What does “building America” look like through Gen Z eyes?

In this iBuild America: Street Talks episode, Arizona State University student Vienna opens up about chasing purpose, balancing dreams with reality, and what her generation really values.

It’s an honest, hopeful, and thought-provoking look at how the future of America is being shaped — one story at a time.

🎧 Tune in and subscribe for more unfiltered conversations with tomorrow’s leaders.

On this episode of the iBuild America Podcast, we find ourselves in Atlanta, Georgia welcoming Melissa A. Mitchell, visionary artist, author, and founder of A Better Life (formerly Abeille Creations). Melissa’s journey began in 2014 during a season of grief when she picked up a paintbrush for the first time. What started as an act of healing has since evolved into a global creative empire that spans fine art, fashion, home décor, publishing, and high-profile brand collaborations.

Melissa has created over 500 original works of art, painted 40+ murals, authored five books, and built a platform that champions joy, resilience, and culture. Her vibrant designs have been featured with Microsoft, Foot Locker, SHEIN, SPANX, Pepsi, Hallmark, and H&M, and worn by icons like Lupita Nyong’o, Tabitha Brown, and Amara La Negra.

In this inspiring conversation, Melissa shares:

How to turn pain into purpose and purpose into a global calling

The role of faith and resilience in building an international brand

What it means to create wearable art that lives on people, not just on walls

Her advice for dreamers, entrepreneurs, and creatives ready to step into bold intention

Melissa’s story is living proof that when you lead with faith and create with purpose, you can transform not just your own life, but countless others.

Connect with Melissa below!

Instagram: @abeillecreations @melissaamitchell

Facebook: Abeille Creations

LinkedIn: Melissa A. Mitchell

Website: melissaamitchell.com

Host Tev Grant is back at Arizona State University, home of innovation (and yes, maybe a few legendary parties), for another episode of Street Talks — a new segment of the iBuild America Podcast.

This week, Tev chats with Tavai, Sydney, and Aaron, three ASU students with different majors, backgrounds, and bold perspectives on what it really means to build America.

From defining the American Dream and debating student debt to sharing what they fear most about the future, their answers are honest, funny, and refreshingly real.

🎧 Tune in to hear how today’s students are navigating college, culture, and career goals — and what they’d say straight to America’s leaders if given the mic.

Listen now and subscribe to the iBuild America Podcast — where every street talk sparks a bigger conversation about our future.

On this episode of the iBuild America Podcast, we sit down in Atlanta, Georgia with Phillip Clark, CEO of Just Say Something and Interim Executive Director of Compass of Carolina. With over 30 years of nonprofit leadership, Phillip has been on the frontlines of substance use prevention, family strengthening, and mental health awareness.

From designing statewide and national training programs to leading community coalitions, Phillip has built a career around uniting people, organizations, and resources to address some of the most urgent challenges facing families today. His story is one of resilience, leadership, and impact—showing us what it really takes to create lasting change.

In this episode, we dive into:

The importance of prevention in building stronger communities

How to cultivate meaningful partnerships across nonprofits, corporations, and government

Leadership lessons from decades in the field of public service

Why mental health awareness and family resilience are essential to America’s future workforce

Tune in for a conversation full of wisdom, practical strategies, and hope from one of the nation’s most committed community leaders.

Connect with Phil below!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-clark-91a70818

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jssupstate

Website: https://justsaysomethingsc.org

In the first-ever episode of Street Talks, a brand-new segment of the iBuild America Podcast, host Tev Grant hits the Arizona State University campus — known as America’s #1 school for innovation — to talk with students about what it really means to build America’s future.

This week, Tev sits down with Mason Paddie, a 26-year-old PhD student in mechanical engineering, to dive into the modern American dream, life as a grad student, and the hopes and fears facing today’s generation.

From powerful insights on leadership and transparency to rapid-fire campus questions, Mason gives an unfiltered look into the mindset of tomorrow’s workforce.

🎧 Listen now to Street Talks with Tev Grant — where real conversations meet real change, only on the iBuild America Podcast.

Breaking Barriers. Building Wealth. Inspiring Change.

In this powerful episode of the iBuild America Podcast we travel to Phoenix, Arizona to sit down with Dr. Velma Trayham, President & CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, award-winning businesswoman, philanthropist, best-selling author, and one of the nation’s most influential voices in economic empowerment.

From closing the racial wealth gap to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship, Dr. Trayham has built her career around creating opportunities where others see barriers. She shares her incredible journey, her vision for building thriving, equitable communities, and how businesses can lead the charge in job creation, innovation, and wealth building.

Recognized with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, named one of the 100 Women to Know in America, and honored as a Scottsdale Diversity Champion, Dr. Trayham continues to inspire leaders across the country to build with purpose and impact.

Tune in as we dive deep into:

How inclusive business practices fuel prosperity

Strategies to empower Black entrepreneurs & small businesses

The role of leadership in creating equitable communities

Dr. Trayham’s personal story of resilience, faith, and transformation

If you believe in building a better, more inclusive future for America, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Subscribe now for more conversations with change makers shaping America’s future workforce and economy.

Connect with Dr. Velma Trayham Below!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velma_trayham/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/velmatrayham

Official Website: http://blackchamberaz.org

Helen Sneed

Principal Partner and Founder

Drive The Goal, LLC (Florida)

Helen is the Principal Partner and founder of Drive The Goal, LLC. In her various roles, she empowers individuals through career coaching and HR services while helping them achieve their professional goals. Helen has provided internship opportunities through the Polk State College dual enrollment career-based experience program. She also works closely with entrepreneurs, small business owners, middle management, and community leaders to improve the work environment and business growth. Helen’s work with the South Lake Chamber of Commerce has provided resources, training, and tools to enhance the human capital, talent acquisition, and financial growth of local businesses, aiming to achieve and foster a healthy, sustainable economy.

Helen has served as the Interim CEO of the United Way of South Lake Sumter Counties. She was the Executive Director of the Tunxis Community College Foundation and President of the CT State Colleges and Universities Foundation; she also served as the Director of Human Resources for WFSB Channel 3 in Connecticut, WSHM in Massachusetts, and Meredith Video Solutions in NYC. Her experiences in Long-Term Care as a Regional HR Director, Facilities Management, High-end Jewelry, and Big Box Retail have taken her all over the globe.

Throughout her 25+ year career in human resources and the non-profit sector, Helen has provided assurance and consulting services to leading Fortune 500 companies and worked with boards, audit committees, attorneys, law enforcement, and C-Suite leaders to resolve complex business issues, investigate sensitive HR issues, negotiate union contracts, prepare for arbitration, and consult on mergers and acquisitions and succession planning.

Helen’s educational journey includes an Executive MBA from The University of New Haven, a Bachelor’s degree from Central CT State University, and an Associate’s degree in marketing management from Tunxis Community College.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the South Lake Chamber of Commerce. She has been honored with community service awards and recognition from the Urban League of Greater Hartford, WIN, Women Inspire Network, and Junior Achievement. He was also recognized as one of Connecticut and Massachusetts’s 100 Women of Color in March 2018 and as the Valedictorian Award for the 100 Women of Color, Class of 2018.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-g-sneeddrivethegoal/

LinkedIn Website: https://drivethegoal.com/

Laura Fautsch

VP of Job Corps Operations

Serrato Corporation (Illinois)

Laura Fautsch is the Vice President of Job Corps Operations for Serrato Corporation. Laura has spent her career in workforce development with several stints as a U.S. Job Corps Center Director and, prior to this role, worked for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Laura is a national expert in building workforce-based training programs and initiatives. She has extensive experience in curriculum development. During the conversation, Laura shares her background in music, languages, and literature, and ultimately how this broad experience helped to drive her career growth and success.

Laura’s amazing career showcases the talented people who are making a difference in workforce development. Her conversation provides an insightful overview of Career and Technical Education programs of today, including an overview of the U.S. Job Corps program and how Job Corps is impacting young people and workforce development around the country. Job Corps is the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24.

With 10 industries to pick from and countless careers to explore, Job Corps has an opportunity for anyone ready to work hard and grow. For over 60 years, Job Corps has helped thousands of students pave their path to success.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-fautsch-519359383/

Company Website: https://serratocorp.com/

U.S. Job Corps Website: https://www.jobcorps.gov/

Sean Kelly

Technical Director

Light Brigade (Pennsylvania)

Sean Kelly, RCDD, CFHP, is a 25+ year fiber cable and connectivity professional working in technical, engineering, and business roles. Before joining Light Brigade as Technical Director and Head of Marketing, he spent his career with leading fiber connectivity companies, including TE Connectivity, CommScope, and Rosenberger. He has developed and presented numerous educational presentations and courses and has been involved in and held leadership roles with numerous industry groups.

Since 1987, Light Brigade has offered worldwide, state-of-the-art, instructor-led, certified fiber optic training courses and hands-on skills training for industry professionals. Light Brigade has trained over 100,000 technicians, installers, engineers, designers, and other support staff from a variety of industries worldwide, equipping them with the skills required to move forward in their careers.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skelly328/

LinkedIn Website: https://www.lightbrigade.com/

Lena Owens

Recruiter Agency Accounts

TransTech Truck Driver Training School (North Carolina)

Lena Owens is an Experienced Recruiting Leader with TransTech Truck Driver Training School based in North Carolina. Trans Tech, Inc. provides comprehensive Class A CDL training programs with modern facilities, small class sizes, late-model equipment, and instruction from professional, certified trainers. Trans Tech also offers full-time classes that last four weeks and part-time evening/weekend programs that last eight weeks.

Lena is a leader in the transportation/trucking and logistics industry, bringing experience in working with Nonprofit Organizations, Social Services, Case Management, and Community Outreach. She is a human resources professional with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Human Services from Liberty University.

In her role, she is responsible for building a workforce of well-trained commercial truck drivers.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-owens-bsw-ma-ba5b6311b/

LinkedIn Website: https://trans-tech.net/