Walk With TFB

During this walk, Taylor exudes what it means live and work with grace under pressure. 

A Texas native, Taylor grew up in the streets of Missouri City before moving to Austin where she earned her Bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism and Political Communications from The University of Texas. While at UT, she was inducted into several honor societies, pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and served as a Gateway Scholars Mentor. Taylor was also a Emma Bowen Foundation Scholar, an experience that both prepared her for and accelerated her in her industry.

Taylor is a video journalist who has worked for networks such as ESPN, The Washington Post, ABC, and currently The New York Times. She has worked in several functional areas of journalism including breaking news, travel, food, and politics. She approaches journalism with creativity and her work has been shared on local, national, and international levels. In 2019, she began her parallel career and side hustle as an adjunct lecturer and has taught both at Howard University and New York University.

I’ve learned so much from Taylor over the last few years. Her experiences cannot be imitated and her commitment to producing power content that actually means something to the viewer is contagious.

Grace under pressure. Let's walk! 

Taylor's IG: @itstater

Taylor's Twitter: @_TaylorNTurner

Taylor's LinkedIn Profile

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

During this walk, Chidinma "Chid Suzan" Azubuike tells us to stop qualifying what we know. 

Originally born and raised in Nigeria, Chid Suzan moved to Canada where she is taking the country by storm as a younger millennial disrupter, content creator, and city builder.

Similar to Walk With TFB, she started her own platform and podcast in 2020 entitled “But What Do I Know?”

She insists that we longer hide behind the phrase "But What Do I Know?". Instead, she is dedicated to helping us are confirm our knowledge, share our experiences and learn from ourselves as well as each other.

You can tap into this platform and join the journey to self discovery as well as overcoming self doubt through learning, unlearning, healing and laughter

"But What Do I Know? (BWDIK) Instagram: @bwdikpodcast

All things BWDIK here: https://msha.ke/bwdikpodcast/ 

During this walk, Travis tells us why it's our responsibility to take risks and invest in our people. 

Before we start, I want to read a note from September 23, 2015.

Mr. Overton - Thanks for connecting with me. I wanted to introduce myself and also add that I will be applying to higher education and student affairs programs to enroll in Fall 2016. One of my career interests is in Student Conduct, specifically Title IX compliance and I noticed your title at Coastal. Originally from Cincinnati, I went to CCU my freshman year before transferring to USC.

If possible, I would love to find time to pick your brain about higher education administration and your current role as VP. I am confident that I will learn a lot from you.

Thanks again! Look forward to hearing from you.

This was the Facebook message I sent our guest when I was an undergraduate student eager to break into higher education as a profession. Almost 7 years later, I can honestly say that I not only learned a lot from this guest but continue to be inspired each and every day by how he chooses to lead with love, courage, and authenticity.

Vice President. Alpha man. Mentor. Sponsor. Advisor. Dog dad.

So without further ado, y’all help me welcome Mr. Travis Overton.

During this walk, Ahmad tells us why it's mandatory to center diversity, equity, and inclusion in career readiness work. 

A New Jersey native, Ahmad earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport Studies from Ithaca College. While at Ithaca, he was a walk-on basketball college athlete, Club Basketball President, pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and was involved with the Brothers for Brothers student organization. The price went up after earned his master’s degree from Ithaca College while also working in Residence Life, Emerging Scholars, Academic, and Professional Leaders Program and serving as the graduate assistant for the men’s basketball program.

Ahmad went on to serve as the Student-Athlete Experience Intern at Colby College, a position made possible through the NCAA Women and Ethnic Minorities Grant. While at Colby, he revamped the first-year college athlete program, restructured the essential documents for inclusion and leadership, and led comprehensive programming focusing on the holistic development of all college athletes. His experiences led him to Chicago State University and then Northwestern University, where he currently serves as the Assistant Director of Career Enhancement and Employer Relations.

