Elevate & Celebrate Podcast

This month’s guest, Christian Harris, stops by to share his social justice advocacy work alongside his coaching and speaking practice. Learn from an amazing entrepreneur what it takes to build a successful practice and navigate responsibilities as a partner and parent. About the Guest: Christian Harris is a dynamic speaker, coach, and consultant with extensive professional experience. He began his career as an entrepreneur, founding MS Clean and Sons LLC, a successful cleaning service in Chicagoland, and later a limo service. Christian's political involvement includes volunteering on various campaigns, serving on the Oak Park Public Library Board (2017-2021) where he was Finance Officer, and working as the West Side Regional Field Organizing Director on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign. He also served as Director of DEI and Operations for DM Burton LLC. Since 2015, Christian has coached individuals and organizations on leadership, DEIJ, and other professional challenges, working with OVP Management Consulting Group and independently. He has consulted for organizations like the California Department of Public Health and the Delaware Department of Labor. Christian is a passionate public speaker, engaging audiences at events such as the Oak Park Public Library Kwanzaa Celebration and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago’s Black History Month program. He is deeply committed to community service, serving on various boards and participating in social justice demonstrations. In 2020, he co-founded Walk the Walk, focusing on anti-gentrification and reparations, and launched the Oak Park Reparations Task Force. In 2023, Christian founded Kindred Keynotes and Coaching to empower nonprofits, DEI practitioners, government agencies, and social justice advocates. He lives on Chicago’s west side with his wife Richelle and their new child. Certifications: 34 Strong Gallup Clifton Strengths Coach (2019) Race Forward - Building Racial Equity (2020) Race Forward - Racial Equity in Libraries (2018) Website + Social Media links: www.Kindred-KC.Com https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-b216b626/ https://reparationgeneration.org Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 02:20 Alex welcomes Christian to the show + he shares his intro 11:17 Christian describes what it means to be Black in America 16:04 How clients thrive with Kindred Coaching 22:34 Christian shares his vision for 2025 27:43 How Christian uses speaking + storytelling to amplify his message 36:42 Final thoughts + ways to connect with Christian 40:00 Final acknowledgments 40:29 Ending Credits #bipoc #coaching #thoughtleadership #globalcommunity #professionaldevelopment #businesscoaching #executive coaching #leadershipcoaching #professionalcoaching

What if you could slow down and pause? For high-powered, high-performing entrepreneurs, this seems impossible. Our month’s guest, Kibi Anderson, details her secrets for finding joy in the pause and how it has helped her business grow. Learn from her insights and the impact her bestselling book is making worldwide. About the Guest: Kibi Anderson is a keynote speaker, coach, and Emmy Award-Winning content producer. She is the founder of Life Editor, a firm that provides communications and leadership coaching to C-Suite & Senior Leaders. She has helped drive millions of dollars in annual revenue, created international content campaigns, and offered counsel to global Fortune 100 and startup clients. She has traversed an illustrious career in international management consulting, film production, and technology entrepreneurship, while also managing a chronic auto-immune condition. A life-altering conversation, which forced her to face the stark truth that her overworked lifestyle was going to kill her, was the catalyst to her current project, a book chronicling her journey back to 100% health, and to realizing that despite what society teaches, the key to ultimate professional success not through working harder, but embracing the power in the pause. Website + Social Media links: @kibianderson www.kibianderson.com Get Your Copy of Point Taken: Brilliant Business Advice from Women at the Top Here: https://www.amazon.com/Point-Taken-Brilliant-Business-Advice/dp/B0D2NJPHRC Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 01:44 Alex welcomes Kibi to the show and she dives into her bestselling book 11:35 Kibi speaks on intentionally practicing joy 14:35 Kibi shares her origin story as a professional coach 20:40 The importance of pausing for elite achievers and having a strong support system 25:13 Kibi shares tips on effective communication and receiving feedback 27:50 Kibi speaks on the power of community within the BIPOC Coach Collective 32:05 What’s next for Kibi? 36:40 Kibi’s tip for longevity and fulfillment 38:01 Final thoughts + acknowledgments 40:29 Ending Credits #bipoc #coaching #thoughtleadership #globalcommunity #professionaldevelopment #businesscoaching #executive coaching #leadershipcoaching #professionalcoaching

