Accelerate Access

Accelerate Access

By Nyah ProjectSociety & Culture
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Accelerate Access episodes

  • 033 - Individuality with Victoria Bofill

    Victoria Bofill, 2022 Nyah Fellow and University of Florida Gator, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss Hispanic representation and storytelling in film and theatre, being a twin, and her passion for educational equity, which stems from her experience with Breakthrough Miami. Also find out how she won over $1 million in scholarships to attend college debt-free and her advice for overcoming self-doubt, plus more!

    "Don't let big opportunities scare you away from applying to them. Just apply…and be yourself." - Victoria Bofill


    They also discuss:

    • Becoming comfortable as a unique individual, especially with a twin sister

    • Her dream for financial stability

    • Her passion for individual storytelling 

    • How her childhood helped her with adaptability and being such a good packer

    • How interviewing for Nyah Project helped her get out of her comfort zone

    • Her first impressions of Ghana and pulling her first all-nighter in country

    • Learning about her superpower (analytical) 

    • Her college application experience and support from peers and coaches

    • Why she admires Richard Branson and his efforts to promote dyslexia awareness 

    • Her advice to seize opportunities and avoid comparisons

    • Finding joy in exploring different activities, such as sports and film

      • 32 min
    • 032 - Freedom with Juasline Plasencia

      Juasline Plasencia⁠, 2019 Nyah Fellow and first generation college graduate from Hamilton College, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss everything from transitioning to adulthood, to her most memorable moments from her Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana, to uplifting indigenous communities. Also find out how she became a Posse Scholar to help pay for college and what it’s like for her to be an art teacher at her alma mater, Southridge Senior High School!


      "We truly do have the ability to create the lives that we want as long as we take advantage of the resources that are available to us." - Juasline Plasencia


      They also chat about:

      • Creating spaces for growth, belonging, and peace 

      • Her core values, from mindfulness to automy, empathy to peace

      • Being the youngest of six siblings and growing up in New Jersey with a single mother

      • Mental health in a Caribbean migrant family

      • Understanding hidden racism and microaggressions

      • How Nyah Project changed the trajectory of her life

      • Why Ghana reminded her of her ancestral home, the Dominican Republic

      • Her love for experiential learning and traveling

      • Why we should respect indigenous communities and lands to mitigate the negative impacts of modern society

        • 43 min
      • 031 - Home with Heavyn Lee

        Heavyn Lee, 2019 Nyah Fellow and Harvard University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss her passion for home building and interior design, her aspirations to study law to help those traditionally disadvantaged by the legal system, and . Also, find out how her reflective experiences in Bali as part of her Nyah Project Fellowship and Access coaching helped her win the prestigious Gates Scholarship to attend Harvard!

        "It's a very eye-opening thing to realize as a child that the resources that you need to succeed are not in your community." - Heavyn Lee


        They also discuss:

        • Ideas of perfection and vulnerability

        • Learning to ask for help

        • Moving frequently in pursuit of better educational opportunities

        • Family dynamics and being raised primarily by women

        • The idea of “home” and its impact on one’s sense of belonging

        • Her Nyah Project fellowship to Bali, Indonesia and the significance of community building

        • Learning time management and prioritization during the college application process

        • How she got accepted into top universities, like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia

          • 58 min
        • 030 - Diving Into Access Online: A Mini Episode

          In this bonus episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast, Leigh-Ann Buchanan turns it over to several Nyah Fellows to share a little bit more about Access Online – why we need it, how it works, and why you should use it, too. The tips and information in the college coaching platform have helped students win over $30 million in scholarships.

          9 min
        • 029 - Building Bridges with James Brown-Urmeneta

          James Brown-Urmeneta, 2023 Nyah Fellow and Questbridge Scholar at Boston College, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey from doubt to confidence as key to his success and being limitless, his first international travel experience for his Nyah Project Fellowship to Morocco, and the power of vulnerability in building relationships. Also find out why he admires LeBron James’ as a leader and cares about solving world hunger, plus more!


          "People deserve to be able to have access to food and water. It's a basic need, and I think it's something that should be fulfilled for everyone, whether or not they're able to afford it." - James Brown-Urmeneta


          They also chat about:

          • Where he finds peace in the city

          • Taking risks and overcoming challenges

          • Developing a mindset of abundance and re-framing his relationship with money

          • Taking on the role of translator in his family and navigating his father’s absence at a young age

          • Being a Teaching Fellow for Breakthrough Miami

          • Navigating roadblocks while choosing to go after opportunities for himself

          • The selection process to becoming a Nyah Project Fellow

          • How Access Online and Access Coaching helped him write a winning personal statement

          • Cross-cultural connections and exploring the markets in Morocco

          • Effective leadership 

          • Sharing lived experiences to create more empathy and awareness

          • Being more open to people and opportunities


            • 51 min
          • 028 - Multi-Faceted with Tyler McCray

            Tyler McCray, 2021 Nyah Fellow and Tennessee State University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss how he’s working towards his career goal in physical therapy, closing the wealth disparity gap, and honing his creative and entrepreneurial skills. Also find out what his most memorable experiences were during his Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana, how he got a full ride to college, and more!

