Isabel Armedilla, 2019 Nyah Fellow and recent University of Florida graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss imposter syndrome, the birth of Access Online, and why she focuses on equity issues, especially as it relates to education and healthcare. Also find out more about her Nyah Project Fellowship experience to Bali, Indonesia, and more! "There is so much collaboration that is needed to bring humanity to the forefront. It's really important to recognize that we can amplify voices without compromising our own and overtaking those who are being affected." - Isabel Armedilla They also discuss: Challenges in overcoming self-doubt and self-criticism Learning to trust her intuition  Growing up with two Filipino immigrant families living under the same roof The emphasis of education to achieve a better life and the pressure of being first-generation The importance of intention, leadership, and personal growth during her Nyah Project Fellowship Climbing Mount Batur  Her aspiration to amplify voices and address fundamental needs Who inspires her to be more civically engaged Kindness to self and to others

Edward Leonard, 2015 Nyah Fellow and University of South Florida alumnus, sits down with Leigh-Ann to share his perspectives on love, independence and creativity, his experience attending a small college, and his love of literature in a state that’s banning book. Also find out more about the early (paper application!) years of Nyah Project and his fellowship experience in Costa Rica, plus more! "I was in a school system where books weren't being banned and we could have conversations with our teachers. I can't imagine what people are missing out on, on top of not being exposed to certain literature already.... All those things helped me with understanding all the different people that I meet as I go out and venture into this world. " -Edward Leonard They also discuss: His family dynamics growing up in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami Unconditional versus transactional love Childhood coping mechanisms The importance of connection, authenticity, and vulnerability Which leaders inspire him  The importance of mentorship and responsibility towards others Journaling and self reflection Balancing his finance degree with his creative side, and more!

Nyla Seymour, 2019 Nyah Fellow and computer engineering major at the University of Central Florida, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss representation in STEM, emotional agility and becoming a “soft” leader, and what (and who) has helped unlock her own potential. Also learn why she values opportunities for cross-cultural connection, why she wants to open her own restaurant, and more! "It was really important for me to show up for myself in that way within the world, because I know that that's what I would want someone else to do if I were looking up to them and it's still hard. But anything that has great reward has great sacrifice." - Nyla Seymour They also discuss: The four ways she wishes to present herself the world The five things she would immediately do if she wasn’t afraid What her own podcast would be about Her thoughts on travel and digital nomadism Being the “golden child” in a single parent Caribbean household Shifting career goals Why she applied for Nyah Project twice and how she prepared  Her Nyah Project Fellowship to Bali, Indonesia The importance of understanding your personal leadership style Honest, truthful, and authentic ways of giving back

Miles Mariano-Ortilla, 2019 Nyah Fellow, youth activist, and head coordinator of the TAP Scholarship Fund, sits down with Leigh-Ann all the way from Ritsumeikan University in Japan. They discuss why he struggles with the label “Filipino-American,” his concept of home as a self-proclaimed wanderer, and why he’s passionate about education access for all. Also find out how his Nyah Project experience inspired him to create a scholarship program in the Philippines, and more! "It's one of my principles that education is a human right, and that everyone deserves a fair and equal education, not only in the US or in the Philippines, but everywhere in the world." - Miles Mariano-Ortilla They discuss: Importance of service to youth Being on a joint-degree program between Ritsumeikan University in Japan and American University in Washington, D.C.  Navigating different cultural identities as both Filipino and American, in Miami and beyond His love for spontaneity and adventure to experience new places Leadership identity and how he prefers to lead from the back The influences of his Nyah Project fellowship to Bali, Indonesia, and visits to Stella’s Child, which inspired him to establish his own scholarship program in the Philippines Navigating the college application process as a first generation college student in the U.S., and the support he received through Nyah Project’s Access Coaching, especially with interviews and crafting his resume  His admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a trailblazer in social activism and pacifism  Grassroots activism and local community impact

