SpeakUP! International Inc.

Ever wondered how the struggles of weight gain and mental health can lead to a journey of self-discovery and profound transformation? Join us as we sit down with Mark Paisant , a certified personal trainer and host of the Relatively Normal and 6AM Run podcasts. Mark takes us through his inspiring path from collegiate soccer player to battling significant weight gain and chronic pain, ultimately sh...

In this episode of SpeakUP! International , Ellington Brown and Rita Burke host Pamela M. Covington , a professional speaker, storyteller, and advocate for anti-poverty programs. Pamela shares her incredible journey from a comfortable middle-class lifestyle to experiencing unimaginable poverty within a week due to circumstances involving her husband's PTSD from serving in Vietnam. She recount...

Curious about the transformative power of midwifery and its role in achieving reproductive justice? Join us on SpeakUP! International as we welcome Karlline Wilson-Mitchell, the trailblazing first Black Canadian midwifery education professor. Carlene takes us through her remarkable career, shedding light on the pivotal role midwives play as community advocates and the systemic racism that Black in...

Meet Jason Browne , a dynamic storyteller and seasoned speaker whose journey into radio and public speaking was shaped by his DJ father and music teacher mother. Jason’s approach to leadership transcends mere motivation, focusing on genuine connection, support, and the exchange of resources. As he delves into his method of addressing sensitive topics through compelling and sometimes controversial...

What if maintaining a childlike wonder could be your secret superpower in connecting with youth? Join us as we welcome Sophia Jackson , an inspiring child and youth worker with a vibrant passion for the arts. Sophia's journey is a testament to how creativity can weave into a fulfilling career in child and youth care. Listen as she recounts her experiences running a summer camp and working alo...

Can facing life-altering challenges lead to discovering your true calling? Meet Sara Freeman-Smith, our remarkable guest who turned vision loss into an inspiring journey of resilience and self-discovery. This episode of SpeakUP! International takes you deep into Sara's life, from her roots in an underserved community to her impressive career in recruiting and human resources. Sara's stor...

Unlock the secrets to spiritual liberation and transformative leadership with our special guest, Aina-Nia Ayo’dele . As a leadership coach, author, and ancient wisdom teacher, Aina brings a wealth of knowledge rooted in African spiritual practices and traditional wisdom. She shares her impactful journey with Sacred Leaders International and her instrumental role in crafting the confronting anti-Bl...

Discover how personal experiences shape powerful leaders in diversity management with our guest, Richard Pinnock. Raised in Montreal by a German mother and Jamaican father, Richard's multicultural upbringing and career journey are nothing short of inspiring. Listen as he shares how his childhood in a diverse neighborhood and early career influenced his commitment to inclusion and equity. Rich...

What was it like growing up in a vibrant, multicultural neighborhood in Toronto? Join us as Tiki Mercury-Clarke , a third-generation Torontonian, takes us on a heartwarming journey through her early days on Henry Street. Through her vivid storytelling, Tiki paints a picture of a close-knit community where cultural diversity wasn't just celebrated but lived every day. You'll hear about th...

What inspired the creation of the diverse character Bugsy in the early 2000s, long before diversity became a buzzword? Join us on Speak Up International as we welcome Mr. Prince George, the spokesperson for Warzone Comics and the charismatic host of the Prince George Show. Broadcasting from LA, Prince George takes us through his expansive journey in the entertainment industry, which began under th...

How does a South Vietnamese identity shape a career journey from academia to entrepreneurship? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Julie Pham PhD., a Vietnamese-born American and Cambridge-educated social scientist, as she shares her extraordinary path from South Vietnam to Seattle. We explore the profound impacts of her family's escape from communism, her undergraduate research...

How can self-published authors navigate the complex landscape of modern publishing and retain control over their creative works? Get ready to discover the secrets of successful self-publishing as Michelle DeFilippo, a veteran with over 50 years of experience, joins us on Speak Up International. From her early days at Crown Publishers in New York to founding 1106 Design, Michelle reveals how author...

