Forward 40 (4tea)

Greetings everyone! It has been quite the journey. The journey cannot fully be captured in one episode. This is a whole book *wink wink*. I wanted to provide an opportunity for supporters to hear some tidbits of what has been at work behind the scenes and what is underway. Very much aligned with the charge to highlight the voices of 40 women, this episode is entitled "Tested, Tried & True". 

Some of the tests and trials I share include: starting, time, "culture" and purpose. I also speak to the wisdom I have gained in the face of those tests and trials; #Message. Tune in for the illustration of each.

• Starting: Hebrews 11:1

What is true? What has remained true? The Big Homie, GOD. No surprises there! As a Madeline Holder, Vice President, Development at New York Women's Foundation shared with me recently, "God is FAITHFUL".

You’ve been blessed, inspired and changed through this platform and community. I truly thank you for journeying with us. Here's what you can expect next: 

Mark your calendars for:

• April 27th 7pm EST for our 2-year anniversary event *subscribe to our email list and/or follow us on social media (Twitter & IG) for updates and details

Lastly, 1. please leave us a review on whatever platform you tune in on and 2. share our collective with your network.

If you are a faith-increasing, altruistic professional and/or leader who is struggling to embrace their higher calling and seeking more accountability, I invite you to work with me directly on your respective personal and professional development journey. You can reach me directly here.

Sip Sis, Selah, Share & Continue to Serve. ☕️

Nicole Lynn Lewis is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Generation Hope, a nonprofit that provides direct service support to young parents earning their college degrees, advocates nationally for the unique needs of student parents and their families, and partners with colleges and universities to provide technical assistance in order to advance student parent success in higher ed. A former teen mother who put herself through William & Mary with her young daughter in tow, Nicole now works to change the statistic that fewer than 2 percent of teen mothers will earn their degrees before age 30. Her book, “Pregnant Girl,” will be released May 2021.

We have made it to our 40th guest☕️🔥🎉! Thank you all for journeying with us and bearing witness to the transformational power of faith in action. In this episode,  Nicole shares the moment she knew it was time to launch Generation Hope and what kept her focused and determined in the building process. We also learn what sacrifices she made in the building process and the lessons she has learned as Black female social entrepreneur and nonprofit executive. Reflecting on the stigma that comes along with teen pregnancy, especially the intersectional nuances at play for Black mothers and fathers, Nicole shares how she managed to create support and inspire champions of your work in light of an often shortsighted stigmatization. Additionally we learn the distinction between student parents and teen parents in Generation Hope’s programming and the evolution of the discourse about these two groups. It is no surprise to us that are close to the communities we serve and work on behalf that the pandemic exacerbated issues of race, racism, class and injustice. With her new book on the horizon, Nicole shares some of her biggest lessons learned in 2020, what charge she is issuing for policymakers and philanthropists alike and most importantly what keeps her hopeful.

We hold steadfast to the vision, press forward in faith and are reminded that we are exactly what the world needs as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected with Nicole on Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram.Follow the work of Generation Hope on Instagram and Twitter . 

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

Latanya Devaughn is a mother of 3 and the Founder of Bronx Bound Books - a bookstore on wheels & community hub that aims to leave no community behind as it travels throughout the borough--especially to neighborhoods where access and transportation pose barriers . A lifelong resident of the Bronx, Latanya is shunning the brick-and-mortar model and taking her bookstore to the people. Latanya has a background in human resources, business management and community arts and engagement. Combining her love for community, the Bronx, and her skills in management, Latanya is actualizing her dream. As she puts it, “Every neighborhood in The Bronx deserves a bookstore, even if it’s just for one day”.

This episode is such a gift. For one, it's Black History Month and me and this guest are #WellReadBlackGirls✊🏾. Latanya shares why her aunt refers to her as a "serial job hopper" and that treated jobs like Tinder. You will not swipe left for this one! I am so honored to round out our first 40 paying homage to the borough is dear to my heart. Sharing in that connection, Latanya speaks to the importance of community in actualizing her vision and furthering its implementation. We learn how she moved from a place of comfortability for change to occur in her pursuits. The pandemic, as challenging as it has been, provided an opportunity for her to grow into her purpose. We also hear how Latanya is connecting her work with those who have been formerly incarcerated; books serve as an anchor for greater community and relationship-building. For those at a crossroads with the "how" in their "why", Latanya shares wisdom that will aid in your journey. 

We turn the page in our book of dreams and make it come to fruition in community as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected with Latanya on Twitter & Instagram.Follow the work of Bronx Bound Books on Instagram and Twitter . 

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

Jessica Huang was trained as an environmental engineer, and then moved into environmental and health education, before finding her current path as a public health professional. While her journey wasn't the most straightforward, in hindsight, she's grateful for what she learned along the way because of the many interconnections between this work. Fun fact: In the field of public health, some of the earliest work in epidemiology (which is the study of distributions, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in populations) was done around cholera outbreaks from contaminated water supplies. In today's world, health information and health education are more important than ever so that we can take better care of ourselves and each other during this COVID-19 global pandemic. It's all connected!

Jessica received her doctorate in public health from Harvard University, and an M.A. in learning, design and technology from Stanford University. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley for a B.S. in civil and environmental engineering along with a second B.S. in business administration - the combination of which enabled her to co-found a social enterprise to provide disinfected drinking water in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

In this episode shares the role humanitarianism played in the evolution of her work in public health and why she loves the field. We also hear her "why" for looking at health equity more broadly and her views on the importance of centering community in changemaking. Reflecting on her work as a cofounder of a social enterprise, Jessica recalls a time when a shift in operations gifted the team and community with innovation. Currently working in COVID-19 recovery efforts, we hear about Jessica's growth in perspective as it relates to codesigning policy, capacity building, inclusion and ableism. Trust, time, empathy and relationship are key to recovery. Jessica challenges us to be more intentional about including diverse stakeholder voices in policy design and community well-being. 

We aim to codesign a better future with inclusion, empathy and equity as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected to Jessica on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn.

Links to projects mentioned in the podcast:

https://inventingheron.com/

http://zimbawater.com/

https://www.cityleadership.harvard.edu/

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

Janeen Brown is the Executive Director and Founder of EmpowHERto, a Toronto-based nonprofit dedicated to helping 14 to 21 year-old women and girls reach their fullest potential through three pillars: Independence, Leadership, and Confidence. Previously, Janeen spent time managing a team for an entertainment company, but felt she had a greater purpose to help improve the prospects for female leaders. She became an entrepreneur in 2018, and has started and scaled three other companies in the hospitality, events and professional services industries. Janeen is an advocate for the well-being of women, building self-confidence, and female entrepreneurship.

This episode is rightly positioned in recognition of National Mentoring Month. Janeen speaks about the role mentorship played in her entrepreneurial journey. Having experience with mostly male mentors, Janeen shares how that influenced the launch of EmpowHERto. Acknowledging generational trauma, Janeen also shares intentionality of EmpowHERto programming especially at a time where race and class disparities are impacting the self-esteem and confidence of young girls. We also hear what skills she leveraged from being an employee in the for profit sector to aid in her pivot to entrepreneurship. Similarly, Janeen speaks to what she thought she knew about nonprofit operations and what resources have been beneficial to growth as a leader in the space. Entrepreneurship can feel like a lonely journey. Janeen offers up advice on how one can persist and fail forward. 

We jumpstart the year in gratitude for those that have paved the way for us to grow better and do better as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected with Janeen on Instagram & LinkedIn.Follow the work of EmpowHERto on Instagram and Twitter . 

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

Sam Johnson was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington and spent her childhood exploring and kayaking along the Puget Sound. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry from the University of Portland where she fostered her love of all artisanal ice cream and baked goods Oregon had to offer. 

She then did a year of post-graduate service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps NQ/AmeriCorps where she was placed with the American Red Cross of Alaska and served as the Preparedness and Casework Specialist. This was her first introduction into disaster response and preparedness education, working with and supporting various local and Alaska Native communities across the state. 

After a year of convincing herself there was no way should could make a career out of educating people on how to stay safe during emergencies, she moved to New Orleans and received her Master of Science from Tulane University in Disaster Resilience Leadership. 

She then began working with the American Red Cross of the US Virgin Islands, supporting their preparedness education programs as part of their Long Term Recovery efforts from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. She is now the Program Lead for Youth Preparedness for National Headquarters, supporting regions across the country as they implement youth emergency preparedness programs across the country and abroad.

In this episode Sam gives us a much needed dose of joy and inspiration. We hear about her journey to service and more specifically her career soul-matching of sorts at the American Red Cross. Though a career in service was not what she planned, Sam shares the literal and metaphorical message behind "must be able to fly in small planes". If you have a fear of heights like me, you'll feel more at ease with Sam's insight. Sam also speaks to the ways she has been able to navigate racial ambiguity in building relationships with community members; ultimately leveraging preparedness education as a community engagement tool.  Additionally, we hear her perspective on the power of representation in the sector. Inspired by Gail McGovern's pillars of leadership, Sam reminds us that should prepare as best as we can and embrace change in our growth.

We close out the year embracing our respective and collective lessons learned and course correcting as necessary as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected with Sam on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter . 

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

Meenakshi Menon is Groundswell Fund’s Chief Development Officer. The daughter of immigrants from India and Malaysia, over the last 14 years, she has worked in 30 countries across 5 continents, advancing sexual health and reproductive rights, peace and security, and racial justice.

Meenakshi began her career as a community organizer and health and human rights field researcher, working with diverse organizations and stakeholders in the US and abroad, including MassPIRG, Physicians for Human Rights, the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, and the Center for Khmer Studies. In 2011, she was appointed the Executive Director of GHETS, a US-based NGO that works to improve global health systems through grantmaking, technical support, and advocacy. Her work with GHETS involved directing the grantmaking, capacity building, and fundraising programs, as well as leading programmatic initiatives in East and Southern Africa and South and Southeast Asia in community health, sexual health and reproductive rights, food security, and water and sanitation.

As a fundraising and philanthropy professional, Meenakshi is passionate about strengthening the capacity of mission-driven organizations, and creating greater equity in philanthropy, particularly for womxn, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ communities. As the Coalition for the International Criminal Court's Director of Development, from 2015-2016 she worked with staff around the world, as well as local, national, and regional Coalition affiliates on institutional advancement initiatives, including mobilizing resources from European Governments, International Development Agencies, Foundations, and high-net worth Individuals on behalf of international justice. Most recently, Meenakshi served as the Head of Government & Foundation Relations for North America at International Crisis Group, where she managed the organization's relationships with high-level institutional donors, as well as developed, executed, and expanded the organization’s U.S. institutional giving strategy.

Meenakshi holds a BA in Anthropology from Smith College, and serves on the Leadership Council of Powerbitches. She lives in Brooklyn, and in addition to her native Malayalam, speaks English, Hindi, Khmer, and Spanish.

In this episode Meenakshi tells us her story of "someone who is pretty ordinary with the chance to do extraordinary things". With roots in India and Malaysia, Meenakshi reflects and pays homage to her familial roots, including her father's arrival to the US 50 years ago. We learn about the impact grassroots organizing had on her approach to development and philanthropy; more specifically progressive philanthropy. Meenakshi also reflects on the time she assumed the role as Executive Director early on in her career. We hear of the sacrifices she made at the helm of leadership and what she offers up for emerging leaders in the work. "A Brown woman with a Western education", Meenakshi also shares the parallels she sees between the movements for peace in India and racial justice. Pull up a chair and take in this beautifully woven cross-cultural narrative. Meenakshi's vast international work, ever-evolving reflection and activation of the personal and the political is very much affirming for our present and future.

We reflect on the blueprint of our journeys and amplify the value we bring to the sector as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected with Meenakshi on LinkedIn, and Twitter . Check out Groundswell Fund's latest Blueprint here. Follow the work of Groundswell Fund on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

Tabitha Mpamira is a therapist, activist, motivational speaker, and consultant on sexual and gender-based violence with a long working history in the mental healthcare industry. In 2015, Tabitha founded EDJA to provide free medical, legal, and mental health services to survivors of sexual assault in East Africa. EDJA, now a program offered by an organization in Uganda, has sparked rapid change in rural Uganda by supporting hundreds of survivors and bringing perpetrators to justice.

Tabitha’s work in this area has been widely recognized and vividly depicted in the documentary Victors: Singing to the Lions, which has been screened globally, including at the United Nations Association of New York. She was recognized by Global Citizen in 2018 when she won the People’s Choice Waislitz Award. Tabitha has been invited to speak across the globe; recent examples include her speech at the Vatican about the urgency of working to end sexual violence and her widely viewed TEDx Talk on the transforming or transferring of trauma. Tabitha is currently pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a specialization in sexual trauma.

In this episode Tabitha journeys us through how she came to be the work while also doing the work. This work as she notes was far greater than being a student and clinician; it also included being real about her own pain and healing. Drawn to psychology in high school and a fan of Law & Order SVU (like myself), Tabitha came to a pivotal awakening in her work in 2015. We learn about the moments that inspired the development of EDJA and what sparked her to be more intentional about engaging with clients with the heart in mind. In her ever-evolving journey towards healing, Tabitha notes importance and value of representative mental health professionals. As we share, the go-to's need a go-to as well. Tabitha also offers up her thoughts on how we can move to more action against sexual assault, what's needed to break intergenerational trauma while also maintaining our individual peace. 

