Podcast appearances and mentions of tina chen

EPISODE 59 - "POLITICS: THROUGH THE LENS OF CLASSIC CINEMA" - 10/28/2024 As we all get ready to go to the polls and vote in what might be the most important election of our lives, we wanted to take a look at politics in the films of old Hollywood. This week, we explore the movies that reflected the politics and the issues of the day and left an indelible mark on cinema. From labor wars in New Mexico to a mayor's race in New England to the early years of Abraham Lincoln, join us as we take a look at some great political movies.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Hearst Over Hollywood (2002), by Louis Pizzitola; Pictures at A Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of a New Hollywood (2008), by Mark Harris;  Hollywood's White House (2010), by Peter C. Rollins and John E. O'Connor; The Great Depression on Film (2022), by David Luhrssen;   “The Best Man Took On Cutthroat Campaigning,” August 21, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter; “How Blacklisted Hollywood Artists Joined Forces to Make a Truly Subversive film,” June 6, 2024, forward.com; “Subversives: Salt of the Earth,” UCTV TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; IBDB.com; Wikipedia.com; Movies Mentioned:  Gabriel Over the White House (1933), starring Walter Huston, Karen Morely, Franchot Tone, Dickie Moore, David Landau, Arthur Byron, Jean Parker, and C. Henry Gordon; Salt of the Earth (1954), starring Juan Chacón, Rosaura Revueltas, Mervin Williams, Henrietta Williams, and Virginia Jencks; The Great McGinty (1940), starring Brian Donlevy, Muriel Angelus, Akim Tamiroff, William Demarest, Allyn Joslyn, Louis Jean Heydt, Thurston Hall, Jimmy Conlin, and Arthur Hoyt; The Best Man (1964), starring Henry Fonda, Cliff Robertson, Edie Adams, Margaret Leighton, Ann Sothern, Lee Tracy, Shelley Berman, Kevin McCarthy, and Gene Raymond; The Last Hurrah (1958), starring Spencer Tracy, Jeffery Hunter, Dianne Foster, Pat O'Brien, Basil Rathbone, Donald Crisp, James Gleason, John Carradine, Willis Bouchey, Ricardo Cortez, Ken Curtis, Frank Albertson, Anna Lee, and Jane Darwell; The Parallax View (1974), starring Warren Beatty, Paula Prentiss, William Daniels, Walter McGinn, and Hume Cronyn; Three Days of the Condor (1975), starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max von Sydow, John Houseman, Addison Powell, Tina Chen, Walter McGinn, Michael Kane, Carlin Glynn, and Hank Garrett; Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940), starring Raymond Massey, Ruth Gordon, Gene Lockhart, Mary Howard, Minor Watson, Howard Da Silva, and Alan Baxter; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We need the Tigers to take the field to Tina Chen's "Missouri" remix. James Carlton is in and Gabe DeArmond is on the line to talk Tigers. Getting the ball to Luther Burden. Mizzou quarterbacks you would want leading a two-minute drive at the end of a game. The running game looks good and the new kicker has quite the leg. What are Mizzou's weaknesses that other teams may try and exploit? Will a current SEC coach take over when Billy Napier gets fired? Drink and the Arkansas job. Jackson's gotta pee. EMOTD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We need the Tigers to take the field to Tina Chen's "Missouri" remix. James Carlton is in and Gabe DeArmond is on the line to talk Tigers. Getting the ball to Luther Burden. Mizzou quarterbacks you would want leading a two-minute drive at the end of a game. The running game looks good and the new kicker has quite the leg. What are Mizzou's weaknesses that other teams may try and exploit? Will a current SEC coach take over when Billy Napier gets fired? Drink and the Arkansas job. Jackson's gotta pee. EMOTD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tina Chen Craig started Bag Snob, her original claim to fame, in 2005. She hustled her way to the front row of New York Fashion Week when "blogger" was still a dirty word and before "influencer" was in anyone's vocabulary. Then, in 2019, she did something she never expected to do and launched a beauty product, marking her first step in building a full beauty brand spanning skin care, body care and color cosmetics. Called U Beauty, the brand launched on Net-a-Porter in November 2019 with Chen Craig's original product, the Resurfacing Compound. Based on units sold, it's still the brand's bestseller. The product, with various sizes priced $88-$228, is a multi-tasking serum with ingredients including retinol and vitamin C. Typically, these ingredients can't be combined, but the brand's patent-pending Siren capsule technology makes the mix possible. On this week's episode of the Glossy Beauty Podcast, Chen Craig goes deep on everything from starting Bagsnob.com when a "Google domain thing" cost $10 to developing UBeauty's most recent launch, its Super Intensive Face Oil. Get more from Glossy with the daily newsletter, sent out each weekday morning. Visit glossy.co/newsletters to sign up.

Tina Chen is the Founder and CTO – that's Chief Tea Officer – of HumaniTea, a socially conscious drinks company that specialises in plant-based and ethically sourced tea lattes.    After studying for her MBA in 2018, Tina made a career change from IT to “just tea” and in this episode, we hear her story. From international trade missions to second degree burns, Tina's journey as a Founder isn't short of excitement! Hers is a story of passion, grit and resilience and Tina is a real example of what you can achieve if you take opportunities, use your network, and refuse to give up. 

Indomitable, unstoppable, and a veritable force of nature, Tina Chen Craig, founder of UBeauty skincare, talks about the time she nearly didn't make it to her own launch. The originator of BagSnob, and creator of one of the world's most exciting skincare brands also discusses her Asian heritage, and the importance of friends and family. Please follow or subscribe to Keeping Face wherever you're listening.For more information please contact info@parkviewcreative.comHosted by @kathleen_bairdmurray, a @parkview.creative production.

Currently serving as Chief Tea Officer, Tina was inspired by Taiwanese bubble tea concept and British tea drinking culture to develop a delicious, well-balanced tea latte beverage. With her love for a quality cuppa and her desire to make a positive impact on society, Tina made a career switch from IT to just tea, and HumaniTea was born! A proud social enterprise, HumaniTea supports wellbeing and sustainability initiatives through wholesome tea. Spreading Me Time, Tea Time, Any Time, HumaniTea encourages people to take tea breaks to find mindfulness. Prior to HumaniTea, Tina worked as a Senior Analyst at Accenture. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from UCLA and an MBA focusing on Sustainability and Innovation from the Imperial College Business School. Website: https://humanitea.co.uk/ Ocado: https://www.ocado.com/search?entry=HumaniTea Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humaniteadrinks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumaniTeaDrinks/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumaniTeaDrinks TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@humaniteadrinks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vegan-tea-lattes Google Reviews: https://g.page/humaniteadrinks As seen on BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56683783

Known all across the fashion and beauty spheres as the influencer behind the cult-favourite BagSnob blog, Tina Chen Craig is also the founder of the skincare brand, U Beauty. Questioning the need for multi-step routines, Tina developed a custom formulation with biochemists which quickly became known as ‘Tina Craig skin in a bottle'. Tune in to learn how they sold out a year's supply of products at launch and how U Beauty immediately became a must-have in every skincare cabinet.If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure you like, subscribe, leave us a review and share with anyone you know who will love it too! Founded Beauty is available on all podcast platforms and we release new episodes every Monday and Thursday so be sure to follow the podcast to be notified. We really appreciate every single listen, share, and review. It goes such a long way and helps us reach new listeners. Follow Akash & Tina: Akash Mehta: @mehta_a Fable & Mane: @fableandmane www.fableandmane.com Tina Chen Craig: @tinachencraig U Beauty: @ubeautywww.ubeauty.com Follow us on Instagram @founded.beauty and TikTok @foundedbeauty. For more information about Founded Beauty, please visit www.foundedbeauty.com #foundedbeauty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Year is a fantastic time, an opportunity for reflection and celebration. Looking outside the west, there are even more celebrations after December 31. One of those Celebrations is the Lunar New Year. Now that we're in the Year of the Rabbit, or the year of the cat for Vietnam, it would be fun to learn more about this tradition across Asia. Who better to tell us than historian Tina Chen? https://wcccc.ca/

Episode Notes In this episode, a conversation with Dr. Tina Chen, member of Skate Canada's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee. We talk cultural and systemic change, gender inclusion, combatting anti-Asian and anti-Bthe lack racism, and ethical choreography. Tina Chen has been named one of Canada's 100 most powerful women. She is a distinguished professor of History at the University of Manitoba. Her teaching and research interests are in the areas of modern Chinese history, anti-colonial solidarity movements, feminist and socialist projects for social justice, and histories of race and anti-racism. She has long advocated for equity and diversity within academic settings, including the University of Manitoba. In February 2022, she was named the inaugural Executive Lead- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Manitoba. In the skating world, Tina is currently a coach with Skate Winnipeg. As a skater, she was a 3-time competitor at Canadian Championships in pairs (Novice) and dance (Junior), and was Ontario Intercollegiate Champion (with the University of Toronto Varsity Skating Team). She is also the mom of two skaters, so she has really seen the skating world from every angle! Recently, she has been combining her experience advocating for equity with her figure skating experience. She is active in the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance and is also a member of the Skate Canada Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee. Transcripts are available for each episode here Dr Tina Chen profile at University of Manitoba Skate Canada EDI Committee and Process: Skate Canada Statement on Anti-Racism (June 3, 2020) “Figure Skater Asher Hill Sees Hypocrisy in Racial Equality Statements” CBC (June 3, 2020) Public Statement on EDI working Group (October 2020) Skate Canada 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (October 2022) : Three “Strategic Imperatives” are Skating for Everyone, Skating for Life, Skating to Win Skate Canada Trans Inclusion Policy, Adopted 2018 For Comparison, ISU Transgender Policy, Communication 2422, Aug 2021 Anti-Racism and Ethical Choreography: Skate Ukraine “Why Skate Canada has Renamed the Mohawk and Chocktaw” Ivan Danyliuk Also useful: Skate Guard Blog: “How the Mohawk Got its Name” Conversations in Color: No, I'm Not Michelle Kwan: Being East Asian in Figure Skating (part 1 of 4) Asher and Acacia Hill host conversation w/ Mirai Nigasu, Patrick Chan, Michelle Hong & Tina Chen NexxIce performs their 2021/22 program “Mehcinut” music by Jeremy Dutcher; choreography by B Solomon The Creative Process: Narrated by B Solomon “The Cultural Importance of Papadakis and Cizeron's waacking rhythm dance at the Olympics” Asher Hill and Dylan Moscovitch interview choreographer Axelle Munezero on That Figure Skating Show “Red Nails, Black Skates: Gender, Cash, and Pleasure on and off the Ice” 2012 book by Erica Rand (Professor at Bates College and my skating partner!) You can reach me with comments or suggestions for topics and people I should talk to, by email at fsfuturepodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram and Twitter @futurefspodcast Remember to subscribe to The Future of Figure Skating podcast on whatever platform you use, and share it with your friends!

In this episode Dr. Will Cole is  joined by U Beauty founder Tina Chen Craig who lets us in on all her beauty secrets. Taking principles from her Asian culture, she educates us on how to harness these practices to achieve a healthier skin microbiome and a glowing complexion. From bone broth, selective cleansing, to immortal jellyfish treatments, this episode will challenge (for the better!) everything you thought you knew about skincare and beauty. For all links mentioned in episode: www.drwillcole.com/podcast   Sponsors: Athleticgreens.com/willcole for a free one year supply of vitamin D and to give AG1 a try Insidetracker.com/artofbeingwell for $200 off or 34% off the rest of the store Btrnation.com code WILLCOLE for 20% off + free shipping Higherdose.com code COLE15 for 15% off site-wide   Produced by Dear Media.   Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Tina Chen Craig has lived many lives. She ran an international business with her brother straight out of college, stumbled into being a popular food show host in her 20s, was the MTV Asia VJ in the late 90s, and then became one of the OG fashion bloggers in the 00s. But her latest endeavor might just be her most successful yet — founder and creator of all things U Beauty. On today's episode, Chen Craig shares her impressive career journey, the story behind why she decided to enter the skincare space, and how being in her 50s is *actually* the best. Shop this episodeGlossAngelesPod.comhttps://linktr.ee/glossangelespodCALL US: 424-341-0426Shop products from our episodesJoin our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/glossangelespodcastInstagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics discussed on today's show: Erik's Eye, Trendmill: Paralympics Gold, Tina Chen and Cuomo, Jojo Siwa DWTS, T-Mobile Hack, Cannibal Toads, Birthdays, News of the Day, Peloton Price Drop, Evictions, Paying Drug Addicts, SF Rent, Kennedy Murder, Good News: Hair Donation, Same Lotto Numbers, Sheep Heart, Baby Born on Plane, Plate Breaking at Hospital, Let's Smash Some Plate, 20 in 21, Binge Drinking Nerve Disability, Food News, Stay Or Go with todays artist: Utero, New Music Friday, and Apologies.

