Black Leadership Re-Defined

Host Marcus Owens sits down with Kevin Lindsey, former Commissioner of Human Rights under Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, to examine the process of how policies are developed in the legislature and help listeners understand how they can be most effective in changing policy.

Marcus Owens and Kevin Lindsey continue their conversation on how members of the public can most effectively make change using the legislative process.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley hosts a roundtable conversation with Dr. Reba Peoples, community activist Chauntyll Allen, and Jaton White, an engagement consultant at Northside Achievement Zone. They sit down for an honest conversation about the types of trauma that commonly affect the African American community.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley is joined in-studio by Dr. Sonia Wright, a medical doctor, sexual counselor, and life coach who helps women in mid-life end the pain and isolation associated with sexual dysfunction. 

Ernest Comer III sits down with Donte Curtis to discuss network mapping and how it benefits the work of the African American Leadership Forum.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Minnesota City Council Members Jeremiah Ellison and Andrea Jenkins to discuss the many issues facing citizens of Minneapolis and their roles as council members in addressing them. 

As the city of Saint Paul works to create fundamental change at the structure of government, Mayor Melvin Carter has brought on several new leaders to help spur innovation and resilience. In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Bartley talks with Toni Newborn, Chief Equity Officer with the city of Saint Paul and Faith Jackson, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Linda Golder Blount, Seena Hodges and Dr. Ifetayo Ojelade to discuss issues regarding the state of black women's health, the specific challenges they face, and what can be done to improve health across the African American community.

Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter talks with Dr. Sylvia Bartley about his journey from inauguration to today and the issues he and his team are tackling in the City of Saint Paul. 

Marcus Owens hosts this episode, as he welcomes Aarica Coleman and Dr. Brittney Lewis to discuss their work in Health and Economic Development in Minneapolis. They discuss specifically how housing is impacting these metrics in the African American community.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes lawyer, professor, activist, writer and entrepreneur, Nekima Levy-Armstrong. Many know Nekima for always being on the frontlines fighting for social justice and policy change, particularly when it comes to the African American community.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Former Minnesota DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy as they discuss what shaped her into the leader she is today! You’ll be inspired by her passion for shared economic prosperity and her thoughts on what it means to be a woman of color in a place of power.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits across the table from Al McFarlane as they discuss his storied career.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Anika Bowie and Chauntyll Allen to discuss their experiences running for office in the Twin Cities and their takeaways from that process.  

African American singer, producer, and artist Stokley Williams sat down with Dr. Sylvia Bartley to discuss his life, his personal journey, and time spent with Mint Condition. 

Join Black Leadership Re-Defined podcast host Dr. Sylvia Bartley for a one-on-one personal conversation with Dr. Verna Price. AALF's podcast is a resource for African Americans in Minnesota and beyond. 

Dr. Sylvia Bartley and guest talk about how to build community leadership with the African American community. AALF's official podcast is reshaping the narrative around the African American experience 

Dr. Sylvia Bartley reflects on the message and movement of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Elizer Darris, Nkechi Taifa, and Nekima Levy Armstrong.

For decades Minnesota has had one of the largest academic achievement gaps between white and Black students. Millions of dollars and numerous initiatives have been created to address this issue, with a multitude of stakeholders. However, the gap persists. On Jan. 13, 2020, the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank sponsored “Children First: A Community Conversation on Educating All Children.” The conversation was focused on a proposal to change the state constitution to make it include providing a high-quality public education “a paramount duty” of the state; the proposed amendment would go further in compelling lawmakers to address achievement gaps than does the current constitutional language. Retired state Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari proposed this amendment to the state constitution’s education clause with the goal of closing some of the largest achievement gaps in the nation. Dr.  Sylvia Bartley talks with Justice Alan Page and Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari about the state of education in Minnesota and their proposal to drive change.

The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) is a cross-sector network of African Americans working together to find solutions to the Black community’s most challenging issues. The Forum’s goal to achieve a just and healthy society that works equally well for everyone is best achieved if we claim responsibility for our own lives and lift the broader community by creating a vibrant Black community. The Forum created a Collective Impact Task Force of 12 thought leaders from the community to help guide their strategic vision. Dr. Sylvia Bartley talks with three of the Task Force members (Niila Hebert, Ashley Oolman and Quincy Ballard) to learn about their role and the unique process used to develop problem statements for each focus area.

Dr. Reba Peoples (board certified psychiatrist, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Imara Health & Wellness) talks with Dr. Sylvia Bartley about what you should know about COVID-19, the importance of social distancing, and tips for coping with the pandemic.   

The rate of hospitalization and deaths are disproportionality high among African Americans. Here’s what you need to know about reducing your risk of becoming sick with the virus.

Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison talks to podcast host Dr. Sylvia Bartley about the loss of his mother to COVID-19 and the spotlight the virus is shining on the socioeconomic and racial disparities in America. Ellison also discusses the work his office is doing during this tumultuous time to serve Minnesotans. 

CRNA certified registered nurse (anesthetist and life coach) Brig Johnson and (physical therapist, certified life coach and business mentor) TaVona Denise talk with host Dr. Sylvia Bartley about how they're adjusting to their new lifestyle during shelter in place orders, including what they and others can do as small business owners to thrive during the pandemic.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley speaks with Dr. Sonia Wright (Medical Doctor, Sexual Counselor & Certified Life Coach), Dr. Chavonne Perotte (Certified Marriage Coach), and Jennifer Dent Brown (Certified Weight Loss Coach) about the importance and benefits of maintaining healthy relationships and a healthy body during the shelter in place order. 

Dr. Sylvia Bartley opens with an update on the Covid-19 crisis and how the African American community is especially hard hit with the disease. In this episode, she welcomes U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) to discuss what is being done and what can still be done at the national level to improve results for Americans. Dr. Bartley also welcomes Toni Newborn, Chief Equity Officer at the City of Saint Paul, to discuss the status of Covid-19 throughout the community, what trends they are seeing, and what the city is doing to tackle the pandemic at a local level.

Dr Reba Peoples; Board-certified psychiatrist, Board-certified Functional Medicine Practioner & Founder of Imara Health and Wellness, Monaye Marcia;  Trauma Coach and owner of Business Ventures, LLC talk with Host Dr Sylvia Bartley about emotional health, what to do if you’re feeling stressed, depressed or anxious.  How to grieve if you’re lost someone close to you and how to stay healthy in the midst of COVID-19.

**This episode was recorded on the evening of Thursday, May 28, 2020. Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Nekima Levy-Armstrong to discuss her experiences protesting in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department. They discuss what needs to be done to uproot the systemic racism that African Americans face every single day.  Dr. Bartley also speaks with Minnesota Senator Tina Smith about what should be done at the Federal level to provide justice to the African American community and prevent further police violence.    

**This episode was recored on Saturday, May 30th 2020** Dr. Sylvia Bartley and her panel discuss strategies on how to advance community-centered treatment and health for people who have experienced race-related trauma in the Twin Cities. The panel of Sam Simmons, Ingrid Cockhren, and Dr. Reba Peoples also discuss a report commissioned by the African American Leadership Forum entitled, "A future of excellent emotional health and wellbeing: Community-centered approaches to advance African American consciousness and healing related to racialized trauma."

With 40 African-American women running for political office in Minnesota, a movement for change is here. In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Laverne McCartney Knighton, Marquita Stephens, and Alberder Gillespie to discuss why they are running for office, and what changes they would like to see.  

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Deborah Watts, the cousin of Emmett Till and co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation to discuss the parallels between the murder of 14-year old Emmett Till in 1955 and George Floyd in 2020. Among many topics, they discuss what has changed in 65 years and what has not. Learn more at https://emmetttilllegacyfoundation.com/

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Andrea Jenkins, City Council member from Ward 8 and Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council. Among many topics, they discuss the impact of George Floyd's death, the protests, and the options being considered by the Minneapolis City Council to address issues surrounding policing in the city.  

Dr. Sylvia Bartley talks with Minneapolis City Council member Jeremiah Ellison about reimagining public safety in the city and what that could look like. They discuss the aftermath of George Floyd's death, the proposal that was later rejected by the Minneapolis Charter Commission, and address the concerns from the public around the idea of "defunding the police."  

