THE CHAIR

On this episode, I introduce you to Dr. Ping-Ann an Anthropology professor who takes us on a journey unraveling her why she entered and continues to stay in the field of anthropology. She brings us into her world of ethnographic research of the Tonga women and the parallels doing research on in the world of Boston Carnival. Enjoy!  Her Bio: Ping-Ann Addo (she/her) is an ethnographer who is an Asso...

On this episode, Dr. Ping-Ann is a professor of Anthropology and mixed race. She is Akan-Ghanaian and Chinese-Malaysian heritage, and Trinidadian up-bringing. Dr. Ping-Ann shares about her hardships on her hair journey and how her daughter’s hair journey is helping her fall in love with her own. Enjoy!  Her Bio: Ping-Ann Addo (she/her) is an ethnographer who is an Associate Professor of Anthropolo...

On this episode, I introduce you to Niyonu, an educator, group facilitator, consultant, artist, and visionary of Academy for Peace & Liberation Education. We dive into topics surrounding education, organizational development, and what it means to develop courage beginning from your roots. Enjoy! Her Bio: Niyonu D. Spann is a transformational educator, organizational strategist, artist, and spi...

On this episode, I introduce you to Niyonu, an educator, group facilitator, consultant, artist, and visionary of Academy for Peace & Liberation Education. Niyonu shares her 7th grade decision that changed everything when it came to her hair. She also discusses what it means to be a mother of boys and watching them on their hair journey as well. Enjoy! Her Bio: Niyonu D. Spann is a transformati...

On this episode, Shanteah works in the world of construction and is a hairstylist. She shares how working in construction is leaving her imprint on her city, why she decided to go to cosmetology school, and how her love for her own hair has evolved over time. Enjoy!  Her Bio:  Shanteah Norfleet is a hardworking and determined professional from Massachusetts with a strong passion for growth, resili...

On this episode, I introduce you to Axel the dancer, choreographer,  videographer, sneaker head and reselling enthusiast. Axel is an entrepreneur who loves to stay busy with an endless supply of creativity. He grants us access into his world of dance, video and takes us on a journey moving from Boston to LA pursuing all of his dreams along the way. Enjoy! His Bio: Axel Lopez is a Boston-born dance...

On this episode, I introduce you to Axel the dancer, choreographer,  videographer, sneaker head and reselling enthusiast. Axel shares what it is like being a lover of shoes and entering back into the reselling business. He shares where his love of shoes stem from, what has changed over the years in the shoe world, and what keeps him coming back. Enjoy! His Bio: Axel Lopez is a Boston-born dancer,...

On this episode, I introduce you to Benito a white trans man working in the field of social services. Benito takes us on a journey of how he entered into the world of social services, how he started to unpack his whiteness, and what teaching intersectionality looks like to youth. He and I also dive into our thoughts surrounding empathy and conservative values. Enjoy! Happy Pride!  THE CHAIR (S2/Ep...

On this episode, I introduce you to Sarah Spoto who is the founder of Badii a Swiss-inspired bathing community and my Tri Delta sister. She takes us on a journey into how a class in college changed her trajectory towards business, how entrepreneurship runs in the family, the origin of Badii, and its relationship surrounding accessibility and luxury. Enjoy!     Her Bio: Sarah Spoto is a senior bran...

On this episode, I introduce you to Sarah Spoto who is the founder of Badii a Swiss-inspired bathing community and my Tri Delta sister. She shares when she first started noticing her whiteness, what she learned about identity and privilege living in Shanghai, China, and her views on what it means to be American.  Her Bio: Sarah Spoto is a senior brand strategist with a track record of launching an...

On this episode, Mariah takes us on a journey into her world of working with children in residential from the hospital setting. We learn through her stories how being a difficult camper and working with children with severe behavioral differences led to her pursuing her Master degree in Social Work. Mariah also dives into conversation on her white identity and how it shows up in her work and her a...

On this episode, Dr. Yvette gives access into her world of physical therapy, how she defines being a person mechanic and helps us think about hardware, software, and why its important to have skills in both. Enjoy!  Her Bio:  Yvette Ramirez is a first generation Mexican American physical therapist who lives in Chicago. She graduated from Lake Forest College with her degree in biology and received...

