The Joy of Learning

On a visit to Lucerne, Switzerland in 2020, I interviewed Alex Messerli. Alex is a Swiss Educator (PreK-4) and joined my friend and I for dinner at a Thai restaurant. I was curious about his journey and how he navigated the challenges presented during the pandemic especially in the classroom. I found our conversation to be enlightening. At this very moment this interview provides perspective as many schools still strive to figure out how to navigate the pandemic.

Happy New Year and Welcome to Episode 6 of Season 3 of The Joy of Learning Podcast. As we prepare to observe the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his impact across the globe, it was a privilege and delight to speak with Mary C. Curtis. Mary is an award-winning journalist and educator based in Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. Mary is also a columnist at Roll Call and host of its ‘Equal Time’ podcast. Our conversation focused on passing the baton to the next generation and what this looks. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Biography of Mary C. Curtis: Mary C. Curtis, columnist at Roll Call and host of its ‘Equal Time with Mary C. Curtis’ podcast, is an award-winning journalist and educator based in Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. A former Nieman Fellow at Harvard, Curtis, who covers the intersection of politics, culture and race, contributes to WFAE, an NPR affiliate in Charlotte and is a senior facilitator with The OpEd Project, which increases the range of voices in opinion writing. She has contributed to MSNBC, NPR, ESPN’s The Undefeated and The Washington Post, covered presidential campaigns since 2008, and has worked at The New York Times, Charlotte Observer, Baltimore Sun and the Associated Press.

She was chosen for The HistoryMakers, the single largest collection -- archived in the Library of Congress -- which promotes successes and documents events important to the African American community and American society.

Honors include the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ 2022 Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award, Clarion Awards from the Association for Women in Communications, awards from the National Headliners and the Society of Professional Journalists, three first-place awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Thomas Wolfe Award for an examination of Confederate heritage groups.

Curtis has contributed to several books, including an essay in “Covering Politics in the Age of Trump” (LSU Press; 2021) and “Now What?” The Voters Have Spoken -- Essays on Life After Trump.” www.maryccurtis.com

It was a pleasure to interview Author Janice Cottingham, in the summer of 2020 while she enjoyed delicious sushi in Pordenone. During this time she shared insights three of her published books which include  and the inspiration behind them. Janice has wanted to be a children’s author since she was 8 years old. Janice was raised and born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it’s surrounding suburbs where she graduated from Lower Merion High School. After high school Janice attended college in Virginia. Then, she set off to explore the world! Over the past 19 years Janice has lived and worked in Italy, Germany, and Korea along with her 10 children.

Link to her publications: https://www.amazon.com/Janice-Cottingham/e/B082VD6QG5%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

I was thrilled to speak with Julian Wright, the Chief Operating Officer of Your Outsourced CFO. Our conversation focused on fatherhood, serving as an executive, Agile and Lean methodologies, Lean Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) and finding joy! A great conversation to end the year!

Julian Wright earned a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from Ursinus College and spent 6 years in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in a technical and managerial capacity. He then earned an MBA from Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and co-founded and worked with startups.Five years after completing his MBA, Julian's experience is rooted in professional services via management consulting and executive outsourcing. Currently, Julian is the Chief Operating Officer of Your Outsourced CFO, leading a fundamental business model “pivot” that now making the company a startup.

Helen Adeosun, CEO and Founder of CareAcademy, has built a career driving outcomes for adult learners and finding meaningful ways for them to engage in learning. She launched CareAcademy to unite cutting-edge education strategies with the unique needs of the historically underserved caregiver community. To date, more than 200,000 direct care workers have completed over 1 million CareAcademy classes, and the company is aiming to re-skill more than 1 million new home-care workers by 2023. 

The company has been named one of the 100 most innovative Edtech Companies in North America by HolonIQ and was a prior global winner of the MIT Future of Work Challenge. In 2021, CareAcademy was ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, a recognition of America's fastest-growing private companies. 

Adeosun has previously worked with Pearson Education, Teach for America, and the Boston Public Schools. She was named to the 2020 Fortune 40 Under for 40 list and serves on the board of the Caregiver Action Network. She is a frequent industry speaker and a fierce champion of home care and an advocate for the Direct Care Worker. Adeosun earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in Politics and Arabic Studies and holds an EdM. in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University.

