Fostering Solutions

Justin Clark is the Executive Director of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Charleston, West Virginia. Justin moved to the Mountain State in May of 2021 and led the process of reopening the Clubs to in-person programming following a 15-month COVID-19 related closure. During his tenure, the Clubs have been recognized at the state and national level for successes in programming and advocacy, have significantly increased revenue, and are on track to exceed pre-COVID attendance levels in the fall of 2023.   Justin, a first-generation college student, obtained his Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in nonprofit management in May 2023. He looks forward to pursuing a doctoral degree in the future. When he isn't at work Justin can be found spending time with his family, attempting to perfect his biscuit recipe, or enjoying a book on the front porch.   Justin & his wife Anne Marie enjoy the peace and quiet around Kanawha State Forest where they live with their sons, Asher (6) and Simeon (4) along with Anne Marie's grandmother, Dora.

Clinton Arnold is the CEO of KISRA, Inc. This nonprofit organization provides life, business, affordable housing, mental health, and coaching programs for the recovery, transitioning, and youth populations throughout West Virginia. He is also a West Virginia State University professor, teaching entrepreneurship, marketing, and business operations courses.   Clinton is a former business owner and telecommunications professional. He spent 25 years with Verizon Communications Inc. before retiring in 2013 as a director, where he led teams in sales, product marketing, product development, training, channel sales, customer marketing, and operations and communications, earned multiple President's Leadership awards, as well as Platinum, Presidents and Diamond Club awards for sales and operations excellence.   Additionally, after serving faithfully in churches since his youth, he answered a call to serve as an Executive Pastor. He was licensed as an Executive Pastor in 2014 and is a certified Faith Based Counselor specializing in marriage and relationships.   The foundation of his experience is education, training, and life. He has a BA in Communications from the University of Kentucky, where he was the baseball team co-captain his senior year. He was also a four-year letterman and All-SEC performer for the baseball team from 1982-1986. He earned an MBA from the University of Charleston and graduated from the University of Maryland Executive Leadership Program, and the Center for Creative Leadership in San Diego, CA. He has completed the first year of the Doctorate in Business Administration program at Marshall University. He expects to defend his dissertation in the Spring of 2025.   He has been married to Trina, a retired teacher, and UK graduate, for 37 years, and they have two grown children and five grandchildren.

After nearly 15 years of a serving several different non-profit organizations throughout the Kanawha Valley,  in the fall of 2015 Jessica Hudson took her passion and desire to positively impact people and communities to Huntington, where she became the Executive Director of Dress for Success River Cities, which recently opened a branch in the Kanawha Valley.  After attending Concord University,  Jessica later furthered her education by obtaining her Fundraising Management Certification through the School of Philanthropy at IUPUI.  With the knowledge gained through that educational experience , along with a natural ability to engage an audience through her stories and experiences,  Jessica has devoted herself not only to her current cause of empowering and supporting women, but to sharing her expertise and knowledge with others.  She is passionate about encouraging people to devote their time, talents and treasures to make their community a better place.   In 2017 Jessica accepted the Momentum Award from Dress for Success Worldwide, the first award of its kind. This award was in recognition of the achievements of the affiliate to overcome some significant obstacles to build a thriving and sustainable organization.  Jessica has been instrumental in helping Dress for Success River Cities reach new heights and more importantly serve more women in need of support to move from poverty to self-sufficiency. Outside of her career, Jessica is dedicated to being a mom to a busy 17-year-old and supporting his goals, as well as a fan of WVU athletics, traveling and DIY projects.   

Dural is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of KYFC, Inc. Through partnership and mission focused drive, Dural has been able to apply leadership and community support to strategies designed to meet individual and collective social needs of family and community. Since 2006, Dural and his team of committed volunteers and professionals have been able to positively impact community wellness by moving forward school and community-based social programs developed to promote positive social and health outcomes.

Ms. Lansdale is the President/CEO of the Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.. She joined the Center in 1994 and brings over 40 years' experience in health and health care resulting from her work in both the private and public health sectors. The Center is a private nonprofit that works to strengthen West Virginia's health care system and improve the health of West Virginians. Before entering public health, Sharon worked as a hospital pharmacist, including serving as the director of pharmacy at a hospital in Charleston. As a hospital pharmacist she was engaged in educating patients with diabetes about how to manage their diabetes once discharged from the hospital. This led her to the WV Bureau for Public Health where she developed the Bureau's first diabetes control program. After serving as a consultant at the Bureau for about 10 years, she became the Director of the Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention. In this role, she managed the development of several chronic disease control programs and community health improvement programs such as Planned Approach to Community Health (PATCH) and Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC). Through her role at both the WV Bureau for Public Health and Center she has focused on the health and health care needs of rural communities in West Virginia. The Center created the WV Rural Health Infrastructure Loan Fund to provide a source of affordable capital financing for health care providers and organizations in the state. Since 2001, the Center has partnered with banks and other funders to leverage over $65 million in health care infrastructure improvements in the state. Throughout her work at the Center, Sharon has focused on the linkages between both health and health care and economic development. In fall 2018, recognizing that community health and economic prosperity are inextricably linked, the Center launched Wild, Wonderful and Healthy West Virginia. Through Wild, Wonderful and Healthy West Virginia the Center works to strengthen the capacity of communities to improve the health of residents and create a community culture that supports entrepreneurial and small business development. Sharon has received recognition for her work to address health and health care disparities, especially in rural and under-served communities throughout her career. Recent recognition of note includes the CDC's Childhood Immunization Champion Award in 2012 and the Health Innovator Award by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation in 2019 in recognition of the Foundation's 75th Anniversary.

Sarah began her career with the YMCA of Kanawha Valley in August 2020 where she serves as the President and CEO. The YMCA of Kanawha Valley is comprised of the Charleston Family Y and the Cross Lanes YMCA Child Development Center with $4.5 million in annual revenue. Prior to the Y, Sarah served as the WV Executive Director for the American Heart Association for close to a decade. Before then, she held various roles in pharmaceutical sales. Sarah is a graduate of West Virginia University and holds a degree in Public Relations. Sarah resides in Charleston with her husband Brian, and their young son Willie.

