Impact Innovators with Felicia Ford

Let's Celebrate, Change Maker!   We're 50 Episodes in and you're growing, connecting and thriving! For this special episode, we're bringing three separate conversations centering collaboration. Grab your notebook, pull up a chair, you're in for a good one! Your vision is clear, your momentum is strong, and the impact you’re creating is undeniable. But even the most powerful leaders know—growth at...

Barter Black: How Nicole Murphy is Reshaping Business Growth Without Cash Scaling a business is hard enough—doing it alone makes it even harder. Enter Nicole Murphy, founder of Barter Black, a platform designed to help Black entrepreneurs exchange services, build networks, and grow without financial strain. In this episode, Nicole shares: How the pandemic led to the creation of Barter Black The ga...

Black wealth doesn’t start with a paycheck—it starts with who you build with. For too long, Black women have been expected to carry it all—lead, build, and make it work, no matter the cost. But what if wealth, legacy, and long-term stability weren’t about doing more but about expecting more? In this episode, D’Ionna Washington, The Kept Wife Strategist, joins me for a conversation that goes beyond...

Change Maker, this is a story that may leave you speechless.  How Do You Open Doors That Were Never Built for You? If you lead an organization, there’s a point where strategy alone isn’t enough—you need access. You need the right partners, funding, and a way to prove that your work isn’t just meaningful, but essential. But what happens when traditional systems weren’t designed with you in mind? Wh...

What separates good from iconic? For Omar McGee, founder of Rose Gold Reserve, it’s a fearless mindset and the ability to blend authenticity with ambition. “You can’t win if you’re scared to take the shot,” Omar reflects. “It’s not about arrogance; it’s about knowing you’ve done the work.” In this episode of Impact Innovators, Omar shares how he built a luxury brand that’s not just celebrated but...

The education system is evolving, but are we truly meeting the needs of every child? When traditional methods fall short, how do leaders and educators step up to the challenge? And what about the unseen factors that make or break a student’s success? In this episode, Diana R. Williams, a one of a kind leader in special education leadership who has built frameworks and strategies helping administra...

Hey Change Maker, Does this sound familiar? The meeting starts like it always does—polite exchanges, someone cracking a joke to loosen the tension. The agenda is clear, and the goals are ambitious. You should leave this room feeling energized, aligned, ready to move forward. But halfway through, it’s obvious: something’s missing. Ideas get lost in translation. Questions stay unasked. People agree,...

Change Maker, For you, navigating a world that demands conformity while striving to inspire others can feel like an uphill battle. When your work revolves around lifting others and leading with heart, how do you stay strong amidst storms of self-doubt, external pressures, and societal expectations? Fred Cadoshia, CEO of Perfectly Imperfect, welcomes the storms with stepping stones. In this episode...

Hey Change Maker, Do you ever feel like you’re navigating a path that wasn’t designed for you? Whether it’s imposter syndrome, outside noise, or the weight of societal expectations, finding your place as a creative or entrepreneur can feel overwhelming. In Episode 42 with Jade Parks-Dixon, we’re exploring what it takes to turn doubt into confidence and passion into purpose. Jade, the founder of Ja...

What if the fight for healing our communities and ensuring access to fresh, nourishing food could begin with supporting the soil beneath our feet? Black farmers like Thelonious Cook are leading this movement, not only restoring land through regenerative practices but also reconnecting people to the cultural and communal power of food. This episode explores how farming is about more than crops—it’s...

Hormonal shifts, cancer treatments, and life's evolving seasons don’t just affect our bodies—they transform our skin, confidence, and connection to self. But how do we care for our skin in ways that honor both the challenges we face and the lives we’re building? In this episode, Christina Watson, oncology nurse turned esthetician and founder of LaZooz Skincare, shares her powerful journey of blend...

Grief, anxiety, and unspoken transitions often sit quietly in the background, shaping how we live, work, and connect. These forces don’t only impact individuals—they ripple through teams, communities, and the systems we rely on every day. What does it take to recognize and address these hidden dynamics in a way that fosters true connection and change? In this episode, Lenora Johnson brings nearly...