How does one handle the pressures of success in predominantly “white” spaces? Our Champion member, Dr. Janet Lockhrt-Jones shares her insights into navigating a 25+ career as a speaker, facilitator, and coach. Janet walks us through her corporate background, the importance of DEI work, and creating resources for individuals experiencing mental un-wellness. About the Guest: Dr. Lockhart-Jones brings over 25 years of experience in leadership coaching and training, team and group facilitation, public speaking, entreprenuership, and talent assessments. She has a strong passion for and a professional mission of elevating talent to achieve results, excellence and purpose. Since 2004, Dr.Lockhart-Jones has been at the helm of Project Partners Consulting Inc. as Founder and President. In this capacity, she has serviced clients across multiple industries and across the globe to design, develop and deliver impactful talent and organizational development solutions. She has led project planning sessions for the aerospace industry; delivered training and coaching sessions in project management to healthcare managers business leaders and clinicians; delivered leadership coaching to emerging leaders at high-tech firms; led several organizational change initiatives for a government agency and high-technology organizations; and, she has delivered on many pubic speaking requests which is currently her passion. Website + Social Media links: https://drjanetspeaks.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjanetlockhartjones Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 02:03 Alex welcomes Janet to the show + she shares her origin story 10:00 Janet’s transition into professional speaking 21:10 The Leadership Experience Tour + creation of Janet 2.0 30:00 The importance of mental wellness 40:00 Facilitating in the workplace 48:00 Expanding a phrase that pays + Janet’s speaking services 52:40 How Janet discovered the collective 57:10 Final thoughts + acknowledgments 1:00:32 Ending Credits #bipoc #coaching #thoughtleadership #globalcommunity #professionaldevelopment #businesscoaching #executive coaching #leadershipcoaching #professionalcoaching

If you have ever experienced the pressure to be perfect and dutiful, then this episode is for you. Our guest and Champion member, Shilpa Alimchandani, shares how she coaches powerful women of color to breakthrough implied social pressures to never make mistakes and find their authentic voice. About the Guest: Shilpa Alimchandani is the Founder and Principal of Mookti Consulting. In Sanskrit, mookti means liberation. Shilpa has more than 20 years of experience in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), leadership development, and intercultural learning. She is a DEI consultant, leadership coach, and facilitator who partners with clients to develop holistic solutions that lead to transformational change. Shilpa has worked in many sectors - nonprofit, higher education, government, and corporate - constantly seeking to advance racial equity. In her coaching practice, Shilpa helps women of color leaders to live with purpose and clarity through a liberatory approach to individual and small group coaching. She is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. Website + Social Media links: https://mookticonsulting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/shilpaalimchandani Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 02:16 Alex welcomes Shilpa to the show and explores her liberation story 09:00 Shilpa shares her work coaching women of color 16:50 The shift from rule follower to rule breaker 20:00 Shilpa’s advice for coaches 25:34:Shilpa’s self-reflection from challenges 27:41 Shilpa shares her experience as a Champion member 30:10 The forecast of Shilpa’s coaching practice 32:00 Final thoughts + acknowledgements 34:50 Ending Credits #bipoc #coaching #thoughtleadership #globalcommunity #professionaldevelopment #businesscoaching #executive coaching #leadershipcoaching #professionalcoaching

