“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman
Black women, alongside other women of color, have been leading the way for generations, whether or not the world was paying attention. From Harriet Tubman leading hundreds to freedom, to today’s Black women reshaping boardrooms and breaking entrepreneurial records, they have long been at the forefront of change. And even though they remain underrepresented in leadership roles, it hasn’t stopped them from breaking barriers, redefining success, and opening doors for the next generation.
At Wednesday Women, our mission is to amplify the voices of extraordinary executive women leaders… especially those who have had to fight harder to be seen and heard. Black women have been shaping industries, communities, and history, often without the recognition they deserve. This month, we honor their impact.
In celebration of Black History Month, 27 powerhouse women share their advice and words of wisdom rooted in experience, resilience, and an unshakable belief in what’s possible. Read on to be inspired.
Words of Inspiration from Outstanding Black Women Business Leaders
Bridgett McGowen, Founder of BMH Companies
"Be the most unforgettable person in the room, for all the right reasons. Be more confident than you believe you have to be, and don’t let age cause you to dim your light. You are just
as good (if not better than) everyone else assembled. If your light is too bright, just tell folks to put on some shades.”
Wesleyne Whittaker Founder and Chief Transformation Officer at Transformed Sales
"Always keep learning! Remember, your education doesn't stop at graduation. Keep expanding your knowledge through courses, certifications, or hands-on experiences. The more you know, the more valuable you'll be."
Ejieme Eromosele, VP of Customer Growth at Quiq and the Founder of Success in Black
“Stay open and curious. Know that you have agency in your career journey. Don‘t let anyone dictate it for you. Be bold, be confident. If you don’t know something now, you’ll figure it out. You got this!”
*See more from Ejieme and others on The Ripple: A Podcast from Wednesday Women.
Briana Evans, MBA, Head of Global Enterprise Marketing & ABM at Meltwater
“Embrace the uncertainty of your early career; it's a canvas for possibility.
For many people, the path isn’t linear. Experiment with different roles, commit to continuous learning, and welcome pivots and plot twists. Building diverse skills can pave the way to discovering your true calling as you grow.”
Hannah Ajikawo, the CEO & Founder of Revenue Funnel
“Read everything. Be present. Tune into the world and hang around with people who do not look and think like you. Don't be too concerned with the career path you're on; just keep learning.“
Deidre Hudson, Head of Marketing and Sales at YELL
“Develop a vision for what you want out of life and work towards that. Understand how your career supports your vision. Take risks, learn how to ask for help, and always evaluate your choices against the vision you've created.”
Tenisha Griggs, the CEO & Founder of 37X Digital Marketing Agency
“Do not expect what you deserve; expect what you negotiate.”
Chantel George, Founder & CEO of Sistas In Sales
"Embrace opportunities that let you stand out rather than fit in. So often, marginalized groups feel pressure to conform in corporate environments. But bringing your unique culture, voice, and experience is what drives innovation. See your differences as strengths. Also, go outside of your comfort zone. Do not wait to be handed plum projects - go after them! This builds your brand and capabilities. And expands how leadership perceives you.”
Jessica Murrey, CEO & Co-Founder of Wicked Saints Studios
“Starting off, it's easy to fall in love with your product. Instead, fall in love with people.
The people you're making the product for, and even more so, the people helping you build your product. The product will and should change. But getting passionate people to pour their hard-won expertise and creativity into your vision is priceless. You need a special team for this long, difficult journey. Focus on getting the right people and building trust.”
Cynthia Barnes, Chief Transformation Officer & Founder of Thank You; It's True.
"Never downplay your strengths. No one gets to the C-Suite by downplaying their strengths. Nothing good comes from you playing small.“
Odessa Jenkins, Founder & CEO of Women's National Football Conference (WNFC), and the Co-Founder of Got Her Back™️
“Embrace the power of choice. Often, we get lost in our careers, chasing what others think, chasing what is next in the process, but we must remind ourselves constantly about what we really want at any place in time. It make you more intentional about what you ask for, and how you define success.”
DeAnna Ransom, SVP of Revenue at BetterBot
"Be clear on what you want and reserve the right and agility to pivot if needed. It’s important to have clarity on what you want so you can develop and focus on those things and achieve them. However, what you want in one timeframe or season of life can evolve and change much like life and business itself does. Through experience, you may determine that something completely different from where you started aligns more with what you want. You have the right, power, and final decision-making authority to pivot from your original focus to a new one that will be more fulfilling and in line with where you are now.”
Britney Morgan, Head of Product at Mae
“Always grow where you're planted and play outside of your comfort zone.
Every role is an opportunity to challenge yourself, learn and apply new skills that build your resume and make you more marketable. We must apply for jobs we may not be 100% qualified for. Remember, men apply to jobs when they only meet 60% of the qualifications. Women apply if they meet 100%. So, challenge yourself to apply for that job even if you don't meet all of the qualifications listed.”
Erin Reddick, CEO & Founder of ChatBlackGPT™
“Ignore it unless you hear it directly from the person! Never speak negatively about your former employer; rehire eligibility is valuable. If you’re being micromanaged, there is a communication gap. Transparency is currency.”
Shantel Love, Global VP, Customer Success Clinical & School Assessment at Pearson
“Have the courage to network up. What do I mean by 'network up'? I'm talking about intentionally connecting with people who intimidate you, those who are where you want to be in 5, 10, or 20 years. Yes, it's scary. Yes, it might feel uncomfortable. But that discomfort is where the magic happens."
Gabby Cazeau, Partner at Harlem Capital
“Build your bench of mentors!
We learn & grow the most in community with others. Especially when we approach building that community in a 360 way, where we learn from those ahead, alongside, and behind us. Some of my most valuable VC insights have come from trusted peers, proving that mentorship at every level is incredibly enriching.”
Ashley Stamps-Lafont, CSM, Founder, VP of Customer Success & GTM Advisor at The Success Rx,
“Seek mentors. Having mentors is a sign that you're ambitious, determined, and open to feedback at any stage of your career - all good traits to have.”
Kim Carson, Interim Chief of Staff - Core Operator at Imagine Global
“If an opportunity interests you, say YES, don't second guess it by questioning your experience.”
Stephanie Chung, President, Principal & Keynote Speaker at Stephanie Chung and Associates Inc.
“Take the time and invest resources to learn how to be a really good ALLY leader. ALLY stands for: Ask, Listen, Learn, and Take Action!”
Kaivona Parker, Head of Sales Enablement, Training & Onboarding at Kaivona Parker Agency, Inc
“Just because the road is less traveled doesn't mean you can't arrive at the same destination. you don't have to follow in the exact footsteps of others to achieve the heights they have; you can carve your own path and use their steps as inspiration and motivation."
Shelly Lombard, a Member Board of Directors at Alpha Metallurgical Resources, and Founder of Schmooze.biz
“Curiosity is a relationship hack! I interview successful women for the Schmooze newsletter, and nearly all credit a key business relationship for transforming their career—built through curiosity about company priorities or improving their work.”
Janice B Gordon, Founder of Scale Your Sales
"Understand your core values - use them as your compass and learn how to trust your intuition."
Abi Williams, Founder & CRO Operator at Lead Not Lag (& Member of Wednesday Women’s Board of Strategic Advisors)
"Create the life you want to live and work backward. Don't allow the world or system determine the life you should live. Write the chapters of your book of life."
Brianna Doe, Founder of Verbatim
“Say yes! Say yes to new opportunities that scare you, to projects that intrigue you (even if they feel unfamiliar). And say no. Say no to situations that violate your boundaries or could damage your mental health."
"Rally your troops. Make sure the great people in your life know you beyond the surface. Send monthly or quarterly updates on what is happening in your business, career, and life. That way, when you need help or a favor, they are willing to say yes and keep their ears open to opportunities you would be great for without you ever being in the room."
Brandi Starr, Chief Operating Officer of Tegrita (& Member of Wednesday Women’s Board of Strategic Advisors)
"To show up and perform at your best, you must find spaces where you can be authentically you. Early in my career, I chose the companies that chose me. I didn’t have the understanding or discernment to recognize when I was walking into a role or company that wasn’t aligned to who I am as an individual. It made going to work many days difficult. To quote a favorite meme: I might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm sure as hell someone's shot of tequila. I can recall making the decision not to remove my tongue piercing for a job interview and choosing to wear red heels (which at the time both were quite taboo). I recognized that my choice could result in me not getting the job, but I also knew that if I did, it (likely) meant I could show up to work as me, and not ‘work me.'
Ralphie White, VP of Customer Success at Deepgram
“Be YOU! Leaning into your authentic self allows you to make decisions with clarity, stand out with confidence, and create a career path that feels aligned — not forced. Live in your truth, and you’ll find that opportunities meant for you will come your way."
Empowered women empower women
Black women have created their own spaces, lifted each other up, set new standards, and reshaped history in the process. At Wednesday Women, we celebrate their power and intelligence every day and continue to create space for their accomplishments (not just this month - but all year long). We are honored to shine a spotlight and amplify them.
We’d love to meet the Black female business leaders who have shaped your journey. A mentor, a friend, a leader? Nominate them to be featured and follow Wednesday Women for more women executives featured every week. 💜