Uche Ogbonna, a social entrepreneur and advocate for mental health, discusses the stigma surrounding mental health in Africa and how it influenced her subsequent career choices. She shares her experiences growing up with both Nigerian and Zimbabwean backgrounds and the prevailing messages she received about mental health.

Uche opens up about their calling to work in the mental health field and the formative experiences that led them to pursue psychology. They explore the connection between entrepreneurship and mental health, highlighting the importance of accessibility and the potential for impact. They also discuss the cultural impact Uche hopes to have, including promoting the use of art as a therapeutic tool and empowering children to prioritize their mental health.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

10:03 Hairdressers as Mental Health Advocates

28:10 The Power of Community and Resilience

37:14 The Calling to Make a Difference in Mental Health

47:34 Connecting Entrepreneurship and Mental Health

56:22 Specializing in Clinical Work

01:03:44 Leaving a Legacy: Advocacy and Support

Follow Uche's jorurney by connecting with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ucheogbonna/

Summary

In this episode, Surayya interviews Lauren Martin, the founder of Luminate Love, a self-love focused brand. They discuss Lauren's journey as a business major and how she found direction after college. Lauren shares her experience of transitioning from a full-time job to entrepreneurship and the challenges she faced. They also talk about the importance of recognizing one's entrepreneurial spirit and how it can change one's perspective on life, success, and careers.

Follow Lauren's Journey Here:

Timestamp and Topic

00:00 Intro

02:23 Business Major and Taking Risks

07:44 Entrepreneurship

14:32 Luminate Love

18:14 Empower Women

24:10 Lack of Self Love

33:10 Faith

38:18 Putting Your Faith Into Your Work

42:58 Generosity

53:21 Prayer and God's Gifts

64:30 Closing Prayer

Bianca Jackson on Tech Innovation, Human-Centric Leadership, & Building Brickrose Exchange

Join us for part II of a captivating conversation with Bianca Jackson, tech innovator and founder of Brickrose Exchange. We explore:

This episode is packed with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and humanity.

Keywords: Bianca Jackson, Brickrose Exchange, tech innovation, AR/VR, humanist technologist, leadership, company culture, Black tech space, entrepreneurship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Interest in Tech

03:00 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Project and Humanistic Approach

07:56 Balancing Efficiency and Human Impact in Tech

13:01 Navigating the Tech Industry as a Humanist Technologist

23:54 Innovation Consultant and Identifying Organizational Challenges

28:54 The Importance of Execution

33:27 Building a Team for Brickrose Exchange

39:17 Creating a Culture that Thrives

46:23 Choosing the Right Investors and Advisors

51:23 Being Honest About Who You Are as a Founder

56:04 Dealing with Clashes and Pushback

59:31 Navigating Challenges in the Black Tech Space

01:00:53 Completing the Purposeful Professional Statement

In Part 1 of this extended conversation, Surayya interviews Lauren Martin, an inspirational speaker and personal development coach, about her journey and work in the empowerment and self-love space. They discuss the impact of social media on women's self-esteem, the importance of managing one's social media feed, and the need for authenticity in online platforms. Lauren shares her experiences with self-confidence and self-worth, and how she has dedicated her career to helping women build their self-confidence and find their self-worth. Overall, the conversation encourages listeners to trust their instincts, follow their passions, and embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth.

Follow Lauren's Journey Here:

UPDATE: The podcast will now publish twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Stay tuned for Part II of Lauren's story this Monday!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:02 Long-Term Effects of Social Media Challenges

12:58 Loving The Woman In The Mirror

13:35 Promoting Authenticity and Positivity on Social Media

21:03 Struggling With Self Confidence

26:20 Lessons Learned Growing Up

29:45 Childhood

34:25 Career Aspirations

41:23 Post College Maze

50:55 Meaningful Work & God

Join Surayya as she sits down with Mayra Tenorio, a passionate advocate for women's empowerment. Discover the inspiring story behind Mayra's work with Vital Voices and how her personal experiences fuel her dedication to creating a more equitable world. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of women in Latin America and beyond.

Plus, a fun segment discussing singer Shakira's take on the Barbie movie! Get inspired by Mayra's passion for creating a more equitable world.

#womenempowerment #leadership #MayraTenorio #VitalVoices #LatinAmerica

Connect with Mayra on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayratenorio/

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro

2:30 Barbie Movie

10:20 Shakira Beliefs / Femininity and Masculinity

16:06 Being Raised By Women

20:35 Womenʼs Studies

26:56 Lived Experiences

38:00 School Principal Championing Women

45:00 Sustainability, Science, and Liberal Arts

49:37 PHD

60:41 Vital Voices

69:39 Impact Beyond Vital Voices

Tech Trailblazer Bianca Jackson on AI Bias, DEI, and Expanding Global Opportunity

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Bianca Jackson, a visionary leader in the tech industry. We delve into:

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of AI, the importance of DEI in tech, and the power of entrepreneurship to drive social change.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

3:54 Chat Black GPT

18:14 Self Development

25:56 Where Did Your Dreams Take You?

33:00 Spirituality and World Views

41:55 Following Your Revelation

Join Surayya as she interviews Preeti Adhikary, founder of the Great Nepali Diaspora, about LinkedIn mastery, career navigation, and authentic professional growth. Preeti shares her expertise on:

Preeti also delves into her personal journey: growing up in Nepal, attending Yale, and pivoting her career during the COVID-19 pandemic. Don't miss this insightful conversation filled with actionable advice and inspiring stories!

Chapters:

In this insightful conversation, Surayya interviews Christa Stephens, a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur. They tackle:

This episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiration for entrepreneurs, especially women of color, navigating the challenges and triumphs of building a business. Christa's career story is a testament to the importance of experimentation, resilience, and continuous learning in achieving success in the digital marketing industry.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:00 Pop Purpose: Fearless Fund Controversy

08:23 Tips for Entrepreneurs Facing Challenges

11:45 Resilience of Black Women in Entrepreneurship

16:21 Personal Background and Identity

25:34 Personal Branding and Authenticity

31:48 The Power of Storytelling and Authenticity

34:03 Choosing Geology and Following Intuition

34:24 Transitioning to Chemical Manufacturing

36:11 Finding Purpose in Yoga Instruction

42:52 Transitioning to Digital Marketing

53:31 Challenges in Building a Digital Marketing Business

Connect with Christa:

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rachel Labi, a Ghanaian-American trailblazer making waves in social impact and tech. Discover her journey from childhood dreams to founding Building Financial Freedom, a nonprofit empowering youth with financial literacy. Learn about her passion for ethical fashion, anti-trafficking advocacy, and her experience landing a coveted internship at Google. Gain insights into navigating the intersection of business and social impact, staying motivated as a young Black woman, and the importance of authenticity and mentorship in achieving your goals. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical advice on pursuing a purpose-driven career.

In this episode, Wafa shares her fascinating journey from aspiring journalist to successful tech product manager. She reveals how her diverse upbringing and early career in journalism equipped her with the skills to excel in the fast-paced world of tech. Learn how she leaped, the challenges she faced, and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. Wafa also offers insightful advice for those interested in pursuing a tech career, even without a technical background. Gain insights into the world of product management, the importance of transferable skills, and how to leverage your diverse experiences for a successful tech career.