Elevate and Celebrate

What happens when stellar client experiences meet heart-centered coaching? You get powerful insights from our final guest of this podcast, Žana Devine.

About the Guest:
Born in Berlin, Germany, Žana was immersed in hospitality from day one. With a father who was an acclaimed chef and a mother leading a hotel housekeeping department, her passion for the industry was built into her DNA. That early exposure inspired her to earn a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and a master’s in Hotel Management, setting the stage for a global career.

With three decades of experience working with world-renowned brands like Hilton, Intercontinental, Four Seasons, Fig & Olive, and Café L'Europe, Žana brings a wealth of expertise in elevating guest experiences and operational excellence. Fluent in four languages, she’s proud to offer services in both German and English, helping hospitality businesses worldwide reach new heights.

Website: https://www.zanadevinehospitality.com

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

Meet Jennifer Espinosa-Goswami, who stops by to share her expertise as a speaking coach to help our collective leverage speaking as a massive client attraction tool.

About the Guest:

Jenn Espinosa-Goswami, ACC, MAL is an ICF-certified public speaking coach and Founder of Weightless LLC. A former Toastmasters International officer and graduate of the Masters of Leadership program at Augsburg University, Jenn helps coaches speak more clearly, consistently and confidently on stage or camera and get paid for their expertise. Over the past 10 years, Jenn has presented to thousands of leaders internationally, and was recognized by Influence Digest as top 15 coaches in Minneapolis. Prior to starting her company, Jenn served as a certified fraud examiner for 16 years within Fortune 500 financial companies.

Check out my YouTube channel for featured appearances https://www.youtube.com/c/JenniferEspinosaGoswami or listen on Spotify: https://tr.ee/nzCMea27p_
Visit my website at www.weightlesschronicles.com

✅ Inquire about bringing me on as a guest speaker via email [email protected]

Ways to work with me:
🎤 Start your Signature Speech using this (free) template https://bit.Ly/signaturespeak

📞 Schedule a free mini-coaching session to claim your expert speaker bio www.Calendly.com/jennchat

🤝 Work 1:1 with me to practice your presentation skills, book speaking engagements, become a highly visible expert speaker, and grow your business behind the microphone

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

This month, we sit down with Thabo Makgato, a visionary marketer, entrepreneur, and changemaker, to discuss curiosity, creativity, and the power of storytelling. From building affordable, modern housing in Africa to celebrating local athletes through NFT trading cards, Thabo shares insights on dreaming big, breaking barriers, and making an impact globally.

Discover how imagination, collaboration, and story can transform communities and create opportunities.

About the Guest:

A marketer by profession, an artist by birth, an event manager in practice, and an entrepreneur at heart. Born and bred in the "Jewel of Africa" Botswana, Thabo started his career doing volunteer work with NGOs such as the Botswana Society for the Arts, Ycare, and Salvation Army Psychosocial Initiative following his undergrad in Biology and environmental science at the University of Botswana. He has since worked with hundreds of Orphans and Vulnerable children, informed policy & strategy on funding the arts at a national level, organised events of up to 13,000 people & been charged with marketing and advertising some of the most recognisable brands in the country. Thabo's next chapter is currently unfolding to combine his passion for creativity, his love for community, and his skills in business development to build an affordable housing start-up. One that is built on combining dignity, comfort, safety, and style.

Website + Social Media links: 

https://www.facebook.com/thabo.m.makgato https://www.linkedin.com/in/thabo-makgato-90aa25337/ https://www.instagram.com/tswanathabo/ 
https://x.com/whichThabo

Timestamps:

0:00 – Show Intro

0:33 – Meet Your Host

1:32 – Introducing Thabo Makgato

2:53 – Connection through Community

3:22 – Who is Thabo?

