Black Voices: News, Culture & Community from Across the Nation
- Delta Sigma Theta initiation and Spelman College grad; became an attorney, entrepreneur, and international speaker, raising nearly $750,000.
- Pitched Curvy Girlz Lingerie on Season 8 of ABC's Shark Tank, advocating for plus-size fashion and visibility.
- New book The 40 Year Plus Glow Up Playbook debuts September 15, 2026; available now for pre-sale.
- Let go of others' expectations: rediscover yourself, make independent choices, and create a peaceful, elevated life.
- Audacity and unmitigated gall to pursue big dreams: dust off ambitions, act differently, and finish what you started.
by Precious Williams | Amsterdam News
What does it look like to have Audacity at 47? You are looking at it. Like many of my sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., I have succeeded despite the odds. I was told “no” so much, I stopped hearing those words and still made my dreams happen. Our rich history has taught sorors how to make it big in corporate America, entrepreneurship, and life.
In 2001, I was blessed to be initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Eta Kappa Chapter, and graduate from Spelman College. In my 20s and 30s, I became an attorney, started my first company, raised almost $750k in business pitch prize money, and stepped onto global stages as an international professional speaker.
Turning 40 is when things started to change. Suddenly, society made us feel invisible and our age began to define and imprison us. In our 40s, 50s, and beyond, we weren’t allowed to shine as brightly. We were told we were too old to start going after things. We had money and success, and got comfortable, maybe even safe. We stopped pushing back. We accepted. Society, social media, our families, and some of our friends told us it’s over unless you look like a 25-year-old. Wrinkles? Give it up, grandma! You want to do what at this age? Should you be dressing like this? Step aside! We became spectators instead of living and thriving. We were headed toward sunset instead of sunrises.
However, in my 40s, things started to make sense. The reason why some things did not happen when I was in my 20s and 30s is because I was not ready. I had not had enough experience yet to handle certain responsibilities. I was not confident in myself yet. Now, I was ready to do what seemed impossible. It was time to reinvent myself and light a match to my past. I am more than what I have presented and positioned myself to be in this world!
Who knew that 10 years later, I would still be loud and bold and advocate for women, especially in our glorious middle chapter. This is not a setback, but a takeover.
My new book, “The 40 Year Plus Glow Up Playbook: Celebrating Life, Love, Beauty and Happiness in Our 40s, 50s, 60s and Beyond,” is debuting 10 years to the day I was on “Shark Tank” Season 8. Yes, on September 15, 2026, my book debuts and is now available in pre-sales. What can happen in 10 years? Everything!
Here are 3 valuable lessons for Queens between the ages of 40 and 69.
1. Let Go of the Weight of Other’s Expectations: One of life’s greatest blessings is discovering or rediscovering who you are. It’s understanding that you are now a leader and can call the shots in your own life. You are no longer asking for consensus or permission. It’s making your own decisions, whether they are popular or not. My weight fell off when I made the decision to move into a space that I loved and chose not to stay where I felt tolerated. I did not let other’s fears about my finances, the economy, or anything stop me. That big decision allowed me to move into a peaceful home that I could style any way I want.
The sun shines brightly in my space, I can see out of my balcony into the city I love, and it’s about elevation. I no longer just blindly follow the crowd, even in this economy. I can eat alone. Laugh at my old mistakes and understand that everything happened to give me the courage to strike out on my own and create a life I love. Like my sorors, something has reawakened inside of me. I get to speak on global stages, create a community I want, and walk amongst my sisters. I wrote my first book at 40. My sixth book debuts at age 47. I am so glad I listened to myself and proceeded to do the very things that seemed impossible to others.
2. Decide What This Chapter Means to You: This glorious middle chapter is an amazing second chapter if you let it be. Rather than look at it as a trap or simply the road to senior citizenville, what if we all get to redefine it and truly live it? Let’s face it: Waking up alive every day is a gift. Let’s make it that way. Let’s celebrate! Let’s live, laugh, and love differently. Try new things. Break out from roles society and ourselves set for us. Glowing up means seeing things differently. Trying new things, eating at new places, going outside and walking around just because. You might bring a new perspective to things. You might see yourself and nature totally differently. If you dare. They define this chapter as middle age. What do you want to define it as?
3. The Audacity and Unmitigated Gall to Go After What You Want: Trust me: As a trailblazer, it can be hard because there are no guarantees. However, you only have one life to live. As we have gotten into our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, what have we buried, saying it could never happen? What dream is dying in us? Can we dust it off and try again? Can we have the audacity and unmitigated gall to dream big and ask bigger of everyone, including ourselves? Can we dare to act differently whether we are extroverts, ambiverts and introverts? What is your big dream? Go after it!
My great friend, Andrew, asked me a question about my business and life, and I answered it like I normally do. He asked it again and suddenly the answer changed because I saw what he was really asking me. I got scared and hesitant, yet I finally said what I wanted out loud. It felt so good and yet so scary. Now, over the next year or so, I will unleash it on the world. Is there fear? Yes? Am I scared? Yes! Most people don’t finish what they started. I am challenging myself to do so, and I will.
Queens, it’s our time to shine! This is our sunrise, not our sunset, so let’s seize it. Won’t you join me on the “40 Year Plus Glow Up Playbook Experience” and journey? In these pages is life. Come get more of that today!
To get the new book, visit 40yearplusglowup.com.
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