Episodes

In this episode we sit down with David N. Mitchell, President and CEO of The Unity Production Group, LLC. and Dir. of Drama Ministry for the AME Church. Mitchell is Chicago native and a graduate of Grambling State University. He holds a B.A. in Theatre and Business and is an award winning playwright, actor and director. Mitchell combined his love for theatre and ministry to found "The Tipping Point Project in Asheville, NC to meet the needs of their youth population. The program uses theatre ...

In this episode, we sit down with the Gwinnett District Attorney, Patsy Austin-Gatson and her husband of twenty six years, Travis Gatson. The couple talks about Travis long career in law enforcement, being one of only three black officers in Gwinnett County in 1988, how they met and manage to balance family, work and faith. Join us for an inspiring conversation with a couple that helped to change the face of law enforcement in Gwinnett County.

We sit down with Cobb County School Board Candidate, Laura Judge. Laura Judge is a mom, a Navy veteran, and a passionate educational justice advocate. She is also a volunteer lead with Moms Demand Action and an active PTA member. She speaks during public comment at school board meetings regularly, holds educational events for students at a county level, and shares the importance of keeping kids safe around firearms. Laura is currently the President and Chief Operations Officer of Content Mons...

Nikki Reeves and Leroy Lamar cofounded Comprehensive Community Services. Nikki serves as both the Director of Operations and volunteer coordinator. She has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations, including volunteering with anti-trafficking organizations for two years before settling in at Serenity’s Steps, the predecessor to CCS. Leroy has significant experience in service provision and relationship building, particularly within the homelessness and nonprofit sector. He ...

Karen and Cat sit down with Forrest Tuff, Author, CEO, Film Producer, Master Coach and Speaker. Forrest is the CEO and founder of One Vision Productions, a media and branding agency voted Best of Georgia. Recognized among the Top 5 CEOs to Watch in 2024 and Georgia's Most Influential Leaders, he is a Master Life Coach and keynote speaker. Tuff has produced commercials, documentaries, films, podcasts, and TV shows. He was voted the Top Filmpreneur® of the Year by the International Association of ...

Georgia State Representative Ruwa Romman was born in Jordan and is the granddaughter of Palestinian refugees. Ruwa is passionate about politics, civic engagement, interfaith dialogue, and community service. As an organizer, policy analyst, and management specialist, she works to empower communities and everyday people to become more civically engaged. She now serves as the State Representative for House District 97. Rep Romman also discusses her personal relationship with the Gaza conflict. S...

In this episode we sit down with Jennifer Jean-Francois,Board Member for Project WINN, and Chief Financial Officer, aka The Budget Maven, for WINN Network. The WINN’s brand focuses on mindset development and financial competency. The group offers workshops and educational tools to prepare students for real life scenarios. Project WINN is committed to enhancing personal development education for underserved communities, addressing the critical gaps in educational opportunities with a rich array o...

In this episode, we talk with Curtis Butler, III, as he shares his journey of becoming an unhoused veteran into acts of compassion and service to receiving the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, his story is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Curtis shares his early struggles with homelessness and the challenges he faced as a veteran reintegrating into civilian life. Despite these obstacles, he embarked on a journey of resilience and determination that would eventually lead him...

In this episode we are joined by Gamel DeWise and Paul Posey from the Helping Hands Travels, LLC to discuss mental health challenges for men. Gamel is the CEO/Founder of The Helping Hand Travels LLC and a certified behavior modification & anger management specialist who worked in the field of Social Service and Behavioral Health for over three decades. Paul Posey is an author, Inspirational Speaker and Mental Health Coach. To contact or purchase his books, go to www.neg2posbooks.com Helpin...

Michelle Benitez is an Emmy-Award winning journalist. She is the evening and late news anchor on Univision 34 at Atlanta, Georgia. Michelle was a panelist in the Georgia Gubernatorial Debate 2022 and interviews high ranking official from the White House and local agencies. Prior to that Michelle anchored Noticias WINK and Univision WSFL in Fort Myers, Florida for two years. She interviewed elected officials, celebrities and musicians. Covered high profile crime cases, fires, hurricane damages an...

Marlene Fosque became the first black county commissioner in Gwinnett County in 2018. She joins us to talk about her historic win, her imprint on the region, and bridging communities through economic development and connectivity.

Chef Katrina is a sought-after speaker, author, and female business mentor. In 2021 she co-founded the first-ever female business education platform, Truth Bomb Academy™. Providing the back to basic female business training which completely disrupts the ‘male’ modeling of business that women have been experiencing their entire lives. Her mission is to create more female millionaires. Contact information: Email: Katrina@truthbombmarketing.com Website: https://truthbombmarketing.com Po...

