What A Word!



Brian Melford was born to two loving parents, Joan and Vincent from Kingston, Jamaica W.I. He attended local schools PS76, MS135, and Harry S Truman in Coop City. Brian was President of the Bronx Youth Empowerment Program founded by NYC Council Member Andy King and his wife Neva Shillingford-King. He is also a member of Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle Word of Faith Ministries under the leadership of Rabbi Keith Elijah Thompson. He attended John Jay College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. While he was attending college Brian worked at 32BJ as a youth organizer where he also studied formal labor history with a CUNY professor. With that passion he started working at SEIU in the communications department where he was instrumental on several phone banking campaigns. Brian’s mother was a member of 32BJ and his grandmother, to this day, is a proud dues paying member of the mighty mighty 1199SEIU. Labor runs through his veins and he was fortunate to be a member of AFRAM and President of FAS Future AFRAM Stars, the youth arm of the NYC Chapter. For the past 8 years he has been on Council Member Andy King’s staff where he started as his special assistant and now transitioned into serving as his budget director.

Brian volunteered with a number of organizations, planned and executed their annual youth forums with the Bronx Youth Empowerment Program(YEP), worked with the NYPD to meet with youth of the community, and helped put together many neighborhood parades. He has helped repair a number of our schools including PS41, MS113, PS111, and MS181. Brian was also instrumental in the construction of the Sydney House on Bronxwood, reconstruction of Agnes Haywood Playground, renovation of RAIN Gun Hill, and renovation of his community’s libraries. Service is in his blood and he knows that his hard work lives as a testament to all his accomplishments and he pray that the community he knows and loves agrees. Website: https://www.nycvotes.org/campaigns/brianmelford/contributions/new; Social Media Instagram @brianmelford ; Facebook: Brian Melford; Shout out: Mauleen Pitterson. Closing Word by Michelle Obama

Impacted by a series of devastating events, Sharon-Ann takes you on a heartfelt journey. Marie, her elderly neighbor was the first person who begged the question, How could one person experience so much loss in such a short period of time and still have so much faith?” A fair question frequently echoed by others, one that constantly resounded in her mind. Her sister, angry at her situation, with her tear filled eyes and broken-heart, constantly asked, “Why you?” From those questions, came her story that tells how love, determination and belief can guide and help you through your world, even when all you can see is darkness, sickness and death. Website: www.sagayle.com; Instagram @authorsharonannphillips ; Facebook: Sharon-Ann Phillips ; Closing Word: Thank You! Featuring Denzel Washington, Fearless Soul and Leonard Sicilian.

Born May 24, 1991, in Springfield, Mass to Jamaican immigrants, Jermaine Boswell's unheralded rise to acting prominence began with a simple spark of creative energy in high school. Having worked on community skits and performances for church for much of his life, his first break came after a standout performance in an audition he had only reluctantly agreed to. Jermaine was offered his first lead role, as the exuberant Danny Zuko in the iconic musical Grease. This was perhaps the perfect fit for Jermaine to showcase his talents, both musically and dramatically, as he has always been the center of any room he walks into. Thus, Jermaine's acting career was born. After completing his B.S. in Accounting at Oakwood University, Jermaine set off to Atlanta to train and master his new craft, which has since seen him take supporting roles in numerous films and TV, including Zero (Bollywood, SRK), You Can't Take My Daughter (Lifetime), The Perfect Race, and many others. While not self-prophesied, Jermaine's gregarious personality, infectious charisma, and undeniable screen presence made his odyssey into the world of acting all but inevitable. Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm6906474/?ref_=nv_sr_2; Social Media : Instagram @jbos_ ; YouTube: Jermaine Boswell; Shout Out by Claudette Jackson; Closing Word by Tyler Perry

Dr. Rashida S. Vassell, MD, a Jamaican immigrant, spent her formative years working towards her childhood dream of becoming a physician and is a proud graduate of the CUNY Sophie Davis Program.

Dr. Vassell received her medical degree from State University of New York, Downstate College of Medicine in 2008 and l started her postgraduate training at New York Medical College/Danbury Hospital. She completed her general surgery residency at The University of Vermont Medical Center where she served as Chief Resident, 2013-2014.

Dr. Vassell is currently the Medical Director at the Guthrie Corning Hospital Wound and Hyperbaric Center. In clinical practice, she collaborates with a network of medical centers, hospitals, and professionals committed to advancing wound healing.

Dr. Vassell's latest venture includes using her experience in the healthcare industry, particularly hospitals and direct patient care, to leverage her expertise through her company, Physician Consulting Services. As COVID has painfully highlighted, patients often face barriers accessing EQUITABLE healthcare, navigating complex insurance systems, and speaking with providers. They are often making life-altering decisions, with little experience and knowledge. As an advisor, she provides counsel, knowledge, and support.

Additionally, for community organizers, grassroots organizations, social change-makers, healthcare advocates - she is highly skilled in communicating the needs of patients and those of health systems. Her humble beginnings growing up in the Bronx and years spent taking care of people, and as a breast cancer survivor, makes uniquely qualified to advocate for patients.

Furthermore, her experience as a medical executive in healthcare compliance, process improvement, leadership, and communications will add value to investors or companies looking to expand their products or services. From strategic planning to innovative solutions, my focus is to build empathetic, people-focused, and results-driven relationships.

