In this episode, we welcome Jessica Williams, Vice President of People at Refine Labs and Founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching. Jessica provides a case study of her organization’s recent move to offer a $75,000 minimum salary for all employees. As the lead on this initiative, Jessica provides great leadership insights on her process to craft this strategic move, gain buy-in from key decision-makers, and deal with resistance from other internal and external stakeholders. Through sharing her experience, Jessica highlights the transferable skills (storytelling, negotiation, advocating, etc)  that listeners can apply to their own strategic initiatives.  Exploring pay transparency more broadly, Jessica makes the connections to diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes and passionately advocates for the benefits of pay transparency for Black women. She shares some of her experiences with salary negotiations over the course of her career and provides actionable tips for the listeners to take forward.   Finally, in discussing her own holistic growth and development as a leader, Jessica vulnerably shares some of her wellness journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Guest Bio  With experience across a number of industries including oil/gas, retail, financial services, telemedicine, and marketing, Jessica Williams has developed high-level skills in people operations. After finishing her undergraduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, Jessica went on to complete a Masters to extend her skills and knowledge in community health management, health promotion, and public health ethics. She is now the Vice President of People at Refine Labs, using her value-driven leadership and creative problem solving for strategic talent acquisition, performance management, diversity/inclusion, and policy development. Additionally, Jessica is the Founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching   Connect with Jessica:   LinkedIn Instagram: @HiddenGemCC Website: refinelabs.com/careers Website: hiddengemcareercoaching.com NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort! Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://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 welcome Dr. Shaniqua Jones, restorative justice expert and Black Woman Leading alum.   Dr. Jones breaks down the difference between restorative justice and restorative practice, and how we can integrate these practices into our leadership efforts.  Specifically, she provides insights into how restorative practices can be used as a tool to combat issues related to workplace ostracism, bullying, and trauma in organizations. And in true BWL fashion, she enlightens us on the “head work” and “heart work” of building more restorative workplaces for all employees. Finally, Dr. Jones transparently shares some of her personal life tragedies and victories and provides an inspiring model of how to live out restorative practices in everyday life. She leaves listeners with a few practical first steps one can take to integrate a restorative approach into our lives.  Guest Bio  Dr. Shaniqua Jones is a Global Leader and Restorative Justice Practitioner and Expert. She is affectionately known as Dr. J and for her brilliant ability to connect deeply with those who have been harmed and have caused harm through Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices.    Dr. J has been called upon to remove barriers alienating and dehumanizing people from all walks of life. She completed her doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership specializing in Higher Education in May of 2016.  She holds a number of appointments including, the Restorative Justice Trainer for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, a member of the Illinois State Board of Education’s Whole Child Task Force, Restorative Justice Project Manager for the MacArthur Foundation, and the Chief Educational Officer for Touch Gift Foundation.   With a global platform, as the founder of Purple Path and Jones Academy of Excellence, Dr. Jones has educated and served thousands of students, parents, guardians, educators, organizations, and more through her work rooted in Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices. She is also a wife and mother of five biological children and an author of 10 awe-inspiring works.    Connect with Dr. Jones:   Instagram LinkedIn Website: www.purplepathbydrj.com  Website: www.jonesacademyofexcellence.com   NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort! Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://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 welcome Sonya Ross, a bonafide expert in amplifying your voice.  Sonya shares wisdom and insights about amplifying the voices of Black women from her 30+ years of experience as a political journalist.  This experience included White House coverage and the September 11th terrorist attacks, amongst other historical moments.  Sonya shares about her current work at Black Women Unmuted, where she reports the under-told stories about Black women across the country.  She shares lessons she’s learned about storytelling and provides insights into how other Black women leaders can tap into this important skill.  Additionally, Sonya pays homage to Black women leaders in the political arena and provides some practical first steps for those looking to amplify their voices for change in their spheres of influence.  Guest Bio  Sonya Ross is managing editor of Inside Climate News, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom devoted to climate change, and founder of Black Women Unmuted, a media start-up that reports under-told stories about Black women in the United States.   Sonya took on these twin endeavors after a 33-year career at The Associated Press. She became The AP’s first Black woman White House reporter in 1995 and, in 1999, the first Black woman elected to the board of the White House Correspondents Association. During the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Sonya was the print pool reporter aboard Air Force One with President George W. Bush as he was evacuated to safety, also a historic first in media.   In 2018, Sonya was inducted into the Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame. She was the founding chair of the political reporting task force for the National Association of Black Journalists and is currently deputy vice-chair of the board of the Journalism & Women’s Symposium. Sonya also serves on the boards of the Washington Press Club Foundation, the SPJ Foundation, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.    Connect with Sonya:   @BeUnmuted (IG & Twitter) Black Women Unmuted website Black Women Unmuted Facebook Black Women Unmuted Youtube @InsideClimate (Twitter) Inside Climate Facebook Inside Climate News website NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort! Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://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

Welcome to Season 3 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 three is “Own your story. Amplify your voice.” We will be putting all of our topics this season through the lens of honoring our VOICE.  What does it look like to find, reclaim, and continue taking up space to boldly and confidently use your voice as a Black Woman Leading?  That’s the central question that will serve as the foundation for all of our episodes this season.   In keeping with our core pillars, the episodes will continue to have a holistic focus on three core areas--leadership development, mental wellness, and relationship management. We’ll explore these areas through the lens of our theme for season three in both solo and guest episodes. Laura also shares some highlights of what’s happening behind the scenes at Black Woman Leading!   We invite you to join us on this journey of reflection, learning, and growth.  Our hope is that you feel seen, heard, validated, and loved.  And, that you leave your time with us with new perspectives, insights, tools, and strategies to support you along your leadership journey. 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. Laura has always been dedicated to supporting Black women to survive AND thrive in their personal and professional endeavors. Black Woman Leading™ is the latest iteration of her efforts and a genuine passion project that combines all the best of her professional experiences and skills. NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort! Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://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

We are celebrating the completion of our second season!   Our season theme was “Looking Back to Look Forward.” Additionally, we uncovered a number of organic themes that consistently resurfaced across multiple episodes– radical collaboration, an encouragement to check yourself before you wreck yourself, a nudge to speak up for what you need, acknowledging and leaning into the shift, exploring the opportunities, and giving grace to self.  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.  Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

