Purpose University

As we are bringing Women’s History Month to a close on a Thursday, I’d like throw it back to exactly ONE year ago to our session with Tekita Bankhead, Founder and Chief-Editor for The Pedestal Project, who was also the FIRST person to agree to be a part of the show’s transition (back then The Purpose University Podcast) to what it has become today. Looking back over the past year in particular, there is one thing I can say with full conviction… WOMEN. ARE. DOPE! I have to admit, this conversation played a huge role in me taking a closer look at own melanated womanhood—it forced me to not only embrace myself, but to put myself on a pedestal and… it made me really hone in on wanting to be a better woman and stand on the front line of helping other women be better women, too. I am grateful for each and everyday for amazing women in my life who show up time and time again. So, here is to US… the women of the world. Here’s to US… the future. Be good to yourselves, ladies! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-

Rejection really, really, really sucks! Even more than it sucking… it is not something that we can avoid no matter how hard we try. However, what if it didn’t have to suck so badly? What if you could change your mind about rejection to see it as an opportunity for growth rather than a dead end? Let’s challenge our thoughts today about dealing with rejection!Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family. Track by The Boy: https://youtu.be/_CWl6ybtHyE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On the quest for success, how important is it for us to see people who look like us in places that we want to go? So often, our ideas of thriving in our lives and careers can be contingent on seeing, and meeting, people are where we want to be. As we're celebrating Women's History Month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Danielle Beale about what it means to do away with societal norms (gender, race, and mental health) and simply be the example for those to come.Danielle Beale is the Curator of Danielle Beale Consulting. As a Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Licensed Minister, Mental Health Advocate and Youth & Young Adult Life Skills Workshop Facilitator she is committed to helping persons reach their desired outcomes. Danielle is a native of Suffolk, VA. She is an alumna of Shaw University with a B.A. in Psychology and current graduate student at Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology pursuing a Master of Divinity. Danielle desires to dismantle societal falsehoods such a

One thing that continues to stick out to me about this chat is that... We all want more for our lives, but... to get more we can't sit around and wait for others to give us more--we must choose to not be victims of our circumstances and learn to show up for ourselves (even in hardship). In this conversation with Dr. Shameka N. Stanford, the power of people believing in you, pursuing higher education (and lessons on student loans), owning your truth, being unashamed of who you are, and the importance of celebrating yourself and your accomplishments.Dr. Shameka N. Stanford a nationally and internationally recognized Juvenile Forensics Speech-Language Pathologist. A three-time HBCU graduate of Shaw University, North Carolina Central University, and Howard University. Currently, she works as an Assistant Professor and Admissions Director for Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University. Further, she's the owner and operator of TECHnically Speaking L.L.C provides assessment and treatment services both

It's the last day of Black History Month! While you've probably been celebrating all month, the pride of being Black shouldn't stop today. Speaking of being proud about being Black... Have you ever heard someone say that Black people are like crabs in a barrel? Ouuuch! Well, Dr. Rodney Smith has come today to help us re-think it was means for Black folk to be able to come together for the greater good. Dr. Smith is Managing Partner of Sophic Solutions, LLC, a change management firm in Kansas City, MO. The firm specializes in diversity, equity & inclusion training and community development. Smith is a Graduate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, where he specializes in courses that address racial and ethnic diversity, and cultural understanding. Over a span of 22 years, his scholarly interests have focused on race and racism in America. Smith is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and a native of Georgetown, South Carolina. He earned a bachelor’s

Are you being real with yourself about what you're feeling? Have you taken the time to acknowledge what you've been through and how it's shaped you? So often, we carry baggage with us just thinking that if we do nothing about it, then it's deal with; however, that's not necessarily true. Emotional, mental, and spiritual freedom starts with letting go of whatever has been holding you back and/or down... and that starts with being real about it. In this session, I talk with Dr. Jhanel Davis about many things, but one of main things being the importance of healing from the past. Dr. Jhanel A. Davis was born in Brooklyn, NY, but raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is an Author, Keynote Speaker, Counselor, and Growth Specialist. Dr. Davis obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Elementary Education, later pursued a Master’s degree from St. Thomas University, and completed a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She is the founder

