Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File by introducing the E.V.O.L.V.E. framework: a reminder that resetting doesn't work if you don't address the reason a reset feels necessary. She challenges the urge to start over without reflection and invites listeners to choose evolution instead.

Kamika is joined in the sanctuary by Alexis Watts, founder and CEO of A Watts Collective, who shares her journey through a high‑risk pregnancy, a NICU stay, and the emotional fallout of being let go from corporate America. Alexis reflects on grief, misplaced loyalty, and the moment she realized corporate is not family, before stepping into the pivot that led her to entrepreneurship. She walks us through stopping the job search, accepting support, working for free to build systems, and leaning on years of networking to launch her agency with zero funding and a newborn—showing how consistency, kindness, and vision can turn disruption into direction.

The episode closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Support & Amplify—a reminder to support yourself by telling your story and letting your evolution be seen.

Alexis Watts is the Founder & CEO of A.Watts Collective, a Colorado-based marketing and PR agency known for its boots-on-the-ground approach and powerhouse brand strategy. After returning from maternity leave following a high-risk pregnancy, Alexis was unexpectedly let go — a moment that changed everything. Instead of breaking her, it became the catalyst for her greatest transformation. Within months, she launched A.Watts Collective with zero funding and a newborn at home. Today, her agency has grown into a fast-scaling firm serving franchises, hospitality brands, business districts, and attractions across the region. Known by many as the "Kris Jenner of Marketing," Alexis is celebrated for her ability to elevate businesses and create opportunity wherever she goes.

Connect with Alexis:

https://www.instagram.com/alexisinthe_city/

https://www.instagram.com/a.wattscollective/

www.facebook.com/awattscollective

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You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File by naming the power of using your voice especially in seasons of uncertainty, layoffs, and forced pivots. She reflects on why silence costs Black women more than speaking up and how telling the truth becomes a strategy for survival. She's joined by Nikki Free, journalist, cultural commentator, and creator of 92 Seconds of News with Nikki Free. Nikki shares the story behind the viral 92% image, her journey through multiple career pivots, and why Black women must keep reimagining work beyond corporate America. Together, they unpack layoffs, capitalism, confidence, and the importance of building income streams that honor your expertise and your life. The episode closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Elevate: a call to elevate your voice, your value, and your vision as you move forward with intention. Nikki Free is a cultural force blending bold fashion, unapologetic truth‑telling, and sharp political commentary. With over 30 years in journalism and communications, she's the creator of 92 Seconds of News with Nikki Free and the viral 92% image that captured Black women's collective exhaustion and clarity after the 2024 election. Through her platforms and her 200K‑strong Freehive community, Nikki centers Black women over 40—championing confidence, cultural critique, and the freedom to live fully, loudly, and unapologetically. Connect with Nikki Free: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnikkifree/ YouTube: youtube.com/@iamnikkifree TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamnikkifree Facebook: facebook.com/nikkifreestyle

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Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

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Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File by unpacking ghosting as a professional habit—and why choosing silence over conversation can be a missed opportunity for growth. She reflects on accountability, respect for time, and what it really means to fail forward. She's joined in the sanctuary by Lynese Rawlins, a longtime HR professional who shares how a layoff led her into a season of rest, spiritual grounding, and entrepreneurship. Lenise walks us through launching Roots to Press, her New Jersey‑based cold‑pressed juice and sea moss brand, building community through intention, and navigating both financial preparation and uncertainty.

The episode closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Elevate—a reminder that rejection doesn't define you. It refines you. Every no is a stepping stone to what's next.

Lynese Rawlins, a seasoned HR professional with over 9 years of experience in people strategy, leadership development, and building high-performing, heart centered cultures. After nearly a decade helping teams and executives thrive, Lynese took a leap of faith turning her passion for wellness into her purpose. She is now the founder and CEO of Roots to Press, a New Jersey based cold-pressed juice/sea moss and wellness brand inspiring others to live healthier, more intentional lives one bottle at a time. Lynese is a proud dog mom, avid fitness queen and entrepreneur, who's learning to balance business ownership, family, and self-care, all while staying deeply grounded in her faith and community. Her journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and rooted purpose & proof that it's never too late to pivot, pour into yourself, and press forward.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyneserawlins/

Business Page: https://www.instagram.com/rootstopress/

Personal Page: https://www.instagram.com/lynese/

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Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

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Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File by naming her own pattern of over‑giving and why choosing herself is the foundation of sustainable success for Black women entrepreneurs and leaders.

