The Empowerment Zone

The stars are lining up in 2021!

Lorenzo Sanford: “The Great Conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn —
It is a new year! Jupiter and Saturn are joining forces in 2021 to create “The Great Conjunction.” Now is the ideal time for you to connect and align with the stars, so that you may live your best life. Join Ramona and Lorenzo Sanford today in their illuminating and delightful conversation on how the stars can direct our lives. Lorenzo has been communicating with the stars for over 35 years. Through astrology, Lorenzo translates the vibrational energy of planetary systems to help others live more fulfilling, meaningful and prosperous lives. From Los Angeles, California, Lorenzo lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about Lorenzo, visit https://astrologicastrology.com.

Let's Finish Strong!

Vote Rafael Warnock and Jon Ossoff for US Senate — 
Georgia is now in an important runoff election for two US Senate seats. More than ever, the African American and Latino/a American communities must vote. Voter turnout is key to winning in this run-off election. Understanding this fact, Ramona is using her power and platform to push more people to vote. In this episode, Ramona reads her penned op-ed directed to African Americans and Latino/a Americans. Ramona explains why these two US Senate seats are so important and, more specifically, why the African American and Latino/a American communities must vote, and why they should vote for Rafael Warnock and Jon Ossoff for US Senate. As host of the “Empowerment Zone” podcast, Ramona is excited to share this op-ed with her audience.

Does Dave Ramsey's financial plan really work?

Bryon Jennings: Critiquing Dave Ramsey’s 7 step financial plan — 
A champion of financial empowerment and wealth building, Bryon Jennings will be a regular guest on our podcast. In his second appearance on our show Bryon challenges Dave Ramsey’s financial plan and suggests alternatives for building intergenerational wealth. Although he is not a financial planner, Bryon explores issues that will help Black and Brown communities to reevaluate beliefs about money and wealth. Bryon is 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 http://www.ngpayroll.com.

Addressing Stereotypes - The Right Way

Judith Martinez Sadri: Embracing your power to build a better society — 
Stereotypes disrupt many of our lives, causing discomfort, pain and anger. Many times we do not know its origins or how to address them. In this interview, Ramona talks to Judith Martinez Sadre about her personal and professional experiences with stereotypes. Learn from Judith how you can use these uncomfortable moments as opportunities to make a difference. Judith is a bilingual and bicultural media and marketing professional, a four-time Emmy Award Winning Content Producer, and the Director of Marketing at Hasner Law. She also produces and hosts her own podcast “¡Reinventate!” A native of Monterrey, Mexico, Judith lives in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about Judith, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-martinez-sadri-53703b27/.

Managing Transitions

Sabrina Jenkins: How do you pivot during times of change? —
There is only one condition that is constant in life, and that is change. Although change is an experience that all of us have to endure, many find it difficult to embrace. Sabrina Jenkins knows all about change. Enjoying a 27-year career with the Atlanta Braves, Sabrina changed vocations and is now President of CEO of SJL 26 Event Productions. She started her business this year, and then COVID-19 happened! Sharing her professional experiences, Sabrina imparts advice to listeners on how to manage transitions. According to Sabrina, individuals must learn to pivot and be creative. Sabrina serves as President of the Atlanta Chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE) and is a native and current resident of Atlanta.
For more information about Sabrina, visit http://sjl-26eventproductions.com/.

How to become an Agent of Positive Change

Derek Hubbard: Finding and Using Your Voice —
In our current environment, individuals can no longer remain silent about the social issues that challenge our communities, nation and world. Silence is indeed complicity. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stated, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” In this conversation, Derek Hubbard tells us how he found his own voice and created the Instagram show “Community Conversations.” where he and his guests engage in civil discourse to address challenging contemporary issues. Derek is Manager of External Communications and a Spokesperson for Southwest Airlines. A native and resident of Dallas, Texas, Derek was recognized in 2017 by PR News as a 30 and Under Rising PR Star.
For more information about Derek, visit http://www.linkined.com/in/derekkhubbard.

Dr. Dhanfu Elston: Complete College America

What are the strategies that colleges and universities can institute to increase the graduation rates of Black and Brown students? –
Complete College America is on a mission to eliminate barriers to college access and completion. As Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President for Strategy, Dr. Dhanfu Elston is dedicated to accomplishing this mission. In this discussion Dr. Elston expands upon the work of CCA and how its Game Changer Strategies are accelerating the success of students in colleges and universities across the nation. Dr. Elston is a native of Long Beach, California, and now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.
For more information about Dr. Elston and Complete College America, visit https://completecollege.org.

How do you handle a crisis?

Mariela Romero: Embracing change –
Everyone has experienced moments of crisis in life. For most of us, these can be very challenging times. After enduring several personal and professional crises, Mariela Romero has developed a different perspective. As she explains, crises are periods of change and opportunities for growth. According to Mariela, we only experience crisis when we choose not to accept change. In this powerful discussion Mariela shares her personal journey through crises and provides strategies on how to overcome them with grace. Mariela is Univision Communications Regional Community Empowerment Director. She also develops content for special programs and is the anchor, writer, and producer of the award-winning regional news magazine “Conexión Fin de Semana” in Philadelphia, Atlanta and North Carolina. Originally from Venezuela, Mariela lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about Mariela, visit https://www.univision.com/local/atlanta-wuvg/mariela-romero.

Discovering and Uncovering a Mexican American Shero of Texas

Dr. Cynthia Orozco: The life and legacy of Adela Sloss-Vento –
Join Ramona as she talks to fellow historian Dr. Cynthia Orozco about her new book Agent of Change: Adela Sloss-Vento, Mexican American Civil Rights Activist and Texas Feminist. Considering the fact that few biographies exists about Mexican American women, this discussion with Dr. Orozco is indeed a treat. Dr. Orozco talks about her book on the life of Sloss-Vento of Texas and how she strategically navigated through cultural, political and international terrains that marginalized women to play a significant but unrecognized role in the advancement of Mexicans and Mexican Americans. A Professor of History and Humanities at Eastern New Mexico University, Ruidoso, Dr. Orozco is a historian, author and film and museum consultant. She is a native of Cuero, Texas, and now lives in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
For more information about Dr. Orozco or to purchase her book, visit https://cynthiaorozco.com.

Why is communication key to self-empowerment?

Monique Russell: Being comfortable in your own voice – 
Most of us aspire to exert more power over our personal and professional lives, but do we recognize the importance of communication in self-empowerment? According to Monique Russell, self-empowerment is all about knowing how to communicate authentically and effectively. The way you communicate with others shapes your relationships, and, consequently, your relationships shape your personal and professional life. Listen and learn from Monique on how to build self-awareness and self-confidence, which are key to self-empowerment. With twenty years of experience in the science of Communications, Monique is the host of the “Bridge to U” podcast and leads Clear Communication Solutions, an international training, coaching and consulting firm that focuses on confidently communicating from the inside out. Originally, from the Bahamas, Monique lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information about Monique, visit https://clearcommunicationsolutions.com. To listen to Monique’s podcast, visit https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridge-to-u/id1525102010.