It is also important to elevate the voices of women who are survivors of Breast Cancer. I am excited to share Tabitha Huewitt's journey! Her story provides hope and inspiration to weather a difficult journey.  Her fortitude during an unprecedented time is an example of resilience, grit, transparency, determination, and hope!

Tabitha Huewitt is an Assistant Principal in Aviano, Italy and enjoys supporting students and her broader community. In 2019, Tabitha began her tenure at Aviano Elementary School; but due to the pandemic she had the honor of serving as Assistant Principal of Middle Grades with DoDEA Virtual School. Her leadership in education is exemplified in her desire to affect change at various levels in education.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Teralyn Carter, MD a Board Certified General Surgeon with a specialty in Breast Surgical Oncology. Weaved through our discussion are the themes of community, support, rapport and awareness. You do not want to miss this!

Teralyn Carter, MD is a Board Certified General Surgeon with a specialty in Breast Surgical Oncology. She completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State University and went on to medical school at Duke University School of Medicine. She completed her General Surgery training at University of Colorado in Denver and specialty training in breast surgery at Emory University and Grady Hospital in Atlanta, GA. She currently practices medicine in Camden, New Jersey where she specializes in Breast Cancer Surgery and community breast health.

In encouraging Science learning, I also had the opportunity to interview Ariel Paul, PhD  of PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder! Our conversation focused on gauging and retaining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. We also discussed the incredible success of PhET in reaching students across the globe during a global pandemic! Take a listen to a recent clip from our conversation that is sure to provoke thought and curiosity!

Biography: Ariel received his undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to received his PhD in Physics from JILA  at the University of Colorado in 2007, with research focused on coherent imaging with EUV light. Before joining PhET in 2011, Ariel completed an apprenticeship in scientific instrument making at the JILA Instrument Shop. In his time with PhET he has contributed extensively to the design and overseeing the development of PhET's HTML5 simulations.

It was a pleasure to spend time with Shakira M. Nelson, Ph.D! During our interview we discussed her experiences with her first Black American educators, learning how to be authentic in all spaces, encouraging learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and what a Scientist looks like. This is a conversation rooted in a passion and desire to encourage learning in STEM in underrepresented communities, amongst women and beyond.

Biography

Shakira M. Nelson, Ph.D. is a Program Director at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) in the Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD). She manages multiple grant portfolios, including the Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, the Bridges to Baccalaureate, and the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development programs.

Before joining NIGMS, Shakira worked in Philadelphia as a Senior Scientific Program Administrator at the American Association for Cancer Research. Early in her academic career she earned a B.S. in microbiology from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Ph.D. in immunology and infectious diseases, also from The Pennsylvania State University. Shakira conducted postdoctoral research as a cancer prevention fellow at the National Cancer Institute, working in the areas of prostate cancer and health disparities.

Millennial. Mom. Immigrant. Advocate. Security Engineer. It was a pleasure to spend time time with Zinet Kemal! This incredible woman is the epitome of persistence and drive! Zinet is a Senior Information Security Engineer at the Minnesota State Government. Our discussion ranged from her journey immigrating to the United States from Ethopia to her prior career in law to women in Cyber Security. She pushes the boundary beyond what is expected. Take a moment to listen to her journey and be inspired!

Zinet has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also has an LLB degree in Law. In addition, she served as an Adjunct Instructor for an Information Security course at a local community college last year. Zinet holds industry security certifications, including CISA, CySA+, Security+, Network+, AWS CCP and Certified Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). She was featured on Epic Women in Cyber, Women of Silicon Valley (WoSV), ISACA’s SheLeadsTech and Women in Technology (WITI) mediums and newsletter.

It was a pleasure to interview with Chanell Autrey! Her journey provides inspiration for all to hear. We discussed her journey from Public Defender to her current role as a Senior Manager with Starbucks. She is an anchor in her community and is truly facilitating change at various levels! Her advocacy for education, justice, equitable economic development and environmental justice for communities of color is clear.

Prior to joining Starbucks, Chanell Autrey served as Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs for Monumental Sports and Entertainment. In this role, she led and executed the government relations strategy and public policy initiatives for four venues and six sports teams, including the Washington Wizards, Mystics, and Capitals. A dedicated public policy lawyer, Chanell spent five years at the Council of the District of Columbia, serving in various roles, including as Committee Director for the Committee on Business & Economic Development. In that capacity, she executed the strategic direction of the Committee’s 27 agencies and commissions and worked collaboratively with stakeholders to pass legislation on subjects ranging from equitable economic development to environmental justice for communities of color.

