Embracing Your Voice

We’re back from hiatus with a deep-dive political conversation you’ve probably been craving. Atima is joined by returning guest Roshni Nedungadi , founding partner and Chief Research Officer at HIT Strategies , to break down what happened in the 2024 and 2025 elections , why turnout shifted among young voters and voters of color , and what it all means as we head into 2026 . This episode focuses o...

In this episode, I am joined by my guest, the brilliant award-winning economist Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman writer, founder, and speaker, to discuss her new book: The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid. We dive deep into the unseen labor and costs that women, especially women of color, navigate daily—whether it’s managing societal expectations around beauty, facing structura...

In the season finale of Embracing Your Voice , Atima reflects on the themes of Season 4—centered on women of color in business—and the lessons we can all carry forward. From navigating setbacks in traditional workplaces to carving out new paths that honor who we really are, this episode is both a look back and a rallying call for what’s ahead. IN THIS EPISODE: Why embracing all of who you are is a...

This week, I’m closing out the season with a conversation that looks a little different. Most of our past guests have been service-based entrepreneurs, but today we’re diving into the product and retail side of things. My guest is Gelaine Santiago, an award-winning entrepreneur who lives and works at the intersection of entrepreneurship, social justice, and cultural identity. Gelaine is the co-fou...

In this episode, I sit down with Grace Yung Foster, a Korean adoptee, foster care alumna, and NYU MBA graduate who shares her powerful story of navigating identity, systemic barriers, and the nonprofit world. Grace opens up about growing up in white environments, the struggle with internalized racism, and how becoming a mother sparked a turning point in embracing her heritage and herself. Now, as...

We’re back from hiatus with an incredible conversation featuring Roshni Nedungadi — co-founder, founding partner, and Chief Research Officer of HIT Strategies. Roshni is one of the sharpest minds in political research today, with a career built on elevating the voices of communities too often ignored in traditional polling: people of color, young voters, and low-propensity voters. In this episode,...

Hey EYV fam — I’m back! After a whirlwind few weeks packed with writing deadlines and client work, I’m hopping back on the mic to wrap up this season’s focus on women of color in business with something personal. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the  real  lessons I’ve learned from seven years of building and running Omar’s Strategy Group. This one’s for the side hustlers, the full-time...

In this episode of Embracing Your Voice , Atima welcomes music industry veteran, writer, and cultural commentator Naima Cochrane for an inspiring conversation about building a career that aligns with your true self. From her early days in entertainment law to leading marketing at iconic labels and managing artists like John Legend, Naima shares her journey through a changing industry. Tune in as t...

Summary: In this episode of the Embracing Your Voice podcast, Atima Omara sits down with Carissa Begonia, founder of Conscious Exchange. From her journey as a Filipina American in corporate America to her pivot into coaching, Carissa shares her lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship, and creating the space you want for yourself. Together, they explore identity, resilience, and empowerment themes...

Overview: This week on Embracing Your Voice , host Atima Omara is joined by Alicia Sisneros, founder of Sisneros Strategies, a 100% Latina-owned political consulting firm. Alicia opens up about her career journey, from breaking into the industry to launching a successful business centered on diversity and inclusion. Together, they discuss navigating systemic challenges, the importance of mentorshi...

In this episode, I got to sit down with the amazing Mandi Woodruff Santos—host and executive producer of the award-winning Brown Ambition podcast and the powerhouse behind Mandi Money Media. We talk about everything from humble beginnings and financial trauma to building a multi-six-figure career and helping other women of color do the same. Mandi’s story is real, raw, and deeply inspiring. From g...

In this episode of Embracing Your Voice , I sit down with Rosa Mendoza, Vice President of Account Management at Global Strategy Group. Rosa opens up about her journey from aspiring lawyer to data powerhouse in Democratic politics. From manually building spreadsheets to leading analytics for national campaigns like Kamala Harris’s 2020 presidential run, Rosa shares how saying “yes” to unexpected op...

