Prepare For Takeoff

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...

In this episode of Prepare for Takeoff, host Terry L. Cyrus sits down with Nadia Batchelor, a first generation American, a single mother of four, Chief Operating Officer of Jefferies Wealth Management and the founder of Inspired by Nadia. She shares her journey from her Guyanese roots to the upper ranks of executive leadership on Wall Street. She highlights the importance of mentorship, exposure a...

In this episode, Kelvin Troy Johnson shares the truth about romance and what it really takes to build meaningful relationships. He is proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, author, motivational speaker, owner of Counselors Success System and is widely known as The Love Coach of Atlanta. Kelvin explains that love does not simply appear on its own. It requires effort and intentional...

In this powerful episode, Dr. James Norris shares his journey from growing up in Los Angeles to becoming a National Board Certified Counselor, Licensed Mental Health and Professional Clinical Counselor and Assistant Professor at the University of the Cumberlands. He talks about surviving community violence, facing trauma and relying on sports, education and community support to build discipline an...

In this inspiring episode, June Cara Christian, PhD shares her journey to becoming a passionate advocate for social justice and education. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she reflects on the strength of sisterhood, community and mentorship that have shaped her path. Dr. Christian opens up about the challenges of academia, the isolating yet transformative nature of the PhD exper...

In this inspiring episode, Bryant K. Smith shares about his journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming a successful entrepreneur, consultant and author of ten books. He talks about how mentorship, being a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and family shaped his identity and career. Bryant explains the courage it takes to leave a stable job and start your own business. Guide...

In this captivating episode, Terry L. Cyrus sits down with filmmaker, serial entrepreneur and Creative Services Director for Outspoken Media Group, Sheldon Shaw. He shares about his journey from a young dreamer in Toronto to a leading voice in film and creative media. Sheldon talks about how collaboration and perseverance have shaped his career and opened new doors. He breaks down the importance o...

In this conversation, Charles Clayton, Founder and CEO of AFES: Athletics For Education and Success, discusses the importance of community, accountability and mentorship in youth development. Born and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Charles reflects on how growing up in a loving Black community shaped his values and leadership, while sports provided him with life skills and teamwork. He shares the tur...

In this episode of  Prepare For Takeoff , international yoga teacher and scholar Nino Mendes shares his inspiring journey of resilience, purpose and transformation. Growing up in a small French village as one of the only Black families, he faced challenges of isolation and racism that shaped his strength and vision. After moving to America to pursue acting, Nino discovered yoga, a practice that be...