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Elizer Darris, a Josie R. Johnson fellow, organizer at the Minnesota ACLU, and consultant. They discuss his journey from a juvenile inmate to a community leader in the Twin Cities and the many lessons he learned along the way.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Alberder Gillespie, who ran in the Democratic Primary for Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District. They discuss the challenges of running for office against an incumbent, what it takes to run a campaign, and the myriad of issues that need to be addressed by elected officials.

The shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin has marked another low in the treatment of Black citizens in America. While continuing the push for justice, how do we heal when the wounds are being re-opened daily?  Dr. Sylvia Bartley talks with local artist Numa Pierre and educator, author, poet, and spiritual director, Dr. Claudia May. They go through the art, spirituality, and self-care that are helping them through these systemic injustices.

Finances are one of the top reasons for stress during the COVID crisis of 2020. In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Bartley talks with Lauren Boulware of Graystone Consulting at Morgan Stanley and Justin Castleberry, branch manager at Morgan Stanley.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Kenya McKnight, founder and CEO of Black Women’s Wealth Alliance. They discuss the hardships many are facing in the wake of the pandemic. Kenya also provides insight on opportunities for entrepreneurs - specifically Black women - amid an uncertain economy.   

Join Dr. Sylvia Bartley for a candid discussion with Senator Jeff Hayden about his Minnesota roots, passion for civil service, achievements as State Senator, and what's next for him as he transitions from his seat in January 2021.

Alysha Price, CEO of The Price Dynamic and Author of It's Not Complicated joins Dr. Sylvia Bartley to discuss all things co-parenting. Communication can feel challenging during the time of COVID, so join us as we discuss communication strategies and relationship building. 

This week, we discuss representation in media with two time Emmy nominated news anchor Georgia Fort. This Rondo, St Paul native is here to talk about her time on - air, and her current work producing independent media. 

On this episode we are joined by Nicole Austin-Hillery, the Executive Director of the US Program at Human Rights Watch. Tune in for a rousing conversation on the importance of voting as a way of exercising your rights.

At the time of this show's recording, votes are still being tallied to determine who the next President of the United States will be. However, just because the election is over doesn't mean the fight for equality is. Join us for a conversation with three community leaders, Angela Rose Myers, Anika Bowie, and Leslie Redmond, to discuss how we can continue to strengthen our communities.

Today we're talking all things real estate with Aarica Coleman, Bloomington's Housing and Redevelopment Authority Administrator and Henry Rucker of People for Pride in Living. Dive into a conversation that covers everything from the historic roots of housing disparities to tips on building generational wealth through real estate. 

From politicians to parents, everyone has an opinion about education, especially during COVID. This week four MN superintendents  SI Lisa Sayles-Adams of Eastern Carver County Schools, SI Dr. Theresa Battles of Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools, SI Dr. Kim Hiel of Fridley Schools, and SI Dr. Stephanie Burrage of Robbinsdale Area Schools discusses the challenges of education in MN, especially during COVID-19.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Jaton White, the Director of Community Wellness at Northside Achievement and Dr. Brandon Jones, a psychotherapist and professor. They discuss the toll that mental illness takes, specifically in the Black community, and how to effectively address the stigmas that come with it. 

Following our series on mental health and wellness, we discuss community trauma with Joy Stephens who is the Director of the Division of Race and Equity for the City of Minneapolis. Join us for a conversation about community resilience, and what we can do to heal together.

On the day of this recording, President Elect Joe Biden has received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We are joined by four health care professionals to examine what that means for our community, and to clarify information surrounding the vaccine.

The incomparable Ncheki Taifai joins us this week as we look back on 2020, and look forward to the new year. From racial injustice, to the Coronavirus pandemic, this year has been exhausting. But as we move forward to 2021, there is always hope for a brighter future. 

And for the synopsis I was thinking something like, "In the wake of the January 6th insurrection on the Capitol, we as a country have to decide how to move forward. Dr. Sylvia Bartley invites you to join this round table discussion about the power of words and what our community can do to recover.

The education gap for African American students is not a new topic, however maybe the approach has been all wrong. This week we are discussing the upcoming Realizing Wakanda Forum, to discuss how a curriculum focused on Black/Afro centric education will help students thrive. Join our discussion about how education needs to focus on Black Excellence, as versus a deficit.

This week we discuss the importance of diversifying the landscape of business ownership. Generational wealth is historically missing in our community, and part of correcting this pattern is encouraging young entrepreneurs. Tune in to our conversation with two young business owners about what drew them to entrepreneurship, and why this matters to our community.   

Our annual leadership conference is fast approaching, and we want you to join us for a three day event centered around Collectivism, Innovation, and Activation. Our three guests this week join Dr. Sylvia Bartley to discuss the impact this event has made on their personal and professional lives, as well as information on how you can attend. Guests on today's show include Ernest Comer III, Jesse Ross, and Monique Linder.

This week we are joined by Minnesota Senator Tina Smith to discuss her take on the current state of affairs in our country. Listen in to hear her experience with the January 6th insurrection, and what bills she is working on getting passed to promote equality within the workforce. 

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Artie Miller, who has worked in the corporate and nonprofit world for over 40 years. His experience includes Wells Fargo, Medtronic, and General Mills and universities such as Michigan State and Denison University.  He and Dr. Bartley discuss his career and experience as an African American person working in corporate America. 

Dr. Sylvia Bartley is joined by Dr. Ajay Israni and Dr. Warren McKinney to discuss the ins and outs of kidney transplants. Tune in to this informative show about the intricacies of kidney transplantation as well as the strides being made for racial equity for organ transplants.

In today's conversation around education, Dr. Sylvia Bartley discusses insights from the recent conference presented by the African American Leadership Forum called "Realizing Wakanda: Educating and Nurturing the Brilliance of our Black Scholars." Joining the conversation is Rose McGee - an author, educator, and practitioner, Kevin Lindsey - an AALF board member and CEO of the Minnesota Humanities Center, and Mary Taris - Founder of Strive Publishing, a children's book publishing company centered around empowering Black narratives for freedom, equity, and justice.

Black women occupy a space at the epicenter of racial and gender bias, therefore, prioritizing our physical and mental health is key. Join our conversation with Linda Goler Blount, CEO of the Black Women's Health Initiative, for a discussion encompassing everything from racial bias in healthcare, to meditation techniques for mental wellness. 

In partnership with members of a Black professional fraternity, the Itasca Project, and GREATER MSP, the African American Leadership Forum announced an initiative Alliance of Alliances, to address racial inequities in the Twin Cities region in a new and transformational way. Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Duchesne Drew, President at Minnesota Public Radio; Greg Cunningham, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer at U.S. Bank and Marcus Owens, Executive Director of AALF, to discuss the Alliance of Alliances vision, goals, operations model and impact on the MN black community.

This week, Dr. Sylvia Bartley has a one-on-one conversation with Ravyn Miller, a corporate Executive, about keeping spiritually strong and thriving in the workplace. They discuss, healthcare disparities, the importance of Diversity and inclusion, the importance of staying mentally well and being honest about mental health boundaries while the world watches the Derek Chauvin trial unfold.

While the world watches the Derek Chauvin case unfold in Minneapolis, several states around the country have passed voting bills blantatantly aimed at making voting more difficult. Dr. Sylvia Bartley is joined by Nkechi Taifa, Cynthia Roseberry and Alberder Gillespe to discuss the state of play in Minneapolis and GA, the parallels to past civil rights milestones and what it will take to counteract the onslaught of voter suppression and social injustice. 

As we live through these tumultuous times with the fatal shooting of Duante Wright amid the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd, three Twin Cities community leaders, Deborah Watts, Rose McGee, and Alberder Gillespie, sit down with Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley to express what’s on their hearts and what we need to do for change to happen for the sustainable betterment of the black community and society.

Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits downs with four Sr. Business leaders, Peter Frosch, President & CEO Greater MSP; Rod Young, President & CEO - Delta Dental of Minnesota, Lynn Casey: Chair, The Itasca Project and Tim Welsh, Vice Chairman, at U.S Bank, to hear their perspective on the outcomes of the Chauvin trial, systemic racism and the critical works that need to take place in Minnesota to eliminate the racial disparities, once and for all.

Community activism has become increasingly important in the past year. Part of AALF's mission as an organization is to foster leaders who embody Black Excellence. Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Brianna Carey, Jewelean Jackson, and Chaz Sandifer to discuss their experience in the Josie R Johnson Leadership Academy, as well as their personal brand.

Dr. Sylvia Bartley is joined by Cynthia Wilson, the Second Vice President of the Minneapolis NAACP and PJ Hill, the Third Vice President of the Minneapolis NAACP. They will discuss what steps need to take place to eradicate systemic racism in Minneapolis and what the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP are doing for community involvement.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, so today Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes three mental health professionals from the Mary Ellen Strong Foundation to discuss the differences between emotional health versus mental health. They also discuss the importance of finding a mental health professional that works for you. 

his week Dr. Sylvia Bartley is joined by Anika Bowie, Alberder Gillespie, and Elizer Darris to discuss the one year anniversary of the Murder of George Floyd, the 100 year anniversary of the massacre in Tulsa and community safety in Minneapolis. 

This week, Dr. Sylvia Bartley has a one-on-one conversation with Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN). Among other topics, they discuss why she chose to pursue a career in politics, and what she hopes to accomplish moving forward.

A parent's greatest fear is finding out their child is gone. LaTanya Black, Angela Hayes, and Kalila Corey are three mothers who have experienced this nightmare and lost their children to gun violence. These brave parents join Dr. Sylvia Bartley for a powerful episode of both grief and call to action. 

What will it take to end the pandemic and what are the reasons for vaccine hesitancy?  Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Dr. Zeke J McKinney MD, Occupational Medicine Specialist at Health Partners, Park Nicollet, Dr. Julia Joseph-Di Caprio MD, MPH, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at UCare Minnesota, and Registered Nurse for Infection Prevention Adriene Thornton for a frank discussion on vaccinations and the future of the pandemic. 

Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley interviews the Musical Director of the three times Grammy award-winning The Sounds of Blackness. Gary shares the history of the Sounds of Blackness, their purpose, successes, and what keeps him grounded to produce some of the most inspiring, uplifting music of all times. 

On this week's episode, Dr. Sylvia Bartley has a conversation with North Minneapolis native, Houston White. Mr. White is an entrepreneur and community leader who has dedicated his life to uplifting the Black community. Listen in to hear about "H. White Men's Room", his Black Excellence clothing brand, and a conversation about the importance of a strong community. 

Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Audra Robinson (founder and CEO of Rocky Robinson) and Kenya McKnight (President and CEO of Black Women's Wealth Alliance). They discuss the accomplishments, resiliency, and challenges that Black entrepreneurs have seen over the last year and how Black women are forging the way for themselves and future leaders."

Three Minnesota Superintendents, Dr. Kim Hiel, Dr. Theresa Battle, and Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams, join Dr. Sylvia Bartley to discuss how we can keep our kids safe as they return to class, the challenges of the Delta Variant, and what is being done to protect children.

Public safety is an issue on the minds of many with the surge in violence and gun homicides during the pandemic. Dr. Sylvia Bartley moderates a conversation with Minneapolis City Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins and Minneapolis Councilmembers Jeremiah Ellison and Phillipe Cunningham about public safety in Minneapolis.  They discuss what has changed over the last 12 months and how the city is addressing public safety.

Civil rights icon Dr. Josie R. Johnson, author of "Hope in Struggle: A Memoir,"  reflects with host Dr. Sylvia Bartley about the civil rights era of today compared to the early civil rights movement.   As we live through COVID, racial reckoning, and natural disasters, Dr. Johnson shares her hopes and fears for our children and community.  Dr. Johnson questions if the civil rights leaders of her time failed our children today! A reflective, and yes, a deep, meaningful conversation that inspires Hope in the Struggle.

