#024: There’s nothing wrong with your dialect- it is part of your culture and who you are- but you need to learn how to code-switch between that and standard American English. This will help you compete with everyone else in your eventual work environment. 

In this episode of Beyond the Culture with Dr. David M. Walker, we have Veronica Blakely, the owner of V’s Voice Communications where she teaches people how to level up their communications skills. She is an educator, a community volunteer, a former corporate manager, a speech coach, and communication skills trainer. 

Veronica describes how her childhood growing up in the inner urban city contributed to her career choice in communications. Listen in to learn the importance of having a mentor as a young person of color navigating America’s corporate scene.  

Quote: 

“There is no such thing as talking white; it’s called standard American English, you need to read it, write it, speak it so that you’ll be able to successfully compete in the world you’re trying to eventually work in.”- Veronica [12:27]    

What you will learn in this episode: 

·       [3:03] Veronica explains how she became interested in teaching standard American English as a form of communication in all settings.

·       [7:04] She explains how she went from the corporate world to a high school and college teacher teaching business and communication courses for 13 years. 

·       [11:20] How she teaches people to code-switch to know when to use their dialect and when to use standard American English.

·       [15:40] How her childhood contributed to her interest in public speaking plus the state of the public speaking business.

·       [20:01] Why she wishes she had known about business earlier on and had enough entrepreneurial support.

·       [24:46] The importance of having a mentor when navigating corporate America as a person of color.

·       [28:42] She talks about a certain college professor that influenced her to strive to do what her heart set out to do. 

·       [32:11] Veronica talks about the books she’s written and why she likes to write titles that get attention.

·       [39:04] Learning to choose and focus on what is positive to increase it.  

Relevant Links: 

Website: https://www.veronicablakely.biz/ 

#024: There’s nothing wrong with your dialect- it is part of your culture and who you are- but you need to learn how to code-switch between that and standard American English. This will help you compete with everyone else in your eventual work environment. 

In this episode of Beyond the Culture with Dr. David M. Walker, we have Veronica Blakely, the owner of V’s Voice Communications where she teaches people how to level up their communications skills. She is an educator, a community volunteer, a former corporate manager, a speech coach, and communication skills trainer. 

Veronica describes how her childhood growing up in the inner urban city contributed to her career choice in communications. Listen in to learn the importance of having a mentor as a young person of color navigating America’s corporate scene.  

Quote: 

“There is no such thing as talking white; it’s called standard American English, you need to read it, write it, speak it so that you’ll be able to successfully compete in the world you’re trying to eventually work in.”- Veronica [12:27]    

What you will learn in this episode: 

·       [3:03] Veronica explains how she became interested in teaching standard American English as a form of communication in all settings.

·       [7:04] She explains how she went from the corporate world to a high school and college teacher teaching business and communication courses for 13 years. 

·       [11:20] How she teaches people to code-switch to know when to use their dialect and when to use standard American English.

·       [15:40] How her childhood contributed to her interest in public speaking plus the state of the public speaking business.

·       [20:01] Why she wishes she had known about business earlier on and had enough entrepreneurial support.

·       [24:46] The importance of having a mentor when navigating corporate America as a person of color.

·       [28:42] She talks about a certain college professor that influenced her to strive to do what her heart set out to do. 

·       [32:11] Veronica talks about the books she’s written and why she likes to write titles that get attention.

·       [39:04] Learning to choose and focus on what is positive to increase it.  

Relevant Links: 

Website: https://www.veronicablakely.biz/ 

#023: In this episode, we take a second look at 2 previously recorded shows. Dr. Will Moreland explains that we all possess the ability to be a “genius.” Your “genius” determines your success in life. Drs. Victor and Serelda Herbin offer an insightfully explicit conversation about being career military officers and the challenges that come with being married through several deployments to foreign soil. This is Take 2.

#023: In this episode, we take a second look at 2 previously recorded shows. Dr. Will Moreland explains that we all possess the ability to be a “genius.” Your “genius” determines your success in life. Drs. Victor and Serelda Herbin offer an insightfully explicit conversation about being career military officers and the challenges that come with being married through several deployments to foreign soil. This is Take 2.

#022: Are willing to trust and listen to God when facing adversity? Are you prepared to hope for the things you cannot see when you desperately need to see them? More than anything in life, faith in God is what you need to have to overcome challenges and adversities presented to you by life. 

In this episode of Beyond the Culture, I have Eddie Johnson, a breakthrough expert, the CEO of E4 Inspiring Motivations, a motivational speaker, author, and is also known as a servant leader who brings joy and life to situations. He helps people breakthrough adversities and find their purpose.

