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8. From Ghana, with Love: Detty December & Coming Home w/ Niya Baxter
48:05||Season 3, Ep. 8"Detty December isn’t just about celebration—it’s about economic movement, visibility, and cultural exchange.""Diaspora wars are a distraction. They keep us debating each other instead of building what we actually need.""Once you touch the continent, something shifts. You don’t come back the same—cellularly, spiritually, or mentally"Summary:In this solo episode of Black Girl Ambition, Niya Baxter takes you with her to Accra during Detty December—not only as a vacation recap, but as a moment of homecoming. This trip was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we reconnect to culture, community, and global Blackness on our own terms.Niya reflects on the energy of Ghana—its joy, creativity, nightlife, history, and undeniable momentum—and challenges the narrow narratives many of us have been taught about Africa. She shares how the experience reshaped her intentions for the new year, deepened her sense of responsibility to invest back into the continent, and affirmed the importance of Black people moving together, supporting one another, and thinking beyond borders.This episode is an invitation.To travel with intention.To root yourself more deeply.To stop underestimating Africa’s present and future.And to reimagine what it looks like to build, create, and belong—globally.If you’ve felt the pull toward Ghana, Africa, or the African diaspora—or the nudge to expand your world, ambition, and imagination—this conversation is for you.Press play. Let it stretch you. Then move accordingly.**IMPORTANT UPDATE** I will be hosting the first ever BLKGirl Ambition dinner in New York on March 3rd. If you are a listener local to NYC, or are willing to travel, reach out and I'll share an invite. We are bringing the podcast IRL and this is an event you won't want to miss! I can't wait to meet you. Email me at, niya@blkgirlambition.com Keywords:Black Girl Ambition, Ghana, Accra, Detty December, diaspora, travel, identity, cultural connection, coming home, identity, womanhood, community, empowerment, African culture, New Year intentions, investing in Africa, legacy building, solo podcast episodeTakeaways:BLKGirl Ambition is a movement rooted in culture, intention, and collective power.Intentions create alignment; resolutions create pressure.Ghana is a present-day site of culture, history, and global Black possibility.Connection to Africa is grounding—and necessary—for the diaspora.Africa’s future is rich with opportunity, innovation, and influence.Investment in Africa is about legacy, not charity.Detty December is a cultural and economic engine, not just a celebration.Traveling to Ghana can feel like a spiritual homecoming.Community is the infrastructure for sustainable growth.Experiencing the Motherland changes you—cellularly.Chapter Summary:00:00 Welcome to Black Girl Ambition00:52 Setting Intentions (Not Resolutions) for the New Year03:14 Ghana as a Spiritual & Cellular Awakening05:36 Why Connection to Africa Changes You08:54 Africa’s Present & Future: A Call to Engage10:14 Experiencing Detty December in Ghana11:38 Cultural Pilgrimage & the Legacy of the Year of Return12:37 Arriving in Accra: First Impressions & Reality Checks16:19 Luxury, Care, and Service in Ghana18:30 Fashion, Expression & Black Identity19:54 Afrofuture Festival: Joy, Culture & Community21:43 New Year’s Eve in Ghana24:55 Accra Through History, Power & Possibility31:42 Closing Dinner, Gratitude & Reflection42:48 The Real Pros & Cons of Traveling to Ghana46:16 Building Community: What’s Next for BLKGirl AmbitionThanks for all your love and support. I tried something different with this episode and would love to know what you think :) Send me an email or tag me while listening @blkgirlambition and @glamourgirlniya
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7. The 7 Habits of Highly Ambitious Black Women w/ Niya Baxter
