The Empowerment Zone
2020-10
Episodes
Friday Oct 30, 2020
How do you fund your business?
Friday Oct 30, 2020
Friday Oct 30, 2020
Jesus Martinez: Understanding the Difference between Commercial Lending and Traditional Lending
Today Ramona talks to Jesus Martinez about his work in supporting small business owners. Quite simply, Jesus helps his clients to fund their businesses. As Jesus explains, business owners must understand the various types of lending. Jesus is Founder of Peach Tree Commercial Capital, a full service commercial loan brokerage firm. Raised in Queens, New York, Jesus lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about Peach Tree Commercial Capital, visit www.peachtreecap.com.
Monday Oct 26, 2020
What does it take to be an effective leader in education?
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Hector Montenegro, Ed.D.: The Four Threads of an Equitable Transformational Educational Leader
Today Ramona talks to Hector Montenegro, Ed.D., about educational leadership. Dr. Montenegro has a long history in education, having served as a math teacher, principal, Chief of Staff for the DC Public Schools and Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools for three school districts in Texas. Now retired, Dr. Montenegro talks about his current work with Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL) and the organization’s efforts to create a diverse group of purposeful and impactful educational leaders, who are committed to systemic transformation. Dr. Montenegro also discusses his experiences and perspectives on embracing cultural differences and creating a global community. A nationally and internationally recognized educator, Dr. Montenegro specializes in multicultural education, social emotional learning, and leadership development. A native of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Montenegro currently lives in Austin, Texas.
For more information about the Transformative Educational Leadership, visit www.teleadership.org.
Friday Oct 23, 2020
The Journey of an Agile Journalist
Friday Oct 23, 2020
Friday Oct 23, 2020
Roy S. Johnson: On the Front Lines from Sports to Social Justice
Today Ramona explores the fascinating journalism career of Roy S. Johnson. In their conversation, Roy discusses his extensive work covering sports, entertainment and business at several prominent publications including Sports Illustrated, History Channel magazine, Men’s Fitness and Savoy magazine. Roy also explores his current role as a statewide columnist for AL.com, where he has been on the front lines of reporting and interpreting the awakening of America during the racial and social justice movement of 2020. According to Roy, his responsibility as a journalist is to tell stories and provide information about spaces and places, where others cannot go. Roy is an award-winning journalist, digital content strategist, life coach and media consultant. From Tulsa, Oklahoma, Roy currently lives in Birmingham, Alabama.
For more information about Roy, visit his page on AL.com.
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Is living debt-free really financial freedom?
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Bryon Jennings: Challenging Belief Systems about Wealth
In this enthralling conversation, Ramona talks to Bryon Jennings, who will be a regular guest to talk about wealth, economics and business. Today, Bryon discusses money and building wealth. As Bryon explains, the black church has shaped many of the ideas that African Americans have about money. Interestingly, Bryon challenges the community’s existing beliefs about money, including the debt-free concept. According to Bryon, African Americans and Latino/as must change the way we think about money in order to build wealth in our communities. Bryon is the President of the black-owned payroll company Next Generation Payroll. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Bryon currently lives in Dallas, Texas.
For more information about Next Generation Payroll, visit www.ngpayroll.com.
Friday Oct 16, 2020
Friday Oct 16, 2020
How do you build an effective team?
Today, Ramona’s guest Giovanni Gonzalez discusses how he helps individuals and companies to elevate their performance. According to Giovanni, building trust and transforming organizational culture is key to building an effective team. Giovanni is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mindful Performance Blueprint (MPB), the creator of “Access the Leader Within - 3 day Leadership retreat,” and author of La Mente de un Imigrante. Born in Colombia and having lived in Belize, Giovanni currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about Giovanni, visit www.mpb.group.
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Dr. Maria Hernandez: LatinaVIDA, Empowering Latinas to Lead
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Monday Oct 12, 2020
How do you develop the next generation of Latina executives?
Considering the fact that Latinas account for only 3% of all professionals and executives in the US workforce, there exists a need for organizations and programs that cultivate Latina leadership. Enjoy Ramona’s discussion today with Dr. Maria Hernandez, who shares how LatinaVIDA is empowering Latinas on their journeys to professional success. Dr. Hernandez is co-founder of LatinaVIDA and lives in Oakland, California.
For more information about LatinaVIDA, visit www.latinavida.org.
Friday Oct 09, 2020
Friday Oct 09, 2020
How do you plan for safe, quality care for elderly loved ones?
Today, Ramona talks to Victoria Archable, Owner, Certified Senior Advisor, and Certified Dementia Trainer with CarePatrol Metro Atlanta. CarePatrol is a full service placement agency that assists families in finding safe and quality care for elderly loved ones. In this discussion Victoria discusses how she helps families navigate the complex process of finding the right care. In the majority of cases the solution involves placement in an assisted living, memory care, or independent living community. According to Victoria, many families within the African American and Latino communities are inadequately prepared when it is time to make these important decisions. Learn from Victoria how to plan for this moment.
For more information about Victoria, visit www.MetroAtlanta.Carepatrol.com.
Monday Oct 05, 2020
Sylvia Puente: Reflections on the Transformative Year of 2020
Monday Oct 05, 2020
Monday Oct 05, 2020
How has the civil unrest of 2020 impacted leadership?
Today Ramona talks to Sylvia Puente about the civil unrest of 2020 and how the movement has influenced and changed conversations among decision makers. No longer are the topics of systemic racism, structural inequality, and white privilege on the margins of discussion. Sylvia elaborates on how leaders within the nonprofit, advocacy and philanthropic spaces are now candidly addressing topics that were formerly considered radical. Sylvia also discusses the impactful work of the Latino Policy Forum in advancing leadership development, healing circles, and Black/Brown relations. Sylvia is President and CEO of the Latino Policy Forum and lives in Chicago, Illinois.
For more information about Sylvia and the Latino Policy Forum, visit www.latinopolicyforum.org.
Friday Oct 02, 2020
Friday Oct 02, 2020
Creating Equitable Partnerships to Solve Social Challenges
Ramona's guest in this episode is Tracey Greene-Washington, who talks about her leadership in transforming the relationship between philanthropy and community. According to Tracey, the philanthropic sector must change its approach from charity to see community as partners in solving complex social issues. Tracey is President of the Indigo Innovation Group and Founder of Co-Think and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
For more information about Tracey, visit www.indigoinnovationgroup.com.