Ignite 2 Impact Podcast - Raise up and Inspire the Next Generation of Leaders

Dr. Towanna Burrous, President, CoachDiversity Institute is a best-selling author, trainer, and an ICF professional certified coach (PCC) based in Washington, DC. As a much sought after executive coach, Towanna's mission is to empower diverse communities through executive coaching.

Her role is to test, re-test and ultimately drive the organization's overarching vision, strategy, and tactical direction. The CoachDiversity team delivers training and curriculum for to-be coaches and customized diversity and leadership programs for corporate and individual clients.

Towanna has spent the past 28 years in both federal government and the private sector that has led to her serving a broad range of business executives, sales, and IT (information technology) professionals. She delivers custom keynotes and coaching and training programs designed to assist organizations in their efforts to equip their leaders and key contributors with the skills and competencies needed to excel in today's challenging business environment.

She uses her expertise helping businesses shape corporate strategies that produce positive bottom line benefits.

Towanna is a trusted partner and problem solver for many clients tackling morale, employee retention, employee engagement, training and development in the post-recession world.

As founder of the Black Life Coaches network, she has helped over 600 life coaches, counselors and therapists from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and South Africa. Towanna is currently in the process of earning a Doctorate of Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She has a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, a Doctorate of Divinity from Elbon-Solutions College of Ministry and a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Howard University. She's been featured in Speakers Magazine.

Visit https://coachdiversity.com for more information

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Karen Taylor Bass is the Founder and Media Strategist for TaylorMade Media, LLC. She has created strategic public relations, branding, and marketing campaigns for nonprofits, schools, corporations, luxury brands, celebrities, athletes, and entrepreneurs.

Her talent is crafting engaging branding campaigns while simultaneously securing top-notch media placements. Karen's placements range from the Associated Press, NY Daily News, New York Times, NPR, WBLS-FM (NY), Hot97-FM (NYC), ABC News, Washington Post, USA Today, Yahoo News, Oprah, AOL Parenting, Forbes to Entrepreneur magazine. Taylor Bass brings determination and courage to each campaign, project, client and mentee she works with.

Bass started out as a fundraiser working for the United Negro College Fund and United Way of NYC, to raise funds for various charities represented by the United Way. Bass exceeded her target fundraising goal by 30% within the first year and started to hone her skills as a communicator, writer and presenter to tap into her passion as a media expert.

Karen created memorable consumer youth campaigns (ages 10-17) for Coca-Cola USA and the Apollo Theatre Foundation; Musicians directly impacted by Karen's talent includes but not limited to: Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy (at the time), D'Angelo, Herbie Hancock, Boy George and Jill Scott. The National Basketball Association (NBA) representatives tapped Bass and TMM to create campaigns for rookies, veterans and Chris Webber and Ray Allen (future hall of famer).

Bass understands what it is to press reset and change the course of one's path by embracing setbacks. "I've been through a lot mentally, spiritually and professionally. With that said, I bring determination and courage to each campaign, project and client I work with because I now understand the power of pressing reset for one's brand."

Bass has been featured as a PR Expert and 'Brand' Mom in several media outlets including: Dr. Oz, CNN, BET, NBC Today, Fox-TV, ABC-TV Here and Now, WPIX-11, Entrepreneur, Essence, Speakers Magazine, Newsday, NY Daily News and more.

Visit www.karentaylorbass.com for more information

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Raised in Saginaw, Atkins worked hard to overcome childhood challenges, including family turmoil and abuse, to graduate from St. Joseph's High School. She continued her education at SVSU, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Atkins then completed a law degree at the University of Detroit School of Law. After graduation, she became a lawyer and then was appointed the chief judge in Detroit's 36th District Court for 12 years until her retirement in 2012.

After retiring from the bench, Atkins wrote her autobiography "The Triumph of Rosemary: A Memoir," which was published in 2017. The memoir – at times raw and in other passages heartwarming – addresses important topics of diversity and social change.

Born to an Italian teen and a married black man in Detroit in 1946, Atkins was adopted by a black couple in Saginaw. At age 19, she sparked a racial and religious scandal by marrying former Roman Catholic priest Thomas Lee Atkins, who was white and 25 years older than she.

The couple had two biracial daughters, Elizabeth Ann Atkins and Catherine Marie Atkins Greenspan, who look white. The parents worked full time, and in a reversal of traditional gender roles, Marylin Atkins attended law school at night while Tom took the high-achieving girls to lessons for swim, piano, and skiing. Both daughters ultimately completed graduate degrees.

Over time, family rifts resulting from the interracial marriage began to heal, fostering harmony and healing. The Atkins family's lifestyle includes friendships and associations with people of a cornucopia of race, religion, and culture.

