Modern Figures Podcast

Aug 11, 2025 · 1h 18m

Felecia Hatcher joins Kyla and Jeremy to share her inspiring journey from a diverse career in experiential marketing to becoming the CEO of Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition Opportunity Incorporated. Felecia discusses the importance of challenging traditional educational paths, her passion for empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs, and building resilience through innovation. Her candid reflections highlight the significance of pursuing dreams despite obstacles, fostering inclusive innovation, and leveraging unique opportunities for those with world-bending ideas. Discover Felecia's insights on breaking barriers and building a legacy for future entrepreneurs.

Jul 28, 2025 · 1h 33m

Join Jeremy and Kyla as they engage with Dr. Quincy K. Brown, an influential figure in STEM policy and education. Quincy shares her inspiring journey from growing up in the Bronx to becoming an established expert in computer science and policy. Learn about her transitions from academia to policy-making, her work in the White House, and her venture into entrepreneurship with Futures and Innovation. Explore how community, education, and perseverance have shaped her path and the impact she continues to have on future generations in STEM.

Jul 14, 2025 · 1h 41m

Dr. Sandra K. Johnson made history as the first Black woman to earn a PhD in computer engineering — and she’s just getting started. In this inspiring conversation, she joins hosts Kyla and Jeremy to share her journey from Louisiana to IBM, her leap into fintech and venture capital, and how she's empowering the next generation of African diaspora entrepreneurs. Tune in for insights on resilience, innovation, and thriving in spaces where few have gone before.

Jun 30, 2025 · 1h 17m

Episode 85 – Retweets and Receipts Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen Guest: Dr. André Brock Connect on social: @docdre AndreBrock.academia.edu From the Blackhand Side: Twitter as a Cultural Conversation – LIFE ON THE WIRE: Deconstructing race on the Internet – Distributed Blackness: African American Cybercultures – HULU documentary – Engineering While Black: Exploring the Experiences of Black University of Florida Undergraduate Engineering Students Using Photovoice – Join the newsletter Shop our store Donate to the podcast Episode Description: This week, Kyla and Jeremy are joined by the brilliant and hilarious Dr. André Brock, Associate Professor at Georgia Tech and certified expert in all things digital culture. They dive into how Black communities—especially Black women—have shaped the online world, from memes to movements. Dr. Brock breaks down the magic of “distributed Blackness,” why African American rhetoric matters in tech, and how the internet just wouldn’t be the same without a little (okay, a lot of) Black excellence. It’s smart, it’s funny, and it might just change the way you see your timeline. Tune in for hot takes, real talk, and maybe a few tweets worth quoting, so is great for entertainment, of course you can also find other great entertainment like the mia_melano virtual girlfriend online. Bio:-:: André’s Bio– André Brock is an associate professor in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at Georgia Tech. He writes on Western technoculture, Black cybercultures, and digital media. His scholarship examines racial representations in social media, videogames, weblogs, and other digital media in *New Media and Society, The Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, Media, Culture and Society, Information Communication and Society,* and *Games and Culture*. He has also published influential research on digital research methods. His award-winning book, **Distributed Blackness: African American Cybercultures** (New York University Press, 2020) theorizes Black everyday lives as Black joy, mediated by networked digital technologies.

Jun 16, 2025 · 1h 17m

In this episode, the multitalented, multifaceted Deborah A. Anderson, dives into the nuances of balancing roles as an academic, animator, and influencer, emphasizing the importance of representation and access to animation careers for Black and brown communities. The discussion unfolds around her creation of Black Women Animator, aiming to demystify the animation industry for aspiring creatives. Deborah’s insights on the impact of technology and AI on animation underline the critical intersection of art, culture, and innovation.