Millennial Minds with YazzieSpeaks

Millennial Minds Eps 62 Gabrielle Perry, Founder of the Thurman Perry Foundation by Yasmine Arrington

Yazzie speaks with Mr. Desmond Williams, founder of Nylinka School Solutions and author of The Burning House: Educating Black Boys in America about his passion for educating black boys and encouraging them to dream, and pursue their dreams. Desmond describes his journey - growing up in Detroit in a war zone during the Reagan administration, having hip hop as an outlet "to help make meaning of the things that he was [we were] seeing." Demond migrated to Washington, DC to attend Howard University in 1996. He describes how powerful and transformative his trip to Washington, DC in 1995 to be a part of the Million Man March was for him as a young man. The conversation further delves into harsh realities around race in the United States of America and the importance of black people being able to make meaning of what is happening around them, and become change agents that drive solutions.

Yasmine sits down with Heather Rice-Minus, an executive at the Christian non-profit Prison Fellowship and her husband Paul Minus, a black and white interracial married couple who have an open and candid conversation about their family dynamics, acceptance amongst parents, talks with family on race, and the idea of having conversations with their children around identity. This conversation could not have happened at a more pivotal and critical time in the United States (2020) - the year of the racially driven murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubery and countless others. 2020 was also the final year of the Presidency of Donald Trump who often spewed inappropriate racial slurs often and would call on The Proud Boys, a known White Supremacist group, to cause disturbances in the nation to attempt to conduct voter suppression tactics, inflict violent acts during peaceful Black Lives Matter protests. In early January 2020 before the inauguration of President Joe Biden, Proud Boys and people affiliated with White Supremacists groups raided the Capitol in Washington, DC an. This is also an era where nonprofits and for-profit businesses alike are facing a racial reckoning and having conversations about the effects of Systemic Racism, the need for more diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (DEI) and the need to invest more dollars in black-owned, black-led organizations and companies and entities founded and led by people of color. What better time than to learn from two individuals who have merged their worlds together and love each other not on the basis of skin color, but because of their interpersonal connection and relationship.

Mary Blackford was inspired to create Market 7 while on a teaching trip to Ghana, where she saw firsthand how integral community markets were to underserved residents. In 2017, she began hosting pop-up markets in Ward 7 to prop up Black retailers and urban farmers before the Neighborhood Development Group offered her a dedicated space at its Benning Market development. In July, Essence awarded Blackford $150,000 to jump-start Market 7 as part of the magazine’s “Build Your Legacy” competition with Pine-Sol. - Washington Post, September 2020

I sit down with Marcus Bullock, CEO of Flikshop. Flikshop is an app you download on your phone, in order to send postcards to your incarcerated loved one. Marcus has a powerful story of becoming incarcerated at a young age. He loves to tell the story of how impactful it was for him to receive letters from his mother while he was incarcerated. He says that her letters kept him connected and gave him hope. Now he is on a mission to give that same hope he felt through his mother's letters to all incarcerated persons! Marcus is a reowned figure in the Criminal Justice Reform, Reentry and Tech spaces and is making his mark! Marcus has given multiple TEDx talks, one of which, his TED Salon: The Mallacan TEDx talk has well over 1 million views. He also has partnered with national organizations such as Prison Fellowship to offer thousands of people free credits to stay in contact with their incarcerated loved ones. We go in depth into his personal story and get insights from Marcus on his life as a master entrepreneur, justice reform advocate, son, father, husband and master storyteller and pitch king!

YazzieSpeaks sits down with actress, Ashley Rios. Ashley is the leading lady in the movie Sinners Wanted, produced by the Jenkins Brothers. We talk about how she got into acting, her early career as an actress, why she walked away from acting for many years, how she met her husband in high school and how they maintain a loving, successful, happy marriage. When Ashley was young she would look at actresses on television and tell her mom that that is what she wanted to do. As a young girl she liked to put on performances and sing and dance for her family. She would even get her siblings involved. Her mother enrolled her as a child in Townsend Management, which is how she began her acting journey. As of today she has acted in plays that have toured the country such as "Black Boy Blues", and movies, one of the latest being "Sinners Wanted." When Sinners Wanted was first released in the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia)it was selling out in movie theaters and now it airs on networks like TV One. Ashley grew up in Washington, DC and originally attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts for dance. If you are an actor/actress or interested

YazzieSpeaks talks with Monique Malabet, a realtor in DC, Maryland and Virginia. She is the Founder of the podcast "Black, Young and I Invest." I speak with Monique about how she helps so many first-time homebuyers, many of whom are African American, make their dreams of home ownership come true. She was born in New York and grew up in Delaware. She went to Hampton University, and while there, took an elective class in real estate her senior year and also got involved with Habitat for Humanity, which sparked her interest in purchasing her first property. Monique also began pursuing her real estate license. She was about 23 years old when she purchased her first home in Delaware and then relocated to DC. If you are preparing to be or desire to be a first-time homebuyer, then this episode is especially for you!

