Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard: Reclaiming Power for Black Women

In a world that often feels overwhelming, especially for Black women, Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard is offering a beacon of hope and a practical guide. Her new book, “Power Reimagined: My Mission to Get It, Grow It, and Give It Away,” is a powerful call to action for reclaiming personal strength and influence.

Finding Power in Community and Resilience

Sharif-Drinkard, a senior vice president at ABC News and a seasoned executive, draws from her own life experiences, including her upbringing in Harlem and her career in media. She notes that many Black women currently feel despondent and powerless, a sentiment she recognized growing over the past few years. Her book aims to counter this by reminding readers of their inherent strength.

A key takeaway from the book is the vital role of resilience, which Sharif-Drinkard calls a “superpower” for Black women. However, she also cautions that resilience can sometimes be a double-edged sword. She stresses the importance of community and mutual support, stating, “Black women are going to save Black women. We’re going to help each other. We’re going to save ourselves and save each other.”

Redefining What Power Looks Like

Sharif-Drinkard challenges the conventional, often grandiose, definition of power – one associated with immense wealth or fame. She argues that power is fundamentally the “ability to effect change in your life or in someone else’s life.” This change can be quiet, steady, or even appear static, but it is power nonetheless.

By unlearning societal definitions that associate power only with the wealthy or famous, individuals can recognize their own capacity to influence their lives and communities. “Power actually belongs to all of us,” she asserts, encouraging people to embrace it rather than fear it or feel excluded from it.

Wielding Power in Everyday Life

So, where can we find and wield this power? Sharif-Drinkard emphasizes the significance of community engagement. “Get out there and be in community,” she advises. This involves articulating goals, asking for help, and being open to opportunities. She also highlights the power found in elevating others, stating that a significant part of power is understanding one’s purpose, owning their value, and winning strategically.

• Understand your purpose.
• Own your value and self-worth.
• Win strategically and courageously.
• Elevate others.
• Practice resilience-based leadership.

The Business of Love and Relationships

The book also delves into personal relationships, including Sharif-Drinkard’s unique approach to marriage. She describes a process that involved vetting her now-husband, including interviews and reference checks, which her publisher initially hesitated to include. However, she argues that understanding the “business of love” and relationships is crucial, moving beyond just “chemistry and butterflies.”

Her advice for women, particularly Black women, seeking partners is to implement a vetting process, ask better questions, and be intentional. “We can’t be afraid to be alone for a minute,” she notes, stressing the importance of self-knowledge and confidence in advocating for one’s needs and dreams. Black women, she insists, “don’t have to fold themselves up to fit into someone else’s life.”

A Call to Stay in the Game

Sharif-Drinkard felt compelled to write “Power Reimagined” because she saw too many people, especially Black women, feeling hopeless. She wants to instill a sense of hope and encourage everyone to “stay in the game.” This involves doing the internal work to recognize one’s power and ability to shape their lives, viewing adult dreaming as a “revolutionary act.”

Her ultimate advice for regaining power is simple yet profound: “Be still long enough to figure out what it is [you] should be doing.” By identifying what fuels you, what brings joy, and what drains you, you can redirect energy towards life-giving pursuits and remove personal “power sucks.”