The Joy of Learning

There are incredible people who commit their time, energy and efforts to serve such an military connected students. I was beyond thrilled to share space with Kristina Crane Muñoz, an Instructional Systems Specialist. In our time together we discuss adjusting to life in America, her heart for teaching and learning, and shifts in education. 

Each day feels like heart break. As a finish reading Diary of Anne Frank, there are unnerving parallels of our current global affairs although written many decades ago. With the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, hearts are broken, lives lost, families separated, and devastation is observed. This is hard for myself and many others to comprehend especially with 1.5 million people estimated to have left Ukraine. However, it is our stories which give hope and forge connections. Lyuba was born in Ukraine. At the age of 14 years old, she relocated to Italy with her family. This is where we met. In my brief interview with Luba, we focused on her faith, hopes, and her love for her country. In this interview you hear her heart. Serenissima Ukrainian Relief Fund: https://smgi.org/give

For #BlackHistoryMonth, I was beyond thrilled to share time and space with Serena Lewis! Our conversation revolved around giving back, her critical work as the Academy Director of Words Beats & Life, and what brings her joy!  Serena was born and raised in New York, and recently relocated to the DMV area. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in African & African American studies from the Pennsylvania State University, and her Juris Doctorate with a concentration in International Law from Western Michigan University. While studying at Penn State, Serena became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She attributes her love and passion for education and supporting the youth to her father, who has always been a staple in his community as a football coach. Serena believes all youth deserve access to resources that are necessary to succeed in life, and that is why organizations like Words Beats & Life are important.

On a visit to Lucerne, Switzerland in 2020, I interviewed Alex Messerli. Alex is a Swiss Educator (PreK-4) and joined my friend and I for dinner at a Thai restaurant. I was curious about his journey and how he navigated the challenges presented during the pandemic especially in the classroom. I found our conversation to be enlightening. At this very moment this interview provides perspective as many schools still strive to figure out how to navigate the pandemic.

Happy New Year and Welcome to Episode 6 of Season 3 of The Joy of Learning Podcast. As we prepare to observe the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his impact across the globe, it was a privilege and delight to speak with Mary C. Curtis. Mary is an award-winning journalist and educator based in Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. Mary is also a columnist at Roll Call and host of its ‘Equal Time’ podcast. Our conversation focused on passing the baton to the next generation and what this looks. I hope you enjoy this episode. Biography of Mary C. Curtis: Mary C. Curtis, columnist at Roll Call and host of its ‘Equal Time with Mary C. Curtis’ podcast, is an award-winning journalist and educator based in Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C. A former Nieman Fellow at Harvard, Curtis, who covers the intersection of politics, culture and race, contributes to WFAE, an NPR affiliate in Charlotte and is a senior facilitator with The OpEd Project, which increases the range of voices in opinion writing. She has contributed to MSNBC, NPR, ESPN’s The Undefeated and The Washington Post, covered presidential campaigns since 2008, and has worked at The New York Times, Charlotte Observer, Baltimore Sun and the Associated Press. She was chosen for The HistoryMakers, the single largest collection -- archived in the Library of Congress -- which promotes successes and documents events important to the African American community and American society. Honors include the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ 2022 Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award, Clarion Awards from the Association for Women in Communications, awards from the National Headliners and the Society of Professional Journalists, three first-place awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Thomas Wolfe Award for an examination of Confederate heritage groups. Curtis has contributed to several books, including an essay in “Covering Politics in the Age of Trump” (LSU Press; 2021) and “Now What?” The Voters Have Spoken -- Essays on Life After Trump.” www.maryccurtis.com

It was a pleasure to interview Author Janice Cottingham, in the summer of 2020 while she enjoyed delicious sushi in Pordenone. During this time she shared insights three of her published books which include  and the inspiration behind them. Janice has wanted to be a children’s author since she was 8 years old. Janice was raised and born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it’s surrounding suburbs where she graduated from Lower Merion High School. After high school Janice attended college in Virginia. Then, she set off to explore the world! Over the past 19 years Janice has lived and worked in Italy, Germany, and Korea along with her 10 children. Link to her publications: https://www.amazon.com/Janice-Cottingham/e/B082VD6QG5%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

I was thrilled to speak with Julian Wright, the Chief Operating Officer of Your Outsourced CFO. Our conversation focused on fatherhood, serving as an executive, Agile and Lean methodologies, Lean Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) and finding joy! A great conversation to end the year! Julian Wright earned a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from Ursinus College and spent 6 years in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in a technical and managerial capacity. He then earned an MBA from Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and co-founded and worked with startups.Five years after completing his MBA, Julian's experience is rooted in professional services via management consulting and executive outsourcing. Currently, Julian is the Chief Operating Officer of Your Outsourced CFO, leading a fundamental business model “pivot” that now making the company a startup.

