Introduction
Summary of the book More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth. Before we start, let’s delve into a short overview of the book. Imagine stepping into a world where you feel different from most people around you, yet somehow you know you are meant for more. You sense that what makes you stand out can become your greatest strength. You sense that even your smallest early memories – like stepping into a pair of bright pink shoes as a toddler – might hold a hidden message. This is the story of Elaine Welteroth. She grows from a curious, mixed-race child in a mostly white community into a confident young woman who learns to trust her instincts, follow her passions, and proudly own her identity. Through friendships, heartbreaks, career risks, and triumphs, Elaine discovers that knowing you are enough is the key that unlocks every door. Her journey shows how courage, hard work, and self-acceptance can help you rise above challenges. Read on to see how she does it and why it matters.
Chapter 1: How a Toddler’s Pink Shoes and Mixed Heritage Sparked Life-Long Pride.
Before she could even speak in full sentences, Elaine Welteroth stood on tiny, unsteady legs, eager to run before she could properly walk. This eagerness, this sense of urgent determination, showed up early in her life. The famous family story goes like this: Her mother, Debra, gave baby Elaine a pair of sparkling pink Reebok shoes about two months before her first birthday. They were bright, cheerful, and shone like glittering candy in the sunlight. The moment those shoes touched Elaine’s feet, she zoomed forward as if something inside her finally clicked into place. Instead of stumbling or wobbling, she took off across the room, no fearful looks back. It seemed as if the mere act of wearing something so vibrant gave her confidence. Even at that young age, Elaine understood movement as a way of stepping boldly into the world.
As she grew a bit older, Elaine began noticing something else about her life: her mixed-race family looked very different from most other families in her neighborhood. Her hometown of Newark, California was not exactly brimming with cultural diversity. Surrounded mostly by white classmates, Elaine stood out. Her father was white, her mother was Black, and Elaine’s own skin tone, a warm caramel hue, reflected their union. Her older brother, Eric, shared this blended background. In a classroom where everyone else’s collage families looked the same, Elaine struggled to find magazine images that captured her own family’s unique appearance. This simple assignment sparked conversations at home, where her mother lovingly explained why their differences mattered. Instead of feeling odd or out of place, Elaine learned that being mixed race was something she could embrace, celebrate, and be proud of.
With her parents’ support, Elaine found reassurance. Her mother’s careful explanations and gentle guidance taught her to see the beauty in what others might consider unusual. While her classmates easily found pictures of families that looked exactly like theirs, Elaine and her mother had to dig deeper, searching for images in Ebony or Essence magazines – publications that depicted Black beauty, Black families, and the richness of diverse cultural identities. By redoing her family collage with these more accurate representations, Elaine learned a quiet but powerful lesson: if you cannot find yourself reflected in the world’s usual mirrors, you must create your own. Hanging that collage near her bed, Elaine absorbed the knowledge that her identity was a gift, not a burden. She might not look like everyone else, but that difference would become her superpower.
These early moments planted a seed of strength and pride within Elaine. Long before she ever dreamed of working in media, standing before cameras, or shaping stories in glossy magazines, she learned that who she was – and how she looked – mattered profoundly. Her parents had their own ways of ensuring she never forgot it. At home, she was never told she needed to change or hide her heritage to fit in. Instead, she was reminded again and again: You are enough, just as you are. Such affirmations became the sturdy backbone of her identity. Guided by this love, Elaine would carry these early lessons forward. She would use them to navigate tricky situations, power through doubts, and eventually, step into spaces where few people who looked like her had ever gone before.
Chapter 2: Early Backyard Beauty Experiments That Shaped a Future Magazine Trailblazer’s Vision.
By the time Elaine reached elementary school, she was already bubbling with creative energy. She loved to draw, write stories, and assemble magazine cutouts into colorful collages that hinted at a bright future. One of the clearest signs of her emerging passions appeared when she and her friend, Claudia Ortega, opened a makeshift beauty salon in Claudia’s backyard. Of course, they were not licensed stylists. They were just two young girls who enjoyed painting nails, brushing hair, and imagining they were professionals. But the simple act of transforming a backyard into a tiny beauty parlor allowed Elaine to feel the thrill of creating something out of nothing. It gave her a glimpse of what it was like to produce beauty, to arrange images and surfaces so that others saw something fresh and appealing.
