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Eva Michelle Wheeler is a college professor and semi -retired attorney whose love for travel has taken her to more than 60 countries on six continents. A self-proclaimed eternal optimist, free spirit, and dreamer of big dreams, Eva regularly inhabits the intersection between “Black Girl Magic” and “Black Girl Mess.” When she’s not traveling or teaching, you can find Eva on a beach with a passion fruit cocktail and some local vegetarian cuisine. Eva has lived in 16 cities, seven U.S. states, and four countries (and contrary to the rumor her friend Kathy’s mom started, she does not secretly work for the CIA). You can follow Eva on Instagram: @evadelaire_

A battle hardened litigator and strategist for Justice, Sean Farrow’s career was forged in the high stakes area of criminal defense where he secured full acquittals in cases with life altering consequences. That trial tested tenacity and intellectual rigor now drive a focused labor and employment practice dedicated to advocating for individuals facing discrimination, harassment and systemic work place injustice. Sean Farrow joins me to discuss the current racial and political climate and Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Follow Attorney Sean Farrow on Instagram @thefarrowfirm and by email [email protected]

Crystal Jovanna. Ferguson is a serial entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, and narrative strategist dedicated to helping people and organizations reclaim their power and build legacy-driven lives. She is the founder of Loving You Into Freedom, a national nonprofit supporting justice-impacted families, and the CEO of Elegant Chauffeurs, a luxury transportation company redefining hospitality and safety. With a background in behavioral science and public administration, Crystal has raised millions in funding, advised founders and institutions, and built platforms that bridge emotional healing, economic empowerment, and cultural transformation. She is also an author, speaker, and creator focused on helping others turn their lived experiences into leadership, influence, and generational impact. Her work sits at the intersection of faith, strategy, and freedom—guiding people not just to succeed, but to become. Follow Crystal Ferguson on Instagram @chryssieJ @elegantchauffersllc @createdtoinspire_ @lovingyouintofreedom Website: https://elegantchauffeursllc.com/ https://www.lovingyouintofreedom.com/ https://www.createdtoinspire.org/ https://lyifsupport.com/ #lovingyouintofreedom #justiceimpactedfamilies #thenewjimcrow

Erica Fraser is a writer and communications professional from the Bronx. You can find her writing on her sub stack, “On Being Seen Trying” where she shares notes on what it looks like to try, fail and succeed in real time. #posttraumaticslavesyndrome #drjoydegruy #joydegruy #bellhooks

Dr. Cherry-Ann Joseph-Hislop, Ed.D. is the Director of Special Education for Brooklyn North, where she provides strategic, district-level leadership to advance equitable, high-quality services for students with disabilities across a diverse portfolio of schools. A nationally recognized educational leader, international educator, and consultant, Dr. Hislop brings more than 20 years of experience in urban public education, with deep expertise in systems leadership, instructional improvement, compliance, and large-scale organizational change. Dr. Hislop earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago, a Master’s Degree in Special and Inclusive Education from the University of Sheffield in England, and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Andrews University in Michigan. Her professional preparation includes advanced training in literacy education, therapeutic crisis intervention, emotionally intelligent schools, and school turnaround leadership through institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Cornell University. She holds New York State certifications as a School District Leader, School Building Leader, and Special Education Teacher, and is a trained Behavior Analyst. Throughout her career, Dr. Hislop has served in leadership roles across K–12 systems, including Principal, Assistant Principal, Staff Developer, and Special Education Master Teacher. She is widely regarded for leading successful school transformation efforts, strengthening instructional coherence, and building leadership capacity among educators. Her leadership has resulted in measurable gains in student achievement, strengthened compliance and service delivery, and the successful removal of schools from state accountability designations. Dr. Hislop’s scholarship and professional work center on special education systems, equity, and improved outcomes for students with disabilities. She has designed and led innovative transition initiatives, forged cross-agency partnerships to expand workforce opportunities for students with disabilities, and advanced inclusive practices that have produced historic academic gains for students with complex learning needs. She is the author of Beyond the Bell: A Guide for Parents and Educators to Raise Neurodiverse Children with Confidence, a practical, research-informed resource that equips families and educators with strategies to foster meaningful, long-term success for neurodiverse learners. In addition to her district leadership, Dr. Hislop is a frequent presenter at professional conferences and educational forums, facilitating learning on school turnaround initiatives, data-driven instruction, leadership development, and special education compliance. Her work is grounded in a steadfast commitment to equity, accountability, and excellence for all students, particularly those with disabilities. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including citations from the New York State Senate, New York State Assembly, the Borough President of Brooklyn, and the Office of Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, as well as the Women of Distinction Award. Dr. Hislop is married to Linden Hislop, an Assistant Principal in the New York City Public Schools. Together, they are the proud parents of two daughters: Cheryssa Hislop, a third-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, and Lynessa Hislop, a fourth-year psychology and marketing major at Oakwood University. In addition to her work in education, Dr. Hislop is a professionally trained singer and recording gospel artist who performs for audiences around the world during her spare time. Please Follow Dr. Hislop on Instagram @cherryannjosephhislop and on Facebook : Cherry Ann Joseph Hislop

