​​Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins is a woman with extensive higher education experience who is adept at the inner workings of HBCUs, having worked at six (South Carolina State, Johnson C. Smith University, Dillard University, Cheyney University, Bennett College, and Clark Atlanta University). During her tenure as the Eighteenth President of Bennett College, she spearheaded a successful bipartisan legislative effort with UNCF that enabled Bennett and other Historically Black Colleg

​​Mr. Laws is an accomplished corporate executive leader with over 25 years of extensive experience working within the top Fortune 20 companies. Prior to joining Nemours Children's Health, Mr. Laws held several C-Suite roles to include Global Sr. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager role with Amazon. Executive Leadership roles with Starbucks Coffee Company, two Japanese pharmaceutical sales/marketing firms and Mobil Oil Corporation. Mr. Laws hold a Master’s degree in Busin

​​“Talking with Friends” was an opportunity for me to share my thoughts on my faith, my career journey thus far, to again thank the people who took chances on me, and to reminisce on the obstacles I had to overcome. Despite sharing those aspects, the most impactful portion of this discussion was the question-and-answer portion where we discussed how we can reach our young people today, especially student athletes. Just a little man from Jamaica a 'try a ting'." It's Easy Son:

Jeffrey Graham is the Vice President, Deputy Head of Independent Distribution Partners for Chubb Insurance Company’s International Division. With 34 years of Insurance Field Sales and Producer Development experience, he has executive oversight for developing business in emerging international markets across enterprise divisions of Commercial, Personal Lines and Accident; Health businesses. With responsibilities for over 22,000 agents and brokers generating over $1.1B. and ope

James, originally from Long Island, NY, received his B.A. from the University of Virginia in May of 2000, after which he joined Bank of America as a Commercial Paper Trader. Due to his uncanny ability to identify properties and situations that are “ripe for development,” James founded J.S. & Associates, Inc. in 2002, which is also central to his vision of economic development and self-sufficiency for families in the greater Charlotte area. Since relocating to Charlotte, Jame

Michael G. McPherson is the Chief Financial Officer for the National Education Association (NEA) in Washington, DC. He directs NEA’s financial and business operations while serving on several Boards, Trusts and Planning and Policy-making committees. He is the Chair of Education International’s Audit Committee (Brussels, Belgium) as well as the Chair of the Audit and Financial Review Committee of California Casualty Insurance Group. Michael is a licensed CPA and obtained hi

Sam Johnson leads the EY Americas growth strategy by engaging and motivating 71,000 people to drive top-line growth and propel the EY brand in the market. With more than 25 years of experience, Sam has served in various positions, successfully growing and transforming the EY business. Most recently, Sam was Vice Chair and Southeast Region Managing Partner, where he oversaw more than 5,000 professionals across six US states, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Under his leadership,

Dr. Vann R. Newkirk, Sr., a native of Elizabethtown, North Carolina, was named the 17th President of Fisk University by the Board of Trustees on February 15, 2021. He served as Fisk’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2018 until his Presidential appointment. Dr. Newkirk has an extensive leadership record with proven evidence of effectiveness on many levels. For instance, he has a 25-year career in creating innovative educational programs which, have enhance

Dr. Lanze Thompson is a finance and strategic management executive and board member with over thirty-five years of experience at Fortune 100 companies consisting of Time Warner/CNN, Ford Motor Company, Alcoa, Con Edison, PSEG, Philip Morris/Kraft Foods, and the Georgia Lottery where he has held executive positions such as CFO, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and Controller. He has also gained valuable operating experience as the President and COO of two star

"For Black History Month, It's Easy Son will be honoring the icons and trailblazers who have joined Gerald Hector to share their personal journeys over the past almost two years. Since this podcast was launched, Gerald has welcomed, civil rights icons, political and spiritual leaders, an NFL legend, Olympians, a World Champion, an eight-time Mr. Olympia, a World Cup and EPL standout, and a host of other higher education and business leaders. Given the feedback and overwhelmin

