her tenacity and graceful perseverance, reminds us to be unapologetic with how we acknowledge and use our inner power. It is our own. Without our permission, our power cannot be taken; it cannot be shaken; it cannot be broken.
PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN/DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA/ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER VIA GETTY IMAGES
Former First Lady Michelle Obama talks with Tracee Ellis Ross about her book Becoming during a book tour stop in Inglewood, Calif.
PHOTO BY KEVIN MAZUR/VF19/WIREIMAGE
(R-L) Tracee Ellis Ross, her mother, Diana Ross, brother, Evan Ross, and sister- in-law, Ashlee Simpson, attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif.
PHOTO BY OMAR VEGA/GETTY IMAGES FOR OPRAH
Tracee Ellis Ross and Oprah Winfrey speak during Oprah's 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus Tour in Dallas, Texas.
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