I sign off every episode of Reppin with “Stand Up and Represent.” My next guest truly LIVES this mantra. Karen Olivo is a powerhouse talent. They’re an American stage and television actor, theater educator, and singer.In 2008 Karen originated the role of Vanessa in In The Heights on Broadway. The following year, they won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress In A Musical for their performance as Anita in a revival of West Side Story. They are the first and only actor to win a Tony award for a performance in West Side Story. From 2016 to 2017, Olivo portrayed the role of Angelica Schuler  in the Chicago production of Hamilton 2019, Olivo originated the lead role of Satine in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge on Broadway and was nominated for the 2020 Tony Award For Best Actress in a Musical. With this incredible, illustrious career, Karen risked it ALL when they publicly spoke out against a very powerful and influential producer. We’ve all encountered bullies and difficult bosses-but would YOU have the courage, truth —and readiness to do what Karen did? Learn more about this talented, remarkable person and where they draw their strength from. Find out how they’re fighting to ensure civility, kindness and community is present today and for those who follow. Karen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenolivoKaren’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenolivo76/?hl=en

Her TED talks was titled “I’ve got 99 problems …palsy is just one.” It was one of the MOST VIEWED TED talks E-V-E-R. But don’t you even dare to think of Maysoon Zayid as disabled. She is unstoppable, multifaceted talent. She is a brilliant comedian, disability activist and actor. She is of Palestinian descent, and known as one of America's first Muslim women comedians. Daytime fans know her as Zahra Amir on General Hospital, she’s also has guested on Law and Order, NBC Nightly News and ABC’s 20/20. As a comic, she’s played the top New York clubs, like Carolines, Gotham and Stand Up NY. With hilarity and heart she tackles serious topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict, breaking cultural stereotypes and her having palsy. Listen in on what she’s had to and continues to overcome. And find out how and why she is out in front working to make change.Maysoon’s website: https://maysoon.com/Maysoon’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/maysoonzayidMaysoon’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maysoonzayid/

Tony Giroux is a talented dancer and actor. He’s danced with Pitbull, Rhianna and Zendaya to name a few. As an actor, he has appeared in Descendants, Descendants 3, ABC’s Once Upon A Time. And he co-starred in Lifetime’s FIRST Asian American centered holiday special, Sugar and Spice Holiday. Currently you can see him as Adil in Freeforms’s supernatural hit, Motherland: Forth Salem. With everything going for him, you maybe surprised how he struggled to find his identity and where he belonged. Tony is of French and Chinese descent and reveals how he relates to his characters and how grappled with finding connection. This is a fiercely candid conversation. Find out IF he’s been able to reconcile his place and how he did it. Tony’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/tkgiroux?lang=enTony’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tkgiroux/?hl=en

The world of ballet is one of sophistication, beauty and high class culture. This is all true but it’s also complicated and the same social issues and inequities that exist in the “everyday” also lives in this elite world. Georgina Pazcoguin is the FIRST Asian-American female soloist at New York City Ballet (her father is Filipino and her mother is Italian). She’s also the author of Swan Dive: The Making Of A Rogue Ballerina where she takes you beyond the stage. Her memoir where she openly shares her love for dance is also where she risks all to expose and fight everything from racism to sexism. What has she experienced to step up and publicly voice her position and beliefs? Why is she putting her career on the line? What is it costing her?Meet this firebrand now on Reppin. And see how’s she fighting with grace and integrity to ensure that the art of ballet lives on for future generations and that it is world that is more inclusive and equal. Georgina’s website: https://georginapazcoguin.com/Georgina’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/GPazcoguinGeorgina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgina_pazcoguin/?hl=enSwan Dive: The Making Of A Rogue Ballerina: https://www.amazon.com/Untitled-Holt-Author-Revealed-Fall/dp/1250244307/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14KMY3Q178B1H&dchild=1&keywords=swan+dive&qid=1633808398&sprefix=small+hat%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-1

Nancy Lee Grahn is an Emmy winning actress and fan favorite. Known for her portrayals as the headstrong Julia Wainwright Capwell from Santa Barbara and now, Alexis Davis on General Hospital. Over the years, Nancy has garnered a huge fan base and is most recently celebrating her 25th year on General Hospital. Nancy is known for delivering powerful performances on screen. Off screen, Nancy is also a powerhouse. She’s an unapologetic, passionate, outspoken woman who is using her platform to advocate and fight for the things she believes in. Whether you agree or not—she embraces her position and voice. Meet the woman behind the talent, gain insight into her background, her values, understand what drives her and see what she represents. Nancy’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NancyLeeGrahnNancy’s website: https://www.nancyleegrahn.com/

