Photo: McBoat Photography
Cole: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the Chamber of Commerce today, and how do you see the Women’s Chamber overcoming them? Ross: We’re navigating through a particularly challenging moment in history, where organizations dedicated to advancing equity for specific communities face unprecedented headwinds. The current federal rhetoric and agenda threatens to undermine decades of hard-fought progress, putting chambers like ours – those established to level the playing field and create economic opportunities for underrepresented groups – in a vulnerable position. However, the real question isn’t about the challenges we face, but about how Colorado’s business community will respond. The business case for equity hasn’t changed just because the political winds have shifted. If anything, it’s
Every decision, every initiative, every public appearance carries the weight of representation. The world places countless expectations on Black women – too many to name. We’re expected to be strong yet not intimidating, confident but not threatening, successful while remaining relatable, and leaders while being team players. There’s an exhausting pressure to navigate these often contradictory expectations while carrying the weight of racial and gender dynamics in every space we enter. With everything happening in the world right now, I feel all of it deeply. Sometimes these expectations can be overwhelming, but they also fuel my determination. They remind me why this work matters and why excellence isn’t just an aspiration – it’s a necessity. Because ultimately, this isn’t just about me succeeding in my role; it’s about expanding possibilities for every woman who comes after me.
27 The Acumen
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