In continuing to highlight leaders in technology, it was a pleasure to interview Alana Karen! Alana is an award-winning tech leader, author, and speaker whose work impacts many of our everyday lives. From Google Search to Ads, Fiber to Google Grants and beyond, Alana has been leading the charge to develop, scale, build and drive team and product development that has seen a rippling industry impact. Alana has spoken at conferences and summits on technology, leadership, DEI, talent and innovation. Her book, "Adventures of Women in Tech: How We Got Here and Why We Stay," aggregates hundreds of stories on these topics as well. A follow-up workbook comes out in May 2022. I am thrilled to share our time together in this episode!

Helen Adeosun, CEO and Founder of CareAcademy, has built a career driving outcomes for adult learners and finding meaningful ways for them to engage in learning. She launched CareAcademy to unite cutting-edge education strategies with the unique needs of the historically underserved caregiver community. To date, more than 200,000 direct care workers have completed over 1 million CareAcademy classes, and the company is aiming to re-skill more than 1 million new home-care workers by 2023.  The company has been named one of the 100 most innovative Edtech Companies in North America by HolonIQ and was a prior global winner of the MIT Future of Work Challenge. In 2021, CareAcademy was ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, a recognition of America's fastest-growing private companies.  Adeosun has previously worked with Pearson Education, Teach for America, and the Boston Public Schools. She was named to the 2020 Fortune 40 Under for 40 list and serves on the board of the Caregiver Action Network. She is a frequent industry speaker and a fierce champion of home care and an advocate for the Direct Care Worker. Adeosun earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in Politics and Arabic Studies and holds an EdM. in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Teralyn Carter, MD a Board Certified General Surgeon with a specialty in Breast Surgical Oncology. Weaved through our discussion are the themes of community, support, rapport and awareness. You do not want to miss this! Teralyn Carter, MD is a Board Certified General Surgeon with a specialty in Breast Surgical Oncology. She completed her undergraduate degree at Penn State University and went on to medical school at Duke University School of Medicine. She completed her General Surgery training at University of Colorado in Denver and specialty training in breast surgery at Emory University and Grady Hospital in Atlanta, GA. She currently practices medicine in Camden, New Jersey where she specializes in Breast Cancer Surgery and community breast health.

The following episode highlights the transition many college graduates endured graduating during a pandemic and facing an uncertain economy and job market. Awaly Diallo describes with eloquence how she is navigating this trying time while being rooted in services to others in her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Her passion for her community is clear and she exhibits this by working at a non-profit child welfare agency. This is an episode highlighting the challenges many graduates of the "Class of 2020" have encountered and their creative approach tackling the uncertainty on day at a time.   Awaly Diallo (she/her), a native of West Philadelphia is an activist, paralegal within the child welfare field, and recent graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with degrees in Sociology and African American Studies. She was recognized as the 2020 College Marshal for the College of Liberal Arts as well as 2020 Liberal Arts Change Maker. Her particular work focuses in the area of race and gender politics of education and policed states. Photo Credit: Chuck Fong

Meet Ana Victoria, a graphic designer and illustrator! She hails from Caracas, Venezuela and is a freelance illustrator and designer in Luxembourg! She reimagined and redesigned my logo for The Joy of Learning! We sat down to discuss her experiences and the influence of branding in our everyday life!

It is also important to elevate the voices of women who are survivors of Breast Cancer. I am excited to share Tabitha Huewitt's journey! Her story provides hope and inspiration to weather a difficult journey.  Her fortitude during an unprecedented time is an example of resilience, grit, transparency, determination, and hope! Tabitha Huewitt is an Assistant Principal in Aviano, Italy and enjoys supporting students and her broader community. In 2019, Tabitha began her tenure at Aviano Elementary School; but due to the pandemic she had the honor of serving as Assistant Principal of Middle Grades with DoDEA Virtual School. Her leadership in education is exemplified in her desire to affect change at various levels in education.

In encouraging Science learning, I also had the opportunity to interview Ariel Paul, PhD  of PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder! Our conversation focused on gauging and retaining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. We also discussed the incredible success of PhET in reaching students across the globe during a global pandemic! Take a listen to a recent clip from our conversation that is sure to provoke thought and curiosity! Biography: Ariel received his undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to received his PhD in Physics from JILA  at the University of Colorado in 2007, with research focused on coherent imaging with EUV light. Before joining PhET in 2011, Ariel completed an apprenticeship in scientific instrument making at the JILA Instrument Shop. In his time with PhET he has contributed extensively to the design and overseeing the development of PhET's HTML5 simulations.

