Genma Speaks

Entrepreneur/ Writer/ Radio-Host

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Dannelle F. Walker: One of the Nation's Top 40 under 40 Lawyers on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations and leaders who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations and leaders embody "Be the change you want to see in the world".

Throughout 2013, listeners will hear from presidents of organizations who are global change agents. We will also hear from CEOs of social enterprise businesses who are changing communities and college educators who are taking their students out of the classroom and into surrounding neighborhoods to learn and serve others.


On Saturday, July 27, 2013 join us to hear from one of the Nations Best Advocates Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers in the country, Danelle F. Walker. Tune in to hear her share with us the latest on court cases in the headlines as well issues that often effect our most vulnerable population, our children. With the surge in the need to address issues that put more young people in harms way, there will be more focus on mentoring and volunteering for non-profits and after school programs to help meet the needs of children.

Listen as Walker gives input on best practices to help parents, schools, non-profits, and volunteers be great advocates at home and in the community for school children, teens, and young adults. Hear Walker discuss how we all must be eyes and ears to address issues and concerns before they become media headlines.

Tune into 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, on Tune In,  streaming live on line at UStream.TV , and on military bases on Saturdays from 9:00-10am CST. 

More About Dannelle F. Walker



Dannelle F. Walker, Esq. is an education lawyer and policy-maker. She currently serves as General Counsel for the Tennessee State Board of Education where she advises the State Board on all legal matters, represents the Board in teacher license revocation, suspension, and denial proceedings, and manages all aspects of the charter school appeals process. Prior to joining the State Board staff, Ms. Walker served as District Policy Advisor for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

Among her many professional accomplishments, Ms. Walker was instrumental in establishing the first Bullying Task Force within Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools to address the persistent issues around the school system’s response to bullying; she co-authored legislation that made it easier for foster care children in Tennessee to access quality education; she has promulgated rules making it more difficult for sexual predators to teach in any Tennessee classroom; and she is undertaking efforts to reform attendance guidelines to reduce truancy across the state. She has dedicated her career to working toward quality educational outcomes for all kids. This dedication has led her to becoming a trusted legal mind on education law in Tennessee and contributing to the discussion on issues surrounding law and education in the nation.

A frequent speaker on education law and policy topics, Ms. Walker has given lectures and presentations before the Education Law Association, Lawyers’ Association for Women, Tennessee School Boards Association, and the Lipscomb University College of Education.

Ms. Walker is a 2009 graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law, where
she was a Dean’s Scholar and President of the Cynthia Nance Chapter of the Black Law Students Association. She is also a 2006 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. She is licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Tennessee and holds memberships in the Tennessee Bar Association, Napier-Looby Bar Association, Education Law Association, National Council of School Board Attorneys, and the Marion Griffin Chapter of the Lawyers’ Association for Women.

A native Nashvillian, Ms. Walker is active in many organizations throughout her community, serving as President-Elect of the Napier-Looby Bar Association, Education Liaison for the Social and Political Action Ministry at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and former Troop Leader for Girl Scouts of West End Middle School. In 2011, Ms. Walker was featured in The Tennessean‘s “Next Up”, a section highlighting the contributions of leaders under 35 in Middle Tennessee. In 2012, she was selected by the Nashville Chamber Public Benefit Foundation as a 2012 Nashville Emerging Leader and by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30. In 2013, she was named one of the Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 by the National Bar Association and IMPACT.

Ms. Walker lives by this quote from Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Life the live you’ve imagined.”

Photo credits: DFW

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Friday, July 19, 2013

Dr. Boyce Watkins and Kappa Alpha Psi's Guide Right Chairman L-Mani S. Viney on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations and leaders who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations and leaders embody "Be the change you want to see in the world".

Throughout 2013, listeners will hear from presidents of organizations who are global change agents. We will also hear from CEOs of social enterprise businesses who are changing communities and college educators who are taking their students out of the classroom and into surrounding neighborhoods to learn and serve others.


On Saturday, July 20, 2013, we are to hear from long time activists and educator, Syracuse University's Dr. Boyce Watkins. Dr. Watkins, known as "The People Scholars", will give us his take on the recent events since the reading of the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman case. He will share with us what the readers of Your Black World are commenting on the most and what the reactions to the verdict tell us about the state of race relations in our country.



Also on the show, long time mentoring advocate, educator, and National Chair of the Kappa Alpha Psi's Kappa Guide Right program, L-Mani S. Viney. Listen to him share how communities can help empower young men to become achievers. Viney believes that too few adults are engaged in helping harness the power of educating our youth. Hear his passion about loving to serve young men not in the glare of the media spotlight but color 365 days a year.

Tune into 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, on Tune In,  streaming live on line at UStream.TV , and on military bases on Saturdays from 9:00-10am CST.

