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Homegoings
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Homegoings

From felon to stripper to doctor: Dr. V Boykin

By Myra Flynn
Published May 22, 2025 at 3:27 PM EDT

Dr. V is a felon and a former stripper. In April of 2002 she was charged with theft and spent some time in prison. That journey led her to a life of hardship and consequences that still follow her today. But she owns her past. She embraces it. She’s even figured out how to use it – not only as a springboard toward a better life, but as a business model to land her where she is today: Helping other people do the same.

This is the latest episode of Homegoings, a podcast that features fearless conversations about race, and YOU are welcome here. Follow the show here.

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Dr. V Boykin went from stripper to felon to doctor in just seven years.
Photo: Dr. V Boykin
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Graphic: Elodie Reed
Dr. V Boykin went from stripper to felon to doctor in just seven years.

Holding four degrees including a doctorate in business administration, Dr. V Boykin has more than earned her title. These days, she spends her time in the corporate tech world, working to support people from marginalized communities and helping them obtain senior leadership roles in the world of tech.

“Being a disruptor has always been part of me. How can you not change the world? What else would you do with your time?” - Dr. V Boykin
Dr. V Boykin
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Courtesy
“Being a disruptor has always been part of me. How can you not change the world? What else would you do with your time?” - Dr. V Boykin

She’s also an author, public speaker and mother.

“I think morally for me, my morals revolved around what would allow me to make the best life for my children.” - Dr. V Boykin
Dr. V Boykin
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Courtesy
Dr. V Boykin with her daughter Vanessa (left), her son Justen (right) and their dogs. “I think morally for me, my morals revolved around what would allow me to make the best life for my children.” - Dr. V Boykin

Beyond all of these credentials, Dr. V is a felon and a former stripper. In April of 2002 she was charged with theft and spent eight months in prison. That journey led her to a life of hardship and consequences that still follow her today. But she owns her past. She embraces it. She’s even figured out how to use it – not only as a springboard toward a better life, but as a business model to land her where she is today: Helping other people do the same.

If you want someone that is an incredible salesperson, hire a former stripper. She knows how to negotiate. She knows how to sell into her total addressable market. She knows how to prospect. She knows how to do discovery. She knows how to close the sale. - Dr. V Boykin

“I think it's very important that I say I'm a stripper and a felon, so that when people say, I never expected that, I can tell them that's an area of opportunity for them to do some self-reflection and self-work.” - Dr. V Boykin
Evoto - Dr. V Boykin
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Courtesy
“I think it's very important that I say I'm a stripper and a felon, so that when people say, I never expected that, I can tell them that's an area of opportunity for them to do some self-reflection and self-work.” - Dr. V Boykin

Credits

This episode was hosted and reported by Myra Flynn. Our producer/director is Mike Dunn and Aaron Edwards is our story editor. Myra composed the theme music with other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Elodie Reed is the graphic artist of this episode’s Homegoings artist portrait.

Thank you for listening. You can see a video version of this episode on our YouTube Channel.

To continue to be part of the Homegoings family:

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Dr. V Boykin rocking some Homegoings merch at our studios in Colchester, Vermont.
James Stewart
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Vermont Public
Dr. V Boykin rocking some Homegoings merch at our studios in Colchester, Vermont.

Corrected: May 22, 2025 at 8:53 PM EDT
An earlier version of the title listed Dr. V Boykin as having earned a Ph.D. She currently has a Doctorate in Business Administration.
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Homegoings New England News Collaborative
Myra Flynn
Myra Flynn worked for Vermont Public from 2021 to 2026 and served as the Host and Executive Producer of Homegoings.
See stories by Myra Flynn