Dhayana is a Dominican writer, poet, and spoken word artist. She started to write around the age of nine when she lived in the Dominican Republic, then continued after moving to the United States in 2009. She explores different topics such as growth, love, loss, sexuality, healing, and spirituality. Her work has been published on the Soul Candy Anthology by Writer’s Pocket, Issue 5 of the International Magazine Potted Purple, The Dominican Writers Collective Newsletter, Robert Writes Production, and the Kindness Book by UNESCO MGIEP and Penguin India Publishing.
Dhayana hopes to continue to share her words with the world and create a space where people feel safe with their emotions. Her first poetry collection Agridulce was published in Fall 2021 and it is a combination of emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
Social Media:
Instagram: @dhayanalejandrina
https://dhayana-alejandrina.square.site/

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Dhayana Alejandrina: Navigating Life Through Writing

Jay Davis is a writer, designer, and illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. She has done work for NPR, Malala Fund, Nasdaq, and Glastonbury Music Festival. Her debut children's book, GIRL DAD is scheduled to be released March 29, 2022, with the subsequent BOY DAD releasing that summer.
Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wooloverwater/
Ginger (a mental health app)
KRSN studio (jewelry company)
Jay’s upcoming line, Wool Over Water, dropping summer 2022!

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Jay Davis: Art with Intention

Ashika Kalra is currently Chief of Staff at First Round Capital, an early-stage venture fund in New York where she has the opportunity to meet the game-changing entrepreneurs of our generation and collaborate with them as they launch their vision from the ground up. Prior to First Round, Ashika worked at the Zuckerberg Institute, where she supported the founding team’s mission of democratizing access to entrepreneurial education for innovators around the world.
Ashika also has a deep interest in public policy and education. She launched a non-profit, The Vidya Project, focused on integrating action-oriented learning and high-impact mentorship in classrooms across India and West Africa. She is a Tedx Speaker and has been recognized as a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum. She recently released her first book, Behind Her Vision: Women of New York City, co-authored with her dear friend, Jade Chen.
Social Media:
Order Behind Her Vision Here! 
www.behindhervision.com
Instagram: Behind Her Vision
www.thevidyaproject.org
Instagram: The Vidya Project

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Ashika Kalra: Changemaker in Action

Hanieh is a senior user experience researcher and designer at YLabs, a non-profit design studio working to improve health and economic opportunity for youth. She uses Human-Centred Design to solve complex social challenges to produce impactful and equitable outcomes for communities. She is also the co-founder of Thousand&One, a social enterprise that supports women of colour to thrive in their professional lives, through community, healing, and growth.
With a background in the arts and journalism, and an MSc in Human-Computer Interaction from the University of York in England, she approaches design challenges through an inter-disciplinary and equity-focused lens. She is a UX instructor at Juno College of Technology and a design mentor at Springboard. She runs on coffee, enjoys climbing peaks, and reading a good book.
Website: https://hanieh.me/
Hanieh’s Twitter: @hfkhosroshahi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haniehk/
SSIR Article: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_concrete_ceiling#
Thousand&One: thousandone.org

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Hanieh Khosroshahi: Utilizing an Intersectional Lens

Jaycina Almond is mom to a spirited 4 year old named Syx and founder of Tender - a nonprofit bridging the financial gap and providing a safety net for single mamas living on the margins in Atlanta. In 2020, Tender was able to distribute over $83,000 to mothers across the city - keeping 78 families in their homes, paying 41 utility bills, providing 38 mamas with grocery store gift cards, and delivering diapers + wipes to 183 families. Jaycina can be found reading in the corner somewhere most days, will happily admit she has absolutely zero rhythm, and is a baby abolitionist.
Social Media:
Website: https://www.thetenderfoundation.com/
Tender Instagram: @tender
Jaycina’s Instagram: @jaycina

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Jaycina Almond: Mama, Philanthropist, Model

Sarah Kinsumba is a Stylist/Costume Designer based in Los Angeles with over a decade of expertise working in the styling and costume design industry. She is originally from Paris, France, and began assisting fashion editors at WAD MAGAZINE FRANCE, before growing her personal portfolio, working on commercials and magazines under her own name. Sarah now lives in LA and works as a stylist for some of the world's most recognizable brands like Apple, Netflix, Toyota, Isabel Marant, and the list continues to grow. She also works on a tv series that was shown at Sundance and on tv networks such as FX.
Website: www.sarahkstylist.com
Instagram: @sarahk_stylist
Favorite podcast: My Taught You by Myleik Teele

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Sarah Kinsumba: Taking a Stylish Leap of Faith

Today we get to hear from Tori Smith! She is a healthy lifestyle enthusiast. Her primary focus is on changing the narrative around healthy eating while encouraging others to explore a plant-based way of life. Through her own health journey, she founded Ninth Wonder, the mother brand of Dream Cream, a brand that specializes in creating plant-based alternatives for your favorite sweet treats.

