Unshackled Leadership: A Lantern for Black Women

What does it take for Black women attorneys to lead with courage, influence, and purpose during turbulent political times?

In this episode of Unshackled Leadership: A Lantern for Black Women, Executive Leadership Coach and Emmy Award-winning journalist Joia Jefferson Nuri sits down with Tanisha M. Edwards, Senior Venture Capital Counsel at NextEra Energy, to explore the critical role of the rule of law, leadership, and career advancement for women of color in the legal profession.

As our nation continues to grapple with political division and challenges to democratic institutions, the law remains one of the strongest protections against tyranny. Tanisha shares how legal professionalsespecially Black women leadersare helping shape a more just future while navigating careers in environments that have not always welcomed them.

From her work in environmental law and private practice to her leadership in the energy sector, Tanisha offers a powerful perspective on building a career rooted in excellence, integrity, and service. She also discusses her work as a board member of the Legal Institute for Women of Color Attorneys (LIWOCA), an organization dedicated to advancing leadership, mentorship, and opportunity for women of color in law.

One of the episode's most compelling conversations centers on a bold career decision: taking a pay cut to pursue long-term purpose and leadership growth. Tanisha explains why meaningful career advancement isn't always measured by salary, but by impact, learning, and the opportunity to create lasting change.

Whether you are a lawyer, executive, entrepreneur, law student, or emerging leader, this conversation offers valuable insights into executive leadership, career strategy, professional development, and building a legacy that empowers others.

• Why the rule of law is essential to protecting democracy
• Leadership lessons for Black women attorneys and women leaders
• The challenges facing women of color in the legal profession
• Building executive presence and influence in high-stakes environments
• Why mentorship changes careersand lives
• The courage to make career decisions based on purpose instead of paycheck
• Overcoming barriers while creating opportunities for future generations
• Building a lasting leadership legacy through service and advocacy

Tanisha M. Edwards is Senior Venture Capital Counsel at NextEra Energy, where she provides strategic legal counsel in one of America's fastest-growing industries. She previously practiced at Foley Hoag LLP and served as an Associate Attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. In addition to her corporate leadership, Tanisha serves on the board of the Legal Institute for Women of Color Attorneys (LIWOCA), helping advance mentorship, leadership development, and professional success for Black women attorneys and women of color in law.

If you're interested in leadership, executive coaching, career advancement, women in leadership, Black women in law, or using your professional influence to create meaningful change, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and inspiring leadership lessons. Tanisha's journey demonstrates that authentic leadership is about more than professional successit's about opening doors, lifting others, and leaving the profession stronger than you found it.

Subscribe to the podcast for inspiring conversations with exceptional Black women leaders who are transforming business, government, law, health care, education, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a colleague, mentor, or friend. Together, we are quieting the inner critic, amplifying authentic voices, and empowering Black women to lead with confidence, clarity, courage, and purpose.

Reach Joia Jefferson Nuri on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joiajeffersonnuri/

Peace.

Black Women: Resilience in Crisis | Featuring Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever

In this powerful episode of Unshackled Leadership: A Lantern for Black Women, Executive Leadership Coach and Emmy Award-winning journalist Joia Jefferson Nuri, PCC, sits down with award-winning author, political commentator, entrepreneur, and leadership expert Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever to explore what it takes for Black women to lead with courage during times of political uncertainty, social change, and personal adversity.

Together, they discuss Black women's leadership, resilience, executive presence, political power, strategic communication, entrepreneurship, race and gender equity, wealth building, and the unique challenges facing Black women leaders in today's rapidly changing world.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience, Dr. Avis shares practical wisdom on navigating crisis, influencing change, communicating with purpose, and building a lasting legacy while remaining authentic.

Whether you're an executive, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, public servant, or an emerging leader seeking to strengthen your confidence and leadership impact, this conversation offers inspiration and practical strategies for leading with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

In this episode you'll learn about:

• Black women's leadership
• Resilience during times of crisis
• Executive leadership and career advancement
• Strategic communication and influence
• Political leadership and civic engagement
• Entrepreneurship and business leadership
• Race, gender, and workplace equity
• Building confidence and personal power

About the Podcast

Unshackled Leadership: A Lantern for Black Women is hosted by Joia Jefferson Nuri, PCC, Executive Leadership and Public Speaking Coach, Emmy Award-winning journalist, and former Technical Director of the CBS Evening News and Face the Nation. Each episode features extraordinary Black women leaders who share their journeys, wisdom, and practical strategies for overcoming the inner critic, strengthening executive presence, and leading with confidence and purpose.

Connect with Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever

Website: https://nouveauxstrategies.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dravisjonesdeweever/

Connect with Host Joia Jefferson Nuri

Website: https://www.inthepubliceyecoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joiajeffersonnuri/

Progress has never come easy. Every step forward—whether for Black Americans, women, or immigrants—has faced resistance. Power doesn’t let go quietly. We have made progress, but there still remains an ‘uneasy peace’. But the world is changing, and we’re being called to help it to continue to change. Our guest today, Vanessa Feliberti Bautista, Senior Corporate Vice President of Microsoft 365 Platform, knows this firsthand.

