The BACK Community

Watch the full interview from 4/22/2021 with Jillian Sherman at www.thebackcommunity.info Assistant Principal Sherman discusses her path to becoming an educator and all of the ways she gives back to the community. Growing up in Albany she explains how her favorite hangout spots was the library and the New Courts. We see how her passion for track and fashion continue to influence her life today as...

Watch the full interview from 4/21/2021 with Alonzo “Zo Zigga” Verbal at www.thebackcommunity.info Zo discusses everything from fitness, to therapy to how education transformed his entire way of thinking. We discuss his passion for the arts and how his transformational plays help to educate and heal the community. Listen as we both discuss how a childhood tragedy affected us and the importance of...

Watch the full interview from 4/20/2021 with Patrick Williams at www.thebackcommunity.info Listen in as we discuss everything from bullying, systematic racism to overcoming failure. Pat talks about his earlier struggles with education and how he managed to not give up and later obtain his GED, graduate from Le Monye College and obtain a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. We d...

Watch the full interview from 4/6/2021 with Patrick “Flay” Robinson at www.thebackcommunity.info This episode with Flay is easily one of my favorites already. Flay talks about how his passion for community activism and how he was inspired by watching the pillars in the Albany community that laid the foundation before him. We talk about fashion and the cultural shifts, we talk about “Cooking with F...

Watch the full interview from 3/30/2021 with Joe Bell at www.thebackcommunity.info Joe talks about his work as a party promoter both in Albany and Atlanta and what he does to curate the ultimate club goer experience. As a realtor Joe focuses in on the abandoned houses in the Albany community and why it is so difficult for investors to purchase homes in the City of Albany. Listen as he explains his...

Watch the full interview from 3/22/2021 with Lonnie “Love” Griffin by going to www.thebackcommunity.info Lonnie explains how his work as a Corrections Officer strategically positions him to help encourage and motivate those in need of guidance. He wears several hats in the community and trust me they don’t call him “love” for no reason. Listen, as he explains his love for the Albany Community and...

Watch the full interview from 3/2/2021 with Ron “Cook” Barrett at www.thebackcommunity.info Cook’s work with the youth in the Albany community spans over three decades. Through his work as a gang prevention specialist and perhaps most notably “Teen Night” he has been able to positively shape and steer the minds of many Albany inner-city youth. Listen in as he touches on the urgency of youth issues...

Watch the full interview from 2/23/21 with the Hon. Jahmel Robinson councilman in Albany, NY at www.thebackcommunity.info Councilman Robinson tells us how he juggles between duties as husband, father, councilman and Pastor . Listen in as he discusses the power of politics, parliamentary procedures and the importance of mentorship in the city of Albany. Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 2/16/21 with Kashiff Thompson www.thebackcommunity.info Kashiff tells us about his enthusiasm for learning and how education increased his self awareness. Listen in as he breakdowns the importance of mentoring and how his mediation skills have been used to resolve conflicts throughout the Capital District area. Kashiff discusses his early struggles with school and how...

Watch the full interview from 2/9/21 with Tiera Gailliard-McAfee at www.thebackcommunity.info Tiera is a Social Worker by profession but I think being a "sports mom" is what she is most passionate about. She explains how important authenticity is to her own brand but also as a counselor. We talk about the importance of mental health and her hope and desires of reaching back to the Albany youth. Li...

Watch the full interview from 2/2/21 with Mojavi Emi at www.thebackcommunity.info Mojavi is the curator of many creative initiatives that have been entertaining the Albany Community for decades but perhaps he is most recognizable from his works with Urban Guerrilla Theater and Epiphany Radio Universe. Listen in as he talks about how the arts can play a crucial part in revitalizing the creative min...

Watch the full interview from 1/26/2021 with Shawn "Floss" Cooks at www.thebackcommunity.info Mr OMG (on my grind) tells us about how he migrated to Albany many years ago and his fondest memories of the city. He explains the difficulties of juggling work and parenting during this global pandemic and how his community work with the SNUG Outreach program is what he is most passionate about. Listen i...

Watch the full interview from 1/19/21 with Diona Howard-Nicolas, Esq. at www.thebackcommunity.info Diona explains how her intrigue for law was sparked by an early encounter she and a group of friends experienced with racism. Listen in as she breaks down "Believe, Try, Achieve" and how her and her husband are teaching their sons the importance of ownership and entrepreneurial skills at a young age....