His entire career has been dedicated to focusing on diversity and inclusion for college athletes, and that includes career readiness.

He’s one of the pioneers in all of higher education in this arena and I am elated we get to walk with him today.

Ahmad's IG: @a.boyd_1

Ahmad's Twitter: @_AhmadB_

During this walk, Sydney teaches us about the industry of communication experts. 

A Charlotte native, Sydney earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. While at Carolina, she played in the marching band, was an active member in Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority, and annual participant in Relay for Life. Originally convinced she was going to pursue pharmacy as a career, an experience at Lindamood-Bell Instruction changed her life and propelled her to earn her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology - a second degree from the Real USC.

While a grad student, Sydney was a research assistant in the Written Language Lab, member of the National Black Association for Speech, Language, and Hearing (NBASLH), and was 1 of 11 students nationwide to receive the 2018 Student Preparing for Academic-Research Careers Award from the American-Speech Language Hearing Association. The following year, she became the fist student in her department’s history to earn the Jeffrey Keith Mattison Outstanding Student Achievement Award.

Her recognition is a reflection of her leadership in this industry. Alongside serving as a full-time speech-language pathologist, Sydney started her own business entitled The Listening SLP, LLC. As a private practice owner, she specializes in hearing loss, reading disorders, adult aural rehabilitation, and language disorders. She also facilitates The Listening SLP platforms on IG, Twitter, and TikTok providing free and accessible information to all.

Her purpose is to help all children find their voice and assist families throughout the process. She loves to help mentor and assist graduate students as they go through the process of becoming a speech-language pathologist.

I am still surprised we got her on the show, but it’s time to walk.

The Listening SLP Website: https://www.thelisteningslp.com

The Listening SLP Social Media: @TheListeningSLP

During this walk, Chelsea tells us how she plans on getting her ROI from her doctoral experience. 

An Atlanta suburb native, future Dr. Chelsea completed her undergraduate experience at the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor’s in History. She then worked for the College Advising Corps, a Chapel-Hill based non-profit whose mission is to increase the number of historically underrepresented, low-income, first-generation college and high school students who enter and complete higher education. While an advisor, she worked with a high school who had a STEM pathway program which further prepared her to lead and create change at Iowa State University. While in Ames, she created a program series for women in STEM focused on how to support them academically, professionally, and socially. But she was getting started.

Future Dr. Chelsea is currently a doctoral candidate in the Education Leadership, Policy, and Human Development program at North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on Black women in STEM, Black women graduate students, and diversity, equity, and inclusion education and training. She is also a graduate research and teaching assistant, Vice President of Black graduate student association, and academic mentor for college athletes.

She’s a Black woman addicted to airline miles. She’s a podcaster and influencer. And she is one of my most inspiring, motivational peer mentors who asks us the follow questions…

If STEM is the future, why isn’t it serving everyone interested? If it’s not serving all those interested, how will STEM truly expand the future?

Through the Southern Region of Education Board fellowship, she is tackling this issue head on and I am excited we get to learn with her today.

Chelsea's LinkedIn Profile 

2 Happy Heauxes Podcast! 

Walk With TFB Podcast IG/Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

During this walk, Trajuan tells us how he always gon be figure it out. 

A California native, Trajuan was a standout high school football athlete and ranked as one of the top running backs in his class. His athletic prowess and commitment to academics led him to Cal Berkeley, where he competed as a college athlete for two years before transferring to the University of New Mexico. While at UNM, he played football and pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. en route to earning his Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism. After working in news for a couple years, he returned to UNM and earned his Master’s degree in Sport Administration.

This guest has meaningful experience in higher education. He is a father, former coach, and current academic counselor and student-athlete development coordinator at the University of New Orleans. Coupled with his life journey and belief in the power of education, in 2020 he partnered with New Mexico’s African American Student Services office to start the Trajuan Briggs Community IMPACT scholarship that would provide financial assistance to undergrad students at the institution. Since its inception, he has awarded more than $2,000 in scholarship money.

