Black Woman Leading

In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Lakila Bowden to explore the transformative practice of self-celebration and the role it plays in helping Black women reclaim agency, joy, and permission to lead from a place of fullness.

Drawing from key concepts in her book, The Sho'Nuff Principle, Lakila lays out a liberatory framework for centering ourselves without guilt, raising our expectations, and giving ourselves the recognition we often withhold.

Laura and Lakila unpack the guilt, shame, and cultural conditioning that often arise when Black women center themselves, and what it looks like to begin shifting that mindset with compassion. Additionally, Lakila explains why self-celebration is not "extra," but essential. She explores the emotional and psychological roots of celebration, encouraging Black women to "brag more," and teaching how celebration functions as a mirror, an amplifier, and a motivator.

Whether you've avoided attention, minimized your accomplishments, or struggled with self-recognition, Lakila offers accessible starting points to begin turning up your self- celebration.

About Dr. Lakila

Dr. Lakila Bowden is the charismatic voice high-achieving women didn't know they were missing. A visionary speaker, company founder, and unapologetic rest advocate, she's the COO of iSee Technologies and author of The Sho' Nuff Principle: A High Achieving Woman's Guide to Self-Care, Self-Promotion, & Self-Celebration.

After a thriving executive career in Fortune 500 companies like GE and DaVita—and retiring from corporate America at just 37—Dr. Bowden's charted a bold path that's led to her becoming a trusted voice on stage for powerhouse organizations like The Walt Disney Company, Kraft Heinz, Verizon, and JP Morgan.

Lakila embraces a multi-hyphenate lifestyle which aligns with her personal ethos to operate in flow vs force in wealth creation and living life in celebratory fashion. As a proud North Carolina A&T Aggie Alum, her academic credentials, including an MBA from Emory University and an honorary doctorate in Humanitarianism, bolster her practical strategies for balancing demanding careers with personal well-being. She resides in the Atlanta area, enjoying the adventures of life with her remarkable husband, Eric, and their brilliant and kind son, Zaire Aasir.

Connect with Lakila

• Instagram: @lakilaj

• LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lakila-bowden-mba-0463272/

• Website: www.iseetechnologies.com

• Purchase her book: https://shonuffprinciple.com/

• Take the Guilt Detox Assessment: https://lakilabowden.com/guilt-detox/

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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 episode, Laura hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums from the Early Career and Mid-Career Programs (LaKeisha Williams, Jabina Coleman, and Valerie Black) for an honest, reflective, and deeply affirming conversation about what it means to strengthen your leader identity as a Black woman.

Each guest shares her personal journey, from the early narratives that shaped her understanding of leadership to the mindset shifts, breakthroughs, and heart work that helped her step into a more aligned, confident, and purpose-driven version of herself.

The alums discuss how their perceptions of themselves as leaders have grown since participating in the Black Woman Leading® program, and how their sense of agency, confidence, and clarity have expanded.

Additionally, they discuss navigating boundaries to stay aligned with their values and the role of community in supporting them along their leadership journeys.

The conversation is rich with wisdom, lived experience, vulnerability, and community. It highlights the transformative power of intentional leadership development and the importance of spaces where Black women can be seen, supported, and celebrated.

Guest Bios:

::LaKeisha Williams

LaKeisha Williams is a dedicated wife and mother, an insurance professional with over 11 years of experience, and a lifelong learner who holds multiple designations in both commercial and personal lines insurance. She is also a jewelry entrepreneur of more than five years, passionate about connecting with new people and building meaningful relationships through sales. Outside of work, LaKeisha loves to laugh, spend time with her family, explore new places, and create joyful experiences through travel with her husband. Whether in the corporate world or her growing business, she leads with heart, expertise, and a genuine love for helping others shine.

Connect with LaKeisha on LinkedIn here.

::Jabina Coleman

Jabina Coleman, known nationally as The Lactation Therapist, is a reproductive psychotherapist, maternal health researcher, and Philadelphia's first Black non-nurse International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Trained first as a behavioral scientist at Penn State and later clinically as a Social Worker at the University of Pennsylvania, she has become one of the most compelling voices advancing Black maternal health equity, perinatal mental health, and community-centered lactation care. Her current doctoral training in Health Science at Thomas Jefferson University further deepens this work to bring evidence, rigor, and lived expertise into the rooms where systems, policy, and practice are shaped.

Jabina is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Breastfeeding Awareness & Empowerment (BAE) Culture, a community-rooted, Black women–led health equity ecosystem builder that weaves reproductive justice, trauma-informed care, and perinatal mental health to support Black families, strengthen racially concordant care, and eliminate disparities in breastfeeding and maternal healthcare. She is also the Co-Founder of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color within Postpartum Support International — a national collaborative that builds capacity, community, and equity in perinatal mental health care for BIPOC families. She currently serves as Chair of the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition, Adjunct Professor in Drexel's Human Lactation Program, and a health equity consultant with Temple University, where she was previously the Director of Health Equity, Training & Quality Improvement.

