Let Me Upgrade You: Michelle Obama Says President Obama Was 'A Bum'
Most of us like to keep it cute when shedding a light on the history of our relationships. When discussing the beautiful beginnings, we excitedly dig through the archives to relive the firsts: the first time you two met, the kiss, the date. But what some of us fail to do is remove the fluff about those firsts. We don’t want to mention that our husband was unemployed at the time he wooed us. Or that he wasn’t the best dresser and he needed a bit of upgrading. Sometimes, who we end up with, isn’t who we met at the start of it all, but fortunately for us and our significant others, we can see through the poor style choices, financial situations or attitudes that might have turned our faces the other way. Thank goodness for the power of potential.
Just ask the First Lady of the United States.
In a special appearance on talk show, The Real, Michelle Obama was asked about her early beginnings with Barack, before the bling and the babies. Dishing the truth about who got better grades in, Mrs. Obama took all the credit before letting it be known that her husband would tell anyone the same thing. But it was a brief story FLOTUS would later share that not only backed her claims up, but had audience members and the co-hosts cracking up in the East Room of the White House.
“I mean, he will say it, it's not even close. Barack fooled around in high school. He's said it, he didn't take school seriously in high school, he barely got his work done – he was a bum. And it took him a second because, you know, he had to grow up a little bit. Now, he went to college, he went away right away, but it wasn't until his second year, he transferred from Occidental to Columbia College and he was like, ‘I gotta make something of my life. I gotta get it together.’”
Now POTUS wasn’t the kind of bum you’re probably thinking of and would label. No good, do nothing, sit in the house all day-kind of dude–nah, not Barack. FLOTUS has often spoke on her past with the former senator of Illinois and their rocky start. In 2012 she said,
“...He was still the guy who’d pick me up for our dates in a care that was so rusted out, I could actually see the pavement going by in a hole in the passenger side door. He was the guy whose proudest possesion was a coffee tablel he found in a dumpster, and who’s only pair of decent shoes was half a size too small.”
Related: 10 Lessons Barack And Michelle Obama Taught Us About Love
But through all of that, she’s always said she was more attracted to who he was as a person and it was his personality that helped reel him closer to her heart.
“What truly made me fall in love with Barack Obama was his character. You hear me? It was his character. It was his decency, his honesty, his compassion and conviction.”
Something Michelle may not have gotten to known since she was the type to separate business and personal and was reluctant to date Barack. After working at the Chicago branch of Sidley Austin as a first year attorney, the future FLOTUS became an advisor to Barack, who proceeded to ask her out on dates. He was curved on several occasions, but the Harvard grad must have repeatedly chanted his notable “Yes we can” slogan to himself as a mantra because he surely didn’t give up. Several attempts later and Barack successfully landed a couple of dates and ultimately, Michelle’s hand in marriage after three years of dating.
Related: Watch: A First Look at Tika Sumpter as a Young Michelle Obama In ‘Southside With You’
When they wed back in ‘92, Michelle said of their vows “Barack didn’t pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise, he delivered.” It's been nearly 24 years since they said “I do” and Michelle has been Barack’s right hand, rocking with him every step of the away–riding around in beat up cars, to the Senate, to turning the White House black.
As he couple prepares to make their exit out of the White House, they leave behind history as the first ever African-American first family, but it won’t be the last time we see the inspiring couple. There’s a film being made in honor of their love story titled Southside with You, featuring Tika Sumpter playing Michelle and Parker Sawyers as President Obama.
Not too bad for a former bum turned one of the biggest presidents in American history.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Frustrated With Your Job Search? Here's What One Expert Says You Should Start Doing
Recent LinkedIn findings have confirmed a few telling things about Black job seekers that many of us can probably relate to. Things in the realm of work and career advancement efforts have been shifting for Black professionals, with a majority (90%) considering a job move this year for more money (30%) or a better work-life balance (23%).
In these times of economic uncertainty, Black and Latino professionals are the most likely to consider a job move in 2024, but more than half of Black and Latino professionals “believe that looking for a job is frustrating.”
Despite the challenges, 62% of Black professionals, specifically, are changing their job search strategy to keep up with the changes in the new world of work, and they’re also the “most inclined” to want to find a job that aligns with their values and meets their criteria, the report further indicates.
