#BTVF - Beyond the Valencia Filter

#BTVF is Behind the Valencia Filter, where I profile successful people of color in industries that are not glamorized by the mainstream. This one sits more on the fringe of that sentiment but I felt it was still a worthwhile interview to bring to my audience. Devon Harris, formerly known as Devo Springsteen, is a Grammy award-winning producer who helped his cousin Kanye West start the G.O.O.D. Music Label. Devon attended undergrad at University of Pennsylvania, where he introduced his college roommate, John Stephens (now Legend), to his cousin and the rest became history. I met Devon during my brief

The #BTVF: Behind the Valencia Filter series showcases successful Black professionals in industries that are often overlooked because mainstream likes to glamorize life in 2D. This episode features a college friend, Dr. Kareem Merrick, DDS. Dr. Merrick is a graduate of Howard University (both undergrad and School of Dentistry) and he currently practices in New York City, where he sits in several boards, is a member of faculty at Columbia and works with low income patients as well as private practice. He's clearly passionate about dentistry and I thought he would be a great fit for #BTVF because dentists are

Beyond the Valencia Filter is a new series, where I'll be showcasing people who have reached success that isn't often portrayed in the social media infatuated world where success means jet setting, exotic locations and heavily filtered pictures. My first feature is Jovian Zayne, Managing Director of Teach for America. This is a two fold interview, providing information on Teach for America, which is a great opportunity that I advocate at least researching and how Jovian has achieved success in her own right, her own definition. This is not about defining success. It's about exemplifying how success is a personal