A native of Charleston West Virginia, Stephanie Tyree is the Executive Director of the WV Community Development Hub (The Hub).    With fifteen years of experience in policy, community development and community organizing, she has dedicated her career to advancing community-based, systemic solutions for rural, coal-impacted communities in Central Appalachia. Her primary area of expertise has centered around developing tools to drive community collaboration, leadership engagement, and community-driven change to build strong resilient rural communities.   Since joining the WV Community Development Hub in 2012, Stephanie has created the organization's community-based policy program, expanded the organization's footprint to better serve communities in southern West Virginia, led research and evaluation processes relating to rural community development in West Virginia, including publishing the WV Community Development Innovation Report and the 6 Best Practices of Rural Community Building, and has elevated the leadership of the organization within regional and national community economic development fields. She has secured over $20 million in funding over the past 8 years to support The Hub's work, helping to funnel significant resources to WV communities served by Hub programs.    Stephanie is passionate about identifying innovative strategies to address barriers to community investments for rural downtown development in West Virginia. She is inspired by the leadership growth and local transformations she has seen West Virginia communities achieve when they are provided with the tools, support, and resources to execute their vision for development and when rural development barriers are collaboratively addressed.   Stephanie has an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from NYU School of Law. She was recognized as a “WV Wonder Woman” by WV Living Magazine in 2016, was a recipient of The State Journal's “Next Generation: 40 Under 40” award in 2018, was a 2016 BALLE Fellow, and a 2021 Fulcrum Fellow with the Center for Community Investment. She currently serves on the WV Community Development Advisory Boards for Wesbanco and Truist banks. Additionally, she is a member of the Fayette County West Virginia Library Board, the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Board of Directors, and is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Invest Appalachia, a regional impact investment fund serving rural Appalachia.    Stephanie lives with her husband and two young sons in beautiful Fayette County West Virginia. When she's not at work, you're most likely to find her at Summersville Lake or hanging around a local bookstore.   

Jennifer Reed Goddard, APR, has served as the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Charleston, West Virginia since 2022. She first joined the organization in 2016 as their Chief Program Officer.    Jennifer started her career as the Director of Communications for the West Virginia Kids Count Fund where she wrote and produced the first four annual data books and developed the communications and outreach plans for the organization. Following her dreams, she then worked a regional advertising and public relations agency, which led to more than 15 years in corporate communications and as a community relations and outreach consultant for many Fortune 500 companies.    A nearly lifelong Charleston resident, Jennifer has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a Master's Degree in Organizational Management. She has achieved the designation “APR” as an accredited public relations professional and serves as the Public Relations Society of America West Virginia Chapter president for 2021-2022. She has served on numerous non-profit boards in the community and is excited that her career has brought her back into the world of non-profit management.  Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University and a Master's Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. She recently completed a Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from University of South Florida. Jennifer and her husband Todd enjoy weekends exploring and hiking Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia with Rocket the Wonder Dog.  

Born in Los Angeles, California, Mavery Davis moved to West Virginia on a football scholarship. Although his scholarship did not fully materialize, Mavery remained in West Virginia, completed his degree, and had a career filled with ups and downs, as he candidly shares. Maveryis a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), breaking the chains of poverty and creating wealth. He is a CPA by day, serving as Director of Lending for New Economy Works WV/Seed Commons, and a community organizer, a motivator, and the Financial Literacy Bootcamp (FLBC) founder by night. Through the FLBC, he teaches youth the psychology of money and financial basics. Through these efforts, he plants the seeds of collective, community wealth, and abundance.    Mavery earned the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs Trail Blazer-Pioneer Award (2020). In addition to his professional accountant certification, Mavery also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Accounting from West Virginia State University (WVSU) and a Master's of Science Degree with a concentration in Public Accounting from Strayer University. Additionally, Mavery is an adjunct professor of Accounting at WVSU, a guest teacher at Makeshop Design Lab, a National Society of Black Certified Public Accountants (NSBCPA) Board member, and a collaborator in All Things Workshops!    Mavery has been recognized as a Top 40 under 40 Black CPA by the NSBCPA (2021) and a Hometown Hero by WV Can't Wait (2022). In his current role, as the Director of Lending for New Economy Works WV, he brings a passion for uplifting people and connecting them to the resources they need along their cooperative business journey.   Mavery's essential roles are husband and father.  

Melanie Seiler is the founding Executive Director of Active Southern West Virginia, with 20 years of experience in business ownership and management. Melanie has an Associate's degree in Adventure Sports and a Bachelor's in Adventure Recreation Management. She is also certified in CDC Work@Health T3, Diabetes Prevention Program, American Canoe Association stand-up paddle boarding, Professional Ski Instructors of America telemark skiing, and a WV Division of Natural Resources river guide. Melanie was named one of West Virginia Executive Magazine's Generation Next 40 Under 40 professionals in 2017 and a 2019 West Virginia Living Wonder Woman.  

Co-Founder of the Healing House, Inc., Nakia Austin, is an Inspirational Speaker, Professional Counselor, and Certified Life Coach offering over 15 years of experience in strategic thinking and tactical approaches to overcoming adversity. The Healing House, Inc. is a holistic behavioral health program that serves and empowers women. They help trauma-impacted women heal and rebuild. They provide an innovative approach to healing and a fresh take on life after trauma through the highest quality of coaching, counseling, and education.   As a graduate of The Ohio State University and Marshall University Graduate College, Nakia holds two degrees and several certifications that have helped her master the art of communication and public speaking. Nakia's extensive background spans adult education, youth services, and coaching. Nakia has spoken to audiences for nearly two decades about the importance of decision-making, critical thinking, and awareness. Her innovative technique adds a refreshing element to public speaking and engages audiences of all ages.    As a counselor, Nakia has helped hundreds of children over a decade build coping skills and strategies to overcome difficulty and emotional hardship. Nakia has also helped women battling addiction find peace, resolve, and the courage to conquer addiction. Nakia works tirelessly to support her clients on every step of their journey.    As a coach, Nakia has the tools to help her clients achieve their goals, recover from difficult experiences, and address current and future challenges. By utilizing proven strategic methods for overcoming life's hurdles, Nakia's innovative coaching technique combines cognitive theory with practical applications that get results. In addition, Nakia's dedicated, invaluable support and responsive approach to therapy and coaching allow her to help individuals become the best versions of themselves.    Nakia is a dedicated wife and mother, youth worker and mentor, minister, community liaison, and women's advocate; her goal is to empower with every encounter.

Jennifer Waggener is the founder and executive director of Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley. A South Charleston native, Jennifer attended West Virginia University. Most of her career was spent in corporate administration and marketing, including a long-term role as the Director of Marketing for the Mid-Atlantic region of Skanska, an international construction firm. The Waggeners relocated to Virginia and North Carolina due to career opportunities and lived away for nearly 16 years before the chance to return home presented itself.  Upon arriving back in West Virginia in 2009, Jennifer accepted a position with the Alzheimer's Association, West Virginia Chapter. It was this job that opened her eyes to the vast unmet needs of our older neighbors and inspired her to start Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley. Faith in Action provides free volunteer services to senior citizens in Kanawha and Putnam counties. Between 2015-2022, Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley volunteers performed 25,372 hours of service at a value benefit to our community of $608,161, simply through providing meaningful and reliable support for the independent living of older adults in the communities they serve. In the 9 years since its inception, the program was given an Award of Excellence by the National Volunteer Caregivers Network; was an inaugural recipient of the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's Changemaker to Watch award in 2017; and was a 2018 Governor's Service Award honoree. But Jennifer's greatest source of pride is simple: it's the people – volunteers, care receivers, and collaborative partners - who make Faith in Action work, neighbor to neighbor.  

