Hailing from New York to Houston at a young age, Rozella Haydée White is the rose that grew from concrete. Rozella is none other than the Love Big Coach who focuses on nurturing and cultivating the transformative power of love, publishing her first solo book in 2019, “Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World.”I’ve known Rozella for nearly a year and have learned so much from this phenomenal individual I would describe as an Optimist, Romantic, and Inspiration. So what does it mean to “Love Big” you ask? Tune into our 7th episode to find out!Topics Covered:The powerful lessons and growth from intergenerational livingThe origin of Love BigLiving life in abundance - mindset, present moment, gratitudeThe push to write the first solo bookThe correlation between loving others and loving selfElements of a successful relationshipFree will is ultimately choiceGuest Info:Rozella’s WebsiteRozella’s InstagramBook: Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World Resources:Tricia Hersey, The Nap Ministry Sonya Renee Taylor, The Body is Not an Apology Adrienne Maree Brown, Emergent Strategy Follow Us:Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer BlogFollow us on Instagram Sponsors:Thanks to Pamoja for supporting Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer

Episode Summary: The seeds were planted in high school—the thought of starting a fashion brand. Who knew that would stick with me. A thought that seemed so far fetched for a young girl from Texas City is starting to shape up as I mold this fashion brand, Pamoja, into something great.Topics Covered:My daily affirmationOne thing leads to another, the journeyThoughts being the pre-requisite to manifestationFollow Us:Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer BlogFollow us on Instagram Sponsors:Thanks to Pamoja for supporting Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer

Episode Summary:Joanna shares her fruitful journey in building Soko Kenya, diving into the world of fashion as a vehicle for poverty reduction, positive change, and positive impact. Her idea to build a clothing factory in Kenya started off with 4 employees and has now grown to 150 employees with a sewing training program for employment, a charity, and period poverty school program. Joanna truly embodies success in the sense of doing what she always wanted to do with more great things to come!Show Notes:In this conversation Joanna shares how she dived into the world of fashion as a vehicle for poverty reduction, positive change, and positive impact. With the mindset to just give it a try, Joanna muscled enough courage to uproot herself to Kenya at age 24, which has now become 14 years in Kenya.With a little knowledge on fashion and clothing manufacturing, Joanna's eagerness to learn and adapt allowed her to hit the ground running building Soko Kenya with 4 employees, which has now grown to employ 150 people. In this conversation, Joanna shares her take on success as continuously learning, improving, and addressing the challenges of her employees and the community, which has allowed her to further push the envelope and branch out into new initiatives and partnerships, while doing what she loves.Topics Covered:The trip to Kenya that sparked the idea for Soko KenyaDefining success as doing what you always wanted to doSustainability put into practice, not just ticking off a checkboxThe Kujuwa Initiative and addressing period povertyThe power of the unconscious mindDisconnecting career from self worthGuest Info:Joanna's LinkedInSoko KenyaKujuwa InitiativeFollow Us:Follow us on InstagramSponsors:Thanks to Pamoja for supporting Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer

Episode Summary: I dedicate this episode in memory of my father, Jerome Evans who made it very clear I can do anything I set my mind to. I am recording this episode in the home I just purchased in Houston, and sharing the hurdles I’m overcoming in product development which is a huge step towards progress in growing Pamoja. I have big plans, strong faith, and I believe anything is possible.Topics Covered:Walking in faith, stepping into opportunities unimaginableTesting and learning, growing from my mistakes in product developmentBeing Intentional around Time, Myself, and RelationshipsMantras by Yvonne OrjiFollow Us:Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer BlogFollow us on Instagram Sponsors:Thanks to Pamoja for supporting Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer

Episode Summary: I’m joined by one of my amazing friends from college, Christine Baptise-Perez, a mother and a lawyer who holds multiple hats on a journey making her life and community better.Show Notes:In this conversation Christine shares her story. Originally from Brownsville, Brooklyn NY, Christine shares how the pursuit for higher education as a first generation college student was ignited by her father who pushed her to be the best and accomplish what he wasn’t able to do. A career in law was always in the cards, but Christine pivoted to a career in education with Teach for America after graduating in 2010 during a challenging economic climate. In a full circle moment, Christine currently serves as Vice Chair of Bridgeport, CT Board of Education while growing her litigation experience across multiple areas of law.In this conversation, Christine reveals the complexities around identity and representation as a Black and Hispanic Woman, why breaking barriers and showing up is critical to inspire the next generation of leaders, and a quick glimpse into what’s next on Christine’s horizon.Topics Covered:Being a first generation college studentIdentifying as Black and Hispanic in educational and professional spacesCreating purpose around passions in law and educationWhy representation matters across the board with lots of trails to be blazed!Mindset: I am more, and I can do anythingCalendaring to balance among the many priorities in lifeMoving the needle through educational policy to support the next generation of leadersGuest Info:Christine's LinkedInChristine’s InstagramChristine’s FacebookFollow Us:Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer BlogFollow us on Instagram Sponsors:Thanks to Pamoja for supporting Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer

Episode Summary: In this episode, I take a step back at the end of the year and reflect on what I’ve accomplished as the founder of Pamoja and this new venture and leap of faith I’m stepping into, launching this podcast. Stepping outside of my comfort zone is only leading to continued growth. I have faith and the utmost belief that I can do anything I put my mind to. Great things are to come in the future!Topics Covered:The inkling for entrepreneurship and why I launched leather goods brand PamojaWhy this podcast came aboutOptimism for the great things to come in the futureFollow Us:Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer BlogFollow us on Instagram Sponsors:Thanks to Pamoja for supporting Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer

Episode Summary: I’m joined by Zawadi Bryant, my amazing mentor who is the former CEO and Co-Founder of NightLight pediatric urgent care clinic, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey all the way from her humble beginnings. Show Notes:In this conversation Zawadi shares her story. Prior to NightLight, Zawadi had a successful corporate career as an engineer. Entrepreneurship was not in her sight at all, but the opportunity came while helping a church member (a Pediatrician) create the business plan for NightLight. Building a business from the ground up proved to have its ups and downs, but it created flexibility as Zawadi grew her family and has ultimately placed her in a position to now focus on other passions after selling NightLight—one being bridging the income and wealth gap for black households.In this conversation, Zawadi reveals what she wishes the younger version of herself knew, the decision to sell NightLight and ultimately step away after 1 year into the acquisition, taking time to reflect and shift focus, and what’s on the horizon in this next chapter of her life after 15 years of major hustle.Topics Covered:Why your circumstances don’t dictate your capacity or capabilities Early career influencesLessons learned while expanding NightLightNavigating motherhood as a co-founder of a growing business Shifting focus during different times and seasons of your lifeWhat’s next for Zawadi Guest Info:Zawadi's LinkedInFollow Us:Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Tik TokSponsors:Thanks to Pamoja for supporting Diaries of a Modern Trailblazer