Cynthia Barnes

Founder and CEO

I spent 20 years building frameworks that made other people rich.

Sales methodologies that became "company best practices." Training programs that got renamed and rolled out without my name attached. Revenue strategies that showed up in Brad's promotion announcement while I got a 2.3% raise and a note about "executive presence."

I documented everything. Exposed the math. Calculated the extraction.

$847,000.

That's the average lifetime wage gap for a Black woman in corporate America. Not a metaphor. Not a feeling. An invoice that never got paid.

So I stopped asking for raises. Started building infrastructure.

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What I do now:

I build the sales architecture for Black women executives exiting corporate—so they can convert 20+ years of extracted expertise into high-ticket consulting contracts.

No pitching. No shrinking. No explaining your worth to people who've never had to prove theirs.

We don't coach. We build:
→ The offer that positions your expertise for C-Suite buyers
→ The pricing model that kills hourly rates forever
→ The proof assets that sell before you get on a call
→ The pipeline that fills your calendar without "networking"
→ The IP protection that ensures your frameworks stay yours

90 days. Proof to pipeline. Your expertise finally has your name on it.

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This is for you if:

↳ You've built frameworks inside companies that got attributed to someone else
↳ You left (or you're leaving) and you're done being the secret weapon
↳ You have 15-25 years of expertise but no language to sell it
↳ You're tired of courses that teach theory—you want assets built
↳ You understand that Brad isn't the problem; the system is—and you're ready to build outside of it

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This is NOT for you if:

↳ You're looking for mindset work, mantras, or manifestation
↳ You want someone to convince you your expertise has value
↳ You're still hoping the company will "finally see" you
↳ You need hand-holding through basic business decisions
↳ You think "putting yourself out there" is a strategy

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I'm not here to help you get a seat at their table.

I'm here to help you build your own—and send them the invoice.

The Exit Architecture™
Black Women's Wealth Lab™

Thank You; It's True.™

* Founded NAWSP to offer executive-level consultation and develop DEI-specific strategies tailored for various industries, serving both U.S.-based and international clients.
* Advised C-Suite Leadership on optimal strategies to achieve short- and long-term objectives, sharing insights on trends, best practices, and their potential impacts on business models.
* Conducted Organizational Assessments to identify areas of improvement and recommended enhanced policies, processes, and procedures to clients.
* Developed and Facilitated Customized Curriculums focusing on recruitment and retention for over 50 organizations nationally and internationally.
* Implemented Employee Training and Development Programs to foster skill enhancement and professional growth.
* Established Performance Metrics and Measurement Systems to assess employee productivity and effectiveness.
* Orchestrated DE&I Roadmaps, aligning organizational goals with actionable diversity initiatives.
Increased Representation of underrepresented populations by 64% through targeted recruiting and mentorship programs.
* Conducted Equity Analysis across the entire employment life cycle, including recruitment, retention, interviews, performance evaluations, and separations.
* Developed ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to promote inclusivity and address specific employee needs and concerns.
* Managed Talent and Succession Planning Programs to ensure organizational continuity and growth.
* Promoted a Positive and Inclusive Organizational Culture, enhancing team member engagement and productivity.
* Focused on Risk Management to mitigate potential organizational challenges and disruptions.
* Delivered Value by creating customized curricula and training for multiple industries, enhancing organizational capability and adaptability.
* Shared Industry Insights on current and emerging trends, enabling clients to adapt and innovate in their respective domains.

L.A. Branding 

Our mission at L.A. Branding is to help entrepreneurs, start-ups, and companies of all sizes create a distinctive and authentic brand identity that resonates with their customers. We are dedicated to providing innovative and creative branding solutions that elevate our client's brands and transform them into valued partners. We believe in the power of effective communication, design, and marketing strategies to create a meaningful impact on our clients' businesses. Our ideal customers don't just need these services; they deserve them. We are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals by providing exceptional branding services that exceed their expectations.