More About Dr. Boyce Watkins





Dr. Boyce D. Watkins “The People’s Scholar”, is one of the leading social commentators, black speakers and high action freedom fighters in America. In his words, “We don’t need more PhDs in the black community, we need more Ph-Dos”. He advocates for education, economic empowerment and social justice and has changed the definition of what it means to be a black scholar and leader in America. He is a Blue Ribbon Speaker with Great Black Speakers, Inc. and one of the top black speakers in America.  He is also the author of “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About College” and “Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good.”


In addition to publishing a multitude of scholarly articles on Finance and investing, Dr. Watkins has presented his message to millions, making regular appearances in various national media outlets, including CNN, Good Morning America , MSNBC, FOX News, BET, NPR, Essence Magazine, USA Today, The Today Show, ESPN, The Tom Joyner Morning Show and CBS Sports. He is also the favored Financial Expert and social commentator for “The Wendy Williams Experience”, which has 11 million listeners nation-wide. Through his Step Up and Go to College Tour, he has spoken to over 50,000 African-American youth about the benefits of obtaining a college education. As a black financial speaker, he has given financial advice to millions of African-Americans through his series “Get your paper straight” and “Black Love, Black Money, Black Relationships” as well as over 150 national television, radio and print interviews in the last 2 years alone. He is also a faculty affiliate with the College Sports Research Institute at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Finally, he has fearlessly endured firestorms of controversy for his willingness to honestly and intelligently address racial inequality in university hiring/tenure practices, NCAA athletics, the prison system, “mainstream media” and the educational system.

More About L-Mani S. Viney


L-Mani S. Viney is widely known and respected for his passion and zeal for mentoring young men of color. As an educator and national chair of the Kappa's Guide Right programs, Viney is focusing his energy to ensure the Guide Right programs provide positive impact needed to help young men of color throughout the nation. Viney adopted “Our Kids, Our Responsibility” as the theme for Kappa’s Guide Right efforts. “To truly judge if we are making an impact, we, as Kappa men, have to influence the policies and programs and discussion about young men of color,” Viney explains. Guide Right’s focus will be the national campaign known as the Diamonds in the Rough which focuses on empowering the achievement of young men of color by providing greater opportunities to attend college and access scholarships.

Viney goes on to state, “Young men of color are labeled ‘at risk’, which triggers the perception that someone needs to ‘save the day’; but you can’t tell a kid ‘You can go to Harvard’ without the tools, support and parental engagement,” Viney says.Guide Right will provide those tools. Grand Polemarch Bates' Diamond in the Rough program is designed to guide Kappa Leaguers to more than $1,000,000 in scholarship awards. We will also pursue an aggressive SAT and ACT prep program to increase scores,” he continues. To learn more about the program go here.


Dr. Boyce previous show can be found here .
L-Mani S. Viney previous show can be found here.



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Saturday, July 13, 2013

Sheryl Lee Ralph on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations and leaders who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations and leaders embody "Be the change you want to see in the world".

Throughout 2013, listeners will hear from presidents of organizations who are global change agents. We will also hear from CEOs of social enterprise businesses who are changing communities and college educators who are taking their students out of the classroom and into surrounding neighborhoods to learn and serve others.



On Saturday, July 13, 2013 tune in to hear from actress, singer, and HIV/AIDS activist, Sheryl Lee Ralph. Listen to her share sage advice about the business of Hollywood, overcoming set backs, and knowing who to take with you on your journey to the top. Miss Ralph cautions us about the perils of stardom and addresses several issues regarding reality TV and the negative images that are cloaking American women of color.



Listen to her passionately discuss her organization, The Diva Foundation, and why she is mission focused to help find a cure for HIV/AIDS. Miss Ralph also talks about her book, Refining Diva. This powerful interview will empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your BEST life.

Tune into 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, on Tune In,  streaming live on line at UStream.TV , and on military bases on Saturdays from 9:00-10am CST. 


More About Sheryl Lee Ralph 


 With continued success on stage, screen, television and music along with her philanthropic endeavors, Sheryl Lee Ralph has never been one to rest on her laurels. A triple threat dreamgirl, Ralph is an acclaimed veteran of film, television and the Broadway stage. Her award-winning work includes creating the role of Deena Jones in the legendary Broadway musical, "Dreamgirls," and earning Best Actress nods for Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Recently, she returned to Broadway for a 12-month stint in the Tony-award winning musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie,' portraying the sassy chanteuse Muzzy Van Hossmere.

Currently, she is touring the one-woman play, "Sometimes I Cry," a production written and performed by Sheryl Lee Ralph, which explores the lives, loves, and losses of women infected and affected by HIV.

