Paul Bashea (Bah-Shay) Williams, LCSW-C, LICSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Keynote, Relationship Advisor, Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Corporate Consultant with over 20 years of professional experience and positive impact. He authored books and journals entitled The Father’s Journal and Dear Future Wife: A Man’s Guide and A Woman’s Reference To Healthy Relationships, The Found Journal: A Black Man’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and The Father’s Journal. 

As a business owner, Paul Bashea Williams owns and operates, Hearts In Mind Counseling, a mental health private practice that specializes in marriage, family, couples, and individual therapy helping others address their mental health needs.

Paul Bashea Williams salso owns the nonprofit, Hearts In Mind Alignment Foundation which seeks to serve the underserved and minority populations globally with comprehensive resources. Paul Bashea Williams is well sought after to provide corporate coaching for leaders and consulting with staff helping companies address mental health and improve culture while ensuring company growth through strategic planning.

His writing, keynote speaking and trainings have been internationally recognized and featured in and on CNN, HBO, A& E, Gilead, The American College, Law Firms, Churches, Universities, Men’s Health Magazine, Essence Magazine, BET, Bustle, Roland Martin Show, Huffington Post, TV One, Radio One, TV Guide, national syndicated radio shows, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, movies, and conferences all over the world. 

Paul Bashea Williams attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee for both his undergrad and graduate studies in Social Work where he was awarded and inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Alumnus for community impact.

Paul Bashea Williams’ goal is to influence healthy relationships with self and others by having comprehension, compromise, consideration, and an understanding of how people interact with one another.  You can follow his work at BasheaWilliams.com, BasheaWilliams on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

His counseling services can be found at www.HeartsInMindCounseling.com

Dr. Quadasha Mcilwaine is a 33 year old dually licensed mental health therapist, business owner, college professor, exam prep coach, and children’s author from Charlotte, NC. She has over 8 years of private practice experience providing mental health services to individuals, groups, and families. Dr. Q founded Licensed 2 Heal Project, a nonprofit organization that promotes mental health awareness, advocacy, and empowerment to youth and adolescents. At  31 years old, she completed her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree from Walden University.

Dr. Q is also the owner of Licensed 2 Heal Counseling Center, LLC where she provides therapeutic services to those in need. She also serves as a motivational speaker in the community. Dr. Q's passion for the field comes from her upbringing where she witnessed first hand experiences of foster youth. Dr. Q is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and is excited about continuing to promote positive social change in the field of social work.

If you are seeking help with test prep, reach out to Dr. Q.

Nakia Watson is a multi-state licensed clinical social worker, experienced travel social worker, and founder of My Healed Mind. With a background in hospital social work, foster care, and work assignments across multiple states, she offers a national perspective on healthcare systems, workforce mobility, and career strategy for social workers. Nakia is passionate about helping social workers expand their options, overcome fear around change, and confidently step into opportunities that align with both their values and financial goals.

Tireeka Watson, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, forensic clinician, and educator specializing in ethical, scope-aligned court-involved mental health work. She is the founder of Anchored in Essence Therapy & Consulting, where she provides clinical services, forensic evaluations, and professional education for clinicians navigating forensic and legal systems. Tireeka is known for helping clinicians understand licensure scope, professional boundaries, and ethical decision-making in high-stakes environments. Through workshops, webinars, and mentorship, she supports clinicians in building clarity and confidence without compromising their license or integrity.

Email: [email protected]Website: https://www.anchoredinessence.com/

Shirria shares her journey and success in the field of Social Work and she's positioned to help others as well.

"I enjoy working with individuals experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety that result from life responsibilities, such as the overworked and overwhelmed mother. I also enjoy helping younger millennials and Gen Zers that are anxious or depressed due to internal conflicts surrounding adulthood, unrealistic or unfulfilled expectations, social media comparisons, and money instability."

Shajuan Alexander, LCSW-S, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, private practice owner, and founder of The Culture of Health, PLLC. She is also a content and brand strategist for multihyphenate clinicians seeking to expand their identity beyond 1:1 therapy. More specifically, for mothers, who deserve to own their identity, authenticity and vision within their profession. Shajuan guides women entrepreneurs through coaching and consulting 1:1 and in group membership programs to build aligned mental health practices and speaking careers that are sustainable, strategic, and rooted in their purpose. 

Calendly - Shajuan AlexanderConnect with the host: www.lashannaalfred.com

Tiktok: @la_speaks2u IG: @laspeaks2u

Destiny McCoy is a bold millennial mental health expert, speaker, and therapist who creates healing-centered spaces for people navigating anxiety especially high-performing women. Her work is grounded in truth, vulnerability, and resistance- principles she’s lived through personally while managing her own experience with anxiety.