Black Children’s Book Week (2/25/24 - 3/2/24) celebrates Black children and Black-authored books for them. We sat down with four authors. Soleil Cross, known as Dr. Soleil is an eight-year-old author with a passion for STEM, and telling stories.“Pluto- Special, Just the Same Dwarf Planet” is her first book. Find it at https://www.solrizingstemadv.com/ or amazon Susan H. Hines, author of “Buckley is a Busy Boy” and “Buckley’s Family Fishing Trip”. Follow the adventures of this loveable pooc...

We talk with Georgia State legislators, Sen Tonya Anderson (Senate District 43), Representatives Doreen Carter (House Dist 93) and Segun Adeyina ( House Dist 110) about the current legislative session.

Mrs. Baldwin began her career in Ellaville, Georgia, as a teacher at a segregated high school. She went on to Columbus ,Ga and taught for ten years at Hardaway High School. Baldwin then moved to Gwinnett County to teach at Central Gwinnett High School, becoming the sole black teacher, and eventually the school's principal. From there, Baldwin was recruited to Buford City Schools as a principal. After four years in Buford, the board hired her to became the school superintendent. They did not r...

Robin Edwards is the Sr. Program Manager with the National Black MBA Association. In her role, is responsible for developing and implementing programs to help entrepreneurs elevate their businesses to the next level. She joins us to talk about the NBMBA's Collegiate Innovation Challenge. It is a 5-week virtual program for college students with entrepreneurial visions. The challenge equips students to take their plans and turn them into reality by connecting the students with innovative tools ...

Join us for a conversation with John Moye, Urban League Senior Director for Policy, Legislative Affairs and Civic Engagement on the State of Black Georgia. We discuss the 2024 legislative priorities for the urban league and their 2022 Publication, "The State of Black Georgia", which provides policy recommendations in the critical areas of education, justice reform, civic engagement, health care and economics. A copy of the report can be found at ulgatl.org.

Ta’Lia and Tanya are the Co-presidents and founder of Mind Over Matter. Mind Over Matter was formed in February of 2023 to spread awareness of mental health among teenagers. The students discuss how they are helping to break down the stigma of mental health and the self-care practices they are sharing with their peers. If you have any young people in your life, please share this episode with them. If you would like to donate or learn more about Mind Over Matter, please follow them on IG @sghs...

In this conversation, we sit down with Karen Ramsey of the Gwinnett Housing Corporation. Karen joined the GHC team in August 2022 as the Housing Initiatives Director. As the Housing Initiatives Director, Karen is responsible for the planning, supervision and operation of various programs and initiatives. She is also responsible for seeking grant funding opportunities for GHC and completing the grant application process. Karen brings to GHC 15 years of affordable housing experience as well as cer...

Recently, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones, in a 516-page order, ordered the state of Georgia to go back to the drawing board and redraw the state's legislative boundaries. Specifically, Jones directed the state to draw two new Black-majority districts in Georgia. Georgia’s Republican majority General Assembly and governor were directed to take action before Dec. 8, saying he wouldn’t permit 2024 elections to go forward under the current maps. On October 26, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp call...

Thomas Livsey, known affectionately as the "Unofficial Mayor of the Promised Land" was a landowner, business owner and community activist. The Livsey and Andersons families were the cornerstones of the black community in southern Gwinnett County. Thomas Livsey transitioned recently and we ask that you donate to chadlivseyproject.com to honor his life and his love for the Promised Land community.

Are you looking for unique Christmas gifts? On this episode we talk with two youthprenuers that started their own businesses while still in high school. The students juggle school, extra-curricular activities and entrepeneurialship. Support these small business owners by shopping with: Taliaa Pouncey, Owner, Liaas Arts and Crafts Website: https://liaasartsncrafts.myshopify.com/ IG: Liaas_ArtsnCrafts ____________ Awa Kone, Owner, Starzhoodies IG: Starzhoodies _____________ ...

Karen and Cat sit down with Vance Williams to talk about personal safety during the holiday season and beyond. Vance is a decorated Police Officer . Since January 2023 he serves as an Investigator for the Gwinnett County District Attorney since January 2023, as a Criminal Investigator. Vance has been a Georgia Law Enforcement Officer for over 30 years. In 1992, Vance Williams began his law enforcement career as a Corrections Officer with the City of Atlanta. He served as an Investigator, Insp...

Karen and Cat had the honor to be the guest speakers at the South Gwinnett Student Leadership Team Fall Summitt. We discussed public speaking and afterwards answered questions on a variety of topics. It was truly an honor to spend time with these dynamic young people.