The Empowerment Zone
2020-07
Episodes
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Alfred Ramirez: Follow Your Heart and Passion
Friday Jul 31, 2020
Friday Jul 31, 2020
How to Create Your Own Professional Odyssey
Some people stay on one job their entire life, while others create a professional Odyssey. In conversation with Ramona, Alfred Ramirez shares how to design a lifetime of rewarding professional experiences.
One theme runs throughout his career, Alfred has always followed his heart and passions. Whether working in higher education at Columbia University, as special assistant to Mayor Henry Cisneros of San Antonio, Texas, in the Clinton Administration as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans at the US Department of Education, or as an entrepreneur, one theme runs constant, Alfred has worked to increase the capacity and ability in others by creating opportunities and access. A self-proclaimed “Cal Tex Mex,” Alfred is Founder and President of Diverse Strategies Now.
More information about Alfred here.
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
SPECIAL EPISODE - Dr. Juan Andrade: The Unsung Legacy of Congressman John Lewis
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
John Lewis—The Fuse that Launched Latino Political Power and Leadership Development
In this special episode, Ramona’s guest, Dr. Juan Andrade, shares the fascinating history and unsung legacy of Congressman John Lewis in the political empowerment and leadership development of the Latino community.
According to Dr. Andrade, who worked as a staff member for Lewis at the Voter Education Project, Congressman Lewis played a central role in establishing the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) and the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) and in developing leaders such as Willie Velasquez and Dr. Andrade, founders of SVREP and USHLI respectively. Together SVREP and USHLI have registered over 5 million Latino voters and trained over 1 million Latino leaders. Notably, Lewis, Velasquez and Andrade have all received Presidential medals (under Clinton and Obama) for their service to the nation.
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Dr. Mara Perez: Invest in Your Community
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
The Importance of Philanthropy
Dr. Mara Perez, Founder and Principal of Latino Futures, discusses the importance of Latinos and African Americans engaging in philanthropy—both as donors and as professionals. According to Dr. Perez, the Black and Brown communities must become more involved in the philanthropic sector on multiple levels to ensure the viability of organizations that serve our communities.
Dr. Perez also discusses her publication “Roadmap to Latino Prosperity,” which argues that Latino prosperity is critical to America’s future and is based on four pillars: education, entrepreneurship, workforce development and Latino philanthropy.
More information about Dr. Perez and Latino Futures here.
Friday Jul 24, 2020
Marilyn Pearlman: Cause Marketing and Atlanta history
Friday Jul 24, 2020
Friday Jul 24, 2020
Ramona interviews Marilyn Pearlman, Founder and Principal of Atlanta Cause Marketing and PR, who talks about her professional evolution working in the field of public relations and cause marketing. Through her agency, Marilyn connects businesses and nonprofits to advance the good of humanity and promote both entities. By co-marketing the collaboration, Marilyn increases the visibility of each partner through events, promotions and programming. From Memphis, Tennessee, Marilyn is a long-time resident of Atlanta. During her interview, Marilyn also discusses the history of Atlanta, exploring her work with the Atlanta Press Club, Maynard Jackson's first campaign for Mayor of Atlanta, and mentor George Goodwin.
More information about Marilyn Pearlman
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Dr. Brian Gosa: Take Control of Your Health!
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Today, Ramona speaks with Pharmacist Dr. Brian Gosa of Montgomery, Alabama, who now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, addressing health disparities within the Black and Brown communities. As a health advocate, Dr. Gosa encourages individuals to take control of their health by educating themselves about health, building relationships with health care providers, understanding their specific health challenges and creating better health habits.
Armed with this information Black and Brown communities will be better positioned to advance their individual and collective health.
Friday Jul 17, 2020
Lydia Camarillo: Accelerating the Political Power of the Latinx Community
Friday Jul 17, 2020
Friday Jul 17, 2020
Lydia Camarillo, President of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP), explains the history and importance of building the political power of the Latinx community.
Based in San Antonio, Lydia discusses the founding of SVREP and its role in increasing Latino/a political participation. Asserting the importance of the upcoming elections, Lydia recommends strategies for maximizing Latinx registration and voter turnout in 2020.
Lydia Camarillo official website
Friday Jul 10, 2020
Dr. Rhesa Houston: Leader in the Field of Veterinary Medicine
Friday Jul 10, 2020
Friday Jul 10, 2020
Ramona talks to her younger sister Rhesa Houston, DVM, Founder and CEO of Assistance Animals Consulting (AAC), who explains how AAC partners with health care professionals and organizations to serve as a veterinary resource for any human-animal intervention treatment plans.
After realizing there was a gap between veterinarians, health care professionals, support animals, and the patients they serve, Dr Houston formed AAC. AAC creates an integrated team approach to a patient's health by facilitating successful human-animal bond treatment plans, all while ensuring the health and welfare of the support animal.
Dr Houston also discusses the need for more Black and Brown veterinarians in the profession.
More info at assistanceanimalsconsulting.com