Shows
BLKGirl AmbitionThe Audacity to Build the African Disney w/ AfroToons Founder Esther Paul"We’re building the African Disney — and we’re doing it our way." - Esther Paul"I want to build a headquarters in Accra that employs hundreds of African creatives. AfroToons isn’t just storytelling — it’s economic empowerment" - Esther PaulSummary:In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, host Niya Baxter sits down with Esther, the trailblazing founder and CEO of AfroToons Animation Studio. Esther shares her bold mission to build the next African Disney — a global storytelling empire rooted in African culture, imagination, and brilliance. From her journey growing up in Ghana to be...2025-07-2324 minBLKGirl AmbitionOwning The Narrative: Cultural Storytelling & Creative Power w/ Filmmaker Dr. Nadia Marie Sasso"Perfectionism almost killed me." - Nadia Marie Sasso"I wasn't interested in performing scholarship for institutions. It was about making my community feel seen and heard [through filmmaking] and looking for resonance, not approval" - Nadia Marie SassoSummary:In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya Baxter sits down with creative visionary and cultural storyteller Dr. Nadia Sasso for a rich conversation on identity, innovation, and the evolving power of digital storytelling. Nadia shares how her upbringing as a first-generation Sierra Leonean-American shaped her lens as a filmmaker, unconventional scholar, and community...2025-07-1618 minBLKGirl AmbitionAmbition without Burnout w/ The Ambition Studio CEO Queirra Fenderson"No one celebrates high performers. They just expect it. That’s why you have to celebrate yourself—loudly and often." — Queirra Fenderson"Burnout starts the minute you negotiate away your boundaries. It’s a power leak—and the water rises fast." — Queirra Fenderson"Ambition doesn’t have to mean burnout. When you shift from external validation to inner alignment, you unlock a new level of power." — Queirra FendersonSummary:In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, I’m joined by Queirra Fenderson, CEO of The Ambition Studio, for a conversation that flips the hustle n...2025-07-0942 minBLKGirl AmbitionWho Says We're Selfish? Motherhood, Ambition & Identity w/ Dara Chike-Obi"All the rules are fake. If that’s the case, I’m going to make my own. And I’m going to make them with other like-minded women beside me." - Dara Chike-ObiFor the short holiday week, we're re-releasing this powerful episode with Dara Chike-Obi—because sometimes the most important lessons come in the form of a pivot.When we first recorded, Dara was the co-founder of GRIO, a baby feeding tech company designed to support new mothers and reduce infant colic symptoms. But what started as a conversation about motherhood and innovation unfolded...2025-07-0244 minBLKGirl AmbitionHow Humility Holds Us Back: From Survival to Strategy w/ Grace Mosuro"Humility is not what drives success for Black women in the workplace. Humility holds us back" - Grace Mosuro"Fake it until you make it. Fake it until it feels natural" - Grace Mosuro“Build your network before you need it. The people pitching you in rooms you’re not in? You meet them now.” - Grace MosuroSummary:In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, host Niya Baxter is joined by Grace Mosuro, a global culture strategist, for a conversation that challenges how Black women are taught to navigate ambition, visibi...2025-06-2537 minBLKGirl AmbitionThe Road to BLKGirl Ambition: 7 Lessons in Identity, Intuition & Impact w/ Niya Baxter"Perfectionism will kill your dream. The version of you that got you here will not get you there." - Niya Baxter"It's uncomfortable to try out loud, but there's so much freedom in it - 10/10 recommend" - Niya Baxter"My greatest ambition is freedom. Freedom to live in joy, in alignment, and in abundance" - Niya BaxterKeywords:Black Girl Ambition, empowerment, career growth, intentional choices, perfectionism, community building, personal development, podcasting, women empowerment, self-discoverySummary:In this solo episode of BLKGirl Ambition, host Niya...2025-06-1726 minBLKGirl AmbitionHow to Use Sponsorship to Get What You Want at Work w/ Dr. Diana B. Allen"There's a science to sponsorship." - Dr. Diana B. AllenKeywords:cybersecurity, leadership, empowerment, sponsorship, women in STEM, AI, women in tech, career advancement, networking, visibility, authenticity, career advancement, structural empowerment, sponsorship, relationships, professional growth, women in leadership, mentorship, leadership, workplace dynamics, gender equality, organizational cultureSummary:In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya Baxter sits down with Dr. Diana B. Allen—cybersecurity leader, researcher, and empowerment strategist—to unpack what it really takes to thrive at the intersection of leadership, legacy, and visibility.Together, they expl...2025-06-1134 minBLKGirl AmbitionThe Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck w/ Amira Barger"I wrote the, The Price of Nice, because I was tired of being told to be palatable while I was busy out here in the world trying to be powerful." - Amira Barger"Patriarchy tells you you're too much. Racism tells us we're not enough, and being a Black woman means living in that pressure cooker and yet still cooking up excellence." - Amira BargerSummary:In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya Baxter sits down with communications executive, professor and author, Amira Barger to explore why being “nice” is costing Black wome...2025-06-0434 minBLKGirl AmbitionMy Ambition is to Live a Soft Life: Healing Beyond the Hustle w/ Danielle Locklear"Can we live our lives beyond just the opposition to oppression?"