The Podcast

Karin has always loved to write.  She started at an early age writing about the football and basketball games she would attend when her older sister was in junior high school.  After graduating from Jefferson HS, she attended Florida A&M University and majored in Journalism.  She is a former reporter and currently works in communications for a local company. She is the founder of In My Shoes,  this podcast and subsequent blog. She also works with clients trying to navigate parenting with a special needs child.  

As a busy mom of 3, marketing executive, personal blogger and entrepreneur, Ginain Grayes knows all too well the challenges of juggling life! As founder of Cook Pray Slay, a food and lifestyle blog, her goal is to help other women navigate their quest for balance - whether it's figuring out the perfect meal plans for your family, planning your next vacation on a budget or simply uncovering hacks that make life a little easier for women. As a natural creative, Ginain enjoys graphic design, photography and digital story telling. Connect with Ginain on Instagram and LinkedIn

 Amber is a third generation preacher’s kid. She was born and raised in Tampa, FL, and is the youngest of four sisters. Currently she is a manager of a government agency, and is also the owner of a local craft company called ‘Designs by Lynne’. She is recently married and has 1 stepson. Amber is a strong advocate for adoption and loves children. She is the leader of her local church’s youth group, and believes our children are the future.  Connect  with  Amber  on  Facebook

Maureen – aka MGJ -- is a people professional who has held leadership roles in HR, talent development, DEI, and employee communications throughout her career. In 2020, MGJ added “entrepreneur” to the list, launching MGJ Speaks! to provide career coaching to women seeking their “next”.  On podcasts and other speaking engagements, MGJ “speaks” to inspire others -- especially women of color -- with a relentless pursuit that refuses to let them give up on themselves, or each other.  Married with two children, she enjoys a cold brew, a good book, and any vacation that involves warm weather and a beach (staying true to her West Indian roots!).  Connect with MGJ here, Instagram  or LinkedIn 

and read her H3 Inspiration 

 blog.

Tamara Burks is a Diversity Talent Acquisition Professional , Autism at Work Program Manager for a global professional services firm. A Zumba® Fitness. instructor, she grew up in Maryland and Pennsylvania, where she attended the University of Pittsburgh. 

Tamara is an avid studier of people and cultures, and leads a local book club Best of Women, Best Books. You can follow Tamara on Twitter at @tamaraburks or instagram @tamaroundtown or tburks25

Latoya was born in Haynesville, LA (no where near New Orleans). She is one of nine children and says she and her siblings are in every shade, something she loves, but that did raise questions growing up. Now, as a wife & mother of four girls who are also various shades of beautiful brown, she deals with the questions all over again about whether or not she and her children are mixed  (referring  to  our  colorism  series) LaToya says today she has learned how to address the questions and is always conscious of making sure her girls feel beautiful in every shade.

Wyllow Isabella Caraballo was born and raised in New York (Brooklyn).  Her parents are both  Puerto Rican  from the island.  Her father's side  of  the  family is more white/spaniard/european mix.  Her  mom’s   family is  more  Taino  Indian/african mix.  Although they were on the same island, colorism (referring  to  our  colorism  series)  was extremely prevalent from the beginning.  She  and  her  siblings,  being  a  more  mocha color were considered middle of the road and  were not white enough to participate in the "white privilege" concept but not dark enough to be considered “black and less  attractive.”  It was a neverending walk of the colorism line within her  own community.  

Jo-Ann was born and rasied in Brooklyn, NY. Her parents were born and raised in Puerto Rico, She is the middle child with a younger and an older sister.   Her oldest sister is fair skinned like her, while her younger sister is a little darker (referring  to  our  colorism  series)..  Though she was not born in Puerto Rico, she considers herself Puerto Rican, even though sometimes she was told she wasn't beause she was born in the states.  She said people's misconception of what Puerto Ricans should “look like” really bothered her and sometimes still does today. She said she is proud of her heritage and even more proud to say that she is Puerto Rican.

We would love to have your point of view on one of our podcast episodes. 

Email kdt@inmyshoestoday.com and let us know what you want to talk about!