Singer, songwriter and musician Mary Akpa empowers women of color to own their gifts and offerings to the universe in the season 2 finale of The Motif Podcast. A Nigerian-American artist with African and jazz influences in her music, Mary’s career has spanned over two decades and four continents, ultimately bringing her home to self and on a healing journey of self-evolution.

Joined by host Shanetta McDonald, Mary sheds light on the inspiration behind her latest project, album Nnoo. She also offers other BIWOC words of wisdom on how to deepen their sense of inner knowing while accepting their pasts and owning their truths.

Connect with Mary:
https://www.maryakpa.com/
Instagram: @maryakpa
Listen to Nnoo: Spotify

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Entrepreneurs, creators and sisters Donna & Joanne Vo encourage women of color to pursue their creative passions as co-founders of Ladies First, a community helping all women in pursuit of their fullest potential.

Born and raised in the SF Bay area to immigrant Vietnamese parents, Donna and Joanne took on two different professional paths before joining forces to create multiple businesses together, ultimately deciding to hone in on their social media expertise, servicing small business owners. 

In conversation with host Shanetta McDonald, Donna and Joanne discuss tapping into their femininity, the value of asking for help and what’s to-come for the next chapter of 
Ladies First. 

Connect with Donna & Joanne Vo:
https://www.ladiesfirst.co/
Ladies First Instagram: @ladiesfirst.co
Joanne’s Instagram: @itsjoannev
Donna’s Instagram: @lovedonnav

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Writer, poet and spoken word artist, Dhayana Alejandrina emboldens women of color to hold onto their purpose as author of Agridulce: a poetry and prose collection and combination of emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Born in the Dominican Republic, Dhayana’s story begins with her discovering her passion for writing at the age of nine, influenced by everything from her Caribbean upbringing, to her move and transition to the U.S. 

Joined by host Shanetta McDonald, Dhayana shares advice for women of color writers who are building their craft, while sharing how she intends to create a safe space for people to feel their emotions through her work. 

Connect with Dhayana Alejandrina:
https://dhayana-alejandrina.square.site/
Purchase Agridulce: https://dhayana-alejandrina.square.site/product/AgridulceBook/1
Instagram: @dhayanaalejandrina

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Medical expert, speaker and author, Dr. Nita Landry encourages women of color to optimize their health, shatter limiting beliefs, and become the best version of themselves as contributing co-host of the Emmy award-winning talk show, The Doctors. A board certified OB/GYN, Dr Nita’s career trajectory follows a non-traditional path, bridging the gap between her love for health and entertainment to educate millions of women and youth on how to strive for optimal health. 

In conversation with host Shanetta McDonald, Dr. Nita also opens up about how listening to your intuition and believing in yourself can lead you to doing the thing you love, the thing that you were called to do.

Connect with Dr. Nita Landry:
https://drnitalandry.com/
Instagram: @drnitalandry

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Entrepreneur, designer and stylist Karen Perez empowers women of color to stay steadfast in their dreams, as founder and CEO of Second Wind in episode 38 of The Motif Podcast. A first-generation American, Perez opens up about how her family and roots influenced her love and appreciation for fashion and design from a young age.

Joined by host, Shanetta McDonald, Karen shares her inspiring story of being intentional with her work and hustling her way into entrepreneurship. This conversation is an affirming reminder to listen to and follow our divine purpose.

Connect with Karen:
https://shopsecondwind.com/
Second Wind Instagram: @bysecondwind
Karen Perez Instagram: @karenperezstyle

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Cannabis Educator Cynthia Villamizar empowers women of color to give themselves the grace to explore new possibilities as founder and owner of cannabis education platform 'Cyntivee.' In this week's episode of The Motif Podcast, Cynthia and host Shanetta McDonald join in conversation and get authentic about their journeys to individuality, self-growth and discovering joy when they allowed themselves to try new experiences. A Latina committed to her community, Cynthia hopes to pave the way for others who share her story to break stereotypes and follow their passions leading them to success.

Connect with Cynthia:
https://www.cyntivee.com/
Instagram: @cyntivee

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Conscious Influence Strategist, Falyn Satterfield emboldens women of color to be in alignment in all areas of life, especially when it comes to work and our soul’s purpose, as founder of Spiritual Bad Bitch. In this week’s episode of the Motif Podcast, Falyn walks us through her evolution from a sheltered upbringing, to dissolving societal conditions and having an expansive life and life’s work, showing us what the magic of getting out of our own way can add to our lives.

Listen to Falyn’s story as she joins host Shanetta McDonald in conversation focused on personal-growth, spirituality and divine purpose.

Connect with Falyn Satterfield:
Instagram: @falynsatterfield
https://spiritualbadbitch.com/begin/ 

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Entrepreneur and creative Cleo Ellis encourages collaboration over competition among women of color as Director of Brand Partnerships at creative agency Coco + Cowe, and co-host of the podcast Conversations with Coco + Friends.

Born and raised in Toronto where she’s currently based, Cleo walks us through her non-traditional career trajectory, from her beginnings in Public Relations to entrepreneurship in  creating LUXELIFE SOUND, a boutique DJ service that specializes in booking live female DJ talent and to ultimately landing on a path that upholds her mission of partnering and building with like-minded women of color. 

Joined by host Shanetta McDonald, the two also touch on being Black women overcoming body image struggles and the freedom they’ve discovered in the process.

Connect with Cleo Ellis:
Instagram: @cleoellis_
Instagram: (Coco & Cowe) @cocoandcowe
Instagram: (Luxelifesound) @luxelifesound
https://luxelifesound.com/ 

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Business executive, wife and mother, Elizabeth Lascaze inspires women of color to heal at their own pace, as a self-described, postpartum depression warrior. In episode 34 of The Motif Podcast, hear Elizabeth’s story as she lets us into her journey of a complicated pregnancy, followed by a challenging, yet healing postpartum experience. Joined by host, Shanetta McDonald, Elizabeth offers insight into what it means to ask for help, along with the importance of offering kindness and compassion to others, because you never know what someone is going through. 

Connect with Elizabeth Lascaze:
Instagram: @two_blue_fish

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Host, Actress, Producer and Writer Megan Thomas reminds women of color that no matter what, they are worthy, as Head of Production for All Def and co-host of the podcast, Mommy Needs A Break. Born to an Asian Mother and Black father in Kentucky, Megan’s story touches on the sensitivities of growing up mixed race in the south, and how defining her sense of self at a young age prepared her for how the world would see her. And along with host, Shanetta McDonald, Megan dives into the value of creating consistency and excellence in the work that we do, as a means to success, especially as entrepreneurs in non-traditional career paths.

*Trigger warning - episode contains talk of eating disorders

Connect with Megan Thomas:
Instagram: @megscoop
Mommy Needs A Break

• Instagram: @mnabpodcast
• https://www.mnabpodcast.com/ 

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