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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

We invited Dr.  LaKeischa McMillan for this episode to discuss hormone health, perimenopause, menopause, and everything in between!   Research indicates that perimenopause (the pre-menopause stage) is starting earlier for many women, with Black women transitioning even earlier than other races with symptoms starting as soon as the early 30s.  This impacts our mental and physical health, as well as our relationships and work experience. Dr. LaKeischa provides a master class in the episode,...

In this episode, we welcome Dr.  Adia Harvey Wingfield, sociologist and leading race and labor expert, to discuss her new book, “Gray Areas: How the way we work perpetuates racism and what we can do to fix it.” Adia breaks down her research findings about “gray areas”--the relationships, networks, and cultural dynamics integral to companies that exist apart from the specific expectations and duties required for any given job.  These gray areas are a key reason why employees of color,...

Welcome to Season 5 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast!  This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading learning experience.   The theme for season five is “Who are you and who do you want to be?” In addition to the focused topics we’ll explore this season, the core questions this season will center on embracing our identity and core values, and amplifying the message that who we are right now is worthy and who we choose to become through our learning and growth is worth the...

We are celebrating the completion of our fourth season! Our season theme was “Thrive, Sis, Thrive!” In addition to specific topics this season, our core questions always explored what it looks like for Black women to THRIVE and not just survive at work and in life.  And as usual, we uncovered a number of organic themes that consistently resurfaced across multiple episodes– giving yourself permission, leading with curiosity, actively building and cultivating your support network, pursuing...