Episodes

Karen and Cat sit down with Gabe Okaye at Mimi's Ice Cafe in Lawrenceville. Gabe is seeking his first term in the Georgia House of Representatives. Prior to running for office, Candidate Okaye helped to turn Gwinnett County blue as the Chairman of the Gwinnett Democratic Party. An engineer by trade, Gabe is also no stranger to public service. He previously served on the Gwinnett Planning Commission and as past Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in the Americas. Learn more about Gabe'...

We met Leonard Dungee, Founder and Co-CEO of Hope Hustlers, Inc. at the Black Push, Gun Violence Summit. We were so moved by his story that we had to have him on to share his life work. In this episode Leonard opens up about going from being a stockbroker to convicted drug dealer. He spent time in federal and state prison and now works with young people offering violence prevention initiatives and re-entry programs for convicted felons. Dungee and his team also offer GED programs, mentors, life...

Join us for episode 16 of Conversations with Karen and Cat. Karen and Cat sit down to discuss the lessons they have learned in the previous fifteen episodes and their intentions with this podcast. The Ankara and African clothing store mentioned in this episode is kubakingdomllc.com. You can also follow them on IG @kuba_kingdomllc and on facebook at kubakingdom llc. To sign up for the "Our Voices Matter Youth Summit", Sunday, October 16th at 3-5 pm, go to https://www.karenandcat.com/p/lets-talk...

Karen and Cat had the pleasure to speak with Dr. Calvin Ellison, Author and CEO/Founder of Success Dynamics, Inc. Dr. Ellison stopped by to tell us about the different programs that Success Dynamics, Inc is involved in. We were particularly interested in their partnership with the office of the Gwinnett County District Attorney creating the RIZER Generation Rites of Passage Program. The RIZER program is a twelve (12) week modular training program aimed at youth ages 11 to 17. The program trains ...

In episode 14, Karen and Cat sat down with Rev. Shaun Smith, Founder, President and CEO of Black Push, Inc and Kimberlyn Carter, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Rep Ga, Inc. after the Gun Violence Roundtable held at the historic First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta on September 10th, 2022. The roundtable was an opportunity for elected officials and community leaders to hear firsthand from victims of gun violence and how it has impacted their lives. The event was meant as a first step in ...

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, we sit down with Marlyn Tillman, Executive Director of Gwinnett SToPP. Marlyn discusses the vital work of her organization as they organize parents, students and community leaders to dismantle the school to prison pipeline. They conduct workshops, Parent Leadership Institutes and advocate for and against policies which impact learners being funneled out of the regular education setting into alternative school and the juvenile and adult crimina...

In this episode, Karen and Cat sit down with Council woman Marlene Taylor-Crawford at Le Gomier Restaurant in Lawrenceville, Ga. Taylor-Crawford is an educator and community leader. Prior to being elected to the Lawrenceville City Council, she served as Chair of the Gwinnett Historical and Restoration Board and as past president of the United Ebony Society. In this episode learn how Councilwoman Taylor-Crawford continues to impact and serve the community and what issues drove her to run for publ...

In this episode, Karen and Cat sit down with John Harris, founder and director of Inner City Achievers Network, Inc (ICAN). ICAN is a 501(c) 3, nonprofit founded by John to empower young people with education, conflict resolution and community engagement. The program is designed to strengthen the character of young people through these three areas. To learn more about ICAN and to find out how you can support their mission, email John Harris at innercityachievers@gmail.com, visit the website at i...

In Episode 10, Karen and Cat sit down with Nabilah Islam, Democratic Candidate for Georgia Senate, District 7. Nabilah grew up in Gwinnett County, was educated in Gwinnett County Public Schools and attended Georgia State University while working full time and paying her way through college. Nabilah discusses what it means to be the first in her family to graduate college and how she became a small business owner. Her story is truly one of an "American tale". As a first generation American, she u...

In episode 9, Karen and Cat sit down with Chad Livsey, founder and CEO of the Chad Livsey Project at the After Taste Smoke House and Grill. Chad also is the cofounder and a Director of Come Clean Gwinnett and Come Clean Atlanta. He is responsible for organizing and cleaning up areas of Gwinnett County and in the City of Atlanta. Chad and his volunteers have picked up tons of trash over the years and are helping to maintain the quality of life for many of the residents. Learn more about Chad Livs...

In Episode 8, Karen and Cat sit down with Ryan Cox, Democratic Candidate for House District 111. Candidate Cox discusses his near-death experience that fortified his resolve to make healthcare available for all Georgians. He also explains what initiatives he wants to see implemented on Day 1 under the Gold Dome. To learn more about his campaign and donate go to ryancoxforga.com. If you enjoyed this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, please like, follow, subscribe, share and comment. Yo...

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat they sit down with Antonio Hicks, owner of Engineering Tomorrow, and Podcast Host and Radio Personality. Antonio discusses how he became involved with technology and the opportunities that he sees that are available for young people entering the field. Learn more about Antonio and Engineering Tomorrow at ptgtv.online. If you enjoyed this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat, please like, follow, subscribe, share and comment. You can find...

Conversations with Karen and Cat is now on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music. Have you hit the subscribe button yet? Today's episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat features Gwinnett County District Attorney, Patsy Austin Gaston. D.A. Gaston took time out of her very busy schedule to sit at the able and discuss her initiatives working with young offenders and the role of the DA in the court system. Learn more about her office and her vision of the DA's role in creating safer c...

In this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat they sit down with Josiah Johnson. Josiah is the Development Director of Boy with a Ball. He explains how the organization got started and their novel approach to addressing community needs globally, and particularly in Gwinnett County. To learn more about Boy With A Ball, follow them on social media @boywithaball and at www.boywithaball.com. If you like this content, please be sure to like, subscribe, share and comment.

Tune in for this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat as they sit down with Austin E Thompson, Jr. to discuss his historic election to the Lawrenceville City Council. Councilman Thompson talks about his community engagement, his vision for Lawrenceville and the many hats that he wears from author, entrepreneur, consultant, educator and mentor. Be sure to follow Austin on FaceBook and LinkedIn as Austin E Thompson, Jr. You can reach him at Austin.thompson@lawrecevillega.organd austin@tmcon...

Tune in for this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat as they dine at Ionie's Caribbean Kitchen in Grayson, Georgia. Karen and Cat sit down with Segun Adeyina, candidate for Georgia House District 110. Segun discusses his experiences as a Nigerian American, his passion for people, his reasons for running for office and the significance of immigration reform. Segun is truly a citizen of the world. He was born in England, spent his formative years in Nigeria before moving to Ohio and Michig...

Tune in for this episode of Conversations with Karen and Cat as they enjoy lunch at Fussell Cake Company in Dacula, Georgia. Karen and Cat sit down with Ryan Cox, founder and director of Gwinnett Chatt Outreach. Ryan discusses why he founded Gwinnett Chatt, the mission of the organization and how the community can get involved, donate and make a difference. Gwinnett Chatt is currently in need of a large passenger van to transport kids on outings, company and college tours, volunteer opportunitie...

Join Karen Scott Greene and Catherine Hardrick for conversations that are meant to inspire, empower and inform. The two friends met on the campaign trails as candidates in the Summer of 2021. Their conversations would sometimes last for hours and would include talking about anything and everything. They now want to bring these conversations to a podcast and bring you along as they speak with dynamic people that have interesting stories to share. Subscribe and follow to see what's next.