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University and George Washington University Law School, Chanell began her professional career as an Assistant Public Defender in Baltimore and is an active member of the Maryland Bar Association. Last year, Chanell was appointed by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser to serve on the ReOpen DC Advisory Group, which provided phased recommendations for reopening the District of Columbia following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Chanell currently serves as a Member-at-Large of the National Bar Association, the nation’s oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. She also sits on the board of the Musicianship, a youth development organization that offers a wide range of music education programs, geared towards enriching the lives of students, their families, and the communities in which they live. Chanell has been named to the National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40 and the National Bar Association’s Top 40 Under 40. She is a native of Washington, D.C. and a proud member of Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc

It was a pleasure to share time and space with Gianni Grot! Gianni has a fervor for life, a desire to uplift others, and engage in discussions on justice and equality. It is clear Gianni is a "changemaker." He is the co-founder of Omroep ZWART (English translation: Broadcast Black), the first Broadcasting Network by people of color in The Netherlands. This is an interview you do not want to miss! 

Gianni Grot is a creative visual storyteller, entrepreneur, and business graduate. Along the way, he acquired diplomas in story-telling and digital video production. However, for most of his creative career he is self- taught. His dedication and passion for film, photography and design is evident in the work he has produced over the years.

I had an opportunity to interview Pernell Jones to discuss Black History, investing, and his current initiative Wall Street Learns (TM). Our conversation was insightful  and is an example of the importance of diversity of thought!

Biography: Pernell Jones, MHA currently works for Providence as the Executive Director of Strategic Development. His department focuses on membership enrollment growth, acquisitions, and market intelligence. He is the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Arch Health Partners, an emerging medical group based in San Diego.

Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills and earned his Master’s Degree in Health Administration from the University of Southern California (USC). 

To reach Pernell Jones pertaining to Black Wall Street Learns, please email BlackWallStLearns@gmail.com.

Meet Latoya Wright, a Civil Servant and leader with a passion for mentoring and coaching others especially members of the military and retired communities. In our time together she shares how coaching and mentoring were essential components of her journey! She also shares an example of a mentor pivotal in her success!

LaToya Wright is an Air Force veteran with over 10 years of active duty experience. Ms. Wright joined the Air Force in 1998 as a Financial Management Apprentice and throughout her active duty career, worked in various organizations and sections. Ms. Wright also served as an Airmen Leadership School instructor before she was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 2009. Ms. Wright’s civilian career began immediately upon her separation from the Air Force. Currently, she is a Supervisory Financial Manager at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

The following episode highlights the transition many college graduates endured graduating during a pandemic and facing an uncertain economy and job market. Awaly Diallo describes with eloquence how she is navigating this trying time while being rooted in services to others in her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Her passion for her community is clear and she exhibits this by working at a non-profit child welfare agency. This is an episode highlighting the challenges many graduates of the "Class of 2020" have encountered and their creative approach tackling the uncertainty on day at a time.  

Awaly Diallo (she/her), a native of West Philadelphia is an activist, paralegal within the child welfare field, and recent graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with degrees in Sociology and African American Studies. She was recognized as the 2020 College Marshal for the College of Liberal Arts as well as 2020 Liberal Arts Change Maker. Her particular work focuses in the area of race and gender politics of education and policed states. Photo Credit: Chuck Fong

For Black History Month, Luke Smith recites a segment of the book, "I Am Every Good Thing" by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James.

Meet Ana Victoria, a graphic designer and illustrator! She hails from Caracas, Venezuela and is a freelance illustrator and designer in Luxembourg! She reimagined and redesigned my logo for The Joy of Learning! We sat down to discuss her experiences and the influence of branding in our everyday life!

It was a pleasure to sit down with Dr. Charlsie Celestine, a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist of New Jersey! She is the creator of the women’s health podcast "For Vaginas Only" which focuses on teaching women and young girls about their health and body in a way that can be understood. In our time together, we discussed women advocating for their health in the midst of a pandemic, ways to properly vet information online, and her work advocating for health education in New Jersey! This is certainly an episode you do not want to miss!

