Episodios

  • S8E5: Creating Pathways Through Consulting with Kamilah Martin

    S8E5: Creating Pathways Through Consulting with Kamilah Martin
    Nov 13 2025

    In this conversation, Laura welcomes Kamilah Martin, Founder & CEO of Katalyst.

    Given the recent stats about Black women exiting the workplace in staggering numbers, Laura & Kamilah explore consulting as an option for Black women in transition. The discussion also touches on the importance of community and support in navigating these transitions.

    Kamilah Martin shares her journey from a traditional career path to becoming a leader in consulting and entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges and rewards of stepping into one's full power, the importance of self-discovery, and the role of consulting as a gateway to liberation.

    About Kamilah

    Kamilah is the visionary founder and CEO of Katalyst, a consulting, coaching, and lifestyle company reimagining what freedom, wellness, and leadership look like for women of color in business. Through Katalyst, she leads a global ecosystem that includes an award-winning membership community, transformative retreats, and a consultant referral network that connects mission-driven organizations with experienced independent talent.

    With nearly two decades of leadership experience, Kamilah has built Katalyst into a home for women of color stepping out of traditional 9-5 roles into consulting and entrepreneurship—helping them thrive with clarity, confidence, and community.

    Connect with Kamilah

    • LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kamilahmartin

    • IG: @katalystconsult

    • Website: katalystconsult.com

    BWL Resources:

    • Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/

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

    • Check out the BWL theme song here

    • Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here

    • Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/

    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: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com

    Connect with Laura on LinkedIn

    Follow BWL on LinkedIn

    Instagram: @blackwomanleading

    Facebook: @blackwomanleading

    Youtube: @blackwomanleading

    Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights

    Graphics: Dara Adams

    Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:

    • Apple Podcasts

    • Spotify

    • Stitcher

    • iHeartRadio

    • Audible

    • Podbay
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    56 m
  • S8E4: Recovering from a Layoff with Dr. Chinasa Elue & Dr. Karma Hill

    S8E4: Recovering from a Layoff with Dr. Chinasa Elue & Dr. Karma Hill
    Oct 30 2025
    In this conversation, Laura chats with Black Woman Leading® coaches, Dr. Chinasa Elue & Dr. Karma Hill, to explore the heart work of recovering from a layoff. Assessing the personal side of this experience, they explore how integrated elements of misplaced identity, burnout, and grief might deepen the loss of employment for many Black women. They explore the power of community to support people through career transitions, and share small but meaningful practices that can help people manage stress and begin to recover from a layoff. About Dr. Chinasa Dr. Chinasa Elue is an award-winning professor, TedEx speaker, grief coach, and CEO and Founder of True Titans Consulting Group. She provides strategic coaching and consulting to organizations moving forward to make impactful changes in the midst of uncertainty. Her work focuses on the ways in which we cultivate spaces in society to have authentic conversations about grief in an effort to provide more holistic grief support. She offers grief coaching to support individuals who have experienced grief and loss of all kinds in moving forward with empathy and care. Dr. Elue is also the host of the Grieving in Color Podcast, a podcast that explores the various ways we navigate our experiences with grief and loss and a place where we find the courage to intentionally heal in our daily lives. She is also a 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. Dr. Elue runs the research lab for the Study of Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Effectiveness, and Well-Being of Educational Leaders. Dr. Elue's work has been featured in USA Today, DiversityInc, Better Homes and Gardens, the Journal of Higher Education, the Journal of Negro Education, the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, and others. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, Emeka and two children. Connect with Dr. Chinasa Website: https://www.drchinasaelue.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drchinasaelue/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchinasaelue/ About Dr. Karma Dr. Karma Hill is a Burnout Prevention Strategist, Executive Coach, and Positive Psychologist dedicated to helping leaders and organizations flourish from the inside out. As the creator of the REST™ Framework—Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Care, and Trust—she equips executives and mission-driven teams to prevent burnout, lead with purpose, and cultivate psychologically safe, thriving cultures. With over 20 years of experience in psychology, leadership development, and organizational consulting, Dr. Hill blends evidence-based science with compassionate strategy to reimagine how we work, lead, and live. She serves as President-Elect of the International Coaching Federation Georgia Chapter and is the Founder of Konversations with Karma and Flourish Forum Magazine. Her research and speaking center the intersections of leadership, well-being, and equity—particularly the lived experiences of African American women leaders navigating burnout in the post-COVID workplace. A sought-after speaker and media contributor featured in Yahoo Finance, VoyageATL, and Women's Herald, Dr. Hill's mission is simple yet profound: to restore wholeness in people, leadership, and organizational systems. Connect with Dr. Karma Website: KonversationswithKarma.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillkarma IG: https://instagram.com/konversationswithkarma BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today! Check out the BWL theme song here Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/ 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: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights Graphics: Dara Adams Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay
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    47 m
  • S8E3: Honoring Our Stories with Dr. Menah Pratt

