I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me

Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney spent thirty years fighting for women in the U.S. House of Representatives — and when she left, she didn't slow down. Now the New York State President of the National Organization for Women, Maloney sits down with Jaclyn to talk about the Equal Rights Amendment, what it takes to fight the same fight for decades, and what Brooklyn taught her about not giving...

In this episode of I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me, Jaclyn Richard sits down with John Williams, an attorney turned philanthropist, pianist, and longtime champion of Rochester’s arts and LGBTQ+ communities. John shares how he moved from law to fundraising, why music and giving became one conversation, and what it means to keep showing up for community after retirement.

In this episode of  I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me , Jaclyn Richard sits down with Marquita Rugless, founder and Chief Experience Officer of ROC Events LLC, a Rochester-based event design company known for turning ordinary spaces into unforgettable experiences. Marquita shares how she built ROC Events from a love of large-scale fashion shows into a business that has produced more than 300 events...

In this episode of I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me, Jaclyn Richard sits down with Cheryl L. Kates, Esq., a criminal defense attorney, nurse, journalist, and former radio host whose career spans law, healthcare, and advocacy. Cheryl shares her path from trauma nursing to the courtroom, her focus on reentry and justice, and the grit that drives her to keep speaking up for people too often overlooke...

Could Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery become free for everyone? In S1 E6 of I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me, host Jaclyn Richard sits down with Sarah Jesse, the MAG Director, to explore that possibility and her bold vision for art in Rochester. With over 20 years leading at LACMA, Orange County Museum of Art, Academy Art Museum, and more, Sarah brings national expertise and local passion. They d...

Jaclyn Richard sits down with Brooklyn-born powerhouse Cinnamon Jones to unpack her gospel roots, Bay Area awards, international tours, and Lady of Song tribute. They dive into her documentary Generation Z—capturing youth voices from 2020—and what keeps her grounded through it all. Soul, grit, and inspiration ahead.

Serial entrepreneur Rumella Cameron Caraballo joins host Jaclyn Richard to unpack the grit behind building Conversance Business Solutions from a single mom’s pivot — through nonprofit betrayals, COVID client losses, and doubters calling her “loco.” From landing her first 5 clients in a week to scaling the Business Shower Networking Expo and powering Rochester startups with funding wins, Rumella re...

Monroe County Legislature President Yversha Román joins host Jaclyn Richard to talk about grit, leadership, and turning barriers into breakthroughs. From language access to pay equity, Yversha shows what it means to lead with purpose—and say “yes” when the world says “no.”

Jaclyn shares the funny, almost‑Brooklyn story behind the podcast’s name—from her parents’ love story to a wild hospital mix‑up—and how that Brooklyn attitude still shapes her bold, honest outlook today. Warm, funny, and full of heart, this episode proves a little Brooklyn goes a long way.

Jaclyn Richard kicks things off by explaining what it really means to “have a little Brooklyn in you.” From wit served with coffee to The Look as punctuation, this episode sets the tone for what you can expect every time you listen.