March 24, 2026

Ep 329 The Legacy of Your Leadership & the Leaders You Grow with Shanita Akintonde, Author, Tedx Speaker, and President of ShanitaSpeaks; Chicago, IL, USA

Show Notes

What if the strongest leadership lessons for building the future were waiting for us on the front porch of our past?

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shanita Akintonde to talk about her book The Front Porch Leader and the deeper leadership lessons it offers for business builders, marketers, and mentors. We explored the importance of knowing where we come from, practicing discernment about who we invite into our lives and businesses, and raising up the next generation of leaders with both courage and grace.

Shanita also shared powerful insights on intentional marketing, understanding the true business you are in, and why some of the best leaders are often the quietest people in the room. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that leadership is rooted in love, legacy, and the choices we make about who and what we let through the door.

Here are the highlights:

● Leadership begins with roots. Shanita shared why understanding our history and honoring the foundation laid by those before us is essential to building a meaningful future.

● Discernment matters. We talked about the “front porch” mindset, recognizing that not everyone belongs inside your inner circle, your home, or your business.

● Great leaders are not always the loudest. Shanita explained why she often sees the most leadership potential in the quieter people who may be overlooked by others.

● Marketing should solve a real problem. Shanita emphasized that true content and brand strategy start with understanding your audience and knowing the real business you are in.

● The next generation needs grace and guidance. We discussed why emerging leaders need mentors who can support their boldness without dimming their courage.

About the guest:

Shanita Baraka Akintonde is an author, TEDx speaker, storyteller, and President of ShanitaSpeaks LLC. A marketing professor for more than two decades, Professor Akintonde has inspired thousands of students and professionals through her dynamic approach to communication, leadership, and personal brand strategy.

She is an entrepreneur and contributor to Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, and The Chicago Defender. A triple-degree holder, she is also a Harvard-educated executive and the longtime host of the Marketing Insights podcast with McGraw Hill.

Professor Akintonde is an active leader in several professional organizations, including the American Marketing Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Public Relations Society of America, and Top Ladies of Distinction. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Governors for The Metropolitan.

Her work centers on the idea that the most powerful leadership lessons often begin in the most humble spaces—including the front porch.

Connect with Shanita:

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-insights/id1378417469

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanitaakintonde/

Instagram: @Shanita_BarakaMama

Twitter: @_ShanitaSpeaks

TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O6xmobZTUw

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

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