Career Exploration Saturday

This week my guest is Tandalea Mercer @tanda3, professor, law school dropout, and creative. We talk Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, HBCUs, and code-switching. #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #fortyfour

This week my guest is Martin Smallhorne @m.smallhorne, educator and host of Y.E.S. Your Education Story.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #fortythree

This week my guest is Keisha Walker, creator of @bcgausa. We talked about her career journey in marketing to creating opportunities for Black people and BIPOC women in gaming. #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #fortytwo

This week my guest is Olawale Lawal. Olawale is a Brooklyn native and is serving his community as a firefighter. We talk about his career journey from a substitute teacher, to fraud investigator to a firefighter.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #fortyone

This week my guest is Dr. Rhonda Cambridge - Phillips. Dr. Cambridge- Phillips shares her journey to become a doctor and why she choose to practice medicine in the community in which she resides. #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #forty

This week my guest is Danielle Davis, Danielle talks about her love of service, what 2nd graders actually know, and the human side of being a school leader.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtynine

This week my guest is Aswad Jones. Aswad talks about the power of Black educators, shares why he loves his career in the military and why we should consider it as a career option. #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtyeight

This week my guest is Tracey Rogers. Tracey talks about being focused in high school on achieving her career goals, being a planner, and working with her peers to take her career to the next level. #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtyseven

This week my guest is Rosnel Dorsainvil. Rosnel talks about life as a student-athlete, changing the high school football landscape in New York State and molding boys to men.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtysix

This week my guest is Taniqua Hunter. Taniqua talks about her happy childhood, how her time at Hofstra University shaped her into the professional she is. We talk about the Divine Nine, the power of networking and branding yourself.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtyfive

This week my guest is Charles Deskins. Charles is a fellow hawk, we talk about his career journey to become a lawyer and his work in the gaming industry.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtyfour

This week my guest is Stephanie Blyden. Stephanie breaks down the levels of the armed forces and why choosing a career in the military should be a career option.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtythree

This week my guest is Tinh. Tinh is a fashion designer, we talked about his college years at Buffalo State and FIT. Tinh shares some wonderful advice on understanding fashion tiers and why every fashion major needs to take a business and public speaking course. We had a fun conversation.   #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirtytwo

This week my guest is Chef Joseph A Smalls of @b_raisednyc. Chef Joe shares how the youngest of nine who was good with his hands made a pact with his friends to graduate high school 6 months early, left New York City, headed down south, and launched his culinary career. #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #thirty

This week my guest is Sam Tyler. Sam shares why he is thankful to his HBCU, his experience with the federal government, and writing speeches for an Obama White House. Follow Sam on LinkedIn and on IG @mr_plantbased

This was a fun conversation with Midwood Hornet, Jude Julien.  Jude is a chemistry educator.  Jude shares his journey from Flatbush, Brooklyn to Columbia University to working in education for over 20 years in middle school, high school, and on the collegiate level!  We also talk about remote learning and his Ph.D., we had this conversation at the end of August right before school opened.

My conversation with Ms. DeShawn Hatcher was so much fun.  DeShawn shares how she turned doing make-up for friends & family into a career, twenty years ago!  DeShawn is passionate about helping new makeup artists learn everything they can so they can be successful in their craft!  Subscribe to her YouTube channel and you can follow her on the socials @DeShawn Hatcher

This week my guest is Natalie Howard. Natalie dropped so many jewels about the field of nursing. She is super passionate about creating health care systems that cater to Black people. We talk about health care disparities and that nursing is about revitalizing communities. You can follow Natalie on IG @natalie_howard_np1

I learned so much from my big cousin Fatima Minor during this conversation. Fatima is an early childhood educator in Cali.  Fatima shares how leaving a Muslim community in Brooklyn with her family in her early teens, to studying in West Africa, where she found herself and her passion for education.  Fatima is not on the socials….enjoy our conversation.

Today's #tbt career conversation is with my friend Tosha Porche.  Tosha is an insurance litigator with over 20 years of experience in automobile claims adjustment.  Tosha shares how a girl from California becomes a woman at Texas Southern University.  Tosha had choices and she chooses to go to an HBCU, she shares an honest story about her time in Texas.  Tosha is not on the socials.... enjoy our conversation.

This week's throwback Tuesday interview is with Kimberly Council.  Kim shares her journey from Bishop Loughlin to North Carolina Central University to Pratt Institute where she earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science.  Kim shares why a librarian is an information professional and doing your googles is not enough. Kim is doing some amazing work in East New York through her church and with her sorority supporting HBCUs.  At the time of this interview, she was running for New York City Council to represent the 37th District, Bushwick, Ocean Hill, Brownsville, and a slither of Bedford Stuyvesant.  She is now running for Brooklyn Borough President! Please support her campaign at https://www.nycvotes.org/campaigns/kimberlycouncil/contributions/new and follow her on the socials,  Kimberly Council!

