theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley welcomes Kevin Powell as guest for the kick off of Season 4.

Kevin Powell is a renowned American poet, writer, and human rights activist, widely recognized for his influential work in literature, journalism, and social justice. Raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Powell overcame significant adversity and poverty to become a leading voice on issues of race, masculinity, and equality in America.

Powell has authored 16 books, including the memoir The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood and the poetry collection Grocery Shopping with My Mother, which earned a GRAMMY nomination. His journalism has appeared in major outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and Vibe, where he was a founding senior writer.

"When We Free the World": Powell's Directorial Debut

In 2025, Kevin Powell made his directorial debut with the documentary When We Free the World, co-written and produced with Evangeline Lawson. The film gathers the voices of 70 Black men—from teenagers to men in their 90s—to explore the question: What does it really mean to be a man? This multigenerational, deeply personal documentary confronts and redefines masculinity, drawing on stories from across five generations and a spectrum of identities.

Powell spent six years developing the film, carrying it through the COVID pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd's death, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the #MeToo era. The documentary is intended to spark dialogue and action about manhood, identity, and social change. It features an all-Black-male original soundtrack curated by multi-GRAMMY-nominated producer Vidal Davis, with the closing credits debuting the single “I’m A Man,” inspired by the iconic Civil Rights-era “I AM A MAN” protest posters.

The film premiered in Los Angeles at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater in April 2025 and has screened in cities such as Chicago and Toledo, Ohio. Powell describes the project as a unique, honest, and layered exploration of Black male identity, aiming to inspire understanding, compassion, and meaningful conversation about masculinity in America.

When We Free the World stands as a powerful extension of Kevin Powell’s lifelong commitment to storytelling, activism, and social transformation.

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theforcedpivot Podcast host Antoine Medley reflects on Season 3 and shares what to look forward to in Season 4 in 2025.

Medley shared information on his new platform blackVOICESnow. The initiative provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC, led by Antoine Medley.

http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
‍Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow

Antoine Medley - From Broken to Better, to a Hero
blackVOICESnow YouTube Channel

Music Credits: CellTower

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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Carlos Mims, Sr. an upcoming speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC.

blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC.

Black speakers seeking to break into the motivational speaking/lecture arena are often looking for spaces and events to get started, and to get exposure. blackVOICESnow will provide that space. Let blackVOICESnow help you get the valuable experience and exposure you need.

http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
‍Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow

Carlos Mims, Sr. is a partner at Trapp Insurance Group, Inc., where he specializes in offering Lifestyle Protection Plans to individuals and families. With 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, Carlos is committed to empowering clients with the knowledge they need to take control of their financial futures, helping them move from financing their lifestyle to owning it.

CEO, "Lifestyle Ownership"
Host - "Lifestyle Ownership Podcast"
Best-Selling Amazon Author

Music Credits: CellTower

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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Milan Lee an upcoming speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC.

blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American, minority, and underrepresented motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC.

Black speakers seeking to break into the motivational speaking/lecture arena are often looking for spaces and events to get started, and to get exposure. blackVOICESnow will provide that space. Let blackVOICESnow help you get the valuable experience and exposure you need.
http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
‍Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow

Milan Lee is a technology leader, a husband, a son, and a father. He co-founded a clothing apparel company called "I am DAD". He uses this endeavor to promote fatherhood and the life of being a GREAT DAD!


IG: @iamdadclothing
FB: @iamdadclothing
https://www.iamdadclothing.com

Music Credits: CellTower
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jeremy Sullivan and Sean Ingram, both speakers at the "blackVOICESnow Raleigh" event planned for November 23, 2024 in Knightdale, NC.

blackVOICESnow is a Sankofa Innovations, LLC, initiative that provides a platform for emerging African American motivational speakers to share their stories and inspire local communities. We aim to empower both the speakers and the communities they reach, fostering growth, inspiration, and positive change. This new effort is owned and sponsored by Sankofa Innovations, LLC.