No stranger to television, Sheryl Lee Ralph credits include "It's a Living," "Designing Women," "The District," and most notably, "Moesha." On the big screen, she has worked with some of Hollywood's leading and award-winning men with film credits that include "The Mighty Quinn" with Denzel Washington; "Mistress" with Robert de Niro; "To Sleep With Anger" with Danny Glover and "The Distinguished Gentlemen" with Eddie Murphy. Ralph picked up a win for Best Supporting Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards for her performance in "To Sleep With Anger."

Finding success in writing and directing, Sheryl's award-winning short film, "Secrets," co-starring award-winning actress Alfre Woodard and Robin Givens was a finalist in the HBO Film Short Competition, Showtime's Filmmaker Award Series, and the BET Filmmaker Award Competition. The film was also selected as the audience favorite at the Outfest Film Festival. "Secrets" was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the Hollywood Film Festival, the Acapulco Film Festival and the Urban World Film Festival.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is also the creator of the Jamaican Film and Music Festival.

More About The Diva Foundation

The DIVA Foundation is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Sheryl Lee Ralph in 1990 as a memorial to the many friends she lost to AIDS. The organization focuses on generating resources and producing events that raise awareness and educate millions of people around the world affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. The DIVA Foundation utilizes music, entertainment and voice as a vehicle to inform, educate and reduce the stigma attached to this deadly disease that affects us ALL.

For over 20 years The DIVA Foundation has presented, with sponsorship from caring companies, DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING! - a magical evening of song and entertainment created to raise funds for HIV/AIDS awareness, allowing The DIVA Foundation to continue to help and support those in need. The DIVA Foundation has acted locally but is widening its sphere of influence to include more HIV/AIDS programs around the country and globe.

The DIVA Foundation awareness campaigns have grown to include: "Sometimes I Cry" a one woman-show written and performed by Sheryl Lee Ralph, "Sisters Circle", town hall meetings, prevention seminars, free HIV testing and counseling, and free healthcare materials. Along with community leaders and health experts, Sheryl Lee Ralph hosts a sponsored luncheon where gloves must be worn to drive home the slogan: "No glove, No love!" This event provides a non-threatening, intimate atmosphere where guests can get much needed information, address critical issues, ask questions and be assured of an educated and informed answer. Sheryl Lee Ralph has also recorded a series of HIV awareness PSAs for grass roots organizations in need of assistance.

The Sheryl Lee Ralph's Home Fragrance Collection provides another way for others to help light the candle of compassion to guide us in our fight against HIV/AIDS. Partial proceeds from the sale of these candles go to support The DIVA Foundation and its programs.

The Sisters Circle is an unprecedented four-day HIV/AIDS summit held in South Africa bringing together a community of infected and affected women of African decent to share their stories and plan action.

Donations can be made here.



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Thursday, July 4, 2013

Fireworks: A PTSD Trigger?



As we are preparing for the upcoming Warrior-Centric Healthcare Training session on July 9th, 2013 at the Nashville Public Library, Dr. Evelyn Lewis, Chief Medical Officer for the Steptoe Group, offers the following insights:

 PTSD, sometimes undiagnosed, can carry an array of chronic, otherwise-invisible symptoms that flare momentarily or take root for a time: nervousness, hyper-emotionality, an inability to sleep, and an overreaction to seemingly humdrum, daily moments. These feelings are unleashed from deep in the memory, hardwired back to real, horrible events that occurred just once or many times during battle such as IED detonations, mortar bursts and gunfire. Visual or auditory reminders – or both – commonly set off such symptoms for veterans.  Typically, those with PTSD are bothered more by:   


*The fireworks that veer off slightly
* Fireworks that are shot off in the middle of the night,  
* Those that are randomly set off days before or after the actual holiday

That conditioned response can set a PTSD sufferer on edge for hours, or trigger memories that lead to depression that will last well past the Independence Day  and other holidays accompanied by fireworks.

Recommendations:

1.   On Memorial Day or 4th of July it may be best for many of our servicemen, women, and veterans wrestling with PTSD to head to quiet places.
2.    In situations where environmental stimuli are beyond the control of the PTSD suffer, don headphones and listen to soothing music.
3.    Encourage your family and friends to consider quieter, calmer ways to celebrate our country’s independence.


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Keep in mind, an estimated 11to 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and nearly a third of Vietnam veterans suffer symptoms of PTSD — a figure that means if you light off string of Black Cats at random intervals or shoot off bottle rockets in the middle of the night it can trigger in veterans the hyper-alertness and adrenaline rush of combat.

As we continue to honor veterans for their bravery and sacrifice, let us also show our appreciation by considering their needs as they transition from combat to home-life.


Warrior Centric Art work by David Walker, Photos: UMKC Contributors to this post Dr. Evelyn Lewis(Navy), Niketa Williams UPitt School of Medicine, Genma Holmes











 



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