Behind the Magic

In this episode, we see what's Behind the Magic of powerhouse Anneshia Hardy—narrative strategist, movement builder, and truth-teller from Montgomery, Alabama. From her days navigating the overwhelmingly white world of finance to becoming the founding executive director of Alabama Values and Alabama Values Progress and co-founder of Blackyard LLC, Anneshia has lived the tension between brilliance and bias—and chose to turn her story into fuel for liberation. We talk about the blueprint her mother gave her, what it means to name and resist harmful narratives, and how she’s using storytelling as both a survival strategy and a tool for reimagining democracy. This conversation is real, layered, and full of wisdom about leadership, resilience, and why Black women’s stories are sacred. If you’ve ever struggled with carrying the weight of being “the only” in the room, or wondered how to protect your joy while pushing for change, this one will feed your spirit.

In this conversation across the pond, I sit down with Tarnia Gonzo, change management AI expert and founder of T&S Consulting in London. Tarnia opens up about her journey from Zimbabwe to the UK at age seven, navigating identity, stereotypes, and perfectionism as an immigrant and Black woman in male-dominated industries. She shares how family influences: her grandmother’s resilience, her mother’s determination, and her own role as a mother, shaped her approach to leadership and entrepreneurship. Tarnia discusses the challenges of working in white- and male-dominated consultancies, the power of building authentic community, and the pivotal moment when she chose to create her own firm rooted in human-led transformation. With warmth and candor, Tarnia reflects on resilience, belonging, imposter syndrome, and what it means to lead authentically while building a legacy for her daughter.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with licensed therapist and author Ameshia Arthur to unpack her new book, You Are Not Selfish (available on Amazon) — a love letter to Black women everywhere. Together, we dive into what it really means to center yourself in a world that constantly tells you not to. Ameshia shares her personal healing journey, growing up with a revolutionary mother in Oakland, and how the lessons of care, community, and self-prioritization led her to create work that challenges generational expectations. This episode is for every Black woman who has ever been told she was "too much" or "not enough" — for those carrying the weight of community, children, and change-making while being told to rest only once the fight is over. You’ll hear: Why the idea of being “selfish” is radical, necessary, and overdue How unlearning begins with allowing ourselves to take up space The deep tension between care for community and care for self And why reclaiming softness isn’t weakness, but wisdom Whether you’re a quiet observer, a fierce advocate, or somewhere in between, this episode is your reminder that wholeness is not a reward — it’s your right.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with a new friend, DeUnna Hendrix, former Division I head women’s basketball coach turned leadership coach for other coaches and founder of HendriX to Y Coaching. From the outside, her story looks like a lot of wins, titles, rising fast. But what we talked about? The truth underneath it all—what it means to be a Black woman navigating leadership, visibility, and vulnerability in spaces that weren’t built for us. DeUnna shared about coming out at 15, being the “only” in so many rooms, and having to learn early how to “fawn” to survive—say the right thing, keep the peace, make everyone comfortable, even when you’re unraveling on the inside. During our conversation, we talked about the R word - resilience - and what it costs when grace isn’t extended to you, especially in high-pressure roles where one loss erases years of wins. And what happens when you finally admit: I’m not okay. I don’t even know who I am anymore. What I walked away with is this: DeUnna is proof that it’s possible to rebuild—not just your career or reputation—but your sense of self. And not because someone saved her, but because she paused, got still, asked the hard questions, and started writing a new story from the inside out. This conversation is for any of us who’ve been labeled, boxed in, or told to shrink. For those doing the work, holding it all together, and wondering when we get to feel held, too.

I sat down with Brittany Buford, managing partner at Partners In Democracy, the morning after the 2024 election loss—and the energy was heavy. We talked about that gut-punch feeling so many Black women had waking up like, WTF?” Brittany didn’t sugarcoat a thing. She reminded us that nobody is coming to save Black women—but we’ve never needed saving. We've always been the ones to rebuild, regroup, and get back in the fight. She shared her journey from being a young single mom to becoming a major voice for democracy reform. Her path wasn’t linear—it was messy, powerful, and real. Every detour made her who she is. She talked about redefining success, resisting other people’s expectations, and raising her daughter to live without bounds. One line that shook me? “I refuse to wallow while it burns.” That’s how she’s moving into what’s next. If you’re feeling exhausted but still determined—this episode is for you.

In this episode, I sit down with Gabrielle Wyatt, founder of The Highland Project, to explore what it truly means to invest in the worth—not just the work—of Black women. Gabrielle shares the personal and professional journey that led her to build a movement rooted in sustainability, joy, and generational wealth for Black women leaders. Guided by the belief that “abundance is the capacity and space to fully thrive,” she reflects on the moment she could no longer sacrifice her well-being for short-term wins. Instead, Gabrielle began to center rest, reflection, and community care as strategic tools for transformation. As she puts it, “sustainability is not about changing workplace culture—it’s about being free in your own body,” and she walks us through the restorative practices that now ground her leadership. This episode is a powerful invitation to redefine success, reclaim your time, and imagine what becomes possible when Black women are deeply supported to thrive.

In this episode of Behind the Magic, I sit down with Barbara Payne, whose powerful journey from high school dropout to soon-to-be Doctor is nothing short of extraordinary. But it’s her courage to share the truth behind that transformation that truly moved me. Barbara’s story is not just about surviving abuse – emotional, physical and sexual. It’s about breaking generational curses, finding light in the darkest moments, and choosing to keep going when giving up felt easier. In her story, I’m reminded of what happens when you stop asking “why me?” and start asking “how do I rise from this?” From a nurse’s whisper at her lowest moment to founding Opportunities to Overcome, Barbara is the embodiment of faith, resilience, and the power of choosing healing—over and over again.

In this uplifting and thought-provoking episode, Toni Johnson, founder of Mission OutLoud, takes us through the stories of the highs and lows of her leadership journey. She shares how she found her voice - often as the “only one” in the room - and how those experiences fueled her passion for building spaces where Black women and others can thrive unapologetically. Listen as we dive into the power of authenticity, resilience, and community, with real talk about Toni’s hard-earned wisdom and candid reflections on navigating leadership as a Black woman. This conversation is filled with gems of wisdom, laughter, and honesty about the challenges and triumphs of leadership and being seen. So, tune in and get comfortable for a sister-to-sister heart-to-heart you won’t want to miss.

What does it really take to shake up the tech world and build something that lasts? In this episode of Behind the Magic, I sit down with Shawna Curran, a visionary tech leader and founder of STEM ENRG, who’s making serious waves at the intersection of technology, DEIB, and operations. Shawna isn’t just advocating for diversity—she’s rethinking how systems work so equity and inclusion can actually take root and thrive. In our conversation, we get into why most DEIB efforts fall short, the pushback she’s faced as a woman of color in leadership, and how she’s driving real change from the inside out. From breaking barriers in STEM to reshaping how tech leaders lead, Shawna shares the wins, the hard lessons, and why failing forward has been key to her success. Whether you’re in tech, leadership, or trying to own your space, this episode will leave you inspired to move differently—and lead boldly.

In this powerful episode of Behind the Magic, Dr. Tiffany Manuel, founder and CEO of The Case Made, invites us into her world as a self-proclaimed "love warrior." But love, as she describes it, isn’t just about warmth and kindness—it’s about fighting fiercely for our communities, even when the odds are stacked against us. From her journey of corporate success to entrepreneurship, Dr. Manuel shares how she walked away from the prestige, the executive perks, and the "corner office" life to follow a calling rooted in community transformation. She gets real about the struggles Black women face in leadership, the hard-earned lessons of building a business from scratch, and the importance of embracing failure as fuel for success. If you’ve ever felt the pull to step out on your own but fear is holding you back, this episode is for you. Dr. Manuel reminds us that true power lies in staying rooted in purpose, even when the world tells you otherwise. Tune in and be inspired to lead, love, and leap boldly into your next chapter.

In this episode of Behind the Magic, I sit down with Tori Fernandez Whitney, founder & CEO of DC Focus, whose career as a nonprofit and public sector executive has been shaped by resilience, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. From her early experiences growing up in New Orleans to navigating the high-stakes world of D.C. politics and nonprofit leadership, Tori shares the lessons that have defined her journey—the unglamorous truth of the “glass cliff”, the scrutiny Black women face as they work to create change, and the emotional toll of fixing broken systems. With wisdom and humility, she shares her unfiltered, inspiring, and deeply personal story about the power of being fierce, the cost of making change, and the unstoppable force of Black women leading boldly.

In this episode of Behind the Magic, host Danielle Prendergast sits down with Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, to explore her journey from a first-generation college graduate to a powerhouse leader in Black voter empowerment. Jasmine shares how her mother’s resilience and entrepreneurialism shaped her leadership, the challenges of navigating white-led organizations, and the decision to create her own path. Jasmine opens up about the fight against voter suppression in Florida, the resistance she faces—even from supposed allies—and the weight of carrying a legacy of Black women’s leadership. Through powerful storytelling, she reveals the realities of advocacy, the necessity of Black-led spaces, and her vision for lasting change. A raw, inspiring conversation about resilience, justice, and redefining leadership.