According to the CDC, 1-in-5 Americans will experience mental health illness in a given year, 1-in-25 Americans live with a serious mental illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression, and according to the Lancet Psychiatry Journal, 1-in-8 Covid Patients are diagnosed with a first-time mental illness like anxiety and depression. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day.   Mental and emotional health practitioners Kasim Abdur Razzaq, Dr. Janelle Jones, and Candice Ellis join Dr. Sylvia Bartley to discuss mental and emotional health.  They explain the symptoms, warning signs of mental illness and provide advice on how to help yourself and others suffering with their emotional health.

Statistics show Black women and their babies have worse health outcomes than their white peers. In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Dr. Kristin Oates, OBGYN at Atlanta Gynecology and Obstetrics, Terra Cole Brown, Executive Director at Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation, and Shakita Thomas Kpetay from Remnants of Hope Coaching and Consulting for an informative discussion on the heightened risks faced by women of color and how to manage them.

Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Dr. Lonnie Johnson in his Research and Development building in Atlanta, Georgia.  Dr. Johnson is an inventor and entrepreneur. He is well known for his invention of the Super Soaker®, which became the number one selling toy in America and the Јоhnѕоn Тhеrmоеlесtrіс Еnеrgу Соnvеrtеr (ЈТЕС), аn еngіnе thаt соnvеrtѕ hеаt іntо еlесtrісіtу.  Dr. Johnson talks about his childhood in Mobile, Alabama, his early inventions, his passion for engineering, and how he overcame the odds to become an internationally recognized inventor with over 140 patents.  Dr. Johnson is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, The National Toy Hall of Fame, The Black Inventors Hall of Fame, and The Black Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame.  He has a passion for community and anchors his work around providing opportunities for underserved children in the STEM arena—a conversation not to be missed.

Robyn Robinson joins host Dr. Sylvia Bartley to talk about her experiences as the first African American primetime news anchor in the state of Minnesota, her stint in politics, love for the arts and the entrepreneur behind her Rox jewelry line.    

In Minnesota, only 24% of African American households own their home, compared with 77% of white households. Dondi Edwards, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Home Lending, joins Dr. Bartley to talk about the case of the Bruce Family, whose property in California was seized in 1924 and only recently returned to their estate They also discuss racial covenants, redlining, and the work that Wells Fargo is doing to level the playing field around home equity.

Kellen Rashad Nins, attendance liaison at Central High School and creator and founder of the Uposit.me app and social media, discusses positivity in our lives, and boldly recounts his personal journey through the criminal justice system as a confused young man, and how it impacted his drive to help kids stay positive and navigate the world. 

Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Kim Nelson, retired Senior Vice President of External Relations for General Mills Inc, President of the General Mills Foundation, and Independent Board Director at Colgate-Palmolive, Cummins Inc., and Tate & Lyle, to learn about Kim's career journey from an assistant Marketing Manager to the highest-ranking Black Women executive in General Mills.  Her exceptional work influencing change in the Twin Cities community, the importance of spirituality, her values, and mindful practices that enable Kim to live her best life.   

Erica Simmons, Storyteller Strategist and Lifestyle Photographer in Atlanta, tells her own story of gratitude and thankfulness after experiencing a life-changing car accident in 2009.

Mr. James Dallas, a man of faith, seasoned executive, and agent of change in large domestic and international corporate settings, helps people navigate their lives in the face of daunting circumstances. James shares details with host Dr. Sylvia Bartley about how he evolved from a young man who grew up in the segregated south with an inferiority complex to a confident, successful C-Suite executive.  James shares how he took the 'Bridge from Ordinary to Extraordinary' and how we can do the same. It's a powerful and inspiring conversation.

Vocalist, Emmy Award-winning actor, motivational speaker, emcee, auctioneer, community organizer, arts educator, and committed volunteer, T Mychael Rambo spreads some cheer and hope through his story of being homeless, sitting on the bench outside of the Ordway theatre in St Paul MN, watching people come and go to being an actor on the stage at the Ordway and several other theatres in the Twin Cities and beyond.   And by singing a few songs to help keep us uplifted during the holiday period.