CYLS 181: Pt 2 - Connecting The African Continent & The Diaspora with Bridget Boakye

Episode Summary

In this episode of Create Your Life Series, Kevin directs the focus onto Bridget Boakye’s personal experiences and how things might have gone differently if not for one moment of divine intervention.  Bridget provides advice on entrepreneurship, becoming an ex-pat in Ghana, goal setting, and much more.  You’ll also learn more about Kevin as Bridget turns the microphone and asks him questions about his experiences.  Packed with motivation and inspiration, you will want to listen to this episode again and again.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author.  The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership.  Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free.  Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Osaka, Japan.  Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Bridget Boakye

Bridget Boakye is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and writer on a mission to bridge the gap, to connect people, businesses, and, most importantly, perspectives on the African continent and in the Diaspora.

Having grown up in both the U.S. and Ghana, Bridget has a deep connection to the movements in both places and she uses this privilege of perspective to share experiences, trends, and insights that move both the continent and Diaspora forward.

On the day to day, Bridget works as a data scientist and consultant, using data to improve business and economic/social-welfare outcomes. She also writes data-driven articles to influence and inform public opinion. On her website, www.boakyeb.com, you can find her newest featured works and her latest blog posts. 

She is also the co-founder and chief strategist for Africans on China where they advocate for and elevate the African voice on Sino-African relations, and Women’s Corner GH, a collective to strengthen women’s voice in content creation and storytelling in Ghana.

Bridget is passionate about data/technology, education, economics, development, history, women’s rights, as well as pop culture, music, travel, and health/fitness. She is a proud member of the Global Shapers Accra Hub of The World Economic Forum.

Insights from this episode:

Benefits of reading on personal growth and perspective.

Bridget’s secret to staying motivated and how she continues to find inspiration and renewal.

Strategies for becoming an expat in Ghana now and how that may change in the future.

Details on how Bridget is creating her best life.

Reasons why Kevin moved on from the Debt-Free College Academy and what he learned from the experience.

Kevin’s secret to maximizing potential by constantly learning and evolving.

Quotes from the show:

“Reading allows me to gain greater perspective about who I am as a person in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181

“The people who support you most are not the people you grew up with or are not related to you.  Friends are the family you get to choose.” – Kevin Y. Brown, Episode #181

“For me, the biggest challenge has been myself.  What I tell myself I can do in this world.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181

“Realizing what is momentary and fleeting versus what your actual purpose requires of you or is going to demand of you is really key.” – Bridget Boakye, Episode #181

“You honestly don’t fail un