BONUS: Ms. Bossy Award 2026

Summary

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The Breakfast Club – BONUS: Ms. Bossy Award 2026

Date: May 2, 2026
Host: The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts
Main Voice: Lauren LaRosa
Notable Segment: Lauren LaRosa receives the Bossy Award at the Accelerate Her Awards

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Episode Overview

This bonus episode centers on Lauren LaRosa’s recent honor at the Accelerate Her Awards, a global leadership conference celebrating Black women leaders and visionaries. Lauren, a media personality and recurring Breakfast Club contributor, shares her experience as a “coming next” honoree, receiving the 2026 Bossy Award. The episode features Lauren’s personal reflections, the award introduction, her acceptance speech, and her thoughts on mentorship, leadership, and the journey of Black women in media.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Accelerate Her Awards Experience

• Lauren recounts her invitation and attendance at the prestigious Miami-based event filled with influential Black women from varied industries:

  • “These are millionaires, billionaires, women that are making decisions. … More importantly, these women are women that are coming together because they want to pour into each other, … and they want to uplift the people that are coming next.” (03:05)

• The event's focus is collaborative power - women supporting, celebrating, and guiding one another:

  • “I am so blessed to have been in conversation as one of those people that are coming next and to receive the Bossy Award as a celebration and a notch in an official welcome... into this leadership family.” (03:46)

• Lauren highlights keynote encounters and other honorees:

  • Networks with industry leaders including Kamala Harris, Terry Vaughn, Kimberly Blackwell (event organizer), Takara from ANTM, and Pastor Jamal Bryant.

About Lauren LaRosa (Award Intro Package)

• A narrated segment showcases Lauren’s background, drive, and achievements:
  • Key Attributes: Media Maven, certified "Brown girl grinding," Delaware State University alumna, journalist, producer, actress, vlogger.
  • Career Milestones: Known for rapid, stylish reporting, and candid interviews (e.g., with Barack Obama and major pop culture figures).
  • Lauren’s focus on self-advocacy and peace, especially the leap of faith in stepping away from TMZ in 2023, is highlighted:
    • “Your platform matters, but your power matters more and respect matters most.” (06:10–06:30)
  • The piece concludes by noting her new influential home at The Breakfast Club and her continuing impact:
    • “In an industry that never slows down, Lauren LaRosa keeps and sets the pace. … Unapologetically herself, Lauren LaRosa isn’t just on the pulse of culture. She is driving the culture.” (06:40–07:00)

Lauren’s Acceptance Speech

• Deep gratitude for Kimberly Blackwell and the embrace of the Accelerate Her community:
  • “I am just. I’ve only been here for, like, maybe 24 hours trying to get my life together, but, like, it’s been just like a hug. And... a lot of spaces with powerful people aren’t hugs.” (07:05)
• She acknowledges the emotional value and rarity of such supportive spaces for ambitious Black women:
  • “A lot of times we don’t realize how much we need that. … you feel guilty about it or you just feel, you know, like you’re not on your mission… But I’m excited to be here… because you guys have so much that I am looking to learn.” (07:14)
• On determination, growth, and being seen:
  • “You don’t think about this part of it at all. … You just are like, I know that there’s more. … there’s elevation, that the ceiling doesn’t exist for me. … And then when you get recognized for doing it and being bossy, it’s like, okay. God, I’m glad I listen to you, and I’m glad that people see me and see us.” (07:35)
• Emotional closure expressing gratitude:
  • “I already cried. I’m not trying to cry no more. Yeah. I’m just really happy. Happy. Thank you, guys.” (08:32)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lauren LaRosa on Black women’s leadership:
  “These are millionaires, billionaires, women that are making decisions... but more importantly, these women are women that are coming together because they want to pour into each other, ... and they want to uplift the people that are coming next.” (03:08)
• On recognition and belonging:
  “When you get recognized for doing it and being bossy, it’s like, okay. God, I’m glad I listen to you, and I’m glad that people see me and see us.” (07:45)
• Award bio highlight on self-advocacy:
  “Your platform matters, but your power matters more and respect matters most.” (06:20)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:05 – Lauren on attending the Accelerate Her Awards and the culture of the event
• 04:46 – Award bio introduction: Lauren’s professional journey and persona
• 07:01 – Lauren’s acceptance speech: gratitude, reflections, and community
• 08:32 – Lauren’s emotional thanks and closure

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Tone and Atmosphere

Lauren’s language is candid, grateful, celebratory, and deeply personal. She blends humor (“trying to get my life together”) with powerful affirmations about self-advocacy, the need for supportive communities, and the joy of being recognized by “her own.”

