Kaylee Irving shares her journey as a first-year student at Prairie View A&M University, balancing motherhood, academics, and campus involvement while maintaining a strong GPA and clear future goals.

• Participated in Prairie View's Summer Bridge program to ease transition to college life
• Selected Prairie View to balance independence with proximity to her young son
• Maintains academic excellence with mostly A's despite additional responsibilities
• Serves in Student Government Association as Panther Aid Chair of the Judicial Branch
• Pursuing Criminal Justice major with plans to advocate for women, juveniles, and minorities
• Exploring internship opportunities including an FBI summer program
• Plans to eventually pursue law school and ultimately a PhD
• Advises high school seniors to stay true to themselves and take college transition one day at a time
• Emphasizes the importance of networking with alumni for opportunities and mentorship

If you're a Prairie View alum interested in connecting with Kaylee, please reach out to her at KIrving6@PVAMU.edu to offer mentorship, internship opportunities, or guidance in the criminal justice field.

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Two old friends reconnect during Black History Month, delivering a conversation as rich and nourishing as Sunday dinner. Ashley Anya, once the first female drummer at Corinthian Baptist Church, now splits her time between the States and Mexico as a DJ and healthcare entrepreneur.

From the moment they start reminiscing about their shared past, the conversation flows with genuine warmth and honesty. Ashley's perspective as a Black American living abroad reveals something beautiful: "When it comes to the people who are of this land, they embrace us and respect us as brothers and sisters." This cross-cultural connection manifests in powerful ways, like drum circles where African rhythms meet Mayan traditions.

The heart of their discussion tackles colorism—a reality so normalized that some don't believe it exists. Ashley brilliantly connects this to the Drake versus Kendrick Lamar feud, explaining how it represents broader questions about which Black voices get amplified: "White America has created what is normal to the extent that somebody can say that something as obvious as colorism doesn't exist." She unpacks how certain artists receive industry support while others face barriers despite equal talent.

Their shared foundation at Corinthian Baptist Church becomes a touchpoint for discussing authentic representation and cultural education. "I learned 90% of what I know about my people there," Ashley reflects. This grounding allowed them to recognize and reject harmful stereotypes while embracing their heritage.

Ashley's parting wisdom resonates with ancestral power: "Don't ever downplay what our ancestors did for us, how they fought for us... As melanated people on this earth, there are more people who look like you and who you can connect with culturally than not... We'll be fine, because that's our history."

Listen to this episode to experience the unfiltered truth that emerges when authentic voices speak freely. Check out Ashley's DJ sets on social media @DJEasyWine or learn about her rehabilitation clinic, Marathon Medical, in Dayton, Ohio.

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