The Only Black Girl In The Room Tiana Starks

Tia DeShazor is an actor and lyricist/librettist based in New York City. She is actively creating change on the stage and developing new projects as a lyricist in the Advanced BMI- Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. She has written commissioned work for Prospect Theatre's Musical Theather Lab, Astoria Performing Art Center, and Girlhood the Musical.  This past September she produced a show of her own work - The New Black Leading Lady- featuring songs from musical comedies she's working on.

You can learn more about Tia at https://www.tiadeshazor.com/.

Instagram: @tiadeshazor

On this episode, I talk to Dr. Shondra Marshall about the education system in America and how students of color fit within that system. We discuss strategies to improve the achievement gap, how the achievement gap is created in the first place and teachers responsibilities to their students of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. The importance of this conversation cannot be overstated. It is our responsibility to inform and empower our youth so that we can continue to create a legacy of success, wealth and overall well-being in communities of color; it starts with education.

If you are a parent of a student at any level (from pre-school through college), this discuss is a MUST. Dr. Marshall is extremely informative, and provides solutions that we can all begin working on today.

On this episode, the host of TOBGITR, Tiana Starks provides insight into how the concept of The Only Black Girl In The Room came to be and how it has evolved. It started as a little politically incorrect blog and now has grown into an empowerment podcast, with much more in store.

On the latest episode of TOBGITR, I talk with Attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson and Attorney Ayanna Alcendor--co-founders of Great Lakes Legal Group, PLLC and very accomplished and esteemed attorneys in the Greater Detroit area. 

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of CHOOSING to be excellent and honoring the legacy of those who have come before you to create a space for you to stand. This conversation also features A LOT of humor and laughter as well as jewels about personal conduct and rising above stereotypes and expectations. Not only are Jehan & Ayanna well-established attorneys, but they are real people, who are relatable and fun to be around while inspiring those around them to do better!

Geneva built an esteemed international career as a journalist and digital media executive. A frequent contributor to Vogue Italia and Teen Vogue, Geneva offers her take on culture, issues that matter, style and entertainment news for a range of media powerhouses including NBC News, Lucky, BET, Vibe, The Huffington Post including her mobile news startup Jawbreaker.  But it's Geneva's work behind the scenes shaping some of the world's most venerable fashion and media brands like Topshop London and New York, Macy’s Digital, Viacom, BBC America, InStyle, Food & Wine, W Magazine, Architectural Digest that keeps her at the helm of what’s hot, now and next. In summer 2018, Geneva became the Vice President of Digital Audience Growth at Essence magazine. Geneva studied throughout Paris, London, Scotland, and South Africa, ultimately earning a Master’s in journalism from NYU. Active in New York Metro community, Geneva dedicates herself to causes related to women's empowerment and education.  

You can learn more about Geneva at  https://www.genevasthomas.com/about-geneva-thomas .

She can also be found on Social Media

Instagram: @genevasthomas

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/genevasthomas/ 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GenevaSThomas 

Dr. Bryanne Standifer is a physician practicing at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. 

During our conversation, we discuss Dr. Standifer's journey to becoming a physician, which included its fair share of obstacles. Dr. Standifer talks about how she was able to overcome financial and educational disadvantages to realize her dream of becoming a doctor. After taking the M-CAT multiple times, when many would have given up, she remained resilient and determined to prove to herself and her doubters that she belongs precisely where she is today.