Accelerate Access

Accelerate Access

By Nyah ProjectSociety & Culture
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Accelerate Access episodes

  • 013 - Disruption with Dewayne Martin

    Dewayne Martin, 2017 Nyah Fellow and soon-to-be graduate of Hamilton College in New York, is a storyteller, organizer, and so much more. The youngest Nyah Fellow ever selected at 14, Dewayne sits down with Leigh-Ann to dive deep into his personal definition of freedom, the connection between his philosophical and emotional journey, and the importance of unlocking opportunities and individual narratives. Also find out Dewayne’s childhood dream and how he’s helping those around him figure out, “What do we want for this life?”

    They also discuss:

    • The value proposition of an individual's ability to contribute
    • Walking as a form of meditation
    • Translating feelings of freedom into action
    • Growing up in a single mother, queer matriarchal household and reconciling his relationship with an absent father
    • Overcoming speech impediments and racial slurs in school
    • “Being a 2020 Graduate Baby” and lost rites of passage due to COVID-19
    • Existential life questions 
    • The importance of personal reconciliation and its broader societal implications
    • Human factor leadership as an economics concept
    • The disruptive nature of Nyah Project and its influence on his understanding of purpose, ability to identify and obtain resources, and his opportunities to travel to three countries
    • The potential of unlocked opportunities in Miami and the need for local residents to benefit from and contribute to the city’s future

      • “I think that when you are in precarious situations, you have no choice but to ask critical questions about your life." - Dewayne Martin

      54 min
    • 012 - Deserving with Angelica Gonzalez

      Angelica “Angie” Gonzalez, a 2016 Nyah Fellow pursuing her master’s degree at John Hopkins University, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss prioritizing personal needs over familial expectations and obligations, imposter syndrome as the gifted scholarship student at her high school, and how her Nyah Project Fellowship to Ghana sparked her passion for environmental justice. Also find out why she emphasizes open-mindedness and conversation to develop solutions, how she’s getting over being intimidated by meeting new people, plus more!

      “I thought open-mindedness meant more fear for me because it meant change, but I've become a more adaptable person with time. [C]hange can happen, but there's such a thing as positive change, which is good for not only me, but for other people.” - Angelica “Angie” Gonzalez


      They discuss:

      • Being a paralegal in Washington, D.C. area

      • How people coming together during the pandemic helped restore her faith in humanity 

      • Moving from Miami to Syracuse, NY, for independence, seasons, and better alignment with her future goals

      • How exposure and opportunities through organizations like Nyah Project played a big part in shaping who she is today and her college access journey

      • Evaluating self-worth based on achievements or busyness 

      • Her transformative Nyah Project experience, from meeting the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson, to visiting waterfalls and exploring the local market 

      • Why leaders should always be willing to learn 

      • The power of mentorship from Lanessa Owens-Chaplin and others to help develop her career roadmap

      • The affordable housing crisis and climate gentrification

      • The need for more equitable representation in policy, and more!


        • 36 min
      • 011 - Never Lose Hope with David Barbier, Jr.

        David Barbier, Jr., 2018 Nyah Fellow, 2019 Peer Facilitator, and Syracuse University graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann for an emotional conversation to answer the question “who am I when no one is around?” and discuss the power of love. Also, find out why he considers himself both a dreamer and a doer, how he’s building his personal board of directors, and more!


        “I wish kids growing up knew what love felt like. As I learned to love other people, I've become aware that I was loved growing up, which is why I have the capacity to show love. I wish people felt love.” - David Barbier, Jr.


        They also discuss:

        • His superpowers of imagination and connection

        • The importance of quality time and understanding how you want + need to be loved 

        • Navigating his parents’ divorce and spending a lot of time alone 

        • His identity evolution, tossing out hypermasculinity, and embracing emotions

        • His Nyah Project experiences, including embarrassing moments in Ghana, visiting a slave castle as a person with African ancestry, and mentorship

        • His personal definitions of freedom and leadership

        • Having positive role models, especially when transitioning to the professional world

        • His admiration of and positive relationship with his father

        • The need for kids to feel love and have opportunities that expand their worldview 

          • 47 min
        • 010 - Behind the Scenes with Rita Vega

          On this week's episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast, Rita Vega, 2019 Nyah Fellow and University of Michigan graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss visual storytelling to bridge gaps between diverse communities, her foundation story in Nicaragua, and early career struggles in the Big Apple. Also, find out why Rita focuses on the power of human connection and relationship building, and more!


          "Questions lead to intimacy, and I think that if you don't ask, you won't know, you won't understand, and you'll just be oblivious to something that could have changed your life.”

           - Rita Vega


          They also discuss:

          • Building trust, improving BIPOC representation, and sharing stories of inspiration, inclusion, and culture through her photography and creative work

          • Treasuring the moment and being “in the flow”

          • Human beings vs doings

          • Reconciling identity from being raised by her extended family instead of her biological parents

          • Immigration, language barriers, and the importance of education

          • Leadership lessons from being class president at @saswhitetigers

          • Learning to love herself and honor her self-worth, especially when facing constant job rejections 

          • Her transformative Nyah Project Fellowship experience in Bali, Indonesia, and coming back as a peer facilitator in Ghana

          • The impact that people such as Arturo Nunez, Marianna Lopez, Nicole Washington, and Dr. Marcus Collins, her professor and author of For the Culture, have had on her life

          • The need for career pathway transparency to help others navigate challenges

            • 52 min
          • 009 - Evolution with Ian Rodriguez

            Ian Rodriguez, 2021 Nyah Fellow and Florida State University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey to self-awareness and self-expression, navigating queerness in an unwelcoming environment, and the importance of listening to younger generations. Also find out how the COVID-19 lockdown and Nyah Project played a large role in helping Ian grow as a person, and more!