We're celebrating the one year anniversary of the Black Woman Leading® podcast today!  If you have listened to one episode and supported this endeavor, we thank you!  It has truly been a labor of love!   In this episode, Laura answers pressing questions from our community on topics related to career development, leadership, wellness, and building relationships.    Resources: The Myth of Bringing Your Full, Authentic Self to Work - TEDx Talk by Jodi Ann Burey:  S1E4: Navigating Salary Negotiations with Yakentha Britton (Black Woman Leading podcast) S2E10: Building Community and Connection with Dr. Mel (Black Woman Leading podcast)   Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/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 powerful and enlightening episode, Laura talks all things BOUNDARIES with special guest, Stephanie Ghoston Paul.  Stephanie highlights that many challenges in the workplace and in our personal relationships can be traced back to boundary violations.    Stephanie shares some of her go-to definitions for boundaries, and provides examples of boundaries we can set with ourselves, with others, and how boundary issues manifest within organizations as well.  In true Black Woman Leading® form, we discuss the heart work and head work of setting and protecting your boundaries; and Stephanie enlightens us on the three-step process that she teaches in her Boundaries Bootcamp program.   Both Laura and Stephanie vulnerable share some of their personal experiences with boundaries, and provide insight into indicators that your boundaries have been violated and initial steps you can take to start setting and protecting your boundaries moving forward.   Ultimately, the overarching message of the episode is that boundaries are a gift that we can give to ourselves and others. Stephanie reminds us to center ourselves in our work, and that  there is always grace and compassion we can apply to get back in alignment with ourselves when violations occur. Guest Bio  Stephanie Ghoston Paul (she/her) is an internationally recognized speaker, racial justice facilitator, organizational development consultant, life coach, and recovering lawyer. She helps people, communities, and companies get in alignment with and fully embody their purpose, in service of a planet where all human beings are free, whole, and enough. Stephanie is also a best-selling author and a recent TEDx speaker. In her latest community offering, she explores what it means to be a living ancestor through her podcast called Take Nothing When I Die.    Connect with Stephanie:   Instagram: @cultivatedsense Instagram: @takenothingwhenidie Twitter: @cultivatedsense Twitter: @TNWID Facebook: Facebook.com/cultivatedsense Web: www.stephanieghoston.com Credits: Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/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 Janara Jones, Vice President – Global Taxes and Chief Tax Officer at Albemarle Corporation   Janara shares her career journey and strategies she used to spur her career growth.  She provides tips to help listeners strengthen their influence and visibility, and gives insight into how she uses her platform and position to highlight important issues and connect people to opportunities within her organization. She shares her day-to-day  experiences in her current role and emphasizes the importance of being flexible and being okay with discomfort.   Janara vulnerably shares some of the head and heart work she had to do to advance in her career, including skill and communication gaps she had to acknowledge and address, and the subsequent investments she made in herself to make it happen. She also addresses the point of authenticity and the boundaries she’s put in place regarding “bringing her whole self to work.”  Janara’s story encourages us that it's okay to have a non-linear career journey, and that sometimes we have to focus on the opportunity and not just the title as we advance forward.     Guest Bio  Janara N. Jones is the Vice President – Global Taxes and Chief Tax Officer at Albemarle Corporation, a leading global producer of Lithium, Bromine and Catalyst solutions based in Charlotte, North Carolina.  She joined Albemarle in 2020 and is responsible for all matters pertaining to corporate income and transactional taxes globally, including tax policy positions involving legislation, planning, compliance and audit defense.    Prior to joining Albemarle, Ms. Jones worked at The Home Depot (THD) as a Senior Director of Global Taxes focusing on tax reporting (compliance and provision), M&A, transfer pricing, tax controversy, and tax planning.  Prior to joining THD, Janara has held several leadership positions including the Global Leader of Direct Taxes for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Director of Tax Research & Planning for Campbell Soup Company, and Senior Director – US Tax Planning & Controversy for TE Connectivity Ltd.    Before working in various in-house tax roles, Ms. Jones was a member of the Washington National Tax Services Mergers & Acquisition Team for PwC LLP where she held various roles of increasing client service responsibility in the areas tax planning, M&A structuring, tax due diligence, general compliance reporting issues and tax controversy. After graduating college, she worked for the Virginia Department of Taxation as a tax auditor and was a senior tax consultant for KPMG, LLP.   She has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Virginia Union University, a Master of Science in Taxation from American University - Kogod School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University – Smeal College of Business. Janara is also a licensed CPA.   Connect with Janara:   LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janarajones/ Email:  [email protected]   Credits: Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/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 fun episode, we discuss image, style, and personal branding with stylist and image consultant, Morgan Wider.    Morgan shares her personal style story and how it led to her work today with helping professional women do the heart work and head work to build their confidence and stand in their worth through “authentically appropriate” style.  Morgan shares her two-part definition of executive presence, emphasizes the need for self-empathy and grace with our post-Covid bodies, and outlines her five-step process to update your look when you feel it’s time for a change.  Morgan provides a refreshing and insightful take on cultivating style with intentionality.  She empowers listeners to “cultivate a wardrobe that announces your presence instead of apologizing for it.” Guest Bio  As a wardrobe stylist and speaker, Morgan Wider advises executives, entrepreneurs and college students on how to build wardrobes that convey confidence and competence. Morgan has worked with companies such as Google, Walmart, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche to highlight how an improved image increases performance.  