theforcedpivot with Antoine Medley: Recent Episodes
Antoine Medley
2020 taught us all that when we plan to go right, life can harshly force us to go left. Come listen to "theforcedpivot Podcast" as we discuss how to ride the wave of life. We learn to pivot or we stop existing. Join us!
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Bobby McNeil, Jr.
Bobby McNeil Jr. is a nationally recognized, award-winning Talent Acquisition Leader, author, and community advocate with over a decade of experience designing inclusive hiring strategies and creating career opportunities. Known for his ability to bridge corporate leadership and community advancement, Bobby has built a career at the intersection of professional excellence and cultural empowerment.
He is the former President of the award-winning Blacks In Technology Raleigh-Durham Chapter, where his leadership earned national recognition, including the 2023 IMPACT Award and 2024 Chapter of the Year. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Development for the National Black MBA Association’s Raleigh-Durham Triad Chapter, helping to build pipelines for leadership and economic growth across North Carolina.
In 2025, Bobby released his debut book, Cracking the Code, a candid career guide blending personal stories, insights, and actionable strategies. Nicknamed “The Career Book for the Culture,” it empowers job seekers to navigate today’s competitive job market with confidence and clarity. The same year, he delivered an impactful TEDx talk, Not Breaking In But Becoming that challenged conventional narratives around access and achievement, inspiring audiences to own their career journey with confidence and purpose.
Bobby’s thought leadership has been featured on platforms, national podcasts, and in media outlets including CNBC. A former NCAA Division II National Champion with the 2007 Barton College Bulldogs, he draws on lessons of resilience, teamwork, and leadership in all he does.
Bobby was recently named one of LinkedIn’s Power 50 Top Black Creators and serves on the Board of Advisors for the North Carolina Technology Association. Whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or community spaces, he leads with authenticity, vision, and a commitment to creating lasting impact.
Instagram @bobbymcneiljr
LinkedIn - Bobby McNeil
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Deberah Williams.
Deberah W. Williams is the dynamic Founder and CEO of A Fresh Start, LLC, a financial-wellness company she launched in 2006 with one clear mission: to transform lives through credit education, financial literacy, and generational wealth building. She is also the Co-Founder of Women Entrepreneurship Network United, Inc. (WENU), a multi-state network dedicated to empowering women in business through education, collaboration, and access to opportunities.
Originally from Chase City, VA, Deberah holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Norfolk State University and a Master’s in Business Administration (Healthcare Management concentration) from the University of Phoenix. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has called the Atlanta area home for over 30 years.
With a professional background spanning roles as a loan officer, operations manager, and consultant, Deberah has worked alongside mortgage companies, financial advisors, attorneys, tax professionals, students, and real estate agents. This expertise allows her to understand and address the financial challenges families face at every stage of life.
Through A Fresh Start, LLC, Deberah has helped thousands of clients across all 50 states—and internationally—rebuild their credit, secure homeownership, eliminate debt, and establish practical budgeting systems. Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Deberah is deeply rooted in community service. She proudly serves on various boards across Atlanta, lending her voice and leadership to initiatives that advance education, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Her impact and dedication have earned her recognition as a 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year nominee in the prestigious Rice Awards (Rising in Community Excellence Awards).
Deberah’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Knowledge is power—and with the right guidance, everyone can rewrite their financial story.”
🌍 Websites & Contact
🌐 www.afreshstartllc.com
🌐 www.thewenu.com
📧 Deberah_williams@afreshstartllc.com
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jasmin Spain.
Jasmin Spain holds a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree from North Carolina State University in Counselor Education with a concentration in Student Personnel in Higher Education.
Jasmin has over two decades of experience in higher education, currently serving as the Assistant Vice President of Student Life at Pitt Community College. Jasmin also serves on the advisory boards for the North Carolina Community College System’s Minority Male Success Initiative, Student Conduct & Title IX, and First Generation. Jasmin has an Equity Coach certification as well.
Jasmin is also the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of The M.A.I.N. Initiative LLC™, which stands for Males Addressing Issues & Needs, as well as the Founder & President of U Good, Bro?! Inc.™. Essentially, the purpose of both entities is to assist in the holistic cultivation of the male population, with a special emphasis on Black men and boys, with their psyche, social, and emotional health at the forefront. Jasmin serves as a consultant for Youth Mentoring Collaborative.
Jasmin is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and is also a Campaign for Black Male Achievement American Express Leadership Fellow.
Spain lives by a quote delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn't do it any better." - MLK
The M.A.I.N. Initiative LLC™| Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO)
Mobile: 252-536-1926 | Email: m.a.i.n.initiative@gmail.com
U Good, Bro?! Inc.™ | Founder & President Email: ugoodbroinc@gmail.com
IG: @maininitiative | @ugoodbroinc
Twitter: @maininitiative
Facebook: Main Initiative
LinkedIn: Jasmin Spain
www.jasminspain.com
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Shawn Barksdale.
Shawn A. Barksdale is a resilient leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose life journey reflects transformation and empowerment. A former Returning Citizen, Shawn emerged from early incarceration determined to rewrite his narrative and break the cycle. Though his civil rights were taken before he ever exercised them, the second chapter of his life became a testament to growth, perseverance, and service.
During his time in confinement, Shawn committed himself to education—earning a diploma, completing college coursework, and mastering trades. He also pursued personal growth through social development classes, making a vow never to return to confinement.
Upon release, he furthered his education and launched Press 4 Time Tees, a printing business that today serves many justice reform organizations nationwide. His drive to empower others led him to become a Virginia Tech ACE Instructor, a certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
Shawn’s impact extends to media and advocacy as the host of the podcast Ten Minutes of Truth, which provides communities with critical information and perspectives often overlooked by society. With his civil rights restored, he has fostered important conversations with returning citizens, law schools such as Georgetown and Harvard, and diverse audiences across the country.
Today, Shawn works with Virginia Tech as a Special Hire for the COPE Project, where he continues to build ecosystems of support and opportunity. Through his work, business, and outreach, he embodies the power of personal transformation and inspires others—returning citizens and the wider community alike—to reclaim their narratives and embrace their inner strength.
Shawn is a podcast host as well. His podcast is called "Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale". You can listen and learn more about the podcast at these platforms:
- Official website: tenminutesoftruth.com
- Facebook: TenMinutesOfTruth
- On Apple Podcasts: “Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale”
- On Spotify: “Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale”
- On Shawn’s website: shawnabarksdale.com
- Press 4 Times Tees: www.press4timetees.com
- Facebook: Press4TimeTees
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theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Melvin Blackwell, LCMHCA, as its next guest for Season 4 Episode 2.
Melvin Blackwell is an educator, high school counselor, and licensed therapist with a passion for student development and success. He began his career in education as a substitute teacher in 2012 and later transitioned to teaching Career and Technical Education before earning his M.Ed. in School Counseling in 2018. Melvin is dedicated to partnering with families and guiding students as they explore and prepare for the next phase of their lives. He is the owner of A Mindful Connection, PLLC, where he provides virtual therapy sessions to support clients through mental and emotional challenges, helping them navigate life’s difficulties and work toward personal growth and overall well-being.
Melvin Blackwell, LCMHCA
Clinical Counselor
A Mindful Connection, PLCC
(919) 322- 8158
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theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Kevin Powell as guest for the kick off of Season 4.
Kevin Powell is a renowned American poet, writer, and human rights activist, widely recognized for his influential work in literature, journalism, and social justice. Raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Powell overcame significant adversity and poverty to become a leading voice on issues of race, masculinity, and equality in America.
Powell has authored 16 books, including the memoir The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood and the poetry collection Grocery Shopping with My Mother, which earned a GRAMMY nomination. His journalism has appeared in major outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and Vibe, where he was a founding senior writer.
"When We Free the World": Powell's Directorial Debut
In 2025, Kevin Powell made his directorial debut with the documentary When We Free the World, co-written and produced with Evangeline Lawson. The film gathers the voices of 70 Black men—from teenagers to men in their 90s—to explore the question: What does it really mean to be a man?This multigenerational, deeply personal documentary confronts and redefines masculinity, drawing on stories from across five generations and a spectrum of identities.
Powell spent six years developing the film, carrying it through the COVID pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd's death, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the #MeToo era. The documentary is intended to spark dialogue and action about manhood, identity, and social change. It features an all-Black-male original soundtrack curated by multi-GRAMMY-nominated producer Vidal Davis, with the closing credits debuting the single “I’m A Man,” inspired by the iconic Civil Rights-era “I AM A MAN” protest posters.