We show up for ourselves and commit to healing as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected to Tabitha on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Follow the work of EDJA on Twitter and the Nyaka website.

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

Colleen Echohawk is the Executive Director of the Chief Seattle Club. She is an enrolled member of the Kithehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation and a member of the Upper Athabascan people of Mentasta Lake.

As the founder of the Coalition to End Urban Indigenous Homelessness, Echohawk is committed to homeless advocacy and changing the trajectory of Native American and Alaska Native people living away from reservations in urban places and experiencing homelessness. Recognizing a lack of equity in housing design and development, and the profound impact that this can have on the well-being of people of color, Echohawk has turned her focus to equitable low-income housing development and indigenous-led design. Under Echohawk’s leadership, Chief Seattle Club received the Puget Sound Sage Visionary for Justice Award (2019), Seattle Community Law Center’s Equity Award (2018), the Neighborhood Builder Award (2017), and Municipal League of King County’s Organization of the Year (2016).

Echohawk’s education has been focused on organizational development and leadership; helping brilliant people do better work for the greater good. She is the co-founder and principal at Headwater People Consulting Group. Some of her recent recognitions include: recipient of King County’s Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service (2020), one of Seattle’s most influential people by Seattle Magazine (November 2019) and one of Seattle Met Magazine’s 50 most influential women (2018). 

Colleen Echohawk serves on many local boards, including a Mayoral appointment to the Community Police Commission. Other board affiliations include Seattle Foundation, KUOW (National Public Radio member station,) Downtown Seattle Association, and All-Home Coordinating Board.

In this episode Colleen shares what led her to answer the call to lead the Chief Seattle Club and her love for the people she serves. Reflecting on her studies in public health, Colleen speaks about the trauma the pandemic has unearthed and exacerbated for the Native community. She calls out the impact of white supremacy and systemic racism continues to have on housing, economic development and beyond. Alongside leaders in the greater Seattle area, Colleen continues to ensure that Native people have a place to connect with their respective tribal community. We also learn about the work that she is currently engaged in with the Equitable Recovery & Reconciliation Alliance. Colleen also shares her thoughts on what an emerging Native leader should consider in their professional journey.

We are humbled in our leadership and name the truth of our experiences as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected to Colleen on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Follow the work of the Chief Seattle Club on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.

JoRee LaFrance is Apsáalooke and comes from the Greasy Mouth clan and is a child of Ties in the Bundle clan. Her Apsáalooke name is Iichiinmáatchilash/Fortunate with Horses and she is a seventh generation direct descendant from Chief Pretty Eagle, the last principle chief of the Apsáalooke Nation. She comes from the Crow Reservation located in southcentral Montana but currently resides in Tucson, AZ. She graduated in June 2017 from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Earth Sciences and Native American Studies and is now a doctoral student at the University of Arizona in the Department of Environmental Sciences. JoRee is dedicated to protecting the Apsáalooke way of life, the right to clean water, and the right to safe, nourishing spaces for Apsáalooke youth. Although she is away from home, JoRee continues to find ways to work with and empower her people.

In this episode JoRee reflects on her upbringing on the Crow Reservation while painting the picture of the heart of the land, culture and history of the Apsáalooke. She shares what inspires her studies and future work alongside and on behalf of her community while also speaking to the unique sovereignty of Native nations. JoRee also elevates the interconnectedness of the destruction of the land with the violence against women; she encourages us to view laws and policies through a holistic lens. She also shares an intimate reflection on the evolution of her identity as a Native woman in mainstream society and how she has navigated tensions of cultural appropriation and ignorance. In addition to her work with the environment she's an agent of change for the community with previous projects with Bethany Yellowtail a fashion designer and fellow member of the Crow (Apsaalooke) & Northern Cheyenne (Tsetsehestahese & So'taeo'o) Nations. JoRee continues to inspire, lead and build an intergenerational legacy we all should take note of.

We are encouraged to heal and be kind to ourselves for the greater good of the next generation as we share Forward 4O’s platform with this phenomenal WOC in the nonprofit and social enterprise sector.

Stay connected to JoRee on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Follow Forward 40(4tea) on IG and Twitter @forward4tea. Continue to support and nominate a guest to be on the show. You can also learn more about the host Coach Faith here.