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Building Resilience and Disrupting HR with Chrissy Myers | The Beacon Way PodcastIn this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrian welcomes Chrissy Myers, CEO of AUI and Clarity HR, and author of 'Reluctantly Resilient'. Chrissy shares her journey of taking over and scaling her family business, starting a new venture, and leading through personal and professional challenges. They discuss the importance of resilience, authenticity in leadership, and navigating the evolving HR landscape. Tune in to hear Chrissy's insights on managing generational businesses, the impact of the pandemic on work environments, and the critical role of peer groups for business leaders.About Chrissy Myers: Chrissy is the author of Reluctantly Resilient and the CEO of AUI and Clarity HR which serve small and medium sized businesses in both for profit and non-profit sectors in the areas of Human Resources and Employee Benefits. Chrissy describes herself as the chief cheerleader setting direction, steering marketing content, and finding creative ways to disrupt two established business sectors. Chrissy is also the author of AUI Gives Back & Clarity Cares two community impact programs where employees serve in the community, track their impact and share what they are doing on behalf of their customers. Around Akron Chrissy works to leave her community a better place. She is a graduate of Leadership Ohio, Torchbearers, Leadership Akron, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Sclaerator NEO and Community Leadership Institute. She has received the 30 for the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber and an Achievement on Excellence Award from National Sales and Marketing Executives. As an advocate for families struggling with addiction and mental health issues, Chrissy currently serves as Chair for the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Akron Chamber and Goodwill Industries of Northeast Ohio. Previously Chrissy has served on the Board or Committees for Jobs for Ohio Graduates, Red Oak Behavioral Health, Community Partnership of Summit County, and Social Venture Partners. Chrissy received her bachelor's in business administration from John Carroll University and her MBA from the University of Akron. When she is not plotting world domination of the insurance industry or volunteering in the community Chrissy can be found at home with Team Awesome Sauce including Steve, her husband, two kiddos - Maddy & Caleb. Purchase Chrissy's Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4RHL17L?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_4FJ68Q15WSE8XVMMHHCQ&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_4FJ68Q15WSE8XVMMHHCQ&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_4FJ68Q15WSE8XVMMHHCQ&bestFormat=true00:00 Introduction to the Beacon Way Podcast00:46 Chrissy Myers' Background and Journey01:57 Generational Business and AUI's History04:11 Launching Clarity HR07:07 Navigating HR Challenges During COVID-1914:54 Resilience and Leadership as a CEO18:16 Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges18:40 The Myth of Perfection in Business19:25 Authenticity in Leadership20:08 Balancing Transparency and Leadership20:56 Building Resilient Teams23:05 The Reality of Startup Life24:53 Managing Growth and Transitions26:41 The Entrepreneurial Mindset34:32 The Importance of Peer Groups
How to be Resilient Take away: Knowing your purpose helps you make decisions, motivates you through hard times, and ensures your business serves you rather than the other way around. It enables you to build a business and life you love. Money Learnings: Chrissy learned that money was connected to effort, saving, giving, and planning from her family business background and religious schooling. Working for what you want and managing money responsibly were instilled early. Bio: Chrissy is the author of Reluctantly Resilient and CEO of AUI and Clarity HR which provide insurance benefits and HR services to small and medium sized businesses in both for profit and non-profit sectors. Chrissy describes herself as the chief cheerleader for both companies setting direction, steering marketing content, and finding creative ways to disrupt two established business sectors. Chrissy is also the author of AUI Gives Back & Clarity Cares two community impact programs where employees serve in the community, track their impact and share what they are doing on behalf of their customers. Around Akron Chrissy works to leave her community a better place. She is a graduate of Leadership Ohio, Torchbearers, Leadership Akron, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Scalerator NEO and Community Leadership Institute. She has received the 30 for the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber and an Achievement on Excellence Award from National Sales and Marketing Executives. As an advocate for families struggling with addiction and mental health issues, Chrissy serves as the Vice Chair of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board