Cool Soror with Rashan Ali

Celebrity performance coach and artist, KJ Rose joins the show today! This Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is originally from the southside of Chicago but has landed in Los Angeles, California after a lengthy career in New York City.

Always blessed with the gift of song, she did not immediately see herself as an artist until a chance meeting with an influential music executive. That moment manifested itself into her singing on the choruses of one of Heavy D’s hit singles and then The Notorious BIG’s “Life After Death” album. More opportunities would come from her lending her vocals to artists’ songs including two tours with Bad Boy Records.

Keanna toured while still employed with Pfizer. She remained in corporate for two additional years, before she decided to step out completely on faith. As soon as she took that first step, she was asked to go on yet another tour. She would eventually tour with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake & Carl Thomas & Janet Jackson.

Being “20 Feet From Stardom” began to take a toll on her artistry. She knew there would come a point that she wanted to release her own music. In 2010, she released “All Heart, No Regrets” independently. The album gave her the satisfaction that she no longer needed the “am I good enough” validation.

She has now wrapped up all of the experiences she’s had as a supportive vocalist to artists and an artist herself and created “The Rose Effect.” Her company is a stage consultancy that helps performers (actors, singers, poets, etc.) to hone their craft and maximize their performances by expanding their perceived capacity.

KJ knows that her artists respect her because she has been there and has truly done it. She’s traveled around the world singing and exploring what it means to embody artistry and Keanna has done it with class, tenacity and persistence.

Follow KJ Rose at:

IG, Twitter: @kjroseeffect

FB: Keanna KJ Rose Henson

www.roseeffect.com

Monique Mitchell is a Cool Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and joins the show as one of our first “AKA-lennials.”

 

This Miami, Florida native has an unprecedented thirst for more and has no problem thinking it and creating it. As a junior publicist at a major network in Atlanta, she has been able to navigate her love for the field of journalism and couple it with public relations.

 

A certified, full-time dreamer and doer is also a blogger and podcaster. She is known for her gift of gab, witty personality and transparency.

 

Her biggest passion is helping millennials of color embark on the greatest journey of their lives, finding themselves. Every Monday, for #MoMitchMondays you can catch new episodes of her podcast One Mo'Minute where she shares hilarious and heartfelt gems of wisdom from her personal experiences and thoughts.

 

One Mo’ Minute was created to encourage self-awareness, self-love and authenticity.

 

She is also the co-creator of a women’s lifestyle blog: Single Black Female Project that focuses on the life, love and relationships of the millennial black woman.

 

In 2015, she was selected to become a member of the Vanity Fair Magazine Social Club as a social influencer.

 

Monique has an entire life of purpose that she has already fulfilled but the acme of her greatness is yet to be seen.

 

We’ll all be there to witness it as she continues to fill that space with amazing things.

 

Social Media:

FB / Twitter: @monificent11

@sbfproject

There comes a time in a person’s life when things have to change.

 

In 2008, the time had come for our host, Rashan Ali.  But she could not do it alone.  She needed Sheri Riley as a friend, confidante and conduit. 

 

Sheri Riley joins the show today on a very special day.  Today is the day that she releases her book, Exponential Living, worldwide!

 

This Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has written a fascinating book that will help you grow to greater heights in your professional and personal journeys.

 

Exponential Living: Stop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are (Penguin Random House) provides practical tools and is the guide to help busy individuals to integrate their personal desires into their life without detriment to their professional achievement.

 

The nine Principles of Exponential Living® focuses on how personal development fuels professional growth and empowers us to live in our true power, which is peace. Peace is the New Success®

 

The path to this day has been a true walk of faith with a tremendous amount of sacrifice.  As a top executive a LaFace Records helping to develop and market artists like Usher (who lends his hand to write the foreword for her book), Toni Braxton, Outkast and TLC, she walked away at the pinnacle of her career to start her own company, Glue Inc.

 

For over 17 years, Sheri served as Founder and Chief Partnership Strategist of GLUE® Inc which is a strategic consulting firm committed to “developing profitable partnerships for products and personalities”.

 

She knew God needed to use her in a greater space by helping other people tap into their true essence.  She has done just that with not only her new book, but how she chooses to be obedient to the call.  And that is the definition of Exponential Living.

 

www.exponentialliving.com (Get your book today!)

www.sheririley.com

FB, IG, Twitter: @sheririley

The Cool Soror Podcast is extremely honored to have Alpha Kappa Alpha member, licensed therapist & marriage counselor Robin May on today's episode. 

 

Whether you are married, single, divorced or in a relationship this episode offers invaluable information to live by.

 

Robin discusses why she started her "I Believe In Marriage" movement after her fiancé (now her husband) broke off their first engagement. 

