theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Bobby McNeil, Jr.

Bobby McNeil Jr. is a nationally recognized, award-winning Talent Acquisition Leader, author, and community advocate with over a decade of experience designing inclusive hiring strategies and creating career opportunities. Known for his ability to bridge corporate leadership and community advancement, Bobby has built a career at the intersection of professional excellence and cultural empowerment.

He is the former President of the award-winning Blacks In Technology Raleigh-Durham Chapter, where his leadership earned national recognition, including the 2023 IMPACT Award and 2024 Chapter of the Year. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Development for the National Black MBA Association’s Raleigh-Durham Triad Chapter, helping to build pipelines for leadership and economic growth across North Carolina.

In 2025, Bobby released his debut book, Cracking the Code, a candid career guide blending personal stories, insights, and actionable strategies. Nicknamed “The Career Book for the Culture,” it empowers job seekers to navigate today’s competitive job market with confidence and clarity. The same year, he delivered an impactful TEDx talk, Not Breaking In But Becoming that challenged conventional narratives around access and achievement, inspiring audiences to own their career journey with confidence and purpose.

Bobby’s thought leadership has been featured on platforms, national podcasts, and in media outlets including CNBC. A former NCAA Division II National Champion with the 2007 Barton College Bulldogs, he draws on lessons of resilience, teamwork, and leadership in all he does.

Bobby was recently named one of LinkedIn’s Power 50 Top Black Creators and serves on the Board of Advisors for the North Carolina Technology Association. Whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or community spaces, he leads with authenticity, vision, and a commitment to creating lasting impact.

Instagram @bobbymcneiljr

LinkedIn - Bobby McNeil

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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Deberah Williams.

Deberah W. Williams is the dynamic Founder and CEO of A Fresh Start, LLC, a financial-wellness company she launched in 2006 with one clear mission: to transform lives through credit education, financial literacy, and generational wealth building. She is also the Co-Founder of Women Entrepreneurship Network United, Inc. (WENU), a multi-state network dedicated to empowering women in business through education, collaboration, and access to opportunities.

Originally from Chase City, VA, Deberah holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Norfolk State University and a Master’s in Business Administration (Healthcare Management concentration) from the University of Phoenix. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has called the Atlanta area home for over 30 years.

With a professional background spanning roles as a loan officer, operations manager, and consultant, Deberah has worked alongside mortgage companies, financial advisors, attorneys, tax professionals, students, and real estate agents. This expertise allows her to understand and address the financial challenges families face at every stage of life.

Through A Fresh Start, LLC, Deberah has helped thousands of clients across all 50 states—and internationally—rebuild their credit, secure homeownership, eliminate debt, and establish practical budgeting systems. Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Deberah is deeply rooted in community service. She proudly serves on various boards across Atlanta, lending her voice and leadership to initiatives that advance education, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Her impact and dedication have earned her recognition as a 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year nominee in the prestigious Rice Awards (Rising in Community Excellence Awards).

Deberah’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Knowledge is power—and with the right guidance, everyone can rewrite their financial story.”

🌍 Websites & Contact

🌐 www.afreshstartllc.com
🌐 www.thewenu.com
📧 Deberah_williams@afreshstartllc.com

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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jasmin Spain.

Jasmin Spain holds a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree from North Carolina State University in Counselor Education with a concentration in Student Personnel in Higher Education.

Jasmin has over two decades of experience in higher education, currently serving as the Assistant Vice President of Student Life at Pitt Community College. Jasmin also serves on the advisory boards for the North Carolina Community College System’s Minority Male Success Initiative, Student Conduct & Title IX, and First Generation. Jasmin has an Equity Coach certification as well.

Jasmin is also the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of The M.A.I.N. Initiative LLC™, which stands for Males Addressing Issues & Needs, as well as the Founder & President of U Good, Bro?! Inc.™. Essentially, the purpose of both entities is to assist in the holistic cultivation of the male population, with a special emphasis on Black men and boys, with their psyche, social, and emotional health at the forefront. Jasmin serves as a consultant for Youth Mentoring Collaborative.

Jasmin is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and is also a Campaign for Black Male Achievement American Express Leadership Fellow.

Spain lives by a quote delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldn't do it any better." - MLK

The M.A.I.N. Initiative LLC™| Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO)
Mobile: 252-536-1926 | Email: m.a.i.n.initiative@gmail.com

U Good, Bro?! Inc.™ | Founder & President Email: ugoodbroinc@gmail.com
IG: @maininitiative | @ugoodbroinc
Twitter: @maininitiative
Facebook: Main Initiative
LinkedIn: Jasmin Spain
www.jasminspain.com

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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Shawn Barksdale.

Shawn A. Barksdale is a resilient leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose life journey reflects transformation and empowerment. A former Returning Citizen, Shawn emerged from early incarceration determined to rewrite his narrative and break the cycle. Though his civil rights were taken before he ever exercised them, the second chapter of his life became a testament to growth, perseverance, and service.

