The Discussion Room

Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl: Shenise McKnight-Wigfall

Shenise McKnight-Wigall is a Howard University Class of 2012 Alumna, leaving out her dreams despite the hurdles life laid in her path. She opens up about the health scare that caused her to miss out on the May 2012 commencement ceremony, the advantages of coming to campus with a job as a Freshman, and the healing powers of motherhood. She shares her ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis, and how it led to her making healthier food choices for herself and her family. How in the face of stress she's learning to still be ambitious while finding a balance for health and wellness. "Shenise McKnight Always Represents the People" was the basis behind her first business endeavor S.M.A.R.T. People PR firm. We get to learn how the combination of leveraging her job in local politics and her opportunities as volunteer, of the Howard University Homecoming Committee, helped develop the relationships to make that business possible. She mentioned how the experience of being a Homecoming volunteer helped her see the event as more than a celebration, but as a vehicle to make the connections to the people she would like to represent at her PR firm. That one year of volunteering, led her to spearheading the Celebrity Basketball game the following year and being chair of the whole mutli-million dollar production her senior year, raising record-breaking funds at that time. It wasn't her first time producing a big budget event in the city. Her resume positioned her as the best candidate for the job. She had already put together the Inaugural concert for the DC Children's Education Fund. Her work with the city, on campus and with her PR firm was so impressive, her mom had to convince her on more than one occasion to stay in school and get the degree to fall back on if ever any of her employers were no longer in position to employ her. I just want to say, Momma's discernment is on point! This phenomenal Howard Woman, was ambitious early on! She announced at 7years old that she was going to attend Howard University, put the poster up and never took it down, despite offers from Stanford and UCLA being on the table. She currently works at Google, a company that when looking back at her Senior Project indications of where she saw herself 10, 15 or 20 years later, she knew she would be. Tune in for all the gems she dropped about her experience and extending opportunities to others.

Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl: Ashley Mooring Pt 2

On today's episode of Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl, Ms. Reid continues her conversation with Howard University Political Science graduate Ashley Mooring, The conversation picks up with Ashley sharing her need to find a different off-campus housing solution, and how a classmate in her French class presented the perfect solution. They go on to discuss how people who don't even know you, extend themselves and their resources in moments of need, converting them to life long friends. Ashley discusses the unwavering support of her family and their push for her to pursue her dreams even as those dreams shape shift. What things learned at home, should and could be taught at the university level for better context. And how the desire for reciprocity keeps us willfully indebted to our grandparents, while also leaning on our discernment to disavow us from being drained in service like those who've come before us. They briefly touch on Ashley's time with the Howard Gospel Choir and the opportunities it afforded her, as well as the ones she had to turn down. Ultimately, Ashley Mooring had one piece of advice for Howard Girls, Women, & Men alike "Take the Risk & Trust Your gifts." tune in to see exactly what that means. Music on this episode, and all episodes of the pod within a pod, Ain't Nothing Like a Howard Girl, features the track of the same name from a Mixtape titled The Freshmen 15 produced by Ryan McCaulsky. Voices on the track include, Jerez Giles, Anthony Henry and Robert James. The track samples Shawty Swing My Way by K.P. & Envyi

Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl: Ashley Mooring pt 1

On Today's episode of Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl, Ms. Reid asks one of her Howard friends, Ashley Mooring, to share their Howard journey. In this first of a 2 part episode Ashley starts by sharing why her diploma reflects a different year than when she actually graduated and walked in the commencement ceremony. She shares how she came on campus having to advocate for herself from the very beginning when her department wouldn't accept all of her IB credits she earned in high school. Mooring goes on to share how her connections on campus introduced her to a study abroad opportunity with the ICCAE short for Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence, what that experience was like and her fight to get the credits she earned applied upon her return. Ms. Reid asked about dating on campus and Ashley shared what it was like compared to high school as well as dating now in their thirties, she gave a glimpse of insight into the creativity that came along with dating on a college student's budget. Their conversation makes it's way to Howard's continued housing concerns and Ms. Mooring shares the scenario that led her to seek off campus housing as a sophomore student which leads into next week's episode.

Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl: Kristen Woods Broughton

Today on Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl, Ms. Reid speaks with fellow class of 2012 Alumna Kristen Woods Broughton. She shares what occurences in her life during her matriculation at Howard changed the trajectory of the life she lives today. She opens up about the family she comes from, the family she's building and her personal impact on Atlanta schools, like improving literacy levels by 20% in her school before being invited to work at the district level. Kristen Woods Broughton is a proud graduate of Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Secondary Education in 2012. A dedicated advocate for public school education, Kristen currently serves as a Secondary Literacy Specialist for Atlanta Public Schools, supporting students and teachers in elevating literacy across the district. Since her graduation from Howard, she has furthered her expertise with a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction and has over 12 years of experience in education, with a focus on empowering minority students in urban environments. While at Howard, Kristen served as co-chair and chair of Res-Fest, a campus initiative promoting unity and pride among dormitory residents. She also began her career in education by mentoring students in the DC area and gaining hands-on experience as a student-teacher at Cardoza High School. Kristen lives in Atlanta with her husband and their two daughters, who inspire her continued commitment to education and community. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and dinner dates. Affectionately calling herself the “baby of an HBCU family,” Kristen comes from a line of HBCU graduates and loves to periodically return to “The Mecca” to reconnect with her heritage and foundational values.

Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl: Victoria Iworah Stokes

In today's episode of Ain't Nothing Like A Howard Girl, Howard University School of Business Graduate Victoria Iworah Stokes talks about what it's like to leave the University without the coveted "Big Girl Job" we come in expecting to obtain. She talks about her motivation to leave South Carolina for Washington DC as a teen, and what that experience was like in the long run. Victoria shares what it is like to land that corporate job, maintain it, while also running a business, nurturing a marriage and raising one child soon to be two children. We discuss how not knowing what you don't know & the naivete of youth will have you blocked from opportunities at a company you think can provide the experience you need all because in youthful assumption, you already committed to a company that ultimately did not have longevity in today's climate. Also be sure to support her business Sugarberry Gifting Co. [https://sugarberrygiftingco.com/] this holiday season.