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Takeaways for Listeners

• The value of Black women’s leadership spaces lies not just in achievement, but in genuine support, mentorship, and celebration of each other.
• Public recognition often arrives after long, sometimes unseen, periods of hard work and self-belief.
• Lauren’s role as a media maven is rooted in authenticity, courage, and advocacy—not only professional ambition.

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This episode serves as a heartfelt behind-the-scenes look at major milestones in Black women’s leadership, as seen through Lauren LaRosa’s eyes. It’s a celebration of community, elevation, and the importance of being unapologetically oneself in powerful spaces.

Transcript

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.

[Wheezy]

This is wheezy. WTF from Decisions, decisions, ladies. Let's talk about taking control of our sexual health. That's grown woman energy. You may think HIV affects someone else somewhere else, but the truth is it's impacting our community. And some of us are being hit harder than others. Black women make up just 13% of the women in the US yet account for nearly half of new HIV diagnoses amongst women. Taking care of ourselves is community care. Know your options, ask questions, and protect your peace and your body. That's using your power. Sponsored by Care for the Culture from Gilead Sciences.

[Lauren LaRosa]

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We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

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[Superhuman Podcast Narrator]

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

[Superhuman Athlete]

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on £10. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

[Superhuman Podcast Narrator]

Listen to Superhuman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lauren LaRosa (Acceptance Speech)]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and every bond. You know, she don't lie about that, right?

[Liberty Mutual Partner]

Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Hey, y', all, what's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is the latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. So this is a bonus episode. Hey, y', all, if you made it on over to this side, that means you really locked in. You really love me, and thanks for joining me. So you guys know I've been in Miami for the Accelerate Her Awards, which is a global leadership conference with powerful women. These black women get together, and I mean, these. These are millionaires, billionaires, women that are making decisions. These are the decision makers, the who's, who's. But more importantly, these women are women that are coming together because they want to pour into each other, they want to fill each other's cups, they want to celebrate each other, and they want to uplift the people that are coming next. And I am so blessed to have been in conversation as one of those people that are coming next and to receive the. And to receive the Bossy Award as a celebration and a notch in an official welcome, you know, into this leadership family. You know, this conference has been amazing. Shout out to Kimberly Blackwell, who has an agency that puts all these things together. I mean, sponsors range from everybody, you know, from Visa and, you know, I got to do a fun activation with Meta Disney Travel. I've Wells Fargo. I've met so many people this past weekend. Ran into my girl Takara from America's Next Top Model as well. Yeah, just, I mean, Pastor Jamal o'. Brien. Kamala Harris spoke. I could go on for. I ran into Terry Von. Had a great conversation with her as well. I could go on and on for days. But I did want you guys to be able to hear, you know, the presentation that was presented to me as a 2026 Black Bossy Award recipients, along with several other black women who are out here doing some amazing things. So let's get on into the award.

[Lauren LaRosa (Acceptance Speech)]

First.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You'll hear the intro package that played for me and Gia Prep. Gia Pepper is a fellow journalist. Present the award, and then I get to do my acceptance speech. Thanks, you guys for tuning in and thanks for supporting me. A lot of what they talked about while I was here at this conference was the podcast and our audience. So I appreciate you guys always.