Atkins currently resides Detroit. Her late husband died in 1990. Their daughters created a publishing company, Two Sisters Writing and Publishing, which published "The Triumph of Rosemary."

Visit https://www.thetriumphofrosemary.com/

for more information

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Alison Vaughn is Founder and CEO of Jackets for Jobs, Inc., a nonprofit that has provided employment etiquette, career skills training and professional attire to 20,000 job seekers since 2000.

In 2013, Jackets for Jobs opened an office in Botswana (Africa). Vaughn represented the organization on the NASDAQ floor where she rang the closing bell in 2006 and 2014. Vaughn is a Goldman Sachs Scholar, a graduate of the investment firm's 10,000 Small Businesses Program. She is one of Martha Stewart's "Dreamers into Doers," a group of entrepreneurs who turned their dreams into reality. Community Advocate Vaughn was the 2011 co-chair of the 56th Annual Detroit NAACP Fight for Freedom Dinner, which annually draws 10,000 attendees. Vaughn is devoted to family, enjoys traveling, reading and attending sporting events—never missing a Detroit Lions home game. She is a member of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Metro Detroit. Vaughn is a member of Distinguished Women in International Service, Gamma Phi Delta Sorority and Top Ladies of Distinction. A Eureka Communities Fellow, Vaughn was a 2006 candidate for the Michigan State Senate. Public Speaker Vaughn is a sought-after public speaker, both nationally and internationally. In the fall of 2014, she was chosen to speak at the World Islamic Economic Forum in Dubai, UAE on the rise of women entrepreneurs. Vaughn has inspired audiences of churches and civil rights organizations, major corporations and non-profits, business leadership conference attendees, schools and universities, youth councils, women's groups and more with her practical and unique insights on advocacy, entre-preneurism, empowerment, diversity and urban workforce development. Author Vaughn is the author of Ms. Goal Digger: Success is Sexy – A CEO's Guide to Goal Setting, Dressing the Part and Having It All. This tell-all guide for today's businesswoman who wants to get what she wants for herself, by herself. While the world may define success in dollars and cents, this book teaches women how to work smarter, not harder. She is also the co-author of the book, Inspired Style. This guide to glamour at any age features Vaughn and several other top image experts sharing tips to help women look and be their best.

As a member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), she has also contributed several articles on image, style and business etiquette. A Detroit native, Vaughn earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and graduated from The Women's Campaign School at Yale University, sponsored by Yale Law School. Having received numerous accolades, Vaughn was named "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Alabama A & M University, and "Businesswoman of the Year" by the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Business Women in 2009. That same year, the Michigan Chronicle honored Vaughn as a Woman of Excellence, and Lakeshore Engineering recognized her with its "Leaders, Legends & Luminaries" award. Vaughn has been listed in the Who's Who of Black Detroit for three years and the Who's Who Among Female Executives. She is a recipient of the Community Service Award from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Humanitarian Award from the Top Ladies of Distinction a. Vaughn was also recognized the National Association of Women Business Owners in Greater Detroit and Michigan State Black Alumni for her community service.

"What you do for others, God will do for you." - Alison Vaughn

Visit www.AlisonVaughn.com for more information

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Regina Robinson is an Award Winning Global Speaker, Best Selling Author, and Inner Confidence Strategist who is widely known for engaging, motivating, and equipping women with the tools to unlock their inner confidence and become unstoppable women.She is widely known for engaging, motivating, an inspiring her audiences as she combines genuine inspiration, laughter, and practical principles to empower women to take immediate action in their lives, businesses, and careers.

After years of teaching, consulting, and coaching in the educational field, Regina built a platform where she provides education, strategies, and accountability for women who are ready to show-up in their authentic power as they increase credibility, visibility, and confidence. She supports women in discovering, articulating, and mastering their uniqueness as they position themselves to confidently move from start to finish in their life, business, and career.

She has been featured as cover stories and spotlighted in a number of magazines and appeared as a featured guest on a host of radio shows. Her message is so powerful and impactful that women's conferences, churches, organizations, and corporations continue to bring her back for keynotes, break-out sessions, panels and workshops.

