Blk + In Grad School

This episode is part one of a mini-series, FLOWERS: An Ode to Modern Black ScholarsExplore the captivating work of Professor Tressie McMillan Cottom, a renowned cultural critic, sociologist, and award-winning writer. Her insights challenge conventional wisdom and reshape our understanding of society. Allanté uncovers the breadth and depth of her intellectual contributions; from dissecting societal norms to redefining the discourse on contemporary issues her work transcends boundaries and offers new perspectives on the world around us. Cottom's unique voice in today's cultural landscape offers thought-provoking ideas and powerful narratives that challenge the status quo through academic research that inspires change, her impact resonates far and wide.Don't miss out on this opportunity to be inspired by the story of one of today's most influential voices. Listen now!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW!This is a very special episode of the podcast, where Allanté is celebrating her 34th birthday and the first anniversary of defending her dissertation (aka her Doctorversary). She shares with you 34 reflections on the past year, both personal and professional, that have helped shape her into Dr. Whitmore.Reflecting on the past year has been a great opportunity to recognize the progress she's made, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned. She shares the hard-won lessons learned on a personal level, like the learned importance of self-care, and the value of taking time for self. Further, she's recognized the need to be surrounded by positive, supportive people who believe in you and your abilities. Throughout this episode, hear the highs and lows of the past year and how they've impacted her both professionally and personally. From the excitement of defending the dissertation to the challenges of adjusting to post-grad life, this episode is a candid and honest look at her experiences over the past year.Listen in and reflect with Allanté on the past year and celebrating her 34th birthday and the one-year anniversary of defending her dissertation.***MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT***The Grad School Success Summit is back! You can learn more and sign up at gradschoolsummit.com

In this week's episode, Maximizing Your Professional Network in Grad School, I share my insights and some tips on how to build meaningful professional relationships during your graduate school journey. You'll hear:Why professional relationships are importantWhere to go to meet your professional people (in person and virtually)How to follow up with them after the initial connection.Resources Mentioned During The Episode: **Nurture Your Network** - Download Here Community Series on Instagram: Part 1| How I made my very first friend in Grad SchoolPart 2 | Building Your Grad School Community Online!Part 3 | Making Friends in Your Department/CohortPart 4 | Making Friends in Your City

In this episode, hear from Angela Crumdy, Ph.D., a Provost Postdoctoral Fellow who is currently researching the social lives of Black women primary school teachers in Latin America and the United States. Angela is also the creator behind the Instagram page, Grad Girl Wellness. We discuss wellness barriers you may encounter on your grad school journey as well as the coping mechanisms and strategies you can employ to maintain your well-being. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in education, the intersection of race and gender, and taking care of your mental, physical and emotional self in grad school. So, sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the world of wellness with Dr. Crumdy.Follow Dr. Angela Crumdy on Instagram, @gradgirlwellness, for more tips and insights on wellness.Want to take control of your wellness as a graduate student? Download Check Yourself, a self-reflection journal page, and start tracking your progress today! Visit blkingradschool.gumroad.com/l/checkyourself and download the journal page.

Happy 2023! On this new episode listen to Allante's reflections on life in 2022 and life after grad school. Big thanks to Tyler The Creator for this week's musical inspiration--hear what song (is it really a song?) is selected for the Lesson From The Trap. If you are also in a reflective mood for the New Year, follow along and fill out these three questions on this journal page created for grad students. Link: https://blkingradschool.gumroad.com/l/checkyourself

Happy [Early] Valentine's Day! Blk + in Grad School is returning with the grad school love story. Meet Dr. & Dr. Grimes two love-birds who met in graduate school. In this week's episode, they share their paths to the doctorate degree and then to each other. It's a love story like no other as they managed to both finish and defend their dissertations, wed, and secure jobs (at the same university!) all in one year's span. A testament to love on this day that is all about L-O-V-E!Check out the updated Blk + in Grad School website at blkingradschool.comFollow on Instagram and Twitter @blkingradschool

Meet Latoya! She's a mom, manuscript editor, and recently finished her MA in Humanities. In 2020, she retired from the military then started her graduate program. Juggling her own classes, homeschooling, and her business Latoya realized she needed more support to get to and through her grad school journey. She joined The Scholar Circle (TSC) in 2021 and in this episode she shares her experience inside our coworking community. Listen in to learn about her work and how the TSC community helped her get through the good and the bad days of completing her degree!Want to give The Scholar Circle a try? Sign up for a free coworking session here.

Meet Latoya! She's a mom, manuscript editor, and recently finished her MA in Humanities. In 2020, she retired from the military then started her graduate program. Juggling her own classes, homeschooling, and her business Latoya realized she needed more support to get to and through her grad school journey. She joined The Scholar Circle (TSC) in 2021 and in this episode she shares her experience inside our coworking community. Listen in to learn about her work and how the TSC community helped her get through the good and the bad days of completing her degree!Want to give The Scholar Circle a try? Sign up for a free coworking session here.

It's NOT a rewind! Took a small break from writing my dissertation to bring this episode. Press play for a Lesson From The Trap, a quick update on my life and of course what's been working for me as I write for my life! If you're noticing that you're experiencing dips in motivation that are impeding your progress, definitely give this episode a listen. Listen in and if you're up for it -- sign up here.

