Embracing Your Voice

• Finding Your Voice in the Music Industry with Naima Cochrane

  In this episode of Embracing Your Voice, Atima welcomes music industry veteran, writer, and cultural commentator Naima Cochrane for an inspiring conversation about building a career that aligns with your true self. From her early days in entertainment law to leading marketing at iconic labels and managing artists like John Legend, Naima shares her journey through a changing industry. Tune in as they discuss navigating creative careers, the evolution of Black music and culture, and lessons on embracing the parts of yourself that make you stand out.Key TakeawaysCareer Alignment Comes Over Time: Naima shares how her current career—teaching, writing, and storytelling—is the most aligned with who she has always been.The Power of Storytelling in Marketing: Through her marketing work at major labels, Naima learned that telling the artist’s story is as critical as promoting their music.Managing Talent Is About Trust: Her time managing John Legend revealed how essential communication, trust, and healthy boundaries are in artist management.Episode Highlights[00:01:00] — Naima’s early life growing up in a musical family; roots of her love for music.[00:09:00] — Moving from a corporate marketing career into freelance and entrepreneurship.[00:17:00] — How #MusicSermon began as a passion project on Twitter.[00:24:00] — Building an authentic community online and resisting pressure to monetize early.[00:31:00] — The moment #MusicSermon unexpectedly launched her journalism career.[00:36:00] — Balancing full-time teaching with creative and entrepreneurial work.[00:42:00] — Dealing with perfectionism and ADHD when creating content.[00:49:00] — How her values drive her work and decision-making.[00:55:00] — The challenges of scaling as a solo creative — when and how to bring on help.[01:03:00] — Learning to embrace being seen as a thought leader in music and culture.[01:14:00] — Community is the true driver of #Music Sermon — why she continues to resist monetization that changes the experience.[01:15:00] — How #Music Sermon opened doors to journalism, teaching, and partnerships.[01:23:00] — Leading the award-winning marketing campaign for Aaliyah’s catalog release.[01:27:00] — Learning to promote her own voice and accomplishments after years of building others’.[01:33:00] — Final advice for creatives: sell your unique voice, trust the process, and give yourself grace.Quotes"Everything that I do now reflects little Naima in a really great way—even the parts of myself I once tried to turn down." — Naima Cochrane"Marketing is where you get to tell the artist’s story, explain the vision, and help shape how the world sees them." — Naima Cochrane"As a manager, your job is to free the talent to be creative. You take on the logistics so they can focus on their art." — Naima CochraneNaima Cochrane is a music industry veteran who is a storyteller, and leading voice on Black music and culture. She spent 20 years rising through the ranks at legendary music labels Arista, Columbia and Epic Records. She would then work on the artist management side with EGOT John Legend and Emmy, Grammy, and Tony award winning Cynthia Erivo. Now, she is best known for being the creator of the viral storytelling series on Twitter and Instagram called #MusicSermon which prompted a move from the business side into more music...

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• EPISODE REWIND: S1 Ep.11 Creating the Space You Want For Yourself With Carissa Begonia

  Summary:In this episode of the Embracing Your Voice podcast, Atima Omara sits down with Carissa Begonia, founder of Conscious Exchange. From her journey as a Filipina American in corporate America to her pivot into coaching, Carissa shares her lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship, and creating the space you want for yourself. Together, they explore identity, resilience, and empowerment themes for women of color navigating traditional career paths and beyond.Key Timestamps[00:00:00] Introduction: Atima introduces the podcast and its focus on empowering women of color to create impactful careers while being unapologetically themselves.[00:01:00] Meet Carissa Begonia: Carissa Begonia, a second-generation Filipina American and founder of Conscious Exchange, is introduced. Her work focuses on helping BIPOC entrepreneurs build time, location, financial, and occupational freedom.[00:09:00] Career in Fashion: Carissa discusses her journey working at Macy’s, including managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and learning key skills in business planning and forecasting.[00:13:00] Navigating Corporate Spaces: Carissa describes her experiences as a young Asian woman in corporate America, including challenges with representation, office politics, and microaggressions.[00:17:00] Thriving Under Women of Color Leadership: Carissa reflects on how mentorship and leadership from women of color positively impacted her career and contrasts it with experiences under white male leadership.[00:20:00] The Journey to DEI Work: Carissa recounts her transition into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, creating spaces for women and marginalized groups within companies like Zappos.[00:30:00] Challenges of Representation: Atima and Carissa discuss the pressures and biases women of color face in leadership roles, including stereotypes and the difficulty of balancing assertiveness with emotional intelligence.[00:39:00] Pivot to Entrepreneurship: Carissa explains her decision to leave corporate America, finding her purpose in creating spaces and opportunities for marginalized communities through entrepreneurship.[00:54:00] Challenges of Starting a Business: A candid discussion about the realities of entrepreneurship, including financial struggles, systemic barriers, and the need for honest mentorship.[00:59:00] Creating Spaces for BIPOC Entrepreneurs: Carissa emphasizes the importance of representation and community for entrepreneurs of color, shifting her focus to business coaching for people of color.[01:03:00] Closing Thoughts: Carissa shares insights on self-awareness, recognizing patterns, and aligning purpose with action to create impactful and fulfilling work.Key Takeaways:Leadership Lessons: Authentic leadership requires empathy and courage.Entrepreneurial Mindset: Align your values with your work for a more significant impact.Overcoming Barriers: Empowerment starts with giving yourself permission.To learn more about her/or work with her. Check out: https://www.consciousxchange.com/homeIf you enjoyed the show and you want to join our community of other women of color who are embracing their voice head over to https://embracingyourvoicepod.com/Connect with Atima on:InstagramLinkedin

