Hustle Skirt

Interview with Jade Brown-Russell, Founder and Principal of JD Russell Consulting

Jade Brown-Russell Principal Jade Brown-Russell has more than 25 years of experience in equity, program design, policy development, and project management. Her niche is developing solutions for systemic inequities in policies and programs across the nation. From government to corporate sectors, Jade’s work is grounded in providing systemic, sustainable, and equitable reform through equity, legal, and governmental relations consulting services. Jade serves as a consultant to several public and private agencies on strategic planning, diversity, equity and inclusion, policy development and other business solutions, including the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Parish of East Baton Rouge-City of Baton Rouge, the City of Chattanooga, City of Pittsburgh, Plaquemines Port and Harbor Terminal, New Orleans Family and Justice Center, and Baton Rouge Recreation (BREC). Jade is also the outside general counsel for the Finance Authority of New Orleans and Crescent City Community Land Trust in New Orleans, Louisiana.
 
Jade’s philosophy on building an equitable ecosystem includes a multi-strategy approach to include dismantling systemic racism, promoting racial equity and building the capacity of people for economic and social resilience. Through her personal entrepreneurial journey, one recurring theme became apparent: Black Americans have never had an equal ability to reap the benefits of business ownership. Jade builds solutions to foster innovation, collaborate with black-owned businesses, and embrace equity through a community of kinship, alliance and power. Jade is a graduate of Howard University and Southern University Law Center. Jade is the founder and Chairwoman of Maroon, Inc.
 
1206 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA | 70130 504.662.6132 jade@jdrussellconsulting.com www.jdrussellconsulting.com

Interview with Judy Nixon Swanier, Owner and Operator of JNX Partners Staffing and Training Agency

Judy Nixon Swanier is the owner and operator of JNX Partners – Staffing & Training Agency. JNX Partners provides extensive resources to clients through the global network of agency offices. Our strongest difference is “our approach” to identifying the potential of under-realized talent. Engaged and purpose-driven candidates excel. We focus on the company’s opportunities and create the engagement for alignment with the candidate. This will ensure the highest level of employee retention, company performance, and employee satisfaction.
Founded in 2005, JNX Partners, LLC (Staffing and Training) is an independently owned and operated agency, woman and minority owned, associated with Management Recruiters International (MRINetwork).
Contact Information:
T: 770.868.6183E: Judy.Swanier@jnxpartners.com
Website: www.jnxpartners.com

Interview with Essence H. Banks, MBA, President/Founder of Heart N Hands, Inc.

Essence Banks is a heart disease survivor, supporter advocate of heart health since September 2004. At the age of 30, Essence experienced shortness of breath and heart palpitations during her workouts - she knew something was wrong and after several tests her cardiologist discovered over 90% blockage in 2 arteries. Essence founded Heart N Hands in 2014 to raise awareness and educate girls aged 10-18 about heart health/heart disease prevention.
 
Essence H. Banks, MBAPresident/FounderHeart N Hands, Inc. 800-276-8082essence@heartnhands.orgwww.heartnhands.orgSeptember 16, 2023 Register at: runsignup.com
Connect with us! 
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Interview with Debra Keelen, Author of New Beginnings

Website:
Favoriteconsultants.com
 
About the Author:
After a lucrative career in Engineering as an engineer at Ford Motor Company in Detroit Michigan and a Traffic Engineer in NOLA at South Central Bell, God closed that door to show her true gift of TEACHING. I became certified in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science and her teaching career began. My favorite subject to teach was Calculus.
 
I enrolled in the doctoral program at UNO in Curriculum and Instruction. I am considered ABD.  I retired from New Orleans Public School only to come out of retirement to teach at SUNO and Bard College as an Adjunct Professor.
 
My Book NEW BEGINNINGS tells my journey.  My book includes statements from my former students.
 
I currently tutor students via my LLC, Favorite Consultants, a website with the same name.  My Book can be purchased via Amazon and at Xavier University in the Alumni Authors Section.
 
My book is available to the public through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/New-Beginnings-Debra-H-Keelen/dp/1662802447/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SO2JFR6DJSU1&keywords=9781662802430&qid=1707244956&sprefix=9781662802430%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1
 
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/new-beginnings-debra-h-keelen/1138513426?ean=9781662802430
 
My book is also available via your Xulon Press bookstore page. 
Below I have included the link for you to copy and share with your readers.
 
https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662802430&HC_ISBN=9781662802447
My Book can also be purchased from Xavier' Bookstore in the section for Alumni Authors.

Interview with Dr. Danette O'Neal, PhD, Owner of Danette O'Neal Realtors, Inc.

