theforcedpivot Podcast

theforcedpivot welcomes Tobi Shannon. Tobi is a community-based strategist that works to redistribute wealth and defy unbalanced power structures across sectors and disciplines. Her impact is most amplified with her current work in corporate philanthropy, where she connects corporate employees to volunteerism and an inherent sense of altruism. Utilizing a “collaboration over competition” mindset,...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Craig Jeffress. Craig has worked in the hospitality industry for over thirty-five years. Working on the culinary end, as well as guiding service in many dining rooms, has given him a keen eye for the details that matter most to those with discerning tastes.   Throughout the 90's, while getting multiple degrees, Craig would spend his nights in the kitchens of At...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes J.A. Faulkerson . J. A. Faulkerson is a Northern Virginia-based Creative Writer who has penned instant classics like Adinkrahene: Fear of a Black Planet (fiction), Real Men Raise CHAMPIONS: Unleashing Your Inner COACH (nonfiction), and Young Achiever Playbook: Planning To Achieve (nonfiction) .   In July 2015, A dinkrahene: Fear of a Black Planet was named one of th...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jason Kelley . Garnering critical and commercial acclaim for his waggishly entertaining voice acting as Colt Vahn, the anti-hero in Arkane’s DEATHLOOP (2021), actor Jason Kelley erupted onto the 2021-22 gaming stage. Earning an impressive 8 nominations & 2 wins* in the Best Performer or Performer in a Leading Role category: Global Industry Game Awards BAFTA Game...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Tyronne Drakeford . Drakeford is the current District Athletic Director for DD2 where he oversees the seven middle schools and three high schools’ athletics and athletic facilities. Mr. Drakeford has a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Athletic Administration with a focus in Interscholastic athletics from Ohio University .  He is a me...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Kim Battle . Kim Battle , Owner and Founder of Kandy Apples by K .  They sell incredible and beautiful candy apples in order to enhance the typical candy apple experience. Kim grew up in Raleigh and graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Finance.  After 19 years as an accountant, she took a leap of...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Barron Damon . Barron Damon is a Certified Philanthropic Coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) with over 20 years of experience working as a Non-Profit Executive.  Barron is currently the Managing Partner of the Business of Life Coaching and Consulting (BOLCC) a service and education company.  As a philanthropic coach, Barron teaches donors how t...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Ron Brade . As Senior Vice President of Administration & Chief Operating Officer , Ron Brade supports the President of Xavier University in Louisiana , in strategic analysis and planning. He oversees the daily operations of the university, ensuring administrative units fulfill the mission of the university. This includes overseeing infrastructure, the university...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Grammy-nominated R&B Artist Eric Roberson . As a GRAMMY Award-nominee, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, and Howard University alum, Eric Roberson continues to break boundaries as an independent artist in an industry dominated by major labels, manufactured sounds, and mainstream radio. Described as the original pioneer of the independent movement in R&B/Soul mus...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Greg Hedgepeth . Greg Hedgepeth was born and raised in Halifax County, NC, and was a first-generation college student that attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. There he received his undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. He later received his Masters in Management and Leadership from Webster University. Greg is als...

theforcedpivot Podcast creator Antoine Medley shares his thoughts on loss and how one deals with the changes in their life after loss.  Medley is joined briefly by special guest Licensed Clinical Social Worker Dekevias Atkinson, Sr. Music Credits: Interlude 2 (KillMyVibe) by Dj DCM

theforcedpivot Podcast chats with guest Brenton Logan on his life journies and how the pandemic affected him. Brenton Logan is a native of Richmond, VA.  He received his undergraduate education from Shaw University where he studied sociology. Brenton serves as a board member of The Tulsa Initiative, Inc.  a non-profit organization which utilizes mentorship and education to cultivate young minds, p...

