In this conversation, Laura discusses the concept of giving as a way of life with Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew, a network weaver and philanthropy expert. They explore the importance of strategic giving and recognizing the value that Black women bring to philanthropy. Dr. Froswa' discusses the concept of giving circles and the importance of relationships and social capital in community building. She emphasizes that Black people have always been philanthropists, giving their time, talents, and resources to support others.  Dr. Froswa encourages Black women to amplify their leadership by being strategic with their giving power and building intentional relationships. She highlights the value of mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship in personal and professional growth. They also discuss the need for Black women to ask for what they need and set boundaries. The conversation highlights the power of community and the role of “mirrors” in supporting Black women in their personal and professional growth.    About Dr. Froswa Froswa’ Booker-Drew, Ph.D. is a Network Weaver who believes relationships are the key to our personal, professional, and organizational growth. She has been quoted and featured in several publications due to her extensive background in leadership, nonprofit management, philanthropy, partnership development, training, and education.  She is the founder of Soulstice Consultancy, LLC providing DEI, leadership training, community engagement strategies and philanthropic/partnership guidance for institutions. She also founded The Reconciliation & Restoration Foundation in 2022 with a group of deeply experienced and invested nonprofit leaders with the intent to support the growth of Black-led nonprofit. Formerly the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas, Froswa’ was responsible for grantmaking, educational programming and community initiatives. More than 70% of organizations funded were led by people of color. As the previous National Community Engagement Director for World Vision, she served as a catalyst, partnership broker, and builder of the capacity of local partners in multiple locations across the US to improve and sustain the well-being of children and their families. She is also co-founder of HERitage Giving Circle, one of the first Black women Giving Circles in the State of Texas and co-founder of both Power in Action-Dallas and the South Dallas Employment Project.  Froswa’ graduated with a PhD from Antioch University in Leadership and Change with a focus on social capital, diverse women, change management, and relational leadership. She is currently an adjunct professor at Tulane University in the Master of Public Administration Program teaching the Governance, Leadership and Sustainability course and is an affiliate faculty member at the Graduate School of Leadership and Change at Antioch University.  Connect with Dr. Froswa Website: https://www.drfroswabooker.com/   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, Laura chats with Taiia Smart Young, Book Coach, Writing Consultant & Story Strategist, to discuss the importance of defining your leader story to support your personal brand and professional growth.  They emphasize the power of storytelling and emotional resonance in building connections and influencing others. They also highlight the value of integrating all of your experiences, including your #strugglestory and life-changing moments, into your narrative.  Taiia shares the building blocks of your leader story and practical ways to share your story to amplify your brand. She emphasizes that everyone has a story to tell, and your story is what separates you from everyone else.  Tune in to this insightful episode!   About Taiia Taiia Smart Young is a book coach, writing consultant and story strategist. She teaches coaches, consultants, speakers and entrepreneurs how to use their expertise and experiences to write and self-publish brand-building, sticky stories that make bank. Ms. Young has interviewed celebrities including Michelle Obama, Mary J. Blige. Nas, 50, Tabitha Brown, La La Anthony and more.  Her work has appeared in ESSENCE, Latina, Refinery29.com, TIDAL, Verizon.com and The New York Times. Taiia is the author of S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™: Position Your Expertise, Propel Your Brand and Prepare For Visibility by Writing a Best-Selling Book. The S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™ writing and publishing intensive is based on the book. Connect with Taiia Website: http://taiiasmartyoung.com/ Connect with Taiia on Instagram   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this solo episode, Laura shares the power of mindful self-talk and how it can transform your leadership journey. Our internal dialogue plays a pivotal role in shaping not just how we see ourselves but how we show up in the world—and especially in the workplace. Laura explores how positive self-talk can help rewire limiting beliefs and reduce stress, while also providing strategies to challenge negative thoughts and embrace your present without judgment. She shares mindfulness points  for High Achievers, key elements of self-compassion, and how to consciously shift your internal narrative to foster growth and unlock your potential as a leader. Whether you're looking to advance in your career, build confidence, or improve your leadership mindset, this episode offers valuable tools for growth. Tune in!   About Laura Laura Knights is the Creator of Black Woman Leading® and host of the podcast. She is an executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and licensed clinical social worker with 20+ years of experience creating personal and professional development programs that have touched leaders worldwide. Her expertise and background in business, human resources, adult education, and social work uniquely equip her to teach others how to deal with both the "head work" and "heart work" required to succeed at work and in life.  She is the Founder and CEO of Knights Consulting LLC,  a leadership development consultancy that provides customized training and coaching programs to create more confident leaders and high-performing teams. Black Woman Leading® is a research-backed initiative which offers leadership development programming, a podcast, and an annual conference for Black women professionals. Black Woman Leading® is an initiative of Knights Consulting LLC. Learn more at blackwomanleading.com.   Resources: Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Self-compassion resources: https://self-compassion.org/ BWL podcast episode S3E16 Rewriting Your Rules Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, Laura discusses the power of community-based mental health care with guests, Camesha Jones-Brandon and Dr. Marion Malcome. Camesha and Dr. Marion share about their work with the Chicago-based Heal TogetHER program, which provides peer support for Black women to be seen, heard, and build authentic connections that empower mental well-being. Heal TogetHER provides support to people who have mild to moderate mental health concerns with brief 1-on-1 emotional support, resource connections, and education about mental health conditions. They discuss preventative approaches in mental health, the significance of social connections for our overall wellness, and practical strategies we can implement in our daily interactions to support the mental health of our friends and family. Learn more about the Heal TogetHER program at https://www.communitycare.sistaafya.com/healtogether.   Guest Bios ::Camesha Jones-Brandon Camesha L. Jones, LCSW is a Community Mental Wellness Changemaker who serves at the intersection of culture, community, and social justice. She is the Executive Director of Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness, a social enterprise that provides mental wellness care that centers the experiences of Black women in Chicago. Since Sista Afya's founding in 2017, they've served over 1000 Black women through their innovative, community-driven programs. In 2020, she launched Sista Afya Community Care NFP, a nonprofit that provides free mental wellness care and education to women experiencing multiple barriers to care. Camesha's work at Sista Afya has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Vogue, Allure, TEDx, and Rolling Out. Camesha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois who graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor's in Sociology and received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Camesha strongly believes in eliminating barriers in the mental health field that people of diverse cultural backgrounds experience by creating affordable and accessible care that centers the well-being of the whole person. Connect with Camesha Website: www.communitycare.sistaafya.com Connect on Instagram & Facebook - @sistaafya   ::Dr. Marion Malcome Dr. Marion Malcome is a mother, scholar, social worker and a born-and-raised Chicagoan - south side! Dr. Malcome is currently an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work where she teaches courses on clinical assessment and diagnosis and power, oppression, privilege and social justice. Her research is situated at the intersection of race, place and mental health in which centers the lived experiences of Black women and mothers to understand how where one lives coupled with experiences of racism shapes mental health and wellbeing over the life course. Dr. Malcome’s community work has long been focused on “helping people help people” through the lens of Black mental health and is grounded in close to 20 years of direct clinical social work practice experience. She also co-created the Becoming an Anti-racist Mental Health Clinician in 2013 which has trained just over a thousand clinicians across the country. Connect with Dr. Marion Website Connect on LinkedIn   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

In this episode, Laura discusses increasing visibility on LinkedIn with Portia Obeng, Social Media Strategist & LinkedIn Coach.  They discuss how LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for professional growth and personal branding, while also addressing the challenges and reservations people have with using the platform.  Portia provides tactical tips for optimizing LinkedIn profiles, including the use of keywords and avoiding cliches. She also emphasizes the importance of mindset and self-worth in personal branding, and discusses strategies for building meaningful connections on LinkedIn to help individuals increase their professional opportunities.    About Portia Portia Obeng is a social media strategist and LinkedIn coach with over 10 years of experience in social media strategy and content management. She helps people level up on LinkedIn, gain clarity, and make more money. Portia loves being Ghanaian, spicy food, dancing, roller skating, live music, listening to podcasts, experiencing new countries, and reading a good book (preferably on a beautiful beach in Ghana).and more.    Connect with Portia Website: www.portiaobeng.com Connect with Portia on TikTok  Connect with Portia on LinkedIn   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, Laura interviews Ariane Hunter, Speaker, Author, and Career Equity Expert, about her book 'Dreaming on Purpose: A Manifesto for Black Women on Taking the Leap, Building Your Dreams, and Being Your Own Boss.' Ariane shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced as a Black woman in the corporate world. She emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, defining success on your own terms, and centering care in your career.  Ariane and  Laura also discuss the importance of dreaming as a form of resistance and reclaiming oneself. Ariane emphasizes the need to acknowledge and validate our dreams, take action towards them, and ask for help when needed.   About Ariane Ariane Hunter is a Speaker, Author, and Career Equity expert who champions work culture and career empowerment solutions for Black millennial professional women. With over twenty years of experience in career and leadership strategy, she is dedicated to helping marginalized groups thrive and cultivate healthy work relationships.  As a mental health advocate for Black women, Ariane underscores the importance of firm boundaries and restful practices for a flourishing professional life. Ariane’s training encompasses social justice, technology, intersectionality, and futurist insights, aiming to foster sustainable and impactful change. Her professional background includes working with leading marketing and branding agencies in New York City, supporting high-profile clients to achieve industry leadership. She holds an MBA and is a certified career coach.  Ariane’s debut book, "Dreaming on Purpose: A Manifesto for Black Women on Taking the Leap, Building Your Dreams & Being Your Own Boss," will be released by Indigo River Publishers on August 20, 2024. This business leadership book inspires and guides Black women on a care-centered approach to thriving in business, life, and beyond.  She was among the 3% chosen for the Goldman Sachs Black in Business program and was selected for NYC's inaugural BE NYC mentoring program for entrepreneurs, endorsed by Bill De Blasio. Ariane has collaborated with prominent organizations such as Women in STEM Leadership at Stony Brook University, the Women’s Catalyst group at Hewlett Packard, and Oracle. She has spoken for The Grio, Ladies Get Paid, Jopwell, NYU Stern Women in Business, Advancing Women in Tech, Karen Millen, ABC Home, and Emerging Leaders for NY Arts. Ariane is also a published writer whose work appears in Time.com, Levo League, Ivy Exec, and The Muse. She has been featured on NBC, CBS, and other local media networks and quoted in Fast Company, Business Insider, CNBC, The Daily Worth, Her Agenda, and more.    Connect with Ariane Connect with Ariane on LinkedIn Connect with Ariane on Instagram   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

