Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women

Are you ready to stop shrinking and start engineering your own luck? Host Kamika Dillard welcomes media mogul Les Alfred to the sanctuary to discuss her journey from corporate to building the She's So Lucky Podcast media ecosystem. Les shares her strategic blueprint for how she used her corporate job as a "revenue stream" to fund her passion, her disciplined four-year exit plan and and why she is building toward a more "offline" future. This episode is part of The Corporate Baddie Series- a series created for Black women who are still inside corporate America and need strategy, language and protection, not hustle talk. Connect with Les Alfred Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesalfred TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theluckyles Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/46muBfvOgp2U44ycqZJPPN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shessoluckypod Subscribe + connect Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Links Website: https://blackwomensaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

We've been taught one playbook: go to school, climb the corporate ladder and save in a 401k. But what if there's a brand-new playbook the elite are using that they didn't tell us about? Kamika welcomes Stephanie Dorsey (CEO of Margins Capital) to the sanctuary discuss why high-level corporate salaries are essentially "corporate minimum wage" and how she is building an "overground railroad" for Black women to access institutional-quality investments. From leaving a career in law for the Peace Corps to launching a venture fund with access to companies like SpaceX, Stephanie shares how to unlearn corporate conditioning and start embodying a 9-figure mindset today. Stephanie Dorsey is the CEO and Co‑founder of Margins Capital, an investment firm giving women and BIPOC investors access to private equity, late‑stage venture, and commercial real estate. A former attorney turned Peace Corps volunteer and Kellogg MBA, she spent a decade in product at Capital One before leading product at Metric Collective. She now builds pathways into alternative investments and hosts What The Wealthy Do. Websites www.marginscapital.com joinsovereign.co Social Media TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marginscapital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanieadorsey/?hl=en Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marginscapital/?hl=en YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatTheWealthyDo Subscribe + connect Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Links Website: https://blackwomensaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

Are you ready to turn your corporate expertise into a thriving business? In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, host Kamika Dillard and government contracting expert Zainab Kamarah discuss how Black women can reclaim their power after layoffs by securing government contracts. From landing $50,000 "quick quotes" to scaling with systems, this episode provides a practical roadmap for professional growth. Learn why your current job description is your biggest asset and how to "fail forward" into your next six-figure win. This episode is part of The Corporate Baddie Series- a series created for Black women who are still inside corporate America and need strategy, language and protection, not hustle talk. Share it with a Black woman who needs permission to rest, reassess, and choose peace. Zainab Kamarah is a social entrepreneur, HR executive, and proud mother who builds practical systems that help people and organizations thrive. Through Conteh & Brown Group, she helps organizations solve complex operational challenges simply, especially in HR, compliance, and program delivery. Her work is grounded in activism around protecting children, expanding economic enfranchisement for Black women through micro-economies, and advocating for disability inclusion and poverty alleviation. Website: Conteh & Brown Group | Strategy, HR & GovCon Services for Small Businesses — Richmond, VA Instagram: @ContehBrown TikTok: Iron Barbie (@iron.barbie5) | TikTok Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Website: https://blackwomensaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen

In this episode of Black Women Save Black Women, host Kamika Dillard sits down with Sherika Ekpo, a former tech executive and Chief People Officer turned entrepreneur and franchise owner of Pecan Jacks West Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia. Sherika pulls back the curtain on why a corporate paycheck is often a "false sense of security" and shares her transparent journey from the White House and Google to betting on herself through franchising. Whether you are a corporate professional questioning your next move or an aspiring entrepreneur looking for a proven business model, this episode provides the financial and mental blueprint for your transition. Sherika Ekpo is a people‑first leader, entrepreneur, and trusted advisor with nearly two decades of experience helping organizations build strong, values‑driven cultures. She's the Founder and CEO of Shaw Ekpo Enterprises, where she provides fractional CHRO support to growing and private‑equity‑backed companies. Sherika is also the franchise owner of Pecan Jacks Ice Cream & Candy Kitchen in Atlanta, where she's building community through commerce alongside her family. Social Media handles: IG: Instagram LI: Sherika Shaw Ekpo | LinkedIn Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomensaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomensaveblackwomen.com

Is your "Survival Brain" making your career decisions? This week, Kamika is joined in the sanctuary with Dr. Twanna Carter, an award-winning executive coach and veteran, to discuss the high cost of operating in "survival mode." Dr. Twanna shares her raw journey from the intense social anxiety of her college years and military service to finding her voice as a fierce advocate for Black women in leadership. Together, they unpack why traditional "stay until you retire" advice is now obsolete and how the "reptilian brain" can block the strategic thinking needed for your next pivot. From 2-minute "micro-mindfulness" resets to adopting a "Sasha Fierce" persona for high-stakes interviews, this episode provides the tactical language to protect your peace and reclaim your authority. This episode is part of The Corporate Baddie Series- a series created for Black women who are still inside corporate America and need strategy, language, and protection, not hustle talk. Dr. Twanna Carter, ICF‑PCC, is an award‑winning executive coach with over 20 years of leadership experience across corporate, military, and nonprofit sectors. Through her Lead with E.A.S.E.™ coaching program, she helps Black women executives lead with confidence, clarity, and sustainability, without burnout. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-twanna-carter/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachtwannacarter Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DrTwannaCarter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachTwannaCarter Medium: https://medium.com/@drcartercoaching Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomensaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomensaveblackwomen.com

