Apr 28, 2020
Welcome to She Leads Podcast Season 6, Episode 9! This episode of She Leads Podcast features Yali Giovanni founder of Breaking Barriers Florida. Yali Giovanni is an Author, Speaker, and Youth Empowerment Advocate who leads her life like the Boss she is. To hear Yali’s leadership journey, check out her interview as she shares her experiences and insight with us!
Yali Giovanni’s Bio
Yahalia G. Franklin also known as “Yali Giovanni” – native of Colon, Panama and mother of three, who migrated to the United States in 1989 during the invasion of the U.S. into Panama. The immediate one-day notice of her family’s move to the U.S. provided a foundation where she learned to seize opportunity, be resilient and strong.
Known as a strategist and solutionist, Yahalia landed an internship with Panama World Trade and Investments Foundation (PWTIF). After completing the Ambassador Mentor program, Yahalia was promoted as Sr. Correspondent in 2015, followed by another promotion as the Regional Manager, where she was responsible for the Caribbean and Africa global market.
While completing her bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Ms. Yahalia G. Franklin launched her business, 4-My Angels, LLC, a conveyance company that provides transportation for families desiring to visit their love ones in correctional facilities in the Florida area. In 2018, she founded Breaking Barriers Afterschool Program for teens to curve the increase of youth incarceration. A philanthropist and humanitarian, Yahalia strongly believes that the betterment of society begins with the restoration of families through counseling, reentry programs, and ultimately hope for successful self-sufficiency; hence the mission of her company.
Ms. Yahalia G. Franklin is an Author under her pseudo-name “Yali Giovanni.” As well as a Speaker on the effects of mass incarceration. She has been a featured speaker at Job Corps, Private and Public schools, Podcasts and Panel discussions on the topic of Mass Incarceration, Self-discovery/development. She is currently writing her book on the topic and has created a workbook “Building Inner Strength and Power for a Better You” that has helped many people build their self-esteem, inner strengthen and confidence. Breaking Barriers, an Afterschool and Teen Personal Growth Program has helped transform many youths into a positive direction. Ms. Franklin is also a Trauma Incident Reduction Specialists and serves as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer at 17th Circuit Court in Broward County Florida.
Ms. Yahalia can be contacted via email: info@yaligiovanni.com
To purchase a copy of Yali's personal development workbook, Building Inner Strength and Power for a Better You, click here: https://amzn.to/2DVFE7n.
Interview Highlights
Yali found her calling by doing something many parents fail to do. She created a safe place for teenagers to feel heard, learn principles of personal development, and practice self-care. Yali knows how it feels to be put down and ignored, which is why she makes it her business to ensure the youth she works with do not feel the same.
Yali has broken many barriers in her personal life such as teaching herself how to speak English after migrating to the US so she would not be teased in school, in addition to leaving an emotionally, mentally, and physically abusive relationship. These experiences taught Yali to go after what she wants and listen to herself. Although Yali experienced many adversities, she did not allow this to steal her joy and love for life.
Yali exudes inner peace and tranquility, which she attributes to her practice of and passion for yogi. She believes in continual improvement and strives to show up as her best self by seeking knowledge and training. Yali also believes in showing others the respect they deserve as human beings, which is a foundational principle she uses to guide her life.