of Summit County. In addition, Chrissy serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Akron Chamber, Goodwill Industries of Northeast Ohio and Jobs for Ohio Graduates. Chrissy received her Bachelors in Business Administration from John Carroll University and her MBA from the University of Akron. When she is not plotting world domination of the insurance industry or volunteering in the community Chrissy can be found at home with Team Awesome Sauce who includes her husband, Steve, and two children, Maddy and Caleb. Highlights from this episode: Having clear business and personal purpose statements helps provide direction and alignment. Know exactly why you are in business. Prepare for disruptions and downturns - they are inevitable. Profitable businesses build cash reserves to weather storms. Hire people who match your culture. Don't just hire for skills. Culture drives results. Manage work-life balance. Set boundaries and have open communication with family. The business serves you, not the other way around. Foster resilience. Take care of your mental health. Showing vulnerability is strength. Survive hard days. Help employees become more resilient by leading by example, listening, and providing tools for soft skills development. Their whole life affects their work life. Links: Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissymyersceo/ Instagram: @chrissymyersceo Email: chrissym@clarityhr.com Reluctantly Resilient: https://a.co/d/72t7doY AUI: www.auiinfo.com ClarityHR: www.clarityhr.com Richer Soul Life Beyond Money. You got rich, now what? Let's talk about your journey to more a purposeful, intentional, amazing life. Where are you going to go and how are you going to get there? Let's figure that out together. At the core is the financial well being to be able to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It's about personal freedom! Thanks for listening! Show Sponsor: http://profitcomesfirst.com/ Schedule your free no obligation call: https://bookme.name/rockyl/lite/intro-appointment-15-minutes If you like the show please leave a review on iTunes: http://bit.do/richersoul https://www.facebook.com/richersoul http://richersoul.com/ rocky@richersoul.com Some music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.
In this episode, the host discusses leadership with Dan Blakemore, the vice president of philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They explore the qualities of a good leader, the importance of adapting to change, and the commitment to learning. They also discuss how leaders can motivate their teams and embrace new technologies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on succession planning and measuring the social impact of nonprofit work.TakeawaysA good leader is someone who lives the mission, encourages others, and leads by example.Leaders need qualities such as good relationship management, the ability to take direction, strategic thinking, and inclusivity.Leaders must be open to new ideas and adapt to changes in the nonprofit sector.Succession planning is important for ensuring the continuity of leadership within an organization.Measuring the social impact of nonprofit work involves setting smart objectives, distinguishing between outputs and outcomes, and being transparent with stakeholders.Dan Blakemore, CFRE is Vice President of Philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.Throughout his more than 15 years in non-profit fundraising, he has worked in museums, the performing arts and higher education. Dan is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), where he serves as the U.S. Political Action Committee Vice Chair and a member of the Government Relations Committee. He is a board member and past President of AFP's Northeast Ohio Chapter. Dan serves his community as a Diversity on Board Coach with Leadership Akron, as a Trustee of the African American Archives Auxiliary at Western Reserve Historical Society, and on the boards of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the National Park Friends Alliance. He is a proud graduate of both Howard University and New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.He lives in Northeast Ohio with his wife and three young kids.Chapters00:33 Guest Introduction01:32 Defining a Good Leader03:09 Adapting to Change04:03 Commitment to Learning05:23 Staying Connected in a Pandemic06:20 Motivating the Team08:19 Embracing New Technologies09:37 Succession Planning16:09 Identifying Future Leaders35:15 Coaches Corner: “how can we effectively measure the social impact of our nonprofit's work?“Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review.Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app.Got a question that you'd like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