During his time in confinement, Shawn committed himself to education—earning a diploma, completing college coursework, and mastering trades. He also pursued personal growth through social development classes, making a vow never to return to confinement.

Upon release, he furthered his education and launched Press 4 Time Tees, a printing business that today serves many justice reform organizations nationwide. His drive to empower others led him to become a Virginia Tech ACE Instructor, a certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

Shawn’s impact extends to media and advocacy as the host of the podcast Ten Minutes of Truth, which provides communities with critical information and perspectives often overlooked by society. With his civil rights restored, he has fostered important conversations with returning citizens, law schools such as Georgetown and Harvard, and diverse audiences across the country.

Today, Shawn works with Virginia Tech as a Special Hire for the COPE Project, where he continues to build ecosystems of support and opportunity. Through his work, business, and outreach, he embodies the power of personal transformation and inspires others—returning citizens and the wider community alike—to reclaim their narratives and embrace their inner strength.

Shawn is a podcast host as well. His podcast is called "Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale". You can listen and learn more about the podcast at these platforms:

• Official website: tenminutesoftruth.com
• Facebook: TenMinutesOfTruth
• On Apple Podcasts: “Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale”
• On Spotify: “Ten Minutes of Truth with Shawn A. Barksdale”
• On Shawn’s website: shawnabarksdale.com
• Press 4 Times Tees: www.press4timetees.com
• Facebook: Press4TimeTees

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theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Melvin Blackwell, LCMHCA, as its next guest for Season 4 Episode 2.

Melvin Blackwell is an educator, high school counselor, and licensed therapist with a passion for student development and success. He began his career in education as a substitute teacher in 2012 and later transitioned to teaching Career and Technical Education before earning his M.Ed. in School Counseling in 2018. Melvin is dedicated to partnering with families and guiding students as they explore and prepare for the next phase of their lives. He is the owner of A Mindful Connection, PLLC, where he provides virtual therapy sessions to support clients through mental and emotional challenges, helping them navigate life’s difficulties and work toward personal growth and overall well-being.

Melvin Blackwell, LCMHCA
Clinical Counselor
A Mindful Connection, PLCC
(919) 322- 8158

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theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Kevin Powell as guest for the kick off of Season 4.

Kevin Powell is a renowned American poet, writer, and human rights activist, widely recognized for his influential work in literature, journalism, and social justice. Raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Powell overcame significant adversity and poverty to become a leading voice on issues of race, masculinity, and equality in America.

Powell has authored 16 books, including the memoir The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood and the poetry collection Grocery Shopping with My Mother, which earned a GRAMMY nomination. His journalism has appeared in major outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and Vibe, where he was a founding senior writer.

"When We Free the World": Powell's Directorial Debut

In 2025, Kevin Powell made his directorial debut with the documentary When We Free the World, co-written and produced with Evangeline Lawson. The film gathers the voices of 70 Black men—from teenagers to men in their 90s—to explore the question: What does it really mean to be a man? This multigenerational, deeply personal documentary confronts and redefines masculinity, drawing on stories from across five generations and a spectrum of identities.

Powell spent six years developing the film, carrying it through the COVID pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd's death, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the #MeToo era. The documentary is intended to spark dialogue and action about manhood, identity, and social change. It features an all-Black-male original soundtrack curated by multi-GRAMMY-nominated producer Vidal Davis, with the closing credits debuting the single “I’m A Man,” inspired by the iconic Civil Rights-era “I AM A MAN” protest posters.

The film premiered in Los Angeles at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater in April 2025 and has screened in cities such as Chicago and Toledo, Ohio. Powell describes the project as a unique, honest, and layered exploration of Black male identity, aiming to inspire understanding, compassion, and meaningful conversation about masculinity in America.

When We Free the World stands as a powerful extension of Kevin Powell’s lifelong commitment to storytelling, activism, and social transformation.

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theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley reflects on Season 3 and shares what to look forward to in Season 4 in 2025.

Medley shared information on his new platform blackVOICESnow. The initiative provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC, led by Antoine Medley.

http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
‍Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow

Antoine Medley - From Broken to Better, to a Hero
blackVOICESnow YouTube Channel

Music Credits: CellTower

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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Carlos Mims, Sr. an upcoming speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC.

blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC.

Black speakers seeking to break into the motivational speaking/lecture arena are often looking for spaces and events to get started, and to get exposure. blackVOICESnow will provide that space. Let blackVOICESnow help you get the valuable experience and exposure you need.

http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
‍Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow

Carlos Mims, Sr. is a partner at Trapp Insurance Group, Inc., where he specializes in offering Lifestyle Protection Plans to individuals and families. With 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, Carlos is committed to empowering clients with the knowledge they need to take control of their financial futures, helping them move from financing their lifestyle to owning it.

CEO, "Lifestyle Ownership"
Host - "Lifestyle Ownership Podcast"
Best-Selling Amazon Author

Music Credits: CellTower

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