In this episode, Laura Knights interviews Shayla Atkins, Founder and CEO of Atkins Impact Consulting,  about leading with authenticity.  Shayla shares her personal journey of code-switching and conforming in the corporate world, and how she eventually found success by embracing her authentic self. They discuss the importance of alignment, clarity, and healing in leadership, and how authenticity is the new leadership currency. Shayla introduces the concept of SPICE (Savvy, Performance, Image, Communication, and Exposure) as the key skills for effective leadership. She also emphasizes the need for building networks, finding mentors, and creating environments that allow individuals to show up authentically.   About Shayla Shayla N. Atkins has a proven track record in the private sector earning her the coveted title of award-winning DE&I leader as her team was awarded "The Most Innovative DE&I Team". Her thought leadership, results, and commitment to community service earned her the 2022 Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award presented by President Joseph R. Biden and now as a CEO of a consulting firm, a certified Lean Six Sigma blackbelt, executive coach and organizational effectiveness strategist making a global impact, she challenges the norms, systems, and practices in the corporate landscape to "level the playing field" for every person and business to thrive. She is the Bestselling Author of "Black Women Lead With S.P.I.C.E." underscoring her belief that “Authenticity is the new leadership currency”. Shayla strives to change the leadership landscape by advancing authentic and effective women into senior leadership through her talks, development programs, courses and books. Shayla N. Atkins not only boasts education in Organizational Effectiveness and a myriad of certifications (Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, DE&I Certified, Organizational Change Management, etc.), but she has also nearly two decades of real-world global senior HR leadership experience and emerged as an award-winning authority in leadership development, diversity, equity and inclusion, and workplace culture transformation in leading mid-size and large companies. Connect with Shayla Website: www.theatkinsimpact.com Connect with Shayla on LinkedIn Get her book on amazon: https://a.co/d/eyJd5In  Download her free guide: www.leadwithspice.com   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, Laura  hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums (Shaneka Stanley, Lekeshia Hicks, and Jada Hamm) to discuss the importance of community care in professional development.  They share their experiences as Black women leaders and the role of community in their journeys,  the importance of “mirrors” and support systems, and the challenges and triumphs of setting and maintaining boundaries.  They emphasize the importance of showing up authentically, taking up space, and making meaningful connections. They also highlight the power of being a connector and the impact it can have on others.   Guest Bios:   ::Jada Hamm Jada Hamm is a dynamic professional with over six years of experience in consulting, employee relations, policy development, and talent management. Based in Philadelphia, she is actively involved in nonprofits, entertainment, and events industries, holding multiple roles across these sectors. Jada holds a BBA in Human Resource Management and is currently pursuing further education in strategic management next fall. She is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces and dedicates her time to community service, volunteering with the Community Hero Action Group INC. Connect with Jada LinkedIn.   ::Lekeshia Hicks Lekeshia Angelique Hicks  is a passionate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategist and the founder of Lekeshia Angelique Consulting. An Army veteran and doctoral candidate at Austin Peay State University, she brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and real-world experience to her work. Lekeshia serves as the Education Committee Chairperson for the NAACP Clarksville-Montgomery Chapter, a Board Member of the Clarksville-Montgomery Public Library, and the Board Chair of The STEAM Institute. Her expertise spans healthcare, technology, and higher education sectors, where she develops customized DEIA solutions. A dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, Lekeshia's personal experiences inform her professional mission: to foster environments where diversity is not just recognized, but celebrated. Through her consulting work, speaking engagements, and community involvement, Lekeshia is committed to transforming DEIA principles into actionable, empathetic practices. Connect with Lekeshia on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.    ::Shaneka Stanley Shaneka L. Stanley, MA, MS, SHRM-SCP, is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, Christian, Proud HBCU alum (University of Arkansas Pine Bluff), active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and soon to be a certified Life and Organizational Development Coach. She engages with leaders of nonprofit organizations across the country as a Senior Human Resource Consultant.  With close to 25 years of experience,  Shaneka is a dynamic leader and genuine influencer who promotes continuous improvement by employing a flexible problem-solving approach that balances business goals with employee needs. She has comprehensive experience in the full HR lifecycle with proven success in aligning business and people strategies, building dynamic teams and transforming cultures. Shaneka earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in English Education from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Master of Arts (MA) degree in Communications & Training from Governors State University and Master of Science (MS) degree in Human Resources Management from Roosevelt University. She has been a certified HR professional since 2006. Public service is at the core of her being as she serves her community and advocates for positive change. Shaneka is a Founding Board Member of South Suburban Cook County HR Association, a SHRM affiliate chapter located in Chicago’s south suburbs. She serves as the Senior Chair for the PTO at her son's school and she is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter. Connect with Shaneka on LinkedIN   Resources: Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

Welcome to Season 6 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast!   This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading learning experience.   The theme for season six is “Community Care is Critical.” In addition to the focused topics we’ll explore this season, the core questions this season will explore how embracing community has fueled our personal and professional growth. In keeping with our core pillars, the episodes will continue to have a holistic focus on three core areas--leadership development, self-care and mental wellness, and relationship management. We’ll explore these areas through the lens of our theme for season six in both solo and guest episodes. Laura also shares some highlights about the Black Woman Leading® programs and events. Tune it to get some quick insights into what we’ll cover this season!     About Laura Laura Knights is the Creator of Black Woman Leading® and host of the podcast. She is an executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and licensed clinical social worker with 20+ years of experience creating personal and professional development programs that have touched leaders worldwide. Her expertise and background in business, human resources, adult education, and social work uniquely equip her to teach others how to deal with both the "head work" and "heart work" required to succeed at work and in life.  She is the Founder and CEO of Knights Consulting LLC,  a leadership development consultancy that provides customized training and coaching programs to create more confident leaders and high-performing teams. Black Woman Leading® is a research-backed initiative which offers leadership development programming, a podcast, and an annual conference for Black women professionals. Black Woman Leading® is an initiative of Knights Consulting LLC. Learn more at blackwomanleading.com.   Resources: Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

We are celebrating the completion of our fifth season!  In addition to the focused topics we explored this season, the theme for season five was Identity.  We explored the questions - “Who are you and who do you want to be?” The core questions this season were focused on embracing our identity and core values, and amplifying the message that who we are right now is worthy and who we choose to become through our learning and growth is worth the effort. We have a very special guest joining us for this recap episode — my mother, Elizabeth Ann Rogers! Since our parents are one of the primary influencers of our identity development, I thought it only made sense to have a major personal influencer of my identity join us for this final episode of the season! Plus, my mom is our number one podcast listener! She listens to every episode and takes notes.  If no one else is listening, I can always count on her to tune in. In this special recap episode, my mom and I reflect on questions of our evolving identity, and we both share our highlights of season 5. It’s a sweet episode. Listen to hear our insights about all the good stuff we covered this season!    Resources: We are now enrolling for the August 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Registration includes a ticket to the May 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference + Retreat. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

