I attended my first Tampa Bay chapter DSWA meeting yesterday, it was a wonderful experience! The best part of all was finally meeting our very own "I Love MLM Blackwoman" member, Leola Tillman. Leola has such a kind heart and she welcomed me with open arms..thanks Leola! Leola also happens to be the Vice President of the Tampa Bay Chapter...you go Leola!!!

The welcome didn't stop there, all of the members at the meeting were great and full of high energy. From the moment I arrived, it was as if I'd known these women for years, everyone was talking, laughing and just overall, happy! Once the business portion of the meeting started, the laughter stopped..but only for a moment, it seemed the ladies were still able to find humor and fun, even in a presentation on identity theft and legal insurance.

The group consisted of mostly caucasian women, with the exception of Leola, Eartha and myself. Toward the end of the meeting, Leola and the chapter President, a lovely lady named Barbara Tyler (also a member of I Love MLM Blackwoman.com) shared that I would be speaking on the subject of diversity at the DSWA Education Celebration in Las Vegas. Well...I was blown away and OVERJOYED with the warm comments and applause from our caucasian sisters in the group! Black women...It seems that WE are not the only ones that want to bring more women of color into our beloved profession. Several of the women at the meeting expressed a strong desire to find and recruit more women of color into their businesses. A few of the women shared that they are not around other ethnic groups on a regular basis, therefore they feel limited in their opportunity to interact with them. One member was very excited about bringing more diversity into our profession, but expressed concern by saying "I didn't even know it was a problem!!".

At that point I realized I MUST be more clear about my mission and what MLMBlackwoman is all about.

This site, MLMBlackwoman.com and the DSWA's desire to bring more diversity into the industry does not indicate that there is a "problem" with our industry or the people in it. In fact, our industry and the people in it are what makes the mission of diversifying the industry so important. We are all part of one of the few professions in the world that does not judge or limit you because of the color of your skin, your age, your sex or your educational background. Direct Sales and Network Marketing opens the doors of success and financial independence to EVERYONE!!! There are no limitations or glass ceilings....it is the desire and actions of the individual that determines their success. PERIOD. If there IS a problem at all, it's that not enough black women seize this opportunity called network marketing. Not enough women of color reach the TOP ranks of our companies. It is my believe that this "problem" is true because of lack of education and exposure.

For these reasons, it is important to me that more women of color are exposed to our awesome industry and given the opportunity to reap the benefits of it! It's important to me that more women of color are aware of the endless potential and possibilities that are available to them through network marketing.

And Lastly, it is most important to me that the black women already involved in this industry are given the maximum support, education and inspiration to reach the TOP levels of their companies. My hope is that MLMBlackwoman.com will serve as a haven of inspiration, education and celebration for women of color in our profession. I want MLMBlackwoman to serve as an additional "boot camp" of learning, complimenting the training programs and systems put in place by the reader's companies and upline. In the words of one of our readers, Zashnetta Hollis, "Empowerment Through Education", is what this blog is all about.

Once the Celebration of Diversity in Direct Sales begins...we all win! Our Direct sales companies and their executives can support in this effort by featuring other ethnicities in their catalogs and brochures. In turn, Our companies will expand their presence, support diversity and increase overall sales. Our industry will be able to proudly display a multicultural and "welcome to all" face to the world, and more women of color will have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.

Together we can learn so much, and as a profession, WE can..ALL WOMEN, take the journey to success through network marketing. AS ONE!!

Much Success..See YOU at the TOP,

British