Episode 10 | Long Time Educator and Debate Coach DiCo Artwork

The Professional Winner Podcast

The Professional Winner Podcast was created by Jonathan Conyers to motivate and uplift people. It was also created to give a voice to the unheard and to provide a safe space for all people. Such a cliche right? Well let’s break down what that term Professional Winner means to him. His whole life he wanted to be an entrepreneur. That term meant so much to him and it symbolized freedom. Free to travel, free to escape the harsh reality of the world. Being free from judgment and just being able to have ownership and live the American dream that he knew people from his community rarely ever get the chance to have. However, as he got into the business world it just seemed like the term was just getting more and more diluted. Money was all that mattered. People who really didn't have that confidence and risky type of personality that's needed to be in this business world still used the term. The term was just starting to be used so freely and it was upsetting. So he started saying he’s not an entrepreneur, he’s a Professional Winner. Instantly he felt better and he thought the term had more value to it. Jonathan also elaborated on what the term Winner meant. It had nothing to do with likeness, financial freedom, or coming in first place -- it had to do with believing in yourself. It had to do with taking Step 1 and putting yourself out there. Understanding that it's okay to be happy with where you are and being content is sometimes okay. Winners understand that sometimes you have to lose and that sometimes no matter what life throws at you - the fight continues. If you're reading this or listening to the trailer just know that you are a Professional Winner and we hope you come on this journey with us.

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The Professional Winner Podcast

Episode 10 | Long Time Educator and Debate Coach DiCo

May 09, 2022 • Jonathan Conyers • Episode 10

Today on The Professional Winner Podcast we have long time educator and debate coach DiCo. DiCo has not only had an huge influence on Jonathan Conyers life but tons of kids in the inner city life. Below you can find more information on DiCo.

From 1999-2003, DiCo competed on the Stuyvesant HS Speech & Debate Team, where he was a state finalist in Extemporaneous Speaking and a national finalist in Congressional Debate. After graduating with a B.A. in Philosophy from Yale, he joined Teach for America and started debate teams at the Frederick Douglass Academy and Achievement First Brooklyn High School . With the support of alumni and other Brooklyn coaches, he founded the BDL in 2017. DiCo is a recipient of several teaching prizes including the Teach for America Alumni Award for Excellence and the Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award. He has been named a Master Teacher by the Achievement First charter school network and a First Diamond Coach by the National Speech & Debate Association.

You may also noticed DiCo and Jonathan story from Humans of New York. They dive in more detail about their lives and relationship on this episode.

Important Time-Stamps Below:

Intro: 01:22
Yale: 07:34
FDA/Debate Beginnings: 16:51
Accepting change: 31:00
Charter School: 50:16
Jon’s Situation: 56:06
Brooklyn Debate League: 1:06:30
Dico the Rabbi 1:14:31

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Jonathan Conyers

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