The Black Boss Ladies (BBL) Platform

As the year draws to a close, The Black Boss Ladies Platform Podcast gathers for a powerful retrospective on the journeys that defined our season. From the raw, transformative stories of our guest speakers to the strategic frameworks that move our community forward, this episode is a celebration of Black female excellence.

Learn about Shirley Graham Du Bois, the award-winning author, opera composer, and civil rights activist who shaped Black history. A compelling story for listeners interested in Black women leaders, career transitions, and historical inspiration. Creators: Tiffany Lee, CEO, Think Black Cultural Media Group, thinkblack.us and Julia Myers
00:00 Introduction 00:23 Shirley Graham Dubois: Early Life & Education01:08 Breaking Barriers in Music and Opera01:49 Impact in Theater and Advocacy02:16 Activism, Storytelling, and Books for Youth02:52 Defying Limits & Embracing Versatility03:01 A Powerful Love and Political Partnership03:19 Facing Adversity for Liberation03:38 A Global Force for Civil Rights04:03 Challenges, Resilience, and Legacy04:45 Honors, Achievements & Lasting Influence05:03 Closing 

Dive into the inspiring journey of Talicia Patterson, owner of Jayde Suites and Jayde Beauty Supply, and a true Black Boss Lady of Chicago entrepreneurship! This episode unpacks how Talicia, a wife and mother of four, fearlessly left a secure 7-year career as a CTA rail operator to pursue her childhood passion for braiding.
Talicia shares the pivotal moments in her career, from realizing the strong market demand for her skills (after briefly leaving braiding for higher wages) to rapidly launching two salon suites. Listen in as she reveals the intense challenges of opening a brick-and-mortar business, including the 6-month zoning battle where she paid rent on an empty space while still working from home—a true lesson in resilience and tenacity.
Learn how she successfully expanded her initial bulk supply buying into a thriving beauty supply store, and why she decided to transition the business from online to a physical location in 2024. This interview is a must-listen for anyone interested in Black women entrepreneurship, the beauty industry, scaling service-based businesses, and mastering the art of the career pivot.

Dive into the incredible true story of Mary Ellen Pleasant, the 19th-century Black entrepreneur who became one of the wealthiest women in America during the California Gold Rush. Discover how this financial genius secretly used her massive fortune as a dedicated abolitionist and operative for the Underground Railroad. Learn about her groundbreaking legal fight that successfully desegregated public transit in San Francisco decades before the national Civil Rights Movement. Often called the "Black City Hall," Pleasant's influence made her a powerful Civil Rights pioneer and the original "Black Boss Lady." Don't miss this deep dive into a forgotten icon of African American history and entrepreneurship!

In this dynamic episode of the Black Boss Ladies Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Frankie Shipman-Amuwo, a true powerhouse in Public Health Operations and a leader focused on dismantling systemic barriers.
Dr. Shipman-Amuwo shares her incredible journey, from serving as the Interim Director of Emergency Preparedness for Cook County to her pivotal role as Assistant Commissioner for the COVID Bureau at the Chicago Department of Public Health, where she spearheaded the city's community-based testing operations.
Frankie gets candid about the high-stakes environment of executive leadership, revealing her personal struggle with fear and imposter syndrome while managing massive, life-saving programs. She explains how her DrPH focus on equity, power, and trauma-informed practice fuels her work as a social justice change agent.
Tune in to learn why Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is non-negotiable for adaptive leaders and how Dr. Shipman-Amuwo balances strategic management for vulnerable populations—from Children and Youth Services to Senior Services—with her new role as Senior Director for Community Health. A must-listen for anyone interested in Black women in leadership, public health careers, and leading with courage and compassion.

On this episode of The Black Boss Ladies Platform Podcast, we travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to honor Modjeska Monteith Simkins — the Matriarch of the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina. Before Brown v. Board of Education, there was Briggs v. Elliott — and behind it was Simkins, a fearless educator, health advocate, and civil rights leader who helped lay the groundwork to end segregation.
From leading public health reform to serving as the first female officer of South Carolina’s NAACP, Simkins fought tirelessly for equality, women’s leadership, and community empowerment. Her courage and service remind us that being a Black Boss Lady means using your purpose to uplift others.
#ModjeskaSimkins#BlackBossLadiesPodcast#BlackBossLadiesPlatform#TiffanyBLee#BrownvBoardOfEducation
On this episode of The Black Boss Ladies Platform Podcast, we travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to honor Modjeska Monteith Simkins — the Matriarch of the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina. Before Brown v. Board of Education, there was Briggs v. Elliott — and behind it was Simkins, a fearless educator, health advocate, and civil rights leader who helped lay the groundwork to end segregation.
From leading public health reform to serving as the first female officer of South Carolina’s NAACP, Simkins fought tirelessly for equality, women’s leadership, and community empowerment. Her courage and service remind us that being a Black Boss Lady means using your purpose to uplift others.
#ModjeskaSimkins#BlackBossLadiesPodcast#BlackBossLadiesPlatform#TiffanyBLee#BrownvBoardOfEducation

Get ready to be inspired! In this episode of the Black Boss Ladies Platform, we sit down with powerhouse attorney Joslyn Sandifer to talk about her incredible journey from a passionate volunteer to a zealous criminal defense lawyer and successful firm owner. Discover how this fearless Black woman overcame her deepest fears of failure to build a thriving career and a beautiful family. You'll hear how her faith as a devout Christian fuels her success as a lawyer, wife, and mother. Tune in for a raw, honest, and empowering conversation that proves it's never too late to become the hero of your own story. Tiffany Lee of Think Black Cultural Media Group and Julia Myers host.

In this powerful episode of the Black Boss Ladies Platform, we honor the unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement, Septima Poinsette Clark. Known as the "Mother of the Movement," Clark's journey from a dedicated teacher in segregated South Carolina to a revolutionary force for Black liberation is a masterclass in quiet resilience and strategic brilliance. We explore her pioneering work with the Citizenship Schools, a grassroots education program that taught Black adults how to read and write, not just for literacy, but to pass the voter registration tests that denied them their civil rights. This is a story of how one woman's faith in the power of education became the foundation for a movement, empowering thousands of Black people to become the heroes of their own stories. Tune in to be inspired by her legacy and learn how she paved the way for generations of Black women leaders.

What does it take to go from a successful corporate career to becoming a Chief Impact Officer? Join us as we chat with Regina Greer of United Way of Greater St. Louis. With a background in top corporate roles at American Express and American Water, Regina reveals how she leveraged her business acumen and strategic leadership to create powerful, systems-level change in the nonprofit world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a meaningful leap in their career.

Explore the inspiring and turbulent life of jazz legend Billie Holiday on this episode of the Black Boss Ladies Platform Podcast. We trace her journey from a difficult childhood in Baltimore to her rise as a fearless artist who broke racial barriers and used her voice to challenge injustice. Discover her iconic hits like "Strange Fruit," her collaborations with jazz greats like Louis Armstrong and Lester Young, and how her legacy as a cultural icon and "Black Boss Lady" endures.