On this episode, Aaleyah allows us openly on her journey of becoming a dynamic therapist specializing in dance and movement therapy. She takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions though career changes, illnesses, and accidents. It is an absolute honor to be able to hold space of stories of this magnitude. Enjoy!

Her Bio:

Aaleyah is a dynamic therapist, creative, and healer specializing in Dance/Movement Therapy. With a strong academic and clinical foundation, she brings a culturally responsive, trauma-informed lens to her work with children, adolescents, and families. Her approach integrates movement, expressive arts, and somatic practices to help clients navigate anxiety, grief, trauma, and identity exploration particularly within communities that have historically been underserved. Guided by the belief that the body holds deep wisdom, Aaleyah creates spaces where emotional expression and healing can unfold organically.

Beyond her clinical work, Aaleyah embodies holistic wellness in her everyday life. She is a certified yoga practitioner and offers cupping and acupressure therapy rooted in Meridian principles. She finds joy and grounding in hiking, swimming, dancing, and traveling activities that both nourish her and reflect the values she brings into her practice. A lifelong learner, she is deeply interested in the intersection of psychedelics and rehabilitation sciences, particularly as it relates to developmental and intellectual disabilities, depression, and anxiety. Through all that she does, Aaleyah is committed to embodied liberation, community care, and making healing accessible and culturally meaningful.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep30) — The Mirrors & The Stereo

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...

On this episode, Devenia, Periana and I talk what it means to navigate PWI (predominantly white spaces) as Black people, advice given about our hair as young girls into our adolescence and how it evolved, and what is one of our favorite things about being Black. Enjoy!

Their Bios:

Devenia Cordette (she/her) is an ever-proud black womyn from the south side of Chicago. She is deeply passionate about the black experience of where they’ve been, as a collective, and where they will go. Since she was younger, she’s been an avid writer, reader, music lover & critic. She is currently a teacher within the private sector of education, who loves her students deeply, and takes their well-roundedness seriously. As she navigates through life, she continues to educate herself, those around her, and uplift her community every chance she gets. Her future plans include graduate degrees, and continuing to climb within education to reach the level of a tenured collegiate professional. As Devenia always says, “it’s a great day to have a great day, and an even better day to be black.”

Periana resides in the DFW area, but was born and raised on the west side of Chicago. She is a wife, a mama to two beautiful girls (Kai and Kobe), a foodie, and so much more. Periana spent the bulk of her career in higher education, supporting and advocating for first generation, low income, and underrepresented student populations. Currently, she is working to improve maternal health outcomes, especially for Black and Brown mamas who are disproportionately affected by the maternal healthcare crisis, and she plans to become a full spectrum doula within the next year or so.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep29) — Give Yourself Wings

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...

On this episode, Devenia, Periana and I talk mentorship. We dig into a conversation unpacking what mentorship looks like, redefining it, and how Professor Dr. Dozier poured into us as students and shaped us for the better helping us define what mentorship should look like. Enjoy!

Their Bios:

Devenia Cordette (she/her) is an ever-proud black womyn from the south side of Chicago. She is deeply passionate about the black experience of where they’ve been, as a collective, and where they will go. Since she was younger, she’s been an avid writer, reader, music lover & critic. She is currently a teacher within the private sector of education, who loves her students deeply, and takes their well-roundedness seriously. As she navigates through life, she continues to educate herself, those around her, and uplift her community every chance she gets. Her future plans include graduate degrees, and continuing to climb within education to reach the level of a tenured collegiate professional. As Devenia always says, “it’s a great day to have a great day, and an even better day to be black.”

Periana resides in the DFW area, but was born and raised on the west side of Chicago. She is a wife, a mama to two beautiful girls (Kai and Kobe), a foodie, and so much more. Periana spent the bulk of her career in higher education, supporting and advocating for first generation, low income, and underrepresented student populations. Currently, she is working to improve maternal health outcomes, especially for Black and Brown mamas who are disproportionately affected by the maternal healthcare crisis, and she plans to become a full spectrum doula within the next year or so.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep28) — A Bowl of Gumbo

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...

