King Crush Thursday - The Interviews

Guggenheim Fellow Tommie-Waheed Evans' work explores blackness, spirituality, queerness & liberation. His training began with Karen McDonald, later receiving an Ailey School fellowship, and an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University. A former company member of Lula Washington Dance Theater, Complexions, and PHILADANCO, he's created works for BalletX, Dallas Black, DCDC, and Ballet Memphis, among others. His awards include Resident Fellow at the Center for Ballet and the Arts, the Princess Grace Award in Choreography, and Joffrey Ballet Winning Works. He is an Assistant Professor at UArts and an Artist in Residence at PhiladDANCO. See the video interview HERE

EPISODE 161 Quran Dean - A passionate and driven 23-year-old born and raised in West Philadelphia, he earned an Associate's degree in Business Administration and Management from the Community College of Philadelphia in 2023. Currently, he works in the real estate industry as a tenant service coordinator for a global commercial real estate company, a role he began in December 2023. Prior to this, he spent nearly three years working at a 12-story complex, where he gained valuable experience and knowledge that helped him qualify for his current position and embark on his career journey. Outside of his 9-to-5 role, he is actively working toward building a lifestyle brand with his two partners, Chad Feggins and Naiser Dean. The brand focuses on the personal growth and empowerment of inner-city youth, with the goal of uplifting and inspiring individuals to discover their true selves through music, content creation, and activities centered on health and wellness.   SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

Dr. Dale G. Caldwell is the President of Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey. He is the 15th President of the University and the first African American in that role. Dale is the Pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey, the author of eight books and for the last four years in a row has been named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Higher Education in New Jersey. He graduated from Princeton University, received an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate from Seton Hall University. Dale also completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government program and the Rutgers Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance program. He has been the President of three public school boards and was named the 2009 New Jersey School Board Member of the Year. His professional experience includes being the CEO of Strategic Influence LLC, a Senior Manager with Deloitte Consulting, the Executive Director of the Newark Alliance and the Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW VIDEO HERE

 Chad Feggins - Recent Morehouse College graduate and future AmeriCorps City Year Philadelphia participant, Chad Feggins is dedicated to making a lasting impact in the fields of wellness and community service. With a passion for health, fitness, and community empowerment, Chad is on a mission to inspire others to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. Graduating from Morehouse College, a prestigious institution known for producing leaders and change-makers, Chad has honed a unique blend of skills and knowledge that position him as a visionary in the wellness industry. His academic journey was marked by a commitment to excellence, leadership, and a desire to make a positive difference in the world. Throughout his time at Morehouse, he developed a strong foundation in business, health sciences, and community engagement, which now fuels his entrepreneurial spirit. In his pursuit of creating a healthier world, Chad is currently building a wellness company called "PhillyFitFormula." This venture aims to provide innovative health solutions and comprehensive wellness programs tailored to meet the needs of individuals from all walks of life. "PhillyFitFormula" is not just a business; it's a movement towards holistic health, incorporating fitness, nutrition, mental well-being, and community support. Through this company, Chad seeks to empower people to take control of their health and achieve their fitness goals. As part of his commitment to giving back to the community, Chad  began his journey with AmeriCorps City Year Philadelphia in August 2024. City Year is a national service organization dedicated to helping students and schools succeed. In this role, he will be working as a mentor and tutor, providing critical support to students in under-resourced schools. This opportunity allows him to combine his passion for education, mentorship, and community service, furthering his mission to make a meaningful impact. Chad is not only an entrepreneur and a dedicated public servant but also a lifelong learner and advocate for continuous personal growth. He believes in the power of education and self-improvement as tools for achieving one's dreams and making a difference in the world. His journey is a testament to the importance of perseverance, dedication, and a heart committed to service. In addition to his professional pursuits, Chad is an avid fitness enthusiast who practices what he preaches. He enjoys various forms of physical activity, including running, weightlifting, and yoga, and believes that a balanced and active lifestyle is key to overall well-being. His personal fitness journey fuels his drive to help others achieve their own health and wellness goals. Through his work with "PhillyFitFormula" and AmeriCorps City Year, Chad aims to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for others. He envisions a world where wellness is accessible to all, where communities are empowered, and where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential. As Chad embarks on this exciting new chapter in his life, he remains committed to his core values of integrity, compassion, and excellence. He is ready to tackle new challenges, embrace opportunities for growth, and continue making a positive impact in the lives of those around him. Whether through his entrepreneurial ventures, community service, or personal interactions, Chad is dedicated to creating a better, healthier, and more equitable world for all.   See the Video Interview HERE