He is ALL ABOUT IMPACT! But more importantly,

He is strong. He is able. He is himself.

And he is learning how to Invest in himself, while also sharing with others.

Give to the Trajuan Briggs Community IMPACT Scholarship! 

Trajuan's IG: @trajuan_briggs

Trajuan's Twitter: @Tra_Briggs

Podcast Twitter and IG: @WalkWithTFB

Today we are walking with a trilingual professional, international education leader, and doctoral student.

A District of Columbia native, Tonija moved to St. Paul (MN) where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish from Macalester College. After graduating, she moved to South Africa where she worked alongside University of Cape Town faculty to develop strategies that would encourage exchange among international and South African students. She later returned to DC and earned her master’s degree in Tourism Administration with a focus on International Education from George Washington University.

She currently carries out this mission in her role as the Director of the Ralph J. Bunch International Affairs Center at Howard University. As director, provides guidance and direction towards comprehensive internationalization. She also administers four programs dedicated to increasing the representation of systemically marginalized and historically underrepresented communities in foreign service and development. When she’s not working as the director, she is completing her doctoral coursework in the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies program at Howard.

A quick google search will reveal that she is THE leader in preparing students of color for global leadership and is an active in addressing racism in international education.

Her social media will remind you of #HowardForward, #StudyAbroadSoBlack, #WorldDomination.

But she always leave us with one question: If HBCUs were born out of a movement towards justice, what should international education look like at HBCUs?

Let's walk and talk about it! 

Tonija's LinkedIn Profile

Ralph J. Bunch International Affairs Center at Howard University

Podcast Twitter and IG: @WalkWithTFB

Today we are walking with a higher education administrator, sport management scholar, and sports mom.

A Michigan native, Dr. Baker was a 3-sport high school athlete before earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, worked as a graduate assistant in the Student-Athlete Services Office before becoming the Director of SAS and member of the senior leadership team. She continued her educational journey in Athens where she earned her PhD in Kinesiology with a focus in Sport Management and Policy from the University of Georgia.

Dr. Baker brings a wealth of experiences across institutional types and functional areas within higher education. She has served as an adjunct professor, Deputy Title IX coordinator, and AVP of Student Affairs. She currently serves as the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer at Michigan State University. Alongside her work experiences, she is the founder of Ash B Consulting, LLC and founder of the Women in Sports Forum, an mission driven event dedicated to increasing access and learning opportunities for women as they walk boldly into their purpose.

If it doesn’t exist, create it.

This person is not only a creator, but a community builder, brand protector, and business woman.

Let's walk! 

Podcast Twitter & IG: @WalkWithTFB

During this walk, Wayne tells us why it's important to always bet on yourself. 

An Indianapolis native, Wayne moved to Cincinnati and attended Mount St. Joseph’s University as a wrestling college athlete. While at Mt. Saint Joseph’s, our guest was a 3-year starter, set multiple school records, and earned his spot as a 2014 NCAA All-American. His leadership as team captain and president of the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) prepared him well for his next steps as a MBA candidate and assistant wrestling coach at Mt. Saint Joe’s before working as the Assistant Director for Career Services at UC. But his educational career was just beginning.

Wayne is currently a PhD candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program at Kansas University. His research centers on college athletics and higher education. A quantitative methodologist, Wayne uses college impact, sociology, and organizational behavior theories to ground his work. Broadly, his current research agenda explores college esports, social justice in college sport, and higher education governance. He’s dope af and if you are in a position to hire a tenure track faculty role, Wayne Black is your guy!

When he’s not reading or writing, you can find him drinking a local craft beer, building the latest lego set, or cheering on his Los Angeles Chargers.

Is college sport really a business?! Is college sport research really necessary?! Let's talk about it! 

Wayne's Twitter: @WayneLBlack1

Podcast IG: @WalkWithTFB

Podcast Twitter: @WalkWithTFB