BsquaredC Podcast: The Black Woman Corporate Career "Brownprint"

Happy Women’s History month BsquaredC fam!
This month we bring you the infinite wisdom of theimmeasurable Kimberly Fuqua, a Director at Microsoft with nearly 30 years of experience and the founder of Luminous Leaders.
Known by some as the "Olivia Pope of Microsoft" for her expertise in managing systemic crises, Kim shares herremarkable journey from the South Side of Chicago to becoming a global tech leader and entrepreneur in the Netherlands. Amongst other things, she offers a refreshing perspective on the power of "kindness over niceness," the necessity of bringing "difference" into tech, and why every professional should learn to love the process of growth.
This conversation is a masterclass in career longevity and leadership with authenticity and integrity.

🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
●The Secret to Career Longevity- How to successfully navigate a 30-year tenure at a tech giant like Microsoft bytreating one company as a series of diverse adventures and multiple careers.

● Redefining Leadership and Kindness- The critical distinction between being "nice" and being "kind," and how showing up as your real, authentic self allows you to hold yourself and others accountable while leadingwith luminosity.

● Demystifying the Tech Industry- Why anyone with a willingness to learn, take initiative, and move fast belongs in technology, regardless of whether they have a traditional"technical" background.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:
Prioritize Systems Over Goals- Inspired by the concept that you don't rise to the level of your goals but fall to the level of your systems, focus on building daily, consistent habits that support your long-term passions
Embrace "Difference" for Innovation: True organizational growth and innovation come from hiring for "difference" diverse perspectives that disrupt linear thinking and help teams see around corners.
Love the Process, Not Just the Destination- Since there will always be a next goal, the real growth and learning happen during the journey; managing and enjoying the process is the key to a sustainable and less stressful career.
👂 Tune In If You’re…
A professional seeking career longevity who wants to learn how to stay curious, energetic, and relevant within a single organization over several decades.
An aspiring leader or manager looking for actionable advice on how to build diverse, high-performing teams by valuing disruption and non-linear thinking.
A college student or career changer who feels intimidated by the tech space and needs the encouragement that a willingness to learn is the most important prerequisite for success
Check out Kim’s company on here: https://kimberlyfuqua.com/luminous-leaders/
👉 Loved this episode?
Share it with a sister-friend, mentor, or mentee. And don’t forget to subscribe to *BsquaredC* on your favourite podcast platform. Leave us a review, every word helps amplify voices like Kim’s.

You can also buy us coffee, wine or water with the link below!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BsquaredC
Resources & Links:📌 Follow BsquaredC on  LinkedIn and Instagram , TikTokand YouTube for more inspiring episodes
To all the black women in the corporate worldout there, KEEP MAKING BOLD MOVES AND KEEP TAKING UP SPACE🎙️🎊

In this episode, we sit down with  Jourdan Clark, a first-generation black American whose journey is a masterclass in resilience and vision. 

From overcoming post-grad depression and anxiety to embracing her identity as a storyteller and "humble servant," Jourdan offers an empowering look at what it means to lead with faith and resilience. Her story is a testament to the idea that career paths are rarely linear and that finding peace in the "gray areas" is a vital part of professional and personal growth
🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to navigate the "gray areas" of career transitions and overcome the pressure of post-grad depression and anxiety.

The importance of a "Word of the Year" to anchor your personal and professional growth.

How to leverage the discipline and patience learned from personal passions like Southern cooking into leadership and professional excellence.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:
Don't Let Your Dreams Die in a Box: Take actionable steps to pivot when things don't go as planned; your worth is not defined by a job offer or a linear path.

Great Things Take Time: Embrace the "baking principle" in your career, you cannot rush perfection and must learn to flow with life’s ebbs and flows.

Leading with Peace: Intentionality in your mental space allows you to remain grounded and effective, regardless of external workplace or family pressure

👂 Tune In If You’re…
A first-generation college student or graduate looking for inspiration on how to build your own "blueprint" for success.

A career-driven professional struggling with the weight of expectation and seeking ways to prioritize mental peace and resilience.

An aspiring leader interested in how storytelling and authenticity can shape a powerful employer brand and professional identity.

👉 Loved this episode?
Share it with a sister-friend, mentor, or mentee. And don’t forget to subscribe to *BsquaredC* on your favourite podcast platform.
Leave us a review, every word helps amplify voices like Jourdan 
If you loved this episode, buy us coffee, wine or water with the link below!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BsquaredC
Resources & Links:📌 Follow BsquaredC on Instagram and Linkedin for more inspiring episodes

To all the black women in the corporate world out there, KEEP MAKING BOLD MOVES AND KEEP TAKING UP SPACE🎙️🎊

In this empowering conversation, I sit with Elizabeth Orayo Osumba, a visionary Product Designer who navigated her career from Kenya to the thriving tech landscape of Germany. 
 
Elizabeth candidly shares her journey of overcoming childhood challenges to find her true calling in the world of design and technology. From leveraging LinkedIn to unlock global opportunities to championing the importance of female representation in leadership, her story is a masterclass in resilience and intentionality. And she did all of this with her husband and 2 children in tow!
🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to effectively use the "Red Car Theory" and gratitude journaling to identify and seize professional opportunities.