    S8E3: Honoring Our Stories with Dr. Menah Pratt
    Oct 30 2025
    In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Menah Pratt, scholar and author. Using Menah's memoir, Blackwildgirl, as a powerful example; they explore how journaling can be a tool for self-awareness and growth. In Blackwildgirl, Menah shares her journey from eight years old to present day and her quest to reclaim the untamed, bold, and creative spirit of girlhood that was stifled in her rigid upbringing. She recounts her experience of unearthing 45 years of journaling to tell this story, and the transformative power she was able to reclaim from her own story. Building off her personal story, she shares how journaling can be a path to power and freedom for listeners. Tune into this episode and be inspired to with practical insights on how to honor your story. About Dr. Menah Menah Pratt is an award-winning nationally and internationally recognized leader, scholar, and author. She has over 30 years of experience in higher education in senior leadership roles at major public and private universities, including Vanderbilt, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Fisk University. She has often served in inaugural roles as Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Diversity Officer, Chief of Staff, Secretary of the University, and University Counsel. She has five degrees, including a law degree and PhD in sociology from Vanderbilt University. As a tenured full professor, she is the author of Blackwildgirl: A Writer's Journey to Take Back her Superpower and companion journal, Finding your Superpower. She is also the founder and co-editor of a new journal series: Dear Higher Education: Letters from the Social Justice Mountain featuring over 50 letters from across the United States and globally on issues of social justice in higher education. She is committed to working to make the world a better place, especially for those most marginalized in society. Connect with Dr. Menah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menahpratt/ Website: www.menahpratt.com Click here to purchase her book, blackwildgirl BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today! Check out the BWL theme song here Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/ 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: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights Graphics: Dara Adams Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay
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    1 h y 5 m
  • S8E2: Activating Joy with Dr. Pamela Larde

    S8E2: Activating Joy with Dr. Pamela Larde
    Oct 30 2025
    In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Pamela Larde, social scientist, author, and coach, to explore the practice and science of joy. Based on over 16 years of research, Dr. Larde breaks down her Multidimensional Framework of Joy, built upon a foundation of well-being. She shares how joy connects to our communities and our approaches to liberation, citing current examples of how joy can serve as a source of resistance in times of political unrest, oppression, and significant sources of stress. Additionally, we explore how to reclaim joy after it's lost and how to create joy practices. Tune in to this encouraging episode and leave with practical takeaways and tips on how to activate more joy in your life. About Dr. Pamela Dr. Pamela Larde is an award-winning professor, author, speaker, and founder of the Academy of Creative Coaching. With over two decades of experience in leadership development, coaching education, and social impact work, she is a leading voice in the study and practice of joy, well-being, and culturally responsive leadership. As a professor of doctoral leadership studies and director of education for the Institute of Coaching, Pamela blends research, storytelling, and soul-centered strategies to help individuals and organizations thrive. Her work centers on helping people transform their lives through her EPIC Joy model, her Multidimensional Framework of Joy, and a deep commitment to human wholeness and liberation. Connect with Dr. Pamela Website: www.DrPamelaLarde.com Website: www.academyofcreativecoaching.com Instagram: @joyresearcher TikTok: @joyresearcher Facebook: Pamela Antoinette Larde LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/empoweredwriter/ BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today! Check out the BWL theme song here Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/ 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: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights Graphics: Dara Adams Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay
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    48 m
  • S8E1: Welcome to Season 8!

    S8E1: Welcome to Season 8!
    Oct 30 2025
    Welcome to Season 8 of Black Woman Leading, the podcast! This podcast is an extension of the Black Woman Leading programs and events. In this episode, Laura introduces season eight of the Black Woman Leading podcast, focusing on the theme of 'Leaning Into Joy.' We'll be exploring how to make space and create intentional plans for simple experiences of joy in all areas of our lives (yes, even at work!). Laura explains how finding time to care for and center our holistic needs (including our needs for peace and joy) are a critical part of our personal development AND our leadership development. And even more than that, it's an act of resistance. She also shares the season's core questions and highlights from the season's guest experts on a variety of topics to support your development as you learn, heal, and grow in your leadership capacity. The episode sets the stage for an enlightening season filled with valuable insights and discussions. 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. BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today! Check out the BWL theme song here Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/ 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: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights Graphics: Dara Adams Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay
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    19 m
  • S7E16: Season 7 Reflections & Recap

    S7E16: Season 7 Reflections & Recap
    Aug 21 2025

    We are celebrating the completion of our seventh season! Our season's theme was "Driving the Narrative of Your Career," as our core questions throughout the season emphasized the importance of setting a personal vision and the journey of accessing resources, advocating for oneself, and practicing self-care while pursuing that vision.

