The Ashe Academy's Inspire. Uplift. Engage. Podcast

This week we're joined by friend of the foundation, Dr. Monica Blied to discuss her career journey and how she developed The Faces of Health app, now available for Android and iOS. The Faces of Health app and online masterclass series were designed to teach people how to use the science of the mind-body-health connection in essence, decades of neuroscience research, to actually rewire their brains to experience less stress and pain, and more calm, joy, and meaning in life.

Be sure to check out Dr. Blied's Faces of Health App now available for download on Android & iOS.

Learn more about Dr. Monica Blied, the app and the masterclass here: 

This week we’re joined by Dr. Monica Blied, Porcha Chambers and dear friends of the foundation Keisean Raines and Melody Gutierrez to discuss the ins and outs of apologies on the giving and receiving side and we drew a distinction between forgiveness and reconciliation. 

Be sure to check out Dr. Blied's Faces of Health App now available for download on Android & iOS. 

This week we’re joined by Iris Nevins, Co-Founder and CEO of Umba Daima. We discuss her career journey from education to tech transitioning from teaching to a coding bootcamp that led her to where she is today, building community in the web3 and NFT space, highlighting black and diverse artists.   

Season 4 Premiere of our Inspire. Uplift. Engage. Podcast is here! In this episode, we discuss not only forgiveness for others but for ourselves too. We examine what it looks like and how it makes us feel. Panelists include friends of the foundation: Rondell Anderson, Sonia Iris Lozada, and Nefertiti Warren.

About Us

The Ashe Academy empowers students and families of color with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete higher education while providing parental engagement, scholarships, mentorships, and support services to aspiring scholars at the helm of excellence pursuing the Arts & STEM fields.

This week we’re joined by Diego Alamir, Supervisor, Customer Support and Experience at Dapper Labs. He is a sociologist who entered tech. We discuss his seasoned career spending over 12 years in the tech space. We explore why it's important for him to leave the door open for underrepresented people to get opportunities too, the importance of cryptocurrencies and NFTs for artists and marginalized people to essentially buy their freedom. 

The Pharm to Table is Nov 20th! We're discussing Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness as well as a Mental Health Check-In!

The Pharm to Table Fundraisers:

This week we’re discussing #fear and #doubt with James Robinson and friends of the foundation Lupe Tejada Diaz, Natasha Lynn Tucker, and Nefertiti Warren. We take a deep dive into how fears and doubts are related, how we can face fears and talk back to our doubt. We also discuss times where doubts are actually valid. Lastly, we discuss regrets as a result of fears and doubts and how they can propel you into passions to help others. 

The Pharm to Table is Nov 20th! We're discussing Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness as well as a Mental Health Check-In!

About Us

The Ashe Academy empowers students and families of color with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete higher education while providing parental engagement, scholarships, mentorships, and support services to aspiring scholars at the helm of excellence pursuing the Arts & STEM fields.

This week we're joined by Stacy Milner. Stacy is an entertainment industry veteran who began her career working as the executive assistant to the chairmen of NBC and Paramount Pictures. We were introduced through 

She is the Founder and CEO of Executive Temps, a premiere employment agency that has exclusively served the entertainment industry for over 30 years. We discuss her latest venture, the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP), and HBCU in LA. We explore the beginnings of her illustrious career and why she set out to do this work and impact our young professionals.

Last but not least we talk about the MPA-EICOP Entertainment Law & Policy Fellowship which launched in late September 2021 for graduating students at an HBCU, HSI, or other minority-serving institutions who are interested in entertainment law and policy. 

About HBCU in LA

Our mission is to identify and develop diverse talent across all aspects of the entertainment, media, sports, music, technology, and global creative industries. Our goal in establishing this much-needed program is to provide a diverse, ready-for-hire talent pool that has long been underrepresented in the creative workforce. Together with the support of our industry partners, we are making it possible for students of color to live, thrive, and succeed in today’s global creative economy.

This week we're joined by Taryell Simmons and Rondell Anderson to discuss the School-to-Prison pipeline. We examine the origins, how it impacts students in terms of different demographics. We reflect on what walking into school looked like for some students, families, and educators in different parts of the country and in specific neighborhoods. This is definitely a multi-layered issue but we do find a silver lining at the end that will help make this heavy topic slightly more hopeful in reconciling the various issues at bay. May this conversation spark new ones with your community.

