It might be difficult to imagine the charming Barbara Elaine Smith, known professionally as B. Smith, facing rejection. But any path as ambitious as hers is bound to encounter a lot of “no’s” on the way to the top. Although she lived glamorously as a model, restaurateur, author, and lifestyle guru, Smith came from modest roots and broke many barriers to achieve her success — including being the first Black woman to appear on the cover of “Mademoiselle” magazine in 1976. Her innovation and resilience are inspiring reminders of the importance of sticking with something, even if it means going against the grain.