Impact Innovators with Felicia Ford

067 | Built to Move 2 of 3: Who’s Carrying the Work With You?

How do you know when someone is truly moving with you—and not just watching you move?What if the reason your systems feel strained has nothing to do with your structure and everything to do with who’s standing inside of it?And in this season of building, scaling, and leading—who’s actually carrying this with you?
In this second installment of Built to Move, Felicia Ford shifts the focus to alignment—not the buzzword, not the catchphrase—but the actual pace, posture, and presence of the people in your circle. This conversation is about rhythm as leadership, about systems that breathe, and about what it really takes to sustain your work without breaking your back (or your spirit). Whether you’re leading a team, mapping out your next season, or just trying to determine what’s “off” in your growth—this episode names what most people ignore.
In this episode, you’ll explore:
How to define alignment by pace, posture, and energy—not just intention
The three questions every Change Maker must ask before calling someone a power partner
Why rhythm matters more than readiness—and how to spot misalignment before it costs you
If the pace looks right on paper but nothing’s flowing the way it should, this conversation will meet you there.
Next Steps: 
Next Steps: 
Email me "Structure": https://resources.feliciafordandco.com/thelist
Limited Time - Get Your FREE Power Partner Playbook: https://resources.feliciafordandco.com/partnerplaybook 
Work With Me: https://media.feliciafordandco.com/services 
Get the National Black Girl Month Toolkit: www.nationalblackgirlmonth.com
Access Resources: https://resources.feliciafordandco.com 
 
 

066 | Built to Move: How I Build the Rhythm Behind Every Program, Platform, and Team

You’ve already learned how to manage the work.But at this stage, it’s not about management—it’s about movement.Not more doing. Not more hours. Just rhythm.The kind that frees your time without compromising the weight of what you’ve built.
If you’re running a licensed program, managing a multi-channel campaign, or holding the leadership seat in a nonprofit, school, small business, or ministry—you already know what it means to lead across overlapping timelines. And yet, you may not have named the structure that’s holding all of it together.
In this first episode of the Built to Move series, I’m walking you through how I design the rhythm that keeps the work moving—without chasing tasks or micromanaging the pieces.You’ll hear exactly how I’ve built systems that support five-month podcast content plans, multi-platform campaigns like National Black Girl Month™, and high-level client advisory—while still serving as a CEO and Executive Director.
But more importantly, you’ll see what that looks like in your world—in real, local, people-powered community work. Whether it’s coordinating volunteers, onboarding team members, or documenting your impact for funders and partners, this episode unpacks the thinking, the structure, and the tools behind consistency that doesn’t rely on burnout.
This is not about hustle.It’s about leadership that breathes.Because when the systems work, you show up ready—for strategy, for people, and for what’s next.
Ready to hear how I built it? Let’s go.
Next Steps: 
Email me "Structure": https://resources.feliciafordandco.com/thelist
Get the National Black Girl Month Toolkit: www.nationalblackgirlmonth.com
Access Resources: https://resources.feliciafordandco.com 
 

065 | Superwoman Syndrome: After the Applause — What Strength Really Cost w/ Katina Barnes