Before launching her business, Morgan spent 10 years working at the corporate headquarters of The Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Carter’s. She grew several businesses with her knowledge of merchandising, apparel production, pricing strategy and international development. Morgan is also the author of the best-selling book, The Worthy Wardrobe: Your Guide to Style, Shopping & Soul. By sharing her knowledge about the retail industry and her passion for fashion, Morgan helps her clients feel more powerful in all areas of their lives.  Check out Morgan’s podcast - The Worthy Reveal Get Morgan’s book - The Worthy Wardrobe  Connect with Morgan: Instagram: @morganwiderstyle Facebook: @WiderStyle  Web: https://morganwider.com/ Credits: Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @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 talk about building community and connection as a Black Woman Leading.  Many of our community members experience a unique isolation as  they are often the “only” Black woman on their level of leadership.  Because of this we put a huge emphasis on building community and having “mirrors” for validation, support, encouragement, and accountability.   Our special guest, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Brown (affectionately known as Dr. Mel), provides so much wisdom in this episode as we discuss how to develop meaningful and reciprocal relationships in our professional and personal lives.  Dr. Mel shares some of the common relationship challenges she sees in her practice as a psychologist.  She provides strategies to navigate "landmine" relationships at work, tips on how to take strategic risks to test if it’s safe to bring your whole self to work.   On the personal side, we discuss insights on sustaining and building new relationships as a grown woman, and Dr. Mel shares the signs and symptoms that it may be time to clean house in your support circle.  Through vulnerably sharing one of her own personal experiences, Dr. Mel drives home the importance of checking in with yourself so past trauma and negative relationship experiences won’t sabotage the new connections you create.  Whether talking about professional or personal relationships, the importance of creating your visibility, taking a risk, and putting yourself out there resonates throughout this episode.  Guest Bio  Melissa Robinson-Brown, “Dr. Mel,” is a licensed clinical psychologist, educator, speaker, and fitness enthusiast.  After quitting her soul-sucking job, Dr. Mel founded Renewed Focus Psychology Services, where she helps women level up when life’s structure just doesn’t fit.  She wants women (including her daughters) to tap into their inner BADASS and BREAK THE DAMN MOLD!  Known for her funky, edgy style, Dr. Mel has been featured in several publications, podcasts, radio and digital media platforms, including Essence, Scarymommy, DevaCurl, NY Times, Vogue, Therapy for Black Girls, and HuffPost.     Dr. Mel resides in NJ with her three amazingly gifted, energetic, beautiful, and mini badass daughters and her supportive, ambitious, loving partner, AB.   Check out Dr. Mel’s new webinar series - H.A.W.T. Sauce (Helping Authentic Women Thrive)   Connect with Dr. Mel:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamdrmel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdrmel/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamdrmel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamDrMel/ Web: https://www.iamdrmel.com/ Web: Https://arenewedfocus.com   Credits: Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @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 Dorri McWhorter, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.  Dorri shares how both heart work and head work have been integrated in her leadership approach across various industries and roles throughout her career.  She gives a behind the scenes look of her day-to-day responsibilities as a CEO, and shares her approach and inspiration for creating and communicating the vision and strategy she sets for her organization. We discuss the importance of having an intentional and compassionate people strategy to achieve organizational goals, and Dorri shares her insights on the current “great resignation” and future of work. The theme of tapping into your authenticity as a leader resonates throughout our discussion.  Listen in as Dorri shines bright as a Black Woman Leading role model for our community. Guest Bio  Dorri McWhorter became President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago in August 2021. Prior to joining the YMCA, Dorri served for 8 years as the CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago transforming the organization from a traditional social service organization to 21st Century social enterprise. Increasing impact and organizational sustainability, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s operating budget grew from $10.5 million in 2013 to a $38 million operating budget for FY 2022. The organization has been an active contributor to many critical initiatives across the region, and under Dorri’s leadership, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago expanded its service footprint to 10 new locations, completed seven mergers and acquisitions, implemented paid family leave and developed a retirement plan to include retirement options for thousands of childcare providers and small business owners. Dorri led the effort to develop an exchange traded fund (ETF) for women’s empowerment (NYSE: WOMN) in partnership with Impact Shares, which is the first non-profit investment advisor to develop an ETF product. Dorri was included in the inaugural list of “The Blue Network”, comprised of the top 100 innovators in Chicago, by Chicago Tribune’s Blue Sky Innovation and recognized by Good City Chicago receiving its Innovative Leader Award. Dorri is a 2019 Inductee in the Chicago Innovation Hall of Fame. Dorri prides herself on being a socially-conscious business leader and is committed to creating an inclusive marketplace by leveraging a cross-sector approach of engaging business, civic and community partners. Dorri has a breadth of professional experience across a variety of businesses and industries. She was a partner at Crowe Horwath, LLP, one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S.. She also held senior positions with Snap-on Incorporated and Booz Allen Hamilton. Dorri serves on the Board of Directors for Lifeway Foods, William Blair Funds and Skyway Concession Company (Chicago Skyway).  Dorri’s civic and philanthropic leadership includes the board of directors for the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, 1871 (Technology Business Accelerator), Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Civic Consulting Alliance, Civic Federation, and Forefront. She is also a member of the Illinois Charitable Trust Board. Dorri received a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master of business administration degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lake Forest College. Connect with Dorri: LinkedIN personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorrimcwhorter/ LinkedIn company:  linkedin.com/company/ymca-of-metropolitan-chicago Instagram company: instagram.com/YMCAChicago Instagram personal:instagram.com/chiccpa Twitter company:  twitter.com/YMCAChicago Twitter personal: twitter.com/chicCPA Facebook company: facebook.com/YMCAChicago Web: ymcachicago.org Credits: Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