- Danielle LocklearSoftness and ambition can coexist. In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, host Niya Baxter sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Danielle Locklear for a powerful conversation on healing, rest, and reclaiming worth beyond the grind. Together, they unpack the importance of culturally responsive therapy for Black women, the deep harm of toxic hustle culture, and the liberation that comes from setting boundaries without guilt. Danielle shares her journey into therapy, how community shapes healing, and why rejecting capitalist definitions of...2025-05-2838 minBLKGirl AmbitionI've Been Fighting Fashion My Entire Life: Style, Brand & Confidence w/ Liz Wendler Styling"Your personal style is your silent introduction." - Liz Wendler“Show up authentically—bold, bright, beautiful, fabulous—and they’ll judge you anyway. You might as well do you.” - Liz WendlerOn this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya Baxter sits down with style expert Liz Wendler to unpack how fashion can be your fiercest self‑brand and confidence booster—especially for Black women carving out space in corporate and entrepreneurial worlds. We trace Liz’s leap from the 9-to-5 grind to building her own styling empire, and she shares her insider tips for discovering your...2025-05-2142 minBLKGirl AmbitionSay it Like You Mean It: Monetizing Your Voice & Owning Your Genius w/ Quinn Conyers“Your genius is in your normal—lean into what comes naturally to you, and stop chasing someone else’s path.” - Quinn Conyers"If you keep telling people that you’re going to help them, they’ll discount your value—because we’re not the help. Stop helping and start coaching, assisting, partnering, elevating, empowering.” - Quinn ConyersKeywords:public speaking, women empowerment, entrepreneurship, personal brand, elevator pitch, abundance mindset, Black women, business strategies, community support, ambitionSummary:In this episode of Black Girl Ambition, host Niya Baxter speaks...2025-05-1440 minBLKGirl Ambition"We Do Not Compartmentalize Our Shit"“We need to redefine what success and ambition actually look like… how do we make it every day in the sense of what brings me fulfillment, satisfaction, and joy within my title and outside of that title” - Marissa NelsonOn this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, your host Niya Baxter sits down with award-winning relationship & sex therapist Marissa Nelson to flip the script on what success—and pleasure—really look like. We get unapologetically honest about the power dynamics that show up when ambition meets intimacy, why control can derail our closest connections, and how couples can tackle...2025-05-0752 minBLKGirl AmbitionAI for the 92%"Everything you need to get your AI on" - Jade WilliamsIn this episode of Black Girl Ambition, Niya speaks with AI expert, Jade Williams @ThatAIGrl to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence across industries, the importance of understanding AI for career advancement, and the need for representation of women, particularly women of color, in tech. They explore the structure of AI, the role of large language models, the potential for bias in AI systems, and practical resources for learning about AI. The conversation emphasizes the proactive approach needed to thrive in an AI-driven world....2025-02-2123 minBLKGirl AmbitionBreathe Babe: Finding Your Center in ChaosIn this episode of Black Girl Ambition, Niya connects with Whitley Miller, a wellness entrepreneur and founder of @healingbarre . STAY TUNED for a 10-minute workout at the end! This conversation explores the significance of barre fitness, its accessibility, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for Black women and women of color. Whitley shares her journey from ballet to wellness founder emphasizing the need for representation and community in fitness. The episode highlights the intentionality behind centering Black women in wellness and the healing journey that both Niya and Whitley have experienced. In this conversation, Whitley discusses her journey in...2025-02-0544 min
BLKGirl AmbitionWho Says We're Selfish?In this episode of Black Girl Ambition, Niya speaks with Dara Chike-Obi, co-founder of GRIO, about her journey from oil and gas attorney to an inventor, founder and entrepreneur. Dara shares her experiences as a Nigerian-American woman, the cultural influences on motherhood, and the importance of community in raising children. They discuss the innovative approach of GRIO in creating a baby bottle designed to reduce colic symptoms and the challenges of balancing personal identity with motherhood. The conversation highlights the significance of maintaining one's individuality while navigating the complexities of motherhood and entrepreneurship. Dara discusses the importance of networking, understanding...2024-12-1848 min
BLKGirl AmbitionWho's That Girl?In this episode of Black Girl Ambition, Niya shares her motivations for starting the podcast, reflecting on her personal journey as a black woman navigating corporate America and entrepreneurship. She discusses her upbringing, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned from her mother, a pioneer in the vegan food industry. Niya emphasizes the importance of community, rest, and self-care for black women, while also addressing the intersection of ambition and identity. The episode concludes with Niya sharing her current interests and inviting listeners to engage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-12-0435 min
BLKGirl AmbitionDoes Corporate Loyalty Serve Black women?In this episode, Niya speaks with Ashley Stoney, a communications executive and freelance pop culture journalist, about her journey in the corporate world and as a "mom-fluencer". They discuss the importance of supporting Black women, the challenges of job hopping versus loyalty in corporate careers, and the pressures of perfection associated with the term 'Black Girl Magic.' Ashley shares her insights on raising the next generation, the significance of HBCUs in her own journey of self-love, and navigating social media as a parent. The conversation wraps up with practical advice to enable women to better advocate for themselves...2024-11-1245 min
BLKGirl AmbitionWelcome to Black Girl AmbitionWelcome to the Black Girl Ambition podcast where we elevate the stories of ambitious women navigating corporate America, entrepreneurship, and striving for success and personal happiness on their own terms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-10-2700 min
BLKGirl Ambition"Your Baby is Ugly and It's Going Nowhere"In this episode of Black Girl Ambition, Niya speaks with Janice Omadeke, an accomplished entrepreneur, tech founder, author and product development executive who shares her journey and the importance of mentorship. She emphasizes the need for authenticity and self-reflection in mentorship relationships and highlights the flaws in traditional mentorship programs. Janice discusses the challenges faced by Black female tech founders in accessing venture capital funding and offers insights on when to pursue funding and how to de-risk your business. She encourages Black women entrepreneurs to build businesses that align with their values and not be deterred by the lack of...2024-10-271h 06