18:08||Season 3, Ep. 7“Highly ambitious women don’t demand excellence to impress anyone else. They demand it as an act of self-respect.”“Outsourcing opinions about your life is the quickest way to end up in the passenger seat of it.”“Ambition without rest eventually collapses under its own weight.”Summary:In this solo episode, Niya Baxter reflects on the evolution of BLKGirl Ambition—and the unmistakable patterns she’s observed across dozens of high-achieving Black women. This isn’t hustle culture, productivity porn, or another checklist telling you to do more. It’s a real conversation about the quiet, intentional ways ambitious women move when they’re serious about excellence and sustainability. Niya names what often goes unspoken: the discipline, discernment, and internal shifts that allow some women to build, climb, and expand without losing themselves in the process. If you’ve ever looked at someone doing a lot and wondered how they stay grounded, protected, and sharp—what you're noticing isn't accidental. It's alignment. And this episode connects the dots. Keywords:Black Girl Ambition, empowerment, ambitious women, career tips, personal growth, self-care, community, women in leadership, entrepreneurship, wellnessTakeaways:BLKGirl Ambition is a platform for community empowerment.The journey of BLKGirl Ambition has evolved significantly in a year.Highly ambitious women share common habits that lead to success.Demanding excellence is an act of self-respect.Rejecting people pleasing is crucial for personal growth.Mastery in one's craft is essential for success.Access to one's energy and ideas should be earned, not assumed.Rising early allows for intentional self-care and reflection.Wellness should be treated as a discipline, not an afterthought.Success is built on systems and habits, not luck.Chapters00:00 Welcome to Black Girl Ambition05:23 The Seven Habits of Highly Ambitious Women14:27 Habit 3: Mastery and Continuous Learning18:24 Habit 5: Rising Early for Self-Care22:26 Habit 7: Systems Over LuckThanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition and @glamourgirlniya6. Fashion Bomb Daily CEO Claire Sulmers on Breaking Barriers, Shaping Culture & Building a Media Empire
50:06||Season 3, Ep. 6"When you really do step out on faith, say no to fear, God will truly blow your mind.” - Claire Sulmers“We all deserve to be seen, highlighted, acknowledged, and elevated. A lot of people - especially Black women - are like, ‘I am here. I’m taking up space. Give me my things.’” - Claire SulmersIn this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya sits down with Claire Sulmers, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fashion Bomb Daily, a visionary who turned a WordPress blog into a global fashion force and cultural archive for Black style. Claire opens up about the early moments that shaped her eye for beauty, her bold decision to quit corporate America, and the gritty seasons of sacrifice that tested her faith. She doesn’t sugarcoat the realities: the debt, the side jobs, the hustle, the loneliness of being a pioneer before people understand your gift. But she also names the miracles that met her on the other side — the doors that opened because she refused to shrink, the opportunities that came from staying ready, and the rapid acceleration that happens when you align belief, discipline, and ambition.Together, Niya and Claire unpack:✨ The mindset shifts required to build something the industry has never seen✨ Why betting on yourself requires both faith and receipts✨ How perseverance — not perfection — separates those who dream from those who execute✨ Why Black designers deserve global stages and recognition✨ How to hold your vision when the world tells you “no,” “not yet,” or “not you”This conversation is loud, honest, strategic, and deeply human — a reminder that the road to legacy is paved with belief, stamina, and an unwavering conviction in your own brilliance.**Fashion Bomb Daily is celebrating 20 years in February 2026! Stay tuned to FBD for details on their Fabys event!****Note that this episode was recorded shortly before the 2025 Bomb Fashion Show and New York Fashion Week**Keywords:Claire Sulmers, Fashion Bomb Daily, fashion, Black fashion excellence, digital fashion media, fashion, entrepreneurship, betting on yourself, faith, ambition, Black women, diversity, personal branding, self-made successChapters:00:00 Welcome to Black Girl Ambition01:45 Who Is Claire Sulmers?04:20 Documenting Black Style & Cultural Influence07:35 Building Fashion Bomb Daily Through Community12:10 Taking Up Space & Creating What You Wish Existed14:55 Betting on Yourself: The Move to Paris19:45 Faith, Divine Assignments & Miraculous Moments23:40 Critics, Negativity & Staying the Course27:15 Corporate Lessons & Outgrowing the Box31:30 Winners Never Quit: Consistency as a Superpower34:50 Work Ethic Behind the Scenes37:05 Early Influences, Parents & Work Ethic40:20 From Scarcity to Abundance42:00 Evolution of Fashion Bomb Daily43:45 Black Women Telling Their Own Stories45:20 Emerging Black Designers to Watch47:00 What Would Claire Wear?50:05 Claire’s Greatest AmbitionSupport Claire and Fashion Bomb Daily!www.fashionbombdaily.comIG@fashionbombdaily and @clairesulmersThanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition5. Social Change Isn’t a Trend: Callia Hargrove on Rest, Reinvention & Rebuilding
23:52||Season 3, Ep. 5"Things don’t look the same…especially for Black women entrepreneurs. Budgets from 2022 don’t look the same. We have to pivot to sustain ourselves in a new world"- Callia HargroveIn this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya sits down with Callia Hargrove — storyteller, brand strategist, and founder of Backstory Consulting — to dive deep into what it really takes to build meaningful brands and meaningful lives. Callia walks us through her evolution from the fashion and media worlds to carving out her own lane as an entrepreneur rooted in community, culture, and impact. She opens up about the unglamorous side of ambition — burnout, overextension, and the moment she realized she needed a sabbatical to save both her creativity and her wellbeing. We unpack what it means to grow a business in a shifting market, how Black women founders are forced to navigate systems that weren’t built for us, and why representation, rest, and collective care aren’t “nice-to-haves” — they’re strategy. Callia also shares the lessons she gained from the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women program, the mindset shifts that changed her leadership, and the power of being supported, seen, and surrounded by women with shared purpose. This conversation is a masterclass in reinvention, boundaries, and building with integrity.**please bear with us on some audio issues with this episode - we were battling a bad wifi connection. The conversation is great nonetheless - so tune in!**Keywords:Black Girl Ambition, Callia Hargrove, Backstory, social impact, social change, entrepreneurship, fashion, media, community care, sabbatical, mindsetTakeaways:Callia Hargrove founded Backstory to address social impact.Her career in fashion was influenced by a lack of representation.Storytelling is a crucial tool for brands to connect with communities.Community care is essential for brand leaders during tough times.Burnout can occur even when doing what you love.Taking a sabbatical can help recharge creativity and focus.The Goldman Sachs Black Women in Business program provided valuable insights for entrepreneurs.Mindset shifts are necessary for personal and professional growth.Chapters:00:00 Empowerment and Ambition: The BLKGirl Ambition Movement02:38 Callia Hargrove: From Fashion to Founding Backstory06:19 The Impact of 2020: Launching Backstory Consulting08:56 Navigating Economic Shifts: Brand Leaders and Community Care13:43 Recognizing Burnout: The Importance of Sabbaticals17:56 Founder Glow Up: Insights from the Goldman Sachs Accelerator21:50 Mindset Matters: Balancing Practicality with Spiritual GrowthAbout BackStory Consulting:Backstory is a brand consultancy that guides C-suite leaders and marketing professionals as they navigate cultural shifts and evolve their brands through moments of change. We cut through confusion and performative efforts to develop brand strategies that build trust, re-energize teams, and authentically reach diverse audiences.Get in touch with Callia Hargrove and Backstory Consulting:Website: www.tellyourbackstory.comLinkedIn: Backstory Consulting and Callia HargroveIG: @backstoryconsulting and @calliarmelleThanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition4. The Evolution of Ambition with Janice Omadeke, Tech Founder & Product Executive
58:03||Season 3, Ep. 4"It's okay to be flexible. It is okay to not know. It's okay if your plans change. To be a human being is to consistently evolve from a cellular level." - Janice OmadekeSummary:One year ago, BLKGirl Ambition launched with a vision — to create space for bold, brilliant, badass women to redefine success on their own terms. And fittingly, our first-ever guest, Janice Omadeke, returns for this anniversary episode to reflect on her own evolution. Janice, award-winning entrepreneur, author, and product marketing executive, opens up about what it looks like to outgrow old versions of yourself — to prune your circle, trust your intuition, and embrace curiosity as your compass. From building and exiting her company The Mentor Method to reimagining success beyond titles, she gets real about doing the inner work that fuels outer impact. We talk about reframing failure, navigating identity shifts after entrepreneurship, and why sometimes the biggest flex is knowing when to rest, reset, and reinvent. Janice also shares how she’s blending strategy with spirituality (yes, woo-woo can be tactical), what the “framing effect” teaches us about how we see our own progress, and her personal mission to make the world safer for the next generation of Black girls. This conversation is a full-circle moment — a reflection on ambition, evolution, and the grace it takes to grow.Keywords:Entrepreneurship, corporate careers, mentorship, personal growth, reframing success, inner work, evolution, storytelling, community empowerment, framing effect, consumer packaged goods, Chapters00:00 Welcome to BLKGirl Ambition01:50 One Year In: The Evolution of Ambition05:04 Janice Omadeke on Embracing Change & Curiosity08:45 Reframing Challenges and Leading with Perspective16:47 Identity Beyond Titles: Defining Who You Are (Not Just What You Do)32:49 From Founder to Corporate: Rediscovering Passion & Purpose37:14 Rest, Reflection & “Resting + Vesting” as a Power Move39:46 The Power of Mentorship & Tactical Conversations42:51 Tech Companies Changing Human Behavior48:55 Trusting the Process: Evolving with Grace and Grit54:01 Closing Reflections on Legacy, Politics & EmpowermentTakeawaysEvolution is central to personal growth.Inner work attracts new opportunities and friendships.Curiosity helps navigate uncertainty and change.The framing effect influences perceptions of success.It's important to separate identity from professional roles.Resting and Vesting is a valid career strategy.Mentorship is about sharing tactical skills and experiences.Storytelling can empower and inspire others.Ambition should focus on community and collective growth.Connect with Janice!IG: @janiceomadekeLinkedIn: Janice Omadeke PMPwww.janiceomadeke.comThanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition3. Betting on Yourself: FinTech Leader MJ Jalloh on Building Africa's Financial Future
41:20||Season 3, Ep. 3“The next generation of African innovators won’t wait for validation. They’re not asking to be included — they’re building their own tables." - MJ JallohSummary: In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, host Niya Baxter sits down with Mariama “MJ” Jalloh, a powerhouse at the intersection of finance, regulation, and technology — and the founder of FinTech with MJ. A proud Howard alum and daughter of Sierra Leonean parents, MJ shares her remarkable journey from two decades at KPMG to becoming one of the boldest voices in Africa’s fintech revolution. Together, they unpack what it means to walk away from comfort and bet on yourself — even when the world doesn’t expect you to. MJ reveals what she’s learned about building in emerging markets, the importance of African-led innovation, and why resilience and resourcefulness are the new currencies of leadership. From confronting Western bias in global finance to empowering African founders to lead their own narratives, MJ’s story is a masterclass in courage, clarity, and conviction. For anyone redefining what leadership, ambition, and global influence look like — this conversation is a reminder that betting on yourself isn’t risky; it’s revolutionary.This episode dives deep into: ✨ Leaving corporate comfort for purpose-driven impact ✨ Why Africa is the next frontier for fintech and innovation ✨ The real cost of scaling in emerging markets ✨ Lessons from global founders who failed — and what they teach us about risk, capital, and grit ✨ Redefining legacy as something bigger than personal successKeywords:Black Girl Ambition, FinTech with MJ, entrepreneurship, career transitions, fintech, tech, finance, Africa, innovation, mentorship, self-sufficiency, policy shifts, resilience, visionaryChapters:00:00 Welcome to Black Girl Ambition00:59 Meet MJ: A Powerhouse in FinTech02:44 Career Transitions: From Corporate to Startups05:01 Mission-Driven Work: The Shift to Leading in Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR)05:59 FinTech with MJ: Balancing Startup and Nonprofit10:16 Investing in Africa's Tech Future18:50 Policy Shifts and Industrialization in Africa19:34 Transforming Raw Materials into Economic Power22:09 The Challenge of Self-Sufficiency in Africa24:57 The Invisible Hand: External Forces at Play28:26 Navigating the Landscape of Emerging Markets36:21 The Importance of Brand Storytelling for FoundersTakeaways:Black Girl Ambition is a movement for empowerment.MJ transitioned from corporate success to mission-driven work.Innovation in Africa is crucial for global tech advancement.Resilience is key for entrepreneurs in emerging markets.Policy shifts can significantly impact industrialization in Africa.Self-sufficiency is often undermined by global perceptions.Founders need to understand their capital stack.Mentorship is vital for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.A compelling brand story can attract investment.Success is measured by the legacy one leaves behind.Connect with MJ Jalloh:website: www.fintechwithmj.com (visit the website to download Sources of Capital! If you're a founder looking to raise capital this resource is for you!)IG & Tik Tok: @fintechwithmjLinkedIn: Mariama Jalloh-HeywardMJ's Book, Maximum Viable Product (MVP) is scheduled to be released in fall 2025, followed by the MVP app in winter.Thanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition2. Building the Future of Fashion w/ FashionTech Founder Jessica Couch
57:36||Season 3, Ep. 2"Technology will change fashion whether fashion likes it or not"“Fashion doesn’t have a diversity problem — it has a data problem. If you’re not collecting and using data that reflects real women’s bodies, you’re not designing for us.”"I’ve chopped my own head off so many times because I realized I get to a point emotionally where the person that I am — who made these decisions — can’t lead this company anymore."Summary:In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, Niya Baxter sits down with Jessica Couch, fashion technologist, size and fit innovator, and founder of the pioneering platform, LooksAI that bridges data, design, and inclusivity in fashion. Together, they unpack what it means to build the future of fashion—one that actually sees and serves everyone. Jessica shares her unconventional journey from owning a brick and mortar store, to styling and consulting with global brands, to creating LooksAI - a first of its kind influencer platform that matches people to fashion products that they love and that work for them. She opens up about the barriers that Black women face in tech and creative industries, how data is reshaping consumer experience, and why representation must be built into the algorithm—not added as an afterthought. From personal branding to product fit to redefining luxury, this conversation is a masterclass in reimagining what’s possible when creativity meets courage. Jessica reminds us: the future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we design.Keywords:Black Girl Ambition, Jessica Couch, fashion innovation, visionary leadership, women in tech, authenticity, size and fit, inclusivity, customer centricity, personal growth, founder, corporate, cultureChapters:00:00 The Intersection of Fashion and Technology09:15 The Journey of Luxor and Finch14:22 The Entrepreneurial Spirit16:12 Corporate vs. Entrepreneurship23:14 Technology's Role in Fashion Inclusivity28:45 The Body Positivity Movement and Trends32:48 The Future of Fashion and Looks.ai37:11 Building Looks AI: A New Shopping Experience43:47 The Journey of Innovation: Overcoming Challenges49:47 The Future of Fashion: Trends and Technology54:05 Advice for Future Innovators: Trust Your Vision57:06 Introduction to Ambition and Superpowers57:07 The Journey of Building DreamsConnect with Jessica Couch:website: www.luxorandfinch.comemail: jcouch@luxorandfinch.comIG: @_jessicaveronica_TikTok: jveronicacCheck out LooksAI (where everyone is a fashion influencer):website: www.looks.clothingIG:_looks.aiThanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition & as always love to hear your thoughts :)Join the BLKGirl Ambition community on IG and LinkedIn: @blkgirlambition and @glamourgirlniya