She's joined by Dr. Carla Michelle- executive coach, business psychologist, and founder of CM Coaching & Consulting—for a powerful conversation on coaching through chaos, confidence, identity, leadership development, and navigating career pivots. Dr. Michelle breaks down the difference between therapy and coaching, why Black women need executive coaching, and how to move through layoffs, reinvention, and self‑doubt with strategy and self‑belief.

Kamika closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Flipping the V from validate to Voice: an invitation to speak up where you've been silent and remember that confidence grows in the sound of your own voice rising after failure.

Dr. Carla Michelle is the Founder and CEO of CM Coaching & Consulting Services and an executive coach, business psychologist, psychotherapist, and author with over two decades of experience working with high-performing men and women across industries and leadership levels. She is known for working at the intersection of confidence, identity, and power—supporting leaders who are accomplished externally while navigating complexity beneath the surface. Holding a doctorate in Business Psychology, Dr. Carla blends academic rigor with real-world application to help leaders elevate confidence, strengthen self-leadership, and align who they are with how they lead, both personally and professionally. She is the author of The S.T.R.O.N.G. Woman's Playbook, The Free Woman: How to Live Free Everyday, and Confidence Without A Chaser: Real Stories and Strategies for Building Unshakable Confidence in Leadership, Love, and Life. She also hosts The STRONG Network Podcast, where she advances self-leadership as a practical discipline for clarity and meaningful impact.

Email: mailto:[email protected]

Website: https://www.drcarlainc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carlamichelle/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.carlamichelle

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Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File by reflecting on the year of the snake and an exciting year of the fire horse cohort that will be offered through Fail Forward Coaching.

She's joined in the sanctuary by Lakshmia Marie, seasoned consultant and founder of Refurb Consulting, who shares how an unexpected layoff became the catalyst for a fully aligned pivot into fractional consulting. Lakshmia breaks down the realities of stepping into fractional work, landing her first $50K contract, building a business model rooted in freedom, and embracing her boundaries as a strategic advantage.

The episode closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Supporting yourself through Radical Self‑Belief: a reminder that self‑support, daily affirmations, and grounding rituals are essential tools for navigating reinvention with clarity and confidence.

Lakshmia Marie is a seasoned consultant with 15+ years of experience building and scaling companies. Following a transition in 2024, she leveraged her deep operational expertise to launch ReFerb Consulting, where she serves as a fractional consultant. She specializes in helping B2B SaaS companies solve critical growth and retention problems, focusing on strategies that deliver immediate, measurable results and sustainable profitability.

https://book.referbconsulting.com

(7) Lakshmia Marie | LinkedIn

Websites that are mentioned during the episode:

Fractional Jobs | The Job Board For Fractional Work

https://businesstalentgroup.com/

Join Our Slack Channel! | womeninrevenue.org

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Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File by reflecting on career pivots, delayed wins, and learning to trust your value beyond immediate results.

She's joined in the sanctuary by Tamara Keller, Co‑Founding Partner and COO of The Sax Agency, who shares her path from engineering and consulting to building a culturally impactful marketing agency. Tamara discusses the realities of early entrepreneurship, taking years to reach revenue milestones, and why knowing your worth—and building the right foundation—matters.

The episode closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Validate—a reminder to affirm your journey, your skills, and your progress, even when growth feels slow.

Tamara Keller is a strategic force in branding, marketing, and cultural engagement. As Co-Founding Partner and Chief Operating Officer of The Sax Agency, she leads with purpose—crafting integrated campaigns that sit at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and social impact. With deep expertise spanning industries from entertainment and higher education to government and nonprofits, Tamara builds consumer-centric marketing initiatives that drive measurable growth while honoring the cultural nuances of the communities they serve.

Trained as both an engineer and financial strategist, Tamara brings a rare combination of analytical precision and creative vision to her work. Her approach transforms business challenges into opportunities for innovation, advocacy, and connection—making her a sought-after leader for brands looking to align mission with market. At the heart of her work is a steadfast belief that marketing is not just about visibility, but about building trust, belonging, and sustainable impact.

A champion of equity and access, Tamara has dedicated her career to uplifting underserved communities—both through her client work and through board service with organizations focused on mental health, education, and economic opportunity. Her leadership is grounded in process, driven by purpose, and inspired by people.

Business/ Socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaxagency/

www.thesaxagency.com

Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram.

Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

This week on Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika reflects on the pressure of watching podcast numbers and learning to trust impact over metrics. A reminder from her personal "board of directors" reframes everything: helping one person is enough.

