Black Woman Leading

Have you experienced a traumatic work experience, personal life challenge, or major transition that has negatively impacted your confidence?  If this resonates, this episode is for you! Don’t be discouraged.  You are not alone.  This is a common experience we hear when people reach out to inquire about our program. 

Listen as Laura shares real stories of women who are on this journey of restoration, and provides personal insights to help you realign your leadership “Come From”, uncover your power skills and attitudes, and reframe your mindset.  

If you’re struggling with trusting your abilities in this season, embrace this moment of self-reflection as Laura shares some headwork and heartwork strategies to help you restore your confidence.  

Credits:

Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/

Email Laura: [email protected]

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn

Follow us on Instagram: @blackwomanleading

Join our mailing list and download a free Black Woman Leading journey map!

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Resource: Therapy for Black Girls

Resource: Positive Psychology confidence article

Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights 

Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

In this episode, we welcome Jessica Williams, Vice President of People at Refine Labs and Founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching.

Jessica provides a case study of her organization’s recent move to offer a $75,000 minimum salary for all employees. As the lead on this initiative, Jessica provides great leadership insights on her process to craft this strategic move, gain buy-in from key decision-makers, and deal with resistance from other internal and external stakeholders. Through sharing her experience, Jessica highlights the transferable skills (storytelling, negotiation, advocating, etc)  that listeners can apply to their own strategic initiatives. 

Exploring pay transparency more broadly, Jessica makes the connections to diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes and passionately advocates for the benefits of pay transparency for Black women. She shares some of her experiences with salary negotiations over the course of her career and provides actionable tips for the listeners to take forward.  

Finally, in discussing her own holistic growth and development as a leader, Jessica vulnerably shares some of her wellness journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Guest Bio 

With experience across a number of industries including oil/gas, retail, financial services, telemedicine, and marketing, Jessica Williams has developed high-level skills in people operations. After finishing her undergraduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, Jessica went on to complete a Masters to extend her skills and knowledge in community health management, health promotion, and public health ethics. She is now the Vice President of People at Refine Labs, using her value-driven leadership and creative problem solving for strategic talent acquisition, performance management, diversity/inclusion, and policy development. Additionally, Jessica is the Founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching

Connect with Jessica:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram: @HiddenGemCC
• Website: refinelabs.com/careers
• Website: hiddengemcareercoaching.com

NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort!

Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://blackwomanleading.com/program/

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: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Shaniqua Jones, restorative justice expert and Black Woman Leading alum.   Dr. Jones breaks down the difference between restorative justice and restorative practice, and how we can integrate these practices into our leadership efforts. 

Specifically, she provides insights into how restorative practices can be used as a tool to combat issues related to workplace ostracism, bullying, and trauma in organizations. And in true BWL fashion, she enlightens us on the “head work” and “heart work” of building more restorative workplaces for all employees.

Finally, Dr. Jones transparently shares some of her personal life tragedies and victories and provides an inspiring model of how to live out restorative practices in everyday life. She leaves listeners with a few practical first steps one can take to integrate a restorative approach into our lives. 

Guest Bio 

Dr. Shaniqua Jones is a Global Leader and Restorative Justice Practitioner and Expert. She is affectionately known as Dr. J and for her brilliant ability to connect deeply with those who have been harmed and have caused harm through Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices. 

Dr. J has been called upon to remove barriers alienating and dehumanizing people from all walks of life. She completed her doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership specializing in Higher Education in May of 2016.  She holds a number of appointments including, the Restorative Justice Trainer for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, a member of the Illinois State Board of Education’s Whole Child Task Force, Restorative Justice Project Manager for the MacArthur Foundation, and the Chief Educational Officer for Touch Gift Foundation.

With a global platform, as the founder of Purple Path and Jones Academy of Excellence, Dr. Jones has educated and served thousands of students, parents, guardians, educators, organizations, and more through her work rooted in Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices. She is also a wife and mother of five biological children and an author of 10 awe-inspiring works. 

