Cool Soror with Rashan Ali

My Voice Is My Vehicle with Syleena Johnson

Grammy-Award Winning Singer and Co-Host of the new talk show, Sister Circle TV Syleena Johnson joins the Cool Soror Podcast. A Cool Soror of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, this Chicago Native has lived and breathed music since the 6th grade. But as melodic tones constantly rang in her ears and lyrics flowed through her pen, she faced the music industry monster that has continuously proven to be unkind. Syleena continued and continues to press on.

Syleena’s inherent vocal ability and lyrical prowess place her high in a league of some of the best singers and performers of her generation. Kanye West, R. Kelly and Musiq Soulchild have all sought her out for collaborations as she has penned numerous major R&B hits and continues remain relevant as a new generation of music lovers have come to love her as one of the original cast members of the TV One hit reality series R&B Divas Atlanta and now as as a co-host of Sister Circle Live on the same network.

This mother and wife goes in depth about her son's Autism diagnosis and how it sent her into a year of depression. Now, it has given her unprecedented strength and the ability to love unabashedly. Syleena is taking this new opportunity so people can see the real her and she understands that this time of her life has complete purpose. She is clear that her "Voice Is Her Vehicle." We are certainly along for the ride.

Social Media:
TW: @syleena_johnson
IG: @syleenajohnson

"Standby"

Our host, Rashan Ali, talks about her first day on the new talk show, "Sister Circle Live!" She delves into the meaning of "Standby" and what it means for your name to be called. She also talks about the loss of a very close friend and how she is using her passing to live a life fulfilled. We hope you will be inspired to be and live like your best self.

 

FB: @rashanali IG: @rashanali TW: @rashanali

“My T.R.U.E. Beauty” with Christelsie Johnson

It’s not every day that our host, Rashan Ali, gets to interview someone she helped become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. This episode gave her the second opportunity as she sits down with Christelsie Johnson, who is definitely a Cool Soror. A professional film and television makeup artist, Christelsie takes us on an emotional ride of loss, perseverance and triumph. She has ridden each of these with that mustard seed of faith. It was all she had.

A graduate of Florida A&M University in theatre, her original focus was acting. She did however, study all aspects of the art including acting, directing, lighting and makeup. She went on to become a public school teacher and then serve as a director of arts in therapy for a counseling agency. After being laid off, she took what she thought would be a temporary job in cosmetics, with MAC cosmetics. There her love for the art developed.

She has now worked as a full-time makeup artist for 11 years and her portfolio is impressive! Christelsie has worked with numerous celebrities, magazines, NBA cheerleading teams, top hair companies, brides and has 20 television and film credits under her belt. She served most recently as makeup department head for Tales, which returns to BET in October and is currently on Jay Z’s Tidal. She also served as makeup department head on TV One’s highest premier in network history, When Love Kills.

Coming up on 9/24/17, she has an intensive television and film workshop for makeup artists who are interested in transitioning into the industry full time. She believes that sharing her gifts is the true definition of service and that is exactly what she is doing through her work and her company, “My T.R.U.E. Beauty.” She’s everything the name means: beautiful inside and out. One listen and you will agree.

Twitter: @CATrueBeauty
IG: @christelsie
www.christelsie.com

Ceasar For Atlanta with Ceasar Mitchell

It’s not every day that we get an opportunity to sit down with political candidates, especially not those in a heated race for the title of “Mayor of Atlanta.” Atlanta City Council President, Atlanta native and viable candidate for mayor for that popular city, Ceasar Mitchell joins The Cool Soror Podcast as our Cool Bruh feature of the week. A member of Omega Psi Phi, he credits a great deal of his servant heart to his grandmother who provided “Meals On Wheels” well into her 70’s.

It is because of this guidance and his commitment to building upon the legacy of Atlanta that he feels he is the right man for the job. In this episode, Ceasar tells us more about his life before politics, including turning down a football scholarship to later delivering summons to two men who would later make history in Atlanta. He also talks about his daughters and what it feels like to be a father to a new son. He also addresses what he feels has changed in the legacy of Old Atlanta politics.

