Modern Figures Podcast copertina

Modern Figures Podcast

Modern Figures Podcast

Di: Dr. Kyla McMullen and Dr. Jeremy Waisome
Ascolta gratuitamente

3 mesi a soli 0,99 €/mese

Dopo 3 mesi, 9,99 €/mese. Si applicano termini e condizioni.

A proposito di questo titolo

Elevating the voices of Black women in computingModern Figures Podcast ™
  • What we wish we knew before becoming Faculty – Episode 089
    Aug 25 2025

    Episode 89 – What we wish we knew before becoming Faculty

    Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

    Connect on social:

    LinkedIN – Jeremy

    LinkedIN – Kyla

    Join the newsletter

    Shop our store

    Donate to the podcast

    Episode Description:

    At the conclusion of Season 6 – we’re at a crossroads and it’s…a lot.
    Jeremy and Kyla pull back the curtain on the raw, real struggles of life as faculty—juggling the impossible trifecta of research, teaching, and endless service. In another installation of the Black-ademic series, they don’t sugarcoat the burnout, boundary battles, or the constant hustle to keep academia from swallowing you whole.

    This episode dives deep into their personal wins and failures, revealing the hidden costs of “success” in higher education. Along the way, they celebrate the game-changing voices they’ve featured this season and reflect on powerful moments from the Podcast Summit and upcoming conferences.

    If you think academia is just about books and lectures, think again. This is about community, mentorship, and fighting to find real meaning in a system built to wear you down.

    Bios:-::

    Kyla’s Bio

    Dr. Kyla McMullen is a tenured faculty member at the University of Florida’s Computer & Information Sciences & Engineering Department. Dr. McMullen has a personal commitment to encouraging women and minorities to pursue careers in computing and other STEM fields, and is the leader of the SoundPAD Laboratory at the University of Florida, which focuses on the Perception, Application, and Development of 3D audio. Her current projects include: (1) psychoacoustic analysis of the quality of customized head-related transfer functions, (2) using 3D audio to sonify positional data for situational awareness, (3) discovering critical interface design techniques for developing virtual auditory environments, and (4) using 3D audio to increase immersion and realness in virtual and augmented reality.

    Jeremy’s Bio

    Dr. Jeremy A. M. Waisome is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education. Her research focuses on effective mentoring strategies for underrepresented populations in Engineering. She earned her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida (UF), and now serves on the UF Ronald E. McNair Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Associate Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee at UF. In 2018, she was awarded the Mike Shinn Distinguished Member of the Year (Female) by the National Society of Black Engineers. In 2017, she was inducted into the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. In addition, Dr. Waisome was inducted into UF Hall of Fame (2010) and is a recipient of the UF Outstanding Leadership Award (2010).

