HBCU Highlights

Andrea & Ashley

Welcome to HBCU Highlights! Hosted by Class of 1998 Spelman Alumnae Andrea Hence Evans & Ashley Deadwyler-Jones. We are excited to showcase HBCU Excellence - HBCU Graduates who are making a difference in their community and professions. Enjoy!

  1. 07/05/2021

    HBCU Highlights presents Dr. Christopher M. Jones!

    HBCU Highlights presents Dr. Christopher M. Jones! HBCU Highlights spotlights HBCU graduates who tell their inspiring stories. Let's take a walk in Chris's shoes! An Arkansas native, Chris grew up in the surrounded by an HBCU! He aspired to be an astronaut after learning about Dr. Ronald McNair. Chris holds FIVE degrees, including a B.S. in mathematics and a B.S. in physics from Morehouse College, where he received a full scholarship from NASA and served as student body president; an M.S. in nuclear engineering and an M.S. in technology and policy from MIT, and a Ph.D. in urban studies and planning from MIT. He only applied to Morehouse College for undergrad! Chris worked as an assistant dean for graduate education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he led efforts that doubled minority enrollment and more than tripled minority applications to MIT graduate programs. Christopher M. Jones is currently Executive Director and Lead Maker of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. He has 20 years of experience in energy and infrastructure, diversity, community development, housing and management. He and his wife live in Little Rock with their three beautiful daughters. For more information about Dr. Christopher Jones, please visit: https://arhub.org/ For more information about Andrea, please visit: www.evansiplaw.com For more information about Ashley, please visit: www.ashleyinsureme.com To make a donation to Morehouse College, please visit: www.morehouse.edu For more amazing interviews, please visit www.hbcuhighlights.com

    37 min
  2. 06/21/2021

    HBCU Highlights presents Torarie Durden!

    HBCU Highlights presents Torarie Durden! HBCU Highlights spotlights HBCU graduates who tell their inspiring stories. Let's take a walk in Torarie's shoes! Originally from Adel, Georgia, Torarie was the first black valedictorian of his high school class. He was determined to get scholarships to attend college and he applied for numerous scholarships! He was the recipient of a full tuition academic NASA McNair scholarship to Morehouse College. He is a dual degree graduate from Morehouse College where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Physics and Bachelors of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).  He received his Masters in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a MBA from Harvard Business School. Currently, Torarie is Chief Marketing Officer at Myaderm (www.myaderm.com). Myaderm uses proven pharmaceutical technologies to create innovative cannabinoid products that provide a therapeutic benefit. They produce pharmacist-formulated Cannabidiol (CBD) creams and topical CBD products for skin care. Torarie is a proud father to two sons and proud husband to his wife, a Spelmanite. He's passionate about giving back to others and he's a proud role model to many, including family members who graduated from Spelman!  Use Torarie's code to receive 25% off of Myaderm products on their website!  Coupon code “DURDEN” https://www.myaderm.com/discount/DURDEN For more information about Torarie, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torariedurden For more information about Andrea, please visit: www.evansiplaw.com For more information about Ashley, please visit: www.ashleyinsureme.com To make a donation to Morehouse College, please visit: www.morehouse.edu For more amazing interviews, please visit www.hbcuhighlights.com

    43 min
  3. 05/24/2021

    HBCU Highlights presents Dr. Eric Tait, MD!

    HBCU Highlights presents Dr. Eric Tait, MD!  HBCU Highlights spotlights HBCU graduates who tell their inspiring stories. Let's take a walk in Eric's shoes! Eric's family has a history of attending HBCU's! He knew at an early age he wanted to pursue medicine and he is a fourth generation medical doctor! He tells us about the importance of attending HBCU's and community. He has a biology degree from Morehouse College. Eric received his M.B.A. in entrepreneurship from the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management at Rice University as well as his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. Eric is a practicing physician in Internal medicine in a private practice in Houston, Texas. Not only is Eric an internist, he is the founder and fund manager of Vernonville Asset Management. Vernonville Asset Management was born because Eric could not find any investment products that he felt were suitable for his own portfolio. His motto is “if you find a need fill it.” Eric is also President of Pinnacle Physician Management Organization, a Medicare Advantage partnership with Universal American Corp that has generated over $25 million in revenue since 2009. For more information about Dr. Eric Tait, please visit: https://vernonville.com/ For more information about Andrea, please visit: www.evansiplaw.com For more information about Ashley, please visit: www.ashleyinsureme.com To make a donation to Morehouse College, please visit: www.morehouse.edu For more amazing interviews, please visit www.hbcuhighlights.com

    33 min
  4. 05/10/2021

    HBCU Highlights presents Nicole Venable

    HBCU Highlights presents Nicole Venable! HBCU Highlights spotlights HBCU graduates who tell their inspiring stories. Let's take a walk in Nicole's shoes! Nicole's mother took her and five of childhood friends to visit Spelman College and after their visit, they ALL chose to attend Spelman College! She tells us about finding her tribe at Spelman, pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Eta Kappa Chapter and how she values sisterhood and the valuable relationships she made while attending Spelman. While at Spelman, she majored in Political Science and helped to start the International Affairs minor! She studied abroad while at Spelman College her freshman and junior year! Nicole is a socialite and a philanthropist. She established the Lady Von Endowed Scholarship at Spelman College.  She is also the founder of the Black Girl Magic Network, an association of female lobbyists of color. Recognized by The HilI as one of the “Top Lobbyists of 2018,” Nicole has policy expertise on issues ranging from tax reform and trade to health care, energy, labor, and telecommunications. She is currently a lobbyist at Invariant where she ensures her client issues get heard and resolved! For more information about Nicole, please visit: http://invariantgr.com/team/NicoleVenable.html For more information about Andrea, please visit: www.evansiplaw.com For more information about Ashley, please visit: www.ashleyinsureme.com To make a donation to Spelman College, please visit: www.spelman.edu For more amazing interviews, please visit www.hbcuhighlights.com

    37 min
  5. 04/26/2021

    HBCU Highlights presents Tia Fuller

    HBCU Highlights presents Grammy nominated musician, Tia Fuller!  HBCU Highlights spotlights HBCU graduates who tell their inspiring stories. Let's take a walk in Tia's shoes! Tia Fuller grew up in Colorado but after watching episodes of A Different World, she researched Spelman College and set out to attend Spelman!  While at Spelman, she was a general music major and her professor encouraged her but always told her that she was "coming along!" Well, she's come a long way for sure! She was a member of Beyoncé's all girl band and toured with them for years! Tia was nominated for a Grammy for best jazz instrumental album! Tia is a force to be reckoned with in the worlds of jazz, pop, R&B, and more. Currently, she balances the worlds of performance and education, fulfilling a demanding schedule as both a busy touring and recording artist and a full-time professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. She leads the college’s Rainbow Big Band and All-Stars, the Esperanza Ensemble, repertoire class, jazz improvisation, two jazz combos, and the Christian McBride Ensemble. In addition, she produces and directs groundbreaking large production ensembles focusing on the works of major pop innovators Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, and Micki Miller.  For more information about Andrea, please visit: www.evansiplaw.com For more information about Ashley, please visit: www.ashleyinsureme.com To make a donation to Spelman College, please visit: www.spelman.edu For more amazing interviews, please visit www.hbcuhighlights.com

    38 min

About

Welcome to HBCU Highlights! Hosted by Class of 1998 Spelman Alumnae Andrea Hence Evans & Ashley Deadwyler-Jones. We are excited to showcase HBCU Excellence - HBCU Graduates who are making a difference in their community and professions. Enjoy!