Black speakers seeking to break into the motivational speaking/lecture arena are often looking for spaces and events to get started, and to get exposure. blackVOICESnow will provide that space. Let blackVOICESnow help you get the valuable experience and exposure you need.
http://www.sankofainnovations.com
http://www.blackvoicesnow.com
‍Facebook/LinkedIn/IG/YouTube @blackvoicesnow

Jeremy Sullivan
Sullivan sows a perspective of shifting ideas to help others grow in the direction of their future selves #FarmerMentality #FaithfulSower
IG: @disciple_jeremy

Sean Ingram
Ingram is an author, actor, educator, spoken word artist, and motivational speaker.
Sean's Mission & Ministry is to Engage, Enlighten, and Elevate discouraged youth from their struggles to their success.
Founder, "The Sean Ingram Academy"
IG: @seaningram
FB: @seaningraminc
https://www.seaningram.info/

Music Credits: CellTower
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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Jeremy McKinney.

Jeremy McKinney is the founder of McKinney Immigration Law firm in Greensboro, North Carolina and was the 76th President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), a bar association with 39 chapters around the world and almost 17,000 members. He is a North Carolina Board Certified Immigration Law Specialist and is admitted to practice law in North Carolina state and federal courts, along with the Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

McKinney is a recognized expert in immigration law, particularly on the topic of the immigration court system and the need for an independent immigration judiciary. He provided written and oral testimony on that topic before Congress in 2020 and 2023. He is sought out by media outlets for his insights and has been interviewed for immigration stories for outlets ranging from the New York Times and The Washington Post to Rolling Stone, NBC News, CNN and Buzzfeed. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for immigration law.

McKinney graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1993 and later received his Juris Doctorate from Campbell University School of Law in 1996. He previously taught Immigration Law at Elon University School of Law as an Adjunct Professor and served on the North Carolina State Bar’s Specialization Committee. Mr. McKinney is a former Captain & Trial Counsel in the North Carolina Army National Guard, as well as a U.S. Army veteran deployed to Jordan at the beginning of the second Iraq War.

Website: http://www.mckinneyimmigration.com

X (Twitter): http://www.twitter.com/McKJeremy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mckinneyimmigration

Music Credits: CellTower

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theforcedpivot Podcast welcomes Troy Martin.

In 1993, Troy Martin saw Microsoft Windows for the first time, and this thing called a "mouse" changed his life forever.

Martin is a native New Yorker and has resided in Atlanta, GA since 1992. He is a graduate of Devry University, an accomplished IT professional, a dedicated husband, a father of 5, and a dedicated follower of God.

From a snapshot of his humble beginnings in IT to being a soldier for the Lord, Martin shares how he found IT and how he holds fast to God. Listen as he shares the ups, downs, and dramatic turns in his life over the last 4 years. His testimony is nothing but amazing and his sharing of his experience will definitely affect your life.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troylmartin/

Music Credits: CellTower

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theforcedpivot welcomes JuJuan Mitchell and Cynthia Daniels-Williams.

JuJuan Mitchell, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008, is a community leader and social justice advocate. In 2023, JuJuan co-founded the A Balance for MS Foundation with Cynthia Daniel-Williams, dedicated to guiding individuals through the emotional journey of MS with a focus on grieving, understanding, and thriving. Beyond her role as a mental health advocate, JuJuan actively serves on various boards that champion equality for marginalized communities, using her experience and positive mindset to connect and uplift those around her.

Cynthia Daniel-Williams wears many hats- educator, facilitator, coach, advocate, entrepreneur. She is a wife, bonus mom, auntie extraordinaire. Today we present her as the co-founder of “A Balance”. When presented with the idea, she jumped into action to assist with establishing this worthy MS cause. Founder JuJuan C. Mitchell has coined her the comptroller, financial advisor, and fiscal manager…. She says, “I’m happy just being me”.

Facebook: @abalanceformsfoundation
Instagram: @abalanceforms
Website: https://abalanceformsfoundation.org/

Music Credits: CellTower

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