Being Brown at Work

Linda Taliaferro
  • 5.0 (9)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

It's time to see more Black and Brown women stand up in their power in the corporate world and share their talents at higher levels. Success is going to require you to be introspective, bold, rightfully seen, and to shine. I'm Linda Taliaferro and the Being Brown at Work Podcast is an insider's look into climbing the corporate ladder as a Black and Brown female professional, creating an unforgettable impact, and being the first in line for leadership opportunities, whether you're kicking off a new career, pivoting, or looking to grow in a company you've been with. I'll show you how to start unapologetically achieving your professional goals, so you can establish yourself as more than just an employee, but as the leader you are capable of becoming. We'll deep dive into how to shift your mindset, cultivate an executive presence, build interpersonal skills, and strategically leverage relationships in your career. Are you ready to reach new heights in your career?

  1. FEB 4

    Choosing Yourself: Boundaries, Authenticity, and Peace at Work.

    In this episode of Being Brown at Work Live, I finally sat down with the incredible Natalie Parker, founder of Natalie Parker Enterprises and host of the podcast "So Your Boss Sucks, Now What?" Natalie and I stripped away the corporate "safe-speak" to talk about the real work of 2026: Self-Preservation. We explored why Black and Brown women often default to service and performative excellence at the expense of our own health and purpose. Natalie's own 2022 near-death experience served as a powerful reminder that we have "one life to live", and we shouldn't spend it all putting points on someone else's scoreboard. The Heart of Our Conversation: The Performative Trap: We discussed how we've been conditioned since childhood to work for the "gold star." But in the corporate world, that 80-hour week often leads to burnout, not the promotion you were promised. The "Oven Drawer" Reality: Just because you've always used your career a certain way doesn't mean it's its true purpose. Your job is a transactional agreement—it is a tool for your life, not the totality of it. Managing Up in a Self-Awareness Vacuum: With only 8–12% of people possessing true self-awareness, your manager might be "sucking the life out of you" without even realizing it. We discussed why their lack of training is not your burden to bear.   Join our free community! The AMA Collective   Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.    Connect with Natalie: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-renee-parker/ Instagram: @natalieparkerenterprises

    30 min

  2. JAN 14

    The Future of Work for Black and Brown Women

    In this high-octane season premiere of Being Brown at Work Live, I deliver a "no-sugarcoating" analysis of the current corporate landscape. Drawing on the newly released Lean In 2025 Women in the Workplace Report, I break down the sobering reality of the "crooked pathway" Black and Brown women are navigating today. This episode moves beyond simple motivation to provide a strategic survival and advancement guide for 2026. I explore the critical difference between mentorship and transformative sponsorship, sharing personal stories of how sponsors opened doors to board seats and executive education. Key Statistics Discussed: The Burden of Race: 1 in 3 Black women worry their race will hold them back, despite being among the most highly educated demographics in the U.S.. The Burnout Crisis: 8 out of 10 Black women in leadership report high levels of burnout due to increased scrutiny and the constant pressure to prove their value. The Corporate Priority Gap: Only 46% of companies view the advancement of women of color as a high priority, a double-digit drop from the general priority for women. The 5 Imperatives for Success in 2026: Environmental Awareness: "Call a thing a thing." Acknowledge the reality of your surroundings without taking on the burden of fixing others' discomfort. Foundational Self-Awareness: Use high Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to understand your unique persona and set non-negotiable boundaries. Strategic Community: Don't be an island. Seek out accountability partners and build a trust-based inner circle. Narrative Control: If you don't define your excellence and your story, the organization will do it for you—often to your detriment. Psychological Safety: Prioritize your peace. Protecting the "person who produces the excellence" is your most important job. I want to leave you with a powerful reminder: the rules may be different and the field may be uneven, but with clarity and a different approach, you can successfully shape a career that remains firmly in your own hands.   Join our free community! The AMA Collective   Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.

    21 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    [Part 2] - How to Build Relationships

    In this episode, I continue my conversation with tech executive Obi Ihenacho (Corporate Engineering at Robinhood, Ex-Meta), who shares his actionable, personal playbook for building a powerful network that defines career success. Obi shares real-life strategies, including the incredible story of how a genuine connection at a coffee shop led to an opportunity at Twitter that created a full-circle career win. We dive into essential steps for growth: The Power of Proximity: Strategically positioning yourself at conferences and events to meet people who align with your goals. Small Wins, Big Confidence: How starting small—like having a simple "elevator pitch" ready—boosts confidence and propels you toward bigger wins. The Two-Way Street: The critical importance of making relationships mutually beneficial and remembering how you make people feel, not just what they can do for you. Networking in a Volatile Market: Why a strong network is essential for securing referrals and providing a safety net in an industry facing uncertainty. This episode is packed with practical tips to help you transform your approach to networking, turning connections into career leverage and long-term professional success.   Join our free community! The AMA Collective   Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.    Connect with Obi Ihenacho: Socials: @theobisystem LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obinnaya-ihenacho/

    24 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    [Part 1] - How to Build Relationships

    In this episode, I welcome Obi Ihenacho, an accomplished IT professional with a decade of engineering experience at companies like Robinhood, Meta, and Twitter. We kick off a crucial discussion on why relationships, not just technical skills, define career success and leadership influence. Obi immediately provides a powerful framework for growth, outlining three vital relationships every professional must cultivate: The Relationship with Yourself: Centered on self-confidence, self-awareness, and believing you deserve your seat at the table (essential for combating imposter syndrome). The Relationship with Your Work: Understanding that your work product speaks to your personal brand and value. The Relationship with Others: The need for intentional, strategic connections. We dive into why networking must be strategic (not just serendipitous) and how finding common ground breaks the ice. Most importantly, we cover the critical role a cultivated network plays in today's volatile job market, serving as an essential safety net and leverage point for securing interviews and your next opportunity. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Obi will share his best practices and actionable "how-to" steps for building and nurturing a powerful network that propels your career forward. Join our free community! The AMA Collective   Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.    Connect with Obi Ihenacho: Socials: @theobisystem LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obinnaya-ihenacho/

    23 min

  5. 10/23/2025

    [Part 2] The Courage to Create

    In this highly actionable episode, I continue my conversation with the revolutionary Ngozi Cadmus (TEDx Speaker and CEO of Happiworkers) as she shifts the focus from healing to hustle and strategy. Ngozi argues that AI is the great leveler and a powerful tool for achieving "ease of living" and financial control. We dive deep into: The AI Imperative: Why mastering AI is crucial for future-proofing your career and business. The person who masters AI will replace the person who doesn't. Time Optimization: Practical ways to use simple AI tools (like Copilot and generative AI) to save hours on administrative tasks, effectively ending your workday earlier. Digital Storytelling for Wealth: Ngozi shares how Black and Brown entrepreneurs can use AI to create viral-quality video ads and films for less than a traditional budget, turning lived experience into income and visibility. New Digital Ventures: Ngozi gives a sneak peek into her work creating autonomous AI agents, non-biased image generation platforms for the global majority (True Tones), and courses that democratize app creation and advanced AI skills. This episode is a powerful call to action, offering a clear blueprint for taking control of your destiny and leveraging technology to create wealth, visibility, and legacy.   Join our free community! The AMA Collective Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.    Connect with Ngozi Cadmus: Socials @ngozicadmus LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ngozicadmus Website: https://happiworkers.health/

    25 min

  6. 10/09/2025

    [Part 1] - The Courage to Create with Ngozi Cadmus

    In this episode, I sit down with the revolutionary Ngozi Cadmus, TEDx Speaker, Psychotherapist, and CEO of the UK's leading anti-racist mental health platform. Ngozi brings her unique global majority (BIPOC) lens to a raw conversation about the "why" behind the struggles of Black and Brown women in the workplace.   We dive deep into:   The Unseen Trauma: Ngozi shares her personal journey, revealing how issues like colorism, functional depression, and the mammy/strong Black woman trope create a deep, internal barrier to professional success.   The Threat Dynamic: We explore the reality of how Black women often transition from being the "pet" to the "threat" simply by standing in their confidence and truth.   The Diversity of Disparity: Ngozi powerfully validates that the barriers are not a monolith—whether you face racism, bias, or microaggressions from within your community or externally, all experiences are valid and must be addressed.   The Collective Solution: We emphasize that moving forward requires us all to appreciate our different roles—the fighters, the solution creators, and the advocates—to drive equity.   This first part lays the crucial foundation of awareness and validation, setting the stage for Part 2, where Ngozi will reveal the actionable tools, including why AI is the great leveler for achieving cash flow and future-proofing your career.   Join our free community! The AMA Collective Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.    Connect with Ngozi Cadmus: Socials @ngozicadmus   LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ngozicadmus Website: https://happiworkers.health/

    21 min

  7. 09/16/2025

    Leave or Stay - Navigating Career Pivots with Jeanette Jordan

    I'm absolutely thrilled and humbled to announce that Being Brown at Work has been named one of the Top 35 Brown Podcasts by FeedSpot! This week, I'm joined by the incredible strategic business consultant and executive coach, Jeanette Jordan. She brings her unique perspective, shaped by her own career pivot from engineering to tech marketing after the 2008 financial crisis, to discuss the crucial decision of whether to leave or stay in your current role. Jeanette provides key insights and actionable advice on: Paying attention to market conditions and company dynamics as early warning signs for a potential career pivot. The importance of documenting your wins and accomplishments weekly to build your professional narrative. The "illusion of safety" in corporate jobs and the courage to bet on yourself. A powerful framework for making career decisions based on your goals, your "why," and what you are truly optimizing for. Strategies for a planned exit, including negotiating a severance to give yourself time to rest and strategize your next move. Enjoy this episode!   Join our free community! The AMA Collective Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.    Connect with Jeanette Jordan: Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jeanettecjordan Instagram: @jeanettecjordan YouTube: @jeanettecjordan

    38 min

  8. 08/21/2025

    [Part 2] - Get Me Together with Chenae Erkerd

    In this incredibly raw second part of my conversation with Chenae Erkerd, we move beyond the "why" of workplace trauma and into the personal journey of healing and resilience. Chenae shares how she was able to navigate a toxic work environment by holding on to her faith, the love of her family, and her own self-worth. This is a powerful, vulnerable conversation about: Finding your core identity: Chenae discusses how she found strength by drawing on her roots and the wisdom of her ancestors, including her grandmother and a Black Panther uncle. The importance of a spiritual foundation: She shares how her faith was an unwavering anchor during her most challenging times, offering her clarity and purpose. Owning your narrative: We discuss the importance of not allowing a job to define you or dictate your self-worth. The power of "The Gift": Chenae closes the episode with a breathtaking and deeply personal spoken word poem, "Mary," that encapsulates her journey and the resilience of women throughout history. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has felt broken by their professional life and is searching for a path to healing, empowerment, and a deeper sense of purpose.   Join our free community! The AMA Collective   Ready to take control of your career and earn what you're truly worth? This episode is sponsored by the Salary Bump Accelerator. If you're ready to make thousands more in your next salary negotiation, the Salary Bump Accelerator is your proven system. Packed with everything you need to prepare like a pro, negotiate with confidence, and land a total compensation package that reflects your value, this program is designed to get you paid what you deserve. As a loyal listener, you get 15% off with the code BEING15. Go to https://thesalarybump.com/salary-accelerator/ to get started.    Connect with Chenae Erkerd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenae-erkerd-j-d-racr-798b2389 IG: @recruitercousin  TikTok: @recruitercousin  YouTube: @recruitercousinconsulting Facebook: @recuitercousin

    32 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

It's time to see more Black and Brown women stand up in their power in the corporate world and share their talents at higher levels. Success is going to require you to be introspective, bold, rightfully seen, and to shine. I'm Linda Taliaferro and the Being Brown at Work Podcast is an insider's look into climbing the corporate ladder as a Black and Brown female professional, creating an unforgettable impact, and being the first in line for leadership opportunities, whether you're kicking off a new career, pivoting, or looking to grow in a company you've been with. I'll show you how to start unapologetically achieving your professional goals, so you can establish yourself as more than just an employee, but as the leader you are capable of becoming. We'll deep dive into how to shift your mindset, cultivate an executive presence, build interpersonal skills, and strategically leverage relationships in your career. Are you ready to reach new heights in your career?

Information

  • Creator
    Linda Taliaferro
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    172
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Being Brown at Work