Through the years Mitchell has been a visionary leader and public servant, whose unwavering dedication to creating a better Atlanta is reflected in his commitment to initiatives targeting child safety, community policing, economic development, education and more. Mitchell feels he has positioned himself to lead a flourishing city like only a true servant can.

Twitter: @CeasarForMayor IG: @CeasarForMayor
www.ceasarformayor.com

Get Familiar With The Unfamiliar with Anowa Adjah

Zeta Phi Beta’s own Anowa Adjah joins the Cool Soror Podcast today. Known as the “Nigerian Powerhouse,” this New York native took powers into her own hands after being told she “didn’t have the look” to be a fitness model due to her God-given curves and build. She set out on a mission to change the fitness narrative.

As a Health & Fitness Coach, Motivational Speaker, Mother of Twins, Influencer, and CEO of Anowa Adjah Works, Anowa has solidified herself as a ground- breaking innovator in the Health and Wellness industry. With the success of her Workout DVD program targeting women of all shapes and sizes and her transparency with real-life issues, she has generated a fan base of almost million followers via social media.

Anowa is currently aiding thousands of women in her “Lose The Gutt Keep The Butt” online training platform. In addition, she is also developing a Health & Fitness program which will benefit children and youth in poverty-stricken areas.

Anowa has gotten to where she is from pure perseverance and faith. But it wasn’t until she stepped into the unfamiliar, that things started to change. She got familiar with it and now she is soaring.

Social Media:
Facebook: Anowa Adjah, Instagram: Anowa Adjah, Twitter: Anowa Adjah
Website: www.AnowaAdjah.com

Pretty Girls Sweat Fest with Aeshia Devore Branch

It’s a VERY special edition of the Cool Soror Podcast with Alpha Kappa Alpha’s own Aeshia Devore Branch. She founded Pretty Girls Sweat In an effort to support former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to help solve the obesity epidemic in the US. She and her team have been amazingly successful strides in establishing collegiate chapters across the United States and so much more including the inaugural Pretty Girls Sweat Fest!

The Pretty Girls Sweat Fest will take place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Freight Depot on September 16th from 12pm-4pm! It will be hosted by our very own, Rashan Ali! Participants are in for a treat so grab your squad for the ultimate Sweat Sisterhood fitness festival. Register to receive exclusive access to elite trainers from around the city. With heart-pumping workouts coupled with the dopest female DJs – you'll get a first class ticket to your favorite fitness trends and hit songs. When you’re not sweating it out, you can refresh at our hydration station, savor garden filled with deliciously healthy food trucks, a beauty bar, and complimentary swag.

Guess what?! We’ve got something special for our Cool Soror listeners! Enter promo code: COOLSOROR and receive 50% off registration! Registration link below. We hope to see you there!

www.prettygirlssweat.com/pgsf
Enter Discount Code: COOLSOROR

Diversity Defined with Nzinga Shaw

Nzinga Shaw joins the Cool Soror Podcast today. A Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, she is currently the senior vice president of community and concurrently works as the chief diversity & inclusion officer in the Atlanta Hawks & Philips Arena organization. She is the first person to hold the CDIO position in the National Basketball Association and for all 122 North American professional sports teams. Shaw serves as a member of the Executive Committee and provides guidance to the leadership team in an effort to engender inclusion in every facet of the business.

She has developed a strategy to embed equity in all programmatic activities, governance and daily administration of the organization. She is focused on building a foundation that will advance this strategy as a core component of the Atlanta Hawks brand, and to drive the business. This initiative extends to fans, customers, community partners and to every employee within the workforce.

Prior to joining the Atlanta Hawks, Shaw has been at the forefront of leading organizational change through diversity. She served as senior vice president of diversity & inclusion at Edelman, the world’s largest and most profitable public relations/integrated marketing agency. Shaw also worked as a human resources practitioner at ESSENCE Magazine, the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network, and the National Football League.

Recently, Shaw was appointed by the NBA to serve on the Global Inclusion Council. The GIC provides strategic guidance and serve as a catalyst for the league-wide diversity and inclusion strategy, drives an inclusive and innovative culture and increases the economic value of the NBA League office and teams. This is “Diversity Defined.”

