Where You Are Is Not Who You Are

A Memoir

By: Ursula Burns

Narrated by: Ursula Burns

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

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. 

©2021 Ursula Burns (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I was in tears! My role model since 18!

Wow. It was truly a joy to read this memoir of someone I look up to with deep respect. Through the telling of her story my heart warmed noticing the similarities in our Catholic school upbringings, engineering majors, and career tenacity. I am so energized to continue on my corporate journey. Thank you Ursula!!! I definitely cried at the end. I appreciate you more than you know! - signed a little Black girl from Chicago <3

very well written book!

I enjoyed this book very much. The complexity of her career along with the ups, downs & delicate relationships she has cultivated over decades is very impressive.

Outstanding and Endlessly Inspiring

Impeccably written and wonderfully narrated. This was such a compelling memoir and I found the clarity and self awareness of the author so refreshing. She really comes through strongly; you get a sense of Ms Burns as being highly principled, strong willed, focused, but also heart centred, honest and wise. And naturally, her rise from poverty and struggle to hard earned success makes for her a brilliant role model for many. As a minority woman I was continually inspired by this book, and many times moved by her story.

Great listen

Great listen, informative, personal and absolutely unique. Well done Ursula, truly an insight into an incredible career.