Rice has positioned TV One and CLEO TV as cultural leaders that deliver authentic content and reflect the communities they serve. In the past year, she expanded CLEO TV’s distribution through new carriage agreements with major providers, deepening its reach with Millennial and Gen X women of color. In January, Rice assumed the role of Chair of The WICT Network’s global board, demonstrating her strong commitment to inclusivity and professional development.
What’s a piece of advice you ignored that you’re glad you did in hindsight? As a child, I often heard parents say to daughters “act ladylike” and “girls should be seen and not heard.” This taught girls they were to be quiet and well-mannered, while boys were encouraged to be curious and rambunctious. I eventually learned the value of my voice and ignored that advice from the classroom all the way to the boardroom.
What current cultural moment reminds you why visibility for women leaders still matters? I applaud the leadership and transparency of women like Simone Biles, Serena Williams and Taylor Swift who each had the courage to speak up about mental health issues. Amid extreme criticism, Simone Biles stepped away from gymnastics at the height of her success because she felt mentally unwell. She returned better and stronger – shattering Olympic records as well as myths – that stepping away to care for yourself is a career killer. Bravo!