Prepare For Takeoff

In this episode of Prepare For Takeoff, Leah Turner, Ph. D. shares how BMX racing with her brother and playing sports in north central Ohio helped shape the resilience, determination and competitive mindset that have defined her journey. Dr. Turner reflects on earning a volleyball scholarship to West Virginia State University, helping her team go from last place in the conference to winning a conf...

What does it take to build a career at the highest levels of radio while making a lasting impact on the communities you serve? In this episode, Skip Dillard shares the journey that took him from a curious high school student in Greensboro, North Carolina to one of the most respected radio programming executives in the country. Inspired by his grandfather's love of music, Skip developed an earl...

From creating  The Hip Hop Assault , the first Hip Hop mix show in West Virginia radio history, to becoming one of New York City's most respected DJs and radio personalities, DJ Jon Quick's journey is a powerful example of what can happen when talent, preparation and persistence meet opportunity. DJ Jon Quick shares how he broke into the New York City radio scene, built a respected brand a...

Chris Mercado joins Prepare For Takeoff to share his incredible journey from growing up in the Bronx and Harlem to becoming a respected force in radio, music, advertising and technology. As Creative Services Director for Emmis Communications, Chris was responsible for all aspects of audio production for three major radio stations, including Hot 97 and WBLS. During the conversation, he reveals how...

Bunmi Giwa-Bello, Co-Founder & President of BlackHouse, joins Prepare For Takeoff to discuss her inspiring journey from Massachusetts to helping build one of the culture’s leading boutique experiential agencies in New York City. Bunmi reflects on the importance of faith, family, mentorship and community in shaping her path. She also shares how her early experiences prepared her for the fast-pa...

Candace McIntyre, Human Resources Director for the Washington Nationals, joins Prepare For Takeoff to discuss her inspiring journey from Southeast Washington D.C. to working for a Major League Baseball organization. During the conversation, Candace reflects on growing up in a close-knit family and how those early experiences helped shape her values, confidence and work ethic. She also discusses th...

In this inspiring episode of  Prepare For Takeoff , Raymond L. Hamlin, Esq. shares his remarkable journey from Long Branch, New Jersey, to becoming one of the region’s most respected trial lawyers and advocates for justice. As a founding partner of Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley Law Firm, Raymond reflects on the early influences that shaped his path, the importance of brotherhood through Omega Psi Phi...

In this episode of Prepare For Takeoff, Crystal Hadnott breaks down what it takes to sustain success at a high level. She is a PhD, entrepreneur, author and endurance athlete who built her career on discipline, purpose and consistency. Crystal shares how she helps leaders scale impact without burnout, speaking from real experience and proven results. Through her work as CEO at CH Philanthropy &amp...

In this episode of Prepare For Takeoff, Faye Coleman shares her journey from Pittsburgh’s Hill District to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the cannabis industry. She is a West Virginia University graduate and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She built her foundation through a successful corporate career with companies like Kraft, Campbell's Soup, Target, CVS and Home Depot...

On this episode of  Prepare For Takeoff , model, actor, influencer, personal trainer and American Gladiator, Ayinde Warren shares a powerful story of discipline, resilience and belief. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., he started as a student-athlete at West Virginia State University and later finished his final year of football eligibility at the University of South Dakota, earnin...

In this inspiring episode, entrepreneur, real estate developer and vocational education advocate  Re'Shane L. Lonzo  shares her powerful journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming a developer creating economic opportunity in her community. Becoming a mother at 14 pushed her to work harder and stay focused on building a better future for her family. As she reflects,  “Detroit taught me how...

Amy DuBois Barnett joins Prepare For Takeoff for an inspiring conversation about vision, reinvention and building a career at the highest levels of media and storytelling. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Barnett earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her master’s degree in creative writing from Columbia University. She made history as the first Black woman to...

In this inspiring episode, Dinisha Mingo, Founder and CEO of Mingo Health Solutions and Founder and Executive Director of Solutions of Change, shares her journey from growing up in Las Vegas to becoming a mental health advocate, entrepreneur and licensed minister. She reflects on being raised by her mother who was a functioning addict and caring for cousins who experienced severe childhood trauma...