The film premiered in Los Angeles at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater in April 2025 and has screened in cities such as Chicago and Toledo, Ohio. Powell describes the project as a unique, honest, and layered exploration of Black male identity, aiming to inspire understanding, compassion, and meaningful conversation about masculinity in America.
When We Free the World stands as a powerful extension of Kevin Powell’s lifelong commitment to storytelling, activism, and social transformation.
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theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley reflects on Season 3 and shares what to look forward to in Season 4 in 2025.
Medley shared information on his new platform blackVOICESnow. The initiative provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC, led by Antoine Medley.
http://www.sankofainnovations.comhttp://www.blackvoicesnow.com
Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnowAntoine Medley - From Broken to Better, to a HeroblackVOICESnow YouTube Channel
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Carlos Mims, Sr. an upcoming speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC.
blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC.
Black speakers seeking to break into the motivational speaking/lecture arena are often looking for spaces and events to get started, and to get exposure. blackVOICESnow will provide that space. Let blackVOICESnow help you get the valuable experience and exposure you need.
http://www.sankofainnovations.comhttp://www.blackvoicesnow.com
Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow
Carlos Mims, Sr. is a partner at Trapp Insurance Group, Inc., where he specializes in offering Lifestyle Protection Plans to individuals and families. With 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, Carlos is committed to empowering clients with the knowledge they need to take control of their financial futures, helping them move from financing their lifestyle to owning it.
CEO, "Lifestyle Ownership" Host - "Lifestyle Ownership Podcast" Best-Selling Amazon Author
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Milan Lee an upcoming speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC.
blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC.
Black speakers seeking to break into the motivational speaking/lecture arena are often looking for spaces and events to get started, and to get exposure. blackVOICESnow will provide that space. Let blackVOICESnow help you get the valuable experience and exposure you need.
http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow
Milan Lee is a technology leader, a husband, a son, and a father. He co-founded a clothing apparel company called "I am DAD". He uses this endeavor to promote fatherhood and the life of being a GREAT DAD!
IG: @iamdadclothing
FB: @iamdadclothing
https://www.iamdadclothing.com
Music Credits: CellTower
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jeremy Sullivan and Sean Ingram, both speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC.
blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC.
Black speakers seeking to break into the motivational speaking/lecture arena are often looking for spaces and events to get started, and to get exposure. blackVOICESnow will provide that space. Let blackVOICESnow help you get the valuable experience and exposure you need.
http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow
Jeremy Sullivan
Sullivan sows a perspective of shifting ideas to help others grow in the direction of their future selves #FarmerMentality #FaithfulSower
IG: @disciple_jeremy
Sean Ingram
Ingram is an author, actor, educator, spoken word artist, and motivational speaker.
Sean's Mission & Ministry is to Engage, Enlighten, and Elevate discouraged youth from their struggles to their success.
Founder, "The Sean Ingram Academy"
IG: @seaningram
FB: @seaningraminc
https://www.seaningram.info/
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit our website as well: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jeremy McKinney.
Jeremy McKinney is the founder of McKinney Immigration Law firm in Greensboro, North Carolina and was the 76th President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), a bar association with 39 chapters around the world and almost 17,000 members. He is a North Carolina Board Certified Immigration Law Specialist and is admitted to practice law in North Carolina state and federal courts, along with the Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
McKinney is a recognized expert in immigration law, particularly on the topic of the immigration court system and the need for an independent immigration judiciary. He provided written and oral testimony on that topic before Congress in 2020 and 2023. He is sought out by media outlets for his insights and has been interviewed for immigration stories for outlets ranging from the New York Times and The Washington Post to Rolling Stone, NBC News, CNN and Buzzfeed. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for immigration law.
McKinney graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1993 and later received his Juris Doctorate from Campbell University School of Law in 1996. He previously taught Immigration Law at Elon University School of Law as an Adjunct Professor and served on the North Carolina State Bar’s Specialization Committee. Mr. McKinney is a former Captain & Trial Counsel in the North Carolina Army National Guard, as well as a U.S. Army veteran deployed to Jordan at the beginning of the second Iraq War.
Website: http://www.mckinneyimmigration.com
X (Twitter): http://www.twitter.com/McKJeremy
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mckinneyimmigration
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Troy Martin.
In 1993, Troy Martin saw Microsoft Windows for the first time, and this thing called a "mouse" changed his life forever.
Martin is a native New Yorker and has resided in Atlanta, GA since 1992. He is a graduate of Devry University, an accomplished IT professional, a dedicated husband, a father of 5, and a dedicated follower of God.
From a snapshot of his humble beginnings in IT to being a soldier for the Lord, Martin shares how he found IT and how he holds fast to God. Listen as he shares the ups, downs, and dramatic turns in his life over the last 4 years. His testimony is nothing but amazing and his sharing of his experience will definitely affect your life.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troylmartin/
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot welcomes JuJuan Mitchell and Cynthia Daniels-Williams.
JuJuan Mitchell, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008, is a community leader and social justice advocate. In 2023, JuJuan co-founded the A Balance for MS Foundation with Cynthia Daniel-Williams, dedicated to guiding individuals through the emotional journey of MS with a focus on grieving, understanding, and thriving. Beyond her role as a mental health advocate, JuJuan actively serves on various boards that champion equality for marginalized communities, using her experience and positive mindset to connect and uplift those around her.
Cynthia Daniel-Williams wears many hats- educator, facilitator, coach, advocate, entrepreneur. She is a wife, bonus mom, auntie extraordinaire. Today we present her as the co-founder of “A Balance”. When presented with the idea, she jumped into action to assist with establishing this worthy MS cause. Founder JuJuan C. Mitchell has coined her the comptroller, financial advisor, and fiscal manager…. She says, “I’m happy just being me”.
Facebook: @abalanceformsfoundation
Instagram: @abalanceforms
Website: https://abalanceformsfoundation.org/
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot welcomes Michael Goodman.
Senior Instructional Technology Coordinator, Michael Goodman provides technology coaching and support to the students, teachers, staff, parents, and administrators at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, Virginia. He oversees the daily operations of the EdTech program in the school ensuring that staff have all the tools needed to fulfill the strategic goals of the school district. In his 31+ years in education, one of the highlights was hosting President Barack Obama on a technology gallery walk in 2013 when the entire school was studying Duke Ellington.
During the pandemic, Mr. Goodman was on the frontlines providing guidance and support to his school community and leadership to other schools.
Mr. Goodman began his professional career as a classroom Technology Education teacher in Calvert County, Maryland. He spent five years providing instruction to hundreds of students and even served as a head basketball coach.
Mr. Goodman is a native of Washington, DC where he attended HD Woodson Sr. High School. He received his BS degree in Technology Education from Virginia Tech and his MS degree in Instructional Technology from Towson University. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. since the Spring of 1990. He has been married to his college sweetheart for nearly 30 years and they have three sons.
His favorite quote is “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” from Frederick Douglass.
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Melissa Fanning.
Melissa Fanning is a Training Coordinator, following in her father’s footsteps, who was an Instructor in the Navy, helping people grow. She has been with her employer for 25 years. Melissa graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, and from Saint Leo University, where she earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. She is the founder of Birthing Purposes LLC, www.birthingpurposes.com, to empower youth and showcase my books.
Melissa received "Employee of the Year" while with my current employer; was recognized for assisting training with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Service, achieved a certificate from the Association for Talent Development, and received a Meritorious Service Award in 2019 from the Virginia Community Corrections Justice Association.
She has trained thousands of professionals in criminal justice. With expertise in diversity and communication, Melissa is passionate about ensuring that professionals receive high-quality training, technical assistance, and the utilization of best practices.
In addition, Melissa is the author of Sea Lessons with Daddy, an accompanying workbook, and one coloring book, Sea Lessons with Daddy the Coloring Book, Melissa and the Moroccan Chameleon, and the soon-to-be-released Fix Your Crown, Remember Who You Are.
Melissa currently resides in the Tidewater area with her family. She is the oldest of four children to Charles and Delores Fanning and auntie to nine nieces and nephews. Melissa is passionate about growing people, and her goal is to equip and inspire everyone willing to elevate.
http://www.birthingpurposes.com
IG: @birthingpurposes
Facebook: @mimi.mosley.3
X: @melissafanning8
LinkedIn: Melissa Fanning
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot welcomes Jaki Shelton Green.
