Savvy Scholar: Recent Episodes
Kristal Taylor
Helping Black Savvy Scholars navigate life and a slim waistline. Scholars share their truth through lessons, and successes. With podcast host Kristal, a PhD student, creative and foodie.
Get to know Savvy Scholar Galesha Smith. Virginia born, and Atlanta raised, Galesha started singing in the church at the young age of 3 years old. This gospel songstress with a millennial twist unleashes powerful ballads. Gifted in music and the arts, Galesha’s soothing energy provides comfort to listeners. In the near future, Galesha hopes to bless audiences across the globe and release an EP to uplift, encourage, and inspire others.
In addition to a love for singing, Mrs. Smith is a new age artist and nail expert. Healthy nail care is at the center of her business and she treats every client like a superstar. For over a decade, Galesha has worked in the beauty industry serving clients, family, and celebrities. Nail care is only part of her superior services. Conversations with clients focus on mental wellness and holistic care. Galesha believes that God has called us to be the light even in darkness.
Galesha encourages listeners to claim, “Patience in the waiting season!”
Scripture Reference
Galatians 3:36-29
Psalms 118:29
Cast Your Cares: A Guided Journal to Help Women Win The Battle Against Anxiety and Overthinking, Kylia Jackson
Get to know Savvy Scholar Angie Chandler. Angie is a cultural arts strategist from Brooklyn, New York. In Brooklyn, she received both her love of the arts and her B.A. in Education and History from Brooklyn College. Angie’s time as an educator continues to fuel her passion for arts education, advocacy, and equity. As a 1st generation American, her Caribbean and AfroLatinx heritage inspire a focus on global perspectives. As an arts administrator and consultant, she’s focused on increasing community engagement, curating innovative public programming, and introducing new voices and opportunities to institutions. Angie takes great joy in creating opportunities for artists and communities to engage in impactful experiences. Her work has included working with museums, arts organizations, and as an independent consultant. Angie currently spends her time supporting artists and organizations in Southern California.
Get to know Savvy Scholar, F. N. Masibili.A multi-talented sensation, meet Ms. Masibili a.k.a Faith Switch, the music artist. Wearing several hats, she shares nuggets from her journey, navigating both creative and intellectual pursuits. As a professional, she improves lives through building design and technical expertise. As a singer and songwriter, she crafts anthems of hope and solace. She currently resides in Norfolk, VA.
Get to know Savvy Scholar, Nina Brewton.
As a sought-after speaker, Nina has found her story and personal triumphs as a beacon of light to
inspire and motivate others. For years, she has been known as “a writer who speaks and a speaker who sings”, bringing over 20 years’ experience as a performance artist to the world of charitable fundraising. As an Auctioneer and Fundraising Consultant, she assists organizations in raising money to do the work that allows them to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Nina currently resides in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area.
Learn more at www.webethelight.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baldheadqueen/?hl=en
Get to know Dr. Pamela Chandler Lee associate professor, speaker, and change-agent.
A native of Virginia, Dr. Lee is a former U. S. Navy officer. A servant at heart, Dr. Lee has blazed paths in the areas of academia, military, ministry and leadership. At a time when few women were allowed in warfare specialties, Dr. Lee earned the coveted gold surface warfare qualification. A master’s degree in linguistics as well as a certification to teach English to speakers of other languages led to her career in higher education. She is currently a tenured Associate Professor and Director of the MBA Program for Saint Leo University. The program boasts thousands of students who take courses on campus as well as online. She is responsible for training and preparing hundreds of professors who facilitate the courses and serve the students. A leadership consultant for non-profit as well as for-profit organizations, Dr. Lee has published and presented more than 30 papers in conferences and meetings in the U.S. and internationally.
Get to know Savvy Scholar Dr. Evingerlean D. B. Hudson, entrepreneur, podcast host, and First-Generation advocate. We discuss ways to support First-Generation learners, how to know when to lean in, and ways to combat burnout.
Dr. Evingerlean D. B. Hudson, affectionately known as Dr. Eve®, was raised in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina by a single mother in a low-socioeconomic household. She went on to become a first-generation college graduate who earned a Ph.D. at the age of 28. Now, she is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Evingerlean Worldwide®—an entity created to empower first-generation scholars and graduates across the globe. The First-Gen Lounge, an award-winning podcast, is the first and #1 show in the world for first-generation scholars and graduates closing in on 100k downloads across more than 95 countries. Her publications have been a catalyst of change for countless first-generation trailblazers.
Visit: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/lounge/
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evehudsonphd/?hl=en
Resources
Byrne, E. K. (2020, May 13). 5 steps for women to combat burnout. The Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/05/5-steps-for-women-to-combat-burnout
Moyer, M.E. (2022, February 15). Your body knows your's burned out. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/well/live/burnout-work-stress.html
Connect with Savvy Scholar at savvyscholar.co.
Get to know Savvy Scholar Tasha Turnbull. Tasha is the owner of T2 Fitness, a fitness training facility in Virginia Beach, that has helped over 10,000 individuals make health and fitness a priority. Tasha serves as the Executive Director of T2 a non-profit fitness foundation started in 2018, assisting women improve their quality of life. Tasha is a scholar, entrepreneur, and author. Learn more about her fitness journey in her book, “How the Last 10lbs: Helped Me To Lose 100lbs.