Watch the full interview from 1/12/21 with Manetertep El Dey the founder of the Albany House of Peace at www.thebackcommunity.info Listen in as Tep explains how he evolved over the years internally and externally through his civic engagement. We talk about the cost of leadership and how people perceive you differently while your on the journey of self development as opposed to when you reach your...

Watch the full interview from 12/1/20 with Krystle Word at www.thebackcommunity.info The founder of the “KrystleCarterWord.com” she uses the POWER of words as a teacher, creator and storyteller. Krystle explains how her parents taught her about her rich heritage as an African American and communicated the importance of her knowing her own worth. She explains how racism showed up in her schooling i...

Watch the full interview from 11/24/20 with Nigel Jennings www.thebackcommunity.info Nigel takes us on a journey through his past and shows us how he embarked on a career in hotel hospitality. As a former participant of MODEL, Inc. Nigel and Tyrell illustrate how that mentor/mentee relationship has morphed into a brotherhood over the years. Being born in Jamaica and coming to the USA early Nigel u...

Watch the full interview from 11/18/20 with Tatiana Cunningham www.thebackcommunity.info Tatiana is the creator and founder of CNYS Black Expo. She tells us about the many lessons she has learned as an entrepreneur and how some earlier business ventures have better equipped her for success. Listen in as she explains her favorite places to visit in Albany and where she loves to eat. She is proudly...

Watch the full interview from 10/27/20 with Angelo Justice Maddox at www.thebackcommunity.info Justice tells us about how he migrated to Albany many years ago and describes his early memories. Listen in as he breaks down S.W.A.G. and explains how he built the Fresh and Fly Clothing brand. Find out how he got the Hustle man nickname during his undergraduate studies and why the name stuck. Justice d...

Watch the full interview from 10/21/20 with Candyce Marie www.thebackcommunity.info Candyce describes her early memories of Albany and the sense of community she felt. She also explains how being a teen mom impacted her but most importantly how it did not stop her from pursing her own goals. Candyce proudly serves in the US Navy and has been able to travel the world. Equipping her children with th...

Watch the full interview from 10/13/20 with Lawan Cancer Sr at www.thebackcommunity.info Lawan remembers the beauty of Albany’s diverse past and lays out a blueprint for us to bring it back. As an officer within the Albany Police Department he explains how being inside the APD offers him a unique opportunity to police his community as a vested member and hold the level of accountability high. Lawa...

Watch the full interview from 10/12/20 with Paris McKnight www.thebackcommunity.info Paris shares how she keeps herself motivated by staying focused on positivity. We discuss her passion for fitness and how she gets motivated by helping others in the Albany Community to reach their goals. Hear us talk about traveling, finances and adulting. Overall, we learn why consistency is key and how keeping...

Watch the full interview from 9/22/20 with Tyrone Waklatsi at www.thebackcommunity.info Listen in as Tyrone explains his earliest memories of Albany and why this place will always be home. Tyrone opens up about his commitment to fellow Veterans and his time served in Kuwait and Iraq. Albany helped to prepare him for life by teaching him how to be mentally tough but perhaps his focus on friendships...

Watch the full interview from 9/9/20 with Larsell Stovall at www.thebackcommunity.info Larsell explains how important his relationship with God has been as he's developed over the years. Listen in as he explains the need for more everyday mentors in the city of Albany. We discuss how fixing our own families would lead to us fixing problems that plague the community. Perhaps the most inspirational...

Watch the full interview from 8/25/20 with Dr. La'Shaunna Lipscomb at www.thebackcommunity.info Dr. L, as she likes to be called is one half of the podcast duo that make up "The Real Therapist for the Culture." Listen in as she highlights her experience and the nostalgia she misses from growing up in Albany. Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 8/23/20 with Sheena Collier at www.thebackcommunity.info The founder of the “Collier Connection” and “Boston While Black.” Listen in as Sheena explains the significance education has played in her upbringing and the need for a balanced approach. We discuss her favorite place to visit in Albany and her overall pursuit of authenticity. Her love for Albany radiates throu...