Meet Felicia Ford

We recently connected with Felicia Ford and have shared our conversation below.

Felicia, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I first became aware of how people saw me in kindergarten. One of my closest friends pointed at my skin and told me I was Black. She held her arm next to mine and said, “Look!” That moment stayed with me, and when I got home, I raised my arm beside my mom’s to compare. She looked at me and asked, “What are you doing, little girl?” It was in that moment I asked her what it meant to be Black. Even though my skin was lighter than hers, I told her I wanted to be the same complexion.

I grew up surrounded by diversity—within my family, friend groups, and academic environments. In my gifted programming, I was one of the few Black students, but race wasn’t something I thought about. I was celebrated for my creativity, academic achievements, athleticism, and leadership. These experiences gave me a solid sense of self and taught me that my value wasn’t tied to external labels. While proud of my Indigenous, and Afro-Latina heritage, I was me, and that was enough.

It wasn’t until my 30s and 40s that I noticed others viewing me differently. The rooms I walked into felt familiar to me, but for others, my presence disrupted their expectations of who belonged there. I encountered implicit bias and moments of being underestimated. But those experiences taught me that these reactions were more about the limits of other people’s perspectives, not a reflection of who I am.

Traveling across Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and throughout the U.S. broadened my worldview and reinforced this understanding. Being the only one who looks like me in a room is not a disadvantage, but it’s a reminder of the breadth of my experiences and perspectives. I’ve learned not to shrink or change myself to fit anyone’s preconceived notions. Whether it’s my race, height, hair, or lived experiences, I know my value. Even without titles or material wealth, I am enough because I am who I am.

I’ve never sought external validation, and that has been key to my success. My presence in these rooms isn’t by chance—it’s intentional. It’s a result of my hard work, the life I’ve built, and the values I carry. I belong in every space I enter, not because someone gave me permission, but because I am who I am—and that’s all the permission I need.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

At Felicia Ford & Co.®, we operate at the intersection of business strategy, media, storytelling, and community, transforming how businesses grow, engage, and serve. We design a continuum of meaningful touchpoints where our clients build brand awareness, grow their community, and leave people and organizations better equipped to thrive independently. Sometimes that journey culminates in earned media, an event, or a strategic collaboration. Whether it’s an entire campaign or a specific experience, our work starts with the belief that every brand has the potential to become iconic, and we focus on making that happen.

My Story & Professional Focus
I move in seasons. A season ended, and it was a culmination of good, once-in-a-lifetime things. If you’re a creative, you understand that the end of a creation period or the completion of a project can feel like both a grieving and a birthing moment. The energy that follows needs somewhere to go. I decided I was giving myself as much time as I needed to rest, realign, and decide what I wanted to build next.

More than a decade ago, I recognized that I was no longer called to be in the trenches, working directly within systems. Throughout that time, I moved across spaces—higher education, mental health, human services, and nonprofits—often as a strategist, consultant, or partner rather than someone embedded within them. I knew that my role was evolving, and the best way I could create lasting change wasn’t by doing the work on the ground but by influencing decisions, designing strategies, and leading from the front.

When you’re a changemaker working in spaces shaped by dysfunction, trauma, or toxicity, it’s inevitable that you need to retreat from the darkness to reignite your light. I reached a point where I had to be intentional about the type of changemakers I was meant to serve. Boundaries became one of the highest forms of self-care for me. I stumbled at times setting those boundaries, but eventually, they became nonnegotiable.

I realized that while I love to inject life into spaces that need it, I needed a better balance. I wanted to be able to offer my gifts where they were needed occasionally, like serving on a board or in an advisory capacity, but my professional work needed to be in spaces where creativity, forward movement, and functioning environments were the standard, not the exception.

The change makers I’ve always worked with want change, but sometimes, even when the options are in front of them, they may struggle to advance to their next level because of imposter syndrome, systemic limitations, environmental factors, or a disconnect from their own identity. The real shift for me happened when I recognized the environments where I could thrive and offer my best work. I need to work alongside others who bring energy, ideas, and joy. Those are the spaces where I feel most alive and can truly make a difference.

As a philanthropist and strategist, my way of contributing is by thinking, influencing, and solving problems. I know the challenges of “being in the trenches” because I’ve been on that side. But I also know what it feels like to grow, and outgrow.

How I Serve Now
That clarity made room for new ways to serve. One of those became Strategic Edge Magazine Power Moves for Businesses + Nonprofits. I originally developed this magazine as a tool for my clients, but it quickly became a platform to connect with change makers beyond my immediate community. As the creator and editor-in-chief, I designed the magazine as a resource where readers can engage with strategies, ideas, and real-world examples that speak directly to their challenges they can adapt and apply in their work right now.

Long before the magazine, I felt the need to recognize change makers who are doing the quiet work without the glamor, fanfare, or recognition that tends to grab headlines. I sit at tables where decisions impact millions of lives, and I see firsthand how the most meaningful work often happens qielty in the background. It’s an honor to work alongside the unsung heroes, some whose names you’ll never know, some who desire anonymity, and others who simply stay out of the spotlight. Their stories needed to be told.

That same desire is what led to the launch of the podcast Impact Innovators with Felicia Ford. Through guest interviews and solo episodes, the podcast feels like you’re sitting in a high-level, no-fluff masterclass in real time. Both the podcast and the magazine are ways to share stories that are relevant, valuable, and evergreen. They capture the essence of people making big decisions, coordinating with city leaders, and keeping communities safe, thriving, and operational.

What Makes My Work Special
One of the most exciting aspects of what I do is meeting, connecting, and going alongside the change makers I meet. They invite me into their world. There’s this immediate connectivity, sometimes it’s more exhilarating than others, but there’s a synergy and a synchronicity, where I’m simultaneously getting to know them and understanding them. If they become a client, then we take that foundation and maximize it times 10. The longer we work together, the larger the multiplicity of that initial engagement where we’re building trust and understanding.