The weight of constant struggles can feel suffocating. So many of us are constantly up against systems designed to keep us down. But what if the challenges you face could become the very reason you create change—both for yourself and others? Desange Kuenihira is proof that even the toughest circumstances can ignite a movement. Her journey from a young girl in Uganda who was once labeled "meaningle...

Hey Change Maker, What if the right partnerships could take your vision further? Too often, leaders pour time and energy into collaborations that go nowhere—misaligned efforts that drain resources and stall progress. In Episode 37, the final installation of Design 2025: Lead | Build | Thrive, we’re breaking down what it really takes to make collaboration work. This episode shares what works, what...

Hey Change Maker, Does it ever feel like your day is running you? Back-to-back meetings, overflowing task lists, and endless demands make it hard to figure out what actually needs your attention. In Episode 36 of Design 2025: Lead | Build | Thrive, we’re tackling a challenge every leader faces: how to prioritize when everything feels urgent. This episode isn’t about creating a long-term plan or tr...

Hi Change Maker,  When the stakes are high, and you're ready to make real moves, traditional goal-setting won't cut it. You might have ambitious plans, maybe even a vision board gathering dust in the corner—but are you set up for the kind of growth that actually inspires you and helps you see progress in your work? SMART Goals may not be the framework you need with a fast-paced work environment an...

Hi Friends,  Feeling stuck in the urgency trap, constantly reacting but never making real progress? If your days are filled with meetings and tasks that barely show the results you're expecting, it’s a sign: you need operational clarity. Imagine how much smoother things could be if you had systems that worked for you, not against you. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify the gaps and inef...

Change Maker,  Have you ever felt like there’s more you could achieve, but something keeps holding you back? It’s that tug between where you are and where you know you could be—if only you gave yourself the space to imagine it. But ambition sometimes feels heavy, like an indulgence you can’t afford, and the routine of good work can make it easy to forget that growth is still possible. It’s okay if...

So many entrepreneurs are hearing that podcasting is the next step, but the question remains—will it really create growth, or will it just pile onto an already packed schedule? In today’s episode, I sit down with Stefanie Gass—Christian business and podcast coach, boundary boss, and seven-figure CEO. Stefanie's podcast, Online Business for Christian Women, ranks among the top 20 business podcasts...

Hey Change Maker,    Have you ever felt like success is just within reach, yet you’re not quite sure how to embrace it when it arrives? In this solo episode, I explore what it truly means to be ready for the opportunities you’ve been working toward—and prayed for. It’s not about grinding harder; it's about celebrating your wins, being mentally prepared for the journey ahead, and knowing how to ste...

Change Maker, Have you been leading a nonprofit with a small team and wondering when your dream team is going to join you? Have you ever felt alone in your mission to create change? Are you ready to discover how one woman's unwavering faith and boundless love can transform an entire community? Meet Tanya Barnes, the executive director of Beulah's Safe Haven, who didn't just dream of making a diffe...

Change Maker, Have you ever felt the thrill of seeing your brand featured in the media—a spotlight on the local news, a guest spot on a podcast, or a spread in a magazine—only to have that excitement fizzle out? If you're treating media coverage as a one-and-done moment, you're missing out on a golden opportunity. Media exposure is a powerful tool to catapult your brand into sustained growth and l...

Hey Change Maker,  Do you ever feel like the pursuit of work-life balance is a relentless uphill battle, leaving you more drained than empowered? Are you tired of juggling endless tasks, only to find that the scales between personal well-being and professional success never truly balance? In a world that glorifies the grind, it's easy to find yourself trapped in a cycle of constant overextension w...

Hi Change Maker,  Have you been showing up in all the places, checking all the boxes, and giving it all you've got, but you've seen a decline in sales? Is it taking longer than usual to attract the same number of customers or retain your usual loyal group? Have you been applying for allll the RFPs or grants, and you're still wondering when you'll get a win?  You have the impact, the passion, the s...

Hey Change Maker! You’ve had the conversations, laid out your mission, and made connections. But somehow, you’re still left with missed opportunities and stalled sales. It’s easy to feel like no one’s paying attention anymore, but here’s the reality: The follow-up is where your sales strategy truly takes off. In this episode, you'll learn how you can leverage your relationships and visibility to m...