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Lil’ Kim and MC Lyte discuss the importance of ‘sisterhood’ at the kickoff of Mastercard’s ‘She Run This’ event held over Grammys weekend to celebrate black entrepreneurship in business and hip-hop. I spoke.
Organized in conjunction with Femme It Forward to spotlight entrepreneurship in business and hip-hop, the three-day event brought together rap veterans Kim, MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa and Yo-Yo. It began with a three-part panel discussion featuring: Mastercard ambassador Jennifer Hudson will make a special appearance alongside emerging artists like , Coi Leray, Baby Tate and Jozzy.
During a panel discussion, Lyte explained why she didn’t want to work with other women early in her career and how her mindset changed. “All I heard was that it’s not good to work with women because they are very emotional. I adopted this idea, but the truth is that I I had to take responsibility for the way I communicated. rhyme partner star hired a female manager 13 years ago. This lady manager became her partner in her business and her COO of ‘everything MC Lyte’.
“There are ways to communicate with love and care and kindness, but I didn’t know that. [first started out]’ she continued. “All I can say right now is that this business I do is the best for me because I know what sisterhood is all about.”
Kim added: unprotected around sisters.Especially in areas where there are many men [industry]It was hard, but it peaked when I was comforted by my sisters. I felt most powerful. “
“We did everything together,” Kim said early in her career with MC Wright, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Da Brat, Queen Latifah, and stylist Misa Hilton. Kim collaborated with fellow female artists on “Ladies Night,” featuring Elliott, Blige, Bratt, Left Eye, and Angie Martinez. Christina Aguilera’s “Lady Marmalade” remade with Kim, Pink and Mya.
And after more than 25 years in the rap game, Queen Bee continues to show her support for the new school of female rappers (she recently brought Laura Brooke to a show at the Apollo Theater).
“Sisterhood and having my sister’s back is important, and Kim always had my back,” Hilton said. [in her career], suddenly people may try to come among us. people [would] I asked Kim for a job at a fashion magazine, and she said, “I want this stylist.” What did she say? “Misa must be there.” Don’t be afraid to persevere, don’t be afraid to miss opportunities, and realize the power of your own voice. [is important]You can ask for anything you want and you can bring your sister. “
Coi Leray and Yo-Yo will be at Mastercard She Runs This and in February at Sip & Sonder during GRAMMY Week in partnership with Femme It Forward for a three-part panel discussion series on Black Women in Business Entrepreneurship and celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. April 2023, Los Angeles.
Mike Tran / Polk Imaging
“Everything I do is everything I wanted to do when I was seven,” said MC Wright of his debut album light as rock 35 years old this year. Throughout her career, the Brooklyn native has crossed over from her rapping to acting to voiceover work. “She wanted to be on the radio, she wanted to use her voice,” she said. “I saw tootie [played by Kim Fields] upon life facts It was like, ‘I have to go to Los Angeles because I need to act.I wanted to do them all, but I also realized that I had to prepare myself. [I’m ] MC Wright; had to know the skill set. I went to acting school and went to voiceover coaching classes and workshops. I was prepared for the moment, and the opportunities lined up so I could show up and show. “
The “She Runs This” campaign includes an immersive “Small Business City” built within Meta Horizon Worlds, a Hudson-initiated TikTok challenge, and Mastercard’s mission to help black women entrepreneurs succeed. Advertising campaigns to promote, and affiliated Fearless Fund grant contests. With the Fearless Fund, a Black-owned venture capital fund aimed at supporting women of color. Mastercard and Fearless Fund offer black female small business owner her $20,000 grant, providing digital tools and mentorship to help them “build, protect and sustain their business.” I’m here.
Additionally, Mastercard and Amazon have partnered for a small business marketplace that spotlights small businesses owned by black women. Digital marketplaces allow owners to share brand origin stories and connect directly with customers on Amazon Live. Customers can also explore a shoppable social her hub of products from small businesses owned exclusively by black women on Pinterest.
According to Mastercard, 80% of U.S. women entrepreneurs, individual entrepreneurs, small business owners, and content creators have endured financial hardship. Recognizing this universal economic obstacle that entrepreneurs face and the challenges of combating racism and racial prejudice, Mastercard is celebrating her 50th anniversary of hip hop by giving black women entrepreneurs: Helping provide the financial tools, resources and education to make dreams come true.