Got InSpiration Podcast

Episode #62 - Showing up Anyway!   In this special solo episode, I talk resilience and reflect on losing my Mommy, Lillie Mitchell, to COVID 6 years ago. If you've ever lost someone you love, you already know: you don't "get over it." You learn how to keep going with it. Hear why today's episode didn't go as planned, why I chose to just show up anyway, how to keep leading when you're tired, the re...

This episode stars 2 young women my Daddy would be very proud of. Juliett & Gracie Reid-Ventura are the Owners of JuJu & CeCe's Lemonades and Treats, from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. They're 8 and 7 years old, respectively. Hear what being a founder means to them, what they love most about owning their own business, what to do when things go wrong as an entrepreneur, what they learned from their...

In this special solo episode, I reflect on my Daddy's life & legacy. We're a little over 6 months past his death. He simply impacted people. People loved him, and they connected with him. Hear the memories from his 99th birthday trip to Aruba, the kindness shown by the team at his favorite Stop & Shop, my memories eating hot dogs & fries with him, our 4-day drive from Oakland to Atlanta for my col...

This episode stars a woman who was very special to my Daddy. Cathy Perez is the General Manager of The Original Pancake House in Metuchen, where my Daddy ate endless flapjacks. Hear how Cathy & team made my Daddy's celebrations so special, how to provide a personalized touch with your customer service, how to treat your guests as family, how to set a bar of excellence when you're always so busy, a...

This episode stars a man who truly took care of my Daddy. Kise Anderson is the Founder & CEO of  BWS Massage Concierge , who's offered customized massages and other modalities for the past 10+ years. Hear how to start a small business or massage business, how to find your perfect clients, how to build a team of 20+, how to ensure consistency & excellence with every customer touchpoint, and how to...

This episode stars a man my Daddy loved very much. Tonnie Rozier is the Founder & CEO of  Tonnie's Minis , the top destination for cupcakes & desserts in the Newark, NJ area. Hear the impact Tonnie's treats have had on so many families, how he started the business in the first place, his advice for new entrepreneurs & small business owners, how to conquer your fears, and how to shape your legacy....

My Daddy, Mr. Leroy Mitchell, was a great man. He passed away on August 29, 2025, at the age of 102—and I miss him more than words can express. He was an inspiration to so many, and even now, people smile when they speak his name. At the height of COVID, in August 2020, I had the blessing of sitting down with my Daddy when he was 97 years old to record this conversation. What began as an interview...

This episode is a celebration of the unconditional love parents have for their children. Mrs. Dajuana Rowe-Mayers and her son Mr. Malcolm Mayers join the podcast to share their ongoing journey of healing. They share their journey through Malcolm's traumatic brain injury and how it has transformed Dajuana and her husband's perspective on parenting and the meaning of opportunity. Malcolm shares how...

I'm excited to share a special episode for Alopecia Awareness Month with 3 wonderful guests: Dr. Sheron Jefferson, Dr. Dakira Starks Watkins, and Mrs. Nasha Shandri. They're all amazing women, Alopecia warriors, and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Hear their journeys with Alopecia, how they learned to thrive with it, learning the world of wigs vs. rocking bald in public, how they turne...

Ms. Tsia Moses will take you on a journey of her life.  First, we have known each other since we were 12 years old and attended The Hamlin School in San Francisco, CA.  She then gives an in-depth view of her life beginnings of wanting to be a professional dancer, then going to Howard University, changing her major to English and then on to an amazing career - from working with Dave Chapelle and Ke...

Ms. Nadiyah Spencer is truly an amazing woman.   She's a wife, mom and consultant.  Both of us have roots in the Atlanta University Center as she is an Alumna and I am an Alumna of Clark Atlanta University.  I am also excited to say that she and I are both members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.   She's a new initiate...Spr. '23 She's the Founder of TinkPoo which is a Diaper Brand Company.  I...

Miss Raina Ford is an 18-year-old, from the metro Chicago area.   She is an amazing student and an athlete and can now add an entrepreneur to her resume.  In this episode, she speaks about her life and growing up with a sibling that has ADHD.  Her reality influenced her to start her own company called Project, I See U and write a children's book called I See U.  Children and Parents, please visit...

Mr. Jimmy Locust is a Dance Studio Owner, Choreographer, Master Teacher, and my friend.  I have known Jimmy since the early 90's back in my Atlanta Days and working at then Total Dance Theatre.  In this episode, he speaks about how he became a dancer, getting into the professional world, opening his own dance studio and of course dancing with Ms. Janet Jackson and so many other great opportunities...

I met Ms. De'Neia Mabry Whitted while she was a student at Clark Atlanta University and I was leading an aerobic program there.  She is an amazing Wife, Mother, Sorority Sister, and Entrepreneur.  She is the Owner of Events By Day.  I was blessed to work with her personally three years ago this November 2019 at the launch of my children's coloring book and then again in January 2020 for the Grand...

My next two episodes focus on ladies that have an event planning business.  Ms. Lisa Haygood is my CAU and D9 Sister.  She is in the Start Up Phase of her business ICE - Innovative Creative Experiences.  In this episode she speaks about how ICE came to be and how she balances her 9 -5 and her side hustle.  If you are in the start phase of your business or thinking about starting a business, get re...

Ms. Adrienne Fudge is the Chef/Owner of 40 Dreams Catering.  40 Dreams provides fresh, high-quality meals to NJ Seniors and disabled adults.  Adrienne and I participated in an entrepreneurship program with Rutgers University and have remained forever connected.  In this episode, she speaks about 40 Dreams, her beginnings of why food is important, how she managed through the pandemic, and how thing...

Mr. Michael Dones and I have known each other since we were Freshmen in High School at Bishop O'Dowd.  After high school, he and I both headed to the Atlanta University Center for College.  He at Morehouse and I at Clark Atlanta University (then Clark College).  He is an amazing Husband to his wife Judy (whom I adore and she also went to O'Dowd and college at Spelman), Father, Son, and just a wond...

Ms. La Shonda Tyree is the Owner of Nyah Beauty a plant based skincare line of soaps, scrubs, and lotions.  She also makes candles and offers classes for the public to learn how to make their own soaps.  In this episode, she discusses how Nyah Beauty came to be and the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.  She has such a sweet spirit and a giving heart.  I am forever grateful to La Shonda becuase sh...

On August 12th and 13th, 2022 the Heart Festival events will take place in New Brunswick.  This concept of bringing the arts and people of all different cultures came together in early 2020 and then the pandemic began.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Tracey O'Reggio, Interim Executive Director with New Brunswick Cultural Center, Ms. Sarah Ferreira Content Manager with the New Brunswick Cu...

Miss Gabriella Robinson is a seventeen-year-old young lady that has just completed high school and her Gold Award.  In this episode, she discusses how she overcame a major health scare,  her Gold Award project, and her future.  Get ready to be inspired!!!

Ms. Lori Lindsey is truly an inspiration.  She and I are connected becuase she is a graduate of Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University).  She is my Big Sister in our Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Both of us were initiated at Sigma Chapter (her in Fall 1983 and me in Spr. 1991).  She is has an amazing story about her business The Natural Root.  TNR is body butters and hair product...

Courageous and Proud Miss Rayna Wyatt is seven years old!  She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age one.  She is truly amazing and will capture your heart right away.  She and her Mom Hanae Wyatt are the authors of I am Princess Rayna.  They want everyone to know about Type 1 Diabetes. You will truly be inspired!!!  Please visit her website at: https://www.raynaexplainsitall.com   Her Instagr...

My 40th podcast guest is truly an inspiration.  Donovan Bazemore is 10 years old.  He currently plays "Young Simba" in The Lion King on Broadway.  He has starred in FBI: Most Wanted and The Last O.G.  At his age he already has a mindset that I have never witnessed before.  His wonderful family are beyond supportive and keep him grounded.  In this episode, he talks about his life and what he's done...

Miss Laila Quallis is truly an inspiration.  This fourteen-year-old has her own Haircare line called You're Beautiful Too.  She has been featured on the Local News 12 Station in NJ and is getting plenty of highlights everywhere she goes.  She is a gem and shares her story of balancing being an entrepreneur, her other activities and school, and her future plans.  Get ready to be inspired!  Visit th...

Alyea Pierce is a Spokenword Poet and Researcher, National Geographics's Into the Depths.  An alumna of the Fulbright Program, Alyea uses her creative work with poetry, spoken word performance, audio, & photography to examine oral storytelling and folklore traditions across the African diaspora.  She has performed internationally from the UK, Trinidad, and Tobago to South Africa and at numerous Te...