Tiffany Benjamin

On this week's episode of Office Hours: The Black Girl Podcast I am joined by Amber Jolly, MSN, MPH, APRN, WHNP-BC, CPHQ, healthcare executive and recent founder. This season is dedicated to the 600K+ Black women who have been sidelined from the workforce and are trying to navigate what is next. During this conversation, Amber and I wrestle with one question: What does success look like when everything is shifting? In this conversation, we get real about fulfillment, life after layoffs, and the evolving priorities shaping this moment for Black women. It’s a conversation rooted in reflection, honesty, and choosing what truly feels aligned right now. Watch the clip below where Amber talks about the metrics of her life, and how she is re-defining success while making sure she builds a "life well lived". 🎧 Full episode available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. #career #leadership

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One mistake I see founders make again and again: 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚. Sometimes the smartest capital is the kind that doesn’t take ownership. Grants and other non-dilutive capital can help teams prove outcomes, strengthen programs, and build traction before bringing investors to the table. That’s why this opportunity shared by Health Board Advisors, Inc. stood out to me. Funding like this can help organizations focused on improving outcomes in the Black community build momentum without giving up equity too soon. The bigger lesson here is about strategy. Capital alone doesn’t scale a company. Aligned capital does. When founders understand the right mix of grants, partnerships, and investment, they move faster and protect their long-term vision. At Health Board Advisors, Inc. we continue to surface opportunities like this for the ecosystem. For leaders building impact-driven organizations, this kind of funding can be a powerful step before the next stage of growth. Curious to hear from others here: 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗱𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄?

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Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America recently spoke about the urgent challenge of hunger in the United States, as the USDA annual food insecurity report is discontinued. Reliable data is essential to creating a shared understanding of how children and families are truly faring. When we ground conversations in reliable facts, we can better identify solutions that reduce hardship and ensure fewer families face unnecessary suffering. https://lnkd.in/eR8jPcUb

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Longtime friends DeShawn King and Isaiah Jones have opened Louisville, Kentucky's first Black-owned pharmacy, Good Brothers Pharmacy, to address the community's need for accessible healthcare. Located in the Russell neighborhood, the pharmacy opened after a nearby CVS closed, leaving a significant gap in service. King and Jones are committed to providing culturally competent, personalized care, offering services like medication management, health screenings, and free delivery to build "trusted relationships with patients" and make a lasting impact on the community. Read more about Kentucky's first Black-owned pharmacy, at the 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g2_EfEie #AFROTECH

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Starting a business is often an important economic lifeline for individuals, but growing that business and eventually hiring employees is crucial to community wealth-building. As of 2022, the wealth gap between Black and white Americans was $240,120 per household. Fortunately, Black wealth is increasing, and the second-largest component of that increase is business ownership.  For Black Americans, owning an employer business (businesses with at least one employee) is also a crucial economic justice tool for narrowing the racial wealth gap, which was formed through centuries of denying them the ability to own anything. According to 2024 data, employer business owners had a median wealth of $550,000, while the median wealth for owners of non-employer businesses was just $135,000. The Center for Community Uplift focuses on employer businesses because their growth creates wealth beyond the individual owner. When an entrepreneur becomes an employer, they create jobs, expand access to products and services, and circulate capital through local communities and regional economies.

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**Newest Well Chat** After last week’s episode w/Moriah Ballard, we appealed to a leading maternal health doctor for insights into what’s driving poor maternal healthcare for Black women. Danielle Tate of Baptist Medical Group in Memphis shares more about which changes are needed, implicit bias, red flags during pregnancy women must not ignore, how black mothers and their families can advocate more, postpartum care and doulas. She also shares why Black women often tolerate pain longer because of past dismissals. It’s time to change that mindset. Whether you’re preggers or not. Your voice matters. Share this message, tag a friend, and let’s push for real change in healthcare. Because EVERY woman deserves safe, equitable care. Watch full conversation on Freedom at The Mat.com, or your preferred podcast platform! #BlackMaternalHealth #WomensWellness #HealthEquity

