Karen Arrington is an award-winning author, empowerment expert, and global philanthropist and winner of a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. Karen’s coaching, mentoring, and philanthropic work spans over 100,000 hours of service — including her position as a Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone, her work as the co-founder of the first Diabetes Awareness Day in West Africa, and her role as the founder of The Miss Black USA Pageant.
She has also been honored by The Lifetime Network + other major media outlets for her tireless advocacy for women’s health, success + empowerment — including a Red Dress Award from Woman’s Day Magazine for her efforts in the fight against heart disease, the #1 killer of women. Over the past 20 years, Karen has helped over 1,000 women step into powerful careers in media, business, medicine + law — transcending hardship, abuse + financial limitations, and transforming their lives + communities.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up writing a book?
As a young girl, I found my voice on the pages of literary works about African-American sheroes like Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. Their triumphant stories ignited a spark that would never leave. It made me want to be a voice for the silenced, marginalized, and unheard voices of women of color.
And so, books are where the seeds were planted and watered. I embraced my calling—a calling that has led me to many different projects over the course of my life and career. In 1986, I founded The Miss Black USA Pageant, the nation’s first scholarship pageant for African-American women. I went on to co-found Diabetes Awareness Day in Gambia, West Africa. I was appointed the Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone. I’ve mentored over 1,000 young women, and have secured over $500K in scholarships, grants, and life-changing career opportunities for young emerging leaders.
While my work has taken many forms over the years, my goal is always the same: to help women claim their power, redefine their destinies, and defy expectations. This was my main motivation for writing Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, & Opportunity for Black Women in America. The voices of diverse women belong on bookstore and library shelves. It’s not only necessary but essential that we tell our stories and readers can see themselves in these stories.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
That women have the power to be the director of their own lives. I wanted to give a guide for what the next level of life looks and feels like and how to create it.
Hopefully, with each page turn readers will feel a spark ignited within— that same spark that compelled me to protest the name of my middle school, start the Miss Black USA Pageant and write this book. The spark that burns with optimism and possibility, and that says, it’s time to dream bigger, think bigger, and live bigger and light the way for other women, too. It’s time to rise into what I call: Your Next Level Life
What were the top mistakes you made writing or publishing your first book?
It is so important as an author to find your unique voice. When I first started writing, I was too careful in my choice of words. Once I found my unique voice, there was a real connection with the reader. I wrote as if I was giving advice to my best friend, which allowed me to write from a place I feel called. The words began to flow effortlessly.
When will you consider your book a success?
I never set out to be an award-winning author or make a best seller’s list. Winning an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work is certainly validation of success and a tremendous honor, I just wanted to do good. I wanted to reach more women and provide them with seven simple rules of success that could help them level up and step into their next-level lives. So I wrote Your Next Level Life, secured a book deal, and released it to the world. A month or so after the book’s release, I noticed that I had an unusual influx of messages on social media.
There were so many messages that I presumed I was being spammed, so I ignored them. A few weeks later I decided to sort through the messages. I was stunned to learn that the messages were not spam at all, they were special notes and praise from readers who purchased my book.
One reader wrote: “This is the best book that I’ve ever read besides the Bible. This is the Black woman’s Bible. This book has not only opened my eyes but shifted my mindset.” Another reader said “I cried after I read it. Thank you for writing such an eye-opening book. I now know what I need to change to upgrade my life and I’m ready.” I was overwhelmed by the significant amount of praise and how my book found its way into the hearts and lives of these readers. This was the moment that I declared my book a success. You never know the impact that you can have on others by writing a book. And of course, winning an NAACP Image Award was an over-the-top blessing.
Who’s in your confidence entourage? If you want to uplevel your life + career, you’ve got to upgrade the quality of people you allow into your world. Surround yourself with grade-A encouragement, and you’ll rise to the top. Surround yourself with losers, users + abusers, and you’ll sink to the lowest common denominator.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before publishing your first book?
No one is born a writer. Toni Morrison didn’t publish her first book, The Bluest Eye, until she was 39. New York Times Bestseller Terry McMillan was a secretary during the day to provide for her son and wrote at night before she could become a writer full-time. Ta’Nehisi Coates often says “no one” read his first book, but now we all know his name.
I never considered myself a gifted writer. I had the belief that writing was a superpower, a gift, or innate talent. While it is true that many great authors are gifted, writing is a skill that can be learned.
My first book, Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence And Opportunity was nominated for and won a 2020 NAACP Image Award. No one person’s story is the same. There are writers who’ve had completely different careers prior to writing, or who didn’t start writing until later in life.
My publisher handles most of the marketing for my book. However, by utilizing my connections and network, I was able to sell my book in a women’s boutique, which has a lot of traffic. The relationship has generated a lot of sales. I also went on a Podcast tour and now I’m on a Blog tour. Both of these marketing opportunities have generated a lot of buzz and sales. It is also important to ask for reviews. Podcasters and bloggers are always looking for great content and value to share with their audience. It is a win-win. I was approached with an opportunity to have my book placed in a subscription box service distributed to over 500 women entrepreneurs. The result was an unusually high number of speaking invites and requests to book my 1-on-1 next-level coaching sessions.
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of asking for reviews. Good reviews help others to decide on purchasing the book, which can have a ripple effect. Having my book nominated and then winning a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work caused it to fly off the shelves. It sold-out three times. When you write from a place of serving others and making an impact, marketing opportunities will find you.
Can you recommend a book, a podcast, and a course for entrepreneurs and why?
The Marketing Without Social Media Course by Alexandra Franzen. Yes, it is possible to run a successful business, find plenty of clients and customers, and earn great money—without being on social media and this course shows you how.
What helps you stay driven and motivated?
My confidence entourage keeps me motivated. If you want to uplevel your life + career, you’ve got to upgrade the quality of people you allow into your world. Surround yourself with grade-A encouragement, and you’ll rise to the top. Surround yourself with losers, users + abusers, and you’ll sink to the lowest common denominator.
It’s powerful to have a circle of sisters waiting with open arms to elevate you, to help you articulate your dreams, to weigh in on ways you can get there, to grow your professional network, and to encourage you to step into a life full of impact and adventure. Sisters hold sacred space for you—and hold you accountable for your expansion into it. Sisters keep you going when you’re ready to give in. Sisters see your blind spots, your best qualities, and your potential. Sisters see YOU as you are and as you are meant to be. And if you need a lil devotion too, they’ll pray for you too.
How do you personally overcome fear?
I face fear with my faith, knowing that God has a plan for my life and He will never forsake me. I also surround myself with an incredible group of supportive women. Think: Hype woman. They will have you believing there is not anything that you can’t do or accomplish. In my world, faith and a power entourage is an absolute must. Whenever self-doubt or fear kicks in, they are just a phone call or prayer away.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
Black women are the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs and the most educated demographic in the U.S. But all the Lean In advice and Girl Boss platforms overlook the unique career challenges Black women face. It is because of these intricacies that I felt compelled to write Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women in America (Mango Publishing).
Your Next Level Life won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Category. The voices of diverse women belong on bookstore and library shelves. It’s not only necessary but essential that we tell our stories and readers can see themselves in these stories.
What is your favorite quote?
Alice Walker said,
“Activism is my rent for living on the planet.” That’s how I feel about giving back.
How can we get in touch with you?
Are you leveling up? Write to me and tell me how. Head over to my website Karenarrington.com and use the contact form to send me an email anytime. Tell me about the steps you’re not taking. And if you’re not into email, follow me on Instagram (@karen_arrington) and talk to me there!
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