Accelerate Access

Victoria Bofill , 2022 Nyah Fellow and University of Florida Gator, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss Hispanic representation and storytelling in film and theatre, being a twin, and her passion for educational equity, which stems from her experience with Breakthrough Miami. Also find out how she won over $1 million in scholarships to attend college debt-free and her advice for overcoming self-do...

Juasline Plasencia ⁠ , 2019 Nyah Fellow and first generation college graduate from Hamilton College, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss everything from transitioning to adulthood, to her most memorable moments from her Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana, to uplifting indigenous communities. Also find out how she became a Posse Scholar to help pay for college and what it’s like for her to be an art...

Heavyn Lee , 2019 Nyah Fellow and Harvard University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss her passion for home building and interior design, her aspirations to study law to help those traditionally disadvantaged by the legal system, and . Also, find out how her reflective experiences in Bali as part of her Nyah Project Fellowship and Access coaching helped her win the prestigious Gates Sch...

In this bonus episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast, Leigh-Ann Buchanan turns it over to several Nyah Fellows to share a little bit more about Access Online – why we need it, how it works, and why you should use it, too. The tips and information in the college coaching platform have helped students win over $30 million in scholarships.

James Brown-Urmeneta , 2023 Nyah Fellow and Questbridge Scholar at Boston College, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey from doubt to confidence as key to his success and being limitless, his first international travel experience for his Nyah Project Fellowship to Morocco, and the power of vulnerability in building relationships. Also find out why he admires LeBron James’ as a leader an...

Tyler McCray , 2021 Nyah Fellow and Tennessee State University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss how he’s working towards his career goal in physical therapy, closing the wealth disparity gap, and honing his creative and entrepreneurial skills. Also find out what his most memorable experiences were during his Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana, how he got a full ride to college, and more!...

Brandon Zamudio , 2022 Nyah Fellow and first generation student at Yale University, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss the importance of empathy, the challenges of pursuing success in a socioeconomically disadvantaged context, and what he learned about himself and vulnerability during his Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana. Also find out why he’s studying economic policy and how he plans to address...

Melvin Rivers , 2014 Nyah Fellow and physical education teacher in Orlando, FL, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss the evolution of his purpose and career path, being adopted and finally reconnecting with his biological family, and how volunteering for weekly food drives shaped his childhood. Also find out what it was like for Melvin to be a guinea pig as part of the first Nyah Project Fellowship...

Jose Prieto , 2018 Nyah Fellow and University of Miami alum, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his lifelong journey to becoming a musician and educator in Palo Alto, CA; how moving out (and across the country) helped his relationship with his parents; and his Nyah Project fellowship experience in Ghana with Dr. Senyo Adjibolosoo. Also find out how he defines community and how he’s shaping the fu...

Ayden Wilson , 2022 Nyah Fellow and Florida Atlantic University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss how Nyah Project helped him get out of his comfort zone, systemic racism in America, and his highs and lows from Ghana. Also find out how he’s combining his passion for sports and statistics with his career pursuits, plus more! "The biggest challenge for me right now is systemic racism...

Ana Gonzalez, 2019 Nyah Fellow and Texas A&M alum, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss starting her own business, her vision for improving the education system to be more equitable and brain-based learning. Also find out how her Nyah Project experience in Bali, Indonesia, transformed her and how Access Online helped her for her master’s program, plus more! "Everyone has a purpose in this...

D'Angelo Valdez , 2016 Nyah Fellow and Syracuse University alum, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey from childhood poverty to becoming an educator in Atlanta, using tech for good, and his transformative Nyah Project fellowship experience to Ghana. Also find out what his hopes and dreams are for his young family, and more! "It's not [about] creating another leader; it'...

Naveen Siddiqui , 2021 Nyah Fellow and student at the University of Florida, sits down with Leigh-Ann (before flying to Brazil as a Critical Language Scholar!) to discuss first impressions, star gazing in rural Ghana, and why she decided to wear the hijab. Also find out how she transferred skills from Access Online to secure some pretty cool academic and professional development opportunities, bot...

Louise Gong-McGovern , 2022 Nyah Fellow and University of Florida student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss her unique upbringing between China and the United States, what activities this thrill-seeker loved most during her Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana, and how she builds and maintains relationships. Also find out this first gen student secured the bag to get paid to go to college and more!...

Alvin Huezo , a 2017 Nyah Fellow currently working in the commercial real estate industry, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss affordable housing and community development, therapy and cultural barriers to mental health, and (re)building your life during (and after) college. Also find out how the Emory University and Florida International University alumnus became a Nyah Fellow and what his most m...

Isabel Armedilla , 2019 Nyah Fellow and recent University of Florida graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss imposter syndrome, the birth of Access Online, and why she focuses on equity issues, especially as it relates to education and healthcare. Also find out more about her Nyah Project Fellowship experience to Bali, Indonesia, and more! "There is so much collaboration that is needed...

Edward Leonard , 2015 Nyah Fellow and University of South Florida alumnus, sits down with Leigh-Ann to share his perspectives on love, independence and creativity, his experience attending a small college, and his love of literature in a state that’s banning book. Also find out more about the early (paper application!) years of Nyah Project and his fellowship experience in Costa Rica, plus more! &...

Nyla Seymour , 2019 Nyah Fellow and computer engineering major at the University of Central Florida, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss representation in STEM, emotional agility and becoming a “soft” leader, and what (and who) has helped unlock her own potential. Also learn why she values opportunities for cross-cultural connection, why she wants to open her own restaurant, and more! "It was...

Miles Mariano-Ortilla , 2019 Nyah Fellow, youth activist, and head coordinator of the TAP Scholarship Fund, sits down with Leigh-Ann all the way from Ritsumeikan University in Japan. They discuss why he struggles with the label “Filipino-American,” his concept of home as a self-proclaimed wanderer, and why he’s passionate about education access for all. Also find out how his Nyah Project experienc...

Jaida Houston , 2019 Nyah Fellow and soon-to-be graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss life from Overtown to “Black Hollywood”, how she got interested in urban planning and development, and the need for community and a sense of belonging. Also find out more about Jaida’s journey to success at an HBCU, her take on the affordable housing crisis, and more! Th...

Dewayne Martin , 2017 Nyah Fellow and soon-to-be graduate of Hamilton College in New York, is a storyteller, organizer, and so much more. The youngest Nyah Fellow ever selected at 14, Dewayne sits down with Leigh-Ann to dive deep into his personal definition of freedom, the connection between his philosophical and emotional journey, and the importance of unlocking opportunities and individual narr...

Angelica “Angie” Gonzalez , a 2016 Nyah Fellow pursuing her master’s degree at John Hopkins University, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss prioritizing personal needs over familial expectations and obligations, imposter syndrome as the gifted scholarship student at her high school, and how her Nyah Project Fellowship to Ghana sparked her passion for environmental justice. Also find out why she em...

David Barbier, Jr. , 2018 Nyah Fellow, 2019 Peer Facilitator, and Syracuse University graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann for an emotional conversation to answer the question “who am I when no one is around?” and discuss the power of love. Also, find out why he considers himself both a dreamer and a doer, how he’s building his personal board of directors, and more! “I wish kids growing up knew what...

On this week's episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast , Rita Vega , 2019 Nyah Fellow and University of Michigan graduate, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss visual storytelling to bridge gaps between diverse communities, her foundation story in Nicaragua, and early career struggles in the Big Apple. Also, find out why Rita focuses on the power of human connection and relationship building,...

Ian Rodriguez , 2021 Nyah Fellow and Florida State University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey to self-awareness and self-expression, navigating queerness in an unwelcoming environment, and the importance of listening to younger generations. Also find out how the COVID-19 lockdown and Nyah Project played a large role in helping Ian grow as a person, and more! “ I have to fi...