We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Blackwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success, for me, is about impact more than impressions or appearances. It’s about letting your character speak louder than your reputation, but both telling the same story of you being a person of integrity, humility, and substance. It is defined by how you influence the lives of others—did you leave them better than you found them? Do you show up every day with intention, and with a heart that prioritized people over power?

At its core, genuine success comes from being able to define it for yourself. As a woman committed to empowering other women, my personal mission is rooted in lifting others as I climb. I don’t measure success by titles, notoriety, monetary gain, etc., but rather by how many people I help along the way. It has never been about climbing any (metaphorical) ladder alone; it’s about building bridges, creating access, and challenging inequitable systematic processes that were not designed to equip people, especially those in underserved, underrepresented communities, to win.

We live in a world that often equates success with fame, fortune, and fast results, rewarding shortcuts and compromise with public applause and admiration — which in the end, is never worth the private cost. As it has been said, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” I believe real success means that the people who know you best admire you the most, and those who meet you, even briefly, walk away feeling seen, valued, and inspired. That’s a legacy that is worth building, and no amount of wealth can compete with a life led with authenticity, purpose, and compassion for others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is that I am a storyteller, first and always. Writing has been my first love for as long as I can remember; it’s how I’ve always processed my thoughts and dreams, and how I connected with the world around me. Somewhere along the way, I realized that even the most powerful of messages could be lost in the crowd without the right voice to amplify it. It was then that I discovered that my power wasn’t just in writing compelling stories, but in telling them. Truthfully, no one could tell my story like I could. That realization shaped everything that I do to this day—from my work in higher education and women’s empowerment, to my journey as a speaker, writer, and creative entrepreneur. I was inspired not just to tell my story, but to be a catalyst to help others find their voices and tell their own stories as well. My voice became a tool for empowerment, not just for myself but for the women, students, and creatives I support through my work as a mentor and advisor to college students, as well as through Mina’s Girls Mentoring, a program I founded in our honor of my late grandmother to uplift women of all ages and backgrounds. I’ve built a career around connecting people to purpose — whether that’s through mentoring, strategic communication, or visionary leadership — and grown into someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and empowerment, both personally and professionally.

In my role as Director of Advancement Communications and Strategy at the University of North Texas, I help shape the stories that build legacy and impact. As Co-Founder and Creative Director of PlayBlack Media Productions, I help people bring their visions to life, taking their ideas and building tangible creative processes that make them attainable. I’ve always had an eye for seeing the big picture, curating the right strategy, and translating passion into stories that inspire. Every title I have held and project that I’ve led has been guided by my desire to use my voice and influence to uplift others. I’m most excited about the growing influence I’ve had in the spaces that reflect my commitment to making meaningful impact for women and students, on campus, in my community, and beyond.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. Like many women, especially women of color, I’ve had to navigate spaces where my very presence challenged the status quo. I’ve had setbacks, doubts, occasional bouts of imposter syndrome, and the constant pressure to prove my worth to everyone, but mostly to myself. There were seasons of working in silence, but in those seasons, I kept writing, creating, and building—on my own terms. I kept showing up, and betting on me. I leaned into mentorship, I continued my education, and ultimately chose growth over comfort every time! I earned a Master’s in Adult Training and Education and am currently pursuing a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership because I believe you should always invest in yourself as much as you invest in others. I was selected to speak on the TEDx stage in August 2022 to share my story of overcoming and breakthrough. I have spoken at conferences on the power of using your voice and building people-centered cultures.