Their homemade salon was more than just a fun game. For Elaine and Claudia, who both had brown skin in a neighborhood filled mostly with white kids, this playful venture helped them draw in other girls who might have otherwise overlooked them. The white girls on the block rarely made an effort to befriend Elaine or Claudia. But when they opened their business, curious neighbors came to check it out. Some wanted their hair styled; others wanted manicures. While they did not become instant best friends with everyone, the salon taught Elaine something important: creativity could open doors. It offered her a tool to connect with others, even if they first came just to get their nails done. Inside that small, backyard beauty stop, Elaine discovered that beauty could attract attention and create common ground.
This interest in beauty and design did not stop at the salon. Elaine spent nights cutting out images, letters, and inspiring words from magazines like Seventeen or YM. She carefully arranged them on poster boards, crafting collages that celebrated friendships, personal style, and the exciting possibility of change. Each collage felt like a tiny universe that she controlled. She chose the images, decided where they went, and made sure the layout looked just right. Without knowing it, she was practicing skills that would matter hugely in her future career: having a sharp eye for style, understanding what images communicate, and noticing how certain layouts tell a story. At the time, it was all just fun, but these small activities slowly shaped the kind of professional she would become.
Even more telling was Elaine’s early love for storytelling. As a little girl, she would pretend to be both interviewer and interviewee in her bathtub talk shows. She spoke into the showerhead as if it were a microphone, directing questions to imaginary celebrities. Sometimes she pretended she was Barbara Walters, other times Oprah Winfrey, skillfully switching voices and roles. She interviewed famous stars like Janet Jackson or Michael Jackson, or historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., all represented by her own playful imagination. These funny, creative moments were not wasted time. They honed Elaine’s communication skills, her sense of narrative, and her ability to imagine the world beyond the walls of her home. She was training herself, in a playful way, to become a master storyteller who would later influence how stories are told.
Chapter 3: Struggling With Hair, Identity, and Acceptance in a World Not Ready.
As Elaine entered her teen years, the reassuring messages from home collided with a world not always ready to embrace her uniqueness. One of the easiest ways to understand Elaine’s changing feelings was to look at her hair. In her early childhood, her mom braided her hair each week, and she hardly knew its natural texture. But as she hit those turbulent middle school years, she began questioning how she wore her hair. Surrounded mostly by white classmates, she noticed that their straight hair seemed to be the standard for beauty. Her curls, beautiful in their own right, did not receive the same admiration. Instead, these differences sometimes made her feel awkward and unsure. She wondered why her natural hair could not be praised the same way. Gradually, these questions deepened her thinking about identity and self-worth.
Elaine’s struggles were not only about hair. They were also about how she fit into different social circles. In middle school, she found herself trying to blend into a more diverse environment than her earlier classrooms. She experimented with styles that reflected the Mexican American girls at her new school: tiny buns, gelled front pieces, brown lip liner. This was her way of attempting to fit in, to become less noticeable as different and more accepted as one of them. But playing chameleon did not guarantee popularity or confidence. At a dance, no one asked her to partner up for a slow song, and Elaine went home heartbroken. She cried in her mother’s arms, feeling painfully aware of the beauty standards and social hierarchies that made her feel less than worthy.
Still, these challenges, as painful as they were, offered Elaine important lessons. She learned that conforming to other people’s standards did not guarantee happiness. Changing her hair or her style to please others often felt hollow. Elaine began to recognize that no matter how hard she tried, some people might never see her worth if she did not first believe in it herself. The insults, ranking lists, and silent rejections stung, but they did not completely break her. Instead, these experiences began shaping a deeper understanding of how society sets narrow definitions of beauty and how young girls struggle to meet them. Although she did not have all the answers yet, Elaine started to grasp that fitting in at all costs was not the path to genuine self-acceptance.