theforcedpivot Podcasts sits down with Natalie Bullock Brown . Natalie Bullock Brown is an award-winning producer, an Assistant Teaching Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies at North Carolina State University, and a 2021 Rockwood Institute JustFilms Fellow. She is director/producer of a documentary work-in-progress that explores the impact of the beauty standard on Black women and girls; and is...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Dwight Vick .  Vick shares how life took him from Tidewater, VA to helping others.  How from the gridiron to counseling. Dwight is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech. While at Virginia Tech, Dwight played for the legendary Coach Frank Beamer as an offensive lineman from 1994-1999. He helped lead the Virginia Tech Hokies to five consecutive bowl game appearances and t...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Vonda Paige .  Paige shares her ups, downs, and opportunities that allowed her to thrive. Paige has over 25 years of experience in non-profit management, marketing, social media, and public relations. She is an award-winning journalist and the founder of The First Black Woman, a digital media project recognizing the historic contributions of Black women. She is a li...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Melissa Jackson Holloway .  Holloway shares how her pivots took her from Niagra Falls, NY to the largest HBCU in the United States where she serves as General Counsel.  Holloway serves as General Counsel and Vice Chancellor of Legal Affairs, Risk, and Compliance for the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the nation’s largest Historically Bla...

The theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes William T. Sutphin .  Sutphin shares his story of pivots and how they took him from a small town in southern Virginia to film school in New York and then to Los Angeles, California.  William Sutphin is a former 2008 DGA Winner for his thesis film "Uncle Killa", which he later licensed to HBO/Cinemax. He is a graduate of Columbia University's Film...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Carnela Renee Hill .  Hill shares her story of pivots and how she arrived at where she is today.  She explains how she maneuvers this life to serve others and to live a life of faith and obedience to God. Carnela Renee Hill, successful interior designer, CEO, public speaker, author, and coach, has many gifts and talents. She has a diverse background. Carnela has won...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes DeLeon Gray, PhD.  Gray shares his story of life pivots and how he arrived at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.  Gray is CEO of Black and Belonging ( www.blackandbelonging.com ) and an associate professor of educational psychology and equity at North Carolina State University , where he has developed three new doctoral courses on School Belonging, Equi...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Cece Jones-Davis. Jones-Davis shares her stories of how she allows God to force her to pivot and complete the work he would have her do.   Jones-Davis works at the intersections of faith, art, and social justice as an award-winning faith leader, facilitator, public speaker, and impact strategist to point people to the All-Powerful and the least powerful.  For the pa...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Sulaiman Mausi .  Mausi is a husband, father, entrepreneur, author,  and philanthropist.  He joins the show to share some of his ups and downs and how Covid-19 forced pivots in his work.  The pivots ultimately made him a better father, husband, and businessman. Sulaiman Mausi, a 6th generation Entrepreneur, is the Founder and President of The DOME Group, LLC, an ent...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Keith & Belinda Shannon.  The Shannon's are a dynamic couple with successful careers. They successfully raised 3 dynamic children that have grabbed the world by the horns and made their own lives and careers a huge success. The couple has been married for 31 years and they have known each other since they were 18 years old. The couple shares their story of...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Athan Lindsay.  Lindsay joins the show to share his stories and pivot of life that led him from Eastern Winston-Salem, North Carolina to where he is today.  He shares how tough decisions must be made, even at a young age, that will oftentimes determine your outcome in life. Lindsay has an extensive career in the field of philanthropy that has included serving in var...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Darryl Lester.  Darryl K. Lester is a cultural philanthropist, social change agent, and national service guru. He has been at the forefront of social innovation in the nation’s southern states for more than two decades. As the Founder and CEO of the North Carolina-based Institute for Building Communities by Design which promotes civic and community engagement, leade...

theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Moses T. Alexander Greene.  Greene shares his "Pivot stories" spiritually, educationally, professionally, and personally.  Greene is an author, director, producer, playwright, and so much more.  Green is the director and founder of Li V Mahob Productions.  His life's purpose is to use his passion for Black history and culture, content creation, and th...