The life they taught her to build almost took her with it.
For decades, Katina Barnes poured into families, mentored girls, launched programs, led ministries, and moved mountains with two-person teams. The world clapped. But no one asked what it cost.
In this National Black Girl Month™ feature, Katina joins Felicia Ford and co-host Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown to name what many Black women are only starting to admit: that being “strong” is often a trap. That sometimes it takes collapsing in your own bed to realize what was never sustainable. That no matter how much good you’re doing—you still deserve to live.
This conversation is not a warning. It’s a reckoning.If you’ve been performing strength while privately unraveling,If you’ve been told to push through while your body says no,If you’ve outgrown the expectations that once defined your worth—this episode is where you lay it down.
You’ll hear:
How burnout disguises itself as achievement
Why letting go of control isn’t failure—it’s survival
What real boundaries sound like when they’re held, not explained
How to model wellness for the next generation without apology
Why “being needed” can no longer be the measure of your value
This is not about doing less.It’s about doing what’s yours to carry—and no more.
🎧 Listen now and access the free toolkit at NationalBlackGirlMonth.com
Next Steps: Join The Sanctuary & The Strategy: https://resources.feliciafordandco.com/nbgm 
Connect with Katina at Butterfly Village, Inc.: www.butterflyvillagein.org 
Connect with Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown - www.instagram.com/dr.rikesha
Tune in to Echelon Live with Felicia - https://bit.ly/echelonlivefelicia 
Get Free Resources: https://resources.feliciafordandco.com/
Learn more about Katina Barnes: 
I have always had a love for impacting change, whether through my love for fashion or through community building. This passion to for community change was ignited while employed at Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughters where I had the opportunity to coordinate free health insurance for uninsured children. My journey of making a difference in the lives of others led me to The Up Center, a non-profit organization specializing in helping people live better lives. After serving a little over eleven years in Prevention Services, I  decided to extend my career to higher education, joining Tidewater Community College in 2011 as an Adjunct Instructor and Academic Advisor.  Within the first year I was promoted to work in student engagement and then advancing as the inaugural Director of the Portsmouth Campus Student Center. I changed the culture of co-curricular learning by establishing student success initiatives, incorporating collaborative learning experiences and creating a vibrant environment for academic success. During my tenure at TCC, I also served as the Coordinator of Dual Enrollment Academies, providing opportunities for high school students to concurrently earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.  I joined Old Dominion University in 2023 as the Assistant Director of Monarch Internship and Co--Op Success, continuing my passion for ensuring students are successful in their academic journey through work-based learning.​Leadership is important to me.  I've had the privilege of spearheading several impactful initiatives, and serving on various boards to include Girls Scouts of Colonial Coast, Portsmouth Schools Foundation, Lefcoe Board of Trustees, YMCA Effingham Street Portsmouth, and Prevent Child Abuse of Hampton Roads. As a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., I am committed to service for my community.  I often speak on platforms to advance leadership, women's empowerment, and student success.   
 
#nationalblackgirlmonth#feliciafordandco#drrikesha#superwomansyndrome #echelonlive

064 | Superwoman Syndrome: Healing Burnout and Choosing Rest with Azia Whitted + Dr. Rikesha

You're praised for your strength — but at what cost?You're taught to push through — but when do you finally get to breathe?You're carrying the weight of generations — but no one stops to ask: where do you go to put it down?
In the second of our three-part series on Superwoman Syndrome, mindfulness coach and TEDx speaker Asia Whittedsteps forward to share the truths many Black women have been forced to navigate in silence.
Through her own breaking points, Asia learned what few are willing to say out loud:"Rest isn’t something you earn — it's something you deserve before the world demands more than you can give."
Inside this powerful episode:
Asia’s personal story of reaching burnout while juggling family, career, grief, and expectations — and the moment she realized survival wasn’t enough
Why generations of Black women have internalized the belief that peace is a luxury, not a right
How unchecked strength culture quietly conditions women to feel guilty for needing rest
The emotional and physical warning signs Asia teaches high-achieving women to recognize before burnout takes over
Why thriving — not just surviving — requires a radical mindset shift around responsibility, rest, and community care
A deep look into Asia’s "PAUSE" framework, designed to help women rebuild their lives around intention, boundaries, and self-awareness
As Asia shares, "If I crumble, what happens to all the people I’m trying to carry?"And even more powerfully: "The only thing I was letting go of was myself — and that was never the plan."
This isn’t self-care for Instagram.This is the conversation Black women have needed for generations — about grief, healing, thriving, and reclaiming our own well-being on our own terms.
Next Steps: Get your National Black Girl Month™ Toolkit: www.nationalblackgirlmonth.com
Connect with Azia Renea: www.aziarenea.com
Connect with Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown: www.instagram.com/dr.rikesha
Get Free Resources: https://resources.feliciafordandco.com/
Learn more about Pause with Azia Renea:
Hi I am Azia Whitted, I am on a mission to help busy women, juggling motherhood and business learn to take 5-10 minutes to transform their entire day. I see so many women live life overwhelmed and burned out and I wish they knew that rest was a requirement and not a reward; that slowing down to find calm should be a priority. YOU are a priority, in your home with your family as well in your business. My job is to teach you practical ways to incorporate a pause in your daily life so you can be calm in the midst of chaos and high demands. 

