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Season One
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In this episode, Danielle sits down with Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, to explore her journey from a first-generation college graduate to a powerhouse leader in Black voter empowerment. Jasmine shares how her mother’s resilience and entrepreneurialism shaped her leadership, the challenges of navigating white-led organizations, and the decision to create her own path. Jasmine opens up about the fight against voter suppression in Florida, the resistance she faces—even from supposed allies—and the weight of carrying a legacy of Black women’s leadership. Through powerful storytelling, she reveals the realities of advocacy, the necessity of Black-led spaces, and her vision for lasting change. A raw, inspiring conversation about resilience, justice, and redefining leadership.
In this episode of Behind the Magic, I sit down with Tori Fernandez Whitney, founder & CEO of DC Focus, whose career as a nonprofit and public sector executive has been shaped by resilience, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. From her early experiences growing up in New Orleans to navigating the high-stakes world of D.C. politics and nonprofit leadership, Tori shares the lessons that have defined her journey—the unglamorous truth of the “glass cliff”, the scrutiny Black women face as they work to create change, and the emotional toll of fixing broken systems. With wisdom and humility, she shares her unfiltered, inspiring, and deeply personal story about the power of being fierce, the cost of making change, and the unstoppable force of Black women leading boldly.
In this powerful episode of Behind the Magic, Dr. Tiffany Manuel, founder and CEO of The Case Made, invites us into her world as a self-proclaimed "love warrior." But love, as she describes it, isn’t just about warmth and kindness—it’s about fighting fiercely for our communities, even when the odds are stacked against us. From her journey of corporate success to entrepreneurship, Dr. Manuel shares how she walked away from the prestige, the executive perks, and the "corner office" life to follow a calling rooted in community transformation. She gets real about the struggles Black women face in leadership, the hard-earned lessons of building a business from scratch, and the importance of embracing failure as fuel for success. If you’ve ever felt the pull to step out on your own but fear is holding you back, this episode is for you. Dr. Manuel reminds us that true power lies in staying rooted in purpose, even when the world tells you otherwise. Tune in and be inspired to lead, love, and leap boldly into your next chapter.
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What does it really take to shake up the tech world and build something that lasts? In this episode of Behind the Magic, I sit down with Shawna Curran, a visionary tech leader and founder of STEM ENRG, who’s making serious waves at the intersection of technology, DEIB, and operations. Shawna isn’t just advocating for diversity—she’s rethinking how systems work so equity and inclusion can actually take root and thrive. In our conversation, we get into why most DEIB efforts fall short, the pushback she’s faced as a woman of color in leadership, and how she’s driving real change from the inside out. From breaking barriers in STEM to reshaping how tech leaders lead, Shawna shares the wins, the hard lessons, and why failing forward has been key to her success. Whether you’re in tech, leadership, or trying to own your space, this episode will leave you inspired to move differently—and lead boldly.
In this uplifting and thought-provoking episode, Toni Johnson, founder of Mission OutLoud, takes us through the stories of the highs and lows of her leadership journey. She shares how she found her voice - often as the “only one” in the room - and how those experiences fueled her passion for building spaces where Black women and others can thrive unapologetically. Listen as we dive into the power of authenticity, resilience, and community, with real talk about Toni’s hard-earned wisdom and candid reflections on navigating leadership as a Black woman. This conversation is filled with gems of wisdom, laughter, and honesty about the challenges and triumphs of leadership and being seen. So, tune in and get comfortable for a sister-to-sister heart-to-heart you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, I sit down with Barbara Payne, whose powerful journey from high school dropout to soon-to-be Doctor is nothing short of extraordinary. But it’s her courage to share the truth behind that transformation that truly moved me. Barbara’s story is not just about surviving abuse – emotional, physical and sexual. It’s about breaking generational curses, finding light in the darkest moments, and choosing to keep going when giving up felt easier. In her story, I’m reminded of what happens when you stop asking “why me?” and start asking “how do I rise from this?” From a nurse’s whisper at her lowest moment to founding Opportunities to Overcome, Barbara is the embodiment of faith, resilience, and the power of choosing healing—over and over again.
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In this episode, I sit down with Gabrielle Wyatt, founder of The Highland Project, to explore what it truly means to invest in the worth—not just the work—of Black women. Gabrielle shares the personal and professional journey that led her to build a movement rooted in sustainability, joy, and generational wealth for Black women leaders. Guided by the belief that “abundance is the capacity and space to fully thrive,” she reflects on the moment she could no longer sacrifice her well-being for short-term wins. Instead, Gabrielle began to center rest, reflection, and community care as strategic tools for transformation. As she puts it, “sustainability is not about changing workplace culture—it’s about being free in your own body,” and she walks us through the restorative practices that now ground her leadership. This episode is a powerful invitation to redefine success, reclaim your time, and imagine what becomes possible when Black women are deeply supported to thrive.
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I sat down with Brittany Buford, managing partner at Partners In Democracy, the morning after the 2024 election loss—and the energy was heavy. We talked about that gut-punch feeling so many Black women had waking up like, WTF?” Brittany didn’t sugarcoat a thing. She reminded us that nobody is coming to save Black women—but we’ve never needed saving. We've always been the ones to rebuild, regroup, and get back in the fight. She shared her journey from being a young single mom to becoming a major voice for democracy reform. Her path wasn’t linear—it was messy, powerful, and real. Every detour made her who she is. She talked about redefining success, resisting other people’s expectations, and raising her daughter to live without bounds. One line that shook me? “I refuse to wallow while it burns.” That’s how she’s moving into what’s next. If you’re feeling exhausted but still determined—this episode is for you.