UNEQUIVOCAL - The Unshakeable Assurance That She Can Win Now.

Jasmine and Governor Wolf participate on a panel discussion about gerrymandering.

Demonstrated far more in life than reversed, we’ve heard and seen the classic old school tale of how the Indian eventually became the Chief. A modeled visualization encouraging one to follow before you lead, and if at anytime, the urge to resist or rebel surfaced, many experienced a gentle reminder. Profoundly proverbial in its own class, the mere mention of “too many Chiefs, not enough Indians” had an understated greater impact then and somehow brought you in line. Stained by the happenstance of modern day America, there’s a new tune being sung. Current day-to-day operations provide those of us who are the followers (Indians), with all we need: supplies, skills, work overload and training, but our lack and shortage falls specifically with the head. Shortcomings surrounding the growth and development of businesses, schools, churches and more importantly - people - aren’t due to a shortage of managers or chiefs, but a centralized issue revolving around one involuntary attribute – fair and quality leadership.

“If you are only governing from one lens, and you don’t have anybody with a different opposing view, then you will only get one way of government...” Jasmine S.

The America I want to envision is grounded in fair and quality leadership; better yet, we are the prized poster child for civilized democracy. I know what you’re thinking, Houston she has a problem and it mirrors tasteless naiveté. Having witnessed only six presidents, and quite frankly, being alert for three, for the first time in my conscious political existence, I am speechless. Not because our Chief is temporarily failing us in slow motion, but because his constituents -influential heavy hitter type leaders - are negligent on purpose, turning a blind eye to all sorts of citizen violations: small, large, unethical, immoral, right and wrong; to avoid conflict and the appearance of chaos under the same political roof. It’s a Capitolized Hill, you get it yet? And one shouldn’t limit it to just our federal government, as we can also focus our attention to elected officials in local governments and neighborhoods. Locations include courtrooms, classrooms, PTA meetings, churches and neighborhood rec centers. It’s a majority no one will speak of, male dominated and single raced - the loud elephant in the room. Everyone sees and hears it, but no one will address it. So we surrender quietly to our homes, adhering to rules designed to benefit the Chiefs and frustrate the Indians. It leaves plenty room for side-eyes, questions and complaints, which generally speaking, says options are far and few between. It makes plenty of sense and sounds good, but are we justified in how we feel or just too lazy to do the right thing? There are no rules preventing change in leadership, but the change starts with a choice. What do we really want and who knows what we really need?

“We just want women engaged in the civic process.” - Jasmine S.

Most would agree, Saturday mornings are made for sleeping in, but this particular weekend was all about sacrifice. I passed over the idea of a full eight hour pillow and sheets affair, because the tea around town suggested a top-forty-under-forty, Jasmine Sessoms, is spearheading quality leadership in a new direction and look. A Philadelphia, PA native, and event fundraising guru extraordinaire, CEO and founder, Jasmine S. joined my early Saturday morning phone party, furnishing detailed analyses of why her non-profit organization, She Can Win Now, aims to train and equip women – a specific focus with minority women - eager to engage in the civic process. Engagement in the civic process involves contributing to the community to make it a better place to live. In Jasmine’s words, “that means you are civically engaged.” One may describe it as a brave-hearted undertaking for minority women aiming to become the next governor, city council member, PTA President, and the list goes on, but the need for a diverse community and government is a must. A barrier filled task to procure, Jasmine understood this process wouldn’t be easy, but witnessing more cons than pros in the civic arena ignited a desire worth more than a high paying nine-to-five.

Jasmine’s beginnings take us back to Center City, where she served as Director of The City of Philadelphia’s non-profit organization. Under the leadership of former Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Jasmine exposed herself to a different type of corporate normality. Having successfully conquered the conservative sector, serving previously as head of Corporate Social Responsibility for a Republican based insurance company, working for the city would prove to be an eye-opening uneven playing field. Not for Jasmine per se, but for what she represented – a woman in America. The bigger picture – a black woman in America. Yes Philadelphia’s 98th mayor represented minority leadership, but, Jasmine’s weekly entrance into public council meetings left a questionable riddle to be solved. An encountered experience introducing severe misrepresentation of all sorts. You see, a room of men discussing and resolving issues affecting the city, with the unbounded audacity - oddly enough - to cover an agenda focusing on women’s rights and issues; no women around or in plain sight view to get an opinion, expression and more importantly – a vote. How can a group of men tell women about planned parenthood or reproductive rights? This it-was-all-a-dream Biggie Smalls dramatic type scenario, not only played out during a city council meeting, but existed in the state house as well. It was no dream for Jasmine, only a frightful appearance eventually becoming her weekly commonality. The mental red flag was present prompting Jasmine to seize an opportunity, researching why, ironically, this specific civic arena was male dominated. Coincidentally, working on a research project during her tenure with the city, she asked a small number of female elected officials why women aren’t running. The astounding responses insinuated Jasmine probably lived on another planet, oblivious to the current state of affairs. Animated feedback such as, “Who the hell would want to run?” and “I got in by the grace of God.”, were direct truths of current elected officials serving the people; and these same women believed there is too much difficulty getting a foot in the door as a momma, sister, daughter and aunt; issues ranging from fundraising, to not knowing the political process, or to just not being the right dash of color. As solemn as it sounds, their belief centered around hopeful, yet frozen-to-act women avoiding drama and settling with what was the permissible thing to do: volunteer, watch from afar, and assist in campaigns.

“That’s when it clicked to me, when women run, they win” - Jasmine S.

