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What's the Score?

What's the SCORE

April 19, 2025 Julie Kostic

Jaylen Christie  

Author, Cartoonist, Sociologist and PR Practitioner 

 

Jaylen Christie is an award-winning PR practitioner overseeing day-to-day execution of ongoing publicity initiatives that generate media coverage. He has worked with brands including The Walt Disney Company, American Heart Association, NAACP, Massey Services, Baker Barrios Architects, Sodexo, and The Salvation Army. Jaylen is the creator, author, and illustrator of the comic book “Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids,” and has been featured as a guest speaker at San Diego Comic-Con, which has become the focal point for the world of comic book conventions with attendance topping 130,000 in recent years. He has been recognized by Black Enterprise as a B.E.

Modern Man, an initiative honoring the essence, image, and accomplishments of today’s man of color. Additionally, Jaylen is a two-time international Hermes Creative Award winner, and has received a MarCom award, the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and Florida A&M University's 40 Under 40. He was named Trailblazer Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America’s Sunshine District chapter in 2022. Jaylen has a master’s degree in communication from the University of Central Florida, where he is currently earning a PhD  in sociology with a research focus on representation in comic book literature; a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University; and he is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated

 

Jaylen Christie
Writer | Cartoonist | Actor | Speaker | PR Pro, Superfly Nerd, LLC

Jaylen Christie&nbsp; 
Author, Cartoonist, Sociologist and PR Practitioner&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Jaylen Christie&nbsp;is an award-winning PR practitioner overseeing day-to-day execution of ongoing publicity initiatives that generate media coverage. He has worked with brands including The Walt Disney Company, American Heart Association, NAACP, Massey Services, Baker Barrios Architects, Sodexo, and The Salvation Army. Jaylen is the creator, author, and illustrator of the comic book &ldquo;Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids,&rdquo; and has been featured as a guest speaker at San Diego Comic-Con, which has become the focal point for the world of comic book conventions with attendance topping 130,000 in recent years. He has been recognized by Black Enterprise as a B.E.
Modern Man, an initiative honoring the essence, image, and accomplishments of today&rsquo;s man of color. Additionally, Jaylen is a two-time international Hermes Creative Award winner, and has received a MarCom award, the Orlando Business Journal&rsquo;s 40 Under 40, and Florida A&amp;M University's 40 Under 40. He was named Trailblazer Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America&rsquo;s Sunshine District chapter in 2022. Jaylen has a master&rsquo;s degree in communication from the University of Central Florida, where he is currently earning a PhD&nbsp; in sociology with a research focus on representation in comic book literature; a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in journalism from Florida A&amp;M University; and he is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
&nbsp;
Jaylen Christie Writer | Cartoonist | Actor | Speaker | PR Pro, Superfly Nerd, LLC

What's the Score: Guest, Jaylen Christie.

Ebony Russ  
HR Leader and Expert Educator 

Ebony Russ is a Human Resources Business Partner with 20 years of experience in HR and management. She began her career in the insurance and financial services industry and later worked in aerospace and defense, leading policy development, employee relations, investigations, and performance management. 
She also serves as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Human Resource Management and Training & Development. Ebony earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bethune-Cookman University and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds certifications in Human Resource Management, Human Resource Development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Drawing from firsthand experience navigating corporate culture, Ebony helps professionals—from entry-level employees to executives—understand performance, perception, and opportunity. 
She is the author of Tea, Tactics, and Tenacity, a guide inspired by the lessons she learned and now shares to empower others. Originally from Miami, Florida, Ebony is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and enjoys family time, cooking, traveling, and life as a proud dog mom to her Yorkshire Terrier, Creed.

