In this empowering episode, Laura is joined by Pamela Gelie, Founder of URise, for a heartfelt and practical conversation on what it truly means to redefine balance…especially as Black women navigating multiple roles, expectations, and seasons of life.

Pamela shares her personal journey of pursuing greater freedom, meaning, and values alignment, including how her search for balance ultimately led to a career pivot. Together, Laura and Pamela explore how balance is not a fixed destination, but a living, evolving practice shaped by our responsibilities, our resilience, and our willingness to honor what we need.

This episode also dives into the complex relationship many Black women have with resilience. While strength is often celebrated, Laura and Pamela discuss how the "Strong Black Woman" trope can sometimes make it difficult to soften, rest, and be fully human—especially in moments when we don't want to bounce back quickly.

Aligned with Season 8's theme "Leaning Into Joy," this conversation invites listeners to consider balance as a pathway to joy; one that prioritizes inner clarity, wellbeing, and intentional living over perfection or constant performance.

About Pamela

Born in France to Afro-Caribbean parents, Pamela grew up between cultures and learned to adapt across worlds. A decade in London shaped her career leading customer experience in global organisations across the UK and France. Those years taught her how to deliver at scale while navigating complexity and multicultural environments.

Illness, mental health challenges in family and discrimination tested her but also built resilience and empathy. Motherhood deepened her drive to create freedom and balance for her kids and the next generation.

Today, she channels her journey and a profound sense of ''Give Back' into URise, the company so founded to turn lived experience into impact. It allows her to blend leadership, purpose and reinvention in equal measure.

Connect with Pamela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-gelie

BWL Resources:

• Join us at the 2026 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference & Retreat. May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Save your seat at www.BWLretreat.com

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

• Check out the BWL theme song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l68EqEJjXq0

• Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui89AmJwUg

• 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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraeknights/

Follow BWL on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading

Instagram: @blackwomanleading

Facebook: @blackwomanleading

Youtube: @blackwomanleading

Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights - https://marshallknights.com/

Graphics: Dara Adams

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