Episodes

Join us for this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat. We sit down with @Gary Stevenson who says that sharing and caring for others is in his DNA. Gary retired from the military after 24 years of service and currently works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Atlanta as a Emergency Management Specialist. Gary talks about one of his passions, his work as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer for the past seventeen (17) years. As a CASA Gary has had the op...

Join for this conversation with Carla Morrison, CEO and founder of Chit Chat Communications. Carla is setting the pace for future entrepreneurs; she is a serial entrepreneur who has developed a boutique public relations company, Chit Chat Communications, and a nonprofit organization, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, that empowers women and girls across the globe. Through Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT), Carla has brought together women and girls from all walks of life, empowering over 5,000 yo...

Ricky Green and Keshaw Tonge join us from Green House Support Inc. Ricky founded Green House Support because of his passion for community service. He saw a need to support a community that was overlooked, underserved and left out. Green House Support was born with the vision to become the world’s largest Christian-based non-profit organization that provides essential services, affordable medical and mental healthcare, short and long-term health facilities, and affordable housing. Join Green H...

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, we still down with Curtis Clemons, Deputy Chief of Investigators for the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s office. Chief Clemons discusses the rise in fentanyl abuse and deaths in the metro Atlanta area and how we all can get the message out about the dangers of this drug. Chief Clemons has extensive law enforcement background. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a former Gwinnett County deputy sheriff and Gwinnett County P...

Karen and Cat sit down with the program participants of Gwinnett Chatt Outreach. The students discuss what they've learned from the experience and what has made the most impact on their lives. Ryan Cox, founder and Exec Director, partners with community leaders, businesses, and the community itself; to develop and conduct public service programs. The students participate in college tours, behind the scene tours of area businesses, have the opportunity to attend professional team sports, such as...

In episode 37 of Conversations with Karen and Cat we speak with Zeus Luby. Zeus is the Programming Director for RED (Rehabilitation Enables Dreams) Inc. His role is to establish a foundational bond with each program participant which facilitates their trust in RED’s intent and the program’s curriculum. That trust is critically important and rooted in relatability. Mr.Luby cultivates that relatability by sharing his harrowing story of false accusations, living as a convicted felon, police brutali...

Carol Love is the Executive Director of Family Promise of Gwinnett. For the previous five years she was an Associate at Wilbanks Partners, where she focused on marketing, events, and client relationship management. Carol was the founding Director of Family Promise of Gwinnett’s Salt Light Center and is excited to be back and working with the churches, donors, and volunteers.Carol’s business career began with Ernst & Young as an Analyst in the Fraud & Investigative Disputes Services Group, and sh...

Co-Founders, Melissa Marrero and Tannia Zarate started Hispanics United Alliance for the Missing after learning about the disappearances of three hispanic young persons. The women got involved to lead their voices advocating on behalf of families and the community. The Alliance wants to raise awareness about missing persons, change how the police classify the missing and endangered and reprioritize how cases are handled.If you would like to get involved, volunteer or share any information on the...

Katherine E. Juhan-Arnold started Baby Katie’s Pharm & Kitchen in April 2014 to bring communities together through growing food. She realized a need in her community for fresh food. Many of the families in her neighborhood didn’t have time to make it to the nearest grocery store, which at the time was 20 minutes away, over a 30 minute trip minimum. So she started growing food in her backyard and in neighbors’ yards. In 2017, Baby Katie’s Pharm & Kitchen became an official nonprofit 501(c)3 and s...

Brenda Lopez Romero is Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit leading the Justice and Community Initiative. Brenda was the first American Latina elected to the Georgia General Assembly where she sat on the Education, Retirement, and State Planning and Community Affairs committees. She is the Chairwoman for the Gwinnett County Democratic Party and is a raising star in Georgia politics. She has worked over 20 years in the legal and political advocacy of immigrants ...

In this episode we chat with Maria Uribe, Manager of Donor Relations for Junior Achievement, USA. Maria is an experienced NGO professional contributing in the social good space as a team member of Junior Achievement USA (JA). JA redefines and adds value to experiential learning by removing the walls between education and the surrounding community. For more than 100 years, JA has been committed to a world where young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. Today, that...

Jean Adero is Africa's Life Coach, and founder of Executive/Life Coaching practice, Reimagine Africa. She is also the founder of Read Across Africa, a community library and learning sanctuary in Kisumu Karateng', Kenya, home to 22,000+ books, serving up to 500 community members daily. She is best know for guiding leaders of African descent to end the rat-race and release cultural shackles that prevent them from pursuing purpose and leaving a lasting legacy for the African continent. Jean l...

