Lessons from the Mindset and Strategies of High-Earning Black Women

“How much are you worth—and do you believe it?”

That was the powerful question underpinning the latest Network for Black Women Leaders (NBWL) Elevate Session with Maggie Sarfo, CEO of Meres Consult, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author. This transformative conversation invited Black women leaders to rethink their relationship with money, worth, and financial empowerment.

For many Black women, charging what we’re worth, negotiating salaries, or setting financial boundaries can feel daunting. Centuries of systemic exclusion, workplace bias, and inherited narratives have made these conversations difficult—sometimes even taboo. But Maggie reminded us: “Money is love. Money is life. And when we neglect money, we neglect ourselves.”

A Mindset Shift Starts Within

Through a heartfelt mix of personal stories, strategies, and coaching insights, Maggie challenged attendees to confront their “money stories”—the inherited beliefs that limit what we feel we deserve. She encouraged participants to ask deeper questions:

Who am I?
How do I serve?
Why do I want this?

By interrogating these questions honestly, we create space to rewrite the scripts holding us back. Maggie shared how reframing her worth unlocked opportunities—from negotiating salaries that doubled, to commanding higher fees as a consultant and speaker. “When you know your worth, others see it too,” she reminded us.

When your 'why' is clear, you stop undercharging or apologising for what you’re worth.

Negotiating Like a Queen

For Black women taught to “keep your head down and work twice as hard,” Maggie’s negotiation advice was a revelation. Rather than waiting to be rewarded, she urged women to ask for exactly what they want—no more, no less—while enlisting courage as an essential tool. “Even if your legs are shaking,” she laughed, “step forward and ask anyway.”

She broke down practical strategies for negotiating salaries, client fees, and leadership compensation. Her top negotiation tips included:

Do your research on what’s possible—not just what’s typical.
Practice saying the number out loud until it feels natural.
Silence is powerful—don’t rush to fill negotiation pauses.
Always have a walk-away point.

For Black women raised to “be grateful” or “not rock the boat,” Maggie’s boldness felt revolutionary. She also highlighted the importance of building financial resilience through multiple income streams: “Don’t fit yourself into just one financial category. Have a main pot, but build several around it.”

Financial Boundaries, Financial Freedom

The session didn’t shy away from tough truths. A key theme throughout the evening was setting boundaries around money—with employers, clients, even family and friends. “Boundaries are a form of love,” Maggie explained. “They protect your energy, your finances, and your legacy.” Maggie addressed the challenges of setting financial boundaries, especially when faced with family obligations, workplace bias, or industries undervaluing Black women’s expertise. Her message was clear: boundaries protect your energy, your finances, and your future.

We’re not just building wealth for ourselves, we’re building it for our communities and for the women who come after us.

Building a Wealth Vision

Attendees were invited to reflect on a simple but powerful prompt: What’s one action I can take tomorrow to move me closer to my wealth dream?

From journaling and vision boarding to committing to that bold conversation at work, participants left the session with tangible next steps—and a sense of collective encouragement.

Throughout the discussion, the chat buzzed with gratitude, “aha” moments, and shared commitments. Maggie’s warmth and honesty created a space where Black women could reflect on their journeys, celebrate wins, and dream unapologetically.

Huge thanks to Maggie Sarfo for sharing her wisdom, inspiration, and powerful reminder that every Black woman is a queen—worthy, valuable, and capable of building lasting wealth.

Resources Shared:

Maggie's book, The One Secret to Happiness: Discover your innate ability to take life to the next level.
The One Secret to Happiness, book resources, newsletter sign-up.
Download (Email address required): Unlock Your Potential with Emotional Intelligence, by Maggie Sarfo.
Other recommended reading: Love Money, Money Loves You, by Sara McCrum, and We Should All Be Millionaires, by Rachel Rodgers.*

*Affiliate Links: We’re proud to be part of the Bookshop.org affiliate programme — an online platform that helps support local, independent bookshops with every order. When you buy a book through our links, 10% goes directly to these bookshops, and we receive a small commission to help us continue our work. It’s an easy way to champion community-based bookselling and the joy of reading — even when shopping online.

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