Cindy-Lee Dorcely is the President of the NAACP Middletown Branch, serving with humility, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice. First and foremost, she is a child of God, guided by faith and a calling to brighten her corner of the world through education, advocacy, and service. Born in Jamaica and now a proud naturalized citizen of the United States, Cindy-Lee brings a deeply personal understanding of both the promise of this nation and the responsibility required to protect its ideals. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, where she earned a degree in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law and a minor in African American Studies—an academic foundation that continues to inform her civil rights leadership. A lifelong member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Cindy-Lee has served in nearly every area of church leadership, with the majority of her work devoted to youth ministry through Sabbath School, Adventurers, Pathfinders, and Adventist Youth Society (AYS). Through this service, she has built deep, lasting relationships rooted in love, guidance, and connection—becoming a trusted resource and lifelong mentor to many of the young people she has served. Professionally, Cindy-Lee has been a Paralegal for 25 years, working in various areas of law, with a specialization in real estate, which she continues today as an independent contractor. She is also a licensed New York State Realtor of nearly seven years. In that capacity, she has served on the Agent Leadership Council for three consecutive years and has chaired committees including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Agent Advocacy, and Finance. She also coordinates the Keller Williams Black Real Estate Network across three offices, advancing education, advocacy, and support for Black realtors and the broader community. In 2025, Cindy-Lee began her NAACP service as First Vice President and ascended to the role of President when the position was unexpectedly vacated. She steps into this role with reverence and resolve, trusting God for wisdom and discernment in such a time as this—when civil rights are under threat and Dr. King’s dream remains unfinished. Cindy-Lee is a wife of nearly 21 years and the mother of a 19-year-old college student. As the wife of a Black man and the mother of a Black son, she carries an intimate awareness of the daily vigilance required of Black families. This lived experience fuels her unwavering commitment to crafting a safer, more just future for Black women, men, and children. Follow Cindy-Lee Dorcely on Instagram @dorcelyrealestate

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Sacha is a curious and creative thinker with a passion for exploring how people make meaning and express post-colonial identities in Caribbean culture. Her educational journey—an MLIS from Rutgers University, a degree in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a B.A. (Hons.) in History and Archaeology from the University of the West Indies, Mona—reflects her deep interest in human stories and cultural expression. Sacha loves to travel and is a budding textile design enthusiast, finding inspiration in patterns and traditions from around the world. She also enjoys listening to gospel music and escaping into the world of fiction. Dedicated to lifelong learning, she brings creativity and curiosity to everything she does, from connecting with new ideas to enriching the lives of her two teenage children.

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Sacha is a curious and creative thinker with a passion for exploring how people make meaning and express post-colonial identities in Caribbean culture. Her educational journey—an MLIS from Rutgers University, a degree in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a B.A. (Hons.) in History and Archaeology from the University of the West Indies, Mona—reflects her deep interest in human stories and cultural expression. Sacha loves to travel and is a budding textile design enthusiast, finding inspiration in patterns and traditions from around the world. She also enjoys listening to gospel music and escaping into the world of fiction. Dedicated to lifelong learning, she brings creativity and curiosity to everything she does, from connecting with new ideas to enriching the lives of her two teenage children.

