'Her Journey': New Kudzukian series inspires young women through Memphis success stories

With the goal of providing opportunities to enlighten African American girls and young women, Kudzukian Media Group has launched the first season of "Her Journey." The series of 10 episodes highlights the accomplishments of Black women in Memphis who are making strides in their careers and are great role models for the next generations.

"Her Journey" is a collection of informative conversations with women from various backgrounds. Many have succeeded despite growing up in poverty and other less-than-ideal circumstances. Some have literally made it on their own, while others have taken paths that were not straight or quick or easy.

Joy Doss, the series’ host and producer at Kudzukian Media, says the use of the word “journey” is intentional. “Life is a long haul not a weekend road trip,” she says. “We want our girls and young women to be inspired, to know that they don’t have to be afraid to dream.”

"Her Journey," she says, puts them face-to-face with real life examples of women who have overcome poverty, loss, disappointment, starting from scratch, divorce, teen motherhood and other disadvantages.

Doss adds that the women featured can counter "the false information circulating” that children don’t have examples to inspire them. “They may not have good examples in their immediate lives, but there are plenty of good examples in our city. This is an opportunity to show that ‘If they can see it, they can be it.’”

The series on inspiring women follows Kudzukian Media Group’s "The Journey," which focuses on accomplished Memphis men and how they can inspire Black boys and young men. "The Journey" launched several years ago and has presented more than 80 interviews.

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Larry Robinson, CEO of Kudzukian Media Group, says "Her Journey" and "The Journey" are important initiatives, what he calls “contributions to the solution.” “We want our young men and women to know that they are bigger than their past, that their past will not determine their future,” says Robinson.

The women featured in Season 1 of Her Journey include Bacarra Mauldin, newly appointed CEO of MATA; Chandell Ryan, newly appointed CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission; Roshun Austin, president and CEO, The Works; Audrey Willis, co-founder CodeCrew and program director of CodeCrew Code School; Tish Towns, EVP and CAO, Regional One Health; Linda McNeil, senior account manager, Gaskill Strategies; Lucy Shaw, former CEO of The MED (now Regional One Health) and current CEO of Spirit of Service; Jozelle Booker, president and CEO of MMBC Continuum; Pat Mitchell Worley, CEO, Soulsville Foundation; and Takeisha Berry Brooks, founder and CEO of A Natural Affair Salons and the Define Natural Hair product line.

The "Her Journey" initiative will work with schools to share with students the outstanding women spotlighted. “Our hope is that these young people will see themselves in these women,” says Doss. “They need to know that not everybody had a leg up; nobody had a trust fund. Everyone had to get an education, everybody had to work to overcome challenges.”

Yet they were able to achieve, even excel. That’s what "Her Journey" wants young women to realize: Regardless of your family or economic status, you too can succeed.

Meet three of the women featured in 'Her Journey'

The inaugural "Her Journey" series features engaging interviews with 10 successful Black women in Memphis. These revealing stories will be shared to inspire girls and young women to succeed despite personal circumstances. Here are brief profiles on three of the women in "Her Journey."

Takeisha Berry Brooks is an award-winning hairstylist and entrepreneur who specializes in natural hair and products. She is founder/CEO of A Natural Affair salons and Define Natural Hair products. After 10 years as a stylist, in 2008 she opened her salon and a second location in 2022. An educator and mentor to students and salon owners, she partners with Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ cosmetology program. “I’m especially honored to be a part of 'Her Journey', to be aligned with women of this caliber,” says Brooks.

Roshun Austin is president/CEO of The Works Inc., a community development corporation that builds single-family and multifamily properties in distressed neighborhoods. The Works operates a mortgage loan fund, farmers market, greengrocer, mobile grocery and provides nutrition education. Austin says "Her Journey" is a “phenomenal” project. “I grew up in poverty... I don’t want that for other children, girls. I want to help them avoid some of the things I encountered.”

Audrey Willis is co-founder of CodeCrew, which focuses on creating diversity and inclusion in computing through education, workforce development and advocacy in computer science. She is also program director for CodeCrew’s Code School, which trains adults and youth in software development, robotics and other technology. Willis previously was Shelby County’s first manager of innovation and performance analysis. “Being a woman in tech is difficult,” says Willis. “Being a Black woman in tech is even more difficult.”

Lynn Norment, a columnist for The Commercial Appeal, is a former editor for Ebony Magazine.

Where to watch 'Her Journey' episodes

You can find episodes of Kudzukian Media Group's "Her Journey" at shows.kudzukian.com/show/her-journey.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: New Memphis series inspires young women by sharing success stories