Is it true that the decentralization of social media is the greatest victory for peoples in society, especially those that are marginalized and most vulnerable? That is part of my research interest as I seek to explore issues of power and neoliberal globalization and its effects on peoples and possible solutions. The episode is a personal statement written in essay form exploring my academic journey and direction of study. It is called "Serving the world today to solve tomorrow's challenges" because this statement speaks to my ultimate mission/vision in life and why I do what I do. The episode is split in several segments; the first in the introduction, the second is street vibe where I happen to share a short interview I did with the Iconic Performance Arts Studio that is trying to get zoning for their dance and performance studio. They need about 4000 - 5000 signatures from residents in the city. They are located in Germantown at 400 West Chelten. 

The third segments delve into the crux of the episode and is part 1 to a three part series. The last segment continues the discussions before we wrap up.

Episode Opening Notes: 

Serving the world today to solve tomorrow’s challenges is what I am seeking to do through my various efforts which have started but requires authority and more research in the field of academia. In 2021, I was seeking to get my first academic book, Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance, published by a hybrid publisher. My manuscript was rejected on the basis that I do not have a Doctorate, even though it was reviewed by peers and Kirkus Reviews as being an erudite economic analysis of Jamaica’s history and the global South-Global North dynamic. Hence, I had applied and got into Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies to do a Doctor of Liberal Studies but had to go on a leave of absence due to lack of funding and financing. While the program proved to be beneficial to my academic goals, I realized that the university did not offer any funding, teach grants/opportunities or financial support to continue my education. Moreover, the university has a conservative bent and slant, that at times stifles its liberal school’s thinking and exploration which clashed with my postcontructivist, critical, postmodern and liberal views and methods. In addition, the University is in D.C. and I reside in Philadelphia and commuting was becoming burdensome. As such, I decided to explore other PhD programs where I could benefit from funding, support and any opportunity to teach and develop my academic writing and authority in the field. In doing so, I had recalled that Professor Rita Barnard, tenured Professor in the Department of English at the University of Pennsylvania, and Editor of Nelson Mandela’s Memoir, who had advised me on my previous research at Penn, had recommended that I explore a teaching career at Penn as the school would benefit from a West Indian voice and perspective. That has stuck with me and since one of my life’s goals was to pursue a career as a professor, I relished the idea of working at Penn in such a capacity. Therefore, the first thought I had was to transfer to Penn, where I completed previous graduate and post graduate education. While researching, on Penn PhD programs online, I saw that Annenberg had a PhD that provided funding, teaching opportunities and a cadre of intellectuals and professors whom resonated with my research and I had referenced in the past, notably, John Jackson. As a result, I decided to apply for the Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania’s school of Annenberg as it would help to not only position me and my company and efforts to take the next steps in realizing our goals but to realize a dream from humble beginnings. theneoliberal.com