The year of 2022 has been a remarkable one for Janora McDuffie-Ryan ’99, an actress, voiceover artist, and host. The alumna catches up with Catalyze about the past eight months, which have included movie deals, hosting Kia’s launch event in Phoenix for their first-ever electric vehicle, attending Pride Celebrations at the White House and Vice President Harris’s residence, announcing the Institute for Responsible Citizenship’s 20th anniversary celebration at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and, of course, serving as the first African American and openly gay female announcer for the 94th Academy Awards. 

As a diehard Tar Heel fan, Janora also includes in her personal highlight reel for 2022 watching Coach K lose his last game and cheering on the UNC men’s basketball team at the Final Four championship game in New Orleans. Go Heels!

Janora sat down with Catalyze in August at her home in downtown Long Beach, California, following her return from a movie set in Atlanta. (The alumna will be in a Disney comedy and Christmas special starring none other than Ludacris!) We met up before an ‘Unleashing the Network’ event with Morehead-Cains at the home of Alec Hudnut ’87 that Janora organized with Ellie Teller ’18.

We talked about the illusion of “making it” in Los Angeles and elsewhere, what it was like to be behind the mic in Dolby Theatre for the Oscars, and Janora’s early career days, when she decided to leave the corporate world of consulting to chase her dreams in entertainment on the West Coast. 

Janora will serve as the emcee for the 2022 Morehead-Cain Alumni Forum this October. 

Janora has appeared in television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, and This is Us, among others. Her portfolio also includes films, podcasts, and video games, and she’s represented companies as a speaker, moderator, interviewer, and host. 

The alumna is also the managing partner of Cashmere and Gold Entertainment, an events and entertainment company, along with her wife. The two lead boat tours, including wine and cigar experiences, along Long Beach Marina.

Learn more about Janora.

The intro music for this episode is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul. 

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].

Trial lawyer Jerry Blackwell ’84 sat down with Catalyze hosts Sarah O’Carroll and Benny Klein ’24 to share his story of joining the prosecution team, some of the strategies behind the case, and what it was like to deliver the closing remarks of the trial.

Jerry has been nominated by President Biden to become a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The alumnus is the founding partner, CEO, and chairman of Blackwell Burke P.A. 

Listen to the episode.

“You were told . . . that Mr. Floyd died because his heart was too big,” Blackwell said to the jury on April 20, 2021. 

“And now, having seen all the evidence and having heard all the evidence, you know the truth, and the truth of the matter is that the reason George Floyd is dead is because Mr. Chauvin’s heart was too small,” he said.

Jerry will deliver the keynote address at the 2022 Morehead-Cain Alumni Forum this October. Listen to his Alumni Speaker Series talk from fall 2021. 

Read more about Jerry’s work on the trial.

The intro music for this episode is by Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul. This episode also includes the song, “Jazz Mango,” by Joey Pecoraro. 

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].

Brad Rathgeber ’01 is the head of school and CEO of One Schoolhouse, a “partner to independent schools that envisions and embodies what’s next in education, online learning, and professional development.” 

The alumnus talks with host Benny Klein ’24 of the Scholar Media Team about working with three other Morehead-Cains as a rising second-year college student for a nonprofit scholarship program in Zimbabwe (co-founded by Galahad Clark ’99 and Jeff Pike ’99), teaching and coaching at Holton-Arms School in Washington, D.C., and how his time at the school for girls formed the groundwork for building his own company. 

Brad talks about the difference between online learning and “emergency learning,” and how he approaches an inclusive framework to education through identity-affirming classes.

“A great coach helps someone see something in themselves that they don’t yet see, and then helps them find a pathway to get there.” —Brad Rathgeber ’01 

The intro and ending music for this episode is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul. 

The music featured mid-episode is by scholars Asher Wexler ’25 and Emmaus Holder ’23, with voice-over by scholar Tucker Stillman ’25. 

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].

Nick Andersen ’12 is a podcast producer for GBH Boston, the primary PBS member station in Boston. 

Nick shares with host Benny Klein ’24 of the Scholar Media Team about his work on the PBS MASTERPIECE series. Before joining GBH, the producer worked for WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, and NPR’s On Point show.

The alumnus is also the senior producer for Ministry of Ideas, a “small show about big ideas.” The Harvard Divinity School series is dedicated to investigating and illuminating the ideas that shape our society.

As a Morehead-Cain Scholar, Nick wrote for the Daily Tar Heel, the University of North Carolina’s student-run newspaper. He earned degrees in history and journalism. 

Music credits

The intro and ending music for this episode is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul.

The music featured mid-episode is by scholars Asher Wexler ’25 and Emmaus Holder ’23, with voice-over by scholar Tucker Stillman ’25.

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed. Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].

Jamie DeMent Holcomb ’01 stopped by the Foundation in March 2022 to speak with host Benny Klein ’24 of the Scholar Media Team during her campaign for North Carolina Senate (District 23). 

Jamie shares about growing up in Franklin County, North Carolina; watching the Duke vs. UNC game during her final selection weekend; spotting Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino on the Universal Studios set, and her love of science museums. 

Jamie is CEO of the Kidzu Children’s Museum in Chapel Hill, where she seeks to increase access to science for youth in fun and engaging ways. The alumna is also a managing partner at the North Carolina Venture Capital Fund, a firm that invests in innovative startups throughout the state and Southeast writ large.

Music credits

The intro and ending music for this episode is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul. 

