Libsyn Directory

S6E6: Healing Together with Camesha Jones-Brandon & Dr. Marion Malcome

Release Date: 10/03/2024

Black Woman Leading

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,...

S6E14: Getting Your Gut Health in Check with BB Arrington

Black Woman Leading

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...

S6E13: Creating Your Personal Leadership Vision

Black Woman Leading

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...

S6E12: Navigating Life Changes with Kumari Williams

Black Woman Leading

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...

S6E11: Rising Above Injustice in the Workplace with Leah Davis

Black Woman Leading

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...

S6E10: Building Trust on the Team

Black Woman Leading

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...

S6E9: Giving as a Way of Life with Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew

Black Woman Leading

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...

S6E8: Defining Your Leader Story with Taiia Smart Young

Black Woman Leading

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...

S6E7: Strengthening Mindful Self-Talk

Black Woman Leading

In this solo episode, Laura shares the power of mindful self-talk and how it can transform your leadership journey. Our internal dialogue plays a pivotal role in shaping not just how we see ourselves but how we show up in the world—and especially in the workplace. Laura explores how positive self-talk can help rewire limiting beliefs and reduce stress, while also providing strategies to challenge negative thoughts and embrace your present without judgment. She shares mindfulness points for High Achievers, key elements of self-compassion, and how to consciously shift your internal...

S6E6: Healing Together with Camesha Jones-Brandon & Dr. Marion Malcome

Black Woman Leading

In this episode, Laura discusses the power of community-based mental health care with guests, Camesha Jones-Brandon and Dr. Marion Malcome. Camesha and Dr. Marion share about their work with the Chicago-based Heal TogetHER program, which provides peer support for Black women to be seen, heard, and build authentic connections that empower mental well-being. Heal TogetHER provides support to people who have mild to moderate mental health concerns with brief 1-on-1 emotional support, resource connections, and education about mental health conditions. They discuss preventative approaches in mental...

More Episodes

They discuss preventative approaches in mental health, the significance of social connections for our overall wellness, and practical strategies we can implement in our daily interactions to support the mental health of our friends and family.

Learn more about the Heal TogetHER program at https://www.communitycare.sistaafya.com/healtogether.

Guest Bios

::Camesha Jones-Brandon

Camesha L. Jones, LCSW is a Community Mental Wellness Changemaker who serves at the intersection of culture, community, and social justice. She is the Executive Director of Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness, a social enterprise that provides mental wellness care that centers the experiences of Black women in Chicago. Since Sista Afya's founding in 2017, they've served over 1000 Black women through their innovative, community-driven programs. In 2020, she launched Sista Afya Community Care NFP, a nonprofit that provides free mental wellness care and education to women experiencing multiple barriers to care. Camesha's work at Sista Afya has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Vogue, Allure, TEDx, and Rolling Out. Camesha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois who graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor's in Sociology and received her Master's in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Camesha strongly believes in eliminating barriers in the mental health field that people of diverse cultural backgrounds experience by creating affordable and accessible care that centers the well-being of the whole person.

Connect with Camesha

Website: www.communitycare.sistaafya.com

Connect on Instagram & Facebook - @sistaafya

::Dr. Marion Malcome

Dr. Marion Malcome is a mother, scholar, social worker and a born-and-raised Chicagoan - south side! Dr. Malcome is currently an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work where she teaches courses on clinical assessment and diagnosis and power, oppression, privilege and social justice. Her research is situated at the intersection of race, place and mental health in which centers the lived experiences of Black women and mothers to understand how where one lives coupled with experiences of racism shapes mental health and wellbeing over the life course. Dr. Malcome’s community work has long been focused on “helping people help people” through the lens of Black mental health and is grounded in close to 20 years of direct clinical social work practice experience. She also co-created the Becoming an Anti-racist Mental Health Clinician in 2013 which has trained just over a thousand clinicians across the country.

Connect with Dr. Marion

Website

Connect on LinkedIn

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