The Unapologetic Executive

Think back to that time you were in undergrad or grad school. Do you remember your advisor? Was your advisor a person of color? Better yet, was your advisor a woman of color? Did you feel connected to your advisor? Do you feel as if they prepared you for the workforce? If I had to guess, I would say that many of you did not have an advisor who was a woman of color at your college or university cam...

I know that you have all heard the phrase "we all have one good book inside of us". It is true, especially as women of color. Our experiences are rich and they need to be shared. Our knowledge, our wisdom, these are gifts that should not be taken to the grave.  I have heard many say (I am part of the many), one day, I will write a book. But why can't one day be today? Well, one reason is life righ...

Unless you are living under a rock, I am sure you are aware that we are in the thick of election 2020 season. With the presidential debates heating up and the current president acting up and showing out, one can't help but to engage in political discussions.  I mean everyone has something to say about the state of our political climate. I am all for commentary, but political commentary is somethin...

On this week's episode I address one of the topics discussed on last week's episode, work anxiety, fear due to lack of job security. (that's right you have to go back and listen lol) In this economy, there is no such thing as job security, regardless of what sector you are in. However, despite our fears, we must still report to work. We have bills to pay and passion projects to fund. Living in thi...

Some of you maybe asking yourselves, "where did Ritha go?" On this episode, I talk about where I have "been", my current mental space and being in the "dark" place. We all have our moments where we struggle with self acceptance and belonging. I think that it is important for people to be transparent about their journeys. I will always say this, Instagram is a liar, and although many of us are not...

This week I am speaking with the beautiful and talented Miko Page! Miko is a professional golfer, fitness model and she recently just launched her nail polish line "MEEK". On this episode Miko and I discuss the importance of women getting involved in the sport of golf and the many ways it can enhance both our personal and professional growth. Miko shares with us her journey to golf and how she qui...

On this episode of FREEda's World, I talk about the importance of having faith and staying the course.  When things get tough, most people's knee jerk reaction is to fix the problem. But not all problems are meant for you to fix. Sometimes your troubles come to make you strong and all we need to do is hold on.  For the last few months I have been on the struggle bus. It got bad at one point, and I...

On this episode of FREEda's World, I have the pleasure of speaking to Professor Tanya K. Hernandez, a former professor of mine at Fordham University School of Law.  Professor Hernandez and I engage in a conversation about her latest book, "Multiracials and Civil Rights: Mixed Race Stories of Discrimination. "In her new book, Professor Hernandez explores the question of how to pursue racial equalit...

This week we are discussing returning to corporate america after leaving to pursue your passion. Over the last few years we have heard hundreds of stories of women leaving their corporate jobs to pursue full-time entrepreneurship.  These stories are both motivational and inspirational. But what happens when business becomes slow? When priorities and focus change? What happens when you are forced t...

Have you ever seen a motivational story that made you second guess your whole existence? Like the story of the young boy who was homeless and was admitted into 8 Ivy league schools and received over $500,00 in scholarships? As great as this story is, doesn't a part of you sit back and think, man, what was I doing with my life? I had a roof over my head a car, parents... What was my excuse? I am su...

Welcome Back FREEda Fam for another episode of FREEda's World! Tis the season for everyone to be in your business. The sun is out, the weather is getting better and people are nosy! Why is it that men and women a like, love to comment on a woman's ability and willingness to have children? This week I am talking about the pressures professional women of color face when it comes to getting married a...

This week we are talking about loss. Many of of us have experienced loss at some point in our life. It is not easy and depending on who you lost, the impact on your life can be debilitating.  I lost my grandmother in 2013. she raised me as her own. She was my everything. I literally never conceived a life without her. So when I lost her, my world literally fell apart. I was broken and if I am bein...

This week I am joined by my good friend Jellisa Joseph. Jellisa was recently nominated for a prestigious award. She was so excited for the nomination. However, instead of basking in excitement, the first thought that came to her mind was "do I deserve this".  This form of self doubt is very common amongst professional women of color. We do it all the time! But why? Why do we have such an issue wit...

This week I am recapping last night's event hosted by FREEda Women NYC, #Surviving Your Loved Ones. This event was informative and insightful. Thank you CAMBA Inc., The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and Auscension Advocacy for being part of this important discussion. And big thanks to everyone who attended the event. Tune in as I highlight some of the important takeaways from last night's di...

FREEda Fam! This week I am talking about the art of no. Often times we do this thing where we say yes to everything. We say yes to more work, we say yes to our bosses, to our co-workers, our friends family, we never say no. Some times you just have to say NO! Why? because you are not a machine. Saying yes all of the time has consequences. It can hinder your ability to complete your given tasks. It...

This week I am joined by my dear friend and forever work wife, Marly. Listen in as Marly takes us through her journey from being a city government employee to now working in the private financial sector. Many of us want to take the leap from from public to private and vise versa, but we are apprehensive because we fear the unknown. Tune in as Marly shares the steps that she took to land a job that...

This week I am joined by my dear friend Dianne. Dianne and I met at Fordham University School of Law (Big shout our to Fordham!) in the Fall of 2008. We were placed in the same first year section and from that point on we became sisters. Imagine going through 3 years of law school, (a portion of which was spent enduring dialysis)and studying for the bar examination, only to be advised that you can...

This week we are talking about our inner critic. We are all critical of ourselves and sometimes its necessary. However, when the inner critic goes rogue, it is time to shut it up. On this episode we talk about the inner critic, negative self talk, and the different things we can do to silence our inner critic. ***FREEda'a World podcast is powered by FREEda Women NYC, an accessories and apparels br...

This week we are talking about another office showdown. Parents vs. childless employees. Tune is an I discuss some of the issues that arise when parents call out of work to tend to their children, how childless employees feel about it, different ways Employers can remedy this issue and what you as an employee can do to raise awareness if your Employer is oblivious to the issues. ***FREEda'a World...

Spring is literally in the air! And you know what that means. It's time for a metamorphosis. Many of us are wanting to burst out of our cocoons and become butterflies. We are ready for that change, but we feel so stuck. How can I begin to make a move? Where are the opportunities? Trust me, I am right there with you. But one thing I have learned is that we have to get out there and open ourselves u...

This week we are talking to the single mothers! Being a single mom is hard ya'll. Sometimes I want to cry. Being a working single mother is even harder. It is an emotional roller coaster. How do you deal when the single mom struggle is too real, but you still have to report to work and be productive? I am still figuring this out, but I found a few things that are helping. Even if you are not a sin...

It's performance review season! *Cues weird danger music* Performance reviews can be the source of great anxiety. Even if you are a stellar employee, having to sit in a room with your manager, listening to them dissect your work performance can be a little uncomfortable. This week I talk about how to survive a bad or unsatisfactory performance review. Tune in as I share one of my war stories as we...

This week we are talking about dealing with female bosses and workplace bullying. ~~Women empowerment has become such a movement and such a trend lately. But for some reason this trend has not quite made it to the workplace. ~~Why do women feel like they have to compete with each other in the work place? What triggers this type of negative behavior? How can you, the victim protect yourself from th...

Today we are talking about the recent NYC ban on discrimination based on hair! The NYC Commission on Human Rights specifically asserts the right of people to have "natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep their hair in an uncut or untrimmed state." -NY Times This is a huge step in the right direction!...

We are so happy to be back! This episode is pretty much to catch you all up to what we have been up and where we plan on going! We want to thank you for all of your continued support along this journey! If you haven't done so already, please subscribe!