Tina Chen Craig shares the backstory of her skincare line, U Beauty, and explains how she went from author of the wildly popular blog Bag Snob to fashion influencer to beauty entrepreneur. Plus, Tina shares the secrets to great skin, the makeup she can't live without, and the five fashion pieces everybody should have in their wardrobes. This episode features a new introduction, but the interview previously aired in January, 2020. We'll be back next week with all new episodes! -- For links and sponsors mentioned in this episode: fatmascara.com/blog; To shop the products: myshlf.us/fatmascara; Our private Facebook Group: Fat Mascara Raising a Wand; Instagram: @fatmascara, @jessicamatlin, @jenn_edit; Email: info@fatmascara.com; To submit a "Raise A Wand" product recommendation & be featured on a future episode: +1 646-481-8182.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/fatmascara.

On the radio show this week we cover how to get the FCC’s new broadband benefit designed to help make the internet more affordable for those impacted by the pandemic (https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit); dive into the new “child check” via the Child Tax Credit this year and how to still get it; cover the big news about the new Care Economy Business Council of over 200 major businesses pushing for a care infrastructure; and touch on the ways in which your voice is still needed to help get people the expanded unemployment insurance they need. *Special guests include: Jessica Rosenworcel, Federal Communications Commission, Chairwoman, @FCC; Amy Matsui, National Women’s Law Center, @nwlc; Tina Chen, Time’s Up, @TIMESUPNOW; and Alexa Tapia, National Employment Law Project (NELP), @NelpNews

In this episode I spoke with Tina Chen, the founder of the plant-planted tea latte drink, Humanitea She gave some amazing insights in: How to get stocked in stores with your product, having got 5 new stockists just in the week we chatted How she tested her product and the advice on how you can test your food product idea because I know many of you have thought about starting a food business The strategies she has used to get her foot in the door with retailers and eventually get her product stocked - great tip there so be sure to stay tuned for that --- The Millennial Entrepreneur publishes a new episode EVERY WEEK, showcasing the most inspirational young hustlers and analysing their journeys. Be sure to share and subscribe. Don't forget to leave a rating and a review as it really helps us grow and allows us to get the best guests for you. WANT A SHOUT OUT? If you want to get a SHOUT OUT in the next episode by me, be sure to leave a written review with your name on Apple Podcasts and I will read the best one out every week