Happy New Year!  The top of the year is a time when many people have an appetite for establishing their vision, goals, and intentions for the new year.  Additionally, we launch a new Black Woman Leading cohort this month and will be supporting our participants with developing professional goal plans in the program. So, in the spirit of supporting you in your visions, goals, and plans for the new year, Laura provides six tips to help you develop the real backbone of your goal planning - the daily and weekly habits and practices that help you to incrementally achieve those big dreams! In this first official episode of the new year, Laura discusses overcoming “vision ecstasy”, developing a praxis strategy, and managing your mindset (with grace) so that you can set the goal, but live in the daily practices that will help you see that thing come to pass! Use this episode as a facilitated exercise to help you map your  habits and practices to win the year. Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

Introduction In this intimate discussion, three alumni participants of the Black Woman Leading Radiance cohort (Tracie Haygood, Jennifer McClain, and Roxann Stafford) share their stories of overcoming challenges, lessons learned, and resilience as they navigate their careers as Black women leaders working in both corporate and non-profit spaces. In our rich discussion, we talk about the importance of having “mirrors” in your life, exercising your choice, communicating your value beyond your degrees, their strategies to advance in their careers, stepping out of the shadows of others’ expectations, resisting the “black women can’t work together” false narrative, and coming more fully into our authentic selves. Our brilliant alumni share their truths and their experience in the Black Woman Leading community. Join us and reflect on your own lessons learned while navigating your career path. Guest Bios: Tracie Haygood Tracie Haygood is a degreed engineer with extensive global business experience in the areas of sales and marketing within the petrochemical, oil and energy industries. Having worked for and with major Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years, she has earned a reputation as the point person who consistently delivers results by leading diverse teams from the front with empathy and authenticity. One of the mottos she lives by: "I don't ask people to do things that I wouldn't be willing to do myself."  Connect with Tracie on LinkedIn. Jennifer McClain Jennifer McClain is an experienced nonprofit leader, with over 20 years of experience. She is also a skilled facilitator who has led sessions with over 600 participants since 2013 and a motivating and compassionate coach who listens and supports her clients with defining their path forward. As Director of Financial Opportunities at LISC Chicago, Jennifer fosters leadership and deploys strong project management skills to help her colleagues and external partners achieve their goals. In her role at LISC Jennifer directs and manages the organization’s network of nine Financial Opportunity Centers which are neighborhood-based centers offering integrated services of career development and placement, financial coaching, digital skills training, credit building and income supports access.    In addition to her role at LISC Chicago, Jennifer is Founder and CEO of Mission ENSPIRE, LLC which supports women, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations discover their purpose and operate at their fullest potential, through coaching, consulting, training and facilitation.  Jennifer holds a BS in computer science from Dillard University and a joint MBA-MPA from the Keller Graduate School of Management; she is also a graduate of the Allstate Foundation Executive Leadership Program in partnership with Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, and achieved an Executive Scholar certificate in Nonprofit Management from Kellogg.  She is also a member of Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunity Fellows Network.   Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn. Roxann Stafford Roxann Stafford brings together the worlds of social impact, investment, entrepreneurship and design thinking. Her background in mechanical engineering, business and psychology combines the analytical rigor and empathy necessary for sustainable and justice-focused systems design. Roxann is the Managing Director of the Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund, a +$20-million independent joint venture formed by the Knight Foundation and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. With a focus on sustainability and equity, The Knight-Lenfest Fund is designed to strengthen local journalism at scale, through supporting journalistic excellence and serving the information needs of communities.  Roxann has extensive international experience identifying and co-creating sustainable and soulful solutions to big system problems in regions from the Pacific Islands to East Africa to the Caribbean, and cultivating opportunities for entrepreneurship to solve those issues. She works with individuals, organizations, companies, governments and communities on how to thrive in a state of reinvention and reimagination with a particular emphasis on the relationship between self agency and community agency. With groups like the Guild of Future Architects, Roxann co-creates universal prosperity by focusing on justice, interdependence and well-being. NPR, for whom Roxann has been a commentator on equity and innovation, named her a tech innovator. She is currently an inaugural Visiting Practitioner in Public Interest Tech at Cornell Tech. Roxann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Product Design from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Duke University, with concentrations in social entrepreneurship and strategy. Connect with Roxann on Twitter @jroxann Resources: We are now enrolling for the The Black Woman Leading™ learning experience that starts on January 24, 2022.  Learn more at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading program at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Laura’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/ Instagram: @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, our special guest, Monique Childress, non-profit strategy consultant and Principal of Horizon Advisory Group, shares about her community building work in support of  Black women nonprofit leaders. We discuss some of the unique experiences of Black women in the nonprofit space, how Black women are persisting in spite of misdirected and inequitable philanthropy, and Monique’s insights on what’s needed for holistic resilience in this season.  Additionally, we tap into Monique’s expertise to learn how we can use a strategic planning framework to assess and map out our career journeys. Monique also shares her story of how a moment of organic connection led to her collaborating and launching the Sista Nonprofit Network initiative, a virtual safe space for women of the African diaspora in nonprofit leadership roles.  Guest Bio  Monique Childress is the Founder and Principal of Horizon Advisory Group in Atlanta, GA, which provides organizational strategy services for purpose-driven organizations committed to supporting and improving the lives of underrepresented communities. Horizon’s mission is to help these organization leaders to define the path to their next horizon through strategic planning, organizational development, and facilitated stakeholder collaboration. She possesses ten years’ experience in organizational strategy planning and consulting for nonprofits, small businesses, and Fortune 500 corporations.  Prior to Horizon, she held leadership roles in Management Leadership for Tomorrow’s Advisory practice and Accenture’s Talent & Organization Strategy practice where she worked with client executive and senior leadership teams on large-scale human capital strategy and transformation efforts. A Chicago native, Monique holds a BSBA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from the University of Michigan. She has also completed additional professional training in Human-Centered Design with the LUMA Institute; Design Sprints with AJ&Smart; an advanced facilitation training on “Presencing Race, Gender, & Collective Healing”; and Diversity in the Workplace (certificate) through the University of South Florida.  In her spare time, Monique teaches yoga, volunteers as Treasurer for the Atlanta Unbound Academy’s Board of Directors, and she is a mentor with Emory University’s Start:ME business training program. Connect with Monique: LinkedIN personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquechildress/ LinkedIn company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/horizonadvisorygroup/ Instagram: @worldclassmc Twitter: @horizonadvgrp Web:  https://sistanonprofitnetwork.com/ Web: https://horizonadvisoryllc.com/ Resources: Sista Summit Virtual Conference - January 2022 Credits: Now enrolling for the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

Having a sponsor at work has been a key tool for many leaders to skyrocket in their careers. However, sponsor relationships remain elusive for many Black women leaders due to a lack of access to senior leaders and low visibility in their organizations amongst other causes.   In this episode, our special guest, Faith Eatman, discusses her experience with spearheading a sponsorship program specifically for Black women at her organization. We take a behind-the-scenes look at Faith’s innovative approach to creating a program that addresses both the access issues and the systemic barriers within her organization--all while centering the experience of Black women. Faith educates us on the four A’s of a sponsor’s role, provides tips for Black women looking to secure a sponsor, and shares her process for getting buy-in for her program from C-suite leaders in her organization (Hint: it’s a process that can be used to get buy-in on ANY of your projects).   Overall, Faith gives us a refreshing view of sponsorship programs, as she highlights that it provides a benefit for all parties involved. Black women get more support to showcase their brilliance.  C-suite execs  get an “ear to the ground” to expand their view within the organization and strengthen their capacity as inclusive leaders, and organizations diversify their leadership and move closer to a more inclusive culture.   Guest Bio  Faith Eatman is a People & Process Improvement expert with over ten years of experience leading process improvement and change management for some of the top organizations in the healthcare industry, including The Joint Commission, Presence Health, and currently, UChicago Medicine. Motivated by today’s environment, she’s passionate about utilizing her people-first problem-solving approach and critical thinking skills to act – rather than passively react – to facilitate sustainable change. Her lifelong mission is to leverage her expertise in change management and continuous improvement to help organizations solve complex DEI business problems. Her passion project is to close the gap for Black women in the workplace Faith is a graduate of the University of Illinois (BS) and holds double Masters degrees (MPH, MBA) from Saint Xavier University. She has earned certifications in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Lean Methodology, and Change Management. Faith resides in Oak Park, IL with her husband and son.  Connect with Faith: LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/faith-eatman Resources: TEDTalk by Carla Harris - How to find the person that can help you get ahead at work  Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

With the global events of the last two years and the collective trauma of a global pandemic,  the conversation around burnout in the workplace has reached a fever pitch. In this episode, we welcome Karma Hill, positive psychology and leadership coach to share her wisdom on burnout and how activating self-compassion is one of the tools we can use to support our wellness in this area.   Karma vulnerably shares her personal story of overcoming burnout and the lessons she’s learned from that experience that inform her passion for coaching and educating others on the topic.   Specifically, Karma enlightens us on symptoms of burnout, educates us on the three core elements of burnout that separate it from other mental health conditions like depression, and provides her insights on what organizations can do to mitigate the damages of burnout on their employees. Lastly, Karma educates us on self-compassion as a wellness practice. She shares  the three core components of self-compassion, and provides simple tools and activities to increase self-awareness and create a more positive inner script. Guest Bio  Karma Hill is an ICF accredited Positive Psychology & Leadership Coach, the founder of Konversations with Karma and a board member of ICF Georgia. She received her M.S. in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology from Life University and her Integrative Wellness & Life Coaching certification from Integrative Wellness Academy. Karma was listed on Yahoo Finance’s Top 10 Life Coaches To Look Out For In 2021. Karma helps women in leadership prevent burnout and emotional exhaustion by making themselves a priority so they can increase their impact in the world. She believes well-being and success all start with prioritizing self-care. Karma’s expert skill set includes scientifically rooted approaches, effective use of her intuition, knowing the appropriate powerful questions to ask combined with the correct tools and techniques to empower clients. Her passion and commitment are instrumental in empowering and inspiring clients to take action to elevate their lives to phenomenal heights. Karma’s belief is that you do not need permission to put yourself first. Connect with Karma Web: https://konversationswithkarma.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/konverswkarma LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmmoten/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konversationswithkarma/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konversationswithkarma  Konversations with Karma Podcast  Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

Have you been feeling like it’s time to do something different in your career? Perhaps you have your eyes on a new role within your organization, moving to a new organization, or changing careers altogether… whatever the case, in this episode we affirm your ability to change your mind and pivot on your career journey.   Welcome to Season 2, Episode 3 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast. If the idea of a pivoting in your professional career resonates with you, use this episode as a time of reflection as Laura covers dominant themes that are guiding Black women’s desire to shift in their career, signs that it might be time for you to make a career change, and a four-step process to guide you through your transition process. Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

This episode officially kicks off our season two theme -- Looking Back to Look Forward. In this episode, we are joined by researcher and historian Dr. Crystal M. Moten. Dr. Moten is the curator of African American History in the Division of Work and Industry at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History where she specializes in African American business and labor history.  In this episode, we learn about the legacies of some of our Black Woman Leading ancestors, and Dr. Moten helps us to extract powerful lessons from their experiences that we can carry with us on our leadership journey. Dr. Moten speaks the names of these powerful women, and shows the history that illuminates enduring themes of radical collaboration, using personal influence to pull others up, community building, and self-advocacy that are STILL assets that we draw on today as Black women leaders.  She highlights the then-and-now aspects of Black women’s work and advocacy for their own economic justice, independence, and autonomy; including some of the challenges that still persist for Black women leaders. Dr. Moten also shares her powerful insights on the double-edged sword of being the only Black woman leader in a space and the “glass ceiling” metaphor from a historical perspective.  These historical narratives from our professional foremothers give us the courage to keep going, keep advocating, and keep leading on our professional journey today.  Guest Bio  Dr. Crystal M. Moten is curator of African American History in the Division of Work and Industry at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History where she specializes in African American business and labor history. Previously, she has been an assistant professor of history in small liberal arts colleges on the east coast and in the upper Midwest. Her current research centers on the intersection of race, class, and gender and specifically Black women’s economic activism in the civil rights era Urban Midwest. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Civil and Human Rights and a special issue of Souls, which focuses on the Black women’s work, culture, and politics. She has a chapter in The Strange Careers of Jim Crow North (NYU Press, 2019). At the National Museum of American History, she has co-curated an exhibit: The Only One in the Room: Women Achievers in Business and the Cost of Success Her forthcoming book is entitled Continually Working: Black Women’s Economic Activism in Postwar Milwaukee. Resources: Connect with Crystal: Web: https://www.crystalmoten.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cmmphd LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmmoten/ Podcast: https://www.blackherstory101.com/ Resources mentioned during the episode: The Nap Ministry Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

Welcome to Season 2 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 two is “Looking Back to Look Forward.”  We will pull on our stories and collective experiences to extract wisdom to guide us forward as leaders at work, home, and in our communities.  In keeping with our core pillars, the episodes will continue to have a holistic focus on three core areas--leadership development, mental wellness, and relationship management. We’ll explore these areas through the lens of our theme for season two in both solo and guest episodes. We invite you to join us on this journey of reflection, learning, and growth.  Our hope is that you feel seen, heard, validated, and loved.  And, that you leave your time with us with new perspectives, insights, tools, and strategies to support you along your leadership journey. 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. Laura has always been dedicated to supporting Black women to survive AND thrive in their personal and professional endeavors. Black Woman Leading™ is the latest iteration of her efforts and a genuine passion project that combines all the best of her professional experiences and skills. Learn more at blackwomanleading.com. Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Podbay

We are celebrating the completion of our first season! A unifying theme emerged from this season - ALIGNMENT. The central message of this season was about acting in integrity towards ourselves, identifying our true needs and desires, and moving forward with intention to create that reality in both our professional and personal lives. Tune in to this special bonus episode, as Laura provides a recap and shares her personal highlights and takeaways from the season.  Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at http://knightsconsultinggroup.com Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

Welcome back to a new episode of Black Woman Leading, the podcast! Today we are joined by inner wellness expert Kanesha Baynard. In today's episode, we will be discussing activating our creativity helps our inner and outer wellness. Kanesha enlightens us on how tapping into our creativity can create a safe haven, an opportunity to pause, be a source of healing, and provide a path towards making the right decisions. While providing an inspirational perspective of creativity as a source of power, Kanesha also provides practical strategies and protocols to infuse more creativity into our productivity, time management, leadership style, and overall professional life.  She also shares insights on some of the tangible benefits that we can experience when we implement the information she shares. Kanesha shares her professional journey that led her to her current work as a wellness expert and creativity coach, and gives us a peek into some of her personal creativity strategies that have added more joy and balance to her life. She challenges Black women to turn our resourcefulness and ingenuity inward in service of ourselves, just as we have used it to serve and nurture others.  And, she helps us to reframe our creativity as a source of equity and freedom that is accessible to all.  Guest Bio  Kanesha Baynard is an inner wellness expert, creativity coach, productivity strategist, and author who has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show. She is the founder of the Bold Living Today community focused on helping members disrupt unfulfilling patterns through creativity and navigate transition with confidence and boldness. Kanesha has created several card decks designed to help busy professionals, caregivers, and teens reconnect with activities and behaviors that foster imagination, joy, creativity, and space to refuel. Resources: Connect with Kanesha: Web: https://www.boldlivingtoday.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/kaneshabaynard/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/KaneshaBaynardCoaching LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaneshabaynard/?locale=en_US Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaneshaBaynard Resources mentioned during the episode: Creativebug.com - Online video arts and crafts workshops Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at http://knightsconsultinggroup.com Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

Welcome to Episode 13 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast!  In this solo episode, we explore the topic of ‘Strengthening Your Influence in the Workplace.’ As Black women, we are natural influencers.  From our families and communities, to popular culture, to beauty and fashion, to politics and so on…. we often set the tone as real tastemakers. And this extends into our roles as workplace leaders as well.   To make sure we are on the same page, here is what we mean by “influence” in this episode:  Influence is the ability to shape behaviors and opinions of others without force or coercion and with the goal of attaining a win-win outcome for all parties involved.  Influence is about driving action and results and is an important tool for a leader. Get out a pen and paper and use this episode as a time of reflection as Laura shares the components of influence and insights on how you can strengthen your influence for strategic impact in the workplace.   Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

“Wellness perks don’t get rid of wellness problems.”  Welcome back to another episode of Black Woman Leading! In today’s episode, we are joined by psychotherapist and Workplace Wellness Champion, Farah Harris. We will be discussing how women can take better care of themselves at their workplace and what workplace trauma looks like.  Farah talks about work-life alignment, a term that differs from “work-life balance” because alignment is possible by setting your values straight and by working to reach your goals throughout these values. Farah explains that a workplace alignment has 4 key points: authenticity, intentional living, relationships, and overall satisfaction.  Other topics discussed in this episode are: Recurrent wellness themes in the workplace. How 2020 and COVID have made us see how much we’ve neglected workplace wellness. Signs of a toxic workplace Steps to heal from workplace trauma What organizations and leaders can do to create healthier workplaces Guest Bio: Farah Harris Farah Harris is a psychotherapist and a Workplace Wellness Champion dedicated to disrupting toxic work environments. She is the owner of WorkingWell Daily, a company committed to addressing work-life alignment, equity and mental wellness. Her personal mission is to help individuals and organizations decrease symptoms of stress and burnout, elevate their emotional intelligence, and improve morale by implementing strategies to create healthier work culture. As a mental health practitioner and consultant, Farah is aware of the intersectionality between wellness, equity, and inclusion. She is a sought-after expert on topics related to mental wellness, workplace culture, emotional intelligence and self-care. Her clients consist of CIBC Bank US, CISCO, Bloomberg GOV, LiveNation, Ferrara Candy Company, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Practicing Law Institute. Her work has been featured in media and podcast platforms such as: Forbes, Fast Company, Huffington Post, Essence, Bustle, Inside Edition, Martha Stewart, Thrive Global, and Therapy for Black Girls. Resources: Learn more about Farah Harris at www.workingwelldaily.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and LinkedIn @farahharrislcpc, on Instagram @workingwelldaily, and on Twitter @workingwelldai1 (Book referenced) - The State of Black Girls: A Go-To Guide for Creating Safe Spaces for Black Girls by Marline Francois-Madden, LCSW https://www.amazon.com/State-Black-Girls-Go-Creating/dp/0578495155 (Book referenced) - The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Derk Kolk, MD Credits: Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

In today’s conversation with Simply Training Solutions leader and founder Summer Alexander, we will be discussing the importance of personal brand and how it tends to have both an internal and external perception. Summer explains that a black woman leading starts with each of us, looking past our limitations, fears, anxieties, and doubts. Only then, by owning who you are, will you be able to help others.  Like most Black Women Leading’s episodes, we will also be speaking about the head-work and heart-work that needs to be done for our personal brands. What tactical, skill, and self-awareness work must we do upon ourselves to change our branding and how others perceive us?  Other subjects discussed during this episode are the pressure of being a black women leader and having a personal brand when we must fight micro-aggressions, racism, among others.  Guest Bio: Summer Alexander is a learning and development leader and founder of Simply Training Solutions where she provides soft skills workforce development training, curriculum development, strategic planning, and community outreach for governments, corporations, non-profits, and educational organizations. She is also an Equity & Belonging facilitator and the current Director of Community Relations for the Collin County Black Chamber of Commerce. To connect with Summer, visit www.simplytrainingsolutions.com, or find her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/summerjalexander/ Resources: So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport (you can find it on Amazon) Credits: Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

In this intimate discussion, four alumni participants of the Black Woman Leading program (Tiffany McClinton, Jhmira Alexander, Tameka Patterson, and Nadia Simmons) share the stories of their growth in self-awareness as Black women leaders working in both corporate and non-profit spaces. For the purposes of this episode, we use these definitions of self-awareness from this Harvard Business School article: Internal self-awareness, represents how clearly we see our own values, passions, aspirations, fit with our environment, reactions (including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses), and impact on others.  External self-awareness, means understanding how other people view us, in terms of those same factors listed above.  The guests share their truths, their experience in the Black Woman Leading program, and the power of collective healing on their leadership journey.  Additionally, they provide insights on the obstacles they had to overcome and the supports they had to access to strengthen their self-awareness. Tune in and find yourself in their stories as the universal themes of overcoming limiting mindsets, transforming negative self-talk, seeking community, showing vulnerability, redefining relationships, finding balance, and setting boundaries are explored in our conversation. Guest Bios: Tiffany McClinton Tiffany McClinton is a Regional Sales Director for Dell Technologies. She is responsible for leading 7 Account Executives who deliver innovative and practical solutions to state and local government, higher educational institutions, and healthcare accounts in the Atlanta metro area.  She is considered a thought leader by advising customers on Dell’s strategic business and technology plans, as a result of her keen focus on driving internal processes to exceed customer’s expectations. She has spent 13 years  developing talent and creating an environment of inclusion and growth for her sales team. She thrives and is passionate about advocating for the advancement of women in the technology industry. Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn. Jhmira Alexander Jhmira Alexander is the President and Executive Director of Public Narrative (formerly Community Media Workshop). Jhmira is a trained journalist who is not only a storyteller but a strategist committed to improving community health and well-being through media and civic engagement. Under her leadership, Public Narrative uses storytelling to implement narrative change strategies related to public safety, health, and education. Connect with Jhmira on LinkedIn or on Instagram @jhmiralatrice Tameka Patterson Tameka Patterson is an advocate who is passionate about giving voice to the voiceless.  Tameka is currently the Social Services Department Manager at the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Literacy where she oversees case management, career transitions, and professional learning trainers.  She has over 12 years of experience working in social services across a variety of settings, which includes; case management, adult education, domestic violence, transitional housing, supporting pregnant and parenting teens, and early learning sectors.  As an agent of support and guidance, Tameka has extensive experience in developing communities of practice, designing service delivery models for professional development, implementing continuous improvement cycles that strengthens service delivery for diverse populations, and developing and deepening partnerships with community-based organizations and the City of Chicago. Nadia Simmons  Nadia is the Supervisor of Data Engineering at RELX. She has several years of professional experience in the Data & Technology field with a niche for research and investigation. She is also the passionate creator of a business designed specifically for motivating students to excel academically. Connect with Nadia @uniquelymeservices Resources: We are now enrolling for The Black Woman Leading™ learning experience that starts in August 2021.  Learn more at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Credits: Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

In today’s episode, we discuss building relationships in the workplace with Sheilina Henry, Group Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion for Bloomin’ Brands Inc. Sheilina shares her inspiring story detailing her ascent from a server to the C-suite in the restaurant industry.  She emphasizes the importance of engaging individuals at all levels of your organization, shares insights about rebounding when your trust is violated in the workplace and reveals some of her personal strategies behind cultivating long-lasting professional relationships.   We discuss tips to assess and build your ‘personal board of directors’ with reflection prompts to guide you: Where do I want to go? Who’s going to mentor me? Who’s going to sponsor me? Who’s going to push me? Who’s going to help me think about things from a different perspective? Finally, Sheillina shares insights about her personal growth as a Black woman in corporate and the steps she took to navigate tough relationships, reset her own rules, and bring her whole authentic self to work.  Guest Bio  Sheilina Henry is the Group Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion for Bloomin' Brands, Inc. headquartered in Tampa, FL. She is committed to creating a diverse workforce in the restaurant industry at all levels, beyond the front lines. Her primary role is spearheading the strategic plan to create a culture of authenticity and genuine connections where over 65,000 team members feel valued without compromising their identities. Starting as a server and spending decades in restaurant operations, Sheilina's career ascent has taken some unexpected turns, building her toolbox and expanding her network far beyond the Southside of Chicago where it all started. Resources: Connect with Sheilina: https://www.instagram.com/cloudwalker718/ ; https://www.facebook.com/sheilina.stingley/; https://twitter.com/SheilinaSting https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilina-henry-07036617/ Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Learn more about Laura’s consulting work at http://knightsconsultinggroup.com Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

“Seventy-five percent of all physical diseases are linked to unhealthy emotions.” Thank you for joining me on another episode of Black Woman Leading. In today’s episode, we will be joined by Dr. Napatia Gettings to discuss the mind-body wellness connection. As western medicine has made a clear division in how we talk about mental and physical health; Dr. Gettings stresses that we must get back to an integrated approach because what impacts us emotionally also impacts us physically and vice versa. Dr. Gettings breaks down the emotion-disease link and walks us through how chronic stress can manifest as a physical disease in the body. From how cannabis can be used to support mental health, to a walk-through of the major systems of the body, to insights on how to take proactive steps to prevent dementia; Dr. Gettings provides a short master class on the mind-body connection!  Dr. Gettings shares her personal why and how growing up in an abusive household sparked her passion for claiming her own holistic wellness and helping others to do the same.  We discuss tips to resist “grind culture” and standing in your power and self-agency to check yourself and assess your overall health. Tune in. There is so much powerful information in this episode! Guest Bio Dr. Napatia T. Gettings understands that we are all a product of our collective experiences, biological predispositions, and nurturing process. Dr. Gettings has a wide array of clinical and leadership experience that solidifies her expertise in the field of Psychiatry. Her passion for holistic health and wellness includes educating her audience about preventative medicine and integrated wellness. Dr. Gettings' practice within the field of psychiatry includes advocacy, legislative policy, mental health awareness, and patient education.  Dr. Gettings’ mission as a medical doctor specializing in Psychiatry is to bring brain health awareness to the mainstream and dismantle the misconceptions associated with it. As a brain health expert, she advocates for the safe usage of Cannabis as a plant-based treatment modality for brain health conditions. Dr. Gettings is an active member of The American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and holds double board certifications in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She currently resides in Florida with her husband and four children. She is currently practicing at The Broward Community Family Health Center where she is the only psychiatrist serving many patients with chronic mental illness. She is licensed to practice medicine in Illinois, Florida, and California.  She is the founder and medical director of Clarion Conscience LLC, a Telehealth private practice providing mental health treatment across the nation to those in need. Her clinical work has been featured in many publications and media outlets. Through preventative medicine and education, Dr. Gettings helps her audience make the conscious decision to preserve their health. Resources: Visit Dr. Napatia Gettings website at www.drgettings.com  Find Dr. Gettings on all social media platforms Find a therapist: psychologytoday.com Find a Black woman therapist:  https://therapyforblackgirls.com/ Instagram account referenced by Laura: @thenapministry  Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