Her mother remained an anchor during these confusing years. Whenever Elaine returned home in tears, her mom offered comfort and reassurance. At times, these hardships felt like huge walls Elaine could not climb. Yet, inside her, that seed of self-worth planted in early childhood still existed. She was not going to let cruel comments or shallow judgments define her forever. She sensed, even as a teen, that understanding her worth would take time. It was not just about wearing her hair naturally or fitting in with a certain crowd. It was about deciding how she wanted to see herself and who she wanted to become. Elaine did not know it then, but these struggles were guiding her toward a future where she would tell stories that celebrated difference instead of hiding it.
Chapter 4: First Love’s High School Promise and the Shattered Dream That Followed.
High school brought new possibilities, including the thrilling idea of falling in love. Suddenly, Elaine found herself surrounded by Black classmates, and for the first time, she felt more visible in a good way. It did not take long for a certain boy to catch her eye. He seemed exciting, a bit dangerous, and full of charm. She was young, starry-eyed, and ready to experience the kind of romance she had seen in movies and heard about in songs. For a while, it felt magical. They held hands on campus, shared long phone calls, and exchanged heartfelt looks beneath the bleachers. Elaine believed this was the real thing: pure, powerful love that would carry her forward and make her feel completely valued.
But being a teenager also meant living in a world before the wave of today’s social awareness. Songs on the radio often suggested that strong women should stay loyal no matter what, even if their partners treated them poorly. Elaine absorbed these messages. She adopted a Ride-or-Die attitude, believing that a devoted girlfriend never leaves her man, no matter how rough things get. Although her boyfriend started showing signs of trouble – slipping into risky activities, prioritizing friends who encouraged bad decisions, and showing less interest in school – Elaine stayed by his side. She thought love meant sticking it out through every storm, even as she felt parts of herself being chipped away.
Their relationship lasted through most of high school, influencing Elaine’s academic choices. She dreamed of attending Stanford, a top university where she imagined building a future that matched her ambitions. Yet, when the time came to apply, she could not bear the thought of leaving her boyfriend behind. Instead of following her original plan, she decided to go to Sacramento State, closer to him. In doing so, she stepped off her imagined path. This decision showed how strong romantic attachment, when mixed with insecurity or a desire to please others, can redirect a person’s life. Elaine did not realize how big a sacrifice she was making for someone who might not truly value her dreams.
The relationship’s cracks deepened after high school. Her boyfriend got involved in serious trouble, and soon he was calling Elaine from jail. She visited him, feeling confused and trapped. When she finally gathered the courage to break up, she experienced a painful mixture of loss and relief. It was as if she had finally let go of a heavy weight strapped to her shoulders. While the heartbreak hurt, it also freed her. Without the pressure of holding together a failing relationship, she could refocus on her own future. This tough chapter in her life taught Elaine that love, no matter how passionate it seems, should not require you to abandon your own goals or sense of worth. It prepared her for future challenges and set her on a path to reclaim herself.
Chapter 5: Breaking Free From Harmful Stereotypes and Questioning the Images Around Us.
After releasing herself from that suffocating relationship, Elaine felt a mixture of emptiness and a strange excitement. She had no idea what came next, but she knew she wanted more than the life she almost settled for. In college, she met a professor who introduced her to new ways of thinking. This teacher, young and biracial, showed Elaine that intelligence, beauty, and power could coexist inside someone who looked like her. Through deep conversations, Elaine learned to label and understand the subtle messages society uses to shape what we think is normal or desirable. She discovered how mainstream media often celebrated people who looked more white, suggesting lighter skin or straight hair was better than embracing one’s natural features.
This realization made Elaine both angry and motivated. She saw how unfair these images were, how they pressured Black and Brown people to feel inferior. It was not just about magazines or music videos; it was about a whole cultural system that taught people to believe that dark skin was less beautiful, that curls were less elegant, and that different meant less. Elaine recognized that these false messages had played a role in her earlier insecurities. They had crept into her thoughts, influencing how she viewed herself and her worth. Now, instead of blindly accepting these ideas, she began questioning them, asking, Why can’t natural Black beauty be celebrated in the same way? and Who decides what ‘beautiful’ even means?
Though she had not settled on her exact career path, Elaine knew she wanted to change the narrative. She longed to see more honest representations of Black people in all areas of media. She wanted to work in a field where she could highlight and promote authentic stories that didn’t reduce people to stereotypes. Her newfound anger at the system’s lies did not make her bitter; it fueled her determination to be part of the solution. While many people never question these standards, Elaine decided she would not only question them but also challenge them through whatever platform she could find.
This period was like planting a new seed in her soul – one that would later bloom into a meaningful career. By daring to question mainstream messages, Elaine readied herself to step into places where she might have more influence over which images got published and whose voices got heard. She had tasted the bitterness of racist assumptions and culturally narrow definitions of beauty. Now, she was done swallowing that bitterness in silence. Instead, she would find ways to show the world that Black culture, Black stories, and Black beauty deserved to be at the forefront. This mindset would shape every major decision she made going forward, helping her become a fierce advocate for representation and change.
Chapter 6: Surviving a Challenging Internship and Unearthing Her True Professional Calling.
As graduation approached, Elaine felt the pressure of figuring out her next move. She searched for internships, hoping to gain experience and clarity. When she landed one at a prestigious advertising agency in New York City, it felt like a major victory. But soon, reality hit hard. Surrounded by well-dressed interns from fancy Ivy League schools, Elaine felt invisible. No one seemed interested in her perspective. She felt lost, overshadowed, and isolated in an environment that made her question if advertising was right for her. The feeling of being out of place was crushing, but it also revealed something crucial: this world did not feed her soul or her creativity.
Returning home after that tough internship, Elaine realized she needed a different path. Advertising, with its lack of personal connection and often narrow ideas, was not the stage she wanted. She wanted to work where words, images, and stories combined to form something meaningful. She loved collages, interviews, layouts, and beauty spreads. These early interests pointed her toward magazines – places where images and storytelling coexisted perfectly. Although she was nervous about this dream, once she admitted it to herself and others, it felt like a puzzle piece snapping into place. She would pursue magazine work, a world where she could shape the narrative and perhaps lift up the voices and images that had so long been ignored.
With encouragement from her mentor-like professor, Elaine set out to find an internship at a magazine that valued diversity and creativity. She crafted an application to Essence, a well-known Black women’s magazine, showing off her design skills and youthful energy. Just as she was making these moves, she stumbled upon an article by Harriet Cole, a respected editor and stylist. Reading Harriet’s piece was like hearing a whisper from fate, telling her to reach out. Elaine decided to take a risk and contact Harriet, even though she was a stranger.
This leap of faith would turn out to be life-changing. Instead of giving up after her tough advertising internship, Elaine let the disappointment guide her toward something truer. She discovered that facing a bad fit can clarify what you truly want. Determined not to return to an environment that made her feel small, she trusted her instincts. She believed that magazines could be her playground for stories, beauty, and representation. As she braced herself for the next steps, Elaine felt excitement stir within her. The hardships she faced had not crushed her spirit; they had focused it. Now, she knew what she wanted, and she would not stop until she found a place to bring her vision to life.
Chapter 7: Chasing Mentors, Bold Moves, and the Unexpected Doors Opened at Ebony.
Few successes happen without mentors, and Harriet Cole became that guiding figure for Elaine. With pure determination, Elaine repeatedly called Harriet’s office, politely asking for a few minutes of her time. Some might call it persistence, others might say stubbornness. But Elaine trusted her gut feeling that Harriet could be the person to help her break into the magazine world. Eventually, Harriet agreed to speak. Their phone conversation lasted far longer than expected. Elaine hung up knowing that even if they never spoke again, Harriet had already changed her life by simply showing her what was possible.
Meanwhile, Elaine had scored an internship at Essence, a major step toward her dreams. But then, Harriet offered her a once-in-a-lifetime chance: help with a photo shoot in Los Angeles featuring Serena Williams. Elaine, hardly believing her luck, jumped at the opportunity. She had no idea what a production assistant actually did, but she learned by watching. And then came a bold moment that tested her courage. During the shoot, Elaine quietly suggested a different swimsuit for Serena, a daring move for someone in her position. Instead of scolding Elaine, Harriet listened and tried the suggestion. The image of Serena in that blue swimsuit would later grace a magazine cover, proof that Elaine’s taste and voice mattered.
Impressed by Elaine’s passion and insights, Harriet invited her to intern at Ebony. Although Ebony lacked the glamorous reputation of some other magazines, Harriet promised Elaine more responsibility and the chance to truly develop her skills. Trusting Harriet’s judgment, Elaine accepted. This decision turned out to be wise. While other interns at big publishers struggled for attention, Elaine rolled up her sleeves at Ebony. She got hands-on experience, learned every detail of running a beauty department, and sharpened her eye for style and storytelling. Rather than getting lost in a massive company, she stood out in a smaller environment, proving she had what it took to thrive.
Thanks to Harriet’s guidance, Elaine learned that success is not always about choosing the flashiest path. Sometimes, a smaller platform can offer bigger opportunities for growth. At Ebony, Elaine’s voice and ideas were not just tolerated; they were celebrated. This support gave her the confidence to trust her instincts and refine her editorial style. She realized that working closely with mentors who believed in her potential was more valuable than sitting at a prestigious desk with no one noticing her. Elaine’s willingness to choose mentorship over mere prestige would become a powerful pattern in her career. By following Harriet’s lead, she stepped onto a path that would eventually take her to the top of her field.
Chapter 8: Ascending at Ebony, Embracing New Roles, and Navigating Love’s Complex Terrain.
At Ebony, Elaine flourished. The magazine, once seen as old-fashioned, was trying to reinvent itself, and Elaine’s youthful energy helped push it in fresh directions. Under Harriet’s leadership, Ebony secured impressive cover stories, featuring cultural icons who represented Black excellence and creativity. Sadly, nothing stays still in the world of media. Unexpectedly, Harriet was forced to leave Ebony. This felt like losing a guiding star. Still, Harriet encouraged Elaine to remain at Ebony until she could claim a solid title of her own. And that is exactly what Elaine did, working tirelessly and taking on responsibilities that far exceeded her official role. Before long, she became the Beauty and Style Editor, a remarkable achievement for a young woman just starting out.
With professional success came personal developments. Elaine had guarded her heart since her teenage heartbreak, determined not to repeat past mistakes. But now, living in New York City, a new man entered her life. He seemed like a dream come true – handsome, successful, and ready to commit. After her bruising past relationship, Elaine allowed herself to hope. She imagined a future where her thriving career and a loving partnership could exist together. Their romance moved quickly, filled with grand gestures and expensive gifts. Diamonds sparkled in her ears, and their early months together felt like a fairy tale playing out against the city’s bright lights.
Yet, beneath the shiny surface, small cracks began to appear. Elaine noticed moments that felt off: He criticized her choices in clothing, questioned how she presented herself, and seemed oddly annoyed when she did not react the right way to his lavish gifts. Instead of feeling cherished, Elaine felt herself shrinking again, changing small parts of who she was to avoid his anger. This was a red flag, but Elaine tried to ignore it, convincing herself that love required patience and compromise. She recalled how society’s messages had shaped her before, encouraging her to endure discomfort for the sake of having a partner.
Even as she rose professionally, Elaine faced a new test of self-worth. The tension in her relationship brought back old questions: How much should you change for love? How do you know when respect and understanding have been replaced by control and manipulation? She would soon learn the hard truth. Just as her career was about to soar to new heights, her relationship would collapse under the weight of dishonesty and betrayal. Looking back, Elaine would wish she had trusted her instincts earlier. But life often teaches lessons through painful experiences. This chapter of growth at Ebony and complex love affairs would prepare her for even more challenging decisions ahead. Soon, Elaine would break into the world’s most elite publishing circles, carry her unique vision forward, and eventually set herself free from a harmful relationship.
Chapter 9: Climbing into Condé Nast’s Elite World While Confronting Relationship Betrayals.
Elaine had proven herself at Ebony and wanted to keep climbing. In the glossy universe of magazine publishing, Condé Nast stood like a grand castle, home to iconic titles like Vogue and Glamour. Many dream of entering those halls but never get the chance. Elaine, with her courage and talent, managed to land a job as a beauty writer at Glamour. It was a huge step, a move from a niche publication to a mainstream powerhouse. Moving to Glamour was not just about prestige; it showed that a Black woman could excel in spaces historically dominated by white professionals. Soon after, she was promoted, rising further and becoming the first Black person to hold her new position.
Yet, as her career ascended, Elaine’s personal life took a nosedive. An anonymous email detailed her partner’s infidelity. Elaine was stunned. At first, she refused to believe it, calling him to demand honesty. He denied everything. Confused and hurt, Elaine turned to her roommate, who confirmed the terrible truth. Her partner had been cheating, and Elaine had even met the other woman at a social gathering. This revelation shattered the picture-perfect story Elaine had tried so hard to maintain. She had adjusted her behavior, her clothes, and even her emotions to keep him happy, and this was the thanks she got?
Elaine was heartbroken, furious, and humiliated. But she was no longer that insecure teenager who would sacrifice her future for a man. This time, she had a clear sense of her worth. She called her mother, breaking down in tears, and her mom hopped on a plane to be by her side. Together, they decided that this man did not deserve another second of Elaine’s precious time. Elaine broke off the relationship, refusing to entertain any more lies. It was painful, but also freeing. She realized that trusting her instincts was key. When something felt wrong, it usually was.
This heartbreak, while terrible, did not stop Elaine’s upward momentum. In fact, it pushed her to rely on her own strength even more. She poured her energy into her work at Glamour, determined to make the most of her position. She focused on becoming the kind of editor who brings fresh perspectives, introduces new voices, and helps shine a light on stories that had been too long ignored. No matter how much personal pain she carried, Elaine moved forward with grace and determination. The split was a tough lesson, reminding her that no career success can fully fix a broken heart. But it also taught her that she was strong enough to walk away from relationships that stunted her growth. One day, this clarity would help her lead at an even higher level.
Chapter 10: Becoming Teen Vogue’s Leader and Redefining Representation Before an Uncertain Exit.
Hard work and talent eventually opened one of the most significant doors in Elaine’s career: Teen Vogue. She landed there after impressing industry leaders, and in a few short years, she rose through the ranks. At a remarkably young age, Elaine became Teen Vogue’s editor-in-chief. This was no small feat. She was the second Black editor in Condé Nast’s long history and the youngest editor-in-chief ever appointed at the publishing giant. Being a FAD – First, Only, Different – brought both pride and pressure. She felt responsible for giving a platform to the marginalized voices that traditional magazines often overlooked.
Under Elaine’s leadership, Teen Vogue shifted from focusing solely on fashion and beauty trends to including coverage of social justice issues, cultural identity, and politics. She featured stunning cover stories that celebrated diverse Black voices, from artists and activists to rising stars in entertainment. She ensured that Black hair stylists, photographers, and creative directors got their chance to shape the narrative, not just appear as tokens on a set run by white professionals. In doing so, Elaine challenged the old rules of mainstream media. She showed that stories from people of color were not a sideline, but central to understanding our world.
However, the media landscape was changing rapidly. Print magazines struggled against a growing tide of online content. Advertisers and readers shifted habits, and eventually, the decision-makers at Condé Nast folded Teen Vogue’s print edition. Suddenly, Elaine faced a choice: stay in the Condé Nast universe, moving to another magazine that might not support her vision as passionately, or leave and find a new path altogether. Many would cling to the security of a top publishing house, but Elaine was never one to play it safe. She decided to walk away, even though it meant stepping into uncertainty.
This decision was not just about professional direction; it was about protecting her mental and physical health. The stress of being editor-in-chief, of constantly pushing boundaries in a world resistant to change, had taken a toll. She felt burned out and needed to reconnect with herself. Elaine knew her story did not end within Condé Nast’s walls. She had learned what mattered: celebrating one’s heritage, trusting one’s instincts, and daring to break old barriers. She had proven that she was enough – more than enough – to stand in rooms that were never designed for her. Leaving Teen Vogue allowed her to remember that success is not a final destination; it is a journey, one that can be reshaped as you grow.