If you desire to advance to senior or executive levels of leadership, this episode is for you! In this solo episode, Laura provides an overview of strategic leadership competencies that are critical for career advancement, and shares five functions of strategic leaders–aligning, developing strategy, translating, thought partnering, and sensing–to help you conduct self-assessment to identify your strengths and areas to develop. Laura  shares the cautionary tale of the Black woman leader who is unable to advance because she is too deep in the “tactical weeds” of her role, and some indicators of if you need to proactively invest in developing your strategic leadership skills. Finally, she shares some recommended next steps to implement these insights into your career development journey. Tune in and take some time to reflect on your strategic leadership skills.   Resources: We are now enrolling for the August 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Registration includes a ticket to the May 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference + Retreat. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this recap episode, Laura shares her highlights from the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Leadership Conference + Retreat that took place in Virginia Beach, May 13-16, 2024. Black Woman Leading LIVE! is hosted annually.  It is the premier leadership development conference to help Black women professionals learn, heal, and grow in their leadership capacity. Watch the recap video and join the interest list for the 2025 event at www.BWLRetreat.com Resources We are enrolling for the fall sessions of both the Black Woman Leading Early Career and Mid-Career programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, we welcome Kara Stevens, CEO & Founder of the Frugal Feminista, to discuss uncovering and rewriting your money story. Your money story is the narrative you tell yourself about money and your rights and relationship to it based on your values, beliefs, and life experiences.  Our money stories are often “borrowed” from the people who raised us. Depending on what was borrowed, you may want to rewrite your money story once you gain awareness and clarity about your own desires and needs. In the episode, Kara educates on how to identify your money story and the importance of healing our relationship with money if our stories create negative connections to our worth, value or happiness.  She shares her own personal journey, and how an aligned money story can become a vehicle for creating more wealth and freedom in your life.   Tune into this inspiring episode to gain insights on how to move from a mindset of lack to one of abundance with regard to your relationship with money. About Kara Kara Stevens is the founder of The Frugal Feminista, a thriving personal finance and personal development company committed to helping people heal their relationships with money and themselves. Her relatable financial advice has been featured on Forbes, CNN, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo Finance, ESSENCE, Women’s Day Magazine, The Washington Post, and other nationally recognized media outlets. She is also the author of heal your relationship with money, The Happy Finances Challenge, and Unmasking the Strong Black Woman.  Connect with Kara Website: https://www.thefrugalfeminista.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frugalfeminista/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/frugalfeminista LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-stevens-37882b12/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrugalfeminista/?_rdc=1&_rdr Get Kara’s books here: https://www.thefrugalfeminista.com/shop/ Upcoming events Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Telesa Hart, Chiropractor and Burnout Coach, to help us to explore self-care strategies we can use to regulate our central nervous system. Your central nervous system includes your brain and your spinal cord. It plays a role in everything you do, and helps you to move, think, and feel. The central nervous system carries your body through its ‘rest and digest’ functions as well as ‘fight or flight.’   When experiencing different forms of stress, your central nervous system may move out of its healthy functioning state to a dysregulated state, which may contribute to disease and other mental and physical challenges.  When considering many of the stressors Black women face, it’s not uncommon to experience dysregulation in this way. This is why Dr. Hart encourages listeners to integrate a regular self-check into your daily wellness practice. She provides a brief overview of the functions of the central nervous system, and provides examples of symptoms and signs that may indicate that our system is overloaded.  She shares practical self-care activities we can use to regulate our central nervous system, and also provides insight on when we may need to contact a professional medical provider for support.   Dr. Hart describes  the link between burnout and central nervous system dysregulation, sharing her own powerful story of burnout and how she overcame a very difficult moment in her life that inspired her work today.   About Dr. Telesa Hart Dr. Telesa Hart is a passionate chiropractor and burnout coach, dedicated to promoting wellness and nervous system regulation. Born in Ft. Benning, GA, and raised in Germany, Dr. Hart brings a unique perspective to her practice, currently based in Atlanta, GA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Langston University, a Master of Science in Positive Psychology from Life University, and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, also from Life University. Dr. Hart's expertise lies in the field of Central Nervous System Regulation, where she combines her knowledge of chiropractic care with a focus on holistic well-being. In addition to her professional endeavors, Dr. Hart is an avid practitioner of acting and poetry, using creative expression as a means of personal growth and connection. Driven by her vision for holistic wellness, Dr. Hart aspires to grow The You Center into a global symbol of wellness, addressing the physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental aspects of well-being. With her unique blend of expertise, creativity, and unwavering commitment to wellness, Dr. Hart continues to inspire and empower individuals on their journey to a balanced and thriving life. Connect with Dr. Hart Instagram Facebook   Suicide Prevention Resources If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7, free of charge. Call or text 988. https://988lifeline.org/   Upcoming events Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

In this episode, we welcome Kristen V. Carter, award-winning executive producer, entrepreneur, and speaker to discuss navigating the workplace with power & vulnerability. While many may view the words “power” and “vulnerability” as diametrically opposed, we do not in the Black Woman Leading world!  Acknowledging that some Black women have found it risky to show vulnerability in the workplace, Kristen shares her experience with this from her work as a showrunner and executive producer leading high-profile projects. Additionally, she shares negotiation tips that have helped her to secure great visibility in the entertainment industry, and she provides specific wisdom gems for our early career listeners.   Finally, Kristen shares behind-the-scenes highlights from her most recent project, GOSPEL Live! presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on PBS, and some personal notes on how she is embracing our season five theme of our evolving identity.    About Kristen V. Carter Kristen V. Carter is an award-winning executive producer, entrepreneur and speaker from Newark, New Jersey. Currently, Kristen serves as Showrunner and Executive Producer for the upcoming live gospel music celebration entitled GOSPEL Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. that airs on PBS in February 2024. In 2022, Kristen served as an Executive Producer for the Discovery Plus four-part documentary series Profiled: The Black Man about debunking stereotypes that Black men in America face in society. The series received special recognition from the Television Academy for social justice content.  Notably, Kristen directed and showran Chase’s digital financial literacy series Hart of It All which starred Kevin Hart. Within her dual role as Showrunner and Director, she developed the series format while simultaneously overseeing creative execution from pre-production to post. She enjoys contributing to social impact programming including the 2019 Facebook live stream event National Day of Racial Healing, curated by Ava DuVernay, and the 2020 Virtual Commencement special Show Me Your Walk: HBCU Edition, which featured President Barack Obama as the honored commencement speaker.  In addition to entertainment, Kristen is actively engaged in mentorship and empowering students and professionals about self-actualization. Kristen is the founder of Trust Your Magic™, an inspirational brand that reinforces the power of honoring one’s gifts and talents. She hosts a podcast of the same name that features guests who have taken a significant leap of faith to shift their lives. Through the brand, she also facilitates an interactive workshop for freelancers and emerging entrepreneurs to catapult their lives and become six figure-plus earners.    Connect with Kristen: Website: www.kristenvcarter.com Instagram: @kristenvcarter  FB: https://www.facebook.com/KristenVCarter Upcoming events Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Tiffany Smith, Founder of Aroma Functional Nutrition Psychiatry to discuss optimizing your health.   Dr. Tiffany educates on why it’s critical to take a whole-body, whole-person approach to our mental health,  and highlights some particular challenge and resilience areas for Black women regarding our holistic health. Additionally, she provides tips and insights about what we can do preventatively to avoid a critically unhealthy state and how to track our progress.   Finally, Dr. Tiffany elaborates on how she is embracing our season theme of our evolving identity. She shares how she came to this work and  found her calling by helping her combat veteran husband recover from debilitating pain, PTSD, and other conditions. Tune into this inspiring episode and leave with tips on how to optimize your health!   About Dr. Tiffany Smith: Dr Tiffany Smith is a trailblazing functional psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Aroma Functional Nutrition Psychiatry. With her practice, Aroma Functional Nutrition Psychiatry, Dr Smith aims to help her patients live better lives by identifying the root cause of their conditions and creating a customized treatment plan that incorporates lifestyle changes, counseling, coaching, and natural supplements. She believes that medication should be a last resort and that empowering her clients to take control of their health is the key to lifelong wellness. Dr Smith is a visionary who sees a world where mental health care is more than just a pill. She has created the Mental Health Resuscitation program, a community that provides access to her expertise and resources to help people recover from mental illness and live their fullest lives. She also hosts webinars, trains in perinatal mental health care, and plans to start a podcast to spread the word about the power of complementary and alternative medicine. Her ultimate goal is to help people across the world understand that their lifestyle choices have a significant impact on their health and well-being. Connect with Dr. Tiffany: Website: https://www.afnpsych.com/ Instagram: @dr.tiffanymsmith   Resources: To access Dr. Tiffany’s 21-day Love Thyself private podcast, text “self love” to 702-919-4249 Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, we welcome Latisha Newby to discuss knowing your employment rights. Latisha is the Chief People and Legal Officer at Girl Scouts- North Carolina Coast Pines, as well as the CEO of Cultivate HR Consulting. Research indicates that Black women experience higher levels of discrimination in the workplace, so it’s important for us to know our rights and appropriate steps to address any violations of the law.  Latisha provides an “employment rights 101” overview, and shares about some of the common legal issues that Black women face.  She breaks down the definitions of commonly used legal terms and highlights pending law changes and trends that are relevant to many Black women in the workplace.  Additionally, Latisha also advises on the initial actions you should take if you feel your employment rights have been violated. In addition to sharing this insightful information about knowing our employment rights, Latisha also gives a glimpse into her professional journey and how she is embracing our season theme of our evolving identity as Black women leaders.   About Latisha Latisha Newby, is the dynamic Chief People and Legal Officer at Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines as well as the founder and CEO of Cultivate HR Consulting, an HR Consulting firm focused on supporting HR professionals and organizations with their HR needs. With over 15 years of rich experience in Human Resources, Latisha has been a transformative force at various levels. Not just an HR expert, she is also a licensed attorney in North Carolina, showcasing a unique blend of legal and people management skills. Latisha's educational background is as impressive as her career, holding a Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law and a Master of Science in Human Resources Development from Villanova University. Her dedication to strategic human resource management is evident in her approach to fostering an organizational culture anchored in equity, inclusivity, and growth. Beyond her professional endeavors, Latisha is an active volunteer with the Raleigh Metro SHRM Diversity Committee, balancing her busy life with family time with her husband, four children, and their beloved dog, Milo. Latisha takes the stage of life and provides an enlightening perspective that highlights creating positive and inclusive work environments.   Connect with Latisha Website: https://cultivatehrconsulting.com/ Latisha on LinkedIN Cultivate HR LinkedIN Cultivate HR Facebook Cultivate HR IG   Resources: Book: Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves by Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

