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- 165 - S9E22: Making Friends as an Adult with Keonna Knight
Why is it so hard to make real friends as a grown woman? In this warm and honest conversation, Keonna Knight joins Laura to talk about the quiet ache so many high-capacity Black women carry: being surrounded by people, full calendar, full life, and still feeling unseen. Keonna shares how burnout and the loss of her grandmother led her to a 10-month sabbatical, and how learning to receive instead of always being the giver changed everything, including her friendships. Together they get real about the fear and vulnerability underneath the loneliness, the identity work of letting people see the woman behind the title, and the practical, un-awkward ways to actually build and nurture friendship as an adult.
In this episode:
Why being the listener, the helper, and the strong one can quietly keep you isolated, and the vulnerability it takes to let people truly see you
Practical, low-pressure ways to make friends as a busy grown woman, from the simple ask to reaching out to your "wealthier and wiser" circle
How to build a healthy web of friendships across seasons, and give yourself permission to want more, and to want different
About Keonna
As a coach, speaker and strategist, Keonna Knight teaches founders, executives, and mission-driven teams how to do good work without sacrificing their rest, health, or humanity. After burning out as a 5th grade teacher in East Oakland, she found herself at a crossroad: grind until I'm forced to quit or reimagine my approach to work and leadership. It was her radical choice to create a robust life outside of the classroom, give less than 80%, set clear boundaries and work hours with parents, and share leadership with her students that she actually positioned her for a promotion and later, develop the Good Work Framework™ for leaders and teams. Today as the CEO of Heal with Keonna, she uses her lived insight as well as her expertise as a trained therapist, mindfulness instructor, and executive coach to ensure leaders never have to choose between their work and their well-being. She has now trained over 2,000 leaders, transformed 38+ workplaces and coached dozens of Black women who have enrolled in her 9-month community (B.O.L.D.) for Black women seeking rest and wealth and COME HOME, the first ever Christ-centered rest retreat for Black women in the nation. Her mission: teach women who have spent a lifetime putting others first how to rediscover their worth beyond productivity and rest in Christ without apology. If you're tired of running on empty and ready to increase your capacity, double your revenue, and get 9+ hours of sleep each night, connect with Keonna.
Connect with Keonna
Website: www.healwithkeonna.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keonnaknight/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithkeonna
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healwithkeonna
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healwithkeonna
BWL Resources:
Enrollment is open for the January 2027 Early Career and Mid-Career cohort programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 12 Nov 2026 - 1h 04min - 164 - S9E21: Reclaiming Mindfulness with Dr. Natalie Watson-Singleton
What if the practices your grandmother had, the rituals in your faith community, the quiet moments your people carved out just to survive… what if that was mindfulness all along?
In this episode, Laura sits down with Dr. Natalie Watson-Singleton, Associate Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Spelman College, for a conversation that reclaims mindfulness from the wellness industry and returns it to where it has always lived — in Black culture, in community, and in the body.
Dr. Natalie challenges the idea that mindfulness is a "white woman wellness trend" and names it for what it really is: an ancient, intergenerational practice that Black women have been doing out of necessity and survival for generations. She also gets practical, walking through what mindfulness actually looks like for a busy, high-achieving Black woman who has been told to just breathe but never shown how.
In this episode:
Why mindfulness is not new to Black women, and how to reclaim it for your own holistic wellness
What happens in the body and brain when we practice presence, and why it directly strengthens your leadership
How to build a sustainable mindfulness practice that fits your real life
About Dr. Natalie
Dr. Natalie Watson-Singleton is a licensed clinical psychologist; Associate Professor of psychology at Spelman College; and owner of her own psychotherapy and consulting practice, NWS Wellness and Consulting, LLC. Dr. Natalie is committed to providing evidence-based and culturally-responsive wellness care to individuals and organizations. She has published numerous research papers on topics related to supporting the health and wellness of African Americans, and her research has resulted in approximately $5 million worth of grant funding from the National Institutes of Health. She is the founding creator of BlackFULLNess, a mindfulness-based wellness app for Black adults. Her work has been recognized by the American Psychological Association, the Association of Black Psychologists, the Association for Women in Psychology, and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology. Overall, Dr. Natalie aims to produce research that can bridge science and practice to improve the lives of diverse communities.
Connect with Dr. Natalie:
Website: https://www.nwswellness.com/
Instagram: @nws_wellness
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-watson-singleton-phd-4254477
Blackfullness app: https://www.blackfullness.com/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 05 Nov 2026 - 49min - 163 - S9E20: Taking Care of Others While Caring for Yourself with Kendra Thomas
In June of 2025, Kendra Thomas welcomed her first daughter. By November, she had lost her father after a long battle with cancer. In between, she was a brand-new mom, a caregiver coordinating around-the-clock care, and a senior leader steering her team through the City of Chicago's busiest season. In this tender and honest conversation, Kendra and Laura go deep on the reality of the sandwich generation: the invisible labor, the guilt, the boundaries you are forced to learn, and the quiet work of asking for help when you have always been the strong one. Kendra also shares the reframe that carried her through, the difference between someone giving up and someone surrendering, and how this season made her a more empathetic leader.
In this episode:
Why "he didn't give up, he surrendered" became the reframe that let Kendra release control and honor her father's wishes
The invisible labor of caregiving and leadership, and how guilt, boundaries, and asking for help all collide in one impossible season
How caring for her father at home increased her empathy as a leader and changed how her whole team checks in on one another
About Kendra
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. As a strategic-thought partner reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, Kendra has played a critical role in partnering with senior leadership to make strategic decisions.
Connect with Kendra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-t-416a215b/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 29 Oct 2026 - 58min - 162 - S9E19: Investing in Our Young Sisters with Tiffany Collie Bailey
Tiffany Collie Bailey, CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta, joins Laura to talk about what it really takes to pour into the next generation of Black girls, and why that work loops directly back to our own leadership. Celebrating the organization's 50th anniversary, Tiffany shares how exposure becomes the foundation that lets a girl believe she can be more than her circumstances, why relief from adult-sized burdens lets a child simply be twelve, and how her own village refused to let her shrink after a doctor told her what she'd never do. She and Laura connect it all to leading through hard financial seasons with agility, transparency, and story. A moving, motivating call to share your light.
In this episode:
Why exposure is the foundation, and what changes when a girl gets to see something different
Bringing young people into the room: developing the next generation by letting them witness real leadership decisions
Leading through a tough funding season with agility, transparency, and a reframed story, and how to start investing in the young women in your own sphere
About Tiffany
Tiffany Collie-Bailey is the Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta, where she advances the vision of "Powerful girls and women in an equitable society" through the organization's 50-year mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. An accomplished nonprofit executive, Tiffany brings 25 years of leadership experience in community healthcare, social services, youth development, organizational growth, and strategic financial management.
Throughout her career, Tiffany has served organizations dedicated to enriching lives through the arts, empowering individuals with disabilities, strengthening faith-based communities, and improving health and nutritional outcomes for families in under-resourced communities. Today, she leads a team of more than 50 professionals and oversees a $3 million budget that supports year-round programming and wellness resources for girls and families across 13 counties in Georgia.
Under Tiffany's leadership, Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta has experienced unprecedented growth and impact. Through a focused strategy centered on innovation, sustainability, and expansion, the organization increased revenue, program offerings, and the number of girls served by 61 percent over a three-year period, achieving the greatest growth in its history.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Tiffany developed her expertise in nonprofit leadership through a progression of executive roles, including Director of Development, Chief Operating Officer, and Deputy Executive Director at St. Vincent de Paul Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Wright State University and completed course work in Leadership Management.
Tiffany serves on the National Board of Girls Inc., the Regional Health Board of Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Inclusion Committee.
Connect with Tiffany
Website: http://www.girlsincatl.org
FB: GirlsIncATL
IG: @GirlsIncAtlanta
LinkedIn: Girls Inc. of Atlanta
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 - 1h 01min - 161 - S9E18: Embracing Your Ambition
Black women are the most ambitious demographic in the American workforce, and also the least supported in it. In this solo episode, Laura names the quiet tension so many of us carry: we have been taught to want enough, but not too much. To work hard, but never look hungry. To lead, but not be called aggressive. She unpacks where the ambition shame spiral comes from and why, drawing on research, the self-doubt we carry is not a personal flaw but a rational response to systems built to quiet us. From there she dismantles the false choice between ambition and gratitude, speaks honestly about the relational cost of outgrowing people and the guilt of success, and gently reframes desire itself as information about your calling rather than evidence of greed. A grounding, permission-giving conversation about healing the relationship you have with your own wanting.
In this episode:
The ambition shame spiral: where the conditioning comes from, and why the problem is the system, not you
Ambition versus contentment: why wanting more can coexist with deep gratitude, and can even be an act of stewardship
The relational side of ambition: the fear of outgrowing people, survivor's guilt in success, and how ambition modeled well becomes permission for the women watching you
Download the "Permission to Want More" Ambition Reflection sheet as a companion to this episode: https://blackwomanleading.com/permission-to-want-more/
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.
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Join Black Woman Leading, The Collective - a membership community. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/the-collective/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 - 32min - 160 - S9E17: Scaling Your Nonprofit with Strategy with Jamila Trimuel
Most grassroots organizations never make it out of survival mode. Jamila Trimuel did the rare thing. What began in 2011 with six girls meeting at a Chicago public library has grown, under her leadership, into Ladies of Virtue, an organization now serving three thousand Black girls a year with mentoring, workforce development, and mental health support. In this episode, she and Laura break down exactly how she scaled, and the mindset shifts that made it possible. Jamila shares why a strategic plan is non-negotiable, how she borrowed her consistency model from Starbucks, the systems every nonprofit needs to move from reactive to strategic, and how she diversified into five funding streams. She and Laura also get honest about the power dynamics Black-led organizations face with funders, and Jamila's refreshing "work what you can work" philosophy for finding the people who actually want to fund you.
In this episode:
The critical systems that move a nonprofit from reactive to strategic: a standardized curriculum, documented procedures, financial and CRM systems, and a learning system to keep sharpening your mastery
How to build and diversify funding across five streams, and how to navigate funder relationships with authenticity when the money flows less freely to Black women
Why relationships are the true backbone of scale, and how to build systems that sustain them so no key relationship falls through the cracks
About Jamila
Jamila Trimuel is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader, strategist, and advocate dedicated to creating pathways of opportunity for Black girls.She is the Founder and CEO of Ladies of Virtue, Chicago's leading mentoring and leadership development organization for Black girls. What began in 2011 with just six participants has grown under her leadership to serve more than 6,000 girls and young women annually through direct mentoring, workforce development, and mental health support. LOV partners with major institutions such as L'Oréal, Northwestern Medicine, CME Group, Foot Locker, Social Venture Partners, Starbucks and CVS Health.
Jamila was named a 2023 Black Changemaker by PepsiCo, one of just 16 honorees across the country. She is a TEDx speaker, co-author of A Status Report on Teen Girls in Chicago, and a trusted voice in civic leadership. She currently serves as Chair of the Steering Committee for the Coalition on Urban Girls, leading collective efforts to enhance the lives of girls across Chicago. Her work and impact have been locally and nationally recognized. Ladies of Virtue was honored with the Top 100 Chicago Innovation Award and Jamila was featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Under her leadership, the organization is now poised to scale nationally, with a goal to serve over 5,000 girls annually and position LOV as a model for culturally responsive mentorship and leadership development across the country.
Connect with Jamila
Website: https://www.lovchicago.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamila-trimuel-6737b710
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovchicago/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Join Black Woman Leading, The Collective - a membership community. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/the-collective/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 08 Oct 2026 - 1h 02min - 159 - S9E16: Activating the Power of the Village with Gabby Albert
After twenty years in corporate leadership, Gabby Albert took a 65 percent pay cut to become executive director of 4Kira4Moms, and calls herself the happiest she's ever been. In this episode, she and Laura talk about the power of the village: in maternal health, where too many Black women suffer in silence, and in our careers and communities, where we've absorbed a go-it-alone mindset that was never how we were built. Gabby breaks down why asking for help is a strength, how to actually activate the people already in your corner, and why everyone plays a role on the roster so no single relationship gets overused. Grounded in her advocacy work and her own leadership journey, it's a warm, practical call to stop doing everything alone.
In this episode:
Why we suffer in silence, and how to activate a village instead of over-relying on one person
"Everybody plays a role on the roster": spreading the ask so relationships don't burn out
What her corporate-to-nonprofit pivot taught her about transferable skills, authentic leadership, and self-advocacy
About Gabby
Gabrielle Albert is a strategic leader with over 20 years of executive experience at companies including Procter & Gamble, Kellogg, Bacardi, Hilton, and Kimberly-Clark. Her corporate background spans global roles in strategic sourcing, marketing, sales, and R&D across industries such as CPG, hospitality, and healthcare.
In 2024, Gabby transitioned from corporate leadership to full-time maternal health advocacy, joining 4Kira4Moms as Executive Director after serving on the board. Since then, she has implemented the organization's first strategic plan, launched the 4Kira4Dads Paternal Centers of Excellence, and grown annual revenue 6X.
A proud graduate of Florida A&M University's School of Business and Industry, Gabby is a passionate advocate for maternal health as a human rights issue. She currently lives in Atlanta, GA and enjoys traveling, mentoring, and spending time with loved ones. She is affiliated with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the FAMU National Alumni Association, and the Smithsonian 2015 Society
Connect with Gabby
Website: http://www.4kira4moms.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/gabriellegabbyalbert
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmalbert
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Join Black Woman Leading, The Collective - a membership community. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/the-collective/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 - 53min - 158 - S9E15: Quitting Your Toxic Job with Mercedes Swan
In a season when so many Black women are being laid off, Mercedes Swan makes the case for the women who are choosing to leave: the ones walking away from a job that is quietly making them sick. A career coach with a background in HR and DEI, Mercedes lived it herself, an ADHD diagnosis, depression, and anxiety she traces to a toxic workplace, before building her own business. She and Laura get honest about how to tell when the environment is the problem, how workplace trauma reshapes your relationship with rest and your own worth, and how to break what she calls the toxic job search cycle so you do not flee one bad situation straight into another. Practical, validating, and clear-eyed about the real constraints of bills and family.
In this episode:
How to know a job is toxic, starting with the simplest signal: your discomfort is enough
The toxic job search cycle (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) and how it lands you in the next bad job
The "limiting belief buster" exercise, plus how to plan your exit and recover your energy while you are still inside a hard environment
About Mercedes
Mercedes Swan is the Career Love Coach and creates empowering and safe places for high-performing and purpose-driven Black women. Leveraging her experience in HR and DEI, she has a mission to close the pay, promotion, and inclusion gap for Black women and other historically marginalized groups on the way to collective career liberation. She is the founder of the Black Woman Bliss Community and Career Love, a social impact organization.
Connect with Mercedes
Website: https://www.mercedesswan.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdswan/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mercedes.swan
IG:https://www.instagram.com/mercedes.swan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFeD9kqBQ53Lg17SaTh1bSQ
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@mercedes.swan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2205202599758678
BWL Resources:
Join Black Woman Leading, The Collective - a membership community. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/the-collective/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 - 55min - 157 - S9E14: Leaning Into Difficult Conversations
The conversation you have been avoiding is the one that is costing your relationship the most. We tell ourselves that staying quiet is the kind thing — that silence protects the people and connections we care about. But research tells us something different. Avoidance is not kindness. It is distance.
