Karen Arrington is an award-winning author, women’s empowerment expert + global philanthropist + winner of a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work.
Karen’s coaching, mentoring + philanthropic work spans over 100,000 hours of service — including her position as a Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone, her work as the co- founder of the first Diabetes Awareness Day in West Africa, and her role as the founder of The Miss Black USA Pageant.
She won a 2020 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for her book, Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence and Opportunity for Black Women In America. She has also been honored by The Lifetime Network, Jones New York + other major media outlets for her tireless advocacy for women’s health, success + empowerment — including a Red Dress Award from Woman’s Day Magazine for her efforts in the fight against heart disease, the #1 killer of women.
In 1986, I founded The Miss Black USA Pageant, the nation’s first scholarship pageant for African-American women. I went on to co-found Diabetes Awareness Day in Gambia, West Africa. I was appointed the Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone. I’ve mentored over 1,000 young women, and have secured over $500K in scholarships, grants, and life-changing career opportunities for young emerging leaders.
FWM: Tell us about your tireless advocacy for women’s health, success, and empowerment.
While my work has taken many forms over the years, my goal is always the same: to help women claim their power, redefine their destinies, and defy expectations. This was my main motivation for writing Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, & Opportunity for Black Women in America.
FWM: You won a 2020 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for your book, Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women In America. Tell us about what this award meant to you and what are the takeaways from your book.
Every year, I look forward to sitting glued to my TV watching the NAACP Image Awards, cheering on my favorite artists and entertainers, vying for the coveted trophy. The annual NAACP Image Awards Show celebrates and honors the best of Black excellence in art, literature, film, and television. As a first-time published author, I never imagined that I would be sitting in the audience as a nominee, surrounded by so many talented artists. When the host called my name as the Winner of the 2020 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Works, I was shocked. I did not have a speech prepared, but I rushed to the stage, grabbed the coveted trophy, and somehow the words eloquently flowed (along with a few tears). Winning an NAACP Image Award was an over-the-top blessing and one of the highlights of my life and career. With the seven simple rules in Your Next Level Life, you’ll learn how to bring your career, income, and lifestyle to that next level. Don’t settle for a life of invisibility and mediocrity. Set ambitious goals, reach for bigger opportunities, and know that you are brave enough to get what you deserve.
FWM: What do you enjoy the most coaching and mentoring others?
I enjoy most witnessing the transformation–seeing young women realize their full potential and overcome insurmountable obstacles. Of course, it’s always exciting to witness their successes whether it’s receiving their dream job offer, landing an audition, or scoring a life-changing scholarship.
Over the past 20 years, Karen has helped over 1,000 women step into powerful careers in media, business, medicine + law — transcending hardship, abuse + financial limitations, and transforming their lives + communities.
FWM: You have helped women to transcend hardships, abuse + financial limitations. Can you share a few moving stories?
One of my proudest success stories is of a young woman who was living in an impoverished community, with little formal education but, determined to get out. She refused to let her circumstances dictate her destiny. After mentoring her for four years, I am happy to say that she is now traveling the world as an international flight attendant. She also earned a B.A. in Marketing and is pursuing a master’s degree.
FWM: Can you share a few lessons that you have learned along the way?
*It’s time to stop hanging with people who have your problem and hang with people who have your solution. I remember who I was before I found my next-level friends and how far I’ve come since then. When I began to consciously build my inner circle, my game changed, and my net-worth tripled. Imagine what you could accomplish with five badass ladies in your corner.
*While the wage gap is real, there has never been a greater time in history for women to create wealth. Every year, hundreds of grants, scholarships, and opportunities are announced online from corporations, organizations, and government agencies, which I share in my book.
*I’ve always believed in the concept of lifting as you climb. You don’t have to be Mother Theresa, the Pope, or a deity to make a difference. Get into the spirit of giving and your life will blossom and unfold in ways you could never have imagined. When I co-founded the first Diabetes Day in the Gambia, West Africa, I had no idea I would later be appointed by His Excellency the President, as a Goodwill Ambassador of the country.
FWM: What is next for you?
Well, right now I’m in the beginning stages of writing my second book. I’ve created a group mentorship program for women called Boss Society. Over the past five years, I’ve led 17 something women empowerment trips to the Middle East that allows guests an insider look at how multi-million dollar businesses are run. Now that destinations are beginning to open back up, I am working on scheduling more of these power trips as well as philanthropic missions to West Africa to provide life-changing supplies and resources to local communities.
