Zaka Presents: My Journey

We sit down with Shawna Kaye Lester, an entrepreneur and founder of Memorable Essay, who has dedicated her career to helping ambitious students and international medical graduates secure spots in their dream schools and residencies. Shawna’s journey from Jamaica to the U.S. is one of grit, determination, and relentless pursuit of growth.

She opens up about her personal story of navigating cultural differences, her diverse career path across multiple industries, and the challenges of building her business as an immigrant entrepreneur. Shawna shares her best tips for standing out in competitive application processes, and offers key advice for those considering entrepreneurship, especially for immigrant women balancing multiple roles.

We dive into the inspiring journey of Karoll-Ann Fanfan, CEO of TaxFit LLC and Kouka's Closet LLC. Forced to leave her native country after a traumatic event, Karoll-Ann shares how she turned adversity into success as a leading tax consultant and entrepreneur in the U.S. Through vulnerability and resilience, she opens up about her challenges, triumphs, and her passion for helping others. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation on overcoming obstacles and thriving in the face of hardship.

In this episode, we highlight the inspiring success story of Richardson Pierre, a first-generation Haitian immigrant who defies negative stereotypes with his entrepreneurial journey. Richardson shares how the determination and grit he absorbed from watching Haitian merchants as a young boy shaped his mindset and fueled his ambitions. From his early days in Haiti to building multiple successful businesses, including U.S. One Tax Services, Versailles Home Solutions, and Lionhart Truck Company.

Richardson opens up about his path to success. He also reflects on the valuable lessons he learned during his time in Corporate America and how those experiences helped him transition into entrepreneurship. We dive deep into the challenges he overcame as an immigrant entrepreneur, his mission to provide affordable housing, and his advice for young immigrants and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark. 

In this episode, we sit down with Julio Manteiga, the Head of Content and Communications at the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Born to immigrant parents from Cuba and Spain and raised in Queens, NY, Julio's story is one of grit, perseverance, and passion. From his humble beginnings to becoming a key figure at the NBA, Julio opens up about his journey, sharing how his cultural background influenced his career and the challenges he faced as he ascended through the ranks.

We explore Julio’s time at the NBA, where he served as Director of Latin America Communications, leading global influencer programs and bridging cultural gaps across Latin America. Now, at the NBRPA, he reflects on the transition and his mission to continue making a lasting impact in the sports world. Tune in to hear about his inspiring rise, lessons learned, and advice for the next generation of professionals looking to break barriers in their careers.

We explore the extraordinary journey of Jamaican-born actress Judi Johnson, who went from Clarendon to Hollywood, starring in projects like Magic Mike XXL and Double Cross.

In this episode, Judi shares how she transitioned from corporate work to starring in over 40 projects. She speaks on the challenges and strengths of being a Black actress and how she defied the expectations of her immigrant upbringing, where careers in entertainment were often discouraged. Her mantra, “Live Alive”, inspires us all to chase our dreams, no matter the obstacles.

We’re beyond excited to share our conversation with Samantha Ramirez-Herrera, a talenter filmmaker, advocate, and the founder of OffThaRecord. Sam’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and relentless advocacy. As a former undocumented immigrant, she has dedicated her career to addressing some of today’s most pressing issues such as economic justice, immigration, and reproductive rights

With election season upon us, public discourse around DACA, Dreamers, and immigration are in full swing. Sam’s story brings a deeply personal perspective to these important topics, humanizing the conversation and reminding us of the real lives being impacted.

Sam shares her journey from an undocumented immigrant to a celebrated filmmaker, her challenges as a Latina in a competitive industry, and how she continues to use her platform to uplift the communities she cares most about. Her story is a powerful reminder that anyone can turn adversity into a mission for change.

We sit down with Tina, Senior Director of Content Strategy, Programming, and Acquisition at AspireTV. With over 20 years in the media industry, Tina shares her journey, how she found her voice, the evolution of content strategy, and the importance of diversity in storytelling. She also offers advice for emerging professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.

Join us as we sit down with Kamala Avila-Salmon, the dynamic Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate, who is redefining representation in Hollywood. In this episode, Kamala shares her journey from Jamaica to Harvard, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and how she’s using storytelling to drive social change. Get inspired by her insights on diversity in film, her groundbreaking initiative, Story Spark, and her commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices. Don’t miss this powerful conversation with one of the entertainment industry’s leading voices on inclusion and equity.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jevic Muteba, a former NCAA student-athlete from Zaire (now the DRC) turned successful entrepreneur. Jevic shares his journey of founding businesses, raising over $35 million, and driving key partnerships in high-growth tech companies. We'll explore how his immigrant upbringing shaped his path, his challenges as a student-athlete, and his impactful work in DEI, Talent Acquisition, and Employer Branding with Fortune 500 companies.

Linda Kugblenu is an award-winning Vice President at JPMorganChase and a leader in finance and payments innovation. As an immigrant leader, Linda is committed to expanding access to capital for social and economic impact, leading groundbreaking initiatives in cross-border payment strategies.

In this episode, Linda shares her journey from empowering small businesses in Uganda to becoming a thought leader at JPMorgan. Her achievements have earned her accolades like the Rising Star in Payments and the RiseUp Award for Women in Payments.

Beyond her corporate success, Linda founded Foreign at Work, a career coaching business dedicated to helping high achievers navigate the corporate world and advance their careers. She reveals her passion for empowering professionals like herself, discussing common challenges and her strategies for overcoming them.

Tune in to discover Linda’s roadmap for success and gain insights to elevate your career in the competitive corporate landscape.