In this episode, we welcome Dr.  Tamara Wilds Lawson, President and CEO of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, to discuss the Foundation’s new research report, “Thrive as They Lead: Advancing the Infrastructure to Support Black Women Leaders in the D.C. Metro Area Nonprofit Sector.” The report explores and addresses 10 critical issues faced by Black women and Black gender-expansive nonprofit leaders in the Washington D.C. Metro area, and outlines a path to establish the necessary infrastructure to help them thrive. While the report was a regional initiative, the data it produced is consistent with the same challenges we see with Black women nonprofit leaders that we work with all over the country. In this insightful discussion, Dr. Wilds Lawson shares more in depth insights about the report results, recommended infrastructure components to meet the needs of Black women nonprofit leaders, and shares her vision for what organizations must do to create more equitable workplaces where Black women can thrive.   About Tamara Tamara is the president and CEO of Washington Area Women’s Foundation, where she leverages her extensive expertise and influential leadership to actively advance The Women’s Foundation’s mission of fostering economic security for women and girls of color throughout the Washington metropolitan region. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Movement, Issue, and Charitable Organizations (MICO) Director at ActBlue—an organization that raises funding and awareness for progressive political causes and campaigns—and led a 20-person team that supports nonprofits raising funds on the platform and develops strategic partnerships with nonprofits.  Previously, she spent over a decade in nonprofit leadership as Chief Community Impact & Inclusion Officer for Washington Nationals Philanthropies and Director of the Posse Foundation’s Washington, DC office. In addition to her diverse professional portfolio in higher education, Tamara gained national political organizing experience as Director of African American Outreach for the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 election cycle. Currently, she serves on the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for the Academy of Hope Public Charter School, which serves adult women. Tamara received her B.A. from Occidental College and Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park. In 2019, she was selected as a Washington Business Journal 2019 Women Who Mean Business Honoree and is a member of Leadership Greater Washington. A proud Washingtonian, Tamara lives in Southeast Washington, D.C., with her family.   Connect with Tamara Website: https://thewomensfoundation.org/ Linkedin Resources: Thrive as They Lead Report Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this insightful solo episode, Laura shares insights from her own journey and her experience with working with Black women leaders on the topic of separating our identity and worth from our achievements. She vulnerably shares her story and growth points on doing her heart work in this area.  Additionally, Laura provides her perspective on signs that this may be a challenge for you, sources of where this challenge may have come from, the (necessary) identity crises we may experience along the journey, and support strategies to help you as you do your work to untangle your identify and worth from your work and accomplishments. Laura stresses that while being ambitious and goal-driven are honorable traits, harm can occur when we start to equate our professional outcomes with WHO we are.   Take some time to reflect with Laura in this episode as she affirms you and reminds you that your worthiness is not earned.  You are worthy simply because you exist.   Resources: Programs: We are now enrolling for the January 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this intimate discussion, four alumni participants of the Black Woman Leading Mid-Career (Samira Payne, Keira Braxton, Trenity Dobbey) and Early Career (Tiana Bryan-Okeke) programs  share their stories of conquering mindset matters and doing their heart work along their professional journeys.   Together, we explore mindset concepts that we navigate as leaders such as leaning into a growth mindset, overcoming negative thinking, challenging your internal saboteur, conquering fears, and aligning your “come from.” They share how they leaned into community and accessed collective healing to support them during this work, and their key takeaways from their experience in the Black Woman Leading program. Join us to reflect on your own journey, celebrate your growth, and build your own resolve as we explore the inner work that goes into being a thriving leader.   Guest Bios: ::Tiana Bryan-Okeke Living her life to the beat of Alien Superstar by Beyonce, Tiana Bryan-Okeke has created her own path. This CUNY Medgar Evers College alumnus has 5+ years of executive support allowing leaders across industries to focus on and execute their mission and vision.  While streamlining operations and building cohesive teams; Her passion for project management allows her to transform fragmented systems into interconnected workflows that break down silos across expanding initiatives. After joining the inaugural cohort for the BWL Early Career, she has aspirations to continue being luminous while sharing her talents to help others execute their strategic plans.  Connect with Tiana on LinkedIn.   ::Keira Braxton (formerly Brown) Keira, a native San Diegan, is a passionate and dedicated Human Resources professional with a wealth of experience in developing and implementing HR strategies that align with business goals. She is recognized as an experienced workshop facilitator and is known for her ability to translate complex concepts into practical advice that business leaders can use to build and maintain high-performing workforces. In addition to her work as a People Business Partner, Keira serves as a member of the DEI advisory board at Teradata where she provides guidance and recommendations on the company's DEI initiatives.  She also serves as chair for the community outreach, networking and events steering committee for the San Diego chapter of Teradata Alliance of Black employees (TABE). As a leader in the DEI space, Keira is committed to helping organizations create more inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected. Connect with Keira on LinkedIn.   ::Trenity Dobbey Trenity K. Dobbey, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in social and human services, holds a Master's in Criminal Justice. Her journey began in corporate America, managing financial portfolios for major banks, before transitioning to a impactful role at the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center. There, she skillfully managed the citywide intake line for child abuse reports, showcasing exceptional skills in handling sensitive cases. Currently, at DFSS City of Chicago, Trenity oversees a diverse portfolio of 50+ agencies citywide, managing a $10 million annual budget within the Workforce Services Division. Her strategic vision and hands-on management style have left a lasting impact on the lives of Chicago residents. Building on her extensive professional and personal background, Trenity is an accomplished life coach. Drawing on her extensive experience, she offers practical guidance rooted in real-world expertise, uniquely positioning herself to drive transformative outcomes for individuals and organizations alike. Connect with Trenity on LinkedIn.   ::Samira Payne Samira is currently the Director of Community Revitalization and Network Education at Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit that supports safe and healthy housing in communities across the country. She participated in the Mid-Career Black Woman Leading Program in Fall 2023. Connect with Samira on LinkedIn.   Resources: Programs: We are now enrolling for the January 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

We invited Dr.  LaKeischa McMillan for this episode to discuss hormone health, perimenopause, menopause, and everything in between!   Research indicates that perimenopause (the pre-menopause stage) is starting earlier for many women, with Black women transitioning even earlier than other races with symptoms starting as soon as the early 30s.  This impacts our mental and physical health, as well as our relationships and work experience. Dr. LaKeischa provides a master class in the episode, breaking down the physiology of what’s happening in our bodies, symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and gives tips on when we may need to reach out for additional medical support when going through this natural transition.   She also provides insights into Black women’s particular experience, and shares wisdom on how we can move beyond a deficit-based understanding of menopause and be empowered to thrive in this transition phase of life.     About Dr. LaKeischa Dr. LaKeischa Webb McMillan was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology (cum laude) from Oakwood College, now Oakwood University, and continued her studies at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. In addition to her academic degrees, Dr. LaKeischa is certified in the use of the DiVinci Robotic System for Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery. Her ability to reach and teach women has expanded through her Best Seller, The Other PMS TM : Your Survival Guide for Perimenopause and Menopause. Her passion for helping women in perimenopause and menopause included her contribution to being on the advisory board of the only FDA Approved physician designed vaginal lube line, Momentum Intimacy. A gifted speaker, Integrative OB-GYN, hormone specialist, and Amazon Best-Selling Author; Dr. LaKeischa helps women in perimenopause and menopause who are struggling with depleting hormones get their hormones balanced, regain mental sharpness, and have energy to last the entire day. Connect with Dr. LaKeischa Website: https://www.drlakeischamd.com IG: @drlakeischamd LinkedIn Hormone Quiz: https://www.hormonequiz.co/   Resources: Programs: We are now enrolling for the January 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

In this episode, we welcome Dr.  Adia Harvey Wingfield, sociologist and leading race and labor expert, to discuss her new book, “Gray Areas: How the way we work perpetuates racism and what we can do to fix it.” Adia breaks down her research findings about “gray areas”--the relationships, networks, and cultural dynamics integral to companies that exist apart from the specific expectations and duties required for any given job.  These gray areas are a key reason why employees of color, particularly Black workers, remain less likely to be hired, stall out at middle levels, and rarely progress to senior leadership positions.  We discuss the particular relevance of this research to Black women in the workplace, and why a “race-blind” approach in organizations actually harms more than it helps.  Additionally, Adia offers key insights into what organizations can do to fix these issues and create more supportive environments for Black employees.     About Adia Dr. Adia Wingfield is a sociologist who researches racial and gender inequality in professional occupations. She is currently the Mary Tileston Hemenway Professor of Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also co-directs the Program for Public Scholarship and served as Vice Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity. She has served as President of Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS), the Southern Sociological Society (SSS), and in 2023 she was elected the 116th President of the American Sociological Association. In addition to her academic work, she also writes regularly for mainstream outlets including The Atlantic, Vox, Slate, and Harvard Business Review. Connect with Adia Website: https://www.adiaharveywingfield.com LinkedIn X (formerly Twitter): @adiahwingfield   Resources: Programs: We are now enrolling for the January 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

Welcome to Season 5 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast!  This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading learning experience.   The theme for season five is “Who are you and who do you want to be?” In addition to the focused topics we’ll explore this season, the core questions this season will center on embracing our identity and core values, and amplifying the message that who we are right now is worthy and who we choose to become through our learning and growth is worth the effort. In keeping with our core pillars, the episodes will continue to have a holistic focus on three core areas--leadership development, self-care and mental wellness, and relationship management. We’ll explore these areas through the lens of our theme for season five in both solo and guest episodes. Laura also shares some highlights about the Black Woman Leading® initiative, and some exciting programming that will be rolling out in the near year to continue the work to support Black women throughout the lifecycle of their careers. Tune it to get some quick insights into what we’ll cover this season!   About Laura Laura Knights is the Creator of Black Woman Leading® and host of the podcast. She is an executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and licensed clinical social worker with 19+ years of experience creating personal and professional development programs that have touched leaders worldwide. Her expertise and background in business, human resources, adult education, and social work uniquely equip her to teach others how to deal with both the "head work" and "heart work" required to succeed at work and in life.  She is the Founder and CEO of Knights Consulting LLC,  a leadership development consultancy that provides customized training and coaching programs to create more confident leaders and high-performing teams. Black Woman Leading® is a research-backed initiative which offers leadership development programming, a podcast, and an annual conference for Black women professionals. Black Woman Leading® is an initiative of Knights Consulting LLC. Learn more at blackwomanleading.com. Resources: Programs: We are now enrolling for the January 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