EPISODE 158 A native of Baltimore, Maryland and a graduate of the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Dontae L. Ryan @drdryan1979 @LearnWithRyan received his baccalaureate degree in Electrical Engineering and Doctorate in Engineering from Morgan State University in 2001 and 2012, respectively. Dr. Ryan has over 20 years of professional experience in Radio Frequency Engineering currently serving as the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of The Ryan Institute, LLC; an Education and Technology Consulting Firm that he co-founded with his wife Antoynica Ryan in 2012. He has given several technical presentations regarding adaptable power amplifiers and anti-jam technologies at various technical conferences such as Government Microcircuit Applications & Critical Technology Conference, (GOMACTech), Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers, and the Joint Navigation Conference (JNC). Through The Ryan Institute, LLC, Dr. Ryan & his wife have worked with several Baltimore City Public Schools to provide enrichment programming to their respective students. One-on-One tutoring, Pop-Up Brainery cultural enrichment program, Spring Break Academy for Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Enrichment, Step 101 team building, and standardize test preparatory are all programs that students of Baltimore City and surrounding counties have participated with The Ryan Institute, LLC. Recently being selected as a direct partner with the Baltimore City Public School’s Office of Family Engagement and Office of Teaching and Learning, The Ryan Institute is dedicated to its continuous service to the students of Baltimore and beyond. The Ryan Institute, LLC’s mission of “Preparing Scholars for Global Competition” through character education, athletics, and the arts to stabilize communities remains the center of its program and curriculum development. Dr. Ryan is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and is an active member of the Beta Alpha Lambda Chapter. He lives in Baltimore City with his wife Antoynica, their son Dontae II and daughter Kailyn. See the Video Interview HERE

EPISODE 157 Emile E. Holland is a 23 years old  west Philadelphia Native. Emile is a proud product of the Philadelphia public school system. Emile the son of a Temple Owl began his journey at Temple in the spring of 2019. Entering into Temple as a political science major, Emile quickly realized his zeal for the field of Africology, more specifically education under the discipline of Africology. Growing up with a mother as an educator there was always a heavy importance placed on education. And more importantly in the power that being a young g black educated man held. Being a devoted Christian community, involvement and engagement were at the forefront of Emiles life. Always having a passion for community engagement especially on the part of those in the minority. It was only fitting for Emile to join the ranks of the notable men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. as a spring 22 initiate of the Pi Rho Mania chapter seated here at the temple. During his time here on campus as a Brother of Alpha, Emile served two terms on NPHC Eboard as Secretary and Vice-president. As well as serving in various rolls for his chapter and district levels. Come this fall Emile will be beginning his teaching career here in the school district of Philadelphia and will be starting a Master of Education in k-4 with a certification in k-12 special education. And Emile lives by the saying “simply showing up is half the battle”. See the Video Interview HERE

Glenn Best is the Workforce Development Consultant for T3 Creators Collective LLC. Performing complex planning, research, consultative, technical and program administration work. Provides consultative and technical services to other governmental agencies, community organizations and the private sector. Assists in establishing program goals and objectives; developing program guideline, schedules, priorities and standards and evaluating activities. He assists employers and organizations by expanding and creating new Registered Apprenticeship Programs for career seekers with a focus on minority and vulnerable populations. He provides consultative and technical services to other governmental agencies, community organizations and the private sector.  Best previously served as the Director of the Supply Chain and Manufacturing Sectors Strategy and Workforce Partnerships for the NJ Community College Consortium Pathways to Career Initiative, focused on creating a state-wide network of education and workforce collaborations that are industry driven. The workforce partnerships are focused on equity and inclusion. Informed by Industry Leadership Teams comprised of employers, industry associations and labor unions, he works with the Centers for Workforce Innovation to map pathways in supply chain and manufacturing industry, integrating technology and building pathways around in-demand industry-valued credentials that will expand opportunities and access for New Jersey residents.  He serves on the Council on Port Performance (Port Authority) and as the Convener for the New Jersey Manufacturing Industry Partnership. He also serves on the National CompTIA CTE Advisory Council and serves on the New Jersey Department of Education Information Technology Career Cluster Advisory Committee and the Newark Workforce Development Board.   See the Video Interview HERE