Tori's Instagram: @torialon
Ninth Wonder Instagram: @ninthwondertreats
Health-Focused Communities Recommended by Tori:

 and8 Fitness
 Blogilates
  Balanced Black Girl
  Therapy for Black Girls
  One Great Vegan
  Tabitha Brown
  Liz Moody
  Vegan Soul Food


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Tori Smith: Dream Cream and Healthy Living

This week we get to speak with Oulimata Gueye! She is a Senegarujin (Senegalese living in Japan), Education Enthusiast, Pan-Africanist, People lover, writer when she is inspired, Book dragon, girl with 1000 questions, the human equivalent of a hyphen (she’s still deciding if she likes that expression, but it describes her well). We discuss her experience living abroad and so much more!

 Instagram: @lasenegarujin
 LinkedIn: Oulimata Gueye
  Blog: Senegarujin
  Ouli’s Books to read: "We Should All Be Feminists" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "You Are Not So Smart" by David McRaney, and “You Are A Badass” by Jen Sincero.



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Oulimata Gueye: Exploring New Cultures

This week's episode features Tie Velasco! She is a philanthropy consultant who helps emerging leaders gain the knowledge and support they need to establish and lead transformational organizations and conduct mission-driven giving.
Website: https://tievelasco.com
Instagram: @thephilanthropypro


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Tie Velasco: Purposeful Philanthropy

Erica Austin is a powerhouse public speaker with a leading and recognized philosophy of building up youth to harness their power and design fulfilling, healthy, and positive lives for themselves every day. Having published her first book at the age of nine, Erica Austin has dedicated her life to youth development through empowerment and faith.

 Website: https://ericaaustin.com/shop
 Instagram: @mseaustin
 Twitter: @ericaforyouth


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Erica Austin: Writing with Faith

Today we get to learn from Imani Oakley! She has worked in government and politics her entire career. From federal to state government to non-profits and campaigns, Imani is a relentless fighter for leftist policies. Imani is also a New Jersey native and host of the video podcast Upfront NOW! on Eyes on NJ News.

Twitter: @ImaniOakleyNJ
Instagram: @ImaniOakleyNJ
Video Podcast: Upfront Now!
Progressive Democrats for LD20


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Imani Oakley: Getting Governmental!

It’s been quite a year and BYOC has been on a bit of a hiatus. But we are excited to close the year out with a couple of special episodes! During Black Philanthropy Month 2020, Bring Your Own Chair and Domprofit collaborated to create a panel focused on young Black women's experiences in the fundraising and philanthropy sectors. As more attention is being paid to DEI, there can be a tendency to focus on the most visible employees at an organization or company. However, the journey to senior leadership has to start somewhere. Informed by the Building Movement Project's Race to Lead series, which seeks to understand why there are still so few leaders of color in the nonprofit sector, this panel took a look at how young Black women are experiencing the broader nonprofit sector and what can be done to allow them to thrive, not survive the sector.

This episode features the second part of our conversation lead by Adetola Olatunji with panelists Cyronica Simone, Dominique Calixte, Ebony Jones, and Khayriyyah MuhammadSmith. Check out the panel website for link to the resources discussed during the conversation and panelist bios (https://www.khayriyyah.com/thrive-not-survive-panel).

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Special Episode 2 - Thrive Not Survive Panel Pt. 2

It’s been quite a year and BYOC has been on a bit of a hiatus. But we are excited to close the year out with a couple of special episodes! During Black Philanthropy Month 2020, Bring Your Own Chair and Domprofit collaborated to create a panel focused on young Black women's experiences in the fundraising and philanthropy sectors. As more attention is being paid to DEI, there can be a tendency to focus on the most visible employees at an organization or company. However, the journey to senior leadership has to start somewhere. Informed by the Building Movement Project's Race to Lead series, which seeks to understand why there are still so few leaders of color in the nonprofit sector, this panel took a look at how young Black women are experiencing the broader nonprofit sector and what can be done to allow them to thrive, not survive the sector.

This episode features the first part of our conversation lead by Adetola Olatunji with panelists Cyronica Simone, Dominique Calixte, Ebony Jones, and Khayriyyah MuhammadSmith. Check out the panel website for links to the resources discussed during the conversation and panelist bios (https://www.khayriyyah.com/thrive-not-survive-panel).

