Check Out Dr. Shani Byard’s Story

When I was 16 years old, my mother took me to see Baba Nelson Mandela speak at the Los Angeles Coliseum. I learned about the South African system of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s protest of fasting until there were equal voting rights in South Africa. Overwhelmed and feeling powerless by the horrific injustices he described, I decided to act. Even though I was so far away from South Africa, I could still do something within my control: protest in solidarity. I “fasted” too by removing beef, pork and poultry from my diet until there were equal voting rights in South Africa. As a member of the dance company at my high school, it was imperative for me to educate my peers and faculty. With our annual dance concert in queue, I choreographed a dance about the apartheid, to the soundtrack of the renowned, brilliant singer and revolutionary, Mariam Makeba. The next year, the African National Congress achieved equal voting rights and the people put Nelson Mandela into the Presidency. I knew then that my gifts and skills would be used to make way for humanity to thrive. I’ve simply been called to do this work.

I’m a South Los Angeles native, an engaged community advocate, an equity scholar, empowerment coach and an inclusive leadership consultant. I have decades of experience in shaping organizational cultures for belonging, establishing equitable programming for organizations serving diverse communities, and training leaders for social justice throughout multi-regional systems serving human beings. Throughout my lifetime, I have intentionally utilized my power, influence and privilege to create equitable opportunities for those unseen and unheard. I have led in the fields of TV/Music Video production; higher education; healthcare systems; and non-profit youth development and afterschool programs with this same purpose.

Understanding social impact leaders remain conscious of their legacies and their imprint on the world, and in response to the current divisive & shifting state of America, I started Legacy Refresh, in 2022, to refresh the consciousness and strengthen inclusive skill sets of people leaders navigating organizational, community and family change.

My mantra is: PAUSE. BREATHE. LEAD.

Informed by organizational assessments and listening sessions, I offer organizational development, strategic planning, culture strategy, coaching, professional development trainings and team retreats to support effective change management. All experiences are inclusive, honoring all gender identities, spiritual/religious practices, and cultural/racial backgrounds. I also love to incorporates nature, affirmations, multi-media, journaling, breathing, visioning, meditation, discussion and fun  into online and in-person, group and 1:1 coaching, experiences and trainings.

Leadership and organizational development should be informed by the needs of the clients, consumers or communities those organizations or companies serve. With that said, the struggle for my clients emerge during the navigation of the changing needs of those clients, consumers and/or communities, and the changing needs of internal people leaders and teams serving them.

I’m still building Legacy Refresh and this process has its own twists and turns. However, I delight in the challenges of designing road maps for organizational and leadership development according to the changing needs their leaders face. I enjoy sitting in the questions of change, uncovering the insights and revelations that help leaders and organizations steer the ship toward a new, more fulfilling path. So! Has it been an easy path? No. However, my expertise allows me to build my business while enjoying the journey!

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