This episode launches The Corporate Baddie Series, a new conversation focused on helping Black women protect their careers and stay ready inside corporate America. Kamika is joined by Latoya Haynes, an executive coach and Human Resources leader, to break down what it actually takes to remain visible, valuable, and in motion at work. They discuss why staying in one role too long can quietly stall your career, how to keep a "ready plan" active, and why your career strategy should never depend solely on what your employer is doing. Latoya advocates for the PIE model: Performance, Image, and Exposure. She explains why overperforming alone isn't enough for advancement. Together, they explore how to build exposure authentically, identify strategic advocates, use HR as a resource, and negotiate compensation beyond base salary. Kamika closes the episode with the S.A.V.E. Strategy, focusing on S for Support: redefining what real support looks like at work and why Black women don't have to navigate corporate spaces alone. La Toya T. Haynes is an executive coach, Human Resources leader, and founder of The Talent Practice, where she helps high‑performing women be seen, valued, and advance their careers. With more than 27 years of corporate experience, she brings a strategic, human‑centered approach to supporting leaders across all levels of the organization. Business: The Talent Practice - www.thetalentpractice.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoyahaynespcc/ (personal) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105956885/ (business) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latoyathaynes/ Threads: https://threads.com/latoyathaynes/ X: @LaToyaTHaynes Subscribe to Black Women Will Save Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Instagram-@blackwomenwillsave Interested in sharing your story, email info@blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen You can find Kamika at: Linked In- Kamika Dillard | LinkedIn Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/ Substack- https://substack.com/@kamikadillard TikTok- www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard Threads- @kamikatdillard

In Part 2 of this three‑part entrepreneurship series, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File with a candid reflection on building a business on vibes instead of systems and what it cost to untangle later. She's joined by business consulting expert AnGèle Cade to talk about what happens after the launch, when maintenance, delegation and reinvestment become unavoidable. Together, they name the realities Black women founders often carry alone: underestimating ongoing business upkeep, accidentally creating a job instead of a business, trying to grow everything at once and burning out in the process. They explore how to shift from operator to owner, why building in phases matters and how reinvesting in your business protects long‑term sustainability, while also discussing the power of relationships, entering rooms you weren't invited to, building communal tables for Black women and why authenticity isn't a liability, it's the strategy. Kamika closes with the S.A.V.E. Strategy for the week: Equip: choosing systems and support that match your current stage of growth. This episode is for founders who are already in business and want to stay in it, without burning out or shrinking themselves. AnGèle M. Cade is a consulting expert with over twenty years of experience helping entrepreneurs build strong, compliant business structures. She's the CEO and Founder of Executive On the Go, and is widely known as the go‑to professional for helping founders protect their assets, plan strategically, and build businesses that last. Business and social media links: Instagram: Instagram www.execonthego.com Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com You can find Kamika at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

Financial clarity for Black women navigating layoffs and income disruption. In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File with her own story of bankruptcy. Not as a failure, but as a lesson in waiting too long, carrying shame, and sacrificing health in the name of "doing the right thing." She sits with financial expert Dr. Lynn Richardson for a grounded conversation about money decisions Black women are forced to make when income becomes uncertain. This episode blends intimate truth with a practical playbook: living "check to Monday" even at a high income, unlearning cultural money habits, setting financial boundaries with family and friends, and reframing tools like bankruptcy as pathways to recovery rather than punishment. Dr. Richardson breaks down why more money doesn't fix a money problem without education, how wealthy people protect assets early, and why multiple income streams create resilience. Kamika closes with the S.A.V.E. Strategy: S for Support, reminding us that financial freedom is peace, not performance. Dr. Lynn Richardson is a nationally recognized financial expert, author, and media personality with nearly three decades of experience in finance and real estate. Named one of Urban Influence Magazine's 20 Hottest Influencers in America, she's known for her sharp wit and practical approach to money education. Dr. Richardson is a recurring financial expert on Good Morning America, Fox Business, The Steve Harvey Show, and BET, and the creator of New W.E.A.L.T.H. University, a platform focused on economic literacy and legacy building for Black communities Business and social media links: New Wealth University (NWU) Instagram: @newwealthuniversity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewWealthUniversity Dr. Lynn Richardson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnrichardson/ X: https://x.com/lynnrichardson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlynnrichardson Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lynnrichardson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnrichardson1/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnrichardsonwealthtalk For the audience: Please feel free to text Dr. Lynn at (310) 349-3690 Website: www.asklynn.org Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com You can find Kamika at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File with a reflection on the difficult decision to close one of her businesses. She sits down with entrepreneur Dianna Nicole to explore how doing what scared her: starting on TikTok, learning new skills, and trusting her community, became the spark for rapid growth. They unpack the mindset shifts, practical steps and small acts of courage that helped her turn imperfect action into momentum and meaningful revenue. Kamika closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy on Alignment Instead of Amplify. Dianna Nicole is a million-dollar entrepreneur, AI and social media consultant, and speaker who helps women build confidence, visibility, and income through TikTok and digital platforms. Known for blending strategy with heart, she empowers women to show up authentically, leverage modern tools, and create sustainable success without burnout. Social details: Website: https://www.diannanicole.org/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theonlydiannanicole Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Theonlydiannanicole Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonlydiannanicole/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theonlydiannanicole Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DiannaNicole Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com You can find Kamika at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E Black Women, Kamika opens the Fail Forward File with a reflection on fear, control, and why peace comes from focusing on what's actually yours to hold. She's joined by entrepreneur and designer Cira Wright-Childress of GoGo Lush for a candid conversation about moving through uncertainty, taking imperfect action and building a business that gives you time and freedom, not just revenue. Together, they unpack how to acknowledge fear without letting it stop you, why the best move is often to do it scared and how imperfect action accelerates learning. Cira shares how being an early adopter of platforms like TikTok and live shopping helped scale her brand, why content is a numbers game and how an MLM background taught resilience. Kamika closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Validate your experience so fear becomes data, not a verdict. Cira Wright‑Childress is the founder and designer of GoGo Lush, a jewelry brand she launched in 2011 to build a business that reflects her vision of success as a young Black woman. After starting in corporate at 22 and seeing a lack of representation, Cira turned a childhood passion for jewelry into a global design practice focused on joy, craftsmanship and economic independence. www.gogolush.com Instagram-@gogolush www.tiktok.com/stillcici Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com You can find Kamika at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika opens this week's Fail Forward File with a reflection on impatience, burnout, and what happens when Black women push past their limits instead of listening to their bodies. Kamika is joined in the sanctuary by Tanisha 'Coach T' Stewart, who shares how a near‑death experience during COVID reshaped her relationship with health, faith, and purpose. This ultimately lead to her to exit from corporate life into fitness and community‑centered wellness. Together, they explore what our bodies are trying to tell us, why health is often the first thing sacrificed during career transitions, and how to prioritize yourself with intention instead of pressure. The conversation also makes space for perimenopause and menopause, simple wellness habits that actually stick, and treating your body like your most valuable asset and not an afterthought. The episode closes with this week's S.A.V.E. Strategy: Elevate—a reminder that choosing your health, honoring your limits, and slowing down is not falling behind. It's leadership. Tanisha "Coach T" Stewart is the owner of Kid Fit LLC, Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist, NASM Personal Trainer, and the creator of Pray. Shed. Win! Coach T is passionate about helping women over 40 transform their bodies and lives while also teaching nearly 650 kids as a PE Specialist. She's been a featured presenter at state conferences, nominated multiple times for Teacher of the Year, and brings unmatched energy to every stage she steps on. Connect with Coach T: www.IAmKidFit.com LinkedIn: @Tanisha (Coach T) Stewart FB: https://www.facebook.com/KidFitLLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidfitllc/ Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com You can find Kamika at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard

What happens when your federal job disappears and you have to rebuild your finances from scratch? In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women, Kamika explores boundaries, burnout, and the real path from a federal career to financial freedom with Jodi‑Kaye Wade. She opens the Fail Forward File with a reflection on what it costs when you ignore your own limits and why boundaries only work when you enforce them. Together, Kamika and Jodi- Kayre unpack what it looks like to rebuild after job loss, navigate pregnancy and postpartum recovery, and create financial stability on new terms by covering multiple income streams, credit repair, and pursuing homeownership with clarity instead of fear.The episode closes with the S.A.V.E. Strategy, centering the V on Vitality: a reminder that rest, energy protection, and holistic well‑being are not rewards, but requirements. Jodi-Kaye Wade is a financial coach, mortgage loan officer, and Founder & CEO of Reliance Financial Solutions, where she helps clients repair credit, become mortgage-ready, and build generational wealth with intention—especially those who've been told "no" before. A licensed Mortgage Loan Officer serving DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida, she specializes in guiding first-time homebuyers, investors, and busy professionals through the loan process with clarity and strategy. With over a decade of experience leading global economic development initiatives across Africa, Jodi-Kaye brings a justice-centered, practical approach to money, homeownership, and financial power. Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reliancefinancialsolutions/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578204946399 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reliancefinancialsolutions/?viewAsMember=true Websites: https://reliancefinancialsolution.getcredithelpnow.com/start#inputform https://umafi.com/jodi/ Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram. Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. Visit our website: https://blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomensaveblackwomen Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwomensaveblackwomen Interested in sharing your story, email us at info@blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com You can find Kamika at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamikatdillard/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missktdillard Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kamikatdillard