theforcedpivot Podcast

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Bobby McNeil, Jr. Bobby McNeil Jr. is a nationally recognized, award-winning Talent Acquisition Leader, author, and community advocate with over a decade of experience designing inclusive hiring strategies and creating career opportunities. Known for his ability to bridge corporate leadership and community advancement, Bobby has built a career at the intersection of...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Deberah Williams. Deberah W. Williams is the dynamic Founder and CEO of A Fresh Start, LLC , a financial-wellness company she launched in 2006 with one clear mission: to transform lives through credit education, financial literacy, and generational wealth building. She is also the Co-Founder of Women Entrepreneurship Network United, Inc. (WENU), a multi-state networ...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jasmin Spain . Jasmin Spain holds a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree from North Carolina State University in Counselor Education with a concentration in Student Personnel in Higher Education. Jasmin has over two decades of experience in higher education, currently serving as the Assistant Vice President...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Shawn Barksdale . Shawn A. Barksdale is a resilient leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose life journey reflects transformation and empowerment. A former Returning Citizen, Shawn emerged from early incarceration determined to rewrite his narrative and break the cycle. Though his civil rights were taken before he ever exercised them, the second chapter of...

theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Melvin Blackwell, LCMHCA, as its next guest for  Season 4 Episode 2 . Melvin Blackwell is an educator, high school counselor, and licensed therapist with a passion for student development and success. He began his career in education as a substitute teacher in 2012 and later transitioned to teaching Career and Technical Education before earning h...

theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Kevin Powell as guest for the kick off of Season 4 . Kevin Powell is a renowned American poet, writer, and human rights activist, widely recognized for his influential work in literature, journalism, and social justice. Raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Powell overcame significant adversity and poverty to become a leading voice on issues of race...

theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley reflects on Season 3 and shares what to look forward to in Season 4 in 2025. Medley shared information on his new platform blackVOICESnow . The initiative provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Carlos Mims, Sr. an upcoming speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC. blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC , initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to em...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Milan Lee an upcoming speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC. blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC , initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower b...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jeremy Sullivan and Sean Ingram , both speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC. blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jeremy McKinney . Jeremy McKinney is the founder of McKinney Immigration Law firm in Greensboro, North Carolina and was the 76th President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) , a bar association with 39 chapters around the world and almost 17,000 members. He is a North Carolina Board Certified Immigration Law Specialist and is admitted to practice...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Troy Martin . In 1993, Troy Martin saw Microsoft Windows for the first time, and this thing called a "mouse" changed his life forever. Martin is a native New Yorker and has resided in Atlanta, GA since 1992. He is a graduate of Devry University, an accomplished IT professional, a dedicated husband, a father of 5, and a dedicated follower of God. From a sna...

theforcedpivot welcomes JuJuan Mitchell and Cynthia Daniels-Williams . JuJuan Mitchell , diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008, is a community leader and social justice advocate. In 2023, JuJuan co-founded the A Balance for MS Foundation with Cynthia Daniel-Williams, dedicated to guiding individuals through the emotional journey of MS with a focus on grieving, understanding, and thriving. Beyo...

theforcedpivot welcomes Michael Goodman . Senior Instructional Technology Coordinator , Michael Goodman provides technology coaching and support to the students, teachers, staff, parents, and administrators at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, Virginia.  He oversees the daily operations of the EdTech program in the school ensuring that staff have all the tools needed to fulfill the strategic goa...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Melissa Fanning. Melissa Fanning is a Training Coordinator, following in her father’s footsteps, who was an Instructor in the Navy, helping people grow. She has been with her employer for 25 years. Melissa graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, and from Saint Leo University, where she earned a Master of Sci...

 theforcedpivot welcomes Jaki Shelton Green . Jaki Shelton Green, the ninth Poet Laureate of North Carolina appointed in 2018, is the first African American and third woman to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate and reappointed in 2021 for a second term by Governor Roy Cooper. She is a 2019 Academy of American Poet Laureate Fellow, 2014 NC Literary Hall of Fame Inductee, 2009 NC Piedm...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Brian K. Seymour, II . Brian Keith Seymour, II is the Principal and Founder of Prosperitage Wealth , a fee-only RIA dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap by helping Black professionals make smart money decisions through unbiased financial advice. He holds multiple designations, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and was named to The American College of Financia...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Dana Duckworth . Dana Duckworth is a nationally recognized public speaker, facilitator, and DEI advocate specializing in creating inclusive spaces. With a background spanning over 14 years in multifamily housing, in roles from property manager to supplier partner, Dana's transparency and commitment to cultivating spaces of belonging have been integral to her su...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Hon. David J. Whitted . David J. Whitted is a Judge in the Chesapeake, Virginia Circuit Court, elected by the Virginia General Assembly in 2024.  A native of South Boston, VA, Judge Whitted was elected to the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court bench in 2018. Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Whitted was Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Mel Gower . Mel Gower is a seasoned IT leader and dynamic speaker with over 25 years of industry experience. Recognized for his leadership in customer and technical support, Mel has a proven track record of building high-performing global teams. His innovative leadership approach has consistently resulted in top-tier Employee Engagement and Customer Satisfaction sco...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Lawrence Chambers . Lawrence Chambers is a dedicated public servant leader, who prides himself on transforming and elevating others so that the overall mission is accomplished, while each individual appreciates that they play a part in the success.  He currently serves as the senior leader for an agency within the Federal Government.  Chambers has over 20 years of e...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Linsey Mills . Linsey Mills is a trailblazer who has been honored with prestigious accolades, including the US Small Business Administration Entrepreneur of the Year and the Linetta Gilbert Service Award . These recognitions are a testament to his unwavering dedication to business and philanthropy, and they underscore his status as a respected figure in his fields....

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Deron Medley, BA, CSPO, CSM . Deron Medley is a native of Halifax, VA and he currently lives in Wake Forest, NC.  He is a recent graduate of Walden University with a BS in Communications .  Deron served 11 years in the US Navy and spent multiple years deployed around the world.  While in the States he served as a US Navy Recruiter before being tasked back to Norfolk...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Kionna Myles . Lieutenant Kionna Myles , a native of South Boston, Virginia, enlisted in the United States Navy in 2012 as a Hospital Corpsman.  Her enlisted assignments were Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA; Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir, VA; and Fleet Surgical Team SEVEN, Okinawa, Japan. While enl...

theforcedpivot Podcast meets Patti Williams. Ms. Williams has held management and technical positions with IBM in Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA, Greensboro and Raleigh, NC. Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the Universityof Montevalloin Montevallo, AL and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Johnston Community College in Smithfield, NC. As a NC Home Care...