Tia Upshaw
Tia Upshaw is a dynamic force in the world of entrepreneurship, leadership, and empowerment. As a highly sought-after speaker, facilitator, and educator, Tia brings unparalleled expertise, passion, and authenticity to every stage, classroom, and boardroom she enters. With a proven track record of inspiring and transforming individuals and organizations, Tia is the ideal choice for your next event, workshop, or training session.
About Tia Upshaw:
Tia is not just a speaker—she is a movement. As the founder and CEO of Blk Women in Excellence, Tia has built a powerful platform dedicated to uplifting and empowering Black women entrepreneurs. Her journey from a single mother navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship to becoming a celebrated author, serial entrepreneur, and media personality is a testament to her resilience, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
With a wealth of experience spanning multiple industries, Tia has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including Business Leader of the Year by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, RBC Woman of Influence, and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Rocky Jones Award. Her work has not only driven economic growth in her community but has also set a new standard for inclusive leadership and social impact.
Tia’s ability to connect with diverse audiences and deliver actionable insights has made her a trusted voice on topics such as resilience in entrepreneurship, authentic leadership, and the power of community. Whether she’s delivering a keynote address, facilitating a workshop, or teaching a masterclass, Tia’s engaging style and deep expertise leave a lasting impact on her audience.
Why Book Tia?
Expertise: Tia brings a wealth of knowledge in entrepreneurship, leadership, and empowerment, with a focus on actionable strategies that drive real results.
Inspiration: Tia’s personal journey and authentic storytelling resonate deeply with audiences, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and pursue their own paths to success.
Engagement: Tia’s dynamic and interactive approach ensures that every session is not only informative but also engaging and memorable.
Impact: With a commitment to fostering inclusion and empowerment, Tia’s work has a lasting positive impact on individuals and communities.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Resilience & Rest
In this inspiring keynote, Tia shares her journey of resilience, from being a single mother on social assistance to becoming an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and community leader. She delves into the delicate balance between pushing hard in business and knowing when to rest, using powerful analogies and practical strategies. Highlighting the work of Black Women in Excellence, Tia emphasizes the importance of building community, fostering resilience, and prioritizing self-care to sustain long-term success. Let’s explore how to embrace challenges, redefine rest, and thrive together.
Resilience as a Woman in Business
Resilience is the backbone of every woman navigating the challenges of business. It’s the ability to adapt, pivot, and push forward despite setbacks, rejections, or societal expectations. As women in business, we often juggle multiple roles—entrepreneurs, leaders, mothers, and partners—all while breaking barriers and overcoming systemic biases.
Resilience isn’t just about enduring; it’s about thriving. It’s about turning obstacles into opportunities, failures into lessons, and doubts into determination.
The journey of resilience is a shared one. By building support networks, setting boundaries, and committing to personal growth, women in business not only succeed individually but also inspire future generations to pursue their dreams unapologetically. Resilience is our strength, our strategy, and our story.
Authentic Leadership in the Modern World
Tia explores what it means to lead authentically in today’s ever-changing and dynamic world. Authentic leadership is about staying true to your values, fostering trust, and creating environments where diversity, innovation, and collaboration thrive. Drawing from her journey as an entrepreneur, community leader, and advocate, she will share insights on balancing vulnerability with strength, navigating challenges with integrity, and leading with empathy and purpose.
Through powerful stories and actionable strategies, this talk will inspire audiences to embrace their authentic selves, build meaningful relationships, and leave a legacy of impact. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or an experienced one, this keynote will equip you with the tools and mindset to lead boldly and authentically in the modern world.
Resilience as the Backbone of Women in Business
Tia will delve into the power of resilience as the cornerstone for women navigating the challenges of business and leadership. Resilience is more than the ability to endure; it’s the capacity to adapt, pivot, and thrive despite setbacks, rejections, and societal expectations.
As women in business, we wear many hats—entrepreneurs, leaders, mothers, and partners—while breaking barriers and challenging systemic biases. Through personal stories, practical strategies, and inspiring examples, I’ll explore how resilience enables us to turn obstacles into opportunities, failures into lessons, and doubts into determination.
This keynote will also emphasize the importance of community, boundaries, and personal growth, offering actionable tools to build your own resilience and inspire others. Together, we’ll redefine what it means to thrive in business and pave the way for future generations to pursue their dreams unapologetically. Resilience is not just our strength—it’s our strategy and our story.
Building Inclusive Communities and Organizations
Explore the transformative power of inclusivity in creating thriving communities and organizations. Building inclusive environments isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity in today’s diverse and interconnected world. It requires intentionality, empathy, and a commitment to valuing every voice at the table.
Drawing from her own experiences as a community leader and entrepreneur, Tia shares actionable strategies for fostering inclusion, breaking down systemic barriers, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered. We’ll examine how inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens relationships, and cultivates resilience within organizations and communities alike.
This keynote will inspire leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers to reimagine how they engage with diversity—not just as a box to check, but as the foundation for sustainable growth and meaningful impact. Together, we’ll explore how to lead with purpose, embrace differences, and build inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.
Empowering Women in Business
Explore the unique challenges and incredible opportunities for women in business today. Empowerment isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about equipping ourselves with the tools, strategies, and confidence to thrive. From navigating systemic biases to balancing multiple roles as entrepreneurs, leaders, and caregivers, women in business have proven time and time again that resilience and determination are the keys to success.
Through personal stories, actionable insights, and inspiring examples, Tia highlights the importance of mentorship, building supportive networks, and fostering a mindset of growth and innovation. This keynote will empower women to embrace their strengths, break through barriers, and lead with purpose and authenticity.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your business, this talk will leave you inspired to take bold steps toward achieving your goals and paving the way for the next generation of women leaders. Empowerment is not just a choice—it’s a movement, and together, we can change the landscape of business for women everywhere.
Navigating the DEI Challenges of Entrepreneurship
In today’s world, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not just values to aspire to—they’re essential pillars of successful entrepreneurship. However, implementing DEI principles comes with its own set of challenges, from addressing unconscious biases to fostering genuine, inclusive culture within teams and communities.
In this keynote, Tia shares her journey of building businesses and organizations that champion DEI, including the lessons learned and strategies developed along the way. We’ll explore how to navigate the complexities of creating equitable opportunities, ensuring representation, and building authentic connections in the entrepreneurial space.
This talk will provide actionable insights into embedding DEI into your business model, fostering collaboration across diverse groups, and overcoming systemic barriers that limit growth and innovation. Whether you’re an entrepreneur just starting out or a seasoned leader, this keynote will inspire you to embrace DEI not just as a strategy but as a commitment to driving meaningful and sustainable impact. Together, let's build businesses that reflect the world we aspire to create.
My Journey, My Success – A Memoir by Tia
In this deeply personal keynote, I’ll take you on a journey through my life, sharing the defining moments that shaped me into the woman I am today. From overcoming challenges as a single mother starting with nothing to building award-winning businesses and becoming a leader in my community, my story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of transformation.
Through the highs and lows, the failures and triumphs, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about perseverance, mindset, and the importance of building a support network. I’ll share how I turned obstacles into opportunities, scaled businesses with purpose, and empowered others to chase their dreams unapologetically.
This keynote is not just a reflection of my past—it’s a celebration of what’s possible when you embrace your journey, own your story, and define success on your own terms. My hope is that my story will inspire you to take bold steps, trust your instincts, and create your own path to success. Because if I can do it, so can you. This is my journey, my success, and it’s only the beginning.