As a mother of two, her personal lived experience has shaped and informed her professional lens, deepening her commitment to centering care that is grounded in humanity and dignity. Her signature call to action, "Everyone wants to hold the baby, who will hold the mother®?" has impacted national discourse, shifted culture, and catalyzed a new standard for accountability in Black maternal health.

Connect with Jabina on LinkedIn here. Follow her organization BAE on Instagram here.

::Valerie Black

Valerie Black-Turner serves as director of community partnerships for the Kansas Health Foundation and has been with KHF since 2002. Her responsibilities include building and maintaining trustworthy relationships with community organizations and agencies whose missions align with the Foundation's values and who serve communities impacted by racial and health inequities in Kansas.

Before becoming the director of community partnerships, Valerie held previous roles as KHF's community impact officer, senior community

organizer and information technology officer. Valerie received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Wichita State University with an emphasis in business management and received her Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Theological Seminary.

She is a member of Dellrose United Methodist Church and serves as lead minister of worship and as Christian Education Coordinator.

Connect with Valerie on LinkedIn here

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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 Dr. La-Toya Gaines, Founder & CEO of Family Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, to explore what it truly means to practice whole self-care—beyond the trends, beyond the myths, and beyond the surface.

La-Toya expands the definition of self-care beyond activities and indulgence to include rest, boundaries, community support, emotional tending, identity work, and the practices that allow us to be fully human.

Additionally, Laura and La-Toya examine the deep connection between the Strong Black Woman archetype and self-neglect. They unpack how this trope shapes our labor, our silence, and our expectations of ourselves; and how whole self-care disrupts it. Together, they examine the emotional, psychological, physical, and communal layers of care that Black women need and deserve.

For those who feel they've been neglecting themselves, La-Toya offers compassionate first steps to reconnect, rebuild, and recommit to their wellbeing.

This heartfelt conversation offers both grounding insight and practical guidance for anyone ready to reconnect with themselves, disrupt harmful tropes, and reclaim self-care as a path to healing and liberation.

About Dr. La-Toya

Dr. La-Toya S. Gaines is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and best-selling author dedicated to empowering Black women to prioritize their mental health and well-being. As the founder of Family Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, Inc., she offers therapy, intensives, and group programs designed to help Black women break free from the "Strong Black Woman" narrative. Dr. Gaines is a sought-after speaker, presenting at national conferences and corporate trainings on mental wellness, workplace mental health, and burnout prevention. She authored the Amazon best-selling "Nourishing the Strong Black Woman" Self-Care Journal and is working to expand its reach through licensing. Her work has been featured at the Strong Black Woman Redefined Conference, the Black Girls Picnic, and numerous other events. Passionate about transforming mental health spaces, Dr. Gaines equips individuals and organizations with the tools to foster emotional wellness, prevent burnout, and create sustainable self-care practices.

Connect with Dr. La-Toya

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.latoyagainesspeaks/

• LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-la-toya-s-gaines-psyd-5b72b02a7/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgainesspeaks/

• Website: https://fmcounselingmichigan.com/

• Purchase her book

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January 2026 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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 solo episode, Laura shares tips and insights for creating a positive team culture based on her work with teams around the world. She highlights both the "hardware" and "software" elements needed for a team to thrive and for people to feel a meaningful connection to their work. She covers three key areas that must be addressed including foundational elements, enablers that optimize team culture, and then the role of leaders to help the team sustain a healthy environment.

We spend so much of our valuable time at work, so intentional efforts to strengthen our workplace experience is critical to our wellbeing. Whether you are a leader who is seeking to positively shift your team's culture, or you are a team member that needs some tips to help you navigate your engagement at work, this enlightening episode will empower you to bring your best contribution.

About Laura Laura Knights is the Creator of Black Woman Leading® and host of the podcast. She is an executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and licensed clinical social worker with 20+ years of experience creating personal and professional development programs that have touched leaders worldwide.

Her expertise and background in business, human resources, adult education, and social work uniquely equip her to teach others how to deal with both the "head work" and "heart work" required to succeed at work and in life. She is the Founder and CEO of Knights Consulting LLC, a leadership development consultancy that provides customized training and coaching programs to create more confident leaders and high-performing teams.

Black Woman Leading® is a research-backed initiative which offers leadership development programming, a podcast, and an annual conference for Black women professionals. Black Woman Leading® is an initiative of Knights Consulting LLC. Learn more at blackwomanleading.com.

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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 Kamilah Martin, Founder & CEO of Katalyst.

Given the recent stats about Black women exiting the workplace in staggering numbers, Laura & Kamilah explore consulting as an option for Black women in transition. The discussion also touches on the importance of community and support in navigating these transitions.

Kamilah Martin shares her journey from a traditional career path to becoming a leader in consulting and entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges and rewards of stepping into one's full power, the importance of self-discovery, and the role of consulting as a gateway to liberation.

About Kamilah

Kamilah is the visionary founder and CEO of Katalyst, a consulting, coaching, and lifestyle company reimagining what freedom, wellness, and leadership look like for women of color in business. Through Katalyst, she leads a global ecosystem that includes an award-winning membership community, transformative retreats, and a consultant referral network that connects mission-driven organizations with experienced independent talent.

With nearly two decades of leadership experience, Kamilah has built Katalyst into a home for women of color stepping out of traditional 9-5 roles into consulting and entrepreneurship—helping them thrive with clarity, confidence, and community.

Connect with Kamilah

• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kamilahmartin

• IG: @katalystconsult

• Website: katalystconsult.com

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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 chats with Black Woman Leading® coaches, Dr. Chinasa Elue & Dr. Karma Hill, to explore the heart work of recovering from a layoff.

Assessing the personal side of this experience, they explore how integrated elements of misplaced identity, burnout, and grief might deepen the loss of employment for many Black women.

They explore the power of community to support people through career transitions, and share small but meaningful practices that can help people manage stress and begin to recover from a layoff.

About Dr. Chinasa

Dr. Chinasa Elue is an award-winning professor, TedEx speaker, grief coach, and CEO and Founder of True Titans Consulting Group. She provides strategic coaching and consulting to organizations moving forward to make impactful changes in the midst of uncertainty.

Her work focuses on the ways in which we cultivate spaces in society to have authentic conversations about grief in an effort to provide more holistic grief support. She offers grief coaching to support individuals who have experienced grief and loss of all kinds in moving forward with empathy and care.

Dr. Elue is also the host of the Grieving in Color Podcast, a podcast that explores the various ways we navigate our experiences with grief and loss and a place where we find the courage to intentionally heal in our daily lives.

She is also a professor of Educational Leadership and Higher Education at Kennesaw State University. Her research focuses on grief leadership, trauma-informed leadership practices in organizational settings, and the health and well-being of historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. Dr. Elue runs the research lab for the Study of Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Effectiveness, and Well-Being of Educational Leaders. Dr. Elue's work has been featured in USA Today, DiversityInc, Better Homes and Gardens, the Journal of Higher Education, the Journal of Negro Education, the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, and others. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, Emeka and two children.

Connect with Dr. Chinasa

• Website: https://www.drchinasaelue.com/

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/drchinasaelue/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchinasaelue/

About Dr. Karma

Dr. Karma Hill is a Burnout Prevention Strategist, Executive Coach, and Positive Psychologist dedicated to helping leaders and organizations flourish from the inside out. As the creator of the REST™ Framework—Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Care, and Trust—she equips executives and mission-driven teams to prevent burnout, lead with purpose, and cultivate psychologically safe, thriving cultures.

With over 20 years of experience in psychology, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Dr. Hill blends evidence-based science with compassionate strategy to reimagine how we work, lead, and live. She serves as President-Elect of the International Coaching Federation Georgia Chapter and is the Founder of Konversations with Karma and Flourish Forum Magazine.

Her research and speaking center the intersections of leadership, well-being, and equity—particularly the lived experiences of African American women leaders navigating burnout in the post-COVID workplace. A sought-after speaker and media contributor featured in Yahoo Finance, VoyageATL, and Women's Herald, Dr. Hill's mission is simple yet profound: to restore wholeness in people, leadership, and organizational systems.

Connect with Dr. Karma

• Website: KonversationswithKarma.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillkarma

• IG: https://instagram.com/konversationswithkarma

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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 Dr. Menah Pratt, scholar and author. Using Menah's memoir, Blackwildgirl, as a powerful example; they explore how journaling can be a tool for self-awareness and growth.

In Blackwildgirl, Menah shares her journey from eight years old to present day and her quest to reclaim the untamed, bold, and creative spirit of girlhood that was stifled in her rigid upbringing. She recounts her experience of unearthing 45 years of journaling to tell this story, and the transformative power she was able to reclaim from her own story.

Building off her personal story, she shares how journaling can be a path to power and freedom for listeners. Tune into this episode and be inspired to with practical insights on how to honor your story.

