Miami VOICE

Listen to Darren as he interviews councilman Robert Stephens. The councilman shares many initiatives that he's been able to roll out since the inception of his term. He also gives information as relates to onramps and opportunities for YOU to get involved.

It's been said…If you don't no better you can't do better. Luke 12:48 says “To whom much is given much is required” Councilwoman Julien break down what that verse means to her. She also shares why that verse is important for us as a community! Listen in an be inspired as well to gain onramps by which you can serve in the community! Email me at darrenb@calvaryftl.org for more info! You can also email councilwoman: Ljulien@miamigardens-fl.gov LindaJulien@keyes.com

Darren takes a look back at past seasons of Miami VOICE to give us a greater appreciation for what's ahead of us in season 3! He also explains in great detail what season 3 will place emphasis on and why? Are you ready for this fall season of Miami VOICE? We hope so! Email: darrenb@calvaryftl.org

Tune in to the powerful conversation with Miami Native, Rapper, Activist, Motivational Speaker and Change Agent Lamont Popp Nanton AKA Popp Da Rippa! Darren and Popp dive DEEP into the issues that have been historically plaguing the community and endangering our youth. Popp provides some riveting insight from his experience growing up on the streets of Opa-locka as well as a passionate plea! To contact Popp hit up the following: http://www.icesquadent.com/ ; @icesquadent1 ; @poppdarippa ; http://circleofbrotherhoodmiami.org/ ; Office (305)848-5857

Agnes shares her story of how she went from being an at risk youth (teen mom, in the foster care system) and potential statistic to overcoming opposition and turning it into opportunity! By Gods grace, Agnes was blessed with several women (including my wife Christine) that would take the time to mentor and pour into her helping shape her journey and mold her into the SUCCESSFUL women she is today!

Detective Rod Passmore has been featured on the AETV hit first 48hrs The show takes viewers behind the scenes of real-life investigations as it follows homicide detectives in the critical first 48 hours of murder investigations, giving viewers unprecedented access to crime scenes, interrogations and forensic processing Born and raised in Miami, Det. Roderick Passmore joined the Miami Police Department over 20 years ago after studying criminal justice in college. Passmore is known for his dedication to the cases he’s assigned to. “I want to be the best homicide investigator I can be,” he says. “Failure is never an option.” Passmore worked 14 years in narcotics investigation and spent 4 years as field training officer. He was in burglary before joining homicide in 2008. “In homicide you learn that death is inevitable. It’s going to happen no matter what. My strategies are to appreciate life and count my blessings.” Passmore loves to travel and is an avid fan of the Miami Dolphins, the New York Giants, and the Miami Heat This is arguably one of the MOST intense interviews that has ever hit the Miami VOICE. From the issue of racism to Black on Black Crime, Darren and Det. Passmore unveil the true pain of our community but also talk SOLUTIONS! The experience and expertise of Detective Passmore is invaluable as he paints a graphic picture of the state of our black/brown youth in Miami.

Have you had the desire to bring your Faith Based, Christ Centered, Biblical mentoring program into the public school sectors? Do you feel like you can’t get a foot in the door due to some red tape and policy’s that forbid proselytizing??? Well, Maria Garcia debunks that theory and would highly encourage you to keep pushing your way in! You’ll listen to her insights and reconsider your position. At minimum you’d be encouraged! Maria is the leader of Truth Leaders Mentoring Program at Apollo Middle in Hollywood FL. Jump in and check out the IMPACT being made in the lives of several young women in the Hollywood inner city!

Nikisha Williams, a Miami-native, currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Opa- locka Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization that’s been leading the transformation of Opa-locka and surrounding north Miami-Dade communities through education, health, employment, art, economic development and affordable housing for more than 35 years. She is responsible for leading the operations of the organization, including human resources, marketing, fund development, as it expands its placemaking, workforce development, health and arts/culture initiatives in the community. Nikisha’s career spans the public relations and marketing industry, where she most recently served as Director of Employee Communications and Change at C&W Communications, a telecommunications company with operations with more than 7,500 employees in 30 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Prior to her role at C&W Communications, she managed internal communications for c-suite executives at AT&T in both New York and Dallas. She spent eight years at GolinHarris, where she led client accounts, developed and implemented public relations campaigns, managed account teams, provided strategic media counsel and created marketing strategies for various clients. Her experience spans the retail, technology, consumer packaged goods and non-profit industries. Nikisha’s work with the International Kids Fund (now knows as the IKF Wonderfund) a program of Jackson Health Foundation was recognized by PR Week as the 2009 Community Relations Campaign of the Year and by the Holmes Report as the 2009 Sabre Not-for-Profit Campaign of the Year. She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s of science in broadcast journalism and a bachelor’s of arts in Spanish. In addition, she also spent time in Barcelona, Spain learning the Spanish language and about the culture. She is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami, a Miami Fellow and graduate of Leadership Miami. Her professional affiliations include the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ). She’s also participated in the Executive Leadership Council’s Bright Future’s Leadership Development Programs