Jaida Houston, 2019 Nyah Fellow and soon-to-be graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss life from Overtown to “Black Hollywood”, how she got interested in urban planning and development, and the need for community and a sense of belonging. Also find out more about Jaida’s journey to success at an HBCU, her take on the affordable housing crisis, and more! They also discuss: Her 3 biggest regrets The importance of being in a room where you’re well-represented The ties between kindness and vulnerability Why she had a broken spirit as a child despite having a great mother How her mother’s relationship with a man named Theodore exposed her to living in a house, new experiences and a more cultured lifestyle The history and current situation in Overtown, a historically black community in Miami known as the Harlem of the South, where Jaida grew up How the opportunity to travel, especially a homestay in Germany and to Indonesia with Nyah Project, became major turning points in her life The influence of teachers and mentors, especially from the Overtown Youth Center, on her life How to deal with rejection  The strong sense of community and belongingness that she would with the Nyah Project The importance of authenticity and persistence in achieving one’s goals hen your life is already set up how someone believes it to be, you have to be your own guardian angel and say, 'Okay, well, I'm not doing it. I'm gonna make my own path.'" - Jaida Houston

Dewayne Martin, 2017 Nyah Fellow and soon-to-be graduate of Hamilton College in New York, is a storyteller, organizer, and so much more. The youngest Nyah Fellow ever selected at 14, Dewayne sits down with Leigh-Ann to dive deep into his personal definition of freedom, the connection between his philosophical and emotional journey, and the importance of unlocking opportunities and individual narratives. Also find out Dewayne’s childhood dream and how he’s helping those around him figure out, “What do we want for this life?” They also discuss: The value proposition of an individual's ability to contributeWalking as a form of meditationTranslating feelings of freedom into actionGrowing up in a single mother, queer matriarchal household and reconciling his relationship with an absent fatherOvercoming speech impediments and racial slurs in school“Being a 2020 Graduate Baby” and lost rites of passage due to COVID-19Existential life questions The importance of personal reconciliation and its broader societal implicationsHuman factor leadership as an economics conceptThe disruptive nature of Nyah Project and its influence on his understanding of purpose, ability to identify and obtain resources, and his opportunities to travel to three countriesThe potential of unlocked opportunities in Miami and the need for local residents to benefit from and contribute to the city’s future “I think that when you are in precarious situations, you have no choice but to ask critical questions about your life." - Dewayne Martin

Angelica “Angie” Gonzalez, a 2016 Nyah Fellow pursuing her master’s degree at John Hopkins University, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss prioritizing personal needs over familial expectations and obligations, imposter syndrome as the gifted scholarship student at her high school, and how her Nyah Project Fellowship to Ghana sparked her passion for environmental justice. Also find out why she emphasizes open-mindedness and conversation to develop solutions, how she’s getting over being intimidated by meeting new people, plus more! “I thought open-mindedness meant more fear for me because it meant change, but I've become a more adaptable person with time. [C]hange can happen, but there's such a thing as positive change, which is good for not only me, but for other people.” - Angelica “Angie” Gonzalez They discuss: Being a paralegal in Washington, D.C. area How people coming together during the pandemic helped restore her faith in humanity  Moving from Miami to Syracuse, NY, for independence, seasons, and better alignment with her future goals How exposure and opportunities through organizations like Nyah Project played a big part in shaping who she is today and her college access journey Evaluating self-worth based on achievements or busyness  Her transformative Nyah Project experience, from meeting the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson, to visiting waterfalls and exploring the local market  Why leaders should always be willing to learn  The power of mentorship from Lanessa Owens-Chaplin and others to help develop her career roadmap The affordable housing crisis and climate gentrification The need for more equitable representation in policy, and more!