This episode gets straight to the point by digging deep into a problem we all face at one point or another in our grad school journey - writer's block. It doesn't matter if you love writing or hate it; writer's block will come kicking in your door and live in your brain rent-free for as long as it wants.Enter Dr. Lacy, founder of Qual Sisters. Qual Sisters is a writing and coaching platform developed to help you create and finish your dissertation. Through structured guides, accountability coaching, and consistent writing practices, Dr. Lacy will help you overcome the writer's block that's getting in the way of your success.As a quick credentials recap, Dr. Lacy went to Elmhurst College for undergrad, Illinois State University for her Masters and the University of Georgia for her Ph.D. In this episode, you'll hear how she struggled with writing as a first-year Ph.D. student and gain some skills to help you write more productive, more often.

*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*You're invited to join Allanté for a special conversation to help prospective grad students Settle the Score! She is continuing the conversation to help empower and support you in fulfilling your goal of getting to grad school. Join Allanté along with a panel of her peers for this session hosted by the GRE®. They will be sharing tips and best practices on how to prepare a strong graduate school application. Register for free today to join the conversation on Thursday, November 19th from 12-1 PM EST.  Link broken? You can copy + paste this link into your web browser: http://bit.ly/3bAIMV6This week's episode:Let's talk credentials. If you're finishing up your graduate school application, you need to take agood look at what you put together. Will the admissions council know what you're bringing to thetable? This week's episode gives you the ingredients for creating and submitting a strongapplication. From having a well-put-together curriculum vitae to taking the admissions council ona journey through your research and experience, Allante' lists exactly what you need to stand upand stand out amongst your competition. Take notes when listening in for this recipe of success,we all know how missing one step can completely ruin the perfect meal. Don't have time to writeit down because you're always on the go like Allante'? Sign up for her seven-day e-mailcourse, “Get to Grad School,” (hyperlink) which covers credentials as well.This week's episode also answers a question from a Twitter follower who asked for tips on dealing with people who are, to be frank, annoying! Allante shares her admittedly passive approach--listen to find out what it is!This week's Lesson's from the Trap come from an oldie but goodie “Lose My Mind,” by DMX.Channel your inner gangster on your noise-canceling headphones when everyone - yourteachers, peers, family members, significant other, whoever gets on your very last nerve.

In honor of Insecure's #SeasonByeve this week's rewind comes from the archives way back in 2018 when Blk + in Grad School collaborated with WokeSTEM for “Hella Intersections: The Digital Insecure Kickback”. This isn't your typical Insecure chat. It was a really dope, really big kickback talking about INSECURE...and not just the #basic stuff, but the intersectionality of the narratives that the show powerfully brings to life. No spoilers here!

*IT'S A REWIND*Meet Alana, a social worker that balanced her coursework and full-time work while in grad school with very intentional self-care. During a conversation inside Blk + in Grad School's private community, The Scholar Circle, Alana brought up the topic of rest and how it differs from restoration. In this week's episode, we dive into these two different types of self-care and practices you can implement in your self-care routine. Can you talk about a mind-blowing moment?

This episode is formally called Emotional Rollercoaster because sometimes grad school can leave you feeling like a Mr. Krab's meme.In Allanté's journey, November definitely had some twists and turns, and with it came a range of emotions. In this episode, she shares an update about everything that has gone down, from a guilt-free personal trip to the internal struggle of combating negative self-talk. There were more than thug tears shed on campus in November by Allanté and this episode explores how to handle emotional responses in professional settings and how to create an ICE (in case of emergency) tribe to help you through when your own mind is only serving up negativity.

"I know there's always rooting before blossoming." - Tracy G. This affirmation is a whole word, which inspired this week's episode on setting your goals. If you're a scholar, rooting is the planning and blossoming is the goal achieved. That goal could be a paper, a research project, building your network, etc. Setting a goal in our heads may be as easy as writing that goal down however the process of actualizing the goal can be frustrating and confusing without some careful considerations taken into account. This week Allanté shares three critical pieces to set goals so that you'll actually accomplish them, not just set and forget. You can download the free goal setting workbook at https://www.blkingradschool.com/goal-oriented

Moving to a new city can be hard, so is finding a place with all your personal comforts. Don't worry though, Allanté's got your back! Preparation is your friend so the first step is getting ahead of the curve and really understanding your needs and wants. Listen in this week for the 6 critical steps to success as you prepare to step forward into your new city. If you want advice and insight into finding a place (within your budget), making new friends in your city, or getting ready to start a program, you'll get what you need this week.   Lesson From The Trap: Never Recover - Lil Baby ft. Gunna & Drake   “Look at my story man, no one can write it. Now I see a million I don't even get excited.”   P.S. --check out Episode 70: Making that Graduate Stipend Stretch for an in depth analysis of how to stack your coins and let your money work for you the looong way.**

If you're used to using social media solely for your personal enjoyment with memes, quotes and the like, it's a different ballgame when it comes to using it as a rising thought leader (that's you!). This episode explores some of the ways you can navigate the Twitterverse, with some practical tips on handling clapbacks and finding your community. Listen in for advice to find your people--fellow grad students, faculty and researchers in your field and beyond. Learn some best practices or easy ways to engage when you're just getting started with your professional Twitter.  

