Let’s Talk Impact with Ezinma @Strings By Heart
For this episode of the Let’s Talk Impact podcast, we invited Meredith Ezinma Ramsay, professionally known as Ezinma [Eh-zeen-mah], film composer, violinist and advocate for music education. As a performer, Ramsay has worked with renowned artists including Beyonce, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Khalid, Joshua Bell, Yo Yo Ma and Clean Bandit, to name a few. As a composer, Meredith scored the Oscar nominated documentary short, Stranger At The Gate (2022), HBO Sport’s three-part docuseries Angel City (2023), and more projects are set to release in 2024. Ramsay’s music can be heard in numerous other projects including national advertisements for companies such as LG, Google, Lexus and Essentia Water. She has composed music for documentaries, short films, and was even part of the Black Panther (2018) soundtrack.
In addition, Meredith is an advocate for music education. In 2021, she launched Strings By Heart— a youth development program in NYC for children K-5 committed to bringing quality music instruction, workshops, and outreach to children from underserved communities.
About the podcast
Let’s Talk Impact is a podcast series that explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. Hosted by Justyna Kedra and produced by The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and WERULE, the podcast features interviews with a diverse range of changemakers. From government officials to activists and entrepreneurs, these guests share their insights on the evolving definition of impactful work and the motivations driving their efforts. By focusing on the stories behind the initiatives, Let’s Talk Impact aims to inspire and inform listeners about the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change in the world.
About the hosts
Justyna Kedra, the founder of WERULE, received her BFA degree from Parsons the New School where she successfully finished their toughest major: Fashion Design. Since then she worked in Public Relations with celebrities ranging from Jeremy Scott, Lady Gaga to Madonna at People’s Revolution under the wing of Kelly Cutrone. Justyna is also no stranger to the corporate world working for 6 years in financial services at American Express generating over 20 Billion in acquisitions for Centurion, Platinum, Green Cards as well features such as their most successful “Employee Card” treatment. She also served as an advisor to the American Express’ President of US Consumer Services on topics related to the team’s culture.
She is a mentor & a team member at The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and a mentor at the Tory Burch Foundation, the AARP Foundation x Bridge for Billions program for aspiring founders over 50. Because of her work, she was recognized as the youngest Champion of Change at the United Nations. A book she co-authored with Erika De La Cruz, Editor in Chief at The La Girl, has become a bestseller across multiple categories and is available at Barnes and Noble.
Justyna also hosts a podcast, a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, called Let’s Talk Impact, which was in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally according to Spotify Wrapped.
Filippo Rustichini is a designer and creative director, co-creating human-centered and inclusive experiences, in order to foster cross-cultural dialogues. His multimedia works, including art installation Kyklos (2021), have been featured at digital arts festivals across Europe (UK, Spain and Italy) and in the US. He is currently working for the New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, a university-wide project that supports students’ ventures addressing social impact and innovation. Filippo is also co-founder of the fashion platform Second Row, which provides public-facing opportunities for emerging designers and creatives.
About the Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI) at The New School fosters a transformative approach to business and social change. We equip students with the skills to create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable ventures that address pressing global challenges. Through our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and strong community partnerships, we empower students to become agents of positive change and build a more equitable world.
About WERULE
WERULE is a global platform dedicated to connecting individuals with life-changing mentors. Founded in 2015, they started by sharing stories of successful female entrepreneurs, becoming a recognized resource for women seeking inspiration and guidance. Today, WERULE offers a wider range of resources, including an AI-powered mentorship app used by businesses and organizations worldwide. Their mission is to make mentorship accessible to everyone, regardless of background or stage in life. They believe in the transformative power of mentorship and strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.