Millennial Minds Eps 55 with Shae Harris Policy Advisor for DC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety by Yasmine Arrington

Yazzie speaks with James Brooks, our recurring political commentator during the Senate Impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. This interview took place a few days before the Senate's vote. The House of Representatives had already filled Articles of Impeachment on President Donald Trump. On February 5, 2020 a supermajority in the Senate voted against the charge of abuse of power and against the charge of obstruction of Congress, which acquitted the president.

Millennial Minds Eps 53 with Dale Noelle, Founder of TRUE Model Management by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 52 with Ali Hashemi, Founder of Good Sweat a Social Impact Cycling Studio by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 51 w/Swaliga Foundation and 4th Quarter Collective by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 50 Doug Spencer Co-Founder of Bold Xchange by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps. 49 Miss DC USA Cordelia Cranshaw 2019 by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps. 48 David Johnson, Founder of Kingdom Promises Ministries, Singer and Actor by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps. 47 Queen Lorrine Coleman-Ross, Director of Ms. Full-Figured D.M.V. Pageant by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 46 with Montie Green, Owner of Velvet Wax, Sugaring Wax Studio by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps. 45 with K Secret, Founder of Jon Marc and National Curves Day, Inc. by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 44 with Raynna Nkwanyuo, J.D. and ScholarCHIPS Alumna by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 43 with Rashema Melson, Anacostia Valedictorian and Former DC General Resident by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 42 with John Bell, Author of Memoirs From My Cell by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 41 with Hannah and Zoha, Co-Founders of HER by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 40 with Greg Cromwell Pianist, Instructor and Band Member by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 39 with Amari Ice Certified Gay Matchmaker and Author by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 38 with Christian Herald Speech and Debate Champion by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 37 T'Kea Blackman Suicide Survivor & Book Author of Saved and Depressed by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 36 with WPGC's SunniandtheCity and Author of Still I Shine by Yasmine Arrington

Actor, Singer, Songwriter and former Pro Baseball player talks to us about growing up outside of Detroit and being a child actor and model. He shares with us the unique story of how he landed a lead role in the movie HardBall as a child baseball player. He also talks about the deal he made with his mom to finish high school before pursuing a career in acting. Julian is a force to be reckoned with! In addition to his many talents, he is also a scholar. He developed a plan A, B and C for potential careers. He has a single out called "Don't Call Me" and he is working on releasing more singles and an EP in 2020. He also has started his own athletic business and is working on writing his own television series.

Hear Rebecca Borton talk about her journey from playing in the backwoods of Connecticut and reading books, to studying Economics in London and learning about micro-finance in Ecuador. She was able to purchase her first home by the age of 25 and now she is teaching and empowering women and families how to align their financial habits with their personal values!

FrankNtheCity is a fashionister, influencer, body positive activist and event host from Alabama with a Southern twang. He is a young man with strong faith. He began his professional journey in undergrad studying Criminal Justice and came to Washington, DC to attend howard University to get his Masters in Social Work. He is open and honest with us about how he got into the fashion industry -spending thousands of dollars on photo shoots, falling into a dark season in his life, learning patience, and coming out with optimism and faith that God will put him exactly where he needs to be. This interview will make you laugh, smile and inspire you.

Listen to this inspiring and informative interview, as newly engaged couple D'onte Caroll and LaMika Robinson talk about what their experiences were like getting married as teenagers and having children young. They met before they got married while in church, and little did they know that their paths would cross again for a divinely ordained purpose. They share how they met, how they reconnected and ultimately are getting married and combining their families. Their stories individually and collectively are REAL and inspiring. They do not hold back in this interview. You defintely want to tune in.

