UNFILTERED & UNAPOLOGETIC: A Book Launch & Conversation

Enjoy heavy Hors D’oeuvres, beverages, and meaningful connections as we explore themes of authenticity, boundary-setting, and creating success on your own terms.

• Moderated conversation with author Judy McCutcheon
• Live reading from "Unfiltered and Unapologetic"
• Q&A session
• Book Signing
• Networking

This gathering brings together Caribbean, African, and Black American women, as well as those undergoing personal transformations or significant life transitions in Chicago, to celebrate bold and authentic leadership and personal transformation.

Judy McCutcheon | Author & Leadership Coach

Rooted in her island upbringing and fueled by a deep passion for people-centered leadership, Judy blends organizational psychology with real-world grit to transform how leaders live, love, and lead.

With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, corporate culture, and emotional intelligence, she’s worked with leaders across the region to shift outdated systems and build purpose-driven, people-first spaces. Her approach is both nurturing and no-nonsense—grounded in truth, empathy, and strategy.

Whether she’s coaching C-suite executives, designing transformative masterminds, or reshaping team dynamics, Judy doesn’t just challenge the status quo—she disrupts it with purpose.

She’s trusted by organizations, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and women navigating major life transitions to help them lead from within. Her work is grounded in the belief that leadership starts with self-awareness, emotional clarity, and the courage to show up fully as you are.

To learn more about Judy, visit https://judymccutcheon.com/

L'Oreal Thompson Payton | Bestselling Author & Media Professional

L’Oreal Thompson Payton is an award-winning journalist, an experienced communications executive, a motivational speaker, and a wellness facilitator, but above all else, she is a writer.

L’Oreal is the author of the forthcoming book, Stop Waiting for Perfect: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into Your Power (BenBella Books, August 2023). She is also a health and wellness reporter at Fortune, covering women and wellness in the workplace.

To learn more about L'Oreal, visit https://www.lorealthompsonpayton.com/

Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown | Equity Strategist & Leadership Development Expert

The Kerry Mitchell Brown Consultancy emboldens Black women leaders to embrace their authenticity and lead with unyielding confidence rooted in radical self-care, love, and collective strength. With over 20 years of experience, she is a cultural architect, racial equity strategist, and scholar-practitioner committed to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering transformative connections.

To learn more about Dr. Brown, visit https://kerrymitchellbrown.com/