Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories

Tuesday, July 12
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 21: Take Notice Talks: 'Marginalized Part 2' w Mo Bell

A follow up conversation on the term marginalized  - if you haven’t heard the first episode released in February 2022 where Mo Bell and I discuss the term, you can find it in our episode list. In addition to discussing the term marginalized in this conversation we touch on topics like redlining and social work.

Thank you for being a part of the conversation! 

Mentioned:
Mo Bell Website

Take Notice Website
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Take Notice Facebook

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• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

Tuesday, July 5
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 20: Logan Brown

In this episode I speak with musician turned comedian, Logan Brown. We discuss growing up in a small Canadian town, his transition to comedy, and identity as someone with an Irish father and Nigerian mother. I appreciate how open and candid Logan was in our conversation, which we recorded back in February. We do discuss mental health a bit, and suicide is mentioned, in case that may be a trigger for you. 

Logan Brown is a fresh-faced stand-up comedian with a pontification problem and a habit for hyperbole. A natural performer, Logan has over a decade working in the entertainment business, but when the music industry wasn't cutting it, he needed a creative outlet that made him even less money. 

Mentioned:
Logan Brown Website
Instagram

Take Notice Website
Take Notice Instagram
Take Notice Facebook

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

Tuesday, June 28
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 19: Ashley Wynn-Grimes

In this episode we speak with nurse, author, and entrepreneur, Ashley Wynn-Grimes. We discuss her work with her recently launched business, growing up in a military family, and the book that she will be releasing later this year entitled "Stigmatized".  She also shares how death has had a huge impact on her career and how she lives her life. 

Ashley Wynn-Grimes BSN, RN is the Founder of Cannabis Nursing Solutions, LLC author of children’s book “Asa’s Medicine” and "Stigmatized" to be released in 2022. Native to Baltimore, MD, Wynn-Grimes, a Black female entrepreneur and widely respected medical professional who was honored as a healthcare leader in 2021 by the Baltimore Business Journal. Wynn-Grimes is dedicated to empowering patients and nursing professionals to make informed medical cannabis care choices with impactful educational medical programs that also serve to promote diverse representation and medical equality in cannabis.

Mentioned:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Stigmatized - Book
Asa's Medicine - Book

Take Notice Website
Take Notice Instagram
Take Notice Facebook

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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• Facebook

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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

Tuesday, June 14
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 18: N'Kenge

In this episode we talk with Grammy and Emmy-nominated artist, singer, producer, and creator, N’Kenge. Hear about N'Kenge's climb to success from growing up in New York to working in her mother's business while performing on the road to blossoming as a performer while attending graduate school at Julliard. We also discuss a bit about opera, music business, and stereotypes she encountered in casting while auditioning for parts.
 
N'Kenge has performed as a soloist at world-renowned illustrious performance venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Madison Square Garden and has headlined Pop and Opera concerts with Seattle Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Cleveland Orchestra, to name a few.

A proud alumni of both The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, N’Kenge made her Broadway debut in Sondheim on Sondheim and most recently was on Broadway in the revival of Caroline, or Change. 

This energetic, well-rounded singer has performed with jazz greats like Ornette Coleman and Wynton Marsalis and was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of the leading roles in both the Elton John/Tim Rice Musical  Aida and in Marion Caffey’s 3 Mo’ Divas by the Helen Hayes Awards and the Arizoni Theater Awards.

In addition to her performances, N’Kenge is also a producer and is currently developing a Broadway-bound musical celebrating Dorothy Dandridge’s life and music. She is also developing a new TV musical dramedy, Black Butterfly, with TV producer Gina Goff.

Mentioned:
N'Kenge Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Take Notice Website
Take Notice Instagram
Take Notice Facebook

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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• Facebook

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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

Tuesday, May 31
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 17: Alfred Jackson

It was a joy to connect with Alfred Jackson. He shares about his experience pursuing the performing arts, people who deeply influenced his pursuits, performing on cruise ships, and his own original creations. We also hear about the new album he is set to release on June 17, 2022.

Born and raised in the neighborhood of South Central, Los Angeles, CA, Alfred Jackson began his musical journey at the Marla Gibbs Performing Arts School and later the Amazing Grace Conservatory under the direction of both Wendy Raquel Robinson and Tracy L. Coley. It was there that Jackson’s love of performing and entertaining continued to blossom and grow. His formal education alongside his natural capabilities provided him with multiple unique opportunities, including sharing the stage and recording with some of music greats, including Diane Warren, Rodney Jerkins, Brian Michael Cox, Jason Derulo and Stevie Jay, to name a few. It also led Jackson to appear at some of music’s most legendary venues including House of Blues, The Roxy, Ivar and the Key Club. He’s had a great deal of success internationally, touring in Asia, Europe and the Caribbean to captivated audiences.

