Lupita Nyongo – independent.co.uk

Happy Monday!

Last night, millions of people across the planet watched Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’O win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the epic “12 Years a Slave”. I know I did, and I can’t even begin to explain the feelings of pride and sheer joy that overtook me as I watched this young woman transcend centuries-old race and gender barriers, to claim an honor that has seldom been given to women like her.

She closed her beautiful acceptance speech with this phrase that will forever stay with me: “No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid!”. As we head to work this morning to start a new week, as we struggle as corporate sisters to establish our footing in a corporate world where very few look like us, let’s remember that our dreams of success and achievement are also valid. That we can achieve our best even as the odds seem insurmountable. That with hard work, dedication and sheer genuine commitment to our careers, we can also make it to the top.

We saw it last night, and we need to be getting ready to see it over and over and over again,s tarting with our own selves. It can be done, it has been done, and will be done again, and for that reason, we are to keep on keepin’ on, and keep pushing until we can finally make it…

And if you’re in need of inspiration this morning, please watch Lupita’s Oscar acceptance speech last night, and be reminded that your dreams are valid:

The Corporate Sister.