Social Media:
IG: @ZingShaw / Twitter: @ZingShaw

Creative Analytic with Kito Johorri

The Cool Soror Podcast welcomes Kito Johorri, a cool soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kito is an internationally renowned Self-Mastery Specialist, thought leader to geniuses, energetically charged speaker, author and educator.

She earned her four year B.S. degree in Chemistry from Florida A&M University. While earning her degree, Kito’s talents in the performing arts gifted her with the opportunity to tour throughout the U.S. and overseas, performing with the Ghostown Djs earning a gold record for the hit song, “My Boo.”

Her deeply rooted love for people and education took her from the laboratory to the classroom, where she discovered that she spent a great deal of energy empowering her students to tap into their natural gifts and talents, as well as- properly apply that knowledge. Kito developed a special interest in leadership due to the lack of proper mentors in her life, which lead her to blindly navigate through some of life’s most difficult CHALLENGES. These challenges include sexual abuse physical abuse and emotional abuse, self-esteem and identity issues, corporate bullying, and even fighting for her equal rights as a woman.

Her innate spirit of resilience and optimism combined with her talents as a visionary, gave her the ability to see beyond current conditions and evolve, in-spite of those major life altering events. Her curiosity for solutions led her into in-depth studies in science, spirituality, personal growth and self-development. Therein lies and lives the “CREATIVE ANALYTIC” and she is just that.

Social Media:
FB: Kito Johorri
@kjohorri IG /TW @kjohorri

Exception Ally with Rayford Davis

The Cool Bruh feature has showcased so many amazing men doing incredible work. Rayford Davis, an Alpha man, in no exception. This thought leader, educational advocate and all around tenacious business man embraces ambition and execution like no other.

A native of Decatur, GA, Rayford is an honors graduate from the Westminster Schools, a magna cum laude recipient of a BS in Chemical Engineering-Materials from Florida A&M University, and a graduate in the top 10% of his class at Harvard Business School.

Rayford has gained an extensive amount of knowledge in non-profit, corporate and higher education settings. His latest and most passionate venture, Exception-Ally. Exception-ALLY is a powerful technology that gives parents an affordable ally to ensure their voice is heard in the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) process.

He leads a team of education technology entrepreneurs, who provide digital solutions to help parents of children with special needs ensure their children have the highest quality of life. The initial product supports parents, as they navigate special education in public schools. (ExceptionALLY is a member of the Flashpoint Accelerator at Georgia Institute of Technology and the NewSchools Venture Fund Ignite Challenge.)

Exception-Ally is groundbreaking and unique technology that keeps the consumers, children and parents, first. Rayford Davis and his team have something special that will change the scope and approach to this specialized education.
Never has passion and purpose been so craftily coupled.

www.exception-ally.com
FB @growexceptionally; TW @Exception_ALLY
Pinterest: exception_ALLY
LinkedIN: ExceptionALLY

Power of Thought with Dr. Joy Beckwith

Dr. Joy Beckwith joins the Cool Soror Podcast today. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Dr. Joy is on a mission to help her people around the world find their authentic selves. She set out on a quest to make that happen!

A Thomasville, Georgia native, she knew she wanted to attend Spelman College in Atlanta. After massive research and applications, she received scholarships to cover the cost of her entire undergraduate college experience. A double major in psychology and biology, Dr. Joy did not immediately become clear as to what her path would be until much later. She knew, however, that her path was and is to help people “retrain their brains.”

This starts with knowing who we truly are. She believes that we often go through life not knowing who we are and the reason in which we are here. We often operate day-by-day being content with simply maintaining our careers, families and social lives. She identifies this as driving versus thriving. During this episode, Dr. Joy takes a deeper look into the difference.

In what could possibly be a mini therapy session, she shares with us the power it takes to change our situation and the beauty in knowing ourselves. She believes that knowing ourselves is the highest form of intelligence and the therapeutic journey of self-discovery is one of the smartest decisions we can make.

She has found the formula that has transformed lives and it all starts with that power: the power of thought.

Social Media:

Periscope: DrJoy
IG: @AskDrJoy
www.drjoytotheworld.com