We're joined by Jaiyla "Binz" Robinson, founder Enforme Reiki, who shares her journey through an unexpected layoff, financial survival, and choosing consistency while building her healing practice rooted in womb and sacral energy Reiki.

Our S.A.V.E. Strategy for the week focuses on Amplify—releasing perfectionism, sharing your work in progress, and trusting that your voice matters now.

Jaiyla, also known as Binz, is the owner of en Forme Reiki and a practicing Reiki healer currently training to become a Full Spectrum Doula. Her journey into energy work began after struggling for years with severe menstrual pain, which led her to explore holistic healing beyond medication. That experience sparked a deeper mission to support Black women, non-binary people, and anyone with a womb in reconnecting with their bodies and their own healing energy. Through en Forme Reiki, she focuses on Womb & Sacral Energy Reiki to support hormonal balance, emotional release, and creative flow, while also offering full-body and distance sessions for grounding and renewal. As she completes her doula training, she aims to blend Reiki with birth work to provide calming, restorative care during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

Website: https://enformereiki.com/

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enforme.reiki?igsh=MXZpMDV4MXhjMWFs&utm_source=qr

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/en.forme

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaiyrobinson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram.

Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

Kamika sits down with Vanity Jenkins of Shifted Consulting to break down the real steps Black women can take after a layoff or major career shift. Vanity breaks down why so many of us are turning to entrepreneurship, the real financial trade‑offs that come with it, and the freedom it offers beyond corporate politics. She urges Black women to give themselves grace, feel their feelings fully, and rebuild from the intersection of what they're good at and what they love.

No Fail Forward File this week but we do focus on support in our S.A.V.E. strategy and what it looks like it when trying to figure out your next steps.

Vanity Jenkins is the founder and principal consultant of ShiftED Consulting, bringing over 20 years of experience advising nonprofits, school and district leaders, charter networks, and companies on learning and development. She has trained more than 3,000 principals, executives, and teams nationwide, with work rooted in culturally relevant leadership and organizational equity. A values‑driven, inclusive leader, her teams consistently ranked in the top 10% on the national Great Places to Work Survey. Vanity holds certifications in Women's Leadership, Restorative Justice, and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy.

Socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiftedconsulting/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094016089971

Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram.

Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this week's episode, Kamika gets real about never leaving a job voluntarily in this week's Fail Forward File. Despite the involuntary exits, every experience became a divine level up.

We are joined in the sanctuary with Dr. Marissa Robinson who shares her own RIF experience, the chaos of a shifting administration, and why "resilience" isn't the compliment people think it is. ADHD detours included, but the message stays clear: there's no one right way to rebuild, and resourcefulness looks different on every Black woman.

Our S.A.V.E. Strategy for the week focuses on Elevating yourself.

"Dr. Marissa Robinson is the Founder of Real Health Impact, LLC, where she leads equity‑driven strategies in infectious disease and public health. She also teaches at George Washington University, shaping the next generation of public health leaders. Previously, she advanced national priorities at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focusing on vaccines, HIV/AIDS, and reducing disparities. Beyond her work, she brings joy and community through dance, and loves exploring new restaurants with her husband and their corgi, Pump.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/drmarissarob

Business Website: www.realhealthimpact.com

Social Media Handles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marissa_rob/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.marissa_rob

Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram.

Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

Trigger Warning: This episode includes open discussion of depression, isolation, and thoughts of self‑harm. Please listen with care and take breaks if you need to. The holidays aren't always merry — and for many Black women, this season can feel especially heavy. In this powerful special episode, host Kamika Dillard opens up about her own journey through job loss, isolation, and the dark thoughts that followed. She shares the hard‑won lesson from her Fail Forward File: shame and silence can pull you inward, but healing requires connection. We don't heal alone. We heal together. Kamika is joined by Dr. Loren M. Hill, a licensed clinical psychologist, who offers grounded, compassionate strategies for navigating mental health, financial strain, and the pressure to "perform joy" during the holidays. If you or someone you know is in crisis, free and confidential support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Dr. Loren M. Hill is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Acclivity, bringing 30+ years of expertise in mental health, trauma, and strategic career development. She hosts Your Strategist Is In, a podcast centered on navigating success and well‑being, especially for Black women and first‑gen professionals. Loren's Social Media & Business Handles https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlorenmhill https://theacclivity.com https://theacclivity.com/podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel

Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram.

Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories.

Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Interested in sharing your story, email us at [email protected]

You can find Kamika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/

Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard