Black Woman Leading

Welcome to Season 5 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast! This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading learning experience.

The theme for season five is “Who are you and who do you want to be?”

In addition to the focused topics we’ll explore this season, the core questions this season will center on embracing our identity and core values, and amplifying the message that who we are right now is worthy and who we choose to become through our learning and growth is worth the effort.

In keeping with our core pillars, the episodes will continue to have a holistic focus on three core areas--leadership development, self-care and mental wellness, and relationship management. We’ll explore these areas through the lens of our theme for season five in both solo and guest episodes.

Laura also shares some highlights about the Black Woman Leading® initiative, and some exciting programming that will be rolling out in the near year to continue the work to support Black women throughout the lifecycle of their careers.

Tune it to get some quick insights into what we’ll cover this season!

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 19+ 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.

Resources:

• Programs: We are now enrolling for the January 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
• Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.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: Téa Campbell

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Audible
• Podbay

We are celebrating the completion of our fourth season! Our season theme was “Thrive, Sis, Thrive!” In addition to specific topics this season, our core questions always explored what it looks like for Black women to THRIVE and not just survive at work and in life.

And as usual, we uncovered a number of organic themes that consistently resurfaced across multiple episodes– giving yourself permission, leading with curiosity, actively building and cultivating your support network, pursuing purpose, and turning off “auto-pilot” mode to be intentional about the experiences we want to have.

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:

• Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach, VA! Learn more at www.bwlretreat.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
• Audible
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

In this insightful solo episode, Laura shares insights to help you strengthen your delegation skills.

Delegation is the act of redirecting tasks and initiatives to other team members. If you want to keep advancing as a leader, delegation is a skill you must master. Yet, it’s a skill that many people say is a challenge for them.

In true BWL fashion, rooted in her 18+ years of working with leaders all over the world, Laura provides wisdom and instruction that address both the heart work and head work of strengthening your delegation skills.

She covers the three-fold purpose of delegation, the biggest challenges that prevent leaders from successfully delegating, and gives tactical tips on how to delegate effectively. Finally, Laura provides clarity on the difference between delegation and abdication, and how to use delegation as a leadership superpower that's a win-win for all parties.

If delegation is a challenge for you, or you just want to improve your existing delegation practices, be sure to check out this informative episode!

Resources:

Join us for Black Woman Leading LIVE!, the premiere professional development conference for Black women. May 13-15, 2024 in Virginia Beach, VA. Get the details at www.BWLretreat.com

Credits:

Learn more about Black Woman Leading at https://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

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

In this episode, we hear lessons from the C-Suite with Toshie Davis, Chief Financial and Administration Officer at OneTen.

Toshie shares her story of pursuing purpose and passion via a career pivot from the corporate sector to nonprofit administration. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at her day-to-day responsibilities as a C-suite leader and how she contributes to the powerful work at OneTen, an organization that is taking a skills-first approach to create one million jobs for Black talent.

Toshie describes how her focus on “pragmatic growth” has fueled her career ascent over the years, and drops major wisdom gems about the mindset transformation that’s required to advance in a more strategic leadership position.

In addition to sharing highlights and insights from her leadership journey, Toshie shares about the importance of her sister-community, how being a mother has shaped her leadership journey, and how community care has been critical to her professional success.

Tune in and absorb all of this goodness as Toshie provides a holistic look at her journey to the C-Suite. She inspires us to use our voice, define our vision, and be bold and courageous enough to go after it.

Guest Bio:

Toshie Davis is OneTen’s Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, responsible for the organization’s financial oversight, talent, and risk management, as well as its day-to-day operations. As an executive leader with more than 30 years of experience, Toshie is a strategic and financial planning expert with a strong track record in operations management for both commercial and nonprofit organizations. She transitioned from traditional corporate finance to nonprofit management because of her passion for social justice and educational and economic equity.

Before joining OneTen, Toshie held senior leadership roles at Education First Consulting, Turnaround for Children, and City Harvest. Prior to transitioning to nonprofit and education management, she worked for almost ten years at Johnson & Johnson where she managed a global P&L of $300MM and led a team of 40 people. Prior to that, Toshie helped launch an internet company, was a strategic consultant, and began her career in the financial services industry.

Toshie has a B.A. in Economics from The University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in Strategy and Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Toshie lives in Redondo Beach, CA with her son, Christian. Whenever they get the chance, they can be found trekking through a national park.

Learn more about OneTen

• Website: OneTen.org
• OneTen on LinkedIn
• OneTen on Twitter
• OneTen on Instagram
• OneTen on TikTok
• OneTen on Facebook

Credits:

Learn more about Black Woman Leading at 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

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

In this episode, we welcome Aiko Bethea, CEO & Founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, to discuss overcoming toxic productivity.

 Our BWL community attracts many high achievers. They are often the “firsts” in their families and communities…the first to graduate college, the first to be on their level of leadership, the first one that people call when they need help…and the list goes on.

In the workplace, research shows that Black women are often held to higher standards, and are more likely to have their contributions overlooked. These roles and standards combined with the consistent unrealistic and violent expectations of systemic oppression, may cause us to adopt these harmful standards of achievement and perfectionism as truth. For many, this causes feelings of unworthiness as we begin to equate our identity (who we are) to our achievements (what we do), creating a  toxic cycle that  negatively impacts our self-concept and overall wellness.

In Aiko’s words: 

"The same thing that can be killing us, which is toxic productivity and perfectionism, is also the same thing that opens doors for us. Therefore, it's so important for us to have those checkpoints of 'what am I doing and who am I doing it for?' Because the world may be completely rewarding you over and over for behavior that's actually killing you."

This episode gives you a moment to reflect on your own relationship with productivity and perfectionism. Aiko breaks down the signs of toxic productivity, and provides insight on steps we can take to resist and heal from it.  Additionally, we discuss the power of centering ourselves, and share practical ways to do so in our personal and professional lives. 

About Aiko

The founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, Aiko Bethea is an award-winning and highly sought after equity consultant, executive coach, and speaker. Known for her leadership writing, Aiko’s work is featured in a range of publications including Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Aiko is also a contributor to an anthology edited by Tarana Burke and Dr. Brené Brown, New York Times Best Seller, You Are Your Best Thing. 

In addition to her work as principal and founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting, Aiko is Sr. Director of the Daring Way™ and the Dare to Lead™ global facilitator communities of Brené Brown Education and Research Group. She is also a Senior Director at Frontline Solutions, a black-owned consulting firm.

Aiko is guided by her unique background as a Black and Asian American woman along with her intrinsic values of justice and loyalty and her role as a mother raising two Black sons. This perspective helps inform Aiko’s passion and drive to create conversations and change around race and equity in the communities and organizations that she serves.

Connect with Aiko

• Website: https://www.rarecoaching.net/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RARECoach
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rare_coach
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rare_coach
•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aikobethea/

Resources:

• Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more at www.blackwomanleading.com
• Toxic productivity and perfectionism assessment from RARE Coaching - https://www.rarecoaching.net/jdwd

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

Often when we think of grief, we think about the loss of a loved one.  However, grief is present in all our life transitions….including our career transitions.  

Perhaps you spent years of education and training for a particular career path, only to later discover that that path is not what you want to do.  Or, perhaps you had to abruptly leave a toxic workplace and there is some lingering residue from the emotional and mental experience you had there.  These common situations involve a degree of grief.

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Chinasa Elue, a professor and grief coach, helps us expand our understanding of grief in this context. She shares some examples of work-related grief and how people can heal to move forward with a positive outlook in their professional career.  

Additionally, Dr. Elue shares her insights about the connection  between finding more balance and managing grief, and vulnerably shares her own grief story that led her to this work.

About Chinasa

Dr. Chinasa is a professor, speaker, grief coach, and the CEO and Founder of True Titans Consulting Group. She is an expert on grief leadership in higher education and trauma-informed practices in organizational settings. She supports leaders in moving forward to make impactful change in the midst of uncertainty with empathy and care. She provides strategic coaching and consulting that opens the doors to transformation through policy and practice.

 She is also an associate 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. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and two children.

Connect with Chinasa

• Website: https://www.drchinasaelue.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRCHINASAELUE
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchinasaelue/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchinasaelue

Resources:

Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more 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

Often when we think of grief, we think about the loss of a loved one.  However, grief is present in all our life transitions….including our career transitions.  

Perhaps you spent years of education and training for a particular career path, only to later discover that that path is not what you want to do.  Or, perhaps you had to abruptly leave a toxic workplace and there is some lingering residue from the emotional and mental experience you had there.  These common situations involve a degree of grief.

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Chinasa Elue, a professor and grief coach, helps us expand our understanding of grief in this context. She shares some examples of work-related grief and how people can heal to move forward with a positive outlook in their professional career.  

Additionally, Dr. Elue shares her insights about the connection  between finding more balance and managing grief, and vulnerably shares her own grief story that led her to this work.

About Chinasa

Dr. Chinasa is a professor, speaker, grief coach, and the CEO and Founder of True Titans Consulting Group. She is an expert on grief leadership in higher education and trauma-informed practices in organizational settings. She supports leaders in moving forward to make impactful change in the midst of uncertainty with empathy and care. She provides strategic coaching and consulting that opens the doors to transformation through policy and practice.

 She is also an associate 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. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and two children.

Connect with Chinasa

• Website: https://www.drchinasaelue.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRCHINASAELUE
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchinasaelue/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchinasaelue

Resources:

Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more 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

In this intimate discussion, three alumni participants of the Black Woman Leading THRIVE  cohort (Crystal Coats, Brenda Hudson, and Yaphet Bryant)  share their stories of navigating both personal and professional transitions. 

They share how they leaned into community and other supportive resources during these times, and the self-care strategies they implemented to care for themselves in the process.  Additionally they share their lightbulb moments of self-awareness that emerged as they navigate this current season of leadership, and key takeaways from their experience in the Black Woman Leading program.