    In addition to this theme, which connected all episodes, we covered various topics with our guest experts and solo episodes. And, some organic themes emerged across episodes about managing relationships and navigating the workplace politics landscape, navigating change and disruption, and having a growth mindset.

    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 11-14, 2026 Myrtle Beach, SC! Learn more at bwlretreat.com

    • Learn more about BWL leadership and career development programs at www.blackwomanleading.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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    30 m
  • S7E15: Navigating Shifting Terrains with Dr. Avis Proctor

    S7E15: Navigating Shifting Terrains with Dr. Avis Proctor
    Aug 7 2025
    In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Avis Proctor, President of Harper College. Dr. Proctor shares her journey from a mathematics educator to a college president, emphasizing need for intentionality in leadership, self-advocacy, and the power of community support in achieving success. She reflects on her career journey and the pivotal choices that shaped her path. She also provides insights on the challenges of navigating shifting terrains in education and the significance of co-creating strategies with her team to weather the current climate. Dr. Proctor also shares her strategies for maintaining focus and integrity amidst constant change, and her take on the importance of self-care and wellness in sustaining leadership energy. About Dr. Proctor Dr. Avis Proctor became the sixth president of William Rainey Harper College in July 2019. With over 30 years of experience working in multicultural environments as an innovative mathematics educator and administrator, she is committed to transforming lives through the power of education using research-based instructional strategies, strategic community engagement and future-focused economic development which all lead to strengthened educational opportunities that impact generations. Dr. Proctor also provides leadership on several boards from local to national levels including the Northwest Educational Council for Student Success (NECSS), the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID), the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, and the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents (ICCCP). During her tenure at the College, Harper has been recognized as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2023, and as a 2023 Aspen Top 25 institution and as a 2025 Aspen Top 20 institution, and is a lead member institution of The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub established by the CHIPS and Science Act in 2023. Dr. Proctor earned her bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a Master of Science in Teaching Mathematics at Florida Atlantic University, and her Doctorate in Higher Education at Florida International University. Dr. Proctor and her husband are the proud parents of one son. Connect with Dr. Proctor at Harper College Harper College on Facebook Harper College on LinkedIn Harper College on Instagram Harper College on X BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today! 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: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @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
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    58 m
  • S7E14: Optimizing Your Salary with Ange Matthews

    S7E14: Optimizing Your Salary with Ange Matthews
    Jul 24 2025
    In this conversation, Laura welcomes Ange Matthews, an investor and personal finance expert, to discuss strategies for optimizing your salary. Ange shares her journey from a $40,000 salary to building seven figures of passive wealth, offering insights into making every dollar work for you. She emphasizes the importance of giving every dollar a job and making your money work overtime. Ange shares options for building passive income by leveraging stock options, stock investing, and self-directed IRAs. She also shares her insights on how your financial decisions can support your overall well-being, helping you to balance present enjoyment with future security. Mindset Shifts: Finally, Laura and Ange also discuss the heartwork of financial wellness, discussing the importance of forgiveness, delayed gratification, and setting financial boundaries. About Ange Ange Matthews is an Investor, Personal Finance Expert, Speaker, and the CEO of the Happy Investor Method. Her goal is to make investing and personal finance accessible and fun for all. As an experienced investor with nearly 20 years of experience, she has supported thousands of individuals through workshops and one-on-one coaching. A first-generation investor, Ange was making $40,000 a year and had six figures in debt. She taught herself how to generate 7 figures of passive wealth through responsible money management. Her approach is not only happy but effective. Since then she used her investments to become a hotel owner, real estate investor, Angel investor, and shareholder in 89+ companies. Her mission is to help others do the same. Check out Ange's free audio resource here. Connect with Ange Website - https://happyinvestormethod.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheAngelaEMatthews/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/happyinvestormethod/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaematthews/ BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the August 2025 sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today! 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: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @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
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    54 m