Never Wear Red Lipstick: 8 Lies That Stop Black Women from Succeeding in Life and Business

"More than a stuffy business guide, this book offers readers powerful wisdom about dropping archaic philosophies regarding being a Black woman in corporate structures and instead tapping into their bold authentic selves--red lipstick and all." --ESSENCE

"In this faith-based book, [Burton] shares 8 truths designed to help women lean into their power and go after their goals." --THE ROOT

A guide for Black women to unlock their potential in business and in life.

Despite being the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the US, Black women face systemic barriers that threaten to derail their dreams, including lack of funding, racial and gender bias, and a lack of senior advocates in corporate spaces. Dr. Karmetria Dunham Burton, an executive with two decades of corporate experience, offers a new vision--one rooted in spiritual strength, self-care, confidence, and authenticity.

Never Wear Red Lipstick is more than a business book--it's a movement for liberation, leadership, and faith. Dr. Burton boldly dismantles the myths and limiting beliefs that have kept Black women from thriving in boardrooms and business ventures.

Blending heartfelt storytelling with field-tested strategies, Never Wear Red Lipstick introduces you to the Paint Your Lips Red principles: eight truths to help Black women embrace their power and lead with boldness. From overcoming betrayal in the workplace to prioritizing wellness, from claiming spiritual inheritance to redefining what it means to be a real boss, this book speaks to every woman who's been told she has to shrink to succeed. With the "Boss Blueprint" at its core, Dr. Burton lays out a practical, faith-driven path to growth, leadership, and legacy. Whether you're in a cubicle or launching a company, this book will help you stop surviving and start soaring.

Karmetria Dunham Burton is senior director of Global Supplier Diversity and Inclusion for McDonald's. She brings more than twenty years of experience with Fortune 500 companies to the discussion of business leadership. Burton launched the nonprofit Paint Your Lips Red movement to encourage and empower women to level up their lives as mothers, wives, leaders, and entrepreneurs. She lives in Douglasville, Georgia.