063 | Mothering While Black: w/ Dr. Michelle Hite & Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown

Dr. Michelle Hite on Mothering While Black, Everyday Courage, and the Power of Telling the Truth
What happens when the world sees your child as a threat before it sees them as human?What does it cost to raise a child while defending your right to grieve, to question, to be seen?
This conversation centers the weight—and the wisdom—of mothering while Black. In this featured National Black Girl Month™ 2025 episode, we’re joined by Dr. Michelle Hite, Spelman College professor, public scholar, and cultural critic whose work traces the intersections of Black identity, grief, and resistance. Together with co-host Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown, we examine what it means to mother, nurture, and protect in a world that wasn’t built for our safety.
This episode isn’t about resilience. It’s about truth-telling as a form of care.
You’ll hear:
How cultural narratives, from Mamie Till to Toni Morrison, shape our understanding of motherhood
Why public strength can’t replace private witnessing
The difference between independence and isolation—and why communal living is the lesson we keep returning to
How everyday gestures become sacred acts of protection, memory, and joy
Why sharing isn’t a virtue. It’s a practice. And we’re out of practice.
Whether you're a mother by birth, bond, or assignment, this conversation invites you to return to what you know: you don’t have to do it alone.
Listen now and access the free toolkit at NationalBlackGirlMonth.comAccess Dr. Hite's work: https://www.spelman.edu/staff/profiles/michelle-hite.html Connect with Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown: www.instagram.com/dr.rikesha Connect with Felicia Ford: www.threads.net/@friendscallmefe 
More about Dr. Hite: 
Michelle Hite, Ph.D. has been a Faculty Member Since 2004 and is an Associate Professor for English, the Honors ProgramDirector and the International Fellowships and ScholarshipsDirector.
Michelle Hite earned her Ph.D. from Emory University in American/African American Studies in 2009. Her dissertation used Venus and Serena Williams as subjects whose representation in popular media, books, videos, and other texts prompted her research questions regarding what their public portrayal might suggest about the intersection of race, gender, and nationalism during late capitalism.Although Dr. Hite remains deeply interested in sports, her intellectual work now focuses on African-American life, culture, and experience in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. To this end, she is currently working on a monograph about the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama on September 15, 1963.In addition to her work as an associate professor in the English department at Spelman, Dr. Hite is director of the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program and director of International Fellowships and Scholarships.
#nationalblackgirlmonth

