About Lisa
Lisa Hurley is an Anthem Award-winning activist, writer, and community builder. Her work centers Black women, and operates at the nexus of self care, community care, joy, and rest.
Hurley is the author of Space To Exhale: A Handbook For Curating A Soft, Centered, Serene Life, a transformational book created to help people beat burnout, embrace rest, and curate a soft, fulfilling life. Part memoir, part manifesto, part meditation guide, Space To Exhale is a self-help manual that inspires us all to remove our superhero capes, put our masks on first, and create lasting life-work balance. Lisa is also the Founder of The Great Exhale, a virtual community focused on sisterhood and soft living, where Black women can relax, lay their burdens down—and exhale.
Lisa is an Executive Member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a board member of YuVoice, and a Juror for the Anthem Awards.
A respected figure, she has been honored as one of the Top 20 Entrepreneurs to follow on LinkedIn, voted as one of LinkedIn’s Top 50 Black Creators, and recognized as one of the Top 10 Anti-Discrimination Activists in the world. In addition, Lisa has been honored by Hush Loudly as an Introvert to Watch, and as one of pocstock's Future of Black America Top 50 Leaders. As a result of her activism, her words have been quoted in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Adweek, Sweet July, and more.
With a passion for speaking out that belies her natural introversion, Lisa is a prolific podcaster. She is the Founder and Host of the Space To Exhale Podcast, the Co-Founder & Co-Host of The Introvert Sisters Podcast. and a former Co-Host of The Tea on Tap podcast, a hair & beauty show for women with textured tresses. In addition, Lisa was one of the Hosts of Real Talk on Racism, a public affairs TV show that amplified the issues and voices of people of color.
A Founding Member of The Book Academy, Lisa is also a graduate of the University of the West Indies, with a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics & Foreign Languages, and of New York University, with a Master's degree in Music Business.
An accomplished performance poet of West Indian extraction, Lisa has presented her work to rave reviews for the Consul-General of Barbados in New York at the invitation-only artist showcase “Evening with the Griots.” She has also performed at the Guyana Symposium’s Annual Literary Hang, and has shared the stage with Caribbean luminaries including Harold Hoyte and Ken Corsbie.
With a strong belief in good vibes, Lisa is a Reiki Master, and is known for her inspiring affirmations on TikTok. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her adopted pup, bonding with her family, reading a good book, and expressing her creativity through fashion.
Of Caribbean heritage (Barbados, Trinidad, and Jamaica), Lisa is a world traveler with an understandable preference for warmer climes. Her love languages are sunshine, laughter, and naps.
