What Do You Need? - by Lauren Wesley Wilson

About the Book

"What do you need? This question, as simple as it is powerful, is not often asked of women of color. But the answer to this question could be the difference between dreaming of a successful life and actually living one. As founder and CEO of ColorComm Corporation, Lauren Wesley Wilson has been on the forefront of empowering women to become leaders and changemakers in business. At age 25, Lauren founded ColorComm, which began as an informal networking luncheon series and has since evolved into a multimillion-dollar communications company. Like any successful venture, your career needs a strategic plan; and that starts by determining where you want to go and what you need to get there. A fundamental piece of developing that vision is the crucial question that ColorComm has long-asked its community: What do you need? In her groundbreaking book, Lauren reveals the unwritten rules that women of color need to know in order to succeed in the workplace. Drawing from her own career experiences, Lauren shares the playbook you'll need to advance to the C-Suite. Whether you are a woman of color seeking to thrive in the workplace or an ally committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can excel, What Do You Need? is your indispensable road map to understanding, supporting, and empowering women of color in their careers. What Do You Need? is a reminder that by understanding each other's needs we can build bridges that lead us toward a more equitable and inclusive society, all while enjoying the journey up the ladder to success."--

Book Synopsis

NATIONAL BESTSELLER!
USA TODAY BESTSELLER!
SUCCESS MAGAZINE BESTSELLER!

Lauren Wesley Wilson, businesswoman and founder and CEO of ColorComm Corporation uncovers the skills that women of color need to know to reach leadership positions.

What do you need? This question, as simple as it is powerful, is not often asked of women of color. But the answer to this question could be the difference between dreaming of a successful life and actually living one.

As founder and CEO of ColorComm Corporation, Lauren Wesley Wilson has been on the forefront of empowering women to become leaders and changemakers in business. At age 25, Lauren founded ColorComm, which began as an informal networking luncheon series and has since evolved into a multimillion-dollar communications company.

Like any successful venture, your career needs a strategic plan; and that starts by determining where you want to go and what you need to get there. A fundamental piece of developing that vision is the crucial question that ColorComm has long-asked its community: What do you need?
In her groundbreaking book, Lauren reveals the unwritten rules that women of color need to know in order to succeed in the workplace. Drawing from her own career experiences, Lauren shares the playbook you'll need to advance to the C-Suite.

Whether you are a woman of color seeking to thrive in the workplace or an ally committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can excel, What Do You Need? is your indispensable road map to understanding, supporting, and empowering women of color in their careers.

What Do You Need? is a reminder that by understanding each other's needs we can build bridges that lead us toward a more equitable and inclusive society, all while enjoying the journey up the ladder to success.

Review Quotes

"What Do You Need? is a must-read for anyone who wants to create powerful connections and build community. Lauren Wesley Wilson is a mentor all women will wish they had at work in times of need. In What Do You Need? Lauren provides us with a window into her dynamic career--from employee at a top communications firm to becoming founder and CEO of ColorComm Corporation. She calls on all women of color to think more strategically about their careers in order to have a fulfilling and rewarding journey."-- Huma Abedin, political strategist and New York Times best-selling author of Both/And

"What Do You Need? gives women of color the power and permission to be conscientiously authentic as they navigate their careers and oftentimes unchartered waters in business. Lauren's commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders with the tools and information to succeed is embedded in every chapter of this book."-- Star Jones, attorney, media personality, and TV's Divorce Court judge

"Lauren Wesley Wilson's What Do You Need? shares clear pathways for how women of color can harness their personal and professional power. Her writing is thoughtful, honest, and, most of all, you feel how much she wants you to win."-- Cleo Wade, New York Times best-selling author of What the Road Said

"There is nothing more refreshing than learning from someone who has been through it before. What Do You Need? gives readers the opportunity to be honest with themselves--their successes, their shortcomings, their needs. Lauren provides clear direction for allies to learn how to show up authentically to advocate and support the women of color around them."-- Mandy Moore, Emmy-, Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress

"What a novel idea to ask women What Do You Need? So many of us navigate the journey of our careers facing challenges head-on and trying to figure out what more we need to give, not what we need. In her book, Lauren makes these challenges relatable and offers women of color thoughtful and strategic advice to persevere and succeed."-- María Elena Salinas, described as the "Voice of Hispanic America" by The New York Times and contributor at ABC News

"What Do You Need? It is my favorite question of all time. It represents the "get to the point" of how YOU can achieve your goals! Lauren has given us a primer to the road map, not an exact path but a shared index that translates some of the pitfalls, traps, and high roads on our journey to success!"-- Michelle Miller, co-host of CBS Saturday Morning and New York Times best-selling author of Belonging

"Success for a woman of color can feel elusive and difficult. What Do You Need? offers a clear direction on how to find the path to take your career to the next level and not waste time in areas that could be holding you back. Lauren outlines a blueprint for the next generation of leaders."-- Deborah Roberts, co-anchor of 20/20 and New York Times best-selling author of Lessons Learned and Cherished

"What Do You Need? is an honest look into the questions women of color should be asking themselves to achieve a fulfilling career. This book will save readers years of wasted energy and time and will point them in a direction that will lead to achieving their goals."-- Michelle Lee, former editor in chief of Allure

About the Author

Lauren Wesley Wilson is one of the nation's leading thought leaders on media relations, diversity and inclusion, and crisis communications. At 25, she became the founder and CEO of ColorComm Corporation. Prior to that, Lauren worked as a communications strategist at a prestigious crisis communications firm in Washington, D.C., where she oversaw media strategy and crisis communications for international governments and stakeholder engagement for consumer brands. Lauren has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, People, as well as on MSNBC and CNBC, and more. She has been recognized by PR Week's 50 Most Powerful in PR, Ad Age's Women to Watch, New York Women in Communications, and many others. Lauren previously served on the Glass Lions Jury at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France. She graduated from Spelman College with a bachelor's degree in political science and from Georgetown University with a master's degree in communications Lauren resides in New York City.