What A Word!

Eddie Hypolite has spent the past 20 years travelling internationally as a much sought after motivational speaker, educational consultant and leadership and personal development trainer. He has trained and inspired leaders and organisations from Johannesburg to Tokyo, from South Central LA, to South London and from Helsinki to Melbourne.

He has worked as a minister of religion for the past 19 years in both the UK and Australia and has an academic background in theology and sociology, having worked previously as a residential social worker. He currently lives with his family in New South Wales, Australia.@eddiehypolite on Instagram. @eddiehypolite on Twitter. Website: http://www.eyrltd.com/contact.html

Marsha M. Peart, MD, MPH

Dr. Peart is a native of Bronx, NY. She is the second of three daughters of Jamaican immigrants who exemplified faith, love, and family, believed in education, and valued the importance of hard work.

She knew very early that she wanted to practice medicine. Developing a strong work ethic at a young age, she excelled academically and this afforded her acceptance into the A Better Chance Program, through which she earned a scholarship to attend the Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Thereafter, she matriculated at the Johns Hopkins University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Premed. After college, she served as a medical volunteer at the Enrique Sotomayor Maternity Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador. During that time, in addition to gaining experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology, she also became proficient in Spanish. Upon return to the United States, she continued pursuit of a career in medicine and earned a Master of Biomedical Sciences at the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University). She was subsequently accepted to the SUNY Upstate Medical University wherein she earned a Master Degree in Medical Technology followed by a Doctor of Medicine. After a year of research, she was accepted into the accelerated Public Health graduate program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and earned a Master of Public Health Degree. While at Columbia, she worked for the Project STAY organization, providing mobile STD testing and counseling to various high schools in New York City. She continued with this organization and also participated in a Pediatric obervership until she began residency. Whether assisting in research, volunteering as a youth mentor, earning a degree, or working in various health care settings, Dr. Peart continued to advance her way towards practicing medicine and ultimately matched into the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program in Upstate, NY.

Through unyielding faith, some 18 years after graduating from Johns Hopkins, following a long and at times arduous journey, Dr. Peart completed her medical training and is currently board certified with Diplomat status in the American Board of Family Medicine. She believes that every setback was God’s way of preparing her for a lifetime of service to Him and to her community. As she embarks upon the next step into a career in Medicine, she understands that being a Physician is one of perhaps several manifestations of her purpose and she eagerly anticipates the unfolding thereof in myriad possibilities that her life, in partnership with God, will afford.

Marsha M. Peart, MD, MPH

Dr. Peart is a native of Bronx, NY. She is the second of three daughters of Jamaican immigrants who exemplified faith, love, and family, believed in education, and valued the importance of hard work.

She knew very early that she wanted to practice medicine. Developing a strong work ethic at a young age, she excelled academically and this afforded her acceptance into the A Better Chance Program, through which she earned a scholarship to attend the Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Thereafter, she matriculated at the Johns Hopkins University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Premed. After college, she served as a medical volunteer at the Enrique Sotomayor Maternity Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador. During that time, in addition to gaining experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology, she also became proficient in Spanish. Upon return to the United States, she continued pursuit of a career in medicine and earned a Master of Biomedical Sciences at the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University). She was subsequently accepted to the SUNY Upstate Medical University wherein she earned a Master Degree in Medical Technology followed by a Doctor of Medicine. After a year of research, she was accepted into the accelerated Public Health graduate program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and earned a Master of Public Health Degree. While at Columbia, she worked for the Project STAY organization, providing mobile STD testing and counseling to various high schools in New York City. She continued with this organization and also participated in a Pediatric obervership until she began residency. Whether assisting in research, volunteering as a youth mentor, earning a degree, or working in various health care settings, Dr. Peart continued to advance her way towards practicing medicine and ultimately matched into the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program in Upstate, NY.

Through unyielding faith, some 18 years after graduating from Johns Hopkins, following a long and at times arduous journey, Dr. Peart completed her medical training and is currently board certified with Diplomat status in the American Board of Family Medicine. She believes that every setback was God’s way of preparing her for a lifetime of service to Him and to her community. As she embarks upon the next step into a career in Medicine, she understands that being a Physician is one of perhaps several manifestations of her purpose and she eagerly anticipates the unfolding thereof in myriad possibilities that her life, in partnership with God, will afford.

Sefton Dale Brown, Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, was born and raised in a musical family. His parents are Sefton Brown Snr and Claudette Brown, gospel music legends from the ministry "New Creation Heritage". Sefton jnr (known to most as Dale, has been singing for over 35yrs. He has ministered all over the Caribbean serving as the choir director, praise team coordinator, music director, worship and arts director for many ministries all across North America and the caribbean. He formed a ministry called Dale Brown and Truth also known as DB&T which started in August 2009 and is currently comprised of 18 active members from across the United states and Canada. The group blends traditional and contemporary gospel music with their own musical style. They have ministered across the United States, the Caribbean and now Canada. The ministry released their first album "Tru Celebration" in December of 2013; their second album "Under Construction" in September of 2015 and in January of 2018 they released a gospel reggae fusion project. They were also nominated in 2018 for the "best contemporary gospel group award" at the Eddy awards, held in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to their albums, the ministry has a clothing line which includes: tshirts, dresses and sweaters.