Could your marriage use a spiritual readjustment? This month’s guest, Candace Tuck, stops by to share the work she does with couples and the importance of healing to nurutre a thriving relationship. About the Guest: Affectionally dubbed THE SPIRIT CHIROPRACTOR. Candace has a natural ability to shift your spirit and align you with the true nature of who you really are. As the founder of WE WILL WIN, she is passionate about YOU winning in life. The path to unlocking your true potential is self-discovery and cultivating a new mindset. You are designed for greatness and she wants to help you discover your POWER! She is committed to co-create a joyous world where people are creating the life they want by honoring themselves and knowing their worth as a child of God by being confident, courageous and unapologetic. She works with clients that want to OVERCOME so they BECOME all the God has created them to be and are ready to OWN THEIR POWER…this pertains to individuals and couples. Stay connected with Candace: www.candacetuck.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/crtuck IG: @thespiritchiropractor Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 01:30 Alex welcomes Candace to the show and learns her origin story 03:57 Who is Candace Tuck? 07:15 Case studies of Candace’s clients 09:00 How has resistance helped Candace’s coaching? 12:15 Proofreading visions 14:10 The importance of a support system 16:24 Candace’s journey as a speaker 22:15 Candace shares info about The Spiritual Marriage Retreat 27:34 How to Connect with Candace and she manaifests her future visions 30:10 Final words of advice and acknowledgments 31:07 Ending Credits #bipoc #coaching #thoughtleadership #globalcommunity #professionaldevelopment #businesscoaching #executive coaching #leadershipcoaching #professionalcoaching

What if you could create harmony with your child(ren) as you build your coaching practice? In this episode, you’ll learn from our guest expert, Helen V. Hicks, and her extensive background in counseling as well as her firsthand experience raising 5 sons. Learn how to enhance your parenting style and create emotional safety within your household. About the Guest: Helen V. Hicks is a licensed professional counselor, author, parent coach & mother of five. Helen is currently on a mission to reach 1% of the world's parents to teach them how to parent healthier and easier. Her SMART goals parenting approach eliminates power struggles while cultivating self-discipline and emotional stability in children. Stay connected with Helen: Website: https://www.helenvhickscounseling.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-hicks-7051b618/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatwouldhelensay/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082449293944 (WWHS page) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009820367970 (personal) YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFCGwPuG61wRcjBeE94eD4w Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 06:05 The impact and influence of Helen’s father on her parenting style 10:10 Helen’s introduction to Psychology and coaching 15:20 Helen’s success stories and powerful tips for parents 19:49 The nature of children and the power struggles for survival 24:02 How parenting has improved Helen’s business 27:55 The importance of emotional safety for children of color 32:15 Helen’s parenting workshops 36:00 Final words of advice and acknowledgments 40:10 Ending Credits #bipoc #coaching #thoughtleadership #globalcommunity #professionaldevelopment #businesscoaching #executive coaching #leadershipcoaching #professionalcoaching

Imagine scaling a business to a million dollars. Now picture doing that twice! This month's guest, Karen Brown, has that track record of success and shares her journey as a successful leader in different sectors. You'll learn how Karen unlocked leadership success by learning the difference between reaching the top and falling short. About the Guest: Karen overcame early adversities, and her unwavering drive propelled her toward a career in pension administration, where her expertise in accounting and law intersected. However, her professional trajectory didn't end there. She transitioned into leadership roles within two million-dollar health and welfare enterprises, demonstrating her ability to identify operational inefficiencies and streamline processes. In January 2023, Karen made a significant move that aligned her 30 years of business experience with her desire to empower women of color to build sustaining businesses on a proper foundation. She joined Rachel Rogers' Hello 7 Coaching Certification Program. The program teaches marginalized entrepreneurs how to grow their businesses to seven figures. Karen completed the program in January 2024 and now uses a step-by-step path to grow businesses from $0 to $100K to $1 million and multi-millions. Karen's expertise and coaching certification led to the creation of a signature offer called Hire to Scale. The program is designed for women of color with revenue of over $250,000 to work through barriers that hinder the transition from solopreneurship to CEO to scale with their dream team. She is excited to share the three-pillar roadmap to build the foundation for a strong team. Stay Connected with Karen: Website: https://www.1karenbrown.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenabrownbene IG: https://www.instagram.com/@1karen_brown Timestamps 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 02:31 Alex welcomes Karen to the show 03:07 Karen’s origin story and strained relationship with parents 08:50 Karen’s choice to take a different path and receive mentorship 14:10 Who is Karen? 22:30 The difference between a thriving leader and a struggling one 27:54 How has coaching helped Karen’s clients? 32:47 Insights on scaling a business 43:00 The importance of alignment within a team 47:30 Connect with Karen 48:51 Karen shouts out one of our Champions 51:11 Ending Credits

