Episodes

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.

We chat with Erica Pope, candidate for Dacula City Council about this week's elections and it's impact. To volunteer, donate and help Cat get over the finish line on December 5th, go to electcat.com

In this episode, we are joined by Mimi Cole and Jaidah Liverman. Mimi is the founder of The Ivy Elite Foundation. She shares her personal journey of starting the organization and the inspiration behind it. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges faced by families and individuals with special needs, and how the foundation aims to support them. Contact The Ivy Elite Foundation at : Email: MrsJaidah@theivyelite.com Phone Number: (678) 424-0711 Website: https://theivyelite.com Insta...

Kaswaina Powell is an author, a poet and the owner of Pen To Paper Your Magic.Inc. Kaswaina opened Pen To Paper Your Magic in 2018 in Brooklyn New York. Pen To Paper Your Magic is art collective designed to provide a safe space for children to discover their creativity and unpack their positive self confidence in child development to literacy and creative expression! Kaswaina opened a Snellville location in 2021 and now provides homeschooling programs, after school programming, drop in canvas...

Karen and Cat discuss local Georgia municipal races with candidates Yoon Mi Hampton, Solange Destang and Erica Pope. Yoon Mi Hampton is a current member of the Lilburn City Council seeking reelection. To contact Councilwoman Hampton, you may reach her at https://yoonmihampton.com. Solange Destang, currently sits on the Snellville City Council, Post 2, and is the first black woman to do so. You can find out more about Councilwoman Destang by going to https://electsolangedestang.com/ Erica P...

Ketara Gray is a wife, mother, daughter and worshipper. After experiencing loss and learning how to overcome her fears and move past the grief, Ketara had a desire to work with others who need to step out of their comfort or uncomfortable zone. It became her life mission to inspire people to be brave and full of coverage. Ketara created the Brave Woman Academy to transform the fearful into fearless. Her goal is to help create healthy community and strong leadership! Join us for this conversat...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that black women are disproportionately affected by more aggressive and inflammatory breast cancers, and are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and at more advanced stages of the disease? In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month we're joined by Betty Ibrahim and Ingred Lett to discuss their journey from diagnosis to survivors. #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #breastcancerawarenessmonth #breasthealthmatters

Antonio Hicks wears many hats. He's a Network Engineer with a large telecommunications company in the S.E, a digital content producer at Atlanta Technical College, owner of Engineering Tomorrow, and host and producer of PTGTV.online a podcast dedicated to politics, technology, and gaming. He joins us to discuss educational opportunities and career paths in technology as he shares how he entered the field. If you have any young people that may be interested or leaning towards a career path in t...

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We are joined by mental health professional, Arlevia DeLoach of Building Brighter Futures, Inc to discuss how to talk about mental health, signs to look for in our loved ones, when and how to get assistance for yourself or someone that you love and gun safety. We can all help prevent suicide. If you or someone that you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 to talk to a professional. The 988 Lifeline provides...

In this episode we chat with fellow podcaster, Ursula B of, "Black Girls Getting Their Shift Together". Ursula dispenses her wisdom on the importance of therapy, the power of saying no, and making yourself a priority. You can find the "Black Girls Getting Their Shift Together" podcast on the following platforms: Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36HxpXIiAxk8ukRVF4tajw Podcast Link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bggtst Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/Gemston197606...

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat we are joined by Candice Washington and Hotep of Black Education Station. BES is a streaming TV network providing educational content for black children ages 0-10. Candace and Hotep are educational specialists focused on school data and educational success strategies. The discussion centers on the resources, information and tools that parents should equip themselves with to educate the whole child. Candice is the Director of PR & Communicati...

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, we chat with Kimberly Reese and the Board of Directors of Lioness Queens, Corp. Lioness Queens is a nonprofit that invests into the development of supporting, mentoring and empowerment of young girls ages 10-19 to reach their full potential in all areas of life. Lioness Queen's mission is to introduce young girls in three pillars of the organization: History, Honor, and Change. Founded in February 2023, the board members understand the need f...

Teshara Felder-Livingston of National Nurses United talks with Karen and Cat about the nursing crisis within our VA health care system. She discusses issues of retention, work schedules and patient/nurse ratios.Nurse Felder- Livingston is an RN and served for 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a Public Health Officer. She was part of the U.S. Navy Commissioned Officers Medical Service Corps, achieving the rank of LCDR. Felder-Livingston is an OEF/OIF veteran, serving 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as...

Karen and Cat catch up on community events and Cat's campaign. Find out if you qualify to receive a free tablet or cell phone.Information on the program mentioned in the episode: FREE TABLETS ($20 for one-time Activation Fee) & FREE CELL PHONES $30 for one-time $30 Activation Fee), no additional cost.To pre-qualify for the FREE TABLET aorPHONE, click this link: https://form.jotform.com/232184969158166 Bridging Life Gaps has partnered with Maxsip Telecom who has secured a federal government co...

In this episode we talk with two kidpreneurs. Ten-year old owner of JR Slime, Jill Redd, makes and sells slime for birthday parties, daycare centers, camps, community events and other kid friendly organizations. To book JR Slime, contact Anita Redd, 770-330-8446, anitalynnredd@gmail.com. Zaira Bhatti is the founder and CEO of MarketRight. She started the agency about a year ago in her high school's Entrepreneurship program. She aims to help politicians and businesses market themselves the righ...

In this episode we meet with educators, mentors and advocates to discuss issues that parents and learners will face in the upcoming school year. Tune in as we chat with Gwinnett County School Board Member, Karen Watkins- District 1; Dr. Peryenthia Gore, Community School Coordinator-Shiloh Cluster; James Rayford, Director of Academic Support - Gwinnett County Schools; Carla Jordan, Engagement Specialist, Educator; and Marlyn Tillman, Director - Gwinnett Stopp. You can reach the participants at...

Gwinnett high schools students Nardose Mekonnen and Samrawit Solomon cofounded Relief and Restore, a non profit organization founded to help serve the needs of their community. The organization has grown to over one hundred students and alumni of Shiloh High School. We sit down with Nardose, Samrawit, Hasset Mengesti, Firdows Abdulwahab, Miles Kilpatrick and their sponsor Dr. Gore to talk about the vision and mission of Relief and Restore.To learn more about the organization follow them on socia...

Abiodun Charlotte Henderson is a community organizer and Executive Director of The Come Up Project which features Gangstas to Growers, an agribusiness training program for formerly incarcerated young adults, and the developing Sweet Sol, a worker-owned cooperative. She has been an organizer in Southwest Atlanta for over 10 years and under her leadership, the Westview Community Garden is now community-owned. Abiodun is a board member of the Georgia Cooperative Development Center, the Collective C...

Tamika Ray-Head is the Founder and Director of PinkSTEM Inc. Her current position is the STEM Director and Robotics Coach of surrounding groups in Atlanta Metro Area. She began her journey for mentoring youth in 1998 for the Boys and Girls Club in Augusta GA. She volunteered there several summers as a tutor and mentor. Upon graduating high school in Augusta Georgia, Tamika joined the US Air Force following her dads footsteps. During her tenure she was an Air Traffic Controller Supervisor and tra...