Join us, reflect, and celebrate your own triumphs through transitions in your life in this special episode. 

Guest Bios:

::Crystal Coats, Founder & Principal, Legacy Consulting Group

Crystal Coats is the Founder of Legacy Consulting Group, LLC. A 20+ year professional, Crystal's work focuses on creating sustainable social impact through strategy, training, and advising. Crystal creates programs that are data-informed, culturally inclusive, and carry strategic value to the organizations and the communities they serve. Her work has spanned the arts, higher education, government, and financial sectors. She has experience leading staff teams and engaging with philanthropy, along with supporting executive leaders in designing and implementing strategy. Crystal is an avid speaker, facilitator, and coach. She creates shared experiences that focus on using interactive engagement to develop skills like active listening, data-informed approaches, and decision making.  Crystal also serves on the Board of Social Responsibility Chicago.

Connect with Crystal on LinkedIn or via her website www.legacyconsultgrp.com

::Brenda Hudson, Financial Services Professional

Brenda is a financial services professional with 20+ years in operational risk mitigation, compliance, and  treasury management.

Connect with Brenda on LinkedIn

::Dr. Yaphet Bryant, National Director of Mental Health & Wellness for nonprofit organization

Dr. Yaphet Bryant is a licensed psychologist, specializing in adolescence and youth adulthood. She has 25 years of professional experience in clinical service, research, and management. Dr. Bryant recently transitioned to the non-profit sector in the area of program design and learning as it relates to mental health and wellness. She's passionate about taking mental health and wellness out of traditional spaces, especially for people of color.

Connect with Yaphet on LinkedIn.

Resources:

Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more 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

In this powerful episode, we welcome author, Elizabeth Leiba,  to talk about taking up space as Black women in every area of our lives.  From work, to relationships, to LinkedIn; Elizabeth shares her insights on why using our voice and increasing our visibility is critical for Black women leaders. 

 She also shares some of her personal journey of taking up more space in the professional landscapes she occupies.  Finally, Elizabeth shares nuggets from her brilliant new book, “I’m Not Yelling! A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace.”  Tune in and be inspired!

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Leiba is a writer, college professor, and advocate for Black business women. She has over 130,000 followers on LinkedIn who range in age, race, background, and location, and are primarily located in the US, Canada, and the UK. Her passion for Black history changed her life and catapulted her into a fulfilling line of work as a powerful advocate of social justice and equity.

She was featured in the 2020 New York Times article, “Black LinkedIn Is Thriving. Does LinkedIn Have a Problem With That?,” which highlighted her social justice advocacy work. The response to this article spurred her to launch her online, accessible e-learning platform, Black History & Culture Academy, the stunning educational resource which earned her the recognition of a LinkedIn TOP VOICE in Education in 2020.

In early 2021, Elizabeth launched her website directory, Black Women Handle Business, which is the premier website for Black women entrepreneurs and professionals to network, collaborate and share resources. 

She is also the host of Black Power Moves, a podcast on EBONY Media Covering Black America Podcast Network and is a published writer. Her most recent writing includes an Op-Ed piece on racial profiling for CNN, which had more than 2 million views on their news website. She recently released  her Amazon Best Selling Book, “I’m Not Yelling! A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace.”

Connect with Elizabeth

• Website: https://lizleiba.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethleiba/

Resources:

Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more 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

It’s a first…we have a man as a guest on the Black Woman Leading podcast!  And it’s none other than Laura’s husband, Marshall Knights.  Laura and Marshall will celebrate 20 years of marriage and 26 years of partnership this year. In this special episode, they talk about the leadership and self-awareness lessons they’ve learned from their relationship together and from parenting their children, Marshall Jabari and Kai, and they share insights on what they’ve learned from pursuing their purpose together.

About Marshall

MARSHALL KNIGHTS is a writer, artist, musician, music director, and Grammy-nominated & Grammy Winning producer. His attention to the art of music and ability to cross various music genres is why he is sought out as a creative collaborator by diverse artists in the industry.

Throughout the years, Marshall has also worked with a wide range of musical artists.  He believes the intention of the song is the top priority when serving in the producer role, as his approach to creating music is organic.

As a formally trained musician, Marshall plays several instruments, including the bass, trumpet, upright bass, and piano. His first solo album, The Marshall Knights Experience, showcased his talents as a musical maven. It was created to cross boundaries between the musical genres of hip-hop, R&B, gospel, rock, and soul.

In 2023, Marshall won his first Grammy Award for production on J.Ivy's "The Poet Who Sit By the Door." His sophomore album, THE ASCENSION, was released in March 2023, and is now available on all digital music platforms.

Connect with Marshall

• Website: www.marshallknights.com
• IG: @marshallknights
• Click here to listen to Marshall’s music on your favorite streaming platform.

Resources:

Enrollment is open for the Black Woman Leading programs starting in August.  Learn more 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