Dr. Geneva Williams

Welcome and Introduction to Dr. Geneva Williams

Taryell Simmons: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another episode of Rise Urban Nation. I have a special guest in the building today who needs no introduction: Dr. Geneva is in the house. You look amazing. How are you doing today?

Dr. Geneva Williams: I am doing just fine. Thank you so much, Taryell, for having me here. I am so excited.

Taryell Simmons: I am excited to have you too because you are a ball of energy and you have your own podcast as well. For those who may not have had the pleasure and privilege to meet you, who is Dr. Geneva? Where should we start?

Roots of Leadership in Community and Family

Dr. Geneva Williams: Dr. Geneva is from a small town on the Jersey Shore. I grew up on the beach with sand between my toes and the boardwalk. It was a close-knit community where my sister and I used to feel that all the adults held meetings about us. They were always asking questions and seemed to know everything about us, whether it was the candy store owner, people at church, or the school janitor. We used to think it was a conspiracy, but as I grew up, I realized it was a caring community with a consensus among adults about their shared responsibility to ensure young people grew up in a supportive environment.

Dr. Geneva Williams: Juxtapose that with my parents, who were civil rights activists and everyday leaders. My mother was a teacher and my father was a government worker, and they believed strongly that their purpose was to open doors for others. I learned leadership and community responsibility at a very young age. Who I am today is the combination of those two dynamics: a caring community and strong leadership dedicated to opening doors of opportunity. Add to that, I am a mother, a grandmother, a widow after forty wonderful years of marriage, and I live on the Detroit riverfront, where being near the water remains my happy place.

Taryell Simmons: That is a beautiful tapestry. You have an incredible background that makes you who you are, and you look amazing. Community is at the forefront of everything I do as well. When the pandemic hit, the sense of community shifted dramatically. How was that experience for you, and how did community shift in your life and work?

Pivoting Through Uncertainty and the Pandemic

Dr. Geneva Williams: Like so many others, I experienced the heaviness of uncertainty during those initial months. It was something none of us had experienced before. In my work coaching entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders around their next steps, helping people find certainty in the midst of total uncertainty was a massive challenge. At the same time, I was running a community development organization where our work relied entirely on face-to-face connection with residents, businesses, and church members. We had to pivot, reinvent ourselves, and reimagine how to stay connected. We learned profound lessons through that period of disconnection, and now we are actively rebuilding those vital relationships.

Taryell Simmons: I learned many lessons through that transition too. This podcast was born out of it, and I began working more directly with leaders. I realized many leaders needed help because they were playing it safe. In your work, what are the primary disadvantages of playing it safe?

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone to Grow

Dr. Geneva Williams: The biggest disadvantage is that you cannot grow. Growth takes place outside of our comfort cave. That cave feels safe, warm, and familiar, so we think it is a happy zone, but we do not develop unless we step out into the unknown. Stepping out is where you learn and build the confidence factor to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from failure.

Dr. Geneva Williams: Consider professional basketball players like LeBron James practicing free throws. The more they practice, miss, adjust, and succeed, the more confidence they gain to take deeper shots from across the court. Life, career, and entrepreneurship work the exact same way. If we do not step outside our comfort zone and take those shots, our growth remains stunted.

Taryell Simmons: Stepping outside that zone is critical. On the flip side, having the right people in your corner is equally essential. What is the importance of having a strong support network?

Building a Support Network, Sponsorship, and Self-Love

Dr. Geneva Williams: Having a support network is essential, but it must be the right combination of people. First, you need unconditional cheerleaders who will support you no matter what happens. Second, you need subject matter experts who provide technical advice and experience. Third, you need trusted advisors who give constructive feedback you might not always want to hear.

Dr. Geneva Williams: Beyond that core group, there are two crucial dynamics. One is building relationships outside your immediate circle, seeking mentors and sponsors who can open new doors. The second dynamic, which is rarely discussed, is how we support ourselves. You must become your own best friend, love yourself deeply, and cultivate self-awareness. Theoretical leader Max De Pree noted that the greatest leaders are self-developed: they understand their core values, recognize limiting beliefs, listen to themselves, and eliminate negative self-talk. Knowing who you are is fundamental to becoming your best self.

Taryell Simmons: That self-awareness is key to unlocking higher levels of confidence and stepping into new opportunities. What would you say is your personal superpower?

Dr. Geneva Williams: My superpower is caring deeply about others. I am an active listener, and whenever I listen, my focus is immediately on how I can facilitate conversations to help you become your best self. The other side of that coin is making a tangible impact—especially for young people—by opening doors of opportunity and serving as an accessible role model.

Advancing Women of Color in Entrepreneurship

Taryell Simmons: Through my work with Village Up on founder impact reports, we see how underrepresented and underfunded women of color are in business. Many struggle with imposter syndrome and mental health in male-dominated spaces. Why does this dynamic persist, and how can we better support female founders?

Dr. Geneva Williams: Women, especially Black women, are leading the surge in entrepreneurship today. Many are launching ventures to fulfill lifelong dreams and escape workplace racism, sexism, and ageism. However, significant structural obstacles remain. The most prominent is the lack of access to capital, as women face higher scrutiny for business loans due to institutional bias and exclusion from deal-making networks.

Dr. Geneva Williams: Additionally, female entrepreneurs face heavy work-life balance pressures because they frequently manage caregiving, household responsibilities, and business operations simultaneously. Imposter syndrome also creeps in when women are the first or only person of color in the room. To change this, allies must move beyond mentorship to active sponsorship. When you are on the golf course or in executive meetings, speak up, endorse her work, and help secure the contract. We must also open financial networks with angel investors and bankers, and intentionally patronize women-owned businesses in our communities.

Taryell Simmons: Mentorship, sponsorship, and patronizing businesses—I have those written down. Who has supported you on your journey, and do you have mentors who help your personal growth?

Standing on the Shoulders of Mentors and Ancestors

Dr. Geneva Williams: I stand on the shoulders of thousands of people who came before me. When I transitioned into entrepreneurship after forty years in the nonprofit sector, I hired professional coaches who helped me navigate self-doubt and clarify my strategy. I also rely on informal mentors, inspirational peers, and memories of community figures like Mr. Brown, my elementary school janitor, who always checked in on my progress. When challenges arise, practicing gratitude and reflecting on those who guided you provides the courage to keep pushing forward.

Taryell Simmons: We are our ancestors' wildest dreams. We bring the collective wisdom of everyone who supported us into every room we enter. When you reflect on your path, what was the hardest way for you to learn?

Dr. Geneva Williams: The hardest way for me to learn is being uninvolved or detached. I learn best when my mind, heart, and spirit are fully engaged. Whether reading leadership books, enjoying mysteries, or connecting with purpose-driven leaders like you, active connection is essential for my personal growth.

Strategies for Getting Unstuck and Prioritizing Self-Care

Taryell Simmons: What encouragement would you offer to an entrepreneur or leader who currently feels stuck?

Dr. Geneva Williams: First, recognize that feeling stuck or overwhelmed is completely natural; nothing is wrong with you. Second, give yourself permission to pause and dream: ask yourself what you would do if you knew you could not fail. Third, create a structured game plan with clear goals and actionable steps. Fourth, invest heavily in self-care. Overwhelm often triggers anxiety and cyclical negative thinking, so prioritize drinking water, getting adequate sleep, setting firm boundaries, and saying no when necessary. Shifting your energy by doing something you love every day, such as turning on music and dancing for fifteen minutes, transforms your mindset completely.

From Social Work to Late-Life Entrepreneurship

Taryell Simmons: That shift in energy makes all the difference. Many young people think having a degree means immediately stepping into a six-figure salary. What was your very first job, and how did your career unfold?

Dr. Geneva Williams: My first work experience was volunteering as a teacher's assistant with Head Start because my mother insisted I learn to give before receiving. My summer jobs included working as a Sears cashier, camp counselor, and museum usher. My first full-time professional role was working in Philadelphia with street gangs for the Governor's Justice Commission to develop grant proposals that kept youth out of the criminal justice system.

Dr. Geneva Williams: I originally planned to become an English teacher like my mother, but realized during student teaching it was not my path. A sorority sister encouraged me to apply for an affirmative action fellowship in social work at Bryn Mawr College, and I stumbled into my life's purpose. I spent over forty years leading nonprofit organizations and raising millions of dollars for community initiatives. In my late sixties, I transitioned into entrepreneurship to build my own platform, proving that career paths are non-linear journeys driven by passion and purpose.

Three Pillars of Success and Drinking While You Pour

Taryell Simmons: When you lead with purpose and value, opportunities follow. What are the key pillars that guided your career success?

Dr. Geneva Williams: The first pillar is maintaining faith, spiritual grounding, and belief in your purpose. The second is committing to lifelong learning and striving for excellence in your craft. The third, especially for women, is mastering the discipline of drinking while you pour. Women are naturally nurturing, which is a modern leadership strength, but you cannot pour from an empty cup. You must actively replenish your physical, emotional, and mental energy while serving others.

Current Projects, Books, and How to Connect

Taryell Simmons: You cannot pour from an empty cup; that is a powerful truth. What current projects are you working on, and where can our listeners find you?

Dr. Geneva Williams: You can find me across social platforms @DrGenevaSpeaks and on my website. I recently launched an intensive three-session coaching program designed to help leaders clarify their vision and establish sustainable goals. I host the podcast Ignite 2 Impact, and I have published eight books, including my latest goal-setting guide for entrepreneurs. I also continue consulting with nonprofit leaders on board development, strategic planning, and fundraising, having recently been recognized by Crain's Detroit Business as one of the Most Notable Women in Nonprofits.

Taryell Simmons: Dr. Geneva, it has been an absolute honor having you on Rise Urban Nation. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, energy, and leadership with our community.