Issa Rewind! Enjoy a quick update from Allanté and a list of communities to support you along your journey. Grad School doesn't usually come with a course on how to navigate all the things that come along with it. These things are often described as the “hidden curriculum” — things you're just expected to know or somehow learn on your own—or else. Sometimes these topics are addressed briefly during orientation, sometimes it does not. Why does it feel like, sometimes, we're all we've got? And we're kinda new here, but we ARE here. So who exactly am I talking about when I say we? The many communities that have come into fruition over the years to serve graduate students beyond graduate school. This week I share the organizations I'm in as well as many that I admire! The many communities that have come into fruition over the years to serve graduate students beyond graduate school. This week I share the organizations I'm in as well as many that I admire! If you looking for your people within the academic space you might find them in this episode. In this episode I mention a bunch of communities to consider joining. Get the full list at blkingradschool.com/podcast/121 Just two more weeks to join The Scholar Circle until next year! Get more information at blkingradschool.com/jointsc

**LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. This episode is a long one and unlike my other episodes, but I promise it's a good one and you won't regret listening!** Our Grad School Success Summit live episode gets realer than real with my featured guest and homegirl, Kalyn. Kalyn is a digital media scholar with a B.A. in English from Old Dominion University (HBCU's stand up!), and an M.A. in Organizational Communication from Bowie University.  She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Media, Art, and Text (MATX) at Virginia Commonwealth University, focusing on gender-based violence as it relates to Black women. This week's episode digs deep into Kalyn's journey which has been nothing short of inspirational. From navigating grad school woes with funding and friendships to struggling with chronic health conditions and financial hardships, Kalyn is a true representation of a survivor. Using her experience and knowledge, Kalyn takes her teachings to the streets to help students through her program and blog, Hoodrat Scholarship. Kalyn's Lesson from the Trap gives you the confidence boost you didn't know you needed with Megan Thee Stallion's, “Girl's in the Hood.” Follow her on IG @kalyncoghill and on Twitter @Drbiggieshorty

The 4th Annual Grad School Success Summit is happening now, but don't fret, you can still register to attend! It's a FREE networking event created for grad students of all disciplines to get the tools and resources to help them flourish on their journeys! The third episode of the mini-series takes us to the 2019 Grad School Success Summit with Dr. Fatimah. CEO of Beyond the Tenure Track, Dr. Fatimah is an author and professional planning and career development coach who has been featured in several publications and on several podcasts. During her session, Dr. Fatimah provided a number of tools to help us break the cycle of missed deadlines and scheduling overloads. As a planning and organizational beast (you have to listen to understand just how good she is), Dr. Fatimah helps grad school professionals discover and address their underlying problems with accomplishing goals, organize and prioritize the steps to completion, and create realistic timelines that help eliminate stress. She has a tried and proven formula for productive planning and prioritization. Check out the Blk+In Grad School YT channel to watch the full video from Dr. Fatimah's session! Follow Dr. Fatimah on IG @fatimahphd!

The 4th Annual Grad School Success Summit is happening now, but don't fret, you can still register to attend! It's a FREE networking event created for grad students of all disciplines to get the tools and resources to help them flourish on their journeys! The third episode of the mini-series takes us to the 2019 Grad School Success Summit with Dr. Fatimah. CEO of Beyond the Tenure Track, Dr. Fatimah is an author and professional planning and career development coach who has been featured in several publications and on several podcasts. During her session, Dr. Fatimah provided a number of tools to help us break the cycle of missed deadlines and scheduling overloads. As a planning and organizational beast (you have to listen to understand just how good she is), Dr. Fatimah helps grad school professionals discover and address their underlying problems with accomplishing goals, organize and prioritize the steps to completion, and create realistic timelines that help eliminate stress. She has a tried and proven formula for productive planning and prioritization. Check out the Blk+In Grad School YT channel to watch the full video from Dr. Fatimah's session! Follow Dr. Fatimah on IG @fatimahphd!

We're less than a week away from the 4th Annual Grad School Success Summit. Are you registered yet? The second episode of our mini-series takes us back to 2018 when I hosted the first Grad School Success Summit. (Shoutout to my OG listeners who remember my early days!) Dr. Autumn, who was in the second year of her doctoral program at the time, presented on establishing connectivity and community through writing communities. Not only sharing why it's extremely important to build support groups, she also dropped some gems on how to start them, things to consider for the group's long-term success and other ways to find support if starting a writing group isn't really for you. Rounding the episode off with a few of her own productivity and writing tricks, Dr. Autumn is giving us what we need for writing success. Dr. Autumn also hosts a podcast and blog called, Read Blackademia (IG - @readblackademia). Be sure to check it out! You can also follow her personal IG @Autumnadia4!

