Black Figures

Pitching Yourself and Owning Your Value | Britney Hayes

We sat down with @britneynhayes [https://www.instagram.com/britneynhayes/] , the current Associate Director of Curriculum and Programming at Minnesota Carlson, to unpack how to confidently pitch yourself and truly own your value in every stage of your career. From networking as an introvert to handling conflict without burning bridges, Britney shares actionable tips, personal stories, and strategies to help students and early career professionals step into opportunities with confidence. Stick around for her rapid-fire segment, where she reveals fun and unexpected insights you won’t want to miss 👀 🎧 Be ready to tune in this Wednesday! Links will be in our Linktree in bio: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts #NABA [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/naba/] #BlackFigures [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/blackfigures/] #BlackExcellence [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/blackexcellence/] #UMN [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/umn/] #Leadership [https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/leadership/] CareerJourney Networking OwnYourValue BlackProfessionals

Leading Inclusively and Finding Your Footing | Todd Williams

We sat down with Todd Williams, a corporate veteran with over 20 years at Procter & Gamble and Target, where he led impactful DEI initiatives. Now the owner of his own consulting company and a professor at @carlsonschoolumn, Todd joins us to unpack what inclusive leadership really means and how students and young professionals can find their footing in spaces where they may not always see themselves represented.From navigating corporate culture as a person of color to building the habits of strong, inclusive leaders, Todd shares invaluable lessons and stories from his journey, plus a few fun rapid-fire questions you won’t want to miss 👀

Adrianna Willis | Black Figures Ep. 3

Episode 3 of Black Figures brings forward a story of reinvention and calm power with Adrianna Willis. After nearly 27 years in the corporate world, Adrianna pivoted in 2024, leaving behind the pressure and burnout to fully dedicate herself to a mission that has always been close to her heart. She’s the Founder & CEO of Mind the Crown, a brand she started in 2020 that champions self-care, mental wellness, and boundary-setting, especially for Black and Brown women. During our conversation, Adrianna shares how the weight of decades of expectations pushed her to reclaim joy and authenticity. We dig into what it means to whisper “no,” to redesign boundaries, and to care for oneself without guilt, lessons she learned the hard way. We also explore the growth of Mind the Crown from its product line and community events to its full‐time commitment and upcoming coaching services. This episode is for anyone looking to embrace transformation, prioritize rest, and lead with purpose. If you’ve ever felt burnt out, disconnected, or unsure about your next step, Adrianna’s story will resonate deeply.

Nate Taye | Black Figures Ep. 2

Episode 2 of Black Figures, we have a sit down conversation with a true NABA success story—Nate Taye. A former President of NABA UMN, Nate is a dedicated change maker, Carlson alum, and rising corporate star. From his first day on campus to now pursuing his MBA, Nate has remained committed to excellence, leadership, and giving back to the community that shaped him. As an undergrad, Nate earned his degree in Management Information Systems with minors in Marketing and Business Analytics before launching his career at Deloitte as a Cyber & Strategic Risk Consultant. He quickly rose through the ranks to become a Senior Business Program Specialist and recently returned to the Carlson School as the 93rd recipient of the prestigious Tomato Can Loving Cup Award, earning a half-tuition scholarship toward his Full-Time MBA. In our conversation, Nate takes us through his incredible journey—immigrating from Ethiopia, navigating college life, leading NABA, and making moves in the corporate world. Now, he’s back at Carlson, showing what it means to lead with purpose, resilience, and authenticity.Whether you’ve been in NABA for years or you’re just finding your place, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

Isaac Bein | Black Figures Ep. 1

Black Figures is officially up and running! Episode 1 of Black Figures, we have a sit down conversation with a true leader in the making—President of NABA UMN, dedicated change maker, and rising corporate star. From day one, he’s been committed to the mission, spending the last four years leveling up with NABA, and this past summer he took his talents to Chicago as an intern with Ecolab.Now, he’s back, leading the charge as President and setting the tone for what it means to show up as a Black professional in every room. He brings insight, experience, and a whole lot of authenticity to the conversation as we chop it up about his journey through NABA, what it was like interning in a major city, and how he’s balancing leadership, legacy, and life as a student.No topic’s off the table—we’re talking growth, grit, and the grind behind being a Black leader on campus. He breaks down what it means to build a community that lasts, the challenges he’s faced, and the vision he has for taking NABA to the next level.Whether you’ve been in NABA for years or you’re just finding your place, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.