She Did That!

I sat down with Xiomara to discuss her new career move and how she found herself winning Business West's 40 under 40. 

Xiomara currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC). With over a decade of experience in the public and private sphere, Xiomara has been a steadfast advocate for equitable access to economic and academic growth and opportunity in the region and beyond.  

A Springfield native, she has dedicated her career and community involvement to serve as an active change agent in Western Mass with a focus in identifying inequitable, inaccessible, and inefficient practices within organizations and developing inclusive solution-oriented strategies that lead to tangible + positive outcomes.

Facebook: Xiomara Albán DeLobato

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

I sat down to speak with Nina Read, owner and founder of Sarcastic Sweets, LLC about her journey to owning her own brick and mortar bakery after starting as a food truck!

Hear her story and order some sweets :)

W E B S I T E: https://www.sarcasticsweet.com/

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

I sat down with Jaunique Sealey to chat about her new book called "Black Girls Must Die Exhausted", being a modern woman and how the book came to be! 

The Harvard Law grad is a popular speaker, thought leader, seasoned business executive, and noted author who writes fiction under her chosen nom de plume, Jayne Allen. The Detroit native and L.A.-based writer began her career as an attorney in the music industry as an executive at Universal Music Group. She later served as a senior digital strategist and business development executive for Lady Gaga and as an attorney and strategist for Prince, whom she credits for teaching her how to truly be an artist.  She has also dabbled in standup comedy, is trained in improv, and is a fun and engaging conversationalist offering quick-witted humor and notable insights.

In the forthcoming publication, Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, Ms. Sealey shares relatable, real-life experiences of the lead character Tabitha Walker, a young professional who knows what she wants with a plan in place to have it all. That is until life gets in the way with an unexpected fertility diagnosis. BGMDE centers around the narrative and perspective of a black female protagonist navigating contemporary fertility issues, family, race, relationships, and inequality, to ultimately discover what matters most wasn’t what she originally thought. This book is about receiving a wake-up call and opportunity to define life on your terms rather than accepting how the world imposes its own definitions. With this story, Jaunique implores readers to "find your word" in life. Tabitha's word is exhausted.

I sat down with Taniqua to speak about starting a program to help empower young women through developing leadership skills and practical life knowledge.

Taniqua hails from Long Island City, NY and has lived in Hartford, CT since 2011. She is the Outreach Director of Open Communities Alliance, an organization aimed to unwind intentional segregation and to provide housing opportunities and access to all. She is also the founder and owner of a new organization Black Girls Achieve, which is a girl empowerment program that aims to provide black girls the skills and tools to learn about the ways society shapes black girlhood and how to navigate its nuances. Taniqua is a two-time Trinity College graduate, in 2011 she received het Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology; in 2017 she received her Master of Arts degree in Public Policy. Taniqua has also received the 50 for the Next 50, Hartford’s Finest, and 100 women of color awards.

INSTAGRAM- @blackgirlsachieve_

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

I sat down with Anna to understand more about the Scrum Master industry/ position title, starting a coaching business and achieving everything she has set her mind to. If you haven't heard of what a Scrum Master is, this is the episode to find out! 

"An Agilist at its best ! Driven by Gratitude. Love being a Scrum Master/ Agile Coach ! Interested in networking, traveling, business ventures and ideas. You can find me in the gym or being a once a month weekend warrior in the Army or traveling Somewhere."

Anna on Instagram: @scrum_champions

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

I sat down with Ruby Maddox, founder of Direct Your Purpose, to talk about finding your purpose in life and starting multiple non-profit organizations.

Ruby Maddox is a Purpose Coach, consultant, and facilitator, dedicated to helping individuals cultivate their potential for meaningful contributions to society.  She is the co-founder of two nonprofit organizations focused on social justice, leadership, and equity.  Ruby is a TEDx speaker and recipient of the 40 Under 40 Business and Community Leader's award.

INSTAGRAM- @directyourpurpose

https://www.directyourpurpose.com/

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

I sat down with Zaccia to talk about her journey in starting and owning a successful marketing firm called Green Millenial. We spoke about how she did it and how she got the courage to start a business after working in the food industry. She did that and so can you!

"I am 26 years old. African American, Puerto Rican and Chilean. Grew up in Leominster, MA. I own a marketing firm and our organization has offices in CA, MA, MD, and NJ."

Instagram: @zacciachesson

Website: http://gmillennialinc.com/

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

This week I talk to Candace Chatman. A skilled DM Sales Coach. Her main goal is to help other coaches and service providers gain clients and make MONEY. Her key phrase is "The Afraid Don't Get Paid" which is also the title of her episode. She's helped me gain the confidence to start this podcast and step into my power to help others! She's great and effective.

@candacechatman_

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

In this episode, I talk financial literacy, entrepreneurship and life. She has been a resource to me; helping me increase my credit score by 3o points in 3 months. Her advice is legit! 

Patrina Dixon, a Personal Finance Expert, Speaker, Award-Winning Author, and host of The Money Exchange Podcast; through her trademark brand, It'$ My Money, runs financial workshops, a blog, & retail products. Her company empowers individuals to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle & become financially independent. Patrina has been featured in CNBC, Black Enterprise, Experian, and FOX61 & she is a 100 Women of Color alumna.

https://www.itsmymoneyjournal.info/

Instagram: @itsmymoney_

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

I sat down with Alaina Macaulay to speak about her experiences working in a position solely dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on a college campus.

"Alaina M. T. Macaulay is the Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Since joining the Isenberg family in the Summer of 2019, she has been focused on developing and managing programs that make members of underrepresented groups feel at home at Isenberg, while working with all groups to support them in being engaged and inclusive community members. Prior to her work in Isenberg, she served as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Elms College in Chicopee, MA.  During her career, Alaina has led workshops and presentations nationally and internationally on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and understanding bias.   Although she's originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she now calls Springfield, Massachusetts her home. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Charles, daughter, Kiya and dog, Ozzy."

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8

I sat down with Bria to discuss the taboo of period talk and how she's breaking down the stigma around menstruation and self care with her non-profit called, Love Your Menses. 

Bria Gadsden, MS is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Love Your Menses, Inc. She is a social entrepreneur, health educator, and reproductive health advocate who is passionate about creating social impact community based health promotion programs that promote health equity in Black and Brown communities.  Bria received her masters degree in Community Health Education from Merrimack College and her bachelors degree in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has experience working in education, government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Bria was born and raised in Boston, MA and currently resides in North Andover, MA.

Bria's Website: https://www.loveyourmenses.com/

F O L L O W   ME:

Facebook- @shedidthatpod (She Did That)

Instagram- @nikaielise

Twitter- @nikaielise8