On this episode, Devin Tyler a friend from college gives us a glimpse through stories into the world of entrepreneurship as the founder and CEO of Tenacity which connects college students to paid project-based work at startups. We also get the chance to hear about his hair journey. Come along and learn about the recent story of falling in love with his bald head and full beard. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Devin Tyler is the founder and CEO if Tenacity, a marketplace that connects college students to project-based work at startups. Born and raised in Chicago, Devin spent several years in mangement consulting before earning his MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. Through Tenacity, he's building a platform that gives young professionals real-world experience while helping startups grow.

Website: https://www.tenacityai.io/

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep27) — Bigger Fish to Fry

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...

On this episode, Devin Tyler a friend from college gives us a glimpse through stories into the world of entrepreneurship as the founder and CEO of Tenacity which connects college students to paid project-based work at startups. We learn how he thinks about creativity and what that has to do with the number of pivots he's taken. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Devin Tyler is the founder and CEO if Tenacity, a marketplace that connects college students to project-based work at startups. Born and raised in Chicago, Devin spent several years in mangement consulting before earning his MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. Through Tenacity, he's building a platform that gives young professionals real-world experience while helping startups grow.

Website: https://www.tenacityai.io/

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep26) — Thinking in Spreadsheets

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...

On this episode, AL is the co-founder and director of Mike & Al's Basketball League. AL has known me since I was a teenager and he has been running the league since then. AL tells the connection between Bone Thugs -N-Harmony and his hair journey. He shares what it felt like to go bald so early and what its like parenting and helping his children along their hair journeys. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Aljemall Peeples serves as the co-founder and director of Mike & Al's Basketball League and successfully continues the legacy established 25 years ago. Their organization transcends the typical scope of a basketball program; it functions as a violence prevention initiative designed to provide a constructive and positive outlet for youth between the ages of 10 and 21. Their mission underscores the promotion of a culture defined by peace, empathy, and understanding, with a central objective of preventing violence through education, community engagement, and supportive resources. They empower individuals to contribute to the creation of a safer and more compassionate society. Aljemall dedicates himself to ensuring the safety and protection of the young people in Grove Hall advocating for a cultural ethos that extends beyond athletics.

Instagram: mike_and_als

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep25) — Now, I'm Mr. Clean

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...

On this episode, AL is the co-founder and director of Mike & Al's Basketball League. AL has known me since I was a teenager and he has been running the league since then. He deep dives into how he picked up the mantel, what it means to care for community, and to do it ALL on limited resources with doubters looming overhead. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Aljemall Peeples serves as the co-founder and director of Mike & Al's Basketball League and successfully continues the legacy established 25 years ago. Their organization transcends the typical scope of a basketball program; it functions as a violence prevention initiative designed to provide a constructive and positive outlet for youth between the ages of 10 and 21. Their mission underscores the promotion of a culture defined by peace, empathy, and understanding, with a central objective of preventing violence through education, community engagement, and supportive resources. They empower individuals to contribute to the creation of a safer and more compassionate society. Aljemall dedicates himself to ensuring the safety and protection of the young people in Grove Hall advocating for a cultural ethos that extends beyond athletics.

Instagram: mike_and_als

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep24) — Not Always About the Court

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...

One this episode, Mitch dives into what he believes are the trappings of masculinity and ways to consider expanding our view points when looks at youth, especially boys. He shares stories about his male friend group breaking apart with his bachelor party being the central example unraveling masculinity into tangible ways of looking at manhood and opening up conversation surrounding youth development. Enjoy!

His Bio:

Mitch Gayns is a 35 year old content creating contrarian from just north of Boston. Often described as "the guy you'd least want to argue with" he's doing his best these days to put his powers of persuasion (and occasional annoyance) to good use as a psuedo-parent to two teens, youth basketball referee and social media commentator from time to time. Gayns previously hosted the podcast “Those People” interviewing guess about their intersecting identities and politics and “Late2Work” a comedic current events weekly podcast.

THE CHAIR (S2/Ep23) — Trappings of Masculinity

I’m Your AWARD WINNING Host Dreme.

I’m a Black woman, an educator turned tech entrepreneur but still an educator. Building a platform called THE CHAIR is a Black and Brown centered tech platform dedicated to supporting people on their hair journey. You can design hairboards, connect to hair stylists, and share hair care tips all in one space for a more joyous and streamlined experience. AND built a AWARD WINNING podcast to share hair stories and stories surrounding identity, education, and entrepreneurship.

Send a text

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en/...