Through it all, I’ve learned that resilience comes from a strong foundation in faith and community. What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I believe in building spaces that allow people to be fully seen, heard, and supported. My ultimate dream is to open PlayBlack Media Studios, a creative space in DFW where storytellers, artists, and visionaries can come together to collaborate, produce, and feel empowered to own their narratives. It’s not here yet—but it’s in the works. Until then, I’m committed to the work in front of me: mentoring, leading, writing, and hopefully inspiring others. My story is still unfolding, but it’s driven by purpose, powered by creativity, and rooted in the belief that every voice matters, and every story deserves to be told.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, we’d have a balance of rest and relaxation time, good food, as well as exploring some of my DFW Metroplex’s favorites, as well as some local attractions. I’m originally from California, and while Dallas has truly become my second home, I work a lot and don’t get out much, so I would definitely need to consult Google, Yelp and phone a few friends — I’m vegan and don’t drink which that just means I get a little creative with planning and likely recruit them to join us on at least a few adventures! If I’m being honest, I’d happily be curled up on the couch watching Netflix, eating Impossible burgers and fries, laughing and staying up too late like we did in high school — good times! For the sake of spending her entire vacation in the house, I would definitely have to take her outside!

We’d kick things off on with brunch on her first day in town, I’m thinking at Seven Mile Café —one of my favorite spots because they’ve got great vegan and non-vegan options, so nobody has to compromise. After that, we’d take a walk around Deep Ellum to do some sight seeing, a little shopping, and great something for dinner.

Day 2 & 3, we’d slow things down and take in some nature and culture with some of Dallas’ signature visitor stops — the Dallas Arboretum, which I’ve actually never been there, but I have heard nothing but great things from locals and visitors alike, and the check out the Dallas Museum of Art or the African American Museum at Fair Park (depending on the time of year and what exhibits are being shown). We’d stroll the gardens, take a bunch of selfies for our “wish you were here” social media posts and maybe even take a little reflection break. And then to dinner at Spiral Diner —vegan comfort food that even non-vegans, so again, no compromise necessary (not yet anyway).

Day 4, movie night is a must! We could hit up Alamo Drafthouse (yes, they have vegan options), or AMC, but more likely, we’d stay in, turn our living room into a mini theater, throw on a hoodie and some sweats, and binge-watch our favorite shows with all the snacks… just like the good ole days!

Day 5: Girls’ Night Out! I would have to solicit a friend for help with this one, but we would likely found a local sport bars to hang out in like SideCar Social, or one of the restaurants at The Star in Frisco, something casual but nice enough to get dressed up for some good photo ops!

To wrap up the week with Day 6 & 7, a couple of slow mornings. I’d take us to Snooze AM Eatery for breakfast at least the last day. They’ve got an awesome mix of vegan and traditional options, so we’d both leave full and happy. Depending on the time of year, we might end the night at a Dallas Mavericks game (although we are both die-hard Lakers and Warriors fans), its a great venue and the games are always fun — although the traffic is NOT, so we’d have to get there early to find good parking! I’m not adventurous enough yet to take the DART unless we have some locals join us. Also, a must is one of my favorite spaces in the city for live events, cultural vibes, Klyde Warren Park.

I’m all about intentional but somewhat low-key fun, and of course, making memories that don’t require a big crowd or a party scene… or spending lots and lots of money. Good food, good people, and good conversation? That’s all a part of real DFW experience!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to honor a few of the impactful women who have shaped my journey. Tashara Parker, a powerful voice for women’s empowerment right here in DFW, has been a source of encouragement from afar—her boldness, authenticity, and tireless advocacy inspire me to keep using my voice and doing the hard things; it has been a pleasure and privilege to know her. Brené Brown’s book Dare to Lead continues to be a blueprint for courageous, unapologetic leadership, and her 2010 TED Talk, “The power of vulnerability,” — one of the most viewed talks in the world and the very first that I ever watched—sparked in me the desire to one day stand on that same kind of stage and speak truth with impact (a goal I was able to accomplish in 2022). And most importantly, my mother, Rhonda Patterson—whose love, strength, and unwavering support have been the foundation of everything I am. Her resilience and constant encouragement continue to remind me what true perseverance and unconditional love look like.

Instagram: @iamnicoleblackwell

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Twitter: @iam_nicoleb

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