In this inspiring conversation, Adrianne C. Smith, SVP & Senior Partner and Chief Inclusion & Impact Officer at FleishmanHillard and Founder of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective, shares about her journey from her childhood in Alabama and Texas to becoming a global leader in diversity, equity and inclusion. She reflects on the role HBCUs played in shaping her leadership and the career milest...

Join Terry L. Cyrus for an inspiring conversation with Carole Hopson, a Boeing 737 Captain with United Airlines, author and nonprofit founder. She shares her journey from West Philadelphia to the cockpit of a major airline. Before aviation, she built a career as a journalist with the Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer and The Bergen Record. She later held roles with the NFL and Foot Locke...

In this powerful episode of Prepare For Takeoff, Terry L. Cyrus sits down with Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dr. Gerald D. Curry to discuss leadership, discipline and purpose. Dr. Curry is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, initiated at Rho Psi chapter. He served more than 30 years in the United States Air Force before retiring a...

In this episode of Prepare For Takeoff, Terry L. Cyrus interviews Joshua V. Barr, Attorney, Emmy Award-Winning Filmmaker, Human Relations Consultant and Public Speaker. He shares his journey from South Carolina to becoming a civil rights advocate and bridge builder. He reflects on earning his undergraduate degree at Francis Marion University and his law degree at the University of South Carolina,...

In this powerful episode of Prepare For Takeoff, host  Terry L. Cyrus  sits down with  Jerry Holliday , a licensed mortgage banker and founder of the Omega Black Writers Series . Their conversation explores Black excellence, identity and purpose through lived experience. Jerry reflects on growing up in  St. Louis  during a time of social change. He shares how navigating college life at the  Univer...

In this episode of  Prepare For Takeoff , host  Terry L. Cyrus  sits down with  Jesse C. Swanigan , the  Last Living Founder of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.  Jesse shares how he left his small hometown of  Cairo, Illinois  after high school and moved to  St. Louis  to find work and save money to pay for college. That decision laid the foundation for his academic success, including earning his MB...

In this engaging episode, host Terry L. Cyrus sits down with Dr. Carlous Caple, an author, cybersecurity expert, entrepreneur and professor from Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Caple shares his journey from aspiring actor to technology leader and reflects on how early interests in psychology and the power of representation in media shaped his career path. He explains how education and mentorship suppo...

In this inspiring episode, Terry L. Cyrus sits down with Desi Okeke, an award-winning marketer and brand strategist with a proven record of building global brands and strong cultures rooted in integrity and inspiration. Desi shares her journey from growing up in Los Angeles to building her life in New Jersey. She explains how earning her MBA from Cornell University sharpened her strategic mindset...

In this inspiring conversation, Captain Leighton Jamieson shares his journey from a small rural community in Jamaica and migrating to New York City at an early age to becoming a successful airline pilot with JetBlue Airways. He reflects on the profound impact of being invited into the cockpit on his flight to America, a moment that helped spark his dream of flying. Captain Jamieson speaks candidly...

In this episode of Prepare for Takeoff, host Terry L. Cyrus sits down with Dr. Brandon Frame, author, professor, Founder & CEO of The Black Man Can Foundation, Inc. He shares his journey from Connecticut to Morehouse College and his path through education, nonprofit leadership and academia. Dr. Frame discusses how his lived experiences and passion for positive representation of Black men and b...

In this episode of  Prepare For Takeoff , Terry L. Cyrus interviews Tishawa Howard, author, financial advisor and Regional Vice President at PFS Investments. She shares her journey from growing up in Miami to building a successful career in financial services. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and a graduate of West Virginia State University, Tishawa reflects on her nearly...

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Howard C. Stevenson, Director of the Resilience Empowerment Collaborative and Constance Clayton Professor of Urban Education at the University of Pennsylvania, shares his journey from Delaware to becoming a national leader in racial literacy and community healing. He explains how barbershops can serve as powerful therapeutic spaces for Black men. He speaks to th...