Build Your Table: Why Black Women Must Own Their Career Journey
I recently had the absolute pleasure of guest hosting the Career Sistas Podcast and sat down with the incredible Beverly Vanterpool, Founder and CEO of Career Sistas and author of the book Build Your Table. This was one of those conversations that leaves you feeling inspired, motivated and empowered to take ownership of your own career journey. Beverly’s story is one of transformation, resilience and leadership. When I first connected with Beverly for this episode, I was struck by how authentic and grounded she is. She began her career in accounting, a profession that often rewards precision and quiet diligence. Beverly admitted that she started out as someone who was hesitant to speak up, someone who often questioned her place in professional spaces. Over time, however, she made the choice to embrace her voice and she went from being a shy accountant to becoming a confident leader who has been building her personal brand and is now the author of a book who encourages others to stop waiting for permission and start building opportunities for themselves.
Her book Build Your Table could not have a more fitting title, too often we are told to wait for a seat at the table, to hope that someone else will give us access to opportunities. In our conversation, she explained how powerful it can be when you stop waiting to be chosen and instead choose yourself. I was particularly moved by Beverly’s reflections on being a woman of colour in professional environments. She spoke openly about the barriers that exist but also about the strength that comes from navigating them.
What I loved most about my conversation with Beverly was that she did not simply share her story, she shared lessons that Black women can genuinely apply to their own lives and careers. There was something incredibly powerful about hearing advice that came not from theory, but from lived experience. She spoke candidly about finding your voice in professional spaces, building authentic relationships and staying true to yourself while navigating environments that do not always make room for you. Too often, Black women are expected to adapt quietly, to shrink parts of themselves in order to succeed, but Beverly’s perspective challenged that entirely. Her message was clear: authenticity is not a weakness in leadership, it is the foundation of it.
Something else that also stayed with me was the importance of Black women owning their own journeys instead of waiting for external validation. So many of Black women have been conditioned to believe we need permission before stepping into bigger opportunities or claiming space. We wait for someone else to recognise our value, to say yes, to tell us we are ready but listening to Beverly was a reminder that real growth often begins when we stop waiting. We have the ability to create opportunities for ourselves, to shape the spaces we are in and to lead in ways that feel authentic to who we are. That does not always mean leaving organisations or starting from scratch, sometimes it means creating the environment you need to thrive exactly where you are.
The conversation also reinforced something I think is incredibly important: the challenges Black women face can become part of our leadership story rather than something that holds us back. Beverly spoke about adversity not as a limitation, but as something that can sharpen resilience, perspective and confidence. That is why these conversations matter so much. They remind Black women that our voices, experiences and ambitions deserve to take up space. Owning your journey is not just about personal success, it’s about refusing to minimise yourself in rooms that benefit from your presence and your leadership.
Hosting this conversation was such a privilege particularly since I don’t have my own podcast, for Beverly to share space with me in this way was an honour. I wanted to make sure that listeners walked away not only inspired but also equipped with tools they can put into action. Beverly’s wisdom, her courage and her commitment to empower others came through so clearly and I absolutely loved being able to discuss the influence of culture and heritage.
If you have ever felt overlooked, undervalued or unsure of how to step into your own power, this episode is for you. Beverly shows us that confidence is not something you are born with. It is something you cultivate by making brave choices, surrounding yourself with supportive people and refusing to shrink in the face of challenges.
The Career Sistas Podcast continues to be a platform that amplifies voices and shares empowering stories, and this episode is one I will remember for a long time. I encourage you to listen, take notes and allow Beverly’s journey to inspire your own.