We are celebrating the completion of our fourth season! Our season theme was “Thrive, Sis, Thrive!” In addition to specific topics this season, our core questions always explored what it looks like for Black women to THRIVE and not just survive at work and in life.  And as usual, we uncovered a number of organic themes that consistently resurfaced across multiple episodes– giving yourself permission, leading with curiosity, actively building and cultivating your support network, pursuing purpose,  and turning off “auto-pilot” mode to be intentional about the experiences we want to have. Tune in to this episode to get a high-level summary of all the wisdom shared, as Laura provides a recap and shares her personal highlights and takeaways from the season.    Resources: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach, VA! Learn more at www.bwlretreat.com. Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te'a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Audible Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

In this insightful solo episode, Laura shares insights to help you strengthen your delegation skills.  Delegation is the act of redirecting tasks and initiatives to other team members.  If you want to keep advancing as a leader, delegation is a skill you must master.  Yet, it’s a skill that many people say is a challenge for them.   In true BWL fashion, rooted in her 18+ years of working with leaders all over the world, Laura provides wisdom and instruction that address both the heart work and head work of strengthening your delegation skills. She covers the three-fold purpose of delegation, the biggest challenges that prevent leaders from successfully delegating, and gives tactical tips on how to delegate effectively. Finally, Laura provides clarity on the difference between delegation and abdication, and how to use delegation as a leadership superpower that's a win-win for all parties.  If delegation is a challenge for you, or you just want to improve your existing delegation practices, be sure to check out this informative episode! Resources: Join us for Black Woman Leading LIVE!, the premiere professional development conference for Black women.  May 13-15, 2024 in Virginia Beach, VA.  Get the details at www.BWLretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about Black Woman Leading at https://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, we hear lessons from the C-Suite with Toshie Davis, Chief Financial and Administration Officer at OneTen. Toshie shares her story of pursuing purpose and passion via a career pivot from the corporate sector to nonprofit administration. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at her day-to-day responsibilities as a C-suite leader and how she contributes to the powerful work at OneTen, an organization that is taking a skills-first approach to create one million jobs for Black talent.   Toshie describes how her focus on “pragmatic growth” has fueled her career ascent over the years, and drops major wisdom gems about the mindset transformation that’s required to advance in a more strategic leadership position.   In addition to sharing highlights and insights from her leadership journey, Toshie shares about the importance of her sister-community, how being a mother has shaped her leadership journey, and how community care has been critical to her professional success.  Tune in and absorb all of this goodness as Toshie provides a holistic look at her journey to the C-Suite. She inspires us to use our voice, define our vision, and be bold and courageous enough to go after it. Guest Bio: Toshie Davis is OneTen’s Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, responsible for the organization’s financial oversight, talent, and risk management, as well as its day-to-day operations. As an executive leader with more than 30 years of experience, Toshie is a strategic and financial planning expert with a strong track record in operations management for both commercial and nonprofit organizations. She transitioned from traditional corporate finance to nonprofit management because of her passion for social justice and educational and economic equity.  Before joining OneTen, Toshie held senior leadership roles at Education First Consulting, Turnaround for Children, and City Harvest. Prior to transitioning to nonprofit and education management, she worked for almost ten years at Johnson & Johnson where she managed a global P&L of $300MM and led a team of 40 people. Prior to that, Toshie helped launch an internet company, was a strategic consultant, and began her career in the financial services industry.  Toshie has a B.A. in Economics from The University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in Strategy and Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Toshie lives in Redondo Beach, CA with her son, Christian. Whenever they get the chance, they can be found trekking through a national park. Learn more about OneTen Website: OneTen.org OneTen on LinkedIn OneTen on Twitter OneTen on Instagram OneTen on TikTok  OneTen on Facebook Credits: Learn more about Black Woman Leading at blackwomanleading.com. Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, we welcome Aiko Bethea, CEO & Founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, to discuss overcoming toxic productivity.  Our BWL community attracts many high achievers. They are often the “firsts” in their families and communities…the first to graduate college, the first to be on their level of leadership, the first one that people call when they need help…and the list goes on. In the workplace, research shows that Black women are often held to higher standards, and are more likely to have their contributions overlooked. These roles and standards combined with the consistent unrealistic and violent expectations of systemic oppression, may cause us to adopt these harmful standards of achievement and perfectionism as truth. For many, this causes feelings of unworthiness as we begin to equate our identity (who we are) to our achievements (what we do), creating a  toxic cycle that  negatively impacts our self-concept and overall wellness. In Aiko’s words:  "The same thing that can be killing us, which is toxic productivity and perfectionism, is also the same thing that opens doors for us. Therefore, it's so important for us to have those checkpoints of 'what am I doing and who am I doing it for?' Because the world may be completely rewarding you over and over for behavior that's actually killing you." This episode gives you a moment to reflect on your own relationship with productivity and perfectionism. Aiko breaks down the signs of toxic productivity, and provides insight on steps we can take to resist and heal from it.  Additionally, we discuss the power of centering ourselves, and share practical ways to do so in our personal and professional lives.    About Aiko The founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, Aiko Bethea is an award-winning and highly sought after equity consultant, executive coach, and speaker. Known for her leadership writing, Aiko’s work is featured in a range of publications including Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Aiko is also a contributor to an anthology edited by Tarana Burke and Dr. Brené Brown, New York Times Best Seller, You Are Your Best Thing.  In addition to her work as principal and founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, Aiko is Sr. Director of the Daring Way™ and the Dare to Lead™ global facilitator communities of Brené Brown Education and Research Group. She is also a Senior Director at Frontline Solutions, a black-owned consulting firm. Aiko is guided by her unique background as a Black and Asian American woman along with her intrinsic values of justice and loyalty and her role as a mother raising two Black sons. This perspective helps inform Aiko’s passion and drive to create conversations and change around race and equity in the communities and organizations that she serves.   Connect with Aiko Website: https://www.rarecoaching.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RARECoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rare_coach Twitter: https://twitter.com/rare_coach  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aikobethea/ Resources: Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more at www.blackwomanleading.com Toxic productivity and perfectionism assessment from RARE Coaching - https://www.rarecoaching.net/jdwd Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

Often when we think of grief, we think about the loss of a loved one.  However, grief is present in all our life transitions….including our career transitions.   Perhaps you spent years of education and training for a particular career path, only to later discover that that path is not what you want to do.  Or, perhaps you had to abruptly leave a toxic workplace and there is some lingering residue from the emotional and mental experience you had there.  These common situations involve a degree of grief. In this enlightening episode, Dr. Chinasa Elue, a professor and grief coach, helps us expand our understanding of grief in this context. She shares some examples of work-related grief and how people can heal to move forward with a positive outlook in their professional career.   Additionally, Dr. Elue shares her insights about the connection  between finding more balance and managing grief, and vulnerably shares her own grief story that led her to this work. About Chinasa Dr. Chinasa is a professor, speaker, grief coach, and the CEO and Founder of True Titans Consulting Group. She is an expert on grief leadership in higher education and trauma-informed practices in organizational settings. She supports leaders in moving forward to make impactful change in the midst of uncertainty with empathy and care. She provides strategic coaching and consulting that opens the doors to transformation through policy and practice.  She is also an associate professor of Educational Leadership and Higher Education at Kennesaw State University. Her research focuses on grief leadership, trauma-informed leadership practices in organizational settings, and the health and well-being of historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and two children. Connect with Chinasa Website: https://www.drchinasaelue.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRCHINASAELUE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchinasaelue/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchinasaelue Resources: Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more at www.blackwomanleading.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this intimate discussion, three alumni participants of the Black Woman Leading THRIVE  cohort (Crystal Coats, Brenda Hudson, and Yaphet Bryant)  share their stories of navigating both personal and professional transitions.  They share how they leaned into community and other supportive resources during these times, and the self-care strategies they implemented to care for themselves in the process.  Additionally they share their lightbulb moments of self-awareness that emerged as they navigate this current season of leadership, and key takeaways from their experience in the Black Woman Leading program. Join us, reflect, and celebrate your own triumphs through transitions in your life in this special episode.    Guest Bios: ::Crystal Coats, Founder & Principal, Legacy Consulting Group Crystal Coats is the Founder of Legacy Consulting Group, LLC. A 20+ year professional, Crystal's work focuses on creating sustainable social impact through strategy, training, and advising. Crystal creates programs that are data-informed, culturally inclusive, and carry strategic value to the organizations and the communities they serve. Her work has spanned the arts, higher education, government, and financial sectors. She has experience leading staff teams and engaging with philanthropy, along with supporting executive leaders in designing and implementing strategy. Crystal is an avid speaker, facilitator, and coach. She creates shared experiences that focus on using interactive engagement to develop skills like active listening, data-informed approaches, and decision making.  Crystal also serves on the Board of Social Responsibility Chicago. Connect with Crystal on LinkedIn or via her website www.legacyconsultgrp.com   ::Brenda Hudson, Financial Services Professional Brenda is a financial services professional with 20+ years in operational risk mitigation, compliance, and  treasury management. Connect with Brenda on LinkedIn   ::Dr. Yaphet Bryant, National Director of Mental Health & Wellness for nonprofit organization Dr. Yaphet Bryant is a licensed psychologist, specializing in adolescence and youth adulthood. She has 25 years of professional experience in clinical service, research, and management. Dr. Bryant recently transitioned to the non-profit sector in the area of program design and learning as it relates to mental health and wellness. She's passionate about taking mental health and wellness out of traditional spaces, especially for people of color. Connect with Yaphet on LinkedIn.   Resources: Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more at www.blackwomanleading.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this powerful episode, we welcome author, Elizabeth Leiba,  to talk about taking up space as Black women in every area of our lives.  From work, to relationships, to LinkedIn; Elizabeth shares her insights on why using our voice and increasing our visibility is critical for Black women leaders.   She also shares some of her personal journey of taking up more space in the professional landscapes she occupies.  Finally, Elizabeth shares nuggets from her brilliant new book, “I’m Not Yelling! A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace.”  Tune in and be inspired!   About Elizabeth Elizabeth Leiba is a writer, college professor, and advocate for Black business women. She has over 130,000 followers on LinkedIn who range in age, race, background, and location, and are primarily located in the US, Canada, and the UK. Her passion for Black history changed her life and catapulted her into a fulfilling line of work as a powerful advocate of social justice and equity. She was featured in the 2020 New York Times article, “Black LinkedIn Is Thriving. Does LinkedIn Have a Problem With That?,” which highlighted her social justice advocacy work. The response to this article spurred her to launch her online, accessible e-learning platform, Black History & Culture Academy, the stunning educational resource which earned her the recognition of a LinkedIn TOP VOICE in Education in 2020. In early 2021, Elizabeth launched her website directory, Black Women Handle Business, which is the premier website for Black women entrepreneurs and professionals to network, collaborate and share resources.  She is also the host of Black Power Moves, a podcast on EBONY Media Covering Black America Podcast Network and is a published writer. Her most recent writing includes an Op-Ed piece on racial profiling for CNN, which had more than 2 million views on their news website. She recently released  her Amazon Best Selling Book, “I’m Not Yelling! A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace.”   Connect with Elizabeth Website: https://lizleiba.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethleiba/ Resources: Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more at www.blackwomanleading.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