About Dr. Menah

Menah Pratt is an award-winning nationally and internationally recognized leader, scholar, and author. She has over 30 years of experience in higher education in senior leadership roles at major public and private universities, including Vanderbilt, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Fisk University.

She has often served in inaugural roles as Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Diversity Officer, Chief of Staff, Secretary of the University, and University Counsel. She has five degrees, including a law degree and PhD in sociology from Vanderbilt University.

As a tenured full professor, she is the author of Blackwildgirl: A Writer's Journey to Take Back her Superpower and companion journal, Finding your Superpower. She is also the founder and co-editor of a new journal series: Dear Higher Education: Letters from the Social Justice Mountain featuring over 50 letters from across the United States and globally on issues of social justice in higher education. She is committed to working to make the world a better place, especially for those most marginalized in society.

Connect with Dr. Menah

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menahpratt/

• Website: www.menahpratt.com

• Click here to purchase her book, blackwildgirl

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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 Dr. Pamela Larde, social scientist, author, and coach, to explore the practice and science of joy.

Based on over 16 years of research, Dr. Larde breaks down her Multidimensional Framework of Joy, built upon a foundation of well-being. She shares how joy connects to our communities and our approaches to liberation, citing current examples of how joy can serve as a source of resistance in times of political unrest, oppression, and significant sources of stress.

Additionally, we explore how to reclaim joy after it's lost and how to create joy practices.

Tune in to this encouraging episode and leave with practical takeaways and tips on how to activate more joy in your life.

About Dr. Pamela

Dr. Pamela Larde is an award-winning professor, author, speaker, and founder of the Academy of Creative Coaching. With over two decades of experience in leadership development, coaching education, and social impact work, she is a leading voice in the study and practice of joy, well-being, and culturally responsive leadership. As a professor of doctoral leadership studies and director of education for the Institute of Coaching, Pamela blends research, storytelling, and soul-centered strategies to help individuals and organizations thrive. Her work centers on helping people transform their lives through her EPIC Joy model, her Multidimensional Framework of Joy, and a deep commitment to human wholeness and liberation.

Connect with Dr. Pamela

• Website: www.DrPamelaLarde.com

• Website: www.academyofcreativecoaching.com

• Instagram: @joyresearcher

• TikTok: @joyresearcher

• Facebook: Pamela Antoinette Larde

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/empoweredwriter/

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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

Welcome to Season 8 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast! This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading programs and events.

In this episode, Laura introduces season eight of the Black Woman Leading podcast, focusing on the theme of 'Leaning Into Joy.' We'll be exploring how to make space and create intentional plans for simple experiences of joy in all areas of our lives (yes, even at work!).

Laura explains how finding time to care for and center our holistic needs (including our needs for peace and joy) are a critical part of our personal development AND our leadership development. And even more than that, it's an act of resistance.

She also shares the season's core questions and highlights from the season's guest experts on a variety of topics to support your development as you learn, heal, and grow in your leadership capacity.

The episode sets the stage for an enlightening season filled with valuable insights and discussions.

About Laura Laura Knights is the Creator of Black Woman Leading® and host of the podcast. She is an executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and licensed clinical social worker with 20+ years of experience creating personal and professional development programs that have touched leaders worldwide.

Her expertise and background in business, human resources, adult education, and social work uniquely equip her to teach others how to deal with both the "head work" and "heart work" required to succeed at work and in life. She is the Founder and CEO of Knights Consulting LLC, a leadership development consultancy that provides customized training and coaching programs to create more confident leaders and high-performing teams.

Black Woman Leading® is a research-backed initiative which offers leadership development programming, a podcast, and an annual conference for Black women professionals. Black Woman Leading® is an initiative of Knights Consulting LLC. Learn more at blackwomanleading.com.

BWL Resources:

• Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

• Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!

• Check out the BWL theme song here

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

• Download the free Black Woman Leading Career Reset Kit - https://blackwomanleading.com/career-reset-kit/

Credits:

Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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

We are celebrating the completion of our seventh season! Our season's theme was "Driving the Narrative of Your Career," as our core questions throughout the season emphasized the importance of setting a personal vision and the journey of accessing resources, advocating for oneself, and practicing self-care while pursuing that vision.

In addition to this theme, which connected all episodes, we covered various topics with our guest experts and solo episodes. And, some organic themes emerged across episodes about managing relationships and navigating the workplace politics landscape, navigating change and disruption, and having a growth mindset.

Tune in to this episode to get a high-level summary of all the wisdom shared, as Laura provides a recap and shares her personal highlights and takeaways from the season.

Resources:

• Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 11-14, 2026 Myrtle Beach, SC! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

• Learn more about BWL leadership and career development programs at www.blackwomanleading.com

Credits:

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [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:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Stitcher

• iHeartRadio

• Audible

• Podbay