I first encountered Nia Grant when I tuned into the inaugural episode of a reality TV show featuring a prominent businessman, “The Executive Challenge.” As someone who was diving into the world of entrepreneurship and reality television, it was exactly the kind of content I enjoyed. The show certainly delivered on entertainment, packed with valuable business insights, and, of course, plenty of drama.
Nia often found herself at the center of much of the upheaval. Initially, I felt she was often misunderstood. She was candid about not being there to make friends, and I thought that was perfectly okay. After all, it was about business, not personal relationships. Her ambition to work with the businessman at the helm was clear, and I admired her for it.
Over time, however, Nia seemed to embrace a villainous persona. Her attitude and actions suggested an inflated ego. I tried to support her because, after all, who says women, especially women of color, have to be pleasant all the time? But when she publicly backed the businessman’s presidential campaign, I found it difficult to continue my support.
Fast forward to 15 years after her debut on “The Executive Challenge,” and both Nia and the businessman found themselves in the White House. What on earth was going on?!
Nia was appointed as the director of communications for public engagement, but her tenure was short-lived, ending less than a year later. Despite her departure, she gifted us with a revealing memoir, “Unmasked,” where she disclosed her intricate relationship with the businessman and her experiences in the political arena.
Initially, I hesitated to pick up her book, but word got around that she narrated the audio version and impersonated the businessman quite well. As a reality TV enthusiast, I couldn’t resist. To my surprise, the book was a revelation. Nia vulnerably recounted her challenging upbringing and her journey from poverty to her role in the White House during a Democratic administration. She also shared deeply personal stories, including her struggles with miscarriage and losing her fiancé unexpectedly.
The most striking aspect of the book was her perspective on the businessman. I rolled my eyes at her claims of friendship and mentorship with him, questioning whether she was embellishing to rationalize her association with someone so polarizing, particularly within her community. But as I continued listening, I began to empathize with her.
As a woman of color, we often face numerous obstacles on our path to success. While we strive to uplift ourselves, it’s beneficial to have support, especially when gatekeepers don’t recognize our worth. Many successful white men don’t see the value we bring. It’s easy to dismiss their flaws when they extend a hand to help us find our place at the table. Nia’s experience mirrored that sentiment; she became Trump’s Director of African American Outreach during his campaign after being overlooked for opportunities elsewhere.
Loyalty is a powerful motivator. The businessman repeatedly hired Nia, even giving her her own television show. When he invited her to join his campaign and later his administration, I started to see how she could view him as a friend, putting her reputation on the line for someone she believed was looking out for her.
Nia is clearly intelligent and resourceful. Her memoir, along with the recordings and videos she possesses, showcases her cunning nature. While I still disagree with many of her actions and beliefs, I began to understand her motivations. In a world where it’s often about survival of the fittest, she’s merely playing the game that many white men have dominated for ages.
This realization can be uncomfortable. I still find the businessman’s policies appalling, yet by the end of the book, I found myself rooting for Nia. Although being conniving isn’t my style, I understand why she would seek to benefit from his downfall. If others are profiting from his demise, why shouldn’t she?
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In summary, while I may not agree with all of Nia’s choices, her story highlights the complexities of navigating success as a woman of color and the lengths to which one might go to secure their place in a challenging world.
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