How I Got Ovah: Recent Episodes
Kelly Harris-DeBerry
Inspired by gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson's song, "How I Got Over." Writer, Kelly Harris-DeBerry talks with Black & Brown women from Louisiana and beyond about their lives and a defining moment of gratitude. This podcast began as a project of the Power Coalition's She Leads Fellowship in which Kelly was a participant.
jeri hilt is a creative director & art producer engaged in environmental restoration & advocacy, cultivation & radical-sustainability, and Afro-Indigenous political initiatives. much of her work is regionally specific to the coastal wetlands. her art has been featured by the House of Black Infinity, Soul Shifting [Retreats], Afropunk, Imago Mundi, UPenn Museum, Bitch Media and the New Orleans Loving Festival.
she is a former lecturer of Africana Studies at Tennessee State and Dillard Universities; and has worked with education, research, and political policy initiatives in South Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, and the United Kingdom.
atchafalayafox.com
Rodneyna M. Hart has been instrumental in developing art and cultural advancements in Louisiana for over fifteen years.
After graduating from LSU in 2008, Hart worked as the Exhibitions Coordinator at Baton Rouge Gallery – center for contemporary art, Preparator at the LSU Museum of Art, as the Exhibitions Manager at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, and resident Curator and Art Manager of The Healthcare Gallery.
Rodneyna received a gubernatorial appointment to the Louisiana State Arts Council in 2017 and served as the Council’s representative on the Folklife Commission for Louisiana. In 2018, Rodneyna was nominated and chosen as one of Baton Rouge Business Report’s Fourth Under 40. In 2019 she was selected as the coveted Mercedes Benz Prize winner of her 2018 Forty Under 40 class. Other outstanding achievements in 2022, Rodneyna has been identified as The Drum New source/The Drumbeat 2022 Person to Watch.
January of 2019, Rodneyna accepted the position of Division Director for the Louisiana State Museum overseeing the four regional museums. Museums include Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge, E.D. White Historic Site in Thibodaux, Wedell Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum in Patterson, and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches. Hart adds structural support to further the success of each institution through programming, promotion, partnerships, and exhibitions that strategically meet the needs of the communities served.
Ava Coleman-Ecter is a highly effective, value driven environmental leader and current Senior Environmental Consultant at Phillips 66, a multinational energy company headquartered in Houston, TX. Ava is responsible for leading environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance and operational excellence at a Louisiana based petroleum refinery. With 12 years of experience within the petroleum and chemical sectors, she has established a strong worth ethic with proven track record of successful environmental management. Ava is a Registered Environmental Manager (REM) and is the past Chair for the Southwest Louisiana Section of the Air and Waste Association (A&WMA).
She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Environmental Science from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Loyola University, New Orleans. Ava is passionate about environmental stewardship, active collaboration, and the implementation of systematic processes to add value to Phillips 66 in a changing marketplace driven by increased regulatory oversight, stakeholder engagement, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) focused investing.
Extensive knowledge in environmental multi-media compliance, has positioned her as a respected environmental professional, but she is most fulfilled by the title of “Mom.” Ava’s greatest pleasure is viewing the world through the eyes of her 2-year-old son, Asher. When not working or chasing a toddler, she enjoys running, yoga, event planning, travel, and volunteering as a member of The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
She's also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Dr. Nicole Thomas is a nurse-leader, associate director, and educator for various fortune 500 companies in the area of medical & clinical operations, teams of nurses, nurse practitioners, & allied health professionals.
In addition to being a Doctorally prepared registered nurse with a specialization in healthcare systems leadership & certified case manager, Dr. Nicole utilizes her 16- years of leadership, healthcare expertise, clinical knowledge, and business acumen to provide healthcare consulting services through her company Impact Nurse Consulting to healthcare organizations around the world.
Visit nicolethomasinc.com for more info.
Timolynn “Tim” Sams is an entrepreneur, social innovator, and game changer with 20 years of significant, measurable results in community engagement and civic education. Serving as an ambassador to the city of Kobe Japan since 2009 and recognized as Utne Reader’s “50 People Changing the World.
In 2021, Timolynn had an unsuccessful run for New Orleans City Council District. She discusses her challenges and lessons from the campaign trail. Timolynn knows and believes that in times of crisis and rebuilding the surest investment is in people therefore she will persist.