Jaki Shelton Green, the ninth Poet Laureate of North Carolina appointed in 2018, is the first African American and third woman to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate and reappointed in 2021 for a second term by Governor Roy Cooper. She is a 2019 Academy of American Poet Laureate Fellow, 2014 NC Literary Hall of Fame Inductee, 2009 NC Piedmont Laureate appointment, 2003 recipient of the North Carolina Award for Literature.
Jaki Shelton Green teaches Documentary Poetry at Duke University Center for Documentary Studies and the 2021 Frank B. Hanes Writer in Residence at UNC Chapel Hill. Additionally, she received the George School Outstanding Alumni Award in 2021. Her publications include: Dead on Arrival, Masks, Dead on Arrival and New Poems, Conjure Blues, singing a tree into dance, breath of the song,published by Blair Publishers. Feeding the Light, i want to undie youpublished by Jacar Press, i want to undie you English /Italian bilingual editionpublished byLebeg Publishers. Juneteenth 2020, she released her first LP, poetry album, The River Speaks of Thirst, produced by Soul City Sounds and Clearly Records and released a CD,i want to undieyou in 2021.
Jaki Shelton Green is the owner of SistaWRITE providing writing retreats for women writers in Sedona Arizona, Martha’s Vineyard, Ocracoke North Carolina, Northern Morocco, and Tullamore Ireland. In 2021, The Arts Club of Chicago premiered a commissioned body of work in collaboration with Flutronix for the Black Is Series and was performed in April 2022 by Flutronix and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. She serves as the poetry editor for WALTER Magazine and an appointment as the Poet Laureate in Residence at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Additionally, she has been recognized on the Forbes Magazine 50 Over 50 Lifestyle List for 2022.http://jakisheltongreen.comMusic Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Brian K. Seymour, II.
Brian Keith Seymour, II is the Principal and Founder of Prosperitage Wealth, a fee-only RIA dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap by helping Black professionals make smart money decisions through unbiased financial advice. He holds multiple designations, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and was named to The American College of Financial Services 2024 NextGen Advisory Task Force. He has contributed to articles in US News & World Report, CNN, and The New York Times.
In his spare time, he moonlights as a youth chauffeur, sports coach, and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He along with his family reside just south of the Wakandan capital of Atlanta with his wife and three kids.
Website: https://prosperitagewealth.com/
IG: @prosperitage
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBmAwwNQY5ePtQKeTsCAAkw
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/Prosperitage/
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Dana Duckworth.
Dana Duckworth is a nationally recognized public speaker, facilitator, and DEI advocate specializing in creating inclusive spaces. With a background spanning over 14 years in multifamily housing, in roles from property manager to supplier partner, Dana's transparency and commitment to cultivating spaces of belonging have been integral to her success.
Recognized as a certified employee resource group leader and the 2023 National Apartment Association DEI Champion of the Year, Dana has consistently demonstrated her expertise in driving diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her DEI certification from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Sociology from HBCU Norfolk State University equips her with a deep understanding of social dynamics and inclusive community-building.
Dana continues to make a significant impact in professional spaces with her podcast "The Hilariously Unemployed," where she is focused on supporting others as they navigate being unemployed. Dana leverages her unique blend of experience and compassionate leadership through this platform to inspire and empower individuals facing job loss and career transitions.
As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, Dana creates safe environments for open dialogue, empowering individuals from all backgrounds to share their perspectives and feel valued. Her authentic approach resonates with audiences, making her a catalyst for positive change in various contexts.
Find "The Hilariously Unemployed" Podcast on all podcast platforms.
Website: https://speakupdana.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-duckworth/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakUpDana
IG: @speakupdana
IG: @hilariouslyunemployed
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Hon. David J. Whitted.
David J. Whitted is a Judge in the Chesapeake, Virginia Circuit Court, elected by the Virginia General Assembly in 2024. A native of South Boston, VA, Judge Whitted was elected to the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court bench in 2018.
Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Whitted was Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Chesapeake and had been with the Chesapeake Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for 17 years. Before that, Judge Whitted had been a Public Defender in Suffolk since 1995.
Judge Whitted has served in the community and the legal profession throughout his career, including, but not limited to President of the Chesapeake Bar Association, the Chairman of the Chesapeake Planning Commission, and many other boards and commissions.
Judge Whitted received his Bachelor of Science from Hampton University and his Juris Doctor from The College of William and Mary. Judge Whitted served on the District Court Technology Committee, the District Court Forms Committee, was Co-Chair of the Department of Juvenile Justice Liaison Committee, and is a Mentor Judge to newly appointed Judges.
Judge Whitted comes from a family of Virginia Attorneys and Judges; his Grandfather, Judge Irvin D. Sugg, Sr., was a longtime Judge in the Halifax and Mecklenburg County, Virginia General District Courts; his Uncle, Bryant Sugg is a Circuit Court Judge in Newport News and his Aunt, Judy Sugg Scott is a longtime Virginia attorney who served under Governor Chuck Robb and worked in the private sector for many years.
Judge Whitted has been married to his beautiful wife, Judy, since 1995, and together they have 3 wonderful children, Alexis, Jason, and Trevor. Judge Whitted is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., having pledged at the Gamma Epsilon Chapter at Hampton University in 1990.
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Visit our website as well: http:www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Mel Gower.
Mel Gower is a seasoned IT leader and dynamic speaker with over 25 years of industry experience. Recognized for his leadership in customer and technical support, Mel has a proven track record of building high-performing global teams. His innovative leadership approach has consistently resulted in top-tier Employee Engagement and Customer Satisfaction scores.
As a professional speaker and coach, Mel is passionate about equipping leaders, teams, and individuals to reach their full potential. His presentations, enriched with real-world examples, inspire audiences to enhance team morale, align efforts for vision realization, and drive success.
Mel's unwavering commitment to others’ personal and professional growth has propelled many into leadership roles, establishing him as a sought-after speaker in leadership and personal success.
http://www.melgower.com
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Lawrence Chambers.
Lawrence Chambers is a dedicated public servant leader, who prides himself on transforming and elevating others so that the overall mission is accomplished, while each individual appreciates that they play a part in the success. He currently serves as the senior leader for an agency within the Federal Government. Chambers has over 20 years of experience in leadership at both the military and federal government developing, leading, and implementing policy goals. He has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with, coach, and develop people by inspiring them, as they feel an ownership role in their success. Chambers has led teams that perform audits of mission-critical programs that support the mission, vision, values, and goals of the agency.
Chambers received my BS from Virginia Union University and my MBA from Averett University. He is a graduate of the Partnership for Public Service Leadership Excellence in Acquisition Program (LEAP) and Excellence in Government (EIG) Fellows Program. During his tenure as a Public Servant, he has held the positions of Federal Correctional Officer, Contract Specialist, Contracting Officer, Procurement Analyst, Director of the Risk Management and Compliance Unit, Director of the Risk Management and Compliance Division, and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Staff Sergeant (Ret.) military veteran. Chambers has been married to my beautiful wife for over 20 years and they have 3 kids.
He is currently a certified coach in the Treasury Executive Institute’s (TEI’s) Coach Training Program. Additionally, Chambers is the owner of Market Ready Lifestyle Coaching, LLC., contact him for a consultation.
Instagram: @marketreadylifestylecoaching
YouTube: @MarketReadyLifestyleCareerCoac
TicTok: @market.ready.life3
Email: mrlcareercoaching@gmail.com
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit our website as well: http:www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Linsey Mills.
Linsey Mills is a trailblazer who has been honored with prestigious accolades, including the US Small Business Administration Entrepreneur of the Year and the Linetta Gilbert Service Award. These recognitions are a testament to his unwavering dedication to business and philanthropy, and they underscore his status as a respected figure in his fields.
As the author of bestselling books such as "Your Business Venture: The Prep. The Pitch. The Funding" and "Teach Your Child About Money Through Play," Linsey ignites inspiration and financial literacy in others. His commitment to empowering individuals extends beyond the pages of his books; Linsey's diverse skill set as a licensed Health and Life Insurance professional, Stock and Commodities options trader, Financial Coach, former Banker, and former Stock Broker underscores his multifaceted expertise.
Linsey's innovative spirit shines through his role as a game developer and co-creator of "The Colors of Why," an interactive personality assessment tool fostering effective workplace communication. His latest endeavor, "Currency of Conversations: The Talk You've Been Waiting For About Money," reinforces his mission to spark meaningful dialogues about finances.
Linsey's philanthropic endeavors are a testament to his values and commitment to making a difference. As a co-founder of the Next Generation of African American Philanthropists and a recipient of the Davidson College Alumni Service Award, he has left an indelible mark on the community. His dedication to service and his unwavering spirit stands as a beacon of inspiration, enriching the lives of all who cross his path.