Connect with Dr. Jones:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Website: www.purplepathbydrj.com 
• Website: www.jonesacademyofexcellence.com

NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort!

Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://blackwomanleading.com/program/

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: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

In this episode, we welcome Sonya Ross, a bonafide expert in amplifying your voice.  Sonya shares wisdom and insights about amplifying the voices of Black women from her 30+ years of experience as a political journalist.  This experience included White House coverage and the September 11th terrorist attacks, amongst other historical moments. 

Sonya shares about her current work at Black Women Unmuted, where she reports the under-told stories about Black women across the country.  She shares lessons she’s learned about storytelling and provides insights into how other Black women leaders can tap into this important skill. 

Additionally, Sonya pays homage to Black women leaders in the political arena and provides some practical first steps for those looking to amplify their voices for change in their spheres of influence. 

Guest Bio 

Sonya Ross is managing editor of Inside Climate News, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom devoted to climate change, and founder of Black Women Unmuted, a media start-up that reports under-told stories about Black women in the United States.

Sonya took on these twin endeavors after a 33-year career at The Associated Press. She became The AP’s first Black woman White House reporter in 1995 and, in 1999, the first Black woman elected to the board of the White House Correspondents Association. During the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Sonya was the print pool reporter aboard Air Force One with President George W. Bush as he was evacuated to safety, also a historic first in media.

In 2018, Sonya was inducted into the Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame. She was the founding chair of the political reporting task force for the National Association of Black Journalists and is currently deputy vice-chair of the board of the Journalism & Women’s Symposium. Sonya also serves on the boards of the Washington Press Club Foundation, the SPJ Foundation, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Connect with Sonya:

• @BeUnmuted (IG & Twitter)
• Black Women Unmuted website
• Black Women Unmuted Facebook
• Black Women Unmuted Youtube
• @InsideClimate (Twitter)
• Inside Climate Facebook
• Inside Climate News website

NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort!

Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://blackwomanleading.com/program/

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: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

Welcome to Season 3 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast!  We are so excited to be back!  This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading learning experience.  

The theme for season three is “Own your story. Amplify your voice.” We will be putting all of our topics this season through the lens of honoring our VOICE.  What does it look like to find, reclaim, and continue taking up space to boldly and confidently use your voice as a Black Woman Leading?  That’s the central question that will serve as the foundation for all of our episodes this season.

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

Laura also shares some highlights of what’s happening behind the scenes at Black Woman Leading!

We invite you to join us on this journey of reflection, learning, and growth.  Our hope is that you feel seen, heard, validated, and loved.  And, that you leave your time with us with new perspectives, insights, tools, and strategies to support you along your leadership journey.

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 18+ 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.

Laura has always been dedicated to supporting Black women to survive AND thrive in their personal and professional endeavors. Black Woman Leading™ is the latest iteration of her efforts and a genuine passion project that combines all the best of her professional experiences and skills.

NOW ENROLLING for the August 2022 cohort!

Learn more about the Black Woman Leading®  learning experience at https://blackwomanleading.com/program/

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: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

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. 

Credits:

Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [email protected]

Instagram: @blackwomanleading

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading

Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights 

Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

In this episode, Laura answers pressing questions from our community on topics related to career development, leadership, wellness, and building relationships. 

Resources:

• The Myth of Bringing Your Full, Authentic Self to Work - TEDx Talk by Jodi Ann Burey: 
• S1E4: Navigating Salary Negotiations with Yakentha Britton (Black Woman Leading podcast)
• S2E10: Building Community and Connection with Dr. Mel (Black Woman Leading podcast)

Credits:

Learn more about the Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [email protected]

Instagram: @blackwomanleading

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading

Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights 

Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

Stephanie shares some of her go-to definitions for boundaries, and provides examples of boundaries we can set with ourselves, with others, and how boundary issues manifest within organizations as well.  In true Black Woman Leading® form, we discuss the heart work and head work of setting and protecting your boundaries; and Stephanie enlightens us on the three-step process that she teaches in her Boundaries Bootcamp program.

