Essence March 1995

Note: This was an excerpt from an article entitled "Corporate Women of Power and Influence" written for Essence Magazine March 1995

What does it mean to rise to the upper ranks of the corporate sector? According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, 501,000 African American women- from administrative assistants to middle managers and vice-presidents- know the answer to that question. On the following pages, some of the nation's most accomplished corporate executives talk about their work and how they made it and discuss their business success strategies. These sisters have climbed to the top of corporate America and are sharing their advice and savvy to help you achieve your highest goals. Calm under pressure, capable to the extreme, they are studies in cool, shown in some this spring strongest looks!

(Segment on Karen Grace-Baker featured in this article)

Karen Grace Baker director of marketing at Sony Wonder, is responsible for the marketing and cross promotion of the company's video, audio tapes and book and tape products for preschool-age children. After earning an undergraduate degree in elementary special education and a master's in business administration marketing, she landed a job as a junior accountant at Polaroid in Cambridge Massachusetts. "Prior to getting my M.B.A. in marketing, I had never taken business courses in my life," recalls Grace Baker.

"Polaroid liked my positive attitude. People shouldn't pigeonhole themselves or sell themselves short- its all has to do with how you market yourself."