We’re living in a time when words like “woke” are used as insults, and diversity, equity, and inclusion are being called into question. For leaders of color, this climate feels like a minefield—every step comes with pressure to prove yourself, perform, and somehow make space for your authentic self in workplaces that weren’t built with you in mind. Surviving in those spaces takes a toll, on your mental emotional and physical states, and sometimes we can forget that thriving is the goal.

I wrote Unleashing Authentic Leadership for those of us navigating these spaces. As a leader who’s faced these challenges head-on, I know how exhausting it is to juggle the expectations of others while staying true to your own values. I also know the power of having tools and strategies to help you thrive in environments that often seem designed to make you shrink.

At the heart of this book is the REACHES framework. It’s not a trendy buzzword; it’s a research-based model developed during my dissertation and tested over years of leading and coaching with outstanding results. This framework has helped me empower teams, foster trust, and build cultures where authenticity isn’t a liability—it’s an asset.

Now, let me tell you what Unleashing Authentic Leadership isn’t: it’s decidedly not academic writing. After earning three advanced degrees, I’ve had my fill of jargon-filled tomes that take a whole chapter to say what could’ve been said in a page. This work is for people like me who want it straight no chaser with practical tips that you can implement tomorrow. This book is short, it is practical, and conversational—like we’re chatting over chai lattes (because coffee just isn’t my thing). If that’s you, you’re in for a treat.

Inside, you’ll find tools to:

• Overcome the self-doubt spiral (you know, the “am I good enough?” voice).
• Apply the REACHES framework to build trust, foster cultural intelligence, and empower your team.
• Lead authentically in spaces where it might feel easier—or safer—to hide parts of yourself.

To me my career is emphatically not about surviving as a leader. I am determined to thrive and that is my goal with this work. To me leadership is about thriving, building meaningful relationships, and creating impact—all while staying true to who you are. And let’s not forget, leadership is messy. It’s okay to laugh, cry, and occasionally ugly-dance your way through it. And that is what I am attempting to do with this book.

Unleashing Authentic Leadership is available for pre-order now and will be released on December 10. It’s just $9.99—less than lunch, but more than worth it! Ready to lead with confidence and authenticity? Click here to pre-order: https://a.co/d/i3M9XHy

Let’s redefine leadership, one authentic step at a time.