From Imposter to Influence™: How to Show Up When You Feel Small.

You’re not unqualified - you’re under-affirmed.

Let’s begin with a truth that might hit close to home:

"You’re not unqualified - you’re under-affirmed."-  The Zoma Lady™

For every high-achieving Black woman who’s ever questioned her success, doubted her visibility, or felt like she had to over-explain her brilliance just to be seen - this is for you.

Because, here's the thing:

What we often call Imposter Syndrome isn't just a mindset glitch.

For Black women, especially founders and leaders, it’s often the residue of racism, respectability politics, and unspoken trauma from always having to earn our place twice over.

And just like what "Papa Pope" said - We’ve been taught to:

• Work twice as hard and be humble about it.

• Lead like we’re lucky to be here.

• Prove ourselves even after the receipts are on the table.

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And then when success finally lands - we whisper, “Am I good enough to hold this?”

Yeah. I’ve been there too.

Imposter Syndrome for us isn’t just internal -it’s inherited.

Where This Really Comes From

Let’s stop slapping a band aid on what deserves a deeper reckoning.

Imposter Syndrome for us isn’t just internal -it’s inherited.

We’ve absorbed messages like:

🗣️ Don’t outshine.

🗣️ Be grateful for crumbs.

🗣️ Stay quiet and prove them wrong.

But sis… you weren’t born to be digestible. You were born to disrupt.

Here's a lesson: Dr. Thema Bryant's Spelman’s 2025 Commencement.

And let me tell you - I’m still catching my breath.

In it, she broke down the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25) and said:

“Stop draining yourself to prove your worth. Stop leaking your light to keep everyone else lit.”.

I’ll never hear that passage the same way again.

It hit deep, because as visionary women, we’ve been conditioned to pour, serve, nurture -even when our own lamp is dry.

But here’s what I need you to know:

🪔 Not every empty lamp is your responsibility.

🪔 You can’t run a legacy business on burnout.

🪔 Protecting your oil isn't selfish — it’s strategy.

Not every empty lamp is your responsibility.

What Imposter Syndrome Looks Like in a High-Achieving Black Women

Have you ever:

• Turned down an opportunity because you “weren’t ready”?

• Over-delivered and undercharged to “be accessible”?

• Played small in a room you outqualified everyone in?

• Felt like visibility was more dangerous than helpful?

…if you say "Yes" to any of these scenarios-then you're not broken. You’re navigating a legacy of survival wrapped in leadership.

And that's why it's time to shift.

From Imposter to Influence™: Your Shift.

So let me walk you through the shift - the actual, actionable transformation.

This is at the heart of what I teach inside my workshop “From Imposter to Influence™: How to Show Up When You Feel Small.”

But right now, I want to give you a taste.

Because this work?

It’s sacred.

“Every time you question your voice, remember this: your silence won’t save them - and it won’t serve you.”– The Zoma Lady™

Let's start here: 5 Mindset Shifts Every Founder Needs to Hear:

📌 You’re not new to this - you’re just newly visible.

Your skills are seasoned. Your voice is ready. The fear is just your nervous system catching up to your power.

📌 Confidence isn’t loud - it’s clear.

You don’t need to shout. You need to own your message.

📌Imposter Syndrome ends where ownership begins.

Start with your wins. Build your “Power File.” You’ve got receipts - believe them.

📌 Your worth is not up for negotiation.

Your pricing. Your peace. Your purpose. Add tax.

📌You weren’t given the vision to shrink it for comfort.

Stop playing small to keep others comfortable. Your light is not a liability.

Your light is not a liability.

You’re Not Alone.

Famous Black Women Who’ve Felt It

👑Issa Rae once feared her work wouldn’t translate to TV. She did it anyway

👑Bozoma Saint John talked about being “the only one in the room” - and leading anyway.

👑Minda Harts built her career on calling out corporate exclusion for what it is-not our inadequacy, but their inability to make space.

So if you’re doubting, you’re in divine company. Just don’t stay there.

🎁 Ready to go deeper?

I unpack all of this and more in my signature workshop:

“From Imposter to Influence™: How to Show Up When You Feel Small”

If you’re a Black woman, a founder, or a visionary who’s tired of whispering her brilliance and ready to reclaim her visibility, voice, and power.

This Free Webinar is for you.

🛠️ Bonus: You’ll also get "You Belong Here: Confidence Reflection & Strategy Worksheet™" - your go-to guide for:

📌Self-trust

📌Visibility without burnout

📌CEO energy (on your terms)

🔗 Click here to sign up

Limited spaces - don’t wait to reclaim your influence.

Comment below or share this if you’ve ever felt like you had to dim your light to be accepted. Let’s normalize power in public.