Margaret O'Neal, President of United Way of Central West Virginia, is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode. The United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Margaret discusses the organization's critical support services and the upcoming signature event that includes Dr. Foster and other local leaders.  

Chenelle Coy-Williams, LaToya Davis, and LaQwanza Jackson are social workers with Kanawha County Schools, passionately supporting students and their success.    Her friends describe her as passionate with a big heart. Chenelle Coy-Williams is a woman who wears many hats in the Charleston community. Chenelle has been a Keep Your Faith Corporation (KYFC) therapist for the past year and a social worker with the Kanawha County Child Protective Services for the past 15 years. While supporting the students in her school, Chenelle has been able to standardize family support, create strategic interventions and incentives, and emphasize the importance of individual environmental factors and social, emotional, and mental health on attendance, behaviors, and overall academic performance. Recently, KYFC appointed Chenelle as their Outreach Events and Community Engagement Director. Her passion is for youth, and she does her utmost to ensure they have a trauma-free childhood. Chenelle is a 2004 West Virginia State University (WVSU) graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. She also earned her Addictions Counselor and Youth Specialist Certification from BridgeValley Community & Technical College in 2013 and a Master of Science in Social Work from Marshall University in 2020.   LaToya R. Davis was born and raised in McDowell County, West Virginia. She moved to Charleston to attend WVSU in 1999 and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. LaToya received her Master of Science in Social Work from West Virginia University in 2011. She currently works as an Assistant Attendance Director at Capital High School. For the last 11 years, her focus has been improving students' attendance to increase their likelihood of graduating. LaToya is a member of the All Nations Revival Center and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.    LaQwanza Jackson is a wife and proud mother of two energetic boys. A native of Brooklyn, New York, LaQwanza's West Virginia journey began in High School. She planned to return to Brooklyn after graduation but chose to stay in West Virginia after receiving a scholarship to WVSU. She graduated from WVSU with her Bachelor of Science in Social Work in May 2005. She then earned a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University in March 2008 and a Master of Science in Social Work from West Virginia University in May 2013. Her Kanawha County Schools career began in August 2013. LaQwanza's past positions included Educational Outreach Counselor at the WVSU Upward Bound Program for three years, WVSU Admissions Counselor and Recruiter for three years, and Social Worker at the Children's Home Society of West Virginia for four years. She is a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated member and is committed to community service.  

Kezia Campbell-Erskine is a Guyanese Attorney-at-Law who specialises in public international law and development policy. She holds a Master of Laws in Energy and Environmental Law from the University of Aberdeen where she studied as a Chevening Scholar. Her legal education commenced at the University of Guyana where she read for a Bachelor of Laws. Following this, she advanced to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago where she obtained a Legal Education Certificate. Currently, Kezia serves as the Head of the Legal and Treaties Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Guyana, a role which positions her as the Ministry's principal legal advisor. Through her work, she proffers advice to senior Government officials which contributes to policy-making, safeguarding Guyana's compliance with its international obligations and strengthening Guyana's relationships with its international partners. A problem-solver by nature, Kezia believes in facing challenges head-on and enjoys working in a continuously evolving field. Driven by a deep passion for youth work, Kezia is no stranger to volunteerism and community service. She served as one of Guyana's youth delegates to the Commonwealth Youth Council, an executive member of the Caribbean Regional Youth Council and a member of several youth-led organisations in Guyana including the National Youth Council and the Benab Foundation. Having overcome many adversities herself, Kezia is always seeking opportunities to help others achieve their goals. She currently serves as a Youth Pastor and Sunday School teacher in her local church.  Kezia thoroughly enjoys adventure travel with her husband and spending quality time with her family. If not an Attorney, Kezia might have been a chocolatier. She loves making desserts and sharing them with her loved ones.

It was my honor to chat with Debby Weinstein, a little over two months before she transitions to retirement. A renowned, passionate West Virginia leader, Deb has served as CEO of the YWCA Charleston since July 1997. Her work with the YWCA began in 1983 when she spent a year as a residential advocate for battered women and children in the YWCA's emergency shelter, Hope House. Debby devoted the next nine years to serving as the Director of the YWCA Sojourners Shelter for Homeless Women and Families. Deb left Charleston for family reasons in 1983 and after a four-year stint as the Executive Director of YWCA Missoula, she returned in June 1997 to assume the position that she holds today.   Debby has worked with numerous boards, coalitions, and committees to find solutions for such issues as racism, poverty, health care for the indigent, homelessness, elder abuse, and others. She is a graduate of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. 

This special episode of Fostering Solutions is a compilation of two messages I recently shared at my church – Ferguson Memorial Baptist – in Dunbar, West Virginia. They are both about Judge Deborah from the Bible. Take a listen and I pray that you are inspired by the life of a formidable woman in the Bible.  

A West Virginia native, Denitra Bruer is an Environmental Health and Safety Improvement Manager with Dow Chemical Corporation in Freeport, Texas. Denitra earned her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and a Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University, both in chemical engineering. Denitra's engineering career spans over 20 years and includes positions in process engineering, project management, quality management systems, site logistics, and environmental health and safety, all with Dow.   Not only is Denitra a chemical engineer, but she also has a passion for people and fitness. She began her fitness journey as a personal trainer for Bally's Fitness while working on her master's degree. She is a NASM-certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist. An award-winning, professional bodybuilder, Denitra's passion is fitness: classes, in-person and in-app training, and bodybuilding coaching.

Oma S. Holloway, Chief Operating Officer, joined Bridge Street Development Corporation in 2015 as Director of Community Engagement spearheading Youth Workforce Development, Tenant Support Services, and Economic Development. She has over 25 years of professional work experience managing and consulting with non-profit programs and organizations in New York City. As Chief Operating Officer, Oma manages Bridge Street's economic development initiatives, grants management, and youth workforce development portfolio that includes the growth and expansion of merchant association; Open Streets in Bedford Stuyvesant; Commercial District Needs Assessment; and technical assistance for small business owners. Oma secures over 1100 paid internships annually for young adults to support local businesses and not-for-profit organizations in addition to expanding program services for young adults at Bridge Street to include Cure Violence and Restorative Justice programs.   Bridge Street Development Corporation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide civic and economic opportunities to the residents of Central Brooklyn with an emphasis on low-to moderate income residents. They do this by building partnerships with businesses, government, and other community stakeholders. Since 1995, Bridge Street has continuously worked to serve the Bedford Stuyvesant and Central Brooklyn community and has become a trusted provider of information, economic development, affordable housing and social services, as well as a convener of community engagement activities.

Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions is Dr. Kristi Williams Dumas. Kristi is a native of California and transplant to West Virginia. She received a Bachelors of Science from California University Bakersfield, a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Northridge, and a Doctorate of Psychology with an emphasis in Forensics from Argosy University of Orange. She has worked in the mental health field for over 25 years. Dr. Dumas is a forensic psychologist by trade. She is recognized as a qualified expert witness and routinely provides court testimony on the local, state, and federal levels. Kristi and her husband own Dumas Psychology Collective, a licensed behavioral health center and The Brain Training Center WV, a wellness center that offers neurofeedback brain training, yoga, and holistic health classes. Kristi is dedicated to the betterment of her community through philanthropy and civic engagement. She is the newest member appointed to the Governor's Council-Public Education Subcommittee for the State of West Virginia. Her role is to develop initiatives and campaigns to reduce the stigma around mental health. Dr. Dumas serves as a Commissioner on the Raleigh County Human Rights Commission. Kristi is honored to be the West Virginia Alumni Fellow of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation where she represents and advocates for the over 5.5 million military caregivers across the nation. She is a member of American Psychology Law Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links Incorporated, Beckley Rotary Club, and Downtown Beckley Business Association. Kristi is co-host of the Bloody Mary Quilt Society Podcast and the author of the book Unstuck: Moving Toward Your Ideal Life. 

Assignment Guyana: Hannah Porter Pursuing her Passion in the Peace Corps    Hannah Porter, a 2022 graduate of Angelo State University, accepted an assignment to serve in the Peace Corps. She left her home in Austin, Texas earlier this week to spend the next 27 months teaching in Guyana, South America.  A native of Guyana, Dr. Foster speaks with Hannah in this episode about pursuing her passion for teaching in the land of many waters.  

Changed Assignment: President Ericke Cage President Ericke Cage is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. The 13th president of West Virginia State University, President Cage is a native of Halifax County, Virginia. He joined the university in July 2021 as vice president and chief of staff and was subsequently appointed by the Board as the university's chief operating officer on July 30, 2021, with responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the university. Since assuming the leadership of West Virginia State University, Cage has prioritized institutional stabilization and operational optimization, renewal of the “state spirit,” the development and expansion of high demand academic programs, and the cultivation of a diverse range of internal and external relationships to support WVSU's forward momentum and growth. Under Cage's leadership, the university was able to obtain historic levels of state funding for its land-grant programs and Healthy Grandfamilies program during the recently concluded state legislative session. Also, the university recently obtained a more than $700,000 grant from the Kanawha County Commission to launch a Cybersecurity Innovation Center at WVSU in fall 2022. Plans are also underway to add the university's first doctoral degree program in education. Prior to joining WVSU, Cage most recently served as executive advisor to the president and Board of Visitors at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia – where as a member of the university's executive management team he served as principal advisor to the university president and board of visitors on matters related to institutional policy making, governance, government relations, and university ombudsman. Cage also served as speechwriter for Norfolk State's presidents and board chairs. While at Norfolk State University, Cage led the university's 2019-2025 strategic plan committee, served as the chief architect of the university's 2019-2020 self-assessment, and modernized the university's policymaking process to improve decision making and compliance. As a former education lobbyist, Cage was instrumental in expanding Norfolk State's presence and impact on Capitol Hill and before the Virginia General Assembly. He directly supported outreach efforts that helped Norfolk State secure the largest state appropriation in the history of the university. While at Norfolk State, Cage also authored a successful $2.7 million grant proposal to support student access, retention, and completion. As the principal advisor and speechwriter to Norfolk State's presidents and governing board chairs, Cage played a pivotal role in developing the institution's strategic priorities and crafting the narratives that helped to move these priorities forward. As university ombudsman, he advanced a culture of care and inclusion at Norfolk State by serving as a confidential resource for employees as they worked through issues of conflict and challenge. Prior to joining Norfolk State University, Cage served as director of government affairs for Teach for America, and also served as state policy and research director for the Obama-Biden 2012 reelection campaign. Cage served as legislative counsel for U.S. Congressman Tom Perriello, where he managed a legislative portfolio that included federal education, healthcare, defense, and veterans affairs policy. Cage also served as a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Defense, and a legislative fellow for the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs. He also served as a congressional fellow in the office of U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison. During law school, he completed summer legal placements in the New York City Law Department's Special Litigation Unit and at Prudential Financial Corporation. Cage began his professional career as a high school government teacher in his hometown of Halifax County, Virginia, where he was recognized as teacher of the year by the senior class in 2004. Cage is a graduate of Virginia Tech and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in leadership studies. He holds a juris doctorate from the Rutgers University Law School, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Women's Rights Law Reporter, Associate Editor of the Rutgers Business Law Journal, Member of the Rutgers Moot Court Board, and Third Circuit Governor of the American Bar Association's Law Student Division. Cage holds a masters of law degree in litigation and dispute resolution from the George Washington University Law School. He is also a graduate of the United States Air Force's Air Command and Staff College and the University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. Cage currently serves on the boards of the Mountain East Conference, the West Virginia State University Research and Development Corporation, and the West Virginia State University Foundation. He is a past board member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni Association and the U.S. Selective Service System (local board). Cage is an active member of the Rotary Club of Charleston, West Virginia.

Matt Young, Head Coach of Genesis Running, is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode. Dr. Foster was coached by Matt for several years and is a 10K runner. She believes that any able-bodied person can run and it's a wonderful way to get and stay fit. The Genesis 5K Program is a great way to start your running journey. There are several classes during the year in three locations. The next one starts on September 26. Check out genesisrunning.info for more information.   In Matt's words, “I've raced on roads and trails in events from 5ks to 100 miles, century bike rides, and triathlons but I don't win races.  I'm not a superstar runner, but I've learned some things along the way that have helped me improve over the past 23 years and I love to share those lessons with others.   I'm a Road Runner Club of America certified coach and have been certified to teach natural running, running the way the body is made to do it.  The Genesis 5k training program started in 2007 after I watched my dad, who at the age of 64, went from barely running ¼ mile to running a 4-mile race in just nine weeks.  So I thought, if it works for him it can work for anyone.   Since 2007 we've had over 3500 people in the Kanawha Valley learn to run through Genesis Running.  Running is the easiest, most affordable, most portable, and most efficient exercise you can do but so many people don't know where to start, and that's why I'm here to help.” 