LaMar Baylor is a native of Camden, NJ and is a proud gay black man! LaMar found his passion for the arts, specifically dance, where he graduated from the Creative Arts High School and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has danced for Eleone Dance Theatre, Rebecca Davis Dance Company, PHILADANCO, and The Lion King on Broadway as a Swing. LaMar is not only a dancer but an Educator, Choreographer, Dance Enthusiast, Consultant, a Nonprofit Director and an Artist Manager. See the Video Interview HERE

Akil Parker is the founder and CEO of All This Math, LLC, an educational services company aimed at drastically improving the relationship between Mathematics and the Black Community. The company offers math tutoring as well as educational consulting and professional development for schools. All This Math also maintains a free YouTube channel where viewers can get simplified math instruction infused with Black History and culture.  More recently, Mr. Parker has begun offering parent workshops to help parents understand “New Math” and be able to help their children with math homework assignments. He is currently a math professor at Cheyney University and has taught high school math for a total of 19 years throughout Philadelphia. He is the author of 'How To Use All This Math, Volume 1' published in June 2023, a guidebook instructing parents/guardians in how to use everyday activities to develop arithmetic and algebra skills. His greatest achievement is being a father of three children. Lastly, Akil Parker is a firm believer that math should be used as a tool of liberation for people of African descent globally. See the Video Interview HERE

Kirven Douthit-Boyd @swervin_and_kirven Dancer, choreographer, director from Boston, MA. Trained at the Boston Arts Academy and Boston Youth moves. Spent summers training at The Boston Conservatory and The Ailey School. Received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Was a member of Ailey II and performed with Battleworks Dance Company at Jacob’s Pillow before joining the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2004. Since leaving the company in 2015, he has performed as a guest artist with Evidence, a Dance Company, and served as Co-Artistic Director of Dance at the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis, MO. In 2022, he became the Artistic Director of St Louis Dance Theatre. He has choreographed works for Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Ailey II, The Repertory Theatre of St Louis, and the Black Repertory Theater of St Louis. He has also choreographed summer workshops at the Ailey school and the Juilliard school. He is also on faculty at Webster University and Washington University in St Louis. See the Video Interview HERE

Dr. Darren Lipscomb, Esq. is a community activist and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Community College of Philadelphia. He has over a decade of experience in education. The West Philadelphia native is also a product of the Philadelphia School District and an alumnus of Walter Biddle Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Lipscomb has served as the Senior Vice President for Programming for the Philadelphia chapter of the nationally renowned Minds Matter college preparatory mentorship program and as past-Chairman for the Mayor's Commission on African American Males. He has also served as an intelligence analyst in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard during which he supported Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Louisiana in 2005 and deployed to Iraq in 2009. He currently serves as a board member for the Philadelphia Parks Alliance and as Polemarch of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Further, he is actively engaged with the Chapter's mentorship program for boys and young men in the Greater Philadelphia region. Dr. Lipscomb holds a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership, Juris Doctor, Master's degree in Counselor Education and Bachelor's degree in Marketing. See the video interview HERE.

