In a world where personal branding and negotiation are essential skills, Damali Peterman stands out as a trailblazer. With her diverse background as a lawyer, mediator, and CEO of Breakthrough ADR, Damali brings a unique perspective to the table. 

Her new book, Negotiating While Black: Be Who You Are to Get What You Want, delves into the intricacies of negotiating with authenticity and confidence, especially within the Black community. In it, she has taken her experience and years of study and research in conflict resolution and mediation to address the unique challenges and experiences of each person, including people who are not Black (title notwithstanding).

In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about some aspects of her toolkit you can use for personalized, inclusive negotiation. She’ll also reveal why her book is for everyone and how authentic thoughtfulness and good listenership impact her brand and can impact yours.

1:16 - Damali defines personal brand in three ways and herself in three words, shares a relevant Bob Marley quote, and reveals her hype song and love of music

11:55 - How growing up in Washington D.C. shaped her worldview and desire to make a difference in her communities

14:26 - Damali’s journey from college to entrepreneurship and why she felt compelled to start her own business

21:10 - The inspiration behind Damali’s book and the importance of representation and inclusivity in negotiation books

25:14 - Why the book is titled Negotiating While Black and why, despite the title, it isn’t just a book for Black people

32:31 - How Damali has built her personal brand and how it shapes her work

37:00 - Examples of the effects of stereotype threat and collective trauma and using cognitive reappraisal to reframe situations

45:59 - Things that make Damali’s heart joyful and how being thoughtfully authentic and a good listener helps with your brand

Mentioned In Filling In the Inclusivity Gaps Found In Negotiation Advice with Damali Peterman, Esq.

Damali Peterman | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Breakthrough ADR

Negotiating While Black: Be Who You Are to Get What You Want by Damali Peterman

Sponsor for this episode

This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.

PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.

To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at [email protected], and follow Paula Edgar and the PGE Consulting Group LLC on LinkedIn.

We're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. 

Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.