LaKeisha Barron-Brown: Making INROADS for Youth LaKeisha Barron-Brown is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. A native of Detroit, Michigan, LaKeisha has lived in Charleston, West Virginia, for most of her life. She is a South Charleston High School and Marshall University graduate.    LaKeisha has an extensive professional background in providing therapeutic services to the substance abuse population. In 2013, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals hired her to serve as the Probation Officer/Coordinator for the Putnam County Adult Drug Court, a newly created program within the Putnam County area. After leaving Putnam County, she later went on the work for Aetna as a Medicaid Members' Advocate. However, as LaKeisha has enjoyed working with the substance abuse population, she recognized her true passion was working with the youth.    LaKeisha is currently the INROADS College Links WV Program Manager. This position allows LaKeisha to help foster personal, educational, and leadership development skills among traditionally underserved minority high school students. As an INROADS alumnus, LaKeisha can attest to how the program influenced her college and career success. As a result, she desires to ensure that scholars within the area have the same opportunities.    In her spare time, LaKeisha is devoted to impacting the community. On October 26, 2021, LaKeisha lost her 21-year-old son to COVID-19, and since his passing, she has found strength in serving her community through her grief. She has made it a mission to educate the community on COVID awareness and the importance of getting vaccinated. She has also authored a self-help journal entitled: Loss of Self: Turning Sorrow into Service ™ and an autobiography titled Through the Eye of a Crack Soul. LaKeisha recognizes that her strength to “Survive” is a guiding force in inspiring and uplifting others.    In 2020, LaKeisha was selected as a WVSSAC Girls' Basketball State Tournament official. Not only was it an honor for her to be chosen, but she made history as the First African American woman to officiate a WVSSAC Girls' Basketball Tournament. Alongside making history as the first African American woman, the three-person crew was also African American, which had never occurred in West Virginia. LaKeisha is currently the Vice President of the Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., a devoted mother, grandmother, and a community advocate for the citizens of Charleston, particularly the youth.

Attorneys Kitty Dooley, Stephanie Coleman, and Nicole McConlogue join Dr. Foster on this special episode of Fostering Solutions to share their perspectives on the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as a Justice on the US Supreme Court. Katherine L. “Kitty” Dooley has been a practicing attorney for more than twenty-nine years.  She is the principal of The Dooley Law Firm, P.L.L.C. where she concentrates her practice in plaintiff's personal injury, employment and administrative law. Click here for a detailed bio. Stephanie M. Coleman is the Director of the Low Income Taxpayer Advocacy Clinic at West Virginia University College of Law. Click here for a detailed bio. Nicole McConlogue is an Associate Professor and Clinic Director, primarily teaching in the Litigation and Advocacy Clinic at West Virginia University School of Law. Click here for a detailed bio.

Dr. Foster's guests on this episode of Fostering Solutions are Karen Wharton and Dr. Saran Nurse. Karen is a political organizer based in Brooklyn. She's currently the Democracy Coalition Coordinator for Citizen Action of New York & Public Policy and Education Fund, supporting the implementation of public campaign finance in the state of New York and the development of a BIPOC-centered democracy. The goal is to make democracy more inclusive and representative. Previously, she was the Brooklyn Education Organizer for Rank the Vote NYC (2021), the Field Director on Sandy Nurse for NYC Council (2020), the Assistant Field Director on Jason Salmon for NYS Senate (2020); and the Volunteer Coordinator on Art Chang for NYC Mary (2021). In addition, Karen was a member of the campaign team that successfully advocated for the passage of ranked choice voting in the November 2019 municipal election. Karen comes to political organizing after working for many years as a Systems Engineer. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Telecommunications. An immigrant from Guyana. Karen's activism in her community is varied and vibrant. Karen is a member of the Canarsie Lions Club. She served on the 2016 Symposium Sub-Committee of the organizers of Guyana's 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations that organized The National Symposium Series held during Guyana's Golden Jubilee celebrations in Georgetown and New York. She is a Founding Member of the Queen's-based Guyana-Jamaica Friendship Association. As President of The Queen's College of Guyana Alumni Association (NY), Inc. (2016-2018), Karen was instrumental in the growth and development of the organization's student-facing programs, such as the annual summer math institute and the annual student conferences that brought alumni and students together for learning. She also instituted a cultural component to the organization's outreach through programs that celebrated and promoted Guyanese heritage artists, authors, and filmmakers. And Karen championed diversity, equity, and inclusion schoolwide as a Packer Collegiate Institute's Parent Association Board Member (2011-2016). In her spare time, Karen leads a Brooklyn book club that focuses on female authors and writings that center women. Close to twenty years ago, Dr. Saran Nurse became an entrepreneur. Propelled by a lifetime passion – and much to the consternation of her family – she relinquished a corporate career, cashed out her 401K, and sold her apartment to open her first pet care services store. Despite challenges, she grew Kiki's Pet Spa & Boutique into a successful business with multiple locations. In the process, she became convinced of a calling to combine her experience in entrepreneurship, and interest in public service, with my academic ambitions – to share her expertise through research and published work, and to explore and develop new policies and theories. To this end, Saran entered the Public and Urban Policy doctoral program at The Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy at The New School. Within four years, she defended - with distinction - her dissertation Still Standing: An Analytic Autoethnographic Case Study Examining Resilience, Business Survival And Other Entrepreneurial Outcomes of Black Small Business Owners Under Conditions Of Gentrification. She is now now an Equity in Action Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow at Kean University. She has taught a variety of business courses including Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship, Business Ethics, Managing in Times of Crisis, Marketing Management, and Gender and Sexuality in Marketing. Saran earned her Bachelor's degree (Cum Laude) in Marketing and International Business from Florida International University, and Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University. She enjoys working out, cooking, travelling, and writing.

Attorney Olubunmi “Bunmi” Kusimo-Frazier is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solution. Bunmi was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. A magna cum laude graduate of Florida A& M University, Bunmi also holds a juris doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law, in Lexington, Virginia. After law school graduation, Bunmi returned to Charleston to work as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and as a criminal defense lawyer for a private firm.     As a criminal defense attorney, Bunmi represented numerous clients in federal, state, and municipal courts, and was named one of the "Top 40 under 40" by the National Trial Lawyers Association. She also worked as a Deputy Counsel for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Bunmi currently works as the Director of Magistrate Court Services the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, where she manages over several hundred employees, and the operations of the fifty-five magistrate courts in the State of West Virginia.     Bunmi served on the WVU Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Faculty, in Fall and Spring of 2021, presenting a course on magistrate courts. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the WV Juvenile Justice Commission; and is a member of the State of West Virginia's Traffic Records Coordinating Committee. Bunmi is also the co-Chair of the Minority Lawyer's Committee of the West Virginia State Bar.     Bunmi is married to Stuart Frazier, and they have one daughter, Naomi. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Omicron Omega Chapter, and the Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.  

Morgan Rhea Beals is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. Morgan and her husband Michael started Morgan Rhea, an American-made luxury leather brand, in 2015. Morgan always knew she wanted to be in the fashion industry. Coloring and designing outfits were her favorite past time. Her mother, Kathi, would take her along on her work trips. Kathi was an account executive for Elizabeth Arden. Morgan was always around fashion and drew inspiration from her grandmothers and aunts.  Morgan is a graduate of Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College, where she earned her Associate in Fashion Merchandising degree. Additionally, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Accessory Design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2014.  While at SCAD, Morgan was selected to meet with industry leaders, including Zac Posen and Alexander Wang. She learned from professionals how to perfect the art of making accessories. Upon graduation, Morgan won an international award for Best Student-Made Handbag at the International Handbag Designer Awards for her “Ronald Briefcase” from her Silently Speaking Gratitude Collection. She also made a pair of shoes for singer John Legend. As an apprentice at the Coach headquarters in New York City, Morgan learned even more sophisticated leather-crafting techniques at the 78-year-old luxury goods company.  After completing her time in New York City, Morgan returned to her Appalachian roots and started her family-owned business in Charleston, West Virginia. Morgan Rhea continues to work with celebrity clientele while growing internationally.

In celebration of Women's History Month 2022, I first shared this message at my home church, Ferguson Memorial Baptist. As we live through these COVID years, the need for self-care has become increasingly important. Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's well-being and happiness, especially during periods of stress. Self-care is not selfish. Self-care is not indulgent. Self-care is necessary for us to cope in the midst of chaos. Jesus practiced self-care. He not only cared for others, but he took care of himself, physically, mentally, and spiritually. If Jesus practiced self-care, so should we!

Errol Randle is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. A retired 25-year veteran of the Charleston (WV) Police Department, Errol is a thoughtful, passionate leader who loves his community and believes in second chances.  While with the Charleston PD, Errol served as Strategic Planning Officer, FBI Gang Task Force Officer, Street Crimes Unit Detective, and Patrol Officer. As Strategic Planning Officer, he was tasked with developing and implementing 21st Century community policing strategies, developing innovative re-entry partnerships, and developing neighborhood revitalization efforts. Errol currently serves as the Community Outreach Specialist for the State of West Virginia's Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety and the Department of Education. Additionally, he volunteers with re-entry organizations in the area. Errol is a loving father to his daughter, Kennedy, a cheerleader at Hurricane High School.

Mavery Davis is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. Born in Los Angeles, California, Mavery moved to West Virginia on a football scholarship. Although his scholarship did not fully materialize, Mavery remained in West Virginia, completed his degree, and had a career filled with ups and downs, as he candidly shares. Mavery is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), breaking the chains of poverty and creating wealth. He is a CPA by day, serving as Director of Lending for New Economy Works WV/Seed Commons, and a community organizer, a motivator, and the Financial Literacy Bootcamp (FLBC) founder by night. Through the FLBC, he teaches youth the psychology of money and financial basics. Through these efforts, he plants the seeds of collective, community wealth, and abundance.    Mavery earned the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs Trail Blazer-Pioneer Award (2020). In addition to his professional accountant certification, Mavery also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Accounting from West Virginia State University (WVSU) and a Master's of Science Degree with a concentration in Public Accounting from Strayer University. Additionally, Mavery is an adjunct professor of Accounting at WVSU, a guest teacher at Makeshop Design Lab, a National Society of Black Certified Public Accountants (NSBCPA) Board member, and a collaborator in All Things Workshops!    Mavery has been recognized as a Top 40 under 40 Black CPA by the NSBCPA (2021) and a Hometown Hero by WV Can't Wait (2022). In his current role, as the Director of Lending for New Economy Works WV, he brings a passion for uplifting people and connecting them to the resources they need along their cooperative business journey.   Mavery's essential roles are husband and father.

Consandra Leonard, Tina Beatty, and Courtney Williams are Black business owners in Charleston, West Virginia. They're all a part of the Black Women Business Owners Expo held on February 19 and 20 at the Charleston Town Center. In this episode of Fostering Solutions, the ladies candidly share their journeys as business owners, including the challenges they have overcome and lessons learned.

Michelle A. Matthews is a physician, teacher, public speaker, social justice advocate, and jazz vocalist. Through her work in the community, she has become a role model and mentor for young women and an advocate for access to human services, equity in healthcare, and healthy communities. A product of the public education system in Guyana and the United States, Michelle studied chemistry and physical therapy at Howard University. She went on to earn a degree in medicine from Wayne State University and later completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics. Michelle subsequently served as chief resident in internal medicine, faculty member, and assistant director. During her years of living in Detroit, Michelle realized her interest in disparity in medicine. After several years of working in traditional roles as a physician, she decided her true calling was increasing access for residents of vulnerable communities, which resulted in her serving as chairperson of the Human Relations Commission. She was instrumental in the re-opening of the pediatric unit of the local hospital to meet the needs of children in the community. As medical director of the Sickle Cell Program for her local Hospital Organization, she re-organized the medical program to facilitate quality care for patients with Sickle Cell disease who sought care within the Hospital system. Currently, Dr. Matthews serves as the Medical Director for the North Carolina Market at Landmark Health- an organization whose focus is on delivering value-based care to elderly high-risk populations. Dr. Matthews is a native of Guyana, South America. She currently lives in North Carolina. Michelle is actively involved in her community through advocacy, policy writing, and narrative change conversations when not practicing her craft. She also makes time to sing in a jazz band, hike, swim, and travel the world.

Award-winning Attorney Frank Walker II is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. Born in Institute, West Virginia, Frank received his education in Kanawha County Schools and at West Virginia State University, Marshall University, and West Virginia University, where he earned his law degree. Frank is a sought-after criminal defense attorney in Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia due to his reputation as a fearless defender of the rights afforded to citizens in the Constitution of the United States.   Frank currently serves as a Board Member of West Virginia State University Foundation and President of the Pittsburgh Black Lawyers Alliance. He is a member of the National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars, AVVO Top Rated, National Top 40 Under 40 - Criminal Defense Lawyers. Additionally, Frank frequently serves as faculty for Continuing Legal Education courses focusing on state and Federal Criminal Defense matters and teaches at West Virginia University College of Law.    Frank was duly initiated in the Xi Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated in 1999 and is an active member of the Iota Phi Chapter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he serves on the Iota Phi Foundation Board. Frank previously served as a member of the American Inns of Court, Board Member of the Propel Charter Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is now a member of the American Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Pennsylvania Death Penalty Counsel, CJA Panel Attorney for Northern District of West Virginia and the Western District of Pennsylvania, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.    As busy as he is, Frank enjoys quality time with his wife, Jennifer, and teenage daughters and is currently completing the requirements for his Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership Studies from Robert Morris University (expected 2023).  