            "Seeing my community be forced to change and not being able to fund itself is why I would solve the wealth disparity issue [with a magic wand]. "
            - Tyler McCray


            They also chat about:

            • The concepts of human performance and connecting physical performance with mental fortitude

            • Finding joy in what you do and trusting your own abilities 

            • Following your intuition and not second guessing yourself to seize opportunities

            • Overcoming discomfort during the Nyah Project application process

            • Visiting the Human Factor Leadership Academy with Dr. Senyo and the slave castles along the Ghanian coast

            • Being a voice of reason for others

            • Growing up in an unpredictable neighborhood and the role of a loving, supportive family 

            • The importance of being kind

            • His entrepreneurial journey with his younger brother during to raise funds for charity during the pandemic

            • The benefits of Access Online in his college application process

            • Why he admires his boss, Mr. Valentine, who runs the summer camp that he works for

            • Making the most of his college experience by exploring different passions and interests


              • 36 min
            • 027 - Knowledge is Power with Brandon Zamudio

              Brandon Zamudio, 2022 Nyah Fellow and first generation student at Yale University, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss the importance of empathy, the challenges of pursuing success in a socioeconomically disadvantaged context, and what he learned about himself and vulnerability during his Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana. Also find out why he’s studying economic policy and how he plans to address issues in his own community before expanding impact nationally (or even globally!), plus more.

              "If people were truly more empathetic…I truly think that this world would be a better place and could target issues from climate change to poverty to food insecurity. " - Brandon Zamudio


              They also chat about:

              • The importance of uplifting others

              • His aspirations and how he can use his educational experiences to make a positive impact

              • Overcoming fear and imposter syndrome

              • Navigating cultural and socio-economic differences as a first generation Mexican and Peruvian American

              • His admiration for his older brother, Miguel, especially in the pursuit of higher education 

              • Self-imposed pressure and success measurements

              • How he learned different values from the Nyah Project interview process 

              • How Access Online and Access coaching helped him not only with time management, but getting enough scholarships to attend Yale University

              • Why he looks up to Francesca Covey, Chief of Economic Innovation and Development for Miami-Dade County, as a leader

              • The role of economic policy and resource access in shaping communities

              • The beauty of creating something that you love


                • 43 min
              • 026 - Blessed with Melvin Rivers

                Melvin Rivers, 2014 Nyah Fellow and physical education teacher in Orlando, FL, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss the evolution of his purpose and career path, being adopted and finally reconnecting with his biological family, and how volunteering for weekly food drives shaped his childhood. Also find out what it was like for Melvin to be a guinea pig as part of the first Nyah Project Fellowship cohort a decade ago and the leadership lessons he learned then that he still carries to this day, plus more!

                "Get hands-on experience as much as you can to get that exposure…. Exposure gives you an open mind to conquer any goal." - Melvin Rivers


                They also chat about:

                • How he fell in love with sports and fitness, and how he’s using them to create a positive impact 

                • Creating little experiences of love and appreciation for those around him

                • Personal values and learning the importance of gratitude, servant leadership, empathy, and community impact from a young age

                • His Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana, memories at the Human Factor Leadership Academy with Dr. Senyo and the hike to Wli Waterfalls

                • Being a UCF alum and pursuing his master’s degree in sports management

                • Taking advantage of any resources available for the college process

                • His admiration for his mentor, Coach Ernest Wynn at Deltona Middle School

                • The power of experiential learning and needed changes in the education system

                • His advice to his younger self and future generations

                  • 45 min
                • 025 - The Power of Music with Jose Prieto

                  Jose Prieto, 2018 Nyah Fellow and University of Miami alum, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his lifelong journey to becoming a musician and educator in Palo Alto, CA; how moving out (and across the country) helped his relationship with his parents; and his Nyah Project fellowship experience in Ghana with Dr. Senyo Adjibolosoo. Also find out how he defines community and how he’s shaping the future, plus more!


                  "Music really is a great way to see leaders in action." - Jose Prieto


                  They also chat about:

                  • Growing up first generation Cuban-American in the city of progress, Hialeah, Florida

                  • Mental health awareness in the Hispanic community

                  • The benefits of Access coaching in a small group setting

                  • The most rewarding part of his job as a music educator

                  • How his first band director, Vicky Orozco, inspired his career path

                  • How he’s helping younger generations build a better future

                  • The power of journaling and reflection

                    • 43 min
                  • 024 - Beyond Your Comfort Zone with Ayden Wilson

                    Ayden Wilson, 2022 Nyah Fellow and Florida Atlantic University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss how Nyah Project helped him get out of his comfort zone, systemic racism in America, and his highs and lows from Ghana. Also find out how he’s combining his passion for sports and statistics with his career pursuits, plus more!

                    "The biggest challenge for me right now is systemic racism in America. I feel like not enough people are doing enough, especially in our government, and I feel like they need to." - Ayden Wilson


                    They also chat about:

                    • Challenges with self-perception, particularly with self-doubt and undervaluing personal achievements

                    • Relationships and connections

                    • His Nyah Project fellowship experience in Ghana, from late night talks to waterfalls

                    • His Jamaican and English roots

                    • How Access Online gave him a blueprint for the college admissions process

                    • Nerding out on data analytics

                    • His love for music and hip hop

                    • Why Kendrick Lamar inspires him

                    • The importance of creating spaces for all voices to be heard

                      • 32 min

                    About Accelerate Access

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                    We share stories of how access to opportunity changes lives.