Personal branding requires a strong sense of self. In this episode of Code Switch Rebellion, Mel gets real about the identity crises Black women face when leaving corporate life for entrepreneurship. Sharing her own journey from “resume writer robot” to showing up as her unapologetic self, and she’s not holding back.

She calls out the nonsense of shrinking to fit in and urges you to ditch those conditioned personas, especially when it comes to personal branding for Black women in business for themselves. With a dash of sarcasm and plenty of encouragement, Mel lays out practical steps for building a personal brand rooted in who you actually are, not who the world says you should be.

This episode dives deep into personal branding for Black women, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities that come with redefining yourself outside of corporate spaces.

Links:

Book a digital brand audit: mellynated.com/digitalbrandaudit

Follow the rebellion on Substack: https://substack.com/@mellynated

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melanieldenny

Timestamps:

Introduction & Podcast Purpose (00:00:15)

The Cost of Not Knowing Yourself (00:00:55)

Mel’s Personal Identity Crisis Story (00:02:19)

Postpartum Depression & Loss of Self (00:03:23)

Turning Point & Self-Discovery (00:04:34)

Corporate Conformity & Black Women’s Experiences (00:05:41)

Consequences of Disconnection (00:07:47)

Defining a Strong Sense of Self (00:08:52)

Personal Example: Honoring Preferences (00:09:56)

Benefits of Self-Awareness (00:10:51)

Realization of Transferable Skills (00:11:53)

Challenges of Authentic Personal Branding (00:12:50)

Resilience Against Criticism (00:13:59)

Confidence & Alignment in Decision-Making (00:15:00)

Brand Audit Promotion (00:15:22)

How to Build a Strong Sense of Self (00:16:00)

Step 1: Naming What’s Yours (00:16:14)

Step 2: Let Identity Lead Decisions (00:17:30)

Step 3: Practice Self-Honor (00:18:38)

Personal Branding & Authenticity (00:20:50)

Community & Acceptance (00:21:47)

Preview of Next Episode (00:21:47)

Closing & Call to Action (00:22:52)

In this episode of Codeswitch Rebellion, personal branding pro Melanie L. Danny (aka Melly D) has a clear message for Black women breaking out of the corporate grind.

She breaks down how all that corporate mess has us playing small and faking it just to fit into a mold that was never meant for us. She clearly defines authenticity, and encourages us to stop dimming our light, start showing up in the full essence of who we are.

Melanie’s not here for watered-down brands or fake professionalism. She’s all about keeping it 100, because who’s got time to keep frontin’?

Links:

Follow the rebellion on Substack: https://mellynated.substack.com/

Subscribe to the rebellion on YouTube: youtube.com/@melanieldenny

Book a digital brand audit: mellynated.com/digitalbrandaudit

Timestamps:

Challenging "Just Be Yourself" (00:00:00)

Personal Struggles with Authenticity (00:01:13)

The Cost of Inauthenticity (00:02:05)

Corporate Conditioning in Entrepreneurship (00:03:08)

Defining Authenticity: Alignment and Integrity (00:04:18)

Corporate Conditioning as the Root Cause (00:05:48)

Corporate Standards and Loss of Self (00:07:02)

Autopilot Professionalism and Content Example (00:08:12)

Watered-Down Messaging and Acting (00:09:09)

Corporate Rules and Fitting In (00:10:20)

Family, Hair, and Professionalism (00:11:19)

Professionalism’s True Meaning (00:12:26)

Safe Branding and Muted Self-Expression (00:13:28)

Authenticity in Outer Presentation (00:14:31)

Rebranding with True Self (00:15:42)

Alignment Over Professionalism (00:16:45)

Brand Audit Invitation and Episode Wrap-Up (00:18:16)

This is an unfiltered podcast for Black women who are done shrinking, editing themselves, and performing professionalism just to be taken seriously.

Hosted by personal branding consultant and "Your Identity Strategist", Melanie L. Denny (Melly D), Codeswitch Rebellion is where we unpack identity, authenticity, visibility, and what it really takes to build a personal brand rooted in who you are...not who you were conditioned to be.

If you’re ready for conversations that don’t require you to code-switch, dilute your voice, or shrink to be credible, you’re in the right place.

Your identity is the strategy. ✌🏾

- Join the conversation on Substack or watch on YouTube