Client Testimonials

B_List Living & Empowerment

"Meeting Khalilah Lyons has been professionally life changing. Despite having over 20 years of experience in my field, I didn't quite understand the value of my experience, expertise, and education. I was truly selling myself short. Khalilah helped me to realize my professional worth. To identify what I needed and wanted out of my career, and to feel empowered to be firm in leveraging my value to ask for it. And ultimately, to get it."

-Executive Director, Confidential Client

"Confidence and knowledgeability are two remarkable qualities that Khalilah possesses and imparts. Undoubtedly, my first contract and expectations for ones to follow would have taken a markedly different shape without Khalilah's support. In our first meeting, Khalilah was transparent and direct about the nuances and discomforts associated with addressing financial matters. She helped me to better assess not only what my fees should and could be, but why they should be so. Understanding this 'why' was transformative, reshaping my perspective on money and, in turn, bolstering my confidence and empowering me to establish a fee structure that accurately reflected my value.

Khalilah's expertise and support played pivotal roles in redirecting my trajectory fiscally and as a business owner. I am genuinely grateful that our paths crossed when they did!"

-Aminat S.

"What made you trust me? What made me trust you is your authenticity and your ability to listen deeply without judgment. From the very beginning, you demonstrated a genuine commitment to my growth, paired with your practical and no-nonsense approach. Your relationship with God and the positive energy and spirit you bring into every interaction makes it clear that your guidance comes from a place of purpose and integrity. That combination of care, clarity, spirituality, and credibility made it easy to trust you."

- Dr. Adrienne Smith

Client Relationships & Strategy

"Khalilah brings so much expertise but it’s her ability to connect in a real and genuine way and to meet people where they are that truly sets her apart! I have greatly enjoyed our partnership and the innovative ways she approaches her work and it’s icing on the cake that we’ve developed a genuine friendship along the way."

-Molly Sjostrom, General Mills

"Khalilah is my go-to human for thoughtful, informed, and engaging discussion around human-centered conversations. She is a wealth of knowledge and experience and really listens. She also works to provide vetted resources and material that is tailored to our audience. Khalilah’s energy, passion, and spirit are infectious and we are lucky to benefit from her partnership!"

-Annie Rezac, Diversity Officer at Ulteig

"Khalilah years of experience in the DEI space, as well as a vast understanding of corporate America and the archetypes of organizational leaders and team dynamics, makes her the exact right person to help me grow in a brand new direction in my career after 20+ years."

-Ramona Powell, emerging DEI leader

Culture Shifts

"Khalilah’s expertise and approach is unmatched and has allowed us to actualize our mission and commitment to being an anti-racist, multicultural organization, that strategically promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. She creates psychologically, safe spaces that allow leaders to unpack, learn, and share, promoting collaboration, and a sense of belonging. As a result, the investment we have made in our team members will also advance social change in the communities we serve."

-CEO of YWCA Evanston North Shore

"Khalilah Lyons has been essential to my overall career growth and the success of my company’s corporate culture initiatives. Since we lacked in-house expertise we hired Khalilah to help us through our organizational strategy to be a more inclusive workspace. Khalilah’s knowledge and expertise in navigating the corporate environment, especially as it relates to handling difficult and sensitive subject matter, has led to the success of our company’s’ inclusion initiatives. Khalilah has an excellent way of facilitating meetings, ensuring every voice is heard. Encouraging all to participate, share and contribute to the conversations. She is an expert on human relations and is an excellent communicator, with an uncanny ability to dig deeper into issues and enable people to speak up with honesty and courage as we strive to listen and respect one another. Khalilah does not shy away from the difficult tasks and understands that conversations about a person’s identity, whether it be race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality etc, can be extremely private and sensitive, so she leads with empathy and compassion to create environments where people feel heard, included and are provided the space to be brave and courageous. Khalilah has shared her vast resources and wealth of knowledge openly. She provides resources and tools that have been instrumental to my development and learning in this space. I am so fortunate to be able to work with her and to consult with her on all things related to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Whether it’s a discussion about world events, or how to navigate the corporate environment with these sensitive issues, Khalilah provides confident and knowledgeable responses that will help any one do wonders in this space."

- EDI Manager, Confidential Client

"Khalilah has created a safe space for difficult conversations and established a place of peace for those of us who do not know where to start. Through her guidance, I have been able to face difficult patterns of behavior within my own life as well as help those I love to break through the noise and understand how inclusion and awareness can be authentically woven through life. Because of working with her, my network has begun to live a more authentic, aware and present existence. Thank you for the guidance and patience Khalilah!"

- SVP of Customer Experience, Global Marketing Boutique

"Khalilah led our team in an engaging and impactful discussion on why diversity, equity and inclusion matter to all of us. Her workshop created a safe environment for individuals to speak up and share their personal experiences. Throughout the workshop, Khalilah provided relatable and specific examples to how unconscious bias impacts our day-to-day decisions and ways we can be more aware and mitigate these biases. The workshops left attendees with concrete actions they can take to be leaders within their individual roles at the firm."

