Unbossed,But Bothered... The Fortitude Collective

The Fortitude Collective

 Unbossed, But Bothered is the unapologetic podcast where we spill the tea, shatter ceilings, and challenge the status quo with a heavy dose of Black girl magic! Hosted by the dynamic co-founders of The Fortitude Collective, we’re here for every Black woman who’s tired but in the words of our Auntie Michelle ready to "Do SOMETHING"!From boardrooms to break rooms, we’re bringing our own chairs and taking up every inch of space we deserve.  Yes, Take Up Space, Sis!!! This isn’t just a conversation it’s a movement, a vibe, and a whole lot of truth telling as we uplift, inspire, and remind each other that we’re not waiting for permission anymore. Our platform is a battle cry for the next generation of black women leaders, Entrepreneurs, and Creators to take our rightful seat by bringing our chair to every space we occupy.  We are no longer waiting for a seat at the table, we are showing up prepared and Taking up Space! @fortitudecollective About Us | Fortitude Collective (thefortitudecollective.com)

Episodes

  1. Episode 9: When Leadership Is a Lie: Reclaiming Power in Toxic Workspaces

    10/04/2025

    Episode 9: When Leadership Is a Lie: Reclaiming Power in Toxic Workspaces

    Podcast Episode Overview Episode Title: Leadership is Failing Black Women—Reclaiming Power in Toxic Workspaces Episode Summary: Tonight, we’re getting real about leadership when it fails us, when it turns toxic, and when it costs Black women more than the paycheck could ever cover. Corporate America wasn’t built for us—and the numbers don’t lie. Over 350,000 Black women have been pushed out of corporate spaces in just the last year. But here’s the truth: we are not powerless. We are not disposable. And we’re not waiting for permission to lead, to thrive, and to take up space. In this episode, we’re breaking it down with bold questions, unapologetic truths, and powerful strategies: Defining Toxic Leadership: What it looks like, the red flags, and how it specifically undermines Black women.The Corporate Exodus: Why so many Black women are walking away—and what it’s really costing us.Reclaiming Power: Tools, strategies, and non-negotiables for survival and advancement in spaces not designed for us.Leadership Lies vs. Truths: Separating the myths of “good leadership” from the reality of what it takes to truly support marginalized employees.Boundaries & Navigation: How to assert yourself, protect your peace, and still get the respect you’ve earned.Healing & Community: Turning pain into power through networks, mentorship, and collective resilience.We’ll close with solutions and inspiration—including actionable steps to reclaim your career, build influence, and avoid burnout, plus a personal “power move” that will shift the way you think about leading from within. This is not about surviving toxic leadership.  It’s about dismantling it—and building spaces where Black women don’t just take up space, we own it.

    56 min
  2. Unbossed, But Bothered! Not Your Token, Not Your Trend!

    08/18/2025

    Unbossed, But Bothered! Not Your Token, Not Your Trend!

    Welcome to another episode of Unbossed, But Bothered  where we don’t just bring our chair, we bring our voice, our truth, and our full selves. Today’s conversation, Not Your Token, Not Your Trend, is both timely and necessary. In the last 90 days alone, over 300,000 Black women have exited corporate spaces or been laid off, with unemployment climbing to 6.2%. We are witnessing a pivotal moment where our visibility is sometimes celebrated, yet our value is still too often reduced to a box checked or a quota filled. But Black women are not a trend. We are the backbone, the innovators, the educators, the leaders  and in today’s changing world, including the rise of AI and a shifting economy, our future demands intentional strategy, not symbolic gestures. Joining us is a woman who embodies that truth, Atasha James, founder of Legends Charter School in Washington, D.C., whose work in education and leadership speaks volumes about what it means to lead without compromise. This is more than a conversation, it's a call to action This  conversation made one thing crystal clear we are not here to be someone’s token, and we are not here to be part of a passing trend. We are here to lead, to build, and to transform every space we enter. The statistics may be sobering for hundreds of thousands of Black women leaving corporate spaces, unemployment on the rise  but those numbers do not define our worth, our brilliance, or our power. As we navigate a changing workforce, shifting cultural tides, and the rise of AI, our charge is to make sure Black women are not just present in the future but shaping it. So, let this episode be more than words you heard today. Let it be the spark that drives you to advocate, to innovate, to educate, and to stand unapologetically in your purpose. Because our value is not up for negotiation, and our time is now

    38 min

About

 Unbossed, But Bothered is the unapologetic podcast where we spill the tea, shatter ceilings, and challenge the status quo with a heavy dose of Black girl magic! Hosted by the dynamic co-founders of The Fortitude Collective, we’re here for every Black woman who’s tired but in the words of our Auntie Michelle ready to "Do SOMETHING"!From boardrooms to break rooms, we’re bringing our own chairs and taking up every inch of space we deserve.  Yes, Take Up Space, Sis!!! This isn’t just a conversation it’s a movement, a vibe, and a whole lot of truth telling as we uplift, inspire, and remind each other that we’re not waiting for permission anymore. Our platform is a battle cry for the next generation of black women leaders, Entrepreneurs, and Creators to take our rightful seat by bringing our chair to every space we occupy.  We are no longer waiting for a seat at the table, we are showing up prepared and Taking up Space! @fortitudecollective About Us | Fortitude Collective (thefortitudecollective.com)