Every Heart Every Woman Episode 180 - Everything is Possible Over a Cup of Coffee Part 2 - Anna Ocansey-Jimenez & Oneida Franco

About Anna Ocansey-Jimenez:

Anna Ocansey-Jimenez is a C-level accounting and finance professional and entrepreneur with nearly 30 years’ experience transforming the operations of both non-profit organizations and large global brands.  

An expert in streamlining operations and creating transparency in reporting, Anna has led organizations through transition and growth in multiple executive roles. Most recently, she served as Chief Accounting Officer at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, where she helped the institution navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, she served as VP of Finance for the Tenement Museum, also in New York. Previous employers included IBM, Fox News, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.   

In 2018, along with friend and business partner Oneida Franco, Anna co-founded The Whole Kitchen, Inc. (TWK) — a company that creates meaningful experiences around a shared appreciation for food, sustainability, culture, and introspection. On October 1, 2021, National Coffee Day, the pair launched Casa Dos Chicas Café (CDCC), a brand of TWK. CDCC offers organic, single-origin, specialty coffees sourced mainly from Latin America. The company’s goal and mission are to celebrate Latin American heritage whilepromoting equitable, sustainable practices along the entire coffee supply chain.  

Anna and her twin brother were born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Mexican parents. Shortly afterward, the family relocated to Ligonier, Indiana, where Anna spent her childhood. The first in her family to attend and graduate from a university, Anna completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Oral Roberts University School of Business in 1997. She later enrolled in the Becker CPA study course and passed all four parts of the New York State Certified Public Accounting exam.  

Anna is married to Christopher Ocansey, a Ghanaian American, and they have three children together: Joshua, Cristiana, and Olivia. 

About Oneida Franco:

A multi-faceted entrepreneur and finance expert, Oneida Franco blends 25+ years of finance and accounting experience and education with a deep understanding of the needs of small-to-midsize
business owners.
After two decades in the corporate and non-profit worlds, Oneida’s entrepreneurship journey began in 2017 when she found herself helping a growing number of friends and acquaintances with their finance questions. Recognizing a lack of practical guidance and tools, Oneida launched Franco  Blueprint (FB)  — an accounting and business management firm with the mission to up-level the
businesses of artists, content creators and entrepreneurs.
Often, individuals with brilliant ideas are looking to start their business and diversify themselves relying on different tools to get their business up and running as well as trying to understand the finance and operational side. That’s where Oneida saw Franco Blueprint as the solution - a one-stop service and support system for business owners tuned into the frequency of creation and abundance.
Shortly afterward, Oneida’s partner Rick Diaz came on board as CFO, bringing an additional 25+ years of experience and expanding FB’s roster to include financial real estate development and construction accounting.
In 2018, Oneida and business partner Anna Ocansey co-founded The Whole Kitchen, Inc. (TWK) — a business that creates meaningful experiences around a shared appreciation for food, sustainability,
culture, and introspection. The pair launched Casa Dos Chicas Café (CDCC), a brand of TWK, in October 2021. CDCC offers organic, single-origin, specialty coffees sourced mainly from Latin America. The company’s goal and mission are to celebrate Latin American heritage while promoting equitable, sustainable practices along the entire coffee supply chain.
Born and raised in New York with Dominican roots, Oneida puts family at the center of things and stays closely connected to her heritage. Along with her family, she founded Fundación Generaciones Sanas (FUNGESA), a non-profit organization committed to providing youth with ongoing educational opportunities and sustainability programs. Recent FUNGESA projects include the reopening of the library at Antonio L. Batista School in Oneida’s family hometown of Sabana del Puerto, Bonao.
Oneida is the second oldest of five siblings and mother to 19-year-old Nina, who is almost off to college.

About Love Ministries: Love Ministries

About Host, Karla Nivens:

After graduating from Texas Tech University, Karla earned her teaching certificate and began her career as an elementary music teacher in the Dallas Independent School District. She also sang for Grammy award-winning Gospel recording artists Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Crystal Lewis, Willie Neal Johnson, John P. Kee, Alvin Slaughter, Tamela Mann, and Michael Buble’. She's traveled the world and ministered to diverse audiences in music. During her travels, she had the opportunity to sing on the Jay Leno Show, Soul Train, the Stellar Awards, and the Billy Graham Crusade with Kirk Franklin.

She took a hiatus while staying at home with her children for several years and re-entered the workforce as a worship leader at Highland Park United Methodist Church. Karla has worshipped with Highland Park for the past 17 years. Currently, Karla is building the Racial Justice ministry for Highland Park UMC. Karla has also served as an adjunct instructor for Visible Music College and in 2014 released a CD entitled “True Worship.” Five years ago a good friend suggested she turn her heart toward fulfilling the Great Commission. Karla began traveling on yearly mission trips to Costa Rica and Africa. On those trips the Lord began to awaken the motto He gave her in college – “Influencing Culture for the Good of the Kingdom.” As an answer to this awakening, Karla and Dr. Roosevelt founded Karla Nivens Entertainment. Under this umbrella, Karla partnered with Love Ministries, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, started a small group for women, and a radio show both titled “Every Heart Every Woman.” Karla encourages her audience to quiet the noise and restore balance in their daily lives through inspirational entertainment. The show airs Sundays as a podcast on iTunes and Podbean weekly. The show also airs in video on YouTube. In 2019, Karla released her book, True Leaders with Heart, packed with weekly meditations for leaders. 

 

About Co-Host LaToryla Jones:

The dream began many years ago when God spoke to Spencer about providing a creative atmosphere where people can relax and enjoy finding Jesus. Then God added other pieces to the dream, and to Spencer’s life, when he met his lovely wife La Toryla. That’s when the vision began to explode.

Spencer and LaToryla Jones, founder & Creator of Flames of Passion Women's Event, love God and love people. This dynamic team seeks God to effectively engage culture by providing power-packed, life-changing experiences in entertainment productions, life resources, speaking events, and trainings.

Over the years Spencer and La Toryla have spent countless hours serving in Church Leadership in various formal capacities, and volunteering whenever and wherever possible. They believe God has prepared them in this moment to step out and fulfill their God-given dream called "Jireh's Joint"