It’s a first…we have a man as a guest on the Black Woman Leading podcast!  And it’s none other than Laura’s husband, Marshall Knights.  Laura and Marshall will celebrate 20 years of marriage and 26 years of partnership this year. In this special episode, they talk about the leadership and self-awareness lessons they’ve learned from their relationship together and from parenting their children, Marshall Jabari and Kai, and they share insights on what they’ve learned from pursuing their purpose together. About Marshall MARSHALL KNIGHTS is a writer, artist, musician, music director, and Grammy-nominated & Grammy Winning producer. His attention to the art of music and ability to cross various music genres is why he is sought out as a creative collaborator by diverse artists in the industry. Throughout the years, Marshall has also worked with a wide range of musical artists.  He believes the intention of the song is the top priority when serving in the producer role, as his approach to creating music is organic. As a formally trained musician, Marshall plays several instruments, including the bass, trumpet, upright bass, and piano. His first solo album, The Marshall Knights Experience, showcased his talents as a musical maven. It was created to cross boundaries between the musical genres of hip-hop, R&B, gospel, rock, and soul. In 2023, Marshall won his first Grammy Award for production on J.Ivy's "The Poet Who Sit By the Door." His sophomore album, THE ASCENSION, was released in March 2023, and is now available on all digital music platforms.   Connect with Marshall Website: www.marshallknights.com IG: @marshallknights Click here to listen to Marshall’s music on your favorite streaming platform. Resources: Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more at www.blackwomanleading.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

Season 4, Episode 006 -Healing Hurt Caused by Other Black Women at Work with Dr. Carey Yazeed As Black women, we may be familiar with experiencing unsupportive or toxic experiences in the workplace at the hands of others.  But what about when the toxic behavior directed towards us is from someone that looks like us – another Black woman. In this episode, Laura talks to Dr. Carey about this sensitive “family” discussion. Dr. Carey shares her insights on some of the root causes of why Black women hurt each other in the workplace, and how we can begin to acknowledge and heal these hurtful interactions.   About Dr. Yazeed  Dr. Yazeed is a Behavioral Scientist who specializes in the study of human behavior as it relates to work culture and trauma in the workplace. Certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace with a background in mental health and academia, she is the founder of iThink Change, a behavioral research agency. Dr. Yazeed is also a bestselling author of several books including, Unbreak My Soul: How Black Women Can Begin to Heal From Workplace Trauma. Connect with Dr. Yazeed   Website: www.drcareyyazeed.com Twitter & IG: @drcareyyazeed LinkedIn: Dr. Carey Yazeed   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this episode, we turn our attention to thriving in our bodies and physical health.  Laura welcomes our special guest, Bridgette Duncan, Founder of Slam Duncan Wellness. Bridgette shares her body movement journey and how her work in Pilates, stretch therapy, and breathwork has been a life-giving force not only for herself but for the Black women she works with in her practice.  She exposes us to other physical self-care options through her work, and   encourages us to move beyond being hyper focused on what our bodies look like to adopt a deeper understanding– moving your body is ultimately about deeper awareness and connection with yourself.   Bridgette affirms us to integrate pleasure into our physical self-care practice, and encourages us to listen to our needs, give grace, and be gentle with ourselves.  Tune into this affirming episode and then get up and MOVE! About Bridgette Bridgette is the Founder of Slam Duncan Wellness. ​​Slam Duncan Wellness is dedicated to promoting health and wellness through stretch therapy, breathwork facilitation, Pilates, and low-impact fitness. Bridgette possesses a wealth of knowledge, a diverse client background, and a skill set that is suitable for many walks of life. . Your health and fitness is much larger than just your daily workouts. It ripples out into every aspect of your life. Your wellness routine informs your mental and physical worlds. As well as, your spiritual and emotional capacities. Her ultimate goal is to provide care and teach practices that transform your mind, body, and soul, one breath at a time. Connect with  Bridgette Website: www.slamduncanwellness.com IG: @slamduncanwellness Upcoming event: Pilates in the Park (New York, May 13, 2023) Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 18-21 2023! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

Here at Black Woman Leading, we are all about asking for help and building your support team in your personal and professional life.  You may have a self-care team that includes a doctor, therapist, and other providers.  Or, a professional development team that includes your manager, colleagues, executive coach, or others.  You might even have personal care time like a house cleaner, babysitter, or grocery delivery service. We are here for all of it!  But, what about a team to help you increase, maintain, and invest your financial resources? It 's critical! In this episode, Nikki Tucker, a 20-year financial professional and the Founder of The FIIRM Approach, educates us on the importance of having a financial squad.  She uncovers OPTIONS for Black women to consider to effectively manage their money. She talks about the heart work of our financial stewardship and shares that we have to get intimate with our money when posing the question, “Would your money marry you?” Whew!  She takes us all the way there!  Tune in as Nikki debunks some misconceptions about wealth building, shares advice for planning financially for major life milestones, and educates us on key players that should be on our money team. Her insights empower us to be in a better position to  protect, maintain, grow, and ultimately transfer our assets to build  generational wealth. About Nikki Nikki is known as a problem solver since her experience and most of her time involves helping women strategically exiting their marriage and work on their new financial life post-divorce, as a Divorce Financial Strategist. As a 20-year financial professional, she enjoys teaching new ideas about money and connecting her clients to great resources to help them gain clarity, confidence and control of their finances and looking at stuff they might hate. Her two programs Silent Preparation Series & Bring Home the Bacon provide strategic education, modern resources and tools without having to share your business with strangers. She helps women learn how to keep the cost of their divorce down and make it less complicated. Her strategies teach women how to handle their finances with intention when they’re dating, married, divorcing and post-divorce. When she is not working with clients, she is eating amazing food and drinking an oat milk latte or a French 75. Her friends and those close to her describe her as reliable, honest and resourceful which comes in handy when she's working with women going through major transitions.    Connect with  Nikki Website:www.thefiirmapproach.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefiirmapproach/   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 18-21 2023! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

