That dirty "f" word

art credit: Calida Rawles, "Away With The Tides" (2024) During the quarantine, I discovered an artist whose work moved me in such a way. Fast forward four years and her pieces continue to inspire and enthrall the imaginations of many around the world. Acquiring one of her pieces is definitely on my bucket list.

Have you ever been called something that you had to stop for a minute and ask yourself, "did they just call me that?"

I recently found myself in a meeting with an incredible city official whom I admire—and, if I’m honest, have a bit of a business crush on. She's the ultimate badass, and she genuinely seems to understand the work I’m so passionate about: reimagining women's empowerment and increasing funding and investment opportunities for us.

As we discussed some fun ideas to improve and expand opportunities for woman-owned businesses in her city, she looked at me and said, "Jasmin, I admire you for being such a brave and fearless feminist."

She said this with the warmest, most sincere expression, so I knew it was a compliment. But internally, I was conflicted.

I'm not a huge fan of labels and boxes, mainly because I’ve never really fit into just one. My greatest anxiety is feeling boxed in or limited by labels.

So to be called a feminist felt…strange. I’m not a feminist, I thought—I’m Jasmin.

But did I even know what the word truly meant?

This summer, I kicked off a brand-new blog series created for everyone, but especially for businesswomen and female founders who are in transition or trying to navigate their careers, businesses, and the concept of "having it all." You can check out the blog here.

My thoughts and perspectives are deeply influenced by my experiences as a Black female entrepreneur, community leader, and business professional for the last 20 years (which is insane to write, lol).

This week's moment of clarity:

We should all be feminists.

After that meeting, I couldn’t stop obsessing over the label. Feminist. It initially felt too strong and even a bit intimidating if I'm being honest with you. Like many, I had an ingrained association of feminism with specific types of activism or personality traits that felt far from my regular vibes and how I do business and connect with others. But then I asked myself: was this hesitation really about feminism, or was it more about my own misconceptions and society's outdated stereotypes?

As a businesswoman and a black woman who’s navigated predominantly white and/or male spaces, I’ve learned to challenge norms and break molds. For years, I've fought to create spaces where women could authentically build, grow, network and ultimately thrive—whether through my community initiatives and business ventures like Her Texas. Yet, I never thought of this as "feminist work." It was just my work.

I wanted to dig a little deeper on this so I ordered a copy of a classic - We Should All Be Feminists, a book adapted from writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 2012 TEDx talk of the same name. In the book, Adichie redefines feminism for the 21st century with a belief that being a "feminist" isn't an insult, but rather a label that should be embraced by all.

Reading her words resonated with me in such an intense way. Her definition of feminism isn't about anger or divisiveness; it's about fairness, opportunity, and respect. It’s about the simple but sincere belief that we should all be allowed to live without being held back by our gender. Feminism, in Chimamanda's view, is simply the belief that every person, regardless of gender, deserves the same respect, opportunities, and freedoms.

It was important that I read her book and it was even more important that my colleague graced me with a title that I now proudly wear - FEMINIST.

I started to see my own journey through a new lens. My work to empower women, my drive to secure funding for woman-owned businesses, my commitment to showing up authentically—all of it was feminist in nature, even if I’d never called it that.

Feminism, I realized, was never about fitting me into a box. It was about giving me the freedom to not fit into one.

And feminism isn't just for activists on the front lines. It’s a mindset that each of us can hold in our hearts and in our actions. If we truly want to change the world for the better, each one of us needs to carry the torch for equality. In our workplaces, in our communities, in our voting booths and in the quiet moments when we question if we're good enough, feminism is a rallying call for freedom and possibility.

It’s true—we should all be feminists. But that doesn't mean we all have to wear the same label, advocate in the same way, or have the same story. It means we recognize that our worth isn’t defined by our gender, and we stand together to make sure that’s true for everyone.

A New Era of Empowerment

My hope is that more women—and men—embrace feminism as an open door rather than a closed box. In this new era of empowerment, feminism is not just about labels or identities; it’s about action, inclusivity, and creating real opportunities. This belief inspired Fork and Femme, an initiative powered by Her Texas that brought men and women together around the state of Texas on the 23rd of October to support woman-owned businesses by spending in our own communities.

This event inspired almost $49,000 spent with woman-owned businesses around the state and it also served as a reminder that feminist action can take many forms—whether it’s advocating for fair policies or simply choosing where to spend our money.

The impact of Fork and Femme is more than economic; it’s cultural. When men and women unite to champion woman-owned businesses, we’re demonstrating that empowerment transcends gender boundaries. This initiative signals a shift from seeing women’s issues as separate to recognizing them as integral to our shared success. In this way, Fork and Femme embodies a modern, inclusive feminism—one that breaks down old divisions and opens doors for everyone.

We should all be feminists

So, I wear the label now, not as a badge, but as a reminder of my mission. A reminder to push for change, to break barriers, and to empower others to do the same. Because as Adichie said, "Feminist is part of my identity, but I don't want it to be an adjective before my name." It’s not about what we call ourselves; it’s about what we stand for. And if we stand for each other, there’s no limit to the possibilities we can create.

Consider how, in your own way, you can contribute to a world where everyone has the chance to reach their potential—free from limitations and labels. We each have the power to make this era of empowerment stronger, more inclusive and transformative.

The truth is, we’re all part of this movement, whether we call ourselves feminists or not.

As always, thank you for reading and your support.

If there is an opportunity to speak with your organization, at your event in 2025 or on your podcast, I would love to chat! Shoot me a line: [email protected].

Jasmin