By Laura Knights
5
4646 ratings
The podcast currently has 82 episodes available.
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
Website
Connect on LinkedIn
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Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
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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 TikTok
Connect with Portia on LinkedIn
Resources:
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Te’a Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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:
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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
Resources:
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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.
Connect with Jada LinkedIn.
::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:
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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:
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Te’a Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Te’a Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Te’a Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
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
Upcoming events
Credits:
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Follow BWL on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Te’a Campbell
Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:
The podcast currently has 82 episodes available.
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