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• EPISODE REWIND: S2 Ep.3 Changing the Business of Politics by Starting A Business w/Alicia Sisneros

  Overview:This week on Embracing Your Voice, host Atima Omara is joined by Alicia Sisneros, founder of Sisneros Strategies, a 100% Latina-owned political consulting firm. Alicia opens up about her career journey, from breaking into the industry to launching a successful business centered on diversity and inclusion. Together, they discuss navigating systemic challenges, the importance of mentorship, and how Alicia's firm is reshaping the political consulting space for women and minorities.Key Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction: Atima introduces the show and its focus on empowering women of color, followed by an introduction of Alicia Sisneros and her firm, Sisneros Strategies.[00:02:30] Meet Alicia Sisneros: Alicia introduces herself as a business owner, mother, and advocate and reflects on her upbringing in a union family and the lack of career awareness growing up.[00:14:00] Highlights in Nevada Politics: Alicia discusses her role in electing the most women and Latino/a legislators in Nevada's history.[00:16:30] Transition to National Politics: Alicia reflects on her move to Chicago to work for Organizing for Action, Obama's C4 organization, and her unique role as a data visualization manager.[00:20:00] Entry into Political Consulting: Alicia describes her transition into consulting in Ohio, gaining experience with multiple campaigns and nonprofit organizations.[00:24:00] Challenges in Consulting Firms: Alicia discusses facing limited opportunities for upward mobility in white-male-dominated consulting firms.[00:28:00] Building Her Own Firm: Alicia explains her motivation to launch Sisneros Strategies in 2019, including her desire for flexibility, authenticity, and better work-life balance.[00:35:00] The Impact of the Pandemic: Alicia discusses how the pandemic leveled the playing field for consulting firms and created new opportunities for her business.[00:38:00] Breaking Barriers as a Latina Business Owner: Alicia reflects on being overlooked in traditional consulting spaces and her determination to change the culture of political consulting.[00:42:00] Supporting Women and Diverse Voices: Alicia describes her commitment to mentoring women of color in politics and fostering authenticity in her candidates and employees.[00:46:00] Challenges in Securing Clients: Alicia shares anecdotes about being stereotyped as "too niche" while advocating for diversity and cultural competency in political outreach.[00:49:00] Balancing Career and Family: Alicia emphasizes the importance of defining work-life balance on her terms and creating a supportive work environment for her team.[00:53:00] Closing Thoughts: Alicia encourages listeners to spend their energy wisely, embrace authenticity, and challenge traditional structures in their industries.Key TakeawaysDiversity in Campaigns: Sisneros Strategies redefines political consulting by prioritizing cultural competency and authentic representation.Mentorship Matters: Alicia emphasizes the importance of mentoring women of color to ensure the next generation faces fewer barriers.Resilience in Leadership: Alicia's journey highlights the power of persistence and creating opportunities when the system won't make space for you.Resources and LinksLearn More about Sisneros Strategies: Visit Alicia's WebsiteNetworking Tips for Women Leaders: Read This GuideStarting a Consulting Business: Explore These StepsStay Up To Date Subscribe to Embracing Your Voice for more stories of trailblazing women of color and their journeys to success. Sign up for our newsletter at

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• Building Wealth & A Career on Your Terms with Mandi Woodruff-Santos

  In this episode, I got to sit down with the amazing Mandi Woodruff Santos—host and executive producer of the award-winning Brown Ambition podcast and the powerhouse behind Mandi Money Media. We talk about everything from humble beginnings and financial trauma to building a multi-six-figure career and helping other women of color do the same.Mandi’s story is real, raw, and deeply inspiring. From growing up with a single mom and tight finances to getting laid off just three months into her "dream" job in NYC, she shares how she turned those challenges into fuel for creating financial security—and eventually, financial freedom. Now, with nearly a decade of podcasting and millions of listeners behind her, she's using her voice and experience to empower others.What we cover in this episode:How Mandi turned her love of books and storytelling into a journalism careerThe financial trauma that shaped her drive to build wealthWhy getting laid off early in her career was a blessing in disguiseThe myth of stability and how it keeps women stuckMandi’s journey from $35K to $300K a year—and how she helps others do the sameThe importance of negotiating, pivoting, and betting on yourselfWhy now, more than ever, women of color need financial autonomyThis isn’t your typical finance chat. Mandi keeps it 100% real about the emotional weight of money, how to take back your power, and how she’s creating generational change—not just for herself, but for her kids and her community. Whether you're mid-pivot, dreaming of more, or just tired of feeling stuck, this conversation will light a fire under you.Mandi Woodruff-Santos is sought after personal finance expert and career coach. Most famously, she is the Host and Executive Producer of the very popular and award winning podcast Brown Ambition, the first money and career podcast for women of color by women of color. She is also the founder of the growing Mandi Money Media LLC which provides coaching and training on careers and negotiating those paychecks. Her mission with both is to empower women of color through financial and career education. Before all of this, Mandi started off as a journalist, but it was being laid off her job three months in trying to make ends meet that led her to vow to really teach herself about building a financial safety net and personal wealth and that was the beginning of a personal and professional journey that led her to the businesses she runs today.Need career coaching or help negotiating your salary for a new job or raise? https://www.mandimoney.com/And if you somehow haven't check out Brown Ambition podcast on Apple/Spotify and major streaming platforms. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brown-ambition/id1039708229

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  1:05:57
• Latina in Politics: Building a Career in Data Without a Blueprint

  In this episode of Embracing Your Voice, I sit down with Rosa Mendoza, Vice President of Account Management at Global Strategy Group. Rosa opens up about her journey from aspiring lawyer to data powerhouse in Democratic politics. From manually building spreadsheets to leading analytics for national campaigns like Kamala Harris’s 2020 presidential run, Rosa shares how saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities helped her uncover her true path and purpose. If you’ve ever felt like your journey didn’t make sense—until it did—this episode will speak directly to you. Key Takeaways:How Rosa’s pre-law background transformed after volunteering on Obama’s campaignThe power of curiosity and how it shaped her data careerLearning to code on the job and trusting your intuitionThe role of community and purpose in political campaign lifeHow mentorship and asking questions accelerated her growthNavigating cultural expectations while forging your own pathBecoming a pollster—and finally helping her family understand her workTimestamps:00:00 – Intro and Rosa’s Pre-Law Origins04:30 – Discovering Politics Through Obama’s 2012 Campaign09:15 – From Volunteer to Full-Time Political Work13:20 – Falling Into Data Analytics by Following Curiosity19:00 – Building Skills on the Job (and Googling Everything)23:45 – Behind the Scenes of Campaign Life and Data Culture29:30 – Leading Analytics for Major National Organizations36:00 – Making a Career Make Sense to Family41:50 – What She Loves About Her Role Today46:10 – Final Thoughts and Advice for ListenersIn this episode of Embracing Your Voice, I talk with Rosa Mendoza, who shares her powerful story of transformation—from pursuing law to leading major data analytics in political campaigns. Rosa walks us through the pivotal moment she shifted her path: volunteering for Obama’s campaign in 2012. What started as community engagement soon became a full-blown career in progressive politics.Rosa opens up about learning to trust her instincts, taking on roles she didn’t feel fully prepared for, and embracing her natural curiosity. Her story reveals how she transitioned into data analytics—despite having no formal background—and how she taught herself to code by simply Googling, asking questions, and figuring it out one step at a time.We dive into the campaign world, where Rosa describes what it was like building something bigger than yourself alongside a team of mission-driven people. She also reflects on how her identity, upbringing, and immigrant parents' expectations shaped her resilience and drive.By the end of the conversation, Rosa explains how becoming a pollster finally helped her work “click” for her family, and she shares what keeps her energized in this new phase of her career.Guest Information:Rosa is Vice President of Account Management at The Global Strategy Group an award winning full-service communications, research, and public affairs agency. Global Strategy Group or GSG is a highly respected agency that has worked with top Fortune 100 companies, leading national advocacy organizations, as well as federal and state elected officials Rosa came to the firm having worked in Democratic politics for years. She started her career in politics during Obama’s 2012 Presidential reelection campaign and has served in numerous data-driven roles for NextGen, the Human Rights Campaign, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Rosa most recently served as Chief Analytics Officer for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Rosa graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University, earning degrees in Economics and Political ScienceLearn more about some of Rosa's work at the Global Strategy Group especially on the...

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