Join us for the final hoorah of our series, episode 10 and series finale delves into the inspiring story of Vanessa L. Gibson, a true star lighting up the Bronx. From New York’s non-stop pace, Vanessa started as an intern, slowly but surely climbing her way up in the world of public service.

Wrapped up in a tale of true grit, she became a powerhouse in politics, moving from District Manager to a big player in the New York State Assembly in 2009, always putting her heart into the Bronx. Her adventure led her to two meaningful terms in the Assembly, then upping the ante as a New York City Council Member in 2013. In the hustle and bustle of political talks, Vanessa led with care and skill, pushing for better education, affordable housing, public safety, and important changes in criminal justice. And let’s not forget - she made history as the first African-American woman to lead the Public Safety Committee!

In 2021, Vanessa didn’t just break the mold, she remade it, becoming the 14th Bronx Borough President and the first woman and African-American to take the spot. Throughout her career, she’s stood firm for tenant protections and fought for equal access to food, among so many other important battles. Making a real difference in her community, she looks ahead, eager to continue making waves as Bronx Borough President.

As we wrap things up, soak in the story of a woman whose impact is felt through every street in the Bronx, creating a future as bright and energetic as the community she so lovingly serves.

Episode 9’s guest is NY State Senator, Zellnor Y. Myrie. Senator Zellnor Myrie is a dedicated Brooklyn native and affordable housing advocate who has represented the 20th Senate District since 2019. During his time in the Senate, he has achieved significant legislative victories, including landmark affordable housing and tenant protection laws, criminal justice reforms, and the creation of the nation’s first state gun industry liability law to combat gun violence. As Chair of the Elections Committee, he oversaw historic election reforms and authored the John R. Lewis New York Voting Rights Act, recognized as one of the strongest voting rights laws in the country. Senator Myrie’s commitment to public service is rooted in his mother’s journey from Costa Rica to Brooklyn, and he holds degrees from Brooklyn Technical High School, Fordham University, and Cornell Law School. He is also a recipient of the “20 Under 40 Leadership Award” from the Council of State Governments.

Episode 8’s guest is Vincent Boudreau, President of The City College of New York (CCNY). Vincent Boudreau became the President of CCNY in 2017, appointed by the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York. Prior to this role, he spent three years as the inaugural dean of CCNY’s Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. Spanning from 2002 to 2013, Boudreau held the position of founding director for the same school. His expertise in political science, with a focus on social movements in Southeast Asia, has culminated in his recent book “Resisting Dictatorship: Repression and Protest in Southeast Asia,” published by Cambridge University Press. Boudreau’s research extends to government transitions to democracy, collective violence, and the nexus between civil society, social movements, and democratization in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Throughout his tenure at City College, Boudreau has actively contributed to its academic landscape. He has led diverse roles, including directorship of the M.A. Program in International Relations, chairmanship of the Political Science Department, directorship of the International Studies Program, and deputy dean of the Division of Social Science. In academia, he holds a professorship in political science at City College and is a member of the graduate faculty of the City University of New York.

Boudreau’s commitment to scholarly endeavors is reflected in his involvement with prominent organizations and initiatives. He is part of the editorial committee for “Comparative Politics” and has engaged with ActionAid Asia, Jubilee South Asia, The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and Freedom House in various capacities.

With a career deeply rooted in education, Boudreau’s presidency at The City College of New York is marked by his dedication to advancing education’s role in promoting social justice and equality. His extensive background in political science, coupled with his research and leadership achievements, positions him as an influential figure within both the academic and civic spheres.

Episode 7’s guest is Sudha Setty, Dean of the CUNY School of Law. Dean Setty joined the CUNY School of Law as dean and professor of law on July 1, 2022. Previously, she served as dean of Western New England University School of Law, where she focused on enhancing social justice lawyering and increasing institutional commitments to racial justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dean Setty is the first woman of South Asian descent to serve as dean of an ABA-accredited law school. In 2018, she was elected to membership in the American Law Institute and as a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

She received her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and her bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University, which was awarded with honors.

Dean Setty is the recipient of the National Conference for Community and Justice 2021 Human Relations Award. She was on the Lawyers of Color Power List in 2020; recognized as a Top Woman in the Law by the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2019; named a Trailblazer by the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut in 2015; and received the 2017 Tapping Reeve Legal Educator Award from the Connecticut Bar Association.

Episode 6 features Frank H. Wu, an American law professor, and author, currently serving as the President of Queens College, City University of New York. Throughout his esteemed career, Frank has held influential roles, including the William L. Prosser Distinguished Professor at UC Hastings, where he received early renewal for a second term. He was the first Asian American to serve as Chancellor & Dean at UC Hastings and later returned to teaching in 2015.

Frank's impact in legal education is widely acknowledged, with the National Jurist ranking him as the most influential dean in legal education in 2013 and the third most influential legal educator and advocate in the nation. He also holds the distinction of being the first Asian American professor to teach at Howard Law School and the first Asian American to serve as the dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan, where he became the youngest law school dean in the nation at age 36.

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Frank is renowned for his book, "Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White," which challenges the traditional black-white paradigm of civil rights and addresses subtle forms of racial discrimination. The book has become a fundamental work in Asian American Studies and is widely used in relevant courses. Its influence extends to debunking the model minority myth and the perpetual foreigner syndrome.

In this episode, we explore Frank's inspiring journey and his significant contributions to education. We discuss his role as the President of Queens College, where he continues to make a meaningful impact on higher education. Through insightful conversations, we delve into Frank's vision and experiences, offering valuable insights into the ongoing fight for civil rights beyond conventional racial paradigms. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a trailblazing leader who has reshaped the discourse on race in America and continues to be a driving force in academia.

Episode 5 welcomes a distinguished guest, Karol V. Mason, President of John Jay College of Criminal Justice. With a trailblazing career as a legal pioneer, she has consistently championed equality, fairness, and criminal justice reform. Before assuming her current role at John Jay, Karol's exceptional contributions led to her appointment as Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she was personally nominated by President Obama—an extraordinary testament to her expertise and dedication.

Her groundbreaking achievements also extend to the private sector, where she made history at Alston & Bird LLP as the first African-American woman elected as chair of the management committee at any major national firm. This accomplishment reflects her unwavering commitment to breaking barriers and promoting diversity in the legal profession.

As the President of John Jay College, Karol Mason continues to shape the future of criminal justice education and foster an inclusive learning environment. Her transformative leadership has earned her widespread recognition and respect, making her an inspiring figure in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Episode 4's guest is Ifeomasinachi (Ify) Ike, an award-winning advocate, writer and policy advisor focused on designing solutions to address disparities. She is founder/CEO of the social impact firm, Pink Cornrows. Ivy has also served as New York City’s Executive Deputy Director of the Young Men’s Initiative, Senior Policy Advocate with the Innocence Project, has provided counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, and was a researcher with the American Bar Association. Ify has also been an adjunct at Lehman College and a media contributor to MSNBC, CNN, PBS, NewsOne, HuffPost and Cosmopolitan.

Episode 3's guest is Cornell Yarbrough, aka DJ Whutever. Cornell is a distinguished DJ who is currently working with iHeart Media and Power 105.1 just to name a few. In addition to his work as a DJ, he is the founder of the "Whutever it Takes DJ Academy", an innovative education program that partners with community schools and organizations to create a high quality after-school learning experience for inner-city youth, and students grades 4-12.

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