Meet Philip Cunningham a visionary leader dedicated to the mission of Jamaa Health. With a passion for eliminating healthcare disparities and fostering equitable access to care, Philip co-founded Jamaa Health, the groundbreaking platform that is revolutionizing the healthcare landscape. Driven by a deep commitment to helping as many people as possible, Philip spearheads the strategy, growth, and go-to-market initiatives at Jamaa Health. His expertise in blending corporate and non-profit experience empowers him to create a platform that connects patients with a vast network of black healthcare professionals, thereby building the largest database of its kind in the world. Philip's remarkable career journey showcases his ability to take on challenging projects and build exceptional teams. As the principal and lead consultant at the Academy of Professional Engagement, he has honed his skills in driving team performance and facilitating transformative culture change. With his extensive experience as the Director of Consulting at Mayerson Academy, Philip established a department that delivered best-in-class adult learning experiences to diverse teams and organizations. In addition to his invaluable contributions at Jamaa Health, Philip's strategic marketing consultancy background boasts impressive accomplishments. He has successfully led teams, launched products, and developed campaigns generating over $490M in revenue, collaborating with esteemed partners and clients such as Google, Microsoft, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Philip holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and a Master's of Business Administration in Finance and International Business, providing him with a strong foundation for driving Jamaa Health's success. Beyond his professional endeavors, he advocates for causes and organizations that support the community, exemplified by his support of an endowed scholarship at Lourdes University and his dedication to running a book club at the Marion Correctional Institute. As a devoted father and husband, Philip's personal commitment to Jamaa Health stems from his belief that every individual deserves unbiased and qualified healthcare. Through his visionary leadership, Jamaa Health continues to make strides in eliminating healthcare disparities and ensuring that patients can find the care they need with trusted black physicians and healthcare providers.   See the video interview HERE

Dymiere Finch is a vibrant, young (28) executive hailing from Columbus, OH who holds several positions with the National Center for Urban Solutions (NCUS). Dymiere is the Executive Director over the state of Pennsylvania for NCUS, The African American Male Wellness Agency, and is also the Co-Coordinator for The Black Men’s Wellness Day. While overseeing these tasks, he is making changes in the black community throughout Pennsylvania.   See the Video Interview HERE

 Brent Johnstone: Fathers Read 365 (FR365)’s mission is to encourage fathers and/or caregivers to read daily with children in a variety of settings to develop literacy from birth. FR365 provides an early intervention method structured to increase the amount of books read and given away to preschoolers through kindergarten and create a culture of literacy.  Since 2017, FR365 founders Brent Johnstone and Akeiff Staples have centered their work around four pillars: performing active readings and training parents to do the same at home; distributing free children’s books at events; encouraging family and community engagement; and producing original content to inform communities about the importance of literacy at a young age. Their efforts promote caregiver-child literacy activities, with an emphasis on fathers, as essential contributors to a child’s language, literacy, and cognitive development through holistic training that models active-reading strategies, provides caregivers the opportunity to practice and refine active-reading techniques, and provides families access to age-appropriate and culturally relevant reading materials.  FathersRead365 was cofounded by Akeiff Staples and Brent Johnstone in 2017 after their history of work with youth in juvenile detention centers, social services, and schools illuminated a striking inability to function at grade level for reading and literacy. Having first met while attending Temple University and playing football, they decided to join forces in 2017 to focus their efforts at the earliest stages of child development (birth to 5 years old) and create a movement promoting the importance of reading to children daily. This video gives you a taste of what a reading experience is like when  For the past five years, FathersRead365 has read to over 7,000 children in Philadelphia across over 300 classrooms, and distributed over 60,000 books.   See the Interview Video HERE

Nhlanhla Mavundla @nhlanhla_mav A young man from South Africa. Studied Psychology and is currently  working in South Korea. “I am passionate about issues of black consciousness and making a difference in others lives.” See the Video Interview HERE

 Wayne Barnett- Head, External Affairs, Cordia  Mr. Barnett is responsible for development and supporting Cordia’s thermal district and distributed energy Infrastructure businesses across North America and advancing the company’s interests. He leads initiatives that build and execute brand awareness, strengthen marketing and communications, raise corporate visibility, foster strategic partnerships, and expand relationships with policy makers, energy infrastructure industry leaders, and other influencers and stakeholders.   Mr. Barnett has over 23 years of experience in the energy infrastructure and finance sectors including taxable and tax-exempt capital markets, public finance banking, integrated facility management (IFM), demand side energy efficiency, thermal district, combined heat & power (CHP), Microgrid and distributed energy. Most recently, Mr. Barnett had similar responsibilities for developing and implementing the business development strategy for Facility Management and Energy Services in Aramark’s Higher Education division and Constellation, An Exelon Company’s Energy Service Company (ESCO) business in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, with an emphasis on Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Mr. Barnett’s previous experience includes A Vice President for NW Financial Group within their financial advisory and underwriting business where he worked on refunding and new money issuance of approximately $1.2 billion of taxable and tax-exempt bonds for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. An Institutional Fixed-Income Sales Associate with Wells Fargo & Company’s Institutional Brokerage and Corporate Trust divisions with sales coverage responsibility for middle-market corporations and government clients including, state, local municipalities and authorities. Fixed-Income trader for SunTrust Bank Corporation where he was a member of a trading team with responsibility for trading in excess $20 billion of US Government, Municipal, Mortgage-Backed Securities, Government Agency, Money Market, and Corporate bonds. Wayne began his career as an Analyst in the global funding group with Bank of America Corporation. As an analyst, he provided analytical support in managing balance sheet liquidity and distribution of the bank’s own debt instruments to middle market corporations, money managers, and government clients in furtherance of the organization’s funding needs. See the Video Interview HERE  

 Christopher Fulton is a 26-year-old software engineer working at Google. He was born in Philadelphia. He spends a lot of time wondering how the universe and world function. He loves to skateboard, play video games, and watch movies. Recently, he has taken up playing the bass guitar as well. See the Video Interview HERE

Robert Vincent Fuller, Sr_ 1971 graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School. Member of National Honor Society. Attended Shippensburg State College from 1971-1973. Answered call to ministry at 16 years of age while attending Zoar United Methodist Church under the Pastorate of Rev Joshua E. Licorish. Studied Basic Biblical at Phila College of Bible & Evangelistic Teacher Training at Deliverance Bible Institute. Ordained to Ministry in 1983 serving in Pastoral capacity in various churches in Philadelphia. Worked in Banking/Financial services at Corestates/PNB, Mellon Bank; & America Heritage FCU. Hobbies include fitness-weight training, playing drums, listening to music, and traveling.   WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

AKEIFF STAPLES  is married to Anika Thompson-Staples, with whom they have 3 children (Jalen, Brice, Daley). Born and raised in South Media, Pennsylvania, Akeiff is an entrepreneur by trade. Akeiff received a bachelor's degree from Temple University in Geography & Urban Studies and brings to the table nearly two decades of social work experience engaging a wide variety of at-risk youth throughout Pennsylvania, and the state of Connecticut. Akeiff is the author of two children’s books, and has helped build over 25,000 home personal libraries in poverty-stricken areas, providing over 200,000 literacy resources to date. Growing up in a single parent household most of his life, Akeiff vowed to do whatever it took to keep his own family together - and as a result, wants the same for others in the World. Through the years, he has volunteered his time in the community speaking at nonprofits, churches, working events for Special Olympics, coaching youth athletics, and creating programs that foster personal and professional development. Akeiff is very passionate about providing individuals and families with tools in their lives to operate effectively as a unit. Akeiff has received the National Black MBA Association: Small Business of the Year Award (2012), Greater Philadelphia Innovation Award for Parent Engagement from Social Innovations Journal (2019), has been inducted into the Media Area NAACP Spirit Hall Of Fame (2023), received the Gerald Wright Fatherhood Award presented by Father's Day Rally Committee, and also selected as a KYW Newsradio GameChanger (2023).   WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

From 2016 to the present, Emerson has curated and been featured in galleries, mostly in the Philadelphia area. 2019, Emerson made it to the top 6 in a statewide Puma designer competition out of 160 entries. Also in 2019, Emerson helped design a dress for the Penn Museum, which will be on display for a decade. 2021, Emerson helped design a shoe for the streetwear brand Only with Kings. Emerson also served as a creative director for the same company. 2023, Emerson was featured in a magazine for Zindzine. 2024, Emerson was featured at the Marriott art gallery in downtown Philadelphia.   SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE