Accelerate Access

033 - Individuality with Victoria Bofill

Victoria Bofill [https://www.nyahproject.org/podcast/033-victoria-bofill], 2022 Nyah Fellow and University of Florida Gator, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss Hispanic representation and storytelling in film and theatre, being a twin, and her passion for educational equity, which stems from her experience with Breakthrough Miami. Also find out how she won over $1 million in scholarships to attend college debt-free and her advice for overcoming self-doubt, plus more! "Don't let big opportunities scare you away from applying to them. Just apply…and be yourself." - Victoria Bofill They also discuss: * Becoming comfortable as a unique individual, especially with a twin sister * Her dream for financial stability * Her passion for individual storytelling  * How her childhood helped her with adaptability and being such a good packer * How interviewing for Nyah Project helped her get out of her comfort zone * Her first impressions of Ghana and pulling her first all-nighter in country * Learning about her superpower (analytical)  * Her college application experience and support from peers and coaches * Why she admires Richard Branson and his efforts to promote dyslexia awareness  * Her advice to seize opportunities and avoid comparisons * Finding joy in exploring different activities, such as sports and film

032 - Freedom with Juasline Plasencia

Juasline Plasencia⁠ [http://www.nyahproject.org/podcast/032-juasline-plasencia], 2019 Nyah Fellow and first generation college graduate from Hamilton College, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss everything from transitioning to adulthood, to her most memorable moments from her Nyah Project fellowship to Ghana, to uplifting indigenous communities. Also find out how she became a Posse Scholar to help pay for college and what it’s like for her to be an art teacher at her alma mater, Southridge Senior High School! "We truly do have the ability to create the lives that we want as long as we take advantage of the resources that are available to us." - Juasline Plasencia They also chat about: * Creating spaces for growth, belonging, and peace  * Her core values, from mindfulness to automy, empathy to peace * Being the youngest of six siblings and growing up in New Jersey with a single mother * Mental health in a Caribbean migrant family * Understanding hidden racism and microaggressions * How Nyah Project changed the trajectory of her life * Why Ghana reminded her of her ancestral home, the Dominican Republic * Her love for experiential learning and traveling * Why we should respect indigenous communities and lands to mitigate the negative impacts of modern society

031 - Home with Heavyn Lee

Heavyn Lee [http://www.nyahproject.org/podcast/031-heavyn-lee], 2019 Nyah Fellow and Harvard University student, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss her passion for home building and interior design, her aspirations to study law to help those traditionally disadvantaged by the legal system, and . Also, find out how her reflective experiences in Bali as part of her Nyah Project Fellowship and Access coaching helped her win the prestigious Gates Scholarship to attend Harvard! "It's a very eye-opening thing to realize as a child that the resources that you need to succeed are not in your community." - Heavyn Lee They also discuss: * Ideas of perfection and vulnerability * Learning to ask for help * Moving frequently in pursuit of better educational opportunities * Family dynamics and being raised primarily by women * The idea of “home” and its impact on one’s sense of belonging * Her Nyah Project fellowship to Bali, Indonesia and the significance of community building * Learning time management and prioritization during the college application process * How she got accepted into top universities, like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia

030 - Diving Into Access Online: A Mini Episode

In this bonus episode of Accelerate Access: The Podcast, Leigh-Ann Buchanan turns it over to several Nyah Fellows to share a little bit more about Access Online [http://accessonline.nyahproject.org] – why we need it, how it works, and why you should use it, too. The tips and information in the college coaching platform have helped students win over $30 million in scholarships.

029 - Building Bridges with James Brown-Urmeneta

James Brown-Urmeneta [https://www.nyahproject.org/podcast/029-james-brown-urmeneta], 2023 Nyah Fellow and Questbridge Scholar at Boston College, sits down with Leigh-Ann to discuss his journey from doubt to confidence as key to his success and being limitless, his first international travel experience for his Nyah Project Fellowship to Morocco, and the power of vulnerability in building relationships. Also find out why he admires LeBron James’ as a leader and cares about solving world hunger, plus more! "People deserve to be able to have access to food and water. It's a basic need, and I think it's something that should be fulfilled for everyone, whether or not they're able to afford it." - James Brown-Urmeneta They also chat about: * Where he finds peace in the city * Taking risks and overcoming challenges * Developing a mindset of abundance and re-framing his relationship with money * Taking on the role of translator in his family and navigating his father’s absence at a young age * Being a Teaching Fellow for Breakthrough Miami * Navigating roadblocks while choosing to go after opportunities for himself * The selection process to becoming a Nyah Project Fellow * How Access Online and Access Coaching helped him write a winning personal statement * Cross-cultural connections and exploring the markets in Morocco * Effective leadership  * Sharing lived experiences to create more empathy and awareness * Being more open to people and opportunities