BACK Interview with Krystle Word

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Watch the full interview from 12/1/20 with Krystle Word the founder of the “KrystleCarterWord.com”  

Krystle explains how her parents taught her about her rich heritage as an African American. She explains how racism showed up in her schooling in Albany and how that affected her. Krystle unapologetically explains  her ambitious hopes for the city of Albany. 

Krystle is also the architect behind these thoughtful questions asked during our B.A.C.K. interviews.  

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 11/24/20 with Nigel Jennings. As a former participant of MODEL, Inc. Nigel and Tyrell illustrate how that mentor/mentee relationship has morphed into a brotherhood over the years.
 

His traveling adventures are a few of the highlights but his determination to turn his life around in the right direction is the most admirable. 

With a little support and love he believes the city of Albany can produce more young men that look just like him.
 

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 11/18/20 with Tatiana Cunningham. Tatiana is the creator and founder of CNYS Black Expo. She tells us about the many lessons she has learned as an entrepreneur and how some earlier business ventures have better equipped her for success.
 

Listen in as she explains her favorite places to visit in Albany and how she is proud to be from “uptown.”
 

Tatiana talks about her hopes for the City of Albany and what she believes needs to change.
 

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 10/27/20 with Angelo Justice Maddox. Justice tells us about how he migrated to Albany many years ago and describes his early memories.
 

Listen in as he breaks down S.W.A.G. and explains how he built the Fresh and Fly Clothing brand. Find out how he got the Hustle man nickname during his undergraduate studies and why the name stuck.
 

Justice discusses with us the importance of his family and taking advantage of any and all opportunities.
 

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Watch the full interview from 10/21/20 with Candyce Marie. Candyce describes her early memories of Albany and the sense of community she felt. She also explains how being a teen mom impacted her but most importantly how it did not stop her from pursing her own goals. 

Candyce proudly serves in the US Navy and has been able to travel the world. Equipping her children with the tools to be successful and understand financial literacy is what she is most proud of.

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Watch the full interview from 10/13/20 with Lawan Cancer Sr. Lawan remembers the beauty of Albany’s diverse past and lays out a blueprint for us to bring it back.

As an officer within the Albany Police Department he explains how being inside the APD offers him a unique opportunity to police his community as a vested member and hold the level of accountability high.

Lawan’s most proud of his children, his growth over the years and his ability to learn from others.

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Watch the full interview from 10/12/20 with Paris McKnight. Paris shares how she keeps herself motivated by staying focused on positivity. We discuss her passion for fitness and how she gets motivated by helping others in the Albany Community to reach their goals. 

Hear us talk about traveling, finances and adulting. 

Overall, we learn why consistency is key and how keeping a positive attitude with a positive circle that you can lean on is half of the battle.

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Watch the full interview from 9/22/20 with Tyrone Waklatsi. Listen in as Tyrone explains his earliest memories of Albany and why this place will always be home.  

Tyrone opens up about his commitment to fellow Veterans and his time served in Kuwait and Iraq.

Albany helped to prepare him for life by teaching him how to be mentally tough but perhaps his focus on friendships and choices saved his life.

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Watch the full interview from 9/9/20 with Larsell Stovall. Larsell explains how important his relationship with God has been as he's developed over the years. Listen in as he explains the need for more everyday mentors in the city of Albany. We discuss how fixing our own families would lead to us fixing problems that plague the community.

Perhaps the most inspirational piece of his story is how he credits his wife as the catalyst for his own growth. 

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Watch the full interview from 8/25/20 with Dr. La'Shaunna Lipscomb. Dr. L, as she likes to be called is one half  of the podcast duo that make up "The Real Therapist for the Culture." 

Listen in as she highlights her experience and the nostalgia she misses from growing up in Albany.

Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 8/23/20 with Sheena Collier the founder of the “Collier Connection” and “Boston While Black.” 

Listen in as Sheena explains the significance education has played in her upbringing and the need for a balanced approach. We discuss her favorite place to visit in Albany and her overall pursuit of authenticity. Her love for Albany radiates throughout this interview but she also makes it clear that her relationship with Albany is complicated.

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Watch Part II of the full interview with the Hon. Derek Johnson from 8/18/2020.  Listen in as Derek continues that Greyhound bus trip story. He goes on to tell us his hopes for the City of Albany and the role the community must play in restoration and healing.

Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch Part I of the full interview with the Hon. Derek Johnson from 8/18/2020.  Listen in as Derek tells some of his most memorable moments and experiences in Albany. Laugh with us as he explains his time as a college student at Virginia Union University and what life was like once he returned to Albany. 

Perhaps his vulnerability explaining the loss of his mother to cancer will resonate with you. I think it was the most humbling story of Part I of this  interview.

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Watch the full interview with Charles and Brandon from 8/16/2020. Listen in as Charles, the Chair of the Albany Land Bank and Brandon, Engineer and local real estate investor tag team  this B.A.C.K. interview.

We discuss the struggle of home ownership for African Americans in the city of Albany, the history and consequences of "red lining" and how to create Black wealth.

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Watch the full interview with Aaron Barnette from 8/12/2020. Aaron Barnette has dedicated more than half of his adult life to being an advocate and mentor for the youth. 

Listen in as we discuss everything from his work with The Eagle Academy for Young Men to his transition and role at the Eagle Academy Foundation. Hear about his tenacious educational pursuit and his desire to eradicate white supremacy and systematic racism. 

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Watch the full interview with Deryl McCray from 8/4/2020. Deryl McCray is the Co Founder of Bricks Barber Salon in Albany, NY. 

Listen in as we discuss everything from his partnership with NYS Department of Corrections to his new business endeavors. He also opens up about being a Veteran and his continued volunteerism. 

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Watch the full interview with Omar Trimino from 7/28/2020. Listen in as we discuss everything from traveling the world, to politics and how we need to ROCK THE VOTE. 

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Watch the full interview with Jason Coleman from 7/7/2020. Listen in as we discuss his favorite places to visit in Albany, to coaching kids basketball in New Jersey and how Fatherhood has changed his life. 

Jason describes how growing up in Albany gave him a diverse education and that exposure helped him later in life. It takes a village and he will explain how the Albany community impacted him.

Prepare to be Inspired!