Valerie Jarrett served as Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, and was his most loyal and powerful advocate in the White House. On this Anniversary Episode of Protégé Podcast, Valerie talks about how to lean in during high pressure meetings, how to balance work and family, and how to stay vigilant during these turbulent political times. In one of the rare interviews about her career, Valerie shares powerful insight about what she might tell herself as a 35 year old single mother about career success and life.

Anniversary Episode - Valerie Jarrett Reflects on Her Historic Career

At one point in his career, Mark Tatum knew he wanted to break into the sports industry, but he didn't know how. So he consulted his mentors, went to grad school, and the rest is history. Mark is now the Deputy Commissioner of the NBA and its Chief Operating Officer. In our fourth and final Anniversary Episode, Mark drops by Protégé Podcast and talks NBA Playoffs, diversity in the NBA league office and teams, the growth of the game, and what he's learned during his extraordinary career journey.

Anniversary Episode - Mark Tatum Stays True to the Game

When your career instincts call you, will you answer them? Joe Wilson Jr. answered the call as a creative talent in his early 20's, and the rest is history. After a stint acting on Broadway, Joe joined Trinity Repertory Company where he's been a resident actor for 13 years. Not content being a great stage actor, Joe is also a community activist in his adopted hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. On this week's Protégé Podcast, Joe and I discuss living in the moment, balancing personal success with community impact, and how being black and gay can still mean you are privileged.

The Lush Life of Joe Wilson Jr.

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins has represented some of hip hop and R&B's most accomplished producers and songwriters. But the path to being one of the top entertainment lawyers in America hasn't been a crystal stair. On this week's Protégé Podcast, Bernie and I talk about being dismissed earlier in her career as just a pretty face, managing the recording career of her son, and packing some heat for the occasional crazy client.

Bernie, The Entertainment Attorney, Is Never Scared

When we hit a crossroads in our careers, we often consider major shifts. Maybe we are thinking about a pivot from corporate to entrepreneurship, or maybe from the public sector to the private sector. But what about working overseas? As part of our series “Pivot to Purpose” on Protégé Podcast, I talk with Kwame Som-Pimpong, a millennial business leader who manages the Africa Business Fellowship. The Africa Business Fellowship will match young American business professionals with paid placements in African companies.  Maybe your Pivot to Purpose should extend beyond Wall Street and Silicon Valley. Maybe it's time to include startups, finance, and tech companies in Senegal, Ghana, and South Africa.

Pivot to Purpose - Working in Africa's Private Sector

As part of our month-long series "Diversity in Tech: Obstacles & Opportunities," we will have candid conversations with dynamic leaders of color about their careers in the tech sector. This week, I talk with StubHub executive Bärí A. Williams about her path to senior leadership in Silicon Valley, the connection between gentrification and corporate diversity, and why we must be intellectually honest about meritocracy in the tech sector.

Diversity in Tech - Bärí Williams Is Reclaiming Her Time

Can you build a multi-million dollar cyber-security firm on faith? As part of our series "Diversity and Tech: Obstacles and Opportunities," I talk with Danyetta Magana, CEO of Covenant Security Solutions, about how she's incorporated her abiding faith and her technology brilliance into a leading cyber-security company. As CEO of an INC 5000 fast growing company, Danyetta discusses the signs God provides for us, standing up for yourself in the workplace, and the power of forgiveness in your career.

Diversity in Tech - Danyetta Magana on Faith and Cybersecurity

Protégé Podcast Season 4 launches with our 10-part series, "Inside the C-Suite," where I interview senior leaders from diverse backgrounds who are part of executive leadership at leading companies and organizations. On this episode, I have a powerfully inspiring conversation with the insightful and accomplished April Miller Boise, senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary of Meritor. April talks about the importance of sponsors, the elements of executive communication, and how to build relationships with your professional colleagues.

Inside the C-Suite with April Miller Boise

On this episode, I'm joined by Guest Co-Host Shaunna Jones to take a humorous journey through the various segments of the black middle and upper middle classes. Does bourgie mean snobbish or successful? Which bourgie type are you? We break down the differences between the Afro-Bourgie and the Bourgie Fabulous, as well as the other major bourgie categories. Our goal is to help you with the code-switching we do at family gatherings, with understanding how to find your tribe in your dating life, and with finally realizing why your uncle is always paying for funerals in your family (he's Blue Collar Bourgie and that's what they do). On the Motivation segment, I mention a simple, but powerful quote from Oprah about how to stay grounded on your journey to success.

The Six Kinds of Black Bourgie People You Meet

Protégé Podcast provides the insightful career advice, powerful inspiration and unvarnished truth you need to pursue and fulfill the career of your dreams. Protégé Podcast is hosted by Rory Verrett, the founder and managing partner of Protégé Search, a boutique talent advisory and executive recruiting firm. Rory has helped companies such as Boeing, American Express, the New York Times Company, and the NFL recruit, retain, and develop high potential talent. He has recruited leaders for companies in Silicon Valley, advised nonprofit organizations on leadership development, and coached countless entrepreneurs to breakthrough success.

Pivot to Purpose - Working in Africa's Private Sector

Rory Verrett

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