Visit www.reginarobinsonspeaks.com for more informatoin

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Shawn is a leadership expert with a focus on corporate leadership, consultative sales, and vision. He illustrates leadership thus: lead by example, trustworthiness, mutual respect, and praise. He is uniquely skilled at using this simple yet profound ethos to bring leaders at all levels to the realization that their team's performance is largely dependent upon their ability to lead.Shawn teaches what he lives, by drawing from the proficiency he has gained from over two decades of real-life, in-the-trenches business experience, motivational speaking, training, and executive coaching. His skillful delivery of true stories and use of precisely crafted multimedia resources spark an emotional connection with his audiences. The depth of Shawn's knowledge and the effectiveness of his delivery style place him among the best leadership and vision speakers in the country. He appreciates, and shares with his audiences, that leadership is a moment-to-moment choice. It is not about title, tenure, or position. Leadership is for everyone, everyday. Shawn's dynamic, thought-provoking, and engaging presentations inspire his audiences to make immediate changes that promote employee development, growth, and the expansion of their team capacity. Through his work, he continues to bring the very best out of leaders, equipping them to create lasting and positive impact. He has done it on big stages such as the Rio Grande Casino in Las Vegas, NV, and the Sound Board Room in the Motor City Casino in Detroit, MI. Wherever he goes, leaders always ask for more. Shawn serves as the CEO of The Fair Consulting Group, a U.S. based Speaking and Training Firm. Before he started Fair Consulting, he worked in both small and large corporations, in positions ranging from customer service to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and from National Executive Trainer to Sr. Training Executive.

Shawn is also a John Maxwell Speaker and Coach, a member of the Forbes Coaching Council, and a Consultant to corporations abroad in diverse sectors. He has trained trainers, sales professionals, managers, senior leadership, and executives in 43 of the 50 states, and the Virgin Islands. He's been featured in Speaker Magazine.His successes include: USAA, Jarvis Construction, Vaughan Industries, and IMAAC.

Visit him at www.fairconsultinggroup.com

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Leadership Coach. Consultant. Facilitator. Speaker. Entrepreneur. Carmen Thomas is a top notch exuberant entrepreneur. She is the originator of Transformation Empowerment Solutions: a successful leadership firm that offers custom made winning programs, specializing in life changing leadership and organizational development.

As a LEADERSHIP COACH: Carmen Thomas is an advisor to a vast amount of Successful Entrepreneurial Businesses, Various Organizations, Chief Executive Officers and serves as a role model to diverse Board Member. She is well recognized as the top executive coach's in her region.

As a CONSULTANT: Carmen specializes in providing vital information to executives and leadership teams. Her strategic method assist in helping top officials reach their full potential through a solution focused process with cohesive organizational change, and process transformation.

As a FACILITATOR: Carmen's unprecedented professional workshops, conferences and seminar programs are strategically customized to deliver results that are measurable and sustainable.

As a SPEAKER: Carmen serves as a dynamic spokesperson to nationwide businesses that leads to phenomenal growth, personal and professional development. She offers an amazing keynote address with her unique teaching style from her years of experience in the world of leadership and business.

As an ENTREPRENEUR/AUTHOR: Carmen's extensive research background offers a new and vibrant taste to leadership. She has implemented several programs, such as tactical leadership, mentoring and new employee orientation programs. Her public speaking abilities offer, motivational speaking and presentations on self-esteem, foreclosure prevention and life skills that will leave you speechless.

She has owned and operated a Real Estate Company, Residential Marketing Consulting Company, a Nonprofit Company called Unstoppable Families, Being U 4Real Self-Esteem Boutique and most currently the Meetups Global Networking Group, networking with over 500 women entrepreneurs.

She is the author of two books: Being U 4Real and Foreclosure Prevention. Carmen brings expertise to her work with over 20 years in leadership development, marketing, customer service, problem solving, entrepreneurism, real estate sales, leasing, residential and commercial for private and state government.

She has a Green Belt in Lean Process Improvement, Bachelor of Science Degree in Management & Organizational Development, Master of Arts Degree in Family Studies and currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Transformational Leadership with a specialization in Culture Transformation.

Carmen Thomas' clients value her for her highly exceptional commitment to diversity, excellence, integrity and results.

Carmen is the Founder and Executive Director of Transformation GEMS, a 501c3 Women's Entrepreneur Empowerment Startup Accelerator, in the Lansing, MI area, Carmen has helped several women start & sustain businesses within the last 10 years.

Carmen's mission is to strategically educate, motivate and empower every individual she meets to do the impossible while identifying their solutions.

Visit her at https://www.transformationgems.com/

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For 28 years, as president of OWN: Onyx Woman Network, Ola Jackson has been a voice and given a voice to women in business.

It was Mother's Day 1991, when Ola received a handmade Mother's Day card from her husband and son and a check that would redirect her path from employee to business owner. Ola created an 8-page local newsletter that grew into a national business magazine called Onyx Woman.

She expanded to produce sell-out women's conferences, a television talk show and began speaking around the country.

Through her encounters with her audience, Ola noticed that women expressed that, although successful on the outside, there was something missing in their desire to thrive for inner-peace and confidence.

At the same time as she was evaluating her own life-lessons, (the mother of an autistic adult son and caregiver to her 80-year old mother), is when she began to appreciate the value of taking care of herself while dealing with the challenges of caring for others.

