The Reluctant Consultant
One of the most popular running jokes in DC centers on the vast consultant class that lives and works here—no one really knows what they do (perhaps followed by the related and derogatory jokes about how many lawyers live and work here). For years, I did two things: 1) embraced the self-deprecating stance that yes I am a lawyer, but not that kind of annoying lawyer; and 2) fiercely eschewed ever becoming part of the mysterious crop of consultants who alternatively confused and exasperated me and my skeptical peers in multiple work settings. I think it’s fair to say I was a consultant hater.
Given that, I’ve wanted to write for some time about how in the world I went from consultant hater to…well…a consultant. I’ve been running my consultancy, AJA Advocacy Solutions, for almost two years now; yet I still hesitate before describing what I do or embracing the fact that I have joined the ranks of people I painted with a broad brush based on a limited number of experiences. What kind of journey leads someone like me from there to here?
I’ve written about some of my experiences with workplace trauma, what I call “position origination fatigue,” how I developed my praxis of principled management from surviving harmful working relationships. You can likely glean my basic story from there: in trying to marry my personal passions with career progression, I found myself in back to back toxic work settings. I had to pause and take stock for about 6 months, querying myself critically: why was I searching for a perfect fit by trying the same thing over and over again expecting different results? What would it mean to do the work I love from a radically different posture; not as an employee but as a consultant? What kind of autonomy would that grant me, and what would I do with it?
Instead of trying to write it all down, I want to share two podcasts I had the privilege of joining as a guest this year. I think both paint a clear, useful picture of not only how I got here, but how I am embracing the posture of being in-progress. And honestly, they’re both rare moments where I embrace my own power, the power of my expertise and advocacy, and the change I am creating as a consultant—reluctant or otherwise. I hope you’ll give them a listen.
SYNARCHY with Adina Applebaum, Esq., AFC
Adina describes our episode in this way:
What happens when the child of immigrants becomes a changemaker — not just for her family, but for the entire system?
In this powerful and heart-opening guest episode of SYNARCHY, Adina sits down with Breanne J. Palmer, Esq. — attorney, immigration policy advocate, and founder of AJA Advocacy Solutions — to explore what it means to build a business rooted in legacy, liberation, and justice.
Breanne’s story is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. From nonprofit and government roles to founding her own policy consultancy named after her grandmother, Breanne shares how her consultancy is way more than a business. It’s a legacy project. A reclamation. And a declaration that advocacy doesn’t have to burn us out — it can be done with soul, clarity, and sovereignty.
You’ll hear:
• What finally pushed Breanne to leave the “safe path” and start her own firm
• How her family’s story and experience as Jamaican immigrants shaped her approach to entrepreneurship
• How Breanne redefined leadership after years in government, private, and nonprofit spaces
• Why we don’t need a “seat at the table” — and instead we can build the whole house
• What legacy actually looks like in action — and how to build without replicating the systems we’re trying to dismantle
• The power of walking away — and of building something new
This episode is a permission slip to lead differently for anyone navigating visibility, voice, and career changes. To build businesses that feel like home. And to honor the shoulders we stand on — while becoming inspiration for future generations.
Intersections with Dr. Felecia Russell
Dr. Russell describes our episode in this way:
In this episode, Breanne and I explore the unique experiences of those navigating both Black American and Black immigrant identities, emphasizing the necessity of solidarity in the ongoing struggle for justice. Furthermore, we delve into the historical connections between these communities, underscoring that liberation is a collective endeavor.
Takeaways:
• The liberation of Black individuals in the United States is intrinsically linked to the liberation of all, indicating that the fight for equality is a collective endeavor.
• The integration of the African American civil rights movement with the ongoing struggles of Black immigrants is essential for achieving broader societal freedom and justice.
• The future of Black immigrant advocacy hinges on collaborative efforts that embrace the diversity of experiences within the immigrant community, fostering solidarity against systemic oppression.