062 | Rediscovering Yourself: Identity Beyond Motherhood with Dr. Phoebe Ajayi

You’re praised for the baby.But not asked about your body.You’re celebrated for becoming a mother.But rarely supported as you grieve the version of you that no one else seemed to notice disappeared.
This episode is for every Black woman who gave birth and then wondered where she went.
In this featured National Black Girl Month™ 2025 conversation, Dr. Phoebe Ajayi—a physician, maternal health advocate, and author of After Birth: Postpartum Recovery of the Body and Mind—joins us to name the invisible weight of postpartum identity loss. From her clinical roots in Nigeria to practicing medicine in the UK, Dr. Ajayi weaves personal story and global insight into a rare reflection on what happens after the delivery room.
She doesn’t just ask what care we deserve. She asks what care we’ve never been taught to expect.
She shares:
Pelvic floor dysfunction, identity shifts, and global disparities in postpartum care
Cultural traditions that hold us (like Nigeria’s omugwo) and Western systems that often don’t
How to protect your identity after birth—and why that work is still yours, even years later
Boundaries, grief, and the quiet work of nourishing yourself after motherhood begins
This isn’t about going back to who you were. It’s about meeting who you’ve become—with more language, more grace, and more support than you were ever offered before.
*This is a special National Black Girl Month™ feature by Dr. Phoebe Ajayi originally airing on www.youtube.com/@nationalblackgirlmonth 
Access the free toolkit at NationalBlackGirlMonth.comConnect with Dr. Ajayi at phoebeajayi.comConnect with Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown at www.instagram.com/dr.rikeshaConnect with Felicia Ford at www.threads.net/@friendscallmefeJoin Momentum Lab: https://lab.feliciafordandco.comMore about Dr. Ajayi:Dr Phoebe Ajayi is an NHS GP with experience across numerous specialities, here in the UK and her home country, Nigeria. She took a professional interest in postpartum rehabilitation and maternal health after a difficult first pregnancy and labour experience in 2017. Her desire is that all women are well supported during and after pregnancy. She achieves this by educating healthcare professionals and the public, influencing policy, and consulting with companies who have the same goal. For her work in this area, she received an award from the Royal College of General Practitioners. She is a published author; her book "After Birth: Postpartum Recovery of the Body and Mind" is available on Amazon and at all major book distributors. Outside of work, Phoebe enjoys crocheting, exercise and a good novel.

061 | Superwoman Syndrome: The Cost of Being Everything to Everyone w/ Dr. Venessa Perry

Why are Black women still expected to carry everything without complaint?
They keep telling Black women to be strong, to push through, to hold it all together. But what they never address is the damage that message leaves behind—mentally, physically, emotionally. The burnout, the silence, the pressure to succeed at the expense of our well-being.
If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and still paying too high a price, you're not imagining it. You're navigating systems that were never designed with your safety in mind.
In this special National Black Girl Month™ episode, you're invited into a powerful conversation with Dr. Vanessa Perry, global thought leader, psychologist, and CEO of The Perry Group. Alongside Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown, we explore what Superwoman Syndrome actually costs Black women—and how to stop carrying what was never ours to begin with.
This episode answers the unspoken questions so many Black women ask themselves:
Why do I feel like success is wearing me down?
Is it possible to lead without losing myself?
How do I reclaim peace when the world expects performance?
Dr. Perry shares insights from over 25 years of research and executive advising in Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and high-level leadership spaces. Together, we discuss how to name the cycle, build supportive community, and create spaces—personally and professionally—where Black women no longer have to prove themselves to belong.
This isn’t just about workplace equity. It’s about redefining what thriving looks like on our own terms.
→ Learn more and access your free toolkit at nationalblackgirlmonth.com→ Join our virtual community: facebook.com/groups/nationalblackgirlmonth→ Connect with Dr. Venessa Perry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venessam/→ Connect with Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown: www.instagram.com/dr.rikesha→ Connect with Felicia Ford: www.threads.net/@friendscallmefe
Join Momentum Lab: https://lab.feliciafordandco.comAbout Dr. Venessa Perry:Dr. Venessa M. Perry is a trailblazing organizational psychologist, executive coach, author, and global thought leader, recognized for her dynamic impact in shaping inclusive, high-performing organizations. As the visionary Founder and CEO of Health Resources Solutions dba The Perry Group, she has led the firm for over 25 years, delivering transformational leadership and organizational development consulting with an unwavering commitment to equity. Her expertise has empowered C-suite executives at Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profits to drive meaningful, sustainable change for their organizations and communities. Dr. Venessa's groundbreaking research centers on the career mobility and well-being of Black and Brown women in the workplace, with a focus on gendered racism and the often-overlooked impact of peri(menopause) on leadership potential. Her forthcoming book, The Path to Inclusivity: How to Create Safety, Well-Being, and Belonging for Black Women in Financial Services, set to be released by Palgrave and Macmillan in early 2025, is already being hailed as a must-read for executives committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. A powerhouse speaker and contributor, Dr. Venessa is in high demand across national and international stages, where she has captivated audiences on topics such as leadership, equity, and women's health in the workplace. She has been featured on a variety of influential podcasts, including Intentional Conversations, Wills, Women and Wealth, What’s Possible, Embodied Justice, and The WhatNow Movement. In July 2024, she delivered a landmark presentation on peri(menopause) in the workplace at the Diversity Network Inclusion Festival in the UK, sparking global dialogue. Named one of the top leadership voices on LinkedIn and consistently recognized as one of Washington, DC’s top executive coaches from 2022 to 2024, Dr. Venessa’s thought leadership continues to shape the future of business and organizational health. She has been featured in Forbes, Medium, CanvaRebel, HuffPost, Cosmopolitan, and more, sharing her insights with diverse audiences around the world. Dr. Venessa is a respected member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, and the American Psychological Association. A proud Desert Storm veteran, she passionately advocates for veteran mental health, entrepreneurship, and homelessness solutions. With a PhD in Organizational Psychology, as well as master’s degrees in Public Health and Psychology, Dr. Venessa is a lifelong learner who believes in giving back. She actively serves her community through her involvement with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Diversity Council at the University of Michigan, and as the first Black President of George Washington University’s Alumni Association. A mentor and coach to countless emerging leaders, Dr. Venessa embodies the belief that "We are better when we are together." Her life's work is a testament to the power of collaboration, inclusion, and transformative leadership.
 

