Episode 246: Owning Your Power with Jennifer Brown, Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC)

Jennifer Brown’s path in life unexpectedly changed early on. She thought she would find her fulfillment as an opera singer, but fate had other plans. After experiencing issues with her singing voice, she now helps everyone around her find their own unique voices in work and life. This podcast is jam-packed with insights about thriving in today’s workplace. As an expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Jennifer shares with us how she finds motivation and creates communities of inclusion. She thinks it’s important that you let your voice be heard and find out what you’re a leader in. Jennifer gives us great tips on developing your own personal brand and standing up in your power. She talks to us about how she connects talent with companies and gives back to her community through education. She doesn’t really believe in gurus because she feels there is wisdom in all of us. Join us as we learn so much more from Jennifer. Visit gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer. Highlights: [02:53] How the performing arts paved Jennifer’s path [09:14] Becoming an expert in the DEI space [15:03] Motivating self and others [19:29] Working with a diverse team [23:05] Developing your own brand and owning your power [35:00] Creating a community of inclusion [43:12] Letting all voices be heard [46:54] Lightning round questions Quotes: “As adults, we have to be able to connect concepts to our learned experience.” – Jennifer Brown “Be willing to be shaped by the moment.” – Jennifer Brown “A lot of us write our own books to figure out our own story.” – Jennifer Brown Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - “Flawless Consulting” by Peter Block What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - Say yes, and go figure out how. What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Light and illuminating What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Digging deep to build my team. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Golden” by Jill Scott About Jennifer Brown: Jennifer Brown (she/her) is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, author, and diversity and inclusion expert who is deeply passionate about building more inclusive workplaces where more of us can feel welcomed, valued, respected, and heard. As the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), a certified woman- and LGBT-owned firm, Jennifer and her team design and execute inclusion strategies that have been implemented by some of the biggest companies and nonprofits in the world.  She is also the bestselling author of two books, Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace and The Will to Change (2017) and How To Be An Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive (2019), a shortlist winner of the O.W.L. Award, and winner of the 2019 Nautilus Book Awards' Business & Leadership category. She also recently co-authored a groundbreaking book on diversity, equity and inclusion in society with thought leader and fellow bestselling author, Rohit Bhargava. The book, Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways To Build A More Inclusive World, is a 2022 Axiom Award Gold Medal Winner in the Women/BIPOC Category, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, a 2022 Nautilus Silver Award Winner in the Multicultural and Indigenous Category, a 2022 Hermes Creative Awards Platinum Winner, a 2022 Foreword Indies Awards Finalist in the Multicultural Category, and one of Inc Magazine’s 22 Books to Read (or Reread) in 2022. Jennifer’s podcast, The Will to Change, is downloaded by nearly 15,000 listeners per month, and she is a sought-after keynote speaker and expert for leading research institutions and business schools. She lives in New York City with her partner of over 20 years, Michelle. You can learn more at www.jenniferbrownspeaks.com. Links: Website: https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbrownconsulting Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferbrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbrownspeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbrownspeaks