Purposely Driven Podcast

Jalesa Jones is a young, black and accomplished business leader in the technology industry, serving as the Co-Owner and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of 3D Media. Under her leadership, 3D Media provides cutting-edge technologies, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions, to critical infrastructure sectors, notably including the U.S. Department of Defense. Graduating magna cum laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) with a degree in Business Management, Jalesa has combined her academic excellence with practical experience to help drive innovation and growth within her company. Since moving to Lafayette in 2011, Jalesa has made significant contributions to both her community and the technology industry. Her dedication to excellence and her entrepreneurial spirit have positioned 3D Media as a strong contender in the field of AR and VR technologies. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jalesa enjoys a fulfilling personal life with her husband of nine years and their cherished cats. She also serves on the board of two 501c3 non-profits, Women of Wisdom of Acadiana and the Acadiana Symphony and Orchestra. Her journey is marked by a blend of professional success and personal happiness, reflecting her commitment to both her career and her family. LinkedIn: Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalesa-jones-b2b89a71?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Charese Williams is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to Lafayette in 2015. With a passion for dance and a dedication to helping others, Charese brings a vibrant energy to every endeavor. Currently, Charese works for Second Harvest Food Bank as part of their Human Resources team, where they focus on fostering a supportive and efficient workplace environment. Beyond her professional role, Charese is deeply committed to serving the community. She actively engages in various volunteer activities, always striving to make a positive impact. Her enthusiasm for helping others is evident in both her personal and professional life, consistently pouring her heart into initiatives that uplift and support those in need. Email: [email protected]

Mr. Seanathan Polidore is the son of Clarence and Versana Polidore. He is a year 2000 graduate of Franklin Senior High School. Mr. Polidore continued his education to earn a master’s degree in psychology. His life has quite a few adventures. Some of those include the U.S. Navy, being a husband and father, health and fitness trainer, co-founder of Pen Business Solutions, motivational speaking for schools and community groups, and being the author or co-author of 8 books. You can find his author interviews on Instagram and YouTube where he has had the pleasure of interviewing a number of nationally recognized authors as well as him being interviewed by others. Mr. Polidore’s mission in life is to get books into more hands and to leave everyone he meets with something to think about. Website URL: https://www.sametreedifferentbranchpublishing.com/product-page/sean-p-the-reader-a-collection-of-thought Podcasts: Sean P. Experience and The Griots Podcast Facebook Group/Page: Seanathan Polidore Instagram: Seanathan the griot Polidore Linkedin: Sean Polidore

Consuela Gaines is an organizer for Voice of the Experienced/VOTE in the Lafayette, LA chapter. She’s a formerly incarcerated woman who served 22 years of a 47 year sentence. She’s a survivor of solitary confinement and currently serves on the Louisiana Task Force for Safe Alternatives to Segregation. While incarcerated, she participated in various leadership roles from being a counsel substitute to a literacy tutor; graduate of Office Systems Technology and Welding, just to name a few. Since her release from prison in 2016, she has been a member of the National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls (Andrea James) and presented a workshop about Pardon and Parole Board Hearings for Incarcerated Women at the FreeHer National Conference in 2018 in Montogomery, AL; is a member of the local NAACP in Lafayette, LA, serving as the Criminal Justice Committee Chairperson; served as a Worthy Matron and Grand Associate Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star; won Best Essay prize in Popular Music in 2020, which she co-authored, “Sounding Lockdown: Singing in Administrative Segregation at LCIW,” which was published in ‘Popular Music and the Politics of Hope: Queer and Feminist Interventions,’ with Georgetown University Professor, Ben Harbert; she was in the second cohort of Women Organizing for Justice and Opportunity Leadership Lab (WOJO) under A New Way of Life Re-Entry Project (Susan Burton/California) in 2021; in 2022 the African American Heritage Foundation in Lafayette, Louisiana, named her as one of their Honorees for Outstanding Community Leadership; she was also in the second cohort for the 2020-21 Women Transcending Collective Leadership Institute cohort out of Columbia University, New York; she received certification as a Life Coach for Justice-Involved Individuals through Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, in 2022; is an instructor for the new women’s re-entry curriculum, “Life Support”, at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women; and currently studying to become a certified doula through the Ladies of Hope Ministries (Dr. Topeka K. Sam); Consuela is a proud registered voter who plans to vote in every election. She prides herself on being a voice for incarcerated women who’ve been silenced by fear of repercussions for speaking up and out. She dreams of opening transitional houses for justice-involved people.

Val is a native of Long Beach, Ca. Lafayette, La is where she has lived for much of her life and considers it home. She currently resides in the hub city with her best friend and husband Steve of 16 years. Val received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. During her undergraduate studies she was awarded a scholarship to study abroad on Semester at Sea Institute for Shipboard Education where she gained a global educational experience in nine countries. She earned a Master of Social Work Degree with honors from Louisiana State University. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Val has worked as a Clinical Therapist for over 23 years. During her career she has been a director of hospital social services, served on mental health treatment teams and provided therapy for adult behavioral health outpatient clinics, children’s shelters, and youth of the juvenile justice program. Val currently operates a private practice in Lafayette where she provides individual therapy sessions for adults. She is passionate about helping her clients overcome depression, anxiety, relational conflict, spirituality issues and other life altering challenges. Val’s mission is to promote healing, restoration, and positive change for victorious healthy living. She has been a featured speaker and spoken word poet performer at conferences and at women’s prison ministry events. Val enjoys encouraging others and inspiring hope. Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/val-jones-melancon-lcsw-lafayette-la/1001113