More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth

Summary

'More Than Enough' by Elaine Welteroth is a memoir chronicling Welteroth's journey from a young girl raised in a biracial family to becoming the youngest-ever Editor-in-Chief at Teen Vogue. The book details her navigation of race, identity, and ambition within traditionally white, male-dominated industries. Through candid storytelling, Welteroth shares the highs and lows of her path to self-acceptance and empowerment. The memoir serves as both personal testimony and a guide for others striving to discover their worth and break barriers.

Life-Changing Lessons

1. Embrace your unique identity, even in spaces where you feel like an outsider.

2. Navigating setbacks requires resilience and the courage to trust your own voice.

3. Mentorship and community matter deeply in overcoming barriers and achieving success.

Publishing year and rating

The book was published in: 2019

AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 91

Practical Examples

1. Overcoming imposter syndrome as a minority in corporate environments

   Welteroth details her early days at Teen Vogue, describing how she frequently felt like she didn’t belong as one of the few Black women in the office. Despite this, she learned to trust her instincts, and her willingness to bring her whole self to work allowed her to thrive and make meaningful changes.

2. Championing diversity in the media

   As Editor-in-Chief, Welteroth pushed for more inclusive articles, covers, and staff hires. The book describes her fight to make Teen Vogue a platform for marginalized voices, expanding the dialogue to include discussions about politics, race, and identity in a traditionally fashion-focused magazine.

3. Dealing with microaggressions in professional settings

   Welteroth candidly shares moments when coworkers underestimated her capabilities or dismissed her ideas. She explains how she learned to address these issues head-on, advocating for herself and others, and using these moments as learning opportunities.

4. Building a personal board of mentors

   Throughout her career, Welteroth sought guidance from mentors in her industry. She illustrates specific instances where advice from these mentors shaped her choices, from how to ask for a raise to balancing authenticity with professionalism.

5. Redefining success on her own terms

   The memoir recounts Welteroth’s deliberate decision to leave Teen Vogue at the height of her career. She reflects on how stepping away from a prestigious role enabled her to redefine what success meant, focusing on personal happiness and broader impact.

6. Trusting intuition in career decisions

   Welteroth describes pivotal moments when she relied on her intuition—such as accepting a job she initially felt underqualified for—which ultimately led to career-changing opportunities.

7. Using her platform for activism

   Welteroth narrates how she leveraged Teen Vogue's reach to address pressing social issues, like racism and political activism, empowering young readers to be socially conscious and engaged.