Website: CallinzGroup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linseymills/
Instagram: @SimplyOutrageous
Schedule a discovery call: https://callinzgroup.hbportal.co/schedule/62e59cacfafd560bd20cd96e
Music Credits: CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit our website as well: http:www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Deron Medley, BA, CSPO, CSM.
Deron Medley is a native of Halifax, VA and he currently lives in Wake Forest, NC. He is a recent graduate of Walden University with a BS in Communications. Deron served 11 years in the US Navy and spent multiple years deployed around the world. While in the States he served as a US Navy Recruiter before being tasked back to Norfolk, VA.
After much deliberation, Deron decided to pivot and left the US Navy to pursue a career in the IT field. He spent a short time as an IT recruiter before landing a job working in the IT Voice field.
Over the years, Deron has made pivots to better his situation for his family. He recently completed his BS degree and used the loss of his brother to motivate him to complete his degree. He currently serves as a Scrum Master/Agile Coach for the largest credit union in North Carolina.
Deron has spent 15+ years doing volunteer work in his community and he stays motivated to give back. He is the proud father of 5 daughters and he has one grandson.
Deron Medley, CSM®, CSPO® | LinkedIn
Music Credits:CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit our website as well: http:www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Kionna Myles.
Lieutenant Kionna Myles, a native of South Boston, Virginia, enlisted in the United States Navy in 2012 as a Hospital Corpsman. Her enlisted assignments were Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA; Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir, VA; and Fleet Surgical Team SEVEN, Okinawa, Japan.
While enlisted, she earned her Bachelor of Public Health degree in 2017 and Master of Public Health degree in 2019. Lieutenant Myles was commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Medical Service Corps through the Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program (MSC-IPP) in 2019.
After completing Officer Development School in 2020, Lieutenant Myles reported to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Quantico, Quantico, VA, as Department Head, Healthcare Business. In 2021, Lieutenant Myles reported to Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, C A, and graduated in December 2022 with a Master of Business Administration, with emphasis in Material Logistics Support.
In 2023, Lieutenant Myles reported to Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command -Detachment Fort Detrick, Fort Detrick, MD, where she currently serves as the Director of the Mission Support Directorate and has earned her Doctor of Healthcare Administration degree. Lieutenant Myles is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®. She is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College Command and Staff Program, Uniform Services University MedXcellence Course, and the Financial and Material Management Training Course.
She is a recipient of the Regent-At-Large Diversity & Inclusion Early Careerist Award and the Early Careerist Healthcare Executive Award.
Her personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (two awards).
Music Credits:CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit our website as well: http:www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot Podcast meets Patti Williams.
Ms. Williams has held management and technical positions with IBM in Birmingham,
AL, Atlanta, GA, Greensboro and Raleigh, NC. Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business Administration from the Universityof Montevalloin
Montevallo, AL and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Johnston Community College
in Smithfield, NC.
As a NC Home Care Agency owner for 19+ years, hundreds of employees and clients
were serviced while maintaining an excellent compliance record. Currently, Ms.
Williams is the Principal Consultant and CEO of Home Care Resources Now-a home
care agency consulting firm that provides industry education and resources to home care agencies nationwide. Ms. Williams states that she is a “major business plan proponent” as she attributes her home care company’s success to a solid business plan. “I carefully constructed my plan due to the lack of start-up funding. By following a plan for steady, controlled growth, the business was able to fund itself, successfully.”
She is a Certified SCORE-Raleigh Mentor offering business counseling to various
industries. In her volunteer activities at SCORE-Raleigh, she is consistently ranked
among the top mentors by volunteer sessions and client satisfaction. She also chairs a
tailored business plan education program in collaboration with Shaw University’s School of Business and Professional Studies and a teen entrepreneurship program for nonprofit, SAGE, Inc."
Ms. Williams has a solid history of assisting those in need. She enjoys traveling and
baking desserts for family and friends.
Home Care Resources Now | Home Care Consulting That Works
Music Credits:CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit our website as well: http:www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot welcomes Tobi Shannon.
Tobi is a community-based strategist that works to redistribute wealth and defy unbalanced power structures across sectors and disciplines. Her impact is most amplified with her current work in corporate philanthropy, where she connects corporate employees to volunteerism and an inherent sense of altruism.
Utilizing a “collaboration over competition” mindset, Tobi works to amplify the work of the global majority across the various communities she touches.
Tobi currently serves as board chairperson for the Community Investment Network and is a co-founder and member of Hypha Collective, a cooperative and advisory firm working to address democratic business challenges to create a more just, equitable, and ecologically conscious world.
Community Investment Network | Philanthropic Giving Circle (thecommunityinvestment.org)
Music Credits:CellTower Follow theforcedpivot Podcast on Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit our website as well: http:www.theforcedpivot.com
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Craig Jeffress.
Craig has worked in the hospitality industry for over thirty-five years.
Working on the culinary end, as well as guiding service in many dining
rooms, has given him a keen eye for the details that matter most to those
with discerning tastes.
Throughout the 90's, while getting multiple degrees, Craig would spend his
nights in the kitchens of Atlanta's Peasant Restaurant Group. This would
lead to him spending several years traveling with that organization
throughout the eastern U.S., having a chance to open numerous
restaurants, and working with some of the best chefs of that era in
Philadelphia, Washington DC, Miami, Memphis, Nashville, Minneapolis,
Orlando and New York. Eventually, his passion for leadership brought him
to the helm of several notable establishments serving as everything from
chef to general manager, director of operations, and owner.
Craig has spent the last 14 years in Savannah and Charleston utilizing his
years of experience in the industry to continue the legacy of fine dining
hospitality for the Garibaldi Management Corporation which includes The
Olde Pink House, Garibaldis and Anson Restaurant.
Growing up in southern Virginia, as one of five children, Craig has held on
to what he learned while eating at his mother’s table. Gatherings of friends
and family are treasured moments and every opportunity to make them
special should be cherished. His career has taught him that leadership of
others is one of the most humbling yet rewarding charges given to an
individual.
The Olde Pink House The Olde Pink House (theoldepinkhouserestaurant.com)
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes J.A. Faulkerson.
J. A. Faulkerson is a Northern Virginia-based Creative Writer who has penned instant classics like Adinkrahene: Fear of a Black Planet (fiction), Real Men Raise CHAMPIONS: Unleashing Your Inner COACH (nonfiction), and Young Achiever Playbook: Planning To Achieve (nonfiction). In July 2015, Adinkrahene: Fear of a Black Planetwas named one of three finalists for a Phillis Wheatley Book Award (in the First Fiction category). The Phillis Wheatley Book Awards are held annually as the kickoff event for New York City’s Harlem Book Fair.
J. A. is available to speak about his insights and experiences as a Creative Writer, Child and Family Advocate, Social Entrepreneur, and former TRIO Upward Bound and YMCA Director.
Website: jafaulkerson.com
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jason Kelley.
Garnering critical and commercial acclaim for his waggishly entertaining voice acting as Colt Vahn, the anti-hero in Arkane’s DEATHLOOP (2021), actor Jason Kelley erupted onto the 2021-22 gaming stage. Earning an impressive 8 nominations & 2 wins* in the Best Performer or Performer in a Leading Role category:
Global Industry Game Awards
BAFTA Games Awards
DICE Awards
Algerian Game Awards
IGN’s 2021 Best Gaming Performance
Arab Game Awards
The Game Awards
Golden Joystick Awards
An instant fan favorite, Jason charmed players and media establishments with a fresh new benchmark by delivering an original archetype for lead characters of color. The impact was felt globally inspiring fan art, cosplay, and heavy social media engagement with gamers of all cultures.
He can be seen recurring on Taylor Sheridan's hit series MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN (2021) on Paramount+, a supporting role in Netflix’s animation SEAL TEAM (2021), and the highly anticipated game sequel, HORIZON: FORBIDDEN WEST (2022) along with several unannounced performances in gaming, animation, and film.
With a voiceover Emmy Award (2011) and NAACP Theater Award (2014) to his name, this multi-hyphenate continues expanding his range, adding executive producer to his repertoire with the indie feature, SEA CLOUD PARK due in 2022.
Jason is an ongoing student of the Seydways Acting Studio, an alum of The Second City Conservatory, and a rising talent among the ranks of iconic creatives like Keegan Michael-Key, Bill Hader, Tim Meadows, Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Adam McKay and Bob Odenkirk. Originally from the Washington DC metro region, this Virginia native currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
www.jason-kelley.com
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Tyronne Drakeford.
