Zaka Presents: My Journey

Embark on a journey of empowerment with Zynara Ng, a self-growth and TEDx speaker, and public speaking coach. From a once timid young girl, Zynara evolved into a powerhouse in both traditional media at DreamWorks and LucasFilms, and the tech industry at Google and YouTube. Her transformative career, rooted in unlocking individuals' potential and amplifying their voices. In this interview, Zyn...

Sophearay A Smith is a Senior Program Manager and the CO President Caribbean Connection  at Amazon. Born in Trinidad, she embodies the spirit of "Trini to de bone!" From a Public Health degree to Amazon's leadership, Sophearay's journey defies expectations. Discover her resilience, successful programs at Amazon, and insights on navigating corporate America as a Black woman and...

Step into the captivating world of Chantel Pierre , a seasoned and visionary designer whose multicultural roots have shaped a pioneering approach to fashion. Hailing from London with British and Jamaican heritage, Chantel's illustrious career spans a decade, etching her mark across renowned UK and US fashion brands. However, it was her profound realization of the excessive waste plaguing the...

Shahira Qudrat, an extraordinary advocate for multicultural individuals and author of "Authenticity in America: A Memoir of Rebellion and Dual Identities."  Shahira shares her remarkable story, navigating the complexity of immigration, feminism, religion, and discrimination. Drawing from her Afghan-American/Muslim-American heritage, Shahira enlightens us on the challenges of adapting fro...

Celeste Leon, acclaimed Public Speaking and Confidence Coach, shares her journey from Peru to becoming a source of empowerment for all of us  in the US. With her 'Articulate Mind, Confident Speaker' course, she's breaking barriers, empowering non-native English speakers to own their voices confidently. Celeste's passion for her Peruvian heritage fuels her mission to shatter ste...

Sharnell P Delmohammed, the VP of DEI at JP Morgan Chase,  shares her remarkable journey rooted in Jamaican heritage and fueled by an unyielding belief in limitless possibilities. Discover how her cultural resilience has propelled her through challenges, guiding her to excel professionally and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Gain valuable insights into her educational path, career growt...

Christina Ashford is a proud Haitian-American with an unwavering commitment to education and community impact. From her roots in New York, surrounded by educators who instilled the value of education, to her current roles as Assistant Director for Grants Accounting & Finance at Kennesaw State University and Founder of Impactlytics, Christina embodies the immigrant superpower of resilience and...

Upon meeting Cuauhtzin, his humility and kind spirit become immediately evident. Cuauhtzin Gutierrez stands as a visionary leader, impassioned in advocating for increased Latino and Indigenous representation in media. His mantra of "Be good to others and be good to yourself" resonates throughout his impactful career, emphasizing the essence of kindness and respect in every interaction. A...

In this current episode, Shai Poulard, a staunch advocate for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging  shares invaluable insights on the critical role of prioritizing DEIB initiatives to retain a diverse workforce within companies. With a diverse background spanning banking, biotechnology, and entertainment, Shai highlights how these experiences influenced her career approach. She sheds light...

Dujon Smith, is a visionary leader, global change-maker, and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to empowering marginalized communities. In this thought-provoking episode, Dujon shares his phenomenal life story and explores the creed that defines his resiliency: 'Let's Build Bridges, Not Barriers.' Dujon's path wasn't always smooth. He faced a tough childhood, including pe...

From a turbulent youth in Haiti to becoming an award-winning social entrepreneur, global oral health expert, TEDx Lead Organizer, and Inventor. Jean Paul's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. What ignited that transformation? He was inspired by the unwavering smiles of children amidst Haiti's earthquake, and that moment sparked a passion to make a differenc...

Kathryn Meksavanh, a remarkable first-generation Laotian American shares her family's incredible journey to the United States. Her parents' escape from communist Laos, swimming across the Mekong River and finding refuge in Thailand before finally being sponsored to the U.S., serves as a powerful backdrop to her story. Kathryn beautifully articulates the difference in the American dream a...