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 17 min
  • Felecia, Uninterrupted – Episode 088
    Aug 11 2025
    Episode 88 – Felecia, Uninterrupted Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen Guest: Felecia Hatcher Connect on social: LinkedIN feleciahatcher.com Join the newsletter Shop our store Donate to the podcast Episode Description: Felecia Hatcher joins Kyla and Jeremy to share her inspiring journey from a diverse career in experiential marketing to becoming the CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Opportunity Incorporated. Felecia discusses the importance of challenging traditional educational paths, her passion for empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs, and building resilience through innovation. Her candid reflections highlight the significance of pursuing dreams despite obstacles, fostering inclusive innovation, and leveraging unique opportunities for those with world-bending ideas. Discover Felecia’s insights on breaking barriers and building a legacy for future entrepreneurs. Bio:-:: Felecia’s Bio– Felecia Hatcher is a trailblazer, a catalyst for change, and a relentless advocate for equity in the innovation economy. As the CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Opportunity Inc., she stands at the forefront of a movement that empowers diverse entrepreneurs with world-bending ideas with the capital, mentorship, and world-class resources they need to thrive. Under her leadership, Black Ambition has become a beacon of hope and opportunity, connecting entrepreneurs to over $100 million in funding, resources, and contracts. Hatcher’s work is not just about leveling the playing field—it’s about rewriting the rules of the game entirely, ensuring that underrepresented founders are seen, valued, and financially rewarded for their contributions to the innovation economy.Her transformative impact has earned her widespread recognition and accolades. In 2014, she was honored as an Obama White House Champion of Change for her work in advancing STEM access and diversity. She has been named a Harvard Young American Leader, a Comcast/Nationswell Tech Impact Allstar, an Echoing Green Fellow, a BME Vanguard Fellow, and a Black Enterprise TechConnect Game Changer. Her influence has been celebrated by Forbes, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, MSNBC, and The Grio, which named her one of 100 African Americans Making History.Hatcher’s work has been backed by an impressive coalition of supporters, including the Knight Foundation, Comcast/NBC Universal, Morgan Stanley, Lennar, Chanel, Surdna Foundation, LVMH, Adidas, Emerson Collective, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Heineken, and Ford. These partnerships underscore the universal recognition of her mission: to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways for underrepresented communities to excel in the innovation economy.Before her role at Black Ambition, Hatcher co-founded Black Tech Week and The Center for Black Innovation, two groundbreaking initiatives that have redefined resource accessibility for students, communities, and entrepreneurs. Through her partnership with Comcast and the Hour of Code, she helped over 2 million students and educators gain access to critical digital tools, bridging the gap between opportunity and talent. Her corporate career is equally impressive, with roles as a marketing executive for the Minnesota Lynx/Timberwolves and as an experiential marketing and brand manager for industry giants like Sony, Nintendo, and McKee Foods. These experiences equipped her with the insights and expertise to navigate the intersection of innovation, culture, and business.A successful entrepreneur in her own right, Hatcher built a venture-backed food company in 2013 and has seen two of her companies acquired, a testament to her business acumen and ability to turn bold ideas into thriving enterprises.Today, Hatcher’s influence extends across multiple platforms. She serves on the Amazon Black Business Accelerator Advisory Board, a $150 million initiative dedicated to supporting Black-owned businesses. She is also a member of the SXSW Diversity Advisory Board, the Beacon Council Board, International Women’s Forum, the Center for Black Innovation, and the Airie Foundation. Her work in building inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems has been so impactful that it has been featured in two Harvard Business School case studies.As a sought-after consultant and transformational speaker, Hatcher works with industry titans like Amazon, Google, Spotify, DoorDash, Target, Samsung, Walmart, and Etsy. Her expertise in inclusive innovation and business strategy empowers organizations to reimagine their approach to diversity and inclusion, while inspiring teams to step into their Zone of Genius. Her ability to merge visionary thinking with actionable strategies has made her an indispensable ally for companies committed to driving meaningful change.Hatcher is also a prolific author, with five books and publications to her name: Genius Jam, Start a Business on a Ramen Noodle Budget (Peterson’s), Focused, Pivot,...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 19 min
  • Jumping into the Deep End – Episode 087
    Jul 28 2025

    Episode 87 – Jumping into the Deep End

    Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen

    Guest: Dr. Quincy K. Brown

    Connect on social:

    LinkedIN

    quincykbrown.com

    Past episode mentioned

    Join the newsletter

    Shop our store

    Donate to the podcast

    Episode Description:

    Join Jeremy and Kyla as they engage with Dr. Quincy K. Brown, an influential figure in STEM policy and education. Quincy shares her inspiring journey from growing up in the Bronx to becoming an established expert in computer science and policy. Learn about her transitions from academia to policy-making, her work in the White House, and her venture into entrepreneurship with Futures and Innovation. Explore how community, education, and perseverance have shaped her path and the impact she continues to have on future generations in STEM.

    Bio:-::

    Quincy’s Bio

    Quincy drives high-impact programs at the intersection of education, workforce development, and technology, with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

    Across two presidencies, she has shaped national policy, aligning federal agencies, nonprofit and industry partners to launch novel initiatives. She is a proven expert who leverages data-driven insights, strategic partnerships, and evidence-based research to shape national policy, scale innovative initiatives, and cultivate cross-sector collaborations.

    Quincy is adept at guiding federal agencies, nonprofits, and industry stakeholders to address critical challenges in STEM education, workforce development, and inclusive technology adoption. She is passionate about advancing economic inclusion and sustainable growth through the responsible application of emerging technologies.

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 34 min
Ancora nessuna recensione