More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth

MORE THAN ENOUGH by Elaine Welteroth says on page one of her introduction that, “on average, a girl’s confidence peaks at just nine years old.” I wish she cited the source, but even still, that idea is gut-wrenching.  Why are we so judgmental? Why can’t we find the good in ourselves to help others?  Why do we collectively let the bullies win? These are some of the questions which Welteroth explores in her memoir/manifesto. She tells the story of her career in journalism at Ebony and Vogue, of the barriers she broke, and of the personal cost in terms of feelings of “otherness” and burnout.  MORE THAN ENOUGH is a revelatory work which explores implicit bias in the fashion industry, but which could certainly lend inspiration to any circumstance where leadership is needed. Reframing another situation, Oprah Winfrey noted, “This bad thing isn’t happening to you. It is happening for you.” Welteroth shares that perspective and is indeed a trailblazer “willing to leave signposts along the way that make it a little less confusing, less lonely, less disorienting for the next woman or person of color to follow.” MORE THAN ENOUGH received a starred review from Booklist, is a New York Times bestseller, and winner of the 2020 NAACP image award for outstanding literary work (biography/autobiography).