Mentioned:
Alfred Jackson Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Take Notice Website

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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• Facebook

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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

May 17, 2022
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 15: Sha'Leah Nikole

Entertainer and songbird from South Central, Los Angeles, Sha’Leah Nikole grew up surrounded by the arts. After graduating from college, Sha’Leah began songwriting, singing background vocals and sharing the stage with several Grammy Award-winning artists.  Her  single “King Me,” was released Friday, March 4, 2022 and her sophomore EP, Work of heART, is set to be released on May 27, 2022. When She’Leah isn’t focusing her energy on creating music, she is serving her community with her non-profit My Footprints LA, an organization that promotes self-growth through service and mentorship.

Hear about Sha'Leah's experience growing up in the arts, forming her non-profit, and building her career. Including her time spent touring and performing with Kanye West and the Sunday Service Collective before the pandemic hit.

Mentioned:
Sha'Leah Nikole
Instagram
My Footprints LA
1500 or Nothin
Amazing Grace Conservatory
Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story

Take Notice Website
Become a Guest for our Third Season
Instagram
Facebook

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

May 3, 2022
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
S2. E15 Iyabo Mesa Serikali

Iyabo Mesa Serikali and I spent a lovely evening in February discussing her experience growing up with a large family in Kentucky, photography, freelance work, her parent's martial arts studio, her interest in pursuing music journalism, and a move to Georgia on her horizon. We end the conversation discussing the importance of names. 

Iyabo Mesa Serikali is a music journalist, photographer, model, and content creator who has her hand in many forms of visual media. The 25-year-old creator lives in Downtown Louisville, KY, and enjoys working alongside local talents and creatives to blend art, music, and multimedia.

Mentioned:
Mesa Pisa Website
Instagram
Otherside Critic
India.Arie
Jill Scott

Take Notice Website

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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• Facebook

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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

April 19, 2022
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 14 - Harold Young


A conversation on family, career changes, and supporting youth with Executive Director for The Tubman African American Museum in Macon, Georgia. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Harold Young possesses over 30 years of event, artist, and facility management experience - the majority having been gained in Los Angeles - which you’ll hear a bit about in this episode. After moving to Macon, Georgia thirteen years ago Harold served as Special Events Manager, and later as the Interim Executive Director for The Tubman African American Museum, until recently being promoted to Executive Director, becoming the First African American to lead this organization as Executive Director. 

Additionally, Harold is the station director and radio host at WYPZ Macon, a gospel station. They are currently in round two of the Stellar Awards. Anyone can vote for WYPZ in the Small Market category - just head to: The Stellar Awards and follow the instructions below. 

• Once you are the website - find Radio Ballot button
• Select WYPZ - MACON - small market category
• Submit Button
• Thank you for supporting our guests!

Mentioned:
The Tubman African American Museum
Follow on:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Listen to Harold's Show online at Praise 99.5

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Connect with Take Notice: 

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Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

April 5, 2022
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Season 2, Episode 13 - Michael Fosberg

Michael Fosberg's story is filled with unbelievable stories from his family history. We discuss his journey with identity, finding his biological father later in life and how his experiences have culminated into the work he is currently doing. 

Michael Fosberg has been doing important work through creativity and art. Michael is an author, activist, actor, and thought leader.  He uses the performing arts to stimulate meaningful conversations about race & identity.  For the past fifteen years he has traveled around the country to high schools, colleges, corporations, government agencies and other organizations utilizing an auto-biographical one-man play as the catalyst to deeper conversations in the diversity, equity and inclusion field.  Along the journey he has published two books; Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self-Discovery, and Nobody Wants to Talk About It: Race, Identity and the Difficulties in Forging Meaningful Conversations.

Incognito the Play

Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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Rate & Review on Apple Podcast

Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!

March 22, 2022
Take Notice: Amplifying Black Stories
Marie Lemelle - S2.E12

A conversation with LA-based journalist, author, producer, and publicist Marie Y. Lemelle, in which we discuss the many hats she wears, her journey to her current career, and projects in the works!

Marie Lemelle champions the philosophy of “Transform Your Goals into Greatness” through her transformational branding, marketing and public relations expertise as CEO and founder of Platinum Star Public Relations, Inc., a certified MWBE, SBE and DBE, and Platinum Star Media Group, Inc., an entertainment, and talent management company. Marie has spearheaded a progressive platform of empowerment for women and vulnerable underserved communities throughout her career as a journalist, author, publicist, and multi-facet entertainment professional. Lauded as an influencer, Marie, a native of Southern California, is listed in the first and second editions of the Who's Who in Black Los Angeles.

Mentioned:
Platinum Star Media Group
Marie Lemelle
IG: @platinumstarpr
'Flint Tale' Movie
'Social Disturbance' Movie
'Kwanzaa' 2021 Play
The Wedding Angels

Patreon
Website

Connect with Take Notice: 

• Email: [email protected]
• Website
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Rate & Review on Apple Podcast

Music by Version Big-Fi featuring Darius Heggins
Produced, Hosted & Edited by Allison Preisinger-Heggins

Thank you for Taking Notice!