Dale has currently relocated to Toronto Canada where he is very active in the gospel music industry. He is currently the music teacher at Crawford adventist academy, the praise and worship director for the Apple Creek church, The music consultant for the Meadowvale Church and the director of the promotion company Muzikizlife. Dale Brown and Truth has expanded their ministry to now having a chapter in Toronto called "Dale Brown and One Voice".

God has been really good to this ministry and for that they are grateful. It is their desire to take God with them wherever they go, spreading His love to those who may or may not know how miraculous He is. Their charge to you today is to “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” - Psalm 37:5 Social Media: YouTube: Sefton Dale Brown; Instagram: @dalebrownandtruth @classymuzikman Facebook: Dale Brown andTruth ; Resources Mentioned: My Worship A Praise and Worship 4 Week Master Class, March 14th to April 11th , Sunday’s and Thursday’s. Vocal Techniques, Praise and Worship Leadership, Song Composition Training, True Worship Guidelines, Proper Vocal Blending, Register at https://muzikizlife.simpletix.ca; hosted by Dale Brown, Gospel Recording Artist, Terry McLaughlin, James Hall and Patrick Riddick

Erica Fraser is a content creator, author, blogger and Higher Education Professional. Erica earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from George Washington University and currently serves as a Higher Education Professional at George Mason University. Erica hopes to create content for people that are learning how to love themselves and need some encouragement and advice along their journey. Connect with Erica Fraser on her website: https://www.ericacfraser.com/discover and on Instagram: @ericacfraser Closing Word: Moving From Pain to Power by bell hooks

My guest Mr. Shane Ray Brown is an Attorney and Community Activist. He serves the community and his local church through his private practice, church leadership and gifting as a singer and content creator. We discuss the hopes, strife and struggles of people of color and our church during the health and racial pandemic. Closing Word by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Follow Shane Ray Brown on Instagram @shanieb_mt; Facebook : Shane Ray ; Twitter @ShaneRay_MT

My guest Pastor Edsel Cadet and I discuss pivoting: personally and professionally, Comparisons to actor Sterling Brown aka Randall Pearson from the series: This Is Us and Reconciliation in a racially divided country. Pastor Edsel Cadet is the Pastor of the Cambridge SDA Church in Massachusetts which is a part of the Northeastern Conference. Edsel is a graduate of the Andrews University Theological Seminary and he is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Concentration in couples and family therapy with an emphasis in African and Caribbean Mental Health. Pastor Cadet is married to his best friend, the former Nyasha Gonese. He loves the Lord and wants to make a difference in peoples lives. Closing Word: Fury and Faith by Amanda Gorman, Poet Connect with Edsel B. Cadet IG: http://www.instagram.com/edselbcadet ;Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EdselBCadet Cambridge Seventh-day Adventist Church http://www.cambridgesda.org IG: http://www.instagram.com/cambridgesda

Dr. Diandra J. Prescod is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education and Program Coordinator of School Counseling at the University of Connecticut. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor with expertise in mental health and career counseling.

With over 50 presentations at academic conferences all across the United States and in Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Austria, Diandra also writes book chapters and has numerous publications in academic journals.

She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; her master’s in mental health counseling from Monmouth University; and her Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of Central Florida. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey by a Jamaican mother and Bajan father, Diandra is family oriented, believes in the power of prayer, and puts God first in her life. Our discussion includes:

- What experiences informed her desire to pursue a course of study related to Mental Health and Counseling

- Why it is important for people of color to be visible in Academic Spaces

- Why mentor ship is critical - How STEM support is connected to mental health - How she pushed through Micro Aggressions

- Why she believes we don’t succeed alone

Closing Word by Stacey Abrams

Connect with Dr. Diandra J. Prescod

- https://www.diandrajprescod.com

- IG: https://www.twitter.com/diandrajprescod

Current Role: HR Coordinator

Former Role: Director of Recruitment for Oakwood University

Raised in Bronx, New York and a proud product of christian education and proud graduate of Northeastern Academy. Married to beautiful Monica Kelly formally Spencer. I currently reside in Bermuda where I am HR Coordinatorfor one of their Big 4 Reinsurance companies.

Education- Bs in Business and Theology from Oakwood University, Masters of Business

Administration with Emphasis in Human Resources- Strayer University Closing Word by Denzel Washington; Social Media: Instagram @jamie2090 ; Facebook James Kelly ; Twitter @kingjamesbx

Jessica Mckenzie is a communications executive with more than 10 years of experience in strategic communications, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, government affairs and public policy, and corporate reputation.

Jessica currently works on the strategy and execution of PepsiCo Beverages North America's (PBNA) Corporate Reputation and Executive Visibility -- strengthening its brand as a valued corporate citizen and elevating the thought leadership of its executive leadership in their respective areas of focus. Additionally, Jessica serves as the Communications Director for PBNA's CEO managing external and internal communications.

A New Yorker by birth with Jamaican roots, Jessica has a Master’s degree from the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. She received her B.A. degree in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from the illustrious Hampton University where among other campus activities, studied abroad in Hokkaido, Japan at the Tomokomai Komazawa University. Closing Word by Jay Shetty: Everybody Has Their Own Timeline- Be Patient