Both Laura and Stephanie vulnerable share some of their personal experiences with boundaries, and provide insight into indicators that your boundaries have been violated and initial steps you can take to start setting and protecting your boundaries moving forward.

Ultimately, the overarching message of the episode is that boundaries are a gift that we can give to ourselves and others. Stephanie reminds us to center ourselves in our work, and that  there is always grace and compassion we can apply to get back in alignment with ourselves when violations occur.

Guest Bio 

Stephanie Ghoston Paul (she/her) is an internationally recognized speaker, racial justice facilitator, organizational development consultant, life coach, and recovering lawyer. She helps people, communities, and companies get in alignment with and fully embody their purpose, in service of a planet where all human beings are free, whole, and enough. Stephanie is also a best-selling author and a recent TEDx speaker. In her latest community offering, she explores what it means to be a living ancestor through her podcast called Take Nothing When I Die. 

Connect with Stephanie:

• Instagram: @cultivatedsense
• Instagram: @takenothingwhenidie
• Twitter: @cultivatedsense
• Twitter: @TNWID
• Facebook: Facebook.com/cultivatedsense
• Web: www.stephanieghoston.com

Credits:

Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [email protected]

Instagram: @blackwomanleading

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading

Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights 

Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

Before working in various in-house tax roles, Ms. Jones was a member of the Washington National Tax Services Mergers & Acquisition Team for PwC LLP where she held various roles of increasing client service responsibility in the areas tax planning, M&A structuring, tax due diligence, general compliance reporting issues and tax controversy. After graduating college, she worked for the Virginia Department of Taxation as a tax auditor and was a senior tax consultant for KPMG, LLP.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Virginia Union University, a Master of Science in Taxation from American University - Kogod School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University – Smeal College of Business. Janara is also a licensed CPA.

Connect with Janara:

• LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janarajones/
• Email:  [email protected]

Credits:

Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [email protected]

Instagram: @blackwomanleading

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/blackwomanleading

Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights 

Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay

Morgan shares her personal style story and how it led to her work today with helping professional women do the heart work and head work to build their confidence and stand in their worth through “authentically appropriate” style.  Morgan shares her two-part definition of executive presence, emphasizes the need for self-empathy and grace with our post-Covid bodies, and outlines her five-step process to update your look when you feel it’s time for a change. 

Morgan provides a refreshing and insightful take on cultivating style with intentionality.  She empowers listeners to “cultivate a wardrobe that announces your presence instead of apologizing for it.”

Guest Bio 

As a wardrobe stylist and speaker, Morgan Wider advises executives, entrepreneurs and college students on how to build wardrobes that convey confidence and competence. Morgan has worked with companies such as Google, Walmart, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche to highlight how an improved image increases performance. 

Before launching her business, Morgan spent 10 years working at the corporate headquarters of The Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Carter’s. She grew several businesses with her knowledge of merchandising, apparel production, pricing strategy and international development. Morgan is also the author of the best-selling book, The Worthy Wardrobe: Your Guide to Style, Shopping & Soul. By sharing her knowledge about the retail industry and her passion for fashion, Morgan helps her clients feel more powerful in all areas of their lives. 

Check out Morgan’s podcast - The Worthy Reveal

Get Morgan’s book - The Worthy Wardrobe 

Connect with Morgan:

• Instagram: @morganwiderstyle
• Facebook: @WiderStyle 
• Web: https://morganwider.com/

Credits:

Learn more about the  Black Woman Leading™ learning experience at http://blackwomanleading.com/

Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/

Email Laura: [email protected]

Instagram: @blackwomanleading

Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights 

Graphics: Olayinka Ajibola

Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• iHeartRadio
• Podbay