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Where You Are Is Not Who You Are
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Ursula Burns
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
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Where You Are Is Not Who You Are
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Publisher's Summary
The first Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company looks back at her life and her career at Xerox, sharing unique insights on American business and corporate life, the workers she has always valued, racial and economic justice, how greed is threatening democracy, and the obstacles she’s conquered being Black and a woman.
“I am a Black woman, I do not play golf, I do not belong to or go to country clubs, I do not like NASCAR, I do not listen to country music, and I have a masters degree in engineering. I, like a typical New Yorker, speak very fast, with an accent and vernacular that is definitely New York City, definitely Black. So when someone says I’m going to introduce you to the next CEO of Xerox, and the options are lined up against a wall, I would be the first one voted off the island.”
In 2009, when she was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Xerox Corporation, Ursula Burns shattered the glass ceiling and made headlines. But the media missed the real story, she insists. “It should have been ‘how did this happen? How did Xerox Corporation produce the first African-American woman CEO?’ Not this spectacular story titled, “Oh, my God, a Black woman making it.”
In this smart, no-nonsense book, part memoir and part cultural critique, Burns writes movingly about her journey from tenement housing on Manhattan’s Lower East Side to the highest echelons of the corporate world. She credits her success to her poor single Panamanian mother, Olga Racquel Burns - a licensed child-care provider whose highest annual income was $4,400 - who set no limits on what her children could achieve. Ursula recounts her own dedication to education and hard work, and how she took advantage of the opportunities and social programs created by the civil rights and women’s movements to pursue engineering at Polytechnic Institute of New York.
Burns writes about overcoming the barriers she faced, as well as the challenges and realities of the corporate world. Her classmates and colleagues - almost all White males - “couldn’t comprehend how a Black girl could be as smart, and in some cases, smarter than they were. They made a developed category for me. Unique. Amazing. Spectacular. That way they could accept me”. Her 35-year career at Xerox was all about fixing things, from cutting millions to save the company from bankruptcy to a daring six-billion-dollar acquisition to secure its future. Ursula also worked closely with President Barack Obama as a lead on his STEM initiative and chair of his Export council, where she traveled with him on an official trade mission to Cuba, and became one of his greatest admirers.
Candid and outspoken, Ursula offers a remarkable look inside the c-suites of corporate America through the eyes of a Black woman - someone who puts humanity over greed and justice over power. She compares the impact of the pandemic to the financial crisis of 2007, condemns how corporate culture is destroying the spirit of democracy, and worries about the workers whose lives are being upended by technology. Empathetic and dedicated, idealistic and pragmatic, Ursula demonstrates that, no matter your circumstances, hard work, grit and a bit of help along the way can change your life - and the world.
What listeners say about Where You Are Is Not Who You Are
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Bluvshtein
- 2021-07-02
Incredibly honest and capturing
Amazingly well written. It’s rare to see the truth behind a successful rise to prominence, including the diversity faced throughout the journey. We should all read this book to be better
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Mark Naumowicz
- 2023-03-23
Inspiring & Enlightening Rise To CEO
This was an eye opening account, of the struggles that Ursula Burns went through. From an impoverished childhood, with an outstandingly supportive mother, to her rise to the top of a Fortune 500 company, as the first Female Black CEO. This was an inspirational read, that truly showed how hard work, focus on your goals and unending perseverance do pay off. In the end, it really did prove that Where You Are Is Not Who You Are, both during your rise to success from poverty and when you arrive at the upper echelon of corporate and financial stardom. Thanks for writing and reading this book Mrs. Burns, it was entertaining, enlightening and inspiring. Highly recommend this for all people, there are many great points to learn through her life story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 2022-01-06
Relatable story, flaws and all
Enjoyed listening and appreciate the golden nuggets of learning with ample story details. I hope more people in power take chances in reaching out to the minority and underprivileged.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- david
- 2022-10-09
Great story. Missing some key points
Her life story is amazing and inspirational. However, she never mentions Barry Rand. The first Black person in the C suite at Xerox. A huge omission. Second, it's a little too political at times and it gets away from her personal story. Third, she is not a good narrator. It will take you a while to get used to it. It's still worth a listed. But, it could have been much better.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Renita Mathis
- 2022-04-23
The Hon. Ursula Burns
You book was so moving. I downloaded it after you recently spoke at Spelman College for President Campbell’s Courageous Conversation. You are the brilliance a mother hopes for. I teared up each time you teared up, especially at the end. I too recently lost my husband of 34 years. When you begin to speak about his transition, I teared up at the same time you did. Your story is wonderful and needed to be told.
Congratulations on all things well-done!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Angel Beaudoin
- 2021-07-13
Too Political at Times but Brilliant
I had this book in my wishlist for months and finally purchased as soon as it was released. Inspiring, motivating, and a joy to read. Thank You for sharing your journey.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Charlotte V
- 2023-11-17
An Inspirational Authentic Story
I actually went to see Ursula Burns speak at a conference in Panama City, Panama. I was so impressed and amazed with her story, that I selected her book for our Black Girls Think & Grow Rich book club‘s next read. Our discussion was rich with nuggets we received from this book. Her mother was a wise woman with great sayings. Ursula is an inspiration, and her voice gave words to some of the things women in our book club have experienced as high-level professional women. Great read! You’ll want to take notes!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- khershey
- 2023-10-12
Outstanding
Her voice was so moving, relatable and powerful. I truly enjoyed this book, it was comforting and informative. Thank you for being human.
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- TexChic
- 2023-09-29
A Must Read for Today’s Corporate woman
In the last 24 hours I have completed this small look into Ursula Burns life. This is an extraordinarily raw, compelling and educational look into the life of a corporate CEO. This is a must read for young women looking for a blueprint into the corporate abyss.
Absolutely incredible.
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- Daler B Wade
- 2023-09-03
Authentic
Ursula Burns tells her story as if she’s having a personal conversation with the reader. Her truth is vividly spoken and unapologetic, Her global impact as a leader and woman of color gives hope to future generations.
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-09-02
Tons of great lessons
I really enjoyed listening to Ursula's story, and I especially loved hearing her do the narration. The fact that she doesn't have the standard corporate 'accent' made her much more relatable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mary
- 2023-08-08
Love and Relate to All Her Life and Business Lessons
Ursula Burns telling the story of her life and career is like a tall drink of cold water on a sweltering day. Thank you.
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