NU Voices

A young Honduran-American firecracker without true citizenship becomes a Founder. Mimi Martinez-Herrera is Chief Fun Officer of PicMe Photobooth and New U alumna. We follow her journey of navigating immigration from Honduras, creating an outlet of expression through her business, and investing in the local Hispanic immigrant community. Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutuls...

Juan Miret es un autor y periodista venezolano que aboga por la comunidad hispana en Tulsa, Oklahoma. Su rol de Director de Desarrollo de la Escuela San Miguel le permite poner en práctica su extenso conocimiento y experiencia para el bienestar de familias hispanas. En este episodio, Juan destaca la importancia de mantener y cultivar nuestra cultura hispana en nuestra sociedad y a la misma vez, br...

Redefining who you are requires invaluable support and self-discipline. We chat with Marquess Dennis, Founder of Birthright Living Legacy, a nonprofit designed to cultivate fathers who will create positive parenting cycles and successful families. His story of transitioning from prison to civilian life is rooted in fatherhood and finding identity throughout. Link with us. View stories of change on...

The onramp from a humble lemonade stand to huge entrepreneurial success led to rethinking what “winning” is. Our featured guest is Mike Basch, CEO and General Partner of Atento Capital. He proves that winning is subjective, tailored to the person, and rooted in ‘repairing the world.’ Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutulsa. If you are looking for self improvement, join New...

An injury that ended an NCAA scholarship and football career was the turning point. We speak with guest Isaac Bennett, Founder of Grow Daily. He is a Tulsa native and face of Big Bertha, a large hill and platform for encouraging the Black community to invest in health and wellness. This message is that continuous acceptance leads to shaping purpose. Link with us. View stories of change on social m...

Disadvantages of growing up outside of the U.S. has actually shaped her path in a more meaningful way. Dr. Martha Zapata is a Colombian immigrant and Founder of UMA Tulsa, a Hispanic-focused business accelerator. Her story is a testament to the hope and perseverance that she has transferred into UMA Tulsa and empower business owners Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutulsa....

The antelope transforms into a lion, using her fear as fuel to move forward. Dr. J Montana Cain is a master evaluator, Founder of JMC Consulting Firm, and beloved New U alumna. Her dedication to equity combined with a heart for evaluation has propelled her business into new heights – led by Black women entrepreneurs. Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutulsa. If you are looki...

Financial literacy is not emphasized enough in traditional education. We discover this topic through conversation with Ray’Chel Wilson. She is an entrepreneur, author of two financial literacy books, and Development Director of a Tulsa high school. We explore her commitment to disrupting the school to prison pipeline and promoting financial literacy through innovative curricula. Link with us. View...

Can you transform your life through intentional identity development? Sherrae Lachhu did, and has made it her life’s work. She is a licensed marriage and therapy consultant based in evidence-based treatment. We follow her challenges with trauma as a young Black woman to financial pressures, as she finds purpose as an expert in the healing industry. Link with us. View stories of change on social me...

24,000 families are housed by this man. Dr. Howard Slaughter is a Navy veteran, C-Suite executive, and current President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh. We discuss his life path of humble beginnings, climbing the rungs of success, and navigating pressures to assimilate as a Black man.  Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutulsa. If you are looking f...

The crossroads between CEO and mother of four is one of our honored guest, Jessica Brooks Woods. She joins us as a Healthcare Executive and Founder of PBGH at Earn Staffing Solutions. We discuss balancing career with family, experiencing C-suite as a Black woman, and postpartum depression. Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutulsa. If you are looking for self improvement, joi...

A profound trajectory from homelessness to Emmy awards. This is the legacy story and breakthrough of Emmai Alaquiva, 2x Emmy Award-winning film director, photographer, composer, and CEO of Ya Momz House, Inc. In this episode, we discuss finding clarity through hip-hop, creative outlets, and evolution through adversity. Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutulsa. If you are loo...

Age 87 is when this featured guest will accomplish his life’s legacy. We break bread with Mikey Manghum, Founder and Owner of Manghum Consulting and Senior Vice President of INSPiRE Financial Group. In this episode, we talk about basketball lessons, steps from W2 to owner, and living out success on a natural progression. Link with us. View stories of change on social media @newutulsa. If you are l...

The harder one falls, the higher one can bounce. In this episode, we break bread with Cecilia Wessinger, Director of Global Community at Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). Her life journey’s milestones illustrate the rock bottoms and high tops that now define her purpose. We chat about finding identity as a Taiwanese-New Yorker, the pitfalls of entrepreneurship and career changes, divorce, and...

NU Voices serves as the megaphone for individuals who have endured transformational change. Our desire is to create a safe space for pivotal conversations, which in turn will deepen the story and provoke hope for you. Host Aaron Whigham breaks bread with Jahaziel Hiriart, Director at Oklahoma Partnership for Expanded Learning. She/ella is a proud Mexican-American, dancer, and community advocate in...