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Empowering Change: National Black Chamber of Commerce and National Alliance for Black Business Shape Policy at White House Briefing NBCC and NABB Collaborate with Policymakers to Expand Market Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurs by Metalle TagnerMarch 19, 2026 How Black Business Leaders Are Driving Policy Change in Washington” Black business leaders convened in Washington, D.C., this week for a series of high-level policy meetings at the White House and the U.S. Senate. The national delegation focused on securing direct engagement with the administration to shape policies that expand domestic and global market opportunities for Black Business Enterprises. This historic gathering brought together CEOs, chamber executives, and entrepreneurs representing hundreds of Black chambers of commerce nationwide. The National Black Chamber of Commerce held its Annual National Business Policy Conference, hosted by the National Alliance for Black Business. The main objective was to ensure economic policies reflect the needs of Black entrepreneurs. Delegates left the capital with a clear path forward for strengthening access to capital, procurement opportunities, and international trade networks. Read more about The National Black Business Chamber’s economic empowerment and community initiatives at thenarrativematters.com Black Business Leaders Focus on Economic Growth The delegation participated in a highly focused White House briefing centered on trade, taxes, and small business initiatives. Following the briefing, attendees joined a bipartisan policy roundtable at the U.S. Senate Hart Office Building. They met with congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle to discuss the future of the American economy. Charles H. DeBow III, President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the vital role of these enterprises. He noted that Black-owned businesses serve as a powerful engine of growth and innovation across the country. The primary goal remains securing greater access to funding and procurement opportunities so these businesses can compete on merit. Advocates at the conference stressed that free-market principles must guide the development of new economic policies. When business owners have fair access to capital, they can hire more workers, develop new products, and invest back into their local communities. (continued in article....) Larry Ivory National Black Chamber of Commerce National Alliance for Black Business The National Business League John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM Ken L. Harris, Ph.D. Melinda C. Sylvester Jerry Mitchell Tarnisha Cliatt Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce Tim Scott Hon.Michael A. Griffin Shaquana “Shaq” Teasley - DBS, CCS, MSLR Frederick Jordan, Sr. Frederick L. Anderson Darlene E. Terri Batch Terri Davis, Ph.D., MBA https://lnkd.in/eCzKEvrY

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President and CEO Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice and her team at Morehouse School of Medicine are shaping the future of medicine—starting with how they train the next generation of medical professionals. In our latest discussion, Dr. Rice explains why investing in historically Black medical schools is critical to improving health outcomes and increasing opportunities for doctors to choose where and how they practice. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Xavier University of Louisiana Ochsner College of Medicine

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Four years ago, alongside Dr. Chris Dickey of the NYU School of Global Public Health, my wife Michelle and I helped launch the Holsinger Pathfinder Fellowship Program—born from a simple but urgent insight. Too many talented, mid‑career public health professionals across Africa were blocked from advancing their education. MPH programs were often cost‑prohibitive and required relocation abroad—pulling leaders away from the very communities that need them most. Holsinger Pathfinder Fellowship flips that model. By funding advanced public health education in place, we’re helping build the next generation of African public health leaders—professionals who continue to live, work, and lead where impact matters most. I’m incredibly proud to share this snapshot of what the fellows are doing today. Real impact starts with removing the right barriers. We had a wave of accomplished applications leading to this initial class of amazing fellows who are changing the world every day. There is no other program quite like it—and this is just the beginning. Lawrence Odala Mfutso Iddi Iddrisu Chilufya Winnifridah Chewe

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🌟 Happy Women's History Month! 🌟 I want to take a moment to reintroduce something very close to me — my podcast, Fostering Solutions — a show dedicated to uplifting people and enterprises making a positive impact in communities around the world. I launched Fostering Solutions in 2020 with a simple but powerful mission: to bring you stories that inspire you to become the change you wish to see. Throughout my career in philanthropy, community economic development, and engineering, I have witnessed firsthand that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things — with the right mindset. That belief is at the heart of every single episode. This Women's History Month, I am honored to shine a spotlight on the phenomenal women who have joined me on this podcast over the years. These are leaders, advocates, and changemakers who are driving meaningful impact in their communities and beyond — and their stories deserve to be heard. All month long, I will be resharing their episodes here on LinkedIn. Whether you are a fellow practitioner, a community leader, or simply someone who believes in the power of purpose-driven work — these conversations are for you. Stay tuned. Get inspired. And please share with a colleague or connection who needs to hear it. 🎙️ #WomensHistoryMonth #FosteringSolutions #PhenomenalWomen #BeTheChange #Podcast #CommunityImpact #Philanthropy #WomenWhoLead #Leadership #PurposeDriven

