Meet Evingerlean Hudson, Ph.D.: Founder and Chief Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Evingerlean D. B. Hudson, Ph.D., affectionately known as Dr. Eve, and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Evingerlean, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” I love this quote because it motivates me to get up and change the world through my work each day. It is knowing that there is something I can do to make a difference, no matter how big or small, to help change the trajectory of someone’s life that keeps me going. It is not about money or fame that I am committed to the work that I do, in the end those things won’t matter much anyway, but knowing that I truly helped people means everything to me.

What should our readers know about your business?
Evingerlean Worldwide is a leading development entity specializing in personal transformation and entrepreneurship. We were founded by Evingerlean D. B. Hudson, Ph.D. (that would be me… Ha ha!), a Black woman who is the oldest of three and was raised by a single mother in a low-socioeconomic household, but went on to become a first-generation college graduate who earned her Ph.D. at 28. We are on a mission to inspire, empower, and uplift first-generation college students and graduates across the globe in life and business. We achieve this through impactful, engaging, and transformational initiatives such as our podcast, The First-Gen Lounge, signature programs for organizations, and trainings led through Tra1lblazer University such as The EW Tra1lblazer Society. We believe that by providing the right mentorship, resources, and tools, we can help first-gens overcome obstacles that litter their road to success. Thus, we are committed to helping millions of trailblazers make their dreams come true, be economically empowered, and leave their legacy. I am most proud of having started this platform at all. I do not have a background in business and can’t say that entrepreneurship was every on my list of “things to do.” Yet, deciding to leave my career in higher education is what led me to this path, and to date, it’s been one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done. I love knowing that I am making a difference each day. It’s certainly not been easy getting to this place because I’ve had a lot of learning to do, but as an educator and lifelong learner myself, it’s been a lot of fun. I have been able to overcome several challenges by keeping my focus on who I am serving–it keeps me going because I refuse to let them down, and I can’t help but remember who I needed as a young Black woman, so I’ve got to figure things out and show up. No excuses! The biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way have been to trust the process (everything always works itself out), build a strong community, and never be afraid of asking for help for fear of appearing “dumb” or “incapable.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a foodie! If I had a best friend coming in from out of town, it would be a food tour. (Ha ha!) We’d certainly have to hit up Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar downtown first. I love a good burger and they do them really well. BBQ would be a must, so we’d have to check out The Redneck BBQ Lab where the beef tips are next to none. For the best chicken and waffles, ever, we’d go to Dame’s. If it is warm, we’d absolutely drop by a food truck rodeo (I think those are the best). For Italian, we’d head over to Lugano Ristorante. Outside of that, it’s likely that we’ll catch a good movie (at the house) and chill (unless there is a festival going on) or get a really good game night going!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh goodness! Thank you for asking this question. I feel fortunate to have had so many help me along the way, and I try to show gratitude when I can. I would like to acknowledge and send a whole lot of love to my husbae and absolute best friend (Dr. James M. Hudson), “Puppy” (Maxwell Alexander), Mommy (Norma J. Blakney), family, friends, mentors, sorors (Delta Sigma Theta), The Evingerlean Worldwide Team, BlkWomenHustle, ISupportBobs, The Pedestal Project, The Black First-Gen Collective, Women Empowerment X, Shaw University, The University of Southern Mississippi, and my favorite people of all–the first-generation college students and graduates across the world who continue to blaze the trail!

Website: www.evehudsonphd.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/evehudsonphd
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/evehudsonphd
Facebook: www.facebook.com/evehudsonphd
Youtube: www.youtube.com/evehudsonphd