On this episode, Dr. Yvette, a first generation Mexican lets us in on her hair journey. She shares stories about what it means to keep a promise to herself and shaving her head, deciding on bangs, and educating family along the way. Enjoy!  Her Bio:  Yvette Ramirez is a first generation Mexican American physical therapist who lives in Chicago. She graduated from Lake Forest College with her degree...

On this episode, Arielle brings us into her world as an intensive care nurse, destimatizes what it means to live with bipolar 2, and helping us all think more critically about  mental health. Enjoy!  Her Bio:  I was born in North Carolina to a military family. I was raised in Medford, MA by my dad, my mom (who is actually my aunt but I call my mom because she raised me  as her own), and my god mot...

On this episode, Arielle shares how she sees her whiteness and what it looks like to be an activist and an advocate in the nursing realm. Enjoy! Her Bio:  I was born in North Carolina to a military family. I was raised in Medford, MA by my dad, my mom (who is actually my aunt but I call my mom because she raised me like I was her own child), and my god mother with my adopted sister.  I grew up wit...

On this episode, it is a live recording of my Trappings of Masculinity Roundtable where I had the opportunity to discuss with five Black men from various sectors of youth work and community activism about the trappings of masculinity within the patriarchy and how they redefine it for themselves and the youth they serve.  Their Bios: D.Ruff is a 2 time Boston Music Award Spoken Word Artist Of The Y...

On this episode, it is a live recording of my Black Educators Roundtable where I had the opportunity to bring together educators from various touch points of our systems. We have views from a social worker lens, consultants, poets, former administrators, nonprofit EDs and Founders to talk about the holes and opportunities within and around education. Enjoy Part 1 of this 2 Part conversation! Their...

On this episode, it is a live recording of my Black Educators Roundtable where I had the opportunity to bring together educators from various touch points of our systems. We have views from social worker lens, consultants, poets, former administrators, nonprofit EDs and Founders to talk about the holes and opportunities within and around education. Enjoy Part 2 of this 2 Part conversation! Their B...

On this episode, Jayde takes us on a journey of how she became a digital strategist. We learn what her formative years in college truly looked like and how all the twists and turns set her up to express herself creatively to support businesses now on social media. Enjoy! Her Bio:  Jayde Umemba is a digital strategist, community organizer, and all-around creative connector. By day, she leads digita...

On this episode, Jayde takes us on a scenic ride of what it looks like on her hair journey where every change is significant from ending the relationship with the creamy crack, doing Dominican blowouts, getting braids, and then eventually chopping it all off. She lets us in on how social media played a role in going natural and what her advice would be to Black girls everywhere. Enjoy! Her Bio:  J...

On this episode, Bernie a film and television producer born and raised as a Mexican American in East LA shares how he entered into the world of film by way of finance and extra work, how identity helps him choose and shape his projects, and what collaboration looks like in the film industry. Enjoy!  His Bio:  Bernardo Duran Jr. is a film and television producer and writer from East Los Angeles wit...

On this episode, Bernie, a film and television Mexican American producer from East LA shared the importance of his views on the power of storytelling and why we need more representative stories. He also explains what it’s like to meet his heroes that he manifested in working with before entering film school and how a fresh cut and a line up changed his confidence.   His Bio:  Bernardo Duran Jr. is...

On this episode, Brittany McCray shares her story how she entered into the field of real estate, what she loves about it and what keeps her there, and advice to sustain yourself for a long healthy career. Enjoy! Her Bio:  Brittany McCray is a powerhouse in Chicago real estate, blending bold ambition with deep authenticity. As a licensed realtor and the founder of BRITTANY REALTY LLC, Brittany help...

On this episode, Brittany McCray brings us along on her hair journey. She gives us a peek into her world of wig creation, caring about her natural hair while doing the bare minimum, and falling in love with herself through her hair. Enjoy! Her Bio:  Brittany McCray is a powerhouse in Chicago real estate, blending bold ambition with deep authenticity. As a licensed realtor and the founder of BRITTA...

In this solo episode Dreme discusses what doubt look like at the beginning of starting THE CHAIR Platform and how she worked her way through doubt by asking questions and questions being asked of her. Enjoy! THE CHAIR (S2/Ep37) — Continue to Ask Questions I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.  I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called TH...