[Lauren LaRosa Bio Narrator]

Breaking news. What's trending now? Our culture amplified in real time. If it's happening, there's a good chance Lauren LaRosa is already on it. Hailed as a rising force in media and a certified Media Maven, Lauren LaRosa has built her voice and brand at the intersection of news, culture, and conversation. A certified Brown girl grinding and a proud graduate of Delaware State University, this entertainment news correspondent Producer, actress, and lifestyle vlogger has built a national media brand by combining intention, hard work, her authentic voice, and a commitment to delivering the news with speed, style and strategy. From trending topics to interviewing everyone from former President Barack Obama to today's biggest names in entertainment and culture, Loren has become known for asking the real questions we the people want answers to. But talent and tenacity aren't the only things this media queen possesses. When it comes to self advocacy and choosing peace above all else, she's mastered that, too. In 2023, she bet on herself and made the brave decision to walk away from tmz, not as a setback, but as a strategic move forward. Because Loren understood something earlier. Your platform matters, but your power matters more and respect matters most. And now she's brought her distinct voice and point of view to the Breakfast Club, one of the most influential platforms in media. A place where Loren unapologetically commands space, drives conversation, and makes her presence undeniable. With every interview, podcast episode, and social commentary, Loren continues to position herself at the center of what's next. Because in an industry that never slows down, Lauren La Rosa keeps and sets the pace. Sharp, curious, courageous, and unapologetically herself, Lauren LaRosa isn't just on the pulse of culture. She is driving the culture. Accelerate her. Join us in celebrating our 2026 Bossy Award Honoree.

[Lauren LaRosa (Acceptance Speech)]

She's a woman who's at the center of news, entertainment, and culture. Accelerate her community. Help me celebrate 2026 award recipient Lauren LaRosa. I want to start off by saying thank you, Ms. Kim Blackwell. You know, this is my first time actually getting to meet you and experience all of this in person. And I am just. I've only been here for, like, maybe 24 hours trying to get my life together, but, like, it's been just like a hug. And I think a lot of times we don't under. No, you can clap it up for that because a lot of spaces with powerful people aren't hugs. But I don't know, I think a lot of times we don't realize how much we need that. And we feel like because we're out here, we're doing all these things that if we take the time to do that, you feel guilty about it or you just feel, you know, like you're not on your mission and not, you know, not in your flow of your things. But I'm excited to be here, you know, for the days that I am here. Just because you guys have so much that I am looking to learn. And as I navigate this new space that I'm in and learning all these things, I was watching that video, I'm like, they talking about me like, that stuff that I did. But I remember those moments and not even really, like, you don't think about this part of it at all. You just are like, I know that there's more. I know I should be doing other things. I know that, you know, there's elevation, that the ceiling doesn't exist for me. And you just keep pushing. And then when you get recognized for doing it and being bossy, it's like, okay. Like, God, I'm glad I listen to you, and I'm glad that people see me and see us. So thank you so much. Thank y'.

[Tab Ramos]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa (Acceptance Speech)]

I already cried. I'm not trying to cry no more. Yeah. I'm just really happy. Happy. Thank you, guys.

[Superhuman Podcast Narrator]

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the Enhanced Games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

[Superhuman Athlete]

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on £10. I was having trouble sleeping, stopping the muscle growth.

[Superhuman Podcast Narrator]

Listen to Superhuman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Tom Boger]

American soccer is about to explode.

[Tab Ramos]

The World cup is coming.

[Superhuman Podcast Narrator]

Ramer sending on Ernie Stewart.

[David Eagleman]

The chip score.

[Tab Ramos]

I'm Tab Ramos.

[Tom Boger]

I'm Tom Vogue. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real story lines, the biggest decisions, and the truth about the U.S. national team.

[Tab Ramos]

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals.

[Tom Boger]

Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Boger and Tab ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[David Eagleman]

There are times when the mind becomes a difficult place to live. This is David Eagleman with the intercosmos podcast. And for Mental Health Awareness Month, we'll talk with singer songwriter Jewel about anxiety.

[Jewel]

I started living in my car, and then my car got stolen. I was having panic attacks. I was agoraphobic.

[David Eagleman]

This is a month of deeply personal and honest conversations about what happens when the brain goes off course. Listen to Intercosmos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mental Health PSA Narrator]

Most people out here think that taking care of one another is important, and most people would step up for a neighbor going through a tough time. Most people around here help out friends and family when they need it. But the funny thing is, most of us won't look for help when we need it. Talk to someone if you're struggling with mental health, because most people out here really care. Find more [e-mail] that's loveyourmindtoday.org brought to you by the Huntsman Mental Health institute and the Ad Council.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.