Ebony Russ &nbsp; HR Leader and Expert Educator&nbsp;
Ebony Russ is a Human Resources Business Partner with 20 years of experience in HR and management. She began her career in the insurance and financial services industry and later worked in aerospace and defense, leading policy development, employee relations, investigations, and performance management.&nbsp; She also serves as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Human Resource Management and Training &amp; Development. Ebony earned her bachelor&rsquo;s degree in Business Administration from Bethune-Cookman University and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds certifications in Human Resource Management, Human Resource Development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Drawing from firsthand experience navigating corporate culture, Ebony helps professionals&mdash;from entry-level employees to executives&mdash;understand performance, perception, and opportunity.&nbsp; She is the author of Tea, Tactics, and Tenacity, a guide inspired by the lessons she learned and now shares to empower others. Originally from Miami, Florida, Ebony is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated&reg; and enjoys family time, cooking, traveling, and life as a proud dog mom to her Yorkshire Terrier, Creed.

What's the Score: Ebony Russ.

BOYD KARREN
Business Broker, OTRO FINANCIAL

Boyd is a serial entrepreneur. He loves the world of small business and believes deeply that small business ownership is the key to strong communities and wealth creation. 
Boyd has earned two master’s degrees in business: an MBA from Indiana University, and a Master of Global Management degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
He became a business loan broker and started Otro Financial after experiencing his own difficulties in finding funding for his small business opportunities. He saw a serious gap in the marketplace seeing that it was very difficult for start-ups and new businesses to get the funding they need. So, Boyd specializes in finding funding for start-ups and new businesses. 
Boyd and his wife, Kristi, just celebrated 31 years of marriage in August. They are the parents of four adult children and are enjoying their lives as empty nesters. In his free time, you will find him and his wife enjoying tacos, road trips, or finding yet another business to buy.

Karol Guevara
Business Loan Broker at OTRO Financial

Karol Guevara is a Business Loan Broker at OTRO Financial, a driven Latina, entrepreneur, and soccer mom, passionate about connecting with people from all walks of life and helping them succeed.
She is an honors graduate in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia, with entrepreneurial experience operating a LATAM e-commerce business. She moved to the United States in 2005 and became a U.S. citizen in 2013.
Karol is known for her strong problem-solving skills, approachable personality, and ability to quickly understand clients’ needs—creating trust from the very first conversation. She is a patient, positive, and dependable funding partner, capable of performing in high-pressure environments while guiding clients through customized financing solutions.
Today, she specializes in supporting startups, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and Spanish-speaking clients, helping them access strategic funding options at every stage of their business journey.
📧 karol@otrofinancial.com | 📞 321-750-8413

BOYD KARREN Business Broker, OTRO FINANCIAL
Boyd is a serial entrepreneur. He loves the world of small business and believes deeply that small business ownership is the key to strong communities and wealth creation.&nbsp; Boyd has earned two master&rsquo;s degrees in business: an MBA from Indiana University, and a Master of Global Management degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He became a business loan broker and started Otro Financial after experiencing his own difficulties in finding funding for his small business opportunities. He saw a serious gap in the marketplace seeing that it was very difficult for start-ups and new businesses to get the funding they need. So, Boyd specializes in finding funding for start-ups and new businesses.&nbsp; Boyd and his wife, Kristi, just celebrated 31 years of marriage in August. They are the parents of four adult children and are enjoying their lives as empty nesters. In his free time, you will find him and his wife enjoying tacos, road trips, or finding yet another business to buy.
Karol Guevara Business Loan Broker at OTRO Financial
Karol Guevara is a Business Loan Broker at OTRO Financial, a driven Latina, entrepreneur, and soccer mom, passionate about connecting with people from all walks of life and helping them succeed. She is an honors graduate in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Rosario in Bogot&aacute;, Colombia, with entrepreneurial experience operating a LATAM e-commerce business. She moved to the United States in 2005 and became a U.S. citizen in 2013. Karol is known for her strong problem-solving skills, approachable personality, and ability to quickly understand clients&rsquo; needs&mdash;creating trust from the very first conversation. She is a patient, positive, and dependable funding partner, capable of performing in high-pressure environments while guiding clients through customized financing solutions. Today, she specializes in supporting startups, small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and Spanish-speaking clients, helping them access strategic funding options at every stage of their business journey. 📧 karol@otrofinancial.com | 📞 321-750-8413

April 19, 2025 Julie Kostic

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