50 sessions later! Wow! Really? I love it! I thank each of you for being a part of this journey and for pushing this show forward. Thinking about how far the show has come, I couldn't help but think about your belief in this show and... it left me thinking about how powerful it is for us to simply believe in each other.Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family. Track by The Boy: https://youtu.be/_CWl6ybtHyE. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What have you done lately to invest in yourself? As a matter of fact, do you really know what it means to invest in yourself? In order for you to be successful in life, one of the things you must learn is to do what's best for you, personally and professionally. While it's not always an easy task, it can be done. Rukayatu Tijani, or “Ruky,” is an associate in the Silicon Valley office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, where she practices corporate litigation. Before this, Ruky served as a federal judicial clerk in the Eastern District of California. A native of Brooklyn, New York and a graduate of UC Berkeley School of Law, she is also the Founder and Creator of the First Generation Purpose Project, an initiative created to help First Generation Professionals , succeed in their workplace, career, and in life by using the grit and tenacity already in them.Connect with Ruky: https://www.instagram.com/firstgenerationpurposeproject/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/rukayatu-tijani-a7821114/. Join The First-Gen

In a world where we're constantly trying to get ahead, when we have to do it all on our own, it makes the accomplishments that much sweeter; however, when we find ourselves in a position where we can help others, we should help them. I want y'all to meet Dr. Sidjae Price, a Best-Selling Author, Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She helps modern entrepreneurs go from chaos to clarity by creating easy to follow actionable steps to clean up the “behind the scenes” messes of business and life, resulting in a thriving business and giving them back family and personal time. She is the CEO of Priceless Planning, a boutique business consulting agency, Founder of Speak Loud Inc., a youth-based nonprofit organization. In our conversation, we touch on everything from a two-parent to moving out of the country to be raised by a single mother and her neighbors, figuring our the path to and through higher education, creating several business, and striving to help those who come along.Connect with Dr. Price: https://www.sidjaeprice

It's MY birthday.... AND... The podcast turns TWO! Ahhhhhh. So, so, so, so, exciting... Even more exciting? In my lifetime, I've lost over 250 lbs! You read that right. OVER 250 lbs! So, I think this is one of my more vulnerable shows. I'm sharing with you what happened both times to evoke the change... and what I did to make s--t happen both times. I think the biggest lesson for me, especially with losing more weight this time than I did the last, was learning to rethink what it means to TRANSFORM... and how to apply those lessons to every aspect of life.Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family Track by M. Fasol Productions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB_qJb_QKS4 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Don Holmes, a native of Progress, Mississippi spent six years enlisted in the United States Army after finishing high school. Later graduating from The University of Southern Mississippi wit BA in English (Magna Cum Laude), he'd go on to become a PhD student in English at The University of North Carolina at Chapel focusing on early African American literature--an academic endeavor that would be paid in full. In our short time together, we touch on so many things such as transitioning after having spent time in the military, taking a non-traditional route to higher education, discovering new worlds through literature, self-care practices while in graduate school, appreciating and learning about history (especially through the lens of Black writing), making meaning of new experiences, and so much more.Connect with Don: https://www.facebook.com/don.holmes.1238 Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From being born and raised in the projects of Astoria (Queens, New York) to studying abroad, I had the pleasure of kickin' it in #thefirstgenlounge with LaTayvia Brown. As an entrepreneur (Owner of Professionally Inspired, LLC), mentor, and leader, LaTayvia truly shined light on the importance of being humble throughout life, keeping faith in God in all things, and being reminded that anything is possible.Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family Track by The Boy: https://youtu.be/_CWl6ybtHyE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mental health challenges are real, and we need to talk about them more so we can take steps in the right direction to get the necessary support. I had an opportunity to kick it in #thefirstgenlounge with Colby Cornell who is an Entrepreneur and Mental Health advocate. Colby is a native of Clinton, North Carolina, recent graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and CEO/Founder of Journey of Mind, Inc. (a 501C(3) tax exempt organization that raises awareness for mental Health, personal development, and travel within underprivileged communities). We get very candid about mental health, touching on his suicide attempts, taking steps to seek help, the path to healing, and taking one's pain to do good in the world.Notice: In the event that this episode creates emotional distress, discontinue listening immediately. If this show should trigger a need for mental health support, contact your mental health professional as soon as possible. If you do not have one, feel free to reach out to

