Talented Amateurs Podcast

Dr. Tierney Bates, who is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Special Projects and Executive Director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Where he is focused provides leadership and strategic initiatives supporting internal and external partnerships.

Dr. Carlos Grant, who is Principal of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville SC and Co-Founder of BOLD Leadership Consultants LLC, which is a collaborative group of school leaders that successfully lead educational institutions aimed at ensuring students reach proficiency of academic content while learning how to

(1) Think critically and creatively

(2) Collaborate and communicate effectively

(3) Adapt to challenges and complex problems.

Matt Tuffuor, who is Co Founder of Toasted Life; based in Oakland CA (Bay Area)

Which is a dynamic event and lifestyle brand that builds experiences for young professionals of color in a number of US and international markets.

Today we will talk with Matt more about Toasted Life, How they got started of some of the great project they have been working they are working

In this episode we discuss today's Real Estate Market with Miranda Solomon, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and Founder Charlotte Native Real Estate Advisors. As one of the top 10% producing Real Estate Agents in NC, she will be discussing and sharing her knowledge on the following: 

• What questions should home buyers be concerned with in navigating the market and how Sellers can get the best price
• How do you manage the negotiation process in this current environment
• How buyers should navigate the market to determine best investment area, new development vs resell market 

Whether you're a new buyer, exisiting or former home owner this episode will help you be more strategic in today's housing market. 

I talk with Melissa McKee; General Manager for D1 Training Facility. D1 is a state-of-the-art training facility, where they offer one-on-one training, group activities that encourage goal setting, and an environment that promotes achievement. They work with Athletes across the spectrum from Amateur, Professional Athletes the weekend warrior

I talk with Dennis Volpe who is an Executive Performance Coach and Leadership Consultant with Leadership Research Institute where he is based in Auburn, New Hampshire (Greater Boston). In this episode we will discuss how to transform your performance and enhance your executive leadership potential. 

In this episode we talk with Shaffra Gray-Read, who is an Account Director in Corporate Affairs at Weber Shandwick where she is based in London, England

She is a seasoned and forward- thinking Communications strategist and today we will dive into her career and the impact she is driving across the United Kingdom. She has extensive experience in devising and executing high-profile, global PR strategies and communication campaigns, in a wide variety of industries, which has allowed her to successfully create compelling stories that resonate, stick and connect with many audiences.

In this episode we will discuss her career as a PR and Communications Strategist with Weber Shandwick and how she  driving strategy focused on creating compelling stories for her clients. 

We will also learn more about her time at the UK home office where she worked on Brexit driving communications to help educated the citizens on r a polarizing and political topic that will have a long lasting impact across the Country

We will wrap the episode discussing her Graduate school project with Slider Cuts as she shares more about Public Spheres and how it resonates within the Black British culture. 

In this episode we have Charles Hunt Founder of the Audacity Firm.

Charles who is a Resilience Expert, Adjunct Professor, and motivational speaker and through the Audacity Firm he provides services in Coaching, Training as well as life impacting speaking engagements both in-person and virtual.

Charles, is a well sought out accomplished speaker and his TEDX - What Trauma has Taught Me About Resilence has been one of the highly rated TED Talks.

Tiffany Young who is Director of Equity and Diversity at Washoe County School District in Reno NV, She is also Founder of Tiffany Young Consulting focused on leading programs and policies addressed through an equitable and culturally responsive lens,

Tiffany is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Nevada Reno and is an advocate for families, community, young women, leadership, and education. She is a public speaker, trainer, workshop facilitator and community collaborator.

We will discuss in the episode how Tiffany is helping clients shift their culture and helping them drive inclusion across their organization. In this episode she will discuss the following: 

• Importance of Shifting the Organization to mirror the workforce and our communities 
• How we must continue to understand the role of Allyship and why you can call yourself one unless you're doing the work 
• The importance of leaders in modeling the behavior they wish to see in order to drive change across their organization 

May Macaria-Smith Founder of May I Hire You an Career transition Executive Coach company where they support and guide professionals through their career transition through Executing Job Search, Career Coaching and Planning. May as an Executive Talent Acquisition Consultant and Career Coach and has over 20+ years of experience in Talent Acquisition and recruiting. 

In this Episodes we will discuss the following: 

• Educate us on the key trends we should pay attention to in 2021 as we plan our career goals, 
• The benefits of working with an Executive Search Consultant
• Thing you should do to brand you as the top  candidate for any job 

In this episode we talk with Chantelle Rodgers who is Director at Music Matters in Rotterdam and Founder of IXL Sickle Cell Awareness based in the Netherlands. We will learn more about what she does with Music Matters, which gives young people in Rotterdam a boost in finding their own way in the world of music education and talent development.

We will also hear how she is impacting Sickle Cell awareness through her work with the organization IXL Sickle Cell Awareness based in the Netherlands.  We will also dive into the work and impact she is driving in the community across Rotterdam and Amsterdam. 

In this Episode we talk with Branden Williams Founder and CEO of Seeds To STEM

Seeds to STEM (STS) is a non-profit organization that works successfully to evaluate, educate and develop students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

We will learn more today about how Branden is addressing the huge disparity in STEM education between economically disadvantaged youth in the Dallas/Fort Worth community and learn more about his passion this field and how he is using culturally relevant science projects to change perspectives related to STEM. 

Kate Pate, who is the Associate Athletics Director for External Operations and Senior Woman Administrator at Longwood University in Farmville VA

She has nearly two decades of experience in college athletics, including time as a head coach and assistant coach, director of marketing and promotions, and as a professor of athletics business and marketing. Her coaching experience spans both the Division I and Division II levels

In this episode I  talk with Kamila Elliott McDonnough who is a Certified Financial Planner professional with nearly two decades of financial industry experience. She also holds a B.A and MBA from The Pennsylvania State University.

Kamila is President of GRID 202 Partners a registered investment advisory firm based in Washington, D.C., and North Carolina. They work with professionals, small business owners and institutions on their investment goals and objectives

Kamila is on the Board of Directors for the CFP Board and will serve as President Elect for 2021. The CFP Board of Directors is the policy-making and oversight body of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. for over 87,000 professionals in the U.S.

Today we will have a discussion on building Wealth, Financial Planning and learn more about some of the work she is doing to support women investors and her mission in building generational wealth for communities of color

In this Episode I talk with Edouard Claude Oussou who is based in Gabon Africa

He is Founder and CEO for Scientia Africa based in Gabon Africa, where they assembles digital services dedicated to education. They use Technology and software to provide access to online digital services for educational communities which included colleges and high schools, as well as for      students and their families

Edouard has received several distinctions across Africa such as the Top 40 Education Innovators in Africa by the African Union Commission in 2019 and the distinction for Technological Innovation in Education at the Gabonese's Awards 2018

Edouard will share how Scientia is Educating  Africa through digital transformation and how he is expanding his service across the Continent in the the countries of the Ivory Coast and Comoros. 

We will also learn about his experience in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program which Invest in a new generation of young African leaders who are shaping the continent’s future in Business, Tech and Civic engagement. The program also helps deepen partnerships and connections between the United States and Africa.

Today I will be talking with Rashad Goins and Sheldon Spratt owners of INAME Apparel a fashion brand based in Charlotte NC. The brand has a unique message as it highlights the social injustice that is happening across our community. Rashad and Sheldon will also share how they are driving social justice in the Charlotte and surrounding areas. They will also highlight the journey of being business owners as they navigate the domestic and international markets as well as share some of the key projects they have in store for 2021. As you tune in, I hope you enjoy the episode and be sure to checkout @inamesapprel on Instagram and online at www.inameapparel.com. 

In this episode Rahshib will share about about his career as an HR Executive and discuss with us how he is growing his business RTC Consulting business focused on leadership and personal develop and helping people navigate their personal GPS. In this episode Rahshib will also discuss overcoming adversity and the importance of Saying Yes To Opportunity. 

 We will be talking to Ebony Stubbs, Entrepreneur, Branding Photographer and Owner of @Rae Images. We will talk with Ebony about 

how she got started in the business and she will share some her secrets to her success  We will learn more about some of her upcoming projects and how she is creating partnerships to help her clients build authentic brands. Ebony will also share her three truths that will challenge us to continue to take up Space and bet on ourselves. So lets get started and I hope you enjoy the episode 

Welcome to the Talented Amateurs Podcast where will highlight thought leaders and amplify diverse voices in Tech, Business, Politics, and Culture. The Podcast will explore the unique traits of extraordinary professionals that possess a novice approach in their work ethic.