EPISODE SUMMARY: Unleash the entrepreneur in you with the wisdom of Chrissy Myers, a powerhouse in the realm of real estate and the CEO of three thriving companies. Embark on a journey with Chrissy as she unveils the narrative of her unique life - from birthing a book on Amazon to steering the wheels of a blended family with the acumen of a seasoned business leader. Be inspired by her fervor for philanthropy, as she serves on numerous nonprofit boards and ardently helps Northeast Ohioans secure employment. In a world of constant hustle, Chrissy shares the secret to maintaining peace amidst pandemonium. Take notes as she demonstrates how to juggle multiple roles without dropping the ball - navigating her multifaceted career, authoring books, and co-running a commercial real estate business. Chrissy's sage advice extends to cultivating emotional resilience, achieving equilibrium between work and life, and fostering tranquility in chaos. Finally, Chrissy imparts invaluable lessons on fostering a culture of life in business rather than one ruled by revenue. We delve into the notion of taking a long-term view of success, planning life in decades while living in moments, and ensuring smooth transitions within a family business. Gain insights from her experience about the early cultivation of relationships and the pivotal role it plays in the seamless passing of a family business from one generation to the other. This episode is your ticket to an enriching discourse on maintaining balance, future planning, and successful business transitions. CHRISSY'S BIO: Chrissy is the author of Reluctant Resilience and CEO of AUI and Clarity HR which provide insurance benefits and HR services to small and medium sized businesses in both for profit and non-profit sectors. Chrissy describes herself as the chief cheerleader for both companies setting direction, steering marketing content, and finding creative ways to disrupt two established business sectors. Chrissy is also the author of AUI Gives Back & Clarity Cares two community impact programs where employees serve in the community, track their impact and share what they are doing on behalf of their customers. Around Akron Chrissy works to leave her community a better place. She is a graduate of Leadership Ohio, Torchbearers, Leadership Akron, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Scalerator NEO and Community Leadership Institute. As an advocate for families struggling with addiction and mental health issues, Chrissy serves as the Vice Chair of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board of Summit County. In addition, Chrissy serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Akron Chamber, Goodwill Industries of Northeast Ohio and Jobs for Ohio Graduates. Chrissy received her Bachelors in Business Administration from John Carroll University and her MBA from the University of Akron. When she is not plotting world domination of the insurance industry or volunteering in the community Chrissy can be found at home with Team Awesome Sauce who includes her husband, Steve, and two children, Maddy and Caleb. GE IN TOUCH WITH CHRISSY: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissymyersceo/ www.clarityhr.com www.auiinfo.com EPISODE CHAPTERS: (0:00:13) - Interview With Austin Linney and Chrissy Myers Chrissy Myers shares her success in real estate, mindset coaching, and leading a blended family, as well as her involvement with nonprofit boards and passion for helping people in Northeast Ohio get jobs, referencing 75 Hard. (0:05:04) - Calm and Happiness in Small Business Chrissy Myers shares strategies to build emotional intelligence and resiliency to manage difficult situations and balance multiple jobs. (0:13:04) - Long-Term Perspective in Business and Life Creating a life-giving culture, long-term success, social media anxieties, understanding life goals, and planning in decades are discussed. (0:24:02) - Family Business Transition Navigation Fostering healthy relationships, creating a life-giving culture, and cultivating early relationships are key to transitioning a family business. (0:27:36) - Challenges and Strategies in Business Transition Fostering healthy generational relationships, discussing payment, terms and value, owning real estate and business, and emotional transitioning of a business are discussed.
In this episode of the Business Broken to Smokin' Podcast: Lodestone True North's Head Coach Mark Whitmore interviews Jeremy Lile, Executive Director of Heart to Heart Leadership. https://www.htohleadership.org/ Their discussion includes an overview of using the Enneagram in business, CliftonStrengths, and more! Jeremy's passion is to help people discover and deploy their purpose. For over 15 years, he has coached dozens of individuals and teams to live out their core values. He believes that the foundational skills that come from the inner life have the most potential to inspire people in the work they do. In addition to leading organizational growth as the Executive Director, Jeremy enjoys facilitating The Enneagram, Leadership from Within, Appreciative Inquiry, and StrengthsFinder for Heart to Heart. Through his experience in pastoral ministry and organizational development, Jeremy has spoken at retreats and events, facilitated numerous small groups, organized community engagement, and lead small teams on missions around