When Jamalia Brashears launched her consulting practice, JLB Advisors, she didn’t have a roadmap — just a mission.
A mission shaped by years spent on both sides of the table: as a philanthropic insider with access to power and as an advocate for grassroots organizations often left out of the conversation. Her goal was never just to be a consultant; it was to be a bridge.
“I didn’t come from a family of entrepreneurs,” Brashears said. “But I come from a legacy of service— people who were deeply committed to social impact, who understood the value of civic engagement, who ran voter drives and stood up for what mattered. I knew I wanted my career to be rooted in that same sense of purpose.”
That purpose led her to found a business focused on supporting nonprofits and social entrepreneurs, particularly Black-led and Black-serving organizations, that are often underfunded despite their transformative community impact. Drawing from her experience in philanthropy, Brashears helps these organizations refine their narratives, strengthen donor relationships and build infrastructure that attracts long-term investment, not just short-term support.
“There are millions of dollars that never make it to the communities they’re meant to serve,” she said. “I wanted to be a voice and a support system for those doing the real work—and help them tell their stories in a way that funders can’t ignore.”
That commitment to community and collaboration is what brought her to NAWBO Indianapolis. New to the city and eager to connect with other women navigating business ownership, she found in NAWBO something she didn’t find elsewhere: authenticity.
“Other spaces sometimes feel performative,” Brashears said. “But at NAWBO, people genuinely want to connect and help. If someone doesn’t have an answer, they’ll find someone who does. That kind of openness is rare.”
Now serving on the BOSS LADIES task force, Brashears is helping bring women’s stories to the forefront in a tangible way. Her role is more than logistical — it’s personal.
“This work allows us to shine a light on the incredible depth of talent, experience, and brilliance within our membership,” she said. “It’s the kind of visibility I wish I’d had when I first arrived in Indianapolis.”
Her work — and her ethos — aligns powerfully with the message behind the NAWBO Indy BOSS LADIES Magazine: lifting others, showing up with purpose, and speaking up for equity. For Brashears, that work isn’t just professional. It’s personal.
“When I worked in philanthropy, I realized how few people in the room were actually from the communities we were trying to serve,” she said. “I often found myself being the only one with that perspective. I knew I had to use my seat at the table to shift the conversation.”
That shift continues today in her consulting, which helps social impact leaders reframe their narratives from one of scarcity to one of strength.
“So often we focus on what we don’t have — lack of funding, staff, visibility,” Brashears said. “But I tell my clients: focus on what you do have. Impact. Trust. Access. That’s your power. Let’s build from there.”
In a time when equity work is often buzzword-deep, Brashears brings something more enduring: strategy, sincerity and a deep belief that storytelling can drive systems change.
And in lifting the stories of others, she’s rewriting the one she was told she had to follow.
This article is part of an editorial series in partnership with Polished Strategic Communications and the Indianapolis Recorder, celebrating the launch of NAWBO Indy BOSS LADIES Magazine. Polished Strategic Communications, a woman-owned agency dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in business, education, and community, writes and produces the series.