Dr. Tiffany Llewellyn is a highly trained licensed clinical social worker, passionate speaker, transformative consultant. Dr. Llewellyn is the Owner & Clinical Director at Llewellyn Wellness and Consulting, LLC. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from Medgar Evers College, Master Of Science in Social Work (MSW) at Hunter College, with a specialization in Children, Youth and Families and a Doctor of Social Work degree (DSW) at the University of Southern California with a specialization in Achieving Equal Justice and Opportunity. Her research focused on Policing, Racial Trauma and Black Mental Health. Dr. Llewellyn has extensive experience in mental healthcare, working with juvenile offenders in the community, children and adolescent with severe psychiatric disorders, public school system, medical social work, and within higher education. She previously created the Community Neighborhood Engagement Team (CNET)at the Yale Child Study Center, and was awarded the Viola Barnard Social Impact Prize to improve community relationships, train local schools administrators on managing behavioral challenges in the classroom, and create innovative mental health interventions for students of color. Dr. Llewellyn is deeply moved by engaging community work on the ground, partnering with leaders, residents, and community stakeholders to advocate for a quality of life that all humans deserve. She believes that proximity to society's most vulnerable to the best teacher, and values time spent working directly with individuals, families, and communities. As a trainer, Dr. Llewellyn enjoys partnering with institutions on challenging topics of racial trauma, structural oppression, inclusion and equity, and racially competent mental health interventions. For Dr. Llew, centering one's racial and social identity is a critical component of conceptualizing clinical treatment and she values the opportunity to work with emerging clinicians on bringing race into the therapeutic room. Foundational to her work is supporting individuals and organizations in restoring legacies through social and cultural change. Dr. Llewellyn is incredibly passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health in communities of color and religious institutions, and can often be found speaking on mental health, racial trauma, social justice, or community engagement for various universities, institutions, churches, and organizations. She is the President and Founder of the faith based nonprofit organization, Adventists for Social Justice, a movement focused on developing faith based churches for activism in marginalized communities. Website : https://tlwellness.org/index.html#/

After graduating from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Rashida S. Vassell, MD completed General Surgery training at the University of Vermont Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident in her final year. Dr. Vassell, during her research year at UVM, obtained graduate certification in Clinical and Translational Science. Dr. Vassell is double Board-Certified in Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine, and Anti-aging Medicine. Dr. Vassell spent years honing her clinical skills as a Medical Director at the teaching institution, Montefiore Mount Vernon, in Westchester County, NY; followed by Guthrie Corning Hospital. During her tenure at Corning she served on multiple committees, including the Credentialing Committee. Dr. Vassell served as a Trustee on the Chemung Valley Montessori School Board. True to her desire to help people and love of life-long learning, Dr. Vassell founded the integrative, cutaneous surgery and medical aesthetics practice, Safahla Medical PLLC, in Corning, NY. With over 15 years of clinical experience, and as a breast cancer survivor, Dr. Vassell’s approach to integrative medicine incorporates evidence-based clinical judgment, an appreciation for wellness, and shared decision-making. The practice of Medicine is ever-evolving, requiring ongoing education and research. When not doing so, Dr. Vassell enjoys traveling with her husband and two daughters. Website : https://www.safahlamedical.com

Bridgette M. Bennett (aka the "Reggae Visa Lawyer") founded the Bennett Law Center in 2011 in Groveland, Florida focusing exclusively on Immigration & Nationality Law, with an emphasis on removal defense, waivers, and family, humanitarian and business immigration cases. She received a Juris Doctor from Barry University and was admitted into the Florida Bar in November 2011; she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Government from Georgetown University in 2000. Bridgette began her career as a Judicial Intern with the Orlando Immigration Court. Bridgette currently serves as the Chapter Chair of the AILA Central Florida Chapter. She formerly served as the Chapter’s Educational Vice Chair as well as the chapter's liaison with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Office of Chief Counsel. On a national level, she currently serves on AILA National’s Board of Governors. Bridgette manages a staff of 4 Attorneys, 8 Paralegals and 8 Administrative team members. She is a serial entrepreneur, a foodie, and an adventurer, who loves to travel the world! #reggaevisalawyer

This episode is an important milestone for a number of reasons: It is Episode 100 and the final episode of season 2. I am also joined by my good friends Shane Brown, JD who is a practicing attorney and Jaevon Boxhill, JD who after serving in various capacities in public service for the city of Mt. Vernon declared earlier this year like I did that he was running on the Democratic Party Line for City Council. We discuss our respective journeys, the challenges and triumphs of running as a candidate in the hopes that listeners and viewers will be inspired to Run For Something. Follow us on Instagram: ​@whatawordpodcast @ryansharpeforpok @j_boxx_ @shanieb_mt. On Facebook Jaevon Boxhill for City Council ; Ryan Sharpe for Town of Poughkeepsie Town Board. Resources mentioned https://runforsomething.net/ #runforsomething #localelections #localelectionsmatter #councilman #citycouncil #towncouncil #campaign

