Dominique Fluker | Women@Forbes | Writer

Dominique Fluker has proven that Black Girl Magic is more than just a catchphrase, rarity or a unicorn. With a passion about diversity and inclusion within the workplace, Dominique is dedicated to encouraging millennial women of color to make an impact within their organizations. Through consistent story telling of these women, she is proving that diversity and inclusion shouldn’t be a niche topic.

Women@Forbes

Tell us about your career path that led you to writing for Women@Forbes?

I always loved to write. However, starting my blog, Werque by Dominique Brielle in 2016 allowed me to write for fun while exploring Q&A/career profiles of millennial women within my network. My blog brought me visibility and creative freedom, ultimately leading me to a Women@Forbes networking event where I met my current editor. I emailed her some of my blog posts and she challenged me to think of several different headlines for pieces to write. Although it took me about 5 months to convince her to bring me on as a contributor, I kept being consistent and was offered a contract to sign on January 1st, 2018.

What do you like about writing for Women@Forbes? How do they support their contributing writers (e.g. tools, resources, events)?

I love writing for Women@Forbes because I’m able to make a real time impact for my community and beyond by highlighting dynamic women of color millennials. I’m able to inspire people by storytelling for a major and reputable platform. With Women@Forbes I often showcase the underdogs, the overlooked, and new talent in each vertical of my choice. That’s an amazing privilege and responsibility.

What have been some of your most memorable moments in your time writing for Women@Forbes?

Earning my first editor’s pick, being promoted to “Senior Contributor” within a six-month timespan of writing for the platform and being invited to speak at the Senior Contributor Summit at Forbes’ HQ about how my work stands out from the pack.

Tell us about your experience of being a Contributor for Women@Forbes to being selected as a Senior Contributor.

I was promoted to be a Senior Contributor from Contributor within six months of writing for the platform. My editor let me know that I was selected due to delivering great content on a consistent basis.

Writing

Do you have freedom to select your writing assignments?

I do. I have complete autonomy. If the person fits into my swim lane, I’m able to create the story from ground up myself.

How do you make your writing stand out?

I think about the bigger picture and how my stories will ultimately be impactful. I often ask myself, “How would this story resonate and inspire my audience? How can I push the envelope further?”

What sparked your interest in writing specifically on millennial women of color?

I’m a millennial woman of color. I live, eat and breath this every day. I’m so passionate about my personal advancement, working on my narrative and the progress of others. I started small and leveraged my millennial network which led to more visibility to capture other millennial’s stories.

How would you like your writing to impact millennial women of color?

I’d like them to know that the limit does not exist. You can shape your own narrative and craft the life of your dreams if you work hard and discover your purpose.

What are some of your short term and long term goals in writing?

Continue to make an impact at Women@Forbes and diversify my portfolio by writing for several other publications consistently.

What advice do you have for other millennial women of color looking to become a contributor for Women@Forbes?

Do the work. Have a point of view and make sure you are willing to be in the work to write consistently.

For the Culture

My black is beautiful because…

I can be resilient and soft at the same time.

What happens when black women support each other?

#blackgirlmagic

Which black females, living or deceased, inspire you? Why?

My Mother and grandmother. They are the strongest and most selfless people that I know.

What does it mean to you to have witnessed having our first black President and First Lady?

That black excellence is very real and attainable.

Make Lemonade

Dominique Fluker Writer Women at Forbes The Everyday Lemonade Black Women

Ingredients:

Representation
Happiness & Fear
Passion
Routine
Inspiration

Step 1: Start with a Big Bowl of Representation

What does representation mean to you?

You mentioned that you were selected as one of only two black women for the Senior Contributor Summit out of 2,300 contributors within Forbes Media network. What did that moment mean to you as a millennial woman of color?

It meant everything. I used to consider myself as the underdog. My parents weren’t well connected or had the opportunity to attend college, but they were intelligent and worked hard and smart. I learned at a very young age that working hard and being consistent will get you far. When I was selected out of 2,300 contributors to be a Senior Contributor, I knew it was meant to be. I knew I was supposed to be in the room, I knew that my voice and point of view needed to be heard not just for the Women@Forbes audience but for the millennial women of color to come after me. Representation of women of color means everything to me. It’s why I exist and why I’m able to write freely. Our stories and voices need to be seen and heard more consistently. Diversity and inclusion shouldn’t be a niche topic.

Step 2: Add happiness & Extract Fear

What makes you happy?

When I’m creating and loving freely.

How do you manage fear?

I try to push past the fear and I see a therapist once a week to manage my anxiety.

Step 3: Stir in Your Passion

What are you passionate about?

Living, writing, seeking and exposing.

Step 4: Establish a routine

Are you a morning person or an evening person?

Both.

What’s your morning or evening routing for your career?

Morning: I wake up at 6 am, check my to-do list, write and listen to my New York Times, The Daily, and The Read podcasts before heading into the office for the day.

Evening: I write while watching Bravo TV shows and drinking wine.