Listen to the miraculous story of Austin Lee, who is a two-time kidney transplant recipient. His mother donated one of her kidney's to Austin when he as just four years old. Before he was born the doctors told his mother to consider getting an abortion, because they did not believe the child would live. Austin's kidney began to fail when he was about 16 years old, and miraculously another kidney became available for him and he was rushed to Children's Hospital where they conducted the second operation. Now Austin dedicates his life to volunteering at local hospitals and encouraging sick patients, cancer patients as well as those seeking or having organ transplants.

American actor Robert Ri'Chard, for millennials, is best remembered for his roles in the hit American sitcoms Cousin Skeeter and One on One and staring in the beloved Sports movie Coach Carter. Robert is the sweetest, smartest and most hard working guy you'd ever want to meet. Robert shares the interesting story of how he grew up in Los Angeles, California and how he ran into a building to hide from a local gang and ended up at an acting school. He talks with us about his upcoming movie releases, his favorite skin care product and his specialized fitness method - Highway Fit! Robert also shares some of his struggles in life, but that he has overcome them through faith, determination and mentors who push him to always give better than his best. Take a listen and share!

Isaiah Swift is the author of Unlock Your Greatness and is a junior at Norfolk State University. He talks about how when he was a child, he did not believe that college would be an option for him. He is wise beyond his years. While in high school he took full advantage of all the internship opportunities he could and applied for every scholarship he could. He mentions getting his first scholarship that was only $100, which encouraged him to keep applying for more, so much so that he was able to go to college on a full-ride, without taking out any loans! Now he is traveling the country selling his book, teaching free webinars to teach others how to write their first book and doing his first Ted Talk in California. Isaiah says that Barnes and Noble is his club and he will go there often to pull books off of the shelves and read. He says that reading is one of the best ways to stay informed, understand business concepts and get to know the minds of very successful people.

I have an intimate and inspiring talk with DJ Harlem from 93.9 WKYS who shares his progression from a radio promotions assistant to a disk jockey and personality on one of DC's hottest Hip Hop and R&B stations! He talks about how Angie Ange discovered his talent and began to mentor him. DJ Harlem shares with us his upcoming projects to highlight local artists and what's next for him. He also shares met the love of his life and how they are able to keep their long-distance relationship strong. DJ Harlem certainly has mastered patience as his virtue and is becoming very successful because of it. Tune in to hear more!

This is an uplifting and hilarious interview with the three millennial founders of GOOD, a DC-based nonprofit that provides services, workshops and jobs to children, youth and families to help them elevate from surroundings of poverty and violence, improving their health and wellness. Darius Baxter, Troye Bullock and Danny Wright have very powerful testimonies from growing up with teenage mothers, and in communities with poverty and violence, to meeting and becoming friends while playing football in college. Sharing their stories with some very influencer people led them to start their own organization to be a light and give back to children and youth who come from similar threads. These three work hard and play hard! They exemplify black excellence, giving pack and paying it forward. Listen and share!

Nicole Kelly is Miss Iowa 2013 is a national advocate for those with physical difference. She was born without a left forearm. She has become an internet sensation with her prosthetic bionic arm! She is a powerhouse, very inspiring and simply amazing. There is nothing that Nicole cannot do.

Shelly Bell is a Social Entrepreneur and Digital Coach - named Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 by Technically DC and one of the Top 40 New Power Women in Tech by DCA Live (2017. She is among the nation's most sought community organizers, motivational speakers and hosts in the Washington, DC Metro area. With a background is performance poetry, K-12 education and Computer Science she vibrates her passion for community building by helping people amplify their power to live the best life possible on their own terms! Shelly is the founder of Black Girl Ventures (BGV), a social enterprise dedicated to finding creative place-based solutions to dissolve the race and gender gap in access to capital. BGV's mission is to develop/operate a framework for increasing the number of revenue generating businesses led by women of color entrepreneurs. “Boss Up” is BGV’s signature event, mixing crowdfunding and pitch competitions to increase community engagement in entrepreneurship while creating access to capital for women. The community donates, the donations create the “vision fund,” black and brown women pitch their ideas, the community votes and one woman walks away with seed funding for her business. Black Girl Ventures also hosts networking events, social gatherings, and story-telling events.

I talk with DC's own Mr. Harley Morgan, he is the founder and CEO of ROE The Agency. He has a troop of models who model for high end brands. She shares his model pet peeves with us, dos and donts and an insight into his unapologetic rants on social media. This is a spicy and engaging interview!