060 | Mothering Beyond Biology w/ Dr. Brooke Jones + Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown

This month, we’re centering the full spectrum of Black Motherhood—and this episode makes it clear: some of the most transformative mothering doesn’t begin with biology. It begins with presence.
As part of our special April series for National Black Girl Month™, Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown and I are joined by Dr. Brooke Jones—licensed psychologist, founder of Fresh Start for the Mind, and adoptive mother—for a conversation that redefines what it means to mother.
Together, we honor the caregivers whose stories often go untold: the aunties, godmothers, mentors, and grandmothers who shape futures, hold space, and quietly carry generations. Dr. Brooke shares her personal journey through infertility, adoption, and parenting, as well as the emotional labor she witnesses every day in her clinical practice.
This episode asks:
What does it mean to mother a child you didn’t birth?
How do we affirm women who are doing the sacred work of raising children and communities without recognition?
And what would it look like if we measured motherhood not by origin—but by impact?
If you’ve ever stood in the gap for someone else’s child… if you’ve ever mothered from the sidelines or behind the scenes… this conversation is for you.Listen now as we continue National Black Girl Month™ by honoring motherhood in every form it takes.Connect with Dr. Brooke Jones: www.freshstartmind.comGet Your National Black Girl Month™ Toolkit: www.nationalblackgirlmonth.com Join Momentum Lab: https://lab.feliciafordandco.com Connect with Felicia: www.threads.net/@friendscallmefe 
More about Dr. Brooke JonesIn 2013, Dr. Jones branched out on her own to open Fresh Start for the Mind. She wanted a practice that incorporated the mind, body, and spirit. Her love for psychological evaluations became evident in the surrounding communities. As referrals grew, so did Fresh Start. Dr. Jones first hired an additional psychologist (to support the numerous evaluation referrals) and counselors (to support an additional need for children, adults, couples, and families in the community). Then, Dr. Jones built administrative support, along with more providers that also offered psychiatric treatment, nutrition services, counseling, and coaching. In 2016, the company relocated to Suwanee and opened two additional locations in Stockbridge and Canton. Fresh Start is now comprised of over 30 staff, offering psychological evaluations, psychiatric care / medication management, counseling and coaching, and nutrition support. The growth of Fresh Start has been a journey. Dr. Jones has seen the needs for mental health grow in Georgia since starting her career. She is most proud of the people who work within the company and the difference they make in lives every day! She credits her faith as the driver for every growth opportunity and every expansion thus far; she values family and divine connections for encouraging her growth while also keeping her grounded; and she honors her own passion and optimism for people and humanity. For more information regarding Dr. Jones and Fresh Start for the Mind, visit www.freshstartmind.com.#NationalBlackGirlMonth#BlackMotherhood#Mom#Adoption#FosterCare

059 | Black Moms and Community Building: Strength in Numbers w/ Jetaun Woodley

Hey, friend. Hello, Change Makers. In the words of Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown—Hey, Black girl.
We often say it takes a village, but let’s be clear—villages don’t build themselves. They’re shaped, sustained, and often revived by Black mothers who know what it means to care, connect, and carry more than their share.
Today’s guest, Jetaun Woodley, didn’t just recognize the gap—she built something from it. As a veteran communications strategist and Senior Director at Planned Parenthood, Jetaun has spent her career making sure messages that matter reach the right people. But it’s her work outside the boardroom that’s building legacy: creating H.U. Mommies, a thriving community of over 800 Hamptonian mothers who show up for one another, online and in real life.
In this episode, we’re unpacking how Black motherhood is often the foundation of community organizing, mutual care, and everyday advocacy. From navigating health care systems and education challenges to disaster relief and doula recommendations, these mothers are doing far more than sharing parenting tips—they're reshaping what support looks like.
Jetaun joins Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown and me for a conversation that’s both grounding and galvanizing. We talk about the power of peer support, the courage it takes to create a space when one doesn’t exist, and what it looks like to protect and evolve a community you’ve built—especially when the work is personal.
If you’ve ever questioned whether your care counts or whether creating something small could really matter, this conversation is your reminder: it already does.
Listen now and be sure to grab the National Black Girl Month™ Toolkit for more ways to connect at nationalblackgirlmonth.com.To our Hampton fam—we see you. And if you're a mama looking for your people, you just might find them in H.U. Mommies.
Connect with Jetaun Woodly on Instagram
Jetaun Woodly is an award winning public relations and brand communications strategist with 20 years of experience. She has an unwavering passion and focus on working with individuals and companies to translate business goals and objectives into strategic communications plans and deliverables. Jetaun started her career as a public relations coordinator for Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ philanthropy and community development division. She spent many years working in healthcare managing public relations for brands ranging from prescription drugs and FDA approvals, to eye care and over-the-counter products before moving to the nonprofit sector. Currently, Jetaun serves as Senior Director of Brand Strategy & Projects at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a reproductive health care nonprofit organization. Prior to joining PPFA, Jetaun served as Director of Network Marketing & Communications for National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children, a non-profit organization that supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. Following the birth of her son in 2015, Jetaun started HU Mommies Group - a support group for Hampton University alumnae. The goal of the group is to share advice, empower Black women, and provide a listening ear as Hamptonians embrace and embark on their motherhood journey. With more than 800 members, the group has planned a number of volunteer efforts across the country, vision board meetups, kid-friendly outings, tailgates at homecoming and a host of other activities. For example, when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, Jetaun coordinated a group donation to local organizations that support mothers and children. In 2019, the group collectively donated to Hampton University’s marching band, and sent care packages to current students. In an effort to provide unique learning experiences for the children of alumnae during the nationwide shelter-in-place (COVID19), Jetaun created virtual learning classes on a variety of subjects. Jetaun was featured on Essence Magazine Online for her work with the group. In 2020, Jetaun was admitted into Hampton University’s Forty Under 40 Alumni Recognition Society. Jetaun served as a volunteer for the I Have a Dream Foundation - a mentor program in partnership with Ebenezer Baptist Church and St. Luke’s Church in the heart of Atlanta. She is currently a board member of Atlanta Birth Center, a birth center dedicated to empowering families and providing compassionate, individualized birth experiences. A native of New Jersey, Jetaun received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications in 2004. While at Hampton, Jetaun was involved in Student Union Board and served as historian for the National Council of Negro Women. She also holds a Masters in Communication & Leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Jetaun resides in Metro Atlanta with her husband, Dr. Shaun Woodly (HU ’04), and their two children - Brayden and Brooklynn.

058 | The Evolution of Motherhood w/ Dr. Rosemarie Allen + Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown

Special National Black Girl Month™ Series | Co-hosted by Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown
You may not remember her reading parenting books, but she knew how to raise a household and keep a family intact. Big Mama didn’t need a manual—she had instincts, routines, and an unshakable sense of responsibility. She didn’t just take care of you; she taught you what it meant to show up, even when nobody showed up for her. She built structure out of very little and carried generations with her hands, her prayers, and her presence.
But now, you're the one leading.And you're doing it with memories of how it used to be and a front-row seat to how much has changed. Or maybe, you're starting from what you know in your heart. 
In this first episode of our National Black Girl Month™ series, I’m joined by Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown and our guest, Dr. Rosemarie Allen—an education leader and national voice on racial equity and childhood development. This conversation is about mothering without a blueprint and making daily decisions in a world that doesn’t always feel safe for your child—or for you.
You’ll hear how Dr. Allen went from being suspended in kindergarten to shaping national education policy.You’ll hear what happened when she had to teach her son to go limp during a chokehold—so he could come home alive.
“Have I been whipping my baby for no reason?”A young mother asked that on a bus.Dr. Allen didn’t shame her. She stayed. She answered. She mothered her.That child is now older.
This conversation is parenting at the intersection of love and fear. Survival and pride. Freedom and danger. And it’s the kind of conversation that millennial Black mothers aren’t always given the space to have—but desperately need.It’s about the systems that mislabel brilliance as defiance.What happens when Black children are expelled from daycare before they can talk?Where can you talk about the pressure of sending your child into schools that once failed you?
“Historically, through slavery, we learned to beat our children into submission because they had to survive. But we’ve evolved from surviving to thriving. Our job now is to help our children thrive.” – Dr. Allen
Whether you’re raising toddlers or teenagers, or carrying the weight of mothering others through your work, this episode offers room to reflect, release, and reimagine.
Because what’s passed down shouldn’t just be pain.It should be power.
—
Visit drrosemarieallen.com for more on her work.Download the free National Black Girl Month™ Toolkit: bit.ly/nbgm2025Join the private community: facebook.com/groups/nationalblackgirlmonth
Dr. Rosemarie Allen - Dr. Rosemarie Allen is a distinguished leader and facilitator dedicated to fostering inclusive practices across all sectors of society. Currently serving as a Professor of Early Childhood at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Dr. Allen is also the Founder, President, and CEO of the Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence (IREE), supporting equity in educational, governmental, and corporate practices. With extensive experience, Dr. Allen has provided Keynote Addresses, training, facilitation, equity audits and other services for the United States Department of Education, 47 State Departments of Education, and the United States Customs and Border Protection, Public Broadcasting Service, TeachStone and various police departments, school districts, and other organizations, showcasing her commitment to creating equitable environments. An international expert, Dr. Allen is a respected keynote speaker, frequently presenting at global conferences. Her advocacy for justice and inclusive practices has significantly shaped policies in educational, governmental, and corporate settings. In addition to her teaching role, Dr. Allen serves as a faculty member for the Pyramid Model Consortium and as an Associate Professor of Research for The Children’s Equity Project (CEP) at Arizona State University. She also contributes as a consultant for the Positive Early Learning Experiences (PELE) Center at the University of Denver and guest faculty at Georgetown University. Her previous roles include directorship positions with the Colorado Department of Human Services, where she shaped early learning policies and programs. As the Equity and Culture expert for 9News KUSA, Dr. Allen hosts a weekly segment addressing race, culture, and child development. Her accolades include the prestigious T. Barry Brazelton Friends of Children Award, the MLK Peace Award, and the Rosa Parks Diversity Award, among others. Dr. Allen earned her B.A. from California State University, Long Beach, her Master’s in Education from Lesley University, and her Doctorate in Equity and Leadership in Education from the University of Colorado, Denver. Dr. Allen's unwavering commitment to education and equity continues to inspire change and drive progress towards a more inclusive future for all.