In this episode, we hear lessons from the C-Suite with Sandy Clark, CEO of StoryCorps. Sandy shares about her experience being an “accidental manager” and how this professional journey spurred  her to come from behind the curtain and step into full visibility as a leader. She shares a personal story about the consequences of staying too long in a role, and the heart work and head work she’s had to do to support her growth as a leader. Overall, Sandy shares insight into building relationships on your professional journey and leading with purpose.  Her story aligns with pursuing purpose as she shares that most of her career was spent amplifying the voices of others, and now she leads an organization that creates space for people all over the country to tell their stories, share wisdom, and leave a legacy for the future. Listen in and absorb this goodness as Sandy shares timely wisdom for those in both the early and more established phases of their careers.  Guest Bio: Sandra Clark is a leading voice in journalism and beyond, challenging norms and practices that create barriers to building trust and meaningful, sustainable connections with communities. In 2022, Clark took the helm at StoryCorps as CEO, advancing the award-winning organization’s mission: to create a more just and compassionate world by sharing and preserving stories of everyday people that illuminate our humanity and inspire us to believe in each other. Prior to joining StoryCorps in 2022, Clark was Vice President for News and Civic Dialogue at WHYY in Philadelphia, where she served on the executive committee and led the station's news operation across all platforms. Her innovative approaches to collaborating with grassroots information providers garnered national recognition. Previously, Clark served as Managing Editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer, leading the paper to a 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.  Connect with Sandy Website: storycorps.org Twitter: @SandraSWClark Linkedin   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 18-21 2023! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Maiysha states that 100% of people have been impacted by trauma. She takes us on a journey into the mind to uncover how our past experiences impact our trauma responses and communication defaults in our personal and professional lives. Dr. Maiysha provides a mini master class and shares the difference between positive stress, toxic stress, and trauma.  She teaches ways we can prevent stress from turning into trauma, and how to recognize and interrupt default trauma responses to have more productive communication with others. She also shares what it looks like to take a trauma-informed to people development and culture building in organizations.  Finally, Dr. Maiysha sheds light into her own professional journey and her trailblazing leadership trajectory that lead to her current space where her work is aligned with her purpose. Bring your pen and notepad and an open mind to this insightful episode. Dr. Maiysha’s insights confirm that we are empowered to activate our own healing through our internal processing and intentional communication. And when we do this, we can truly step into a build on thriving and not just surviving! About Dr. Maiysha Dr. Maiysha Clairborne is an Integrative Physician, Thought Leader, Trainer and Consultant of Trauma Informed Communication, & Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnosis & Time Line Therapy®, & founder of the Mind Re-Mapping Co. She helps individuals achieve mindset & communication mastery by teaching them how to eliminate negative thinking, faulty beliefs, and ineffective behaviors so they can put themselves in the driver’s seat of truly creating a life they design. Dr. Maiysha’s specialty is teaching people the power of words, and how our unconscious thoughts and beliefs have an impact on the reality we create.  She teaches the leaders she trains that by mastering our language (both internal and external) we ultimately put ourselves in the driver’s seat of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, therefore creating new impact for our lives and the lives of people around us.  A graduate of Emory University, Dr. Maiysha completed her MD at Morehouse School of Medicine, and her Family Medicine Residency at Florida Hospital.  In addition to speaking at TEDx Asheville in 2022, she is the author of the Wellness Blueprint, the co-author of Conscious Anti-Racism, the host of The Black Mind Garden podcast, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. Connect with  Dr. Maiysha Website: https://www.mindremappingacademy.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drmaiysha Youtube: www.youtube.com/drmaiysha IG: www.instagram.com/drmaiysha Twitter: www.twitter.com/drmaiysha Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmaiysha   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 18-21 2023! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

Welcome to Season 4 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast!  We are so excited to be back!  This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading learning experience.   The theme for season four is “Thrive, Sis, Thrive!” Through our episodes this season, we will be reflecting on questions like - “What does it look like for Black women to thrive in every of their lives?   And for this thriving to be the expectation and the standard for how experience our personal and professional lives.” In keeping with our core pillars, the episodes will continue to have a holistic focus on three core areas--leadership development, self-care and mental wellness, and relationship management. We’ll explore these areas through the lens of our theme for season four in both solo and guest episodes. Laura also shares about new Black Woman Leading® programming that is launching this year, and how initiative is expanding to support Black women throughout the lifecycle of their careers. Tune in to get some quick insights into what we’ll cover this season!  Prepare to be inspired.   About LauraLaura Knights is the Creator of Black Woman Leading® and host of the podcast. She is an executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and licensed clinical social worker with 18+ years of experience creating personal and professional development programs that have touched leaders worldwide. Her expertise and background in business, human resources, adult education, and social work uniquely equip her to teach others how to deal with both the "head work" and "heart work" required to succeed at work and in life.  She is the Founder and CEO of Knights Consulting LLC,  a leadership development consultancy that provides customized training and coaching programs to create more confident leaders and high-performing teams. Black Woman Leading® is a research-backed initiative which offers leadership development programming, a podcast, and an annual conference for Black women professionals. Black Woman Leading® is an initiative of Knights Consulting LLC. Learn more at blackwomanleading.com.   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 18-21 2023! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Te’a Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay

We are celebrating the completion of our third season! Our season theme was “Own Your Story, Amplify Your Voice.” Additionally, we uncovered a number of organic themes that consistently resurfaced across multiple episodes– leading from the inside-out, exploring new paradigms, self-advocacy, and taking care of our bodies. Tune in to this episode to get a high-level summary of all the wisdom shared, as Laura provides a recap and shares her personal highlights and takeaways from the season.  Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat in May 2023! Learn more at bwlretreat.com. Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Audible Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

In this first episode of the new year, Laura invites you to revisit your “rules.”  Your rules are your personal codes, spoken and unspoken,  that govern how you live your life. Rules help to give us order, provide safety, provide ways of knowing as we navigate the world, and help us to feel in control of our lives. Although many of our rules are helpful and support us to be our best selves, some of our rules may actually be harmful or outdated for the current season of life.  Laura shares insights on how your rules might have been formed and gives you a moment to pause, reflect, assess, and (if needed) rewrite your rules to support your vision for the new year and beyond.  Tune in to this insightful episode and embrace “New Year, New Rules!”   Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat in May 2023! Learn more at bwlretreat.com. Book: Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Audible Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

In this intimate discussion, three alumni participants of the Black Woman Leading ELEVATE  cohort (Latoya Butler, Kendra Thomas, and Meghen Demons) share their stories of growth throughout their leadership journey. They share the “growing pains” they endured and resources that helped them to overcome as they navigate their careers as Black women leaders working in both corporate and non-profit spaces.  Additionally, our brilliant alums share their experience in the Black Woman Leading program.   In our rich discussion, we talk about the importance of finding (and using) your voice, acknowledging your growth areas and making plans to improve them, setting and maintaining boundaries, pruning our relationships to get to our next level, and so much more.   Join us, reflect, and celebrate your own growth as a Black Woman Leading! Guest Bios:   Latoya Butler, Energy Services Program Director, CEDA   Latoya Butler is the Director of the Energy Services Department at the Community Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA). She has served as Director for 7 years of her 14 year tenure at CEDA. As the Director of the largest federally and state funded utility assistance programs in Illinois, she has proven to be a solutions-driven leader dedicated to working on behalf of the low income residents of Cook County. Latoya has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master's in Human Resources from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.   Connect with Latoya on LinkedIn.   Meghen Demons, Senior Program Manager, Learning & Development, Remitly   Meghen is a proud wife and mother of  two. She is a SHRM Certified Professional with 10 years of experience developing and implementing strategies and programs to support the strategic human capital business goals of attracting, retaining, and developing the best talent. In her spare time she enjoys sewing, reading, and reviving her plants.   Connect with Meghen on LinkedIn   Kendra Thomas, Chief of Administration and Finance, Office of the City Clerk, City of Chicago   Kendra Thomas is a trusted business resource and community outreach expert with vast experience developing community strategies, serving as a small business liaison to state initiatives, offering mentorship to at-risk youth within the Chicagoland area, and managing diverse workforces. She is known for delivering excellent and transformational service in fast-paced environments with the skillset to develop programs, oversee projects, orchestrate development and training, and maintain clear stakeholder communications.    Currently, Kendra serves as the Chief Administration and Finance Officer at the Office of the City Clerk. In this role, Kendra guides the financial planning, hiring and workplace culture initiatives for the office.    Connect with Kendra on LinkedIn   Resources:   We are now enrolling for the next Black Woman Leading® progra that starts on January 30, 2023. Learn more at http://blackwomanleading.com/program/ Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

In this episode, we hear lessons from the C-Suite with Kimberly Moore-Wright, Chief Teammate Officer and Head of Enterprise Diversity Truist Financial Corporation Kimberly shares how both heart work and head work have been critical to her “off the beaten path” leadership ascent at Truist, and she gives a behind-the-scenes look of her day-to-day responsibilities in her role.  Additionally, as the person who oversees well-being initiatives at Truist, she shares her insights on the organization’s responsibility to create an environment where people can thrive. Kimberly shares how “discomfort as an opportunity for growth” has been a consistent theme on her leadership journey.  She also provides tactical wisdom on how she has learned to lean into her team, practices boundaries, and how she intentionally schedules activities throughout her week to build relationships and broaden her vantage point both in and out of her organization.    Guest Bio: Kimberly Moore-Wright is chief teammate officer and head of enterprise diversity at Truist Financial Corporation. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of human resource management, including teammate relations and talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development, teammate experience, payroll, total rewards, enterprise diversity, and human capital systems. She also oversees the Truist Leadership Institute. She is a member of the company’s executive leadership team.  In 2019, Moore-Wright was named chief human resources officer of Truist. Prior to that, she served as director of Marketing and Digital Sales with a Truist predecessor. She began her career in the company’s Leadership Development Program and held various roles after graduating, including retail services  officer, market leader, credit training instructor, retail credit training manager, Community Bank & Lending Group training manager, and director of Retail and Commercial Marketing Strategy.  Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn   Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience and upcoming retreat at https://blackwomanleading.com Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

In this episode, Laura answers pressing questions from our community on topics related to delegation, leading your team through organizational change, dealing with “Mom guilt,” advocating for salary/promotion increases, and dealing with fear about leaving an organization. Tune in as Laura shares her wisdom and provides actionable insights to address these leadership challenges. Resources: S1E4: Navigating Salary Negotiations with Yakentha Britton (Black Woman Leading podcast) S3E8: Preparing for Performance Evaluations (Black Woman Leading podcast) Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience and upcoming retreat at https://blackwomanleading.com Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