Drakeford is the current District Athletic Director for DD2 where he oversees the seven middle schools and three high schools’ athletics and athletic facilities. Mr. Drakeford has a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Athletic Administration with a focus in Interscholastic athletics from Ohio University.
He is a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association, and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association. He was awarded the South Carolina Athletic Administration Athletic Director of the Year in 2020, Region Athletic Director of the Year in 2019 & 2020, and Football Coach of the Year in 2020. He continues to put others first while creating an environment of selfless individuals who respect others. He has spent the past 20 years as an athletic administrator and or a coach.
Mr. Drakeford is a former Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America where he found a passion for serving, mentoring, and helping young people to be productive in the communities in which they serve. Mr. Drakeford also played 8 years in the NFL and is a member of the 1994 San Francisco 49ers Superbowl XXIX team and a member of the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
www.KandyApplesByK.com
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Kim Battle.
Kim Battle, Owner and Founder of Kandy Apples by K. They sell incredible and beautiful candy apples in order to enhance the typical candy apple experience.
Kim grew up in Raleigh and graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Finance. After 19 years as an accountant, she took a leap of faith and launched the first Candy Apple-focused shop in the area.
Kandy Apples by K has received numerous awards and recognition in the area and has also been featured in the Food Network magazine and Al Roker’s Family Style show on The Today Show platform.
On April 13th Kandy Apples By K will celebrate its 5th year of business!
www.KandyApplesByK.com
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Barron Damon.
Barron Damon is a Certified Philanthropic Coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) with over 20 years of experience working as a Non-Profit Executive. Barron is currently the Managing Partner of the Business of Life Coaching and Consulting (BOLCC) a service and education company. As a philanthropic coach, Barron teaches donors how to Live their Legacy through strategic giving that aligns with their deepest values.
Barron has coached and trained thousands of people during his professional career and has been featured in national magazines as well as a special guest on TV, radio shows, and podcasts discussing topics related to philanthropy, business, youth development, and travel. Barron is a nationally syndicated radio host and the host of Live Your Legacy and Giving While Black Podcast, He is the author of Monday Morning Manna and a collaborative book "Transforming Lives" which will be released this summer. Barron is the CEO of the BK Damon Foundation whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of young people and adults through philanthropic acts of kindness.
Giving While Black Podcast
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Ron Brade.
As Senior Vice President of Administration & Chief Operating Officer, Ron Brade supports the President of Xavier University in Louisiana, in strategic analysis and planning. He oversees the daily operations of the university, ensuring administrative units fulfill the mission of the university. This includes overseeing infrastructure, the university Master Plan and its execution, finances, IT, facilities operations, human resources, campus safety, risk and insurance management, compliance, and satisfaction of internal and external stakeholders.
Before his appointment with Xavier, Mr. Brade was the Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Sourcing & Chief Procurement Officer at the University of North Texas (UNT) System. In this role, he provided strategic direction, leadership, and supervision of strategic sourcing, the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program, contract management, credit card services, and accounts payable functions across the system’s member institutions in Denton, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Most recently, Mr. Brade led the transformation of UNT System's procurement infrastructure, including the automation of its procure-to-pay processes.
Prior to joining UNTS, Mr. Brade retired as a member of the Senior Executive Service, having spent 29 years working in the federal government. While he completed his federal career as the Associate Center Director for NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California, his federal career included center and agency-level leadership responsibilities covering Human Capital, Procurement, IT, Strategic Infrastructure, and Protective Services. In addition to NASA, Mr. Brade worked for other federal agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency at the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Institute of Standards & Technology.
Mr. Brade is a native of South Boston, VA, and received his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and his master’s degree in Public Administration from George Washington University. He is married to Angela LaCroix Brade, and they have three children: Bianca, Beau, and Brielle.
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Grammy-nominated R&B Artist Eric Roberson.
As a GRAMMY Award-nominee, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, and Howard University alum, Eric Roberson continues to break boundaries as an independent artist in an industry dominated by major labels, manufactured sounds, and mainstream radio. Described as the original pioneer of the independent movement in R&B/Soul music, Eric has achieved major milestones in his career, from being a successful songwriter and producer for notable artists such as Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, Vivian Green and countless others, to headlining sold out tours across the country.
Eric is celebrating over twenty years as an independent artist, creating “Honest Music” since 2001, which has afforded him the artistic freedom that isn’t typically offered in the mainstream music industry. Throughout 2021, Eric will be sharing his creative thought process and the work he’s done on his last 13 solo albums. “I was more than willing to take less to enjoy my passion. I was fortunate to be rewarded with a career...a career that I never dreamed of.”
In June 2021, Eric will release a new single, entitled “Lessons”. Ironically, the song was recorded on the morning of his 12th wedding anniversary to his wife Shawn, with whom he credits as his inspiration. Eric says, “Being blessed to be with a woman who has had my back and who completes me, helped put me in a special mood to create”.
As Eric reflects on his new single release, he said, “I thank God for not having my temporary prayers answered. We have to have the heartbreak, the roadblocks and [other] things to not work out as planned. There's a lesson in just being patient and swimming against the current to get to your destination. That's the lesson for me. Knowing that there's a reason for setback, for failure, for all of it."
While recording the trilogy album Earth, Wind & Fire in 2017, Eric created “The Process”, a forum in which he invites fans to navigate through his creative experience. It allows fans to listen and comment on unreleased songs, thereby being a part of the “process” of making music. “We are losing so much of the culture that went with listening to music. Letting the fans watch us create the albums was our way of bringing some of the old music culture back,” says Eric.
Eric was nominated in 2010 and 2011 for a GRAMMY award in the “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” category and continues to blaze trails unheard of as an independent artist. He was the recipient of the “Underground Artist of the Year” BETJ Virtual Award, with Rahsaan Patterson in 2008, and he became the first independent artist to be nominated for a BET Award in 2007.
The portal for all things Eric Roberson
https://ericrobersonmusic.com/
Music Credits:CellTower
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Greg Hedgepeth.
Greg Hedgepeth was born and raised in Halifax County, NC, and was a first-generation college student that attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. There he received his undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. He later received his Masters in Management and Leadership from Webster University. Greg is also in the early stages of his doctoral pursuit in Learning and Organizational Change.
Greg currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the NC State University Graduate School and is the President and CEO of Substantial Media, LLC an award-winning minority multimedia platform that seeks to amplify the voices and stories of black and brown communities and bring awareness to important issues that impact these communities on a local, state and national level. Greg has been in the field of higher education marketing and communication for over 16 years, serving in leadership roles at the divisional and university level. Greg is a certified digital marketing professional, a husband, a father of two beautiful little girls, a professor within the Mass Communications and Digital Technology Department at Shaw University, and a social entrepreneur. Greg has presented and facilitated at conferences, summits, and workshops all around the country and has been awarded for his service work within the minority community and the field of education.
Substantial Magazine
https://www.facebook.com/SubstantialMagazine/
https://twitter.com/substantialmag
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast creator Antoine Medley shares his thoughts on loss and how one deals with the changes in their life after loss.
Medley is joined briefly by special guest Licensed Clinical Social Worker Dekevias Atkinson, Sr.
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast chats with guest Brenton Logan on his life journies and how the pandemic affected him.
Brenton Logan is a native of Richmond, VA. He received his undergraduate education from Shaw University where he studied sociology. Brenton serves as a board member of The Tulsa Initiative, Inc. a non-profit organization which utilizes mentorship and education to cultivate young minds, preparing them to change lives. In addition, Brenton is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men.
Brenton is the CEO and founder of N-Tech-U where he provides professional preparation, coaching, and networking in the tech industry for HBCU students. Brenton has worked in community engagement, sales, and process improvement. Prior to joining Capital One Brenton led 30+ employees at AT&T doing escalations and technical troubleshooting. He has also worked at Lenovo, leading education sales and creating process improvement strategies. Brenton most recently worked at Amazon Web Services where he was program manager in the business operation organization.
Brenton describes himself as a master relationship builder and servant leader. He subscribes to Dr. King's philosophy “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcasts sits down with Natalie Bullock Brown.
Natalie Bullock Brown is an award-winning producer, an Assistant Teaching Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies at North Carolina State University, and a 2021 Rockwood Institute JustFilms Fellow. She is director/producer of a documentary work-in-progress that explores the impact of the beauty standard on Black women and girls; and is a producer on award-winning filmmaker Byron Hurt’s PBS documentary, HAZING, as well as his upcoming NOVA film, Lee and Liza’s Family Tree.
