Philly native Rhonda Simmons, an educator, author, preacher and entrepreneur, founded a home for unwed teen moms in Texas, a state that is ranked amongst the highest in teen pregnancy rates. Rhonda was candid with us about what inspired her to be passionate about this work. We discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on academia, marketing and its role in the future of employment. Rhonda shared her perspective on critical race theory and the importance of educating our youth. Through her foundation, The Simmons Empowerment Foundation Inc. (TSEFI), Rhonda authored Dear Future Me: The Journey Begins and created an empowerment summit of the same name to uplift and motivate others.Social Media: @tsefiorg on all platformsWebsite: www.tsefi.orgPodcast: Empowered Heart to Heart- on Spotify, iHeartRadio www.tsefi.org/podcastResources: Don’t Drop the Mic by TD Jakes

Ayanna shares the misconceptions surrounding being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder later in life and the disparity in resources available for people of color. We discuss the difference in identifying black and Hispanic children with autism relative to white children and the services needed to reach their full potential. Not letting autism stop her, Ayanna is a creative artist that has made dolls, clothing and paintings. Ayanna is a former choreographer with work seen on BET, ABC Family, the Maury Povich Show, and at The Apollo Theater and she’s illustrated 22 books and 4 coloring books. Ayanna was honored at the United Nations and given a proclamation making April 26th Ayanna’s Day in Westchester County, New York.Ayanna walks us through sensory overload for people on the spectrum pertaining to sounds, smells and coping mechanisms. Specifically, Ayanna works with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy DBT that teaches mindfulness and journaling. Ayanna shares the experiences of seizures and fainting spells that many people with autism have that are not always discussed. Social Media: @Phenomenallyautistic and linktree for merchandiseResources: @AutisticsUnmasked non-profit organizationBooks: Cupcake Girl and Her Birthday Adventure by Chanelle A. Watson, Illustrated by Ayana Davis; We Are Magical and We Are Still Magical- coloring books by Ayanna Davis

Dr. Felecia Pullen, founded and is the President and CEO of Let’s Talk SAFETY, Inc., a not-for-profit that includes: SAFE in Harlem, a CDC-funded teen-led prevention coalition; The PILLARS, Manhattan’s first OASAS-funded Recovery Community & Outreach Center; and The SAFETY Net, a teen-designed Clubhouse in Harlem. Dr. Pullen shared her personal experience with drug use that fueled her desire to help others on their recovery journey. We discuss the grind to secure funding to keep community programs open, her role in the Netflix documentary Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy and the effect that addiction has on her beloved Harlem neighborhood. Dr. Pullen continues to create partnerships with community leaders to offer holistic, complementary, alternative approaches for individuals and their families.Social Media:@Safeinharlem, @pillars.nyc Resourceswww.safeinharlem.org, www.pillarsnyc.org, www.Drpphd.com

As someone who is usually in the background, PG County’s own Crystal Brooks stepped into her light to build and run Love You More, Inc, a non-profit organization that aids in building young girls’ and women’s self-esteem. After becoming a certified Master Life Coach during the pandemic, Crystal started Love You More Legacy, a coaching company to further her mission to empower women.Crystal is the author of the Best-Selling book When Silence is Misunderstood, where she shares her story of overcoming sexual and physical abuse to help others heal. Crystal’s journey included listening intently to the messages from God and continuing to pour into her community. Look for more great things from Crystal including her radio show, Traffic Jams, on www.theundergroundlab.com/radio and a new podcast Process the Purpose.Social MediaOn Instagram @loveyoumoreinc @lymlegacyWebsite: www.loveyoumoreinc.com & www.lymlegacy.comResourcesHope for Justice www.hopeforjustice.org

Dr. Cecilia LaRoche turned her love of math and chemistry into a lucrative and fulfilling career in dentistry. Recognizing that she was a hustler early on, Dr. LaRoche gravitated towards commission-based work to be in control of her pay. As the first doctor in her family, she discussed how a chance encounter with a black male dentist at a two-day symposium piqued her interest in dentistry. In this episode we cover cosmetic dentistry, the benefits of getting children braces and/or retainers earlier in life, low-cost dental work at dental schools and current trends in dentistry. Dr. LaRoche highlights that dentistry is a feel-good industry and was grateful for the exposure to a field that is dominated by white men. Social Media:On Facebook and Instagram @Larochedental, www.Larochedental.comLocation: 205-07 Hillside Avenue Suite 17, Jamaica, NY 11423Resources: Bennett College (HBCU)Dental Association (ADA) National Dental Association (NYC NDA), Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Dental Van Initiative

Kimberly “The Modern Steward” Hairston-Neal has made her love for organizing and time management into a family business alongside her husband, who manages the contracting side. Kimberly’s specialty is helping individuals simplify their life to make time and space for the things they love. The Modern Steward also helps professionals relocate in the Pittsburgh area and offers virtual services for closet edits and pantry organization. In this episode, we discuss the differences in being a minimalist, essentialist and maximalist. Kimberly also talks about how functionality helps with organization and sustainability in the long-term. We dig into what is situational and chronic disorganization and how customized systems help your life flow better. Social Media: Follow @themodernsteward on all social media platforms and at www.themodernsteward.comResources: NAPBO-National Association of Black professional organizers@Blackgirlswhoorganize for a registry of women of color organizersNAPO-National Organization of Productivity and Organization