At Black Woman Leading® we are all about exposing Black women to new opportunities and empowering them to increase their options. So we were so excited to welcome our special guest, Stephanie Perry, Founder of vaycarious.com, to discuss the option of taking a career sabbatical, or an extended period of time away from work.    In this insightful episode, Stephanie and Laura vision and explore the possibilities for using a career sabbatical for rest, self-discovery, adventure, and ease. Stephanie shares how her life changed after taking a one-year sabbatical to travel for a year (for just $1200 per month!).  From that experience, she chronicles how that experience led her to the work she does today to help Black women embrace more ease by taking a career break or moving abroad.  Laura also shares her insights from taking an annual one-month rest sabbatical in December, and the journey to creating that option for herself.  And they discuss how even entertaining the idea of a sabbatical requires heart and mindset work for many Black women to disconnect our identities from work and labor.   As Stephanie states, if you love your job, you still need a sabbatical! She champions making sabbaticals practical and accessible for more Black women, and the need for Black women to consider this expanded opportunity for ease and rest. Tune in with an open mind as Stephanie helps us explore our options with regard to the financial, practical, and emotional logistics of taking a sabbatical.   Guest Bio    At age 41, Stephanie Perry quit her job as a hospital pharmacy technician to travel the world for a year on her savings. She visited 12 countries in 12 months all on just $1200 per month. Now she's a year-round house sitter and pet sitter who helps Black women embrace more ease by taking a career break, house sitting or moving abroad on her YouTube channel.   Connect with  Stephanie   Website: https://vaycarious.com Youtube: https://youtube.com/stephanieperry IG: https://instagram.com/vaycarious Twitter: https://twitter.com/vaycarious Facebook: https://facebook.com/vaycarious   Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience and upcoming retreat at https://blackwomanleading.com Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

Research indicates that minority populations disproportionately experience insufficient sleep and sleep disorders.  We know that sleep is a fundamental health and wellness need for us to thrive as human beings, so we wanted to talk about Black women and our relationship with sleep.   We welcome our special guest, Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, Sleep Specialist and the Founder of The Solution is Sleep LLC, to provide more insights on this topic. In this enlightening conversation,  Laura and Dr. Holliday-Bell discuss the heart and head work of our relationship with sleep, including the connection to overcoming generational trauma and negative mindsets about sleep and resting.  Dr. Holliday-Bell provides insights on the specific causes of insufficient sleep she sees in her Black women patients, and educates us on some of the short and long-term effects of chronic, insufficient sleep. She also shares her personal story of dealing with insomnia that led her on the quest to become the sleep expert she is today, and provides tips for creating healthy sleep habits and routines. Guest Bio  Angela Holliday-Bell, MD is Physician, Certified Sleep Specialist and Sleep Coach. I created The Solution is Sleep LLC to provide transformative, targeted and customized sleep coaching based on proven therapeutic techniques to help my clients take back control of their sleep lives   Connect with  Dr. Holliday-Bell Website - https://www.thesolutionissleep.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angela-holliday-bell-466a1321b/ Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/thesleep_md/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thesolutionissleep   Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience and upcoming retreat at https://blackwomanleading.com Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

In this engaging episode, we explore the term “imposter syndrome” with speaker and writer, Jodi-Ann Burey.   The term “imposter syndrome” is often used to communicate a sense of inadequacy that an individual may feel in a professional setting.  After reviewing the original research that birthed this term, Laura and Jodi-Ann discuss why the term is an inaccurate portrayal of the experience of Black women because it does not account for the full environmental landscape that Black women have to navigate in the workplace and beyond.  Jodi-Ann offers a pointed take on reframing imposter syndrome and turns the responsibility of fixing imposter syndrome back to leaders and organizations.  Additionally, Jodi-Ann provides rich insight on the power of Black women’s agency and why she embraces the term “disrupter.”  Ultimately, she encourages us to use more affirming language that more fully encompasses our experiences as Black women. Tune in and be enlightened! Guest Bio  Jodi-Ann Burey (she/her) has a mission to disrupt “business as usual” to achieve social change. She is a sought-after speaker, writer, and creator who works at the intersections of race, culture, and health equity. Jodi-Ann is also the creator and host of Black Cancer, a podcast that explores the cancer journeys of everyday people of color which was featured on POPSUGAR and NBC - Dallas.   Connect with Jodi-Ann: Website - https://jodiannburey.com/ Personal LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaburey/ Jodi-Ann’s TED Talk - The Myth of Bringing Your Full Authentic Self to Work Jodi-Ann’s podcast -https://www.blackcancer.co/   Credits: Click here to complete our survey for Black women early career professionals. Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://blackwomanleading.com/program/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

From side hustles to those who desire to trade their 9-to-5 in for the CEO title, our community has shown increased interest in learning more about entrepreneurship.  In this episode, our special guest, Dr. Shakenna Williams, Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College and Founder of Babson’s Black Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, comes to share her insights on why Black women are increasingly pursuing entrepreneurship and how they can do it successfully. Dr. Williams shares about Babson’s unique approach to supporting Black women entrepreneurs, shares advice on navigating entrepreneurship while working a full-time job, and outlines practical first steps for those just getting started. Further, Dr. Williams shares a bit of her journey as a Black Woman Leading, and vulnerably shares how she overcame professional challenges with her four-part system for effective self-advocacy and negotiation skills.  Tune in and be inspired as we explore entrepreneurship as one an option for further economic and personal empowerment. Guest Bio  Dr. Shakenna K. Williams is the Executive Director of the Center of Women Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL) and founder of the Black Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (BWEL) at Babson College. She is an adjunct faculty member in Babson’s MBA Program, owns Kenna Business Solutions, and previously served as Deputy Academic Director and Lead Faculty Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. With her passion to propel women entrepreneurs to new levels of success, Dr. Williams is the proud recipient of the Babson Entrepreneurial Thought and Action Award, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Changemaker Award, and the African American Female Professor of the Year Award. She authored The Mark (excerpt) and is writing her first book, Hooked: Entrepreneurial Leadership Skills Learned While Fishing with My Dad. Dr. Williams received her doctorate from Capella University (dissertation, Talent Management and Retention in Small Family-Owned Businesses: A Multiple-Case Qualitative Study), her MBA from Oklahoma City University, and her B.S. (Finance; Investments) from Babson. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, and the Academy of Management. Dr. Williams cherishes being a foster mom, and loves to travel, spend time with family, cook, and paint.   Learn more about Babson’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership: CWEL Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/babsoncwel CWEL IG - https://www.instagram.com/babsoncwel/  Connect with Dr. Williams here: Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshakennawilliams/  Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/drshakennawilliams/    Credits: Click here to complete our survey for Black women early career professionals. Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://blackwomanleading.com/program/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay    

The end of the year is a common timeframe for companies to facilitate annual reviews.  In this tactical episode, Laura shares points to help you reflect on the last year of your professional journey, and prepare to communicate the contributions you’ve made in your annual review. Laura provides a practical approach for you to guide the narrative of your review meeting and confirm your “asks” to advocate for yourself in the workplace. Download the BWL performance evaluation prep packet here >> https://bit.ly/bwlpefreebie Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow us on Instagram: @blackwomanleading Join our mailing list and download a free Black Woman Leading journey map! Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

So many of our listeners and BWL community members are leaders across the domains of their life–work, family, community, and so on.  They spend so much time investing in the development of others, supporting the growth of others, and serving the needs of others.  Yet, sometimes they struggle to give this same level of care and priority to themselves.  If this resonates, this episode is for you! Our special guest, Tanisha Chea, President of Sir Grout Franchising and Mrs.North America 2022,   shares her “spirit of YES” approach and gives listeners a peek behind the scenes of her own YES journey as a corporate leader, pageant winner, community leader, wife, and mom.  In this episode, we want to highlight the need for you to also prioritize and say YES to yourself.  YES to your interests. YES to your dreams. YES to your desires. YES to your care. In this dynamic conversation, we explore many of the reasons that we struggle to YES to ourselves, including dealing with fear, guilt, and being disconnected to our own voice and desires. Tanisha vulnerably shares how she navigated these very obstacles to pursue her dreams.  Additionally, she shares her approach to activating her support system on the journey. Tanisha’s story encourages us to “try on” new versions of ourselves, push past fear, and take the leap to try something new and say YES to ourselves. Tune in, and catch this inspiration to say YES to you!   Guest Bio  Tanisha was named President of Sir Grout Franchising in December 2021. Prior to leading Sir Grout, Tanisha was the Vice President of Global Innovation of Krispy Kreme. Tanisha and her husband also own and operate a children’s franchise concept, IDEA Lab Kids – a S.T.E.A.M Enrichment center for kids ages 4-14. With an avid love of the art and science of Marketing, Tanisha Chea has enjoyed a successful corporate career leading marketing for such companies as KFC, Taco Bell and Carrabba’s Italian Grill where she served as the Chief Marketing Officer. Tanisha also serves as Mrs. North Carolina America 2022 and recently competed at Mrs. AMERICA where she placed in the Top 15. Tanisha champions her message, “The Spirit of YES!” as a Global Partner with Dress for Success and volunteers her time as a stylist and career coach around the globe.  Tanisha holds both a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations and an MBA in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. She and her husband Kosal have twin 4 year old boys, Zealand and Rhodes and reside in Charlotte, NC.   Connect with Tanisha: https://www.instagram.com/TanishaChea/ https://www.instagram.com/Mrs.NorthCarolina/ https://www.instagram.com/idealabkids_ballantyne/ Website: www.TanishaChea.com   Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://blackwomanleading.com/program/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay