Episodes

  • S6E15: Season 6 Reflections & Recap
    Jan 30 2025

    We are celebrating the completion of our sixth season! Our season theme was “Community Care is Critical,” as our core questions throughout the season explored how embracing community fuels our personal and professional growth.

    We define community care as the ways we intentionally support and uplift each other, and how we create and nurture the spaces where we feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

    In addition to this theme, which connected all episodes, we covered various topics with our guest experts. And, some organic themes emerged across episodes about self-awareness, self-care, and personal branding.

    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:

    • Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

    Credits:

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

    Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    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
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    24 mins
  • S6E14: Getting Your Gut Health in Check with BB Arrington
    Jan 23 2025

    In this episode, Laura speaks with BB Arrington, a nutritional therapy practitioner specializing in gut health, to discuss getting your gut health in check.

    They discuss the importance of gut health, its connection to mental well-being, the unique challenges faced by Black women in the wellness space, and the need for representation in healthcare. Additionally, the conversation covers practical steps for improving gut health, including the importance of slowing down, hydration, and fiber intake.

    BB discusses the multifaceted aspects of gut health, emphasizing the importance of dietary fats, exercise, and redefining one's relationship with food. She explains the roles of probiotics and prebiotics, the concept of sealing the gut, and navigating food sensitivities.

    The discussion also highlights the significance of community care and the normalization of seeking help in health journeys, ultimately encouraging listeners to take charge of their gut health and overall well-being.

    About BB

    BB Arrington is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who specializes in gut health for creative individuals. She teaches creatives to become more health autonomous so they can focus on flow and share their gifts with the rest of the world. In addition to her clinical work, she has contributed her expertise to venture backed fitness apps, the US Air Force, as well as many online publications.

    Connect with BB

    Website: www.bbarrington.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bb.arrington

    Resources:

    • Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

    Credits:

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

    Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • S6E13: Creating Your Personal Leadership Vision
    Jan 16 2025

    In this short, but powerful, solo episode, Laura shares her personal practice for creating a personal vision that provides guidance and inspiration for the year.

    Laura shares prompts for exploration and also explains the connection between your vision and values. After clarifying a guiding vision, Laura explains how you can then use that vision to inform your tactical goals, deadlines, and action steps.

    Your leadership vision is rooted in your WHY (purpose for this season). You deserve this dedicated time to clarify this for yourself!

    Grab your notebook and pen, let your thoughts flow, and follow along with Laura as she walks you through a guided reflection exercise to create your personal leadership vision for the year.

    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 20+ 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:

    • Now enrolling for our spring 2025 leadership development programs starting in January 2025. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
    • Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com
    • BWL podcast episode S1E3 Getting in Alignment with Yourself (Values Clarification). Listen on Apple podcast or Spotify

    Credits:

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

    Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    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
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • S6E12: Navigating Life Changes with Kumari Williams
    Dec 26 2024

    In this episode, Laura discusses navigating life changes with Kumari Williams. Kumari shares her journey as an executive leader, and how she has navigated both personal and professional challenges and changes throughout her career. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the need for support systems while navigating life transitions.

    Kumari reflects on her experiences in leadership, the significance of consistent self-checks, and the value of extending grace to oneself and others during difficult times. Overall, Kumari encourages listeners to embrace their humanity and seek help when needed. She vulnerably shares how she is navigating grief, embracing strengthening her areas of growth, and how she has given herself more space to lean on her personal relationships for support.

    About Kumari

    At the time of our recording, Kumari L. Williams held the position of Vice President of VIBE™ (Value, Inclusion, Belonging & Equity) at Workday. She was recently promoted to the position of Chief Diversity Officer at Workday. With a passion for fostering inclusive, supportive, and equitable work environments, she serves as a visionary thought leader in the talent domain. Kumari spearheads strategic initiatives, including the Employee Belonging Council, Giving & Doing, and Disability Inclusion programs. Her vision revolves around fostering an environment in which each person feels esteemed, respected, and equipped to unleash their fullest potential.

    With more than two decades of experience and a comprehensive track record in developing and executing effective strategies, Kumari brings her invaluable knowledge and insights to her position. Prior to joining Workday in 2021, Kumari worked in various senior leadership positions at HARMAN International and ADP. These roles included serving as the Senior Director of Global Talent Management & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding, and Director of Client Operations.

    Kumari and her devoted husband, originally from Metro Detroit, currently reside in Georgia. They actively engage in their church and community activities alongside their two sons, fostering a strong sense of belonging and purpose.

    Connect with Kumari on LinkedIn here.

    Resources:

    • Now enrolling for our spring 2025 leadership development programs starting in January 2025. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
    • Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

    Credits:

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

    Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    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
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • S6E11: Rising Above Injustice in the Workplace with Leah Davis
    Dec 12 2024

    In this conversation, Laura discusses rising above injustice in the workplace with Leah Davis, Founder of Leah Davis Coaching.

    Leah shares her personal experience of workplace injustice, the impact of imposter syndrome, and the healing journey that led her to reclaim her voice and lean deeper into her community.

    She also shares insights on maintaining peace, power, and presence while advocating for oneself in difficult situations.

    Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of establishing boundaries, finding a supportive community, and the power of self-care as a form of resistance against oppression, particularly for Black women.

    About Leah Davis

    Leah Davis is a Wealth and Wellness Coach dedicated to empowering people of color by mastering their money mindsets, financial habits, and behaviors. Her coaching programs offer accessible and comprehensive education grounded in empathy, enabling her clients to achieve economic empowerment and personal autonomy.