She was encouraged to turn this moment into a message that was needed to complete the missing link to helping other women who asked the question, "What about me?"

So she started a lifestyle blog called Your Stylish Ways (YSW). YSW infused fashion and cooking content, with self-care tips and inspiring profile stories to offer women ideas on how to apply self-care activities into their own lives.

The Robert Morris University graduate found the answer she sought to move on her mission to motivate women wanting direction on how to engage in a self-care lifestyle.

Some of the AWARDS Ola have won include:

• Talk Magazine Woman of Distinction
• Pittsburgh Black Media Federation Legend Award
• SBA Business Champion Award
• The New Pittsburgh Courier Woman of Influence Award
• Robert Morris Alumni Award
• Ebenezer Church Woman of Distinction Award
• Negro Business & Professional Women's Business of Woman of the Year

Visit her blog at www.YouStylishWays.com

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Demarra Gardner is founder of Black Women About Business (BWAB) which supports black female leaders intersect business and wellness so they can lead optimal lives. They provide business planning, executive coaching, training, retreats, and resources, such as the BWAB podcast.

Not only is Demarra founder of BWAB, she has also been a successful entrepreneur since 2007 as principal of Change Agent Consulting (CAC), a national full-service consulting practice. CAC is comprised of a dynamic team of consultants who provide executive/life coaching, leadership development, and business strategy services. Demarra has led successful ventures (for-profit and nonprofit) while guiding others to launch and scale their businesses.

Her business success has allowed her to travel to twenty-five countries across six continents, be engaged with her community in meaningful ways, and help individuals from all walks of life have greater fulfillment and purpose.

Demarra is certified in Yoga as a Peace Practice and is currently completing a certification in Trauma Sensitive Yoga. She is also trained in first degree Reiki, and provides training and talks on a myriad of topics, including, but not limited to, self-compassion, being our sister's keeper, motivational interviewing, work on purpose and strengthening families.

Demarra holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health from Western Michigan University, is a licensed professional counselor, and certified professional coach. She is also a Faculty with Leadership that Works (LTW) - a national and international coaching firm with the goal of bringing coaching to every person on the planet.

Hear all about the BE WELL FABULOUS BLACK WOMAN Michigan tour.

For more information, visit www.blackwomenaboutbiz.com

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Dee C. Marshall is a Certified Coach, Author, Speaker, Leadership Trainer, Diversity Consultant, TV Lifestyle Expert and Radio Host. She is CEO at Diverse and Engaged, LLC (Formerly Raise The Bar, LLC). She was named Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Top 25 Influential Black Women by several leading publications.

She is the creator of the Win, Rock & Rule Empowerment, an event that takes annually in New Jersey. It's in its ninth year.

Dee C. Marshall is... a Game Changer, Power Player, Fire Starter, Mover & Shaker and United State of Women Nominated Change Maker.

Dee C. Marshall is...

a Wall Street alumni. Former corporate executive and leadership trainer for Fortune 500 companies including Merrill Lynch, Prudential Securities, Moody's Investor Services, Johnson & Johnson, and The New York Times.

a Capitol Hill go-to for women leaders. Women of Congress call on Dee to co-convene women's initiatives, gather local women leaders, strategically plan the mobilization of women, and provide insight whenever they need a young, fresh perspective on connecting with women.

a respected authority for high-ranking, high-profile, high-level women. Dee has coached the First Lady of Bermuda and was called upon by the Premier of Bermuda to work with the top women leaders of the country. Her client roster includes women in corporate, FBI, NCIS, those who bear titles of Chief Judge and Mayor as well as Ministry Leaders.

a connector with golden contacts. Networked from power hubs like Wall Street and The White House, as well as industry and media, Dee is internationally recognized as a mover and shaker who shares her network.

a genius in mobilizing women and leveraging new media. Dee established a community service movement in the height of the recession by leveraging social media to grow to a network of over 200k .... in three countries and over 25 U.S. markets.

a subject matter expert on diversity, women's success and a media contributor for Essence Magazine.

a survivor and go-to on career transitions and reinvention. Not only has Dee endured many corporate restructures, she also made it down 33 flights of stairs on September 11th after witnessing the second plane crash into the World Trade Center.

an expert teacher and trainer. Dee has spoken at over a dozen universities, been called upon to teach social media at B Schools, delivered a commencement speech at DeVry University, and recently signed on to teach a Continuing Education Leadership Development Program at Pillar College.

a powerful speaker and motivator known on the speaker circuit at women's conferences, industry conferences, and all over the globe.

For more information, visit www.DeeCMarshall.com

Keep in contact with us,

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