Duane M. Harley, Esq. is an entertainment attorney specializing in contract transactions. Duane Harley graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, CT in 1999. While attending law school Mr. Harley became the President of the Black Law Student Association for two (2) consecutive years. Under his leadership he helped provide mentorship to local youth within the community and began strengthening relationships between the Black student body and the university’s faculty and administration. In addition, during his final year attending law school he became the research assistant for his professor Marilyn Ford, Esq. who at the time represented superstar rap artist Keith Murray in an appeal from a criminal conviction. The efforts to overturn Murray’s conviction was successful. Upon graduating Law School, Mr. Harley was hired by a boutique entertainment law firm located in Manhattan New York called Woods & Middleton, LLP. During his tenure Mr. Harley quickly became extremely knowledgeable of all types of entertainment contracts such as producer agreements, artist agreements, publishing agreements, and licensing agreements. In 2002 Duane left Woods & Middleton, LLP to become the Founder of D. Harley, PC and have been providing conscientious legal representation exclusively to recording artists, music producers songwriters actors, singers, publishers and artist managers exclusively in the entertainment business. Such representation includes matters regarding copyright, trademark prosecution, right of publicity, music distribution, music recording, and music licensing. The types of client representation includes reality television personalities, corporate executives, independent record labels, record production companies, film production companies, recording artists, record producers, managers, screenwriters, musicians and publishers. Mr. Harley is licensed to practice law in the state of New York and New Jersey and is a member of National Bar Association, Black Entertainment and Sports Law Association and the New York City Bar Association. Contact Duane using his website: https://www.d-harley-pc.com. Follow on Instagram @dlegal77 or call (212) 683-8464 #entertainmentlawyer #entertainmentlaw #knowyourworth #blacklawyer #musicbusinesstips #publishing #licensing #royalties #lawstudentlife #investinyourself

Keith Brown is a native of Jamaica. He is a product of the SDA church, and a testament to the power of God to change lives. He is a graduate of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville Manchester Jamaica, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Theology. He recently completed the Master of Divinity MDiv at the Andrews University Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs Michigan. He also successfully completed Five units of ACPE, Inc. accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at the AdventHealth CPE center in Orlando Florida. He is currently a part of the Pastoral Care team at the AdventHealth Kissimmee Hospital, where he provides pastoral, spiritual, and emotional support for the hospital staff, patients, and their families. Keith is currently perusing the Doctor of Ministry degree DMin. Keith lives by proverbs 13:20 that says, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companionship of fools shall be destroyed.” Keith’s ultimate goal is to make heaven His home, to pour into the lives of both the young and the young at heart, see them enjoying their Christian experience, and watch as they do great exploits for the Lord. Contact Keith at [email protected] and +1 (863) 399-5491 #jameshill #ncu #beautyintheunknown #journey

Attorney Sharline S. Green’s estate planning practice offers targeted solutions to individuals and families, planning their lives and securing their futures. She specializes in guiding her clients with compassion and respect, honoring the uniqueness in each person, while providing them with the critical information needed to make the financial and legal decisions necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones, accomplish their desired goals, and leave a legacy for the next generation. Whatever your story, Sharline will help you capture it and preserve it. Sharline received her Juris Doctorate degree from Emory University School of Law in 2002. She also received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Economy, cum laude, from Andrews University. Prior to starting her first law practice in 2004, The Law Office of Green & Associates, P.C., Sharline worked for two Metro Atlanta law firms, Dewrell Sacks, LLC and Burroughs & Keene, LLC. She was also a law clerk at the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2001 to 2002, where she researched and analyzed, various issues associated with death row inmates, and prisoner’s rights. In June, 2014, Sharline was the featured Attorney for the Attorney's Corner in the Atlanta Tribune Magazine, titled “Sharline Green, Esq. Real Estate Lawyer Protects Families and Children.” Her decision to focus on the Elder Law, Trusts, and Estate Planning practice area is based on this desire to protect families and children by securing their futures through guided planning. Website : http://www.sgreenpclaw.com. Follow Sharline on Instagram @sgreenpclaw LinkedIn Sharline S. Green, Esq ; Facebook Sharline Saunders Green #estateplanning #lawschooladvice #lawyerlife #estate_planning #inspirational