5:12 – From NGOs to Entrepreneurship

6:03 – Building Pop Culture Marketing

7:01 – Falling into Entrepreneurship

8:33 – Lessons from a Failed Campaign

10:09 – The Power of Analytics

16:00 – Pop Culture Meets Marketing

19:09 – Go Where the Money Is

22:28 – Africa’s Call to Creators

25:58 – Bridging Continents and Creativity

27:08 – Meeting Rap and Cross-Cultural Exchange

28:02 – Unlocking Opportunities in Africa

28:49 – The Importance of Curiosity and Dreaming Big

30:36 – Thinking Beyond the Impossible

32:31 – Passion for Creativity and Affordable Housing

33:18 – Affordable Housing Project Details

35:32 – Modular and Prefab Housing Solutions

37:03 – Collaboration and Client Partnership

37:22 – Looking Beyond Borders in 2026

38:30 – Trading Cards Initiative in Motorsports

41:00 – Success Story: Sponsorship for a Local Racer

44:10 – The Power of Storytelling

45:03 – Influential Mentorship: Lindeloo Alexander

46:59 – Staying Visible and Amplifying Your Story

47:25 – How to Connect with Thabo

48:50 – Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

50:17 – Final Takeaways & Sign-Off

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

What happens when living behind a mask becomes too heavy to bear? In this episode of Elevate and Celebrate by the BIPOC Coach Collective, Deanna Jones shares her powerful journey of transformation from corporate executive to authentic changemaker. 

Through courage, loss, and rebirth, she opens up about embracing her truth as a transgender woman and using her voice to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her story is a reminder that liberation begins when we choose authenticity over fear.

About the Guest:

Deanna Jones brings over 35 years of experience in the technology sector, specializing in sales, operations, and project management. During her 25 years at a Fortune 100 technology company, she led initiatives, built partnerships, drove innovation, and supported growth. As President of the Harmony LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, Deanna advocates for inclusion and belonging. She also serves on the DEI Committee for Meeting Professionals International.

Deanna helps organizations reimagine how they recruit, retain, and elevate talent, particularly those often overlooked. Her work fosters cultures where individuals bring their authentic selves to work, unlocking their full potential. When people are aligned with work that excites them, it elevates the entire organization. Drawing from her leadership experience and personal journey, Deanna uses storytelling to guide others through change and inspire lasting impact.

She holds an MBA from Elon University and a Master’s in Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus. In her spare time, Deanna speaks at The Monti in Durham and coaches T-Ball.

Website + Social Media links:

www.deannajones.com 

www.linkedin.com/in/deannamjones

https://www.facebook.com/deanna.jones.493159

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Elevate and Celebrate

02:15 – Meet Deanna Jones

04:20 – Realizing Something Was Different

08:10 – Living in the Wrong Box

13:30 – Crawling Out of the Darkness

18:05 – A New Beginning and True Love

21:50 – Leaving Corporate America Behind

25:45 – Discovering Purpose Through Authenticity.

30:30 – Breaking the Silence on DEI

37:10 – The Power of Allies

41:00 – Finding Passion and Purpose

47:20 – Speaking, Creativity, and Connection

52:45 – Lessons from the Journey

55:10 – Looking Ahead

58:00 – Closing Reflections

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

In this powerful episode of the BIPOC Coach Collective Podcast, host Alex Dumas sits down with Zoraida Morales, a cancer thriver, nutrition coach, and speaker, to explore her journey of resilience, healing, and joy after a life-changing diagnosis. 

About the Guest:

Zoraida Morales: From Survival to Purpose

I never expected that healing my mind, body, and spirit would lead me away from the finance industry—but it did.

As a manager, my role revolved around leading and coordinating support staff, ensuring seamless operations, and empowering my team to thrive. My life was structured, efficient, and focused—until a routine physical changed everything: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Suddenly, my priorities shifted from managing teams to managing my own survival, enduring thirteen years of chemotherapy before finally reaching 46 months in remission.

But survival wasn’t enough—I wanted to thrive. Through my own healing journey, I discovered that true wellness requires more than medicine; it demands balance between mental clarity, physical strength, and spiritual resilience.

That realization led me to create the Three Pillars of Nutrition: Mental, Physical and Spiritual, a holistic approach that empowers cancer thrivers and caregivers to overcome anxiety, elevate their nutrition, and reclaim their lives.

Today, I coach others to design lives of vitality and joy—because no one should live by default. My work as a certified transformational nutrition coach and certified cancer coach, author, and speaker allows me to guide others toward their own transformation, just as I did for myself.

I am also a proud mother of two, embracing every moment with intention.

Website + Social Media links:

Website: www.zoraidamorales.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoraida-morales

Instagram: https://instagram.com/z.morales2018

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoraida.morales.1428/

Author: Perspectives on Cancer Vol 2: https://a.co/d/6JcoJWh

Author: Soul Parent: https://a.co/d/3mDcmdd

Get Your Free Recipe - Turmeric Ginger Bomb 

Timestamps:

0:00 – Podcast intro & mission of BIPOC Coach Collective  

1:15 – Welcome from host Alex Dumas  

2:20 – Introducing guest Zoraida Morales  

3:40 – Growing up in the South Bronx  

5:30 – Journey through cancer diagnosis & treatment  

11:50 – Emotional toll & learning self-devotion  

18:30 – Divorce, family dynamics & breaking generational cycles  

25:20 – Building resilience & support networks  

31:00 – Generational trauma and ancestry healing  

37:15 – Becoming a certified cancer & nutrition coach  

43:00 – Choosing a purpose-driven life over titles & ego  

49:30 – Sharing wisdom: “We all need coaches”  

53:00 – First national speaking engagement  

54:30 – Honey-Ginger-Turmeric healing recipe  

58:15 – How to connect with Zoraida (LinkedIn, website)  

59:30 – Free coaching hour offer for podcast listeners  

1:00:15 – Closing thoughts & inspiration for those facing health challenges

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

What if influence isn’t about being liked—but about being misunderstood and still standing firm? 

In this episode, Sybil Stewart discusses a range of topics from faith-led decisions to releasing control, and why bootstrapping isn’t the way forward for BIPOC entrepreneurs. From rejecting misaligned clients to finding your tribe, Sybil drops wisdom on building with intention rather than ego.

About the Guest:

Sybil is a harp fusion storyteller and brand architect for women called into entrepreneurship. She is known as a stage builder for women as a TEDx organizer, and PR and protection for the thought leader who requires next-level visibility and authority in their industry.

Website + Social Media links:
www.sybilstewart.com
LinkedIn and Instagram @sybilsstewart

Grab a copy of her book: Reset the Foundation Book
https://www.sybilstewart.com/rtf

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & Intentions
1:55 – Meet Sybil Stewart
4:10 – Confidence vs. Influence
6:20 – Saying No & Trusting God’s Voice
9:45 – The Gift of Surrender and Release
13:30 – Type A Realness & Ego Checks
17:10 – The Myth of the Solopreneur
21:00 – Building with Your Tribe
24:45 – Investing in Yourself & Others
28:00 – Owning the Mission
30:10 – Closing Blessings & Takeaways

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

Are you tired of being tired? Exhausted with no end in sight? Our guest this month knows exactly how you feel. Meet Diamond Drip, a best-selling award-winning author, coach, and speaker who's all about helping women ditch self-doubt and embrace their true selves. With a background in visual communications and brand strategy, 

Diamond discovered the game-changing world of Human Design and Gene Keys. Now, she's passionate about showing others how to trust their gut and tap into their full potential. Diamond's own journey from stressed-out entrepreneur to confident leader has even been featured on KQED radio, in New York Weekly, Medium, and as a guest on several podcasts. Her favorite saying? "The limit doesn't exist, but fear and self-doubt will make you think it does.”

Website + Social Media links:
https://www.diamonddripconsulting.com/


https://www.linkedin.com/in/diamonddrip/


https://www.facebook.com/DiamondDripsDiscussions


https://www.youtube.com/@diamonddripsdiscussions


https://www.instagram.com/DiamondDripsDiscussions/


https://www.tiktok.com/@coachdiamonddrip


Free Gift: I would love for listeners to pull their free Human Design chart. https://www.diamonddripconsulting.com/humandesignchart

00:00 Opening Credits
00:28 Show Intro
02:06 Alex welcomes Diamond to the show
11:33 Diamond sheds light on how she works with professional women
16:46 Diamond shares her journey into speaking
21:30 Diamond breaks down Human Design and the benefits of plant medicine
31:41 What is Youniversity?
38:30 Final thoughts and acknowledgments
40:00 Diamond’s question for a future podcast guest?
42:36 Ending Credits

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

What if a diagnosis changed your career path and gave you a new perspective? Cassandra Hill’s journey into coaching, speaking, and entrepreneurship came about as a result of being diagnosed with Lupus. She uses her stories and life journey to support her clients, who are high-performing women. Learn how to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and a growth mindset.

About the Guest:

Cassandra Hill is a Master Life Coach, Best-Selling Author, and Speaker. Her passion is empowering Black women to live life on their terms by up-leveling their emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. Cassandra is the catalyst to spark Black women entrepreneurs to create game-winning strategies and achieve them while living a peaceful life.

Cassandra has been awarded for her service with recognitions like:

*2024 Black Woman Owned Brand of the Year by the I’m Loving Me Project

*Women’s Biz Global: Woman to Watch in 2023

*2022 Influential African American Woman in Business by Smart Women Partner

She has collaborated with:

*Goldman Sachs

*Nashville Voyager

*Authority Magazine

Website + Social Media links:

https://www.cassandrarhill.com

https://www.instagram.com/transformationforblackwomen

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening Credits

00:28 Show Intro

02:09 Cassandra shares her origin story

09:00 Cassandra’s introduction to coaching and alternative medicine

12:50 What Cassandra’s clients experience from her coaching

16:35 The failures of the healthcare system

20:50 Cassandra speaks about her impact from the stage

26:33 Cassandra details her path to becoming an author

31:43 Cassandra shares words of encouragement

36:20 Final thoughts and acknowledgments

39:12 Ending Credits

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

How do you stay in touch with potential clients? Are you actively adding value to them so they know YOU are the subject matter expert to help them best? Michael V. Morgan shares his best networking tips to land high-profile clients and position yourself as a trusted voice to win more business.

About the Guest:

Michael Morgan obtained his BS from Penn State University and his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. Coupled with his educational background, he has over 15 years of work experience across companies such as Amazon, Walmart, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Chevron. His ability to build and maintain his network throughout his educational and career journey has been fruitful in his success. He has a passion for teaching and inspiring others to achieve their goals, which led him to write his first book “The Power of Networking,” and begin his journey as a motivational speaker. “The Power of Networking” has won the Literary Titan Book Award, Global Book Award, International Impact Award, PenCraft Book Award, and Firebird Book Award.

Website + Social Media links:

https://michaelvmorgan.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvmorgan

https://www.instagram.com/michael.v.morgan

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSl_cb0c8_XeAokZNHdsTbw

https://www.tiktok.com/@michael.v.morgan

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening Credits

00:28 Show Intro

02:25 Michael shares how being a best-selling author has affected his business 

05:40 Michael reveals two keys to networking

11:03 How does Michael recharge himself and stay productive?

15:30 Michael shares his origin story and professional background

18:00 How Michael deals with complicated clients

24:30 Michael describes his ideal client

27:45 Michael reveals several resume hacks

32:01 Connect with Michael

34:40 Final thoughts and acknowledgments

41:28 Ending Credits

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

In this powerful episode,Krystal Vernee’ shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a successful entrepreneur, revealing her 5-part framework for building a multi-6-figure brand. Learn how to overcome limiting beliefs, create systems that scale, and design a business that supports the lifestyle you truly want - not what others expect of you.

Krystal unpacks the shocking statistic that women-owned businesses average only $30,000 in annual revenue (compared to $80,000 for men) and provides actionable strategies to close this gap. Whether you're a multi-passionate entrepreneur struggling to find focus or seeking to transition from your 9-to-5, this episode delivers the tough love and practical wisdom you need.

🔥 DISCOVER:

Why your 9-to-5 is actually "the best business loan you could ever have"

The mindset shifts required to break the $100K barrier

How to embrace both the creative and logical sides of business

Why systems are essential for scaling beyond solopreneur status

When to keep your dreams to yourself (and who to share them with)

#WomenEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth #SixFigureBusiness #BrandBuilding #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy #SystemsAndScaling #WomenInBusiness #BusinessCoaching #LifestyleByDesign

About the Guest:

Krystal Vernee’ is a serial womenpreneur, author, speaker, business coach and brand strategist. She owns Divas & Dolls Fitness, a pole and sensual dance studio; Cirque Sensual, a sensual aerial dance brand; Simply SHE, a coaching and consulting firm and Krystal Vernee’ is her personal brand. An engineer by trade, Krystal knew that entrepreneurship was the ultimate goal early in her professional career. With over 20 years of experience in the entrepreneurship space, she has always been passionate about empowering women, creating a safe space for them to unapologetically be themselves and providing the support they need to transform their passion into profits. Krystal encourages others to tap into her zone of genius through her signature coaching program, podcast and tv show: The Brand BuildHER BlueprintTM. She teaches entrepreneurs how to monetize their expertise and create multiple streams of income so that they can build a profitable and sustainable business.

Website + Social Media links:

http://www.isimplyshe.com

http://www.instagram.com/i_simply_she

http://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalvernee

http://www.facebook.com/isimplyshe

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching