It's Time to Level Up Career Coaching for First-Gen Professionals and First-Time Managers
Rise to leadership without losing who you are. Navigate corporate spaces with confidence, influence, and your full identity intact.
about MeCorporate Taught Me the Rules. Now I'm Here to Help You Rewrite Them.
After 15+ years in People Operations—leading M&A integrations, scaling teams, and driving culture change across industries—I've seen the game from the inside. I know which "unwritten rules" actually matter and which ones are just barriers dressed up as best practices.
Here's the truth: You don't need to code-switch your way to success. You don't need to shrink to fit in. What you need is someone who's been there, done that, and can show you how to build influence and executive presence on your own terms.
I'm Sherner Sumter, founder of Level Up Coaching, and I'm here to bridge the gap between where you come from and where you're going—without losing yourself in the process.
Let's Get Started…
Real Talk, Real Strategy, Real Results
No sugar-coating, no generic advice. Just honest insights, proven strategies, and the cultural fluency to help you navigate corporate without losing yourself. I help you turn your lived experience into leadership power—building influence and executive presence in a way that feels authentic to you.
Traditional career advice wasn't written for us. Together, we create strategies that honor your authenticity while accelerating your ascent to leadership. ou already have everything you need to succeed. My role is to help you recognize it, own it, and wield it with confidence in every room you enter.
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15+
Years of Experience
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5+
Years Of Mentoring
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30+
Hours Of Content
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1
Proven Method
Our servicesCoaching designed to help you claim your seat and grow with confidence.
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01 - 1:1 Coaching
Ready to own your seat at every table? Work directly with me to build executive presence, navigate complex workplace dynamics, and create the leadership impact that's uniquely yours.
INCLUDED:
Personalized leadership development plan
Kolbe and communication style assessments
Advanced cultural navigation and influence strategies
Accountability partnership for sustainable growth
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02 - 8-Week Group Coaching Program
Transform from surviving corporate to leading it. Eight weeks of real strategy, community support, and the tools to build lasting influence without code-switching your identity away.
INCLUDED:
Self-awareness and leadership style assessment
Shifting from reactive to strategic ownership mindset
Building your external support network and mentor relationships
Authentic communication mastery and celebrating small wins
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03 - Digital Courses
Stop playing small in rooms where you belong. This power-packed course gives you the mindset shifts and cultural navigation tools to show up authentically confident from day one.
INCLUDED:
Real talk about imposter syndrome and first-gen challenges
Cultural navigation strategies for predominantly white spaces
Authentic communication frameworks that get you heard and respected
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04 - Fractional People Services
Building a startup that actually values diversity? Let's create people strategies and inclusive cultures from the ground up—not as an afterthought, but as your competitive advantage.
INCLUDED:
Compensation strategy and equity frameworks
Inclusive hiring processes and culture-building
HR tech implementation and policy development
Leadership pipeline design that centers equity from day one
testimonials“I always know she’s in my corner supportive yet honest, striking the perfect balance between encouragement and keeping it real.”
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Sherner’s coaching style immediately puts me at ease.
She actively listens, validates my experiences, and offers grounded, actionable guidance. She consistently shows up with empathy, clarity, and a genuine commitment to my well-being, which has been invaluable throughout my professional journey.
What stands out most is her ability to ask the right questions that shift my perspective, helping me recognize my value and build confidence in my decisions. I always know she’s in my corner; supportive yet honest, striking the perfect balance between encouragement and keeping it real.
Sherner leads with people-first values, and her impact on my growth, both personally and professionally, has been lasting.
-Christiana
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Sherner’s coaching style is grounded, honest, and deeply empathetic.
She listens without judgment, speaks with clarity, and creates a space that feels both safe and empowering. Her no-nonsense approach is refreshing and truly helps people move forward with confidence.
- Layla
The process
From Surviving to Thriving to Leading.
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01/
Discover Your Power
We start with truth-telling. Uncover your authentic leadership style, identify the barriers you've internalized, and map out exactly where you want to go—without compromising who you are.
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02 /
Build Your Foundation
Develop the mindset, communication skills, and cultural navigation strategies that turn your unique perspective into undeniable influence. This is where strategy meets authenticity.
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03 /
Own Your Impact
Execute with confidence. Apply your new frameworks in real-time, build your support network, and create the leadership presence that opens doors and changes cultures.
The BlogFresh insights and real talk to help you thrive in corporate life.
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What to Expect in Your First 90 Days in a Corporate Role
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5 Mindset Shifts Minority Graduates Need Before Entering Corporate America
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How to Navigate Corporate Networking as a First-Generation Professional.
Why This Work MattersThe Cost of Playing Small Is Too High
The Reality Check Every day you code-switch away your identity is a day you're not building authentic influence. Every meeting where you stay quiet is a missed opportunity to change the culture. Every promotion you don't pursue because "you're not ready yet" is another barrier that stays in place for the next person who looks like you.
The Level Up Difference
We don't just help you survive corporate—we help you transform it. Because when you succeed authentically, you create space for others to do the same.
Let’s get started.
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Here's the truth: if you're asking this question, you're already thinking like a leader. Executive presence isn't about your title—it's about how you show up. We work with everyone from new managers to seasoned professionals ready to step into their power.
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This approach was designed specifically for first-gen professionals and people of color navigating predominantly white corporate spaces. Every strategy, every framework, every piece of advice is culturally informed and authenticity-centered. This isn't generic career coaching adapted for us—it's built for us.
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Most career advice tells you to "fit in." We teach you to stand out authentically. Most coaching focuses on conforming to existing systems. We focus on thriving in them while changing them. Most coaches don't understand the cultural navigation piece. I've lived it.
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Absolutely. We don't just help you survive toxic environments—we help you build the skills and confidence to either transform them or position yourself to move to better opportunities. Sometimes the best leadership move is knowing when to level up somewhere else.
Real Talk About Getting Started.
Questions you may have