JeJuan Stewart, is the CEO and Lead Consultant of EAGLE 7 Consulting which has been serving families in Metro-Atlanta for over 11 years. As a retired PA Anesthetist, and now small business owner, JeJuan has designed EAGLE 7 Consulting to address the needs of underrepresented communities through innovative solutions. Solutions that are committed to empowering all to give, lead & excel (EAGLE). She is a STEAMM Advocate and Parent Coach, who is determined to disrupt the why parents are engaged. Je...

Nicole Love Hendrickson made history in November 2020, becoming the first African American Chairperson of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. Chairwoman Hendricks brings her experience, passion and commitment to work for Gwinnett County. In this interview she discusses some of the initiatives created under her leadership and her plans for the future. Join us for this informative and candid discussion with a local history maker. If you enjoyed this episode of Conversations with Karen and...

We sat down with Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor. Sheriff Taylor has the distinction of being Gwinnett County’s first elected Black Sheriff. Taylor began his law enforcement career in 1983 with the Gwinnett County Police Department. His 28-year public service background includes assignments in many areas such as undercover investigations, special investigations, the Gwinnett County Drug Task Force, and the FBI Drug Task Force. His educational background and professional development include ...

We sit down with James Greene, CEO and Founder of FC Promotions. James tells us about his forty (40) years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has worked as a roadie, event promoter, office manager, marketing consultant, road and tour manager, security consultant and personal assistant. He has had the pleasure of working with some of the biggest names in R&B music, including Patti LaBelle, Maze, New Edition, Earth Wind and Fire, Bobby Brown, Destiny's Child, Lil Wayne, Drake and othe...

Dr Heflin, is an educator and innovator. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, he earned an undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology/Computer Technology along with an MS in Technology Education and Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership/Educational Technology and a G.A.C.E certification in Engineering/Technology Education. After realizing that American children were lagging behind in STEM education, RealityTechs was born. The mission of RealityTechs is to inspire and nurture young mind to be...

Episode 25: After losing six family members in a short period of time and five children to the penal system, Melvennia Clark wanted to bring light and healing to others. Out of her pain, she founded the Shaquille Clark Foundation of Atlanta. Through the foundation, Melvinna become a community partner with hotel owners. She created an educational campaign to help the owners understand how to identify sex trafficking, assist young women to safely escape from the hotels and assists them with employ...

In this episode Karen and Cat talk with Chef Hank Reed, founder and CEO of Lettum Eat, Inc. Lettum Eat works with partner organizations to help feed families in the Metro Atlanta area. With several food trucks and volunteers, Lettum Eat has served close to two hundred thousand prepackaged meals in the past three years. In addition, the organization prepares and distributes "Ready to care bags" to the unhoused. This bags contain toiletries, blankets, food items and winter gear. Learn how you can...

Do you have a small business? Do you have plans of starting a business in 2023? Are you interested in networking with other business owners? Do you want to grow your existing business? Need to learn about getting access to capital? This episode is for you. Derrick Wilson, President of the Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce joins us to talk about GECC, their plans, goals and how you can benefit from being a member. Learn more about GECC at mygecc.org. If you enjoyed this episode of Conversatio...

Episode 22: Conversations with Dr. Nicole Steele, Life Coach, Minister and CEO of Diamonds in the Rough, Inc (ditr.org). Dr. Steele discusses the mission of DITR, " transforming the world....one child, one family, one community at a time." Join us in the engaging conversation as you hear how DITR supports young woman, empowers parents and is helping to develop future leaders by providing group mentoring, leadership training, career coaching and family enrichment activities. If you are inspired...

What are your holiday plans? Are you traveling? Will you be spending time with family and friends? Join this episode as we talk about holiday plans and our vision for 2023. Karen and Cat, Podcast hosts Conversations with Karen and Cat www.karenandcat.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/karen.and.cat/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenAndCatTalk FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4931069633670258 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-rEdAehP3cWKNLBSjH0agg #podcastofcolor #womanpodcas...

The holiday season is here! Are you looking for the perfect unique gift for your friends, family and coworkers. Then we have the show for you! Karen and Cat's Cream of the Crop, where we feature products from local small businesses to help you find the perfect gift, from clothing, personal care items, unique handbags, jewelry and more. 1. Precious Jones, Me Plus Tea, MePlusTea.Com 2. Tina Ison, Ison Products, Isonproducts.com, 6330 Lawrenceville Hwy Suite A5, Tucker, GA 30084. Bath salts, body...

On October 16th, Karen and Cat hosted "Your Voices Matter Youth Summit. This was the first in a series of community engagement events that the podcasters intend to host. The purpose of the summit was to hear and learn from the students of Shiloh and South Gwinnett High Schools. Students discuss the recent incidents of violence in their schools and what actions they would like administration to take. Students also had the opportunity to hear from community advocates working in mental health, conf...