Issue 13 - February 12, 2025
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Black History & Brilliance: An Undeniable LegacyBlack History Month is not just about looking back—it is about standing in our power today. It is about acknowledging the truth that Black Americans, whose ancestors were stolen from their homeland and enslaved for centuries, built this country. And despite every systemic barrier constructed to keep us from self-actualization, we have persisted. We have innovated. We have led. Yet in 2025, we are still battling efforts to erase our contributions and silence our voices. Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, we are witnessing a deliberate effort to roll back initiatives that support Black communities, from attacks on DEI programs to the erasure of Black history in schools. The message is clear: They want our labor, our culture, and our entertainment—but not our truth. Black Excellence Comes With a PriceWe saw this play out on one of the biggest stages in the world….. The Super Bowl. Kendrick Lamar, an artist who has always used his platform to elevate conversations about Black identity and struggle, performed with an entirely Black dance troupe, accompanied by cultural icons Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦. Because here’s the reality: America celebrates Black people when we entertain, but condemns us when we educate or advocate. Kendrick Lamar’s performance was not just artistic excellence; it was an act of rebellion against the centering of whiteness. It was a reminder that Blackness stands on its own, unapologetically. Fighting for Black Students & Breaking Barriers in EducationThe fight for equity doesn’t end in leadership; it extends to our youth. When I was mayor, I founded a scholarship for African American students who attend high schools in my hometown. I raised the money from the community—not a single city resource was used—yet I was met with anonymous hate mail and attacks on social media. I was accused of being a racist simply for creating an opportunity for Black students, a claim so ignorant that it only reinforced the necessity of my work. Let’s be clear: Black people 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘀𝘁. Racism is about systems….𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀. What I did was address a real and measurable disparity. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗜 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲. Here’s why this matters:
Navigating Leadership as a Black Woman? You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.If you have ever been told to shrink, to soften your voice, or to mold yourself into a version of leadership that is more “acceptable,” know this: You are not the problem. The system is the problem. I help women in government leadership navigate these challenges, build the confidence to show up fully, and develop the strategy to push back against gender and racial bias while maintaining their power. Whether you are an elected official, an aspiring leader, or a high-performing woman ready to step into your next role, I can help you build the resilience and presence to lead authentically and unapologetically. Work With Me
I Am Black History As a child who faced trauma at six, a teenager who ran away from home at 15, and a high school senior who dropped out at 17 before becoming a mother at 18, I am a testament to the resilience of Black people. I am living proof of our ability to overcome, to defy the odds, and to rise…..again and again. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. Yet, I stand as the first Black mayor of my city. A coach for high-performing women in government leadership. A business owner. A force for change. In Power, In Purpose & 𝗨𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸, Chasity Wells-Armstrong Founder, Catalyst Coaching & Transformation | Leadership Coach | First Black Mayor of Kankakee |
Catalyst Coaching & Transformation
Dear Reader, Subscribe to The Leadership Catalyst newsletter: Subscribe Now The Power of Women’s Voices in Protecting Democracy The Catalyst Perspective The weight of leadership often falls heaviest on those bold enough to speak truth to power. The world doesn’t just reward strong leadership—it challenges it. We’ve seen this play out in real-time as women in Congress step up to defend democracy. Whether it’s Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett’s fiery rebuke, US Senator Amy Klobuchar’s relentless...
Dear Reader, Subscribe to The Leadership Catalyst newsletter: Subscribe Now IT’S TIME TO STAND ON BUSINESS: EXPOSE THEM & FIGHT BACK Let me be very clear—this is personal for me, and I am pissed. I am outraged, and you should be too. What we are witnessing in our federal government is not just bad leadership—it is an outright attack on democracy and the American people. There are deliberate attempts to dismantle our institutions, silence the people, and strip away the rights of everyday...
Dear Reader, You show up. You advocate. You fight for your community. But when was the last time you fought for yourself? The Women Mayors Collective Retreat is your space to: Sharpen your crisis communication skillsso you stay in control when the next media storm hits. Strategize against political attacks on DEI & funding because the challenges aren’t stopping. Connect with women mayors who understand the weight of leadership no explanations needed. Let’s Talk About What Might Be Holding You...