            “I have to find spaces and places where I can think and be myself authentically because I’ve not been allowed that for so long.” - Ian Rodriguez


            They also discuss:

            • Letting go of shame and fear

            • Childhood pop star dreams 

            • Finding spaces and places for introspection and being himself unapologetically 

            • How Nyah Project gave him the tools and opportunity to truly express himself, as well as attend college for free

            • Why he admires AOC

            • The importance of closing the gaps in social inequity 

            • How he’s starting with small actions to change the world, and more!

              • 35 min
            • 008 - Introspection and Retrospection with Kenya Handfield

              Kenya Handfield, 2020 Nyah Fellow and student at Spelman College in Atlanta, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss redefining success, friendship breakups and human connectivity, and owning your own narrative. Also find out how the death of a friend inspired her to give back and start Project FRESH, how she used Access Online to help her win over $1.5 million in scholarships, and more!

              “I definitely think that's how I define success: by continuously growing.” - Kenya Handfield


              They discuss:

              • Dancing as a random act of kindness

              • The importance of journaling 

              • What Kenya learned about vulnerability, privilege and resources from her Nyah Project experience

              • Passing through the Door of No Return at a slave castle in Ghana

              • Her passion for education, and more!


                • 57 min
              • 007 - Validation and Growth with Elijah Adorno

                Elijah Adorno, 2019 Nyah Fellow and University of Florida student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his ongoing process of learning and growth, balancing mental fortitude with physical strength, and desire for self-validation and contentment. Also find out what drives his accomplishments, early mornings, and desire to give back, and more!

                "By taking the characteristics of other leaders and putting them into that future person, you're kind of settling into who you're gonna be later on. And I think that always gives you passion to keep going forward." - Elijah Adorno

                They discuss: 

                • Elijah’s purpose

                • Curiosity and the need for more open-mindedness in society

                • How his family dynamics shaped his personality and motivation

                • The need for validation and self-worth

                • Their morning routines for success

                • Gaining clarity with Nyah Project and sunsets in Bali

                • Understanding the various terms involved in the college application process

                • Character development for leadership

                • Improving communication to remove ego and pride

                  • 32 min
                • 006 - Boldness with Anaisa Tate

                  Anaisa Tate, 2018 Nyah Fellow, doula and nursing student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss boldness to challenge societal norms, young motherhood, and the people and places that pushed her into her destiny. Also find out why Leigh-Ann called Anaisa a “young revolutionary” after their first meeting, and more.


                  “Now I see there's so much opportunity, and to be able to really help women who look like me, who don't have access to the resources to have a healthy labor, to have a healthy pregnancy. It's just…I see the need for it, and I might as well just stand in the gap.” - Anaisa Tate


                  They discuss:

                  • Anaisa’s perfect day

                  • Childhood influences and the impact of her parents’ divorce

                  • Challenges to accessing mental health resources

                  • The ups and downs of choosing to transform her life at 15

                  • Her experience applying for Nyah Project’s Global Youth Leadership Fellowship twice

                  • The power of writing down your intentions

                  • How Access helped her go to Howard University for free

                  • Why her passion changed from pursuing law to helping women navigate the transition to motherhood

                  • Who she admires as a leader

                  • Why she wants to solve world hunger, and more!

                    • 48 min
                  • 005 - Revolutionary with Adrian Oyola

                    Welcome to another episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast! We share stories of how access to opportunity changes lives. Hosted by Nyah Project founder, Leigh-Ann Buchanan, the podcast provides an inside look into the transformational journeys of our Nyah Fellows as they navigate college, careers, and personal growth as young leaders in the community.


                    This week’s guest is Adrian Oyola, 2022 Nyah Fellow and student at Loyola University in Chicago. Join him for his sit down with Leigh-Ann to discuss why representation matters, the challenges and rewards of living an authentic lifestyle, and how he’s going to make a difference in the world. Also find out how he got over $1.7 million in scholarships for college, why he became vegan, and more!


                    “I want to make space where people from all walks of life – from different races, genders, ethnicities, social, economic classes, just from all different parts of the world – can be seen, can be heard and valued for who they are in their respective work environments, in their respective school environments, in whichever place that they may go to.”

                    - Adrian Oyola


                    They discuss:

                    • What’s most important to Adrian

                    • His childhood and weight loss journey 

                    • Coming out as gay and vegan in a Hispanic household

                    • Intersectionality and living an authentic lifestyle

                    • His core memories from his Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana

                    • How he got over $1.7 million in scholarships for college

                    • His views on leadership

                    • How he’s going to make a difference in the world, and more!


                      • 47 min
                    • 004 - Embracing Your Identity with Tasfia Howlader

                      Tasfia Howlader, 2021 Nyah Fellow and student at Nova Southeastern University, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss personal growth and self-confidence, why she’s an advocate for women’s health and mental health, and her nonprofit focused on global education. Also, find out why she decided to wear the hijab, how she overcame dyslexia and how she stacked scholarships to go to college for free.


                      “If I want there to be a shift, a little change, something to start that spark, it would have to start with conversations where I'm talking about it if no one else is willing to.”

                      - Tasfia Howlader



                      43 min

                    About Accelerate Access

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                    We share stories of how access to opportunity changes lives.