- Diversity leader at Grant Thornton

"We have been very fortunate to work with Khalilah Lyons in developing our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion program and EDI education for both our Board and staff. As an EDI leader Khalilah is engaging, insightful and is helping us move this important work forward. Khalilah creates safe spaces for people to be able to be their authentic selves, be vulnerable and open to learning. I truly appreciate Khalilah’s expertise and her passion for this work."

- CHRO, Confidential Client

Leadership Coaching

"Khalilah is the best facilitator of corporate culture and leadership discussions I have ever met. Her ability to facilitate difficult culture discussions empowers her clients to better understand their organizations and the motivations and needs of their teams. Her approach to DEI and culture discussions is unique and very realistic.

I have had the opportunity to work with Khalilah for the last few years and I think we both learn a lot from each other with each interaction. I highly recommend Khalilah to any organization as a consultant, keynote speaker and someone who can provide better visibility into the culture of your organization."

- Adam Parks, Founder/CEO

"Khalilah is a dynamic consultant and partner for our team as we work to ensure the DEI conversation is integrated into our work. She is responsive, energetic and non-judgmental in her approach. Khalilah ensures that each person feels heard and validated, but she is not afraid to respectfully challenge us as a team or individuals."

-Managing Partner at HPS Consulting

"Khalilah’s confidence and expertise were a game-changer for me, both as a leader and business owner. From our very first session, she not only helped me navigate the complexities of financial decisions but coached me to stand confidently in my value. Khalilah’s direct and transparent approach challenged me to step into my role as a leader, understanding not just what my fees should be but the deeper ‘why’ behind them. This shift in mindset transformed how I view my worth, empowering me to establish a fee structure that truly reflects my impact. Her coaching didn’t just reshape my financial approach—it empowered me to lead my business with clarity and conviction. I’m deeply grateful for her guidance."

- CEO of Confidential Client

"Khalilah’s executive coaching was transformative during a pivotal interview process. She guided me to uncover my authentic self and share my career story from the inside out, focusing on what truly makes me unique. This shift gave me the confidence to walk into my interviews with purpose—and I received an offer. If you need a coach who can help you own your worth and communicate it powerfully, Khalilah is the one."

-Chief Compliance Officer, DreamFi

"Khalilah is walking inspiration! When she walks into a room, the energy instantly transforms the space into a positive environment. As a professional colleague and coach, Khalilah implements great coaching techniques and provides tools to reach the goal while being effective. She motivates individuals to move out of their comfort zone, challenge the status quo, and provide structure on how to visualize and materialize their goals. Khalilah practices active listening and builds trust. Overall, Khalilah is natural at encouraging those around her to blossom and reach their full potential."

-Board Member, Confidential Client

"Coaching with Khalilah has taken my leadership to the next level. She has helped me get clear about who I am as a leader and provides real advice on navigating leadership challenges. After each coaching session, I feel empowered to take action using the many tools and strategies she provides. Every women leader needs Khalilah as their coach so they can fully step into their greatness!"

- Kandice Cole, Global Executive Director for Narrative 4

"Khalilah has a spark and style that creates an instant connection. She welcomed me in to sharing my anti-racism learning and parenting journey on Candidly Connecting and made sharing my story with her community so comfortable. She has a passion for unlocking stories with love and without judgment - and helping us all connect with more authenticity. Whatever Khaliliah lights up in this world, I want to be a part of it!"

- Maria Ross, Speaker, Author, Workshop Leader, Podcast Host, and Empathy Advocate

Speaking Engagements

"Khalilah not only created psychological safety and a space of vulnerability during her session but also provided so much wisdom about living life through the 'B' list. She gave so many great ways for participants to put things into action and shift the mindset of 'having life happen to you' to 'life is happening FOR you'. I look forward to having Khalilah come back to lead more sessions and would recommend to anyone who is hoping to bring awareness about navigating challenging times."

-Jyl Feliciano, Global VP of Diversity Equity Inclusion at Highspot

Other

"Khalilah's attendance at the Inaugural City of Evanston's Workforce Development Symposium was a great introduction to setting the standard for workforce development in this community. Her expertise, authentic approach and gracious guidance unequivocally initiated conversation on how to re-envision workforce development, providing local leaders in attendance with substantial wisdom to fuel their understanding of how to better support the local workforce through programming and services. Many local leaders expressed their fascination with her key points, stating they were well-digestible and confident in seeing a progressive future for workforce development in this community. Thank you Khalilah for your amazing work and for being a beacon of light to the future of workforce development in Evanston!

- Jessica Cooper, MBA; Workforce Development Manager

"As a thought leader, Khalilah not only delivers, but elevates difficult conversations within organizations masterfully by creating learning and exchange opportunities in a psychologically safe environment, while building lasting partnership opportunities."

- STORYBOLT

"Khalilah is a strategic DEI thought-leader that eloquently connects with audiences in a way that allows them to unlock new learnings centered around diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging topics. Khalilah humanizes DEI concepts so that they are relatable and effectively reach employees where they are in their personal DEI journey."

- 3Q DIGITAL