December 26er Podcast

Equity-focused strategist, and Chief of Staff within the NY State Assembly, Mariely Moronta-Sanchez discusses growing up in the pentecostal faith, getting pregnant and becoming a wife at age 16, completing her Bachelor's degree as a mom of three, and remaining deeply committed to community advocacy throughout her professional career.

Google Product Manager and Founder of PM While Black, Kayiita Johnson discusses setting his sights on an engineering career at a very young age, broadening his professional interests and obtaining his MBA form Stanford, and creating a platform to help make product management careers more accessible to the Black community.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss making life changes during quarantine and reimagining their 2020 philanthropic goals.

Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion at Andrews University, Michael Nixon discusses experiencing racism at the hands of a clergy member as a college freshman and redefining his Christian faith as a result, using a volunteer opportunity as a launching pad for his legal career, and returning to his alma mater to oversee its equity and diversity vision.

Community-based scholar and advocate, Talib Hudson discusses growing up in Harlem as the son of revolutionaries, developing a support system during his undergraduate studies at The George Washington University, and building his career at the Manhattan D.A.'s office and National Network for Safe Communities.

Meditation practitioner, business coach and co-founder of Zencation Retreats, Colbert Saint-Laurent discusses getting his entrepreneurial start as a party promoter, shifting his focus to real estate after the Great Recession, and now helping clients tap into their highest potential and align with their purpose.

Tyrell and Daphne, co-hosts of the Black & Highly Dangerous podcast, join Damarcus and Delisha to discuss their feelings about the current reckoning with policy brutality, how they cope with the violent imagery constantly circulating online, and strategies for bringing greater attention to Black women in the movement.

Licensed and Board Certified psychologist, Dr. Gimel Rogers discusses her experience working with survivors of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, how historical trauma impacts our ideology and identity, and strategies for maintaining our peace in the midst of current events.

TV studio executive, Emmy award-winning producer, and Founder and CEO of Faith Filmworks, Michael Swanson discusses leaving his first job in television to launch his own entertainment production company alongside his wife, finding success as both an independent filmmaker and Senior Vice President at NBCUniversal, and maintaining his faith and integrity at every phase of his career.

Insurance & Financial Services professional, Rey Polanco discusses turning a three-and-a-half year wait for his first job opportunity at State Farm into a 24-year tenure with the company, owning a State Farm office ranked in the top 5% nationwide, and leveraging insurance as a vehicle for wealth creation.

Attorney, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network, Felix Chevalier discusses building his law practice from the ground up, pivoting from a perceived loss to a major career opportunity, and raising $1.4 million for UCN's initial syndicated investment.

Storyteller, award-winning filmmaker, and director of the record-breaking biopic, "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel," Christine Swanson discusses how her Detroit upbringing and cultural influences manifest in her work, how taking time off to raise her children impacted her career, and why she strives for excellence even in the face of mediocrity.

Host, Delisha and Producer, Damarcus discuss recent headlines regarding COVID-19, how they've been keeping themselves sane and entertained during quarantine, and how 26ers can effectively navigate this time of uncertainty.

Veteran journalist, Jerry L. Barrow discusses getting his start by taking unpaid writing assignments while working as a teacher, building his full-time writing and editing career at such outlets as The Source, Scratch, Interactive One and BET Digital, and preparing for his next chapter in the midst of economic uncertainty.

DJ DiBiase AKA "the Million Dollar DJ" discusses honing his skills at a young age, growing his career from college parties to large festivals and international tours, and expanding his brand beyond music.

Independent documentary filmmaker, writer, producer and Executive Director of the Coleman Alexander Young II Educational Foundation, Curtis Scoon, discusses spending his formative years in Hollis, Queens, breaking into media and entertainment, and channeling his personal and professional experiences to empower youth.

Medicine and tech enthusiast, Jerrick Warren discusses getting a second chance at medical school, suffering unimaginable loss while pursuing his M.D., and pivoting to an engineering career in blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss how they're handling the pandemic, why they're glad they followed their gut, and their plans for continuing the show while the country is on lockdown.

Doctor of Physical Therapy and Photographer, Jey.Ahr discusses acing his PT school interview after arriving 30 minutes late, making a strategic decision to start his career outside of a metropolitan area, and carving his own lane in what he calls a Black Renaissance for creatives.

Owner of Yellow Block Bed and Breakfast, Gordon Jackson discusses serving as the driving force behind the success of a premier short-stay brownstone in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, growing its popularity through a feature on Netflix, and developing his second property in Washington, D.C.