SAVE THE DATE: October 16th, 2021 - 10 am -2 pm | The Ashe Academy's Mentors & Mimosas Gala 2021

At the Chester Washington Golf Course

Tickets: https://bit.ly/MMG2021Tickets

Sponsors: https://bit.ly/MMG2021Sponsors

Vendors: bit.ly/MM2021_Vendors

It's another Modern Vascular takeover for September's Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD awareness month! We're joined by friend of the foundation, Dr. Wande Pratt, Managing Physician of Modern Vascular of St. Louis is a fellowship-trained, and board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon to discuss his journey into medicine, including his many mentors along the way, his path public health and the challenges and rewarding moments with patients. There are some very useful risk factors and symptoms shared in this episode that might be an indication of PAD. Be sure to advocate for your family members, it might just save their life.

Learn More About Dr. Pratt

https://modernvascular.com/doctors/wande-pratt/

Modern Vascular of St. Louis

https://modernvascular.com/clinics/st-louis/

Learn More About PAD Awareness Month:

https://modernvascular.com/pad-awareness-month/

About Modern Vascular

This week we're joined by Dr. Ryan Jean-Baptiste to discuss his career, his mentors along the way, plus more details on Peripheral Artery Disease, (PAD). September is PAD Awareness Month, so we've joined forces with Modern Vascular doctors to highlight the importance of awareness for this vascular disease that impacts communities of color with the risk factors related to diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and symptoms related to leg pain, cold feet, and wounds that won't heal. Dr. Jean-Baptiste shares his perspective on the treatment and why it's important to seek help if you have any of the risk factors or symptoms.

Submissions are now open for ASHE Scholars - 2021 Scholarship Application (Deadline September 30th)

https://theasheacademy.org/2021-scholarship-application/

SAVE THE DATE: October 16th, 2021 - 10 am -2 pm | The Ashe Academy's Mentors & Mimosas Gala 2021

Tickets: https://bit.ly/MMG2021Tickets

Sponsorship & Vendors: https://bit.ly/MMG2021Sponsors

Connect with Dr. Jean-Baptiste: 

Email: ryansjeanbaptiste@gmail.com

Learn More About PAD Awareness Month:

https://modernvascular.com/pad-awareness-month/

About Modern Vascular 

This week we're joining by Azizull Kaur, Cindy Alamillo, Christine Mathewson Coronado, Kayla King Scott, Crystal Jones, and Natasha Ashe to discuss PWI's. We discuss the impact of a lack of representation in terms of the student body, administration, and educators. We explore K-12 and Higher Ed and how this affects people from their formative years and beyond. We touch on the importance of representation and the positives that come with experiencing life through the lens of a PWI. 

Back to School Town Hall 2021

This week we're joined by dear friend of the foundation, Keisean Raines to discuss her career, calling, her why and purpose. Keisean works collaboratively with creative freelancers, consultants, and “soulpreneurs” to develop habits and rituals that support sustained personal and professional fulfillment. As a result of her Wellness Business Coaching/Consulting, her clients improve their mindset, embrace a sense of peace while increasing earning potential through the implementation of strategic business planning and systems development. We discuss engaging your self-doubt and find ways to overcome it all and meditation's impact on her approach to coaching. 

Connect with Keisean Raines

This week Monique Fennoy, Kerra Strum, Kellee Bassaragh, and friend of the foundation, Frenda Rodgers join us to discuss their unique perspectives on how they navigated undergrad at an HBCU. We've got #howarduniversity, #spelmancollege and #FAMU all represented in the room to reflect on their academic careers and how it prepared them for the real world. We also touch on #greek culture and explore the benefits in terms of networking. Plus we even examine the familial ties between HBCUs and how you are your brother and sister's keeper. If you're on the fence regarding a historically black college and university this might just push you over the edge in the right direction.

Back to School Town Hall 2021

This week we're joined by friend of the foundation, Alexis Shellow an IT contract Specialist for the federal government, who has roughly a decade of experience in marketing and business development. We discuss her background, her passion for music, her approach to mentorship, and perspective on sharing challenges with people. If you exist in the gray area between the Arts & STEM or dabble in many things, this episode is for you!

Connect with Alexis Shellow:

This week we're exploring the college experience at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). HBCUs were established in the United States early in the 19th century, to provide undergrad and graduate-level educational opportunities to people of African descent because these students were unwelcome elsewhere, even after the passing of specific legislation, which resulted in a lack of higher education on opportunities. We discuss the impact HBCUs have on their academic journey, career, their identity, and their culture. This episode features  Brent Tilley and friends of the foundation, Brandon Bailey, Keisean Raines, and Dr. Shanique McCallister-Nixon. If you've ever considered an HBCU, part 1 of our discussion should help you figure things out!

Back to School Town Hall 2021

This week we're joined by Joseph Fung, serial entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of Uvaro. Not only does he share incredibly important information about building successful businesses, he shares insight on examples of successful exit strategies. We also examine representation and how belonging can look and feel like many different things. In a landscape where many people don't quite looking look like you, have the same background and interests he found his own community in the tech world. The conversation also ventures into the territory of working with family, be sure to listen for Joseph's take on running a business with his sisters. 

Connect with Joseph Fung

This week we're joined by Natalie Gonzalez and founding board member, DeWayne Sheaffer to discuss Intersectionality and how it shows up in higher education and policy. Intersectionality is an analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of disadvantages and privilege. This matrix factors in gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, and more in the whole person because all of these things are present at the same time and should be acknowledged. 

SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Town Hall

August 21st, 2021

Shop the Ashe Academy Store!

This week's episode features friend of the foundation, Pat Marrett, founder and owner of, Spanish Town Kitchen, a catering business inspired by the town where she grew up in Jamaica, and her Grandmother's ability to feed the lane (block) turned into a Caribbean-inspired food company that specializes in sauces, curated spice blends, and condiments..We discuss her background as a filmmaker and how she effortlessly made a transition to culinary arts. We also discuss how people can access the "love" people talk about as a secret ingredient. This love for cooking has now blossomed into a line of Jerk sauces (launched for pre-order June 22, 2021) Show your support, connect, and put in those orders! 

Connect with Pat & Spanish Town Kitchen

Back to where we started for the very first episode, we're back with a brand new season during the week of Juneteenth. The significance is that Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19th in honor of the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the United States. This week we're discussing The African diaspora, which is the worldwide collection of communities who have descended from native Africans or people from the continent of  Africa, predominantly in the Americas. Our panelists include Dr. Gina Paige, Dr. Sarah L. Webb, Raphael Okyere, Victor Mabutho, Hans Hageman, Jere Jeannoel-Fernandez, Dr. Shanique McCallister-Nixon, and Dr. Heather Sanders. We discuss blackness in terms of both identity and consciousness, culture, language, cuisine, community and so much more. Thank you for all the support!

Shop our Spring Collection Now!

It's the Season 2 Finale and this week we're joined by Francisco Cabrera-Feo, TV Writer. His work speaks for itself, with films shown at NYLFF and Outfest, and credits on season 2 of Gentefied on Netflix his storytelling on the page transfers right into this great conversation on his personal and professional artistic journey. Francisco is a true testament to the importance of mentorship as discussed, the guidance, and feedback shared in those interactions with industry vets, truly shaped an already brilliantly talented Latinx artist into a powerhouse. Find out why Francisco finds it important to lead with Joy, Laughter, and Fearlessness.

Connect with Francisco:

This week we’re dedicating an episode to Latinx, Latine, Latinos, and Hispanic People of various backgrounds who share this community. Our final panel for season 2 features Kris Sosa, BA, INHC, Debby Mariscal, Sonia Iris Lozada, and friends of the foundation, Edwin Correa, Dominique Gregory, Ariel Pacheco, and friend turned member of the team, Tamar Lopez! This was an excellent conversation that transformed into a “sobremesa“ as introduced by Debby. We discuss their perspectives on identity, heritage, representation, the nuances of Afro-Latinx people, and so much more.

Mental & Physical Health Summit June 12, 2021, 10 am - 2 pm PST:

This week we're joined by friend of the foundation, Lee Lontoc, The Hollywood Vocal Coach, who shares his journey which interestingly enough touches both the arts through his vocal coaching and music in general, a STEM degree in the mix. We discuss the importance of exploring the colors of your voice and how confidence through singing can translate into self-confidence in the corporate world and even inspired a professional or two to quit and pursue singing full-time. Lastly, during our "What brings you joy?" segment Lee discusses his passion for reconnecting unhomed people with their families. There were so many gems shared during this interview, you know Lee was dubbed Pastor, find out exactly why.  

Miracle Messages:

This week we discuss identity, culture, community, representation, gatekeeping and so much more with Indigenous People. Starting off with a conversation of how everyone self-identifies, this was an insightful and much-needed exchange. This conversation features James Kawainui, Carolina Castoreno-Santana, Nya, and friend of the foundation Buffy Castillo (Founder & CEO of the Pharm).

Save the Date: Mental & Physical Health Summit - June 12th, 10 am - 2 pm via Zoom

Tickets: 

This week Joyce Zhang Gray, co-founder and CEO of Alariss, stops by to discuss how she wasn't necessarily looking for a career in tech, but it found her due to her desire build bridges. It just so happened that these bridges were on a global scale! Joyce also pulls back the curtain on the start-up mindset while bringing a humanity and compassion to the tech world. So many gems were shared in this episode including some encouragement in these words "You have what it takes, You are complete, There's no blueprint that you need to be successful, it mostly a mindset, it's most having confidence in yourself..." Enjoy!

