Behind the Woman

To start off the fourth season we meet a community engagement activist, development director, and dancer: Kristin Thompson Henry, who is using storytelling to create a healthier community.

On this episode of Behind The Woman, Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with Eden Strachan to learn more about the inspiration behind her book and multimedia company, Black Girls Don’t Get Love, which Eden is using to help black girls in Central New York and beyond have their coming of age moment.

Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with Onondaga Legislator Linda Ervin, and Syracuse Common President Helen Hudson to talk about how they got started in politics and what it means to be able to have a seat at the table. Highlighting how these two women feel increases in diverse representation in public office could lead to policy change.

On this episode of Behind The Woman, Dr. Juhanna Rogers introduces us to podcaster, reiki master, and entrepreneur Sharon Capers. Sharon is providing healing to the Central New York Region by creating spaces for people to speak it out to get it out, while also letting others know that it is okay to not be okay.

Host Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with Le Moyne College President, Dr. Linda LeMura, to discuss her journey of becoming the first female layperson to run a Jesuit institution. See the importance of service-based learning in the community and how to be an effective leader.

Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with local philanthropist Laura Serway to talk about how she is taking her experience from the restaurant industry and turning that into gifts for the CNY community through her supper club. She emphasizes the importance of engaging the community, giving back to others, and bringing up those around her in the process.

On this episode of Behind The Woman, Dr. Juhanna Rogers talks with Nichole Brown and Akua Goodrich to find out how they are bringing change to both sides of the education system. Nichole is working to increase representation amongst teachers to better reflect the diverse classrooms of today; Akua is inspiring students to be the change that they wish to see in the world.

Dr. Juhanna Rogers takes a trip down the thruway to Utica, New York for this special episode of Behind The Woman at the Munson Museum of Art. There she sits down with Munson president Anna D'Ambrosio to talk about the importance of art in the community, how she became president, and how she is working in this role to make Munson a space where everyone in the community can see themselves.

Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with Merriette Pollard to talk about how she gives back to the community, a passion which she was able to find through her years of service that she continues to this day at the Dunbar Center in Syracuse. We also learn about Merriette's beginnings at Shaw University and her travels through higher education that led her to the Central New York region.

Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with Kimberly Townsend, president and CEO of Loretto, and Stephanie Crockett, president and CEO of Mower, to discuss what it is like being a female CEO of a major organization. Are personal relationships crucial for strong leadership? Does this level of leadership require individuals to change who they are? Kimberly and Stephanie share their experiences.

On this episode of Behind The Woman, Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with Gabrielle Eure to talk about her journey of becoming an architect and interior designer in Central New York. They discuss how Gabrielle is able to give back to the community through more than her designs, by helping guide other woman who are pursuing a career in architecture.

Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with Maithreyee D. Dubé from the D'Aniello IVMF at Syracuse University and Mariana Rossoni Serao from Clear Path for Veterans to talk about how these two women are helping veterans return home after serving our country. They discuss how they take care of themselves as well, so that they can best serve the veteran community.

On the season four finale of Behind The Woman, we highlight women who are enriching Central New York through the arts. Performances by Nakiea Chambers and Dominique C. Hill; a check in with season one cast member - Cjala Surratt; and a panel discussion with playwright and lyricist Johanna Keller, performer Dominique C. Hill, and author Gwendolyn D. Pough.