Natalie is also a proud member of the Documentary Accountability Working Group, which released a values-informed framework for documentary filmmakers that emphasizes care, consent, and collaboration as a pathway to ethical storytelling. Natalie was the StoryShift Strategist for Working Films, where she guided the organization’s work in promoting accountable documentary storytelling.
Natalie was also a regular guest and contributor for #BackChannel, a monthly segment on North Carolina public radio’s The State of Things. And for nearly 12 years, Natalie was an assistant professor of film and broadcast media in the Department of Media & Communications at Saint Augustine's University. She also served 12 years as co-host of Black Issues Forum, a public affairs program on UNC-TV, North Carolina’s statewide public television network. Natalie was also an associate producer on documentary filmmaker Ken Burns’ 10-part PBS series, Jazz. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from Howard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northwestern University. Natalie is a native Chicagoan but a New Yorker in her heart.
Natalie Bullock Brown
http://www.NatalieBullockBrown.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Everett B. Ward, Ph.D.
Dr. Everett B. Ward became the 11th president of Saint Augustine’s University on April 10, 2015. He is the 3rd Saint Augustine’s University alumnus to serve as its president, in its 151-year history. As president, Ward has championed academic excellence and encouraged innovation in scholarship and teaching. He has launched initiatives to build interdisciplinary strength around global challenges while supporting expanded opportunities for experiential learning.
Prior to having the honor to serve his alma mater as its president, Dr. Ward served as the director of the Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU)/Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHE) Program for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). In this role, Dr. Ward worked with university presidents, faculty, and staff in the areas of transportation curriculum and research development, and student career development. He also served on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) HBCU/MIHE Workgroup.
As a dedicated servant-leader in the community, Dr. Ward serves on several national, regional and statewide boards to advance opportunities for citizens throughout the nation. He is a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) where he served as vice chairman of the DNC Black Caucus. In 1989, Dr. Ward made history by becoming the first African-American to serve as executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
In July 2016, Dr. Ward was elected as the 35th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he is also a life member. He also holds membership in Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boule) and the 100 Black Men, Inc. Dr. Ward is a lifelong member of Davie Street Presbyterian Church, USA where he is a Ruling Elder. Dr. Ward earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Augustine’s College. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from North Carolina State University (NCSU), and his Ph.D. from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University. As a result of his academic achievements, Dr. Ward was a North Carolina A&T State University Wardham Scholar and a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Golden Key International Honour Society.
As a proud “son” of the University, Dr. Ward is reminded daily of the importance of his role as the President of Saint Augustine’s University, through his favorite quote by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that prominently hangs on his office wall which says, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one’s conscience tells one that it is right.”
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Dwight Vick. Vick shares how life took him from Tidewater, VA to helping others. How from the gridiron to counseling.
Dwight is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech. While at Virginia Tech, Dwight played for the legendary Coach Frank Beamer as an offensive lineman from 1994-1999.
He helped lead the Virginia Tech Hokies to five consecutive bowl game appearances and two consecutive Big East conference championships. As a senior in 1998, Dwight was selected All Big East and served as team captain. Dwight was also a three-year letterman and received numerous athletic team and individual awards. In May 1999, he earned a B.S. in Sociology and a B.S. in Family and Child Development. Upon graduation, he attended the Baltimore Ravens mini-camp as a free agent before returning to Virginia Tech as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the football team.
In August 2010, Dwight graduated from Liberty University with two Master’s degrees: one in Marriage and Family Therapy, and the other in Human Services with a Specialization in Family Therapy. Dwight is a columnist for 247 Sports VTScoop.com where he writes a weekly column covering the Virginia Tech football team. In 2017, Dwight became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and now working on earning a Doctorate degree.
Over the last 27 years, Dwight has conducted motivational presentations and workshops focused on empowering youth and their families to become successful in all their endeavors. Dwight is committed to assisting with the educational, spiritual, mental, and physical development of all young people. In an effort to help youth achieve their dreams of becoming successful, he created Victory Life in 2018 and works as the Director of Student Development. In this role, he provides therapeutic mentoring to at-risk youth focuses on goal setting, career development, time management, and life skills.
Vicktory Life
http://www.vicktorylife.com
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Vonda Paige. Paige shares her ups, downs, and opportunities that allowed her to thrive.
Paige has over 25 years of experience in non-profit management, marketing, social media, and public relations. She is an award-winning journalist and the founder of The First Black Woman, a digital media project recognizing the historic contributions of Black women.
She is a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Vice President of the Virginia Tech Black Alumni Society. She is co-founding member of 2CHi Entertainment, an independent film production company. She is the executive producer of the independent short film, “UH-OH” (2018) which was selected by the Pan African Film Festival and the Roxbury International Film Festival. She is also the executive producer and producer of The Woodstock of House (2021), a documentary that tells the story of Chicago house music. The film has won 9 awards and has been screened in 17 film festivals.
More Info:
First Black Woman
The Woodstock of House (2021)
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Melissa Jackson Holloway. Holloway shares how her pivots took her from Niagra Falls, NY to the largest HBCU in the United States where she serves as General Counsel.
Holloway serves as General Counsel and Vice Chancellor of Legal Affairs, Risk, and Compliance for the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the nation’s largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Greensboro, N.C. At N.C. A&T, Melissa oversees Legal Affairs, Enterprise Risk Management, and Compliance, Internal Audit, and Title IX functions. Her legal practice focuses on employment law and student issues, employment litigation, student affairs and disciplinary procedures, policy development, employment contracts, immigration, and sponsored research. Prior to her current position, Melissa served as Deputy General Counsel at Ball State University, as General Counsel at North Carolina Central University, and as Chief Legal Affairs Officer at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Prior to entering higher education, Melissa spent four years as an associate at the law firm of Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Melissa earned her BA in business administration from Syracuse University, her MA in political science from Binghamton University, and her JD, with honors, from the University of Wisconsin School of Law.
Melissa currently serves as Chair-Elect of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and is a current participant in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI). Melissa is a national speaker on higher education legal issues.
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
The theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes William T. Sutphin. Sutphin shares his story of pivots and how they took him from a small town in southern Virginia to film school in New York and then to Los Angeles, California.
William Sutphin is a former 2008 DGA Winner for his thesis film "Uncle Killa", which he later licensed to HBO/Cinemax. He is a graduate of Columbia University's Film MFA program and has gone on to place as a Nicholl's Quarterfinalist and a finalist for the 2020 Universal Writers Program. He is a Member of the WGA's IWC and lives in Los Angeles with his wife Jocelyn.
To find more information on William T. Sutphin
Hoodwinked Podcast
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Carnela Renee Hill. Hill shares her story of pivots and how she arrived at where she is today. She explains how she maneuvers this life to serve others and to live a life of faith and obedience to God.
Carnela Renee Hill, successful interior designer, CEO, public speaker, author, and coach, has many gifts and talents. She has a diverse background. Carnela has won many awards in various areas. She is a women-owned business and interior designer. She is a community leader serving and/or have served on many boards. She is an ICF Certified Coach, licensed chaplain, and minister.
Carnela has an electric way of attracting people to her across various platforms nationally and internationally by keeping her audiences laughing with her engaging tone, comedic spirit, and storytelling style. Carnela is known for being vulnerable with her stories.
While in seminary, she was asked to deliver a TedX-style talk. She shocked her classmates with a talk on racism and inclusion. The talk opened the door for a much-needed discussion, days after the George Floyd murder.
In 2020, Carnela was selected to participate in the North Carolina discussion on “Our Stories-Brave Conversations on Race”. Carnela does not shy away from challenging topics on inclusivity, race, and faith.
In a 2021 interview by Triangle Business Journal (TBJ), Carnela speaks candidly about having to pivot during the pandemic in the article “Her Faith in Business and Leadership”.
Ms. Hill is an avid reader, loves family time, and is a champion for helping others SUCCEED. Her motto is “Be purposeful with your passion, and passionate about your purpose. Seek after godly wisdom!”
To learn more about Carnela Renee Hill, visit her websites, www.carnelareneehill.com for books, speaking engagements, and coaching, or www.crhilldesigngroup.com for interior design.
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes DeLeon Gray, PhD. Gray shares his story of life pivots and how he arrived at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.
Gray is CEO of Black and Belonging (www.blackandbelonging.com) and an associate professor of educational psychology and equity at North Carolina State University, where he has developed three new doctoral courses on School Belonging, Equity-Focused Quantitative Methods, and Community-Engaged Approaches to Educational Research. He is enthusiastic about working jointly with education stakeholders to disrupt structural aspects of schooling environments that leave historically marginalized student groups vulnerable to anxieties about belonging.