Listen in to hear about Eddie’s experience with adversities and how he learned to strongly exercise his faith in God. You will also learn about the importance of finding God and a blessing in every challenge and adversity that you face. 

Quote:

“When we’re facing a mountain, we’re facing adversity, the first thing we have to do is find God and find a blessing.”- Eddie Johnson [38:16]

What you will learn in this episode: 

·       [2:38] Eddie describes his childhood in Jacksonville and growing up with a disciplinarian mother. 

·       [5:14] How he uses his experience with adversities and tests of faith to help others overcome the same in their lives.

·       [8:27] He talks about his company E4 Inspiring Motivations and what they do in helping people get past adversities.

·       [9:23] How he went into motivational speaking as a way to fulfill his purpose even though he has a background in credit management.

·       [13:03] Eddie narrates his first faith experience in junior high school and how it prepared his faith when his son was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. 

·       [22:11] The story of how Eddie and his wife got rewarded by God after the passing away of their son.

·       [26:10] The power of faith and the importance of a trusting relationship with God.

·       [28:13] The four keys steps to walking the journey of life trusting and listening to God.

·       [32:02] Eddie names three people that have inspired and made the greatest influence in his life so far.

·       [37:02] The importance of looking at challenges and adversities as lessons to help you overcome what may come in the future. 

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.eddieljohnson.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddieljohnsone4/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddieLJohnsonE4 

Book: Passing the Testing of Faith: The Rewards of Trusting God and Three Fundamental Steps for Walking through Trials, Adversities, and Hardships by Eddie A. Johnson

#022: Are willing to trust and listen to God when facing adversity? Are you prepared to hope for the things you cannot see when you desperately need to see them? More than anything in life, faith in God is what you need to have to overcome challenges and adversities presented to you by life. 

In this episode of Beyond the Culture, I have Eddie Johnson, a breakthrough expert, the CEO of E4 Inspiring Motivations, a motivational speaker, author, and is also known as a servant leader who brings joy and life to situations. He helps people breakthrough adversities and find their purpose.

Listen in to hear about Eddie’s experience with adversities and how he learned to strongly exercise his faith in God. You will also learn about the importance of finding God and a blessing in every challenge and adversity that you face. 

Quote:

“When we’re facing a mountain, we’re facing adversity, the first thing we have to do is find God and find a blessing.”- Eddie Johnson [38:16]

What you will learn in this episode: 

·       [2:38] Eddie describes his childhood in Jacksonville and growing up with a disciplinarian mother. 

·       [5:14] How he uses his experience with adversities and tests of faith to help others overcome the same in their lives.

·       [8:27] He talks about his company E4 Inspiring Motivations and what they do in helping people get past adversities.

·       [9:23] How he went into motivational speaking as a way to fulfill his purpose even though he has a background in credit management.

·       [13:03] Eddie narrates his first faith experience in junior high school and how it prepared his faith when his son was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. 

·       [22:11] The story of how Eddie and his wife got rewarded by God after the passing away of their son.

·       [26:10] The power of faith and the importance of a trusting relationship with God.

·       [28:13] The four keys steps to walking the journey of life trusting and listening to God.

·       [32:02] Eddie names three people that have inspired and made the greatest influence in his life so far.

·       [37:02] The importance of looking at challenges and adversities as lessons to help you overcome what may come in the future. 

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.eddieljohnson.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddieljohnsone4/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddieLJohnsonE4 

Book: Passing the Testing of Faith: The Rewards of Trusting God and Three Fundamental Steps for Walking through Trials, Adversities, and Hardships by Eddie A. Johnson

#021: I gathered a panel to discuss the recent non-indictment of the police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor. I thought it would be a phenomenal opportunity to have a conversation about this matter and present some substantive strategies for our community going forward. 

#021: I gathered a panel to discuss the recent non-indictment of the police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor. I thought it would be a phenomenal opportunity to have a conversation about this matter and present some substantive strategies for our community going forward. 

#020: Dr. Victor Ramsey offers an insightful look into the power of education and the mind's development for Black children. We discussed his work with the emphasis on developing Black and brown children's academic abilities through the love of reading. Listen in to learn more about how to make improvements in the learning process.

#020: Dr. Victor Ramsey offers an insightful look into the power of education and the mind's development for Black children. We discussed his work with the emphasis on developing Black and brown children's academic abilities through the love of reading. Listen in to learn more about how to make improvements in the learning process.