In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Dr. Darryl Diggs, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at the Special School District of St. Louis County, for a powerful conversation about leadership, education, and the impact of relationships.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Diggs shares how his journey, from living overseas to growing up in St. Louis, shaped his perspective on people, community, and service. Through a wide range of experiences in education and beyond, he developed a leadership philosophy rooted in curiosity, authenticity, and helping others reach their full potential.

Dr. Diggs breaks down what diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility really mean in practice and why the work is often misunderstood. At its core, he explains, it is about creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to contribute, whether in schools, workplaces, or communities.

The conversation also explores the realities of navigating large organizations and building a career with purpose. From early jobs and unexpected mentors to leading through challenges like COVID and complex school systems, Dr. Diggs shares lessons on staying grounded in your values, asking better questions, and keeping your “fire” alive.

Along the way, he reflects on the importance of relationships in St. Louis, why curiosity is a leadership superpower, and how leaning into hard conversations can create stronger, more meaningful connections.
This episode is a reminder that growth is not linear, and that staying true to your purpose, building relationships, and continuing to learn can open doors you never expected.

Connect with Dr. Darryl Diggs:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-darryl-s-diggs-jr-b780967/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-darryl-s-diggs-jr-b780967/ 
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In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Dr. Allie Foddrill, chiropractor and founder of The Well Yard in Maplewood, Missouri, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, community, and a new approach to patient-centered care.

Originally from Michigan, Allie came to St. Louis to attend chiropractic school at Logan University—but what started as a temporary stop quickly became home. After falling in love with the city’s culture, running community, and support for small businesses, she made the leap to launch her own practice with a mission to do chiropractic care differently.

Allie shares how her background as an athlete shaped her passion for working with the human body and how that experience influenced the philosophy behind The Well Yard. Rather than the typical quick in-and-out chiropractic model, her approach focuses on identifying root causes, combining rehabilitation with treatment, and helping patients build lasting strength so they don’t need to rely on constant care.

The conversation also explores the realities of building a business—from sending cold messages and networking over coffee to learning how to delegate, build a team, and grow beyond what one person can accomplish alone. Allie reflects on the courage it takes to quit a stable job, start something from scratch, and trust that the community will support you.

Along the way, she shares insights on why St. Louis is a hidden gem for entrepreneurs, how authenticity and hard work build trust with clients, and why both business owners and patients alike must be willing to do the work to create real change.

This episode is a reminder that building a meaningful career often requires taking a leap, surrounding yourself with the right people, and committing to helping others live healthier, fuller lives.

Connect with Dr. Allie Foddrill and The Well Yard:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-foddrill-a00b963aa?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-well-yard/

Personal Instagram: @dr.alliefoddrill

Company Instagram: @thewellyard

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In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Kristin Mosley, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at St. Louis City SC, for a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and building spaces where everyone can thrive.

Kristin shares her journey from growing up as the only Black girl in her private school classroom to leading DEIB efforts inside one of St. Louis’ most dynamic organizations. Drawing from nearly 15 years in HR and her lived experience navigating spaces where she didn’t always feel seen, she reflects on the defining moments that shaped her voice, her leadership style, and her commitment to advocacy.

Together, they explore what diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging truly mean beyond buzzwords, how setbacks can become turning points, and why “failing forward” is often the doorway to purpose. Kristin opens up about losing two jobs in one year, leaning into relationships, and taking a leap of faith that ultimately positioned her to help shape culture within a professional sports organization.

The conversation also highlights the broader impact of sports beyond the field—from creating career pathways for young people to expanding access, representation, and opportunity across the region. Kristin shares her passion for literacy, authorship, and ensuring that children see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to shrink to succeed, that setbacks don’t define your trajectory, and that real change happens when individuals decide to show up fully—both for themselves and for their city.
Connect with Kristin Mosley and St. Louis City SC:

• Kristin Mosley on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-mosley-mhrm-16b86917/
 • St. Louis City SC on LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/stlcitysc/
 • St. Louis City SC on Instagram @STLCITY

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In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Dr. Trezette Dixon, Vice President of the Fellows Experience at Greater St. Louis Inc., for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, purpose, and building inclusive talent pipelines in St. Louis.

Dr. Dixon shares her journey as a first-generation college student and professional, tracing her career from higher education into the civic and economic development space. With nearly two decades spent connecting students and professionals to life-changing opportunities, she reflects on the “golden thread” that has guided her work: educating, empowering, and elevating others.

Together, they explore why leadership skills are transferable across industries, how the Fellows Experience is being reimagined to meet the future of work, and what it takes to make St. Louis a true talent engine and magnet. Dr. Dixon also offers insight into navigating career pivots, leaning into your strengths during moments of change, and the power of building authentic networks rooted in purpose.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that leadership doesn’t begin with a title—it begins the moment you decide to make a difference, and when leaders grow, the entire community grows with them.

Connect with Dr. Trezette Dixon and Greater St. Louis Inc.:
• Dr. Trezette Dixon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trezettedixon/

• Greater St. Louis Inc. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greaterstlinc/

• Greater St. Louis Inc. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterstlinc

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In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Charli Cooksey, Founder and CEO of We Power, for a powerful conversation about equity, power, and what it will take to truly transform St. Louis.

Charli shares her journey growing up in North St. Louis while also navigating spaces of privilege. That experience shaped her lifelong commitment to justice and systemic change. From voter advocacy at an HBCU in Texas to returning home as a teacher, Charli explains how living in close proximity to inequity made it impossible to look away and ultimately led her into policy change work.

Together, they explore why early childhood investment is one of the most effective levers for economic growth, gender equity, and family stability, and why St. Louis’ future depends on bold, honest decisions rather than surface-level solutions. Charli also discusses the challenges of funding policy change, the real cost of misinformation, and how employee ownership could help close the racial wealth gap during the largest wealth transfer in U.S. history.

This episode is a call to action for anyone who believes real growth requires courage, integrity, and long-term vision.

Connect with Charli and We Power:
• Charli Cooksey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charli-cooksey-4569067/

• We Power on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wepowerstl

• Charli Cooksey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlialexacooksey/

• We Power on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wepower_stl/

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In the debut episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious kicks things off with a conversation that’s “coming from inside the house.” He sits down with STL Bucket List’s own Olivia Wiselogel, account manager, content creator, and Chicago transplant who’s helping shape St. Louis’ creative scene.

Join us as we chat about being two Chicago kids who have planted roots in STL and love it, while exploring Olivia’s journey from studying marketing at Saint Louis University to building a career in content creation right out of college. Jamal and Olivia discuss choosing creative freedom over a traditional corporate path, finding opportunity in a growing city, and why St. Louis has been the perfect place to stand out and build community.

The episode also features the show’s first audience question from Natalia, a recent Missouri State graduate navigating her first steps in marketing. Their advice is simple and actionable: stop waiting for permission and start doing the work.

This episode is a must-listen for students, recent grads, creatives, and anyone looking to turn passion into a sustainable career.

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Introducing Gateway to Growth 🎙️

 Hosted by Jamal Cornelious, Gateway to Growth is a podcast centered on thoughtful career conversations with people from St. Louis, spanning every stage of the professional journey, from interns to the C-suite. Each episode explores real career paths, lessons learned, and the pivotal moments that shape success.
 

 Coming soon—subscribe now to start your journey.

Made in partnership with STL Bucket List

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