The music featured mid-episode is by scholars Asher Wexler ’25 and Emmaus Holder ’23, with voice-over by scholar Tucker Stillman ’25. 

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].

Tucker Stillman ’25 from the Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team shares about the latest stories from the team. 

First up, a series on self-starters by Sarah Chocron ’25 and Ria Patel ’25 features Morehead-Cains who took the initiative to fill gaps within their communities. 

The first edition highlights Isabella Grandic ’25 and her startup Boob Blurb, a card-game-turned-social-movement inspired by women’s liberation, women’s health and wellness, and women’s rights. Up next is Mercy Adekola ’25 of Nails Have Mercy, an affordable Gel-X nail business that caters to the budgets and tastes of college students at Carolina.

The series wraps with Scott Diekema ’19 and his story of co-founding the Meantime Coffee Co., a cozy coffee spot nestled within the UNC Campus Y, the University’s largest advocacy and public service student organization.

Secondly, Tucker shares about a feature from Laurelle Maubert ’25 on Lily Roberts ’12, the managing director of the Center for American Progress. Lily shared about misconceptions surrounding the “Great Resignation,” why women are being driven out of the workforce, and how the federal government can continue to reduce poverty rates during COVID-19.

Lastly, Tucker highlights his own piece with Brad Ives ’86 about the entrepreneur’s social enterprise, Credo ESG Solutions, based in Durham, North Carolina. Credo is an advisory firm that provides forward-thinking environmental, social, and governance (ESG) solutions to private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

Music credits

The music for this episode was produced and contributed by Asher Wexler ’25 and Emmaus Holder ’23.

About the Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team

The Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team is an extracurricular program and internship run by the Foundation’s communications team. Scholars of all backgrounds and class years collaborate to produce multimedia content on the topics and issues they’re passionate about, as well as support Morehead-Cain’s institutional communications. 

Members cover the following beats, tied to Morehead-Cain’s departments: selections and recruitment, the scholar experience, development, and alumni engagement. Scholar-generated content is distributed across all of Morehead-Cain’s channels, including social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube), the Catalyze podcast, email newsletters, and the website (moreheadcain.org). The team’s audience comprises more than 3,300 scholars and alumni and their constituents. 

Current members of the team for spring 2022 include Sarah Chocron ’25, William Dahl ’25, Benny Klein ’24, Laurelle Maubert ’25, Cate Miller ’25, Ria Patel ’25, Lia Salvatierra ’24, and Tucker Stillman ’25. The team is led by Sarah O’Carroll, Content Manager of the Morehead-Cain Foundation.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Scholar Media Team, contact the communications team. Participation is a semester-long commitment.

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].

Bradley Opere ’17 is the co-founder of FarmMoja, an agriculture social enterprise in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Bradley joined Catalyze to share about what got him interested in the agriculture industry, how FarmMoja is working to rehabilitate land and support smallholder farmers, and why it was important for the alumnus to return to Africa after graduating as a Morehead-Cain Scholar. 

For his day job, Bradley is now a consultant at Dalberg. Prior to joining the global consulting firm, he was a young leadership fellow at McKinsey & Company. The entrepreneur co-wrote an article with McKinsey colleagues in the spring of 2020 about the impact of COVID-19 on Africa’s food systems and what governments and private actors can do to respond. 

As an undergraduate student at UNC–Chapel Hill, the alumnus was the first student from Africa to be elected student body president. 
 

Ying Hua ’10 is a portfolio manager at Balyasny Asset Management, a hedge fund with $15 billion of assets under management. On this episode, Ying breaks down the two approaches to investing (fundamental and quantitative) and gives personal finance advice for college students. She also shares how to embrace volatility and risk in your career. 

Prior to joining Balyasny in 2020, Ying was an analyst at Citadel for four years and an equity research associate at Goldman Sachs before that. She studied economics at Carolina and later received a master’s degree in data science from the University of California at Berkeley. 

The intro music for this episode is by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul.

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].

Our next Catalyze guest is Ying Hua ’10, a portfolio manager at Balyasny Asset Management in San Francisco. Ahead of releasing her full episode, we’re sharing 60 seconds of her advice for college students interested in pursuing a career in finance. Listen before your next interview, or if you just need a pep talk. 

Music credits: “Outside the Box,” by Patrick Patrikios. 

Catalyze is honored to have Dr. Brandi Brimmer on the series to talk about her first year so far at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her background in African American social and political history, and her current and upcoming research projects.

Dr. Brimmer, an associate professor in the Department of African, African American, and Diaspora Studies (AAAD), is one of three Morehead-Cain Alumni Professors teaching at UNC–Chapel Hill. She joined the Morehead-Cain and Carolina communities in summer 2021 from Spelman College in Atlanta, where she was an associate professor of history and a Mellon-HBCU Fellow through the National Humanities Center. 

She received her bachelor’s degree in history from Spelman and her master’s in African American Studies and Ph.D. in U.S. history from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

To hear more from Dr. Brimmer, join her online event on Wednesday, February 23, entitled “Weeping No More: Black Women’s Battles for Civil War Pensions in the Post-Emancipation South.” Her talk is informed by her book, Claiming Union Widowhood: Race, Respectability, and Poverty in the Post-Emancipation South (Duke University Press, 2020). 

Learn more about The Road Back to Chapel Hill online event series. 

Music credits

This episode features music by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul. The ending song is “Lights,” by TrackTribe.

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at [email protected].