We were lucky to catch up with Sharonda Lang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sharonda, appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

My business is dedicated to serving the underserved community. So many black and brown children and adolescents with developmental disabilities do not receive timely or culturally aware care. Children are often diagnosed late, misdiagnosed, placed on long waitlists, and offered services that overlook their cultural identity and family values. This disparity not only delays progress but also erodes trust in the system.

Slang Behavior Consulting was created to change that narrative. We focus on bridging the gap between evidence-based practices and culturally aware support. Our goal is to create spaces for families to feel seen, respected, and equipped; not just to provide behavior support. I remember a conversation I had with a parent about how much she appreciated me taking the time to get to know her son, to put his needs first, and shed light on his strengths. Every workshop, training, community event, or parent session is an opportunity to reimagine what culturally aware care looks like in communities of color.

“When you empower one family, you strengthen an entire community”

Sharonda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! My name is Sharonda Lang, and I’m the founder of Sharonda Lang Behavior Consulting LLC — a community-rooted, culturally conscious company designed to support families, educators, and organizations in understanding and addressing behavioral needs through an empowering, and compassionate lens.

As a Black woman and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I have not only witnessed the disparities in access and understanding of services like ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), but I’ve also lived in communities that are often misunderstood or underserved. That lived experience became the foundation for SLang Behavior Consulting.

What I Do:
Sharonda Lang Behavior Consulting or Slang Behavior offers a range of services :

Direct Family Support: Coaching and guidance for parents navigating behavioral challenges with their children, with a focus on practical, affirming strategies.

Community Workshops: Engaging, culturally relevant sessions that raise awareness around disability, behavior, and inclusion .

Training for Schools and Organizations: Staff development that brings trauma-informed, inclusive, and practical tools to professionals who work with youth.

Creative Educational Content: I also create accessible resources—like our series “ABA the SLang Way”—to break down behavior science in a way that’s relatable and easy to apply.

We are also working to become credentialed to accept various insurance providers.

What Sets Me Apart:

SLang isn’t just a play on my name it reflects the essence of what we bring to the table: cultural fluency, real-world application, and a community-first mindset. I’m not here to “fix” children. I’m here to help families and professionals better understand the why behind behaviors and build strategies that empower everyone involved.

What I’m Most Proud Of:
I am most proud of starting this company and not feeding into what an ABA company should look like. I don’t practice in a typical clinic but strive to take my services out into the community.

What I Want You to Know:
SLang Behavior Consulting is about more than behavior plans. It’s about supporting a community. We’re here to shift the narrative and help families and communities understand behavior not as a problem, but as communication.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele so far is connecting with community organizations and non-profit organizations in the city. Being in spaces that serve children and youth helps to connect with providers and families.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a point in my career where everything looked “right” on paper. I was working for an ABA company, doing the kind of work I had trained for ; helping children, writing behavior plans, supporting families. But over time, I started to feel discomfort. Something was missing.

The staff were driven, the families I worked with were incredible, and the children were great. but I was seeking more. I found myself asking, hat would it look like to do this work differently and on my own terms?

I realized I could no longer pour my energy into a model that didn’t reflect the kind of change I wanted to make. So I took a leap and I left that ABA company, even without every detail of my business figured out, because I knew staying would keep me comfortable, but stuck.

That decision led to the birth of SLang Behavior Consulting LLC .It wasn’t easy. I had to sit with uncertainty, relearn how to structure my days, and start building from scratch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://slangbehavior.com
• Instagram: @slangbehavior
• Other: Email: [email protected]