This week my guest is Kendra Swinton, who works in corporate music production. He shares how a boy from South Carolina made it all the way to Los Angeles working for a corporate music company. Kendra is a hustler, he’s out here taking all his shots. You can connect with Kendra on IG @kendrewrld and on LinkedIn #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration 

This week's throwback interview is with Bernella Henry, my childhood friend, I admire the creativity of her business and loved learning about her career journey.  Bee shares with us her dream of wanting to become the first Black Woman Band Director at an HBCU. Bee currently works in digital media where she is responsible for the direct placement of video ads on websites, when she is not leading a team she is a small business owner who's work increased in the Rona.  You can get at Bee for all of your balloon and event planning needs at (347) 401-8877, b4allo@gmail.com and IG @b4alloccasionz .

This week my guest is Melissa Madzel. Melissa shares experiences at North Eastern University to the University of Pennsylvania. Melissa merges her social work education to make social change in the nonprofit world, where she works to help change systems. Melissa offers us some great career advice for anyone at the start or well into their career. Follow Melissa on Twitter @BKMadzel and connect with her on LinkedIn. IG #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #twentytwo

This week's throwback episode is with Robert Tapper.  Rob is just a good person and has always been a good friend. Rob shares his journey from The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, to building retail brands, to start another company in Rona with his daughter to help us get our money right through his tax preparation business.  Rob can be reached at robert.tapper@gmail.com for financial guidance on starting a business and for your IRS needs.

I adore Chef Luciana Lamboy, I am honored to witness her growth and development as a human being.  Chef Luciana shares how her creative spirit leads her to Italy where she learned to make a mean bowl of pasta to Boston where she interned at America’s Test Kitchen to become the personal chef to documentarian Michael Moore. When you are in Brooklyn, you can get her good eats at @lockdownkitchenbk follow her food styling at @lucianalamboy on IG.

This week I sat down with down fellow Midwood Hornet Nicolette.  Nicolette is a  Massage Therapist and Podcaster @definetlynotforeveryonepod.  Nicolette shares her journey with us from Midwood High School to New York City College of Technology to becoming a massage therapist to podcaster.  You don't want to miss this candid conversation.  Nicolette drops jewels about being humble, just doing it, and preserving your spirit. #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedcareerchoices #careerexplorationsaturday #definetlynotforeveryonepodcast #flatbush

This a bonus episode, which is a collaboration with Definitely Not For Everyone Podcast. My good friend Nicolette, inspired me to share my origin story, my career journey, why I am passionate about career development, and my motivation behind creating Liberated Success.  This was a super candid conversation, trigger warning at the 30-minute mark.  Fast forward I won't be offended.....if you listen don't ever ask me about it IRL.  Also, there is a lot of cussing, so this might be too much and that is ok too.  I share some stories about my childhood, my family, and my career.  I hope you enjoy it and now you know more about me. 

This was a super fun episode.  I love me some Lina Rage.  Lina is my friend, she is an educator and founder of Rebel Tutoring.  Lina discussed her journey as a Prep 9 kid to Wesleyan University.  Lina shares why being your authentic self and listening to your gut is important in your career journey.

My very first guest on Career Exploration Saturday was is my big sister Pamela Smith, an Accountant Supervisor who leads a team of 5 accounting specialist with the State of Deleware. Pamela shared her journey with us about her early days in Brooklyn as a GED valedictorian to college restarter in her mid-twenties.  Pamela dropped some jewels about company culture, standing firm in your confidence, and salary negotiation.

This week my guest is Wendell Gray II. Wendell shares his journey from Atlanta attending an arts elementary school that leads him to New York City thriving in his career as a dancer and choreographer.  Follow Wendell @thatguywen and support his digital performance on November 22, 7:30-8:30 pm. Tickets in @thatguywen bio on IG #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #twentyone

This week my guest is verta maloney Verta is an anti-racism educator, founder of 45 Lemons, and TheGameHers.  verta shares her journey from a girl in New Jersey, to how she wants to make education for all the little verta’s of the world, and her passion for making Black Women great!  Follow @vertamaloney on the socials and watch her Level Up on Twitch.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #fourteen #happybirthday #birthdaylove

This week my guest is Margarita Marasigan. Margarita shares how a personal experience motivated her to be a nurse. Margarita is doing the hard work of keeping her grammar school safe in the pandemic.  #liberatedsuccess #liberatedparenthood #liberatedchildren #liberatedproblemsolvers #blackcareersmatter #BIPOC #storytelling #careerexploration #twenty

This week my guest is Hannibal Collins of @ficofinesse. Hannibal shares his journey from Brooklyn Technical High School to becoming self-employed in the pandemic. Follow him @ficofinesse and fix your credit!

This week my guest is Siu Cheng, a Recruitment Specialist for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services for New York City. Siu’s story is honest and inspiring. Siu will be facilitating our New York City Civil Service 101 webinar on October 19 & 26, 5pm – 6:30pm. Make sure you register, you don’t want to miss this information.