Watch What Happened When Serena Gave Oprah a Pedicure and Why it matters for Black Women

Watch Serena and Oprah discuss everything from love to power in less than 4 minutes. Oprah advises Serena to "Own her Power", a lesson for us all on how to embrace and celebrate our own self-image. This meeting of two amazing women, Serena Williams and Oprah Winfrey has been captured perfectly.  I just love this video and could watch it over and over again. There is a raw authenticity that comes across during this conversation which you don't often find in studio interviews. What I particularly loved about this was the open and honest dialogue.

As you know by now I always say that personal branding is key to career success and so  watching Serena Williams give Oprah Winfrey a pedicure is more than just an amusing celebrity moment—it’s a powerful testament to authenticity, humility, and the strength of Black women supporting each other. For Black women striving to build their personal brands, this moment is both motivational and insightful, offering a glimpse into the power of real, unscripted connections.

At first glance, the image of a world-renowned athlete tending to the feet of a media mogul may seem unexpected. However, it embodies one of the most important principles of personal branding—relatability. Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of all time, and Oprah Winfrey is a media icon who has shaped the cultural landscape for decades/ Yet, in this candid moment, they remind the world that despite their stature, they are still women who find joy in simple, everyday experiences. This authenticity is what makes their brands so magnetic and powerful. Black women who are building their own brands can take notes: being genuine is not a weakness but a strength. Consumers, followers, and potential business partners connect most deeply with those who are unapologetically themselves. And I know it’s not always easy but it is possible to strike the balance and tap into authenticity without losing oneself.

This interaction between Serena and Oprah underscores the power of sisterhood. The journey of personal branding—whether in entrepreneurship, creative, media, or corporate spaces—can be isolating, especially for Black women who face systemic barriers. Seeing two powerful Black women engage in an act of warmth and care sends a vital message: support and collaboration are crucial. A strong personal brand is not built in isolation; it thrives through networks of like-minded individuals who uplift and inspire one another. Serena and Oprah, each in their own right, have built empires, but their success has never been solitary. They have consistently leveraged relationships, mentorship, and community to rise, a strategy any Black woman cultivating her brand should embrace.

This moment also reflects the importance of versatility in branding. Serena Williams is best known for her dominance on the tennis court, but her personal brand extends far beyond sports. She has built a successful fashion line, make-up brand, invested in startups, and become an advocate for women’s health. Her willingness to engage in something as lighthearted as giving Oprah a pedicure demonstrates that she is not confined to one image. This is a crucial lesson for Black women building their brands—diversity of interests and authenticity in action can strengthen, not dilute, their brand identity. People want to engage with multidimensional individuals, not one-dimensional personas.

The video also highlights the balance between power and humility. Serena and Oprah are both dominant figures, yet their exchange is playful, grounded, and filled with mutual admiration. Many Black women navigating personal branding feel pressure to constantly exude strength and perfection, but moments like these reveal that vulnerability and humor are just as impactful. In a world where Black women are often unfairly expected to be superhuman, seeing two icons engage in something as lighthearted as a pedicure reminds aspiring leaders that they don’t have to always perform; they can simply be.

I cannot end without highlighting the fact that Serena Williams giving Oprah Winfrey a pedicure subtly disrupts societal narratives. Historically, Black women have been placed in positions of servitude, yet here, the act is one of choice, friendship, and empowerment. It’s a reminder that Black women define their own stories no matter what society says. Personal branding for Black women isn’t just about career advancement; it’s about reclaiming narratives, showing up in unexpected spaces, and rewriting societal expectations.

For Black women striving to build their personal brands, this moment is a masterclass in authenticity, collaboration, versatility, humility, and narrative control. Whether launching a business, building a platform, or stepping into leadership, the lesson is clear: success isn’t just about visibility, it’s about authenticity, relationships, and the freedom to be multifaceted. In a world that often tries to box Black women in, Serena and Oprah offer a powerful counterexample, one where authenticity and sisterhood reign supreme.

One of the key messages from this interview was this: "You can't go around dimming your light just to be walking with someone else."