Now, some of you might be the first in your family to graduate from college.
如今，你们中的一些人，可能是家族里第一个大学毕业生。
Maybe you did not follow the path that was expected of you, and you probably questioned everything about your decision.
也许，你走的路，和他人为你预设的路不一样，可能你也曾怀疑自己的选择。
But know that stepping out is the best thing you can do for self-discovery. I know how hard it is to step out and bet on yourself.
但是，你要知道，勇敢地站出来，就是最好的探索自我的方式。我知道，要勇敢地站出来，对自己有所期待，这是很困难的。
There was a pivotal turning point in my life when I chose to build my own company many years ago. I had to trust that I was ready and that my parents and mentors provided me with the tools I needed to be successful.
在我的人生中，有一个关键的转折点，那就是多年前，我选择创办自己的公司。我必须坚信，我已经做好了准备，我的父母和人生导师为我提供了争取成功的条件。
But that was terrifying. The entertainment business is still very sexist. It's still very male-dominated, and as a woman, I did not see enough female role models given the opportunity to do what I knew I had to do, to run my label, and manage my company, to direct my films and produce my tours.
但是，这还是挺吓人的。娱乐产业中的性别歧视依然严重，整个行业仍然是男性主导的。作为一位女性，我没有看见足够多的榜样，这样的榜样应该能够告诉我，要去做什么，才能运营好我的唱片公司，经营好我的公司，导演好我的电影，推广我的巡回演唱会。
Not enough black women had a seat at the table. So, I had to go chop down that wood and build my own table.
有话语权的黑人女性还不够，所以，我必须开创自己的天地。
Then I had to invite the best there was to have a seat. That meant hiring women, men, outsiders, underdogs, people that were overlooked and waiting to be seen.
我要邀请最优秀的人才，让他们成为我们的一员。这意味着招来女性，男性，外行人，落魄者，那些被忽视的人，那些等待着被发掘的人才。
Many of the best creatives and business people, who are those supremely qualified and talented, were turned down over and over as executives at major corporations because they were female, or because of racial disparity.
很多最有创意的人，最优秀的商人，他们有足够的资历和天赋，但却一次次被大公司拒绝，这仅仅是因为她们是女性，或者因为种族不平等。
And I've been very proud to provide them with a place at my table.
能为她们提供施展才华的空间，这令我感到骄傲。
【重点词汇&表达】
question
v. 提问；询问；
self-discovery
自我发现；
bet on yourself
押注自己；
pivotal [ˈpɪvətl]
关键的；
turning point
转折点；
mentor [ˈmentɔː(r)]
指导者；导师；
terrifying [ˈterɪfaɪɪŋ]
令人恐惧的；
entertainment business
娱乐业；
sexist
性别歧视的；性别歧视者；
male-dominated
男权的；男性主导的；
run my label
经营我的唱片公司；
have a seat at the table
占有一席之地；有一定影响力；
chop down
砍下来；砍倒；
have a seat
坐下；就坐；
outsider
外部人士；无望获胜者；
underdog
处于劣势者；失败者；
overlook
忽视；
supremely [suːˈpriːmli]
极其；极度地；
racial disparity
种族差异；
【典型连读】
step out
and bet on yourself
and as a woman
had a seat at the table