City of You Podcasts

Join us as we sit down with Linda Hoey, Chief Parent Engagement Officer for the Youngstown City Schools District, who leads the Parent Pathways Department. Through Parent Pathways, Parent Engagement Coordinators serve each of District's school buildings. We bring this episode to you just in time for the community meeting Parent Pathways is hosting to introduce new YCSD CEO, Justin Jennings. Join Linda and her staff at East High School to meet Mr. Jennings on Wednesday, July 17th, at 5:00 p.m.!

In this episode of the Youngstown Parent Storytellers Project (YPSP), we sit down with Stephanie Gilchrist, mom of 2, including a 13-year-old son at Youngstown's Wilson Elementary School; wife of Youngstown entrepreneur, Ryan Gilchrist, owner of Ryan's Chair barbershop on Youngstown's southside; and also Executive Director of Inspiring Minds Youngstown.

The Youngstown Parent Storytellers Project (YPSP) is back for 2019! In this episode, YPSP host, Tara Walker-Pollock, sat down with Youngstown parent Claudia Charity, who formerly served the Youngstown City School District as Manager of Community Partnerships. Claudia is still very active in serving students and parents of Youngstown, and she caught us up on what her work looks like today.

This episode highlights the therapeutic products offered by Blush as well as the benefits of their spa.

This episode explains the high quality of personally roasted coffee that Culture House provides. Also, Steven gives insight into what prompted the company in the first place.

Meet Aubrey and her delicious treats. This episode gives highlight to Aubrey and her company, as well as insight into the options of treats she offers

Stacy explains the specialty of her product as well as the benefits their proceeds garnish towards autism

This episode gives a brief introduction to TaRee and her mother who founded Dough House Cookies.

Jennifer gives us a look into the detail and time taken to create adorable accessories for dogs

Rachel from Goodness Grows talks about her brand, their mission, and their product.

A look at Mandabees headbands and their brand connection to Youngstown

Salsi Salama, in partnership with Youngstown CityScape, is responsible for the brilliant new mural in downtown Youngstown. The painting is a unique cityscape with the tag 'Youngstown Works hard'. This podcast gives some insight into what inspired the artist as well as how the message 'Youngstown works hard' relates so much to the city.

Penny Wells, a Youngstown educator and the director of the Mahoning Valley chapter of Sojourn to the Past, speaks on her interpretation of Youngstown 'reclaiming' its identity as well as what to look towards in the future.

Julius Oliver is currently the First-Ward Councilman in the City of Youngstown. Mr. Oliver took time after the city event 'Reclaiming Our Identity', to talk about the impact this proclamation can have on the city as well as what the term 'reclaim' might mean in the years to come.

Lewis Macklin is currently the Reverend at Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Youngstown Ohio and talks about what this 'reclaim' means to him and the community.

Krish Mohip is the current CEO for the Youngstown City school district and talks about what reclaiming our identity means in the Youngstown area.

Maria Pappas is currently the chief of poor curriculum for the Youngstown City school district.

A conversation with Pastor Juan and Pearlette Wigley. Juan is currently a pastor at Victory Christian Center and Pearlette Wigley is the Community DevelopmentCoordinator under Tim Ryan. They give their thoughts and opinion on the city ofYoungstown reclaiming its identity.

Executive Director at The Mahoning Valley Historical Society

Crawford Warrick talks with Tommy from Crooked River Forge about his experiences at the Youngstown Flea. The City of You Podcast Episode 180 (Youngstown Flea): Tommy from Crooked River Forge

Crawford Warrick talks with Derrick McDowell, creator of the Youngstown Flea

In recognition of Father's Day on June 17th, we are spotlighting Youngstown fathers this month. Thank you for listening!

Christina Salata of Youngstown, Ohio is a young artist exploring concepts surrounding the idea of beauty and the nature of femininity. Undertones of vulnerability are displayed in her works with the use of transparent material and layered paint. Found objects such as plastic bags, metal hardware, and pressed flowers are used to convey a balance between the masculine and feminine, or to emphasize hyper-femininity in some cases. Christina is a student at Youngstown State University currently studying Interdisciplinary Art with hopes to graduate Fall of 2018.

This week we sat down with Claudia Berlinski, an Assistant Professor in the Art Department at Youngstown State University as she spoke about her experiences in grad school, the connections within her body of work, and the beauty in the mundane. If you want to know more about Claudia, you can find images of her work on her flickr page https://www.flickr.com/photos/claudia_berlinski/albums and her instagram @cloudi_b

Dr. Lillian Lewis discusses her childhood in rural Texas, her education, her art practice, and the journey to becoming an assistant professor of Art Education. Follow Lillian on instagram at @LillioLillo or learn more about her on her website at LillianLLewis.com

Arielle Pilolli discusses nature vs. man-made, her process of attacking paintings & going with the flow, and being inspired by Siobhan Hemstrum, Zaria Forman, & Dana Hargrove. Follow Arielle’s work on instagram at @ariellepilolli

Welcome back to another episode of the Youngstown Parent Storytellers Project. In this edition we sit down with Latisha Dawson to continue our series with parents of Youngstown Community School, pilot site of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley's Success After 6 program.

RJ Thompson chats with Jacob Schriner-Briggs (recent YSU graduate and future law school student) about growing up and learning in Youngstown.

The City of You Podcast Episode 171 with Justin Mondok, Environmental Planner at Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and co-founder of Thrive Mahoning Valley talks about survivors of Hurricane Maria relocating to Youngstown.

Kristie Gearhart, Heather Seno, & Mia Allonby discuss the work on display in the show Take It! during public discussions in the Soap Gallery.

Rachel de Cuba discusses vulnerability, grad school, her process of creating, familial connections, and being inspired by Kiki Smith, Ana Mendieta, House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende, Allison Janae Hamilton, and the film Three Women. You can view the artwork we’ve discussed at Rachel’s website artrdec.com or check her out on Instagram at @palmetto_darlin

In this episode we share part 2 of our conversation with Success After 6 Coordinator at Youngstown Community School, Rilonda Neal, aka, Miss Ro.

Youngstown artist Mia Catherine Allonby discusses her education at Leeds College of Art, being new to America & married life, leaving the art world for rock stardom & her influences Paula Chambers, Diane Arbus, Nan Goldin, & Mona Hatoum. Recorded by Heather Seno as part of the Women Among Them exhibition at The Soap Gallery

Welcome back to the Youngstown Parent Storytellers Project! This episode features Success After 6 mom, Michole Cottle. Mother of 4, Michole has a 4th grader, Mekhi, and 3rd grader, Meziah, enjoying their second year of the program at Taft Elementary School.

Women Among Them exhibition led by Youngstown-area artist Heather Seno at The Soap Gallery on the evening of 3/2/18. Podcast recorded and edited by Heather Seno and Steph Blair.

Rilonda Neal, “Miss Ro” - PART 1 I am so grateful to each parent that has participated with this podcast thus far, because each of them have been so transparent and open to telling their stories. Rilonda’s story, or Ro as she’s known to many, is no different; however, hearing Ro’s story was particularly humbling for me, because the podcast you’re about to hear was my first time learning just what she’s experienced. And it’s not because she’s unwilling to share - Ro is very transparent and willing to talk about what she’s been through in efforts to show others they can choose to live on the brighter side of the pain they’ve seen. As super busy colleagues, Ro and I just never had the opportunity to sit down one-on-one to learn more about each other. Our conversation reminded me that, especially when I haven’t taken the time to genuinely get to know someone, it is crucial that I don’t: assume to understand why people make the choices they do, to have all the answers, or to think of myself more highly than I ought to and shun those whose life looks much different than mine. Ro’s life has been no walk in the park, but I am humbled by her choice to be unselfish, giving and loving, in spite of her past. I often explain the Youngstown Parent Storytellers Project as an opportunity for parents to tell their Youngstown story, not the one everyone thinks they may know. Please listen to Part One of my conversation with “Miss Ro,” and stay tuned for Part Two.

