The Jackie Robinson of Modeling

“I propose the “Beverly Johnson Rule” for Condé Nast, similar to the Rooney Rule in the NFL that mandates that a diverse set of candidates must be interviewed for any open coaching and front office position. The “Beverly Johnson Rule” would require at least two black professionals to be meaningfully interviewed for influential positions. This rule would be especially relevant to boards of directors, C-suite executives, top editorial positions and other influential roles. I also invite chief executives of companies in the fashion, beauty and media industries to adopt this rule.

“Whitney (Ruth Whitney, Editor-in-Chief – Glamour (1967 – 1998)) declared I was “the Jackie Robinson of modeling.” Forty-six years after my Vogue cover, I want to move from being an icon to an iconoclast and continue fighting the racism and exclusion that have been an ugly part of the beauty business for far too long.”

~ Beverly Johnson
Supermodel, Actress, Businesswoman & Author

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Due to The Color of Your Skin

“We must recognize that to live in a world, in a society,
in which you feel that your life is constantly under threat
because of the color of your skin is, also, a form of violence.
It is a daily, ambient, gnawing violence.”

~ Charles M. Blow
Author & Op-Ed Columnist – The New York Times

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The Food of the South

“I think things like food, the food of the south is sort of the common tie that binds us all,
Black and White, the sense memories. It’s a very particular part of the country.”

~ Sela Ward,
Actress, Author, Producer, Spokesperson, Philanthropist, Prime-time Emmy Awards (2X) & Golden Globe Award

Respect: Required & Desired

“We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white.
It’s our basic human right.”

~ Aretha Franklin,
Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Civil Rights Activist, Philanthropist,
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1979), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987), Grammy Legend Award (1991),
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1994), Kennedy Center Honoree (1994), National Medal of Arts (1999),
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005), Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame (2005),
Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2015), UK Music Hall of Fame (2005), Memphis Music Hall of Fame (2018),
Asteroid 249516 Aretha (2014), Person of the Year (2008) & Pulitzer Prize Special Citation (2019)

Equal Upon Principle

“I should like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence,
which declares that all men are equal upon principle,
you begin making exceptions to it,
where will you stop?
If one man says it does not mean a Negro,
why not another say it does not mean some other man?”

~ Abraham Lincoln,
Lawyer & 16th President of the United States

That Color on Purpose

“People are valuable regardless of the color of their skin.
You can be open about it and talk about it. You don’t have to pretend that you are not different,
but you can learn about those differences God didn’t say, ‘Ooh, I made you brown on accident.’
He made them that color on purpose. And if you do not have friendships with other races,
then ask God to bring you some. He will.”

~ Nicole C. Mullen,
Singer, Songwriter & Choreographer.

A Foolish Thought

“Any man who believes that all men of one race are bad because
one man of that race is bad, this man is a fool.”

~ El Jefe, the Police Chief,
Bonanza TV Series Episode, ‘The Fugitive’,
performed by Frank Silvera,
Actor, Producer, Director,
Co-Founder – Theater of Being & Acting Coach

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Oneness in Action

 

“Football is oneness in action. When played well, it is unity on display.
Players come from different races and different backgrounds.
However, when they get on the field,
they harmonize their differences toward a common goal.”

~ Tony Evans,
Founder & Senior Pastor – Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship,
Founder & President – The Urban Alternative,
Former Chaplain – Dallas Cowboys, Chaplain – Dallas Mavericks,
Radio Broadcaster – The Alternative & Television Broadcaster

 

For Our Americans

 

“Decades of record immigration have produced lower wages and higher unemployment for our citizens,
especially for African-American and Latino workers.
We are going to have an immigration system that works,
but one that works for the American people.”

~ Donald John Trump,
Businessman, Television Personality, Author,
Real Estate Developer, Founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts &
45th President of the United States (1/20/2017 – )

 

Being Dark

“It was rough being dark. I got heat from my own people more than anyone else.
I remember going to my mom and saying, ‘Why am I so black?’ And she said,
‘Because I’m black. You just gotta always work harder than the average bear.'”

~ Bernie Mac,
a.k.a. Bernard Jeffrey “Bernie” McCullough
Stand-up Comedian, Actor & Voice Actor.