His research is recognized by prestigious honors, including the Research on Socially and Economically Underrepresented Populations Award (RISE-UP) from the Association for Psychological Science and a 2018 Best Article Award for his collaborative publication, "Black and Belonging at School: A Case for Interpersonal, Instructional, and Institutional Opportunity Structures," in Educational Psychologist.
Gray has been establishing a national presence for his research, mentoring, and outreach activities. To date, he has secured more than $2.5 million in federally funded research grants as principal investigator or co-principal investigator. The overarching aim of his grant-funded community work is to amplify the voices of young people and support their motivation to achieve for the sake of racial progress and social uplift.
For Gray and his team, centering community engagement has resulted in several (intended and unintended) impacts for both his partnering schools in Durham, NC, including:
- Developing new equity-focused methodological approaches for assessing belonging-centered instructional practices
- Developing a graduate recruitment pipeline of equity-focused graduate students who were attracted to our community-engaged activities and who have chosen to support their same school district as community-engaged scholars while pursuing doctoral degrees
Black Enterprise featured Gray as one of 100 men of color who are "living up to a standard of excellence and using their talents and influence in their respective industries to shift the perception of men of color to create and encourage a positive narrative."
He previously received the Change Agent Award of Appreciation from St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC, for his community-engaged scholarship in predominantly Black K-12 schools. He recently served as a Scholar in Residence in the College of Education, Michigan State University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Cece Jones-Davis. Jones-Davis shares her stories of how she allows God to force her to pivot and complete the work he would have her do. Jones-Davis works at the intersections of faith, art, and social justice as an award-winning faith leader, facilitator, public speaker, and impact strategist to point people to the All-Powerful and the least powerful.
For the past 20 years, Cece has partnered with national organizations and brands such as Levi’s and Tampax, organized and led dynamic grassroots movements, and used her voice to address issues of equity and inequity. Her activism ranges from fighting to abolish the death penalty to advocating for menstrual equity—work that she does both on the ground to create immediate impact and in high-level rooms to drive policy changes, awareness, and education. She served in the historic Obama Administration under Ambassador Ron Kirk, the first African American U.S. Trade Representative. She is known most recently for her work in creating the #JusticeforJulius campaign that saved Julius Jones in Oklahoma just hours before his scheduled execution in 2021.
Born and raised in Halifax County, VA—the home of the legendary Henrietta Lacks and the once-largest slaveholding county in the state—Cece’s life experiences have given her a unique perspective on the work she does every day to combat racism and advocate for people living on the margins of society. Her impact has been recognized and celebrated throughout the United States, including an Emmy nomination for a KFOR News conversation on racial (re)conciliation, receiving the 2021 Change.org Changemaker of the Year Award, and Special Congressional Recognition for her efforts in civil rights and social justice.
When Cece’s not advocating or speaking, she’s creating worship music. As a professional vocalist, she has performed across the country and is featured on Stephen Hurd’s “The Overflow” and “Times of Refreshing,” as well as Grace Covenant Worship albums. Her latest album, Alive, is available on all digital platforms. Cece is an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a wife and mother of two children whom she is raising in Washington, D.C.
Ordained Minister, Artist, Speaker, and Advocate - Cece Jones-Davis (cecejonesdavis.com)
Contact the show info@theforcedpivot.com
Website: http://www.theforcedpivot.com
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Sulaiman Mausi. Mausi is a husband, father, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He joins the show to share some of his ups and downs and how Covid-19 forced pivots in his work. The pivots ultimately made him a better father, husband, and businessman.
Sulaiman Mausi, a 6th generation Entrepreneur, is the Founder and President of The DOME Group, LLC, an entertainment producer of first-class concerts, festivals, and tours. He serves as VP of The Right Productions, Inc., a family-run business that operates The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater, a 6,000-seat venue in Detroit, Michigan. He is SVP of The Black Promoters Collective (BPC), a coalition of 6 of the nation’s top independent concert promotion and event production companies.
Sulaiman holds a B.A. in History from North Carolina Central University, and he is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Keith & Belinda Shannon. The Shannon's are a dynamic couple with successful careers. They successfully raised 3 dynamic children that have grabbed the world by the horns and made their own lives and careers a huge success.
The couple has been married for 31 years and they have known each other since they were 18 years old.
The couple shares their story of seeking career success and family success both with the help of faith and mindful strategy. Both Keith and Belinda are proud graduates of Florida A&M University and have helped hundreds of young people find their own spaces on college and university campuses all around the globe. They have not only worked to expose their own children to the world but so many others as well. From college tours to international excursions, the Shannons have proudly provided their reasonable service to the world.
Keith Shannon served our nation as a US Army Paratrooper, while Belinda Shannon has spent years as a corporate attorney.
Music Credits:
Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Athan Lindsay. Lindsay joins the show to share his stories and pivot of life that led him from Eastern Winston-Salem, North Carolina to where he is today. He shares how tough decisions must be made, even at a young age, that will oftentimes determine your outcome in life.
Lindsay has an extensive career in the field of philanthropy that has included serving in various programmatic roles for various foundations and philanthropic initiatives. With more than two decades of experience working within the field of philanthropy and through his personal philanthropy, he has gained an understanding and appreciation for how philanthropy can be utilized as an effective tool for building and transforming communities. Over the years, Lindsay has been a leading voice in the field of philanthropy promoting broader engagement of diverse audiences of donors and communities. He is a passionate advocate to make philanthropy accessible to everyone. Lindsay is a distinguished professional recognized for his work organizing giving circles, providing technical assistance to foundations and individual donors, and author of several articles on democratizing philanthropy. As Director of Community Philanthropy, he leads the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro Expanding Community Giving Initiative to expand and diversify its donor base in addition to providing donor services to the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s other donors. Under his leadership, the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro has experienced successful donor engagement with donors of color that have generated 25 newly philanthropic funds totaling over $2 million funds raised. He has also led the efforts to establish the Black Investments in Greensboro (BIG) Equity Fund, the foundation's first permanent endowment established by Black donors to make community investments that elevate and prioritize equity for Greensboro’s Black Community.
Lindsay currently resides in Elon, North Carolina with his wife, Cori. They are the proud parents of their son, Langston Joseph George Lindsay. Lindsay is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. Athan graduated from Davidson College in 1993 with a B.A. in History. His work experience has included service with the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), Cameron Foundation, National Rural Funders Collaborative, Warner Foundation, and Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. Mr. Lindsay is a 2000 Fellow of the Southeastern Council of Foundations Hull Leadership and the recipient of the Association of Black Foundation Executive’s (ABFE) 2006 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award. He has been featured in and written articles for various national publications and has also made many presentations at conferences across the nation.
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Darryl Lester. Darryl K. Lester is a cultural philanthropist, social change agent, and national service guru. He has been at the forefront of social innovation in the nation’s southern states for more than two decades.
As the Founder and CEO of the North Carolina-based Institute for Building Communities by Design which promotes civic and community engagement, leadership development, and greater access for young people with mental and physical challenges.
Darryl champions community philanthropy expansion through civic and community engagement. He was an early proponent of utilizing collective giving models to sustain businesses and organizations in historically disenfranchised communities in the New South. This vision would lead him to a leadership role in establishing the Community Investment Network (CIN). CIN inspires, connects, and strengthens African Americans and communities of color to leverage their collective resources and create the change THEY wish to see.
Darryl’s background as a change agent, trainer, and leadership coach informed his roles as the Assistant Director of the African American Cultural Center at North Carolina State University; the Director of Community Leadership and Programs at the Triangle Community Foundation (NC) as Trustee of the Warner Foundation. He was also an Associate Counsel at Capital Development Services and a Training Manager at NC. Public Allies. He is well acquainted with educational institutions, having served as an Assistant Dean at UNC-Chapel Hill, the Assistant Director of African American Student Affairs at North Carolina State University, and as a Counselor at Shaw University Counseling Center (NC).
Darryl is a graduate of Brevard College, Wofford College, and North Carolina State University. He combines his academic background with his civic and community involvement to GIVEBACK and GIVE BLACK. He is also an avid motorcycle enthusiast and has traveled across the country on his Harley Davidson with members of the Buffalo Soldiers motorcycle club and his fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Listen as Lester shares how his pivots, some forced, lead him to be the man that he is today.