Her story is one of owning identity, navigating complexity, and opening doors for others in tech and beyond. As a woman of mixed Puerto Rican heritage, she’s faced the tension of not fitting neatly into any box. But instead of hiding her differences, she embraced them—and used them to lead.

From community colleges in underserved communities to corporate boardrooms, Vanessa has fought to make space for voices too often ignored. She’s had tough conversations, pushed through resistance, and helped transform teams into creative, inclusive powerhouses.

Today, she’s here to talk about what it really takes to move from the uneasy peace to lasting change—and how each of us plays a part in shaping the future.

In this episode, we sit down with Stefanie Reeves from the American Psychological Association for a candid and empowering talk about mental health—especially for women of color. Stefanie brings passion, purpose, and deep insight as we dive into why mental health matters and the diverse career paths making a difference in this vital field.

From breaking stigmas to building solutions, Stefanie shares how she’s championing change every step of the way.

Grab your headphones—you won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation!!

Thanks for tuning in!

In this episode, we dive into the current state of Black women in a country where diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are under attack—and where some are trying to erase their stories.

Our guest is Malia Lazu, founder of the Lazu Group and a longtime advocate for DEI in corporate America. I asked her: What's the reality for Black women today, and what can we do about it?

Her answers might surprise you.

As a Black mother, every Black child feels like my own. I’ve fought relentlessly to keep the youth in my family out of the criminal justice system. But for many of their friends, I couldn’t win the battle. It’s a question that haunts so many of us: Can we rewrite the story for today’s youth and the generations to come?

The answer is YES. Change is not only possible—it’s happening.

In this episode, meet Elizabeth Frederick, the powerhouse Executive Director of Avenues for Justice (AFJ). AFJ is flipping the script on the justice system, one life at a time. As pioneers in Alternative-to-Incarceration programs for youth, they’re breaking the cycle of incarceration and replacing it with hope, opportunity, and purpose.

Each year, AFJ changes the trajectory of over 500 NYC youth, ages 13-24, through no-cost court advocacy and their transformative HIRE UP programs. From workforce training and education to mental health support and mentoring, AFJ is equipping the next generation to rise, thrive, and defy the odds.

This is a conversation about action, impact, and rewriting futures. Join us. Change starts here.

Guest: Liz Frederick Avenues for Justice can be found at www.avenuesforjustice.org

DEI isn't dead—no matter how hard some try to kill it. Enter Janiece Williams, the powerhouse co-founder of LeaderFlow. Her company is all about unlocking doors for a handpicked crew of top-tier talent, creating opportunities where others shut them down. Janiece, a trained architectural designer and LeaderFlow alum, is passionate about helping emerging professionals thrive in the industry. She believes personal growth is key to developing inclusive, impactful leaders and advocates for diverse talent pipelines through inclusive workplaces, clear career paths, and strong development opportunities.

Don't miss this interview! I sit down with Janiece to dive into why Black architects matter, the absolute need to crush self-doubt, and how to break free from cultural barriers.

As we kick off season three, I’m thrilled to welcome Artesha Moore, CEO of Association Forum, for a powerful and inspiring conversation. Artesha opens up about her journey—facing the challenges of leadership while battling the relentless inner critic that often tried to hold her back. Together, we explore where that critical voice originates, how it has shaped her path despite her remarkable accomplishments, and the strategies she’s developed to silence the negativity and emerge victorious. This episode is all about resilience, self-mastery, and crafting your own toolbox for success.

Artesha Moore, CEO, Association Forum, www.associationforum.org

Joia Jefferson Nuri, PCC, www.inthepubliceyecoaching.com

As we kick off season three, I’m thrilled to welcome Artesha Moore, CEO of Association Forum, for a powerful and inspiring conversation. Artesha opens up about her journey—facing the challenges of leadership while battling the relentless inner critic that often tried to hold her back. Together, we explore where that critical voice originates, how it has shaped her path despite her remarkable accomplishments, and the strategies she’s developed to silence the negativity and emerge victorious. This episode is all about resilience, self-mastery, and crafting your own toolbox for success.

Artesha Moore, CEO, Association Forum, www.associationforum.org

In The Public Eye Coaching, www.inthepubliceyecoaching.com

Globally, many individuals grapple with oppressive caste structures that condemn them to lives marked by degradation, oppression, and poverty. These enduring systems of racial, religious, and color discrimination remain prevalent. For instance, in India, the Dalit community (the lowest class of people) continues to battle for the same rights that Black Americans secured half a century ago.

Join us today as we spotlight Kamna Singh, a champion of the underrepresented in India who has defied all the cultural limitations to become a Ph.D. student in a country where this is a monumental and challenging fete. Her area of study is Black women writers in America. She uses the inspiration of Bell Hooks, Alice Walker, and Toni Morrison to help her encourage Indian women to battle for their rights in the world’s largest Democracy.