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I want to share my gratitude to Atlanta News First and the investigative reporter Andy Pierrotti on behalf of our client, Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, for their strong voice for children in Georgia. We have been involved the past three years advocating to transform vision care for children in Georgia. To move the needle forward and address the changes we have observed in children's vision since the pandemic, we have been meeting with legislators this fall to discuss our concerns. As we discuss and they understand, children who cannot see clearly cannot read. In their 2025 Vision Report Card, they advocate: ✔️ For all children preK-12 be screened annually. (We have a group of Augusta Medical and Emory Ophthalmology students conducting research as to whether and how each school district addresses vision screening.) ✔️ For a waiver for our tele-optometry program to allow us to provide services in churches, community centers, etc., because of space issues in some rural licensed clinics. For funding to expand our optometry staff to serve more school children, ultimately statewide. In 2024, Georgia ranked 26th in the nation in reading literacy, a score the schools and legislators would like to improve. Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation urgently needs your help with letters of support to transform vision services for children in GA LEARN MORE

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I'm excited to share an upcoming free virtual summit from one of our partners, HealthStack, powered by AFROTECH, the largest community for Black technologists in the world. This summit, taking place tomorrow, January 23rd, brings together senior clinical and health-tech leaders to explore safer telehealth, responsible AI in clinical workflows, and equity-centered healthcare innovation, including conversations with: Dr. Melynda Barnes, Chief Medical Officer, Ro Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, Chief Medical Officer, Talkspace Dr. Alani Gregory, Head of Health Equity & Belonging, One Medical Dr. Ian Tong, Chief Clinical Officer, Foresite Labs Anika Gardenhire, RN, Chief Digital & Transformation Officer, Ardent Health We’re pleased to share this opportunity with our partners who are navigating digital health, AI adoption, and equitable care delivery. There's still time to register at https://lnkd.in/eWetspRa.

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Women Grocers of America names Allegiance's EVP, CIMO Donna Zambo as Vice Chair. She will serve alongside Kristie Maurer who was named President. The Women Grocers of America organization empowers women, strengthens the grocery workforce, and helps modernize the industry through diversity, education, and leadership development. #allegianceretailservices #independentgrocers #womeningrocery #womensgrocersofamerica #nationalgroceryassociation Donna Z. https://lnkd.in/g-kcZ9ht

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✨ Black Maternal Health Advocacy at the Nation's Capital! Last month, BMMA’s Policy & Advocacy team represented at the 54th Annual Legislative Conference hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C.! Our Policy Associate, Stephanie Aristide, joined national leaders and policymakers advancing solutions for Black Maternal Health, attending sessions on the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, neonatal equity, and women’s access to weight management and treatment resources. During the Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective event, Stephanie shared BMMA’s ongoing work, from our Policy Agenda and the Georgia Black Maternal Health Taskforce (GaBMHT) to our upcoming programs like Black Maternal Health Week 2026 (#BMHW26) and the 2026 Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute™(#BMHC26). Through these engagements, BMMA, Inc. continues to uplift policy solutions, strengthen partnerships, and amplify community voices in the fight to advance maternal health equity. . . . . . . . . #BMHInAction #BlackMaternalHealth #BMMA #PolicyAndAdvocacy #BirthJustice #ReproJustice #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #Momnibus #CBCFALC #HealthEquity #CommunityCare

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Black Maternal Health Week ends today. I keep thinking about the gaps that don't make it into the data. A referral that doesn't turn into a visit. A follow-up that depends on a phone number that's no longer active. A screening that gets delayed by one week, then two. Each one looks small. Together, they decide what happens. And we know those outcomes are not evenly distributed. Black mothers face higher risk even when everything else looks similar on paper. That's not an abstraction. It shows up in real people's lives. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #MaternalHealth #HealthEquity #MediCal #CommunityHealth #CareManagement #HeritageHealthNetwork

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