What would you ask a masterful coach if you had an hour of their undivided attention? In this episode, you’ll get that experience as Siwash Zahmat stops by and shares his path to prosperity. We dove into his background as a professional poker player, the mindset of continuous growth, and how focusing on being a better spouse to his wife improved his coaching practice as a by-product. About the Guest: Siwash Zahmat: Founder & CEO, The Barakah Company Siwash Zahmat, a pioneering entrepreneur and visionary leader, merges spiritual principles with business acumen to redefine success in the global marketplace. Born in Afghanistan, raised in the Netherlands, and now based in London, Siwash leads The Barakah Company, aiming to infuse businesses worldwide with Barakah - enduring prosperity guided by ethical values. As the creator of "The Barakah Business School," Siwash commits to empowering God-centred entrepreneurs to build profitable and principled businesses. His strategic leadership not only drives financial success but also cultivates a community of like-minded professionals striving for a positive impact. Outside the boardroom, Siwash cherishes life as a devoted husband and father, with a passion for soccer, triathlons, and chess. These pursuits underscore his belief in balance, discipline, and strategic thinking—qualities that permeate his professional life. Siwash Zahmat's journey is more than a career; it's a testament to the power of integrating personal values with business, inspiring change, and striving for a legacy that transcends profits, enriching lives globally through the promotion of the Barakah culture. Stay Connected with Siwash: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siwash.zahmat LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siwash Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 01:52 Alex welcomes Siwash to the show 05:30 Siwash’s coaching origin story 12:14 The largest single bet that Siwash ever made 16:00 The impact of discipline and focus 23:20 How to create yourself as a $50K Coach? 31:20 Learning to be playful and practice being a coach 43:43 The importance of serving Muslim Men 48:55 The dangers of self-sabotage and ways to avoid them 55:30 Embodying being “Superman” at home and in business 1:05:15 Final thoughts and acknowledgments 1:08:04 Ending Credits

How do leaders in school shift from feeling overwhelmed and stifled to empowered and self-expressed? They work with one of our Champions, Dr. Paula Gordon. In this episode we explore her past in education and how it opened up space for her path in coaching and consulting. About the Guest: Dr. Paula Gordon, Ph.D. is a visionary school leader. She has spent over 25 years working as a Teacher, Principal, Vice Principal, and Dean in the United States, Venezuela, South Africa, and Kuwait. Dr. Gordon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT; a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Howard University, Washington, DC, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy from Rutgers University, New Jersey. With extensive experience in instructional leadership, teacher development, building effective learning cultures for schools and classrooms, data-driven instruction, and curriculum design, Dr. Gordon gets results for schools. PG Global Ed. Consulting has the tools needed to support school leaders and teachers as they transform practices and impact achievement for all students. Stay Connected with Paula: Website: https://www.pgglobaledconsulting.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulagordon Timestamps: 00:00 Opening Credits 00:28 Show Intro + Announcements 02:23 Alex welcomes Paula to the show + she shares her professional background 05:30 Paula’s 1st experience coming to the U.S. 08:38 How being an introvert has served her coaching practice 10:00 The impact of Paula’s parents on her coaching practice 14:00 How Paula leads and allows her clients to be their authentic selves 18:20 Who are Paula’s dream clients? 22:30 Paula shares how school leaders can start to prioritize tasks 24:53 Navigating resistance from clients 27:20 The mindset of women transitioning within their careers 31:13 The shift from employee to entrepreneur 33:10 How Paula found her way into the collective 35:35 What’s next for Paula? 37:10 Where to connect with Paula | Final thoughts + acknowledgments 39:54 Ending Credits #bipoc #coaching #thoughtleadership #globalcommunity #professionaldevelopment #businesscoaching #executive coaching #leadershipcoaching #professionalcoaching