David Barbier, Jr., 2018 Nyah Fellow, 2019 Peer Facilitator, and Syracuse University graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann for an emotional conversation to answer the question “who am I when no one is around?” and discuss the power of love. Also, find out why he considers himself both a dreamer and a doer, how he’s building his personal board of directors, and more! “I wish kids growing up knew what love felt like. As I learned to love other people, I've become aware that I was loved growing up, which is why I have the capacity to show love. I wish people felt love.” - David Barbier, Jr. They also discuss: His superpowers of imagination and connection The importance of quality time and understanding how you want + need to be loved  Navigating his parents’ divorce and spending a lot of time alone  His identity evolution, tossing out hypermasculinity, and embracing emotions His Nyah Project experiences, including embarrassing moments in Ghana, visiting a slave castle as a person with African ancestry, and mentorship His personal definitions of freedom and leadership Having positive role models, especially when transitioning to the professional world His admiration of and positive relationship with his father The need for kids to feel love and have opportunities that expand their worldview

On this week's episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast, Rita Vega, 2019 Nyah Fellow and University of Michigan graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss visual storytelling to bridge gaps between diverse communities, her foundation story in Nicaragua, and early career struggles in the Big Apple. Also, find out why Rita focuses on the power of human connection and relationship building, and more! "Questions lead to intimacy, and I think that if you don't ask, you won't know, you won't understand, and you'll just be oblivious to something that could have changed your life.”  - Rita Vega They also discuss: Building trust, improving BIPOC representation, and sharing stories of inspiration, inclusion, and culture through her photography and creative work Treasuring the moment and being “in the flow” Human beings vs doings Reconciling identity from being raised by her extended family instead of her biological parents Immigration, language barriers, and the importance of education Leadership lessons from being class president at @saswhitetigers Learning to love herself and honor her self-worth, especially when facing constant job rejections  Her transformative Nyah Project Fellowship experience in Bali, Indonesia, and coming back as a peer facilitator in Ghana The impact that people such as Arturo Nunez, Marianna Lopez, Nicole Washington, and Dr. Marcus Collins, her professor and author of For the Culture, have had on her life The need for career pathway transparency to help others navigate challenges

Ian Rodriguez, 2021 Nyah Fellow and Florida State University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey to self-awareness and self-expression, navigating queerness in an unwelcoming environment, and the importance of listening to younger generations. Also find out how the COVID-19 lockdown and Nyah Project played a large role in helping Ian grow as a person, and more! “I have to find spaces and places where I can think and be myself authentically because I’ve not been allowed that for so long.” - Ian Rodriguez They also discuss: Letting go of shame and fear Childhood pop star dreams  Finding spaces and places for introspection and being himself unapologetically  How Nyah Project gave him the tools and opportunity to truly express himself, as well as attend college for free Why he admires AOC The importance of closing the gaps in social inequity  How he’s starting with small actions to change the world, and more!

Kenya Handfield, 2020 Nyah Fellow and student at Spelman College in Atlanta, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss redefining success, friendship breakups and human connectivity, and owning your own narrative. Also find out how the death of a friend inspired her to give back and start Project FRESH, how she used Access Online to help her win over $1.5 million in scholarships, and more! “I definitely think that's how I define success: by continuously growing.” - Kenya Handfield They discuss: Dancing as a random act of kindness The importance of journaling  What Kenya learned about vulnerability, privilege and resources from her Nyah Project experience Passing through the Door of No Return at a slave castle in Ghana Her passion for education, and more!

Elijah Adorno, 2019 Nyah Fellow and University of Florida student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his ongoing process of learning and growth, balancing mental fortitude with physical strength, and desire for self-validation and contentment. Also find out what drives his accomplishments, early mornings, and desire to give back, and more! "By taking the characteristics of other leaders and putting them into that future person, you're kind of settling into who you're gonna be later on. And I think that always gives you passion to keep going forward." - Elijah Adorno They discuss:  Elijah’s purpose Curiosity and the need for more open-mindedness in society How his family dynamics shaped his personality and motivation The need for validation and self-worth Their morning routines for success Gaining clarity with Nyah Project and sunsets in Bali Understanding the various terms involved in the college application process Character development for leadership Improving communication to remove ego and pride

Anaisa Tate, 2018 Nyah Fellow, doula and nursing student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss boldness to challenge societal norms, young motherhood, and the people and places that pushed her into her destiny. Also find out why Leigh-Ann called Anaisa a “young revolutionary” after their first meeting, and more. “Now I see there's so much opportunity, and to be able to really help women who look like me, who don't have access to the resources to have a healthy labor, to have a healthy pregnancy. It's just…I see the need for it, and I might as well just stand in the gap.” - Anaisa Tate They discuss: Anaisa’s perfect day Childhood influences and the impact of her parents’ divorce Challenges to accessing mental health resources The ups and downs of choosing to transform her life at 15 Her experience applying for Nyah Project’s Global Youth Leadership Fellowship twice The power of writing down your intentions How Access helped her go to Howard University for free Why her passion changed from pursuing law to helping women navigate the transition to motherhood Who she admires as a leader Why she wants to solve world hunger, and more!

