December 26er Podcast

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus explain why they have not returned to their prior episode release schedule and discuss their upcoming philanthropic initiatives.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus provide life updates since the show's hiatus and discuss plans for the next chapter.

Delisha shares some news regarding the short-term plan for the show and the events that led her and Damarcus to this decision.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss leading separate lives for the past few months, navigating the various seasons of grief and doubt, and gearing up for their fourth annual charity event.

In this episode, Delisha discusses why we should stop trying to force things to happen, and what we should do instead to manifest what we want.

In this solo episode, Delisha provides tools for overcoming feelings of being behind in life.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss adjusting to life away from the show, gearing up for their annual philanthropic event in the midst of staggering inflation, and fostering honest conversations regarding race and class barriers to success.

In this episode, Delisha discusses what kept her so committed to the show for over four years, how she's been impacted by its hiatus, and what she believes are key indicators that it's time to slow down.

In this follow-up to last week's conversation, Delisha and Damarcus discuss coming to a decision regarding the December 26er Podcast's next chapter.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss tracing their ancestry and receiving surprising results, looking ahead to the next phase of their individual lives, and planning for the future of the December 26er brand.

Slice Magazine's Fiction Editor and Writing Programs Manager at the Center for Fiction, Randy Winston discusses working as a groundskeeper after withdrawing from junior college, hosting poetry slams in a chicken coop turned event space, pivoting to a degree in English after returning to college to study architecture, and building an academic and professional career as a writer and editor.

Stabilization Advisor for the U.S. Department of State, Otis Holloway discusses making the transition from his working class Georgia community to Trinity College in Connecticut, seizing opportunities in both South Africa and Mozambique while completing his education, and forging a career in civil service after graduate school.

Brand & Design Strategy Consultant, Isata Yansaneh discusses being raised by a single father in Portland, Oregon, broadening her views on race while attending Spelman College, working as a marketing professional in the publishing industry, and overcoming the scarcity mindset as an entrepreneur.

Visual artist, clothing designer, and DEI leader, Zan Truluck discusses being raised in Baltimore by a single mother, overcoming homelessness to attend Morehouse College, making the switch from Finance to HR, and promoting equity and inclusion both inside and outside of his day job.

TV critic, editor and entertainment journalist, Mekeisha Madden Toby discusses coping with a toxic work environment as a recent college grad, finding her niche after an editor sees her comedy act, overcoming challenges during red carpet coverage, and sustaining her career in the face of an ever-evolving media landscape.

TV critic, editor and entertainment journalist, Mekeisha Madden Toby discusses discovering her love for books and words as a small child, finding her tribe at a newspaper internship, and launching her journalistic career while also working as a standup comic in Seattle.

Hip-Hop artist, songwriter and music entrepreneur, Jamar Nolan discusses forgoing college to pursue music full-time, monetizing his music through sync licensing, and fostering education and economic growth within the independent artist community.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus offer their thoughts on the complex legacy of two Black public figures, and discuss their efforts to facilitate radical honesty via the December 26er platform.

President of Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle and CEO of GB Logistics, Trent Griffin-Braaf discusses being raised in upstate New York after his father's passing, climbing the ranks in the hospitality industry after serving a prison sentence, launching and sustaining a shuttle business despite unforeseen obstacles, and expanding his enterprise by becoming an Amazon Delivery Service Partner.

Founder of Serene Health Center and Vice President of Legal and Compliance at an investment management firm, Tarik McDermott discusses working as a math tutor and security guard after graduating from college, turning a contract position into an investment banking career, and launching a medical facility during the pandemic to meet the needs of an underserved community.

In this episode, Delisha reflects on some of the most valuable lessons she’s carrying into her 40s.

Writer, Director, Filmmaker, Producer and Editor, Abdul Malik Abbott discusses obtaining his bachelor’s degree in film from New York’s School of Visual Arts, despite an initial rejection from the program, working on two Spike Lee Joints early in his career, directing music videos for the likes of Abbey Lincoln and Jay-Z, and leveraging all of his talents to maintain a longstanding career in the entertainment industry.

In Part 2 of this interview, Senior Director of Clinical Operations and Doctor of Public Health candidate, Keith Barnett discusses taking the next step in his academic journey, navigating unique challenges as a Black man in Corporate America, and demystifying common myths regarding COVID and the available vaccines.

In Part 1 of this interview, Senior Director of Clinical Operations and Doctor of Public Health candidate, Keith Barnett discusses becoming race and class conscious as a young athlete, working in such fields as education and consulting before discovering clinical trial management, and making the decision to pursue a doctorate after missing out on a lucrative career opportunity.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss closing out an eventful 2021, building momentum on individual goals, and maintaining boundaries in the new year.

Essence and USA Today bestselling author, Tracy Brown discusses growing up on Staten Island's North Shore, graduating high school on time despite becoming a teenage mother, getting multiple offers on her first book without an agent, and having her latest release selected as a Target Diverse Book Club Pick.

Entertainment attorney, Bejidé Davis discusses declining a full-time job offer to go straight to law school, starting her legal career in corporate finance despite having an early interest in entertainment law, making the switch to a boutique law firm, and helping students soar higher in their quest for excellence through her nonprofit work.