WWW.DESTINYMCCOY.NET | [email protected]

Manicka is the Owner and Clinical Director of Kindred Connections Therapy Center (KCTC), a private practice where she works with African American children youth and families impacted by trauma. She is a trained EMDR therapist where she helps clients process through distressed or traumatic memories. KCTC was awarded the 2018 Agency of the Year Award by NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Ohio. Manicka held previous adjunct faculty appointments at Central State University and Sinclair Community College teaching Introduction to Social Work and Cultural Competence in a Diverse World. She provides professional development resources, and online training for social workers, therapists and helping professionals through her YouTube channel and podcast, The Afrocentric Social Worker.

Manicka Thomas | Social Work Mentor, YouTuber and CEO Social Worker

Shara Ruffin is a licensed social worker and former therapist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Lock Haven University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University. Shara has worked with people dealing with grief, family trauma, ADHD, anxiety, and other emotional and mental health challenges.

She is also a five-time Amazon best-selling author. Her journals, 90 Days of Prayer and 90 Days of Inspiration, are popular resources for social workers preparing for their licensing exams. She also co-authored From Start to Success: 40 Stories of Successful C-Suite Executives.

As the founder and CEO of Journey To Licensure, Shara helps social workers prepare for their licensing exams by combining wellness, mentorship, and professional coaching. Her story of building her business and personal brand was featured on LinkedIn’s company page, and her company has appeared in major outlets such as Business Insider, LinkedIn News, USA Today, Success, Market Watch, NY Weekly, and Ok! Magazine.

Shara is recognized nationally for her expertise and influence. She serves as a LinkedIn Advisor, was named one of the “Top 15 LinkedIn Experts in Philadelphia” in 2023, and was honored as a “LinkedIn Top Voice in Social Work, Thought Leadership, and Entrepreneurship.” In 2024, she received the Silver Stevie Award for Thought Leader of the Year and was named a Top 10 Creator in Mental Health in the U.S. and Top 50 Worldwide by Favicon.

Follow on all social media platforms: Shara Ruffin

Don't forget to register for The 3rd Annual Unveiling Conference: LaShanna Taking Counseling To The Stage:THE UNVEILING 2025 | U Change Consulting

LaQuita Norris, LCSW, CCTP, CGE is a trailblazing Licensed Certified Social Worker, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Educator based in Benton, Arkansas. With over 13 years of experience, she is nationally recognized for her expertise in trauma treatment and grief support.

LaQuita is the Founder and CEO of Gateway Family Therapy Services, where she leads a thriving group practice offering comprehensive, trauma focused care for individuals, couples, families, and groups—including adults, children, and marginalized communities. She has recently expanded her vision with the launch of the Gateway Therapy and Wellness Center, integrating holistic services such as yoga, massage therapy, nutritional coaching, and life coaching to address the mind, body, and spirit in healing.

Her mission is clear: to create spaces where people—especially Black and Brown communities—can heal, reclaim their wholeness, and thrive without apology.

Beyond her practice, LaQuita is a sought-after speaker, educator, and published author. Her most recent workbook, No One Told Me… We Can Heal Too, guides women of color in addressing individual, cultural, and generational trauma burdens. She also develops professional trainings for social workers and therapists, equipping them to work with cultural sensitivity while protecting their own emotional well-being. Her work challenges traditional narratives around resilience and healing, ensuring that both marginalized communities and helping professionals are fully included in the conversation about wellness.

Through Gateway and her broader initiatives, LaQuita is proving that social workers can be visionary leaders, powerful change-makers, and architects of the spaces where true healing happens.

LaQuita Norris, LCSW | Speaker • Author • Consultant• Creator

Christina Broderick-Royes is a TEDx speaker, published author, and the founder of Intention Elevation, a consulting firm that helps people, teams, and organizations in the messy middle find clarity, step into their power, and create impact as they learn to live, lead, and serve with intention. A licensed social worker turned business owner, Christina has worked with over 70 institutions nationwide, from colleges to Fortune 500 companies, helping them shift from chaos to clarity. She also teaches social work and entrepreneurship as an adjunct professor, and is passionate about showing fellow social workers how to expand their income, impact, and influence without burning out or selling out.

promo code: sixfiguresw 

use until the end of August (8/31) to get 20% off any product or service. 

Here is the link for the show notes: https://pensight.com/x/chrissiebroderick

To connect with the host: LaShanna Alfred, MSW, LISW-S

Black Authors | U Change | Toledo