Michele shared how she pursued both her passions from a young age, wanting to be a nurse and a cosmetologist. Michele explains different types of nursing career tracks and what ultimately worked for her as a traveling nurse. Seeing her mom and other patients lose their hair to cancer, Michele thought of a way to help women find their beauty and confidence again.Michele created a custom wig company affectionately called BougeeNBrooklyn which fits her love for feeling beautiful and fabulous at any time. The beauty business has space for more women of color led companies and Michele shares some resources and tips that will help other entrepreneurs. To add to her legacy, one of BoujeeNBrooklyn’s top priorities is to donate wigs to women experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment and therapy through her Wigs for a Cure Foundation ©.Instagram @boujeenbkTiktok @boujeenbrooklyn BoujeeNbrooklyn Custom Wigs LLC.www.boujeenbrooklyn.comResourcesBlack Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC)https://www.nyc.gov/site/sbs/businesses/black-entrepreneurs-nyc.page

We interviewed Brooklyn’s own Nicole Shawan Junior, a writer, leader, advocate and truth teller. They reminisce on a love of writing going back to the 80’s performing their stories for their family as a child and having a mom that nurtured a love of reading. They talk about their journey to working at PEN America helping incarcerated individuals get access to writing opportunities and payments to help stop the exploitation of incarcerated writers. They also founded Roots. Wounds. Words. Inc. which have helped so many writers of color find their voice.  Their mother’s influence in advocacy and seeing so much of their family be incarcerated, shaped their desire to enter the legal field. They are transparent about going from being the prosecutor to the perpetrator, coming face to face with one of their greatest fears of being arrested. This is a raw interview from Nicole who is currently writing a memoir to share their story in more detail. @nicoleshawanjunior on all social media platforms@rootswoundswordswww.nicoleshawanjunior.comResourcesThe Sentences That Create Us: Crafting A Writer’s Life in Prison by Pen AmericaThis Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America by Morgan JerkinsThe Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.Fledgling by Octavia E. ButlerA Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown

Documentagrapher Kevin Jean-Jacques discussed the shift that occurred after his sister’s death that led him to pursue his passion of documenting life through photography. Checking through his social media pages, Kevin captures weddings, brand promotions and events in a way that makes you want to be there.Kevin explained the process of getting certified with larger photography companies to sell stock images, NFTs and ownership of images.  He discusses NDA agreements with high-level clients, privacy and how he makes everyday people feel like celebrities with his candid photo shooting style.https://www.kvonfotos.com@kvonfoto on Instagram

Niko Stevens, designer of FiveKarats and FiveKarats x Niko shared her journey to building a fashion brand based in New York and taking the steps to invest in making it successful.  A collaboration with SHEIN in the books, Niko is building a portfolio with hopes of joining the high-end retail stores in 2023.  Already featured in Vogue Magazine twice, and presenting at New York Fashion week, Niko dreams of attending the MET Gala and dressing Rihanna or our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama. Niko sheds light on the struggles with obtaining capital for running a business, diversifying her talents to create Hairmilk, a line of hair products for natural hair, and providing personal and brand styling services. As a true hustler, Niko’s mind is always on business and getting to the bag.Social Media@fivekarats on IG and Facebookwww.fivekarats.com@hairmilkbar on IGwww.hairmilk.com@diary_of_niko on IGResourcesThe Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane von Furstenberg

We talked with lifelong friends and business partners Andre Williams and Troy Womack from Impervious Protection and Consulting Group.  Andre highlights his prior service as an NYPD Police Officer that gave him the reputation for being a problem solver and a community relations practitioner. Troy sheds some light on his experience in the music industry and as a business consultant noting the importance of relationships in business. They discuss working on security details for high profile clientele like our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris.  Troy and Andre exchange views about gun legislation, the importance of taking active shooter training and a common sense approach to ensuring personal safety in these tumultuous times.Contact:@impervious_protection on IG, Facebook and TikTokwww.imperviousprotection.comResources:ASIS International

Jason co-owns JP Customs NYC, an award winning custom motorcycle shop in the Bronx that is well respected by industry leaders. Jason discusses being a self-taught mechanic, fabricator and welder that uses his skills and love for working with his hands to build motorcycles and customize his 40 foot private yacht. A thrill seeker at heart, Jason pushes learning trades and starting a business as early as you can. Working in customer service for 25 years aided Jason in being a charismatic host providing a luxury experience on the waterways of New York chartering his yacht “Seas The Day.” We learn about costs and maintenance of owning a boat, the pride in seeing other black and brown boat owners and the value in helping folks create memories of a lifetime on the water.  Social Media:  @JPCustomsNYC on IG and Facebook@Seasthedaybx on IGEmail: Jpcustomsnyc@gmail.com seasthedaybx@gmail.comResources:https://parks.ny.gov/boating/education.aspxNew York State Boating Safety Course

