ZAKA

Do you ever view your immigrant background as a weakness or hindrance? Here at Zaka, we're dedicated to providing the full spectrum of resources for what every immigrant professional needs to thrive in their careers. ⚡️ Become a part of the Zaka community to advance your career game and to meet other professionals like you! 💪 Sign up on zakaconnect.com for more updates. #BuildYourLegacy #careerdevelopment #careeradvancement #immigrantprofessionals #immigrantsuccess #immigrantstories #careersuccess #careercoaching #careerpath #zakaconnect

🚀 Unlock your career growth with Zaka! 🚀 Your professional journey as an immigrant is important to us. We've been through the challenges, we know the struggles, and we’re dedicated to helping you harness your strengths and thrive in the corporate world. This is why we're extending a special #CyberMonday sale to every first and second generation immigrant that is interested in joining our community. Create your profile, learn from our team of all-immigrant industry leaders, access the job board, and build meaningful connections all in one place. 👉🏽 This way to unlocking your next big career move: https://lnkd.in/gmnsCtXq #Zaka #MyJourney #Immigrants #ImmigrantStories #Networking #CommunityBuilding #Workshops #LearningAndDevelopment #CareerBuilding #Memberships #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #MondayMotivation

Author and occupational therapist Samarra St. Hilaire, MS, OTR/L shares her journey of growing up Haitian-American in Brooklyn, self-publishing her debut YA novel Brushed Between Cultures, and balancing cultural expectations with personal dreams. Discover how her 22 years as a therapist shaped her storytelling and the powerful themes of resilience, identity, and friendship in her work. Perfect for anyone navigating tradition and independence. Link in the comments section. #author #occupationaltherapist #culture #immigrantstories

This week on the podcast, we sit down with indie author Samarra St. Hilaire, MS, OTR/L , who recently released her debut YA novel, Brushed Between Cultures. A compelling story about navigating cultural expectations, chasing dreams, and the unshakable bond of friendship, Samarra’s book is a must-read for anyone balancing tradition and independence. Beyond her work as an author, Samarra brings over 22 years of experience as an occupational therapist working with children. In this episode, she shares how her Haitian upbringing in Brooklyn shaped her writing, the lessons she’s learned as a self-published author, and how her career as a therapist influenced her ability to create relatable, multidimensional characters. Tune in as we explore the powerful themes of resilience, identity, and the courage it takes to follow your own path. Whether you're an aspiring author, a creative navigating family expectations, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation is for you. #careeradvancement #nuance #culture #myjourney 📖 Brushed Between Cultures is available now on Amazon! 🎧 Listen to the episode and join the conversation!

Today, we celebrate resilience, vision, and the power of purpose. Our guest is Zuleka Fraser, MBA, HCCP, RHDFP , an immigrant leader from St Kitts & Nevis, in the affordable housing industry who has turned challenges into opportunities that have transformed lives. From navigating the complexities of public housing finance to spearheading game-changing programs like the 4% Bond LIHTC initiative, Zuleka’s journey is one of grit, determination, and heart. In this episode, Zuleka shares how her personal experiences ignited her passion for equity and led her to dedicate her career to creating accessible housing for underserved communities. You'll hear how she transformed roadblocks into stepping stones and used her leadership to inspire real change, proving that with purpose and perseverance, we can all leave a lasting impact. Link in comments #perseverance #purpose #immigrantstories

Zuleka Fraser, MBA, HCCP, RHDFP journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and purpose. As an immigrant from St Kitts & Nevis, she transformed her challenges into a driving force, carving out a career in affordable housing to create opportunities for underserved communities. One pivotal moment came when she spearheaded the creation of the 4% Bond LIHTC Program, navigating complex financial frameworks and policy landscapes to make housing more accessible for countless families. Guided by a deep sense of responsibility and her core belief in equity, Zuleka has turned every obstacle into a stepping stone, proving that determination and a commitment to uplifting others can lead to transformative change. Her story reminds us that with grit and passion, one person can make a profound difference #immigrantstories #grit #leadership #careeradvancement

For many immigrants, achieving success brings a unique set of pressures: 🔸 The emotional and financial responsibility of supporting family back home 🔸 The strain of feeling like you need to "save" everyone 🔸 The reluctance to freely share wins for fear of being misunderstood of judged 🔸 The loneliness of having to let go of relationships that no longer align with our growth Thank you to Vivian Otabor for sharing such a thoughtful and heartfelt reflection on our recent workshop, Overcoming Survivor’s Remorse and Claiming Your Success, led by the incredible Seneca Williams. Hearing that our sessions resonate so deeply with the immigrant experience fuels our mission at ZAKA. We’re honored to create a space where these important conversations can take place and where we can support one another in breaking through these complex feelings. Learn more about our unique offerings for immigrant professionals at the link in the comments! #ZakaConnect #MyJourney #Community #Immigrants #BuildingLegacy #Networking #Testimonial

How does an engineer turned attorney become the Mayor and Council President of Upper Arlington, Ohio? In this episode, we sit down with the amazing leader, Ukeme Awakessien Jeter to explore her incredible journey from immigrant professional to community leader. Ukeme shares how her diverse experiences and immigrant background have shaped her unique leadership style and fueled her passion for driving innovation and inclusivity. Drawing from her book, ImmiGRIT: How Immigrant Leadership Drives Business Success, Ukeme uncovers the superhero qualities of immigrant professionals such as adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness and how these traits can transform organizations and communities alike. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, an entrepreneur, or someone navigating life as an immigrant professional, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights to help you harness your own superpowers. Link in the comments to discover how Ukeme is paving the way for future leaders and how you can do the same. #immigrit #myjourney #resilience

We build, uplift, and inspire. Our stories matter, our joy matters. Let's keep rising together. 💪🏽 Image credit: United We Dream Join our community and make connections among other first and second generation immigrant professionals at zakaconnect.com #Zaka #MyJourney #Immigrants #ImmigrantStories #Inspiration #Community #CareerBuilding #Networking

In our upcoming episode, releasing tomorrow, we sit down with Ukeme Awakessien Jeter, an inspiring leader whose journey from engineer to attorney and now Mayor and Council President of Upper Arlington, Ohio, exemplifies the power of resilience and adaptability. Ukeme shares how her immigrant background has shaped her leadership approach, bringing fresh perspectives to her community and workplace alike. Drawing on her book ImmiGRIT, Ukeme reveals the “superhero” qualities immigrant professionals bring to organizations, qualities like adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness. She provides invaluable insights for companies looking to tap into the transformative power of immigrant talent to gain a competitive edge. Don’t miss this episode as Ukeme’s story is sure to inspire anyone seeking to make a lasting impact in their community and career. #immigrantstories #grit #resilience #zakaconnect