Advertise on podcast: Black Woman Leading

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL 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: Apple Podcasts  Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

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: [email protected]  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

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected]  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  

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: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL 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: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay