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Bay area native Latonya Tigner is transforming street dance into an academic movement as an assistant professor of dance at the University of California, Berkeley.

Born in Oakland and raised alongside her twin sister, Tigner credits her family's Southern roots for shaping her journey from a first-generation Californian to a visionary cultural guardian. In this interview, Tigner discusses creating "Dancing Cyphers" to examine codified techniques across the African diaspora. She details how studying the technique that empowered her to connect popular movements directly to traditional West African dances. Today, her mission is to strip away studio hierarchy and ensure dance remains an accessible, daily necessity for all.

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Connect & Support: Learn more about Dancing Cyiphers: https://www.instagram.com/dancing_cyiphers/

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In this episode, host Kyonda sits down with entrepreneur, caterer, and college graduate Alondrea "LaLa" Crooms for a candid conversation about resilience, motherhood, and breaking generational cycles. Crooms opens up about the heavy burdens of her youth in Oakland, navigating profound personal loss while pregnant and finishing school, and why she ultimately chose to relocate to Chico for a fresh start.

From servicing clients on her couch to launching her own catering company and earning two college degrees, Crooms shares how she turned isolation and adversity into the driving force for her future.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on what it truly takes to step out of survival mode, rebuild your life, and bloom where you're planted.

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In this episode, attorney and nonprofit founder Te'Reisha Graves sits down to discuss her remarkable journey from Richmond, California, to the courtroom. As a first-generation college graduate who headed to law school with just two suitcases, Graves reflects on the challenges of navigating higher education, overcoming personal adversity, and passing the rigorous California Bar Exam.

Key Discussion Points

• Roots and Resilience: Growing up in the inner-city of Richmond and finding the self-motivation to pursue higher education against the odds.
• The Legal Journey: Navigating Cal State East Bay and Florida A&M University College of Law before establishing a career in insurance defense, personal injury, and juvenile dependency law.
• Two Suitcases and a Dream: The mission behind Graves' upcoming nonprofit dedicated to mentoring aspiring lawyers, providing scholarships, and offering mental health support.
• Healing and Boundaries: Candid insights on overcoming an abusive relationship, prioritizing therapy, and establishing healthy personal boundaries.