To kick off the 4th Annual Grad School Success Summit, I'm starting a three-part mini-series that recaps our most popular episodes and gives you a preview of what you can expect in this year's amazing session line-up. This first episode gets straight to the point by digging deep into a problem we all face at one point or another in our grad school journey - writer's block. It doesn't matter if you love writing or hate it; writer's block will come kicking in your door and live in your brain rent-free for as long as it wants. Enter Dr. Lacy, founder of Qual Sisters. Qual Sisters is a writing and coaching platform developed to help you create and finish your dissertation. Through structured guides, accountability coaching and consistent writing practices, Dr. Lacy will help you overcome the writer's block that's getting in the way of your success. As a quick credentials recap, Dr. Lacy went to Elmhurst College for undergrad, Illinois State University for her Masters and the University of Georgia for her Ph.D. In this episode, you'll hear how she struggled with writing as a first-year Ph.D. student and gain some skills to help you write more productive, more often.

To kick off the 4th Annual Grad School Success Summit, I’m starting a three-part mini-series that recaps our most popular episodes and gives you a preview of what you can expect in this year’s amazing session line-up. This first episode gets straight to the point by digging deep into a problem we all face at one point or another in our grad school journey - writer’s block. It doesn’t matter if you love writing or hate it; writer’s block will come kicking in your door and live in your brain rent-free for as long as it wants. Enter Dr. Lacy, founder of Qual Sisters. Qual Sisters is a writing and coaching platform developed to help you create and finish your dissertation. Through structured guides, accountability coaching and consistent writing practices, Dr. Lacy will help you overcome the writer’s block that’s getting in the way of your success. As a quick credentials recap, Dr. Lacy went to Elmhurst College for undergrad, Illinois State University for her Masters and the University of Georgia for her Ph.D. In this episode, you’ll hear how she struggled with writing as a first-year Ph.D. student and gain some skills to help you write more productive, more often.

Meet Dr. Ijeoma, a public health historian that doubles as a lifestyle blogger and entrepreneur! Dr. Ijeoma holds a Ph.D. in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University and spends her time researching the medial construction of diseases, running her lifestyle blog, Ijeoma Kola, and mentoring Black women pursuing doctoral degrees as the founder and executive director of her non-profit, Cohort Sistas. Cohort Sistas is a digital platform created to provide mentorship, community and resources during the graduate school journey. Dr. Ijeoma is an OG in the blogging universe. She created her blog in 2010 when she started her natural hair journey but ultimately turned her passion for beauty, style and travel into a lucrative career that paved the way to her success today. In this week’s episode, she discusses how she channeled her individual experience in academia to find connection and collaboration, and how she uses her business and platform to do that same for others. Dr. Ijeoma’s Lesson from the Trap takes us back to the late ’90s with a Lauryn Hill classic, “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Follow Dr. Ijeoma on IG and Twitter @ijeomakola Follow Cohort Sistas on IG @cohortsistas

This HBCU grad and advocate is changing the narrative of HBCUs one student at a time. Meet Kendra, a second-year Ph.D. candidate at Jackson State University pursuing a degree in Urban Higher Education. Kendra has served in various capacities at HBCUs including North Carolina Central, Wilberforce University and Livingstone College. She currently serves as the Director for Career & Professional Development at Wiley College in Marshall, TX. In this episode, Kendra discusses how HBCUs saved her from being a high-school dropout and paved the way for her career in academia. Having attended an HBCU for her entire educational career, Kendra uses her knowledge and experience to encourage and empower students of color through her IG blog, @ScholarStuff. This episode makes you think about success outside of your credentials and reminds you to be humbly confident in all of your accomplishments. Kendra’s Lesson from the Trap throws it back to J. Cole’s “The Autograph.” Follow Kendra on IG @kendrasharp.co

If you find yourself experiencing setbacks that are making you rethink or pivot your grad school journey, this episode is for you. Meet Kim Ford, a media entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. Kim is a TV host, freelance writer, speaker, author of her self-published book “It’s Never Too Late”, a blogger on her website, iamKimFord.com, and a grad student at Georgia State University studying Communications with a concentration on Digital Media Strategies. Kim started her academic career at Grambling State University with a B.A. in Psychology, but after seeing a need for better representation for women in the media, she quickly pivoted and grew her career through networking, strategizing and maximizing her time. In this episode, and her book, “It’s Never Too Late,” Kim talks about the importance of setting boundaries, resetting your mind, body and spirit, and forgiving yourself. In this week’s Lesson from the Trap, Kim is bringing back an oldie by goodie, “Turn Down For What” by Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys. Tune in to see how Lil Jon can help keep you motivated! Follow Kim on all IG @iamkimford and subscribe to her YouTube channel, Kim Ford!

You’re getting the education you need, but do you have the experience to land the job you want after grad school? Will you end up with multiple degrees in one field, but end up on a career track that has absolutely nothing to do with what you studied?  If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, this episode is definitely for you! Meet Dr. Ashley Adams! Dr. Ashley is a Senior Director of Student Affairs at an R1 institution in the Northeast and an adjunct professor in the university's college of education. When she’s not working, she’s hosting a podcast, Schoolin’ Life, and coaching women professionals under her company, Mentor Me. A career development platform, Mentor Me was created to help grad students and career women find and secure more money and have a greater impact in their desired fields and roles. Tune in as we discuss, time harmonizing, strategizing, and leveraging your skills and credentials. This week’s Lesson from the Trap is unlike anything we’ve ever heard, because it doesn’t pull from music, but experience. Trust me, you just have to listen to understand, and I promise you won’t be disappointed! Follow Dr. Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleyasshire!