Danette O’Neal, Professor, Author-LEED educator, HGTV alumna, entrepreneur, and trainer is the Broker/Owner of Danette O’Neal Realtors (DOR) with offices in the Greater New Orleans and Atlanta Metro areas.
 
A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she holds a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, a Masters in Public Administration both from Walden University, and a M.A. in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. 
 
Dr. O’Neal specializes in residential and commercial sales, property management and spiritual architecture. With now 33 years in real estate, she regularly lends her expertise to nonprofit organizations to expand their missions by lecturing on financial fitness, developing entrepreneurial training programs, and consulting for organizational leadership and sustainability.
 
Dr. Danette O’Neal
Danette O'Neal Realtors, Inc.Women Council of Realtors, LA Liaison504.365.7325/ 770.981.1999 offices and 888.676.8465 toll freehttp://danetteoneal.comhttps;//danetteonealrealtors.bizhttps://danetteonealpublishing.comwww.facebook.com/dantteonealwww.twitter.com/danetteonealwww.instagram.com/danetteoneal www.Linkedin.com/danetteoneal 

Interview with Yanada Essex, Owner of Brighter Days, Inc.

Yanada G. Essex (LCSW-BACS, ACSW) is a proud New Orleanian. In 2002, she established Brighter Days, Inc. which exists to heal the mind, body and spirit in one place through holistic interventions and products. Yanada sees her work as more than her profession, it’s her ministry, her gift to God and the world.
Contact Info:
Yanada  G. Essex, LCSW-BACS, ACSW
Clinical Social Worker 
Brighter Days, Inc. 
213 South Broad Street
New Orleans, LA 70119-6314
Email: info@brighterdaysinc.com
504-941-5339 (Office)
504-827-9099 (Fax)
Wishing You Brighter Days...
 

Interview with Dr. Gail Thomas, Founder and CEO of Precise Education Consulting, LLC

Dr. Gail Thomas is the founder and CEO of Precise Education Consulting, LLC. Born and raised in New Orleans, she has over 30 years of firsthand experience with the changing landscapes of the education system. Her expertise is extensive. Being on the frontline, she has had the opportunity to serve in various capacities that directly impact all students, particularly those students with special needs. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, Masters's degree from Southeastern University, and a Doctorate from Grambling State University. She is a member of several national education organizations and has held leadership roles in many. She is a proud Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. member, and enjoys community involvement.

Interview with Kathy Cobette Saloy, Retired as a Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development, Market Leader

Kathy Cobette Saloy recently retired as a Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development, Market Leader for the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast for Hope Enterprise Corporation. She focused on asset building strategies and facilitates investments in community infrastructure including fresh food retailers, charter schools, affordable housing and other community facilities, infrastructure projects while connecting communities with HOPE resources and expertise. In the role she managed structures, and leads the organization's business development financing and debt associated with specialized sources.
Kathy has facilitated the Fresh Food Retail Initiative in New Orleans from the CDFI fund, Goldman Sachs and others, leveraging over $49 million for Healthy Food projects and managing budgets over 19 million of loan program funds.
Kathy leads Hope Supplier Diversity Pilot, focusing on increasing access to contracting procurement opportunities for small businesses. She was very instrumental in leading, promoting and processing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications.
 

Interview with Carol Flowers, Owner of Totally Fit Physique, Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist

Carol Flowers is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with 26 years of experience. She was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwick Flowers, who are from Spanish Honduras. Carol is a graduate of Xavier University, with a degree in Foreign Language and a minor in Business. She is the owner of Totally Fit Physique, a personal training facility.
 
Carol Flowers ,CEO
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Nutritionist 
Certified DBE, Certified WBE with Women Business Enterprise National Council and Small Business Administration Certified WOSB
Telephone: 504-439-2639(body by carol)
Website:  https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/TFPJH5703 Read Blvd Suite C 
New Orleans, La 70127
www.totallyfitphysique.com 

Interview with Dr. Kelly Smith, Founding Chair and Dean for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Southern University New Orleans

Dr. Kelly Smith is the Founding Chair and Dean for the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Southern University at New Orleans since its opening in 2022. In response to the ever-present nursing workforce shortage, Dr. Smith and her team are working to answer the call for solutions by offering another pathway to educate students as a solution to this problem in healthcare, while ensuring that there is a diverse workforce that reflects the racial/ethnic composition of the community and state to provide culturally competent care to minority populations.  Dean Smith is committed to promoting upward mobility and professionalism for SUNO's School of Nursing students, by delivering a high-quality nursing education program through teaching, scholarship and service. She is a native of New Orleans and has over 29 years of professional nursing experience in various nursing roles in public and private sectors, with the last decade primarily in nursing education.