6 Motivational Speeches On Leadership, Power, And Self-Confidence From Your Favorite It Girls

1.Sheryl Lee Ralph, "A 3-Step Guide To Believing In Yourself"

If there's anybody who can boost your confidence on a low day, it's one of our favorite aunties and divas, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. The Emmy-award-winning activist and OG Dreamgirl always holds space for standing tall, walking with pride, and knowing your worth. In the above speech, she tells her own story of wanting to quit acting after a very discouraging interaction with a Hollywood head, how she pressed forward anyway, and how you, too, can overcome.

2.Sarah Jakes Roberts, "Girl, Get Up"

We all know her father, mega-church pastor T.D. Jakes, but Sarah has made a name of her own, writing multiple best-selling books and co-leading ONE Los Angeles (along with her duties as a leader at The Potter's House Dallas.) Her story of single teen motherhood and overcoming shame and low self-esteem is relatable to many women around the world, and her relatability speaks to why she has more than two million followers on Instagram alone. In the above speech, she touches on themes of insecurity, overcoming doubt, and leaning heavily into believing in the so-called impossible.

3.Denise Francis, "The Power Of The Black Woman's Self-Love Journey"

In this video, Denise Francis, Founder and CEO of The Self Love Organization Inc., speaks on the link between self-love, your ability to thrive, and your purpose. She also talks about the concept of “self-therapy,” where you get to know your own emotions, sit with them, accept, and take empowered actions to heal. Her online platform, Self Love, Therapy and Wellness Club for Black Women, works to end the cycles of transgenerational trauma through community, advocacy, and self-development.

4.Issa Rae, "None Of My Favorite Hip-Hop Artists Are Humble"

Issa Rae has always been unapologetic about being the fullest version of herself, and in this speech, she's bringing that same message of confidence, throwing super-humility out the window and embracing the fullness of how you deserve all the hype and accolades. While comedic, the undertones are full of the perfect affirming self-talk we all need to be doing every day, whether in the mirror at home or when walking into any room.

5.Niecy Nash-Betts "Speak Truth To Power"

We've seen Niecy Nash play a range of iconic bold women leads, from Deputy Raineesha Williams on Reno 911 to money-laundering nail tech Desna Sims on Claws, to activist mother to one of the Central Park 5, Delores Wise, in When They See Us, to Glenda Cleveland, the notorious serial killer's neighbor, on Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. In her speech, accepting the Emmy for her role in the aforementioned Netflix series, she reminds us all to not only continue to acknowledge the voiceless among us but to speak up for the greatness that is within ourselves.

6.Tracee Ellis Ross, "Run Your Own Race"

Tracee Ellis Ross has always been in her own lane in comedy, acting, fashion, and now business, using "tough moments" to fuel her desire to embrace her unique quirks and take them straight to the bank. She's always redefined womanhood, aging, advancement, and legacy on her own terms, and continues to reinvent what success looks like with Pattern Beauty, a concept, she says in the above speech, that was rejected for a decade. One huge takeaway is that you should stand on business with your ideas and ideals, even if others think it's unpopular or unrealistic, especially when it comes to your ideas and ideas.

"From the very beginning, I set out to start a different kind of beauty company... A company that changes the way people of color are marketed to... Part of my larger mission as a business owner and CEO is to not only prove that Black-owned, Black-founded businesses are mainstream, have immense capital value, and are here to stay, but also to expand the expectations of how Black businesses are cared for and understood by the industry. .. We cannot let people tell us who we should be or what we have to offer."

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