Custom MADE Consulting Founder and CEO, Dr. Michelle Easton, has had an extensive career in executive leadership in higher education, most notably having served as Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia.  Senior-level executives in premier organizations seek Dr. Easton's input on such topics as changing workplace culture, developing cultural relevance, and having productive feedback conversations, to name a few.  Throughout her career as a leader, she discovered a new passion and developed her capacity for change management, facilitation, and coaching.  Dr. Michelle Easton is a Xavier University of Louisiana graduate and resident of New Orleans, Louisiana. With her family and lifelong friends, she continues to make a difference in her hometown. 

Dr. Oneeka Williams, award-winning author, educator, entrepreneur, speaker, storyteller, urologic surgeon, and Positivity Catalyst, is the product of a science teacher mom and journalist father. Born and raised in Guyana and Barbados, she is on a mission to educate, elevate and empower and believes we can use the positive power of our stories to defeat negativity so we can achieve whole health, pursue our dreams, and live a life without limits. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School, she has used her experiences and life philosophy as the catapult to impact the lives of her patients and community. Learn more about Dr. Williams at https://droneekawilliams.com/

Raised in the small coal-mining town of Welch, West Virginia, Dr. T. Ramon Stuart realized at a very young age the transformative impact that education could have on one's life, one's family and ultimately one's community. This realization led him to study engineering and higher education administration. His higher education career started at West Virginia State University where he was a faculty member and administrator. Dr. Stuart was recently named President of Clayton State University in Georgia. According to Dr. Stuart, his humble beginnings in McDowell County taught him how to treat people, “because you couldn't act as though you were better than anyone because everybody was trying to make $1 out of 15 cents. And when you know who you are, you understand that, as Luke once reminded us that to whom much is given much as expected.”

As the first female Mayor of Charleston, West Virginia, Amy Shuler Goodwin never imagined that she would spend most of her first term leading the state's largest city through a pandemic. However, her careers in journalism, public relations, communications, and state tourism equipped her for leadership in challenging times. Since taking office in January 2019, Mayor Goodwin has prioritized fiscal accountability, efficient processes, fairness and forward-thinking policies, and programming.     

As a 21-year-old college senior at Concord University, Christy L. Elliott had the audacity to ask a CEO about a job at his bank, one of the largest in the country. In less than a week, she had an interview with the Market President and a job offer from BB&T Bank, now Truist. Since joining BB&T in 2004, Christy has served as a Financial Wellness Consultant, Merchant Sales Consultant, and Commercial Banker before being named Market President in May 2017. In her current role, she manages the market franchise and is responsible for BB&T's banking operations in seven West Virginia counties.    #coachdrmichelle #podcast #fosteringsolutions #leadership  #leadershipdevelopment #makingadifference #rolemodel #keystoleadership #coaching #professionalcoach #coachingconversations #candidconversations 

Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions is Mr. Charles Patton. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Charles is an accomplished leader who has not lost the common touch. Dr. Foster remembers him from her days at the Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action (KISRA) when he was then serving as Chief Operating Officer at the Appalachian Power Company. Instead of simply mailing a grant award check, Charles took time to tour KISRA and encourage the staff, by sharing anecdotes from his humble beginnings.  He is currently the Executive Vice President, External Affairs for American Electric Power (AEP) and is based in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, Charles leads AEP's customer services, communications, regulatory, federal public policy and corporate sustainability organizations. A publicly traded company, AEP is an electric utility that delivers electricity to more than five million customers in 11 states and provides energy services in 27 states. This conversation is chockfull of leadership wisdom from a distinguished leader.

Mr. Donteako Wilson is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. A native West Virginian, Don is the Managing Partner of Capital Insurance Group (CIG) and runs their Charleston, West Virginia and Columbus, Ohio offices. CIG is a fast-growing business which, after being in existence for less than five years, now has 15 offices in 12 states. Don has entrepreneurship in his genes. He started his first business venture at a mere 21 years of age, having been inspired by his mom. Undoubtedly, Don has achieved tremendous business success and is a role model. Click the link below and listen to this episode of Fostering Solutions to learn about Donteako Wilson's keys to leadership.

Mr. Mark Dalgety is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions, a part of the Keys to Leadership Series. Mark is the founder of Dalgety Teas, the largest tea company owned by someone of Caribbean descent in Europe. Twenty-five years ago, Mark started drying Corilla (Cerassie) bush at his home in Georgetown, Guyana, and packaging it for sale in the United Kingdom. Then, using his chemical engineering skills and creativity, buoyed by his entrepreneurial spirit, Mark applied tea-bagging technology to what West Indians call “bush tea.” Today, Dalgety Teas has over 30 variants of herbal teas, which are sold in the UK's top supermarket chains, including Tesco, Sainsbury, and Asda. Mark also exports his delicious teas to numerous European countries, South Korea, and China. His latest venture, which hit the global market in 2020-21, was the commissioning of Dalgety Ghana Ltd, which has begun market penetration of the African continent with its 1.5 billion inhabitants. Check out www.dalgety.co for more information about Dalgety Teas.  

Dr. Afrin Naz is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. Dr. Naz is an Associate Professor at the Computer Science and Information Systems department at West Virginia University, Beckley campus. She is also the regional co-director of WVU Center for Excellence in STEM Education. She received her PhD degree in Computer Science from the University of North Texas. She received more than 26 grants and authored numerous conference and journal papers. Dr. Naz is the Google Ambassador in West Virginia and arranged 6 face to face and online Computer Science workshops for k12 teachers at West Virginia. She is the founding Director of STEM Summer Academy in West Virginia and has also organized more than 12 workshops and camps for K-12 teachers and students. She serves as the Division Chair of the Computers in Education division of American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). She served on the Strategic Committee of West Virginia Department of Education. She is the director of West Virginia affiliate of NCWIT (National Center of Women and Information Technology), an ABET IDEAL scholar and West Virginia TECH Golden Bear Scholar. Dr. Naz is also the founding director of EMPOWERS (Establishing Mentoring Pipeline of Women through Education and Research in STEM).

