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Shemeka's dynamic and transformational messages are the result of her background as a professional spoken word artist and storyteller while leveraging her expertise in adult learning methodologies. Shemeka equips professionals to gain more influence and greater impact with her memorable “Seeds to Exceed” strategies, activities, tools, and assessments.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER | TRAINER

Step into a journey of legacy, leadership, and liberation.

In this captivating keynote, Shemeka Brathwaite shines a powerful light on the resilience, brilliance, and strategic vision of Black women who have led across generations.

With warmth, wisdom, and signature storytelling, Shemeka brings to life the stories of women who defied odds, challenged unjust systems, and paved paths where none existed. From unsung heroines of the past to contemporary change agents shaping policy, culture, education, and innovation—this experience is both celebration and call to action.

This talk is more than a history lesson. It’s an invocation of identity, impact, and possibility. It invites leaders to reflect on the legacy they’re inheriting, the ceilings they’re still shattering, and the future they’re building for the next generation.

Participants will:

Recognize the historical and cultural significance of Black women’s leadership across eras and sectors
Reflect on how identity, purpose, and resilience shape transformative leadership
Reframe how barriers can become catalysts for innovation and collective advancement
Reignite a sense of pride, power, and responsibility in the face of persistent inequities
Renew their commitment to mentoring, modeling, and making room for emerging leaders

Ideal for: DEI-centered conferences, women’s leadership summits, ERG events, HBCU programs, and civic organizations seeking to celebrate the power and presence of Black women in leadership.

Imagine an organization where leaders show up with intention, move with clarity, and know how to leave a lasting impact.

Shemeka Brathwaite’s powerful Productive Presence framework helps organizations build cultures where leadership isn’t just about performance. It’s about purpose, presence, and long-term influence.

In a world where busyness is often mistaken for effectiveness, Shemeka equips leaders to slow down, get clear, and lead forward—with integrity, not overwhelm. Her transformational programs blend research-based strategy with the soul of storytelling, helping people reconnect with what matters most.

She invites participants to master the three moments that matter:

Before you enter the room: Ground decisions in purpose, clarify your goals, and align your presence with your principles.
When you're in the room: Communicate with clarity, build trust through collaboration, and activate your influence with executive presence.
After you leave the room: Cultivate a leadership legacy defined not just by outcomes, but by the positive impact you leave behind.

Whether you're developing rising talent, supporting seasoned leaders, or shifting workplace culture, Shemeka’s keynotes and training experiences are designed to inspire real change that lasts beyond the event. Because leadership isn’t a performance. It’s a practice. And every moment is an opportunity to show up on purpose.

From Trailblazers to Ceiling Breakers:

The Legacy and Future of Black Women Leaders

In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, it’s easy to get caught in the grind—busy, visible, but misaligned. This keynote is a bold invitation to step back, reflect, and realign. Shemeka Brathwaite, a dynamic speaker known for her energetic delivery and compelling storytelling, helps high-capacity professionals reconnect with what really drives their impact: purpose, clarity, and intentional presence.

Drawing from her original research on sustainable leadership and years of experience coaching leaders across sectors, Dr. Brathwaite introduces the Productive Presence® framework—a three-part model focused on how leaders prepare before entering the room, show up with influence while in the room, and leave a lasting impression after the room. This isn’t just about performance. It’s about preserving the people who do the work and ensuring that presence becomes a strategy, not just a moment.

Ideal for association conferences, leadership retreats, and professional development programs, this keynote empowers audiences to move with focus, lead with meaning, and build legacies that outlive the meeting agenda.

Audience Fit Associations, corporations, government leaders, educators, nonprofit professionals, and cross-functional teams seeking clarity, connection, and capacity-building.

Key Takeaways