Being Seen Isn’t Enough: How to Be Positioned in Leadership
Being Brown at Work
Being seen is one thing. Being positioned is another. Visibility might get you in the room but strategy, relationships, and how you show up once you’re there determine what happens next. In this episode, we’re talking about what it really takes to move from presence to positioning so your voice carries weight, your work is recognized, and your leadership is undeniable.
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Know Your Worth, Ask For The Money
Being Brown at Work
On this episode of Being Brown at Work, I sit down with Jacqueline Howard to talk all things money, mindset, and self-advocacy. As the Head of Money Wellness at Ally, Jacqueline focuses on helping people build healthier relationships with money. Shaping how we think about spending, saving, and showing up confidently in financial decisions.
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Choosing Yourself Boundaries, Establishing Emotional Clarity
Being Brown at Work
In this powerful episode of Being Brown at Work Live, I am honored to welcome back the visionary Deepa Purushothaman. Deepa is a former Senior Partner at Deloitte, an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, and the author of the internationally acclaimed book, The First, The Few, The Only. We dive deep into the "status quo of ambition" and why high-achieving Black and Brown women often find themselves outworking everyone else—only to realize the system is taking a physical and emotional toll. Deepa shares her personal journey of how a lack of boundaries led to a severe health crisis,...
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Choosing Yourself: Boundaries, Authenticity, and Peace at Work.
Being Brown at Work
In this episode of Being Brown at Work Live, I finally sat down with the incredible Natalie Parker, founder of Natalie Parker Enterprises and host of the podcast “So Your Boss Sucks, Now What?” Natalie and I stripped away the corporate "safe-speak" to talk about the real work of 2026: Self-Preservation. We explored why Black and Brown women often default to service and performative excellence at the expense of our own health and purpose. Natalie’s own 2022 near-death experience served as a powerful reminder that we have "one life to live", and we shouldn't spend it all putting...
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The Future of Work for Black and Brown Women
Being Brown at Work
In this high-octane season premiere of Being Brown at Work Live, I deliver a "no-sugarcoating" analysis of the current corporate landscape. Drawing on the newly released Lean In 2025 Women in the Workplace Report, I break down the sobering reality of the "crooked pathway" Black and Brown women are navigating today. This episode moves beyond simple motivation to provide a strategic survival and advancement guide for 2026. I explore the critical difference between mentorship and transformative sponsorship, sharing personal stories of how sponsors opened doors to board seats and executive...
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[Part 2] - How to Build Relationships
Being Brown at Work
In this episode, I continue my conversation with tech executive Obi Ihenacho (Corporate Engineering at Robinhood, Ex-Meta), who shares his actionable, personal playbook for building a powerful network that defines career success. Obi shares real-life strategies, including the incredible story of how a genuine connection at a coffee shop led to an opportunity at Twitter that created a full-circle career win. We dive into essential steps for growth: The Power of Proximity: Strategically positioning yourself at conferences and events to meet people who align with your goals. Small Wins, Big...
info_outline![[Part 1] - How to Build Relationships show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/38936165?height=50&width=50)
[Part 1] - How to Build Relationships
Being Brown at Work
In this episode, I welcome Obi Ihenacho, an accomplished IT professional with a decade of engineering experience at companies like Robinhood, Meta, and Twitter. We kick off a crucial discussion on why relationships, not just technical skills, define career success and leadership influence. Obi immediately provides a powerful framework for growth, outlining three vital relationships every professional must cultivate: The Relationship with Yourself: Centered on self-confidence, self-awareness, and believing you deserve your seat at the table (essential for combating imposter syndrome). The...
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[Part 2] The Courage to Create
Being Brown at Work
In this highly actionable episode, I continue my conversation with the revolutionary Ngozi Cadmus (TEDx Speaker and CEO of Happiworkers) as she shifts the focus from healing to hustle and strategy. Ngozi argues that AI is the great leveler and a powerful tool for achieving "ease of living" and financial control. We dive deep into: The AI Imperative: Why mastering AI is crucial for future-proofing your career and business. The person who masters AI will replace the person who doesn't. Time Optimization: Practical ways to use simple AI tools (like Copilot and generative AI) to save hours on...
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[Part 1] - The Courage to Create with Ngozi Cadmus
Being Brown at Work
In this episode, I sit down with the revolutionary Ngozi Cadmus, TEDx Speaker, Psychotherapist, and CEO of the UK’s leading anti-racist mental health platform. Ngozi brings her unique global majority (BIPOC) lens to a raw conversation about the "why" behind the struggles of Black and Brown women in the workplace. We dive deep into: The Unseen Trauma: Ngozi shares her personal journey, revealing how issues like colorism, functional depression, and the mammy/strong Black woman trope create a deep, internal barrier to professional success. The Threat Dynamic: We explore the...
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Leave or Stay - Navigating Career Pivots with Jeanette Jordan
Being Brown at Work
I'm absolutely thrilled and humbled to announce that Being Brown at Work has been named one of the Top 35 Brown Podcasts by FeedSpot! This week, I'm joined by the incredible strategic business consultant and executive coach, Jeanette Jordan. She brings her unique perspective, shaped by her own career pivot from engineering to tech marketing after the 2008 financial crisis, to discuss the crucial decision of whether to leave or stay in your current role. Jeanette provides key insights and actionable advice on: Paying attention to market conditions and company dynamics as early warning signs...
info_outlineIn this high-octane season premiere of Being Brown at Work Live, I deliver a "no-sugarcoating" analysis of the current corporate landscape. Drawing on the newly released Lean In 2025 Women in the Workplace Report, I break down the sobering reality of the "crooked pathway" Black and Brown women are navigating today.
This episode moves beyond simple motivation to provide a strategic survival and advancement guide for 2026. I explore the critical difference between mentorship and transformative sponsorship, sharing personal stories of how sponsors opened doors to board seats and executive education.
Key Statistics Discussed:
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The Burden of Race: 1 in 3 Black women worry their race will hold them back, despite being among the most highly educated demographics in the U.S..
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The Burnout Crisis: 8 out of 10 Black women in leadership report high levels of burnout due to increased scrutiny and the constant pressure to prove their value.
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The Corporate Priority Gap: Only 46% of companies view the advancement of women of color as a high priority, a double-digit drop from the general priority for women.
The 5 Imperatives for Success in 2026:
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Environmental Awareness: "Call a thing a thing." Acknowledge the reality of your surroundings without taking on the burden of fixing others' discomfort.
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Foundational Self-Awareness: Use high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to understand your unique persona and set non-negotiable boundaries.
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Strategic Community: Don't be an island. Seek out accountability partners and build a trust-based inner circle.
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Narrative Control: If you don't define your excellence and your story, the organization will do it for you—often to your detriment.
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Psychological Safety: Prioritize your peace. Protecting the "person who produces the excellence" is your most important job.
I want to leave you with a powerful reminder: the rules may be different and the field may be uneven, but with clarity and a different approach, you can successfully shape a career that remains firmly in your own hands.
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