We sit down with Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernández, a visionary leader in higher education and the President of Urban College of Boston. She shares her extraordinary journey from immigrating to the United States from Haiti at the age of 12 to breaking barriers in academia as a first-generation college graduate and leader. With degrees from the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, and Boston College, Dr. Salomon-Fernández has built a career dedicated to expanding access and creating opportunities for underrepresented students. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, offering invaluable insights for anyone navigating challenges as an immigrant or aspiring leader.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Salomon-Fernández discusses her leadership philosophy, the importance of creating inclusive spaces, and the pivotal role community colleges play in empowering diverse communities. She also opens up about the systemic barriers she faced as a woman of color in higher education and how she worked to break them while uplifting others. 

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Nancy Douyon, a well accomplished immigrant professional who has redefined success at the intersection of technology, ethics, and inclusion. From her journey as an immigrant breaking barriers in Silicon Valley to leading groundbreaking initiatives at Google, Facebook, and Uber, Nancy’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and impact. As the founder of Incluversal, she’s harnessing the power of AI and inclusive design to accelerate career growth and create opportunities for underrepresented professionals. Her insights will inspire anyone striving to carve their own path in a competitive world.

Nancy opens up about how her immigrant background shaped her drive to succeed, her work advising the Obama administration on universal design, and the challenges of integrating ethical principles into cutting-edge tech projects. Whether you're looking to rise in your career, navigate a new culture, or lead with purpose, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable strategies to help you turn obstacles into stepping stones toward your dreams. 

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Author and occupational therapist Samarra St. Hilaire shares her journey of growing up Haitian-American in Brooklyn, self-publishing her debut YA novel Brushed Between Cultures, and balancing cultural expectations with personal dreams. Discover how her 22 years as a therapist shaped her storytelling and the powerful themes of resilience, identity, and friendship in her work. Perfect for anyone navigating tradition and independence.

Today, we celebrate resilience, vision, and the power of purpose. Our guest is Zuleka Fraser, an immigrant leader from St Kitts & Nevis, in the affordable housing industry who has turned challenges into opportunities that have transformed lives. From navigating the complexities of public housing finance to spearheading game-changing programs like the 4% Bond LIHTC initiative, Zuleka’s journey is one of grit, determination, and heart.

In this episode, Zuleka shares how her personal experiences ignited her passion for equity and led her to dedicate her career to creating accessible housing for underserved communities. You'll hear how she transformed roadblocks into stepping stones and used her leadership to inspire real change, proving that with purpose and perseverance, we can all leave a lasting impact.

How does an engineer turned attorney become the Mayor and Council President of Upper Arlington, Ohio? In this episode, we sit down with the amazing leader, Ukeme Awakessien Jeter to explore her incredible journey from immigrant professional to community leader. Ukeme shares how her diverse experiences and immigrant background have shaped her unique leadership style and fueled her passion for driving innovation and inclusivity.

Drawing from her book, ImmiGRIT: How Immigrant Leadership Drives Business Success, Ukeme uncovers the superhero qualities of immigrant professionals such as adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness and how these traits can transform organizations and communities alike. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, an entrepreneur, or someone navigating life as an immigrant professional, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights to help you harness your own superpowers.

In this episode, we sit down with David “MOZE” Baptiste to explore the incredible journey of a boy from New York City, raised in a Grenadian-American household, who rose to legendary status in the entertainment industry. Known for promoting icons like Kool G. Rap, Erykah Badu, Jay Z, Naughty By Nature, and Mary J. Blige in the 90s, David’s career is a masterclass in adaptability and reinvention. Hear firsthand how he transitioned from managing hip-hop and R&B greats to becoming a multi-industry entrepreneur, now leading a commercial cleaning company and Roll It Forward Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to roller derby and community impact. David shares his wins, losses, and the life lessons that have shaped his journey and continue to fuel his mission of empowering communities. 

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Alan d’Escragnolle, CEO and Co-Founder of Filmhub, the tech-powered platform transforming film distribution. Born in San Diego to Brazilian and American parents, Alan opens up about the challenges of navigating two cultures. After leaving San Diego at a young age to connect more deeply with his Brazilian roots, Alan’s journey eventually led him to Silicon Valley, where he’s now empowering filmmakers globally.

From growing up in Brazil to earning his degree at Wharton, Alan shares how his immigrant background fueled his entrepreneurial spirit and shaped his leadership approach. Get an inside look at Filmhub and its mission to let filmmakers retain their rights and monetize their films on global streaming platforms with unprecedented transparency. Alan also tackles the challenges of traditional film distribution and explains how Filmhub is restoring trust with creators.

This episode is packed with insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially immigrants, as Alan offers valuable advice on navigating the tech and film industries and shares his vision for the future of global film distribution.

we are joined with Dr. Ty Richardson, a Trinidadian-American entrepreneur who boldly left a thriving corporate career to pursue his vision of building impactful ventures that empower others. From turning his start-up, YoPro Global, into a global social enterprise supporting youth and young professionals, to founding Pinnacle & Beyond Enterprises and leading One Global Index Consulting, Dr. Ty has become a leader for emerging markets and underrepresented communities worldwide. His journey of resilience, innovation, and strategic leadership offers a powerful  entrepreneurs striving for success. Our inspiring conversation is packed with insights on overcoming obstacles, building impactful businesses, and making a global difference.

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.