Bridge To U:

What does reverse mentorship, sales bootcamps, pitch decks presentations and Carpentry have to do with upskilling employees entering the workforce in their first or second jobs? According to my interview with Marlon Addison, everything. These learning experiences provided with the necessary skills that allowed him to advocate for himself at work, and strengthen soft skills. Wisdom from Marlon Addi...

In this episode, I discuss: take you on a journey through the conferences I attended this year, all centered around women's leadership and entrepreneurship. Key takeaways from this event and others: the power of body language.  Pull back the curtain on my personal coaching experience that provided me with invaluable insights and coaching to enhance my leadership and business skills Finally, I delv...

Can we customize wellness programs in the organizational workplace? Dr. Shenè says we should. It’s important to encourage employees to invest in their well-being and this can only be done through having 1:1 conversations. Everyone is different and what one needs, another may not. There is a connection to wellness, and being in a safe environment to work in. About Dr. Shenè Dr. Beckford is an Indus...

Mike Chapman is a Senior Partner at Kearney, a global management consulting firm, and is based out of its Washington, D.C. office. Mike serves as the Media practice lead for the Americas region as part of Kearney’s Communications, Media & Technology (CMT) global industry practice. He also serves as the Partner lead for the CMT Americas marketing and is accountable for thought leadership and market...

The brain drain in a company or country often comes when people want a better life, they find it, and rarely do they return to their country of origin. Not Reshma Aziz Khan. Her mission and desire to create impact was too strong to not return from Canada. She also didn’t want to leave her mom alone. This Safari (journey) led her to create her own Consulting firm where she integrates nature in pers...

In this episode, I discuss four critical approaches to Gaining Market Access with Trust. Use words only if necessary. Take the lead, you go first. Address and confront the bias to get to the core objective. Leave the place better than you found it. Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment. Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Email...

There is an undeniable impact on an organization’s culture and brand reputation when their top talent employees are actively engaged. Anthony Cole is the epitome of the intersection of employee engagement, bringing your whole self-to work, and Intrapreneurship. As the President of Black Employee Network at Amazon, Anthony teaches us about the various opportunities to truly hear and respond to the...

Dr. Lorenzo Hughes is a visionary and transformational educational leader with over twenty years of experience maintaining a laser-like focus on achievement for all students with an unwavering commitment to those who have been marginalized. In this episode we discuss: Recognizing your privilege can spark personal advocacy. The challenge in sustaining and maintaining equitable work spaces is people...

Andrew Adeniyi is the CEO & Founder of AAA Solutions; a consulting firm that provides business strategy, workplace culture, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) consulting and speaking services to small businesses and non-profits.  Andrew obtained his bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington. He then went...

The conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion should expand from awareness to practice once the foundation has been set. Many remain stuck on assuming that all are starting from ground zero. These are missed opportunities for structural change. The past 2 years have given us an opportunity to lay the foundation for awareness, from examining our belief systems to the experiences that led...

Without reflecting on our experiences, and the lessons they teach us, we’re bound to repeat the same blocks over and over. I share my personal challenges and triumphs during the year, and how the tools that have been developed in self-awareness and Emotional Intelligence kicked in to help me maintain momentum and bounce back faster.  In this episode, I discuss: Why continuous development of Emotio...

Omozua Isiramen is a Neuro-Science Transformation and Peak Performance Specialist. She helps leaders understand the brain and how to maximize its functions in a way that helps them become CEOs of their brains and their very best life. In this episode, Omozua explains why the comfort zone is not a comfort zone. It is actually a pain zone. It’s where painful things occur and sustainable motivation i...

Dave Crane is an international speaking and presentation expert, working with directors, c-suite executives, celebrities, and public sectors officials. He is a United Nations ECOSOC representative for Vienna, Geneva, and New York, specializing in leadership. In this episode, Dave explains that adding technology to day to day occurrences and experiences should be normal and embraced. However, simpl...

Ed Johnson AKA Dr. Love that’s Dr. the Real Deal LoveDr. Love - is a speaker, relationship coach, author of the book, “3 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About a Man”  and founder of Love University. Dr. Love is quickly gaining credibility in the relationship industry and rapidly becoming one of the premier authorities on dating, love, romance, and marriage. In this episode Dr. Love shares that tr...

Dr. Sheena Lovia Boateng is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the University of Ghana Business School. She is a fellow of the Academy of Marketing Science. In order to have a successful business and expand beyond local markets, it is critical that you understand the various ways Marketing can help you. Without it, business success will be fleeting. The challe...

Ever wondered what are some key habits of successful communicators? This episode of the Bridge To U podcast provides the blueprint that will make you an effective communicator and open you up to more impact. In this week’s episode I take a look at what previous guests had to say and give you the communication success blueprint to experience more fulfillment, joy and impact in black communities.  T...

What do you need to be successful in relocating to a new country? How will you manage the complexities and challenges? What will you do to manage the various forms of challenges around your intersectionality? Anything is possible when you are relocating to a new country. The successes and problems you face where you currently are, are the ones that will go with you.  Use your intuition and trust y...

In this week’s episode of the Bridge To U podcast, we hear from previous guests on the frameworks, systems and mindset that are required to improve intergenerational impact around race. We also look at how our level of well being impacts the work that we do and the opportunities for change.  First Dr. Charmaine Jackman, who appeared in the  episode "Healing is Not a Luxury" - explains how the heal...

In this episode of the Bridge To U Podcast, I share the results from the listener survey and some upcoming changes to the podcast. First, I want to thank everyone who took the time to fill out the survey. The feedback was incredibly helpful and will be instrumental in shaping the future of the podcast. Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube Produced by Breadfruit M...

When it comes to addressing victimhood and perpetration, narratives are powerful when facing and addressing trauma. Everything needs to be a part of the conversation, not just the good parts of it. Dr. Claudine Kuradusenge-McLeod is an academician, researcher, and head of the Ethics, Peace and Human Rights department at American University.  She is a Conflict Resolution consultant and her work has...

Do we really understand the impact of internalized shame, and how it affects the way we live our lives as human beings? Sedruola Maruska had the unfortunate experience of losing a baby conceived in an extramarital affair. She felt devastated. She didn’t realize until many years later what the feeling of shame and embarrassment caused her to live her life from a place of default. As a first generat...

Chicago native Michael Fosberg has spoken at nearly a thousand high schools, colleges, government agencies, corporations, law firms, and not-for-profits since 2005, utilizing his award-winning autobiographical story, told in the form of a one-man play, as an entry point for meaningful dialogues on race and identity. He has collaborated with a number of professional diversity practitioners on progr...

Dr. Charmain Jackman is an award winning psychologist who has trained at two of the top Harvard Medical School training hospitals in the country. She uses her 23+ years of mental health experience work towards normalizing mental health and therapy.  Her mission is to increase access mental health resources for people who have historically not had access to quality, culturally-informed care. In thi...

William Adams is a rare combination of engineering sage and empathetic change leader. He’s a pioneer in promoting diversity who believes technology exists to empower people. He's on a mission to help Blacks, women, and other underserved communities get an ownership stake in technology companies.   Equally at home speaking geek to coders or sharing inspirational stories of leadership and personal t...

At just 25 years old, Korryn Williamson is breaking new ground in the staffing industry.  As the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Insight Global, one of the nation’s largest staffing companies, Korryn is making great strides to change what the future of the workforce looks like in America.  In this episode, Korryn shares that through her work, she is creating new opportunities for jo...