RightNOWLeaders - SEASON 1

RightNOWLeaders - SEASON 1

by Andre G. Early

Careers Self-Improvement

Obama Foundation Consults THIS NY Youth Program with Dr. Anael Alston

In this installment of RightNOWLeaders, we sit down with industry experts to dissect the monumental impact of the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) initiative. This video explores the critical transition from impact-based goals to rigorous, outcomes-based initiatives that force meaningful systemic change. Our guest, Dr. Anael Alston, former Assistant Commissioner within the New York State Department of Education, breaks down the 'trifecta' of success, partnering schools with community-based organizations and local leadership.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins: Lifting Young Men of Color

In this inspiring episode of RightNOWLeaders, we sit down with Westchester County (NY) Executive, Ken Jenkins at the 2026 My Brother's Keeper (MBK) Symposium. As the first African-American male to serve as CEO of one of the nation’s most affluent counties, Ken Jenkins shares profound insights on the importance of mentorship, community involvement, and the power of collective action.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - From Imposter to Engineer: How to Build Career Confidence with Maniyah Dixon

In this episode of RightNOWLeaders, we dive deep into the real-world experiences of early-career professionals and students navigating the engineering field. Maniyah Dixon shares her journey from technical high school to the verge of graduation, focusing on the power of confidence, overcoming workplace adversity, and the critical importance of mentorship. You will learn actionable strategies for navigating engineering internships, the value of building a supportive community, and why developing technical and soft skills is essential for long-term career success.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - Supply Chain, Data Analytics & Navigating a PWI as a Black Student with Keeron Cunningham

In Episode 13 of RightNOWLeaders, I sat down with Keeron Cunningham, a senior at Stevens Institute of Technology majoring in Management Information Systems (MIS), at the NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference. Keeron keeps it real about switching from cybersecurity to supply chain management, landing a logistics & procurement internship at Atlas Air Worldwide, working part-time at Aldo Group, and how NSBE gave him the structure and confidence to level up professionally.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - From Astro Boy to Mechanical Engineer: NYU Student Shares Real Advice for Freshmen with Jayden Senior

In this RightNOWLeaders interview at the NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference, Jayden Senior breaks down what actually matters: starting LinkedIn early, taking freshman year seriously, stepping outside your comfort zone, and mastering time management before it's too late.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - Supply Chain Engineering Explained: Problem Solving for Tomorrow's Leaders with Bionka Barryer

In this episode of RightNOWLeaders, host Andre Early sits down with Bionka Barryer, a mechanical engineer, supply chain professional, and the National Treasurer for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Recorded at the NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference, Bionka shares her incredible career journey from her undergraduate studies to landing a role at PepsiCo, navigating a layoff, and now pursuing her MBA at Rice University.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - Surviving Engineering as the Only Black Student: NSBE Leader Shares His Path to Success - with Jamel Usen

In this RightNOWLeaders interview at the NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference, Jamel Usen shares his journey navigating predominantly white institutions (PWIs), finding his community, and building a career in IoT, 5G technology, and machine learning, all while inspiring the next generation of Black engineers.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - From Passion to Purpose: Black Woman Engineer's STEM Journey with Jaia Ruffin

Jaia Ruffin is breaking barriers as a Water Resource Engineer and showing us what's possible when you stay curious and authentic. From recycling bins in Cleveland to leading the Rochester NSBE chapter, her story is proof that your passion can become your career.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - From 2nd Grade Dream to Engineering Job Offer: a STEM Journey with Darian Parker

Meet Darian Parker. At 22, Darian is a senior electrical and computer engineering student at the University of Rochester, NSBE Region 1 Communications Chair, Division III football player, and already has a job offer in hand. But his journey started with a simple dream in 2nd grade, building a machine that turns pollution into clean energy.

2025 NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference - We're Designed to Be Robots: Black Woman Engineer Exposes What They Don't Teach in School with Onyekachi Akubue

Onyekachi Akubue, whose name means "No one is stronger than God", is a senior Electrical and Computer Engineering student at New York Institute of Technology. In this powerful interview at the NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference, she reveals why she's pivoting from embedded systems engineering to technical product management, her eye-opening experience developing bombs at Boeing, and her PhD ambitions to create internet-free embedded technology for underserved Nigerian villages.

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