The First-Gen Lounge

The First-Gen Lounge

By Evingerlean D. Blakney, Ph.D.BusinessEntrepreneurshipEducationSelf-Improvement
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The First-Gen Lounge episodes

  • Fall 2021: Session 196 (Don't Miss the Moments with Eve Hudson, Ph.D.)
    More often than not, life offers us beauty, experiences, and uniqueness that we miss. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you overlook the little things—so many moments that’ll never happen again. What in your life are you missing out on because you're not paying attention? Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/196. Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/. Make history with us: www.thefirstgenshop.com.

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    17 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 195 (Why You Need to Keep Learning If You Want Lifelong Success with April Tillet)
    We are all born with an innate desire to learn. Kids go from discovering their toes, gripping, kicking, crawling, and before you know it, it's time to run. Children are like sponges for information--always anxious to learn new activities and how best to do them. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, we stop learning more than what is required of us. We begin to evade the challenges that don't fit our current skill sets and instead focus on the ones that show off our strengths. It doesn't matter how intelligent a person is; there is always room to learn more. The moment a person assumes they already know enough, that's the moment they stop growing. If you were to analyze the most successful people in the world today, the one thing that rings true for all of them is they are always learning—learning forms the core of most people's success. Don't fear it; embrace it. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/195. Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/

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    36 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 194 (How to Use Your Voice to Influence Change with Dr. Sindy Augstin)

    The best leaders use their voice to stand up for what's right rather than what is easy. And if there's one thing that rings true every time a person stands in front of an audience to implement change is that the voice can be quite powerful. When used with the best intentions at heart, the voice is a tool that transports us into the future-- a future full of possibilities, equality, and solutions. Unfortunately, far too many people have been silenced and shamed for trying to use their voices. And this is something that needs to stop because no two voices are the same. Everybody has something different to say, but everyone's voice matters. Therefore, we all need to start using our voices for the truth and not let ourselves become silenced. No matter where you come from or the issues you want to address, we can all influence change, and sometimes that starts by being the voice of the voiceless. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/194 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/



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    36 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 193 (Why It's Okay to Fail, As Long As You Try Again with Fabio Peña)
    As first-gens, we all go through moments in our lives when we feel like completely giving up. In times like these, we cannot help but feel like there's no genuine reason to keep on moving. After all, what's the point in striving for something when the probability of success is almost zero? What's meant to happen will happen, right? No, the world doesn't work like that. The universe often rewards the ones who try and try again. So, don't be afraid to try again, to love again, to dream again, and to live again. Life's best lessons are often learned from the worst mistakes and the most heartbreaking moments. And when it seems like everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong, just don't stop moving-- even if it means moving in another direction. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/193 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/

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    26 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 192 (When College Takes Longer Than Initially Anticipated with Dr. Echell Eady )
    College is supposed to be, as they say, the best four years of your life. Students get the chance to create new friendships, memories, and experiences. Some cruise through with minimal effort, while others find it a bit of a struggle. But one thing's for sure; no two college journeys are the same. And for most undergrads, the thing that rings true is the idea of building a four-year plan: four years to graduate and get on with life. Yet, college life is never that straightforward, especially for first-gens. In 2016, Nationwide reported that the average student now takes 5.2 academic years to earn a bachelor's degree. But for our guest for today, Dr. Eady, her off-and-on journey lasted nine years. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/11/192 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/

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    38 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 191 (Why Your Life Does Not Have to Follow a Traditional Timeline with Kimberly Martin)

    The average age of a first-year law school student is about 24. And so when someone spends years in another profession and decides to try their hand at law later in life, it becomes a little complicated. For one, deciding to go to law school is a big decision, no matter the age. It demands huge financial commitments and significant time sacrifices. Add the age bias present in many industries and it can be challenging for older candidates to gain admission to law schools, secure internships, or find employment after graduation. 

    But there's no doubt that it's always worth the sacrifice if a person has always wanted to practice law. While it's natural for people starting their professional life over to feel frustrated, don't let fears about being "too old" be a deterrent in deciding whether to go to law school. After all, as first-gens, we don’t follow traditional timelines. We write our own stories. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/191 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/


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    41 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 190 (Black Talent Matters: Why Diversity and Inclusion is a Struggle in Corporate America with Anastaisia Talton)

    According to a 2020 report by MarketWatch, only 3.7% of Google workers were Black, less than 4% at Facebook, and 7.5% at Uber. The primary argument behind this heartbreaking statistic is the notion among corporate executives that finding capable Black talent is a challenge. It’s not clear whether they even looked at all, they didn’t know where to look, or that they didn’t look hard enough. All we know is that some things need to change. 

    Furthermore, when it comes to promoting Black leaders, the process is often reactive and not intentional. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement left shareholders rushing to promote long-serving Black employees based primarily on societal pressure. Unfortunately, this approach often causes problems when society demands a sense of urgency and the organization settles for an unqualified candidate. Yes, Black talent matters, but it should be the right talent at the right time and for the right reasons. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/190 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/


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    33 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 189 (Why Entrepreneurs Need to Target the Right Audience with Latrice Sampson Richardson)

    Do Black people support each other? The answer to this hugely subjective question is both yes and no. First, Black people do support each other. In fact, they don’t just care about their families; they also care about the communities they live in. However, people in business who say Black people don't support each other often target the wrong audience. They complain that their families and friends do not support their hustle when, in fact, their products or services don't address their needs.

    It's no secret; businesses that help and support other people will always attract an audience that supports them the same way. But, as a business person, it's unfair to depend on family and friends to be your customers. Entrepreneurs need to find the people who are most in need of their product or service and create a mutual relationship where customers spend money on things they actually need, and the business gets to allocate resources to the right efforts. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/189 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/


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    36 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 188 (What It Means to Be A First-Generation American and Entrepreneur with Dr. Argelis Ortiz)
    According to the Kauffman Index, more than 27% of entrepreneurs in the US are immigrants despite representing only 13.5% of the population. Furthermore, 43% of the companies on the 2017 Fortune 500 list were founded or co-founded by first or second-generation immigrants. This data speaks volumes about their ability to overcome obstacles, create a life for themselves, and successfully achieve the American dream. But the question is, why is it that immigrants tend to be more entrepreneurial? Interestingly, most first-gens overcome almost similar obstacles. Patience and resilience come naturally to them, and starting with nothing demands more discipline, flexibility, and persistence than everyone else. Yet, these adversities make first-gens tough and often increases their chances of success. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/10/188 Join the movement: https://jointhemovement.evehudsonphd.com/

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    32 min
  • Fall 2021: Session 187 (Why You Need to Apply For a Scholarship with Aleanya Moore)
    Did you know that in the US, only 0.3% of students get full-ride college scholarships? With such short odds, it can seem like there’s no point in applying for scholarships. Add that to how stressful the application processes can be, applying for scholarships can seem like additional stress that students would rather live without. However, there’s nothing quite fulfilling as going through college, getting a degree, and launching a career without having to spend a cent from your pocket. And it gets better when a person starts earning without worrying about student loans. As parents, mentors, elder siblings, we have a duty to talk to high schoolers about the benefits of getting a scholarship. And a lot of times, all this starts with getting good grades and taking high school more seriously. Check out the full session notes: www.evehudsonphd.com/2021/09/187 Book Dr. Eve: https://www.evehudsonphd.com/passthemic/. Make History with Us at The First-Gen Shop: https://www.thefirstgenshop.com/.

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    31 min

About The First-Gen Lounge

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The First-Gen Lounge, an award-winning podcast, is the FIRST show of its kind and #1 in the world for first-generation scholars and professionals. It is a place where we come to kick it and talk…