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Moses T. Alexander Greene. Greene shares his "Pivot stories" spiritually, educationally, professionally, and personally. Greene is an author, director, producer, playwright, and so much more. Green is the director and founder of Li V Mahob Productions.
His life's purpose is to use his passion for Black history and culture, content creation, and the arts as a vehicle for ministry. In 2019, twenty years after receiving his license into the gospel ministry, his groundbreaking play Pooled: A Gospel Musical Drama was named “one of the 25 best professional Black Theatre productions in the U.S., Europe, Africa and the Caribbean” by the National Black Theatre Festival. In January 2021, BroadwayWorld awarded him its “Original Script of the Decade” Award for the groundbreaking play in the Raleigh market.
Currently, he serves as Director of Performing Arts & Film at the North Carolina Museum of Art where he curates and provides artistic direction for performative art and film programming inside and outside of the galleries and throughout its 164-acre park. Previously, Greene held roles as Director of the African American Cultural Center at North Carolina State University, Chief Communications Officer/Assistant Professor of Media & Film at Saint Augustine's University as well as special events and public information positions in Maryland and the nation’s capital.
Green is a native of Long Island, NY, and holds degrees from Syracuse University.
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Episode 10!! Come spend a few moments with Antoine Medley (Host) as he reflects on the last few weeks in the world. The deaths from all the shootings in the US can't just roll by. There needs to be a change in the world! Continue to pray for all the loved ones that lost family. Send up overwhelming special prayers for the families in Uvalde, TX that lost loved ones and children.
Pray for less hate in the world.
Subscribe and Like the show! New episodes will be coming soon!
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Mrs. Jemekka Richardson. Jemekka Richardson is a certified personal trainer, host of the Looking For My Fit Podcast, a wife of 19 years, and a mom of 3.
Jemekka spent years repeating an unhealthy cycle that included fad diets, excessive exercising, and a toxic relationship with the scale. She struggled
with putting herself on her own priority list and found herself at her lowest point of self-esteem.
Shifting her mindset, and learning how to live a sustainable healthy lifestyle, helped her to break the cycle and change her life for the better!
Now, she’s on a mission to teach other women to break their own toxic cycles when it comes to health and wellness. She provides women with the tools to prioritize themselves, reclaim their confidence, and finally start pursuing the goals and life they’ve been
dreaming of!
Connect with Jemekka at
http://sociatap.com/mekrich
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Kevan Cooper. Cooper shares his journey through the world of IT to his new role as CEO of his own streaming platform.
Kevan Cooper, Skrachy Founder and CEO, is a Smart Home and Connected Devices industry veteran. He began his cloud-software career at AT&T where he led the development of one of AT&T’s first cloud-based offerings. He also launched one of the first Music Service platforms as Product Management lead with PacketVideo, the company to first patent streaming digital audio to a mobile device. He has managed Digital Product Portfolios valued at over $150M. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he earned his B.A. and MBA degrees.
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Dion Chavis. Chavis joins us to share his life pivots and the effects of choices made professionally and personally.
As a media professional, Mr. Chavis has become an essential voice that listeners and readers have come to recognize as their own. An accomplished radio professional, author, and trainer who uses his voice to help guide the lives of today’s youth while also promoting the importance of responsible parenting and youth engagement, he has made writing contributions to several online publications such as The Huffington Post, The Good Men Project, fatherhood.gov, and more.
As a speaker and trainer, he has successfully delivered over 500 trainings and workshop presentations in 10 different states during his career. As a community leader, he has worked to close the achievement gap and increase awareness about the importance of responsible fatherhood. He is also a proud husband, and father of two beautiful children who are the motivation behind his organization The Glad Dad, LLC.
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jes Averhart. Over the last two decades, Averhart has worked with a portfolio of Fortune 500 companies, public sector organizations and high-performing individuals interested in increased personal growth and greater professional impact.
Jes is a 4th generation entrepreneur, creator of 28 Days of Reinvention, and best-selling author. She advises high-performing individuals and corporate teams as a leadership development and confidence coach.
In 2015, Jes co-founded Black Wall Street Homecoming, a nonprofit aimed at closing the funding gap for Black and Brown tech founders. Earlier in her career, she provided production management services for the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals & Cleveland Browns (NFL), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), the Procter & Gamble Company and Pepsi Cola North America.
Originally from Evansport, Ohio, Jes moved to North Carolina in 2005 with her son Tre'. When she's not working, you can find her cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes.
Bottom line, Jes helps individuals and fortune 500 companies increase their personal satisfaction and professional impact through proven Reinvention Road Trip methodology.
Averhart is a master "pivot whisperer" that helps people find their way through their professional and personal mazes of life.
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Craig Stokes. Stokes is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (c/o ’04) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (c/o '06). He holds a degree in Architectural Engineering and an MBA respectively. He is currently the Owner/Operator of a Chick-fil-A franchisee in Los Angeles, CA.
Prior to opening his restaurant in Jan 2020, Craig Stokes was the creator and host of two web series – Style Minute (70+ episodes and 2M+ views) and Craig Stokes Presents: The Show (interviews with celebs and other influential people). He recently produced and starred in the independent film, Whirlpool, and has been seen in TV commercials nationwide.
He was selected as one of the 7 HBCU Alumni to Watch by Huffington Post where he was compared to fellow HBCU alum, Oprah Winfrey.
Stokes shares how his pivots in life, whether forced or voluntary have changed his life. He is a firm believer in the fact that we can't wait for an opportunity. We must make our own opportunity.
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Teryl Bowen. Bowen shares her "Pivot Story" that ultimately changed her life and the life of her family. Bowen gives insightful details on the unexpected and sudden loss of her husband Richard. She teaches us with her story that life can change in an instant.
Teryl Bowen is a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia and North Carolina for 25 years. She is a Virginia native and holds degrees from Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University. She is the mother of three children and remains the anchor in their lives.
Bowen uses her experience to help others who have lost spouses at an early age. Download this episode and allow her story to change your life.
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes David C. Miller. Miller shares his "Pivot Stories" both professionally and personally. Miller shares how traumatic events in his life put him on his journey to help black men and boys.
Baltimore native, David Miller, has received international acclaim for Dare to Be King: What If the Prince Lives. A Survival Workbook for African American Males, a thought-provoking, 52-week curriculum teaching adolescent males how to survive and thrive in toxic environments.
Armed with a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Baltimore and a Master’s degree from Goucher College, Miller frequently leads intergenerational conversations with men and boys focused on, boyhood, fatherhood, parenting, mental health, managing anger, decision making, healthy relationships, and alternatives to violence. Miller has provided extensive training for youth development and mentoring organizations in the U.S. and Canada.
Currently, a Ph.D. student in the School of Social Work at Morgan State University with a concentration on Black fathers, Miller has written several children’s books, including Khalil’s Way, The Green Family Farm, Gabe & His Green Thumb & They Look Like Me (coloring book). Other books he’s written include Lessons We Learned from Our Fathers, Raising Him Alone (Strategies for Single Mothers Raising a Male Child), and Healing the Healer: Self-Care Manual for Professionals in the Field (in press Fall 2020).
Miller is a 2020 Study Abroad Fulbright Scholar focused on Ghana (West Africa). An effort through the U.S. State Department and the University of Ghana.
Miller is married and raising three children in Washington, DC.
The episode is loaded with stories of how trauma can help us find and follow our passions each day.
Please listen and subscribe as we bring more exciting episodes each week!
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Steve Miller. Miller shares his "Pivot Stories" both professionally and personally. Miller is the Ohio Area Development Director for the United Negro College Fund. Miller spent years in corporate sales and moved into philanthropic roles to feed his passion to serve and help others.
Patterson is a graduate of Wilberforce University, and a very proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Miller has worked to better the lives of black boys through mentorship. Steve is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and resides there today.
The episode is loaded with stories of professional moves and how we can find and follow our passions each day.
Please listen and subscribe as we bring more exciting episodes each week!
theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Patrick Patterson. Patterson shares his "Pivot stories" both professionally and personally. Patterson is the CEO ofGlobal Partners for Fathers and Families. He has led special initiatives for President George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donal Trump. He travels the world encouraging fathers. Patterson also provides grant writing services.
Patterson has been married to his wife for 25 years and is the proud father of 2 daughters. He lives a life that anyone would want to emulate and believes life is precious and that we should all value it and live it to the fullest.
Patterson is a native of South Carolina holds degrees from Benedict College and the University of South Carolina.
The episode is loaded with stories of joy and pain, and there are nuggets shared where faith can carry one through the pivots of life whether forced or voluntary.
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