Meet a Woman Who’s Reimagining the Modern Workplace

​For Nikki Lanier, creating a better future isn’t just a career path — it’s a calling. A Louisville-based entrepreneur, author, speaker, and business strategist, she helps organizations navigate cultural change and prepare for what she calls “multicultural inevitability of the workplace.” Through her advisory firm, Harper Slade, Nikki works with companies to build healthier, more inclusive spaces. She’s also the author of Uncommon Ground, a workbook designed to help parents raise culturally fluent children, and the founder of the RAARE Woman Collective, a racial equity leadership community that connects thousands of women around the world.

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You’ve built an impressive portfolio. Can you give us an overview of your work?

I own an advisory firm called Harper Slade, which helps companies prepare for what I call the multicultural inevitability of the workplace. When I think about the future, I think about 2045 — the year many demographic experts project the United States will become a majority-minority nation. At the same time, women continue to become an even larger share of the population and workforce.

That demographic shift raises important questions about how organizations attract, develop, and fully use talent. Through Harper Slade, I work with companies to address workplace barriers that can limit economic mobility for women and people of color. My belief is that when organizations create environments where people can contribute fully, everyone benefits — including the economy.

I also wrote Uncommon Ground, a workbook for parents and caregivers who want to raise culturally fluent, culturally curious children. The idea is to help families introduce children to the value of difference early, rather than allowing stereotypes and assumptions to shape their understanding of the world.

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In addition, I founded the RAARE Woman Collective, a racial equity leadership community for white women. We position white women as leaders in this work because of the unique influence and relationships they often have within their communities and families. Today, we have approximately 3,000 women involved across several countries.

Most recently, we’ve launched The Common Grove, a social awareness brand built around wearable advocacy prompts. Through apparel, stickers, and other products, we’re helping people spark thoughtful conversations about inclusion and understanding in everyday life.

What inspired you to pursue this important work?

There are many entry points, but it really starts with my upbringing. I grew up on the campus of Hampton University, a historically Black university in Virginia, where both of my parents taught. My parents were deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. My father, in particular, spent his college years registering Black voters through the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC.

Growing up, conversations about justice, equity, and civic responsibility weren’t abstract concepts; they were part of daily life. My parents always reminded me that opportunities and rights weren’t things I should take for granted. They taught me that I had a responsibility to carry the torch forward.

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Professionally, I began my career practicing labor and employment law in South Florida. After that, I spent about 25 years in human resources, including serving as chief HR officer for several organizations. Those experiences gave me a front-row seat to the ways workplaces can either restore people or deplete them.

Later, I worked for the Federal Reserve, where I studied monetary policy and macroeconomics. That experience helped me think more deeply about the economic consequences of exclusion and underutilized talent. It reinforced my belief that these issues affect not only individuals but entire communities and economies. All of those roles eventually came together to shape the work I do today.

You have a lot on your plate. What keeps you motivated?

My optimism. I genuinely believe there’s another side to race-based and gender-based suffering. We’ve lived with these challenges for so long that they can feel permanent, but I’m convinced they aren’t.

I feel called to help usher in a different future. For me, this work feels like ministry. I believe I’ve been given both the vision and the temperament to do it. What’s interesting is that people often assume this work must be exhausting, but it really isn’t for me. It energizes me because I feel honored to do it. I’m grateful that it doesn’t deplete me. It gives me purpose.

If you weren’t doing this work, what would you be doing?

I’d probably be a television news reporter. My undergraduate degree is in journalism, and I’ve always loved storytelling. I love taking complex information and translating it into something people can understand and connect with. Whether it’s economics, public policy, or workplace culture, I enjoy helping people make sense of complicated ideas.

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What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of carrying forward the legacy of my family and, more broadly, the legacy of Black and Brown people who came before me. I’m also proud to be someone who insists on focusing on the world that could be rather than becoming consumed by the world that is. That takes a lot of intentional mindset work.

It requires protecting my joy, maintaining my peace, and staying grounded in purpose rather than emotion. I think I’ve been able to become a distinctive voice in a very crowded conversation. I work hard to reach people from different backgrounds and perspectives, and I try to do it in a way that isn’t driven by anger. I’m proud of that.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m extremely serious about karaoke. Like, really serious. My go-to song is “Proud Mary,” and I love every minute of it!

Another thing people might not know is that I spend a lot of my downtime creating floral arrangements. I actually have an entire Instagram page dedicated to my floral work. It’s one of my favorite creative outlets and a great way for me to recharge.

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What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

It came from my mother: “There’s no such thing as a decision in the moment. Every choice has a consequence.” It’s simple, but it’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my life and career.

What are some of your favorite spots to eat, shop, and play around Louisville?

For food, it’s definitely Con Huevos. I could eat there from when they open until they close. For shopping, I love Mellwood Art Center‘s marketplace offerings and discovering local makers and creatives.

As for entertainment, I’m a huge supporter of the arts. I love Actors Theatre of Louisville and Kentucky Shakespeare. My son is an actor, so I spend a lot of time attending performances and supporting his work. Those experiences are some of my favorite ways to spend time in the city.

What’s one thing you never leave home without?​

My water bottle. I know that sounds simple, but I’m very attached to it. It has a built-in straw attachment, and I carry it everywhere. I’m also very committed to staying hydrated, so having my water with me at all times is non-negotiable.

What’s one thing you want people to know?

I hope people understand that all of my work is ultimately rooted in curiosity, connection, and possibility. Whether it’s helping organizations create stronger cultures, supporting parents who want to raise culturally curious children, building leadership communities, or creating products that spark conversation, the goal is always the same: helping people better understand one another.

I believe our differences have tremendous value. The more we can approach one another with curiosity, grace, and openness, the stronger our communities will become. That’s the future I’m working toward.

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