I caught up with Tyrona Heath (@tyronaheath), director at LinkedIn’s B2B Institute, about strategies to shift your job search approach, what red flags to look out for when it comes to scammy postings, and how LinkedIn’s tools can be helpful in networking and landing your dream gig.
Job Search Tip 1: Don't be shy about marketing yourself and creating a story around whatever it is you offer to the world.
Heath shares that, when approaching your job search, the key is to stand out and be remembered. Candidates have to tap into highlighting what they can uniquely bring to the career opportunity they're pursuing. "Your brand is out front speaking for you when you’re not in the room. An active online presence, especially on LinkedIn, is crucial, as it helps create a natural identity that pulls people in and fosters lasting relationships."
"Use LinkedIn to message connections, have informational interviews, set up alerts, and follow people and companies to stay in the loop," she added. "Just like marketers deliver brand messages, tailor your updates and content to showcase what you know and contribute to the ecosystem. Employers are looking for people with skills to solve problems and identify the next opportunities.
She also noted that 70% of Black professionals "emphasize skills over degrees when job hunting, highlighting the importance of practical abilities increasingly outweighing traditional qualifications."
"Embrace your skills, and don't be afraid to go for those opportunities that might seem a bit out of reach. I always urge people to be really strategic in their search, using filters to narrow down the best roles, but also to make sure candidates aren’t undervaluing their professional experience.
Job Search Tip 2: Take the next step and invest in premium or membership upgrades on job-seeking sites.
"If you are still stuck on what to say to your new connection, LinkedIn’s AI Networking Tool for its premium members helps them craft a personalized message when reaching out to your connection for the first time," Heath said. "After you’ve used some of these tools to make an initial connection, it’s important to continue to tend to your LinkedIn garden. It's not just about planting seeds; it's about nurturing and cultivating relationships over time. Effective networking involves refining your connections and focusing on those that truly matter. By consistently investing in your network, you allow it to flourish and yield fruitful results over time."
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Job Search Tip 3: Research prospective employers thoroughly to avoid getting scammed or wasting time applying for a fake job.
"Sadly, more and more job scams appear every day. They are feeding on the increasing innocence of job seekers as the job market continues to fluctuate," Heath said. "To help avoid being a victim to job ghosting, email phishing, and fake remote work opportunities, it is important to research the companies thoroughly and conduct thorough research. With the help of LinkedIn Pages, you can find out the credibility and information about the company, its values, and its commitments.
LinkedIn also has integrated verification directly into job posts, she added, which helps to ensure job seekers are able to get verified information about a company and job poster. "Most importantly, don’t ignore your gut feelings. If you’re getting asked for personal information like your social security number, bank information, or being asked to pay for things yourself, it’s probably a scam," she said. "Receiving an offer after just one interview is also a red flag. Legitimate companies have thorough processes, so if it feels too good to be true, it probably is."
Luis Alvarez/Getty Images
Job Search Tip 4: Still hitting walls? Keep networking with authentic motives, take the focus off the pressure of the process, and find ways to expand your support system.
"I have deep compassion for those who constantly do everything they can do in their power and come up short. You start to feel helpless, and you find yourself stuck in a rut. What you’re feeling is real. We are seeing a tightened job market compared to the past few years," Heath said. "Before, we saw two jobs for every applicant; now it’s the complete opposite. One of the best things to do is expand your circles, relationships, and communities. Not only does this make for a great support system, but it also allows for the potential for opportunities you may not have uncovered otherwise. Your next job could be brought to you by your connection’s connection’s connection."
You can use platforms like LinkedIn to see who's connected to whom and become industry friends of friends (so to speak) with the network of someone you're already connected to.
Job Search Tip 5: Lean into the right timing for responding to applications, and be flexible. Achieving a big goal can start with consistently achieving a few smaller ones.
"While it’s easy to get hung up on finding the 'perfect' dream job, it’s important to remember that most jobs are vehicles and not destinations," Heath said. "Instead of focusing on this, try to think about what skills you’ll gain from each opportunity and how you can apply those skills and experience to your next opportunity."
She also encourages candidates to be quick on the draw when it comes to responding to job openings. "Applying within the first 10 minutes of receiving a relevant job notification can increase your chances of hearing back by up to four times, so don’t underestimate the importance of being the first to apply."
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Featured image by Goodboy Picture Company/Getty Images