Chapter 11: Stepping Beyond the Comfort Zone, Owning Her Worth, and Forging New Paths.
As Elaine stepped out of the glamorous world of Condé Nast, many would have feared what lay ahead. But Elaine understood that each ending can spark a new beginning. She realized her worth did not depend on a job title or a famous employer’s name. It depended on knowing herself and trusting the inner voice that had guided her from childhood. That voice reminded her that her mixed heritage, her curls, her experiences – good and bad – were her strength, not her weakness. She had shown the world what could happen when someone who looks like her sits at the editorial table, shaping the images and stories that influence how people see themselves.
Away from the pressures of monthly deadlines and constant public scrutiny, Elaine took time to reflect. She asked herself how she wanted to use her gifts next. Would she write a book, produce creative content, host conversations, or mentor young talents? The possibilities felt endless, and this freedom opened her imagination. Without the safety net of a giant publisher, every move felt a bit riskier, yet also more authentic. She learned that embracing the unknown can lead to greater self-discovery and growth. By stepping away from a system that sometimes limited her vision, Elaine could fully unleash her creative energy on new projects and missions.
Elaine’s story proves that belonging and achievement do not require you to change who you are. Instead, they may require you to change the spaces you occupy. In leaving Condé Nast, she showed that no single platform defines her. Whether working behind a magazine cover, writing personal essays, appearing on television, or speaking to a room full of future creators, Elaine’s power comes from knowing she is enough. This confidence was rooted in her earliest lessons, in family collages and pink shoes, in challenging beauty standards, and in demanding that the world make room for girls like her. Now, she carried this truth forward, influencing others to claim their space without apology.
If there is one major lesson to draw from Elaine’s journey, it is that trusting your instincts matters. Throughout her life, instincts guided her to call mentors who inspired her, to leave relationships that hurt her, and to champion voices that had been ignored. Instincts pushed her to recognize when she needed to leave even the most admired institutions behind in order to protect her spirit. Today, Elaine Welteroth continues to shape how stories are told, encouraging everyone to reject narrow definitions of beauty, power, and success. She continues onward, writing a narrative that says, We can be fully ourselves and still stand on top. By embracing who she truly is, Elaine has shown that she will always be more than enough.
All about the Book
More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth is an empowering guide that inspires readers to embrace their authentic selves and take control of their narratives, blending personal anecdotes with practical advice in a compelling manner.
Elaine Welteroth is a celebrated journalist, author, and former editor, known for her groundbreaking work in media and her advocacy for diversity and empowerment.
Journalists, Editors, Life Coaches, Diversity Trainers, Public Speakers
Writing, Public Speaking, Coaching, Mentoring, Storytelling
Racial equity, Women empowerment, Mental health awareness, Self-acceptance
You are more than enough; your worth is inherent and undeniable.
Michelle Obama, Ava DuVernay, Selena Gomez
NAACP Image Award, Gracie Award, American Society of Magazine Editors Award
1. Embrace your unique identity and personal story. #2. Challenge societal norms and expectations fearlessly. #3. Cultivate self-worth and confidence in your abilities. #4. Harness adversity to fuel personal growth. #5. Recognize the power of diverse voices and perspectives. #6. Find strength in vulnerability and authenticity. #7. Advocate for yourself unapologetically in all spaces. #8. Own your narrative and shape your future. #9. Build supportive networks and nourishing relationships. #10. Balance ambition with self-care and well-being. #11. Use creativity to drive impactful social change. #12. Overcome imposter syndrome to embrace self-acceptance. #13. Align personal values with professional pursuits. #14. Develop resilience through challenges and setbacks. #15. Cultivate a positive, inclusive leadership style. #16. Embrace discomfort as a catalyst for transformation. #17. Blend passion with purpose for meaningful impact. #18. Demand diversity and inclusivity in professional spaces. #19. Acknowledge past struggles as stepping stones forward. #20. Celebrate successes as milestones on lifelong journeys.
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https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Enough-Embracing-Confidence/dp/0593135203
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