Cristo Rey Creates Podcast

In this special mini episode of the Cristo Rey Creates podcast, we share highlights from a fun and inspiring morning spent with Girls Inc. of Central Alabama. Last week, Cristo Rey Creates hosted their Bessemer summer camp at our digital creativity lab for a hands-on session about podcasting and the science of sound. Tune in as the campers introduce themselves and share their big dreams for the fu...

In this episode of Pathways to Success, host Amber Carroll sits down with Anita Clemon, Executive Director of Access & Engagement at Viva Health, for a conversation about overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and making a difference in healthcare. Ms. Clemon shares her remarkable career journey, offering powerful insights into leadership, mentorship, and creating access to healthcare for u...

In this episode of Pathways to Success, host Jamaal Wilson sits down with Terry Cummings, Senior Associate of Talent Development at Protective Life. Mr. Cummings shares his remarkable journey from accounting to human resources, revealing how passion, perseverance, and self-awareness can transform a career. Listeners will gain insights into professional development, overcoming workplace challenges,...

In this "Pathways to Success" episode, host Amber Carroll sits down with Allison Kam, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) specialist at Encompass Health. Kam shares their unique career journey from studying neuroscience to becoming a DEI professional, offering candid insights into finding purpose and navigating professional challenges. Through personal stories of overcoming mental health stru...

In this "Pathways to Success" episode, host Amber Carroll explores the inspiring career journey of Terria McDonald, Recruiting Manager at the Jefferson County Personnel Board. From her early aspirations of becoming a physician to finding her true calling in human resources, Ms. McDonald shares candid insights into building a meaningful career. She discusses the importance of critical thinking, pro...

In this short but impactful Pathways to Success episode, host Jamaal Wilson sits down for a quick chat with Crystal Smitherman, Birmingham City Council member, to explore the dynamic journey of a young political leader breaking barriers in local government. From initially resisting politics to representing District Six with passion and purpose, Councilor Smitherman shares her inspiring story of ov...

In this Pathways to Success episode, host Amber Carroll sits down with Dr. Dawn McCormack, Dean of the Howard College of Arts and Sciences at Samford University, to uncover the remarkable journey of an Egyptologist turned academic leader. From her humble beginnings in central Texas to leading one of Samford's largest colleges, Dr. McCormack shares her inspiring story of overcoming self-doubt, embr...

In this Pathways to Success episode, Cristo Rey Creates student Jamaal Wilson interviews Alex Dumais, Higher Education Coordinator at United Ability, exploring the transformative world of disability services and nonprofit work. Inspired by his grandfather's life and personal experiences, Alex shares his journey from a knee injury to finding his passion in serving people with disabilities. Drawing...

In this Pathways to Success episode, host Jamaal Wilson sits down with Victoria Eligwe, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Avadian Credit Union, and Iris Olive, Assistant Vice President of Records, to explore unconventional career paths in banking. Victoria and Iris share their inspiring journeys of professional growth, emphasizing the importance of tenacity, continuous learning, and...

In this Pathways to Success episode, CRC student Amber Carroll (Class of 2027) interviews Ms. Jacquese Smith, the Laboratory Education Coordinator at Children's of Alabama. Ms. Smith shares her inspiring journey into healthcare leadership, from her biology studies at Tuskegee to her progression through roles at St. Vincent's East and Children's Hospital. Listeners will gain insights into Ms. Smith...

In this episode of the Pathways to Success series, CRC student Jamaal Wilson interviews Dr. Elizabeth Baker, Associate Professor of Sociology at UAB. Dr. Baker shares her unconventional career journey, from dropping out of high school to becoming a college professor, and discusses how perseverance and a passion for learning shaped her path. She offers insights into her research on childhood obesit...

In this episode of the Pathways to Success series, CRC student Amber Carroll (Class of 2027) interviews Shannon Weyer, Associate Director of Corporate Work Study for the Cristo Rey Network. Shannon shares her career journey, from her early work with AmeriCorps to her current role supporting schools across the nation. She discusses the importance of building authentic relationships, embracing chall...

In this episode of the "Pathways to Success" series, CRC student Jamaal (Class of 2025) interviews Mr. Mankinta Holloway, Court Administrator of the City of Birmingham's Municipal Court. Mr. Holloway shares his career journey, from initially considering a path in the military to finding his calling in public service and criminal justice. He discusses the key moments and decisions that shaped his p...

In this episode of our "Pathways to Success" series, CRC student Jamaal (Class of 2025) interviews Ashley Knapp and Jason Milano from the Health Information Management Department of Children’s of Alabama. They discuss their career journeys, the importance of self-accountability, and the impact of emerging technologies like AI on the healthcare industry. This episode offers a unique look at how har...

In this inaugural episode of our new series, "Pathways to Success," Cristo Rey Creates students Jamaal (Class of 2025) and Amber (Class of 2027) sit down with Holy Family Cristo Rey's President Bo Garrett and Corporate Work Study Program Director Berkan Ciger. Together, they discuss why this new series is essential for students exploring career and college pathways, reflect on their own career jou...

Earlier this month, Cristo Rey Creates had the opportunity to represent Holy Family Cristo Rey at the 2024 World of Work career expo presented by Central Six Alabama Works! We spoke with hundreds of students from across the Birmingham metro area about future careers, workforce development, content creation, and more: check out some of what they had to say in this short episode. We're excited to be...

The students of Cristo Rey Creates interview S'Heelia Marks, an English teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey, about teaching, college, and more.

The students of Cristo Rey Creates interview Sarah Evans, an English teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey, about teaching, college, and more.

The students of Cristo Rey Creates interview Kristin Garrett, an alumna of Holy Family Cristo Rey, about her time at HFCR, her college experience, and what she is doing now.

The students of Cristo Rey Creates interview Jazmyne Evans, a Social Studies teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey, about teaching, college, and more.

The students of Cristo Rey Creates interview Kaleb Moode, a Social Studies teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey, about teaching, college, and more.

The students of Cristo Rey Creates interview Berkan Ciger, a Social Studies teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey, about teaching, college, and more.

The students of Cristo Rey Creates interview Burgess Jeffries from EdFarm in the debut episode of this new podcast from Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, AL.