Senior digital producer and culture writer, Christina Santi discusses living with extended family while her mother attended college, finding safe space in the works of Black authors as a middle school student, choosing journalism over medicine, and advocating for equality and equity for Black people through her work.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Executive, Aisha Thomas-Petit discusses spending her childhood on both coasts, making the pivot to Human Resources early in her career, setting boundaries while climbing the corporate ladder, and taking her seat at the table as a people strategist.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss the highs and lows of consistently podcasting for 200 episodes, new and upcoming December 26er content, and dream guests they'd like to land in the next year.

Entrepreneur, author and marketing manager, Linda Aybar discusses tracing her family roots back multiple generations, taking an early interest in the entertainment industry, and using her diverse talents to thrive as a business owner.

Singer, songwriter and producer, Adrian Daniel discusses taking a serious interest in dance before shifting his focus to music, leaving college to pursue music full-time, and finding success as an independent artist.

Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY Old Westbury, Dr. Jerrell Robinson discusses losing both his mother and stepfather at age 12, finding his career path late in his college tenure, and providing access to higher education to the next generation of students who show promise to succeed, but may not have otherwise been offered admission.

Founding Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Bradford Edwards & Varlack LLP, Camille Joseph Varlack discusses being raised in a Trinidadian household in Rochester, NY, discovering her passion for civil service early in her legal career, developing a penchant for crisis and risk management, and launching a law firm in the middle of the pandemic.

Brand Marketing Consultant and Cultural Connector, Dela Yador discusses landing on academic probation while grieving loss during his freshman year of college, finding his rhythm and becoming a party promoter both on and off campus, honing his skills in the media and liquor industries, and leveraging profitable partnerships to build brand awareness.

Manager of Partnerships at Twitter and co-host of the Someone Will Be Offended and Marketing Misfits Podcasts, Stewart Cornelius discusses moving from Brooklyn to Maryland after the passing of his mother when he was just twelve years old, building a formidable network while attending Morehouse College, and understanding very early on how big streaming and new media would be.

Author, Speaker and Founder of That Suits You, PK Kersey discusses turning his desire to help job applicants prepare for interviews into a nonprofit organization that has served over 9500 men, collaborating with others to author multiple books, and finding new financial opportunities during the pandemic.

Owner and Creative Director of Elevated Lux, Alexandra Nazaire discusses honoring her own humanity following a personal loss, finding value in having a full-time job while also building a business, and leveraging her brand to elevate other Black women.

In Part 2 of this interview, Lifestyle, Experiential and Brand Marketing Director, Genisa Babb discusses moving in with her parents for nearly a year after being laid off, relocating to the West Coast for a new career opportunity, and embarking on her therapy journey to process unresolved trauma.

Lifestyle, Experiential and Brand Marketing Director, Genisa Babb discusses emigrating from Trinidad to the United States as a young child, pursuing her interest in the arts despite financial limitations, leveraging her on-campus involvement to land her first job out of college, and experiencing work trauma at multiple points in her career.

For the first time in over three years, Delisha takes on a podcast episode solo, discussing her own tried and true coping strategies after a year of difficult moments.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus disrupt their normal recording schedule to discuss overcoming last-minute obstacles to successfully host their third annual backpack giveaway, only to be directly impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida a few days later.

In Part 2 of this interview, Chief of Operations at NY Theological Seminary, Lenier Thomas discusses accepting an offer to transfer to Morgan State University, and seizing professional opportunities to diversify her skill set.

In Part 1 of this interview, Brand Strategist, Digital Marketer and New York Theological Seminary's Chief of Operations, Lenier Thomas discusses being reared by strong women, witnessing her parents' reconciliation, and facing the repercussions of one incident that would alter her college career.

Host Delisha and Producer Damarcus discuss hitting a roadblock in their rebranding, getting comfortable with moving at their own pace, and preparing for their next back-to-school drive.

In Part 2 of this interview, cinematographer and filmmaker, Hans Charles discusses working with Ava DuVernay on the award-winning documentary, 13th, supporting diversity in Hollywood for roles behind the camera, and evolving as a parent to his two children.

In Part 1 of this interview, cinematographer, filmmaker and professor, Hans Charles discusses growing up in an insular Haitian family in Stamford, CT, taking an early interest in the arts, and viewing Black culture through a different lens while living in Atlanta and attending Morehouse College.

President and CEO of LeadersUp, Jeffery Wallace discusses turning a $1 million seed investment from Starbucks into employment opportunities for over 60,000 young people, growing social capital on his professional journey, and being committed to both financial prosperity and social entrepreneurship.

School psychologist Dr. Amber Willis discusses growing up in South Central Los Angeles, getting into college despite being labeled a "low performer" by teachers, taking a nontraditional route to obtain an advanced degree, and overcoming a personal setback that could have permanently altered her career.

Hair and Makeup Maven, Beauty Educator, and Content Creator, Tish Ferguson discusses letting her inner light shine at a young age, honing her beauty skills in college, leveraging social media to create opportunities early in her career, and diversifying her brand during the pandemic.