For Every BAME Woman Told to “Wait” — Your Time is Now.

I’m Trudy Sealy, a BAME Leadership and Mindset Mentor, and for years, I was the “only one in the room.”

The only woman. The only Black woman. The only voice speaking up for perspectives no one else understood.

I know what it feels like to work twice as hard for half the recognition.

To doubt yourself because the room makes you feel small.
To wonder whether you’ll ever truly be seen for your brilliance.

Those experiences could have broken me - but instead, they became my fuel.

Over the last 18 years, as a BACP-qualified Humanistic Counsellor and Certified CBT Practitioner, I’ve helped countless BAME women rewrite their narratives, reclaim their power, and rise into leadership positions where their voices cannot be ignored. 

 You walk into boardrooms where your name is mispronounced.

You contribute ideas in meetings, only to hear them repeated by someone else - suddenly met with nods and praise.
You deliver results that go above and beyond, but when promotions are handed out, somehow you’re “not quite ready yet.”

You’re constantly aware of being the only one like you in the room — every word, every expression, every decision feels magnified. You’ve learned to code-switch, to adjust, to “fit in,” even when it means quieting parts of yourself.

And the advice we’re given?

• “Work harder.”
• “Speak their language.”
• “Change how you present yourself.”
  

But let’s be honest - you’ve already been working harder than most. You’ve already adapted more than anyone should have to.

The truth is, you don’t need to change who you are to lead.
You need a way to navigate these spaces without losing yourself - and to step into leadership from a place of power, not permission.

 I work with ambitious BAME women who are tired of watching opportunities pass them by.

Some are right at the edge of leadership. They’ve put in the hours, gained the skills, and have the vision to lead - yet when promotions come around, their names are missing from the shortlist.

Others are already in leadership roles, but it feels like they’re constantly walking a tightrope. They’re juggling the weight of being “the only one in the room,” second-guessing how their words are received, and sometimes questioning whether they truly belong there at all.

And then there are the quiet leaders in waiting. Brilliant, capable women who know deep down they’re meant for more, but imposter syndrome, cultural expectations, or years of being overlooked have convinced them to keep their heads down.

I work with all of these women - because no matter where you are on your journey, the common thread is this: you know you’re ready to rise. 

You’ve waited long enough.
You’ve worked hard enough.
You’ve proven yourself more times than you can count.

Now it’s time to stop asking for permission and start stepping into the rooms where your voice changes the conversation.

You were born to lead - not in spite of who you are, but because of it.

I’ll walk with you every step of the way as you claim your space, own your brilliance, and lead with the impact you’ve always known you were capable of.