Mr. Trey Rainey, aka Talk2trey is the official arena stage host for the Washington Wizards. He is also a voiceover personality, engineer and promotions assistant at Radio One DC. Trey talks about how he discovered the career of hosting and commentating professional sports games, the importance of mentorship in his life and the importance of always believing in yourself and never giving up. For all of you aspiring radio personalities, or sports hosts this interview is especially for you!

Anyé Young, is a dynamic, intelligent Gen Z teen, who is a high school graduating senior and the author of Teen Guide to Living with Incarcerated Parents. She is also a brand ambassador for Hollister. Anyé gets personal and intimate with us, as she shares her initial anger towards her dad after he became incarcerated, and her journey to forgiveness. We also talk what it is like for her to be a brand ambassador for a national clothing brand and what it is like to have her mom as a manager (aka MoMager) Anyé might be young in years, but she is very wise in experience and underrstanding.

I speak with Millennial Mogul, Mr. Sam Pressler, Founder and Executive Director of Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) where the organization offers free classes in stand-up comedy, platforms for comedic performance for veterans, as well as workshops for their families members and loved ones. Sam informs us why comedy as a teaching tool, social networking strategy and stress reliever is a successful opportunity for war veterans. Sam is a 2015 Echoing Green Global Fellow, 2016 Halcyon Fellow, and 2017 Forbes and Pacific Standard 30 Under 30 awardee.

I talk with Lorna Finn also known as CystumofCurves, who is a blogger plus model and PCOS advocate. She talks about her struggles with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. She informs us how many women in the U.S. has the diagnosis, and it's horrific effects. Lorna is a brave soul who empowers other women and openly speaks about her struggles with PCOS, weight, desire to have children and her journey in the plus modeling industry. This interview will leave you informed and in tears.

I talk with 19-year-old, José Orellana-Alfaro about his award-winning short film 1/5,000 that raises awareness about the tragedy that happens to thousands of immigrant children in the U.S., when their parents are deported. Many immigrant children without parents become foster children. We also talk about the horrors of detention centers and what José's future plans are in college and beyond.

Drew Olivia Tillman is a national rising star - songtress and actress whose performance videos have gone viral multiple times on the internet, even gaining acclaim for celebrities such as Anita Baker and Laylah Hathaway. Drew was a finalist for America's Got Talent and is a star in the 2018 Netflix original movie "Roxanne Roxanne." She also talks with us about how it is to have your parents as your managers. This young star is very mature for her age and has great nuggets of wisdom on how to be resilient no matter what life throws your way.

Miss Candace Johnson is Miss Black DC USA Ambassador 2018. She talks about her life growing up in Mississippi and moving to DC - how it was for her transitioning from suburban to urban schools and her Miss Black DC USA platform. Miss Johnson wants all youth to be prepared for the real world both in soft and hard skills. She also talks about her experience attending an HBCU and how she did not let her inability to run for Miss Howard stop her from earning a title and competing on a national stage for a cause she believes in!

Joshua Fredenburg is a national motivational speaker with expertise in Leadership, Diversity and Student Success. He is moulding and shaping the minds and practices of thousands of young leaders across the country with his Circle of Change Leadership Experience, Leaders for Christ and workshops and webinars. Fredenburg is a man of great faith and he knows how to motivate and inspire. He has a very interesting personal story of his own personal faith walk and journey to national leadership. He is also the author of "50 Questions Before You Say I Do," "40 Questions Every Leader Must Ask Before They Lead in the 21st Century," "A Call to Action: 14 Highly Effective Leadership Principlesfor Leaders of Millennials," and "Nice to Meet You: Re-Discover Yourself in 100 Days." You will certainly be inspired by my talk with Joshua.

Kay Harvey is a Millennial Mogul. She is the Producer and Host of the Kat Harvey SNL Show and the founder of Fly Level Apparel. We talk how she launched her show and business and dares to be different. We also talk how she was brave enough to pursue a man she knew she had to have and some of her international excursions. Listen as Kat drops some gems.

Millennial Minds Eps 12 DJ Beauty and the Beatz by Yasmine Arrington

Millennial Minds Eps 11 Carletta Hurt Women in Film and Video by Yasmine Arrington

I talk with Mr. Paul Monteiro, who worked on the 2008 Obama Campaign and is now running for Prince Georges County Executive. We talk his childhood in Prince Georges County, his experience working in the Obama Administration and his passion for improving education and criminal justice systemic issues in the county.