Navigating Crossroads LIVE - A Transformational Gathering for Black Women Redefining Success
On Saturday 29 November, something truly special happened at OPEN Ealing in West London. Over the course of a powerful, joy-filled afternoon, Black women from across industries, career stages, and personal journeys came together for Navigating Crossroads LIVE, the in-person culmination of our transformative Navigating Crossroads series.
This wasn’t just an event. It was a moment. A pause. A breath. A collective exhale.
A space where Black women could reconnect with themselves, each other, and the deeper definition of success that honours joy, purpose, rest, and identity.
From the moment guests arrived for the networking lunch, the energy was warm, familiar, and affirming; a room full of women who didn’t need to explain themselves to be understood.
A Day Rooted in Purpose, Healing & Self-Definition
Our founder and CEO Atlyn Forde, opened with grounding reflections on why this work matters; why creating spaces for Black women to breathe, heal, lead, and reimagine success is not just powerful but necessary.
Our keynote speaker Rose St Louis set the tone beautifully: a moving testament to resilience, authenticity, and choosing yourself even in environments that weren’t built with you in mind as she reminded us to focus on our EPIC Energy. “Step fully into the spaces you’re meant to occupy, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.” Success is not a destination; it is a practice of honouring your values, your health, and your voice.
Attendees then explored parallel sessions spanning:
Career & Leadership - “Own Your Journey” (hosted by Annika Allen)
A practical and affirming session that helped women to carve out thinking time and to step into new chapters with boldness. Annika Allen inspired participants to act from self-belief and clarity: “There isn’t one answer in anything we’ve got to achieve here. The best thing is to just reach out, share your problems, and take action from where you are.”
Wellbeing & Boundaries - "Peace Is Power" (featuring Adeola Russell, Delia Barker, Patricia Charlery Leon and Zena Kotey)
A deeply resonant panel unpacking burnout, workplace stress, and ways Black women can protect their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing without apology. Our participants were reminded that “Sometimes the strongest choice is saying no. Protecting your peace is not selfish; it’s essential.”
Entrepreneurship - “Building Boldly” (featuring Aleka Gutzmore, Chantal Potgieter, Muna Yassin MBE and Trudy Lewis)
An honest fireside conversation about starting, sustaining, and scaling a business with courage and purpose, even when navigating systemic barriers. As one entrepreneur shared, “Courage and resilience are your constant companions. Purpose gives your work meaning, even when the road gets hard.”
Career Reinvention - “Redesign Your Career” (featuring Delia Barker, Mandy Tucker, Olivia Jackson and Tisha Thomas)
A practical, encouraging session centred on returning to work, pivoting careers, or rewriting your next chapter from a place of agency and self-belief. One insight that resonated deeply: “You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment. Start where you are, with what you have, and redefine success on your own terms.”
After a tea break, where guests refuelled with more drinks and snacks as well as having the opportunity to visit our wellbeing corner for on-site health checks, hosted by NHS professionals, we closed with:
Purpose & Alignment - “Beyond the Titles” (featuring Aleka Gutzmore, Atlyn Forde, Chantal Potgieter, Laverne Walker, Patricia Charlery Leon and Trudy Lewis)
A reflective session guiding attendees to redefine success on their own terms, grounded in joy, fulfilment, and alignment rather than titles, expectations, or societal pressures. One key takeaway from the panel: “Reach for the roles, relationships, and experiences that feel right for you, not the ones society says you should chase. Your voice, your choice, your journey.”
The day ended with a collective moment of gratitude, intention-setting, and renewed commitment to choosing ourselves fully, unapologetically, and joyfully.
Thank You for Being Part of This Movement
To everyone who attended, whether this was your first touchpoint with the series or you’ve journeyed with us throughout the other sessions, thank you. Your presence made the room softer, richer, and more powerful.
The transformation we witnessed on Saturday was a result of the honesty, vulnerability, and brilliance you brought to the space, and we’re looking forward to doing this again next year!
If You Attended, We’d Love Your Feedback
Your voice shapes this work.
If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete our feedback form so we can continue building meaningful, healing, and empowering experiences:
Join the Navigating Crossroads Collective
If Saturday left you thinking, “I need more of this,” we hear you. And we’ve created exactly that.
Introducing The Navigating Crossroads Collective, our new membership community for Black women who want deeper support, year-round growth, and a space to thrive personally and professionally.
As a member, you’ll gain access to:
Monthly workshops and live learning sessions
A private online community for connection & accountability
Professional development resources
Wellbeing tools and guidance
Priority access to events and curated member-only spaces
A supportive sisterhood committed to growth, rest, purpose, and joy
The Collective is designed to hold you through career transitions, leadership challenges, entrepreneurship journeys, and life’s many crossroads.
Become part of a movement that uplifts, empowers, and sustains Black women across every chapter of their journey.
Until We Gather Again…
Thank you for making Navigating Crossroads LIVE an unforgettable milestone.
Thank you for choosing yourself, and thank you for reminding us why creating these spaces is so important.
We’re excited, energised, and already planning for next year!
Until then, keep rising with purpose. Keep protecting your peace. Keep redefining success in ways that honour your whole self.
You deserve nothing less.