The Next Little Black Book of Success: New Laws of Leadership for Black Women
I first met Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood, and Rhonda Joy McLean not too long after I graduated from college. It wasn’t in person, but it was by way of their first book, The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women.
I was going through the growing pains of finding my way in the corporate world. And since everyone in my friend group was my age, we were all lost in the sauce, relying on each other for help.
There were so many resources in college, but once I graduated, there were few people I could reach out to for professional development help. And then a friend (who was also new in the professional world) told me about The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women.
Three professional Black women who had succeeded in business came together to write a book (from different careers) to help other Black women succeed in the workplace.
There had been nothing like this book before, and I have used and appreciated every tool it offers. And these amazing women gathered again to release the updated version of their now-classic book on business.
The Next Little Black Book of Success: New Laws of Leadership for Black Women reads like a continuation, and it’s aligned with the times.
This book gives you the wisdom of three Black women who have been successful in business, paired with mentors who help guide you through specific things that will pop up throughout your career.
In 2025, over 300,000 Black women lost their jobs. It was reported as a mass exit, and that language insinuates that it was their choice. The reality, between federal job cuts and the quick dismantling of DEI programs, paired with inflation, a shaky job market, and you have more than a few Black women concerned about their future.
It’s during this time that The Next Little Black Book of Success: New Laws of Leadership for Black Women becomes more than a business book; it becomes a tool Black women need in their arsenal.
I got the chance to speak with Elaine Meryl Brown and Rhonda Joy McLean to discuss the importance of their book.
We also dove into topics they covered in the book, such as using strategy over emotion, avoiding the workplace “mammy” stereotype, and even tackling the age-old debate about whether to turn your camera on during meetings or leave it off.