In this episode, Meah Austin '22 interviews Danita Beck-Wickwire '94 about her time on campus and her journey after Holy Cross.  Their conversation highlights the many ways that you can engage your passions throughout your life, be it through service, hobbies or professional work. Interview originally recorded on September 4, 2020.  Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all interviews in season 2 are recorded remotely. --- Danita: It's always nice to know that what you are doing will change someone's life for the better, that you will affect change in individuals and communities and make this world a better place. Maura: Welcome to Mission Driven, where we speak with alumni who are leveraging their Holy Cross education to make a meaningful difference in the world around them. I'm your host, Maura Sweeney from the class of 2007, director of alumni career development at Holy Cross. I'm delighted to welcome you to today's show. In this episode, we hear from Danita Beck-Wickwire from the class of 1994. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Danita currently makes Baltimore her home, having also spent time in Worcester, Chicago, Mississippi, Europe and Boston. Her professional journey reflects who she is. An artist, philanthropist and volunteer at heart, her career path shows what it means to follow your heart and your passions. Maura: Beginning her career as a teacher in the inner city in Chicago, she devoted the rest of her career to supporting education and the arts through fundraising and philanthropy. She is joined by Meah Austin from the class of 2022. They first met in Meah's first semester on campus at the BSU's 50th anniversary celebration in 2018. They have kept in touch over the years and formed a wonderful mentoring relationship. Their conversation showcases the many ways that Holy Cross and its community can remain alive and active throughout your life. Meah: Hello, everyone, my name is Meah Austin, class of 2022 and I am here with The Danita Wickwire, class of '94. Fun fact before we get started, Danita is one of the first alumni I met at Holy Cross and I can tell you all that knowing her these past few years have been phenomenal. She certainly has acted as a mentor to me. Danita would you like to further introduce yourself? Danita: Yes and I'm also going to introduce you as well. Meah, thank you for joining me for this conversation and thank you for following up with me. Meah and I met at the BSU 50th anniversary celebration in November, 2018 and I met a number of students that weekend and saw old classmates and friends and made a lot of new friends. I was really impressed with Meah because she sent me an email within a week of meeting and she always stayed in touch, and I remained in touch with her, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to see a young woman following in my footsteps as a student at Holy Cross. It's not an easy school, it's rigorous, and it strives for excellence. Danita: So I wanted to be there for you and I'm honored to have had the opportunity to have mentored you in the last two years, and to continue to do so, as long as we were together, Meah. So thank you for the introduction and for joining me today. Meah: Thank you. Don't make me tear up. So, to start us off, Danita, how did you end up in Worcester, Massachusetts being that you're from Tennessee? Danita: The journey to Worcester, Massachusetts, it's funny, when I was 10 years old, I decided that I wanted to go to college in Massachusetts. Now, how in the world would a 10-year old in Memphis, Tennessee take Massachusetts? Well, my elementary school was on a college campus at the Memphis State University at the time, campus school. There were faculty families from around the world, around the nation. Everyone was college bound because we were already on a college campus. Just looking at colleges and hearing the stories of some of my classmates and their families, I realized there were many good schools in Massachusetts. Danita: When I was 10, I didn't pick the one but I selected Massachusetts. I remained interested in college, college bound over the next few years from the age of 10 to 18. I did look around the nation. I looked around the world as well but in my junior and senior year, somehow I returned to Massachusetts, when I considered my final college applications. I added the College of the Holy Cross to that combination, because I was interested in the rigor of a Jesuit education and I was really excited by the mission of the College of the Holy Cross, combining service and the rigorous education focusing on excellence, that resonated with me. I really wanted to consider being part of that community. Danita: I enrolled in Holy Cross to get a solid, strong liberal arts education and I left Holy Cross as a woman for others, which is the case with our mission at Holy Cross. We are men and women for others. Meah: That's awesome. I can certainly agree, the Holy Cross education just fosters your values you come in with and just really creates them and promotes them into being formed with others. So that's amazing, now that we understand why you chose Massachusetts, why the small Jesuit Liberal Arts College, why Holy Cross? Danita: Okay, I can break that into parts. First of all small, I was interested in being in a small community where I can be a person, and not just a number, and that rang throughout the entire Holy Cross experience. I will answer your other questions, but I want to tell the story first of how I selected my major. I learned at the end of my sophomore year that there was a difference between deciding your major and declaring your major. When my class Dean, Vicki Swigert called me on a Tuesday morning, and she said, "Danita, you have not declared your major." I said, "Yes, I have. I've declared that it's going to be art." Danita: "It's not going to be history. It's going to be art," because I was interested in a dual major at one time and fascinated between art and history for my first year and a half. She said to me, "No, Danita, you need to declare your major, you need to come down to the registrar's office and fill out the paperwork to declare your major. When you get out of your design class this morning, come downstairs. The paperwork, we'll be waiting for you." I realized, "Okay, I need to declare my major." I also realized that my class dean knew that I had not declared my major. Danita: She knew my phone number, and was willing to make the call and she knew my schedule for the day. She knew that I was heading to design class and that I had nothing on my schedule after design class. I was a person she knew and she was a person I knew and not just the number. That is part of how a small community is really beneficial for many students as they pursue their college coursework. Now, the Jesuit tradition and the liberal arts tradition, as I just stated, I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to study. I was interested in many areas. I've always studied art. I've always enjoyed writing. In high school, I ... I was a triple major actually, now that I think about it. Danita: Yeah, you could do that in high school, but I took math courses all the way through. I was a social studies major. I took art courses. So I had a variety of interests and I knew that studying at a liberal arts college such as Holy Cross, I could pursue many of those interests. I could take the courses in the core curriculum, and with the liberal arts degree, learning how to think, learning how to solve problems, learning how to communicate verbally and in a written form, would position me to go into any career field. I might need additional training, additional coursework but I knew that I could do anything with a liberal arts degree and that I wouldn't be stuck in one track that I selected as an 18 year old without necessarily knowing the world or myself that well. Danita: So liberal arts appealed to me in that way and the Jesuit tradition, being a woman for others, that had already been critical in my life. I spent most of my summers engaged in volunteer work. I was a volunteer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis for a number of years and through that experience, I became a point of light for those who are familiar with President George H.W. Bush and his inaugural address. He spoke of a thousand points of light and the United States recommitting itself to service in some way, similar to what President Kennedy called for with the creation of the Peace Corps in 1960, 1961, I should say. He spoke of a thousand points of light and it was beautiful to hear him speak of it. Danita: From that language, came up Point of Light Initiative. In our local newspaper, The Memphis Commercial Appeal, picked up on the concept of a thousand points of light and they decided to look for 1000 volunteers in the Memphis community, and in my work at St. Jude, I was nominated to be one of those 1000 points of light, and I was one of Memphis's thousand points of light. I had the opportunity to hear President Bush speak to the other 999 and myself the day before Thanksgiving, my senior year. Our points of light initiative in Memphis was considered one of the 1000 across the nation. Danita: So I am one one thousandth of a point of light and I am honored and compelled to continue to let my light shine, so that it may be a beacon to others, so I can help them to find their way in this world, and that is part of my commitment in connection to the Jesuit mission of the College of the Holy Cross. Meah: That's amazing. I mean, that's so exciting to have that experience and always be able to look back on that experience and realize that that was a pivotal moment that really led to your values and continuing to do the work that you did. So I can truly admire that. Also, touching upon the liberal arts piece, I certainly agree with that. Now, being a current student, I looked through the course catalog every semester, and I'm like, "How do I only take four classes with all these amazing courses that touch upon so many different areas." Meah: So I think that just shows like how Holy Cross is so interdisciplinary and really can make the students, regardless if you're a history, major, art major, psychology major, you're all learning so many different things that are really going to promote your professional life and even what you do in the world in your community. So I truly respect that and I think that's awesome. So now, to just dive a little bit deeper, how was your transition your first year? It must have certainly been something so different being raised in Memphis. You're getting cultural changes and not to mention all the winter snow that you find on the hill. Danita: So the transition was interesting. I had certain expectations of college. My older sister traveled from Memphis to New York to attend New York University three years before I enrolled in college. So I was prepared for certain aspects of college, particularly college in the northeast. I was prepared for the colder climate. I was prepared to start again, so to speak, going to a school where no one from my high school and in that city, no one from ... Excuse me, in that year, no one from Memphis was at Holy Cross. So I was prepared to start over and find my way, all over again, as I had done in other schools. Danita: I was also prepared to meet new people, have new experience and interact with individuals from all over the nation and all over the world. It was exciting. I was thrilled and I was looking forward to making that transition to New England. I must admit, I was very fortunate my freshman year. We did not see a big snowstorm first semester. Meah: That's surprising. Danita: I was done in the next few years, and we saw really big snowstorms but in that first year, when I was making my transition into living in Massachusetts, I didn't have to deal with a blizzard before Christmas, which was wonderful. Not everything was wonderful and perfect in that first semester, I must admit. The transition was ... Despite my expectations, and what I hoped for, the transition was a little more challenging. To be frank, I wanted to transfer. I was looking at other institutions but my parents, especially my father, made me stay at Holy Cross. They did not force me to stay but they let me know that if I left Holy Cross, I would not be able to enroll in a similar institution at home or at another community, I would have to return to Memphis. Danita: Even though I did not have friends from home at Holy Cross, all of my friends who were interested in going away to college had gone away to college. There were so many of us in New England. It was like part of Memphis had been transplanted to New England, to Boston, to Hartford and other communities around that region. I thought about what Holy Cross had to offer and there were some moments, some sparks especially with my wonderful roommate Colleen Keys. I realized it was a caring place, I realized I had not found ... from my place in the circle yet, and I believe in the power of yet, so I did stay. Danita: I gave it a second chance. Over time, I developed connections. I deepened relationships with some of the people I knew and some of those people are my closest friends today. The people I speak to on a regular basis. Angela Preston, Matt Dudley, Maury Bonner, Meghan Cecil, those were the individuals with whom I connected then and if you look at the last 10 texts that I sent out or the last 10 phone calls that I've made, those four people are among that list. Meah: That's amazing. So I can really attest to that, Holy Cross, it's something about the people there, something about the people that are really making a home. So just to dive a little deeper, if that was your transition, it was a little rough, what kind of involvement did you have during your time at Holy Cross that perhaps alleviated the homesickness, the desire to maybe transfer, what really made that difference? Danita: I really immersed myself into my art classes. I took drawing my freshman year. I was very fortunate, I had signed up for an art history course and the course was at 8 AM, 9 AM, some really ugly hour in the morning for me. I realized I wanted to make art and not study art at that point in my life. I met with Susan Schmidt, who had an opening in her Introduction to Design Class. This was in 1990, when you did not have the opportunity of looking on your computer, see an opening in a class and selecting that class and enrolling right away. You needed to ... and I lived in Clark on the fourth floor, at the beginning. Danita: You needed to go all the way down to Fenwick and up to the fourth floor at Fenwick to meet with the professor, to confirm that there was still the opening, that you could get into it and then, go down to the registrar's office to enroll. So I raced to Susan Schmidt's office as soon as I could and I asked her about the opening, and she told me that it had already been filled. She asked me if I had any art experience and if I had a portfolio, which I did. So I needed to race down the stairs, up the hill, up to the fourth floor of Clark. Meah: My goodness. Danita: With the portfolio and race back down to Susan's office, which I did and I was happy to do it. She looked at my work and she told me that I would need to take design later but I could skip Introduction to Design because I had a substantial portfolio that demonstrated my understanding of the basic elements of design in artwork. I enrolled in a drawing course and really enjoyed exploring the creativity and getting to know my fellow students. That was my first true area of engagement and interacting with classmates, friends, new friends on the hall in Clark Three because I moved to Clark Three when I moved out of my triple. Danita: That was really critical in my ... finding my way at Holy Cross because there were some great women on that Hall including my roommate, Colleen Keyes and Rachel Pierre and Gina Wilson, they were both juniors and lived around the hall from us. I still remember that night I came back in January of 1991, I didn't want to be there but as soon as I opened the door on the hallway, Rachel, Gina and Colleen raced down the hall, "She's back. Oh my gosh. She's back. We didn't think she was going to make it." They raced down the hall and grabbed my bags and escorted me back in and that was the first time that I really felt welcomed and missed and appreciated and loved at Holy Cross. Danita: I continue to feel that especially on Clark Three because Rachel Pierre was actually the SAA, the student alcohol advisor, which is one of the reasons why she was a junior living in Clark instead of one of the upper class dorms. She looked out for me, she and Gina looked out for me a lot. Rachel did my hair. Rachel and I took classes together later and she would grab me out of my dorm to make sure I studied and I remember my first history exam, she was not in my history class but one of her closest friends was, she'd walked into my room and she said, "What are you working on babe?" Because she called everyone, babe and I told her ... and she said, "I think Sayeeda is taking that same exam tomorrow, you guys should study together." Danita: She called Sayeda, confirmed that she was taking the exam tomorrow, and sent me down to Sayeeda's room for a study group. Otherwise, I would have been studying alone, I might have fallen asleep but I think I did better on that exam and in that class because of Rachel and Rachel always had cookies, and she fed me. Gina and Rachel both took me wherever they were going, whatever they were doing. Rachel was an RA and I went on trips with her hall to Boston and Gina's capstone project at the end of her senior year, which was my sophomore year was a historical play on the role of black women in the world. Danita: I was in an ensemble piece in the play about African women and I was in a critical role at the end of the performance, I was cast as Oprah Winfrey. Meah: My goodness. Danita: That's a huge role and one of the funny parts is we went through dress rehearsals in a casual manner, to the extent that there were many nights that I rushed from one performance as an African woman, not wearing shoes to the Oprah role. I just put on the clothes. The night of the performance, I walked out on stage with no shoes on, as I had done so many times during rehearsal, and I was about three minutes into the piece before I realized, "Oh my gosh, I'm on stage with no shoes on," but everyone thought it was intentional and part of the performance, so I just carried on from there. That was my first real performance, acting performance ever and that led to other acting performances later in my college life. Danita: So I did find my way, there were a few others who helped too on Clark three. I ran track for a little while and Egetta Schumski lived a couple of doors down as well. She had a roommate, Kristal Rice made sure that I made it to track practice and that I made it from the field house all the way back to Clark because I was pretty tired as a new runner. Egetta taught me how to run. She taught me how to breathe. She taught me what to wear. She really prepared me for a track experience and although I didn't stay with the team, I continued and continued to be a runner to this day. Thanks to the Egetta who is now Wellness Coach Alfonso. Danita: Kristal Rice, I think before I joined the track team, I tried to join the rugby team. Krystal was on the rugby team. She saw that I'd signed up for it. She was happy that I was interested but she pulled me aside and discouraged me from pursuing rugby any further. I thought, "Well, I think I can keep up. I think I can run and take a few hits and maybe catch the ball and possibly kick it. I think I can do this." She said, "No, that's not it. I don't think you can drink enough to join the rugby team." I trusted her good judgment and she probably really saved me from getting injured and becoming ill playing rugby. Danita: So Krystal, if you're out there. Thank you. Thank you very much. Those were simple basic forms of engagement, but in my sophomore year, that was when I truly explored leadership opportunities at the college. I moved to Wheeler and join the Wheeler House Council. I ran for an SGA position. I was the black student representative for SGA. I ... what else did I do that year? As a member of the House Council in Wheeler. There's the basic house council meetings and social events but we had a dynamic head RA, Rick Swanson. He was also committed to the Jesuit ideas and he was a fan of Bobby Kennedy. Danita: He created a thing called the dream of the month so that we would focus on some dreams, some aspect of giving back to the community, and he created and we created with him, an event called The Five Winter. It was a big party with food and music on the Wheeler Beach that raised money for the homeless in Worcester and that tradition continued for a number of years. Those were the types of things and the involvement that we had in Wheeler, which is amazing and phenomenal. Moving on in my next years, I used those two experiences, the SGA experience and being on House Council, as stepping stones. Danita: In my junior year, I became an RA in Wheeler. In my junior year, I was selected for the SGA cabinet. I was a subcommittee co-chair for the Tampa Center Board of Directors, CCBMD. I wrote for the newspaper. I was not a member of the staff, but I submitted regular editorials and what else did I do? I had a work study position in the art gallery. So senior year, I was a head RA in Clark and it was a funny thing about my Holy Cross experience, I only lived in two dorms. I started at Clark. I lived in Wheeler for two years and then, I