President

Willow North Growth Partners

VP of Marketing

PAISE Leadership

Virtual Producer

Women Win 2Gether™

Co-Founder

National Association of Women Sales Professionals (NAWSP)

Patricia Taborn Modeling Agency 

Board Member

ENSPIRE Magazine

- Manage multiple projects from concept through completion
- Develop creative programs and design concepts that meet the business objectives of our company and advance our brand strategy
- Establish creative direction for the entire line of online services and programs
- Supervise and inspire the creative team; generate multiple concepts for a campaign or project
- Work with the account team, strategy team, and copywriters to develop concepts 
- Work with team to generate ideas for pitching and proposals
- Manage team members
- Provide quality control over concepts and projects,
- Handle public relations duties
- Arrange articles, interviews and other events
- Responsible for developing the voice for all aspects of the Enspire Magazine's online presence
- Write, edit and proofread site content
- Work closely with the technical team to maintain site standards with regard to new development
- Craft site promotions, email newsletters and online outreach campaigns

Co-Founder & Co-Owner / Creative Director

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

- Create, verify, and edit RFQ’s, RFP’s, and IFB files, reports, and records.

- Responsible for determining, based on spend level, proper procurement methods.

- Update and approve procurement requisitions and purchase order documents and related information. 

- Create update and approve goods and services contracts.

- Create, process, and approve E-Quotes.

- Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders using automated or manual files and through contacts with vendors, supply technicians, inventory managers, engineers, etc. 

- Accurately interpret Administrative Code, Purchasing Rules and General Statute on both State and Federal level.

-Attend pre-bid conferences with potential vendors and communicate purchasing rules ensuring guidelines are 
being adhered to.

-Attend bid openings and document bid information. 

-Maintain bidder mailing lists by adding or deleting vendor information in the system. 

-Assemble contract file information and enter purchase order or contract data into management information 
system.

- Develop manuals and/or assist in the development of automated procurement procedures.

- Work with Attorney, Purchase and Contracts, and Statewide IT Procurement to secure approval for purchases over agency delegation and ensure that General Statutes and Purchasing Rules are followed accurately.

- Work with accounting to ensure timely and correct payments on goods and services procured.

- Communicate with agency employees to create a great working relationship.

- Communicate with vendors, customers and others interested in doing business with the state.

Purchasing Agent

High Velocity Business Solutions

•  Build and maintain relationships with a company's clients
•  Create sales proposals
•  Improve products and streamline business operations
•  Answer customer service questions and resolve issues related to functions such as billing.
•  Design, create, and deliver marketing programs to support expansion and growth of the companies services and products
•  Create sales presentations and provide reports according to the information gathered such as new products, market trends, competition, and pricing

Client Services Manager/ Marketing Specialist

New York Presbyterian Hospital

Procurement Clerk-Team Leader

CEO of L.A. Branding | Brand Strategist | Creative Director | Speaker & Consultant

I help brands, visionary leaders, and purpose-led teams show up with strategy, style, and soul.

At L.A. Branding, I support founders, creatives, and impact-driven orgs in turning big ideas into real results — with messaging that moves, visuals that stick, and strategies that work. Alongside my team, I lead brand strategy, content direction, and creative execution that connects — whether we’re launching something new or refreshing what already exists.

My BIG Why:
I consult, develop, and implement strategies because no one should have to guess what makes them — and their brand — special.

As a speaker and consultant, I’m honored to equip individuals with the tools to own their message, clarify their vision, and lead with creativity and confidence.

As a creative director and virtual producer, I bring stories to life — from intimate coaching experiences to powerful content campaigns that make people feel something.

Also:
🗽 Bronx-born. Faith-fueled. Fueled by curiosity.
🧠 Always asking: How can this serve someone better?
💡 Empowered by family, friends, prayer, amazing playlists (feel free to call me DJ Jazzy Lena), and purposeful storytelling.

If you’re building something with heart — or a brand that’s ready to grow bolder, louder, and clearer — let’s connect.

⸻

Specialties:
• Brand Strategy & Messaging
• Creative Direction
• Visual Identity Design
• Marketing & Campaign Strategy
• Virtual Production & Content Direction
• Public Speaking & Workshops
• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Media Strategy & Visual Storytelling
• Consulting & Thought Partnership

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The Battle

Cynthia Barnes

Lena Anderson

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