In today’s episode, we are joined by Know Full Well Founder, Ashleah Nelson! We are talking about a joy and pleasure-based approach to holistic wellness for Black women.  Ashleah Nelson is a wellness coach and educator dedicated to shifting wellness inward. Her approach is informed by her experiences as a social worker and sexual health advocate- prioritizing intuitive knowledge, body respect, and pleasure. Through individual coaching and weight-neutral fitness, Ashleah helps Black women reconnect with their intuition in order to nourish a full life. In this insightful episode, we discuss Ashleah’s personal journey towards centering pleasure in her self-care practices.  Ashleah, like many of us, felt the pressure to be healthy by being restrictive in her wellness practices.  Things like over-exercising, counting every single calorie, and eating one too many quinoa bowls to be “healthy”  became her norm (she doesn’t even like quinoa!).  She was doing all the things, but she didn’t feel good about it. She began to question her approach, and this led her on a quest to prioritize practices that contributed positively to her health AND brought more joy into her life.   Ashleah challenges us to shift from a mindset of lack to abundance and embark on this pleasure-based journey as well. We discuss how to examine and create new “rules” for yourself, tips for being more connected and present in your body, and her insights on how to create intentional joy practices in your daily life.   Resources: Visit Ashleah’s website at www.knowfullwell.co You can also find her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/knowfullwell.co/  Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

When was the last time you took a moment to create a vision for the career and life you want?  This is a powerful exercise because we believe that you can be what you can SEE.   Welcome to Episode 7 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast. From creating your big vision, to assessing your strengths and weaknesses, to setting goals, building in self-care strategies, and celebrating successes (both big and small); in this episodes, Laura invites you to explore the possibilities of designing a professional journey that honors your gifts, contributions, and vision for the future.  Get out a pen and paper and use this episode as a time of reflection as Laura   walks you through her seven-step Vision Mapping Framework to help you strengthen your sense of self-agency to direct your future growth and development. Resources: (Book) 12-Week Year by Brian Moran Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

Welcome to episode 6 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast. Talking about money at work is uncomfortable for many people. The wage gap for Black women is well documented.  And although systemic racism and sexism is a key driver of this reality, we wanted to focus on empowerment in this episode and what is within our control when it comes to compensation and salary negotiations. The guest expert for this episode is Yakentha Britton, the Founder of Level Career. Yakentha helps professionals land their dream jobs through resume editing, recruiting, salary negotiation, and employee relations support.  Amongst other important points, Yakentha answers a commonly asked question: how do I negotiate compensation? One of the most common scenarios when looking for a job is settling on a salary, and sometimes people tend to be underpaid because they don’t take the time to research. Yakentha explains the importance of investigating beforehand to support your negotiations, and she offers tips for how to do that effectively.  Other key points discussed in this episode include how to respond when your requested salary amount is rejected, and why it’s important to take a pause before accepting a job offer to make sure it’s the right decision for you.   Guest bio: Yakentha Britton is the Founder of Level Career. She is passionate about supporting professionals that need help in advancing in their careers. With 10+ years’ experience in human resources and recruiting, Yakentha understands how to spotlight skills and accomplishments that attract top employers. She specializes in helping professionals land dream jobs through resume editing, recruiting, salary negotiation, and employee relation support.  You can connect with Yakentha on her website,  Instagram, and LinkedIn.   Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

Finding a job might be one of the most stressful experiences any human goes through. Interviews can be nerve-racking, and waiting for that second call is even worse. However, have you ever stopped and wondered if you are even waiting to get a call from a job you want? One that is actually good for you? In today’s episode, I welcome Nakisha Hicks, a veteran HR executive who partners with women to guide them in their careers. From tactical strategies to mindset hacks, Nakisha shares a few tips to empower you to land a role in a reciprocal job search experience (because YOU are the prize!).  She provides insights to help you present yourself in the best way possible, while also assessing if the employer is a good fit for you. Nakisha also shares a bit of her own experience and how she was able to network, focus on herself, and, most importantly, elevate herself.  Guest bio: Nakisha Hicks is the owner of The ElevateHer, LLC. She is a career coach and veteran HR executive who partners with women to guide them in their careers by assisting, equipping and strengthening them to discover their potential. Through her work at The ElevateHer, the women in which she serves have been able to recognize their professional value and worth, taking them from stuck and stalled to new and exciting heights in their careers. Resources mentioned in episode: To contact Nakisha, visit TheElevateHer.org. You can also reach out to her on Facebook and LinkedIn. Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

“If you are saying that you are a leader, that you listen to your team and you care about your team, that you want to be innovative and you want to be life-changing and culture-shifting, how can you be a leader and not have that inclusivity a part of it?” The events of the last year have brought more visibility to Diversity-Equity-Inclusion practices in organizations. For some Black women, this increased visibility has come with increased emotional labor as they find themselves engaged in these conversations in the workplace. On episode 4 of the Black Woman Leading podcast, I welcome Aisha DeBerry to share her take on how to navigate this based on her work as a DEI practitioner and inclusive leadership strategist. Guest bio: Aisha DeBerry is the Executive Director of Diversity and Community Partnerships for the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She pushes initiatives for equal access for diverse populations to pursue medical professions, such as developing strategic plans to enhance diversity from student admission, faculty recruitment, student faculty staff retention, and all things in between.  Aisha is also the founder of ADJ Consulting, a consulting firm that provides diversity and inclusion strategies to include research, planning, training, and assessment.  Resources mentioned in episode: To contact Aisha, visit aishadeberry.com. You can also reach out to her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.   You can also visit ADJ Consulting on this link.  Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher

Many times we feel out of place, unhappy, or unmotivated at work and in life because our values are not being honored, or they are being violated in some way.  If we haven’t taken the time to clarify and define what our values are, it’s hard to get to the root of our discomfort.  Getting in alignment with your values drives work and life satisfaction, and is critical for your self-care.  Listen to this episode and follow along as Laura walks you through a values clarification exercise to help you get in alignment with YOU! Credits: Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Instagram: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music: Marshall Knights Music Podcast Production: JourneyGurl Magic Productions Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher