Shara Ruffin is a licensed social worker and former therapist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Lock Haven University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University. Shara has worked with people dealing with grief, family trauma, ADHD, anxiety, and other emotional and mental health challenges.

She is also a five-time Amazon best-selling author. Her journals, 90 Days of Prayer and 90 Days of Inspiration, are popular resources for social workers preparing for their licensing exams. She also co-authored From Start to Success: 40 Stories of Successful C-Suite Executives.

As the founder and CEO of Journey To Licensure, Shara helps social workers prepare for their licensing exams by combining wellness, mentorship, and professional coaching. Her story of building her business and personal brand was featured on LinkedIn’s company page, and her company has appeared in major outlets such as Business Insider, LinkedIn News, USA Today, Success, Market Watch, NY Weekly, and Ok! Magazine.

Shara is recognized nationally for her expertise and influence. She serves as a LinkedIn Advisor, was named one of the “Top 15 LinkedIn Experts in Philadelphia” in 2023, and was honored as a “LinkedIn Top Voice in Social Work, Thought Leadership, and Entrepreneurship.” In 2024, she received the Silver Stevie Award for Thought Leader of the Year and was named a Top 10 Creator in Mental Health in the U.S. and Top 50 Worldwide by Favicon.

Follow on all social media platforms: Shara Ruffin

Don't forget to register for The 3rd Annual Unveiling Conference: LaShanna Taking Counseling To The Stage:THE UNVEILING 2025 | U Change Consulting

LaQuita Norris, LCSW, CCTP, CGE is a trailblazing Licensed Certified Social Worker, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Educator based in Benton, Arkansas. With over 13 years of experience, she is nationally recognized for her expertise in trauma treatment and grief support.

LaQuita is the Founder and CEO of Gateway Family Therapy Services, where she leads a thriving group practice offering comprehensive, trauma focused care for individuals, couples, families, and groups—including adults, children, and marginalized communities. She has recently expanded her vision with the launch of the Gateway Therapy and Wellness Center, integrating holistic services such as yoga, massage therapy, nutritional coaching, and life coaching to address the mind, body, and spirit in healing.

Her mission is clear: to create spaces where people—especially Black and Brown communities—can heal, reclaim their wholeness, and thrive without apology.

Beyond her practice, LaQuita is a sought-after speaker, educator, and published author. Her most recent workbook, No One Told Me… We Can Heal Too, guides women of color in addressing individual, cultural, and generational trauma burdens. She also develops professional trainings for social workers and therapists, equipping them to work with cultural sensitivity while protecting their own emotional well-being. Her work challenges traditional narratives around resilience and healing, ensuring that both marginalized communities and helping professionals are fully included in the conversation about wellness.

Through Gateway and her broader initiatives, LaQuita is proving that social workers can be visionary leaders, powerful change-makers, and architects of the spaces where true healing happens.

LaQuita Norris, LCSW | Speaker • Author • Consultant• Creator

Christina Broderick-Royes is a TEDx speaker, published author, and the founder of Intention Elevation, a consulting firm that helps people, teams, and organizations in the messy middle find clarity, step into their power, and create impact as they learn to live, lead, and serve with intention. A licensed social worker turned business owner, Christina has worked with over 70 institutions nationwide, from colleges to Fortune 500 companies, helping them shift from chaos to clarity. She also teaches social work and entrepreneurship as an adjunct professor, and is passionate about showing fellow social workers how to expand their income, impact, and influence without burning out or selling out.

promo code: sixfiguresw 

use until the end of August (8/31) to get 20% off any product or service. 

Here is the link for the show notes: https://pensight.com/x/chrissiebroderick

To connect with the host: LaShanna Alfred, MSW, LISW-S

Black Authors | U Change | Toledo

🎉 6-Year Anniversary Special: The Journey of the 6-Figure Social Worker Podcast
In this special anniversary episode, I’m reflecting on the powerful 6-year journey of the 6-Figure Social Worker podcast. From humble beginnings to an international platform, this episode is a transparent look at how one story—and one voice—can spark a movement.

Tune in as I share:
💼 How the podcast started with a simple mission
🎙️ Milestones that changed everything
🌱 Lessons learned in business, mindset, and advocacy
💡 Why social workers deserve more than burnout—they deserve breakthrough

Whether you're a day-one listener or just tuning in, this episode is for every social worker who dares to believe that purpose and profit can coexist.

La Shawn M. Paul shares her journey of obtaining her DSW and the passion behind her work.

Dr. Jonny Silva is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Illinois. He attended Western Kentucky University, obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work, a minor in Clinical and Community Behavioral Health, with certificates in Family Home Visiting and Public Child Welfare. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with his Master of Social Work with a clinical concentration as well as his Doctor of Social Work (DSW). Dr. Silva has been in the field since 2018 in various contexts, including child welfare, substance use services, outpatient community mental health, the justice system, victim services, police social work, advocacy, and community education. Dr. Silva is currently a psychiatric crisis therapist in an emergency department in Chicago. His research agenda focuses on LGBTQ+ issues in higher education, minority stress, baccalaureate attrition, and addressing the digital divide in social work education. His goals in practice includes finding ways to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to promote wellness- fit to survive changes in political and sociological landscapes. In his free time, he enjoys leveraging social media to educate audiences on mental health, the social work profession, and careers in the field. He can be found on Instagram (@socialworkersilva) where he has documented milestones of his DSW journey. He intends to continue his DSW research to tackle contemporary challenges in social work education and foster the next generation of resilient social workers.

Tallibah Powell, LCSW is an Afro-Caribbean Licensed Clinical Social Worker, authorized to practice in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, focusing on Violence Against Women and Children, both from Rutgers University.Throughout her career, Tallibah has gained experience in various settings, including inpatient hospitals, non-profit organizations, private practice, and managed care. One of her passions is sharing her love for social work by creating engaging social media content aimed at social work students and professionals in the mental health community.In June, Tallibah will launch her private practice, InPowerHer Counseling Services, LCSW, LLC. In this new venture, she will assist women in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, caregiver burnout, and navigating Afro-Caribbean family dynamics. Tallibah's mission is to empower women to reclaim their voices, rewrite their life narratives, and prioritize their well-being. You can connect with her at www.inpowerhercounseling.com or via email at [email protected]".

Amber Lane is the Owner and Lead Clinician with Lane and Contributors Counseling, where she provides therapy for teen girls and millennial women of color in Texas and Oklahoma. She is a Licensed Therapist at Legacy Community Health; Amber specializes in school-based mental health services.

Amber is the Founder and Executive Director of Knowing Your Worth Inc., founded in 2017.

The organization empowers adolescent girls (ages 12-18) through mentorship and workshops designed to build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

Amber established Lane and Contributors Counseling in 2020 to promote mental health awareness and support individuals on their healing journey. The group practice offers individual, family, and group counseling with a focus on diverse therapeutic approaches to help clients thrive. Amber is EMDR trained and is enjoying using this intervention to help black millennial women and adolescent girls heal from trauma. Amber provides supervision for LMSW’s in the state of Texas. She enjoys giving back to new social workers in the field and helping social workers elevate in the field.

Amber is a dedicated mentor and advocate and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she is also involved with her church and within the social work community. She enjoys reading, exercising, digital planning, self-care, and spending time with her husband, children, family, and friends.

#socialworkjourney

JaChe “Chey” Peaks, LMSW, is a licensed master social worker, career coach, and mental health professional with a passion for empowering individuals and strengthening communities. With extensive experience in medical social work, discharge planning, and behavioral health, JaChe brings a unique perspective to the field by combining her clinical expertise with her deep commitment to holistic well-being. Currently, she works as a PRN Behavioral Health Assessor, conducting suicide assessments and mental health observations on incarcerated individuals while advocating for strategies to reduce recidivism and improve inmate mental health outcomes.

In addition to her clinical work, JaChe is the founder of Soulful Path Career Coaching, where she guides social workers on their professional journeys, helping them advance in their careers, navigate career transitions, and align their work with their personal values. She also serves as a guest speaker, sharing her insights on career development, the challenges of social work, and maintaining self-care in a demanding field.

When she’s not working, JaChe enjoys spending time with her 4-year-old son, Jahmai, engaging in fitness, and deepening her spiritual connection. A lifelong learner and advocate, JaChe is committed to creating a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves and inspiring others to pursue fulfilling careers rooted in purpose, peace, and prosperity.

Connect with her on IG at soulfulpathccInstagram

Tacha Fletcher, LCSW, CCTP, is the visionary Founder and Clinical Director of Wellness Tree Counseling LCSW PLLC. With a Master’s Degree in Social Work and extensive training in evidence-based therapies, Tacha specializes in supporting Black women and Women of Color address attachment trauma, depression, and anxiety. Her commitment to culturally sensitive care is central to her work. Beyond her clinical practice, Tacha facilitates transformative workshops across the nation, advocating for holistic mental health and wellness. Recognized as a distinguished Mental Health Professional and Holistic Life Coach, she shares her expertise at conferences and through various media outlets, impacting lives with her dedication to wellness and cultural sensitivity. Tacha also serves as a consultant, helping organizations integrate mental wellness strategies and foster inclusive workplace cultures. Connect with Tacha at: www.wellnesstreecounseling.com or via email at: [email protected] to learn more about her impactful work. #socialwork #solotogrouppractice