By:  Maria Williams

More often than not, being a Black womanpreneur can sometimes feel like you’re carrying the weight of your skin color on your shoulders.

In a recent survey, almost a third of women of color said they’ve faced some rough moments in their professional journey. It’s not easy, but it’s a reality for many of us. In fact, for too long, traditional leadership structures have been dominated by a single perspective, stifling innovation and perpetuating inequality.

“As a woman of color in business, you’ll face challenges, constraints, and unpredictabilities along the way,” says Mariela Sabino.

After graduating in Communication Journalism from the Dominican Republic, her endeavors led her to the world of fashion. This journey brought her to the fashion hub, Paris, at Istituto Marangoni – a prestigious institution affiliated with Manchester Metropolitan University.  

When we met for an interview with her, she took us back to her journey of transition in such a way – “Moving from the Dominican Republic to Paris was a big step for me. It was a chance to broaden my horizons and dig deeper into understanding the details of the fashion world. I wanted to challenge myself and explore new opportunities beyond what I was accustomed to.”

Amidst those challenges, she let her upbringing, education, multilingual proficiency, and profound cultural insight empower her to shine in the fiercely competitive luxury landscape. This led her to work with renowned brands in New York and Paris, including LOEWE, GUCCI, Carolina Herrera, Azzedine Alaia, Saint Laurent, Nicole Miller, and Hermes, to name a few. “With each opportunity I seized, I knew it’s important to keep myself going”, she says – this mindset helped me in discovering my rightful position in an industry where I initially faced skepticism.”

Raised amidst the hustle and bustle of her hometown, Mariela’s upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work and the importance of education. It’s a lesson she carries with her to this day, shaping her journey as she navigates the worlds of fashion, entrepreneurship, and advocacy.

She has transitioned multiple roles in the industry and reflecting on her experiences, she soon realized that society still has a space for a conventional mindset, something which still outperforms talent and excellence. She sat down one day with her cup of coffee and wrote, “It’s time for a change—a change that begins with empowering women, especially women of color, to take their rightful places at the helm.”

She says, “Women bring a unique and valuable approach to leadership, characterized by empathy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of social justice issues. Studies have shown that companies with diverse leadership teams outperform their less diverse counterparts. Women, with their different communication styles, prioritize empathy and relationship building, fostering a more positive and productive work environment.” 

It was alarming for her to see that the industry still lags behind in accepting women of color in leadership roles. These women face the most significant barriers in the workplace, navigating both sexism and racism. Yet, their experiences provide a vital perspective, understanding the complexities of social justice and advocating for intersectional approaches to equality.

To build a business worthy of something, she had to do the grunt work. “Navigating the competitive landscape of the fashion industry and later transitioning to the world of yachting required me to continually push beyond my comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Yet, with each challenge I faced, I knew I was coming out stronger and more determined than ever to carve out my path for success”, said Mariela in one of our interviews. 

“Every week, I would get challenged,” she says. “It was an eye-opening experience to build my presence in the fashion industry and fit in.” 

Roll up your sleeves

To break down barriers for aspiring female leaders, especially women of color, Mariela suggests “Roll up your sleeves and get to work.” One way to do this is through mentorship and sponsorship programs. It’s a good idea to work with seasoned leaders who guide and support the next generation. She particularly enjoyed her time with leaders and stressed how she got a piece of their wisdom that helped her navigate the often choppy waters of professional life. 

A safe place

But it’s not just about guidance; it’s also about creating a workplace culture that values work-life balance. Right at the start, Mariela made efforts to talk about affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements in her workplace – something that shouldn’t be luxuries reserved for a lucky few. She says, “They should be standard offerings, ensuring that talented women can pursue their careers without sacrificing their personal lives.”

Unbiased Training

Once Mariela had her career in place, she felt a need to talk about unconscious bias training. “We all have blind spots, prejudices we might not even realize we have. By shining a light on these biases and educating leaders on how to address them, we can level the playing field and create a fairer, more inclusive work environment for everyone”, she says. It’s about breaking down barriers, one training session at a time.

Throughout history, women, especially women of color, have been at the forefront of movements for gender equality, racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and worker’s rights. When women of color hold positions of power, they are more likely to champion policies that address the needs of marginalized communities. According to her, their leadership is not just about advancing their interests but about fighting for the rights of all.

As a testament to her talents, her article on the influence of women in both the fashion and nautical industries was featured in the prestigious International Arab magazine, “The World of Yachts.” This recognition led her to Dubai, which was further marked as a pivotal movement in voicing out these issues and challenges in the industry. 

Sabino’s captivating narrative has enabled her to make a presence in “30 Women Leaders To Look Out For In 2024” and is set to grace the pages of the upcoming 4th Edition of Yanelis Sosa’s bestselling book, “Influential Hispanics.” Joining a prestigious lineup of accomplished women, including TV producers, actresses, artists, doctors, and more, Mariela’s story shines as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment.

Published by: Martin De Juan