Us People Podcast

Navigating Life's Challenges with Resilience - Dr. Deborah Olusa, CEO of Reocomm Group Holdings Corp - Season 5 - #215

• Us People Podcast • Season 5 • Episode 215

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Empowering Creativity through Diversity and Overcoming Obstacles: A Conversation with Dr. Deborah Olusa

In this particular episode, host Savia Rocks interviews Dr. Deborah Olusa, an international speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, cancer advocate, global thought and educational leader.

Dr. Deborah Olusa shares her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a global influencer and CEO of Reocomm Group Holdings Corp Group Holdings Corp. She discusses the challenges and successes of her life, emphasizing the importance of education, empowerment, and finding one's purpose. The episode delves into various topics, including the power of decision-making, the significance of parental support and guidance, and the crucial role of dignity in overcoming poverty and hardship.

Dr. Deborah Olusa’s story highlights the impact of innovation, disruption, and humanitarian efforts across different sectors, inspiring listeners to seek joy, happiness, and fulfilment in both personal and professional life.

00:00 Welcome to Season Five: Embracing Creativity and Diversity
00:59 Celebrating Five Years of the Us People Podcast
01:35 Introducing Dr. Deborah Olusa: A Journey from Poverty to Empowerment
02:38 Debbie's Humble Beginnings and the Power of Parental Support
03:46 From Poverty to Cambridge: Debbie's Educational Journey
07:19 Building a Global Enterprise: The Story of Riacom Group Holdings Corp
11:21 Empowering Women and Innovating in Renewable Energy
16:45 Humanitarian Efforts and the Fight Against Breast Cancer
28:08 The Importance of Building Resilience and Finding Joy
30:26 Embracing a Global Perspective and Growth Mindset
32:07 The Power of Clinical Trials in Medicine
33:45 The Journey Through Breast Cancer Awareness
37:02 Navigating Life's Challenges with Resilience
56:03 The Importance of Accessibility and Community Support
59:56 A Musical Finale: Empowerment and Inspiration

Website: https://www.reocommgroup.net/

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Savia Rocks:

Hey guys, we made it to season five of the Us people podcast. I'm your host Savia rocks. And in this season, we aim to empower and embrace creativity through diversity as we dive into the fascinating stories and experiences of a diverse range of individuals. Highlighting their unique perspectives and creative endeavors from artists and entrepreneurs to innovators and activists. We celebrate the power of diversity in driving creativity and fostering positive change. Join us as we engage in thought provoking conversations like.

I made myself intentionally homeless in pursuit of my purpose.

J Harris:

We're aware that. A lot of people want to present and they, and they were in my position and what's worse, they weren't a white male, which is a joke. That's even still a thing. I

Mel:

think my family never ever say you can't do something. So full of support, full of support for whatever dream. If I said tomorrow when I fly to the moon, they'll probably say, I wish you all the best Mel.

Savia Rocks:

So guys, I just want to say thank you for supporting the Us People podcast for the past five years. I really look forward to sharing another new theme song. With you, let's go

overcome a lot of obstacles just to get

Savia Rocks:

here. Hey guys, and welcome to another episode of the US people show. I'm your host and today I am abundantly humbled to have a Dr. Deborah Olusa here with me, who is an international speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, cancer advocate, global thought and educational leader, Dr. Deborah Olusa. Thank you so much for taking your time to come on the Young People Show. How are you?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I'm super fantastic. I am just humbled by this opportunity and the positive energy and the well reception that I've experienced. So, yes.

Savia Rocks:

Now you are more than welcome. It works both ways. I always say that in life, everything is about energy and it works absolutely both ways. So my first question for you is, could you tell us about yourself, where you grew up, but also how that influenced you to be the most inspiring person that I've read about so far today. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Yes. Um, I come from extreme humble beginnings and that's, um, I am a example of what, uh, two parents living in poverty can do with a child. Um, and I have to acknowledge that my, my, my little sister's here and she's watching. And so I can't say a child. I'll have to say children, right? So I, uh, had the extreme pleasure of having a two parent household, um, With what I call two gentle giants, right? So My mother was 6'2 and then there was me, this big, bold, little personality, running about the earth, trying to make sense out of everything. And I was given permission by both to do just that, right?

Savia Rocks:

And

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

so they were, um, innovators, creators, um, and they raised us in that same vein. And so because of their, um, Freedom and comfortability and vision for where they wanted their daughters to go. Right. So I grew up in poverty. Yeah. Um, the, uh, fearless visionary book that I featured in, um, kudos to Dr. Princess Fumi for allowing me so graciously to be a part of that Amazon bestseller compilation. I was able to tell my story that starts. in poverty. Um, my story ends in the book with my attending Cambridge University, Cambridge, England. And so how do you travel from the poorest city in the United States? There's the highest level of, even today, right? Even today holds that ranking. Um, then how do I navigate myself from there to Cambridge University to study abroad? Right. And then my now is how did I then manage to be accepted and graduate from an Ivy League University with a doctorate. Right. So I am simply Debbie at heart. Right. I've never forgotten one minute of where I'm from. I don't hide my beginnings. I celebrate them. I owe everything to the parents that I had. That we're brave enough to look at this little being and say, you know what? Let's see what we can do with this one.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah. Let's,

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

let's, let's just let her be, let her be, and, and, and then just hold her hands and try to guide her a little bit and see where she ends up.

Savia Rocks:

I like that. Oh yeah.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

So the difference in, in my childhood was the level of poverty that existed outside of my home, in my home, but then outside of my home, um, was even more, uh, Alarming to be kind. But my mother passed away when I was 11 years old.

Yeah.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

So my story, um, is unique in that from age 9, Um, I was her caretaker. Um, because she was super private. Not only was she private, so was my father. And so of course we followed their lead, um, as children. And he, uh, was very, very kind. Aware of her illness, right? Was preparing me for her not being around. Right. So in that two years, I, I gently began that conversation in the, in the chapter of the book, where I talk about the fun that I had, you know, learning how to cook, learning how to wash vegetables, how to choose vegetables. I began my first negotiations with my mother. She taught me how to negotiate with the bill collector. So imagine this little nine year old on the other end of the phone and you're negotiating payment or non payment. We

Savia Rocks:

ain't doing the payment today.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Right. Most often non payment. Right. So, yeah, it started there and then they were, uh, we are, and we made a family of service because of our upbringing. And so they, um, as a couple started a prison ministry before it was even popular. People weren't even going anywhere near prisons, right? But they were. They were pushing in and providing services, and then sustained services upon re entry into society. So, that's Debbie, you know, sort of the Debbie girl. And then there's the Debbie, the group's CEO, um, at, uh, Riacom Group Holdings Corp.

Savia Rocks:

And

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

we are a global, uh, enterprise, if you will, or consortium, some people say, that exists throughout Africa, a, uh, the present North American continent. We're headquartered here in New York and Manhattan. We've been there now three years. I'm super proud of that, to have been a part of something that great, and to be a female, an African American female, and to your first question, from poverty. Thank you.

Savia Rocks:

So,

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

yes, it can happen. Yes, it can be successful. Yes, you can make, uh, great decisions. And I have to go back to the parents who gave me that permission to be, to exist, to develop that confidence and to, to a mother who said she will be unbreakable, unstoppable. She will not allow others to define, and she will not give them permission. To make her feel less than or not worth it.

Savia Rocks:

Yes, most definitely.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

So what I've done now, um, is I've been super fortunate to develop relationships, um, across diverse sectors within the company. And in doing so, I've met amazing people. Right. And so Recon Group Holdings Corp, um, is making huge strides. I would argue, we say, look for us. You will hear about us in the very near future, um, breaking through because of our partnerships. One of our major partners, um, we're powered by the collective.

Savia Rocks:

Yes.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Um, and the collective is a global consortium. Um, and I have to say hi to our creator, Dr. Ying, um, who buys into and supports our vision. So my chairman is, uh, Dr. Rafaela Jolly. And it's very refreshing to be an African American female and be the only woman in the room. And someone gets your vision. Someone says, Oh, And then we go to what I call the blank page, um, as artists. And I say, I've got a wondering, or I have a what if, and then that person next to you goes, well, I think this and I think that, and then we launch something. And our newest something is, uh, our security and surveillance solutions, which are majorly comprehensive. Um, they are approved and can span executive surveillance. So that looks like, uh, major organizations to be kind, um, on a global scale or personal executive security, where you look at and things of that nature. And then we actually have people who are very, shall we say, well, and dialed financially, but in the agriculture sector, right? And so they want their precious commodity to be monitored. It could be cows. You're looking at a hundred acres of just cows, and they want to make sure that what's being reported as being slaughtered for the day is actually the real number.

Savia Rocks:

Yes. We have a

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

solution for that. We have a solution for that, right? So we can go from the bottom to the top, whatever that looks like for the client, so it's customized. And I want to emphasize that we are state of the art. Right. And what that looks like is we are driven by the cloud as well as artificial intelligence. Right. And we are unique. We are unique one because I'm sitting at the helm as an African American female. And two, because of our enormous commitment to the communities, the global communities in which we work. And so, a large part of what I do is around women empowerment, because you've heard me quite a bit mention being a woman, and I am extremely sensitive to that. I recognize that it's an anomaly, that it is something to be shared. Um, my learnings. My gifts, because that's what they are. It's not just Debbie out here making it happen by herself. There's all these invisible people that she sees in front of me, beside me and behind me that allow me to be here with a person like you today. And I'm very, very aware of that. And so because of that, our female empowerment looks like everything from entrepreneurial, being an entrepreneur, right? Um, Running a car wash, which in America sounds quite simple, but when you're coming from poverty, people that are at a poverty state, it doesn't matter if you're in Africa or Asia, India, it doesn't matter where you are in the United States. It's all about dignity at that point. What is it that I can do to maintain dignity and survive? And so we offer that through a number of ways. When it, in terms of education, sanitary pads are a major, are a major part of what's needed, especially in underdeveloped countries. Yes. Yeah, so ladies aren't able to complete their final exams, their national exams. Um, and we were good about developing a partnership with the manufacturer in China. And we carefully designed just that, sanitary pads, that would allow them the time. That it's required uninterrupted time so that they can be successful and finish their exams or attend school period. Not just, you know, once a year, we give them out. No, they're needed throughout the entire school.

Savia Rocks:

Exactly.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

So we're sensitive to that. That's 1 part of what we do. The other part is the science and it and technology side. So we're really big into in the renewable energy space. We're disruptors. Um, and that's face we manufacture and our solar panels are ready for distribution as we speak. And they provide over 500 watts, which normally you're looking at 200 watts. That's pretty warm. So, yes, I smile because again, I'm humbled. Right. I've been humbled by our what if and our wonderings as we sit around the drawing board with our research and development team that just allows someone like myself and the chairman and we've been able to find a board that's like minded and a collective that's powering us, um, to say, hey, what if in this century, in this world, if we, if it began or could look like this, um, What could a smart city look like? And so we are a unique company in that we're not limited just to one sector. We work comfortably and successfully across sectors, and we're still pushing that needle. I like to go back to my human, our humanitarian, yes, our humanitarian efforts. And so we train, we're being on training. So wherever we have contracts, We commit to training. So if we're, if it's solar panels, we're training. The locals on how to install how and ultimately how to manufacture in that space. So we're not coming to take from the community. We're coming to enrich and build out a company in a sustained manner. Right? So in terms of renewable energy, we're looking at the capacity. We have the capacity not looking at. We actually have the capacity to build out communities with smart homes. And what does a smart community look like? It's always a need for customization, but we're prepared to do that as well. Um, with regard to, uh, females being a part of that customization at building out, we don't expect them to get on ladders and hang solar panels or to be a part of the manual construction piece. But there is, there is. And a need for other work efforts where females can be successful. And that's where I come in and create teams to train and, and provide sustained support. And how about I actually get to know their names? How about that? How about I humanize the people as we work through the communities? Um, and that's a part of the magic that makes us really successful. Um, that, that humanization, um, that commitment to them, um, changing what work looks like in that community in ways that it's never looked like before. Um, and so that goes to relationship building.

Savia Rocks:

Yes.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

And most importantly, people having that word that I, I talk, I started with dignity, right? And then by creating dignity. We ultimately have trust. So they want us there. They want to grow. They want to share, um, this, this employment experience with others. And so I am just Debbie, my, my, uh, commitment moving forward and our commitment at RIA comp is around. solutions because my experience as being a caregiver of a mother with cancer, um, there's no change. So the numbers are devastating. So 40 percent 41 to 47 percent of African American female women that are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States of America will die. That's within the United States, right? That number is not getting any better. Okay.

Savia Rocks:

No, it's not. I was doing my research also.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

That number is not getting any better. So, if that many African American women, who are largely head of household at the same time, are getting breast cancer, then who is left to take care of them?

Savia Rocks:

Exactly.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Right. The child, like me, right? Only I had a daddy, right, that held my hand and my sister's hand. They don't. So a part of what I'm building out in terms of our humanitarian and our foundation side is, uh, solutions. Um, and I'm building out a children's book as well as a part two book to what I started because parents need support. And I think it's around permission because my mother gave me permission. To stand and start cooking at nine. She didn't talk to me like I was nine. She treated me like I was 19

Mel:

Yes,

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

so much fun. I was so happy. She was dying every day, right? I'm getting prepared I'm ironing clothes. My dad was so Not fat. He was enormous because he was just a big guy. He was solid, right? So imagine a shirt being placed on a normal size. I'm not, I'm not exaggerating a normal size ironing board. And his shirt was the length of the ironing board. And almost he was like about this much from the floor because he was just that big. My job was to figure out how to iron this shirt. His dress shirt, that was my job, one of many jobs, and I rose to the occasion, I figured it out, right? So I said all that to say, there's a lot that can be done, and my heart cracked a thousand times over during COVID, because there's something in sociology, there's a term called poverty in place, right? But I'm gonna, I'm raising the awareness, and I'm coining the phrase, caregiver in place. So like, you don't get a day off from poverty, right? You don't like fill out an application and say, okay, I'm not going to be impoverished. I'm not going to have poverty from, you know, July 5th to July 9th. Those are my poverty free days every year. You don't get a vacation from poverty. Um, you, you just don't get an excuse from it. Same thing when you're a caregiver, especially when you're a child caregiver, you're invisible. You're invisible. You're really invisible after the parent that dies. Um, you're super invisible then, right? Because no one's coming. No one's coming to save you. No one's coming to have a conversation with you. Um, In their eyes, it's over. Your mom's gone and that's the end of the story. There's no supports. There still aren't supports. And so, we're going to step in and provide partnerships and a number of other things. I won't bore you because the solutions will be in the book. No, no, no.

Savia Rocks:

You definitely are not worrying me. Everything to me is educational. It's guidance is wisdom. It's compassion. It's kindness. And these are the things that we need to have these conversations in order to help people aspire, evolve and become great within themselves. Because like you said, there are a lot of people in the world and I always find this when there's an illness. It's always in the beginning when you hear people say, I will be there for you, I will be there for you through the period as the transition is going through. And as the person becomes sicker and sicker, they continue to say they'll be there for you. But the main significant part is when that person passes away and they're put down to rest. When they are put down to rest, that's when silence becomes even more significant in your life. That's when you hear everything and see everything in it from a different perspective, but that's when you see no one.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I'm glad you get that, Mosto. I'm super, super proud that you really get

Savia Rocks:

it.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

And so most people don't, especially with children. Um, and, uh, we are looking at, um, research internships. Um, again, I won't go into all of the things, but, um, making sure that there are support and consulting services, um, leveraging, of course, uh, technology, um, and a number of other things, um, because why breast cancer is a global issue, um, is hitting. Harder than it's hitting America is happening simultaneously. So this isn't just a United States issue for African American women. There's a huge gap. And the women that are suffering the most are the ones that live in poverty, which is almost all of the people that are living in Africa. And so, um. The women in rural areas just don't have any solutions. There are no intermittent. There is no body coming, right? And so I talked with one of my friends that was an ambassador and he said that they had one mammogram machine in the entire country.

Savia Rocks:

Yes, you and I

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

You and I both know and that machine was over 20 years old, right? And so treatment for breast cancer A mammogram is a is a start. It's not treatment You So that meant that anyone that has breast cancer in most African countries. They don't, they have to leave their country to get really good, good treatment.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Right? And so, there's a caregiver in place issue there as well, is my point. It's not exclusive just to the United States. So, we are here saying, Hi, at the same time, look out for us. Look out for me. Um, we'll see and hear more of me. Um, in terms of humanitarian issues. Um, we're not just breast cancer. We're not just renewable energy solutions. We're not just sanitary pads. Um, we are true humanitarian. We're true humanitarian. We're a true humanitarian village, global village. I think that's the best point to really say who Riacom Group Holdings Corp is. At the same time, um, That's why I'm here because they're aligned with my personal mission and vision, um, not just business wise, but on a, uh, humanitarian side as well. Um, I've also had the extreme pleasure and I'm saying these things, um, not to like toot my horn, but I would really love. For somebody out there to hear my voice and my story, look at their Children with a new eye and say, Hmm, maybe I don't need to hold her or his hand as much. I need to step back and start. I call building them out. Right? It's called building them because I was built. In two years for the rest of my life. Uh, my friend, uh, who works, she's a child psychologist and we were chatting once and she said, you know, Debbie, um, you weren't built to fail. I don't know if you realize that. I'm just like, I wasn't. She said, no, but yeah. So I said, I don't understand. She said, she said, just like by all the little things you talk about, She said your critical thinking skills your analysis all that started all that questioning that your mom had you Rigidly going through but you were so happy doing it. She said it was all building you for now

Savia Rocks:

Exactly,

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

right? And uh, she said small things like What do you think if we do this? She never told me the answer. So I was always the consummate scientist I was always exploring my major question that I was always trying to solve was why or what if Right. You

Savia Rocks:

wanted you to have an opinion,

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

not an opinion. She wanted me to solve.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah. She

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

wanted me to solve at the same time. So have an opinion, but then have a solution with that. Exactly.

Savia Rocks:

Exactly.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

So how many parents take the time to build that kind of thinking?

Savia Rocks:

Not many.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

We don't, we just give, give, give. Right.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

And then most importantly, um, confidence. She started it. My father finished it. And I've had commas every sentence. So there's no room that I don't belong in. From the bottom to the top. I have to allow you permission inside my head. Don't I?

Savia Rocks:

Exactly.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Like, do you, do I, do you define me? Or do I give you permission to define me? You

Savia Rocks:

give me permission.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

So are we training our, our, our, our, uh, Children in that manner.

Savia Rocks:

I don't believe all of us are only a set. Well, a very, very low percentage of parents who see things from a very, very bird's eye view way of life will teach their parents, nurture their, their kids. Sorry. On how to be and see and have solutions and see things from a different perspective, but go in with a whole different analogy towards life and themselves, but not let other people dictate their success or who they can or cannot be in life. And your parents done that for you eloquently in their way, because they knew what was about to come. They knew the strength within you, and they knew. The compassion and kindness that you have, you will bring that to the table, showing that people who have power may not have that compassion and kindness, how things should be done. And that's what you're doing. Oh my,

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I'm giving you a virtual hug. Do you feel it?

Savia Rocks:

Yep, it's right there.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Mm

Savia Rocks:

hmm. It's right there.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I would, I would arguably Us that as you, as you journey through life, please find your joy. Yes. Find what brings you joy. Not just personally, but professionally. And when you have that alignment, When you align yourself with people, great people that also walk in step with that same, same precious, cause it's precious and it's difficult to find it's rare, but when you do it's magical, you meet, you meet the princess for me, you meet the collective creator. I met my business partner. and chairman, Dr. Raphael Ajali, and I could go on and on and on. Um, I met Robin Evans through my breast cancer journey. And my sister, she's still holding my hand and I'm still holding hers. Um, my story can be found in Fearless Visionaries Volume 2.

Savia Rocks:

Yes.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Look on the horizon for my children's book on how to help build out your child in the way that mine did so that I believed and still believe that I have commas in my life,

Savia Rocks:

right?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I don't have periods. I don't think the party's over. I think it just started.

Savia Rocks:

I think, I think every day the party starts from my, my father always taught me that every day is a new beginning. And I use that for inspiration and guidance for anybody who I speak to. And what you were saying about finding your alignment and finding your purpose, you found your purpose, you found your alignment. Mine is hearing people's stories. So I found my alignment. I found the way of talking to people. I found that the words that you say have a massive influence and how you say them have a influence in energy connection and prosperity. And how did you know the people?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Exactly, and how fortunate am I to have found my tribe. And such a diverse tribe. My board represents the globe. From Singapore to Africa. All parts of Africa. To the Caribbean. And then I'm the only African American. Right to Spain, right? And so it's just when you think it all starts with your mindset And she when I have to say theoretically what my mom Started in me. It was a growth mindset, right? So it wasn't oh, wow. This is the end for me No, what can I do better? What did I miss? Right? So it was never, like I said, a period for anything that ever happened. If something wasn't good, I would always say today is not my best day. But I have many tomorrow.

Savia Rocks:

Right.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I just, again, a growth growth mindset, right? That was before the whole psychology and business. My, you know, the business gurus came up with these coined these terms. She was actively practicing and planting all these seeds before it was popular. Um, and so I was fortunate to have this mom that. I was standing at, at the easel before women, especially black women, were even at the easel or even thought they were capable or qualified to be at an easel. And the other thing that I'm very fortunate in that I have a tribe and a team and a board, um, and, and friends who are, walk in tandem with me around. Uh, trying to improve the marginalized health care that people in poverty and helping spread the word that, um, our view, and I'll say our, because it's a community, it's a, it's an African American community, uh, issue, um, around clinical trials. Um, we are never going to be able to get the medicine. that we need in the ways that we need it if we're not a part of this clinical trial. So what that means is layman's terms for someone who's not in the medical field until you are part of a clinical trial, then the medicines have been normed and created. For whomever were the people and, and, and the, uh, races and ethnicities and gender of the people that participate in the, in the clinical trial. So if you're African American, and we typically don't, because of all the reasons we have myths, and then we have real qualified reasons why we don't participate. And, um, I won't talk about that. I'll talk about again, solutions, but I want to create that awareness that if we're not. Robin Evans says, if you're not at the table, then you're on the menu. So in order for us to, to stop being on the menu as African American women, we need to be, um, at the table and a part of being at the table and getting the right medical treatment is changing. our mindsets around clinical trials. So what happens is when you do have breast cancer and just as an another awareness, there's different strands and different types of breast cancer. It's just not breast cancer. Okay. I got breast cancer. Yeah. But my breast cancer might be different from your breast cancer might be different from her breast cancer. So what that means is in our bodies, we metastasize, like, Like tons and I'm saying tons because our bodies for whatever reason We get cancer and we just, it just blossoms off through our body. It gets inside and starts having a major party. I've seen people be diagnosed and in two weeks it's gone to their liver and their brain. You don't have two weeks to figure it out, you know, you know, to figure it out. In two weeks you could be potentially dead. So there's aggressive cancers, there's different types of cancers, but the medications largely have been normed in and created by the for women that are not black. So the medications and treatments that we get for breast cancer are not made for us. So, uh, I just wanted to say, um, if possible, think more broadly, if you can, if you can, think about participating in clinical trials. I've been so afforded to be around such great minds in the breast cancer field. Dr. Monique Gary being one of them, an African American breast cancer surgeon who's doing great work in terms of her profession. But then she also personally has. a farm that she's dedicated to creating wellness solutions and opportunities for women of color where they actually go and they're treated with dignity and respect, um, retreats for them as well as their children. And I've been, um, Fortunate to be with her along this journey as well and participate in some of her activities and I look forward to doing the same. I am super, super excited. Eternally humble. I can't tell you how you've made my heart smile today by just listening to Debbie. Um, I know I'm Dr. Debbie. I know, you know, I have all these accolades and. All this other stuff that really bore me at heart.

Savia Rocks:

I think we're all kind of like that really. Cause when you, when you really look at it, you're not all these titles, you know, you're not your titles. You don't wake up in the morning and say, yeah, I'm an entrepreneur. You know what you do, you know how you do things. It's the impact that you leave and how you change societies and how you, connect communities and how you heal more than anything. And I haven't even had a chance to talk about forgiveness, you know, for ourselves and everything that's happened around us, which plays a major impact on whether or not we become bitter or whether or not we become more lovable and show even more love. So there's so many things that we can talk. I could talk to There's so many things. There's so many things that You know, we haven't even touched on that.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Yeah. Um, to your point, um, I think it's worth saying, and I'm going to spend time in my book, right, talking about that. Um, there was a time where we, when I say we, my sister and I, I, I call it, the entire family was numb right after the death of my mom and because we were a private family. We didn't talk about it publicly and we didn't talk about it as a family. Um, and so that wasn't healthy, but that was how we as a family dealt with, with what was happening. And so, um, as an adult reflecting and doing this really heavy emotional lifting, um, I could see the impact on my father now I can remember things that happened and me becoming, then my caregiver role didn't stop when she died. See, that's the part that people miss. Right. So to your point around the caregiver and people saying, I'll always be there for you. I'm coming. Um, do you know how many times we heard that?

Savia Rocks:

Oh, yeah, that's why I said it. That's exactly because I

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

did. And do you know how many people did nothing? Right. But my point is this. There is a. definite need within the community to start talking about the after. So what happens after? So how did I, how did I even know how to go to college? How did I know? How did I remain on the honor roll? How did I, um, know, learn how to dress appropriately, carry myself appropriately? How did I even have the confidence to get myself up and out of my neighborhood? How? I didn't have a mom. I didn't have a mother. So how do you get from Camden, New Jersey? How, how do you, how do you get from Camden, New Jersey to Cambridge? England at Cambridge University. How do you do that with my background? What's, what's the magic sauce? What's the secret?

Savia Rocks:

To me, the magic sauce would be a lot of strength, a lot of belief for me and knowing that you can achieve anything. But remember your mother also helped you for those two years that you were talking about. She helped you abundantly. And I mean this in such an inspiring way and Even hearing your story now, one question that I would have for you is for anybody else that is out there and going through this and knowing that the aftermath of maybe when their parent may pass, how can they still go on? Because some of them, like you say, won't have a father figure. Some of them will be doing it by themselves. What would your advice be to them?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Okay, so I'm going to start with a frame, right? So, I'm so happy that you are super sensitive and you have that awareness that, that caretaker role did not stop, as I mentioned just a bit earlier, right? And so then it became, I was taking care of myself, my sibling, my dad, of course my dying mother. Then it became, I was taking care of My dad and my sister, the role didn't stop. That's the part, that's the gap that I'm going to fill in the book, the children's book, and more importantly, the book book, right? Cause there's a lot that parent can do a lot that they can do that people just, and they're not complicated things, but need it so that you're building some more

Savia Rocks:

Debbie's, right? We need some more of those.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

If she, if she can build Debbie in two years, Right, foundationally and, and intentionally, then you can do what she did and build Debbie. So Debbie's going, but my girlfriend said, you're not, you're not built to break. Right? So then you need to build whether you're in poverty or not in poverty. And this is not something that's exclusive to just African American women, this parenting technique and her techniques and that, and my father, because he continued the whole karma. Uh, notion after her death, right? He held our hands and carried us the rest of the way. And then there was my lovely aunt Esther and my mama, Jenny, right? And so I had all these really great, strong anchors in my life. And my uncle Jimmy, um, and I just, I just had people that just loved me. My uncle Milton, bless his heart right now as we speak. Um, yes. So, um, I was fortunate. I was loved. I remain loved. I think you can tell.

Savia Rocks:

Yes, definitely.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

And so I've been able to understand the power of decision making. Um, and even at the corporate level and the space that I'm functioning in now. Um, and I recognize that everyone is not meant to be Debbie. So for those who says, well, I can't do all that stuff, or I don't even want to do. You know all that you that you're talking about. How about you just want to find joy? How about you just want to be comfortable with being you and and being happy? I think everyone can agree on those three things, right?

Savia Rocks:

Most definitely

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

and so building out building out children Um, and so that you share if nothing else that great gift with them Um is more than enough as a parent and as a human being.

Savia Rocks:

I love that. I completely love that one thing I am going to say to you is after even hearing your story just feels like a natural conversation, which feels so good when you're having those natural conversations. But now after everything that you've been through, can I Us you when you're looking in the mirror now, how do you define yourself as a person? And has there ever been a time since then where you have looked in the mirror and not recognized the person staring back at you? How do you now push yourself, knowing that from a young child, you being where you have been to being an adult, an inspiring one, how do you look at yourself now in your own vision, in your own reflection? And how do you push yourself to continue To being the humble Debbie that you are.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Because I allow myself to just be Debbie.

Savia Rocks:

I

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

don't, the only reason I got a doctorate at an Ivy league institution is because I left school and I wanted to learn more. Um, someone said in my family, you're the first to graduate from an Ivy league school. You're a doctor. I said, I'm just Debbie. I mean, this was a major family. It became an argument. You are a doctor. Everybody's got to call you a doctor. I said, what for? That's professionally, not, and I, no, you're, and I think because I'm just Debbie in my head, I'm able to just continue to, to grow, um, and, and, and to keep, As my dad said, writing the comma, never put a period next to anything. Debbie always write a comma, a mental comma.