Patrick Sabongui is a talented actor with a long list of impressive credits. He’s been in Netflix’s wildly popular shows Virgin River and Firefly Lane. You’ve also seen him CW’s The Flash and Showtime’s Homeland and Shameless.He has a great body of work but throughout his career he has faced the challenges of being labeled and he’s struggled with playing and perpetuating stereotypes on screen.Because of that, Patrick is a fierce advocate for anti-racism and representation in the arts, Patrick is co-chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Union of British Columbia Performers and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, TV and Radio Artists (UBCP/ACTRA) and on the Diversity Committee for the Jessie Richardson Awards (British Columbia’s Theatre Recognition Awards). Patrick talks about the constant balancing act of keeping with his sense of integrity, being a good example to his community and his son with the practical needs of getting projects to provide for his family. His shares how he navigates this universal challenge and how he’s giving back. Patrick’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatrickSabonguiPatrick’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricksabongui/?hl=en

Dr. Samantha Yammine is a Neuroscientist and popular Science Communicator better known as Science Sam. Throughout her life and career, she’s faced challenges and understands what it’s like to be overlooked. Because of this, she is passionate about empowering people to explore science by making it more familiar, accessible, and inclusive. She’s harnassing the power of social media like instagram, Tik Tok to make science more accessible, and garnering millions of views every month to better help people assess risk, spot misinformation, and have informed discussions with their friends and family.She has been a guest Science Correspondent for a variety of shows on Netflix, TVO Kids, CBC GEM, Discovery UK, CBC Radio, and AsapSCIENCE. Find out how representation and science directly effects YOU. Meet her here on Reppin. Dr. Samantha Yammine’s website: https://www.samanthayammine.comDr. Yammine’s Social Media:Twitter: https://twitter.com/heysciencesamInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/science.sam/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heysciencesam

As the world continues to be gripped by the pandemic, it’s the hundreds of thousands of front line heroes that continue to pull us through. One of those first responders is Dr. Cornelia Griggs. She’s a Pediatric Surgeon & Critical Care Specialist and mother.She came to national attention when her tweet went viral. “My babies are too young to read this now. And they’d barely recognize me in my gear. But if they lose me to COVID I want them to know Mommy tried really hard to do her job.” Hear the story behind this tweet , was she ready to say goodbye? And hear how she grappled with doing her job to try and save others at the risk of her own safety. The number patients pouring in and the devastation by covid 19 was punishing enough. But what was also exposed was the stark racial disparities that exist in an already broken healthcare system. Learn how Dr. Griggs’ personal background helped her understand her own privilege, how close that injustice hits home for her and how she’s reconciling her position. Despite the enormity and severity of the pandemic, how is she able to continue to fight for others? How did she combat that sense of helplessness?Each of these heroes have their own stories and we must remember the sacrifices they are making on our behalf. Here’s one of those stories…Dr. Griggs’ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CorneliaLG

Dr. Chen Fu is a front line hero. He’s been battling to save lives as hospitals were busting at the seams as patients poured in all desperately sick with Covid-19. Working exhaustively for days that bled into nights and back again, he fought to help as many as possible. Witnessing staggering numbers of devastating loss and gutting goodbyes, often multiple times a day was punishing. Proving time and again, despite his best efforts —they were futile. While he struggled to help the sick, as a front line responder he was celebrated for what he was doing but the also vilified for what he is— Asian. The duality of this position compounded the situation he was in. How does it impact him as a doctor? As a person? Did his faith in humanity diminish or has it been renewed?

Yvonne Chapman is a talented Chinese Canadian actress. She’s currently on CW’s hit Kung Fu as the complicated, alluring, sometimes heartbreaking but always lethal villain Zhilan. Her other credits have also included CBC’s Street Legal, CW’s “The 100”, ABC’s “The Crossing.”Before she was kicking ass on screen, she was doing well in the world of corporate finance! On Reppin, Yvonne shares how she had to overcome her fears, break away from her family’s expectations, all sense of stability to take a giant leap of faith in an effort to make the life and career she wanted. Find out how she found her voice and her footing. And find out how her diverse upbringing, the challenges she faced and her ”late” start in entertainment actually HELPED her. She reveals the lessons she’s learned and pays it forward here.Yvonne’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/yvonne__chapmanYvonne’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ypchapman/