Rashida most enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Resources Mentioned: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson; Website www.physicianconsultingservices.com; social media: Instagram @physicianconsultingservices @rnkrums ; Facebook : Rashidah S. Vassell ; Twitter @rashidavassellmd; Shout out by Sean Lawrence ; Closing Word: Ava Duvernay

This episode is sponsored by Travelingnese Experiences, here to help you create new memories,one experience at a time. When you are comfortable and ready to travel again, contact Travelingnese Experiences at www.travelingneseexperiences.com. We are ready to create your next memorable experience.

Kadeem Brown is currently a Financial Advisor at Equitable Holdings, a Forbes top 100 global company. At his firm, he and his team aid individuals and businesses in reaching their financial goals. For the past six years, Kadeem has developed unique skills in overall personal finance to allow him to deliver exceptional value to clients.

In 2014, Kadeem earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Electric Power Generation Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Management from the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Although his degrees are based on technology and management, his true passion will always be in finance.

Kadeem developed an early interest in finance due to his upbringing. With both parents in the financial industry, he gained a vast amount of financial literacy at an early age. He continued to pursue his passion for finance by taking multiple courses on investing, credit, and proper money management. He has also completed all the FINRA required security licenses exams to be considered a Financial Professional.

Kadeem takes a holistic approach by helping families and businesses break down their big financial decisions into small manageable steps. By helping his clients become more informed and empowered, they can take the small steps necessary to accomplish their financial goals. His areas of focus are wealth management, retirement planning, pensions maximization, health & life insurance, education planning, estate planning, and employee benefits plans.

Kadeem is also a huge advocate of financial literacy and spends much time in schools around the city, teaching high school children the necessary money skills they need in life. He also has talked on countless amounts of panels and hosted workshops at colleges like NYU, Columba, and even for the New York Senate.

When not in the office, Kadeem enjoys being in nature, playing sports, spending quality time with friends and family, and aiding in uplifting his community. Kadeem is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he does many community services and helps to host other philanthropic events. Social Media: Instagram @kadeembr0wn; YouTube : Kadeem Brown; Shout Out by Ms. Semone Anderson ; Closing Word Excerpt by Steve Harvey “Rich People Don’t Sleep”; Inquiries: [email protected]

Jenniva is an R&B singer and songwriter. She got an early start singing at a young age and decided to fully pursue her passion a few years ago after feeling unfulfilled with her 9-5 career path. As a wife and mother of 2, she decided to follow her childhood dreams and recorded her first project “Rule No. 1” in 2018. Since then, she’s been uploading cover videos to Instagram and YouTube, performing at various shows throughout NYC and started a family vlog channel on YouTube called “The Watson Fam”. Her goal is to show the world that anyone can pursue their passion at any age and she encourages more people to start taking the leap to follow their dreams, no matter where they are in life. Social Media: Instagram @itsjenniva ; Youtube: Jenniva ; Shout out by Othneil Stephens, Sr. ; inquires @[email protected]

Alicia is a certified exercise physiologist, corrective exercise specialist, and personal trainer. She believes that a healthy diet and exercise program are the best medicines we have to help prevent, manage, and sometimes reverse chronic illness and disease. She uses her knowledge to create individualized programs that help her clients to increase mobility, decrease pain, and improve their quality of life. When Alicia's not working or studying, you can find her sparring, grappling, and engaged in all things martial arts. Opening Words: Ryan McKenzie, Closing Words: Chadwick Boseman: Website Http://www.aliciabonney.com ; Instagram @the_physiologist. Inquiries: [email protected]

Tarence and Veronica Farrell are the proud parents of Ezekiel. They are also members of the music and financial industry respectively. Tarence Farrell is an Audio Editing Specialist, Mix Engineer and Music Producer. He is owner of Levite Music and Founding Partner of Company called Be More Today, providing information and inspiration to help ordinary people do extraordinary things. He is also Creator of Words for Life today Ministries, a division of Be More Today, using Christian principles and perspectives to inspire you to make the rest of your life the best part of your life.

Veronica Farrell has worked in the Financial Services Industry for a little over 20 years. She currently works at a privately owned and managed financial services firm which serves the most sophisticated individuals and institutions with expertise in Private Banking, Investment Management, and Investor Services. We discuss their lovely family , their journey, faith and the adoption process. Website http://bemoretoday.com Instagram @vwfarrell @tfarrelltoday . Facebook Veronica Farrell ; Tarence Farrell. Closing Word: How Marbles Can Change Your Life by Josh Shipp.

Cordelia Anthony was born In Antigua. Her family migrated to the United States of America along with her parents in 1984. She developed her love for Science subjects at an early age and her love for the teaching developed when she attended the Stony Brook University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a Masters of Arts in Teaching. Cordelia has been a teacher at the Farmingdale High School since 1999 and also serves as the President of the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers and a New York State United Teachers Board Member. Cordelia is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Closing Word by Jeremy Anderson

Kirk was born in Christiana, Jamaica. He and his family moved to the US when he was 6 years old. They lived in New York and Massachusetts for a short time before settling in Miami, Florida, where he attended Miami Norland Senior high school, he excelled in academics, football and track & field. Following high school Kirk attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. After graduate school Kirk went to work as a design engineer in the oil and gas industry with Baker Hughes Inc., in Houston, TX. During his time with Baker Hughes, Kirk worked on several international assignments in Angola, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Ghana as a project engineer. After his time with Baker Hughes, Kirk joined Chevron as a completions engineer, working on oil and gas projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Kirk has held various engineering and field positions with Chevron in New Orleans, Angola, and West Texas. He is currently working as a drill site manager (company man) in the Permian basin in West Texas. Kirk resides in Atlanta, GA with wife and two boys. Closing Word by William Hollis: I didn’t come this far to only come this far!