South African-born actress Roxane Cokas addresses social change through podcast
SALM TEAM 
California-based South African actress and health advocate, Roxane Cokas (nee Hayward), is using her platform for social good and has never felt more fulfilled.
Through the Podcast, The YOU Effect, which she runs with her philanthropist husband Nick Cokas she hopes to positively affect others through simple conversations around big or small actions that have impact.
Hayward’s focus on acting took a back seat with the start of Covid in 2020, but she soon found a new focus.
“My background in the entertainment industry has definitely given me a unique set of skills that, unbeknownst to me, have been huge assets when it comes to working on more philanthropic efforts, but the journey definitely is en-route to a different destination – I went from ‘driving solo in a sports car on my way to the walk of fame’, to ‘driving in a giant bus, filled with a community of people who want the best for each other, their neighbours and their communities’. So, it is most definitely a different ride, but it has never been more rewarding and fun. With my husband and co-host by my side,” she says.
“The YOU Effect has been a platform that has allowed me and Nick to grow as individuals, and as a team. We don’t have all the answers – we are still figuring it out, and that is the beauty of the podcast. We allow people to join in on our simple conversations, where we unpack ideas and on how we can create a positive impact in our surroundings,” says Roxane.
Their latest episode focuses on something close to the duo’s heart, homelessness, poverty and addiction.
“None of us are immune whether in our own communities, families, or cities. It appears not a day goes by where we are not confronted with the sadness and helplessness of our environment. Personally, both Roxane and I have had direct relationships with dear friends struggling in all these areas and even contemplating suicide,” shares Nick.
They speak to Evan Feinberg, Executive Director of the Stand Together Foundation. Since 2016, the foundation has committed over $150 million to fuel the innovation of nonprofits around the US as they lead a movement to build stronger, safer communities.
“In this episode, we unpack what is working and what does not work from the South African perspective as well as the American perspective. San Francisco, as well as South Africa, has become one of the globe’s leaders in homelessness, poverty, and drug addiction. It is obvious to anyone who wants to look, regardless of beliefs or background, that the way things are going, and the way these issues have been approached for the past 20 years, is not working. We believe enough is enough and we want to identify some of the historical ways in which we should be approaching and helping a very sad and forgotten sector of society,” shares Nick.
“There are no quick fixes to build an empowerment culture. It can’t be done by executive decree, but leaders can and must hold themselves accountable for promoting bottom-up change in our communities,” Evan Feinberg.
“We are really excited about the fact that The YOU Effect has become a platform for individuals around the world who are involved in social good initiatives to talk about the work they are doing in their neighbourhoods, communities and countries – including, but not limited to, the CEO of Hope For Haiti, the Executive Director of Stand Together Foundation, as well as the Executive Director of The Fashion Institute of Technology.
“The common theme in The YOU Effect is, ‘big or small actions that positively affect others,” says Roxane.
Their involvement with positive change does not end with just words as Nick Cokas overseas and sits on the board of a fund that, this past year, has placed focus on South Africa specifically – building wells for communities that do not have direct access to water supplies through For Afrika (https://www.forafrika.org/us/). They have also done extensive work in the West African country of Burkina Faso.
The duo is keen on having more positive conversations and are always looking for new stories to share on The YOU Effect to inspire and motivate others. They invite interested parties to contact them on connect@theyoueffect.co.
The YOU Effect PODCAST:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyoueffect.co/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theyoueffect.co
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-you-effect/id1515206930?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3uA28Vur4474JRhGiDNS72
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xODg5OTlkOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Roxane Hayward Social Media Details:
Website: https://www.roxanehayward.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4565386/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roxanehaywardactress
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxanehayward/
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