Today we’d like to introduce you to Aerial Ellis.
Hi Aerial, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Memphis girl at heart, and my journey has always been shaped by faith, curiosity, and a deep love for helping people grow. Things really took root at Tennessee State University, where my interest in communication and culture opened the door to launching my first business immediately upon graduating.
That mix of creativity and strategy as an entrepreneur eventually led me into the classroom as an professor—first at Lipscomb University, a private Christian institution, where I taught for ten years, and later at North Carolina Central University as the Wells Fargo Endowed Chair/Distinguished Professor. This dual career allowed me to bring my real-world experience straight to my students.
I have always believed that if I’m building something in the marketplace, my students should benefit from the lessons, the challenges, and the wins.
As my career expanded through academic research, global teaching, and consulting with organizations working through cultural change and generational shifts, I realized there was another calling unfolding. I felt a pull to support women, especially Black women, in both their spiritual and leadership journeys. That heart-work has grown into books, YouVersion devotionals, a podcast, and a national prayer movement that connects women to God and to each other.
Today, I stand at the intersection of ministry and marketplace, and I love that space. Whether I’m coaching executives, guiding organizations through pivotal seasons, or creating resources that strengthen faith and purpose, my mission is consistent: to help people rise into excellence.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been meaningful, but it hasn’t always been smooth. Every season came with its own set of stretching points, personally and professionally.
As a young entrepreneur, there were moments of building without a blueprint, learning to lead while still growing myself. In academia and consulting, there were times of navigating environments where culture, identity, and innovation weren’t always understood or embraced. And like many leaders, I’ve had to confront self-doubt, especially when stepping into rooms where representation was limited or expectations were high.
Yet those challenges refined me. They taught resilience, sharpened my voice, and deepened my conviction that calling and competence can coexist. Each obstacle became an invitation to evolve—spiritually, professionally, and personally. The struggles didn’t block the path, but they built the muscle for the work I do today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work spans two interconnected lanes: leadership development in the marketplace and spiritual formation in ministry spaces. Through Advisory 83, my consulting and coaching practice, I help organizations and executives navigate culture, communication, and change with clarity and confidence. Clients have included Microsoft, Starbucks, Learfield, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Vanderbilt University, among others.
Our focus is on strategic planning, leadership alignment, cultural competency, and executive coaching—especially for leaders stewarding diverse teams or managing transformational moments. I’m known for blending research-driven insight with a practical, people-centered approach that moves organizations from complexity to clarity.
Aside from that work is a personal calling expressed through a ministry footprint that includes Christian content and a thriving, national community I launched called Black Women Pray.
Black Women Pray gathers women across the country for prayer, teaching, and spiritual growth.
My podcast, Affirmations of Excellence, delivers short, topical devotionals rooted in scripture and personal leadership.
I’m also a content partner for the YouVersion Bible app providing devotionals that reach millions of readers worldwide with practical, faith-centered guidance for everyday life.
With all of these efforts, the mission remains the same: to strengthen identity, deepen faith, and elevate purpose.
What sets my work apart is the ability to move seamlessly between boardrooms and prayer rooms—bringing the same level of excellence, intentionality, and cultural fluency to both. I’m proud that leaders, institutions, and everyday women trust this work because it meets them where they are while calling them higher.
For those exploring coaching, consulting, or faith-based resources, I want them to know they will experience a high-touch, high-impact approach. Whether guiding a leader through a pivotal season, supporting an organization with strategy, or helping someone rediscover their spiritual footing, my work is designed to be transformative, grounded, and deeply aligned with purpose.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One thing I’d love readers to know is that leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. Many leaders carry a tremendous amount of responsibility, often without a trusted space to think, process, or grow. Coaching is one of the ways I serve—creating a safe, confidential space for high-capacity leaders to refine their voice, strengthen their strategy, and pursue excellence with clarity and confidence.
Purpose evolves, and every chapter prepares us for the next. My hope is that readers feel encouraged to trust their journey, invest in their development, and surround themselves with support that elevates them. I’m committed to helping leaders rise into the fullest expression of who they were called to be.
Pricing:
- Corporate Consulting (starting at $14,ooo/mo)
- 1:1 Executive Coaching (starting at $1900/mo)
- Corporate Consulting + Coaching: contact for pricing
- For customized options, visit www.aerialellis.com
- To request a proposal, contact hello@aerialellis.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aerialellis.com and www.blackwomenpray.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/aerialmellis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draerialellis
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aerialellis/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrAerial
- Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/aerial-ellis/
- Other: https://www.advisory83.com and https://www.bible.com/organizations/7aab7b22-2e49-493c-9753-6ef2bfd48ae6