Hey EYV Fam! In today’s episode of Embracing Your Voice , I’m sitting down with Gwen Young - CEO of the Women Business Collaborative (WBC) and visiting scholar at George Washington University. Gwen’s career journey is incredible, from humanitarian work to global development to leading the charge for women’s leadership across industries. We get into some real talk about why women’s voices (especial...

I’m so excited to be back with a brand new season, and this time, we’re diving deep into the experiences of women of color in business. My first guest of the season is the incredible Cher Hale - founder and director of Ginkgo PR, an agency committed to creating a more equitable media landscape by amplifying historically excluded voices. Cher’s story is deeply personal, incredibly inspiring, and wi...

 Hey, what's up? EYV fam? It's been a little minute. Yeah, I know, but your girl needed a break, especially with everything going on in the world right now. But I am just dropping into the, let you know I haven't forgotten about you. Season four is just around the corner, and this season we're focusing on women of color in business. With a lot of heated debate about diversity and inclusion in all...

In this episode, Chrysta Wilson, founder of Wilson and Associates Coaching & Consulting, shares her insights into the challenges DEI efforts face today. We begin with an overview of how DEI has become a political battleground, examining how corporate and governmental entities are rolling back initiatives and what that means for marginalized communities. We talk about the misconceptions surroun...

Growing up in Canada, Linh Nguyen never thought she'd be on the road fighting for the representation and visibility of in American politics. But like most women, she wanted something done, so she did it herself. Rising through the ranks of Democratic politics and movement work, she eventually landed as Executive Vice President and COO of AAPI Victory Fund which focuses on empowering 24 million str...

Hey, EYV fam! In this episode, we dive deep into preparing for the challenges ahead as we navigate the transitions in government and the potential impact on our communities. Drawing from my experience as a Black woman in advocacy, lessons from other women of color, and historical insights, I’m sharing actionable ways to stay grounded, connected, and effective. Let’s get into it: 1. Build Your Squa...

Ever been that only Black or Latino or Asian person in the room? And you had to advocate for your community's interests too? This is something Sindy Benavides faced a lot throughout her career that led her to work for civil rights organizations working on behalf of the larger Latino community. As President of the Latino Victory Fund (LVF), Sindy's day to day is focused on building political power...

Hey EYV fam, this wasn’t the conversation I hoped we’d be having after the 2024 election. Instead of looking ahead to progressive change, we’re unpacking what went wrong—and where we found moments of hope. Despite the results of the presidential election, there were historic wins for women of color, progressive ballot measures, and a brighter path in certain states. But we can’t ignore the challen...

This episode is a re-release of S2 ep. 5 In this episode of Embracing Your Voice , host Atima Omara sits down with Amanda Hunter, Executive Director of the Barbara Lee Foundation, to discuss the unspoken yet pervasive obstacles women face in political leadership. Together, they explore the complexities of running for office, highlighting the added scrutiny women of color encounter compared to thei...

In this inspiring episode of Embracing Your Voice , host Atima Omara sits down with Jenn Stowe, the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) executive director and senior advisor at Care in Action . Jenn shares her powerful story as the granddaughter of a domestic worker and how her personal experiences have shaped her career advocating for domestic workers, women of color, and a more robust care...

Summary: In this episode of the Embracing Your Voice podcast, Atima Omara chats with Chris Love, Senior Advisor to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. They explore "repro horror," a subgenre of films addressing themes like pregnancy, abortion, and stigma. Chris discusses how horror movies reveal societal attitudes while empowering women to navigate reproductive challenges. The episode also hi...

Immigration Advocacy & Leadership with Vanessa Cárdenas Episode Recap In this episode of Embracing Your Voice , host Atima Omara welcomes Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America's Voice, to discuss her inspiring journey as an immigrant and advocate. Vanessa's story highlights the power of representation, navigating policy spaces, and her commitment to immigration reform. Timestamped Ke...

Episode Summary Host Atima Omara and Renee Bracey Sherman, executive director of We Testify, delve into the timely and crucial topic of abortion storytelling as a tool for advocacy and systemic change. They dissect the intersection of race, class, and gender in abortion access and the current political climate surrounding reproductive rights and share profound insights from Renee's book Liberating...