 

She rode the wave of anger, resentment, acceptance and forgiveness during their separation. She was however, able to see that this time was ordained by God and gave her perspective on who and what should be priority in her life (6:05). 

 

A quote on Robin's blog states:

"When you are not intentional about nurturing your relationship, it will begin to suffer from unintentional neglect."  

She talks about this quote in length (13:40).  She also reveals her key levels of intimacy outside of physical touch in relationships.  In committed relationships, many of us suffer from approaching or living in the "roommate" zone.  She teaches us how to avoid and come out of those particular patches in our marriages (17:20)

As the wife of a politician (Dekalb CEO Lee May), Robin goes deeply into who she needed to be during a very tumultuous time in his tenure (24:45).  Being his wife, she says that she simply needed to be a "place for him to lay his head." 

There are so many jewels in the episode, including finding resiliency (38:49) and the five reasons why your or your spouse are frustrated in your marriage (41:40).  

 

This episode is essentially a counseling session for you and your significant other, free of charge.  

You will be changed or at least your mind will be piqued just enough for you to consider change.  

 

Robin May has something unique with this movement.  

 

She truly believes in marriage and after listening to her speak, many of you will too.

 

References:

www.ibelieveinmarriage.com

www.friendswithvision.com

 

Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, & Instagram: RobinMayOnline

Director, Rob Hardy is our Special Edition Cool Bruh feature today!

This Cool Bruh of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is behind some of your favorite movies like Stomp The Yard, The Gospel and some of your favorite television shows like Empire, Power, How To Get Away With Murder, The Flash, Grey’s Anatomy & Being Mary Jane, just to name a few.

But the road to this type of unprecedented success came with an abundant amount of hard work and sacrifice.

Born a creative soul, his late father told him he was only going to pay for a degree from Florida A&M University in Math, Science or Engineering. 

He decided on Mechanical Engineering because it was the closest thing to special effects in movie making.  While in college, he wrote a movie called “Chocolate City” which he crafted while bored on an Engineering internship! 

We’re all thankful for the boredom now.

He along with business partner, line brother and mega producer, Will Packer would go on to make more films together as a duo.  The pair gained worldwide success along with their team, but decided to part ways years later so that each could focus more on their individual gifts. 

Both have continued to flourish mightily. 

Rob always thought he would be the type .of director who had a modest apartment in New York City who simply made a few films.

But the trajectory of his life and his immense talent have catapulted him onto some of the biggest stages in television and film.  His newest creation, The Quad, premieres tonight on BET at 10 pm.

His life is so much larger than the humble man you will hear in this episode.  When asked what was next, he answered in a ‘matter of fact’ tone, “I’m headed to New York to shoot the finale of Power.” That’s certainly not the modest New York experience he pictured for himself.

But instead of living in the concrete jungle, he gets to create a world for other people to enjoy and that is the essence of true power.

Twitter: @therealrobhardy

IG: @realrobhardy

www.rainforestent.com

Kristen Harris is a Chicago native and joins the show today via Skype. This Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta grew up in environment plagued with poverty, violence and drugs but was determined to make a better life for herself.  And Kristen carved her way one step at a time.

 

After receiving her civil engineering degree from Alabama A&M University, she  returned to Chicago and worked in her field for nine years at the same time she launched an online shoe boutique.  “Feet A Faith” would be the beginning of several business ventures for Kristen.  The entrepreneurial bug struck and struck big again and again. 

 

Kristen established Karizma’s Koncepts and Pizzazzed Plus but she has recently found her purpose to be fulfilled as a Women’s Empowerment Coach.  Kristen subscribes to the notion that every woman is full of potential and purpose but many lack the knowledge on how to get everything out that is inside of them. She helps draw it out by equipping them with the tools they need to get unstuck. Kristen works as a figurative midwife, helping women realize that they are pregnant with purpose and push past their pain to deliver everything that God has promised them. 

 

There are so many levels to Kristen and her life has been peeled and pruned with every one.  Whether it was potentially facing 10 years after a run-in with the law in college or helping her mother heal from addiction, she continues to show that this life was not meant to defeat her.  She is meant to win, “For she knows the reason why.”

 

www.kristenrharris.net

FB, IG, Twitter: @kristenrharris

Keshia Walker embraces every day as a “GOOD DAY” because her life has been blessed. The President & CEO of Insights Marketing joins the Cool Soror Podcast today and is a Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  A San Diego, California native raised in Montgomery, Alabama has had a hustler spirit since she was very young.  Heavily influenced by her grandmother, Keshia was always destined to “handle her business.”

Keshia was destined to be a business woman, in both corporate and as an entrepreneur.  She set out to do just that by attending Florida A&M University’s renowned School of Business and Industry.  She worked for several companies including The Coca Cola Company, Proctor & Gamble and Amoco Oil Company.  While working in corporate, she positioned herself accordingly by starting new business between her own company and the company she worked for.

She worked on her exit strategy and Insights Marketing was born.

Insights is a Marketing & Promotions Company that specializes in corporate and sports marketing, promotions and special events to the urban and professional consumer segments. The company provides over 20 years of marketing experience in the African-American & Hispanic consumer segments. Along with that, Keshia and her company have been able to work with world class athletes, entertainers and global brands.

An old adage from her grandmother states, “A closed mouth won’t get fed” and is one of the many mantras she lives by.  She is unafraid to test the waters and you will be able to understand from her upbringing that she truly has the insights to keep passing those tests with every turn.

@insightskw (Twitter, Instagram)

 www.facebook.com/KeshiaWalker15

Website: www.insights-mpc.com

Royal Sunshine with Leslie E. Royal

Leslie E. Royal joins the show today with a joyful and magnetic smile that you can feel through sound!  She is a Cool Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and has had the absolute pleasure of sharing her voice with the world through her pen.  She started her Leslie’s Lane Blog years ago to help men and women obtain information on jobs, travel discounts, scholarships and more!

This Savannah, Georgia native has written for many publications and online resources over the course of her career including Essence, Essence.com, Upscale and Black Enterprise.  Her articles include cover features as well as parenting, business, consumer, Christian, history, travel, arts and high profile celebrity interviews. She knew it was time to take it a step further.

In 2016, Leslie released “Leslie’s Lane The Book!”  This book is a one stop internet resource guide that provides information and active links for jobs, inspiration, discounts, FREE stuff, scholarships, travel and more.  Leslie likens it to an Encyclopedia for the above mentioned. 

Leslie has the most amazing spirit and talks about how she maintains her joy in all situations.  One of the many things that allows her to maintain such joy is her family.  She goes in depth about her husband of 30 years, daughter and her son who she did not let the educational system define.

Leslie is happiness personified and you won’t help but smile once you get a little taste of her “Royal Sunshine.”

www.leslieslane.com

https://leslieslane.wordpress.com

TW, IG, FB: LesliesLane

Self Inventory with Stevie Baggs

In one of the most interesting interviews to date, former NFL and CFL player Stevie Baggs offers a very unique perspective on life, professional sports and Greek Life.  Although he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi in 2003, he has since studied what he feels to be the meaning of separatism among Black Greek Lettered Organizations.

Not only does he delve into what life means to him in his newfound enlightenment, he talks in depth about spiritual awakening and what some people believe to be the ills of religion. 

This Florida native was a highly touted football star from Bethune Cookman University and was awarded the Heisman equivalent honor in Black College Football, only to be undrafted.  He eventually spent the better part of 13 years with several teams in the NFL and CFL.  Stevie discusses the systematic approach the league takes with Black athletes, offering a very poignant acronym for N-F-L.

Stevie Baggs is an ambassador for health and wellness for youth in a partnership with the City of Atlanta.  He is also the author of the book, “Greater Than The Game” and founder of the CETA Foundation.  He believes that each of us has the ability to reach deeper into our spirituality.  We are all responsible for taking our thoughts and research to exponential levels.  Then and only then can we make the proper assessment of our self inventory.

FB, Twitter, IG: @steviebaggsjr

IG: @dreamcafeatlanta

www.cetafoundation.org

Maja Sly is a Cool Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and she is a serial entrepreneur and TV personality.  At the young age of ten, she saw her mother go to prison.  She knew then her life would never look like her mother’s and she decided her path would be different that day.

Raised by a cosmetologist uncle and her maternal grandmother, Maja got the entrepreneurial bug at an early age after making $500 during that same summer.  Two years later, she started working as an assistant in her uncle’s salon and knew that the hair industry would be the one that would take her far. 

Upon entering college, she started working as an assistant at a local salon where she learned more about the business of beauty from mentor, Wendy Bridgers. She credits her for a lot of her current success.

Raised in poverty, Maja’s life changed when her mother died from a drug overdose when she was 13-years-old.  Maja admits that she was relieved so that she would no longer have to lie about “where her mother lived.”  She would later revisit her emotions about the relationship she had with her mother after a very tumultuous divorce. 

Maja is a very outspoken TV personality on WE TV’s Cuttin’ It In The Atl and her business has truly benefited from her two seasons on the show.  She is the founder of “Walk-In Weaves” which now has three stores and owns her own hair company, Pretty Hair Now.  Maja is the creator of Pretty Powerful U where you can find the cutest planners our team has seen! 

Ms. Sly keeps going no matter the challenge.  She constantly works to see where the next big opportunity will be, being careful to let God lead the way. Because we all know as believers when we plan, God laughs.  Well he is certainly laughing at Maja and ordering her steps along the way.

Social Media: @majasly

www.majasly.com

www.prettyhairnow.com