Visit:https://www.myt2fitness.com
Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t2_tasha/?hl=en
Get to know Savvy Scholar, Jennifer Johnson owner of Jay & Lynn Co. We discuss why Black women should get into trading, why people under 30 don't vote and combating imposter syndrome.
Jay & Lynn Co is a small, black-owned, limited liability candle company that recognizes that the power of smell is unmatched much like your hustle. Hand poured in small batches by a true go getter, Jennifer Johnson strives to reignite the flame for simple candles and bring light to the movers and shakers in the world. Regardless of your taste, you’ll be able to find a good scent that fits you.
Mixed with her love for growth, self development, and her love for candles, especially the ones that smell like, “the man she doesn’t have”, Jennifer created Jay & Lynn Co to add a sense of power, motivation, and comfort to your space while you’re making it happen. Jay & Lynn Co offers a premium selection of 100% soy candles sourced in the USA to ensure a sustainable, non-toxic, and safe burn. After reading the affirmation on the back of our candles and smelling the vibes that are emitted in your space you will be reminded of who you are and what you're capable of.
Visit: Jay & Lynn Co
Connect on Instagram: Jay & Lynn Co
Get to know Savvy Scholar, Kimberly Simmons. We discuss the importance of Black public school teachers and Black homeownership.
Kimberly has been a general music teacher in a NYC public school since 2011. She has the privilege of serving students with autism as well as other cognitive disabilities. Kimberly’s students range from kindergarten to 8th grade.
Throughout her career as a music educator, Kimberly continues to develop her skills as a musician. She enjoys writing songs and performing. Kimberly has lended her voice to provide gospel choir background vocals to Regina Belle, Vicky Winans, Sissy Houston (McDonald’s Gospelfest), Israel Houghton (Pastor Joel Osteen’s Night of Hope), and Patti LaBelle (Super Bowl Gospel Celebration). Kimberly has also performed solo sets at NYC venues such as West End, Toshi’s Living Room, Santos Party House, and Waltz-Astoria.
Follow Kimberly Simmons:
IG: kimsimsings https://www.instagram.com/kimsimsings/?hl=en
Get to know Savvy Scholar, Dr. Janue Johnson.
Dr. Johnson has a diverse teaching background with experience in K-12 and higher education settings. Her educational experience includes a Bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach, a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Ph. D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. She is currently an Associate Professor and Professional Learning Coordinator at San Diego Mesa College in the LOFT (Learning Opportunities for Transformation). In her role, she supports the creation and coordination of professional learning for faculty and staff. In addition, her experience as an instructor and administrator has shaped her philosophy about learning, teaching, and growing.
She has three children; a daughter and two sons. They love going to the beach, movie night, and basketball.
Follow Dr. Johnson:
IG: drjanuejohnson and Twitter: drjanuejohnson
Get to know Savvy Scholar, Felicia Ford.
A Growth strategist, change-maker and industry thought leader, Felicia Ford, excels at facilitating high performance conversations that cultivate curiosity and holy confidence designed to fuel momentum and purpose across all facets of personal and professional development.
As the Founder of Felicia Ford and Co., the leading resource hub for service-based entrepreneurs, Felicia was recently recognized as one of Inside Business’ Top Forty Under 40 and regularly contributes to both ForbesWomen and the Forbes Coaches Council.
In her work as an Agency Fellow in the Strategic Data Project at Harvard University, along with her contributions as a Steering Committee Member with Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Minus 9 to 5 initiative, Felicia utilizes data and knowledge sharing to identify, target and remove systemic breakdowns to instead deploy strategic programming that establishes a firm foundation of critical resources and ongoing support to equip and empower individuals, children and families to break generational confines and chart new courses to personal and professional thriving.
Instagram: Felicia -Growth Strategist & Felicia Ford & Co.
On this episode, get to know Dr. Tiffany Wiggins.
Dr. Tiffany Wiggins is a native of Norfolk, Virginia who is currently based in Raleigh, NC. After serving over a decade as a higher education practitioner-scholar, Dr. Wiggins pivoted into the world of educational technology at the start of 2021, as a Senior Program Manager at a Boston-based, mentorship-focused start-up company.
Dr. Wiggins’s dissertation research explored the lived experiences and mentoring relationships of Black women student affairs administrators. It was this work that sparked the creation of Black Girl Mentor--a digital community of practice that centers the power, purpose, and practice of mentorship for, by, and amongst Black womxn and girls--as well as the Black Girl Mentor podcast. Dr. Wiggins is also the CEO and Chief Life Coach at Noire Coaching & Consulting- a coaching and consulting practice that centers and supports the specific needs, diverse experiences, and unique perspectives of members of the Black community.
While she serves as a mentor to many, Dr. Tiffany reserves a special place in her heart and practice for Black women empowerment and community, Black parenthood, career and workplace navigation and transition, and graduate/PhD student success. Proud mama to the brilliant and spunky 9 year old, Zara Elle, Dr. Wiggins enjoys traveling, random & frequent trips to Target, eating at new restaurants, adding to her denim jacket collection, watching reality television shows and documentaries, and listening to podcasts.
Follow Dr. Tiffany Wiggins:
IG: blackgirlmentor and https://www.blackgirlmentor.com/
IG: noirecoaching and https://www.noirecoaching.com/