Book Review: Finding My Voice My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward Valerie Jarrett
Book Review: Finding My Voice My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward Valerie Jarrett
This book is my first public book review. It is also fitting as Valerie Jarret was the last author I met prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Actually, my good friend Khary Barnes arranged a small, private group consisting of community leaders, executives and public officials who were able to speak to Ms. Jarrett about her book and life. What I observed in “Valerie” was a complete person, grounded in humility and servitude. I was actually shocked how down to earth she was. Her loyalty to the Obama’s was, also, quite apparent. Yet, it was not the precarious “I’ll take a bullet or hide the documents” kind of loyalty. Instead, hers was a genuine loyalty. The kind that says I am here for you, in all that you do. No matter your position, your challenge or your circumstance.
For some reason - likely COVID - the autographed book prominently sat on my shelf unread. Timing is everything and I needed this book as I examine relationship qualities in my life.
Valerie’s life is fascinating. Relatively privileged as child, her life could be classified through a term I later learned as, “Black Royalty”. Her great grandfather, Robert Robinson Taylor was the first African American Architect and the first African-American student enrolled in MIT. Her grandfather was the Chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority in the 1940s and her father was a world class pathologist and geneticist. In spite of this rich foundation, the book makes it clear that she has never strayed away from being conscious of the unique challenges and dynamics that being Black faced. For example, while highlighting the richness of growing up in Iran, she also makes it clear that the only reason this occurred is because her dad was not being afforded the same opportunities as other white pathologists in the United States. Not one to complain, she unemotionally states the issues and effortlessly ties her situation into the broader Black tradition of simply turning a setback into a setup.
Perhaps her experience in Iran is why Valerie’s life as described in her book is replete with nuanced examples of Valerie lifting others up – particularly women and Black people. The theme of identifying, supporting and building others remains consistent as she details the ascendancy of her career from law firm associate, city hall administrator, non-profit CEO and, ultimately, White House leader.
My favorite example of Valerie’s mentorship is through her relationship with longtime executive assistant, Katherine Branch. She met “Ms. Branch” when “Kathy” worked at a temp agency and was placed in the City’s Department of Planning and Development alongside working at McDonald’s. Despite being a senior officer, Valerie recognized Kathy’s talent as a twenty -five year old and ignored that she was a school drop out after becoming a mother at sixteen. Over time, Kathy became Valerie’s chief of staff and subsequently joined her in her role as CEO of the Habitat Company. When Valerie moved to the White House, she took Kathy with her despite negative views towards a high-ranking official bringing a woman without a college degree to such a high ranking official. What Valerie knew was that Kathy had actual experience in government and that she knew Valerie better than anyone else. Perhaps, this is why, true to the theme of the book Kathy stayed with Valerie at the White House for the entire eight years. Additionally, she went back to school while working in the White House and received her BA and at the age of 50 received her master’s degree.
While I don’t want to give away the entirety for the book with my review, the aforementioned tale I think provides a glimpse into the type of person full of humanity that is Valerie Jarret. If you do pick up her book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.