Welcome to another episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast! We share stories of how access to opportunity changes lives. Hosted by Nyah Project founder, Leigh-Ann Buchanan, the podcast provides an inside look into the transformational journeys of our Nyah Fellows as they navigate college, careers, and personal growth as young leaders in the community. This week’s guest is Adrian Oyola, 2022 Nyah Fellow and student at Loyola University in Chicago. Join him for his sit down with Leigh-Ann to discuss why representation matters, the challenges and rewards of living an authentic lifestyle, and how he’s going to make a difference in the world. Also find out how he got over $1.7 million in scholarships for college, why he became vegan, and more! “I want to make space where people from all walks of life – from different races, genders, ethnicities, social, economic classes, just from all different parts of the world – can be seen, can be heard and valued for who they are in their respective work environments, in their respective school environments, in whichever place that they may go to.” - Adrian Oyola They discuss: What’s most important to Adrian His childhood and weight loss journey  Coming out as gay and vegan in a Hispanic household Intersectionality and living an authentic lifestyle His core memories from his Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana How he got over $1.7 million in scholarships for college His views on leadership How he’s going to make a difference in the world, and more!

Tasfia Howlader, 2021 Nyah Fellow and student at Nova Southeastern University, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss personal growth and self-confidence, why she’s an advocate for women’s health and mental health, and her nonprofit focused on global education. Also, find out why she decided to wear the hijab, how she overcame dyslexia and how she stacked scholarships to go to college for free. “If I want there to be a shift, a little change, something to start that spark, it would have to start with conversations where I'm talking about it if no one else is willing to.” - Tasfia Howlader

Welcome to the third episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast! We share stories of how access to opportunity changes lives. Hosted by Nyah Project founder, Leigh-Ann Buchanan, the podcast provides an inside look into the transformational journeys of our Nyah Fellows as they navigate college, careers, and personal growth as young leaders in the community. This week’s guest is Julio Burgos, 2015 Nyah Fellow and Syracuse University graduate. Join us as he sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his personal and professional growth – from immigrating from the Dominican Republic and being a first generation student to working in the finance industry in the Big Apple. Learn how he’s navigated his career with the help of mentors and internships at a Big Four firm, where he’s traveled to, and why he gives back! “What truly, truly drives me [is] that I know that I could be better than myself tomorrow than I am today.” - Julio Burgos They discuss: Julio’s childhood moving from the Dominican Republic to New York Hyper-independence and his definition of family What drives him as an immigrant and first generation student His experiences as a 2015 Nyah Fellow and traveling to Costa Rica Time, treasure, or talent - how he pays it forward Navigating Corporate America and representation in the workplace His views on leadership and how he shows up as a leader every day The importance of education, and more!

Daniela Flores, 2020 Nyah Fellow and student at Florida State University, sits down with Leigh-Ann for a heartfelt discussion about her undocumented father’s passing, her fellowship experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of education for economic mobility. Tune in to discover Daniela's leadership insights and her vision for making a difference in healthcare. “I want to connect with people and actually give them a sense of, not hope, but a sense of relief when being in such a stressful environment.” - Daniela Flores on pursuing a career in healthcare

John Paul “JP” Mejia, 2019 Nyah Fellow and student at American University, sits down with our host + Nyah Project founder, Leigh-Ann Buchanan, to discuss his journey growing up with an incarcerated parent to becoming a national leader in climate justice. Also, find out what his superpowers are and the most impactful moments he had in Bali + Ghana with Nyah Project. “There is a difference between access and power, but they often go hand in hand.” - JP Mejia