Black Women Talk Work

Today's episode features Kristal Howard, Head of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at Kroger. Kristal completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, studying Public Relations/Advertising, Retail and Consumer Science. With more than 13 years in the PR industry, and roles spanning agency, freelance and in-house for corporate brands, Kristal is very much so a trailblazer in the PR world, most notably named One of the Top 25 African American PR Millennials to Watch in a 2017 Huffington Post feature.

Listen as we discuss Kristal's journey to leading corporate communications for the world's third largest retailer, including navigating the competitive dynamics of the PR/Communications industry, the power and importance of using her voice while often being the youngest leader and the only Black woman in the room, and why she argues that showing up as your authentic self is your competitive advantage.

Today's episode features Dr. Kristamarie Collman, a family physician current practicing in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Kristamarie completed her BS in Public Health from Rutgers University - New Brunswick and completed her Doctor of Medicine from New York Medical College.

Listen as we discuss Dr. Kristamarie's journey into medicine, including her perspective on how medical school prepared her for life as a practicing physician, the systematic challenges that black students often encounter on the road to medicine and how she is now using her platform to encourage others to overcome naysayers and adversity in pursuit of their professional and personal dreams.

On today's episode we explore processing the trauma of recent events, including the murder of George Floyd, the subsequent nationwide protests and impact of COVID-19, while working from home. We welcome Diana Jean-Louis, licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist and owner of Chicago-based private practice, JL Family Services to the show as we discuss mental health coping strategies and resources, how to deal with quarantining and working from home alone, as well as how to safely navigate engaging with social media during this moment.

Today’s episode features Alexis Robertson, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at law firm, Foley & Lardner. After about a decade as a practicing attorney, a candid conversation with a career coach and some self reflection, Alexis embraced the fact that being a litigator was not fulfilling to her. This realization sparked her journey to legal recruiter and eventually D&I leader.

Listen as we discuss how she made the career pivot, some of the unique D&I challenges of the legal field, and how a little self awareness, self care and self love will land you right where you need to be.