    Leah has 10+ years of experience in the financial and nonprofit sectors, during which she has guided numerous families toward financial stability. In her private practice, she predominantly serves Black, Indigenous, Latina, and all women of color, with a special focus on addressing the needs of those impacted by gender-based and childhood domestic violence.

    Connect with Leah

    Website: https://leahcoaching.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-davis-coach/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahcoaching/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahcoachingWOCwealth/

    Resources:

    • Now enrolling for our spring 2025 leadership development programs starting in January 2025. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
    • Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

    Credits:

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

    Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    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
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • S6E10: Building Trust on the Team
    Dec 5 2024

    In this solo episode, Laura shares the importance of trust as a foundational component of a high performing team. Research indicates that teams with higher levels of trust have better collaboration, increased productivity, higher levels of morale and employee engagement, yield better results, and have stronger employee retention.

    Laura provides an overview of key terms related to building trust on the team, and insight on how you can diagnose the root causes of trust issues in the workplace.

    She also shares the “hardware” and “software” components of trust, and what you can do to create more of it on your team. Finally, if your trust in the work environment has been negatively impacted, she provides insights to help you explore what your next steps should be.

    Whether you are the leader of the team or a member of the team that wants to do your part to cultivate an environment of trust where everyone thrives, this episode is for you!

    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 20+ 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:

    • We are now enrolling for both our Early Career and Mid-Career leadership development programs. Learn more and see which program is best for you at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
    • Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

    Credits:

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

    Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    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
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • S6E9: Giving as a Way of Life with Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew
    Nov 14 2024
    In this conversation, Laura discusses the concept of giving as a way of life with Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew, a network weaver and philanthropy expert. They explore the importance of strategic giving and recognizing the value that Black women bring to philanthropy. Dr. Froswa' discusses the concept of giving circles and the importance of relationships and social capital in community building. She emphasizes that Black people have always been philanthropists, giving their time, talents, and resources to support others. Dr. Froswa encourages Black women to amplify their leadership by being strategic with their giving power and building intentional relationships. She highlights the value of mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship in personal and professional growth. They also discuss the need for Black women to ask for what they need and set boundaries. The conversation highlights the power of community and the role of “mirrors” in supporting Black women in their personal and professional growth. About Dr. Froswa Froswa’ Booker-Drew, Ph.D. is a Network Weaver who believes relationships are the key to our personal, professional, and organizational growth. She has been quoted and featured in several publications due to her extensive background in leadership, nonprofit management, philanthropy, partnership development, training, and education. She is the founder of Soulstice Consultancy, LLC providing DEI, leadership training, community engagement strategies and philanthropic/partnership guidance for institutions. She also founded The Reconciliation & Restoration Foundation in 2022 with a group of deeply experienced and invested nonprofit leaders with the intent to support the growth of Black-led nonprofit. Formerly the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas, Froswa’ was responsible for grantmaking, educational programming and community initiatives. More than 70% of organizations funded were led by people of color. As the previous National Community Engagement Director for World Vision, she served as a catalyst, partnership broker, and builder of the capacity of local partners in multiple locations across the US to improve and sustain the well-being of children and their families. She is also co-founder of HERitage Giving Circle, one of the first Black women Giving Circles in the State of Texas and co-founder of both Power in Action-Dallas and the South Dallas Employment Project. Froswa’ graduated with a PhD from Antioch University in Leadership and Change with a focus on social capital, diverse women, change management, and relational leadership. She is currently an adjunct professor at Tulane University in the Master of Public Administration Program teaching the Governance, Leadership and Sustainability course and is an affiliate faculty member at the Graduate School of Leadership and Change at Antioch University. Connect with Dr. Froswa Website: https://www.drfroswabooker.com/ Resources: Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com 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 PodcastsSpotifyStitcher iHeartRadio AudiblePodbay
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    48 mins
  • S6E8: Defining Your Leader Story with Taiia Smart Young
    Oct 31 2024

    In this episode, Laura chats with Taiia Smart Young, Book Coach, Writing Consultant & Story Strategist, to discuss the importance of defining your leader story to support your personal brand and professional growth.

    They emphasize the power of storytelling and emotional resonance in building connections and influencing others. They also highlight the value of integrating all of your experiences, including your #strugglestory and life-changing moments, into your narrative.

    Taiia shares the building blocks of your leader story and practical ways to share your story to amplify your brand. She emphasizes that everyone has a story to tell, and your story is what separates you from everyone else. Tune in to this insightful episode!

    About Taiia

    Taiia Smart Young is a book coach, writing consultant and story strategist. She teaches coaches, consultants, speakers and entrepreneurs how to use their expertise and experiences to write and self-publish brand-building, sticky stories that make bank. Ms. Young has interviewed celebrities including Michelle Obama, Mary J. Blige. Nas, 50, Tabitha Brown, La La Anthony and more.

    Her work has appeared in ESSENCE, Latina, Refinery29.com, TIDAL, Verizon.com and The New York Times.

    Taiia is the author of S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™: Position Your Expertise, Propel Your Brand and Prepare For Visibility by Writing a Best-Selling Book. The S.T.E.P. Into Your Story™ writing and publishing intensive is based on the book.

    Connect with Taiia

    Website: http://taiiasmartyoung.com/

    Connect with Taiia on Instagram

    Resources:

    • Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

    Credits:

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

    Email Laura: laura@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    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
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins