Cosplaying, Code-Switching & Choosing Yourself

What happens when the version of yourself that helped you succeed is no longer the version of yourself you recognize? In this episode of Black Women S.A.V.E.

Black Women , Kamika Dillard sits down with personal branding strategist Melanie Denny for an honest conversation about authenticity, identity, entrepreneurship and the pressure Black women face to perform professionalism. For years, Melanie built a successful business by presenting herself in ways she believed corporate audiences would trust and accept.

But after a high-risk twin pregnancy, postpartum depression and a season of personal reflection, she realized she had become disconnected from her own identity. Together, Kamika and Melanie discuss code-switching, personal branding, corporate expectations and what it means to choose yourself instead of constantly performing for acceptance.

They also explore how Black women can build businesses, careers and brands that reflect their true values rather than someone else's definition of success. The biggest lesson?

Success isn't worth losing yourself. The most powerful brand you'll ever build is one that's rooted in who you really are.

About Melanie Denny Melanie Denny is a personal branding strategist who helps established Black women experts stop performing professionalism and build authentic brands that attract the right clients. After 13 years of building her resume-writing business around a corporate persona, motherhood and postpartum depression led her to rediscover her identity and rebuild her business around who she truly is.

She holds a BS in Business, an MBA and certifications in digital brand strategy, content marketing, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and DEI. Connect with Melanie: Sponsor By My Beautiful Fluff: The Kreative Klub: 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗸𝗮: Kamika Dillard is an ACC-certified professional coach, CEO of Fail Forward Coaching and host of the Black Women S.A.V.E.

Black Women Podcast . Through her coaching framework, she empowers Black women and leaders to navigate career transitions, overcome setbacks and build unshakeable confidence without burnout.

She is dedicated to creating sanctuary spaces that Support, Amplify, Validate and Elevate Black women across every sphere of life. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗮𝘁: LinkedIn: Instagram: Subscribe to Black Women S.A.V.E. Black Women on YouTube and Instagram.

Share this episode with a sister who needs it, and join the movement to amplify our stories. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: Interested in sharing your story? Apply here: Support.

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Elevate.