RISE Urban Nation

About Our Guest

Dr. Lance Parker is a healthcare and higher education leader, speaker, and consultant specializing in organizational leadership, behavioral health, community engagement, and operational excellence.

Holding an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, Dr. Parker has extensive experience leading healthcare programs, academic initiatives, and community partnerships.

His work focuses on advancing equitable outcomes, developing people-centered organizations, and driving sustainable change through strategic leadership and innovation.

He is also the author of the upcoming book The Road to Leadership, which explores the experiences, challenges, and lessons that shape authentic leaders.

Connect With Dr. Lance Parker

Website: https://sarahlindaconsulting.com/

Facebook: Lance Parker

Instagram: @SLC_2026

Upcoming Book: The Road to Leadership — publication details to be announced.

Resources & Mentions

Featured Book: The Road to Leadership

Featured Organization: Sarah Linda Consulting

Topics Discussed: Psychological equity, leadership development, organizational leadership, consulting, behavioral health, resilience, emotional intelligence, healthcare leadership, higher education, community engagement, operational excellence, purpose-driven leadership, and organizational change.

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons
Guest: Dr. Lance Parker
Featured Book: The Road to Leadership
Music: Will Maker
Production: RISE Urban Nation

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

Dr. Khalid White, founder of BLKMPWR, joins RISE Urban Nation to discuss fatherhood support, early literacy, Black education, and building a mission-driven business rooted in empowerment. From Morehouse to Harvard to entrepreneurship, this conversation explores how storytelling, books, media, and culture can transform communities and create lasting impact.

Resources & Mentions

🌐 Website: https://www.blkmpwr.com

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons
Guest: Dr. Khalid White
Music: Will Maker
Production: RISE Urban Nation Media

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

What happens when a former NASA engineer decides to stop working within the system and start building the future of it?

In this episode of RISE Urban Nation, Taryell Simmons sits down with De’Schzunell “DJ” Catlin, former NASA Flight Research Engineer and Co-Founder and CEO of Osoosi, to explore his journey from aerospace engineer to technology entrepreneur.

DJ shares what it takes to build an aerospace AI startup in an industry where safety, trust, precision, and innovation matter. The conversation explores Osoosi's work around real-time cockpit intelligence, Artificial Pilot Awareness, the Halo AI Copilot, and a future where artificial intelligence enhances human decision-making rather than simply replacing it.

DJ also opens up about making the mindset shift from engineer to CEO, navigating entrepreneurship as a Black founder in aerospace and AI, and why greater representation matters in the industries shaping our future.

This conversation is for entrepreneurs, engineers, innovators, and anyone who has ever looked at an industry and wondered, “Is there a place for someone like me?”

The bigger message: You don't have to wait for permission to enter the future. You can help build it.

What You'll Learn

• How DJ's aerospace journey led him to NASA and eventually entrepreneurship
• What it takes to transition from engineer to startup founder and CEO
• The challenges of developing AI technology for a high-stakes industry like aviation
• How Osoosi approaches Artificial Pilot Awareness
• The vision behind the Halo AI Copilot
• Why human-machine collaboration matters in the future of aviation
• How entrepreneurs build trust and credibility in complex industries
• Lessons from building an aerospace technology startup
• DJ's experience navigating aerospace and AI as a Black founder
• Why representation matters in emerging technology industries
• Advice for young Black engineers, innovators, and entrepreneurs entering spaces where they may not see themselves represented

Key Takeaway

The future doesn't have to be human versus machine.

It can be human with machine.

And as artificial intelligence transforms industries like aviation, Black entrepreneurs and innovators have an opportunity not only to participate in that future—but to help build it.

Resources & Mentions

Osoosi: Osoosi.com

Topics discussed: Aerospace AI, aviation technology, NASA, Artificial Pilot Awareness, Halo AI Copilot, human-machine teaming, artificial intelligence, aerospace entrepreneurship, Black tech founders, engineering, startup leadership, and innovation.

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons
Guest: De’Schzunell “DJ” Catlin
Featured Company: Osoosi
Music: Will Maker
Production: RISE Urban Nation

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

Danela Butler, actress and poet, joins RISE Urban Nation to share her journey of turning pain into purpose through creativity. This episode explores acting, poetry, resilience, and how Black creatives can use storytelling to heal, inspire, and transform communities.

Resources & Mentions

• 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danela_butlerofficial/
• 🎭 Acting Portfolio: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/danelabutler
• 🌐 Website: DanelaButler.com
• 📧 Email: theartistdanelabutler77@gmail.com
• 📘 Facebook: Danela Butler
• 📱 Threads: @Danela_Butlerofficial
• 📱 TikTok: @DanelaButler1

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons
Guest: Danela Butler
Music: Will Maker
Production: RISE Urban Nation

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

LaTonja Muhammad, founder of College Cost Cutter, shares how families can navigate the complex college financial aid system and significantly reduce the cost of higher education. From common mistakes to proven strategies, this episode is packed with actionable insights for parents, students, and entrepreneurs looking to build generational wealth without student loan debt.

Resources & Mentions

🌐 Website: https://CollegeCostCutter.com

📘 Book: The College Funding Playbook

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons

Guest: LaTonja Muhammad

Music: Will Maker

Production: RISE Urban Nation

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