Jasmine speaks at an event, advocating for women to run for office (election).

I’ve always heard the saying, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, but what’s the solution when it’s broke and affecting thousands of lives? Knowing she had expertise in politics, Jasmine immersed herself in the idea of training and equipping minority women to run. It required help from politically connected friends, combined with data driven research to understand the setbacks and hesitation to campaign. The results were mind blowing to me, but for Jasmine it was enough to ignite a spark and take baby steps toward change. Her findings concluded first, that taking on any sort of civic responsibility would affect a single or two person income home. Campaigning is like a full-time job and generally requires you to take a leave of absence from current employment responsibilities. That alone is almost a deal breaker as some or most minority homes can’t afford to lose that income. Next up, there is the issue of fundraising or soliciting campaign funds from donors and businesses. Funds need to be available to pay for advertisement, marketing materials, travel, staff and so on; and most times, it’s not too affordable on your own. Donors for female campaigners (minorities at that) are routinely smaller than that of male campaigners; research numbers setting the gap around forty-five percent. And the most disturbing yet believable discovery is the lack of corporate support for minority female candidates. “It’s not because we aren’t as smart, viable, or we can’t win, it’s... that’s just the way it is. Union corporations will invest in a white male before they’ll invest in an African-American woman, even though she’s representing an African-American district. It’s just the way it is,” Jasmine detailed. Ouch. Lastly, not to sound sexist, but women don’t generally know what it means to be selfish. They are sometimes the head of the household. Campaigning in the civic arena requires the focus to be on oneself, and most minority women are caretakers of some sort. They are picking up children from school, taking care of parents, being a wife, organizing a school fundraiser and maintaining a presence in their place of worship. To sacrifice the care of others requires potential candidates to surround themselves in a village like community. It’s a synchronized experience, while you campaign, the village is picking up where you left off. Candidates have to also do their part in expressing an honest interest to run and what they need from their village. Impractical at best, it’s the key to formalized success.

Data compiled, friends in tow, and a driven spirit ready for action, Jasmine began to challenge the status quo. She conducted a small pilot involving women with a desire to campaign. Six total women involved, two women ran and two won. One candidate even ran against her political party - as she did not win the primary selection process - so Jazz and company strategized a different campaign as an independent party, and they won. The realization surfaced, barriers or no barriers, when women run, they win. So the start of bootcamp training and online classes birthed. She Can Win Now’s bootcamp is designed for the woman whose civic or political interest is somewhat piqued and needs a general overview to help them make a decision. The nine module training is a nine week intensive process covering the political or civic office you’re running for, logistics plus district formulas, and finally a campaign plan to send you off with a comfort in knowing you have a solid strategy. Lastly, they offer one-on-one training. Sometimes when candidates aren’t familiar with all the specifics, Jasmine and staff will sit down face-to-face to address any concerns with the campaign process and help put that specific candidate at ease. To date, She Can Win Now has crossed paths with 400 women, and there are no plans to stop. Jasmine believes, if the civic and political support for women continues to increase, women will continue to win. Since the success of her pilot, and non-profit start-up, Jasmine recalls the recent memory of nine women who utilized She Can Win Now during their campaign launch. They all expressed similar sentiments; tapping into the resources available from She Can Win Now was just plain ole the right thing to do. Their success was a direct result of demonstrative fair and quality leadership echoed from She Can Win Now. As tired as Jasmine is sometimes, hearing such feedback, undeniably is worth it.

If our fearless and diligent leadership example, Jasmine Sessoms, could leave our readers with a word of advice, she will have you to know three things. The first is to be unequivocally good. As African-American women, when assertive, we stereotypically come off as having an attitude. It, by no means confirms this is the official character trait of the black woman, but sometimes such character traits can be mistaken for aggression or attitude. By no means is this right, but it’s life. Even if your constitutional right of assertive behavior is questioned, knowing that the work you do is polished, honest, correct and presentable, no one can take away the fact that you are unequivocally good. They may talk about you behind your back, but guess what, the clients and employers will continue to call.

Jasmine talking to students at CAPA High School, about the importance of civic engagement.

Next, have a succession plan. Jasmine hipped me to the fact that in minority political communities, we don’t ask ourselves, who is our next mayor or governor when we already have one in place. We sort of wait until last minute, and then we scramble. At this point it’s too late and we’ve lost political power. We should strive for history-in-the-making type legacy or continuation of fair and quality leadership. To make this happen current leaders must not only run your palace, but train the next prince or princess while doing so.

Lastly: contribute, volunteer, share the message on social media, and vote when women are stepping up to the campaign process. There's nothing like being inspired by a female Presidential candidate, but then sitting home on Election Day due to unknown reasons.

Because, where there is one leader stepping up, there are two watching, and when the two begin to watch, three are soon to come. We salute you Jasmine Sessoms for bringing to the light that She Can Win; not tomorrow and not next year, but She Can Win NOW.

XOXO - PP

Inspirational Figures

Watson Sisters - Rev. Dr. Dorothy T., Yvonne G., Barbara W., Dr. Cassandra J., Paulette W.

Shirley Chisholm - Before Hillary, there was Shirley.

Watchlist

1. Stacie Abrams - Candidate for Governor of Georgia.

2. Lauren Underwood - Candidate for Congress (Illinois).

3. Kamala Harris - U.S. Senator (California)

Follow Jasmine and She Can Win Now at:

1. www.shecanwin.net

2. IG - @shecanwinnow

3. FB - She Can Win

Jasmine Sessoms, CEO and Founder of She Can Win Now!