Black women leaders face a unique set of challenges that can be exhausting, overwhelming, and often invisible. In this episode, Sadiqa Reynolds shares her unflinching account of the struggles she's faced as a Black woman leader, from being criticized for promoting diversity to dealing with the emotional toll of constant scrutiny. Listen in as she reveals the importance of support systems, true diversity and inclusion, and the power of community in overcoming the unspoken struggles of Black women leaders.
Sadiqa Reynolds is CEO of Perception Institute and Founder and President of the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center. Before Perception Institute, Reynolds was CEO of the Louisville Urban League, the first woman to hold this title in the affiliate’s 95-year history raising more than $100 million, quadrupling the agency's budget, increasing the assets by more than $70 million, and building a $53 million state-of-the-art sports and learning complex, during a pandemic and amid civil unrest.

Andrea Caupain Sanderson, a racial and social justice advocate for over 25 years, discussed her journey from immigrating to the U.S. at 12 and becoming a single mother at 19 to becoming CEO of Byrd Barr Place. She is currently the co-founder and co-executive director of the BIPOC Executive Directors Coalition and one of four architects of the Black Future Co-op Fund, Washington’s first cooperative philanthropy created by and for Black people to ignite Black generational wealth, health, and well-being. In this episode, she emphasized the need for black-led organizations to receive funding and support and highlighted the importance of self-care and creating spaces for black leaders to thrive.

Tune into the latest episode of Centering Conversations with philanthropic leader, Lauren Y Casteel, where she explores Black women's leadership in philanthropy. Lauren Y. Casteel is president and CEO of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Drawing from her family's civil rights legacy and 35-year career, Lauren shares powerful insights on community building, navigating racism, and fostering systemic change. Together, they discuss how bold, innovative philanthropy can create lasting impact for marginalized communities.

Detria Austin Everson, CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, shares her inspiring journey in philanthropy and social justice. Discover how service can be your superpower as Everson reveals the keys to unity, resilience, and hope in leadership. Learn how celebrating small victories can lead to big changes and why black women's voices are crucial in the fight for equity.

In this episode of Centering Conversations, an exclusive segment with Voice Vision Value, Ashleigh Gardere, the President of PolicyLink, shares a bold vision to redesign the nation from the ground up. Challenging the status quo, Gardere argues that current systems were never designed for collective flourishing - it's time to redefine the values and legal frameworks that will deliver a just and equitable future for all.

Read PolicyLink's Vision

Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, President of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, joins Chanda Smith Baker to expose philanthropy's hidden power dynamics. In a raw, unfiltered conversation, she reveals how Black women leaders strategically navigate and dismantle institutional racism, offering a masterclass in resilience, strategic resistance, and transformative leadership that challenges the very foundations of charitable giving. Inspired by the legendary Gladys Washington—who embodied unapologetic leadership, mentorship, and radical love—this episode is a blueprint for systemic transformation, told by a leader who has fought and won battles most never see.
Learn:
* How to turn institutional barriers into strategic opportunities
* The art of influencing power structures from within
* Authentic allyship beyond performative gestures
* Why incremental change requires patience and persistent vision

Sharon Bush, President of Grand Victoria Foundation, joins Chanda Smith Baker to challenge leadership norms. She reveals why sometimes the most radical act is choosing stillness over noise. Learn how an introverted leader transforms communities by listening deeply, building strategic power, and centering Black abundance—not just surviving, but thriving with purpose.

In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, a new episode of Centering Conversations will release every Wednesday in August. In this episode, Toya Nash Randall, a VVV Curator and Catalyst, explores Black Philanthropy Month and the groundbreaking book, Portraits of Us: A Book of Essays Centering Black Women Leading Philanthropy.

In this week's episode of Centering Conversations, Chanda discusses identity, leadership, and the journey of black women in philanthropy with Tashion Macon. Discover how to embrace the path of purpose while being courageous to dream, declare, and disrupt social norms. 

Join Chanda Smith Baker as she engages in a conversation with Conniel Malek, Founding Executive Director of True Costs Initiative, a nonprofit which seeks to increase corporate accountability and strengthen legal systems in the Global South. In this powerful episode, discover how Conniel collaborates across borders to internalize the true costs of corporate actions, all while embracing personal uniqueness in leadership.

In this week's Centering Conversations episode, Chanda is joined by Qiana Thomason, the visionary CEO of Health Forward Foundation. Discover how Qiana's dedication to health equity and community empowerment shapes her leadership journey. Explore her insights on truth reconciliation in philanthropy, the importance of mentorship, and the transformative power of intentional spaces.

On our final #BlackPhilanthropyMonth episode, Angel Roberson-Daniels, Executive Director of Angell Foundation, shares her dynamic journey. As a catalyst for positive change, she shares insights from her impactful career, guiding foundations, and fostering community collaboration. From strategic planning to empowering emerging leaders, listen in on some valuable insights on mentorship and the art of graceful leadership.

An all-new episode of Centering Conversations, featuring award-winning journalist and author L'Oreal Thompson Payton, is now available! L'Oreal is a contributing writer for the Chicago chapter of Portraits of Us and her debut book, Stop Waiting for Perfect, was published in August 2023. In this episode, L'Oreal dives into topics such as overcoming perfectionism, identity struggles, and the importance of representation. From lessons on burnout to reclaiming dreams, this episode is a powerful exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and self-care.

Tune into the latest episode of Centering Conversations as Chanda Smith Baker engages in a candid conversation with Yanique Redwood, author of White Women Cry and Call Me Angry: A Black Woman’s Memoir on Racism in Philanthropy. Yanique and Chanda uncover compelling insights into the impact of race and trauma, the dynamics of sharing experiences, emotional labor in nonprofits, and the transformative power of self-care and community.

Tune into the latest episode of Centering Conversations as Chanda Smith Baker engages in a candid conversation with Yanique Redwood, author of White Women Cry and Call Me Angry: A Black Woman’s Memoir on Racism in Philanthropy. Yanique and Chanda uncover compelling insights into the impact of race and trauma, the dynamics of sharing experiences, emotional labor in nonprofits, and the transformative power of self-care and community.

This conversation features Gladys Washington, the retired Deputy Director of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, as she shares her experiences in philanthropy and navigating power dynamics as a Black woman leader. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, honesty, and community building for Black women in leadership positions. Washington encourages listeners to lighten up, listen to others, and engage in challenging conversations to learn from diverse perspectives.