Tanisha McMullen, “Big Sis Nish” Getting to know Tanisha McMullen is like meeting the wisest big sister or auntie you could ever imagine. And to witness the genuine connections she has with nearly everyone she comes in contact with, you understand why she’s so committed to helping others though she’s lived a life that might have left many others ready to throw in the towel. Bouts with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and even a suicide attempt are just a few of the experiences she’s helped her children overcome. After learning to manage those challenges with her children, Tanisha now possesses the impeccable skills of not only calming a child in the midst of an “uncontrollable” moment, but she also relates extremely well to parents struggling with the reality of their child’s special needs. Listen as Tanisha shares valuable words of wisdom on this edition of the Youngstown Parent Storytellers Project.

Danielle Blair, “No Days Off” Danielle’s story gave me a huge dose of inspiration, reminding me that the best choice isn’t always the most popular choice. Danielle is a mother of five, who opened up about her decision to hold back each of her three school-aged children when they reached the 2nd or 3rd grade. I’ve had a few conversations with parents that reflected on whether having their child repeat a grade of schooling would have prevented them from struggling through following years. Lack of understanding, shame, and embarrassment are obvious reasons for hesitation to make such a choice, but for Danielle, her children’s well-being made the difficult decision much easier. Since then, she’s seen a significant and positive change in her children, including her two daughters Alaya, age 11, and Danika Rae, age 9, who are enjoying their second year of Success After 6. And Danielle is deservingly proud of her oldest child, her son Daveon, who’s now 15. After being held back in the 3rd grade, Daveon is now excelling as a student at Youngstown Early College, the district’s competitive college-prep program where students are eligible to earn enough college credits to graduate high school with an associate’s degree. Listen as Danielle shares how making the best choices for her children coupled with instilling a “no days off” mindset is really paying off.

Join us for a new episode of the United Way of the Mahoning Valley -sponsored Parent Storytellers Project with your host Tara Walker-Pollock and guest Ra'Cole Taltoan. This series primarily features parents of children who participate in the Success After 6 program and parents of students in the Youngstown City School District.

Jai Jackson talks with Cardinal Mooney high schoolers Nicolina Aiad-Ross and Angelina Aiad-Toss on a new edition of the City of Youth podcast mini-series!

Join us for the second episode of the United Way of the Mahoning Valley -sponsored Parent Storytellers Project with your host Tara Walker-Pollock and guest Tiera Stewart. This series primarily features parents of children who participate in the Success After 6 program and parents of students in the Youngstown City School District.

Join us for the second episode of the United Way of the Mahoning Valley -sponsored Parent Storytellers Project with your host Tara Walker-Pollock and guest Sophia Buggs. This series primarily features parents of children who participate in the Success After 6 program and parents of students in the Youngstown City School District.

Join us for the second episode of the United Way of the Mahoning Valley -sponsored Parent Storytellers Project with your host Tara Walker-Pollock and guest Dominique Venable. This series primarily features parents of children who participate in the Success After 6 program and parents of students in the Youngstown City School District.

Join us for the first episode of the United Way of the Mahoning Valley -sponsored Parent Storytellers Project with your host Tara Walker-Pollock and guest Brandie Richard. This series primarily features parents of children who participate in the Success After 6 program and parents of students in the Youngstown City School District.

Jennifer Rodriguez chats with B Sisters Photography about setting up shop in Youngstown, Ohio!

Jim Freeze, Executive Director of Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, talks about what brought him back to Youngstown.

Linda Cordell, a child of the revisionist era, makes work that reinterprets the figurine, enabling animals to break the chains of cuteness and noble savagery. An appreciation of the ridiculous, a love of beauty and skilled craftsmanship, and the belief that domestic objects are social propaganda all contribute to her work. Cordell received her MFA from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA.

Denise Bayer, Executive Director of The Legal Creative, discusses arts entrepreneurship with Youngstown State University College of Creative Arts & Communication students!

City of You Street Team member Jennifer Rodriguez chats with DJ GetiT about his Youngstown experience.

Keland Logan and DeMaine Kitchen sit down with RJ Thompson to talk about bringing back the Golden Bear mascot to Youngstown City School District. Great episode with two very involved, passionate community leaders!

Taylor Phillips chats with folks at the 2017 Summer Festival of the Arts.