You’re getting the education you need, but do you have the experience to land the job you want after grad school? Will you end up with multiple degrees in one field, but end up on a career track that has absolutely nothing to do with what you studied?  If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, this episode is definitely for you! Meet Dr. Ashley Adams! Dr. Ashley is a Senior Director of Student Affairs at an R1 institution in the Northeast and an adjunct professor in the university's college of education. When she’s not working, she’s hosting a podcast, Schoolin’ Life, and coaching women professionals under her company, Mentor Me. A career development platform, Mentor Me was created to help grad students and career women find and secure more money and have a greater impact in their desired fields and roles. Tune in as we discuss, time harmonizing, strategizing, and leveraging your skills and credentials. This week’s Lesson from the Trap is unlike anything we’ve ever heard, because it doesn’t pull from music, but experience. Trust me, you just have to listen to understand, and I promise you won’t be disappointed! Follow Dr. Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleyasshire!

This episode is the episode we KNOW we needed but didn’t know we needed! Let me introduce you to Lauryn! A four-time Olympic athlete, Lauryn is now a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), a Student Loan Advisor at Student Loan Planner , the owner of the financial firm, Worth Winning, AND a host of the Worth Listening podcast! You may be wondering how this three-time Olympic medalist transitioned into finance, and it was no small feat. As a successful athlete, Lauryn was closing 6-figure deals at 20-years-old, but had little to no support on how to manage and grow that wealth. Looking to fill the void she once faced, Lauryn transitioned to financial planning, and now helps people in their 20s and 30s strategize and build financial plans that help tackle student loan debt, and plan for the future. So if you’re curious about what type of goals you should set, how to decrease your overhead and what’s required for baseline planning, tune in now! We’re leaving the Broke Phi Broke days behind with this episode! For some financial tips follow Lauryn’s business on IG @worth_winning and on Twitter @worthwinning. You can also follow her personally on IG @Lauryncwilliams.

Ya girl is a new big age, thirty-two! I asked folks on Insta what they want to know and quite a few questions rolled in! So this week I tried to answer every question I received about grad school, the future of the podcast, and even my go-to beauty hacks. I share some major podcast news (gotta listen until the end!) Don't forget to register for the GRE session with me on Friday 4/23 at 1:30 PM EST! Register at http://bit.ly/3tp3ZIY

Meet Rarosue, a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Florida! In this week’s episode, we talk about Rarosue’s passion for Global sustainability and her plans to help convert everyday waste to energy. Rarosue finished her undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering in her hometown, Nigeria. After graduating, she completed one year of Core Service. While finishing her core service year, she conducted personal research that helped her create sustainable resources for her and her family and created Green Club Nigeria, an environmental sustainability platform dedicated to educating children about the environment.  She also joined a Facebook group and met who would later become her professor during her Master’s program at the University of South Florida. (I keep telling you, networking is key!) Not your average engineer, in addition to her studies, Rarosue has a youtube channel, “Rarosue Amaraibi,” where she focuses on environmental education and lifestyle. It’s all things going green but let’s also make it glamorous! Rarosue’s Lesson from the Trap introduces us to Nigerian rapper M.I Abaga! Tune in now for some cultural appreciation and food for thought! Follow Rarosue on IG @raro_solo, on Twitter @rarosue and on YouTube. Follow Green Club Nigeria on IG @geenclubnigeria and on Twitter @greenclubng

Online school is nothing new, people like Keri have been completing degree virtually well before the pandemic. She's a senior budget analyst for the Internal Revenue Service that started her educational journey in pharmacy before deciding to pursue psychology while at Howard University. We talk about her experience earning her MBA online from Champlain College, entrepreneurship and the beauty industry! Her passion for money and asset management moved her to Atlanta where she was able to also explore songwriting and producing music all while doing her MBA. She talks about being a grad student, a song writer and working full-time. She shares her balance strategies and her experience as a Black woman in an online MBA program. She also shares her inventor and entrepreneurial journey as she builds her beauty business, Keri Kontours.   Follow Keri on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter  

This episode is super special because I get to introduce you all to my sister, my soror, and my dear friend, Makenzie. An International Program Manager at Microsoft, Makenzie is a North Carolina A&T double alum with a B.S. in Biological Engineering, and an M.S. in Technology Management with an emphasis in Operations and Manufacturing Systems. We dig deep into Makenzie’s decision to pursue her Masters at an HBCU versus a PWI, how she balances work, home life, and keeping her passport stamped, and how one compliment landed her the job at Microsoft. Crazy, right? Makenzie’s story is all about the importance of exploring your options and “knowing what works best for you and cultivating that environment.” *three snaps* Instead of our normal Lessons from the Trap, Makenzie gives us a break from the Trap with R&B vibes from Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be.” (Listen to the episode to find out how this music brings her balance!) For some good laughs, follow her @kayzeejean on IG and @kayzeemoss on Twitter!

Navigating academia, science, and everything that’s going on in the world around us as a Black woman can be a lot to handle. This week, I had an honest conversation with my internet friend, Jazmine I. Benjamin, about the two different hats Black female scientists wear. Jazmine is a fourth-year Ph.D. student who is pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical science. Her research focuses on the effects of feeding behaviors on risk factors for diabetic nephropathy. As a cell and molecular biologist, Jazmine made the pivot from basic health sciences to endocrinology and diabetes. Grad school gave Jazmine the option to follow research opportunities while establishing a strong and diverse support system that facilitates and encourages her growth In this episode, Jazmine shares intimate details about navigating the world of academia as a Black female scientist in this current day and age. She discusses the “hidden curriculum” that Black people in academia face, from experiencing the microaggressions and racism that present themselves, to having to be beyond excellent in order to afford the same opportunities that are offered to white colleagues. Jazmine shares her personal experiences and stories, helping listeners by identifying red flags within academia as a Black female scientist. In addition to her scientific training and background, Jazmine is also passionate about science policy. As the founder of the Science Policy and Advocacy Initiative (SPAI) at The University of Alabama in Birmingham, she is focused on contributions affecting policy as it relates to science, as well as affecting policy as it relates to K through 12 STEM education in the United States.   Follow Jazmine on Instagram @jibenhamin, on Twitter @j_i_benjamin, and on LinkedIn.

Do you love supporting Black businesses? Of course you do! On this week’s episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Marshay, the CEO and founder of Buzzoms, a clothing company designed to support a life that all women want - the ability to wear clothes that support you no matter the size. Marshay recently obtained her MBA from Columbia Business School where she studied Entrepreneurship and Technology. Before studying at Columbia, Marshay obtained her undergrad degree from the University of Virginia, where she studied and sought a career in Finance. When she realized her passions lie elsewhere, she quickly pivoted to tech after landing a job at the money manager start-up, Betterment. From there, divine intervention took over. Marshay discusses navigating Columbia as a woman of color,  starting a business during the pandemic, and the power of reinvesting your negative emotions into building your business. Filling a void many women face regularly, Marshay combined her creativity and personal experience to birth a clothing line that will literally change the game.   To learn more about her clothing line and shop her timeless pieces, visit her on IG @buzzoms and at www.buzzoms.com

If you’re a first-gen college grad this episode is especially for you! In this week’s episode, I talk with Dr. Eve, a first-gen college grad inspiring, empowering, and promoting personal transformation and entrepreneurial development through her business and podcast, The First-Gen Lounge. A native of Charlotte N.C, Dr. Eve received her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at the tender age of 28 from the University of Southern Mississippi. There she studied student affairs through the lens of HBCUs, and Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) during the Civil Rights era, which seem fitting since she’s currently an esteemed member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. After graduating and returning to her undergrad alma mater Charlotte University, the oldest HBCU, she soon realized her path into Academia may not be what she originally thought. Shedding light on the administration side of academia, Dr. Eve shares some food for thought about the cultural differences between the graduate and professional academic world and gives great advice for scholars close to the finish line and anyone thinking of starting a business. Dr. Eve is currently a part-time online professor and a full-time motivator, uplifting and serving her community and students by teaching them to trust their judgment, live life with no regrets, and embrace their lane. Follow Dr. Eve on all social platforms @evehudsonphd and don’t forget to support her pod, The First-Gen Lounge  

Dr. Nehemiah Mabry, PE is a Structural Engineer, STEM Educator, and Entrepreneur. He's the brilliant mind behind STEMedia, a multimedia company that provides technical and creative content for the STEM/STEAM community. His experience includes over 8 years of research at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and currently works as a Bridge Design Engineer. This week we talked about his graduate journey, from fully funding from NASA for his Masters to hustling to secure funding after the first year of his Ph.D. I really enjoyed learning to story of STEMedia. Dr. Nehemiah shares how his creative outlet in grad school became a successful business where he melds his passions to this day.   Follow Dr. Nehemiah on IG and Twitter @NehemiahMabry Get involved with STEMedia, follow IG @stemedia and Twitter @_stemedia

This week listen in on my convo with Amonté, a third-year Ph.D. student studying Forestry Resource and Conservation at the University of Florida. Amonté shares a story unlike any other on the podcast, mostly because his original life plan didn’t include a career in academia, but football. But after getting his GED, a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Business and Economic Landscape and Design from Florida A&M, and a Master’s in Agricultural Education from Purdue, Amonté finds himself, by day, teaching and researching how to use school gardens for contextual learning. When he’s not in the classroom, Amonte is co-hosting his podcast, “The Process,” and raising his two kids with his lawyer wife. Power couple! Hello! An important story about the cruciality of supporting your community, paying homage to those who came before you, and paving the way for those who will follow, Amonté gives us a history lesson and shows us how success is not a linear process.   Amonté’s Lesson from the Trap? Listen to the episode to find out how these cult favorites inspire Amonté!). Follow Amonté on IG & Twitter: @AmonteMartin S Support his pod, The Process, on IG: @overcome_achieve.

