Network Monthly Luncheon - March, 18 2026

Before You Feel Ready: Overcoming Fear and Stepping Into Leadership — Kia Baird

•      Be sure to join Us Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:30 am for our monthly luncheon at Langley's Restaurant at Great Neck Country Club, $25 for member pre-registrations, $30 for non-member pre-registrations, and $35 for late registrations and walk-ins includes gratuity and tax. Please note price change. Pre-registration is encouraged.
       Kia Baird will speak on "Before You Feel Ready: Overcoming Fear and Stepping Into Leadership."
       Topics will include: imposter syndrome, confidence building and courage at any stage of life. 
       Kia Baird is a Certified Employment Support Professional. Her experience is in the project management of vocational programs that help people advance their careers.
       Ms. Baird is the past President of the New London County Section of the NCNW (National Council of Negro Women), an organization founded in 1935 by Mary Mcleod Bethune to work collectively for women’s rights and the rights of young people. Kia is a former Ambassador for the Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals and served the Chamber as a member of its Board of Trustees. Kia Baird received the Young Professionals Community Service Award. She was honored with her peers as one the region’s 40 Under Forty and in the following years Kia was privileged to become one the SECT Professional Women of the Year and 100 Women of Color (CT, MA, RI).
       Kia served on the board of directors for 10 years and was past president of OutCT. She currently serves on the board of Equality CT.  Kia is also the Chair of the Southeastern CT Re-entry Council, serving individuals that are returning to the community after incarceration. Kia serves on the Advisory board of Avalonia Land Conservatory. She is also a past member of  the Diversity Board for the Norwich Bulletin and has been featured several times as a guest columnist.
       Kia Baird is a classically trained soprano. She studied the business of music at the Historically Black College- Winston Salem State University (UNC) located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Kia studied both sacred and classical music and concentrated in jazz under the tutelage of D’Walla Simmons Burke, Richard Heard and Dr. David Legette. Among other memorable performances, Kia was the soprano in the Opera Barefoot, narrated by the Late Dr. Maya Angelou and is currently the featured Soloist for RPM Voices of Rhode Island. Kia is a former Board of Directors member of the Norwich Arts Center, where she created Miss Lottie’s Café, A jazz- theater series, named for the late art and community activist, Lottie B Scott in Historic Norwich, CT and is the Founder of Girls in Jazz. Kia sings with the Eastern CT Symphony Chorus and is a new board member of the Connecticut Lyric Opera.
       Kia holds a Bachelors in Music from Winston-Salem State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Eastern University.
       Kia’s dream to connect people with passion and creativity to opportunities allows her to help strengthen the community as a whole.

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•     *Registration closes at 9am on the Monday before the luncheon.
      * Remember to bring cash for the 50/50. Your fun ticket purchase at lunch on Wednesday, funds our Network operations, community and charitable engagement activities, and our scholarships! $1 each ticket, no limit.
       * Member Benefit: Members (only) may place their business info on the Members Info Table.

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