Kimberly McCullough is an incredible talent. She started working at 5 years old appearing in movies like Breakin’2: Electric Boogaloo to Bugsy with Warren Beatty, and has an impressive list of television credits that include The Shield, Firefly, Joan Of Arcadia, All My Children. She’s best known as Robin Scorpio the daughter of super spies Robert Scorpio played by Tristan Rogers and Anna Devane played by Finola Hughes on General Hospital. She originated this role at 7 years old and playing this character on an off through the years into adulthood. And she’s won 2 daytime Emmys for her portrayal. Now, she’s evolved into an incredible Producer/Director for shows like High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Fuller House, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Carol’s Second Act to The Conners She’s grown up in front of audiences and you may THINK you know her. On Reppin she shares what she’s learned throughout her career, challenges she’s over come and what she’s doing to advocate for others. Meet this incredible woman.Kimberly’s Twitter:https://twitter.com/whitewatercrewKimberly’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmeabreak/

Brandon Victor Dixon has an expansive list of credits that range from Broadway’s Hamilton, The Color Purple to television’s Rent Live, Jesus Christ Superstar to STARZ’s Power. Brandon has also appeared in concert with various artists such as Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber, Jennifer Hudson, Nathan Lane, Wynton Marsalis, Chita Rivera, Liza Minnelli, David Hyde Pierce,  and Tony winners Levi Kries, Kelli O'hara, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Other Credits include: ABC's One Life To Live, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, ABC's The Good Wife, and NETFLIX’s “She’s Gotta Have It”.His talent doesn’t end there, h'e’s also a producer! His company WalkRunFly has produced multiple works including the Tony Award winning Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Neil Patrick Harris, He is co-founder of The WeAre Foundation, a non-profit “Turning Art into Action.” Millions have seen and heard his voice and talent-but here, you’ll learn what motivates this talented man and what he’s fighting for. Brandon’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonVDixonBrandon’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/brandonvdixon/?hl=enWe Are Foundation: https://weare.org/

David Harewood is an incredible actor, producer and director. You’ve seen him starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connolly in the film Blood Diamond, in Showtimes’s hit Homeland with with Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, he’s also been in The Night Manager, Man In The High Castle and most recently, he is the martian manhunter, Hank Henshaw, J'onn J'onzz in the CW fan favorite Supergirl. He may seem like he’s lived a charmed life--but his personal journey has been filled with tremendous challenges. When he was a young actor in his twenties he faced intense racism from critics and audiences alike. The racism was so extreme that it undermined his sense of identity and ultimately triggered a psychotic break. He was hospitalized, treated and thankfully recovered. In 2019, in an effort to help destigmatize mental illness, David and the BBC produced a powerful documentary called Psychosis and Me. In the film, David retraced his steps and learned for the first time, as the cameras rolled-what actually happened to him vs what he thought happened. He saw his medical records and how serious his mental condition really was. Because of his personal experiences, he’s incredible advocate for countless charities, from mental health to fighting for more realistic representation in the arts for all ethnic backgrounds to encouraging minorities to vote.David shares how facing his past and seeing his fault lines have made him a stronger, better man. And now, he’s fighting to help others. An incredible story of courage, strength and love.A remarkably talented actor who is an even more remarkable human being. Meet him on Reppin. David’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidHarewoodDavid’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidharewood/?hl=en

Angela Yee is best known as one of the hosts of the nationally syndicated show The Breakfast Club. She is the only female voice on the show which has been the number one radio program in “The Source” Power 30 issue for 5 years in a row. The NYS Broadcasters Association awarded “The Breakfast Club” the 2014 OUTSTANDING ON-AIR BROADCAST PERSONALITY OR TEAM award, and in 2017 the Breakfast Club was awarded the iHeartRadio Urban Personality of the Year Award.Listeners can hear “Angela Yee’s Rumor Report,” her advice segment “Ask Yee,” and current events with “Front Page News.”  True to her personality, Angela has also continued to expand her brand with her popular podcast “Angela Yee’s Lip Service” and in 2019 she organized the first nationwide tour for “Lip Service Live” with Live NationWhen she’s not in front of the mic or hosting, Angela is also an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. She’s involved with numerous organizations that support everything from health, literacy to groups that promote diversity and inclusion. All of her efforts are varied—but have one thing in common—empathy and to build communities and people up. Angela has received a WEEN Mission Award, the Shirley Chisholm Woman of Distinction Award, the Vice-Chancellor’s Achievement Award for the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI), a Gracie Award for National Radio Host/Personality, a Gracie Award for her Lip Service podcast, a Spirit of Detroit Award, the Airblazer Award from the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group and Talentmasters Morning Show Bootcamp….to name a few. Who is this unstoppable woman? What shapes her? What’s it take to be the solo female voice on a hugely popular show? Where does this drive and commitment to community come from? Find out now. Meet this inspiring, incredible woman-right here on Reppin.Angela’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelayee?s=20Angela’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelayee/?hl=enAngela’s Non Profit Well Read: http://wellread.org/Angela’s Juices For Life: http://juicesforlife.nyc/