In this solo episode, Laura breaks down four types of difficult conversations that show up in our professional and personal lives — feedback conversations, boundary-setting conversations, repair conversations, and courageous truth-telling — and gives you a practical strategy for each one. She also names something that most general advice on this topic misses entirely: for Black women, speaking up carries a real and documented cost. And so does staying silent. The question is not whether there is a cost. The question is which cost you are choosing to pay, and which relationships and values you are honoring with that decision.
Whether you are a formal leader or someone with influence over people, processes, or culture, this episode is your reminder that it is your job to go first.
In this episode:
Why we avoid difficult conversations and what the research actually says about the cost — especially for Black women
The four types of difficult conversations and a practical strategy for each one
How to prepare your nervous system before you lean in, and why regulation is the foundation that makes every strategy actually work
Resource mentioned: S8E16: Setting Boundaries with Clarity and Confidence - https://blackwomanleading.com/s8e16-setting-boundaries-with-clarity-confidence/
Download the companion guide: Leaning In: My Difficult Conversations Planner - https://blackwomanleading.com/difficult-conversations-planner/
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.
BWL Resources:
Join Black Woman Leading, The Collective - a membership community. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/the-collective/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 - 41min - 156 - S9E13: Influencing from the Middle with Kelli King-Jackson
Middle management may be the hardest seat in any organization: accountable to the leaders above you, responsible for the team below, with authority that is real but limited. And roughly 80 percent of an organization's people are led from that exact seat. Kelli King-Jackson, an executive coach with more than 800 hours coaching Black women in predominantly white spaces, joins Laura to reframe the middle as one of the most powerful positions in an organization, once you learn to influence rather than simply manage. She breaks down the real difference between influence and manipulation, how to manage up by understanding what your leaders actually care about, how to build trust with your team by "sharing the code," and what introversion, neurodiversity, and AI all mean for the way Black women lead from the middle right now.
In this episode:
Why the middle is uniquely hard, and uniquely powerful, for Black women, and how to stop experiencing it as only a squeeze
Influence versus manipulation: managing up by learning how your leaders are persuaded, and translating for the team below
Building trust downward by "sharing the code," plus what introversion, neurodiversity, and AI now require of leaders in the middle
About Kelli
Kelli King-Jackson is the founder of Kelli King-Jackson, LLC, a social impact firm focused on coaching, leadership assessments, strategic advising, and facilitation. With more than 25 years of experience across nonprofits and philanthropy, she has coached Black women and femmes leading in predominantly white spaces for over 800 hours. Kelli is an ACC‑level coach, a 21/64 certified philanthropic advisor, and co‑founder of The Bayou Collective in Houston.
Connect with Kelli
Website: https://www.iamkelli.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkingjackson
BWL Resources:
Join Black Woman Leading, The Collective - a membership community. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/the-collective/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 10 Sep 2026 - 55min - 155 - S9E12: Catching up with Confidence with Deme Jackson
Deme Jackson had the receipts: an HBCU grad, a decade advising C-suite leaders, a nonprofit founder. And still, after repeated layoffs and real workplace trauma, her confidence had fallen behind her competence. In this episode, she and Laura name a gap so many high-achieving Black women live in: you can have done all the work and still not feel like the woman your résumé describes. Deme shares how a toxic corporate experience chipped away at a confidence she once took for granted, how a trusted coach reminded her she did not need to relearn confidence but catch up to it, and how community, visibility, and radical self-work helped her rebuild. She also opens up about founding the Lotus Club and turning her own healing into a lifeline for other Black women navigating workplace trauma.
In this episode:
The difference between self-esteem and self-confidence, and why layoffs and toxic workplaces damage both
How a trusted mirror in community helped Deme catch up to the confidence that never actually left
Closing the gap between skill and confidence, and what it means to be bold before you fully feel ready, her Bloom Boldly season
About Deme
Deme Jackson is a communications executive, strategist, and entrepreneur whose career began on a production set. She spent her early career in film and television production before pivoting into strategic communications, where she has spent over a decade advising C-suite leaders and leading crisis communications for notable brands including the City of Dallas, Motel 6, Chili's, and Drybar.
In addition to serving as a Public Information Officer for one of the top 10 municipalities in the country, she founded F.U.E.L., the city's first Young Professionals Employee Resource Group. That experience, paired with her own encounters with being overlooked and undervalued as a Black woman in the workplace, led her to found The Lotus Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Black women navigating workplace trauma through healing, empowerment, and community.
Deme also founded Deme & Co., a boutique communications consultancy serving executives, entrepreneurs, and public figures. She is a 2025 recipient of the Pearl C. Anderson Rising Star Award and a proud Clark Atlanta University alumna. Outside of work, she's an avid cook and collector of African American cookbooks, a hobby that reflects her love of storytelling and preserving culture through food.
Connect with Deme
Website: http://www.thelotusclub.co
Instagram: @bloomwithtlc, @astoldbydeme
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demejackson/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 03 Sep 2026 - 59min - 154 - S9E11: Strategizing Your Career Pivot with Natina Hill
At a career crossroads, by choice or by circumstance? Natina Hill, affectionately known as the Pivot Muse, joins Laura with a real strategic framework for making your next move, especially urgent in a moment when over 600,000 Black women have been economically impacted and AI is reshaping what our skills are worth. A serial entrepreneur, ed-tech founder, and self-described polymath, Natina is candid that she is one of the 600,000, having lost significant contract income to the DEI rollback. She and Laura walk through the pivot she teaches: start with the heart work of naming the grief and fear (because fear restricts movement), then move to the head work of taking honest inventory of your mastered skills, skill-stacking them into new roles, and using AI tools as your free personal strategist. It is a grounded, hopeful, practical roadmap for anyone who got the rug pulled out and wants to turn this season into a strategic one.
In this episode:
Why every strategic pivot starts with a mindset shift, and how to sit with the grief of a layoff before you try to move (heart work before head work)
The inventory-and-skill-stacking method: naming what you have mastered over your career, and what actually energizes you, then repurposing it into your next role
How to use AI as a free strategist to research how your industry is changing, translate your experience, and find the roles you are missing, plus how to protect your kids by learning it yourself
About Natina
Natina Marie Hill is affectionately known as the pivot muse, a perfect name to describe her life and career journey. She attributes her success to learning how to strategically navigate in and out of life's most challenging and rewarding situations. She's a Rochester, New York native and an Atlanta transplant since 2000.
Although she's ventured down many paths, her career has been rooted in business and tech advocacy. Hill is the EdTech Founder of AI STEAM Lab and Future Hackathon™, innovation labs supported by Microsoft that advances AI literacy and fluency in underserved communities. With more than 25 years of experience and through her nonprofit organization, Hill Innovation Learning Labs Foundation, she is developing training and workforce development solutions to help individuals and organizations thrive in a digital world by confidently navigating emerging technologies and preparing for the future of work.
Hill is also a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and creative. She owns Hill Consulting & Strategy Firm, PenHaus Media, and melanin muse®, where she directs and produces everything from films, global travel journeys, to large conferences. Hill is proud to serve as an advisory board member for the Women Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project (WEOP).
Connect with Natina
Website: https://aisteamlab.com/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/natinamariehill/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natina.marie
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 - 58min - 153 - S9E10: Abolishing Limiting Beliefs About Money with Dr. Billina Shaw
Most money advice is tactical: budget this, invest that. Dr. Billina Shaw brings something almost no one else does, a psychiatrist's lens. A Yale-educated, triple board-certified psychiatrist turned financial wellness strategist, she joins Laura to go underneath the numbers to the behavioral and psychological roots of how we relate to money. Fresh off her own pivot, laid off from a federal role and ninety days into full-time entrepreneurship, Billina gets vulnerable about discovering that her own anxiety wasn't about the bills, it was about worth and identity. She and Laura name financial trauma and how it shows up, especially for Black women carrying the "slave and save" mentality, and walk through her Aligned Health and Wealth framework: aligning with purpose, identifying with abundance, abolishing limiting beliefs, and acting with authority. A grounding, judgment-free conversation about building wealth from the inside out.
In this episode:
What financial trauma is, the three forms it takes (history, household, and her story), and how it quietly drives overspending, hoarding, and avoidance
Why budgeting alone never fixes it, and how positive reinforcement and abundance, not shame, actually change our relationship with money
The Aligned Health and Wealth framework, and why disentangling your worth from your work is the first inside-out move
About Dr. Billina
Dr. Billina Shaw is a Yale-educated, triple board-certified psychiatrist turned financial wellness strategist who helps women build aligned wealth from the inside out. Through her coaching practice, Freely Flourish Financial™, she draws on her behavioral health expertise and signature framework to help high-achievers untangle the beliefs and behaviors holding back their personal growth and that of their wallets. A physician and former federal behavioral health Senior Medical Advisor, she brings rare depth to a simple idea: true prosperity starts with alignment.
Connect with Dr. Billina
Website: www.freelyflourishfinancial.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-billina
Instagram: @drbillina
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher
iHeartRadio
Audible
Podbay
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 - 59min - 152 - S9E9: Communicating to Connect with Keshawn Hughes
Neuroscience strategist Keyshawn Hughes joins Laura to explain what's actually happening in the brain when we communicate, and why so many of us feel more connected online yet lonelier than ever. The founder of Neuro Savvy Leadership breaks down her memorable framing of a world running on "dopamine hits" while starving for "oxytocin drips," the slow, in-person bonding that real relationships require. She and Laura explore how threat and reward show up in our tone and body language, what happens neurologically when Black women go silent or shrink in unsafe rooms, and how to build the self-awareness and strategy to communicate with confidence. A fascinating, practical bridge between brain science and everyday connection.
In this episode:
Dopamine hits versus oxytocin drips: why digital busyness leaves us lonely, and how to rebuild real connection
What fight, flight, freeze, and fawn look like at work, and how to move out of them safely
Practical tools to communicate clearly and advocate for yourself without shrinking or over-explaining
About Keshawn
Keshawn Hughes, M.S. is a NeuroLeadership Strategist, Executive Coach, and Founder of NeuroSavvy® Leadership, equipping HR and corporate leaders with neuroscience-backed tools to boost productivity, retention, and engagement. With a Master's in Strategic Communication, she has facilitated over 400 leadership engagements since 2021, helping organizations build thriving cultures. Keshawn's upcoming book, NeuroSavvy® Storytelling, shares strategies that move people to believe, align, and take action. Based in Atlanta, she brings the same heartfelt approach to life with her husband and child who inspire her daily.
Connect with Keshawn
Website: http://www.keshawnhughes.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeuroLeaderKHughes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keshawnhughes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keshawnridgelhughes/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keshawnhughes1576
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment - https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 - 45min - 151 - S9E8: Becoming a Future-Ready Leader
What does it take to lead well when the ground will not stop shaking? In this solo episode, Laura introduces the Future-Ready Leader Model, a tree-based framework for leading from the inside out, through your roots, your trunk, and your branches.
Roots. Your internal foundation: Self-awareness, emotional regulation, values, and grounding.
Trunk. Your strategic positioning: The clarity and intentional choices that keep you standing.
Branches. Your expansive impact: The influence, relationships, and reach beyond your role.
You were not designed to only lead when things are easy. Future-ready leadership is not about becoming someone different. It is about going deeper into who you already are, and growing anyway.
"You can have the most impressive branches in the room. But if your roots are shallow, one hard wind takes you down."
Take the free Future-Ready Leader Assessment. Fifteen questions, about five minutes, and you get your profile, your scores across all three dimensions, your strengths, your growth edge, and three next steps.
https://futureready.blackwomanleading.com/
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.
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 06 Aug 2026 - 34min - 150 - S9E7: Recalibrating Relationship Building with Dawn Pinnock
After nearly 30 years in public service, Dawn Pinnock stepped into an entirely new sector as president and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services, and had to rebuild something she had spent decades earning: her professional relationships. In this episode, she and Laura break down what it takes to recalibrate how you connect when you are deeply established in one world and starting fresh in another. Dawn shares the exact process she used, taking honest stock of her track record, gathering candid feedback from longtime supporters and even former opponents, and turning those themes into a story she could lead with. It is a masterclass for anyone pivoting, by choice or by layoff, who worries the social capital they built no longer counts.
In this episode:
Why being "known but not networked" is a real distinction, and how to translate a strong reputation into new rooms
Dawn's first-90-days playbook: honest self-assessment, feedback focus groups, and positioning yourself as a learner who still brings value
How the relationships you build internally with your team become the springboard for the ones you build outside
About Dawn
Dawn M. Pinnock has spent nearly 30 years in public service driving change. As President and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS), she leads one of the city's most effective social service organizations, supporting over 50,000 people each year on their path to housing stability and long-term well-being. Before joining CUCS, she served as Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). In this role, she created the city's first community-based hiring model, advanced family-forward policies for more than 320,000 employees, managed 22 million square feet of city-owned and leased office space, and made New York greener through fleet electrification and large-scale energy efficiency upgrades. Pinnock serves as a Trustee and adjunct professor at Metropolitan College of New York, and in 2026 was appointed to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Commission on Government Efficiency, a newly formed Charter Revision Commission tasked with modernizing city government.
Connect with Dawn
Website: https://www.cucs.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cucs/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cucs_nyc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CUCSnyc
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 - 52min - 149 - S9E6: Manufacturing Fearlessness with Caressa Bell
Fear never fully goes away, so what if the goal was never to get rid of it? Caressa Bell, a Gulf War veteran, former Fortune 50 executive, and author of Manufactured Fearlessness, joins Laura to reframe fearlessness as something you build, not something you're born with. Drawing on the moment she deployed to war with a newborn at home, Caressa shares how "moving even when you're not ready" became the practice that carried her through a military career, two decades in corporate leadership, and the leap into entrepreneurship. She and Laura dig into leading yourself before you lead others, reading what's really happening "beyond the veil" in a room, and why so many of us are far more ready than we let ourselves believe. A galvanizing conversation for any Black woman standing at the edge of a bold move.
In this episode:
Why fearlessness is manufactured: how to feel the fear, look back at everything you've already done afraid, and move anyway
"Beyond the veil": reading the unspoken dynamics in a room so you can lead and position yourself strategically
Why you have to lead yourself first, and how knowing your gifts and triggers is the foundation for leading others
About Caressa
Caressa Bell is an Executive Strategist, Leadership & Transformation Coach, Gulf War Veteran, and former Fortune 50 Executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning military service, corporate transformation, and entrepreneurship. Throughout her career, she has led billion-dollar portfolios, enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, and teams of more than 200 professionals. Today, through her work, speaking, and upcoming book Manufactured Fearlessness: Own Your Leadership, Own the Room, she helps leaders build the courage, clarity, and confidence to Lead Yourself. Lead Others. Leave a Legacy.
Connect with Caressa
Join the waitlist for Caressa Bell's upcoming book, Manufactured Fearlessness: Own Your Leadership, Own the Room, and be the first to receive launch updates, exclusive content, and release announcements: https://www.iamcaressabell.com/manufactured-fearlessness
Website: http://www.iamcaressabell.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caressabell/
Instagram: @claritywithcaressa
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 - 48min - 148 - S9E5: Building a Strong Reputation as a New Employee with Dr. Ciera Graham
Starting a new role is one of the most pivotal, and most vulnerable, moments in a career. Dr. Ciera Graham joins Laura with a clear, intentional framework for building and activating a strong professional reputation from day one. Drawing on her own journey, Ciera unpacks how to make a strong first impression, build the right relationships early, and manage your visibility and narrative so the right people understand your value. Whether you are stepping into a new job, a new team, or a new level, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for establishing credibility on purpose.
In this episode:
How to make a strong first impression and establish credibility in a new role Building the right relationships and networks early, before you need them Managing your visibility and reputation so your value is seenAbout Dr. Ciera
Dr. Ciera Graham is an experienced higher education professional, business owner, and an accomplished career coach. She received her bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's in Community Counseling from Washington State University, and a PhD in Sociology in August 2015 at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Graham has been described as tenacious, innovative, forward thinking, impeccable executor a leader who leads with gratitude, and someone empowered to create a win-win situation for everyone she meets.
She owns her own business, Dr. C Graham Consulting in which she provides career consulting services to entry to mid-level professionals. She has over 15 years of experience in the career development and coaching space. Her specialty is helping millennials and Gen Zers assess their skills, define their strategy, and engage in storytelling to ultimately secure and succeed in the job of their dreams. She also was invited by the CEO of Career Contessa to join their exclusive coaching network, a title only given to the top career coaches in the country. She is a past career columnist for Career Contessa, Best Colleges, The Seattle Times and the Everett Herald, and current contributor to the University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education department. She enjoys writing on topics focused on career and leadership development for Black women and navigating the workforce as a millennial. She has appeared on the following podcasts: Career Contessa, Your Career GPS, and Find your Dream Job.
Connect with Dr. Ciera
Website: http://cieragraham.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcieragraham/
Instagram: @drcgrahamconsulting
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 16 Jul 2026 - 54min - 147 - S9E4: Creating Your Own Happiness with Dr. Kiki Ramsey
Dr. Kiki Ramsey brings a positive psychology lens to one of the most important relationships we have: the one with ourselves. In this conversation, she and Laura explore what it means to create your own happiness rather than waiting on circumstances, titles, or other people to deliver it. Kiki shares her leadership journey and the science-backed practices that help Black women cultivate joy as a discipline rather than a destination. It is a grounding, hopeful conversation about tending to your inner life with the same intention you bring to your goals.
In this episode:
Why happiness is something you build, not something you wait for Positive psychology practices for cultivating joy in everyday leadership How a strong relationship with yourself becomes the foundation for everything elseAbout Dr. Kiki
Dr. Kiki Ramsey is a renowned Positive Psychologist, ICF Master Certified Career Coach, International Keynote Speaker and Best Selling Author. With a commitment to making a positive impact in the world, Dr. Kiki founded The Positive Psychology Coaching and Diversity Institute (PPCaDI), a leadership development firm that specializes in diversity and leadership coaching and training.
Dr. Kiki is known for her innovative approach to coaching, and DEI called Positively Diverse Leadership, which is an evidence-based approach rooted in positive psychology that fosters the intentional use of strengths to help leaders build better working relationships and communication skills to become more inclusive leaders. This unique approach allows Dr. Kiki to help leaders and organizations create more inclusive and happy work cultures that foster belonging for all.
As a leader in her field of positive psychology and DEI, Dr. Kiki has worked with a diverse range of clients, including top-level executives in Fortune 500 organizations and business owners, coaching and delivering keynote addresses for corporations, conferences, and events around the world. Dr. Kiki's dedication and expertise have earned her the recognition of being named Top 50 Women Leaders in Georgia in 2023, 2024 and 2025 by Women We Admire.
Connect with Dr. Kiki
Website: http://www.ppcadi.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkikiramsey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkikiramsey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiki.ramsey/
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 54min - 146 - S9E3: Rewiring the Way We Think About Relationships with Mecca Anderson
Mecca Anderson joins Laura to challenge the assumptions we carry into our personal and professional relationships. Too often we operate on autopilot, repeating old patterns and making unintentional missteps that quietly cost us trust, connection, and opportunity. Mecca shares her own leadership story and her approach to rewiring how we relate to the people who shape our lives and careers, from being more intentional about the connections we build to noticing the small habits that get in our way. It is a candid, practical conversation about relating to others, and to ourselves, with more awareness and less default.
In this episode:
The common, unintentional relationship mistakes that quietly undermine trust and connection How to move from autopilot to intention in both personal and professional relationships What it looks like to rewire long-held patterns and show up differentlyAbout Mecca
Professor Mecca Anderson is a lawyer, law professor, and speaker with more than 15 years of experience spanning civil litigation, criminal prosecution, judicial clerkships, legal entrepreneurship, and appellate practice. She began her legal career clerking at the Supreme Court of Georgia before building a career representing injured clients, teaching future lawyers, and serving communities across Georgia. She currently focuses her practice on personal injury litigation as Of Counsel with Maxwell Tillman + Coleman.
Whether advocating for injured clients, teaching future lawyers, speaking to audiences, or mentoring professionals, Professor Anderson explores the intersection of relationships, professionalism, leadership, and human behavior, helping others build careers and lives grounded in trust, purpose, and meaningful connection.
Connect with Mecca
Website: https://www.johnmarshall.edu/facultystaff/mecca-anderson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mecca-anderson/
Instagram: @mecca.profesquire and @professormec
TikTok: @professormec
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 57min - 145 - S9E2: Auditing Your Leadership Identity
Who are you being as a leader right now, and did you ever actually choose her? In this solo episode, Laura opens Season 9's work on the relationship with yourself by guiding you through a leadership identity audit. This is not about casting a vision for who you want to become. It is an honest, present-tense look at who you already are. Most of us never consciously designed our leadership identity. We built it in survival mode, in rooms that required it, and we kept performing it long after the room changed. The audit gives you a simple framework to examine what you are carrying, tell the difference between what still serves you and what is just familiar, and reclaim the choice of who you lead as now.
In this episode:
Why an identity audit is different from vision or goal-setting, and why that distinction matters The three audit questions: what you built to survive, what is still true versus just familiar, and what you are ready to release How honesty with yourself becomes the foundation for every other relationship you cultivate this seasonAbout 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.
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 24min - 144 - S9E1: Welcome to Season 9!
Welcome to Season 9 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast! This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading programs and events.
In this opener, Laura sets the table for a new season built entirely around relationships, the full ecosystem of connections that either sustain us or drain us as leaders.
Coming out of Season 8's work on joy and wholeness, she frames this season as what we build from that grounded place: authentic relationships with ourselves, our teams, our communities, and the people in our personal lives who make our leadership sustainable.
At the heart of the season is one question. How do we cultivate and curate relationships that do not require us to decenter our own experience, abandon our values, or shrink ourselves to belong?
Laura shares where the season is headed and why real relationship, the kind that fuels great leadership, always starts with a grounded, boundaried, fully present you.
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.
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Join us at the 2027 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. June 1-4, 2027, Clearwater Beach, FL. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 13min - 143 - S8E29: Season 8 Reflections & Recap
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Cree Scott, clinical psychologist, founder of Serenity Psy Consulting, and our guest for Episode 21. Dr. Scott recorded with us in November 2025 and passed away in December. Her episode aired posthumously in March 2026, timed to the launch of her book. Her wisdom, her warmth, and her work live on. Rest well, Dr. Cree.
Twenty-eight episodes. One theme. And more wisdom than could have been anticipated when Season 8 began.
In this solo season finale, Laura reflects on the conversations, themes, and light bulb moments that defined Season 8 of Black Woman Leading. Rather than revisiting episodes one by one, Laura organizes her reflections around five powerful themes that emerged across the season — themes that collectively paint a picture of what it truly means to Lean Into Joy as a Black woman leader.
The five themes Laura explores are Joy as Resistance and Reclamation, The Identity Reckoning, The Body, Burnout, and the Strong Black Woman Trope, Career Navigation in a Shifting World, and Connection, Community, and Leading Beyond Yourself. Along the way, she weaves in moments from guest conversations across the season, naming what landed, what shifted, and what she will carry forward.
Laura also does something she has not done all season: she answers the Leaning Into Joy questions she asked every guest. What is her definition of joy? What does leading with joy look like at this stage of her career? Has she ever had to re-learn joy after a difficult season? And what is bringing her joy right now — and how does she protect it?
The episode closes with a warm send-off to the Season 8 community and a first look at what Season 9 will explore: the art of cultivating relationships that are authentic, boundaried, and rooted in who you actually are — with yourself, your team, your community, and the people in your personal life who make sustainable leadership possible.
Season 8 was about reclaiming joy. Season 9 is about building from that place of wholeness. Stay tuned!
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.
BWL Resources:
We are now enrolling for the August cohorts of our Early Career and Mid-Career Leadership Development programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 21 May 2026 - 40min - 142 - S8E28: Resetting Your Career with Intention
What does it really mean to reset?
Not to give up. Not to start over from scratch. But to pause with intention, get honest with yourself, and realign your career with who you actually are and where you actually want to go.
In this solo episode, Laura walks listeners through the Black Woman Leading Career Reset Framework, a five-area reflection process designed to help leaders regroup, restore, and realign with clarity and purpose. Drawing from the Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit, this episode brings together head work and heart work to support leaders who are navigating transition, burnout, or simply a quiet sense that something needs to shift.
Laura addresses the real moment we are in. With hundreds of thousands of Black women navigating layoffs, restructuring, and a shifting professional landscape, a reset is not a sign of defeat. It is an act of wisdom. And whether you are grieving a loss or quietly relieved by a change, this episode meets you where you are.
Together, listeners will move through five areas of reflection: Burnout and Wellness, Career Clarity, Mental Wellness and Self-Care, Relationships and Support, and Leadership Identity. Each section includes honest questions, practical prompts, and coaching insights drawn from Laura's years of experience as an executive coach and leadership strategist.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this episode reframes the Career Reset as one of the most joyful acts of self-leadership available to us. Because joy is not a destination waiting on the other side of the grind. It is a practice. And choosing to reset is choosing yourself.
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
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.
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 07 May 2026 - 29min - 141 - S8E27: Moving Beyond Titles with Suezette Yasmin Robotham
In this episode, Laura sits down with Suezette Yasmin Robotham, bestselling author, global talent and culture executive, executive coach, and keynote speaker, to explore one of the most important and often unasked questions in leadership: who are you when the titles fade away?
Drawing from her book Beyond Titles: Fearlessly Leading as Your Authentic Self, Suezette brings two decades of experience shaping leadership at some of the world's most recognized organizations, including Google, Meta, Gartner, and Salesforce, to a conversation that is equal parts practical and deeply personal.
Together, Laura and Suezette unpack what it really means to lead from the inside out. They explore how values serve as an anchor in seasons of transition, uncertainty, and burnout, and what it looks like when a leader is quietly out of alignment with what matters most to them. Suezette also introduces a powerful reframe around skills-based identity, challenging leaders to stop defining themselves by the roles they've held and start recognizing the transferable strengths they carry into every room.
The conversation takes a turn into heart work, addressing the internal fears that keep people tethered to titles long after those titles have stopped serving them. And in one of the episode's most powerful moments, Laura and Suezette speak directly to the reality that over 600,000 Black women have been laid off in recent months. With honesty and grace, Suezette holds space for two women who may be listening at the same time: the one who is grieving, and the one who is quietly relieved.
This episode is for every leader who has ever wondered whether they are enough without the credential, the corner office, or the LinkedIn headline to back them up. The answer, Suezette makes clear, has always lived inside you.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this episode is an invitation to release performative leadership and step into something more grounded, more courageous, and more authentically yours.
About Suezette
Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a best-selling author, global talent and culture executive, executive coach, and keynote speaker with two decades of experience shaping leadership in an AI-accelerated world. She has led talent and leadership strategy at Google, Meta, Gartner, and Salesforce, and advises global organizations on building cultures rooted in clarity, accountability, and trust.
A TEDx speaker and featured voice in the award-winning SeeHer Multiplicity docuseries, Suezette is known for helping leaders move beyond performative leadership and lead with discernment, courage, and alignment. Known for her warmth, wit, and unflinching honesty, she is the mentor we all wish we had in the room.
Connect with Suezette
Website: www.suezette.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suezette/
Instagram: @suezette
TikTok: @suezetteyasminrobotham
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 - 57min - 140 - S8E26: Defining Your Executive Presence with Shaquanna Chappelle
In this episode, Laura sits down with Shaquanna Chappelle, executive presence consultant and speaker, to break down what executive presence really is and what it isn't.
While executive presence is often framed around image, polish, or performance, Shaquanna invites us into a deeper understanding: true presence is built from the inside out. Drawing from her journey from wardrobe stylist to confidence and presence expert, she shares how she realized that what many leaders were struggling with wasn't how they looked, but how they felt about themselves.
Together, Laura and Shaquanna explore the often-unspoken confidence gap, how insecurity, fear, and limiting beliefs can quietly undermine even the most capable leaders. They discuss the critical role of self-trust in leadership and how rebuilding that trust can transform how we show up, communicate, and influence others.
Shaquanna also introduces her approach to helping leaders define their unique executive presence positioning, emphasizing that presence is not about imitation, but about alignment: understanding who you are, how you lead, and how you communicate your value authentically.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this episode invites listeners to release performative expectations and step into a more grounded, confident, and empowered version of leadership.
About Shaquanna
Shaquanna is a sought-after speaker and executive presence consultant trusted by Forbes School of Business & Technology, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Sentara Health, and more. Known for her high-energy keynotes on fear, insecurity, and self-imposed limits, she empowers professionals to tap into their confidence and show up in their full power.
As an in-demand image and style expert, she believes confidence starts within. Her book, Get Up and Get Dressed, guides women to eliminate self-doubt and embrace their full potential.
Through her Pursuing A Powerful Presence method, Shaquanna creates safe, engaging spaces that help leaders build self-trust and accelerate career success. After hearing Shaquanna speak, professionals are able to combat insecurities and reach a new level of confidence that commands the room.
Connect with Shaquanna
Website :http://www.shaquannachappelle.com/presence
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaquannachappelle/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 - 51min - 139 - S8E25: Reclaiming Your Power Through the Body with Blessing Uchendu
In this episode of Black Woman Leading, Laura is joined by Blessing Uchendu, licensed clinical social worker and somatic leadership coach, to explore what it means to reclaim your power through the body.
With over two decades of clinical experience, Blessing challenges a common assumption in leadership development—that growth is simply a mindset shift away. Instead, she introduces a deeper truth: your nervous system is shaping how you lead, how you respond, and how you experience the workplace.
Together, Laura and Blessing unpack the power of somatics, a body-based approach to awareness and healing, and why it is especially critical for Black women leaders. In environments where microaggressions, constant visibility, and systemic pressures are present, the body often carries what the mind has learned to push through.
Blessing reframes somatic work as a form of reclamation, a way for Black women to reconnect with their bodies, their boundaries, and their internal signals after years of conditioning that may have required disconnection for survival.
Through both clinical insight and real-world application, she shares how understanding and working with the nervous system can transform not only individual wellbeing, but also leadership effectiveness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this episode invites listeners to slow down, tune in, and consider how reconnecting with the body can unlock a more grounded, empowered, and sustainable way of leading.
About Blessing
Blessing Uchendu is a licensed clinical social worker and somatic leadership coach who's on a mission to change how we think about what makes a great leader. With over 20 years of clinical experience, she's done with the idea that better leadership is just a mindset shift away. Through her practice, Freshwater Counseling and Consulting, she partners with organizations to help leaders understand something most leadership development skips entirely: your nervous system is running the show. When you learn to work with it, everything changes — how you show up, how you connect, and how your team performs. Follow her on LinkedIn for her takes on somatic and nervous system-informed leadership at work.
Connect with Blessing
Website: https://www.freshwatercc.com/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/blessinguchendu/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 - 56min - 138 - S8E24: Catalyzing Community-Led Leadership with Alysia Lee
In this episode, Laura sits down with Alysia Lee, President & CEO of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, to explore what it means to lead through community, creativity, and shared power.
Alysia brings a unique leadership lens shaped by her background as a musician and composer, offering insight into how artistic practice (listening, collaboration, and responsiveness) translates into her approach as a first-time CEO. At the heart of the conversation is Alysia's approach to Ubuntu community-led leadership—a model that challenges traditional, expert-driven systems and instead centers collective wisdom, shared ownership, and trust. She shares how community voice is not just consulted, but embedded in decision-making at the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, including real examples of how community input has shaped funding strategies and organizational direction.
Alysia also offers a candid look at the inner work required to lead differently. Moving from having the answers to facilitating collective insight requires unlearning, humility, and a willingness to sit in uncertainty. She speaks openly about what it takes to quiet the instinct to control and instead cultivate environments where others can contribute meaningfully.
The conversation also explores the realities of leading within complex stakeholder ecosystems, including youth, community members, funders, and policymakers, and how to navigate differing expectations while maintaining alignment and trust.
About Alysia
Alysia Lee is the President & CEO of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, where she leads one of the nation's most innovative public philanthropic organizations dedicated to advancing racial equity and youth leadership. Under her leadership, BCYF has transformed traditional grantmaking by centering community voice, investing in grassroots leadership, and designing systems that prioritize justice, sustainability, and abundance.
A nationally recognized thought leader, Alysia works at the intersection of philanthropy, youth development, education, and the arts. She brings a rare blend of operational discipline, visionary thinking, and values-aligned leadership to her work. She has built and managed high-performing teams, navigated complex government partnerships, and launched initiatives that expand access and deepen impact across sectors. During her tenure, BCYF's compliance rate has increased from 30% to over 90%, and the organization launched Baltimore's first-ever Youth Master Plan.
Alysia is the Founder of Sister Cities Girlchoir, an El Sistema-inspired choral program that has empowered hundreds of girls across multiple cities through a blend of musical excellence, social justice, and youth development. She is also a proud Kennedy Center Citizen Artist and an in-demand guest conductor, with recent engagements including the LA Master Chorale, Mendelssohn Chorus, and Boston Children's Chorus. Her choral composition "Say Her Name" is published by Hal Leonard, and she has been commissioned by the Baltimore Choral Arts Society and Portland Lesbian Choir.
She formerly led statewide arts education policy at the Maryland State Department of Education and currently serves on the Board of Chorus America. Alysia is a sought-after national speaker and facilitator, with recent engagements at the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Hall, state arts agencies, and universities across the country. As a Black woman leader, she leads with lived experience and a deep commitment to justice, creating space for new models of power and partnership.
Whether managing multimillion-dollar investments or conducting on stage, Alysia is known for turning bold ideas into measurable results. She leads with integrity, builds with courage, and brings people together to do what hasn't been done before.
Connect with Alysia
Website: bcyfund.org
On socials @bcyfund
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysiadlee/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 - 1h 12min - 137 - S8E23: Casting Your Future with Dr. Cornelia Shipley Bearyman
In this episode, Laura is joined by Dr. Cornelia Shipley-Bearyman, Founder & CEO of 3C Consulting, to explore what it means to intentionally cast your future, not just react to your present.
Drawing from her work in leadership, culture transformation, and her recent PhD in metaphysics, Dr. Cornelia breaks down how our mindset, language, and belief systems shape the realities we experience, both personally and professionally. She invites listeners to consider how the way we think, speak, and interpret our circumstances directly influences what becomes possible in our lives.
Together, Laura and Dr. Cornelia explore how many Black women have been conditioned to center survival, resilience, and overperformance; and how that conditioning can quietly limit our vision for what's possible. Through a powerful reframing, this episode challenges listeners to move from reactive survival to intentional creation.
At the heart of the conversation is Dr. Cornelia's belief: "You will see what you say." She unpacks how language acts as a shaping force and how small shifts in how we speak about ourselves, our work, and our future can open new pathways for growth, opportunity, and alignment.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this episode invites listeners to reclaim authorship over their future by grounding in intention, expanding their thinking, and reconnecting to the internal power that shapes external outcomes.
About Dr. Cornelia
Dr. Cornelia Shipley Bearyman is the Founder and CEO of 3C Consulting, where she advises senior leaders and HR teams on building accountable, inclusive cultures that drive sustainable performance. She brings over two decades of executive and advisory experience working with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and governing bodies on culture transformation, leadership capacity, and systemic inclusion. Dr. Cornelia holds a PhD in Metaphysics with a concentration in Conscious Business and Leadership, an MBA in Strategy, and a BA in Communication. She is the author of the Amazon bestselling book Design Your Life and is a frequent keynote speaker on conscious culture creation and leadership accountability.
Connect with Dr. Cornelia
Website: drcornelia.com
Women Thrive & Win Skool Community: https://bit.ly/3Q1tgsV
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/corneliashipley/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drcorneliasbearyman
FB: https://www.facebook.com/corneliashipley
3C Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3cconsultingllc/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 - 55min - 136 - S8E22: Leveraging Strategic Self-Advocacy with Sarah Boyd
In this timely and empowering episode, Laura sits down with Sarah Boyd, Founder & CEO of The Formation, to unpack what it truly means to leverage strategic self-advocacy—especially for Black women navigating today's complex corporate landscape.
Drawing from her experience working with C-suite leaders and building community for Black women in corporate spaces, Sarah introduces a more nuanced understanding of self-advocacy—one that goes beyond simply "speaking up" and instead centers strategy, clarity, and sustainability.
Together, Laura and Sarah explore why self-advocacy is not just a career skill, but a critical tool for protecting the investments Black women have made in their careers—particularly in a moment shaped by economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and shifting workplace dynamics.
The conversation also acknowledges a deeper layer: the trauma component of advocacy. For many Black women, pushing against systems hasn't always felt safe. Sarah offers insight into how leaders can begin to advocate for themselves in ways that are both effective and self-honoring—without overextending or sacrificing their wellbeing.
About Sarah
Sarah Boyd is the Founder & CEO of The Formation — a community-based app that serves up real talk, real resources, and real tight-knit community for Black women navigating the realities of corporate America. As a certified talent development leader, Sarah has worked with C-suite executives and senior leaders coaching, mentoring, and building impactful programs to help both individuals and teams succeed. After working in enterprise, startup, and social impact spaces, Sarah launched The Formation community to fill the glaring resource gap she saw in each of these environments. Today, she lends her expertise to creating resources for strategic disruption — actionable tools Black women can use to advocate for ourselves in the workplace, and safeguard the investments we've made in our careers.
Connect with Sarah
Website: https://www.weareyourformation.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwilliamsboyd/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 26 Mar 2026 - 51min - 135 - S8E21: Reclaiming Connection & Purpose with Dr. Cree Scott
Updated: We recently learned that Dr. Cree Scott passed away in December 2025. We didn't know when this episode aired. We recorded in November 2026, and she requested that the episode be released this spring closer to her book release.
We're heartbroken and keeping this up because her words deserve to be heard. Her book, The Missing Peace, releases April 14th, posthumously. Please consider grabbing a copy to honor her legacy.
Purchase the book here: https://a.co/d/011aVNM9
______
In this insightful episode of Black Woman Leading, Laura sits down with Dr. Cree Scott, clinical psychologist, workplace performance expert, and founder of Serenity Psy Consulting, to explore what she calls "The Missing Peace in Leadership."
Drawing on both psychological science and her work advising Fortune 100 organizations, Dr. Scott explains why so many high-performing leaders are running on empty. Despite access to productivity tools and leadership frameworks, many professionals remain disconnected—from themselves, their teams, and their deeper purpose.
Her upcoming book, The Missing Peace in Leadership, introduces the Integrated Connection Framework, a model designed to restore alignment across three essential dimensions: Connection to Me, Connection to We, and Connection to All. These dimensions help leaders move beyond busyness and burnout to cultivate deeper presence, collective intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership.
Together, Laura and Dr. Scott unpack what it means to reclaim connection in a world that often rewards hyperproductivity and distraction. They explore how leaders—especially Black women navigating systemic pressures and high expectations—can reconnect with their inner grounding, build healthier relationships within teams, and tap into broader ecosystems of wisdom and purpose.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this episode invites listeners to consider how slowing down, reconnecting inwardly, and leading with intention can transform leadership from exhausting to energizing.
About Dr. Cree
What happens when you combine a clinical psychologist with Fortune 100 leadership consulting? You get a thought leader who doesn't just help executives perform better—she helps them understand why they do what they do and transforms that insight into breakthrough performance. Dr. Cree Scott, is the founder and CEO of Serenity Psy Consulting, where she brings the science of human behavior into the boardroom. As a workplace performance expert, she's worked across industries and sectors, turning complex psychological concepts into practical strategies that transforms how leaders lead. What makes her approach different? She uncovers the blind spots and self-limiting beliefs that even the most successful leaders don't know they have. And she's currently writing the book on it—literally. Her upcoming work, The Missing Peace in Leadership, reveals the overlooked ingredients that turn leadership from exhausting to energizing. Whether you're leading a team of five or five thousand, her approach will challenge how you think about leadership, performance, and what it really takes to inspire yourself and others to do their best work.
Connect with Cree
Website: www.serenitypsyhealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creescott/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 - 48min - 134 - S8E20: Exploring Professional Wanderlust with Dr. Crystal Moten
In this episode, Laura is joined by Dr. Crystal Moten, an award-winning writer, historian, and expert on Black women's history who has spent her career amplifying the lives and labors of Black women.
Dr. Moten introduces the concept of professional wanderlust, a term she coined to reframe how we think about career mobility. Drawing inspiration from the idea of wanderlust in travel, she explores how many Black women navigate their careers as spaces of learning, growth, and exploration rather than following a single, linear path.
A self-described professional wanderlust herself, Dr. Moten shares how she once felt shame about frequently changing roles before recognizing the deeper power in refusing to wait for permission to pursue opportunity, wellbeing, and alignment. Through both personal experience and historical insight, she challenges the stigma often attached to "job hopping" and invites listeners to see career movement through a more expansive lens.
Together, Laura and Dr. Moten discuss the many reasons Black women move between roles—from seeking fair compensation to leaving toxic work environments to pursuing personal growth and joy. The conversation highlights how career mobility can be both a strategic and liberatory response to workplace realities.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this episode encourages listeners to reimagine their professional journeys as acts of courage, curiosity, and self-determination.
About Crystal
Dr. Crystal Marie Moten is an award-winning writer and expert on Black women's history. She has spent her professional life amplifying the life and labors of Black women. A self-proclaimed "professional wanderlust," she is one of many Black women who have left job after job for a myriad of personal and professional reasons. At first, this continual movement made her ashamed–until she recognized the power in refusing to wait for anyone's permission to reclaim her destiny, walk in her power and write her own ticket.
Connect with Crystal
Learn more about her upcoming book, The Ticket: Confessions of a Professional Wanderlust at https://profwanderlust.com/
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmmoten/
Connect on Instragram: @crystalmariemoten
BWL Resources
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today! Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0 Learn the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/BWL Resources
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/ Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/ Graphics: Dara AdamsListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible PodbayThu, 12 Mar 2026 - 46min - 133 - S8E19: Amplifying Your Strengths with Dr. Elizabeth Adams
In this episode, Laura sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Adams to explore what it truly means to amplify your strengths… not just possess them.
In today's dynamic corporate and technological landscape, many Black women leaders are deeply skilled yet under-recognized. Dr. Adams challenges listeners to move beyond quiet competence and into intentional visibility — leveraging presence, strategy, and even AI as tools to elevate their leadership.
Together, they unpack how Black women can confidently own their leadership identity, strategically identify overlooked opportunities, and use emerging technologies to clarify and communicate their value. The conversation also explores Dr. Adams' frameworks of skill stacking and job stacking, offering a roadmap for building diversified income streams and future-proofing careers without sacrificing wellbeing.
Anchored in Season 8's theme, Leaning Into Joy, this episode reminds us that amplifying our strengths is not about hustle for hustle's sake — it's about alignment, confidence, and redefining success on our own terms.
About Dr. Elizabeth
Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams is a global authority in Responsible AI, guiding societies and institutions through the age of artificial intelligence. An award-winning strategist, TEDx speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice, she is a trusted source for industry, academia, nonprofits, and government leaders worldwide. As CEO of EMA Advisory Services, she helps organizations align culture, leadership, and innovation with ethical, human-centered AI. Her influence spans global stages, from the United Nations to policy labs in Sweden, translating Responsible AI into scalable, values-driven action. Recognized by Forbes as one of the "15 AI Ethics Leaders Showing the World the Way of the Future," she bridges research, policy, and enterprise to ensure AI leadership is accountable, empowered, and transformative.
Learn more about her work on her website at www.eadams.tech
Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizadams/
Purchase Elizabeth's book, In the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Choosing Purpose Before Code at www.eadams.tech
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 05 Mar 2026 - 58min - 132 - S8E18: Redefining Balance with Pamela Gelie
In this empowering episode, Laura is joined by Pamela Gelie, Founder of URise, for a heartfelt and practical conversation on what it truly means to redefine balance…especially as Black women navigating multiple roles, expectations, and seasons of life.
Pamela shares her personal journey of pursuing greater freedom, meaning, and values alignment, including how her search for balance ultimately led to a career pivot. Together, Laura and Pamela explore how balance is not a fixed destination, but a living, evolving practice shaped by our responsibilities, our resilience, and our willingness to honor what we need.
This episode also dives into the complex relationship many Black women have with resilience. While strength is often celebrated, Laura and Pamela discuss how the "Strong Black Woman" trope can sometimes make it difficult to soften, rest, and be fully human—especially in moments when we don't want to bounce back quickly.
Aligned with Season 8's theme "Leaning Into Joy," this conversation invites listeners to consider balance as a pathway to joy; one that prioritizes inner clarity, wellbeing, and intentional living over perfection or constant performance.
About Pamela
Born in France to Afro-Caribbean parents, Pamela grew up between cultures and learned to adapt across worlds. A decade in London shaped her career leading customer experience in global organisations across the UK and France. Those years taught her how to deliver at scale while navigating complexity and multicultural environments.
Illness, mental health challenges in family and discrimination tested her but also built resilience and empathy. Motherhood deepened her drive to create freedom and balance for her kids and the next generation.
Today, she channels her journey and a profound sense of ''Give Back' into URise, the company so founded to turn lived experience into impact. It allows her to blend leadership, purpose and reinvention in equal measure.
Connect with Pamela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-gelie
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 26 Feb 2026 - 41min - 131 - S8E17: Reimagining Responsible AI with Dr. Brandeis Marshall
In this conversation, Laura and Dr. Brandeis Marshall explore the concept of responsible AI and the critical need to reframe our understanding of it. Dr. Marshall's insights shed light on how leaders and everyday users can navigate this complex terrain with a focus on ethics and responsibility.
Key takeaways from this discussion include the importance of informed leadership, mindful AI usage, and the power of community support in driving responsible AI initiatives.
Whether you're overseeing AI in your organization or using it personally, this conversation will reshape how you approach AI ethically, legally, and practically.
About Dr. Marshall
Brandeis Marshall is founder and CEO of DataedX Group™, a data & AI governance consulting agency. Formerly a college professor, she speaks, writes, teaches and consults on how to move slower and build better people-first tech. Dr. Marshall helps cross-functional teams close gaps amongst data strategy, human decision-making competencies and AI adoption activities. She guides them in effectively executing responsible AI and data tactics and implementations. She also founded Black Women in Data in 2020 to broaden awareness, support and retain senior-level Black women whose expertise intersect with the data industry.
Dr. Marshall is the author of Data Conscience: Algorithmic Siege on our Humanity (Wiley, 2022), co-editor of Mitigating Bias in Machine Learning (McGraw-Hill, 2024) and contributing author in The Black Agenda (Macmillan, 2022). She holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Rochester. Dr. Marshall recently obtained her EMBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.
Connect with Dr. Marshall
Website: https://dataedx.com/
LInkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/brandeis-marshall
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 19 Feb 2026 - 1h 00min - 130 - S8E16: Setting Boundaries with Clarity & Confidence
In this solo episode, Laura shares practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries at work without guilt, over-explaining, or burning bridges.
Aligned with Season 8's theme Leaning Into Joy, this conversation explores why boundaries are essential for protecting your wellbeing, preserving your energy, and creating a healthier workplace experience, especially for Black women leaders who may be navigating high expectations and invisible labor.
Laura breaks down three types of workplace boundary categories (time, scope, and emotional), common boundary mistakes, and a simple 4-step method you can use immediately:
Name the boundary
Anchor it in priorities
Offer a choice
Close the loop
You'll also walk away with clear scripts, leadership tips for modeling boundaries on your team, and encouragement to start small and stay consistent.
Click here to download the companion worksheet for this episode >>>
Also referenced in this episode >> S2E13 - Setting and Protecting Your Boundaries with Stephanie Ghoston Paul
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.
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 12 Feb 2026 - 44min - 129 - S8E15: Positioning Yourself for New Opportunities with Kelli Jackson
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Kelli Jackson, Founder of Expert Edge Career Management Agency, to discuss the importance of positioning oneself for new career opportunities
Kelli shares her insights on navigating the job market, the significance of storytelling in job searches, and the evolving landscape of leadership roles. She emphasizes the need for strategic job searching, the value of personal branding, and the importance of having a supportive career team. Kelli also highlights the necessity of owning one's job search and recognizing the unique assets each individual brings to the table.
About Kelli
Kelli Jackson is the Founder of Expert Edge Career Management Agency, a pioneering firm that represents and positions senior leaders, executives, and industry experts where market demand is surging.
With over two decades of experience spanning recruiting, talent acquisition, and career strategy, Kelli has redefined how senior leaders navigate career transitions. Rather than teaching traditional job search tactics, she helps clients understand where demand already exists for their expertise and how to position themselves to capture it.
Connect with Kelli
Website: expertedge50.com
Instagram, Twitter & Tiktok: @iamkellijackson
LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkellijackson/
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 05 Feb 2026 - 47min - 128 - S8E14: Cultivating a Growth Mindset with Dr. Sam March
In this episode of the Black Woman Leading podcast, Laura welcomes Dr. Sam March. They discuss the importance of cultivating a growth mindset and how it intertwines with emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the journey towards harmony in life.
Dr. Sam emphasizes the significance of recognizing triggers, the difference between balance and harmony, and the unique challenges faced by Black women in leadership with regard to the topic. The discussion also highlights practical strategies for flipping negative thinking patterns and the power of gratitude and joy in personal and professional life.
About Dr. Sam
Dr. Sam is a Chiropractor & Wellness Strategist with a passion for whole-person healing. Blending clinical expertise with personal experience, she helps others reconnect body, mind, heart, and soul. Through her work at Lignum Vitae Wellness & her new book, Harmonize Your Life, Dr. Sam guides readers to move beyond physical adjustments and find true inner harmony—the kind that brings lasting peace and alignment, both on and off the table. When she's not serving patients or sharing her message, she enjoys exploring the world and cherishing time with her family.
Connect with Dr. Sam
Website: http://www.drsammarch.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/drsammarch
BWL Resources:
Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 29 Jan 2026 - 54min - 127 - S8E13: Embracing Your Gifts with Alanna Thomas
In this episode of Black Woman Leading, Laura Knights welcomes Alanna Thomas to discuss the importance of embracing your gifts and what it truly means to lead from the fullness of who you are.
Together, they explore how Black women leaders can reconnect with their God-given gifts and talents, especially in environments that may have misunderstood, minimized, or even shamed those very qualities. Alanna shares insights on how gifts often extend far beyond what's listed on a résumé, showing up instead in patterns of curiosity, intuition, discernment, creativity, and care.
The conversation also names a common tension many Black women experience: carrying invisible labor, being overextended, or feeling pressure to give endlessly without boundaries. Alanna offers wisdom on discerning when gifts are being used in alignment, and when they're being overused or misapplied, along with practical guidance for stewarding gifts with intention, clarity, and care.
About Alanna
Alanna Thomas is the Founder of Lighthouse Leadership Company. Over the past 8 years, she has helped hundreds of leaders increase their confidence and implement growth plans for their teams. Moving organizations from chaos to clarity with her GROW framework has led to her end goal of happier and more aware spouses and parents at home after the workday is over.
Connect with Alanna
Website: http://www.lighthouseleadershipcompany.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealannathomas
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/
Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 22 Jan 2026 - 43min - 126 - S8E12: Resetting with a Digital Detox with Dr. Nina Joy Mena
In this conversation,Laura welcomes Dr. Nina Joy Mena to discuss digital detoxing and self-care, particularly for busy professionals and Black women leaders.
The discussion covers the impacts of digital overload on mental health, the necessity of establishing boundaries with technology, and practical strategies for maintaining wellness. Dr. Mena emphasizes the significance of self-care routines and the role of community in fostering joy and resilience. The episode concludes with actionable steps for listeners to prioritize their mental health and well-being.
About Dr. Nina
Dr. Nina Joy Mena, known as Dr. NJoy, is an Atlanta-based psychiatrist, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker dedicated to promoting mental wellness and breaking the stigma of mental illness in the Black community. Double board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, she serves as Chief Medical Officer at CHRIS 180, providing compassionate, trauma-informed care across all ages.
As the founder of NJoy LIFE – Living In Full Empowerment, LLC and host of the Journey to Joy Live podcast, Dr. NJoy inspires resilience, authenticity, and joy through storytelling and community engagement. She is the author of NJoyNAL: Nurturing Authentic Living and Inspire Joy for the Wife Mom Boss: Balancing It All Without Losing Yourself.
An avid runner, Dr. NJoy has completed 46 half marathons and 9 full marathons—her personal form of therapy and reset. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the devoted wife of Juan Mena and mother of three boys, ages 2, 4, and 14.
Connect with Dr. Nina
Website: www.drnjoylife.com
Facebook: @NJoy LIFE
Instagram: @Dr.NJoy.Life
Youtube: @DrNJoyLifeMD
Tik Tok: @Dr.NJoy.Life
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 15 Jan 2026 - 43min - 125 - S8E11: Rethinking Resilience with Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards
In this powerful episode, Laura is joined by Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards, Associate Professor at Duke University's School of Medicine and Co-Director of Duke CTSI Center for Research, Community Engagement, Social Impact and Trust (CREST Center), for a timely conversation on rethinking resilience.
Inspired by Dr. Bentley-Edwards' article "I Am Not (Your) Superwoman, Black Girl Magic, or Beautiful Struggle: Rethinking the Resilience of Black Women and Girls," this episode explores the cultural narratives that celebrate Black women's strength while often ignoring the profound physical, emotional, and psychological costs of relentless resilience.
Together, Laura and Keisha unpack the tensions between pride in endurance, cultural expectations like the "Strong Black Woman," and the growing body of research showing how these narratives contribute to health inequities across the lifespan. Dr. Bentley-Edwards offers insight into how expectations of resilience often begin in childhood for Black girls, shaping adult experiences of stress, coping, and wellbeing.
The conversation moves beyond critique toward possibility—imagining models of resilience that center sustainable wellness, community care, and structural accountability, rather than individual endurance alone. Dr. Bentley-Edwards also reflects on what Black women can do in service of themselves and Black girls, and what we must collectively demand from systems, institutions, and leaders.
Anchored in Season 8's theme, "Leaning Into Joy," this episode invites listeners to consider how joy, rest, alignment, and community are not indulgences, but essential counterweights to harmful expectations of strength.
About Dr. Keisha
Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards is an Associate Professor at Duke University's School of Medicine and Co-Director of Duke CTSI Center for Research, Community Engagement, Social Impact and Trust (CREST Center). She is also the Associate Director of Research for the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity. Dr. Bentley-Edwards' research focuses on how racism, gender, and culture influence development throughout the lifespan, especially for African Americans. She is the Chair of the Society for Research in Child Development's Black Caucus. Her research emphasizes cultural strengths, including religiosity, and eliminating structural barriers to support healthy development in communities, families, and students, and in birth outcomes. Her research has been supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, IBM, and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bentley-Edwards shares her expertise on the causes and consequences of structural racism and bias on health, education and social outcomes with families, schools, policymakers, practitioners, and the media.
Connect with Dr. Keisha
Website: https://www.drbentleyedwards.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kbentleyedwards
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 08 Jan 2026 - 1h 08min - 124 - S8E10: Leading from Within
As we step into a new year, this solo episode invites you to pause, reflect, and intentionally define how you want to lead starting from the inside.
Laura explores what it means to trust yourself as a leader and to draw from your internal vision, values, capabilities, and ways of knowing to guide how you want to lead in this new year.
Rather than focusing on resolutions or external expectations, this episode centers alignment, self-compassion, and joy as powerful leadership strategies. You'll be guided through reflection and forward-looking practices designed to help you flex your leadership with clarity, confidence, and resilience in the year ahead.
Laura walks listeners through the SELF Framework as both a reset and a call forward. The four-part approach includes Setting Your Vision & Parameters, Excavating Your Excellence, Leveraging Your Environment, and Framing Your Mindset with Self-Compassion.
Laura ends the episode with a new year leadership challenge, inviting listeners to use their reflections from the SELF framework to write a leadership intention statement, identify three leadership strengths to intentionally honor this year, and to commit to one boundary that protects joy and wellbeing. This challenge is designed to be revisited quarterly as your leadership evolves.
Tune in to this episode as an invitation to begin the year aligned, intentional, and deeply rooted in self-trust.
Click here to download the companion reflection worksheet for this episode: https://blackwomanleading.com/leading-from-within-reflection-worksheet/
Also referenced in this episode >> S6E7: Strengthening Mindful Self-Talk: https://blackwomanleading.com/s6e7-strengthening-mindful-self-talk/
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.
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 01 Jan 2026 - 40min - 123 - S8E9: Turn up Your Self-Celebration with Dr. Lakila Bowden
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Lakila Bowden to explore the transformative practice of self-celebration and the role it plays in helping Black women reclaim agency, joy, and permission to lead from a place of fullness.
Drawing from key concepts in her book, The Sho'Nuff Principle, Lakila lays out a liberatory framework for centering ourselves without guilt, raising our expectations, and giving ourselves the recognition we often withhold.
Laura and Lakila unpack the guilt, shame, and cultural conditioning that often arise when Black women center themselves, and what it looks like to begin shifting that mindset with compassion. Additionally, Lakila explains why self-celebration is not "extra," but essential. She explores the emotional and psychological roots of celebration, encouraging Black women to "brag more," and teaching how celebration functions as a mirror, an amplifier, and a motivator.
Whether you've avoided attention, minimized your accomplishments, or struggled with self-recognition, Lakila offers accessible starting points to begin turning up your self- celebration.
About Dr. Lakila
Dr. Lakila Bowden is the charismatic voice high-achieving women didn't know they were missing. A visionary speaker, company founder, and unapologetic rest advocate, she's the COO of iSee Technologies and author of The Sho' Nuff Principle: A High Achieving Woman's Guide to Self-Care, Self-Promotion, & Self-Celebration.
After a thriving executive career in Fortune 500 companies like GE and DaVita—and retiring from corporate America at just 37—Dr. Bowden's charted a bold path that's led to her becoming a trusted voice on stage for powerhouse organizations like The Walt Disney Company, Kraft Heinz, Verizon, and JP Morgan.
Lakila embraces a multi-hyphenate lifestyle which aligns with her personal ethos to operate in flow vs force in wealth creation and living life in celebratory fashion. As a proud North Carolina A&T Aggie Alum, her academic credentials, including an MBA from Emory University and an honorary doctorate in Humanitarianism, bolster her practical strategies for balancing demanding careers with personal well-being. She resides in the Atlanta area, enjoying the adventures of life with her remarkable husband, Eric, and their brilliant and kind son, Zaire Aasir.
Connect with Lakila
Instagram: @lakilaj
LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lakila-bowden-mba-0463272/
Website: www.iseetechnologies.com
Purchase her book: https://shonuffprinciple.com/
Take the Guilt Detox Assessment: https://lakilabowden.com/guilt-detox/BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 18 Dec 2025 - 46min - 122 - S8E8: Strengthening Your Leader Identity with BWL Alums
In this episode, Laura hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums from the Early Career and Mid-Career Programs (LaKeisha Williams, Jabina Coleman, and Valerie Black) for an honest, reflective, and deeply affirming conversation about what it means to strengthen your leader identity as a Black woman.
Each guest shares her personal journey, from the early narratives that shaped her understanding of leadership to the mindset shifts, breakthroughs, and heart work that helped her step into a more aligned, confident, and purpose-driven version of herself.
The alums discuss how their perceptions of themselves as leaders have grown since participating in the Black Woman Leading® program, and how their sense of agency, confidence, and clarity have expanded.
Additionally, they discuss navigating boundaries to stay aligned with their values and the role of community in supporting them along their leadership journeys.
The conversation is rich with wisdom, lived experience, vulnerability, and community. It highlights the transformative power of intentional leadership development and the importance of spaces where Black women can be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Guest Bios:
::LaKeisha Williams
LaKeisha Williams is a dedicated wife and mother, an insurance professional with over 11 years of experience, and a lifelong learner who holds multiple designations in both commercial and personal lines insurance. She is also a jewelry entrepreneur of more than five years, passionate about connecting with new people and building meaningful relationships through sales. Outside of work, LaKeisha loves to laugh, spend time with her family, explore new places, and create joyful experiences through travel with her husband. Whether in the corporate world or her growing business, she leads with heart, expertise, and a genuine love for helping others shine.
Connect with LaKeisha on LinkedIn here.
::Jabina Coleman
Jabina Coleman, known nationally as The Lactation Therapist, is a reproductive psychotherapist, maternal health researcher, and Philadelphia's first Black non-nurse International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Trained first as a behavioral scientist at Penn State and later clinically as a Social Worker at the University of Pennsylvania, she has become one of the most compelling voices advancing Black maternal health equity, perinatal mental health, and community-centered lactation care. Her current doctoral training in Health Science at Thomas Jefferson University further deepens this work to bring evidence, rigor, and lived expertise into the rooms where systems, policy, and practice are shaped.
Jabina is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Breastfeeding Awareness & Empowerment (BAE) Culture, a community-rooted, Black women–led health equity ecosystem builder that weaves reproductive justice, trauma-informed care, and perinatal mental health to support Black families, strengthen racially concordant care, and eliminate disparities in breastfeeding and maternal healthcare. She is also the Co-Founder of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color within Postpartum Support International — a national collaborative that builds capacity, community, and equity in perinatal mental health care for BIPOC families. She currently serves as Chair of the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition, Adjunct Professor in Drexel's Human Lactation Program, and a health equity consultant with Temple University, where she was previously the Director of Health Equity, Training & Quality Improvement.
As a mother of two, her personal lived experience has shaped and informed her professional lens, deepening her commitment to centering care that is grounded in humanity and dignity. Her signature call to action, "Everyone wants to hold the baby, who will hold the mother®?" has impacted national discourse, shifted culture, and catalyzed a new standard for accountability in Black maternal health.
Connect with Jabina on LinkedIn here. Follow her organization BAE on Instagram here.
::Valerie Black
Valerie Black-Turner serves as director of community partnerships for the Kansas Health Foundation and has been with KHF since 2002. Her responsibilities include building and maintaining trustworthy relationships with community organizations and agencies whose missions align with the Foundation's values and who serve communities impacted by racial and health inequities in Kansas.
Before becoming the director of community partnerships, Valerie held previous roles as KHF's community impact officer, senior community
organizer and information technology officer. Valerie received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Wichita State University with an emphasis in business management and received her Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Theological Seminary.
She is a member of Dellrose United Methodist Church and serves as lead minister of worship and as Christian Education Coordinator.
Connect with Valerie on LinkedIn here
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 11 Dec 2025 - 47min - 121 - S8E7: Practicing Whole Self-Care with Dr. La-Toya Gaines
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. La-Toya Gaines, Founder & CEO of Family Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, to explore what it truly means to practice whole self-care—beyond the trends, beyond the myths, and beyond the surface.
La-Toya expands the definition of self-care beyond activities and indulgence to include rest, boundaries, community support, emotional tending, identity work, and the practices that allow us to be fully human.
Additionally, Laura and La-Toya examine the deep connection between the Strong Black Woman archetype and self-neglect. They unpack how this trope shapes our labor, our silence, and our expectations of ourselves; and how whole self-care disrupts it. Together, they examine the emotional, psychological, physical, and communal layers of care that Black women need and deserve.
For those who feel they've been neglecting themselves, La-Toya offers compassionate first steps to reconnect, rebuild, and recommit to their wellbeing.
This heartfelt conversation offers both grounding insight and practical guidance for anyone ready to reconnect with themselves, disrupt harmful tropes, and reclaim self-care as a path to healing and liberation.
About Dr. La-Toya
Dr. La-Toya S. Gaines is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and best-selling author dedicated to empowering Black women to prioritize their mental health and well-being. As the founder of Family Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, Inc., she offers therapy, intensives, and group programs designed to help Black women break free from the "Strong Black Woman" narrative. Dr. Gaines is a sought-after speaker, presenting at national conferences and corporate trainings on mental wellness, workplace mental health, and burnout prevention. She authored the Amazon best-selling "Nourishing the Strong Black Woman" Self-Care Journal and is working to expand its reach through licensing. Her work has been featured at the Strong Black Woman Redefined Conference, the Black Girls Picnic, and numerous other events. Passionate about transforming mental health spaces, Dr. Gaines equips individuals and organizations with the tools to foster emotional wellness, prevent burnout, and create sustainable self-care practices.
Connect with Dr. La-Toya
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.latoyagainesspeaks/
LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-la-toya-s-gaines-psyd-5b72b02a7/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgainesspeaks/
Website: https://fmcounselingmichigan.com/
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January 2026 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 04 Dec 2025 - 59min - 120 - S8E6: Cultivating a Positive Team Culture
In this solo episode, Laura shares tips and insights for creating a positive team culture based on her work with teams around the world. She highlights both the "hardware" and "software" elements needed for a team to thrive and for people to feel a meaningful connection to their work. She covers three key areas that must be addressed including foundational elements, enablers that optimize team culture, and then the role of leaders to help the team sustain a healthy environment.
We spend so much of our valuable time at work, so intentional efforts to strengthen our workplace experience is critical to our wellbeing. Whether you are a leader who is seeking to positively shift your team's culture, or you are a team member that needs some tips to help you navigate your engagement at work, this enlightening episode will empower you to bring your best contribution.
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.
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 20 Nov 2025 - 50min - 119 - S8E5: Creating Pathways Through Consulting with Kamilah Martin
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Kamilah Martin, Founder & CEO of Katalyst.
Given the recent stats about Black women exiting the workplace in staggering numbers, Laura & Kamilah explore consulting as an option for Black women in transition. The discussion also touches on the importance of community and support in navigating these transitions.
Kamilah Martin shares her journey from a traditional career path to becoming a leader in consulting and entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges and rewards of stepping into one's full power, the importance of self-discovery, and the role of consulting as a gateway to liberation.
About Kamilah
Kamilah is the visionary founder and CEO of Katalyst, a consulting, coaching, and lifestyle company reimagining what freedom, wellness, and leadership look like for women of color in business. Through Katalyst, she leads a global ecosystem that includes an award-winning membership community, transformative retreats, and a consultant referral network that connects mission-driven organizations with experienced independent talent.
With nearly two decades of leadership experience, Kamilah has built Katalyst into a home for women of color stepping out of traditional 9-5 roles into consulting and entrepreneurship—helping them thrive with clarity, confidence, and community.
Connect with Kamilah
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kamilahmartin
IG: @katalystconsult
Website: katalystconsult.com
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 - 55min - 118 - S8E4: Recovering from a Layoff with Dr. Chinasa Elue & Dr. Karma Hill
In this conversation, Laura chats with Black Woman Leading® coaches, Dr. Chinasa Elue & Dr. Karma Hill, to explore the heart work of recovering from a layoff.
Assessing the personal side of this experience, they explore how integrated elements of misplaced identity, burnout, and grief might deepen the loss of employment for many Black women.
They explore the power of community to support people through career transitions, and share small but meaningful practices that can help people manage stress and begin to recover from a layoff.
About Dr. Chinasa
Dr. Chinasa Elue is an award-winning professor, TedEx speaker, grief coach, and CEO and Founder of True Titans Consulting Group. She provides strategic coaching and consulting to organizations moving forward to make impactful changes in the midst of uncertainty.
Her work focuses on the ways in which we cultivate spaces in society to have authentic conversations about grief in an effort to provide more holistic grief support. She offers grief coaching to support individuals who have experienced grief and loss of all kinds in moving forward with empathy and care.
Dr. Elue is also the host of the Grieving in Color Podcast, a podcast that explores the various ways we navigate our experiences with grief and loss and a place where we find the courage to intentionally heal in our daily lives.
She is also a 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. Dr. Elue runs the research lab for the Study of Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Effectiveness, and Well-Being of Educational Leaders. Dr. Elue's work has been featured in USA Today, DiversityInc, Better Homes and Gardens, the Journal of Higher Education, the Journal of Negro Education, the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, and others. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, Emeka and two children.
Connect with Dr. Chinasa
Website: https://www.drchinasaelue.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drchinasaelue/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchinasaelue/
About Dr. Karma
Dr. Karma Hill is a Burnout Prevention Strategist, Executive Coach, and Positive Psychologist dedicated to helping leaders and organizations flourish from the inside out. As the creator of the REST™ Framework—Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Care, and Trust—she equips executives and mission-driven teams to prevent burnout, lead with purpose, and cultivate psychologically safe, thriving cultures.
With over 20 years of experience in psychology, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Dr. Hill blends evidence-based science with compassionate strategy to reimagine how we work, lead, and live. She serves as President-Elect of the International Coaching Federation Georgia Chapter and is the Founder of Konversations with Karma and Flourish Forum Magazine.
Her research and speaking center the intersections of leadership, well-being, and equity—particularly the lived experiences of African American women leaders navigating burnout in the post-COVID workplace. A sought-after speaker and media contributor featured in Yahoo Finance, VoyageATL, and Women's Herald, Dr. Hill's mission is simple yet profound: to restore wholeness in people, leadership, and organizational systems.
Connect with Dr. Karma
Website: KonversationswithKarma.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillkarma
IG: https://instagram.com/konversationswithkarma
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 30 Oct 2025 - 46min - 117 - S8E3: Honoring Our Stories with Dr. Menah Pratt
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Menah Pratt, scholar and author. Using Menah's memoir, Blackwildgirl, as a powerful example; they explore how journaling can be a tool for self-awareness and growth.
In Blackwildgirl, Menah shares her journey from eight years old to present day and her quest to reclaim the untamed, bold, and creative spirit of girlhood that was stifled in her rigid upbringing. She recounts her experience of unearthing 45 years of journaling to tell this story, and the transformative power she was able to reclaim from her own story.
Building off her personal story, she shares how journaling can be a path to power and freedom for listeners. Tune into this episode and be inspired to with practical insights on how to honor your story.
About Dr. Menah
Menah Pratt is an award-winning nationally and internationally recognized leader, scholar, and author. She has over 30 years of experience in higher education in senior leadership roles at major public and private universities, including Vanderbilt, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Fisk University.
She has often served in inaugural roles as Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Diversity Officer, Chief of Staff, Secretary of the University, and University Counsel. She has five degrees, including a law degree and PhD in sociology from Vanderbilt University.
As a tenured full professor, she is the author of Blackwildgirl: A Writer's Journey to Take Back her Superpower and companion journal, Finding your Superpower. She is also the founder and co-editor of a new journal series: Dear Higher Education: Letters from the Social Justice Mountain featuring over 50 letters from across the United States and globally on issues of social justice in higher education. She is committed to working to make the world a better place, especially for those most marginalized in society.
Connect with Dr. Menah
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menahpratt/
Website: www.menahpratt.com
Click here to purchase her book, blackwildgirl
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 30 Oct 2025 - 1h 05min - 116 - S8E2: Activating Joy with Dr. Pamela Larde
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Pamela Larde, social scientist, author, and coach, to explore the practice and science of joy.
Based on over 16 years of research, Dr. Larde breaks down her Multidimensional Framework of Joy, built upon a foundation of well-being. She shares how joy connects to our communities and our approaches to liberation, citing current examples of how joy can serve as a source of resistance in times of political unrest, oppression, and significant sources of stress.
Additionally, we explore how to reclaim joy after it's lost and how to create joy practices.
Tune in to this encouraging episode and leave with practical takeaways and tips on how to activate more joy in your life.
About Dr. Pamela
Dr. Pamela Larde is an award-winning professor, author, speaker, and founder of the Academy of Creative Coaching. With over two decades of experience in leadership development, coaching education, and social impact work, she is a leading voice in the study and practice of joy, well-being, and culturally responsive leadership. As a professor of doctoral leadership studies and director of education for the Institute of Coaching, Pamela blends research, storytelling, and soul-centered strategies to help individuals and organizations thrive. Her work centers on helping people transform their lives through her EPIC Joy model, her Multidimensional Framework of Joy, and a deep commitment to human wholeness and liberation.
Connect with Dr. Pamela
Website: www.DrPamelaLarde.com
Website: www.academyofcreativecoaching.com
Instagram: @joyresearcher
TikTok: @joyresearcher
Facebook: Pamela Antoinette Larde
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/empoweredwriter/
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 30 Oct 2025 - 47min - 115 - S8E1: Welcome to Season 8!
Welcome to Season 8 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast! This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading programs and events.
In this episode, Laura introduces season eight of the Black Woman Leading podcast, focusing on the theme of 'Leaning Into Joy.' We'll be exploring how to make space and create intentional plans for simple experiences of joy in all areas of our lives (yes, even at work!).
Laura explains how finding time to care for and center our holistic needs (including our needs for peace and joy) are a critical part of our personal development AND our leadership development. And even more than that, it's an act of resistance.
She also shares the season's core questions and highlights from the season's guest experts on a variety of topics to support your development as you learn, heal, and grow in your leadership capacity.
The episode sets the stage for an enlightening season filled with valuable insights and discussions.
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.
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Dara Adams
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 30 Oct 2025 - 18min - 114 - EP7: Vision Mapping for Your Life & Career
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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
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 StitcherThu, 20 May 2021 - 36min - 113 - EP6: Navigating Salary Negotiations with Yakentha Britton
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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
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 StitcherThu, 06 May 2021 - 37min - 112 - EP5: Aligning Your Job Search with Your Values with Nakisha Hicks
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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
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 StitcherThu, 22 Apr 2021 - 28min - 111 - EP3: Getting in Alignment with Yourself
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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
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 StitcherThu, 08 Apr 2021 - 16min - 110 - EP4: Discussing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from a Black Woman's perspective with Aisha DeBerry
"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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
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 StitcherThu, 08 Apr 2021 - 39min - 109 - EP2: Communicating Your Value for Career Growth with Valeria Edmonds
Welcome to the second episode of Black Woman Leading! In today's episode, I am joined by Valeria Edmonds, who speaks about the importance of communicating in your workplace. We have the opportunity to discuss why you should always be your authentic self and how you can find your zone of genius. Valeria shares lessons learned on her journey to establish a positive personal brand and remain competitive in the workplace. She also expresses what she does to maintain the balance of head and heart we have all been looking for.
Guest Bio
Over the last 30 years, Valeria has had various HR assignments across different divisions within ExxonMobil Corporation. She has worked primarily as a global HR business partner with change management, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, recruiting, and training expertise. Her current assignment to Qatar Petroleum in Doha allows her to leverage her experience by consulting on talent management processes. Valeria was recently appointed Head of Professional Development within their Human Capital division. In this role, Valeria is responsible for establishing processes and procedures to improve the technical capabilities of over 5000 professional staff.
Valeria is a published author and certified leadership coach. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership at Carolina University. Valeria now lives in Doha, Qatar, with her husband, Ricardo Sewell. They love to travel and experience different cultures. They have a blended family of five adult children who live in the USA. Valeria is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and on the Doha Chapter of the International Coaching Federation.
Resources mentioned in episode:
Valeria Edmons LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/akavaleria/
Masterful You Facebook Page- www.facebook.com/MasterfulYouCoachingService
Masterful You email - Masterfulyoucoach@gmail.com
The9Percent Book Website - www.the9percent.com
The9Percent Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/The9Percent/
Credits:
Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
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 StitcherSun, 04 Apr 2021 - 42min - 108 - EP1: Introducing Black Woman Leading
Welcome to the Black Woman Leading Podcast! This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading learning experience. My intention with this podcast is to provide validation, encouragement, and insight to support Black women on their journey to create the life and career you desire.
We will tap into our collective wisdom, hear about other Black women leaders' journeys, and discuss the "heart" and head" work" required for you to grow in your leadership capacity.
Our episodes will have a holistic focus on three core areas -- leadership development, mental wellness, and relationship management. We'll further discuss the three cores in both solo and guest episodes.
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 17+ 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 to 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/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
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 StitcherSun, 04 Apr 2021 - 16min - 107 - S7E16: Season 7 Reflections & Recap
We are celebrating the completion of our seventh season! Our season's theme was "Driving the Narrative of Your Career," as our core questions throughout the season emphasized the importance of setting a personal vision and the journey of accessing resources, advocating for oneself, and practicing self-care while pursuing that vision.
In addition to this theme, which connected all episodes, we covered various topics with our guest experts and solo episodes. And, some organic themes emerged across episodes about managing relationships and navigating the workplace politics landscape, navigating change and disruption, and having a growth mindset.
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, May 11-14, 2026 Myrtle Beach, SC! Learn more at bwlretreat.com
Learn more about BWL leadership and career development programs at www.blackwomanleading.com
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Te'a Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 21 Aug 2025 - 30min - 106 - S7E15: Navigating Shifting Terrains with Dr. Avis Proctor
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Avis Proctor, President of Harper College.
Dr. Proctor shares her journey from a mathematics educator to a college president, emphasizing need for intentionality in leadership, self-advocacy, and the power of community support in achieving success.
She reflects on her career journey and the pivotal choices that shaped her path. She also provides insights on the challenges of navigating shifting terrains in education and the significance of co-creating strategies with her team to weather the current climate.
Dr. Proctor also shares her strategies for maintaining focus and integrity amidst constant change, and her take on the importance of self-care and wellness in sustaining leadership energy.
About Dr. Proctor
Dr. Avis Proctor became the sixth president of William Rainey Harper College in July 2019. With over 30 years of experience working in multicultural environments as an innovative mathematics educator and administrator, she is committed to transforming lives through the power of education using research-based instructional strategies, strategic community engagement and future-focused economic development which all lead to strengthened educational opportunities that impact generations.
Dr. Proctor also provides leadership on several boards from local to national levels including the Northwest Educational Council for Student Success (NECSS), the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID), the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, and the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents (ICCCP).
During her tenure at the College, Harper has been recognized as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2023, and as a 2023 Aspen Top 25 institution and as a 2025 Aspen Top 20 institution, and is a lead member institution of The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub established by the CHIPS and Science Act in 2023.
Dr. Proctor earned her bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a Master of Science in Teaching Mathematics at Florida Atlantic University, and her Doctorate in Higher Education at Florida International University. Dr. Proctor and her husband are the proud parents of one son.
Connect with Dr. Proctor at Harper College
Harper College on Facebook
Harper College on LinkedIn
Harper College on Instagram
Harper College on X
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 07 Aug 2025 - 57min - 105 - S7E14: Optimizing Your Salary with Ange Matthews
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Ange Matthews, an investor and personal finance expert, to discuss strategies for optimizing your salary.
Ange shares her journey from a $40,000 salary to building seven figures of passive wealth, offering insights into making every dollar work for you.
She emphasizes the importance of giving every dollar a job and making your money work overtime. Ange shares options for building passive income by leveraging stock options, stock investing, and self-directed IRAs. She also shares her insights on how your financial decisions can support your overall well-being, helping you to balance present enjoyment with future security. Mindset Shifts: Finally, Laura and Ange also discuss the heartwork of financial wellness, discussing the importance of forgiveness, delayed gratification, and setting financial boundaries.
About Ange
Ange Matthews is an Investor, Personal Finance Expert, Speaker, and the CEO of the Happy Investor Method. Her goal is to make investing and personal finance accessible and fun for all. As an experienced investor with nearly 20 years of experience, she has supported thousands of individuals through workshops and one-on-one coaching.
A first-generation investor, Ange was making $40,000 a year and had six figures in debt. She taught herself how to generate 7 figures of passive wealth through responsible money management. Her approach is not only happy but effective. Since then she used her investments to become a hotel owner, real estate investor, Angel investor, and shareholder in 89+ companies. Her mission is to help others do the same.
Check out Ange's free audio resource here.
Connect with Ange
Website - https://happyinvestormethod.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelaEMatthews/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/happyinvestormethod/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaematthews/
BWL Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 24 Jul 2025 - 53min - 104 - S7E13: Staying Rooted Through Life Shifts with Dr. Daniela Peel Hunter
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Daniela Peel Hunter to explore the journey of staying rooted through life's seismic shifts.
Laura and Dr. Daniela explore how to navigate transitions with grace, the importance of emotional honesty, and the power of community and self-care. Dr. Daniela shares her PivotWell framework for navigating life changes, and shares her insights on "leading while breaking" and the mindset shift required for thriving through life's tough moments.
About Dr. Daniela
Dr. Daniela Peel Hunter, PhD, CDP, CDR, CPC, CDRC is a bold disruptor in the wellness space—a United Nations Peace Ambassador, Certified Diversity Professional, sound bath practitioner, and Chief Alchemist of Transformation of The Heal Well Collective. With over 16 years in healthcare and in leadership, she's redefined what it means to heal well by merging mental health advocacy, cultural inclusion, and spiritual restoration. Through her signature PivotWell Coaching and 5-step framework, Dr. Daniela helps women navigate seismic life shifts—menopause, career transitions, loss—with radical self-awareness, strategy, and unapologetic grace.
Connect with Dr. Daniela on LinkedIn and on Instagram @thehealwellcollective
Get Dr. Daniela's book, Shattered Silence: Navigating Workplace Trauma and Thriving
BWL Resources:
BWL podcast episode S1E3: Getting Into Alignment with Yourself (referenced for values clarification exercise)
Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 10 Jul 2025 - 52min - 103 - S7E12: Using Your Introvert Superpowers with Dr. Nicole Bryan
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Nicole Bryan to discuss the unique strengths of introverts and the importance of recognizing and leveraging introverted qualities, such as deep thinking and observation, to succeed in the workplace. The discussion emphasizes embracing one's unique qualities and leveraging them for career growth and influence.
Laura and Dr. Nicole explore the unique nuances of Black women introverts, with specific regard to navigating office politics in leadership roles. They discuss the importance of relationship building in office dynamics, and how introverts can redefine their approach to self-advocacy. Their discussion also highlights the need for inclusive environments that allow introverts to contribute in ways that align with their strengths, including the use of strategic silence as a powerful communication tool.
Dr. Nicole shares her concept of 'quiet disruptors,' highlighting how introverted leaders can create impactful change within organizations.
About Dr. Nicole
Dr. Nicole A. Bryan went from the 'Block to the Boardroom' and is now a certified leadership career coach, organizational consultant and psychotherapist, with 25+ years' experience helping introvert women define their own success, lead with confidence, expertly navigate company politics, and secure their executive seat to maximize their income, influence, and impact.
Nicole's world-class programs at TheChangeDoc, LLC integrate psychology, key business principles, organizational behavior and decades of real-world experience as a corporate executive to empower introvert women to make a difference, lead bolder and create positive change for themselves, their teams, and the world!
Nicole was raised in Brooklyn, NY and always represents her Bajan (Barbados) roots. She's passionate about health, wealth and hot yoga! She also believes that life is all about loving and learning and has received the following degrees: Ph.D. Counseling Psychology at University of Maryland College Park; Masters of Education, Counseling - University of Maryland College Park; Masters of Education, Personnel Counseling - Fordham University, M.B.A. - Cornell University, Masters of Industrial Labor Relations - Cornell University; Bachelor of Arts, Business - Michigan State University.
Connect with Dr. Nicole on LinkedIn
Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 - 49min - 102 - S7E11: Demonstrating Diplomacy & Political Savvy with Nakisha Muhammad
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Nakisha Muhammad to discuss the leadership competencies of diplomacy and political savvy, through her point of reference as an executive leader.
Nakisha shares her unique journey from entrepreneurship to her current role as Chief Technology Officer at 1nHealth, chronicling how she learned to honor her own boundaries while navigating the demands of leadership and emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself and others in fostering effective communication and diplomacy.
Laura and Nakisha share the intricate dynamics of leadership, focusing on integrity, boundaries, and the importance of self-care, while navigating work spaces as Black women. They also discuss the challenges of maintaining personal values in professional settings, the necessity of setting and respecting boundaries, and the strategies for dealing with resistance in leadership roles.
Overall, the dialogue emphasizes the need for political savvy as a crucial skill for career advancement, and strategies for engaging in difficult conversations while maintaining professionalism.
About Nakisha
Nakisha serves as the Chief Technology Officer at 1nHealth, bringing her cross-industry technology background into healthcare. A serial entrepreneur, Nakisha has founded, operated, and scaled SaaS businesses as well as eCommerce brands. A self-taught developer and technologist, Nakisha has built multiple data-management and data visualization companies, managing developer teams and IT infrastructure. Nakisha's philosophy in software engineering is rooted in a methodology that centers on the user experience first and then building the functionality around the user's needs.
Connect with Nakisha on LinkedIn
Resources:
Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 19 Jun 2025 - 39min - 101 - S7E10: 2025 BWL LIVE! Conference Recap
In this bonus episode, Laura shares her highlights from the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference + Retreat, which took place May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach, VA.
Black Woman Leading LIVE! is the premier leadership development conference to help Black women professionals learn, heal, and grow in their leadership capacity.
Join us at the 2026 event, which will take place May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC! Learn more and register at www.BWLretreat.com.
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 05 Jun 2025 - 20min - 100 - S7E9: Navigating Change
In this solo episode, Laura discusses the complexities of navigating change in both personal and professional contexts. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability as leaders face inevitable disruptions. The conversation explores various models of the human side of change, the emotional processes involved, and practical strategies for supporting oneself and others through transitions. Laura highlights the significance of understanding resistance to change and offers insights on how to effectively manage it while fostering a growth mindset.
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:
Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 05 Jun 2025 - 44min - 99 - S7E8: Asking for What You Want
In this solo episode, Laura discusses the importance of asking for what you want in your career, particularly for Black women. She emphasizes that self-advocacy is not just about the words you use but also about your internal mindset and sense of worthiness. She shares frameworks to help listeners work on both the heart work and head work needed for effective self-advocacy. Laura encourages self-reflection on past experiences to understand internal and external factors that influence one's ability to ask for what they want. Ultimately, she empowers listeners to advocate for themselves and recognize their worth.
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:
Article reference: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2022/10/04/new-study-finds-that-black-employees-are-penalized-for-self-promotion/
Book reference: Negotiating While Black by Damali Peterman
Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 15 May 2025 - 42min - 98 - S7E7: Driving the Narrative of Your Career with BWL Alums
In this episode, Laura hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums from the Early Career and Mid-Career Programs (Alexys Anderson, Shelby Norman, and SherAaron Hurt) to discuss our season's theme of Driving the Narrative of Your Career.
Emphasizing the importance of setting a personal vision and advocating for oneself while balancing heart work and head work along the career growth journey, they explore the significance of mentorship, the challenges of navigating identity, and the importance of community support.
The discussion highlights how embracing intersectionality and self-affirmation can empower Black women to take charge of their career narratives and pursue their professional visions with confidence. In this conversation, our program alums discuss the importance of intentionality in actions, the power of dreaming big, navigating fear and doubt, and the significance of self-advocacy. They also share their personal experiences and insights gained from the Black Woman Leading programs. The discussion also highlights transformative moments in their leadership journeys, encouraging listeners to embrace discomfort and give themselves grace in their career paths
Guest Bios:
::Alexys Anderson
Alexys Anderson is a Higher Education professional with a passion for supporting students on their journeys to and through graduation. Her professional roles have encompassed student success strategies, leadership development, and student retention.She received her Bachelor's in Psychology from Salisbury University and Master's degree in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University.
Connect with Alexys LinkedIn.
::SherAaron Hurt
SherAaron Hurt is a visionary leader in data science education and inclusive community building. As the Director of Workshops and Training for The Carpentries, she oversees global workshop strategy and leads instructor and trainer development, certification, and community engagement. With a background in Business Administration, Marketing, and Hospitality Management, SherAaron brings a service-first approach to advancing equitable, high-impact learning experiences around the world.
She supports thousands of instructors and trainers across the globe, creating sustainable engagement and championing inclusive education through thoughtful programming and strategic leadership. She shares her insights on inclusive pedagogy, equitable access, and community-led learning at national and international conferences. Known for her warmth, intentionality, and authenticity, she builds lasting relationships and inspires teams to thrive.
Outside of her professional pursuits, SherAaron is a luxury travel enthusiast, fur-mom to her Shih Tzu Oreo, and a certified fitness instructor affectionately known in gym circles as HypeChicSher. She teaches high-energy Cardio Kickboxing and proudly serves as a Brand Ambassador for Orangetheory Fitness.
Her experience in the Black Women Leading (BWL) community helped spark her pursuit of a deeper calling—combining her passions for faith, flying, and fitness. Through her work and her workouts, SherAaron hopes to inspire others to elevate—one learner, one leader, and one lunge at a time.
Connect with SherAaron on LinkedIn and Instagram @sherfitlife
::Shelby Norman
Shelby Norman (she/her/hers) serves as the Associate Director of Professional Development & Outreach for the Office of Academic Excellence and Opportunity. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she has always been immersed in diverse expressions of southern culture and community. Shelby is an alumna of The University of Alabama, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Political Theory, and Master of Arts degree in Women's Studies with a research concentration in Critical Gender and Race Theories.
As the Associate Director of Professional Development and Outreach, Shelby leads the strategic development and implementation of new professional development opportunities and initiatives for faculty and staff. Shelby also develops and enhances collaborative partnerships across university departments and promotes her office as a consultative resource to support all Tulanians reach their full potential.
Shelby's diverse experiences in higher education span across student and academic affairs in small and large state institutions, as well as private. Shelby has a strong history with mentorship and leadership initiatives, especially those rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Shelby is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tri Iota Honors Society ,Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society and The XXXI Women's Honor Society.
Connect with Shelby on LinkedIn and Instagram
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
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 01 May 2025 - 1h 16min - 97 - S7E6: Managing Uneven Power Dynamics with Nicole S. Palmer
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Nicole Palmer to discuss the unique experiences of Black women in corporate America, with regard to managing uneven power dynamics.
Nicole shares the inspiration behind her book, and the concept of 'Black womaning' as a way to navigate the challenges faced in the workplace. They explore themes of fear, purpose, and the shared experiences of Black women across various industries, emphasizing the need for support and understanding in overcoming obstacles.
Nicole also shares her personal journey of navigating a toxic work environment, the impact of PTSD, and the steps she took towards healing from workplace trauma, including self-forgiveness and practicing emotional detachment. Through Nicole's story, they explore the challenges of navigating uneven power relationships and the importance of setting boundaries to foster healthy workplace relationships.
About Nicole
Nicole S. Palmer is an author, founding partner of publishing company Delnic Media, and host of 5-star rated podcast Black Womaning in Corporate America™. She is also the author of "Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America." When she isn't writing, she's speaking, and she's usually talking about equity.
Connect with Nicole
Website: https://delnicmedia.com
Instagram @nicolespalmer
Nicole on LinkedIn
Purchase Nicole's book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
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
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Thu, 17 Apr 2025 - 1h 04min - 96 - S7E5: Getting Attuned to Your Body's Wisdom with Lauren Dike
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Lauren Dike to explore the importance of attuning to one's body wisdom, particularly for Black women. Lauren shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a nervous system resilience expert
They discuss the significance of understanding one's nervous system, the impact of societal expectations on Black women, and practical steps for self-regulation. The conversation highlights the importance of professional support in the healing process and the need to reconnect with our body's sensations, while emphasizing the need for self-awareness and emotional processing.
With regard to workplace experiences, they explore the themes of fawning and people-pleasing, particularly among Black women in the workplace. They discuss the historical context of these behaviors, the impact on mental health, and the importance of self-awareness and self-advocacy. The dialogue emphasizes the need for healing, understanding one's body, and the significance of self-care in navigating personal and professional challenges.
About Lauren
Lauren Dike is a certified somatic practitioner, nervous system resilience expert, and DEI consultant dedicated to fostering safety, openness, and connection within organizations and individuals.
Her work helps organizations evolve by witnessing behaviors rather than shaming them, understanding that behaviors incongruent with compassion, openness, and connection often stem from stress, trauma, or a lack of capacity.
By addressing these root causes, Lauren enables transformative behavior change, making authentic connection and collaboration more accessible. She specializes in working with Black women, focusing on the disproportionate workplace and racial trauma they face.
Lauren partners with collectives like IKONI Collective, CRIADO Studios, and the Center for Black Women's Wellness to create spaces for healing and empowerment through somatic practices, workshops, and speaking engagements.
Connect with Lauren
Website: www.harmonna.org
Instagram @harmonnawellbeing
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 Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible PodbayThu, 03 Apr 2025 - 43min - 95 - S7E4: Becoming Financially Unstoppable with Breanna Colón
In this episode, Laura welcomes Breanna Colón to discuss the journey to becoming financially unstoppable. Breanna shares her insights on financial freedom, the importance of money behavior, and practical strategies for achieving financial goals.
The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset regarding money and the significance of understanding one's financial behavior to break free from cycles of debt to achieve true financial independence. Breanna emphasizes the importance of viewing budgeting as a financial planning tool rather than a chore. She discusses the significance of savings, debt management, and understanding insurance and retirement planning.
The conversation also delves into the emotional aspects of financial decision-making, highlighting the need for self-awareness and acknowledgment of spending habits. Breanna encourages listeners to take control of their financial futures by being intentional with their money. She also shares insights on the vital role of financial planning in driving career paths and life choices, particularly for Black women.
About Breanna
Breanna Colón is the Founder of Integrity Financial Solutions, Inc. and Managing Partner of Wright Time Financial, LLC. She is a dynamic and driven financial strategist, two-time author and professional speaker with roots in Augusta, Georgia, and currently living in the Washington, D.C. area. Breanna and her team bring over 20 years of combined financial industry experience to help individuals and families achieve financial freedom.
Passionate about personal finance, Breanna offers more than just advice; she creates a transformative journey for families. Her mission is to instill confidence towards financial success with honest, customer- first service. Armed with a Bachelor's Degree in Management/Accounting, her expertise spans retirement planning, college savings, insurance, investments, mortgages, and budgeting. Host of Your Life Your Money with Breanna Colón podcast, she has inspired audiences nationwide, speaking at churches, seminars, conferences, and women's events, where her energy and insights leave a lasting impact. As an author of the book & The Secrets of Saving Money: Experiencing the Unlimited and currently working on her second book, she shares practical strategies and inspiring stories to empower others on their financial journey.
Connect with Breanna
Website: https://www.breannacolon.com
Website: https://www.wrighttimefinancial.com/
Instagram @iambreannacolon
Youtube @IAmBreannaColon
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 Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible PodbayThu, 20 Mar 2025 - 59min - 94 - S7E3: Healing Out Loud with Sandria Washington
In this engaging conversation, Laura and Sandria Washington explore the themes of healing, self-discovery, community, and self-advocacy. They discuss the concept of 'healing out loud,' which highlights the importance of vulnerability and stretching outside of your comfort zone through everyday moments.
Sandria shares her own experiences and insights, emphasizing the significance of authenticity and the need to break cultural stigmas surrounding mental health and personal struggles. She shares her profound journey of discovering her adoption at the age of 38, the subsequent healing process that followed, and her own quiet revolution of healing out loud through this journey.
Sandria emphasizes the importance of community, vulnerability, and breaking generational curses through open conversations about personal experiences. The discussion highlights the unique challenges faced by Black women in sharing their stories and the significance of community care in fostering healing and connection. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the need to challenge fears, and how being unapologetically self-serving in pursuit of personal and professional growth can also be an avenue to serving others.
About Sandria
Sandria M. Washington is an author, wellnesspreneur, podcaster, speaker and media personality with a passion for personal development and collective healing. As the creator and Chief (Self) Exploration Officer of She Field Trips, Sandria empowers Black women to utilize the power of self discovery and play to "come back for yourself" in their healing journeys through workshops, curated events, online community, and inspiring offline tools and products from her Real G's Move In Alignment brand. Sandria is also our resident emcee of the annual Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference + Retreat.
Connect with Sandria
Instagram - Personal: https://www.instagram.com/sandriawashington/
Instagram -Black to the Beginning: https://www.instagram.com/blacktothebeginning_/
The Black Adoption Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6552wLTLZ2qAsMT14NUids
Black to the Beginning Official Website: https://www.blacktothebeginning.com/
"A Year of Black Joy" Children's Book (Sandria is a contributing author "The Joy of Owning Your Voice"):
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 Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible PodbayThu, 20 Mar 2025 - 55min - 93 - S7E2: Mastering Strategic Networking with Daphne Valcin
In this episode, Laura welcomes Daphne Valcin to discuss the importance of mastering strategic networking for career growth. They explore Daphne's journey as a leader, the definition of strategic networking, and the cultural nuances that affect networking for Black women. The conversation also delves into the connection between confidence and networking, as well as practical tips for introverts to navigate networking events effectively.
They explore the nuances of networking, particularly in virtual environments. They also discuss strategies for setting networking goals, the importance of follow-up, and how to advocate for oneself in professional settings. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of intentionality in networking and the need to prepare before engaging in networking opportunities. They also share personal anecdotes and practical tips to enhance networking effectiveness, especially in a hybrid professional context.
About Daphne
Daphne Valcin is a keynote speaker, trainer, and executive coach who has facilitated leadership and team development programming for over 400 individual clients and for over 200 organizational clients across 4 countries. She is the CEO and founder of Valcin Strategic Solutions, a boutique consulting firm focused on leadership and team development who has been featured in Forbes.com and Voyage Magazine and recognized as a 40 Under 40 recipient for her professional work.
As a results-driven corporate trainer and consultant, Daphne's clients have enhanced their team dynamic, increased productivity, enhanced their personal brand, exponentially increased their annual revenue, and moved up multiple levels in seniority. She resides right outside of Atlanta, GA, with her husband and two little girls, and looks forward to continuing to make an impact through her work.
Connect with Daphne
Website: Valcinstrategicsolutions.com
Get her book: Becoming the Ripple: Your Guide to Exponentially Increasing Your Professional Success and Influence
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 Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible PodbayThu, 20 Mar 2025 - 58min - 92 - Welcome to Season 7!
Welcome to Season 7 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast!
In this episode, Laura introduces season seven of the Black Woman Leading podcast, focusing on the theme of 'Driving the Narrative of Your Career.' She emphasizes the importance of setting a personal vision and advocating for oneself while balancing heart work and head work, all core elements that will be revisited from multiple angles with solo and guest episodes this season.
Laura answers the core questions for this season, sharing her personal journey of entrepreneurship, the growth of the Black Woman Leading iniative, the significance of self-advocacy, and the necessity of self-care in achieving professional goals. The episode sets the stage for an exciting season filled with valuable insights and discussions.
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 Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible PodbayThu, 20 Mar 2025 - 22min - 91 - S6E15: Season 6 Reflections & Recap
We are celebrating the completion of our sixth season! Our season theme was "Community Care is Critical," as our core questions throughout the season explored how embracing community fuels our personal and professional growth.
We define community care as the ways we intentionally support and uplift each other, and how we create and nurture the spaces where we feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.
In addition to this theme, which connected all episodes, we covered various topics with our guest experts. And, some organic themes emerged across episodes about self-awareness, self-care, and personal branding.
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, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 30 Jan 2025 - 23min - 90 - S6E14: Getting Your Gut Health in Check with BB Arrington
In this episode, Laura speaks with BB Arrington, a nutritional therapy practitioner specializing in gut health, to discuss getting your gut health in check.
They discuss the importance of gut health, its connection to mental well-being, the unique challenges faced by Black women in the wellness space, and the need for representation in healthcare. Additionally, the conversation covers practical steps for improving gut health, including the importance of slowing down, hydration, and fiber intake.
BB discusses the multifaceted aspects of gut health, emphasizing the importance of dietary fats, exercise, and redefining one's relationship with food. She explains the roles of probiotics and prebiotics, the concept of sealing the gut, and navigating food sensitivities.
The discussion also highlights the significance of community care and the normalization of seeking help in health journeys, ultimately encouraging listeners to take charge of their gut health and overall well-being.
About BB
BB Arrington is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who specializes in gut health for creative individuals. She teaches creatives to become more health autonomous so they can focus on flow and share their gifts with the rest of the world. In addition to her clinical work, she has contributed her expertise to venture backed fitness apps, the US Air Force, as well as many online publications.
Connect with BB
Website: www.bbarrington.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bb.arrington
Resources:
Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 23 Jan 2025 - 1h 02min - 89 - S6E13: Creating Your Personal Leadership Vision
In this short, but powerful, solo episode, Laura shares her personal practice for creating a personal vision that provides guidance and inspiration for the year.
Laura shares prompts for exploration and also explains the connection between your vision and values. After clarifying a guiding vision, Laura explains how you can then use that vision to inform your tactical goals, deadlines, and action steps.
Your leadership vision is rooted in your WHY (purpose for this season). You deserve this dedicated time to clarify this for yourself!
Grab your notebook and pen, let your thoughts flow, and follow along with Laura as she walks you through a guided reflection exercise to create your personal leadership vision for the year.
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:
Now enrolling for our spring 2025 leadership development programs starting in January 2025. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com BWL podcast episode S1E3 Getting in Alignment with Yourself (Values Clarification). Listen on Apple podcast or SpotifyCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 16 Jan 2025 - 20min - 88 - S6E12: Navigating Life Changes with Kumari Williams
In this episode, Laura discusses navigating life changes with Kumari Williams. Kumari shares her journey as an executive leader, and how she has navigated both personal and professional challenges and changes throughout her career. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the need for support systems while navigating life transitions.
Kumari reflects on her experiences in leadership, the significance of consistent self-checks, and the value of extending grace to oneself and others during difficult times. Overall, Kumari encourages listeners to embrace their humanity and seek help when needed. She vulnerably shares how she is navigating grief, embracing strengthening her areas of growth, and how she has given herself more space to lean on her personal relationships for support.
About Kumari
At the time of our recording, Kumari L. Williams held the position of Vice President of VIBE™ (Value, Inclusion, Belonging & Equity) at Workday. She was recently promoted to the position of Chief Diversity Officer at Workday. With a passion for fostering inclusive, supportive, and equitable work environments, she serves as a visionary thought leader in the talent domain. Kumari spearheads strategic initiatives, including the Employee Belonging Council, Giving & Doing, and Disability Inclusion programs. Her vision revolves around fostering an environment in which each person feels esteemed, respected, and equipped to unleash their fullest potential.
With more than two decades of experience and a comprehensive track record in developing and executing effective strategies, Kumari brings her invaluable knowledge and insights to her position. Prior to joining Workday in 2021, Kumari worked in various senior leadership positions at HARMAN International and ADP. These roles included serving as the Senior Director of Global Talent Management & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding, and Director of Client Operations.
Kumari and her devoted husband, originally from Metro Detroit, currently reside in Georgia. They actively engage in their church and community activities alongside their two sons, fostering a strong sense of belonging and purpose.
Connect with Kumari on LinkedIn here.
Resources:
Now enrolling for our spring 2025 leadership development programs starting in January 2025. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 26 Dec 2024 - 40min - 87 - S6E11: Rising Above Injustice in the Workplace with Leah Davis
In this conversation, Laura discusses rising above injustice in the workplace with Leah Davis, Founder of Leah Davis Coaching.
Leah shares her personal experience of workplace injustice, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the healing journey that led her to reclaim her voice and lean deeper into her community.
She also shares insights on maintaining peace, power, and presence while advocating for oneself in difficult situations.
Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of establishing boundaries, finding a supportive community, and the power of self-care as a form of resistance against oppression, particularly for Black women.
About Leah Davis
Leah Davis is a Wealth and Wellness Coach dedicated to empowering people of color by mastering their money mindsets, financial habits, and behaviors. Her coaching programs offer accessible and comprehensive education grounded in empathy, enabling her clients to achieve economic empowerment and personal autonomy.
Leah has 10+ years of experience in the financial and nonprofit sectors, during which she has guided numerous families toward financial stability. In her private practice, she predominantly serves Black, Indigenous, Latina, and all women of color, with a special focus on addressing the needs of those impacted by gender-based and childhood domestic violence.
Connect with Leah
Website: https://leahcoaching.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-davis-coach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahcoachingWOCwealth/
Resources:
Now enrolling for our spring 2025 leadership development programs starting in January 2025. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 12 Dec 2024 - 49min - 86 - S6E10: Building Trust on the Team
In this solo episode, Laura shares the importance of trust as a foundational component of a high performing team. Research indicates that teams with higher levels of trust have better collaboration, increased productivity, higher levels of morale and employee engagement, yield better results, and have stronger employee retention.
Laura provides an overview of key terms related to building trust on the team, and insight on how you can diagnose the root causes of trust issues in the workplace.
She also shares the "hardware" and "software" components of trust, and what you can do to create more of it on your team. Finally, if your trust in the work environment has been negatively impacted, she provides insights to help you explore what your next steps should be.
Whether you are the leader of the team or a member of the team that wants to do your part to cultivate an environment of trust where everyone thrives, this episode is for you!
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:
We are now enrolling for both our Early Career and Mid-Career leadership development programs. Learn more and see which program is best for you at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 05 Dec 2024 - 41min - 85 - S6E9: Giving as a Way of Life with Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 14 Nov 2024 - 48min - 84 - S6E8: Defining Your Leader Story with Taiia Smart Young
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 31 Oct 2024 - 52min - 83 - S6E7: Strengthening Mindful Self-Talk
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 RulesCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 24 Oct 2024 - 35min - 82 - S6E6: Healing Together with Camesha Jones-Brandon & Dr. Marion Malcome
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
Resources:
Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 03 Oct 2024 - 54min - 81 - S6E5: Leveling Up on LinkedIn with Portia Obeng
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 LinkedIn
Resources:
Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 19 Sep 2024 - 46min - 80 - S6E4: Dreaming on Purpose with Ariane Hunter
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 05 Sep 2024 - 48min - 79 - S6E3: Leading with Authenticity with Shayla Atkins
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.comResources:
Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 05 Sep 2024 - 59min - 78 - S6E2: Leaning into Community with BWL Alums
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.
::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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 05 Sep 2024 - 1h 00min - 77 - S6E1: Welcome to Season 6!
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 05 Sep 2024 - 10min - 76 - S5E14: Reflections on Identity & Season 5 Recap with Elizabeth Ann Rogers
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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayFri, 05 Jul 2024 - 43min - 75 - S5E13: Transitioning from an Operational to a Strategic Leader
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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 20 Jun 2024 - 50min - 74 - S5E12: BWL Retreat Recap
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: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 06 Jun 2024 - 30min - 73 - S5E11: Rewriting Your Money Story with Kara Stevens
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 25 Apr 2024 - 54min - 72 - S5E10: Regulating Your Central Nervous System with Dr. Telesa Hart
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 FacebookSuicide 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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 04 Apr 2024 - 1h 01min - 71 - S5E9: Navigating the Workplace with Power & Vulnerability with Kristen V. Carter
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/KristenVCarterUpcoming events
Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 21 Mar 2024 - 44min - 70 - S5E8: Optimizing Your Health with Dr. Tiffany Smith
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.tiffanymsmithResources:
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayFri, 08 Mar 2024 - 44min - 69 - S5E7: Knowing Your Rights with Latisha Newby
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 IGResources:
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 22 Feb 2024 - 38min - 68 - S5E6: Thriving as We Lead with Dr. Tamara Wilds Lawson
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/ LinkedinResources:
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 18 Jan 2024 - 1h 00min - 67 - S5E5: Separating Identity from Achievement
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayFri, 05 Jan 2024 - 45min - 66 - S5E4: Conquering Mindset Matters with BWL alumni
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.comCredits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com
Connect with Laura 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 PodbayThu, 21 Dec 2023 - 52min
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