Strategies for navigating corporate environments as a minority, including the vital role of building supportive peer communities

The critical importance of optimizing your digital presence on LinkedIn to access global career markets and diverse roles

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:
Don't Eliminate Yourself: Women often downplay their skills; you should apply for roles even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications

Own Your Space: Authenticity is your greatest asset—by owning your unique skills and identity, you pave the way for future generations

Manifest Through Action: Define your goals with specificity, such as Elizabeth’s goal to become a Director of Design, and stay focused on that vision 

Elizabeth’s infectious energy and deep-seated belief in "manifesting" one's destiny provide a “brownprint” for anyone looking to own their space and redefine what is possible in their career
👂 Tune In If You’re…
An immigrant professional looking for the courage to manifest a bigger life abroad 

An international professional navigating the challenges and triumphs of relocating for a career in a new country

A woman in tech seeking inspiration on balancing professional ambition with family life and personal growth

If you loved this episode, buy me a coffee, wine or water with the link below!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BsquaredC
Resources & Links:📌
Follow BsquaredC on Instagram, Linkedin , YouTube and TikTok for more inspiring episodes. 
Elizabeth’s youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@therajoreclan2284⁠
Elizabeth’s LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-orayo-osumba-a1a6869b⁠ 
To all the black women in the corporate world out there, KEEP MAKING BOLD MOVES AND KEEP TAKING UP SPACE🎙️🎊

In this episode, hosts Akosua and Nancy wrap up an incredible year of the BsquaredC Podcast, looking back on their favorite episodes, gems and their personal growth from the year.  
 
They celebrate reaching over 10,000 downloads, share impressions from the Black Girls Tech Summit, and revisit the most impactful conversation from the podcast this year, from the power of personal branding and redefining impact in the diaspora to navigating career pivots as a mother and embracing neurodivergence as a superpower, this episode is packed with inspiration to give you a flavor of BTS of the BsquaredC podcast. 

 🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The pivotal lessons on career, leadership, and personal growth from the BsquaredC guests this year

How to reposition yourself and successfully pivot careers while managing other life responsibilities

The essential shift in perspective on office politics, leveraging your innate strengths, and the power of a non-linear career path driven by curiosity

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:
Experience is the best teacher: Actively seek out opportunities like "gigs" or temporary roles to truly test your interest in a new career path before fully committing

Leverage your strengths: Focus on building and expressing your value through what comes naturally to you, rather than trying to perfect areas of weakness

Go beyond the website for DEI: When job searching, audit a company's reality by checking LinkedIn for employee demographics and asking bold, direct questions during the interview process

👂 Tune In If You’re…
Seeking inspiration on how to consistently grow a meaningful venture over several years

Looking for an honest, no-sugarcoating approach to professional development, especially regarding career pivots and workplace navigation

Ready to redefine your sense of personal and professional impact.

As mentioned in the episode:
Visit Girls talk page: https://www.girlstalklondon.com/about-us/

If you loved this episode, buy us coffee, wine or water with the link below!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BsquaredC

Nominate yourself or another BOLD black woman you know for a chance to be featured on the podcast: https://bit.ly/Boldnominations.

Follow BsquaredC on our socials with the links below: 
 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/b_squaredcpodcast/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bsquaredc/ 
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BsquaredCPodcast/ 

To all the black women in the corporate world out there, KEEP MAKING BOLD MOVES AND KEEP TAKING UP SPACE🎙️🎊

This month we welcome Keki Mwaba, a highly respected career coach and former tech recruiter from companies like Uber and Disney, for a special reflection episode on navigating career pivots and finding community abroad. This powerful conversation dives into key lessons from past guest interviews, providing expert advice on how to intentionally audit your life, choose a workplace committed to true diversity, and approach the job hunt with confidence and self-knowledge .

🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Keki Mwaba's career path: from studying work and organizational psychology to becoming a tech recruiter at major companies and finally pivoting to full-time career coaching

Expert strategies for job seekers to genuinely assess a company's commitment to Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) beyond its website

Actionable tips for career pivoting, including how to leverage transferable skills
 

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:
Audit for Real Inclusion: Beyond the company website,  request follow-up conversations with team members during the interview process to gauge true company culture.

Know Your "Why" to Drive Your Career: Career progression should be tied to self-knowledge to help you uncover your core motivations, values, and desired work environment.

Harness Your Wins: Regularly track a "win sheet" of all your professional achievements, no matter how small  to build confidence, provide a strong foundation for performance reviews, and combat self-doubt on hard days .

👂 Tune In If You’re…
An international professional looking for advice on finding a community, navigating work in Europe .

Thinking about a career pivot and need practical advice on identifying transferable skills 

Seeking insights on how to approach the interview process with confidence, including advice on disclosing neurodivergence and asking for interview adjustments

If you loved this episode, buy us coffee, wine or water with the link below!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BsquaredC

Follow BsquaredC on our socials with the links below: 
 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/b_squaredcpodcast/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bsquaredc/ 
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BsquaredCPodcast/ 

To all the black women in the corporate world out there, KEEP MAKING BOLD MOVES AND KEEP TAKING UP SPACE🎙️🎊