the country and world. Jeremy is married to the love of his life Christy and they have four children. When he's not working for Heart to Heart, Jeremy is also the lead pastor and visionary for City Hope Akron, a grassroots church and community development organization committed to serving people in West Akron. Jeremy has a B.A. in Psychology from Taylor University and a Master's of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary. He is also certified in Appreciative Inquiry, the MBTI and The Enneagram in the Heart to Heart Way. He serves on the board of the International Institute of Akron, the advisory board of the Institute for Leadership Advancement at the University of Akron's College of Business Administration, the committee for Leadership Akron's “Shift Akron”, and as a host at The Landing open choice food pantry at Akron Christian Reformed Church. Jeremy is a graduate of Leadership Akron's Signature Class 34, a recipient of the Greater Akron Chamber's “30 for the Future” award, a recipient of the University of Akron's EX[L] Center “Community Champion” award, and the 2019 recipient of the NSME Akron/Canton's “Outstanding Community Leader” award. 0:00 Intro 4:12 The Heart To Heart way (Look within, lead beyond)… Awareness Appreciation Authenticity Application 9:52 What are some of the outcomes with Heart to Heart or what does it look like when the needle moves for a leader? 17:11 What sort of assessment is around EQ? 18:40 Enneagram reference 20:46 Enneagram summary 22:08 What is your go to for taking the Enneagram? Rheti assessment, 144 questions… at the enneagram institute website https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/rheti?gclid=CjwKCAjw_aemBhBLEiwAT98FMsycB7x2A1KIZLWJB80nI8zXbKUsaYCdFGMNTuyJAXY6_iZLr_pOnxoCWwUQAvD_BwE 25:12 Where did the enneagram come from? 26:17 Reference to Ginger Lapid-Bogda https://theenneagraminbusiness.com 27:54 What's next steps after taking the enneagram assessment? 29:05 Book reference - What type of a leader are you by Ginger Lapid-Bagda 34:32Summary of the nine enneagram types The Heart (mitigate feelings) 2, 3, 4 The Head (mitigate fear) 5, 6, 7 The Gut (mitigate anger) 8, 9, 1 52:31 “Through the lens of the Enneagram” 56:27 Reference to Lencioni's 5 Dysfunctions of Team 58:52 “Invitational accountability” 59:46 Clifton Strengths assessment https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_strengths_branded_cs_ecom&utm_term=cliftonstrengths&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_aemBhBLEiwAT98FMl-e7Uzx6OiYpwmUS0n-sG1nRK0aTMlutmcmg66Q8_pz7Nl02p1f2RoC9r4QAvD_BwE 34 core talents or themes Website: https://www.lodestonetruenorth.com LinkedIn Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-whitmore-lodestone/LinkedIn Lodestone: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lodestone-true-northLodestone Online Courses: https://lodestone.thinkific.com Podcast: https://lodestonetruenorth.com/podcast/
TABLEAU 2022: Tableau is Akron Roundtable's annual fundraising dinner which sets the stage for an evening of great discussion with a celebrated speaker. Our special guest, Connie Schultz, will step away from the podium to share personal insights and life experiences in an intimate conversation with Justin Hilton, Executive Director, Leadership Akron. Your generosity by attending this fundraiser will help Akron Roundtable bring exceptional speakers to Northeast Ohio. Speaker: Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for USA Today and author of the New York Times bestselling novel, The Daughters of Erietown. She is also a Professional in Residence at Kent State University's School of Media & Journalism, where she teaches opinion writing, feature writing and ethics. Schultz has been featured for her work in numerous publications and interviews, including The New Yorker, NPR, Politico, Kirkus Reviews Magazine, Glamour, Columbia Journalism Review, The Washington Post, and Ohio Magazine. Her book reviews appear regularly in The Washington Post, and she has also written for The New York Times, Politico, Parade, The Atlantic, Time, The Nation, Glamour, Democracy Journal and ESPN Magazine, among others. For more event details and full speaker bio please visit: https://bit.ly/3eRT9Jt
Ray talked to Dr. Sylvester Small, the first black Superintendent of Akron Public Schools. Dr. Small has been a big part of the community with work in the NAACP, Leadership Akron, Coming Together Project, and more. They discuss the family move to Akron, his work in the Akron Public School District, community, and more.
December’s Leadership on Main featured Traci Buckner, Executive Director of the Akron Children’s Museum. Traci joins Barry Dunaway, the new President of Leadership Akron for a conversation around the intentionality of community throughout the museum exhibits, and Traci’s career trajectory that led her to lead Akron’s first children’s museum in the heart of downtown Akron. Traci shares her experience in STEM education and leadership, and the importance of STEM learning in a child’s educational journey. Full show notes here.
March’s Leadership on Main marked the first live recording of a Leadership on Main event, featuring David Lieberth, President of Lieberth Consulting Group. In this episode, Dave sits down with Stephanie York, Vice President and In-House Counsel at Hennes Communications, as they discuss Dave’s long list of life and career achievements. Throughout his career, Dave has served as a news director, reporter, radio DJ, an attorney, as the mayor’s chief of staff, deputy mayor, and as a downtown developer and activist, to name a few. In 1974 Dave was a part of the conversations that would later lead to the inception of Leadership Akron. As a founder and life trustee of Leadership Akron, Dave has been instrumental in shaping the journey of our leaders who have gone through each class of the Leadership Akron Signature Program, as well as numerous other Leadership Akron programs such as NEXT and the Community Leadership Institutes. Leadership Akron is grateful for Dave’s leadership and insights he's contributed along the way. Tune in to hear more from Dave Lieberth’s Leadership on Main discussion! Full show notes here.
Discussion includes the Neighborhood Leadership Institute as well as the new president of Leadership Akron.
August's Leadership on Main featured Chief Clarence Tucker of the City of Akron Fire Department. Chief Tucker sits down with Wendy Bolas, Leadership Akron's Interim President, as they chat about shifts within the fire department to meet the changing needs of the community, the benefits of being intentional in developing an inclusive and collaborative culture, and how the Leadership Akron program offers fresh perspectives to even those deeply embedded in the community. Full show notes here.
June's Leadership on Main featured Kemp Boyd, Director of the Vassle Comprehensive Care Center of Pastoral Counseling of Summit County and Head Football Coach of Kenmore-Garfield High School. Tune in to the Leadership on Main Bonus Feature podcast as Kemp Boyd sits down with Leadership Akron's Interim President Wendy Bolas, to reflect on his experience with Leadership Akron, the importance of diversity and inclusion efforts, having the right voices at the table, and his work as head football coach of Kenmore-Garfield High School. Full show notes here.
In the special edition of Walk a Mile with Akron Leaders, former Leadership Akron president, Mark Scheffler, joins host Justin Hilton at Summit Metro Parks Clinton Trailhead, which extends from Summit County through Stark County. Mark’s transition to Executive Director of the Timken Foundation offers an opportunity to look back on his nearly thirteen-year career at Leadership Akron. In this episode, Mark explores how the foundation laid in his early years of faith, family, and responsibility serves as the guiding force for his leadership. Justin prompts Mark to reflect back on those who have been instrumental in his success, his ideas that manifested into reality, and what he envisions for his future in Stark County. Tune in to hear Mark Scheffler’s final Walk a Mile with Akron Leaders interview. Full show notes here.
March’s Leadership on Main featured David Jennings, retired Director of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. In our LOM Bonus Feature Jennings reflects on the value he places on serving the community, both is his work for ASCPL and on many of Akron’s boards. Jennings chats with Wendy Bolas, Interim President of Leadership Akron, about his motivation to be an active participant in the community, the best leadership advice he’s received, and the outcomes of the Civic Solutions Lab. Full show notes here.
In this episode of Walk a Mile with Akron Leaders, Jon Fiume, Chief Operating Officer of Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, shares his leadership journey with Leadership Akron’s past president Mark Scheffler as they walk around Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Jon serves as a current board member for Stan Hywet and enjoys the outdoor landscape it has to offer. Through his Leadership Akron Signature experience, Jon found where his passions lie in the community, which prompted his board service. “My eyes opened up to every different sector that makes up a community,” he mentioned. In his role at Mustard Seed and numerous roles prior, Jon has made the ‘customer experience’ a hallmark that guides his work. As a board member, chief operating officer and a community leader, Jon paves the way to make a lasting impact on the Akron area. Full show notes here.
February’s Leadership on Main featured Cliff Deveny, MD of Summa Health. In this bonus feature, Dr. Deveny reflects with Mark Scheffler on this past year, and the year ahead. Dr. Deveny’s leadership focuses on building hope and a culture of community engagement, but the number one priority is calming the environment to help people be more confident with Summa Health as an organization. Dr. Deveny reflects on Summa’s greatest asset—the employees—and programs put in place like the Summa CLI in collaboration with Leadership Akron. With Dr. Deveny’s leadership, Summa Health is better positioned to serve the Akron community today. Full show notes here.
