The Empowerment Zone

How do you Build a “Career in a Year”?

Philippe Jean-Bart: The Advantages of Technical Education — 
It is a fact:  everyone does not have the ability or the resources to pursue a traditional four-year college education.  According to Philippe Jean-Bart that is why technical education and training is so valuable.  Join the conversation as Ramona talks to Philippe about the value and benefits of attending technical college.  Through a technical education students can actually “build a career in a year.”  Philippe is Chair of Health Science Education at Atlantic Technical College & Technical High School.  A first-generation Haitian American, Philippe now makes Miami his home.
Resources:Atlantic Technical College
Highlights from our conversation:
Value of a technical education
Employment opportunities for people with technical degrees
Receiving technical education during high school
Funding technical education
Workforce development
Affordability of higher education
Strategies for college success

How can African and African American Women Empower each other?

Maloase Mogodi: South African Women’s Alliance — 
Economic empowerment is important to all women.  That is why it is essential for women in various parts of the world to build relationships in order to create more opportunities with and for each other.  Maloase Mogodi seeks to create this connection as Founder and President of the South African Women’s Alliance (SAWA).  Maloase is on a mission to promote, celebrate and showcase the people and culture of South Africa in order to build cultural exchange between women of the US and South Africa.   Listen to Ramona and Maloase’s conversation as they discuss SAWA and how women can inspire and support each other.  In their conversation Maloase also discusses the upcoming 10th Anniversary SAWA Gala and Award celebration to be held on November 4, 2023, in Atlanta Georgia.  Originally from South Africa, Maloase now lives in Atlanta. 
Resources:South African Women’s AllianceSAWA 10th Anniversary Gala and Awards
Highlights from our conversation:
Women’s Empowerment
South Africa
South African Women’s Alliance
Economic empowerment of women
Global relationships between women in the US and South Africa
SAWA Gala and Awards, November 4, 2023
Strategies for college success

How the CSA, AFL-CIO impacts communities

Letycia Pastrana: The Community Services Agency of the Metro-Washington Council, AFL-CIO — 
The AFL-CIO continues to empower and inspire families and communities.  The Community Services Agency (CSA) of the Metropolitan-Washington Council, AFL-CIO is on a mission to continue that tradition.  Listen to the conversation today as Ramona talks to Letycia Pastrana, Executive Director, about the work of the CSA.  The CSA is an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve the lives of workers and their families by helping to meet their human and social service needs.  A native of San Antonio, Texas, Letycia has extensive experience developing and executing community and economic development activities for vulnerable, as well as diverse, populations in need of resources.
Resources:https://www.communityservicesagency.org/ 
Highlights from our conversation:
Emergency assistance to families facing unique challenges, such as lay-offs, unemployment, etc.
Careers in trades
WorkForce Development
Providing the tools and guidance for career choices
Connecting with organizations that provide mental wellness
Women in trades
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Letycia Pastrana: The Community Services Agency of the Metro-Washington Council, AFL-CIO

Next episode out on Monday, October 16 with guests Letycia Pastrana
How the CSA, AFL-CIO impacts communities

What is Business Etiquette Anyway?

Donna P. Riley: Building pleasant work environments through etiquette — 
Have you ever felt disrespected?  Many people are stressed out in the marketplace and in general due to the fact that they feel disrespected. The use of proper business etiquette can eliminate misunderstandings, and using simple common courtesies can make a difference in your everyday work and life interactions.  Join the conversation as Ramona talks to Donna P. Riley, who believes we can accomplish more when we have pleasant interactions over the course of the workday.  Donna Paige Riley, also known as “The Etiquette Lady,” is the founder of Paige’s Etiquette Seminars, L.L.C., and MSDonnaspeaks.com., companies specializing in personal and professional development training and coaching in the areas of communication skills, public speaking and socialization, customer service, leadership and corporate etiquette skills. She is the author of What is Business Etiquette Anyway? Key Strategies for Building Successful Working Relationships.
Resources:https://www.msdonnaspeaks.com/ https://www.paigesetiquette.com 
Highlights from our conversation:
Defining etiquette beyond table manners
Value of etiquette in the workplace
Praise in public, reprimand in private
When correcting others, criticize the action, not the individual
Making time to be courteous and considerate of others
Etiquette skills and practices
Corporate bullying
Tips from What is Business Etiquette Anyway? Key Strategies for Building Successful Working Relationships
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Donna P. Riley: Building pleasant work environments through etiquette

Next episode out on Monday, October 9 with guests Donna P. Riley
What is Business Etiquette Anyway?

How do you zero in on your zone of genius?

Marlon Addison: Arousing your fullest potential through Marlon Mentors — 
Join Ramona as she delves deep into the connection between Emotional Intelligence and Sales with the CEO (Chief Emotional Officer) of "MarlonMentors", Marlon Addison.  Marlon’s vision of and for "Marlon Mentors" is to provide individuals the language to relationally communicate, the tools to socially navigate, and improve their self-talk to unblock their imagination and increase self-esteem.  Marlon is a Sales and Marketing Leader and owner of a consulting company called "Marlon Mentors," which specifically focuses on teaching Emotional Intelligence and Sales techniques to Corporations and Colleges and Universities. A trainer and coach at his core, he pushes teams to listen for the things they are complimented on the most and on what comes easy to and for them; those things are your superpowers.
Resources:https://www.marlonmentors.com 
Highlights from our conversation:
Emotional intelligence
How emotional intelligence inspires success in sales
Identifying your passion
Aligning workforce within corporations
How to develop relationships
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Marlon Addison: Arousing your fullest potential through Marlon Mentors

Next episode out on Monday, October 2 with guests Marlon Addison
How do you zero in on your zone of genius?

The Wheels of Happiness Foundation

Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo: Empowering People with Motor Disabilities around the World —
The Wheels of Happiness Foundation is on a mission to empower spinal cord injury survivors and individuals with motor disabilities with the resources they need to reintegrate into society and add value to their families and communities. Based in Atlanta, the Foundation supports people in disadvantaged communities around the world.  Enjoy the conversation today as Ramona talks to the founders Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo about their journey to building this organization and why their work is so impactful. Vincenzo serves as the CEO of the United Spinal Association and Dr. Gabriela Piscopo is a professor at Morehouse College. Together, they inspire and uplift communities through service.  Mark your calendars to join the Wheels of Happiness Foundation for their annual fundraising gala on September 30th, in Atlanta, Georgia, as they celebrate Uganda.
Resources:https://wheelsofhappiness.org/ The Wheels of Happiness Foundation 2023 Gala  
Highlights from our conversation:
Vincenzo and Gabriela’s personal journey as immigrants from Venezuela to the US
Founding of the Wheels of Happiness Foundation
The various experiences and support systems of people with motor disabilities
“The multiplier effect”:  How helping others with motor disabilities makes even greater impact on families and communities
Wheels of Happiness Foundation 2023 Gala, September 30, 2023, Atlanta, Georgia
Celebrating Uganda
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo: Empowering People with Motor Disabilities around the World

Next episode out on Monday, September 25 with guests Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo
The Wheels of Happiness Foundation