It was a pleasure to spend time with Shakira M. Nelson, Ph.D! During our interview we discussed her experiences with her first Black American educators, learning how to be authentic in all spaces, encouraging learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and what a Scientist looks like. This is a conversation rooted in a passion and desire to encourage learning in STEM in underrepresented communities, amongst women and beyond. Biography Shakira M. Nelson, Ph.D. is a Program Director at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) in the Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD). She manages multiple grant portfolios, including the Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, the Bridges to Baccalaureate, and the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development programs. Before joining NIGMS, Shakira worked in Philadelphia as a Senior Scientific Program Administrator at the American Association for Cancer Research. Early in her academic career she earned a B.S. in microbiology from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Ph.D. in immunology and infectious diseases, also from The Pennsylvania State University. Shakira conducted postdoctoral research as a cancer prevention fellow at the National Cancer Institute, working in the areas of prostate cancer and health disparities.

Millennial. Mom. Immigrant. Advocate. Security Engineer. It was a pleasure to spend time time with Zinet Kemal! This incredible woman is the epitome of persistence and drive! Zinet is a Senior Information Security Engineer at the Minnesota State Government. Our discussion ranged from her journey immigrating to the United States from Ethopia to her prior career in law to women in Cyber Security. She pushes the boundary beyond what is expected. Take a moment to listen to her journey and be inspired! Zinet has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also has an LLB degree in Law. In addition, she served as an Adjunct Instructor for an Information Security course at a local community college last year. Zinet holds industry security certifications, including CISA, CySA+, Security+, Network+, AWS CCP and Certified Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). She was featured on Epic Women in Cyber, Women of Silicon Valley (WoSV), ISACA’s SheLeadsTech and Women in Technology (WITI) mediums and newsletter.

It was a pleasure to interview with Chanell Autrey! Her journey provides inspiration for all to hear. We discussed her journey from Public Defender to her current role as a Senior Manager with Starbucks. She is an anchor in her community and is truly facilitating change at various levels! Her advocacy for education, justice, equitable economic development and environmental justice for communities of color is clear. Prior to joining Starbucks, Chanell Autrey served as Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs for Monumental Sports and Entertainment. In this role, she led and executed the government relations strategy and public policy initiatives for four venues and six sports teams, including the Washington Wizards, Mystics, and Capitals. A dedicated public policy lawyer, Chanell spent five years at the Council of the District of Columbia, serving in various roles, including as Committee Director for the Committee on Business & Economic Development. In that capacity, she executed the strategic direction of the Committee’s 27 agencies and commissions and worked collaboratively with stakeholders to pass legislation on subjects ranging from equitable economic development to environmental justice for communities of color. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University and George Washington University Law School, Chanell began her professional career as an Assistant Public Defender in Baltimore and is an active member of the Maryland Bar Association. Last year, Chanell was appointed by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser to serve on the ReOpen DC Advisory Group, which provided phased recommendations for reopening the District of Columbia following the COVID-19 Pandemic. Chanell currently serves as a Member-at-Large of the National Bar Association, the nation’s oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. She also sits on the board of the Musicianship, a youth development organization that offers a wide range of music education programs, geared towards enriching the lives of students, their families, and the communities in which they live. Chanell has been named to the National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40 and the National Bar Association’s Top 40 Under 40. She is a native of Washington, D.C. and a proud member of Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc

It was a pleasure to share time and space with Gianni Grot! Gianni has a fervor for life, a desire to uplift others, and engage in discussions on justice and equality. It is clear Gianni is a "changemaker." He is the co-founder of Omroep ZWART (English translation: Broadcast Black), the first Broadcasting Network by people of color in The Netherlands. This is an interview you do not want to miss!  Gianni Grot is a creative visual storyteller, entrepreneur, and business graduate. Along the way, he acquired diplomas in story-telling and digital video production. However, for most of his creative career he is self- taught. His dedication and passion for film, photography and design is evident in the work he has produced over the years.

Lachanda Garrison is a 2nd grade teacher leader at Bahrain Elementary School in Manama, Bahrain where she teaches a diverse group of international and U.S. military-connected students. Garrison believes weaving her students’ stories and identities into lessons is the best instructional tool, ensuring all students receive an equitable education. She meets students’ needs by being trauma-informed, resilience-focused, and culturally responsive so students can learn and thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. Because of these beliefs, Garrison’s students advocate for their learning, celebrate one another’s differences and cultures, and empathize for those around them. Garrison has an Associate of Arts in Computer Studies and Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland University College, Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Troy University, and a Master of Arts in Mathematics Teaching from Mount Holyoke College.

I had an opportunity to interview Pernell Jones to discuss Black History, investing, and his current initiative Wall Street Learns (TM). Our conversation was insightful  and is an example of the importance of diversity of thought! Biography: Pernell Jones, MHA currently works for Providence as the Executive Director of Strategic Development. His department focuses on membership enrollment growth, acquisitions, and market intelligence. He is the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Arch Health Partners, an emerging medical group based in San Diego. Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills and earned his Master’s Degree in Health Administration from the University of Southern California (USC).  To reach Pernell Jones pertaining to Black Wall Street Learns, please email BlackWallStLearns@gmail.com.