Episodes
#11 - Andrew Jones on District Works and Place-keeping with Purpose 🌍✨
What if our cities were designed with care and culture at the center? We sit down with Andrew Jones, CEO of District Works, whose team is transforming public infrastructure into spaces that nourish connection, dignity, and belonging. From managing public restrooms for transit systems to curating vibrant cultural activations, District Works is reimagining what public space can be: responsive, inclusive, and rooted in community.
This is a conversation about rethinking what we share, reclaiming space for care, and making the everyday extraordinary.
#10 - Diana Garcia Beardsley on Building Family Centered Communities
What does it look like to shape policy from the ground up, with care, compassion, and community at the center? In this episode, we sit down with Diana Garcia Beardsley, a lifelong advocate for children, families, and equity, to explore how meaningful change begins when policy is driven by lived experience.
Now serving as Senior Policy Administrator at First 5 Alameda County, Diana brings over a decade of experience across public health, philanthropy, education, and early childhood systems. Her work is rooted in justice, and her path reflects a deep commitment to those often left out of the conversation. This episode is a reminder that change doesn't start in a boardroom; it begins with people who care enough to do the hard work of transformation, together.
#09 - Chef Nigel Jones — Building Authentic Community, One Bite at a Time 🍴
What happens when food nourishes more than just our bodies? In this episode, we sit down with Chef Nigel Jones, restaurateur, cultural storyteller, and community leader, to explore how food can be a force for connection, identity, and local change.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in the Bay Area, Chef Nigel left a corporate career to open Kingston 11 and Calabash, two Oakland restaurants rooted in bold flavors and Black joy. His mission? To create spaces that feel like home—especially for people of African descent—and use culture, cuisine, and conversation to strengthen community ties.
#08 - Keith Carson: Legacy, Leadership, and the Power of Community
What does it mean to serve your community for over three decades—and still believe the best is yet to come? In this powerful episode of Finding a Way, host Gem sits down with Keith Carson, a longtime Alameda County Supervisor and dedicated public servant, to discuss purpose, perseverance, and people-first leadership.
We explore how Keith's background in activism and mentorship shaped his leadership style. With stories that span from the halls of government to the heart of the community, Keith reflects on a lifetime of public service—and the legacy he's still writing.
What happens when we center relationships in our approach to change? In this episode, we sit down with Shomari Carter, social entrepreneur, systems thinker, and bridge-builder, to explore how deep community connection is the foundation for lasting transformation.
Raised in West Oakland, Shomari brings a rare blend of lived experience and institutional insight to his work. Having served in executive roles across the government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, he now works as a liaison between communities, businesses, and policymakers—ensuring real voices shape real solutions.
#07 - Shomari Carter and How Community Connection Can Change Everything 🌟
#06 - Dr. Chris Wachira – Bridges to Progress Through Science and Wine 🍷✨
What does it take to pioneer a new path where culture, craft, and community meet? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Chris Wachira, the visionary founder of Wachira Wines, to explore how her Kenyan roots, scientific background, and deep love for connection have shaped her journey into winemaking and entrepreneurship. Now, she's building an ecosystem that celebrates culture, fosters inclusion, and opens doors for underrepresented creators in the beverage industry.
#05 - Alem Belay on the Power of Self-Discovery & Creative Expression 🎨
Rediscover the joy of creativity with Alem Belay as she shares her inspiring journey of transformation, resilience, and artistic rediscovery. In this episode, we dive into Alem's multifaceted world as a stylist, creative director, and artist, exploring how she channels her Ethiopian heritage and personal experiences into her work.
Learn how she’s shaping a new narrative through her designs, her tribute to family history, and her commitment to breaking barriers and inspiring fellow creatives.
#04 - Jackie Keliiaa Knows Laughter is the BEST Medicine 🌟
How do you balance art, identity, and purpose while still making people laugh? In this episode, we sit down with stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer Jackie Keliiaa to explore how humor can be a powerful tool not just for storytelling but for creating meaningful, joyful lives.
Rooted in her community and inspired by her culture, Jackie shares what it's like to navigate the entertainment industry as a Native woman, balancing her creative passions with everyday responsibilities and the desire to make a real impact. From her roots in Hayward, CA, to her work on Spirit Rangers and her own platform, Good Medicine Comedy, Jackie is redefining success on her own terms one punchline at a time.
How do creativity, technology, and community come together to shape a better future? Bosko Kante has been answering that question throughout his groundbreaking career. From producing iconic tracks, such as the theme for In Living Color, and collaborating with legends like E-40 and Kanye West, to inventing the revolutionary ElectroSpit TalkBox, Bosko has continuously pushed the boundaries of music, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
#03 - Bosko Kante is Changing the Game Through Tech and Entrepreneurship 🚀
#02 - Lydia Idem Empowers Africa Through VC 🌍
We sit down with Lydia Idem, a global finance and venture capital powerhouse. As COO of LoftyInc Capital and founder of FM Capital Group, Lydia has dedicated her career to empowering entrepreneurs, bridging investment gaps, and driving economic transformation across Africa and the Diaspora.
#01 - Marshall Williams - Project Pet - How Pets Heal Communities 🐾
In this inaugural episode of Finding a Way, we chat with Marshall Williams, Founder & CEO of Project Pet and Executive Director of the Bay Area One Health Coalition. Through Project Pet, he is leading One Health initiatives that integrate animal welfare, mental health, and social services to tackle issues like homelessness and healthcare accessibility.
Join us to explore Marshall’s vision for a better future and his insights on how animals can aid in healing communities.
#00 - Finding a Way Podcast Teaser - Turning Stale Stories into Positive Change
Join the movement as we share stories of resilience and transformation, proving that even the toughest challenges can lead to meaningful progress.