Tune in NOW and hear the heart of your Miami Gardens elected official Linda Julien, a Miami Gardens resident and homeowner, serves as the city’s first Haitian-American council member. Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Florida International University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. For the last ten years, she has worked throughout Miami Dade County; focusing on real estate, economic development, procurement, and workforce development. One of Linda’s most notable projects is Solé Mia, a 4-Billion-dollar, 15-year mixed-use real estate development, public/private partnership between a local municipality and development team of Soffer and LeFrak. Linda strongly believes in fostering public/private alliances to transform communities. With her civic work throughout South Florida, Linda was appointed to the City of Miami Gardens Charter Review Commission. Ms. Julien serves on the Board of Directors of the Immigration Partnership & Coalition Fund (IMPAC), an organization comprised of community leaders who raise awareness of the social injustices occurring against the immigrant community. Linda also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Nyah Project, an organization which sends Miami high school youth from underserved backgrounds on a fully funded program abroad in the belief that “travel awakens leadership” and then supports them on their path to college. Ms. Julien serves on the Board of the Opa- locka Community Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to transforming under-resourced communities by improving access to health, education, employment and homeownership. Linda also is a Miami Fellow Alumni through the Miami Foundation, Class X. Linda personifies what it means to make social change. Altogether, her work encompasses ensuring the prosperity of communities, safeguarding the future growth of residents, and advocating for homeownership and the success of local businesses. She is a champion of community, and looks forward to a continued career in real estate and public service to ensure resident’s needs and policy are aligned. To contact councilwoman Julien: ljulien@miamigardens-fl.gov

Meet Pastor Travis Vaughn. Travis is one of the instrumental men God used to mentor Darren through the tumultuous year of 2020! The relationship started as a casual contracted coaching opportunity Darren was able to leverage through a church planting network. It quickly spiraled into something DEEPER than the two of them could EVER imagine!! Darren would loose his brother to COVID-19 , his new church was put in jeopardy as “shelter in place” was enacted and church doors were shut, civil unrest created anxiety and pain as well as turmoil in our culture and the Church, political polarization continued to press hot buttons, all while Pastor Darren is trying to not come apart at the seems as a new church planter and mere human being. Enter Travis Vaughn! Travis serves as Executive Director of Metro Atlanta Collective in Atlanta, GA. MAC, formerly known as the North Georgia Church Planting Network, exists to cultivate a network of leaders who plant, strengthen, and renew churches throughout Atlanta. Travis and his wife, Robin, have three children and are members at Perimeter Church (PCA), where Travis serves as an elder. Listen in and find out how Travis was able to help Darren not only survive but thrive in the hardest year of his life!

Tune in and hear how God used a simple man who coached wrestling at a Christian School to mentor and mold pastor Darren. Pastor Steve Williams literally leveraged the sport of wrestling as a vehicle and tool to disciple a young 28 year old Darren. As a result and about a decade later , Darren would go on to plant a very thriving church in Miami Gardens!

This episode will make you laugh, cry and want to mentor someone as soon as you’re finished listening!!! Hear the story of Pastor Darrens past and how he overcame being an at risk youth because 2 men simply took the time to set a firm foundation!

From the comfort of his backyard...Pastor Darren sets up season 2 and gets very personal about his upbringing, coming from a broken family, being an “at risk youth” and the necessity mentoring played in his life!