Connect with Joyce Zhang Gray:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycezhang

Follow Alariss:

Website: https://alariss.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlarissGlobal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alarissglobal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alariss/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alarissglobal/

Alariss Classroom: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gtQVwM11vkP1mkUI756Y2

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This week we discuss identity, culture, community, representation, stereotypes and so much more with Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). This conversation features Pine, and friends of the foundation Season, Ranier Maningding, Alma Sugiarto, Justin Onné, and our very own Peter Horvet. We also open the floor to discuss past and more recent news of violence against AAPIs and share thoughts on allyship.   APRIL 

30th DEADLINE:  

Spring Collection Contest Details:

Friend of the foundation, Matthew Cuban Hernandez,  joins us once again, this time for a one-on-one interview to discuss his career as a poet, emcee, speaker, and performance coach, and educator. We discuss his fearless journey into the arts from a very young age and how the creativity sparked by his work for his students and community keep him going. We also discuss his upcoming book, "3032"!

Connect with Matthew Cuban Hernandez: 

This week we’re tackling Colorism, a form of racial discrimination based on the shade of an individual's skin tone, favoring lighter skin. It can occur both within a specific ethnic group and across ethnic groups. Since it permeates multiple communities of color, and globally at that. It shows up in multiple aspects of life, showing up at home, embedding in cultures, and even in work and academic environments. We’re joined by Shawn LaRe' Brinkley, Jerome Ejan, Augustine Tanner-Ihm, Roatanea Vonei, and friends of the foundation Harmony Oostdyk, Andrew McDonald, and Nevi. A very important discussion that we hope to spark reflection and continued conversations.

Spring Collection Contest Details - DEADLINE - APRIL 30th 2021

This week we're joined by Michele Moore, Marketing Analytics Manager. She describes her journey to tech starting out with a curiosity that led her to go back to school to pursue management information systems. Learn how an inquisitive nature can in fact drive you to new career opportunities and a greater understanding of how data helps make educated decisions in every industry. If you're even a little bit interested in tech, this is an episode you don't want to miss.   

Connect with Michele LinkedIn: 

This week we're addressing a buzzword head-on, "Cancel Culture" and examining the nuances between it and accountability. We were joined by Toni Davis, Holliewood, Jonathan Yang, plus friends of the foundation, Jordana David, Nefertiti Warren, and Melody Gutierrez to discuss this hot topic. Generally, Cancel Culture is brought up in complaint, however, are there some positive aspects to it, and is it actually a necessary evil on the road to accountability this day and age? Are we expecting too much out of public figures? What's the anatomy of a good apology? You'll have to check this episode out for the conversation!

Spring Collection Contest Details - DEADLINE - APRIL 30th 2021

It's not far-fetched to consider that you're going to have to work hard for the things you want. That being said, it takes a special attitude to completely take hold of your destiny and make it happen. Our guest this week, Lisa Cuizon, of Cuizon Ballet Centre has turned her strong will into an illustrious career in ballet, from the student to the teacher. Such an incredible story of #willpower and #determination!

Cuizon Ballet Centre Website:

This week we're discussing "Allyship Fatigue" with Tamar Lopez, Frederick Lewis, plus friends of the foundation Jazmine Gregory, Ranier Maningding, Atira Barber-Ellis, and John Kornegay. We discuss why people disengage with the movement and/or advocacy, take a moment to reflect on moments that we may have fallen short of our expectations of allies for other groups, and then examine tips for inspiring people to come back to the movement after a fit of fatigue. #inspireupliftengagepodcast #bipocvoices #pocvoice #advocacy #allyshipfatigue  

The Ashe Academy Store is now open: 

This week we're joined by the founders of The Ebba aka The Essential Black Business App, Tema Woods, Andrew McDonald, and Giovanni Iriarte-Young for a special edition "one-on-one" interview where we discuss what lead to the journey of starting this business and why black-owned businesses are not only important to them but the focus of the integrity of the app. We also discuss their inspirations, whom they hope to uplift with their work, and how they stay motivated.  

This week, in a nod to corporate responsibility, as we set out to bring more BIPOC students and professionals into the Arts & STEM fields, we discuss the true elephant in the room once you finally make it into the room where it happens, the toxic work environments. This panel features friends of the foundation Jimi Vaughn, Ben Ortiz, Kofi Tolbert, Linda Carole Pierce, Shirley Black, and our very own Kini Slaughter. From Human Resources to the professionals who have navigated these potentially toxic circumstances, we've got a lot of great perspective and insight on the tools to mitigate your risks, get out, or make it work if it's an option.

The Ashe Academy Store is now open:

This week we're joined by singer-songwriter, rapper, producer, and all-around renaissance man Jordyn. Key takeaways from this conversation are specifically listening to your inner voice/intuition and realizing what's meant for you is for you. We also examine the relationship between mentor and mentee and come to terms with the reality that those relationships might transition into peers or friendships. Special shout out to India.Arie, a forever fave.  

The Ashe Academy Store is now open: 

This week we've got a great we're discussing "Gatekeeping" in terms of identity, culture, fandoms, and just about anything else you could think of. The act of withholding access to an idea, state of being or thing, happens everywhere in real life and online. We're here to peel back the layers on this buzzword to hopefully get some clarity. This great panel is featured Shanique Nixon, Ariel Pacheco, and friends of the foundation Samson Bailey, D. Ajane Carlton, Chris Fuller, and Naeema Jamilah Torres. This is definitely an episode not to miss!

Coming Saturday, February 20th, 2021: 2nd Annual Black Entrepreneur Expo & Mixer at 10 am PST/12 pm CT/1 pm EST:    ​

This week we're joined by Mevonnie Biggins of Music by Mevonnie for a great conversation on how her own passion for music, picking up instruments with ease grew into her love for teaching and impacting the next generation of musicians. Mevonnie is the Edupreneur, check out the episode to learn more about how her business acumen took her teaching to another level eventually leading to her students commanding over 7 million dollars in scholarships.   Don't forget to grab your tickets for our Black Entrepreneur Expo & Mixer 2021 which is on February 20th, 2021 at 10am PST/12pm CT/1pm EST!  

Coming February 20th, 2021: 2nd Annual Black Entrepreneur Expo & Mixer:   

This week we're addressing the losses faced during the pandemic, specifically loved ones, but also personal losses. This powerful discussion features Dr. Trashonda Tudy Mizuno Malbrough, Lupe Tejada Diaz, Friend of the Foundation Ed Garnes, Friend of the Foundation, Keaver Brenai, and our Board VP, Camille Black, MS, AMFT. With the many lives lost globally due to COVID-19, we're hoping this conversation sparks your journey to get the help you need to deal with mourning losses, grief, and any other support from a qualified mental health professional.   

Buy Keaver Brenai's Grief Relief: Confession Leads To Recovery https://amzn.to/39PIM3G  

Mental Health Resources: 

This week we're joined by Indeskribeabull aka J. Bailey, Atlanta transplant by way of Memphis, TN! She's been bringing us comic relief throughout the whole pandemic, and goodness did we need her gift! We discuss her journey to parody bringing music and comedy together. We also discuss why she launched her clothing line, OK2B Apparel, where she fuses fashion and activism as a reminder to Black people that they are beautiful and worthy just the way they are. Check out the rest of the episode on your favorite podcast platforms including #applepodcasts #googlepodcasts #spotifypodcast #inspireupliftengagepodcast 

Season 2 Premiere: In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we're coming back to discuss activism across the generations. We explore what activism means to each panelist and ultimately how we can all work together despite our different experiences and approaches to effecting change. This incredible panel features Renee Tyler, Michael Muhammad, Theresa Davis, Jerome Hurt, Atira Barber-Ellis, Kearah-Armonie, and Bryce Savoy. Great conversation from start to finish!

For Episode 27, our season one finale, we've brought in some good family friends and team members of the board! We're finishing out with an intimate panel featuring DeWayne Sheaffer, Brandi Ware, and Pia Williams discussing parenting young adults. From the transition to the adult phase to the greatest lesson their young adults have taught them, this heartwarming episode will make you laugh and cry.

This week we're joined by a friend of the foundation, Valerie Phoenix, Engineering Manager, plus the Founder & CEO of Tech by Choice. So many gems were dropped from career advice to acknowledging the process of building confidence, there are so many takeaways she was dubbed a pastor!   

This week we're back with the parents discussing all the fun stuff, you know boundaries, "the talk" and the other talk and so much more. Thanks again to our guests Linda Henson, Mac Fleming III, Natasha Lynn Tucker, Rachel Bishop, and Steve Morrow. This is one conversation that's sure to spark some of your own whether you're a parent or not.   

Giving Tuesday Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/367466477877533/10157974516627896/  

This week we're joined by friend of the foundation, Brandon Bailey, Founder and Executive Director of our partners, TutorD Scholars. We discuss his journey into Tech, misconceptions of the industry, how TutorD Scholars came to be, and some details on their distance learning platform TutorD. This is one conversation you don't want to miss! 

Giving Tuesday: December 1st, 2020