Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Senior Vice President of People & Culture at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Washington Capitals, Capital One Arena), Charise Beckett. She discusses growing up in Wheeling, West Virginia, attending West Virginia State University, her personal challenges and professional journey. Charise emphasizes the importance of having a different path to success, the impact of supportive mentors and a strong foundation. She highlights the significance of dreaming big and persevering through adversity as well as the importance of unity and support within the Black community. Charise explains the need for mentorship, the power of building relationships and the value of experimenting in one's career. She shares about the importance of surrounding yourself with positive influences and people who believe in your potential. This inspiring conversation with Charise Beckett will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Co-Founder & COO of Mello Tymes LLC, Roger Thomas. He discusses his early entrepreneurial ventures while attending West Virginia University and the impact of being a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Roger shares about the importance of helping others and uplifting the community, along with the need to surround oneself with knowledgeable individuals. He explains what prompted his transition into the cannabis business and the challenges he faced. Roger discusses the approval process for a cannabis license, the stumbling blocks in setting up a shop, including predatory lenders, the perception of the cannabis industry and the impact of systematic racism. He shares how New York has made efforts to increase representation of Black and Brown people in the cannabis industry through social equity programs. This insightful conversation with Roger Thomas will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Senior Vice President of Programming Strategy and Partnerships at Music Choice, Damon Williams. He shares about being exposed to the music business at a young age by his father who was a jazz drummer and his aunt Ruth Brown, who was one of the biggest recording artists in the 1950s. Damon explains how attending Norfolk State University played a significant role in his professional development. He shares about receiving an internship from a brother in his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, which launched his radio career. Damon discusses the impact of working in Norfolk, VA before relocating to Washington, D.C. to become a Program Director to eventually joining Music Choice in New York City. He shares about being the Chairman of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which financially supports artists from the 40s, 50s, and 60s who were not fairly compensated for their work. Damon explains the importance of understanding the music business and the need for artists to take control of their master recordings and publishing. He discusses the impact of AI on the music industry, highlighting the importance of preserving the soul and authenticity of music. This inspiring conversation with Damon Williams will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Star 94.5 Afternoon Host, Hot 105 Weekend Personality, Television Correspondent & Actor, Lorenzo "Ice-Tea" Thomas. He discusses his upbringing in New York City, childhood memories with Cultural Creator, Bobbito Garcia and 3x NBA Champion, Mario Elie, going to high school with Actor, Kadeem Hardison and his passion for entertainment. Lorenzo shares about meeting award-winning Comedian and Actor, Eddie Murphy while still in high school and the advice he received about pursuing his dreams. He shares about his journey in the radio industry, starting from his early days as an intern to becoming a highly successful radio personality. Lorenzo "Ice-Tea" Thomas emphasizes the importance of following up on opportunities and not being afraid of rejection. He encourages listeners to educate themselves about their African history, highlights the significance of attending Virginia State University in his personal and professional development as well as the importance of building a strong team. This insightful conversation with Lorenzo "Ice-Tea" Thomas will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with 3x Grammy-Nominated Singer-Songwriter and Mental Health Professional, Marc Dorsey. He shares about his journey in the music industry and the importance of hustle and passion. Marc talks about working with various producers like The Neptunes and recording artists such as LL Cool J and Chris Brown as well as the challenges and rewards of being an artist. He explains the role of the entertainment industry in shaping perceptions and the need for positive representation. Marc discusses the importance of mentoring and giving back to the community. He highlights his multidimensionality as a mental health professional and the impact he has made beyond the music industry. Marc discusses addressing disparities in healthcare and mental health, the need for community involvement and activism, the impact of social media on mental health, the

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Entertainment, Intellectual Property and Criminal Lawyer, Emeka X. Madubuogo, Esq. He shares about his passion for music, internship experiences and entertainment law as well as the challenges he faced in the industry. Emeka talks about the transition to IP litigation, getting fired and the successes he has achieved with his own law firm. He discusses the importance of networking and building relationships in the entertainment industry. Emeka explains the obstacles and opportunities in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) space in college athletics and the impact of NIL on Rutgers University Athletics. He highlights the significance of his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and the power of mentoring. Emeka explains the value of black organizations like BESLA (Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association) in providing support and opportunities for entertainment and sports attorneys. This fascinating conversation with Emeka X. Madubuogo, Esq. will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Actor, Producer & Writer, Motivational Speaker and Former NFL Running Back, Jimmy Gary Jr. He shares about growing up in Florida, playing running back for West Virginia University and the Seattle Seahawks before transitioning into acting. Jimmy has appeared in Orange Is the New Black, Ray Donovan, New Amsterdam, When They See Us, FBI: Most Wanted, among many others. He discusses his experiences living in challenging conditions and the perseverance required to pursue his dreams. Jimmy explains the strong influence of his family, including uncle Willie E. Gary, renowned lawyer who has won billions of dollars in lawsuits against major corporations and was portrayed by Jamie Foxx in the movie The Burial. He talks about the parallels between being an actor and athlete, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, preparation and being in the moment. Jimmy highlights the impact of his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and provides three key takeaways for aspiring actors. This motivating conversation with Jimmy Gary Jr. will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Hartford Region, Adrienne W. Cochrane, J.D. She discusses how her parents instilled in her the importance of exposure and taking advantage of opportunities, her diverse upbringing in Washington, DC and being a third generation Tuskegee University graduate. She talks about her initial interest in becoming an attorney and a political journalist, working as a therapist and ultimately finding her calling in the nonprofit sector after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law. Adrienne emphasizes the importance of learning from every environment as well as the significance of leveraging her skills and experiences to uplift others. She details the great work she is leading at the YWCA Hartford Region through their programs and services. This riveting conversation with Adrienne W. Cochrane, J.D. will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Lead Information Security Governance & Risk Specialist at TIAA, Tanisha Austin. She discusses her journey from growing up in an inner-city Pittsburgh neighborhood to pursuing a career in tech. Tanisha shares her experiences of overcoming challenges, including becoming a teen mom and navigating the job market. She emphasizes the importance of education, networking, and building a strong LinkedIn profile. Ms. Austin explains the need for effective communication skills and the ability to adapt in the ever-changing tech industry. She discusses the importance of culture and collaboration in the tech industry. Tanisha highlights the significance of cybersecurity in protecting organizations from threats and shares her role in infrastructure configuration management. She shares the impact of AI on the industry and advises future tech leaders to find their passion and be authentic in their work. This thought provoking conversation with Tanisha Austin will absolutely help you Prepare For Takeoff.

Prepare For Takeoff Podcast Creator & Host Terry L. Cyrus (Founder & CEO of Outspoken Media Group) sits down with Boston-based Actor, Producer and Theatre Educator, Naheem Gracia. He shares about his journey in the theater and film industry. Mr. Garcia highlights the transition from stage to screen and the growth of the film industry in Boston. He emphasizes the significance of the work and the message it conveys, as well as the role of film in creating jobs and opportunities. Naheem discusses the importance of focusing on the work and appreciating the journey towards success. He shares about working with such acting legends as Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Jeff Bridges, among others. Mr. Garcia discusses his role in The Holdovers, which was nominated for 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. This inspiring conversation with Naheem Garcia will definitely help you Prepare For Takeoff.