It was a pleasure to interview Clement Townsend and discuss the importance of media education in classrooms across the nation! Clement spent close to two decades in front of the camera as a Sports Journalist including time spent on the local news, cable and the internet.  His career took him to several markets including San Angelo, Texas, Mobile, Alabama, Lynchburg, Virginia and Chicago Illinois.  Our discussion focused on how students need to be exposed to media and journalism not just as a career but to help develop their creativity and critical thinking skills.  We delve into how teaching media fosters curiosity and deepens learning experiences.  Our discussion is certain to provide value!

It was a pleasure to Interview Irene Avogadri, CEO of The Class Company in Amsterdam, Netherlands! The Class Company is a Luxury Destination Company providing high demand clients from the entertainment and corporate business with exceptional high class and quality professional services. A leader with exceptional foresight on how to move forward and pivot in the midst of unprecedented circumstances, Irene provides thoughtful dialogue on how she navigated 2020. 

Our interview highlights some of the challenges she faced, her strategy for managing this as a mother and business leader, and her hopes for the future. Our interview also highlighted her initiative @sharethemicnownl where she opens the door for conversation on racial injustice and inequity. This is a must listen for those preparing for 2021!

Photo Credit: Heidigita Photography, https://www.heidigita.com/

It was a pleasure to speak with Frances Johnson! Frances Johnson is a Civil Servant in the United States Air Force. She is a wife and mother of three beautiful children. We discussed navigating the thralls of a recent promotion, closed schools and daycares, and how to advocate for self in the work place! This is definitely a great listen for our working mothers and those striving to find light at the end of the tunnel!

It was a privilege to spend time with Dr. Raquel Jones! Though our discussion revolved around her journey as a vascular surgeon and mother, we also found time to discuss the challenges associated with the current pandemic and the implications of a strained healthcare system on patient care. This was a time to listen to her journey and to also take heed as she describes experiences we all can connect to!  

Dr. Jones obtained her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During her time in medical school, Dr. Jones developed a passion for vascular surgery. Dr. Jones is a board certified vascular surgeon and enjoys the complex nature of vascular surgery. She also enjoys the ability to treat patients as well as, cultivate long-term patient relationships.

In what direction is the workforce headed? As the Director of the Center for Career Development at Franklin University Cyndi Freeman is committed to answering this question! Cyndi brings extensive experience in higher education and workforce development. She has more than 20 years’ experience at  Ohio State University and Penn State University.  Her expertise includes career exploration, crafting resumes and cover letters, strategic job search, interview preparation and coaching. She has an extraordinary understanding of higher education and employment issues for new graduates, young professional clients, racially and ethnically underrepresented, differently abled, career transitions and those seeking to re-enter the workforce. She lives vicariously through the success of those she has worked with and for! Take a listen!

Many families recall the difficult transition from traditional school to virtual platforms in March. We hear it often referenced as the school year begins. Working mothers have also expressed the challenges associated with this especially with young children. I interviewed with Kirin Kennedy this week to discuss work, motherhood, and options for schooling (i.e in person, virtual, pods, and micro-schools).

Kirin Kennedy is the Deputy Legislative Director of Lands and Wildlife programs at the Sierra Club. She is leading the Sierra Club's advocacy on Forestry and Wildlife issues. She is also co-chair of the Green Group’s Budget and Appropriations working group. Prior to her time at Sierra Club Kirin served as a Regional Vote Director for the Obama for America Campaign where she organized city and county-wide efforts to aid in turning out African-American and Black voters in Columbus, Ohio. 

Kirin works to protect our bedrock environmental laws since she believes the entry into protecting human rights is protecting the environment from harm and degradation. She firmly believes each person has the right to eat, play, pray, and sleep in a healthy and just environment. When Kirin isn’t working on Capitol Hill she spends as much time as she can outdoors with her husband Andrew Lee and her children Ava (6 years old) and James (2 years old). 

It has been incredible to hear of educators' experiences transitioning from the traditional classroom to virtual/digital platforms. I was excited to interview Melissa Short of Spangdahlem, Germany and Staci Hammer of Aledo, Texas who bring a wealth of knowledge to this conversation on the transition from the traditional classroom to virtual and digital platforms.

Often we tout awareness of ones environment in order to operate and thrive. However, self awareness is key to navigating any environment!