We chatted with actor and Lyric Party game app creator Nikiva Dionne who initially ignored her childhood dream to be an actor despite the signs always being there. Having read the legendary book, The Alchemist, and going on a fast helped Nikiva come to the decision to quit her job in fashion and within three weeks she booked two commercial jobs. Nikiva breaks down pay for commercials, being Black in Hollywood and how content creation attracts casting directors. The @Insecure actress discusses how Issa Rae was intentional in creating a door for her and other people of color onto her show.  Nikiva is unapologetic about her religious faith and opening up to listen to direction from a higher power. We play her Lyric Party Game and learn how an all Black team helped Nikiva bring her Gaming app to life.@ nikivadionne on social media@ lyricpartygameResources:The Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoWhen to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People by Gary Thomas and Zondervan

Maryland’s own, Ethical Hacker, Carl Gray, III takes us on his journey that started when a Pastor gifted him a computer at a young age. We get into hacking 101, ethical hacking being a sought after field with job security and how to prevent yourself from being a victim online. He breaks down educational barriers and student engagement to create successful young leaders and entrepreneurs.  Carl discusses scaling a business, creating E-books and designing courses to add additional revenue in your area of expertise. @learnfromahacker@launchwithcarlbusinessmoversmastermind.com#podcasting#blackwomenpodcasters#podcastingwhileblack#podcast#podcastlife

We talked to award-winning professor, executive leader, and social good expert  Kimberly O’Neil who helped to demystify the myth that nonprofits should not make money.  Kim pivoted and through her business Giving Blueprint, she leads Cause Studio, an education and professional development initiative for startup nonprofit organizations.  In the age of quiet quitting, Kim tells us to know what you need to survive financially before quitting and moving on.  A certified fashion girl and a Ted Talk veteran, Kim talks about her political career ambitions and What’s Next.https://justkimonline.comhttps://linktr.ee/justkimonline@justkimonline on FaceBook, IG, TikTokResourcesThe 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Michael LenningtonThe Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), Quarterly JournalThe NonProfit Times

Welcome back!!!! Season II is here.  Nina and Shay recap Season I’s lessons, dope guests and gems that were dropped.  Much love and thanks to everyone who listened, subscribed and shared our episodes.  We are excited to bring you Season II with more laughs and great information for the Next Steps of your journey.  We’ll continue to highlight extraordinary people of color, one episode at a time.Link in bio to Spotify and available on Amazon Music and iHeartRadio.

Anu Sun is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning musician and producer whose roots were planted in music and community.  Anu Sun is born from parents who were members of the Black Panther party and involved in social activism, and was exposed to the music industry as a drummer and rapper keeping him tied and true to the culture.  Anu Sun is a business man with a publishing and marketing company, a voting member of the Academy for Grammy awards, and has recorded with the greats such as Johnny Cash, Robert Glasper, Bilal, Don Cheadle and others. His live music jam session “The Shed Open Jam'' is a vibe where dope musicians are discovered. Anu Sun wears many hats and is as authentic as they come, “I’m involved in culture shit” and “I’m very tapped in, don’t get that twisted.  I’m with all the smoke.”  You can find Anu Sun’s music on all platforms including iTunes, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon, and Bandcamp.IG & Twitter: “@anuthegiant”IG & Facebook: @TheShedOpenJam

Stacey Blissett-Saavedra shares her experience as a woman working in technology and how the space has allowed her to combine her love of graphic design, architecture, and real estate. Stacey will have you asking yourself big questions like, is this decision the right investment for me, what parameters make you happy in any workspace and what is your ideal situation vs. ideal job?  An avid real estate investor with 5 properties and counting, her love for architecture plays a role in her investment properties.  “I still get to do what I love to do, it’s just applied in different ways.”   Stacey can be found on LinkedIn at Stacey Blissett-Saavedra.

In this episode, Durval joins us to share his experience pursuing a career in sports medicine and how the industry lacked representation for people of color in the field.  While Durval is a professional athletic trainer, a love of music, events and gathering friends pushed Durval into music management as a side hustle with artist Nello Luchi and his event production company, A’Mior NYC.  As a graduate of the University at Buffalo, Durval emphasizes that going away to college is a real experience to take advantage of if you can afford it. Relying on both traditional and non-traditional education, Durval read his way to getting his finances together and shares some of his wins and losses with us. We learn how joining a Student Loan Forgiveness support group provided all the information Durval needed to get the coveted Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness and you can do it too.  Follow Durval and Artist Nello Luchi on all Social Media platforms @amiornyc, @nelloluchi

Gina is a mom-trepreneur that credits a scroll on Pinterest, to make something unique at a kids' bake sale, for helping her create a thriving custom cookie business. Gina discusses the baking business for women of color, conquering the “cookie devil” - detailed character cookies and her plans to expand her business. Always keeping family as her priority, Gina shares how she inherited her creative side from her mom and business side from her dad. Recognizing how the pandemic grew her business in a way she could not have imagined, Gina gives advice for dreamers who want to start their own company. Contact:Website:https://houseofsweetsss.com/ , IG, Facebook and Pinterest: @houseofsweetsss