Meet Doug Elmets, president of Elmets Communication. He is a high-profile media and crisis strategist known for his ability to defend and promote his clients through integrated communications. He’s also lifelong Republican who worked with Ronald Reagan during his Administration. Over the decades, he’s appeared on national programs speaking to promote the Republican agenda. But 2016, he was the FIRST Republican to step out onto the DNC stage to openly endorsed his political party’s opponent-Hillary Clinton for President. How did his appearance come to be? What compelled him to risk it all to be the LONE man to come forward and go against his political party? How did he sustain tremendous pressure to conform? And what was the fallout afterwards?

My next guest has proven you should never underestimate the power of determination and hope. Meet Candace Wohl, she is a writer, public speaker and women’s health advocate. Her evolution towards becoming that advocate began when she and her husband Chris, who were in their late 20s then, were thrown onto the private and painful roller coaster of infertility. After 6 years of enduring an assault of medical procedures and investing their entire life savings, they were still unable to conceive. As they went through devastating lows, they also began documenting their struggles and created a blog called Our Misconception. They worked to break down the stigma of infertility and provided the unique perspective of a man and a woman. They shared information and mistakes to help others navigate and approached this shrouded issue with a lighter touch. Since then, Candace’s blog garnered national attention and has been named Best IVF blog in 2019 and they’ve been profiled in Glamour and Cosmopolitan Magazine and were featured on MTV’s Award Wining documentary series True Life.Find out how Candace and Chris transformed their pain into power, how they harnessed their strength using humor and light and how they persisted through grief. See how she’s paying it forward and find out if she and Chris were able to have the family they desperately wanted. Candace’s Blog Our Misconception: https://ourmisconception.com/Candace’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmisconceptionCandace’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourmisconception/

Kyle Maynard was born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, that left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees-but don’t tell him he can’t do something. Kyle was the first man to bear crawl to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet), and the summit of Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua (22,838 feet), the highest peak in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres.He’s an entrepreneur, speaker, best selling author, award-winning extreme athlete. Kyle thrives on physical challenges and is a champion wrestler, CrossFit Certified Instructor and gym owner, competitive Mixed Martial Arts fighter, world record-setting weightlifter, and skilled mountaineer. He lives by the motto No Excuses. He comes to Reppin sharing his perspectives, lessons and his iron will. So just TRY and keep up with him. Kyle’s twitter: https://twitter.com/kylemaynard?lang=enKyle’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylemaynard/?hl=en

Benjamin Von Wong is a talented innovative, creative, artist, photographer and activist. His work has been described as a mix of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations, like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution. Most recently, he was named one of Adweek’s 11 content branded masterminds. He is also the host of the Impact Everywhere Podcast.Meet this incredible talent as he shares what he’s learned and how he infuses his creativity with purpose and how he’s working to make a change. Benjamins’ website: https://www.vonwong.com/Benjamin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevonwong?s=20 Benjamin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vonwong/?hl=enImpact Everywhere: https://impacteverywhere.org/

AJ Mendez is a former professional wrestling champion with the WWE under the ring name AJ Lee. Don’t let her diminutive stature fool you, she was a formidable opponent . She threw people around like a short order cook threw pancakes onto a plate. With her trademark black widow submission move, she easily took out her competitors. But in real life--nothing came easily for her.In her autobiography, which was a New York Times best seller, Crazy Is My Super Power, she details what it was like being a petite Puerto Rican girl growing up in an unstable home, struggling with poverty, homelessness and mental illness to how comics, wrestling and her fans helped change her life. Because of her own personal struggles, she is a mental health advocate, and is an ambassador to The Jed Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. If that’s not enough, she also partnered with actress Aimee Garcia and founded Scrappy Heart Productions. Together, as Latin X storytellers, they want to create the change they want to see in the media and to tell stories that have universal themes. She is a warrior. Meet this incredible woman, who is breaking boundaries, who has overcome so many personal challenges and now she’s out in front working to help others. AJ’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAJMendezAJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theajmendez/Mental Health Resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

Suburban Outlaw Productions

Aydian Dowling is most known for being the First Transgender Man on the cover of Mens Health Magazine, and appearing on the Ellen Degeneres show, twice! Using his own personal struggles he has given voice to the trans community, documenting his personal transition and sharing it on line. Since then, Aydian has been creating content answering questions and offering insight to those who may still be struggling.In 2016, Aydian launched PointofPride.org a non profit which helps Transgender individuals around the world through programming and funding to help Trans people live more authentically in their bodies. On Reppin, Aydian talks about how he went from hiding who he was, how he summoned the courage to being liberated to live his most authentic life and finding acceptance and love. His story is one about overcoming fears, other people’s expectations and labels to truly embracing who you are. Aydian’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/AydianDowlingAydian’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alionsfear/Point Of Pride: https://pointofpride.org/Aydian’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5IabAzRyXqLpAib13Q2yw

Mary Beth Evans is an 8 time Emmy winner! She’s an immensely talented actress, producer and entrepreneur. Since 1986, she has breathed life into the beloved character Kayla Brady and part of super couple, Steve and Kayla on Days Of Our Lives.Mary Beth’s other credits include General Hospital, The Bay, Chasing Life, Body Of Proof and As the World Turns. She’s consistently in top form, hitting e-v-e-r-y beat and in e-v-e-r-y scene. Mary Beth has been a longtime favorite with audiences and has earned her spot as a daytime icon. Going beyond television, she’s a successful entrepreneur with Mary Beth’s Apple Pie and she also has a lifestyle and inspirational blog called Plank. Entertainment outlets have covered her career throughout the years so you may think you know her—but you have no idea. Mary Beth comes to Reppin and shares her personal stories, lessons learned and her sources of strength. This maybe an interview unlike any other, get to know this incredible woman behind the powerhouse talent

Tara Setmayer is a CNN Political Commentator, ABC News Political Contributor and former GOP communications director on Capitol Hill. Setmayer is a 2020 Harvard Institute of Politics Resident Fellow  and Senior Advisor for The Lincoln Project. She is currently the host of  "Honestly Speaking with Tara," podcast. She often appears on CNN's prime time programs and contributes to ABC's Good Morning America, Nightline and guest hosts The View. She's also made numerous appearances on HBO's Real Time w/Bill Maher. She a fierce opponent on air! She’s a lifelong Republican, resolute in her beliefs with the TRADITIONAL values of the GOP, and an outspoken critic of the current administration. Tara comes to REPPIN and gives us insight into who she is outside the political ring, where she draws her grit from and how she withstands the pressures of politics and what it takes to stand up against her own political party in an effort to restore the true principles of the republican party. Tara’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaraSetmayerTara’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetarasetmayer/?hl=en

From stage to screen, Keala Settle is a powerhouse talent. She made her Broadway debut in 2011 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, then originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands On A Hardbody on Broadway in 2013 and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her other credits include Hairspray, Les Miserables and Waitress. In 2017, she portrayed Lettie Lutz in the film The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Zendaya and sang the song “This Is Me. ” The song won the 2018 Golden Globe award for best original song and nominated for an Academy Award for the same category. In this very candid conversation, she shares why this award winning song made her feel so incredibly vulnerable and where she finds her strength and sense of belonging now.Keala’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/kealasettle

Nathalie Kelley, a Peruvian born actress known for her leading roles from the mega movie Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Vampire Diaries, Dynasty, UnREAL, Body Of Proof and Baker And The Beauty has a powerful discussion on REPPIN! She shares what devastated her, the awakening she had experienced, what she’s learned, how it’s changed her life and all the ways she’s giving back. Nathalie breaks down her project Ritual Community-how it’s set up to represent and serve underrepresented groups, honor ancient traditions and lineages and help enrich your life. This is an insightful and inspiring conversation with a talented actress and fierce activist who is out in front to preserve our earth, heritage and ultimately, make an impact on this world. Nathalie’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/natkelleyNathalie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natkelley/Ritual Community: https://ritualcommunity.mn.co/