Kickin' in #thefirstgenlounge by myself. You know hanging with yourself ain't bad annnnd, I did tell you that I'd be showing up a little more solo dolo. Can we agree that it's been ONE hell of a year? 2018 has been NUTS; however, I learned an awful lot about life and myself. I can go on and on with all that's come to me, but... in the spirit of keeping it simple... Here are nine lessons from 2018 that I want to share with you! Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family Track by The Boy: https://youtu.be/_CWl6ybtHyE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We (first-gen family) have hit over 7.3k downloads. Wow! Can you believe it? So, to celebrate this major milestone, and reflect on the many things that have been shared with us over the past year, here are a few words of wisdom from some of the fam that's been on the show. As we're headed to 2019, and thinking of all the ways we want to continue to grow and show up in the world, let this inspire, empower, and uplift you. Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family Track by The Boy: https://youtu.be/_CWl6ybtHyE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kickin’ it in #TheFirstGenLounge with New York native, Andrew Martinez, who is a Ph.D. student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, research associate at the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions, and formerly the Assistant Dean of Students at Cornell University. An empowering conversation where we talk about things that include being raised in a low-ses household, making meaning of new experiences, falling in love with higher education and research, making meaning of professional experiences, and doing the work to help elevate one’s culture.Get Social with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmartinez744/https://twitter.com/Drewtle. Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kickin’ it in #thefirstgenlounge with Chris Wallace, a Fayetteville, North Carolina native, inspirational speaker, and lifelong public servant. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and holding a certificate from Duke University, Chris has served a role in Communications with the NFL's Carolina Panthers and been a part of a myriad of service organizations, including the YMCA, the Black Child Development Institute, the National Youth Sports Program, Upward Bound, and Project Lift Academy. An inspiring conversation about pushing through adversity, coming to know one’s self, and being committed to service.Connect with Chris- www.chrisinspiresyou.comhttps://www.instagram.com/chrisinspiresyou/. Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I'm kickin' it in #thefirstgenlounge solo dolo today. I thought I'd take the time to be transparent with you all about a snag I had recently--lacking confidence, silencing myself, and having to remind myself that I am enough.Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family Track by The Boy: https://youtu.be/_CWl6ybtHyE See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kickin' it in #thefirstgenlounge with Donald A. Coleman, Jr. who is a native of Georgia, Higher Education Professional at Kennesaw State University, and graduate of both Georgia State University and Loyola University-Chicago. He's one that you can find leading with laughter and #BankheadBouncingAllOverTheWorld. An empowering about being intentional about your choices, expanding your horizons through travel, and living your best life by being present.Connect with Donald: www.instagram.com/talldc/, www.facebook.com/donaldacolemanjr. Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kickin' it in #thefirstgenlounge with Kenisha N. Brown-Alexander who is a native Louisville, Kentucky, graduate of the University of Louisville and Nova Southeastern University, Founder of the nonprofit Season of Hope, and Sports Consultant. An encouraging conversation about healing in times of great loss, passion versus purpose, and recognizing your strength.Connect with Kenisha: https://www.seasonofhopeinc.org, https://www.instagram.com/kenishanichelle/. Join The First-Gen Lounge Family: www.thefirstgenlounge.com/family See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.