This week listen in on my convo with Amonté, a third-year Ph.D. student studying Forestry Resource and Conservation at the University of Florida. Amonté shares a story unlike any other on the podcast, mostly because his original life plan didn’t include a career in academia, but football. But after getting his GED, a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Business and Economic Landscape and Design from Florida A&M, and a Master’s in Agricultural Education from Purdue, Amonté finds himself, by day, teaching and researching how to use school gardens for contextual learning. When he’s not in the classroom, Amonte is co-hosting his podcast, “The Process,” and raising his two kids with his lawyer wife. Power couple! Hello! An important story about the cruciality of supporting your community, paying homage to those who came before you, and paving the way for those who will follow, Amonté gives us a history lesson and shows us how success is not a linear process.   Amonté’s Lesson from the Trap? Listen to the episode to find out how these cult favorites inspire Amonté!). Follow Amonté on IG & Twitter: @AmonteMartin S Support his pod, The Process, on IG: @overcome_achieve.

A journalist by trade, Jalisa, aka Jae left a career in radio when she decided to move to Atlanta and earn her Ph.D. She is a third-year doctoral student at Clark Atlanta University, where she is studying Humanities with a double concentration in African American Studies and Political Science. Her research focus is Digital Discourse Surrounding Sexual Agency of Black Women in Southern Hip Hop. She loves all things Southern, like diamond grills, slabs, bounce music, crawfish, and a good HBCU band.  She shares her reason for intentionally earning her Ph.D. at an HBCU, balancing her full-time job, work as an influencer, her Etsy shop, and managing a community she created with over 12K Black single young professionals.   Follow Jae on Instagram and Twitter @JaeSoFamous

Marquis is an advisor and program coordinator at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, writer, and host of @detroitworldwidepodcast. His journey started as a freshman conditionally accepted to Wayne State University. He says he bloomed where he was planted, serving students as a peer mentor which inspired his career path to serve minoritized, first-gen students as a career. Listen to this week's episode about his experience as a graduate student while juggling. multiple jobs. It's still a story in the Full-Time Series because this is the reality for so many folks; So many of us have` to work on top of an assistantship stipend to make ends meet and the timing spent working equals up to a full-time job while in grad school full time. He shares his approach to handling all his jobs, navigating grad school, and making authentic connections as a grad student.   Follow Marquis on Instagram at @detroitworldwidepodcast @mtaylor313 or on Twitter @mtaylor313 @detroitworldpod  

Quianna grad school journey started in a centerpiece of Black American culture, the shop! A hairstylist turned social worker, she was always finding resources to help her clients. When she decided to go back to school in 2006 to finish her Bachelor's degree, she then realized that social work was the career that would allow her to amplify and empower voices. She got more than she bargained for when she was encouraged to continue and complete her MSW. Listen in to this episode to hear how Quianna pursued her MSW working full time on top of titles as mom, new wife, and the one of the brilliant minds behind @non_tradish. She shares her unorthodox study hours, her prioritization method, and negotiation skills that helped get her through. Follow and support Non-Tradish! Link: https://www.instagram.com/non_tradish/ Learn more or join the Scholar Circle, the accountability and productivity community that offers resources and support for holistic development. When you’re a member of the Scholar Circle you’ll find trainings, templates and tools that help you stay organized, streamline your research, and boosts your productivity. We just wrapped up the Fall semester and will be starting again on January 19th, if you’re interested head to blkingradschool.com/jointsc  

Quianna grad school journey started in a centerpiece of Black American culture, the shop! A hairstylist turned social worker, she was always finding resources to help her clients. When she decided to go back to school in 2006 to finish her Bachelor's degree, she then realized that social work was the career that would allow her to amplify and empower voices. She got more than she bargained for when she was encouraged to continue and complete her MSW. Listen in to this episode to hear how Quianna pursued her MSW working full time on top of titles as mom, new wife, and the one of the brilliant minds behind @non_tradish. She shares her unorthodox study hours, her prioritization method, and negotiation skills that helped get her through. Follow and support Non-Tradish! Link: https://www.instagram.com/non_tradish/ Learn more or join the Scholar Circle, the accountability and productivity community that offers resources and support for holistic development. When you’re a member of the Scholar Circle you’ll find trainings, templates and tools that help you stay organized, streamline your research, and boosts your productivity. We just wrapped up the Fall semester and will be starting again on January 19th, if you’re interested head to blkingradschool.com/jointsc  

Nicole (@_nicoleblah) is working on her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Mercer University where her research focus is black women's wellness and perinatal mental health. We talked about her path to psychology from another path and really demystify the clinical psychology education process --which at her university is different from the usual research-dissertation process we think of. She then shares how she balances grad school, work, and family. There's a strategy she uses for reading that is freaking ingenious, seriously. Even if you aren't working full time with family while earning a graduate degree, Nicole dops gems on wellness with the warmest yet firm approach I've heard. Definitely perfect as we continue this series about balancing work & school and wrap up this year. Learn more or join the Scholar Circle, the accountability and productivity community that offers resources and support for holistic development. When you’re a member of the Scholar Circle you’ll find trainings, templates and tools that help you stay organized, streamline your research, and boosts your productivity. We just wrapped up the Fall semester and will be starting again on January 19th, if you’re interested head to blkingradschool.com/jointsc  