Mr. What if you could revolutionize your sales game with a simple, structured process? Join us as we sit down with sales expert Mr. Benjamin Brown , who shares his remarkable journey from a farm in South Carolina to becoming a leading sales trainer and entrepreneur. With over 23+ years of experience, Benjamin takes us through his time in the Marine Corps and his initial career in the gym business,...

 What if you could transform your organization's culture by understanding both its spiritual and psychological needs? Join us for a captivating conversation with Dr. Lloyd Williams,PhD ., an industrial psychologist and consultant with a rich background in theology, psychology, and business consulting. Dr. Williams takes us through his personal journey from Tuskegee Institute to Yale, and how...

What happens when life throws insurmountable obstacles your way? Join us on this inspiring episode of SpeakUP! International as we uncover the deeply moving journey of Rahz Slaughter , a motivational speaker and co-author of " Student Success Secrets ." Born with a physical disability and raised by a young, single mother battling addiction, Rahz's story is one of remarkable resilien...

What if you could effectively lead with authenticity and humility while balancing motherhood and a demanding career? Doris Jackson-Shazier joins us on Speak Up International to share her remarkable journey from her early leadership roles within her family to managing teams in corporate America and her bold transition to entrepreneurship. You’ll hear Doris’s inspiring personal stories, her motivati...

What happens when a successful college football recruiter hits rock bottom and embarks on a journey toward personal transformation? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ahmard Vital, who transitioned from recruiting top athletes to motivating individuals worldwide. Discover the pivotal moments that led to his profound spiritual and personal development, culminating in the creation of his tra...

 Discover the inspiring journey of Dr. Dionisio Nyaga Ph. D. , an assistant professor at Algoma University, as he navigates the complexities of social justice education and tackles anti-Black racism head-on. Dr.  Nyaga opens up about his personal encounters with various forms of oppression and the transformative power of community involvement. We also shed light on the historical injustices faced...

What happens when a young girl from London, England, finds herself in the starkly different landscape of Canada at the start of high school? Marcia Smellie B.Ed. transports us to her early days of assimilation, tackling the Canadian winter, the shift from an all-girls school with uniforms to a co-ed school without them, and the challenge of fitting in with a Cockney accent. She paints a vivid pict...

What drives a young boy from Southern California, immersed in the world of technology, to become a beacon for diversity in the tech industry? Join us on SpeakUP!International to uncover the extraordinary journey of Mr. William A. Adams . This episode promises an insightful exploration of Mr. Adams' life, from his self-taught beginnings in computer skills to he and his brother starting their o...

How can effective communication redefine the preteen years for both parents and children? Join us as we sit down with Marcus Higgs, a communication coach who has dedicated his life to helping parents navigate the complexities of their children's formative years.  Marcus's journey from missionary teacher to founder of Searching Future Press is nothing short of inspiring! He sheds light on...

Embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure can often feel like navigating uncharted waters, but Kathryn Smith , an Atlanta-based marketing guru, is here to light the beacon. Join us as Kathryn unravels her personal odyssey from the security of corporate America to the thrill and tumult of creating her own marketing consulting firm, Walton Birch , and the Black Lady Business School . She brings to t...

As a mentor and beacon of inspiration, Josee Smith joins us to unravel her transformative journey from reader to published author. Facing down the specters of perfectionism and self-doubt, she shares how the solitude of the pandemic became the crucible for her anticipated novel's creation. Her candid reflection resonates deeply, especially for black and brown working moms she now guides towar...

Join the conversation with the esteemed Professor George JS Dei loving known as Professor Nana Dei , a beacon of knowledge for Black African Canadian education, as he graces our platform with his insights that meld the essence of resistance with the transformative power of education. We venture beyond the confines of conventional learning and into the heart of community empowerment, where Professo...

When education meets passion, transformative stories emerge. Our latest guest, Marion Lowe McLean , embodies this blend with her stirring journey from Jamaican roots to her influential role in Quebec's community service and education. As the founder of the Quebec Board of Black Educators and Les Passerelles Globale Bridges , Marion's narrative is rich with the themes of solidarity, empow...