Purposely Driven Podcast

Jalesa Jones is a young, black and accomplished business leader in the technology industry, serving as the Co-Owner and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of 3D Media. Under her leadership, 3D Media provides cutting-edge technologies, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions, to critical infrastructure sectors, notably including the U.S. Department of Defense. Graduating...

Charese Williams is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to Lafayette in 2015. With a passion for dance and a dedication to helping others, Charese brings a vibrant energy to every endeavor. Currently, Charese works for Second Harvest Food Bank as part of their Human Resources team, where they focus on fostering a supportive and efficient workplace environment. Beyond her professional...

Mr. Seanathan Polidore is the son of Clarence and Versana Polidore. He is a year 2000 graduate of Franklin Senior High School. Mr. Polidore continued his education to earn a master’s degree in psychology. His life has quite a few adventures. Some of those include the U.S. Navy, being a husband and father, health and fitness trainer, co-founder of Pen Business Solutions, motivational speaking for s...

Consuela Gaines is an organizer for Voice of the Experienced/VOTE in the Lafayette, LA chapter. She’s a formerly incarcerated woman who served 22 years of a 47 year sentence. She’s a survivor of solitary confinement and currently serves on the Louisiana Task Force for Safe Alternatives to Segregation. While incarcerated, she participated in various leadership roles from being a counsel substitute...

Val is a native of Long Beach, Ca. Lafayette, La is where she has lived for much of her life and considers it home. She currently resides in the hub city with her best friend and husband Steve of 16 years. Val received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. During her undergraduate studies she was awarded a scholarship to study abroad on Semester at Sea Ins...

Originally a native of Alexandria, LA, Diamond has called Lafayette, LA home for over 12 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, with a minor in Psychology, from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has completed the John Maxwell Certification program. In her spare time, Diamond is the Vice President of the Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter at ULL, ser...

From her early years in Lafayette, Louisiana, Jazmyn Jones exhibited a passion for dance that would shape her life's journey. With a natural talent and dedication, she immersed herself in various dance styles, from ballet to hip hop, nurturing her love for the arts from a young age.   As a teenager, Jazmyn's talent began to shine brightly. At just 14, she took the lead in teaching hip-hop...

Shalonda Thibeaux is the CEO and Founder of Talks With Shay Life Coaching, LLC.  She received a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development.  Shalonda has several years of experience with working with children and families.  She has a semi-podcast called Talks With Shay, where videos are posted every Friday on Facebook, YouTube and her website www.talkswithshay.org...

Shyra Moran is a native of Geismar, LA, currently residing in Lafayette, LA. In 2005, Shyra received her Bachelor of Science from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Business Administration and has been a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated since 2003. Shyra is the Community Relations Officer for Advancial Federal Credit Union. Shyra has a heart for her community as she loves to...

Calvary De'Rosa Sampson, LPC, NCC, is a dedicated Teen and Adult Therapist and the owner of Calvary De'Rosa Counseling and Consulting. With extensive qualifications as a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana and Texas, Calvary possesses the expertise to address a broad spectrum of mental health concerns. Her additional certifications as a Certified C...

Bianca Coats, a native of Lafayette, LA, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has also graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a Master’s in Public Administration. She was the recipient of the James E. Webb Internship Program at the Smithsonian Institution in Occupational Health Services in Washingt...

Natalie Bunner, MSW, LCSW has been advocating for children, youth, families and caregivers, both personal and professional, for over 20 years. She currently serves pediatric clients ages 7-18, adults with acute and chronic mental challenges with anxiety and depression, adults in pediatric-focused professions to combat burnout and compassion fatigue and families to promote healthy parent/child reco...

Rochelle was born and raised in Lafayette, LA. She is the founder of Pure Intentions Candle Company; a boutique candle company crafting small batch candles. Rochelle is an emerging storyteller and new mom, navigating the joys and challenges of motherhood. Married to her high school sweetheart of Abbeville LA, she cherishes the journey they've shared together in Acadiana. With an unwavering bel...

Jessika Rae” Gayden. She is a Louisiana resident. Nurse of 10 years with experience in multiple specialities: post-operative care, hospice, WoundCare, LongTerm Care & Rehab, psychiatric care, home health, and nursing education and training. She loves spreading hope and joy through her nursing career as she seeks to be a vessel of healing for others. She is currently furthering her nursing educ...

Nicole Ryane Johnson, homeschooling mom, girl farmer, UL Lafayette graduate and local entrepreneur, has ownership in several leauxcal (local) business ventures, including CPR 2 Geaux , L4S Farms , Fightingville Fresh Market and The Fresh Growers' Collective . She has a passion for teaching and encouraging others in the areas of entrepreneurship, farming and self-sustainability. Nicole enjoys n...

Ebony Roberts is a fascinating woman with an eclectic background. A mother of five, a wife, and an elementary school teacher, Ebony has always been passionate about beauty, self-care, and helping others feel confident by actualizing their most beautiful selves. As a young girl, Ebony became passionate about beauty and self-care. She was so infatuated with the industry that at just ten years old, s...

Mel Haynes wears many hats – a nurturing mother, a loyal friend, a dynamic business owner, and an inspiring community leader. Born and raised in Broussard, Louisiana, she is the proud owner of Sweet Envie LLC located at 4302 Moss Street in Lafayette. In a transformative decision made in March 2021, Mel bid farewell to a corporate career spanning over a decade, ignited by an unyielding passion to r...

Aleisha Johnson Cook is a native of Lafayette, LA. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with concentrations in Global Supply Chain/Logistics and Marketing. After 12 years working in various Supply Chain, Operations, and Project Mana...

Brent P. Broussard is the Chief Executive Officer of The Broussard Enterprise Group, LLC. A Lafayette native, who has also spent time in Baton Rouge, is a graduate of Northside High School. Brent went on to study Music & Criminal Justice at the University of Louisiana- Lafayette. In the past decade, Brent has worked in various roles in the sales industry before deciding to begin a journey as a...

Dr. Liz Romar-Chavis has been providing conservative, gentle, specific chiropractic care to diverse populations of people across Louisiana for well over a decade. She received her BS from Xavier University of Louisiana after successfully completing the Biology Pre- Med program with honors. After completing a Post-baccalaureate program in Biomedical Sciences at Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College...

Cheylon Woods is the Head of Ernest J. Gaines Center, Archivist, and Associate Professor in the Edith Garland Dupre Library. Throughout her scholarly career, Mrs. Woods received her Masters of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University, her Masters in Heritage Resources from Northwestern State University, and a dual bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Louis...

Ruben Henderson currently serves as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing and Legal Studies) and his Master of Business Administration from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is preparing to begin his d...

Shamika Mamou is a real estate professional with experience in lending and notary public closings. Currently, Shamika is a Community Outreach and Loan Officer with Lafayette Community Development Fund, where she assists first-time home buyers with down payment assistance. Additionally, Shamika is an Adjunct Instructor at South Louisiana Community College, where she facilitates notary public exam p...

Karen C. Dugas, M.Ed. is the owner of Above the Limit, LLC, a tutoring company that provides tutoring services for students in grades K-12 and an outstanding ACT Prep program that helps students qualify for scholarships. Mrs. Dugas is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College and Louisiana State University Shreveport. She has taught in the public and private school systems for over 20...

Kiwana T. McClung is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture & Design and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. A graduate of Louisiana State University's School of Architecture and Design, Kiwana is nationally recognized for her research and efforts toward increasing diversity within a school of architecture and equitable, inclusive curricula. I...