True Voice Life Stories

Omowale Crenshaw shares his journey through formal education, career changes and traveling the world. He discusses some of the lessons he has gained while living aboard. We cover his current work as a real estate developer based in Colombia. He provides an overview of the socio-economic landscape in Colombia and the lessons we can gain from studying emerging economies. He also highlights the importance of traveling and how it can help us see the world from a different perspective and even help better understand ourselves.

Gail Boyd is a Chicago born and raised entertainment lawyer. She represents a number of critically acclaimed jazz artists. In this episode, Gail shares some of her experiences as an entertainment lawyer, artist manager, and her love for jazz music. She highlights the significance of jazz music as a tool for activism and the importance of keeping jazz music alive.

At age nine, Marvin Charles lost the person he thought was his mother. Soon after that, he learned she was actually not his biological mother. He spent decades of his life surviving and finding his way. He turned his life around in his forties and reunited with his children. Shortly thereafter he was reunited with his biological mother and father. He shares his journey with us in this episode.

Bridgette Hempstead is the founder and CEO of Cierra Sisters, an organization on a mission to break the cycle of fear and increase knowledge concerning breast cancer in the African-American and underserved communities. Her mother and grandmother taught her the value of community and looking out for others, especially when it comes to arming people with the right knowledge so that they can look after themselves. Her own personal journey with breast cancer and navigating the American health system inspired her activism and advocacy for breast cancer awareness. She is passionate about ensuring equal and fair treatment for all those diagnosed with breast cancer.

As a father, physicist, electrical engineer, student mentor, consultant, entrepreneur and founder of STEMTAC Foundation, Al Herron's broad reaching work allows him to not only extend his career ambitions but also make positive contributions to society. In this episode he shares his life journey and discusses the full gamut from childhood to his future goals and ambitions. In all that he does, Al emphasizes the power of partnership and collaboration, which is why mentorship is something that is very important to him.

Gaylloyd Sissón, a writer and retired educator, speaks on his journey of self actualization and awareness. He grew up in Hawaii and most of his childhood was spent away from the troubles that many African Americans faced during the time he was growing up. His first encounters with blatant racism were not until his first visit to St Louis at 13 years old. His experience in the south awakened something of which he could only uncover through journaling and writing. It unconsciously shaped his life to the point and is writing a book about the events.

Dr. James Smith's education background and his work in corporate and teaching have led him to education advocacy. He serves on various boards and committees with the efforts of transforming the US education system and ensuring full participation and protection of students of color. In this episode he shares some of his personal and professional milestones. He further highlights the importance of ‘upskilling' and claims that this is what helps one to grow and reach greater heights in their career.

In this episode, James Donaldson shares how his highs and lows helped him gain confidence, overcome adversity and honor his gift of life. From his time in the NBA, a knee injury that introduced him to the world of physical therapy, life as a successful entrepreneur, health issues and his current run for mayor and more — he continues on a very storied journey. He is passionate about mental health and urges people to speak openly and seek help when needed.

In this episode, Robert Lee Nellams discusses the importance of family and tradition. He recalls some of his fondest memories growing up in and around his grandmother's house and how his generation is trying to keep that same energy. He also discusses some of his work as the director of the Seattle Center and some of traditions and special moments that have surfaced over the years.

Karsonya Wise Whitehead, better known as Dr.Kaye, holds a Ph.D. in culture, language, and literature. She is a professor and the radio show host of ‘Today with Dr. Kaye’. Karsonya spends her time guiding students and her listeners by challenging their worldview.

Tara Simmons recently completed a 100-mile run from Albany to Beacon, NY. She grew up playing sports and even through college. But her three children inspired her in new and unique ways to push herself even further with her running. Our discussion reveals how much it can mean to cross the finish line.

Terri Gentry is a firm believer in the preservation of African American heritage. She has been a volunteering docent at the Black American West Museum in Denver, Colorado since completing her African American Studies program in 2008. Her deep understanding of the history of this area and her own ancestry shines through in this conversation.

Angela Williams recently received the 2020 National Crime Victims' Service Award from the Office for Victims of Crime. This award was in recognition of her helping more than 400 mothers who lost their loved ones to gun violence in Riviera Beach, FL. I talk to her about what it’s like helping so many grieve for the last 18 years.

Phillip Dukes is a pastor and the leader of a nonprofit called Operation Restore. Helping youth in a gang and gun violence infested community find better paths. When he was 13, Dukes began running the streets before returning to the Christian values his grandmother taught him.

Marie Henderson and her husband are prime examples of the American Dream. They have been in business since the 60s, selling vinyl records. Marie wanted to become a nurse but dropped out of her program to work in factories, and later met her husband. The pair built a booming records shop business, which they still run to this day.

Basil Watson is a figurative clay sculptor who was selected to create a larger-than-life-size replica of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr for the city of Atlanta. His journey began in Jamaica in the 80s, where he set out to launch a successful art career in a newly independent country yearning for a post-colonial identity and culture.

Ted Golden grew up in the projects in Jackson, Tennessee. Many years later, he served over ten years as an undercover agent for the DEA. From drug busts, shootouts, and tons of narcotics, he has many tales to tell.

Growing up in Apartheid South Africa, Doris had brutal encounters with the police in a ‘whites-only’ town where she lived with her adoptive family and later her white boyfriend. Over the years Doris has conquered not only her challenges but also helped others conquer their own.

Mr. David Sellu is an author, equality advocate, and surgeon, who was accused and wrongfully imprisoned for a patient’s death. After three years, he successfully appealed his conviction. Our discussion covers his remarkable journey from Sierra Leone to the UK.

I wrap up this season with a discussion with Dr. Jenny Vaughan. While it centers on her efforts to fight for and protect medical professionals, it also serves as an inspirational journey for almost anyone. She fights for others while also facing her own battle with cancer.

Richard is the last of nine children born to a mother who gave him up. He grew up with loving adoptive parents, a few minutes from his biological sister, although unknown at the time. I learned about him facing the Vietnam war draft, his 16 years of International Guard service, and his role in building a science-rooted church organization that has taken him across the globe.

Dr. Orient was born in Tucson, Arizona, where she graduated college in ‘67. She wanted to attend medical school right after but didn’t have the courage. We talk about how she mastered that courage through teaching and her current role as the Executive Director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. An organization leading a lawsuit involving a medicine used by lupus patients and recently linked to preventing COVID-19.

Tonyelle Cook-Artis was diagnosed with lupus a few months before college. But that did not stop her from graduating with a 3.5 GPA, being a Resident Assistant, and working two jobs. We talk about giving birth to her post-mature son - now 18. And her career in politics.

Cherri Perron went from meeting Bill Clinton in high school, one of five black students in her college program to being diagnosed with lupus - an autoimmune disease overwhelmingly affecting women of color. She is dedicated to helping people living with lupus and not letting it define her. I spoke to her about lupus and the topic of race in Arkansaw, where she lived under Jim Crow law.

Bill was born to a mailman and stay-at-home mother in a multicultural town of working-class families chasing the ‘American dream.’ He served in the military and later embarked on a career in HR, which all began after being accidentally enrolled in a cleck course instead of computer programming.

Bernyce has devoutly been a Christian and Muslim at different times in her life. From becoming a young mother, a model, and featuring in an Emmy-winning film - we talk about her life and zeal for fighting racial injustice and helping others.

Ronald Bond shared a room with his six brothers in Chester, a then boomtown in Philadelphia, thriving on manufacturing ships for the World Wars. I talk to him about sharing a one-bedroom house with a family of three in New York, the first step to his career as a Recreation Director, giving people opportunities to be active.

In 1985, CBS brought national attention to a county in Mississippi, known as Sugar Ditch. The documentary exposed Tunica's Sugar Ditch as the poorest in the USA. We talk with Dennis about first beating the odds of being the fourth miscarriage to making it out from the poor and dirty ditch of Mississippi. Now a successful, educated, motivational speaker and singer.

Denise Perry has been preparing and training leaders to dismantle racial injustice for almost a decade. While barely ten years old, Denise began her journey as an ‘organizer’ helping working-class Americans navigate deteriorating working conditions and the dilution of labor unions because of the Reagan administration’s neoliberalism in the 80s.