“Blindsided and Feeling Invincible, She Forgot and Took the Bait!”

We were two charismatic, youthful, attractive, energetic, ambitious, articulate, intelligent, inspiring, wholesome, magnetic, and aspiring black women who were destined to achieve fame and fortune.

We were two likable, enthusiastic, confident, sophisticated, astute, poised, and scandal-free black women who were determined to “shake things up” in the political and business worlds.

We were two vibrant, focused, competitive, goal-oriented transplants with winning images, infectious smiles, and charming personalities, who were determined to overcome roadblocks, defy the odds, seize the initiative, build upon new opportunities, and achieve personal and professional successes.

We were two fierce, proud, telegenic, relentless, “gung ho” types that epitomized honor, commitment, work ethic, sacrifice, and dedication by demonstrating unwavering tenacity in the accomplishment of our mission.

We were two women who “planned our work” and “worked our plan.”

Former Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll and I met over 15 years ago at a business meeting. We immediately clicked. It was quite clear that we shared mutual interests in and love for politics, entrepreneurship, careers, family, faith, integrity, character, country, God, and in becoming wildly successful.

Our resumes, profiles, achievements, credentials, and images made the political sharks; political experts, political junkies, political lobbyists, political leeches, political pimps, and the political powerbrokers salivate with ecstasy. As forecasted, partnering with these political “wheelers and dealers” would certainly lead us to the pinnacle of success.

One of us “took” the bait while the other one did not!

Neither of us was triumphant in our first election. While I turned my attention and efforts towards “breaking down walls” within the corridors of corporate America, Jennifer courageously returned to the political fray and renewed her focus, determination, and efforts in soldiering and slugging it out in the shark-infested political waters.

As her meteoric ride took her into stratosphere, began to notice a HUGE transformation. Intensive consultative grooming, political indoctrination, and the promise of power had reshaped her. In making the dream a reality, Jennifer’s homespun persona was long GONE.

While engineering a “political comeback,” Jennifer simultaneously seized upon the enormous opportunities made available to her by converting her political capital to her personal gain. Her connections, rolodex, and political “real estate” exposed her to a wide range of associates with plenty of access to the bastions of the powerful, the rich, the famous, and the well-connected who probably staggered her with a false sense of comeuppance.

Ask me. That life is so mesmerizing, so dizzying, so addictive, so exhilarating, and so intoxicating!

Last saw Jennifer in the bathroom during a concert’s intermission. Ever gracious, she had invited my starry-eyed daughter to a tour of the capitol during the upcoming legislative session. We hugged, wished each other well and continued success, with each promising to stay in touch.

Whew. What a difference a day makes!

With the massacre that her reputation has undertaken today, I am sure that Jennifer is having an “out-of-body” experience! Tempered with reality, instinctively she peered over the landscape and assessed rather quickly that Madison Avenue could not repair the onslaught of media attention that was upon the horizon and yet to come. Suffering the biggest upheaval in her personal, professional, and political life, sadly and in disgrace, she had no other recourse but to acquiesce and resign as Florida’s Lt. Governor.

I caused a sensation, hoopla, consternation, revolt, and raised the ire from fellow columnist Cherie Faircloth and other women in my January 27th, 2013 column entitled “Heads or Tails” when I eloquently described, enlightened, exposed, and revealed the incestuous pressures, patterns, and expectations that women are subjected to and must endure in order to survive and thrive in the business and political environments.

Although my readers were, rightfully so, incensed and appalled, it is no secret that subliminal messages or “understandings” are implied and attached to each business contract which creates ethical dilemmas for professionals like you and me who want to make an honest living without the exchange of some type of remuneration or sexual favors. Failure to abide by the “quid pro quo” codes that exist within the corporate, business, and political worlds translates to monetary roulette and influential extinction!

In other words, whether spiritual or not, honest or not, well-intentioned or not, or even if you possess integrity or not, in order to get and retain contracts within this marketplace or to ascend politically on any level, one is expected to “pay the piper” via kick-backs, sex, drugs, favors, deals, or with guarantees!

One of us took the bait while the other one did not!

As I trudge through entrepreneurship with contractual uncertainty, Jennifer’s maelstrom reaffirms my conviction. I plan to keep my dignity and reputation by constantly reminding myself that although it might appear expedient and very tempting to agree to accept ill-gotten gains, “quid pro quo” eventually tricks, traps, and bites a greedy vulture in the rectum each and every time!

“Most of life’s transitions can be eased by the wisdom of those who have gone before.”

Unfortunately, the Jennifers of the world often fail to arrive at that same conclusion. Stealing, lying, cheating, dishonesty, or sleeping with every Tom, Dick, Harry, or Sally is a price much too steep for me to pay just because of a measly contract, dirty money, or a freaking deal.

Blindsided and feeling invincible, she forgot and “took the bait!”