Karen Anne Abrams is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Howard University and an MBA degree in Marketing from California State University at San Francisco. Ms. Abrams spent more than ten years as a Technology Executive in Corporate America working for Atlanta based Mindspring Networks and later Southern California based, Earthlink Networks.   Karen is the pioneer who championed the introduction and national expansion of STEM Robotics, targeted to school aged children in Guyana.  Abrams was determined to ensure that Guyanese youth be granted access to the same opportunities and preparation in technology education that is routinely afforded young people in wealthier countries and more frequently to youth from nearly all countries in the world.   To that end, in 2016 Ms. Abrams worked with The First Lady's Office, the Diaspora, her own children and various public and private agencies in Guyana to introduce four robot building and programming camps at the Lusignan and Buxton villages and at two locations in Georgetown, Guyana.  More than two hundred children and ten future club coaches were trained and certified in Lego Mindstorm robot building and programming under this program.     Those seeds of technology planted, gave birth to an expansion to over seventy STEM clubs across all ten regions in Guyana and more than one hundred unanswered requests for club expansion into far flung communities: resulting in the exposure of thousands of Guyanese youth to robotics. In March of 2017, Ms. Abrams recruited and helped to prepare a novice Guyana national robotics team, to a tenth-place world ranking out of one hundred sixty countries at the July 2017 First Global Robotics Olympics held in Washington DC.  In 2019, the Guyana robotics national team won the prestigious Albert Einstein gold medal award from among one hundred ninety participating nations at the First Global Robotics challenge in Dubai.   Karen Abrams also helped to pioneer the development of a Ministry of Education sponsored National Grade Six Assessment test preparation mobile app and a national pilot Robot building and Scratch programming league, to engage and educate Guyanese youth in robotics and coding. All of the STEM initiatives organized by STEM Guyana, an organization co-founded by Abrams and her college-aged children, will strengthen collaboration, conflict resolution and communication among youth, while developing their creative, problem solving, technical and academic skills.   Ms. Abrams' history of giving back goes back to representing Guyana at the National Level in the Caribbean National Basketball championship for more than 5 years; helping to win the National Championship for the Guyana Women's team in 1992, introducing a high school basketball league to Guyana back in 2008, investing in call center business in the 2000's and 8 years of contributing to the private sector development with her weekly column in Stabroek News business section.  Karen was also recently presented with the prestigious Guyana 2018 Golden Arrow Of Achievement award for her work with STEMGuyana.   Karen Abrams is married to former National Basketball Player Leon Christian.  They have four children, three of whom are in college at Stanford University, Cornell University and New York University.  The entire family remains committed to making ongoing contributions to the growth and development of Guyana.

Shamaya A. Morris is Dr. Foster's guest on this Episode of Fostering Solutions. Shamaya is currently a Production Group Leader at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in WV (TMMWV), a two million square foot facility producing engines and transmissions for Toyota and Lexus. Her previous role as a production engineer was to provide system solutions and engineering technologies for the transmission assembly line she supports.  Shamaya earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Industrial Engineering and Management Systems from West Virginia University. As a West Virginia native, Shamaya has lived in WV her entire life and loves doing life here as an engineer in the manufacturing field.

Dondel C. Moorman, PharmD, BCPS is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. Dondel is a native of the East End of Charleston, West Virginia. She obtained her Doctorate in Pharmacy from West Virginia University in 2005, completed of a Pharmacy Practice residency in 2006, and obtained her Board Certification as a Pharmacotherapy Specialist in 2007. Dr. Moorman has practiced pharmacy in various settings including hospital pharmacy, community/retail pharmacy, and pharmacy education. She is currently a Licensed Independent Practitioner at the Beckley VA Medical Center where she cares for our nation's veterans through managing chronic diseases. Her newest and most important role is that of raising the sunshine in her life, her daughter, Dayana Simone. She plays an active role in her community as a member of First Baptist Church of Charleston, the Charleston-Institute Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and Project C.A.R.E. (Community Advocates Ready to Empower). 

Petia Abdur-Razzaaq is Dr. Foster's guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. Petia is a Speaker for the Grow with Google Professional Trainer program. She began her career during the launch of The Boston Globe's website boston.com, where she developed effective online marketing campaigns for major clients such as Dunkin Donuts and Fleet Bank. For the past 10+ years as Principal of The Stylista Group, Petia and her team have developed and implemented digital marketing plans that have produced outstanding measurable results.   The firm has a niche focus that helps legacy lifestyle and luxury brands to connect with present-day customers by harnessing the power of their brand stories and collaborating with micro-influencers. Their legacy brand clients over the years have included Vera Moore Cosmetics, Isoplus Hair Products, and Castro Convertibles, to name a few.  She is also one of the Co-Founders of Mosaic Mommies, a community of multi-ethnic moms and micro-influencers who share information about their favorite everyday products and services.   She holds an MBA in Marketing Management from The Lubin School of Business at Pace University as well as a BA in Management/Marketing from Simmons College, Boston, MA.

Dr. Foster chats with Dr. Chantel A. Perry in this episode of Fostering Solutions. Known as Dr. C, Chantel is an award-winning data scientist, Amazon best-selling tech author, and data and technology advisor. A native West Virginian and West Virginia University graduate, she currently works at a Fortune 100 bank leading the successful development and deployment of advanced fraud detection solutions. Dr. C also runs a part-time consultancy to show current and aspiring leaders how to leverage technology to enhance business performance and make a positive, widespread impact on society. In her 11+ year career, she has teamed up with members from various backgrounds to utilize the power of data & technology to help leaders gain funding to open 6 healthcare facilities, protect the financial security of over 14 million banking members, and empower 1,000+ aspiring leaders with knowledge to succeed in the tech industry.

In this episode Dr. Foster chats with Marcia McIntyre. Marcia is a results-oriented Technology Professional with over 25 years of technology, software engineering, project portfolio management, application development and people management skills.  She is experienced at leading technology initiatives from initial strategy through to implementation, operations support, process improvement and benefits realization. Over the years, Marcia has been aligned with Technology organizations across the Energy, Financial and Information Services industries.  Marcia is a native of Guyana, South America.  She currently resides in Atlanta and enjoys traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

In this episode Dr. Foster chats with Vivien Rayam. Vivien is a business coach, international bestselling author, STEM advocate, and co-owner of Code Ninjas Snellville in Georgia. She works with youth to help them develop a love of computer programming and foster an interest in STEM careers. In Vivien's private coaching practice, she guides new and emerging women entrepreneurs to build a roadmap for success and build a sustainable business model that can weather any storm.

In this episode, Dr. Foster chats with Karen Leak, Early Career Program Manager, tasked with providing leadership to accelerate the acquisition and retention of key technical talent. Karen is a proud graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where she earned bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering.    Through partnerships with Greater Cleveland Schools and STEM-based organizations, Karen recruits skilled technical talent, focusing on underrepresented groups. She then crafts individualized mentoring programs that lead to success for these groups. And she doesn't stop with recruitment. Karen encourages all young people to consider technology in some form for their future. Helping people realize their potential is her goal and she believes there are opportunities in STEM for all.