Savia Rocks:

That's true.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Yeah. Daddy said that. And so, and I, and I listened, even though they're not with me anymore. My mom had simple phrases. You're not better than anybody. And ain't nobody better than you.

Savia Rocks:

Right.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

What did that do for me? That allows me to walk into any room. anywhere without fear because fear is at the end of the day, the one thing that stops most people from doing everything.

Savia Rocks:

Yes.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Right. Right. So she kept it simple. Daddy had his commas. She had her, you know what I'm saying? So when you say what, what keeps you going even now, what keeps you inspired? Um, what, what makes you radiate from the inside out? It's simplicity, right? And at heart, I care at heart. I care. Um, in the corporate world, it's very easy for the blood to stop running in your veins.

Savia Rocks:

Oh, very true. You have every

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

opportunity to be the one in the room with no blood in your veins, and then you'll be perfectly accepted. How's that? But I still have blood in my veins, right? I still feel. Um, and I think that sets me apart on a lot of different levels, but at the same time, it allows me to continue to walk through many doors. I don't mind. And we, one of the things that I, I did, um, and continue to look forward to is I did a major few food outreach during the, just, just after COVID ended. Well. We were still in the middle of COVID, but me being me, um, I was like, look at these people. They, they really need to eat. I mean, I've got access to all this food. They, so it was a box and then the box was like a chicken and fresh onions and milk and eggs and, uh, powdered, uh, cheat. It was cheap. It was just everything to just have a meal. So I, Uh, was on one of the corners there in New York, in Brooklyn, and, uh, I set up the tables, my, my chairman and I, and we did a food distribution, and we were working with, uh, one of the elected officials there in New York, and, uh, the, the, the response was amazing. I took my mUs off when I should not have taken my mUs off. Don't tell anybody don't don't tell anybody that okay. Okay. So I took the promise. Don't tell right. All right I took my mUs off I took my mUs off And I have the pictures. I mean someone took pictures and when I wasn't even thinking just being me because They didn't need me to be there. They don't need, they didn't need Dr. Debbie there, did they? No, they needed to meet Debbie, right? I took the mUs off. I made him feel comfortable. Um, one lady was elderly. She was too old to push that big box, but needed three boxes really of food. And we arranged for somebody to walk with her. She came back on her cane with somebody to help get the other two boxes. Uh, we saved them humbly for her again around dignity. Dignity is big for me because I get it. Oh my God, do I get it? Um, and so I remember standing in the peanut butter line. That's when the government would give out peanut butter and cheese. It's another top secret. Don't tell anybody. So I know what it's like to need food and that, and then the dignity of part of it again. So it's those simple things and those memories that I refuse. Um, I refuse to, to stop saying that I'm from Camden. I've had people say to me, I've been in, in rooms and they've said, Are you sure you're from Camden, New Jersey? I mean, she said she's from Camden. She's from Camden. My God, she's from that place? Yes, I am. I'm proudly a product of Camden, New Jersey. And I say that every day, because why? There's a lot of kids just like me who are just as capable, if not more.

Savia Rocks:

Exactly, yeah. And so

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I remain proof positive as evidence that yes, if you do good things, yes, if you study, yes, if you think you're worthy, and that you deserve, most importantly, greatness, and you're willing to work toward it, it can happen. It's not for them over there. It's for you, right? It's for you. It's around, did you give permission to yourself to be great? Why? Because the world's waiting for you. And that's what she instilled. The world's waiting for you, Debbie. The world needs you. I'm like, yeah, the world needs me. Can you imagine? I can imagine. The world needs me. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They need me. Yeah. Yeah. But guess what? She was right. And I say that because I'm Used to create solutions for, for, for countries and for counties, for cities. And, you know, It's not often that you're given that, you're afforded that opportunity, right? You're, it's not, it's not often you're given that level of access. And I, and I take it with such humility. And again, I go back to, I'm only as good as the people that not work for me, but work with me, which is my dynamic board. Again, I can't emphasize enough being powered by the collective and, uh, the board, uh, my, my mentors and, uh, the love that surrounds me. And that I continue to give back as long as I have those pieces. You're going to hear to be more of Debbie. Oh, wait, I have to say it, Dr. Debbie, right? Say that. I have to keep that. Right, but.

Savia Rocks:

You're going to get told off if you don't.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Oh my goodness. I'm still going to get it. Oh, you have no idea. Why did you

Savia Rocks:

not say it?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

You said you. But you know what? It's just who I am. It's just who I am. And I'm just that comfortable with me. Yeah, um, and I think everybody if if they allow themselves just to be who they are, they're gonna find out That they deserve to be at the table. And I'll tell you who liberated me even further and validated my thinking was Michelle Obama. She gave a speech and she said, every one of you, because I'm from the South side of Chicago, every one of you deserves to be at any table because the tables that I'm sitting at, I know you belong. Next to me.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah, that's so true.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Ah, yeah,

Savia Rocks:

they need us just that. You know what they need us even more than they think. And that's why we need to be at those tables. And that's why we need to be having these conversations. And that's why we need to be comfortable with ourselves in our own reflections to more importantly, I want to Us you, after next Everything you do in your life and you've got a long way ahead of you. Trust me, you have a long way ahead of you. What would you like your purpose and legacy to be when people talk about you or when your name comes up in a room or in an office like you are now, how would you like to be remembered?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I'd like to be known as an innovator, a disruptor who changed the face of Of across sectors, right? Across aviation, I. T. Uh, real estate development, community development, how we how we engage Children around education around parenting. Um, what does the, what does the integration, right? What does the integration of successful parenting health care wellness being an emphasis? and education look like? What does that look like? And for something like breast cancer

Savia Rocks:

that

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

that has hit my life and many others globally so hard based on my lived experience and the lack of solutions.

Savia Rocks:

Yes.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Right. The lack of solutions to positively impact our community, especially since we have the staggering numbers. I want someone somewhere to say that I helped, not with a band aid, but with a legacy of solutions that again disrupts how we function now around it, but how we move forward through life, throughout generations. I want them to remember me and my lived experience. My biggest legacy, I would hope, would be across sectors. So I'm not just known for this. So my humanitarian give, give back would be around breast cancer, right? That's my humanitarian legacy. That's generational. My professional legacy, I would like that to be across sectors. Which is not the norm for an African American woman to even dream that big, but I dream that big. I live that big in my head, and it's happening now. It's happening, right? So to say that those, and I, and again, it's not happening just because Debbie's doing it. It's happening because of my tribe, my team, right? And, and the gift that God has given me of access. I don't take it lightly.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah, very true.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

I don't take it lightly. I don't. None of the access that I've been afforded do I take for granted. And so I have a professional legacy and then I have a personal, I mean, uh, professional legacy. I have a humanitarian legacy. And of course, as a, as a child who grew up in the manner that I did, um, children that live in poverty are always at heart, near and dear to my heart. I have a way to communicate. With them because what i'm i still am them.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah your humble beginnings

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

my humble beginnings and so because of that Legacy, I want to be able to impact Many more Little Debbies out there so that they can go from the bottom to the top. They can fit in any room.

Savia Rocks:

That's how it should be. That's honestly how it should be. You know, it's been an absolute blast talking to you, hearing your story, hearing where you come from, hearing where you're going, even more so importantly, but more so, I want everyone to know Where they can find you, where they can contact you, where they can be inspired to hear more about you. Where can, where can people just find you?

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Um, right now I'm in transition. So, ReaCom Group Holdings Corp. Um, ReaCom Group Net. So that ReaCom is spelled R E O C O M M dot net. Recom group. So R E O M M G R O U P. net and the website will come up. Just leave a message on that website. I promise. I promise. I make myself on purpose accessible because you can't, there's no way to even reach them. Um, that's another reason why that's another reason why we are a unique company. It's, it's important for us to be accessible. It's important to me. All right, so yeah You leave, like, an email there, at the very bottom, scroll down, you'll see my dynamic tribe, and then, um, I'll respond to you.

Savia Rocks:

See guys, definitely, definitely, it sounds good to me. I better say Dr. Debbie. Of course you can. I might get all the, you know what would be really cool, if I get all the ladies together. Well, I will. That would be something where I get all the ladies together and we have a beautiful conversation. I think that would be completely awesome. And I think that's definitely something in the pipeline for us to do. I better say Dr. Debbie before I get in trouble. Okay, I want to thank you so much for taking your time to come on the show for instance. Inspiring for showing people, no matter where they come from, they can reach their goal, their destiny, and their desire to achieve anything they want in life. Thank you so much.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Thank you. Even more. Have the best evening ever. Thank

Savia Rocks:

you so much. And guys, I wanna thank you so much for listening. And please remember to connect with us every Thursday at 8 p. m. at UK time. You can also catch us on Apple TV, Fire TV and Freeview channel 271 guys. Thank you so much for listening. Stay happy. Stay positive and as always, please continue to be kind to one another. Take care guys.

Bye-Bye.

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

Present North American continent, we're headquartered here in New York and Manhattan. We've been there now three years. I'm super proud of that to have been a part of something that great and to be a female and an African American female into your first question from poverty.

Savia Rocks:

Yeah. So

Dr. Deborah Olusa:

yes, it can happen. Yes, it can be successful. Yes, you can make great decisions. And I have to go back to the parents who gave me that permission to be, to exist, to develop that confidence and to, to a mother who said she will be unbreakable, unstoppable. She will not allow others to define and she will not give them permission. Right to make her feel less than or not worth it. Yes.

A spread your wings and let you have we just so food. We are far behind. Oh, so full of courage. You can win if you try. We got red pay. Yes to you. You'll see the power of the mess if you try. I fly like I'm Superman. Spread your wings and let them win. I fly like I'm Superman. Spread your wings and let them win.