The Think Alpha Project - Empowering Minority Millennials to Break Barriers

In today’s episode, Danielle King from LA Urban League of Young Professionals (LAULYP) joins is to discuss growth, moving past challenges and listening to your intuition to live your best life. Danielle was a member of the Phoenix chapter while she lived in Arizona, but didn’t find opportunities to move up within the organization. After moving to Los Angeles, she finally saw the chance to grow, applying for the Community Service Chair and ultimately running for, and winning, President of the...

Makiah Green, the co-founder of Black Book LA, joins us in today’s episode to discuss how a blog post idea transformed into a thriving community for Black millennials in Los Angeles. Makiah is a double graduate from the University of Southern California with a Master’s degree in Professional Writing. She runs her fast-growing ‘side-hustles’ while also working at a multicultural production company assisting in the creative development of projects. Scroll to the bottom for the...

What would you do in an emergency situation in a different country? When traveling, we don’t usually consider what to do if the unexpected happens. Val and his brother Vince had to face this difficult and terrifying reality recently while traveling to Dubai. On the last night of their stay, there was a Gala – they were dressed to the nines and ready for a night of fun. Scroll to the bottom for the video! All of a sudden, their night took a turn for the worse. Vince grabbed Val...

In this episode, Kiola Raines joins us to discuss the struggles and successes that come with being a dreamer and a business owner. Kiola is one of the visionaries behind Kinetic Studio, which grew from an idea into a 4,000 square foot space. She faced challenges along the way, from how to fund her project to who would teach the classes and so much more. Scroll to the bottom for the video! Kiola quickly learned that she would need to place distance between herself and people who were...

In this episode, Ms. Marisha joins us to discuss how we can redefine what happiness and success look like – in love, work and life. Throughout her career, she noticed an awareness gap with people not understanding what they were bringing to the experiences they were having. These behaviors can majorly impact the relationships in your life. Deepening your understanding – and having someone on your side to help you to do so – can shift your narrative to living the life you’ve always...

Mario Jovan Shaw and Jason Terrell discuss Profound Gentlemen, the movement they created to help build and retain communities of male educators of color. Shockingly, 40% of all early career teachers will leave the field, but for men of color, that number is 25% higher. Mario and Jason are working to develop black male school teachers to positively impact the graduation rates, self-esteem and lifelong success of boys of color. Mario and Jason are both the co-founder and co-chief executive...

In this episode, Valentine shares his speech at the 2018 LA Nurse Expo and discusses why he never wanted to depend on a single income, employer, job, or a boss to determine how he lives his life. Everybody should be an entrepreneur of some sort, but that doesn’t mean that you have to start a business. Be involved in something that is bigger than you. From your pain comes your purpose, let your wounds be your work. Scroll to the bottom for the Video! Key Topics Val’s...

In today’s episode, Monti Washington discusses what it really takes to overcome adversity and find success, despite a tough upbringing. He personally found his way out of negative situations and now is on a mission to share what he has learned through his experiences. When you believe in YOU, anything is possible. Monti teaches us how to take that one step forward to a better life and set achievable goals. If you connect with his story, you can even learn more with his book, From The Streets...

In this episode, Vynce and Jade discuss how we can all benefit one another on this planet, the power of community, the influence of family and the importance of finding a positive environment to excel. Vynce and Jade bring incredible insight and knowledge into living your dream and finding the tools that you need to create your greatest possibilities in life. Scroll to the bottom for the video! Vynce is the CEO .US, which is an acronym with many different meanings, including...

In this episode, the ‘Unconventional Millennials’, Elijah Bankole and Heron Abegaze, discuss how they turned their finances around – wiping out $162,000 of debt in under three years! The couple shares their journey to becoming debt free and how they also became mentally and emotionally stronger by deciding to work on their goals through using Dave Ramsey’s methods. There is nothing that you can’t achieve with your partner when you’re working towards a common goal with honesty and...

Scroll to the bottom for the video! In this episode, Funmilola (Lola) Fagbamila discusses our duty to be a positive reflection of our era. Individually, we should all build a greater intellectual and emotional maturity to connect with the world in a new light, showing more emotion and having more compassion for others. Through her work, Lola has learned what it takes to eliminate draining tasks and use energy to manifest your vision. She also reminds us that you don’t have to choose between...

Scroll to the bottom for the video! In this episode, we discuss finding security within yourself, the impacts of colorism, and the positive outlooks that can come from seeing role models that look like yourself. Chika Okoro became inspired in an unlikely place – a Straight Outta Compton casting call with standards of beauty, skin color and size that labeled her a “D Girl”. Chika’s personal experience with colorism pushed her to make a change and inform others on not only the issues that...

Scroll to the bottom for the video! In this episode, Angela Styles shares the tips that she has learned on her journey to embracing her natural hair. She tells us why she celebrates natural hair and we talk all things acceptance and self-love. When you truly understand and love who you are, anything is possible. Angela is a professional celebrity hair stylist and the author of her children’s book, Hair, which chronicles a young African American girl’s hair journey and highlights the...

In this episode, Monique Doughty a.k.a. “Nurse Mo” shares her tips for self-love, living life to the fullest, earning what you’re worth, and so much more. Monique truly defines the word ‘Resilient’: able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. Her life was far from easy, and she’s failed, but her persistence and determination kept her from giving up. From growing up in a bad neighborhood, to working for $2 per hour plus tips with a very expensive degree, Monique never...

In this episode, Cortez discusses breaking through the barriers of living a “comfortable” life, and going after the life that is calling you. Find that drive to succeed by making that your only option, and do all that you can to make it. Just don’t forget to help others along the way! Cortez West is an optimist who believes that your goals should not simply be amazing thoughts of what your life could be. Your passions should be followed and your life can be all that you see for...

Jeremy Vasquez joins us for a special episode in Black History Month, discussing the power that uplifting and empowering our communities can have on creating real change for the future. There is a huge need within our communities for more understanding, more support, more involvement, and a sense of helping others. He speaks honestly about the struggles that he sees within our youth and our homeless population, and motivates us to confront our fears to become our best selves, and serve...

In this episode, Jazzmine discusses the importance of loving yourself and being true to who you are. For her, that meant overcoming industry standards as a model and finding success as a plus-sized woman, but she quickly realized that body positivity and confidence could take her far in her career. When we do what we love without a concern for how everyone else feels about us, we will find the people who are inspired by and see the beauty within our journey. Jazzmine is a plus-sized...

In this episode, Ana discusses how to change the perception of those around you while also staying true to your inner voice and not allowing your haters to stop you from accomplishing all that you can be. Ana is the perfect reminder that we all can be strong and fearless, and that our background truly has no determination on where we will end up in life. Ana Marte is an actor and producer who was raised in the inner city with a tough skin and no nonsense attitude. She turned her hardships...

In this episode of the Think Alpha Project, Charles and I delve into the Importance of a Father Figure in a child’s life, the psychological imprinting that takes place through childhood and adolescence, and how single mothers can put their best foot forward in raising their kids. Charles Opong is a pastor, actor, researcher, doctoral professor in training, community organizer, father, and husband. He creates real-life transformation by helping troubled youth to live positive lifestyles and...

Often times when we get into relationships, we fall in love with ideas, opinions and expectations that we put on them, rather than accepting them and learning about who they truly are. Do you agree? In this episode, Jessica and Joseph Chicas break down the several reasons they have become the young power couple they are today and the things we may need to look out for in growing a relationship. Jessica and Joseph Chicas are an inspiring, creative and busy couple who found a way to build...