Michlove Pierre is a true embodiment of resilience and success. Hailing from Haiti and arriving in the United States in her late twenties, Michlove's path was initially that of a dedicated nurse. However, her unwavering determination and passion for empowering women through hair care led her to create a thriving hair and skincare business that now generates seven figures. Michlove shares her...

Dominique "SoChevon" Doyle is an inspiring immigrant entrepreneur who defied traditional norms and carved her own path to success. Born to Trinidadian parents, Dominique's initial career in healthcare seemed like the expected route. However, fate had other plans. Discover how Dominique's life took a dramatic turn when she faced a layoff during the government shutdown 8 years ag...

AutoNation’s Head of Advertising, Melissa Cartagena shares her remarkable journey, embracing her Puerto Rican heritage and developing resilience growing up in Brooklyn as a Latina. Melissa speaks about finding her voice as a woman in the corporate world and making a significant impact in the digital advertising and marketing realm. With over two decades of experience, Melissa has managed 8-figure...

Crystal Howard's four-year journey at Amazon, initially as a Healthcare Customer Advisor, ultimately led her to pursue her true passion in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She shares invaluable insights on developing a growth mindset and navigating the corporate landscape. Beyond her professional achievements, Crystal's personal background is equally captivating. From Division 1 sports...

George's remarkable journey from growing up in public housing in the South Bronx to working on Wall Street and founding Bronx Tech Hub is a testament to his will and work ethic. George's immigrant mother from Honduras faced incredible challenges, including periods of homelessness. Witnessing her struggles ignited a fire in George to work hard and create a better future. He not only succe...

Kevin Moore from Serac Ventures shares his journey, his vision for a more inclusive future, and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. He learned the value of hard work from his Jamaican family, whose unwavering commitment to success left an indelible mark on him. This early exposure to the relentless work ethic of his heritage shaped the way for his exceptional career. As the Fou...

 Jinia Williams, LMHC-QS is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Life Coach, whose path from teenage motherhood to thriving advocate is truly inspiring. She takes us through her transformative journey, where family support and guidance paved the way for her success.  Beyond her own story, Jinia is a fierce advocate for mental health awareness in immigrant communities. She is dedicated to break...

Last time we spoke to Sonya Kay George, we unveiled her incredible journey from her roots in Guyana to her current role as Vice President of Sales, Global Strategic Accounts, and Innovation at Great Place to Work. In this episode, Sonya transcends her corporate role, sharing the remarkable bond with her son and introducing her heartwarming children's book, 'Aaron Kingsley's School D...

Join us on a captivating episode as we delve into the life of Shameika Allison Chan, a remarkable cross-functional leader who has navigated the seas of marketing, strategy, and operations for over 18+ years. But this is no ordinary tale – Shameika's journey is intricately woven with the rich threads of her immigrant heritage. Her parents hailed from Guyana, Shameika's roots stand as the...

In this enlightening podcast episode, we sit down with Jean-Rodney Larrieux who is a software engineer who fearlessly sheds light on the complex world of tech, addressing profound topics such as impostor syndrome, navigating the challenging interview process, and the realities of the industry. Join us as he opens up about his personal journey, sharing the candid struggles he faced and the triumphs...

Meet Jessica Otse, a proactive and solution-oriented Brand Partnerships & Marketing professional. As a Nigerian American, she is driven by purpose, Jessica is a dedicated leader who strives to deliver exceptional results. She excels in collaborating with teams to devise comprehensive strategies that create a real impact. Her ability to thrive in challenging environments stems from her strength...

Dumebi Egbuna started her career working at IBM within the enterprise sales organization. Working in an industry that is dominated by white men, she found her passion for helping minorities succeed in spaces that have previously not been accessible to them. She knows what it’s like to be the only Black woman at the table. After having a conversation with her brother, Toby, they realized that their...

Katheline Jean-Pierre Coleman is a Tech Executive and Keynote Speaker. She currently leads the Enterprise Solutions Group for financial services and Canada for LinkedIn's Marketing Solutions. Throughout her career, Katheline has been a remarkable leader. Her experience includes overseeing multiple $1B+ revenue portfolios for Google and advising 500+ companies on strategic growth to achieve bu...