"This week on It's Easy Son, Gerald Hector welcomes to the podcast, Mr. Rohan Edwards, CPA. He is a Partner with Big Four Firm, Ernst and Young, in their Atlanta office. A native of Jamaica, Mr. Edwards speaks with us about his amazing journey from his early life in Kingston and then to Spanish Town, all the while remaining focused on a singular goal. Despite many twists, turns and experiences, he is now in a position where one of his life's goals is to help those who find th

Rev. Nathaniel Wright was licensed to the ministry on December 8, 1996.Throughout the early portion of his religious career, Rev. Wright served on the Calvary Baptist Church Ministerial Staff as a youth minister. Reverend Wright was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on September 28, 2003 and in January 2004 he stepped into the role of Interim Pastor at Calvary. On December 11, 2005, Reverend Wright was installed as the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Today, Rev. Wright contin

This week Gerald Hector welcomes to It's Easy Son, Dr. Richard Lapchick. He is an eminent scholar, an endowed chair & director of The Devos Sport Business Management, and also the Director for The Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sport. He is a well known national and international figure as it pertains to the intersection of sports, social equity and justice. He is the author of over seventeen books and six hundred articles. Over his career he has been a consistent voice

"This week Gerald Hector welcomes to It's Easy Son three former guests. Mr. Wolde Harris, Mr. Gregory Simmonds, and Mr. Andre Virtue return to speak about the sport of football/soccer. They share their love for the game, how it impacts and changes the lives of young people, and their thoughts on how to lift the sport further specifically on the island nation of Jamaica. All three perspectives point to how we can make education and development through the "beautiful game" a to

This week on IT'S EASY SON, Mr. Gerald Hector welcomes Dr. Charlie Nelms, a nationally recognized leader in higher education, a compelling storyteller, and a dedicated activist. One of eleven children born to subsistence farmers in the Arkansas Delta, Charlie experienced first-hand the pain of poverty and the sting of racism and American style apartheid. He did not merely read about “Colored Only” waiting rooms, water fountains, and restrooms; he used them. While growing up i

This week on It's Easy Son, Mr. Gerald Hector talks with Mr. Andre' Virtue, man, father, mentor, coach and educator. With a very calming a peaceful presence, Andre’ Virtue is a man of simplicity, vision and faith. He is a man who listens more than he speaks, except of course when it comes to those things he loves dearly; Football and faith. Before becoming husband and father to his two sons, he was and continues to be a father figure to many. The young boys and girls from all

12 Noon ET "In this episode of Done Dissertation Office Hours we talk with Mr. Askia Talib-deen, doctoral student at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. We discuss his journey from prison to the PhD, how learning is not about the outcome, and advice to give for doctoral students looking to navigate the dissertation process." - Dr. Ramon Goings 12:30 PM Glenn Best welcomes Mrs. Deanna Brown Thomas to Black Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame! "Mrs. Brown Thomas is President of The Jam

"Queens, New York born—southern beauty raised in Augusta Georgia, Mrs. Brown Thomas comes from music royalty! She is a humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio & TV personality, actress, writer and daughter of “The Legendary Godfather of Soul”, Mr. James Brown. Mrs. Brown Thomas is President of The James Brown Family Foundation,,, Inc. (JBFF) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created according to the wishes of James Brown. Through JBFF, she advocates charitable giving and conduc

"This week Gerald Hector invites four guests to It's Easy Son. Now that Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy's documented success at Johnson C. Smith University is publicly available in electronic formats, co-authors Dr. Brian Johnson, Dr. Sharon Raynor and Mr. Benny Smith join the podcast to reflect upon the impact and inspiration Dr. Yancy has on the higher education landscape. A pioneer whose vision created one the period of greatest growth and prosperity in the university's history.

This Sunday on #HBCUSmartTV, join us for #SmartSundays featuring a great lineup including: @DrRamonGoings with special guest, @MiaWright at 12 Noon ET! "Imagine a life where you can be fulfilled in your true purpose?" Our Done Dissertation Office Hours guest @miawright is helping women across the globe do just that. Not only is she influencing the world, she is also currently a doctoral student! In this upcoming episode we will learn more about Mia’s educational journey, expe