Ms. Wanda's Full Circle Radio

On this episode of Full Circle, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with our longtime partners at Sierra Donor Services (SDS).

Ms. Wanda sits down with Cristian Morales, Senior External Affairs Coordinator, to talk about the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month, his personal connection to organ donation, and why increasing awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation is especially important in Latino communities.

We also welcome Torreyana “Torrey” Tripette, the new External Affairs Director for Sierra Donor Services, as she shares her background, her passion for community engagement and her vision for her new role. Torrey brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, healthcare outreach, community relations and nonprofit engagement to her work advancing the life-saving mission of donation.

The conversation addresses some of the barriers that can affect donor registration, the importance of family conversations, and how one donor can make a tremendous difference—saving up to eight lives through organ donation and improving up to 75 lives through tissue donation.

As Full Circle continues its long-standing partnership with Sierra Donor Services, this episode is a reminder that community, culture, generosity and education can help save lives.

What happens when food, culture, community, and entrepreneurship come together? There’s a seat at the table for everyone.

On this episode of Ms. Wanda’s Full Circle Radio, I’m joined by Melissa Muganzo, Founder of Mindy’s Kitchen, Ling Luc, Chief Marketing Officer for Mindy's Kitchen and Sydni R. Bell, founder of Naturals Night Out, to talk about the 2nd Annual Salad and Sip Soirée—a unique collaboration celebrating food, connection, culture, and Black women entrepreneurship.

We talk about the journeys behind their businesses, the importance of creating intentional spaces for women, the power of collaboration over competition, and what it means for Black women entrepreneurs to build businesses while creating community.

The Salad and Sip Soirée is presented by Mindy’s Kitchen in partnership with Naturals Night Out and hosted at Ever After Wine in Elk Grove.

About the businesses:

This week on Full Circle, Ms. Wanda welcomes back playwright, director, actor and educator Anthony D’Juan for a conversation about his creative journey and his new play, Us & The Rest of ’Em, making its world premiere at Celebration Arts September 11–27.

Written in 2021, the play explores the everyday lives of a Black Sacramento family—love, conflict, generational dynamics and the challenges of growing up—without centering the story on racism or tragedy.

Anthony talks about:

• His journey as a playwright, director, actor and educator

• The inspiration behind Us & The Rest of ’Em

• His philosophy of directing and creating authentic characters

• The importance of trust, collaboration and integrity in theater

• What audiences don't see behind the scenes

• The realities of live theater when things don't go according to plan

• His growing interest in musical theater and film

• Why he believes theater is work, art and local culture

Plus, Anthony takes on Ms. Wanda's Rapid Fire questions, revealing his favorite role, favorite playwright and his one-word description of Sacramento's theater scene.

In the second hour of Full Circle's quarterly partnership with Sierra Donor Services, we welcome Judy & Brad Barroso, parents of donor hero Trevor Barroso, and founders of Trevor's 2nd Chance Foundation.

After the loss of their son Trevor, the Barroso family made the courageous decision to honor Trevor's legacy by advocating for organ donation and supporting donor and recipient families. Through Trevor's 2nd Chance Foundation, they celebrate the extraordinary gift of life while helping others navigate the journey of donation and transplantation.

Judy & Brad share how their family's experience transformed grief into purpose, creating opportunities to educate communities, inspire hope, and encourage others to register as organ donors.

The conversation also includes an update from Sierra Donor Services, highlighting upcoming community events, educational outreach efforts, volunteer opportunities, and ways listeners can support their mission of saving and healing lives through organ, tissue, and eye donation.

This powerful hour reminds us that organ donation is more than a medical decision—it's an act of compassion, generosity, and humanity that creates lasting legacies and life-saving second chances.

Full Circle continues our important quarterly partnership with Sierra Donor Services, bringing awareness to the life-changing impact of organ, tissue, and eye donation through real stories from people whose lives have been forever changed.

In this episode, Ms. Wanda welcomes Shawntay Gorman McBrewer and her son, Malachi.

Shawntay is an artist, activist, and community advocate whose greatest role is being a mother. In 2024, her family's world changed when Malachi, then in his early twenties, learned he needed a heart transplant. What should have been a life-saving surgery quickly became a fight for survival when complications left him in a coma.

For Shawntay, it was every parent's worst nightmare.

Together, mother and son share their journey through fear, uncertainty, faith, resilience, and recovery. Their story offers a deeply personal look at the realities of organ transplantation and the extraordinary gift made possible through organ donation.

This heartfelt conversation reminds us that every donor registration has the potential to save lives, restore families, and create second chances.

Join us for an inspiring discussion about courage, gratitude, and the gift of life.

In this powerful conversation, Full Circle welcomes leaders from the Sacramento Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women to discuss the urgent need for awareness, advocacy, and action during Black Maternal Health Week.

Observed nationally from April 11–17, Black Maternal Health Week was founded to bring attention to the disparities impacting Black mothers in the United States and to uplift community-driven solutions that center dignity, safety, and equity in care.

This episode explores the upcoming 5th Annual Black Maternal Health Symposium, taking place April 14 in Sacramento. Designed for pregnant individuals and new parents, healthcare and advocacy professionals, birth workers, community advocates, and students focused on maternal and infant health, the symposium creates space for education, dialogue, and collective action.

The conversation also highlights the Black Baby Doll Drive, an initiative with a goal of collecting 1,000 dolls for children in foster care and community support programs. The discussion goes beyond donation—exploring how representation impacts self-esteem and identity, and how a doll can serve as emotional support for children navigating difficult transitions.

Listeners are invited to attend the event, donate, and become part of a larger movement working toward birth equity and community care.

Event Details:
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
10:30am – 2:30pm
South Sacramento Christian Center
7710 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento

Donation Drop-Off:
9:00am – 4:00pm

The transition from high school to college can be overwhelming for many students and families. Navigating course requirements, financial aid, academic planning, and transfer pathways often leaves students unsure of how to move forward.

In this episode of Full Circle, Ms. Wanda sits down with Dr. Camille Wise, Director of the City Scholars Program at Sacramento City College, to discuss a new initiative designed to simplify that journey and help students reach their goal of transferring to a four-year university.

City Scholars is a two-year, cohort-based program designed to help students complete a Degree for Transfer while receiving structured guidance, academic planning, and community support along the way.

The program was developed after campus leaders analyzed student data and discovered a significant gap between students who intended to transfer and those who were actually able to do so within two years. City Scholars was created to close that gap by removing common barriers and providing students with a clear academic roadmap.

Dr. Wise shares how the program supports students academically, socially, and personally while preparing them for transfer to universities across California and beyond.

• How cohort-based learning creates community and accountability
• How preset course schedules help students graduate on time
• The role of dedicated counselors and student support specialists
• How the program connects students to campus resources and services
• Transfer opportunities to CSU, UC, and other universities
• The three majors currently offered through the program
• How students can apply and what the enrollment process looks like

City Scholars is designed to remove many of the obstacles students face when navigating community college independently.

Students in the program may pursue a Degree for Transfer in one of the following fields:

Psychology
Business
Administration of Justice

These majors were selected because they are among the most popular pathways for students and offer broad transfer opportunities to universities.

This program may be a great fit for students who:

• Are graduating high school this year
• Plan to attend Sacramento City College in Fall 2026
• Plan to enroll full-time (12–16 units per semester)
• Want to transfer to a four-year university
• Want structured guidance and a supportive student community

Students interested in the City Scholars Program should:

Have a business idea but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve launched your business but need support building a stronger foundation.

On this episode of Full Circle, host Ms. Wanda talks with Shayla Walker, founder and CEO of Sistah Soul Brunch & Mixer, about the Venture Soul Entrepreneurship Program—a new initiative designed to support early-stage Black entrepreneurs.

This hands-on program is designed for individuals who are in the ideation phase or within their first one to two years of business and are ready to strengthen their strategy, skills, and network.