moved back to Clark Three as the head RA and my head RA room was two doors down from the room I had freshman year. Danita: It's funny I remember my stereo could not pick up the exact same radio stations. Two doors down as I could in my old room. It was the weirdest thing but I found good music anyway. As a head RA in Clark we called the dorm, "the Clark Rock Café, No drugs, No nuclear weapons," and we created T-shirts Elliot Visconsi and I designed the short together. I hand drew the globe in Clark Rock Cafe and he had a computer and designed the rest in a graphic design format. We realized we needed more than T-shirts, so we created an event called the Clark Rock Cafe. It was an opportunity for so many of the campus bands to play on campus, instead of having them playing in the pubs and bars and parties off campus. Danita: I did drink and go off campus but I knew not everyone liked to do that. I didn't like to do that all the time and I really valued this event which was held three times as an opportunity for students to do something fun and interesting with the bands and inside the dorm without having to take the risks of going off campus. We served mocktails. We had the coolest bands on campus. We had Spindrift. We had Barfly. We had ... I should know all of them. We had the Sea Monkeys. We had Foot Bob. We had Prodigal and a number of other bands I might be forgetting and they don't know my address now so they won't come to get me. Danita: We had great bands and great fun. There was actually an alumni band that came back and performed for one of the Clark Rock Cafes. It was a fun experience, in my opinion. We had crowds in the door for ... both for two of them, one didn't do as well but for the first one and the last one, they were very successful and I'm really proud that that was one of my hallmarks on campus as a Head RA. Another area where I felt the dorm could be effective was, in the relationship between faculty and students. Students frequently spent time with faculty in certain areas on campus, in the classroom, in their offices, in formal events. Danita: We rarely had the faculty come to our doors to see where we lived and how we lived. So, we created Clark Tail Parties and invited the faculty to come to the social room where we once again served mocktails and hors d'oeuvres and students had an opportunity to interact with faculty in a casual fashion. I still remember some students asking, "Well, who's going to be there? I'm not doing well in such and such class. Can you make sure so and so come so I can choose with them?" They were great. They were effective. They were fun. The faculty seem to have fun and so did many of the students who were there. Danita: I still remember we made Wassail, Wassail for the Christmas Clark Tail Party and we had the social room and we had the study room and we had something on the pot. Something on the stove, cooking and bubbling and making Wassail for the first time. That was fun, but it worked out. So that was a really important event in Clark and I really love being head RA. Clark was great. I still have dear, dear friends who were part of my Clark RA team and my Clark House Council, I'm thinking of Shane McLaughlin and Killian MacCarthy and Isa Squicciarini and Chael Christopher and Pete Cronin, and a number of others who were part of that Clark experience. Danita: Cary Anderson was the Associate Dean for Student, like assistant dean or associate, one of those but he also lived in Clark, and he was one of my favorite Residence Life staff members and we're still not super close. We don't talk every day, but we're still in close contact. He sent me a few photos a couple of months ago, with pieces of art in his newish place in Philadelphia. So we're connected and it was great to be in the same building with Cary, but he said we were loud. My dorm room was right above his. So sometimes we were loud. Sorry, Cary. So I had a lot of wonderful opportunities to develop additional skills, make friends and prepare for many aspects of a career, whatever that might be. Danita: I learned in my years at Holy Cross that you can select any major at Holy Cross and through your extracurricular activities and through your summer internships, you will be well versed and well prepared to enter into a variety of career fields. You might need additional training, yes, but you will know how to think, how to represent your ideas and how to solve problems. I also learned that and some of those leadership opportunities, you could make many wonderful, phenomenal, lifelong friends and I can't believe I'm forgetting one of my experiences. Also, in my junior year, I was invited to an invitation only production called Crusadist. Danita: Crusadist was a comedy performance show that took a satirical look at life at Holy Cross. I'd read about Crusadist my freshman year and people said, "Don't see the show until you're a junior because you won't understand the jokes. You won't know Holy Cross moment up until your junior year to get the jokes." So I didn't see the show freshman year, sophomore year, but junior year I was selected to be in the show and there are only two juniors in the show. If you're selected as a junior, that means you will be the producer of the show in your senior year. So my senior year, I was the producer of Crusadist and with my co-producer Mark Diaz, selected the cast, with the cast created the scripts. Danita: We were engaged in all forms of production, selecting the venue which was the crossroads pizza seller, creating the schedule for the event publicity creating the video, editing the videos that we use in the show and selecting the nonprofit to which we would donate the proceeds from the show. Crusadist was a big part of my life as the producer and it's really funny to say that people who were part of the show are still my closest friends today. Some of them, I did not know before the show but we were joined at the hip for weeks straight and we never fully disconnected. Meah: That's amazing. So really Holy Cross like, it wasn't just the academics that really formed your experience. It's clear, your story really shows that it was everything from your ... being in Wheeler to being in work study ... working in the art gallery as a work study, all the way to being in a comedy club, kind of thing. So that's really awesome, how so many different things pulled together to form your Holy Cross experience. What did you do after Holy Cross? Danita: After Holy Cross that wonderful head RA I had in Wheeler, Rick Swanson, he was an assistant director, initially a teacher then an assistant director in a program in Chicago called Inner-City Teaching Corps. It was a volunteer ... is, I should say. It's still around. A volunteer teaching program similar to Teach for America but the focus of ICTC, as we still call it, was on parochial schools on the south side and the West Side of Chicago only. It was founded by a Jesuit school graduate, Pat Ryan, who wanted to recruit other young people who were interested in making a difference in communities through teaching. Danita: So he looked to Jesuit schools, he looked at Ivy League schools to create the first corps of Inner-City Teaching Corps. Rick Swanson recruited me for the program. I realized in my life that education had made such a difference for me. I was college bound already. I found my success. I felt that I was destined to do so but I realized that so many others were being left behind. They did not have access to quality education and education is necessary to uplift communities. As a black woman, I realized that it was critical, especially to uplift the black community and that was very important to me. Danita: So I accepted the position in Inner-City Teaching Corps. I moved to Chicago three weeks after graduation. I taught summer school, part time ... yeah, part time summer school, I co-taught with another teacher in a parochial school on the south side of Chicago. At this time, 26 years ago, I was a full time fifth grade teacher at the Academy of St. Benedict, the African Laflin campus on the south side of Chicago. I had 21 boys and 10 girls in my classroom. Meah: So you had to have some patience in your early post grad years. Danita: My gosh, a great deal of patience. I still remember all the kids' names. I still wonder about those kids. I love those kids. They were an active group. They like to talk a lot. That was the most trouble my kids ever got into. They talk a lot but they were wonderful kids, they all have good hearts. I remember, the day I had laryngitis, I didn't realize I had no voice until 10 minutes before the students arrived. So I found things for the students to do that they could do without my talking to them. The day that I had laryngitis, they were so quiet. They whisper because they knew I could not speak to them. That was 26 years ago and I still remember that's what my students did. Meah: That is super thoughtful for fifth graders. So I can see that your heart was really in teaching and I can really admire that about you, especially with them being fifth graders. That's hard in yourself but you really made it work. So why teaching, what made you ... I know you touched upon a little bit with the Holy Cross network connection but what really led you to teaching? Danita: It was that desire to uplift the community, uplift all communities for we all rise together. The rising tide elevates all boats and I realized that there were communities who were being left behind. I had the great fortune of attending some of the best schools in my community from the campus school on a college campus to the number one college prep school in Memphis, White Station High and then going on to Holy Cross but I knew that there were so many others who wanted a better education, who wanted a better life that is made possible through education and other avenues. I wanted to be a part of that solution for them. Danita: I wanted to do something different, which was to go into the inner city where there were so many needs to reach out to those individuals because they had been left behind. They were still being left behind and that's why I wanted to be part of the Inner-City Teaching Corps in particular. It is now called the Accelerate Institute, but that's why I want to be part of ICTC at that time, in my life. Meah: That like touches me. I was going to be a teacher now. Danita: You would be a great teacher. Meah: What did you say? Danita: You would be a great teacher, Meah. Meah: I don't know my nephew would say otherwise. Danita: That's just one kid. That's just one. Meah: So how long were you a teacher for and what was kind of your next stepping stone? Danita: The program was a one or two year program and the organization was still in its developmental stages. I was a member of the third corps group for ICTC, now called the Accelerate Institute and a very large organization, larger, I should say, now, 26 years later. As volunteer corps members, we were encouraged to participate in many aspects of the organization. Some of us were encouraged to participate in recruiting trips. I traveled to New Orleans as part of my experience to introduce the program to Xavier University and Loyola University in New Orleans. We were also encouraged and given opportunities to participate in special events, and fundraising. Danita: I realized that fundraising ... this thing called fundraising or development really appealed to me, the work resonated with me. I have done something similar in public relations as an intern and it all came together and started to make sense. I also realized that as a teacher, I could affect the lives of the 31 or however, many students I had in my classroom. I further accepted the reality that as a philanthropy professional is one who raised the money to support other teachers, I could, in my work, impact the lives of a great deal more students, in a school, in a community, in our society. Danita: That was the first step that started to lead me to a career in this thing called philanthropy, is what I call it development and I didn't even really know the name of it at the time. The first step was in Chicago. I moved back to Memphis after my year of teaching and I began working with a group of artists. We decided to coordinate an exhibition for black history month at the Memphis International Airport because the airport was celebrating the opening of a new wing and a new non-stop flight from Memphis to Amsterdam. It was the perfect time to have an exhibition. I drafted the letters to the airport authority, on behalf of this organization of artist. Danita: I didn't realize it at the time but I was becoming sick with Mononucleosis. I was sick and in bed and out of touch for a number of weeks. At that time, the organization dissolved and there were no longer artists or resources. As I was recovering from mono, I had to curate a show. I had to find artists and I had to secure the resources necessary to produce an art exhibition. I was able to make connections to the corporate community in Memphis and secure corporate sponsorships for this exhibition which I didn't what at the time but I quickly learned that corporate support is a big part of philanthropy and a few months later ... the show was a success, by the way. Danita: A few months later when I saw a job for development at the Memphis College of Art, I applied. They recognized my name from the publicity the show had received. They also recognized my name because several of the artists were either faculty students or alumni of the college. So, I had inadvertently promoted myself as a philanthropy professional as well as promoting myself as an artist in the art exhibition. I accepted the position at the Memphis College of Art in 1996 and that was the beginning of my career in philanthropy and development in nonprofit management. I'm still working on this field today and enjoying it tremendously. It's an important area. It's been life changing for me to be able to work in this field. Meah: That's awesome. So, I really admire ... I know I keep saying admire but it's just like, "Wow, I didn't know about Danita. Yeah, I didn't know that about Danita. Wow, she has so much we got to talk about." I love how you're able to take your major, your passion, what really drives you and connect that with the profession. So, it seems like obviously with you being an art major, that art goes beyond just a common area requirement at Holy Cross and even the major requirements and personally my stick figure drawings. So, what place does art has in your life? Danita: First of all, Meah, we are going to work on those stick figure drawings. Meah: We'll do a Zoom session together, an art Zoom session. Danita: No, we should do that. That would be fun. Second of all, do not embarrassed by stick figure drawings because they are an expression of your creativity and your being and people say stick figures are embarrassing. Some of my drawings are pretty basic so however you express yourself, but yes, art has been an important part of my life. I have a personal goal as an artist, exploring ... building upon Georgia O'Keeffe's thoughts, how important it is to feel space in a beautiful and thoughtful way and to encourage others to do so as a means of self-expression and communication and connection. I started making art when I was in elementary school. At that time, we had art classes twice a week. Danita: I began drawing on my own, on the weekends and my art teacher thought I should take private lessons, which I started to do when I was in fourth grade. I created my first oil painting when I was 10 and I continue to take art courses in school and out of school and to make art on my own for a number of years and I am still making art today. I have masters of fine art from the University of Mississippi, where I work ... did painting and print making and discovered photography and digital video. I also spent two intersessions in Europe during my three years in graduate school. I studied in Sicily, water color in Sicily and I studied water color in London and while I was in London, I took a track to Paris to work in photography for a few days. Danita: Art has always been central to my life for my personal expression and I've also been an art instructor off and on throughout the years. Yes, Meah, I can teach you to appreciate and enhance your stick figures. Meah: Yes. What years were you in graduate school? Danita: 2006 through 2009. Meah: Okay, that's awesome, it also is exciting. Just to loop back around, when did you ... what happened after a month as working in your art center in Memphis, what was your next step? Danita: After a number of years of working in philanthropy at the Memphis College of Art, I returned to Massachusetts, and at the corps, the invitation for me to return to Massachusetts in any way, shape or form, interestingly enough, came from the College of the Holy Cross. In 1997, I was invited to participate in an exhibition called Self Images, 8 to 80 and it featured the self-portraits of women and girls in the Memphis community, the youngest one was five years old, I think and the oldest one was 82. The day that the exhibition opened, Tina Chen, who at that time worked in the office of the Center for Interdisciplinary and Special Studies, contacted me to let me know that one of the paintings she had in her office was going to be moved. Danita: I had left a painting with Tina, when I graduated and I had also sold a painting to the college the day I graduated. So College of the Holy Cross was my first art collector, ever as a professional artist. In that conversation with Tina, I approved the moving of the painting. We spoke and she asked me what I was doing. I told her about the exhibition and she told me the college was preparing for the 25th anniversary of coeducation or women coming to Holy Cross. She wanted to talk to the planning committee about this exhibition and the possibilities of bringing the show to Worcester in the spring. Danita: She contacted me a few weeks later to let me know that the college wanted to bring selections of the exhibition and they wanted me to have my own exhibition with the cantor gallery, in the spring of 1998. So I was back at Holy Cross that spring with so many of my friends and during our time on campus, three of us who were not in Boston, decided to move to Boston and that was my friend Melissa Jean-Charles and my other friend, Ekwi Nwabuzor both from the class of '96. We turned to each other and we, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking it was that type of moment," and we all clicked and decided we wanted to move to Boston. Danita: We did some apartment hunting, and in the end, we moved into a house that had once been the home for the band Naked Thru Utah. They were originally Spindrift on campus, they became Naked Thru Utah. One of the band members was an artist and painted a mural of Utah in the living room, and that remained there while we were there and probably several occupants later because it's pretty cool. When the band disbanded, one of the band members, Shane McLaughlin live there with another friend Chael Christopher, and they let us know that they were ... they and another roommate were moving out of the house. Danita: We just needed rooms for three, so we moved into the house. The move was beautiful. It was just well choreographed, even without being choreographed. I showed up from Memphis with my moving van and my parents. Shane and Chael and Melissa and Ekwi were all there to help unload the van and put everything in the house and then, Shane and Chael put all their stuff in the van with my dad and drove to their new place in Somerville. They hung out with my dad and drink a couple of beers and then, eventually my dad came back to the house that I was moving into where my mom was waiting for him. "Everett, where were you? Oh, I was just hanging out with the guys." Danita: My dad like my Holy Cross friends and they liked my dad, my mom too. So it worked out beautifully and I've another Holy Cross friend who was like a son to my father too, Kona Khasu and Mark LaFlamme. My dad considered them his sons but that's the beauty of those relationships. You develop and that's how I moved back to Boston and it all began with a phone call from Tina Chen. Meah: Wow. So that's a lot. That's like exciting. So you're really given ... Holy Cross never forgets the students and I think that's awesome, because you know what I mean, it could be years after you've already started your early profession, and you get a phone call from someone from Holy Cross and now you're in Boston. I think that's so exciting. So what did you do while you were in Boston? Danita: While in Boston, I work for an organization called the Boston Private Industry Council and it's a nonprofit, nearly 50 years old and it connects individuals in the community to jobs and experiences in the mainstream economy. It is the convener of the public private partnership in the community. It connects the corporate sector, the big corporations in Boston with at least one school in the community. So to some degree, it was a bit of corporate relations once again, for me and a little bit of education. I had the privilege of working at Charlestown High School and working through that partnership, stewarding that relationship with Liberty Mutual, with Bain, with Thomson Financial Services. Danita: Bringing in additional partners to work with the students in the school and otherwise support the school in its various needs, as public schools tend to have. In my work with the Boston Private Industry Council and at Charlestown High, I had the privilege of meeting a young man named Janniver Castro, a bright young man. I encouraged him to consider Holy Cross, which he did. He applied and he was accepted and he graduated in 2004. It was amazing to have the opportunity to send someone to Holy Cross, so soon after I had graduated from Holy Cross and oddly enough, he had the same class dean. He had Dean Swigert as well. Meah: I think it's funny because I'm still at Holy Cross and I'm quick to tell like some of my high school friends and even my younger sister, I'm like, make sure you find Holy Cross. She's literally going into her sophomore year. I'm like, don't forget, because Holy Cross is the place. So what came after your experience in Boston? I feel like we're just walking through all the amazing experiences you had so I must ask. Danita: Sure. Sure. Eventually, I did return to Memphis after a number of years in Boston. I returned to Memphis and around that same time, my father was diagnosed with cancer. So, it was really important for me to be at home, but it also seemed like it was time for me to be at home, like fate had a hand in my returning to Memphis because around the time that I was visiting Memphis, visiting my parents, I discovered an opening at an organization called the Urban Art Commission, also a nonprofit organization and the mission of the Urban Art Commission is the proliferation of public art and design throughout the Memphis and Shelby County community. Danita: There was a need for someone who had an education, background and arts background and a fundraising background to once again, oversee securing grants and support for some of the projects that would be created by the artists in the community. I interviewed for the position. I accepted the position and worked with that organization, supporting artists and as they filled the space in a beautiful way throughout the Memphis community. It was a dynamic and exciting position and I must admit, working with so many artists in their installations and pursuing large pieces of art, I mean, huge pieces. Danita: That inspired me to want to make my own large pieces and installations and that was part of the impetus for me to return to graduate school, at that time in my life, after being out of college for so many years, I realized a tremendous desire to immerse myself in a creative community, creating art and solving problems visually for three years in a row. So that's when I made the leap and did go to graduate school at the University of Mississippi. Meah: That's so exciting. I know I keep asking what's next but I just feel like everything just stems from your like, one, your passion with art, your passion with Holy Cross, your connections with Holy Cross. It's kind of phenomenal when you really think about it and I'm sorry about your father as well, I should mention that. Danita: Thank you. Meah: After your time in Memphis and Mississippi, what came next after that? Danita: Before I get to what came next, I need to take a step back. One of the first large installations that I remember, that was finalized and unveiled during my time with the Urban Art Commission was created by an artist named Vito Acconci. The late Vito Acconci, studied at the College of the Holy Cross in the 60s and I believe he wasn't an art major, because there wasn't an art major at the time but he created his own special studies. So he was technically the first art major at the College of the Holy Cross and I had the opportunity of meeting him in Memphis during my work with the Urban Art Commission. Holy Cross is out wherever you go. Meah: Yeah. Holy Cross is spread over ... all over the world map, it seems like to me and not only the US map but everywhere. Danita: It is true. That is true. To respond to your question, what was next? What was next after graduate school, I knew that I wanted to return to work in nonprofit management and philanthropy. Philanthropy and service were still critical to my life. Interestingly enough, while I was in graduate school, I was approached by the director of the Holy Cross fund at that time, Gary Carskaddan and invited to become my class's co-chair. It was the perfect time to do so because I was in graduate school, I was busy but it was nice to have an opportunity to serve my college in a different way, especially while I was on another campus and feeling connected to the academic experience. Danita: Even though it wasn't a Holy Cross, I was on a college campus and I became my class's co-chair in 2006, with Amanda Robichaud at the time. It helped me to reconsider and hone my skills in philanthropy and consider my next direction for after graduate school. I decided not to become a teacher. The masters of fine art, the MFA is the terminal degree in the art field and with that degree, you could become a college professor. I considered it but again, education is important, realizing that securing the resources for education can really change more lives than being in the classroom. For me, that was powerful and effective. Danita: So I decided to return to work in philanthropy. I considered returning to the Massachusetts area. I thought about Chicago, other cities and I decided to move to Baltimore. Baltimore might seem a little farfetched after my experiences in Memphis, in Massachusetts, in Chicago. How did I select Baltimore? Well, in Memphis, I met a young man and a wonderful young man, I should say, named Emerson Wickwire. He was kind and interesting and a graduate of a Jesuit school, Boston College. He was in a fellowship program at Johns Hopkins University. It was a one year fellowship that turned into a two year fellowship. While he was in his fellowship program, and I was in graduate school, we would travel together. Danita: We would see one another at least once a month, but if one of us had a conference or another event, the other one would go along and we would spend time together traveling in that way. I had traveled to Holy Cross for the class co-chairs and correspondents meeting in November of 2008 and Emerson came with me and on the lawn of the Jesuit residence, overlooking Wheeler, oddly enough, he asked me to marry him. Meah: My god. That's like a movie scene. Danita: It was like a movie scene indeed. It was a complete surprise, poor Emerson had ... he had this ring burning a hole in his pocket and he was nervous and he was anxious. We were on the Holy Cross campus together for the first time and I had so many stories to tell him. I would not stop telling stories long enough for him to pop the question, so to speak. Eventually, I took a breath and he was able to ask me to marry him and I said, yes. We attended the class co-chair's dinner that night and I introduced him to people as my fiance. I still remember Gary Carskaddan was so cute. He said, "Wait a minute. Danita, we spoke this morning, you said your boyfriend was coming with you." Danita: "So what has happened in the last few hours," and shared the ring, told him the story and that was how and when and where our engagement began and our beautiful journey as man and wife, all started at Holy Cross and that is how I decided to move to Baltimore, where I still live. Meah: First of all, that's awesome. I feel like that's like a movie scene, like you guys could be in some like scene or something but that timeframe, obviously, was during the recession. So how did you connect with people, navigate life, build a new community in Baltimore being that it was really ... never been a place you then been at prior to that experience? Danita: That is true, Baltimore was a completely new city, a new environment. Emerson had been here for two years. At that time, he had a cousin who lived here and he made some friends, made some connections at Johns Hopkins but he was largely focused on his academic career. So you will see this, Meah. When you're in graduate school, you will not make as many friends as you do when you're an undergraduate because you're focused so much more on your studies. So that being said, I didn't make as many friends in graduate school. He had a small and growing network as well, but I was able to tap into the Holy Cross network when I moved here. Gary Carskaddan, introduced me to a woman at Loyola University who introduced me to a number of people, who introduced me to others. Danita: Julia Galleazi-Lapan lived here. She worked at Loyola, and later worked at Johns Hopkins. She introduced me to a number of people and Baltimore is a charm city, people are very friendly here. Philanthropy is also known for attracting people who have a sense of kindness and a sense of giving and a desire to help others. So, as I met more and more people who worked in philanthropy, they were willing to introduce me to even more people in philanthropy. I was able to create and build a network quickly based upon a foundation of a Holy Cross Network and a few connections. Danita: My first position was with an organization called CCS Fundraising. Oddly enough, the individual with whom I spoke first was in the CCS office in New York but it was Sean O'Connor, who was a '92 graduate of College of the Holy Cross. That helped to confirm my first position where I worked for five years and I've been with Johns Hopkins University for the last five years. I enjoyed my work in consulting. I enjoyed working to advance a number of different missions, but focusing on one mission was critical to me. That was something that I wanted to do and I knew I wanted to, once again, focus on higher education fundraising, especially for a larger institution. Danita: The mission of Johns Hopkins truly resonated with me, educating others and cultivating lifelong learning, supporting original research and the service aspect, sharing that knowledge with the world. That spoke to me in so many ways and I wanted to be a part of advancing that mission. Meah: That's awesome. So, just a little bit more in speaking about the mission, so how does the Johns Hopkins mission, even in your previous roles, align with your own personal missions and what you see in a profession, what you really ... what motivates you to go to work, what motivates you to really dive deeper and do what you're supposed to for Johns Hopkins and the other organizations you work for in the past? Danita: I've always had the fortune of ... good fortune, I should say, of working for many education organizations and arts organizations. Education is critical to the work of the Jesuits. That's part of the appeal of the Jesuits for me and promoting and advancing education, ensuring that education is accessible to more in the community or a better education is accessible to individuals and groups in the community, that has always been important to me and that's what gets me out of bed in the morning. To be able to support a mission. To be able to do great work, the small work that helps to bring forth the resources necessary, so that others can have access to high quality educational experiences both the traditional classroom learning and the experiential learning. That can help connect what someone's going to do when they finish high school, college, graduate school, to what they are doing in the classroom. Danita: Education has always been key for me and my family, and the Jesuits, and the work that I do, and I think now, specifically in my work at Johns Hopkins of the recent Bloomberg gift, the 1.8 million dollars for undergraduate aid was a phenomenal gift. We don't think about it as just a number. That's part of the beauty of working in philanthropy for an extended period. Danita: You don't think about the money, you think about what the resources can do. How they can affect others. With that gift, Johns Hopkins education is now within reach for so many families who couldn't have thought of sending their children to Johns Hopkins University. They're going to receive a tremendous education and the additional support that they need to stay in school and pursue their dreams as students and after they graduate, and having played a small role in the work to secure that gift is truly meaningful and heartwarming for me. It's always nice to know that what you are doing, will change someone's life for the better, that you will affect change in individuals and communities and make this world a better place. Meah: I love that. I love how you don't look at it as a simple dollar sign but instead what that dollar sign can do for students in Johns Hopkins, pursuing Johns Hopkins and even their life outside of Johns Hopkins, so that's awesome. Everyone listening can assume you've been really in touch with the Holy Cross community during your time at Holy Cross, shortly after your time at Holy Cross and even to the present day, so what do you do with Holy Cross currently? Danita: Well, Meah, I have the wonderful opportunity of now, spending time with students such as you, an informal mentoring and engagement. I'm also a member of the college's board of advisors. I am still my class's fundraising co-chair. I have a new co-chair now. He's been my partner in this work for the last three years, Matt Dudley, who was actually one of the first people I met, freshman year. I'm also a member of the Bishop Healy Committee. Additionally, I find myself working on a few independent grassroots projects and I really appreciate it that the staff at Holy Cross supports and partners with me and some of these efforts. In the spring, when the ALANA, an international student baccalaureate was zoom bombed by a horrible sign of hatred and fear. I was crushed, to know what happened. Danita: To see what happened and I moved quickly to work with other alumni to create messages for those students who had that horrible experience in their penultimate day as Holy Cross students, their last night on campus, that was their experience after being sent home for remote learning due to the pandemic. I knew they needed something, some outreach, some message they could keep with them. So 50 other alumni partnered with me to create brief messages of support, that were curated into one virtual hug, so to speak and sent to all of the 2020 ALANA and international graduates in June. Then, I count my blessings that so many alumni were willing to come forth and partner with me in that project. Danita: I also count my blessings that members of the staff and administration were supportive and allowed me to pursue that project. It was completely a grassroots effort and not from any organized group, just people who care and that's another part of the beauty of the Holy Cross community, people who care. Meah: I agree. Just the little things, the thoughtfulness, recognizing someone ... Yeah, I mean, these times are hard, what can we do as Holy Cross alumni speaking from your perspective, so you know better the situation. So that virtual hug must have been awesome and very touching in a sense. Danita: It was. It was an interesting final production, it was long, it's about 30 minutes long and no one complained that it was too long fortunately. It might have felt long, but in the message that I drafted to be sent to the graduates now, I encouraged them to play part of it, whenever they wanted to hear a few words of encouragement, if ever they felt down or lonely just to play a couple of videos for five minutes or whatever their favorites might be. Meah: Right and I remember when we first met BSU 50 and shortly after, getting into each other's email inboxes, you often had a lot of motivational and small things to send off to like a few people. So I know those little things, put a smile on people's faces and I personally got to experience that from you early on in our mentor-mentee relationship, so I appreciate that. Danita: You're welcome. You're welcome. It's a privilege and an honor to pass it on. When I was a student, there were alumni who came back for us, who spent time with us who spoke to us. I remember an alum, I think her name was Michelle. She came back to my dorm with me to see my artwork and I was so flattered that someone wanted to come to my messy dorm room in Clark to see my artwork. Ted Wells came back and spoke to us our freshman year, and told us of his experience. He encouraged us to give back as a means of staying in touch with the next generation of inspiring and influencing the next generation, and making a real difference at the college. Danita: If there were aspects of the college that we wanted to touch, we would need to be engaged and stay engaged in some way and not just criticize from a distance and hope that someone would hear our thoughts. Meah: Right, right. As our time comes to an end, I think it's really worth noting that through these unprecedented times, the Holy Cross alumni, specifically the Holy Cross BSU alumni have been really supportive of myself and even current students. So, I just want to thank you, Danita and the rest of the alum for really building these connections during these six months and continuing to build these connections as our lives are drastically different. So on behalf of students, again, thank you. I enjoyed a lot of happy hour, being able to laugh and talk with you guys, share our experiences and really get to connect deeper. Meah: I don't know if you want to touch upon that a little bit but I know I'm certainly grateful for those experiences. Danita: Meah, you are certainly welcome, you and the other students. It's really something that has been created for all of us to keep us connected. So thank you for participating and bringing other students to the conversations that we have every other week. This pandemic has been a very difficult time for so many, the social distance as it was called and it was social distance for a while, that we needed to find new ways to connect and interact. Now, that we've done so through Zoom and other means, it's physical distance but we are connected and having those conversations every two weeks were something to look for. A means of connecting and interacting and embracing normal, so to speak. Danita: The normal that we once knew and developing new relationships, because the alums who participate go as far back as the early 70s, up to the class of 2019. So we didn't all know one another before we started having these conversations together every other week and then, the side conversations that come out of that. In particular, having black alumni and students come together in late May and June, when we began to realize the unrest in the communities and the racial reckoning, that is again, at the forefront of so many conversations. It has been critical to have so many generations together to talk about what has happened in the past, what worked in the past. Danita: What patterns they have seen? What patterns we have seen, and how to determine the path forward so that this moment can be a movement, so that our actions will not just be transactional but transformational. That's been a core point of the conversations because it's time for change in our communities. In changing our community, we will change the larger community as a whole. Everyone needs to survive and succeed, for all of us to truly know joy and happiness in our worlds. Meah: I couldn't agree more. So Danita, what exactly is next for you? Danita: Meah, what's next? I'm actually moving in a new direction and my efforts to affect change in individual lives and communities. To be perfectly frank, in October, due to the challenges faced by Johns Hopkins University, the fiscal challenges presented by students not returning this fall, some really difficult cuts were made and my position was one of 114 positions to be eliminated. My last day was in November, which was hard and difficult, but I had already started to think about, to your point, what's next and an area that I had not explored fully but an area of interest for me was the climate and conservation. A couple of years ago, after Hurricane Michael was so devastating in many communities across the south, I was just stunned into a need to do something, to do something more than what I had done. Danita: Recycling wasn't enough. I began observing, and then my family started to observe Meatless Mondays as a way to reduce our carbon footprint by eating less meat on Mondays and at some times in the year, we just go completely plant based on Mondays. Even with that, I realized that my personal efforts were not enough. It's kind of like being a teacher versus raising money for the teachers to do their work to be effective in the classroom. In a similar way, wanting to contribute to the efforts in support of saving our climate and greater conservation. I wanted an opportunity to link my personal concern with the concern and commitment of others, and the actions of a respected and effective organization. Danita: Fortunately for me, I knew someone who was working in such an organization, the National Audubon Society and that was Sean O'Connor, who was the chief development officer as well as a graduate of a class in '92, I mentioned him earlier with CCS. We had started some preliminary casual conversations, even before I had lost ... before my position was eliminated at Johns Hopkins and I looked at Audubon, and the position as a dynamic opportunity to join a well-respected organization with expertise, credibility and a vast network of influencers and activists. Starting in four weeks, I will be the vice president of principal giving for National Audubon Society. Danita: I'm very excited to join the team. I get to work with the leadership and the development team and others in the organization to confirm transformational support that will facilitate increased and sustained change for the climate for conservation, for the birds and their habitats. For those of us who share the greater habitat of the birds, we human beings, Audubon is about the birds but I understand and believe and many o

This episode features a conversation between Payton Shubrick ’15 and her sister Jordyn Shubrick ’22.  While they share many interests, they have each made their own unique mark as leaders at Holy Cross.  They speak about Payton’s time on campus, and how her experience at Holy Cross has shaped her into the driven, hardworking, and trailblazing leader that she is today. Interview originally recorded on August 13, 2020.  Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all interviews in season 2 are recorded remotely. --- Payton: I think that grit and resiliency though helped me as I think about some of the career goals that I'm striving towards now, as a CEO, as an entrepreneur. So that experience in many ways, Holy Cross becomes your playground, to get things right, so when you enter the world, you're really ready to move mountains. Maura: Welcome to Mission-Driven where we speak with alumni who are leveraging their Holy Cross education to make a meaningful difference in the world around them. I'm your host, Maura Sweeney from the class of 2007, Director of Alumni Career Development at Holy Cross. I am delighted to welcome you to today's show. Maura: This episode features a conversation with Payton Shubrick from the class of 2015. Anyone who knows Payton knows that she is a person on the go. Ever since her days at Holy Cross, she has been on a mission to change the world by changing lives. She was notorious for packing a busy schedule, successfully juggling academics and D1 varsity track with leadership roles in the Black Student Union and Student Government Association. This ability to manage her time and juggle competing priorities continues to serve her well. Maura: Today she blazes a trail as a cannabis entrepreneur, while simultaneously holding a full-time job as a home office technology strategist at Mass Mutual and sitting on numerous nonprofit boards. She is joined in the conversation by her sister, Jordyn Shubrick from the class of 2022. Their conversation touches upon the many shared experiences that they hold from their days on campus, while also highlighting the ways that they have each page, their own path as leaders at Holy Cross. They speak about the impact that mentors have had on their lives and the importance of giving back by paying it forward and serving as mentors for others. Jordyn: Welcome everyone. My name is Jordan Shubrick, class of 2022 and today I'm with my wonderful sister Payton. Payton: Hi folks, my name's Payton Shubrick. I'm a member of the class of 2015, and very excited to be doing this interview today. Jordyn: Very nice. Okay. So I think there's a lot of ways we can go here, but I'll start off kind of easy. Why did you choose Holy Cross? Payton: Well, if I'm being honest, Holy Cross, wasn't my first choice. I wanted to go to Williams and I was put on the wait list and then I committed to Holy Cross and got accepted to Williams, maybe two or three days later. For me it was kind of like the first major adult decision and I got it wrong. So coming to the Hill, I was under the assumption. I shouldn't have been there, I should have been at Williams, but then I also had the perspective of, I wanted to make the best of this experience really harnessing this notion everything happens for a reason. Payton: So coming to Holy Cross was a matter of fate, right? The universe had bigger plans for me and it all worked out, but day one, I was thinking about the Williams sweatshirt that was buried in my luggage, not necessarily all the Holy Cross apparel I would amass over time. Jordyn: Very nice. I think remembering when you finally decided to go to Holy Cross was like, "Oh, Payton's going, Holy Cross. Here we go." It wasn't any Williams or anything like that, but speaking about that, when you first stepped on Holy Cross campus, how were you able to navigate through those new experiences? Payton: And that's a great question. Day one showing up on Holy Cross campus, I was a part of the Odyssey Program, so as meeting folks like Dean Levine and Tina Chen who are so excited for me to be there, more excited than I was. I still remember, the first dinner and Hogan sitting with my family and then Dean Levine saying, "We're going to go around and say our names and where we're from," and her energy was just so infectious that it definitely gave me this warm and inviting feeling, one that I didn't necessarily have moving into the dorm, but one, I definitely left Hogan ballroom feeling. Jordyn: Nice, very nice. I feel like I was so young when you moved in, but how was that moving experience? Were you nervous, any feelings like that? Payton: Yeah, I think it was a mixture of motions. I mean, dad was being dad. So he was like, "All right, kid, make sure you get it done." Mom was crying, holding Frederick, who was how old, two at the time. So it was a lot of different emotions. I think for me I was absorbing it all and wanting to put a brave face on for you and Taylor, understanding one day you were going to go off to college and I didn't want you to see me break down and cry because it really is something beautiful to celebrate. It's an opportunity that not every person gets, to go to a four year college, especially going to a place like Holy Cross. So I really wanted to have this brave face, but of course there was the doubts, the insecurities, the uncertainty of it all and it was really just counteracting that with putting my best foot forward and going down to the common room at the end of day one to try and make friends. Jordyn: Right. Speaking of that great opportunity. As you thought about leaving your mark on campus, what groups, any experiences that you started to take on? Payton: Yeah. I was a student athlete, right. I was recruited to run track. The 400 was my event, but I never just wanted to be a student athlete. I wanted to be a student athlete and a leader. So for me, leadership took the form of the Student Government Association. I was the Director of Athletics for a while and then eventually became SGA co-president. I was also very involved and the BSU. I was co-chair as you are now and then became senior advisor and that was really important to me. Payton: I also was on the moot court team. So when I'm giving presentations now in my professional career, I think about standing in front of what was the "Appeals court" and I'm using air quotes because we weren't lawyers at the time, but we presented as such. So I just took every opportunity as a way for me to grow and learn and challenge myself in what I considered to be almost a safe space. There were people on the campus that wanted me to be better, that were there for it, whether it's professors and staff, and it was just taking everything as I could and soaking up. Understand four years goes extremely fast and you're experiencing that firsthand. Jordyn: Yeah. Yeah, definitely. You touched upon being a student athlete, which, I'm a part of the women's track and field team, but on the thrower side, so doing something like the mile warmup was a little bit different for me, but talk a little bit more about your experience about being a student athlete, but also, like you said, doing SGA? How did you come across those scheduling challenges and different things like that? Payton: Scheduling was definitely a difficult situation all around. I was notorious for having one of those written planners, but it wasn't the small pocket ones. This was like a thick binder where I was pretty much programming out every 30 minutes. On a good day I could do hour blocks, but really just making sure that I knew where I needed to be and when I needed to study and coordinating a lot with Coach A. Kudos to her for allowing me to say like, "Hey Coach A, I can't make the four o'clock because I have a meeting with Father Boroughs regarding race relations on campus. Can you meet me at 10:00 AM so I can get my practice in, but then also meet my leadership obligations?" but it was never a dull moment. Payton: I think the biggest thing I took away from that was intentionality. You can go through a day on autopilot and not really thinking about what you're doing or how you're getting it done. I really couldn't do that because I had so many things happening all at once and I want it to be as good as I could be for each of them. So it really required scheduling to be at the top of the priority list. I still recall sitting down Sunday morning in Kimball with my omelet and sitting there and just kind of figuring out what the week looked like and how I was going to try and make everything happen. Jordyn: Yeah, busy schedule, busy schedules, but as I'm hearing you talk, navigating through these new experiences and trying to figure out your schedule, when I say mentor, what comes to mind? Payton: When I hear the word mentor, I think three names really come to mind. The first is Ron Lawson, and this was someone I met during junior year at the 45th reunion of the Black Student Union. I recall meeting him and instantly just being in awe of the way in which he was so committed to Holy Cross and to helping ALANA students and engaging with the college. He was kind of like the man, the myth, the legend, right? He walked into a room and everyone was instantly gravitating towards him, and it was really just amazing to see. I remember staying in contact with him up and through graduation and him saying, "Stay involved, stay engaged. Don't take a break," and I joined the Holy Cross Alumni Association soon after via has nomination. So he's definitely someone I think of. Payton: The second name that comes to mind is Dean Peterson, having a black woman with a role like that at the college really was inspiring, just to see the way in which she would lead people, especially during some tough times. You talk about an off-campus party that goes wrong and she's the person on the front lines having to figure out how we do damage control and what that looks like, but then also really John Milner, who's my co president senior year, and I in on issues. We thought that running for SGA co-president, we'd make all these elaborate promises, new gym equipment for all of campus, all of these amazing things. And she sat us down and said, "Well, this is how a budget works at a college, and what you're proposing will increase tuition for everyone by X amount of dollars." And we're like, "We don't want to do that. We just want folks to be happy with the gym equipment," and so on and so forth. So the education she was able to provide was really beneficial and she really mentored and guided me in a meaningful way. Payton: The last name that comes to mind as Father Boroughs. This was a man that had the toughest job in terms of how do you please everyone, you have students, you have alums, you have staff, you have professors and constantly being able to create a path forward, despite all the angles that he was being pulled and pushed into. I remember Mike Brown being killed, another unarmed black man and going to his office and just being able say how painful it was to see this happen. This was after Trayvon Martin was also killed my freshman year. Payton: So it became this pain that's hard to describe and he was empathetic and compassionate and responded with an understanding that he needed to do something versus doing nothing at all. I think at the time we had a candle vigil, which was well received, and at the same time, he also acknowledged that he would never know what it's like to be a black man or a black woman in America. So this idea of including those that had fundamental differences on campus in a way that really created community, at a time where it just felt like there wasn't much community in the United States, was really powerful. So as I think about mentorship I think of those three individuals. Jordyn: Yeah, definitely. You hit on, I think, so many key points, but I love how you talked about today it's still happening and being co-chair the Black Student Union like you were back in your times, I think about any advice? As your sister I would love to hear any advice you have as you went through these challenging moments and now you're starting to becoming into that role of being a mentor. So what would you say to someone going through these challenging times today? Payton: Yeah, I would first say, as you think about saying in these times, it's only five years ago, I'm not that far out. I think the second piece is as a leader one of your biggest roles is really hearing and understanding the uncertainty that people around you are feeling and being empathetic about that. You're not always going to know exactly how someone feels and you have to be willing to acknowledge that, but also at the same time, be able to provide a clear direction or a clear next step that people can get behind, even if it's something that they themselves would not have decided. Payton: I think that's the hard part. You're not going to please everyone and not everyone's going to love the decision you make, but you have to understand what's best and at the same time, it's not about you being right, it's about getting to the right outcome, and that to me is true leadership. Jordyn: I'm assuming you took that into your SGA co-president type of feel to everything. Talking about that, could you say a little bit more about how that experience was for you, how it made you grow and develop as an individual? Payton: Yeah. I think running for SGA co-president was very memorable. The quote from Maya Angelou that really stands true for me is, "If you don't like something, change it, if you can't change it, change your attitude about it." I think when John and I thought about running it's because we want it to change the campus for better and it's at a point where you stop talking about something and you move into action. Payton: It was a really interesting experience though. I still vividly remember my track teammates and the football team rallying around this idea that I would be running for SGA co-president and supporting me. They were so excited about this as was I. We had a campaign where John and I had taken some stage photos around campus and we printed out all these flyers and then we'd run across campus, having people pose with it, and then say, "I stand with J and P," and all of these different things. It really showed me the community that was possible at Holy Cross. Payton: On the flip side though, it also showed me kind of the ugly underbelly that's possible because not everybody was a fan of me running. Some people were convinced I didn't have the time or the capacity, that I was doing it because I wanted the leadership role, but I wouldn't be able to back that with actually being a good leader. I think that grit and resiliency though helped me as I think about some of the career goals that I'm striving towards now, as a CEO, as an entrepreneur. So that experience, in many ways, Holy Cross becomes your playground, to get things right, so when you enter the world, you're really ready to move mountains. Jordyn: Yeah, definitely and I think you talked about community and other athlete students coming to have your back. So back in your days, even though it was five years ago, what was some fun thing you used to do on campus? I know for me, our generation TikToK is the big thing, DoorDash, Grubhub, those sorts of things. So what were some of the fun things you would do on campus? Payton: You make me sound so old, it almost hurts. The reality is when I even think about the iPhones, the running thing was, "Pass me the aux cord." You all are not passing around an aux cord. Ordering Domino's was definitely a thing to do while on campus. Instagram was really big at the time, there was hints of Vine, "So do it for the Vine," was kind of the running slogan at points in times on campus. Payton: I would say that being on the campus from 2011 to 2015, it was a mixture of different things. As I think about kind of the civil unrest we're seeing now, which, there were moments that right? My freshman year, Trayvon Martin died, as I mentioned, junior year, Mike Brown, but we also had moments of really coming together. October 2011, there was that huge snow storm during Halloween and we were still running around in our costumes at that point in time to looking at 2015 where classes are canceled once again, but now we're in the senior apartments and we're using whatever you could find to slide down the backside of William. So there was definitely our moments, and I think that's what really binds the class together, those experiences you have that other classes don't, based on what's current, what technology's available and what song is popular. Jordyn: Definitely. I'm glad I got that insight of Holy Cross between 2011 and 2015. As we switch gears and as you think about Holy Cross's mission being men and women for and with others, how have you lived by this and how do you plan to live by this in the next five years? Payton: That's another really great question, just because as I think about where I am right now, I'm starting a cannabis company, 6 Bricks, LLC, in many ways, being a love letter to the Shubricks, right? Six people in our immediate family and the last name being Shubrick, so 6 Bricks and being a black owned company, 100% owned by people of color, majority owned by women, in an industry that is dominated by white men, is a statement, right? But when I think about the mission of Holy Cross, taking that to the next step, it's not only for me to be in this industry, but it's opening the door for others that can also come in this space. Payton: It's unique as we think about cannabis, right? It's federally illegal, which means you can't go to a bank to get money. So how do you even find the capital? How do you make the connections? How do you understand this layered process of going between your local government, the Cannabis Control Commission, and back to your local government to eventually open doors, and then how do you do all that in the midst of a pandemic, right? Civil unrest, as we talk about black lives mattering and so many more nuances. Payton: So for me, as I think about what I'm currently doing, it's staying really engaged in my community, helping when I can, whether that's time, talent, or treasure. So sometimes I'm writing a check, sometimes I'm speaking with young women in the community that have aspirations to be an entrepreneur, and sometimes I'm on a Zoom meeting talking about budgeting with recent graduates. It all matters. When I think about where I'll be in five years, fingers crossed, I'll successfully have opened 6 Bricks and we would have expanded, but I've also been able to influence other entrepreneurs who want to be in the space, but are unsure of how to be, and that to me is really what success looks like. Payton: It's nice to amass a large amount of wealth, it's even better when you're able to share that with the community that you're from. Being born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, like yourself, doing this here in our community means a lot. Jordyn: Yeah, definitely and I think as you talk about community, what is your biggest driver? You talked about that community aspect. Of course you have family. If you think about what kind of pulls you through those good and bad days, what would that be? Payton: For me, as I think about it, there's very few things you can change, as we think about where you're from, right? I will always be Payton Shubrick from Springfield, Massachusetts, it almost becomes my calling card. When I think about what keeps me going, is understanding that I want to be an example for my community of what it looks like when you stay here and you improve those around you. Payton: For so long, I was told, especially in high school, "Do you want to get a really good job? Go to Boston or New York." Yet here I am, in my hometown, I am working full time at Mass Mutual. I'm starting a cannabis company, I'm sitting on three different nonprofits and yet I feel so fulfilled in what I'm doing and the example I'm setting that it really does drive me each and every day. Payton: I'd be lying if I also didn't say that you, Taylor and Frederick all our drivers as well. Being the oldest of four, you have three people looking up to you, in terms of what you're doing and how you're doing it and how do you handle a setback because life's not perfect, you don't get everything right the first time through. So those would be my biggest drivers. A community that I want to be an example for, but also my siblings, who are oh so important to me. Jordyn: Appreciate it. I would definitely say you have taken on this role of not only being my sister, but being that mentor at Holy Cross and coming in, in so many different aspects of my life that seeing you go so far, it's like, "How much more can she go?" You left a great mark at Holy Cross and I'm following up on that and trying to create that own path. As we talk more about Holy Cross, thinking back on your four years, what would you say your best memory is there? I know there might be a lot, but if you can pinpoint one? Payton: Oh yes, so many. Oh, that's tough. I would say if I had to narrow it down and don't get upset at me for this one, but I would say one of my favorite memories is probably graduation. Being on the field with my classmates and walking across stage and giving Father Boroughs a big hug, as I think about accomplishing something that when you enter Holy Cross there's so much uncertainty, you don't know the value of what you're doing and how it will get you across the finish line. Payton: I think it was such a powerful moment because I'd also received the George B. Moran Award and at the time I didn't know what the word meant. I won't lie. Like I wanted Presidential Service Award, and then I received that and I was like, "Oh man, did I do something wrong?" And then to realize what an honor it was. In that moment, it just felt really powerful to see that not only did I feel good about what I'd done about Holy Cross, but others saw the good I'd done at Holy Cross. It was a really powerful moment and when I look forward to, for you, as you walk across the stage at Holy Cross, regardless of what that looks like. Jordyn: Yeah, definitely. Going back to your graduation day, I remember sitting in the big stadium and it being really hot, but a happy moment of course, a great moment. Payton: Yeah, definitely. Jordyn: I know you're a big quotes person, so I'm speaking to that, what would you say a quote that really has stuck with you throughout the year? Payton: I would say because I was an athlete on campus, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable," was definitely a quote that became almost a mantra. I think oftentimes, especially as we think about the world today, people want to be comfortable, but it almost then creates this resistance to change. They want things to stay exactly as they are and that's just not the reality of how our world works. You always are encountering changes, you always will have something new thrown at you. So being comfortable, getting uncomfortable, whether that is with your car needing to get a new part or changing your career, this notion of uncomfortability has really driven me in. It's so funny to think about it because we would joke around as runners and say, "Get comfortable being uncomfortable because if you're comfortable in your race, you'll probably lose it." Payton: It became clear that in life, right? It's not to say everything's a win or a loss because a loss is really a lesson, but it's a lesson in how you become better. So this constant state of uncomfortability is almost a good thing because it makes you a better person for it. Now, if I think about my career or some of the things I've done, I wasn't comfortable doing it, but it made me a better person for it. So I would say that's probably one of my top quotes. in terms of just get comfortable, being uncomfortable. Jordyn: Definitely, leaning into that uncomfortability and things like that really does push you limits beyond. So I think you hit on so many great key points. Thinking about challenging times at Holy Cross, those uncomfortable moments, the hard times, how were you able to push through? Because you're always going to be in those uncomfortable situations, but how did you really push forward throughout those? Payton: Yeah. I think it goes back to one of the lessons that dad has instilled in us, which is, it takes a village. So for me, I've always been able to create a village for myself, a support for myself. So when I needed it most, it was there. So when I think about being unsure or uncertain, there was always someone I could go to on campus, whether that was Sandy Burke, OSI, to help me figure something out or Rob Jones. There was just countless amount of people that I could have these really meaningful conversations with and help me to figure out what I needed to know either about myself or the situation to push through. And at the end of the day, you know, mom and dad, they were only a phone call away if I really got stuck on something. Payton: I think you have to realize life is better when you're able to share it with friends and family that love you and support you and want to see you happy and successful, however you define it. So that's kind of the secret sauce to getting through things. You've seen firsthand trying to start a cannabis company is not easy, but it's really the support of knowing who can help you get through the uncomfortability of giving a public presentation or submitting an application that kind of keeps you going. Jordyn: Yeah, definitely. Village, community, it all helps with everything going on, so that's great. I think just to lighten things up and do a little fun thing, let's do a quick fire round, quick answers only, not too long, just some quick ones. Payton: I've been forewarned. I got you. Jordyn: Okay. Perfect. So favorite vacation spot. Payton: Panama. Jordyn: Panama. Good choice. Okay. Best restaurant in Worcester. Payton: Flying Rhino. Jordyn: Okay. I see why you took me there first year. What was your favorite dorm? Payton: Favorite dorm? I'm going to have to say Williams. Being in the apartments was pretty nice, you have your bathroom, the kitchen. I used it mainly to make chocolate chip cookies, but it was there, so that was awesome and I think at that point you're really comfortable, you're a senior. You said quick answer, so Williams. Jordyn: Okay, perfect. Favorite spot on campus. Payton: The BSU office. I must say I spent a lot of time in there and it became really good, but I will say the Office of Student Involvement became a second home over time and at one point Sandy Burke and Brenda Hounsell Sullivan had put up in that office, a sign because they called me Payton Olivia. Scandal at the time was a big show. Jordyn: Right. Payton: And so OSI became a second home, especially because they would have popcorn on Thursdays and Olivia Pope was notorious for drinking wine and eating popcorn. That's not a sustainable diet at all. I won't say I tried it, but BSU or OSI to answer your question. Jordyn: Perfect. Favorite class? Payton: Politics and technology with Daniel Klinghard, most definitely because at that point... I was a poli side major, so I thought I was going to go to law school, I thought that was my future. I was going to shake up constitutional law as we knew it and then I was accepting a job in IT at Mass Mutual. So this was a class that really kind of bred the two together for me and showed me I can create my own path, even if law school wasn't a part of that. Jordyn: Very nice. Favorite professor? Payton: Daniel Klinghard I mean, he did a really good job. I took probably two or three classes with him. I don't know why he continued to let me register for classes with him, but he was a great professor. He always challenged me and pushed me to do better. Good was never good enough and I appreciate that. Jordyn: Definitely. Last one. Favorite sibling? Payton: Oh no- Jordyn: I'm kidding. Payton: Now you're trying to get me in trouble. Jordyn: You don't have to answer that. It's okay. It's okay, but as you think about me being at Holy Cross and you also going there, I feel like I'd never asked you this question, but what were your initial thoughts when I first got into Holy Cross? Payton: I was very excited for you. This was something that I knew and I could speak to in terms of the experience and the growth that would occur. It's been a beautiful journey this far. You're entering your junior year and to see the ways that you've grown and develop just within your freshmen and sophomore year, your confidence, who you are as an individual, your opinion around certain things. I knew that Holy Cross could do that for you. If I'm being honest, that would have happened regardless of what you went. I think what's special for me is knowing that you're interacting with so many people that were there when I was there and that unique relationship you're able to foster and make it your own. It was so lovely during Homecoming Harvest to get a photo with me, you and Father Boroughs, and just to see the ways that he can speak to you becoming a leader on that campus, much like the way he spoke to me becoming a leader on campus. It's all just so beautiful as I think about it coming together. Payton: So it's been very exciting for me to see you grow and I was honestly excited, probably more excited than you were at the time. It was going to be special and it truly has been for many reasons. Jordyn: Yeah, definitely. I would say you were a little bit more excited than me. Payton: Most definitely. I spent so much money at the Holy Cross Bookstore that day, all unnecessary, considering that you were going to go to campus anyway and buy your own stuff, but I was extremely excited for you and still am because you have a lot left to influence on that campus, I'll say. Jordyn: Definitely. Well, it's clear that Holy Cross will always have an everlasting mark on your life. So I'll end with this. What was or is the best part of being a Holy Cross alum? Payton: That's a great question. I think the best part of being a Holy Cross alum is this community that is there for the rest of your life. I recently got together with some former track teammates and just being able to sit there and reminisce on all of the memories we had, but then also this fundamental understanding that you are now in a position to truly move mountains because of the skill set that Holy Cross has taught you, and it's not always the in-classroom learning. Some of my best lessons were being an SGA co-presenter or being chair of the Black Student Union. Sometimes it's understanding the best lessons happen in the hallways or falling down the Hill and realizing that you need better snow shoes. Payton: So you package all of that up, and then the beauty is you then get to interact with students like yourself, and it's a benefit that you're my sister, and you get to pass along these learnings and experiences and continue to build that community. It's just one of those things that's so beautiful it almost becomes hard to articulate, but it's something I'm most thankful for. Till the day that I stop breathing I'll be Payton Shubrick, Holy Cross, class of 2015 and that means a lot to me. Jordyn: Of course, yeah. The legacy left behind for Holy Cross, and it's truly the people in the community that make you want to continue to engage and continue to, "How, how can I get involved? How can I be with the younger generation, be with the older generation?" and it's just a beautiful thing to see. Payton: Most definitely, and it's never always easy. It's not perfect, especially in this COVID environment where on your eighth Zoom meeting, you're like, "What are we doing here again?" but it's the way you persevere and the resilience, and I think part of that as what Holy Cross teaches you and hopefully something you're able to give to others as you've received it. So it's awesome. So thank you, sister. Jordyn: Anytime. Maura: That’s our show!  I hope you enjoyed hearing about just one of the many ways that Holy Cross alumni have been inspired by the mission to be people for and with others.   A special thanks to today’s guests, and everyone at Holy Cross who has contributed to making this podcast a reality. If you, or someone you know, would like to be featured on this podcast, please send us an email at alumnicareers@holycross.edu.  If you like what you hear, then please leave us a review. This podcast is brought to you by the Office of Alumni Relations at The College of the Holy Cross.  You can subscribe for future episodes wherever you find your podcasts. I’m you’re host, Maura Sweeney, and this is Mission-Driven. In the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, now go forth, and set the world on fire. --- Theme music composed by Scott Holmes, courtesy of freemusicarchive.org.

Tina Chen is the founder and chief tea officer at HumaniTea which sells ready-to-drink cold tea latte drinks made with natural and ethically-sourced ingredients.HumaniTea is a social enterprise and commits 5% of profits to support wellbeing and sustainability initiatives. Tina was originally inspired by the Taiwanese bubble tea concept and the British tea drinking culture while studying her MBA at Imperial College London.She tells Heidi about HumaniTea's journey from idea to brand to a need to rebrand because of trade mark opposition. Then, agains the odds, Tina ran a successful crowdfunding campaign securing over £13,100 from over 100 backers earlier in 2020.Tina also covers how she's found suppliers and sourced her ingredients, HumaniTea's wellbeing and sustainability fund and getting her products to market. Support from Cambridge Social Ventures and from Heidi herself has been invaluable too and Tina describes why.What next?HumaniTeaHeidi's new book shares everything she knows about impact measurement and management – and how to implement it in your organisation. Order your copy of Impact First – The Social Entrepreneur's Guide to Measuring, Managing and Growing Your Impact at https://www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk/my-book-impact-first

Tina Chen on Winnipeg's Chinatown & COVID-19 (1:30); Dog scholar Mark Derr (12:10); Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu (21:20); Chris Jackson from Ipsos on Super Tuesday (30:00). 

The following panel discussion took place during our annual Robotics and AI Connect night.During this session, entrepreneurs discuss innovation in robotics and AI, sharing perspectives on the role and opportunities for research and development in various industries.The panel features Ken Sutton from Yobe, Byron Stanley from Wavesense, Tina Chen from Activ Surgical, and Eamon Carrig from Autonomous Marine Systems.

The credits that follow actress Tina Chen's name are long and varied. A Golden Globe, Emmy and Drama Desk Award nominee, she's been featured on the big and small screens and on stage. She's also a director, producer and composer and is currently working on a musical. There's more. Tina's a lecturer. Heroes of History: Legacy of My Chinese Family chronicles 3 generations of her mother's family and their contributions to the history of China. Needless to say, we cover a lot of ground during our conversation.

Tina Chen, Design Lead at Slack, has a long career designing for some of the webs most popular apps and services. In addition to Slack, she's worked for Google, Medium and Blogger. We asked her how she makes the tough design decisions and what sets winning products apart.

Verge: Studies in Global Asias is an inspiring and path-breaking new journal that explores innovative forms for individual and collaborative scholarly work. I had the privilege of talking with Charlotte Eubanks, Jonathan E. Abel, and Tina Chen about Volume 1, Issue 2: Collecting Asias (Fall 2015), which includes – among several fascinating essays – a portfolio of Akamatsu Toshiko’s sketches of Micronesia, an interview about Mughal collections, an introduction to three wonderful digital projects, and a field trip to collaboratively-curated exhibition. In addition to exploring the particular contributions of this special issue, we talked about some of the features of the journal that really excitingly push the boundaries of what an academic journal can be, considering aspects of the innovative forms that are curated in the Convergence section of Verge and reflected in its essays. Highly recommended, both for reading and for teaching! Carla Nappi is Associate Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. Her research and writing concern the histories of science, medicine, materiality, and their translations in early modern China. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.carlanappi.com. She can be reach at carlanappi@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verge: Studies in Global Asias is an inspiring and path-breaking new journal that explores innovative forms for individual and collaborative scholarly work. I had the privilege of talking with Charlotte Eubanks, Jonathan E. Abel, and Tina Chen about Volume 1, Issue 2: Collecting Asias (Fall 2015), which includes – among several fascinating essays – a portfolio of Akamatsu Toshiko’s sketches of Micronesia, an interview about Mughal collections, an introduction to three wonderful digital projects, and a field trip to collaboratively-curated exhibition. In addition to exploring the particular contributions of this special issue, we talked about some of the features of the journal that really excitingly push the boundaries of what an academic journal can be, considering aspects of the innovative forms that are curated in the Convergence section of Verge and reflected in its essays. Highly recommended, both for reading and for teaching! Carla Nappi is Associate Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. Her research and writing concern the histories of science, medicine, materiality, and their translations in early modern China. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.carlanappi.com. She can be reach at carlanappi@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verge: Studies in Global Asias is an inspiring and path-breaking new journal that explores innovative forms for individual and collaborative scholarly work. I had the privilege of talking with Charlotte Eubanks, Jonathan E. Abel, and Tina Chen about Volume 1, Issue 2: Collecting Asias (Fall 2015), which includes – among several fascinating essays – a portfolio of Akamatsu Toshiko’s sketches of Micronesia, an interview about Mughal collections, an introduction to three wonderful digital projects, and a field trip to collaboratively-curated exhibition. In addition to exploring the particular contributions of this special issue, we talked about some of the features of the journal that really excitingly push the boundaries of what an academic journal can be, considering aspects of the innovative forms that are curated in the Convergence section of Verge and reflected in its essays. Highly recommended, both for reading and for teaching! Carla Nappi is Associate Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. Her research and writing concern the histories of science, medicine, materiality, and their translations in early modern China. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.carlanappi.com. She can be reach at carlanappi@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verge: Studies in Global Asias is an inspiring and path-breaking new journal that explores innovative forms for individual and collaborative scholarly work. I had the privilege of talking with Charlotte Eubanks, Jonathan E. Abel, and Tina Chen about Volume 1, Issue 2: Collecting Asias (Fall 2015), which includes – among several fascinating essays – a portfolio of Akamatsu Toshiko’s sketches of Micronesia, an interview about Mughal collections, an introduction to three wonderful digital projects, and a field trip to collaboratively-curated exhibition. In addition to exploring the particular contributions of this special issue, we talked about some of the features of the journal that really excitingly push the boundaries of what an academic journal can be, considering aspects of the innovative forms that are curated in the Convergence section of Verge and reflected in its essays. Highly recommended, both for reading and for teaching! Carla Nappi is Associate Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. Her research and writing concern the histories of science, medicine, materiality, and their translations in early modern China. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.carlanappi.com. She can be reach at carlanappi@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verge: Studies in Global Asias is an inspiring and path-breaking new journal that explores innovative forms for individual and collaborative scholarly work. I had the privilege of talking with Charlotte Eubanks, Jonathan E. Abel, and Tina Chen about Volume 1, Issue 2: Collecting Asias (Fall 2015), which includes – among several fascinating essays – a portfolio of Akamatsu Toshiko’s sketches of Micronesia, an interview about Mughal collections, an introduction to three wonderful digital projects, and a field trip to collaboratively-curated exhibition. In addition to exploring the particular contributions of this special issue, we talked about some of the features of the journal that really excitingly push the boundaries of what an academic journal can be, considering aspects of the innovative forms that are curated in the Convergence section of Verge and reflected in its essays. Highly recommended, both for reading and for teaching! Carla Nappi is Associate Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. Her research and writing concern the histories of science, medicine, materiality, and their translations in early modern China. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.carlanappi.com. She can be reach at carlanappi@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verge: Studies in Global Asias is an inspiring and path-breaking new journal that explores innovative forms for individual and collaborative scholarly work. I had the privilege of talking with Charlotte Eubanks, Jonathan E. Abel, and Tina Chen about Volume 1, Issue 2: Collecting Asias (Fall 2015), which includes – among... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we think about communities that are threatened by climate change, we often think about coastal areas and how these communities will be affected by sea-level rise, but we often don’t think about the other elevation extreme; how mountainous communities are going to be affected, and how they will have to adapt. In this podcast episode, we dive in to learn how mountainous communities around the world are adapting to climate change. We are joined by two researchers who lend different perspectives to understanding what threats these communities face and how they can adapt. Dr. Kelli Archie is the Senior Science Advisor at the Institute for Ecological Civilization. She spent the past 12 years as an academic in New Zealand and the USA studying climate change adaptation. Dr. Archie speaks about where her passion for this topic came from, why mountainous communities are at more risk than some other geographic areas and she discusses her research findings and its implications. Tina Chen received the prestigious Watson Fellowship to conduct an interesting explorative research project where she spent a year traveling alone to live in various mountainous communities, learning about how they are adapting to climate change. Ms. Chen joins EOC to tell us what she learned from that one year’s experience. Take a plunge into learning about climate change, ski towns, yak butter, politics, and more. Music: “Hit the Road” by VESHZA Artlist.io.com ( http://Artlist.io.com ) This episode was produced by Wild Lens Collective member, Emily Stanford