The Mentors Circle

Dear Black Girl - a love letter to us

Tamara is back with her latest book, Dear Black Girl -- a collection of essays and stories that serve as a loving reminder of both our tenderness and power. In this episode, Tamara tells us: * How she built her career as a writer, the building blocks to getting traction in your work * How her first book was born out of frustration from hearing how people talk about Black women as something to be “fixed”. * The path towards finding our own voice and defining our own narrative; never allowing others to tell our story for us. * What it’s like to choosing ourselves again and again in the face of adversity * Her new book; Dear Black Girl -- a collection of stories and positive mantras, shared experiences that amplify and uplift. * Undoing misogynistic teachings and the importance of finding rest and refuge to heal your heart and restore your spirit Join us for this episode as we unpack the unique experiences of Black womanhood as it relates to pulling apart negative biases, breakthrough through internal barriers and how despite all this we continue to thrive in the world. Pick up a copy (or two, or three!) of Tamara’s new book, Dear Black Girl everywhere books are sold! Learn more about Tamara Winfrey Harris visit her site [https://www.tamarawinfreyharris.com/] and @whattamisaid on Twitter [https://twitter.com/whattamisaid]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/TamaraWinfreyHarris/].

Breaking Down (Prison) Walls - The Incarceration of Black Women and the Journey to Reclaiming Our Voice, Our Story, & Our Humanity

“No matter what has been done to you or what you’ve endured you have the power to change everything around you. You are not the worst thing that has ever happened to you. ” - Donna Hylton Today on the pod, I am in conversation with Donna Hylton, women’s rights activist, criminal justice reform advocate, speaker at the 2017 Women’s March and author of A Little Piece of Light. Donna is an outspoken advocate on prison reform, recidivism and gender inequality in America's jail systems. She’s led an incredible path of personal triumph and transformation amidst extreme hardship and pain. As a repeated rape survivor and formerly incarcerated Black woman, Donna has become an incredible leader, voice and advocate for change and bringing an end to violence against women. In this episode, Donna shares: * Her story of being trafficked as a child and the events that followed including being convicted at age 20 and incarcerated for 28 years * The mistreatment of Black women that contributes to shame, secrecy and a damaging internal narrative of self worth and value * The factors that contribute to the rise of Black women in the prison system * The path towards changing the narrative and taking back our power as Black women * Being a steward and voice for change in our communities I am extremely honored to bring Donna’s story to light.  This episode contains content pertaining to sexual violence that may be triggering and what you hear might feel personally challenging or difficult to sit with. My intention for this episode is to illuminate the stories that oftentimes go unheard, challenge our assumptions, and positively expand your worldview.

From Paycheck to Paycheck to Building Real Wealth: Stuff They Never Taught You About Real Estate Wealth

Are you throwing away your hard earned money or building wealth for the long term? Today, we’re in conversation with Kendra Barnes, Founder and CEO at The Key Resource. Kendra is one of the market's top real estate entrepreneurs who built her business from scratch to now bringing in six figures per year through real estate income alone. What started off as a friendly board game at home turned into a burning desire to acquire and build wealth. Kendra learned how to make her money work by teaching herself the real estate market and investing.  In this episode you’ll hear: * Kendra tells us about the renting verses owning. * How to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. * How by leaving money in a savings account, you’re actually losing money * How to bet on yourself and take (smart) risks with your money. * 5 steps you can take TODAY to get started in real estate Also in this episode, I asked Kendra about her legacy. As a mama, entrepreneur and wife, building wealth is not just about the money but being able to teach her daughter how to empower herself and be whatever she wants to be without limitations. You don’t want to miss this episode. Grab your favorite glass of wine and join us for this super inspiring conversation! ----------------- Are you on a mission to build your dreams? Click over to join us at The Mentors Circle [http://www.shewentforherdreams.com/the-mentors-circle] -- the career and business mentoring platform for women of color. Get matched to a mentor to build your dreams in 2020. Applications are open! https://forms.gle/qN3dT9XGqm2CDDAo6 [https://forms.gle/qN3dT9XGqm2CDDAo6]

The Joy (& Pain) for Black and Brown Moms with Sarika Jain & Jezebel Paulino-McFadden

We’re in conversation with two of my dear friends Sarika Jain and Jezebel Paulino-McFadden who are telling their journeys of motherhood. As women in business, oftentimes it’s hard to choose between your career and becoming a parent. Sarika and Jezebel talk to us about their process of embracing motherhood and the literal role of birthing the next generation of human beings. Socially, there is a blatant disregard for the value of moms, especially black and brown moms who are disproportionately impacted by maternal health. All of which leads to anguish, sickness, harm and death. “When I think of motherhood, I think ‘labor of love’. And that’s something we as a society have to value. We cannot expect our economic system to value that, I think that we as individuals have to start waking up to that. To make love work, requires a labor of love.” In this episode, Sarika & Jezebel share their lessons learned in: * Choosing motherhood over ambition of growing your career * Grappling with your identity as a mom and partner while still staying true to your own passions and interests. * Challenging gender norms and social expectations of motherhood * The lack of support of basic needs for mothers within this country compared to other countries Join us for this candid conversation. Grab your favorite glass of wine and join us for this super inspiring conversation! Are you on a mission to build your dreams? Click over to join us at The Mentors Circle [http://www.shewentforherdreams.com/the-mentors-circle] -- the career and business mentoring platform for women of color. Get matched to a mentor to build your dreams in 2020. Applications are open! https://forms.gle/qN3dT9XGqm2CDDAo6 [https://forms.gle/qN3dT9XGqm2CDDAo6]

Redefining Music in the Era of COVID -- DJ Reborn Tells Us How

We’re in conversation with the one and only DJ Reborn, DJ, Arts Educator & Sonic Activist based in Brooklyn NYC. For over a decade, Reborn has been moving and inspiring audiences with her blend of soul, hip-hop, reggae, house, Latin, electronic, and Afrobeat. She’s toured with Lauren Hill and has worked alongside the Roots, Common, Talib Kweli, John Legend, and India Arie; appeared on BET’s Rap City; and served as the 2004—2005 international tour DJ for Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam. In this episode, DJ Reborn opens up about her path to becoming one of the most sought after DJs in the world. Growing up in Chicago, she was Inspired as a child among a family of musicians she ultimately followed her passion to do music for a living. We talked about her come-to-jesus moment her career crossroads when it hit her on a NYC subway that she needed to take the leap and go from side gig of dj’ing and start her musical career full time. Reborn tells us how she made her mark in a male dominated field through relationships and being the best at what you do. She shares the ups and downs and how to move through the fears of striking out on your own. Reborn tells us how artists and marginalized persons can learn to stand their ground and stay true to the work while still making a living. Amidst the backdrop of the COVID pandemic, Reborn also shares how she is using this time to reinvent herself and bring new marks of inspiration to her work. You don’t want to miss this episode. Grab your favorite glass of wine and join us for this super inspiring conversation!