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Special Episode 1 - Thrive Not Survive Panel

Yasmine Sidi Shitta a.k.a. Cheetah Shitta, is the creator and host of Cocktails with Cheetah, a series dedicated to bringing forth the most talented people to share their intimate experiences through craft cocktails and conversation. Before venturing into this creative role, Cheetah specialized in creating and producing multi-million dollar events, meetings and conferences within the B2B, B2C, automotive, beauty/health and fine art industries. While maintaining a strong work ethic is extremely important to Cheetah, so is spending time with family and friends, mentoring Black youth, catching up on the latest graphic novels and being a mom to over 100 plant babies as well as a pup named Piper. Cheetah plans to continuously create content highlighting the successes, encouragement and mental/physical/emotional health of Black women.

Social Media:
Cheetah Shitta
Cocktails with Cheetah
HypeBae Shitta
LinkedIn

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Episode 10 - Cheetah Shitta: Transitioning to a Full-Time Creative

This episode features my conversation with Shayne Hearns! She is an operating room nurse at the University of Michigan’s cardiovascular center. Shayne graduated from Oakland University’s School of Nursing in 2017. She would have said favorite activities are snuggling in and watching Netflix pre-COVID-19, but now it’s anything outside! Shayne loves being goofy and making people laugh as she finds it’s the easiest way to connect with them.

Follow Shayne on Instagram @mylifeasshayne!

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Episode 9 - Shayne Hearns: Experiences as a Black Woman in the Medical Field

Today’s episode features Dominique Calixte! I am so excited to share my conversation with her as it takes a bit of a different format. We discussed our experiences in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors as young women of color.

Dominique is a proud Haitian-American, Boston native. She is also a dedicated nonprofit professional, so much so that Dominique is earning her master's in Nonprofit Management at Northeastern in a few weeks. She’s also very involved with several nonprofit organizations as a board member, including the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Boston, which supports emerging young nonprofit professionals.

Links to the Resources Dominique Shared:

Website: www.DominiqueCalixte.com  
YW Boston - Stand Against Racism Online Campaign: https://www.ywboston.org/our-work/our-programs/stand-against-racism/
The Rooted:
https://therootedretreat.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/therootedcollaborative/?ref=bookmarks
Women in Development (Boston and NYC Chapters)
https://widgb.org/
https://widny.org/
AFP - Association of Fundraising Professionals: https://afpglobal.org/
YNPN National: http://www.ynpn.org/
YNPN Boston: https://www.ynpnboston.org/

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Episode 8 - Dominique Calixte: Peer Mentorship for Young Women of Color in the Nonprofit & Philanthropic Sectors

I had the opportunity to chat with Rho Hudson on this episode of BYOC! Rho is a new comedian and improviser but long time funny lady. She’s currently studying at The Second City Training Center in Chicago and visiting various open mics to work on her stand up materiel. Rho’s biggest accomplishments in comedy have been opening for Samuel Comroe and auditioning for Stand up NBC.

You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ohrrho. And check out her music recommendation, Lucky Daye!

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Episode 7 - Rho Hudson: Going for Your Dreams

This episode features Kiara Bobo-Byrd! She’s in her junior year at Michigan State University studying an interdisciplinary science degree with the goal of becoming a doctor in the future. Kiara is such a wise young woman who shares her persevering perspective during our chat.

You can follow Kiara’s journey on twitter and instagram at kiaraaleema subscribe to her youtube channel too!

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Episode 6 - Kiara Bobo-Byrd: Focusing on Growth and Learning

Today’s episode features Haita Toure! She is originally from Anchorage, AK but currently lives in Charlotte, NC. She recently graduated with her MA in Sociology. She is passionate about making content on YouTube and working to end race and gender issues, and human trafficking.

Haita is one of the funniest women I know but you can decide for yourself by checking out her Youtube Channel and following her on Twitter (@HumoruZ_Tr3) and Instagram & Snapchat (@touredefrance).

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Episode 5 - Haita Toure: Black Women Taking Charge

This episode features Torri Mathes! She is the Media Communications Specialist at the City of Auburn Hills, Michigan and specializes in content writing and editing, social media marketing, and videography. Torri has worked in web, software, and app design and development, as well as branding and collateral development within a range of industries including business, automotive, city government, nonprofits, and healthcare systems. In her off time, she have spent over 6 or so years working with, developing, mentoring, and facilitating non-profit organizations that help girls and women of all ages that aid resources for career development or workforce advancement. Most recently (this past election), Torri and a peer started their own business to help women running for office at a local and county level.

Torri’s quote for this year is: “You've survived what you thought would kill you. Now straighten your crown and move forward like the queen you are.”

Her (longer) quote/daily reminder: “So, do it. Decide.  Is this the life you want to live?  Is this the person you want to love? Is this the best you can be? Can you be stronger? Kinder? More compassionate? Decide. Breathe in. Breathe out and decide.” - Meredith Grey

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