This is special because this level of engagement and work is deeply personal and intentional. As we build strategies, launch campaigns, or create new initiatives, we also uncover areas for personal alignment and clarity. Professional growth doesn’t happen in isolation from personal growth. The more self-aware leaders are, the more effectively they can lead and grow their organizations. This level of engagement can feel a lot like being a doula to a new mother—there’s discomfort and messiness, but also incredible joy and transformation. I’m there through all of it—with a plan, an announcement, and a celebration—and sometimes I get to stay for the milestones that follow.

What’s Next
Looking ahead, there are exciting developments for both me and my businesses. I’m stepping into a new season of growth as a 2024-2025 Cornerstone Mentor for the Milestone Circles Program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. This opportunity aligns with my passion for mentoring and supporting changemakers, giving me the chance to guide entrepreneurs through pivotal milestones in their journeys. I’m also expanding my other brands—National Black Girl Month and Briar & Honey—as part of my mission to foster creativity, innovation, and change.

The next issue of Strategic Edge: Power Moves for Businesses + Nonprofits, themed Golden Hour, will spotlight Black creatives, entrepreneurs, and philanthropic efforts and releases November 2024. We’re also expanding our strategic partnerships and opening new sponsorship and advertising opportunities for both of these platforms.

In addition, we’re introducing a new tiered service model for campaign work through Momentum Icon™ Accelerator, which will allow us to better serve our clients with custom strategies. These initiatives reflect my belief that every brand and every changemaker has the potential to create extraordinary things. My job is to help them recognize that potential, strategize around it, and bring it to life.

Meet Felicia Ford

I’m a disruptor, Growth Strategist, and Change-Maker. As the Founder of Felicia Ford & Co.®, I’m a double Ivy League alum, a Top Forty Under 40 honoree, a contributor to local and global boards, and lead in philanthropic work. With a knack for high-performance conversations, I excel in guiding growth in business, personal and professional development. As an Agency Fellow alumna from the Strategic Data Project at the Center for Educational Policy Research, Harvard University and Minus 9 to 5 Steering Committee Member at Eastern Virginia Medical School, I leverage data to eliminate systemic breakdowns and empower individuals, children, and families.

Outside of work, I recharge through seaside staycations, quality time with family, and deepening my faith journey.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

If I had to name the three things that shaped my journey the most, it would be the ability to adapt to changing environments, learning when to say yes or no to opportunities, and understanding myself well enough to make intentional decisions. These weren’t lessons I picked up all at once. They were things I discovered over time, moving through spaces as different as the music industry, nonprofits, juvenile justice, corporate settings, and higher education.

Learning to adapt was essential. Whether I was managing tours, advising nonprofits, or consulting with systems that needed change, each environment demanded something different. I couldn’t apply the same approach everywhere, so I had to figure out how to shift my methods without losing my sense of direction. For anyone just starting out, I’d say to let go of rigid expectations. Embrace what each moment requires and learn to navigate change with curiosity rather than resistance. That’s where growth happens.

Understanding how to decide which opportunities to pursue took time. Early on, I said yes to everything, thinking that every opportunity could lead to something bigger. But over time, I realized that constantly saying yes came at the expense of my time, energy, and focus. The real value came when I started evaluating whether an opportunity aligned with my long-term goals or if it was simply a distraction. If you’re new in your journey, give yourself permission to pause before committing. Taking a moment to ask whether something adds value to your path will save you from spreading yourself too thin.

Knowing myself has been the foundation for everything. I learned that I work best in environments filled with energy and collaboration, not in spaces where I have to generate the momentum on my own. That awareness has shaped how I build my work today. It’s not just about doing the work; it’s about doing it in a way that feels sustainable. For those starting out, I’d suggest paying attention to where your energy flows naturally. The more you learn about yourself, the easier it becomes to create a career and life that fit who you are, not who others expect you to be.

These lessons came with time and experience, often through moments of trial and reflection. It’s not about mastering everything at once but about being open to what each step teaches you. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just stay committed to learning and trust that every experience, even the messy ones, is part of your growth.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did was show me what it means to live with authenticity, generosity, and intention. They’ve always put family first, but they also nurtured their marriage and pursued their passions as individuals. Watching them navigate life this way gave me permission to create my own path, follow my curiosity, and learn through experience—sometimes through mistakes. They’ve always been present, even when I thought I didn’t need them, and when I did need something and expressed it, they did what they could to show up. This balance between involvement and independence taught me so much about relationships, resilience, and trust.

These lessons show up every day in how I approach my work. I believe in building relationships that matter, and that’s exactly how I work with my clients. We’re not just executing strategies; we’re stepping into an intentional partnership where trust, accountability, and honest collaboration are essential. My ideal client isn’t afraid of ambition. I love working with people who bring energy and ideas to the table and want a partner who challenges them to think beyond what’s comfortable. It’s important that they’re open to feedback, willing to trust the process, and ready to push through the messy parts to achieve something greater.

What makes this work exciting is the synergy that develops. When the connection between my team and the client is strong, the results are exponential, and the journey becomes something you can’t quite describe. If you’re the type of business or brand that likes to play big, bring the story, and we’ll bring the spotlight.

My parents’ influence has shaped how I build community, both personally and professionally. Whether with family or clients, it’s about showing up fully and building something that lasts. I work best with clients who share that same drive to create something meaningful—those who understand that the journey is as important as the destination and who are ready to embrace the process, trusting that the outcome will be worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://feliciafordandco.com
• Instagram: @feliciafordandco
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/friendscallmefe
• Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/company/feliciafordandco