Running March through July, Venture Soul brings entrepreneurs together for nine interactive workshops covering essential business topics including:

• Branding and marketing strategy
• Leveraging technology and AI
• Accessing business loans and funding opportunities
• Building sustainable business systems
By learning directly from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, participants will also gain valuable networking opportunities and mentorship while building relationships with other entrepreneurs on a similar journey.

The program culminates in a Business Showcase & Mixer, where participants will pitch their businesses and compete for support in their next stage of growth.

Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase their businesses at the 4th Annual Sistah Soul Brunch & Mixer this summer, gaining exposure to potential clients, collaborators, and community supporters.

If you’re ready to move your business idea forward, this program was created with you in mind.

Applications are open now, but space is limited.

In this powerful American Heart Month episode, Full Circle continues its commitment to heart health awareness with guest Ann Koeing — a former registered nurse, stroke survivor, mother of three, author, and volunteer with the American Heart Association.

More than 20 years ago, shortly after giving birth to her third child, Ann suffered a life-altering stroke. As a medical professional, she understood the seriousness of what was happening — but nothing could fully prepare her for the journey ahead.

Survival was only the beginning.

Ann had to relearn how to walk, how to write, and how to perform everyday tasks many of us take for granted. Recovery was not just physical — it was emotional, mental, and deeply personal. As she navigated rehabilitation, she was also raising three young children. Rather than allowing that responsibility to overwhelm her, Ann chose to let her children become her inspiration. They became her reason to push forward on the hardest days, her motivation to heal, and her reminder that purpose still awaited her.

During this episode, Ann shares:

• What it was like to experience a stroke shortly after childbirth
• How her background as a registered nurse shaped her understanding of her condition
• The realities of stroke recovery — relearning mobility, handwriting, and independence
• The emotional toll of recovering while parenting young children
• The role of resilience, faith, and family support in long-term healing
• Why heart disease and stroke awareness must be part of every woman’s health conversation

Ann’s journey did not stop at recovery. She transformed her experience into advocacy, becoming a Go Red for Women Ambassador with the American Heart Association. She has shared her story at the Sacramento Go Red Luncheon and throughout the region, using her voice to educate others about the warning signs of heart disease and stroke in women.

She also authored a book about her journey titled The Story I Wanted to Hear. In it, Ann shares the honest, unfiltered account of her stroke, rehabilitation, motherhood, and ultimate transformation. The book offers encouragement, practical insight, and hope for survivors and families navigating similar health crises.

This was an extremely powerful and deeply personal episode of Full Circle.

In this intimate conversation, Ms. Wanda sits down with Natalie McGee, Founder and CEO of Heart Relationship Management, to explore how a heart event in April 2025 became a profound spiritual awakening that shifted Natalie’s perspective on life, leadership, and purpose. Natalie's experience served as a wake-up call—one that deeply impacted her family and clarified her mission to advocate for women’s heart health.

Natalie shares how this moment reshaped how she listens to her body, honors her relationships, and shows up in the world. The conversation centers the emotional and spiritual aftermath of a heart event rather than medical diagnosis, offering a rare and honest look at what happens after the crisis passes.

This episode is especially significant for Black women. According to the American Heart Association, Black women experience higher rates of cardiovascular-related events and complications, often at younger ages. These realities make conversations rooted in awareness, reflection, and community support not only important, but necessary.

Listener Takeaways

• Heart events can be spiritual and emotional turning points, not just medical moments.

• Health scares affect families as much as individuals.

• Purpose and clarity often emerge through vulnerability and lived experience.

• Advocacy begins with awareness and the courage to speak up, even without a diagnosis.

Episode Guests:

Stephanie Brown, Facilities Operations Coordinator
Kelvin Cao, Senior External Affairs CoordinatorIn this special two-hour episode, Full Circle celebrates a year-long partnership with our premium sponsor Sierra Donor Services—a collaboration dedicated to expanding awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation within our Black, Asian and Latino communities.

Hour 1:
We speak with Stephanie Brown, whose extraordinary career path—from mortuary transport to tissue recovery to facility operations—reflects a profound calling to serve others with honor, precision, and compassion. Stephanie offers listeners a rare look behind the scenes of tissue recovery and the people who make donation possible every day.

Hour 2:
We’re joined by Kelvin Cao, whose personal loss fuels his passion for storytelling, community education, and bridging gaps in trust. Kelvin shares the experience of losing his father while he awaited a liver transplant—an experience that shaped his mission to help ensure other families don’t endure the same heartbreak. He also highlights the importance of the holiday season as a moment to choose generosity, hope, and second chances.

Together, our guests help us connect the spirit of giving with the lifesaving mission of donation.

Key Topics:

• The human side of tissue recovery

• Cultural barriers and mistrust in Black, Asian & Latino communities

• The impact of a single donor

• Personal stories that illuminate the mission

• Why the holidays are a powerful time to talk about donation

• How Sierra Donor Services supports donor families and recipients

• Ways community members can get involved

This holiday season, make a decision that could change—and even save—lives.
✔ Register as an organ, eye and tissue donor
✔ Share your decision with your loved ones
✔ Encourage others in your community to learn the truth about donation
✔ Start the conversation at home

In this special episode of Full Circle, host Ms. Wanda shares portions of her recent appearance on the radio program Politics with J. King and Keisha Matthews. She was joined by two fellow members of the 2025–2026 Sacramento County Civil Grand Jury: Foreperson Lori Sopwith and Community Engagement Chair Nolice Edwards.

This hybrid edition gives listeners an inside look at the role, purpose, and importance of the Civil Grand Jury, especially as the application period for the upcoming jury year officially opens.

Throughout this episode, listeners will learn:

• What the Sacramento County Civil Grand Jury is and how it operates
• The difference between Grand Jury service and traditional jury duty
• The time commitment, expectations, and responsibilities of jurors
• How the Grand Jury investigates and reports on government operations
• Why diversity of experience, culture, and background is essential to the Grand Jury’s effectiveness
• Who can apply and what the ideal candidate looks like
• How the application and interview process works
• Why this is one of the most meaningful ways residents can serve their community

This episode is designed to answer many of the questions people often have about serving. Whether you’re curious, considering applying, or simply want to understand how local government accountability works, this conversation offers clarity and insight.

Call to Action:
The 2025–2026 Sacramento County Civil Grand Jury application period is now open. Serving on the Grand Jury is a unique opportunity to be part of a dedicated body of residents committed to oversight, transparency, and community impact. If you want to make a difference and contribute to good government, we invite you to learn more and apply.

In this episode of Full Circle, we sat down with representatives from Safe Black Space to talk about their upcoming 6th Annual Kwanzaa Kutoa Celebration, happening Saturday, January 3rd.

This free, family-friendly event honors seven local Black individuals and families who exemplify the seven principles of Kwanzaa — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

We explore how Kwanzaa serves as a blueprint for Black excellence and resilience, how Safe Black Space continues to support healing in our community, and how you can participate by attending or nominating someone who embodies these powerful values.

Tune in for a heart-centered conversation about cultural pride, collective healing, and the joy of giving.

In this inspiring episode of Full Circle, we sat down with Shante’ Renee’ — The Primary Hair Physician™, a Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, Herbalist, and Womb Wellness Practitioner who’s redefining how women care for their crowns.

Shante’ believes that true hair healing starts from within, blending ancestral wisdom with modern wellness practices to help women restore their hair, health, and harmony. Through her work at The Hair & Wellness Spa and The Renee’ Collection, she’s teaching that “Crown Care is Healthcare” — and that every strand tells a story.

Together, we discuss the root causes of hair loss, the emotional and spiritual impact of losing one’s hair, and how to nurture your scalp, body, and womb for holistic wellness.

Listeners will walk away understanding how to:

• Identify and address the deeper causes of hair loss

• Reconnect with their bodies through natural healing and womb wellness

• Embrace hair care as self-care and self-love

• Begin a personal journey toward alignment and restoration

Whether you’re struggling with alopecia, hormonal imbalances, or just want to feel more connected to your body and your beauty — this episode will inspire you to heal from the inside out.

This week, Full Circle honors 19 years of healing, advocacy, and transformation with Rev. Tammie Denyse, the heart and co-founder behind Carrie’s TOUCH, a national nonprofit devoted to humanizing the breast cancer experience for Black women and men.

Rev. Tammie shares how Carrie’s TOUCH continues to evolve through Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities) — a groundbreaking research partnership amplifying Black voices and data — and The Healing Lens, a love-centered perspective for storytelling, releasing trauma, and reclaiming joy.

We also dive into their transformative theatrical work, including Dinner with the Youngers, inspired by A Raisin in the Sun, and how the organization is addressing the urgent mental health crisis within Black communities, particularly the alarming rise in suicide rates among Black youth.

As Carrie’s TOUCH celebrates 19 years and looks toward the future, Rev. Tammie calls on us all to “celebrate the 59%” — those who continue to live and thrive beyond breast cancer — while working to end the 41% mortality disparity that persists for Black women.

Key Takeaways:

• How Carrie’s TOUCH is redefining survivorship and thriving beyond breast cancer

• The purpose and impact of Project SOAR

• What it means to view life and healing through The Healing Lens

• How storytelling, theater, and art can spark healing and community wellness

• Why mental health awareness must be part of the conversation on wellness

• How changes in funding impact advocacy organizations and how we can help

In this inspiring episode of Ms. Wanda's Full Circle Radio, we sit down with Eva M. Kennedy — International Transformational Speaker, Life Coach, and founder of the movement 1 Million Women. 1 Million Steps.

After over two decades in corporate leadership — breaking barriers as the first African American Director in the Claims Department at a Fortune 500 insurance company — Eva’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, not once, but twice. What began as a season of fear became a journey of healing, purpose, and transformation.

Today, Eva helps women and organizations recognize the power within themselves to navigate change with courage, clarity, commitment, and community. Through her coaching and movement, she’s helping 1 million women take meaningful steps toward living authentically and fearlessly.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to recognize when it’s time to redefine success

• The role of faith, courage, and community in personal transformation

• Why “small steps” can lead to massive, lasting change

• The principles behind 1 Million Women. 1 Million Steps.

• How women can turn adversity into purpose

On this episode of Ms. Wanda's Full Circle Radio, we sit down with Miss Marianna, a social wellness practitioner, author, and community healer, who is helping launch something groundbreaking for our community: the Women’s WellnessFellowship. This fellowship is more than an event—it’s a movement.

Designed as an emotional hygiene fellowship for women of color, it creates space for mothers, daughters, aunties, and sisters to come together, connect, and heal. In a world where women are often expected to carry the weight of families, careers, and communities, Miss Marianna is offering amuch-needed reminder: we cannot pour from an empty cup.

We discussed:

• The vision behind the Women's Wellness Fellowship and why emotional hygiene is vital for women of color.
• How intergenerational spaces - bringing together mother's, daughters, aunties, and sisters - can help break cycles of silence and isolation.
• The importance of practitioners being present to support women in their wellness journeys.
• Why accessibility matters: the event is free, refreshments provided, and open to women of all backgrounds.
• How Miss Marianna is committed to supporting entrepreneurs by hosting the fellowship in different community spaces - and how practitioners can get involved.

This is the first activation of a monthly event, and it promises to be transformative.

Event Details:
Sunday, October 12 | 3–5pm
5501 Power Inn Rd. Suite 100, Sacramento
FREE | Hosted by Miss Marianna & Community

In this Men on the Move episode, host Ms. Wanda welcomes Sacramento native and entrepreneur Ray Harrington Jr., founder of Mad Scientist Creations Cocktail Distribution and Private Party Services.

Ray’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and service. From working in the restaurant and casino industries to launching his business during the pandemic, Ray has built a company rooted in creativity and excellence. His mission goes beyond drinks—he is passionate about mentoring Black and Brown entrepreneurs to succeed in the service industry and helping individuals navigate pathways to careers with the State of California.

Listeners will hear Ray’s reflections on:

• How his faith grounds him and fuels his desire to serve the community.

• His dedication to ensuring every client—at weddings, parties, or corporate events—feels valued through exceptional service and carefully crafted cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

• Why customer service, cultural respect, and attention to detail are the foundation of Mad Scientist Creations.

• His vision to uplift others by sharing his expertise and creating opportunities for Black and Brown entrepreneurs.

• The addition of his community event space, available for rent, as another way to bring people together and build community.

Ray’s story reminds us that entrepreneurship is not just about business—it’s about service, legacy, and using your gifts to lift others.

This episode of Full Circle Men on the Move was a dynamic and powerful conversation with actor and director François Battiste.

We began with Between Riverside and Crazy, the latest production at Celebration Arts (October 3–19), and explored its themes of resilience, housing, and family struggle. But our discussion went far beyond the play. François shared his remarkable career highlights on stage and television, and we bonded over our mutual love of the theatre.

A passionate advocate for justice, François also reflected on the recent attacks on free speech, the importance of telling our own stories, and the urgent need to recognize and preserve history in the face of current efforts to erase Black history and culture.

He also shared about life as a proud father of three, including his son’s upcoming starring role in a new Apple TV series, and spoke about the family support system he’s found here in Sacramento that helps keep him grounded.

This was an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation you don’t want to miss.

On this episode of Full Circle, we welcome sisters Amoura and Avery Carter, also known as AC², the dynamic duo behind AC Creative Collective. Based in Charlotte, NC, AC Creative Collective provides end-to-end project management, marketing, and design solutions for clients. They can help YOU clarify your business voice, attract high-value clients, and grow with full-service marketing systems designed for ROI.Amoura, CEO and Founder, brings over 10 years in education and 7 years in project management, while Avery, Creative Director, offers a decade of expertise in nonprofit, B2B, and corporate marketing. Together, they’ve built a family-owned business that’s 90% women-led, rooted in collaboration, mentorship, and innovation.

We explore:

• The journey from individual careers to launching a joint venture.

• What it’s like to build and grow a business with family.

• How economic shifts shaped their pivot to entrepreneurship.

• Why mentorship and community are essential for women in business.

Key Takeaway: You can become an entrepreneur at any age, and the challenges along the way are opportunities to pivot, grow, and thrive. AC Creative Collective is your go-to for full-service marketing

When life throws you more than your fair share of storms, how do you keep standing? In this episode of Full Circle, Ms. Wanda sits down with Chenique Jackson, LMFT, Cherney Jackson, and Tracy Johnson to unpack the art of resilience — the mental, emotional, and even style-based tools that help you keep going when life keeps “life-ing.”

This conversation is a sneak peek into their upcoming in-person workshop Resilience – How to Life When Life is Li-fing, happening Saturday, September 20th from 9am – Noon. Together, they share practical coping strategies, ways to reframe negative thoughts, tips for finding the right therapist, how to build a capsule wardrobe that boosts confidence, and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive relationships.

Whether you’re dealing with grief, job loss, financial hardship, health struggles — or all of the above — this episode is your reminder that you can still stand tall, even in the storm.

Guests:

• K-Love the Poet – Spoken word artist and creator of the Art of Sistahood Brunch and Day Party Tour

• Dr. Teah Hairston-Johnson – Founder of Be Love Holistic, advocate for holistic healing and community wellness

In this powerful episode of Full Circle, we explore the heart of Black women’s empowerment through the lens of sisterhood, friendship, and community. K-Love the Poet and Dr. Teah Hairston-Johnson share their personal journeys and insights on:

• The foundations of sisterhood and how it shapes identity

• Navigating friendships among Black women with intention and grace

• The importance of finding your tribe and building spaces for healing

• How community support can transform lives and foster resilience

• The role of holistic wellness in sustaining sisterhood

Listeners are treated to soul-stirring spoken word performance by K-Love, offering a glimpse of what’s to come at the Art of Sistahood Brunch and Day Party Tour.

Full Circle returns from its summer sabbatical with a life-affirming conversation to kick off August, which is Multicultural Donor Awareness Month.

Angelika Williams, Senior External Affairs Coordinator with Sierra Donor Services, joins Ms. Wanda for a heartfelt discussion about health equity, building trust in healthcare, and the vital need for organ, eye, and tissue donors within multicultural communities.

Angelika shares powerful insights on:

• Why communities of color are disproportionately represented on transplant waitlists

• Common myths and barriers surrounding donation in Black and Brown communities

• How Sierra Donor Services is engaging through schools, DMVs, and community partnerships

• The importance of talking with your family and making your decision known

This episode is both a celebration of the lives saved by donation and a call to action to make your own legacy one of healing and hope.

Take Action:

In this empowering episode of Full Circle, host Ms. Wanda welcomes the visionary creator of the Limitation to Liberation Experience—a full-day, wellness-centered professional development journey taking place on August 29th.

Together, they explore what it means to honor the transition moments in our lives, how professional women can reclaim their wellness, and why reflection and rest are revolutionary. Whether you're pivoting in your career or simply need a moment to reconnect with your "why," this conversation is for you.

You’ll hear how the experience blends restorative practices, community, nourishing meals, and intentional surprises to support women across industries—from corporate to education, healthcare to entrepreneurship.

Topics Covered:

• How the Limitation to Liberation Experience came to life

• What wellness-centered professional development really looks like

• Why women in transition need intentional space to pause and be cared for

• What participants can expect on August 29th

• How to recognize when it’s time to realign professionally or personally

Call to Action:
Join the journey from Limitation to Liberation on August 29th.

In this powerful episode of Full Circle, Ms. Wanda welcomes author, certified coach, and speaker Gloria Bailey-Ray, who shares her raw, real-life journey of recognizing her worth and walking away from emotional manipulation.

Gloria opens up about the heartbreaking moment she discovered her live-in partner was married—with another woman—and how that revelation ignited her path to healing, truth, and empowerment.

Her new book, When To Get Up From The Table: When Love Isn’t Being Served (out now), is more than a relationship book—it’s a call to rise.

In This Episode:

• Gloria’s personal story of betrayal and spiritual awakening

• Why so many people settle for “crumbs” in love and work

• How to recognize red flags and toxic patterns

• The power of setting boundaries and honoring your worth

• The emotional, spiritual, and practical tools in her new book

• Gloria’s speaking tour plans and how you can book her for your event

In this episode of Full Circle, Ms. Wanda welcomes tech innovators Adriana Lamar and Cheneé Williams, co-founders of Geo Lanes, an AI-powered exploration and travel app designed to help users connect more deeply with the places around them.

More than just a travel app, Geo Lanes is a community-centric platform that integrates trusted voices, curated content, and real-time information to guide meaningful journeys—whether across the globe or in your own neighborhood.

Adriana, the CEO, shares the five-year journey to bring Geo Lanes to life—from concept to launch, partnerships, and getting the app into the Apple and Google Play stores. Cheneé, the CFO, dives into how she ensures operational sustainability and integrity, while also navigating the startup space as women of color in tech.

We explore the future of travel, innovation, and impact—from gamified experiences like scratch maps with celebrity-endorsed itineraries to AI-driven insights that elevate travel into connection and discovery.

Listeners also hear about:

• The importance of storytelling and local cultural insight in travel

• Venture capital challenges and networking strategies

• Upcoming Juneteenth curated itineraries

• The team’s value-based, iterative approach to growth

• How YOU can support: download the app, provide feedback, and share

Featured Topics & Questions:

• What makes Geo Lanes different from other travel or exploration apps?

• How did your personal and professional journeys shape the vision for Geo Lanes?

• What has it been like building a tech company as Black women navigating funding, growth, and visibility?

• What are some key features users can explore today, and what’s coming next?

• How can our listeners get involved and support the Geo Lanes mission?

On this episode of Full Circle, host Ms. Wanda sits down with Shayla Walker, Founder of Sistah Soul Brunch & Mixer (SSBM), a growing nonprofit creating powerful spaces for Black women entrepreneurs to thrive. From brunches to business-building, Shayla is leading a movement rooted in community, empowerment, and access.

We talk about:

• The origin and purpose of SSBM

• Common challenges Black women face in entrepreneurship

• The impact of their Chase Bank-sponsored workshop series

• What’s in store at the upcoming June 25th Business Showcase & Networking Event

• How to tap into the SSBM network and grow your own venture

Whether you’re a small business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone who believes in the power of community, this episode is for you.

In this inspiring episode of Full Circle, Ms. Wanda sits down with Roberta Stensrud, owner of Smudge Nail Bar, the first Black-owned commercial nail salon in Sacramento. Roberta shares her remarkable transition from ICU nurse to beauty entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of launching a small business rooted in wellness, community, and inclusivity.

Listeners will hear how Smudge Nail Bar stands out through its:

• Eco-friendly, low-tox services

• Inclusive service menu that supports Muslim, Black, and LGBTQ+ clients

• Staff of skilled, like-minded technicians who prioritize respectful care

• New booking platform via Mevo

• Community partnerships, including pop-ups with local creatives and small businesses

Roberta also speaks candidly about the lessons she’s learned in payroll, real estate, and resilience, and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs navigating similar paths.

Whether you’re new to structured manicures or just need a place that feels like home, Smudge Nail Bar is the spot.

Special Highlights:

In this inspiring episode of Full Circle, Ms. Wanda welcomes Synthia Smith, the visionary founder of Sisters of Nia, a nonprofit transforming the lives of adolescent girls through Afrocentric programming. Celebrating 16 years of impact, Synthia shares how Sisters of Nia offers a three-year rites of passage program focused on cultural pride, self-esteem, and purpose for girls in grades 6–8.

We dive deep into:

• The structure and success of their 3-year rites of passage program

• Their vibrant Camp Nia performing arts camp (July 7–18) and how it builds confidence through music, theater, and creativity

• Parent-daughter relationship workshops, community events, and scholarship opportunities

• The upcoming Scholarship Awards Reception on June 22nd and the Women on Fire event on October 19

• Their bold vision for expansion into the future

Plus, learn how you can get involved—whether through donations, volunteering, or enrolling your daughter.

On this week’s episode of we sit down with the inspiring Jayda Irene, Founder of Healing Heels, a dance-based wellness organization on a mission to heal hearts and build confidence—one step at a time.

Jayda opens up about the painful personal loss that led her to launch Healing Heels and how dance became a path to purpose, mental health, and empowerment. She shares how her work is particularly important for youth, especially in a time when youth suicide rates have risen by more than 50% over the past decade. Jayda passionately discusses how movement, performance, and expression can help people of all ages manage grief, process emotions, and build resilience.

We also dive into her upcoming event, Transitions: Finding Light Through the Darkness, a powerful and heart-centered evening of dance, spoken word, storytelling, and healing. This is a family-friendly, all-ages event, and Jayda urges parents, educators, mentors, and community leaders to bring the young people in their lives.

If you care about mental health, youth wellness, and the transformative power of art—this is an episode you need to hear.

On this episode we’re talking about mental health, youth leadership, and parenting with the team from The Race and Gender Equity Project (RAGE) and their powerful youth-driven Never A Bother campaign.

This conversation centers Black youth and the adults who love them—while challenging us to reimagine how we support emotional wellbeing in our homes andcommunities.

We explore what healing-centered spaces look like, how teens are advocating for themselves, and what caregivers can do to show up with empathy, listening, and love. Whether you're a parent, mentor, teacher, or neighbor, this episode offers perspective and practical steps to better supportthe young people in your life.

In This Episode, We Cover:

* How RAGE supports Black youth mental health

* The alarming suicide rate among Black youth and how to provide support

* Questions to ask if you suspect someone wants to harm themselves

* The vision behind the Never A Bother Campaign

* The power of youth voices in shaping solutions & support

* Tools for parents and caregivers to provide emotional safety and honesty

* How to create spaces of connection and care

Key Quote:
"Our kids aren’t broken. They’re brilliant—and they just need room to be heard."

Resources & Links:

In this deeply moving and insightful episode of Full Circle, I sit down with United States Army veteran, widow, and author Deborah R. Hamm to explore what it truly means to support ourselves and others through grief.