A Voice for African-American Business Women

Sisters Supporting Sister through Onyx Woman Online

Onyx Woman Magazine, The business magazine for African-American women, provides a forum on their website for Black women to discuss issues affecting our career, our business and other relevant matters that impact our quality of life.

Ola R. Jackson, founder and publisher of Onyx Woman magazine, says it is extremely important that we share ideas, experiences and successes with one another. Based on her experience as a publisher and entrepreneur she realized the need to continuously reinforce the urgency for us to more effectively network and mentor to one another. Many of us try to make it on our own. Some times pride gets in our way and we make the decision to struggle by ourselves rather than succeed with someone else if it means admitting that we need help." Jackson says she never knew how badly she needed support until she herself experienced turbulence as she tried to grow from a small newsletter into the magazine that she created to be a voice for Black business women. Jackson says her friends felt helpless because of her resistance and her detractor couldnt wait for her demise.

I am urging Black women to reach out to one another without fear or hesitance. I want us to understand that it is okay to say, I need help. Granted there will be many who wont reach back, but for the few who do; it may make the difference between success and failure." Jackson says she wants Onyx Woman Online to be a place where women engage in serious dialogue about how they can get from struggle to success, or from success to exceptional. She wants women to celebrate and support one another. Jackson says it can be very challenging when you attempt to follow your dreams and encounter envy, jealousy and negative people who simply can not wait for you to fail. You need to communicate with people of like minds and similar ambitions who will inspire you to follow your dreams and at the same time will be honest enough to give you a reality check."

Onyx Woman Online also provides visitors the opportunity to list their conferences, workshops and other special events that bring Black women together to be empowered and educated. The Internet has offered us an opportunity that we did not have years ago; a way to reach more people with less effort and a whole lot less money. My web site wasnt created just for me. It is there to be of service to the people that I have made a lifelong commitment to serve. I feel obligated and have accepted the responsibility to create an opportunity to share knowledge, wisdom and encouragement from women who have cleared a pathway so others can avoid the trials and difficulties that so many before us had to endure." says Jackson.
Racism on the job, business planning, financing, home-based businesses, marketing, networking and investing are just a few of the topics that Jackson encourages women to discuss. Starting June 1, you will also be able to hear telecasts of interviews with professionals, authors and experts who will tell you how to navigate your adventures up the corporate ladder or turn your dreams into reality.

Onyx Woman Online will enable you to sign up for conferences, seminars and forums sponsored by Onyx Woman. You can view the site at: www.onyxwoman.com. For advertising information: contact: adv@onyxwoman.com. To contact Jackson directly send your remarks to ola@onyxwoman.com, or call 412-731-5159.

Onyx Woman needs your input to better meet your needs. Please send a response to the following question and receive an Onyx Woman bookmark. If you had to create a magazine for professionals and business women, what issues would you like addressed? Send response to Onyxwomanmag@aol.com.

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