Jessica Lamothe was a kid who always loved school. While other kids dreamed of being an astronaut or doctor or actress, she wanted to be the Superintendent of Schools. You know, that respected person who showed up at all of the important ceremonies to shake hands? Jessica had her eyes set on that.  Her dream changed when she started killing it as the still record-holding triple jump star of her high school. From that she learned that there are people behind the scenes that make sports happen and she set her mind on that path. Her perseverance and willing to pitch in at any job she was asked to do through a variety of sports industry internships landed in the front office staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The Super Bowl winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And she's patiently waiting for her Super Bowl ring to arrive so she can rock in on her fashion, hair and lifestyle site, Jess InSight. (And then get it insured because her Haitian parents raised her with some sense).  Jessica gives practical advice on getting the job you want and shares her pride for the women-led initiatives her team is initiating.  Oh, and we are both sisters of Chi Omega sorority. 

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/jessinsight

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/user/jesslaz2

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Buccaneers Women's Summit for Careers in Football

https://www.buccaneers.com/news/buccaneers-announce-womens-summit-for-careers-in-football

Prince Rogers Nelson isn't the only Black creative from Minnesota. Haaaaave you met Chris?  Chris McDuffie was born and raised in St. Paul to a family inspired by photography, painting, jazz, and museums.  His gifts and talents were cultivated early in his education and, although is college degree led him to a myriad of jobs, he found his place as CEO of himself.  Tapping into the resilience he developed in his childhood, Chris started his own business where his expertise as a creative director, photographer and filmmaker have landed him with clients like the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves. This ambivert uses his work to shine light on the arts and social justice communities in Minnesota. While he voice is calm and smooth, his message is powerful. Oh, and Dave Chappelle thinks he looks like a younger version of himself.

WEBSITE

http://www.chrismcduffie.photography

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/mcduffphoto

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/ChrisMcDuffiePhotography

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Nue Bedford

https://www.instagram.com/nuebedford

An art gallery devoted to uplifting the Queer BIPOC voices of Minneapolis. The idea is to have a unified space to house local art of the queer community in a safe, loving, supportive environment. It’s this generation’s job to continue the goal of visibility for our queer siblings so they can see themselves sooner than we did.

Hooda Brown is the person I envision myself to be in my head. She transferred from a petroleum engineering degree at a private predominantly white college to an HBCU where she could put her naturally bubbly personality and passion for helping other to good use.  As an entrepreneur, Hooda actively hires graduates from HBCUs and pays them a leisure-based income that allows them to open their worlds to travel (because she knows too many people on Xanax who hate what they’re doing). Born and raised in The South by parents who were committed to the connection through organic moments, Hooda grew up knowing nothing beats fear like The Outdoors.  She coped with a life event by taking lessons in tennis, golf, salsa and scuba diving - where she fell hopelessly in love the minute she dipped her head in the ocean.  Hooda shares her adventures in scuba diving and how she's never alone, even on her solo trips.  Oh, I learn why Memphis has the best water in the nation.

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/hoodabrown/

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Justin Wallace Underwater Photography

https://www.instagram.com/jwunderwaterphotography

Diving with a Purpose

https://divingwithapurpose.org/

National Association of Black Scuba Divers

https://nabsdivers.org/

National Brotherhood of Skiers

https://www.nbs.org/

Carla Mino is an escritora. A storyteller of the heart. Alchemist. Bilingual Teacher. Mom.  She also happens to be the person who's desk was across from mine in grad school.  We bonded immediately. And how could I not?  She is confidence in 3-D with great hair, a killer homemade lemon cake, and "let them hear you in the back row" supporter of everyone around her.  Carla has spent her education and career cultivating a path toward becoming the writer and inclusive educator she was destined to be from the moment she set up her stuffed animals in a semicircle. As a first-generation Peruvian in the United States, she was recently selected for the Las Musas Hermanas Mentorship Program where she'll be honing a decade-long project of introducing the magical realism genre via her first novel.  Carla shares her unwavering faith,  powerful positivity, and belief that anyone can create something from nothing with W&W listeners. 

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/carlaminoescritora/

TWITTER

https://twitter.com/mino_carla?lang=en

THE GOOD MEN PROJECT

https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-day-i-decided-not-to-grieve-my-father-kpkn/

LA MUSAS BOOKS

https://www.lasmusasbooks.com/hermanas.html

YOU SHOULD KNOW

10 Reasons to Visit Peru

https://travelnoire.com/10-reasons-visit-peru