Nicole (@_nicoleblah) is working on her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Mercer University where her research focus is black women's wellness and perinatal mental health. We talked about her path to psychology from another path and really demystify the clinical psychology education process --which at her university is different from the usual research-dissertation process we think of. She then shares how she balances grad school, work, and family. There's a strategy she uses for reading that is freaking ingenious, seriously. Even if you aren't working full time with family while earning a graduate degree, Nicole dops gems on wellness with the warmest yet firm approach I've heard. Definitely perfect as we continue this series about balancing work & school and wrap up this year. Learn more or join the Scholar Circle, the accountability and productivity community that offers resources and support for holistic development. When you’re a member of the Scholar Circle you’ll find trainings, templates and tools that help you stay organized, streamline your research, and boosts your productivity. We just wrapped up the Fall semester and will be starting again on January 19th, if you’re interested head to blkingradschool.com/jointsc  

When Bianca (@bjesus89) went away to college with aspirations to teach, but when she realized K-12 wasn't for her she pivoted to Higher Ed and hasn't looked back since. Her career moved her to Pittsburgh back in 2017, and she decided after 7.5 years in the profession to pursue an Ed.D. Bianca is now in her second year of her Ed.D. at the University of Pittsburgh focusing on the development of first-generation, low-income students in predominately white spaces. She still works full-time so we talk about how she juggles work and school as well as maintaining a really full social life! Listen in as she shares her thought process for picking her program, how she speaks up for herself in the classroom (and tips on how you can too), and her approach for maintaining balance.   Learn more or join the Scholar Circle, the accountability and productivity community that offers resources and support for holistic development. When you’re a member of the Scholar Circle you’ll find trainings, templates and tools that help you stay organized, streamline your research, and boosts your productivity. We just wrapped up the Fall semester and will be starting again on January 19th, if you’re interested head to blkingradschool.com/jointsc  

Sam is one of my Detroit homies. We met about 7 years ago (gasp!) after he accepted a job at General Motors where he's moved up to Reporting Analyst. He finished up an MBA in Information Systems and Global Supply Chain and is now a second Master's in Marketing Business Analytics. We discuss his work-life balance -- because let me tell you, Sam lives it up!--as well as his decision to pursue a second Master's to best position himself for the career he wants. And of course, we talk about the coins and how Sam has funded his education so far. Follow Sam on Insta: @sam_goin_ham1 Also!Join in on this conversation on Monday 12/14 where GRE will be hosting a virtual event to begin the conversation about admission bias, the current climate for graduate education amongst students of color, and more. I’ll be serving as one of the panelists in the conversation and invite you to share your thoughts. Come join me on December 14, 2020, at 2 pm EDT Link for registration: http://bit.ly/39UHKDU

Adebukola Ajao (IG @baddisparateyouth) is a graduate student at Northeastern University set to finish her Master’s in Digital Media this month! She was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fellow which fully funds her studies in exchange for work in her community. It doesn’t stop there though, Adebukola works full time as a program advisor at a local high school, runs her multimedia agency. She's a highly motivated woman wearing many hats, and we've chopped it about her decision to go back to grad school + how she balances everything on her plate. Her #1 strategy for balancing it all follows Toni Morrison’s writing routine.   Adebukola’s interview is the first of a series all about going to grad school full time and working full time. I know so many of you are juggling school, family, work and I absolutely commend you! Idk, how ya’ll do it and I often get questions about how to balance grad school and working full-time so I found a bunch of folks to share their story with us!   Get the latest update from Blk + in Grad School at blkingradschool.com/links

The letter of recommendation can be a great tool in telling your story in a graduate school or fellowship application. You want to include a skill/character they could speak to. Providing what you want each recommender to speak on (and the angle they address the skill/character) can assist them with crafting their letters. Professors are super busy and organized emails with this specificity help them quickly write your letter because they don't have to start from scratch or rely on their memory. Ultimately making your letters stronger and better received by admissions committees. Here's how I organize my recommenders when I applied to grad school and I'm using this now as I apply to fellowships. You can get a copy of my worksheet to keep track of all of this in 'Get to Grad School', a FREE email series I created about APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL. This 7-day series was developed to help you prepare your best application so you can attend the school of your dreams! - FREE.99: Applicants can spend over $1,200 during application season and still not be admitted anywhere. Reduce your costs by more than 60% and increase your chances of being admitted!Application costs can exceed $1, 000 so you need - One Worksheet for all your apps: Find everything you need to application season in one worksheet. Makes your life less frustrating and progress easy to track. - Packaged with HBCU ❤️ : Created by yours truly, this e-course has a some flavor to it. Rap references, memes alldat. Sign up today at blkingradschool.com/apply  

Are you or someone you know heading to grad school? Hopefully, you or they know how important funding is for grad school. Some schools are great about funding, others are..not so much. Either way, securing funding is very important. I hosted a webinar a while back covering a bunch of strategies I've used and taught about funding.   Graduate school can be really expensive, on average a graduate degree in the U.S. can cost $30,000-$40,000 a year. You’ve probably been told you don't have to pay for graduate school but no one really explains how to go to grad school for free.