The Black Women Leadership Association hosted a leadership panel on Oct. 21 to discuss challenges Black women face in the professional world. 

BWLA is a student organization whose mission, according to tis Tigerlink, is to cultivate, empower and unify Black women to become effective leaders in all aspects that are both inspiring and impactful. BWLA was chartered on LSU’s campus at the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester.

The event was broken down into four different discussion topics: Embracing Blackness within a workspace, networking, communication and navigating difficult conversations. Each topic was discussed among the five different panelists invited by the organization, all of them Black women in leadership positions from across Louisiana.

“I feel like when it comes to Black women’s development in leadership it needs to improve, especially with having collaborative places where we can talk about how we feel in professional workspaces,” said BWLA President and LSU chapter co-founder Jada Mukes, is also a marketing junior. “Because it’s important for the transition of going from our collegiate careers to professional workspaces.” 

Here are some key moments from the discussion.

Communication

Communication was an important topic discussed at the event. Speakers were asked how Black women can learn to communicate effectively in a professional environment. 

“Honesty is the best way to lead the relationship with your employer,” said BWLA Chapter Advisor and Co-founder of BWLA at Nicholls State University Tamera Castle. “You all need to be very direct about your expectations of your supervisor and hold them and yourself accountable.” 

Jasmine Babineaux, the leadership and service coordinator at LSU Campus Life, gave attendees healthy communication practices to try out in hopes the students will be better communicators in a professional environment.

“Actively listen to everything people are saying and be an intentional listener,” Babineaux said. “Be observant. Observe the people you are working with … the more you observe your environment, the more you become self-aware and socially aware, the better you can communicate what’s going on in your mind.” 

Building on what Babineaux said, LSU Campus Life Assistant Director of Leadership and Civic Engagement Bri McManus gave some encouraging words on how Black women should always remain sure of themselves when communicating as a minority. 

“I really want black women to understand that you do not have to make yourself palpable to anybody, you just have to do your job,” McManus said. 

LSU Academic Coordinator for Upward Bound Iriel Nunnery explained how keeping a paper trail while communicating is crucial and can be used as protection within the workforce. 

“Use communication as a tool to protect yourself,” Nunnery said. “Use it as the one weapon that you have in your back pocket because at the end of the day who’s going to protect yourself? You.” 

Networking

Many college students struggle with networking, so McManus gave the organization ideas on how to go about networking when in a space where opportunities are not freely given. 

“All the networking I had to do when I got to LSU, I had to do on my own,” McManus said. “Nobody created space for me … I had to create that space, and often you have to be the change you want to see and if you want to network you have to be the owner of that experience.” 

No stranger to the world of networking, Tonya Boldern-Ball, who serves as a regional director of diversity and inclusion at Ochsner Health, offered a personal anecdote on how networking has positively impacted her life, referring to a once in a lifetime opportunity to be interviewed for a keynote in Essence magazine.

“You have to know your voice,” Boldern-Ball said. “Make sure you know your elevator pitch. This is very important and don’t be scared.” She further explains that even when an elevator pitch doesn’t work out, that not everyone is perfect and to not give up.  

After the panel, Mukes expressed her satisfaction with the discussion and its successful turnout, planning to host a similar event in the future. 

“I hope members and non-members understand that there is no time limit on success,” Mukes said. “Success is a mindset … and I hope that they learned that it’s okay to feel like you’re running low on time because you’re not. You just have to have the confidence within yourself.”