In the premiere episode of the Barriers to Breakthrough Speaker Series, Dr. Don Wilkins sits down with K. Chase Patterson—CEO of Urban Academy, founder of the State of Black Learning, and nationally recognized strategist. Together, they dive into the real, behind-the-scenes realities of leadership: the sacrifices, the responsibilities, and the breakthroughs that define the journey.

Chase shares how his earliest experiences as a protector and translator for his younger sister shaped his leadership instincts, the wisdom passed down from grandparents and mentors, and the lessons learned from leading without a title. He opens up about building Urban Academy into a mission-driven organization, creating the State of Black Learning, and navigating the complexities of leading multi-generational teams.

Listeners will walk away with:

• Powerful insights on mentorship, vision, and delegation
• A candid look at the burdens and blessings of leadership
• Practical advice for new and current leaders on accountability, values, and resilience

This conversation sets the tone for the Speaker Series—raw, insightful, and deeply human.

✨ Barriers to Breakthrough: Speaker Series is hosted by Dr. Don Wilkins, founder of Transformation 180 and author of Barriers to Breakthrough: 13 Strategies for Effective Leadership in the Multi-Generational Workplace.

🎙️ New episodes feature candid conversations with leaders across education, business, and community about the real challenges, strategies, and breakthroughs of leadership.

📚 Learn more about Transformation 180: www.transformation180.com

📖 Get your copy of Barriers to Breakthrough wherever books are sold
🔗 Follow Dr. Wilkins on LinkedIn and Instagram: @drdonwilkins