Unspeakable Leadership

Rohene Bouajram

Unspeakable Leadership is a global conversation diving deep into the vibrant and dynamic world of women of colour in leadership roles. Join us on a rollercoaster ride where the host, Rohene, and guests share stories of navigating challenges, turning a serious journey into a joyous exploration with laughter, cringe-worthy tales, and empowering moments. Let's take a break in our day and revel in the reminder that the world needs women of color leading authentically. Tune in, buckle up, and embark on this thrilling adventure with us! Rohene Bouajram is an international speaker and 20-year educator and leader in the higher education space. You can learn more of her work on www.rohenebouajram.com.

  1. 3d ago

    The Scarcity Trap: Why Self-Trust Changes Everything for Women of Colour Leaders

    What if the very metaphors we use to talk about leadership are already rooted in scarcity? In this episode of Unspeakable Leadership Season 6, Rohene Bouajram sits down with Vanity Jenkins, founder of ShiftED Consulting, leadership coach, and human design facilitator, for a rich, honest, and deeply practical conversation about scarcity mindset, self-trust, and what it truly means to lead from a place of abundance. Vanity shares her personal journey through two layoffs, single motherhood, and the decision to finally bet on herself, and unpacks why so many women of colour find themselves trapped in fear-based leadership, even when they're trying to open doors for others. We cover: Why the metaphors we use ("climbing the ladder," "seat at the table") are already rooted in scarcityHow women of colour can unconsciously become barriers to other women of colour and whyThe relationship between injustice and scarcity in organizational leadershipWhat it takes to move from fear-based decision-making to abundance and possibilityHow to name and interrupt the inner voice that spirals toward worst-case scenariosWhy stability isn't always what we think it is and what self-trust looks like insteadNavigating the freedom and fear of entrepreneurship as a single momThinking in seasons: what African perspectives on time and nature teach us about leadership cyclesThe difference between mentorship that opens doors and mentorship that narrows possibilityWhy the crossroads metaphor is itself a form of scarcity and what to ask instead This conversation is grounding, generous, and deeply affirming for anyone navigating leadership transitions, scarcity mindset, or the courage it takes to bet on yourself. Connect with Vanity Jenkins: Website: www.shiftedconsulting.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/shiftedconsulting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanity-y-jenkins/ Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/vanity-jenkins-/discovery-call Connect with Rohene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajram Website: https://www.rohenebouajram.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4anP01HHadw Resources mentioned in this episode: Join Our Newsletter: https://www.rohenebouajram.com/contact

    The Scarcity Trap: Why Self-Trust Changes Everything for Women of Colour Leaders
  2. Sep 24

    Stop Shrinking Yourself: Redefine Your Leadership on Your Terms

    What does it mean to lead truly, not because the system told you how, but because you decided who you want to become? In this Season 6 premiere of Unspeakable Leadership, Rohene Bouajram opens with one of the most important conversations of the season: her own. She invites you into her arena, a space where you stop performing and start choosing. Between Season 5 and now, Rohene has been reflecting deeply on the question that launched everything: What do you really want? But that question needed expansion. Because reaching success by someone else's definition doesn't mean you're free. And that's where this season begins. Drawing on conversations with fellow coaches, her doctoral research on how leadership has been defined far too narrowly, and her lived experience as a woman of colour in organizations, Rohene explores: Why we can be excellent at navigating a system without ever feeling truly free inside itThe difference between success and freedomHow leadership has been architected around assumptions that never accounted for women of colourWhat it means to hold multiplicity: to be ambitious and soft, strategic and spiritual, grateful and wanting moreThe concept of "braiding", how our lives don't have to happen in separate compartmentsYour arena: the space where you decide who you're becoming, what you're choosing, and what you're carrying because it's truly yours She also introduces the Circle of Braided Arenas, an intimate in-person gathering for women ready to be themselves, find community, and share what they're carrying, alongside an exclusive bracelet marking this new expression of Unspeakable Leadership beyond the podcast. This episode is an invitation to ask better questions, reclaim agency over your life, and remember that your courage opens doors for someone else. Your success expands what's possible, for everyone. Connect with Rohene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajram Website: https://www.rohenebouajram.com Learn more about the Circle of Braided Arenas & the bracelet: https://www.rohenebouajram.com/circle-of-braided-arenas Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/-jHtPab5c2k

    Stop Shrinking Yourself: Redefine Your Leadership on Your Terms
  3. Jul 23

    She Decided What's Good Enough

    What does it really mean to build your own arena? In this Season 5 finale, Rohene Bouajram reflects on the powerful conversations that shaped She Built Her Own Arena and shares the deeper lesson that emerged throughout the season. Building your own arena is not simply about ambition. It is about honesty. It is about having the courage to admit that the life you've built has room to expand into something more aligned with who you truly are. Drawing from the wisdom of every guest this season, Rohene explores the threads that connect dreaming bigger, self-love, financial leadership, authenticity, and redefining success. Together, these conversations become an invitation to imagine differently and to build a life rooted in choice, purpose, and possibility. We cover: • Why building your own arena begins with honesty • The lessons each Season 5 guest brought to the conversation • Creating space for expansion instead of staying within limitation • Letting go of lives built around what feels attainable • Why leadership extends into every area of your life • The relationship between imagination, trust, and possibility • Asking yourself what you truly want and giving yourself permission to pursue it This episode is a heartfelt reflection and an invitation to continue building a life that feels deeply aligned with who you are becoming. Connect with Rohene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajram Website: https://www.rohenebouajram.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPmsumVVSYE Resources mentioned in this episode: Subscribe to Rohene's newsletter: https://www.rohenebouajram.com

    She Decided What's Good Enough
  4. Jul 16

    Being the CEO of Your Financial Life | Season 5 Ep 7

    What if becoming the CEO of your financial life has less to do with how much you earn and more to do with the decisions you make? In this episode, Rohene Bouajram sits down with Chimaobim Udodi to explore how financial literacy, intentionality, and leadership intersect to create a life of freedom, confidence, and possibility. Together, they unpack the mindset shifts that help us move from reacting to our finances to leading them with purpose. Chima shares why financial leadership is about creating options, protecting your future, and making decisions today that support the life you want tomorrow. We cover: • What it means to become the CEO of your financial life • Why financial literacy is an essential leadership skill • Building confidence through intentional financial decisions • How money creates freedom, choice, and opportunity • The importance of emergency funds, debt management, and investing • Moving from financial fear to financial empowerment • Creating long-term wealth and generational impact This conversation is practical, empowering, and filled with actionable insights for anyone ready to take ownership of their finances and lead every area of their life with greater intention. Connect with Chimaobim Udodi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elektra.cutie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Website: https://worldsystembuilder.com/mypage/chimaobimu/ Connect with Rohene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajram Website: https://www.rohenebouajram.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hW-La5Ru8BE Resources mentioned in this episode: Free Resources to Download: https://www.rohenebouajram.com/resources

    Being the CEO of Your Financial Life | Season 5 Ep 7
  5. Jul 9

    Activating Gifts and Aligning with Your Spiritual Essence

    What happens when you stop surviving and start thriving? In this episode, Rohene Bouajram sits down with Emmerance Victoria for a raw, honest, and deeply moving conversation about intuition, self-love, healing, and the courage to put yourself first, even when the world tells you not to. Together, they explore what it means to reconnect with your spiritual essence, trust your intuition, and reclaim the gifts you've been conditioned to suppress. Through Emmerance Victoria's powerful story of near-death, burnout, and breakthrough, they unpack what it truly means to lead from the inside out. We cover: The danger of performing wellness while drowning privatelyWhy intuition is your greatest leadership toolHow near-death experiences can crack you open to your giftsThe difference between surviving and thriving as a leaderAncestral practices and ancient wisdom as pathways to healingWhy self first isn't selfish—it's a standardMetabolizing negativity without being consumed by itThe age of Aquarius and what it means for women of colour reclaiming their truthHow colonization disconnected us from our gifts and how we're returning to themThe relationship between faith, spirituality, and authentic leadership This conversation is honest, layered, and deeply affirming for anyone navigating leadership, healing, burnout, or the journey of reconnecting with who they truly are. Connect with Emmerance Victoria: History Unveiled Live series on TikTok (Sunday 5PM PDT): https://www.tiktok.com/@theemmerance Website: emmerance.com The Emmerance Podcast: https://www.emmerance.com/podcast/ Connect with Rohene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajram Website: https://www.rohenebouajram.com Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/SuHTfB3lDzQ Resources mentioned in this episode: Work with Rohene: https://www.rohenebouajram.com/workwithrohene

    Activating Gifts and Aligning with Your Spiritual Essence
  6. Jul 2

    Defining Leadership Beyond Titles, Expectations, and Imposed Roles

    What happens when leadership is no longer defined by titles, achievement, or external validation? In this episode, Rohene Bouajram sits down with Donnette Burrows and June A. Muvunyi for an honest conversation about leadership, motherhood, identity, and the courage to define success on your own terms. Together, they explore the ways women are conditioned to perform, fit in, and seek approval, and what becomes possible when we choose alignment over expectation. Through stories of motherhood, personal growth, and professional leadership, they share how letting go of imposed roles opened the door to a more authentic and fulfilling life. We cover: • How motherhood reshapes the way we lead and see ourselves • Why leadership is about more than titles and positions • The courage required to build your own arena • Letting go of expectations, approval, and the need to fit in • Learning to love yourself and trust your own path • Detaching from identities that no longer serve you • Recognizing when you are in the wrong location and finding spaces where you belong • Defining success and leadership on your own terms • The importance of being true to yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable This conversation is thoughtful, vulnerable, and deeply affirming for anyone navigating leadership, motherhood, personal growth, or the journey of becoming more fully themselves. Connect with Donnette Burrows: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hersimplyalignedlife LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnette-burrows-1727b8b4/ Connect with June A. Muvunyi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juneabahuje/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/june-abahuje-1b0a2485/?skipRedirect=true Connect with Rohene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajram Website: https://www.rohenebouajram.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kthfgjS8-hk Resources mentioned in this episode: Downloading a free gift: https://www.rohenebouajram.com/resources

    Defining Leadership Beyond Titles, Expectations, and Imposed Roles
  7. Jun 25

    Breaking the Invisible Cage

    What happens when you realize the space you worked so hard to enter was never built to see your worth? In this episode, Rohene Bouajram sits down with Arcadia Gijah Brown, an Independent Financial Planner, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate, to explore what it means to walk away from environments that diminish you and step boldly toward spaces that celebrate who you truly are. Together, they dive into the reality many immigrant women, Black women, and women of colour face in workplaces where their value is overlooked, their potential underestimated, and their leadership minimized. Gijah shares the powerful story of redefining her own worth, resigning from a role that caged her, and discovering what existed on the other side of fear, doubt, and scarcity. We cover: • The moment Gijah realized her “stepping stone” had become a cage • How immigrant women navigate proving their worth in systems not designed for them • The cost of staying where you are tolerated instead of celebrated • What walking in faith looks like when nothing feels certain • Rewriting your threshold for success • Choosing rooms that honour your value • Reclaiming power, identity, and self-worth This conversation is bold, honest, emotional, and full of truth for anyone ready to step out of the limitations placed on them and into the arena they are meant to lead. Connect with Arcadia Gijah Brown: Website: https://jacobwarrenfinancial.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacyfinancialjwf Connect with Rohene: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajram Website: https://www.rohenebouajram.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DSosVorrMFE Resources mentioned in this episode: Book with Rohene to Speak: https://www.rohenebouajram.com

    Breaking the Invisible Cage
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Unspeakable Leadership is a global conversation diving deep into the vibrant and dynamic world of women of colour in leadership roles. Join us on a rollercoaster ride where the host, Rohene, and guests share stories of navigating challenges, turning a serious journey into a joyous exploration with laughter, cringe-worthy tales, and empowering moments. Let's take a break in our day and revel in the reminder that the world needs women of color leading authentically. Tune in, buckle up, and embark on this thrilling adventure with us! Rohene Bouajram is an international speaker and 20-year educator and leader in the higher education space. You can learn more of her work on www.rohenebouajram.com.

You Might Also Like