A-Y: The Process

Episode 6: Friend...or Foe?

Love and light; our sixth episode welcomes founder of SwapDC, Zsameria Rayford.   Zsameria Rayford is the creator of SwapDC [http://www.swapdc.com/], a Washington, DC based company aimed to bring awareness to the consequences of consumerism on our environment and culture. With experiences that range from organizing community-building events to producing virtual conferences to full time creative (creative director / stylist / DJ/ healer), Zsameria is passionate about creatively promoting recycling and cultivating community engagement by way of up-cycled fashion. Known for her unique style approach, this DC native uses her eclectic background and years in the fashion industry to be the driving force to empower and influence progression in her community. She utilizes her skills as both a strategic community influencer and event organizer to secure and host some of the most influential events in the metro area. Most recently, SwapDC launched a youth initiative program to educate students on ways to recycle and upcylce clothing, to help with textile waste. Partnering with other second-hand enthusiasts and organizations, this program creatively brings awareness to environmental justice, social justice and sustainability for a better future for all.  In addition, and amidst the global pandemic, she curated "The Revival 2021", a virtual cultural space that highlighted local creatives and a marketplace to help financially support individual artists.  Currently, Zsameria continues to pave the way to create and empower environmental sustainability while building environmental literacy. Our discourse will be authentic, raw, and spell-bounding as we engage in discussion regarding the specific steps that should be taken, to reach your professional goals, while maintaining (or adapting) within personal relationships. From conception to inception, this episode challenges the concept of “overnight success,” while heralding the result of hard work, dedication, and astute self-promotion. From building a unique business from the ground up, to maintaining relevance in an ever-evolving social economy; everyone has a story to tell. Let’s hear that of this ultimate entrepreneur and queen: Zsameria Rayford.

Episode 5: Each One, Teach One

Episode 5 of A-Y: The Process offers our viewers an opportunity to view life through the lens of children, specifically, the youth participants of Red Sprinkle Fashion Bootcamp.  As spirited guests, the youth participants discuss everything from relationships, to gun violence, to even fashion!

Entering Slumberland...

This episode gives a full scope on entrepreneur, Madiana Margao, as she provides a raw discourse of her real-life eponymous moments, which ultimately served to shape her career.  From a near-death experience, to a traumatic sexual assault; this dynamic woman proves that although one may face adversity, they must never succumb to its weight.

Episode 4: Drink the Milk, to Eat the Meat...

Love and light; our fourth episode welcomes consummate entertainer, disc jockey, blogger, and fashion professional, DJ Franky J, who has taken the worlds of music and entertainment by storm. Our discourse will be authentic, raw, and spell-bounding as we engage in discussion regarding the specific steps that should be taken, to reach your professional goals.  From conception to inception, this episode challenges the concept of “overnight success,” while heralding the result of hard work, dedication, and astute self-promotion. From building a unique business from the ground up, to maintaining relevance in an ever-evolving social economy; everyone has a story to tell.  Let’s hear that of this ultimate music aficionado and queen: DJ Franky J.

Episode 3: Catalytic Calamity

Love and light; our third episode welcomes consummate fashion designer, digital creator, and creative professional, Shantae Flowers, who has taken the worlds of fashion and entertainment by storm.   Our discourse will be authentic, raw, and spell-bounding as we confront the challenge that plaques us all: what happens when confronted with a catalytic calamity—a precipitous event that caused sudden damage?  Does one break, fold, or persist on?   From combating the unspoken narrative that “mothers” must present a disparate nature to command respect in the world of fashion, to maintaining relevance in an ever-evolving social economy; everyone has a story to tell.  Let’s hear that of this ultimate creative aficionado and queen: Shantae Flowers.