Season 1 of the Miami VOICE comes to a close as pastor Darren reflects back on his journey over the 10 episodes. In this final segment we’ll hear pastor Darren share his heart for the future and also share what he’s learned over the course of season 1. Darren recollects back to some profound moments that happened during the podcast interviews. He also looks forward to what will come in the winter when we launch season 2! See Teaching that was referenced here: https://youtu.be/ok42SHfYkKk. Also see this teaching on a balanced look at biblical justice: https://youtu.be/UJWs6uA8-J4

You’ll most definitely want to listen in as Pastor Darren interviews former Opa-lacka mayor and founder of Opa Locka Community Development Corporation Dr. Willie Logan! Once again as we aim to empower our community with the proper tools and knowledge needed for change...Darren and Dr Logan discuss issues around affordable housing, necessary partnerships, personal accountability and how the urban ethnic community of North Miami-Dade can step into this space! Check out CDC’s website for further information: www.olcdc.org

You’ll want to listen in as Pastor Darren and Mr A Robinson help our listeners explore how one can bounce back from less then desirable circumstances! It’s important to be empowered, educated and elevated to the level of success one can achieve if they simply know where to start! Have you been knocked down by societal constraints? Do you feel like the underdog or know someone down on their luck? This is the podcast that may literally change everything! Below you will find social media handles for OIC: Facebook - @OICSouthFl Twitter - @OICSFL YouTube - @OICSouthFlorida Instagram- @OICofSouthFlorida LinkedIn - @OICofSouthFlorida

This is a MUST LISTEN episode as Destinee Haller (a Miami native, FSU alumni, Teacher, future law school student and sorority member of Delta Sigma Theta) gives an INSPIRING account of how she was able to chase her ambitions and is giving back to her community. Destinee also gives a great charge/exhortation for our “next generation” as well as those potential and much needed mentors who are on the sidelines praying about mentoring our next gen! You can reach Destinee on Instagram @Destine__e or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/destinee.haller

You’ll want to listen in as pastor Darren interviews Starex Smith about the state of Black Owned Businesses. Darren poignantly asked: are Black Businesses today as prevalent and resilient as they were in the days of segregation? Starex weighs in with a BRILLIANT response! Ever wonder how can we mitigate and ultimately eradicate black on black crime in Miami-Dade? Starex posits a solid and viable plan! Has the church failed or what can the church do better when engaging issues of injustice and brokenness in the community. Starex gives feedback from the genuineness of his heart. You can connect with Starex on social media: @thehungryblackman for Instagram and Facebook! You can also hit up his website www.thehungryblackman.com

In this episode Tabitha Gibson weighs in on issues of racism, concerns with the urban public schools in Miami Dade, and the lack of activity from the (C)hurch when it comes to doing justice. Here are recourses and social media platforms mentioned in the interview: andcampaign.org FB: https://www.facebook.com/andcampaignsouthflorida/ Personal IG: keepin.tabs__ Email to be connected to And South Florida: tabitha@thebrookmiami.org

Reginald Andre is a native to Miami Gardens. Growing up in a fatherless home, in a low income neighborhood, attending schools that were less than stellar, he overcomes the stigma of becoming a statistic! He shares how he replaced the “victim mentality” with a “victory mentality.” Listen in as Reginald makes an appeal for our urban youth to rise above oppression and seize OPPORTUNITY! Connect with Reginald at: https://www.facebook.com/arksolvers/ https://www.facebook.com/reginald.andre.9 https://www.facebook.com/TheMavunoProject/

From politics to policing and everything in between you’ll get to hear a very raw and informed dialogue with one of Miami Gardens beloved influential voices Janey Tate! Pastor Darren dives right in deep with Janey as they tackle issues of racism, black on black crime, Black Live Matter, The Church and much more! You’ll want to follow Janey on social media: Facebook: Hy-Lo News Instagram: @HyLoNews Twitter: @Hy_LoNews LinkedIn: Hy-Lo News

South Florida is launching a chapter of the And Campaign! The launch rally took place TODAY in Miami AND YOU get to go behinds the scene with pastor Darren as he interviews indigenous folk from Miami. Has the CHURCH done enough when it comes to the sin a racism? You’ll hear some raw responses right here on Miami VOICE!

Pastor Darren (a pastor in Miami Gardens) explains the “why” behind launching this new podcast! He gets very raw with issues that are perpetuating around the community. He emphasizes why it’s important to raise the volume on the voices of indigenous folks that reside in Miami Gardens.