In the pilot episode of Walk a Mile with Akron Leaders, guest Justin Hilton, Sr. Administrator for Community Outreach at Kent State University, joined Mark Scheffler, President of Leadership Akron, to reflect on the influence of Akron in his leadership journey. As the two walk through the heart of downtown Akron along the Ohio and Erie Towpath Trail, they discuss Akron’s strengths, challenges, and envisions for the future. Justin's career as an architectural designer spanned over the Cleveland and Akron areas including work with The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Great Lakes Science Center, The Downtown Cleveland Public Library, and Quicken Loans Arena. He became the first and youngest African American Senior Associate Vice President Executive, as well as the first African American graduate of the School of Architecture in the 105-year history of Kent State University. Justin's experience has informed the unique lens through which he leads. In today’s episode, Justin highlights the power of engaged leadership to foster relationships using a design thinking approach. Through Justin’s lens, being intentional in cultivating meaningful interactions empowers individuals to build a stronger community dynamic. Full show notes here. Catch Justin's Leadership on Main Live interview here.
In this episode of Walk a Mile with Akron Leaders, Hillary Stewart, Senior Analyst in Performance Improvement at FirstEnergy and President of Torchbearers, joins Mark Scheffler, President of Leadership Akron, as they walk a mile through the North Hill Neighborhood that Hillary calls home. When Hillary and her husband were searching for their first home, staying local to Akron was their only stipulation—but when they looked at North Hill, the rich culture and endless opportunities sold the two. As Hillary looks forward to the year ahead as Torchbearers President, she also reflects on the collaborative partnership between Leadership Akron and Torchbearers. A Torchbearer since 2013, Hillary Stewart has been prepped and primed for her role as President. In this episode, Hillary sheds light on the trajectory that led her where she is today. Her love of Akron is only matched by her drive to provide emerging leaders with opportunities to connect and develop as she did through her Torchbearers experience. Full show notes here.
In addition to being a touring musician and music professor, Theron Brown is the visionary and founder of Akron, OH's Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival. Theron is a driving force on the arts scene in Northeast Ohio and in episode 16 we talk about how he's been able to go from gigging musician to actor, playing Herbie Hancock in "Miles Ahead" directed by Don Cheadle, to music festival producer, and more recently to becoming one of Akron's 30 for the Future. Listen to the end to find out about his NYE show with Dan Wilson. www.theronbrownmusic.com http://www.greaterakronypn.org/30-for-the-future/ https://www.facebook.com/rubbercityjazz https://twitter.com/theronbrown1 https://www.knightfoundation.org/ http://opentonemusic.org/ http://blujazzakron.com/ 05:01s How I met Theron as a gigging musician 06:15s Living in New York and gigging on the Mississippi Queen paddle boat 08:35s Playing Herbie Hancock in Don Cheadle’s film “Miles Ahead” film with Ewan McGregor 13:12s The impact of being in a film – thinking bigger 16:50s Teaching at three colleges: KSU, YSU and Tri-C. 17:50s Working with the Knight Foundation to foster a vision for the arts 21:10s Detroit Jazz Festival as inspiration for Rubber City Jazz and Blues festival 24:30s Akron and the regional midwest vibe and sound of music 27:30s The genesis of the Rubber City Jazz and Blues fest with the Knight Arts Challenge 30:04s Grasping opportunity and building skills to grow into a festival producer 35:20s The nuts and bolts and what it takes to produce a music festival 38:12s Renaissance of art and culture in Akron, OH and Northeast Ohio Region 46:03s Being recognized by Akron Chamber of Commerce with 30 for the Future Award 47:50s: Leadership Akron program - and how it helped with producing the festival 50:00s Mumbai jazz fest and visiting during monsoon season 52:12s OpenTone Music and is gets music into the public schools 53:52s New Year’s eve with Dan Wilson, Chris Coles, and Tom Lehman at Blu Jazz “As things change, we have to change too, with technology especially” Enjoy this episode? Share it with friends! Click Subscribe in ITunes!