Hard Bargain Association and Ty's House on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Update: Audio of show can be heard here.

Previous show on Ty2 Foundation can be found here.

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations, leaders, and individuals who lead by example. With 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".

On Saturday, February 23, 2013, tune in to hear updates from with Brant Bousquet, executive director of the Hard Bargain Association. Brant will share about Ty's House, the newly renovated community center in the historic African American neighborhood in Franklin, TN. Ty's House is named about after Ty Osman, II.

Ty Osman, II, affectionately known as "Ty2" or "Lil' Ty" to many, succumbed to injuries he received on March 2, 2012. Ty was a freshman at Harding University, got out of his vehicle to assist friends who had been rear ended by another vehicle. When Ty exited his vehicle, he was hit by an oncoming car. The news of Ty's death traveled around the world. His family, his church family, and friends from every corridor of the globe have been impacted by death.

The Osman Family (Ty, Sr., Nancy, Adair and Kendall) formed a non-profit in Ty's name, Ty2 Foundation, as a lasting memorial to their beloved son and brother. While Ty's life on earth was way too short, he gave everyone around him examples on how to be a friend. He excelled at treating people right. Rich or poor, young or old, no one was a stranger to Ty. He loved being outdoors, enjoying the simple beauty of God's creation. He loved to hunt and fish as well. Ty enjoyed all types of sports from football to bowling. He ran track for Brentwood High School. Ty was known for his work ethics; he showed up early and stayed late. He touched the lives of so many with his never-ending smile and constant compassion for living life to the fullest. Before his death, Ty chose to be an organ donor. Because of his decision, eight individuals received life saving transplants after Ty's death.

 Living Your Best Life, radio that empowers, inspires, and motivates you to live your BEST life, is heard on 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, the Inspirational Network, military bases and lived streamed at Ustream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

Hard Bargain 5th Annual Celebration Dinner

On Thursday, Feb. 28th Hard Bargain will host its' 5th Annual Celebration Dinner at the Factory at Franklin, Building 8. Solomon Builders and the Ty 2 Foundation will be honored for the generous gift of Ty’s House, HB's new community center and office. The evening will include entertainment by Buddy Greene and the Settles Connection, and a delicious soul food dinner catered by Constant Craving Caterers, and a silent auction.

Tickets can be purchased tickets online here.  Or by mailing a check to:

Hard Bargain Association, P.O. Box 545, Franklin, TN 37065-0545.

Thursday, Feb. 28th
Factory in Franklin, Building 8
6:30pm – Doors open for Appetizers, Bar & Silent Auction
7:00pm – Dinner & program
Tickets are $75 per person
RSVP to rsvp@hardbargain.org



More About The Hard Bargain Association

HBA is a grassroots, non-profit organization seeking to preserve Hard Bargain, a historic African American neighborhood, which was founded over 130 years ago. The neighborhood is located on 15 acres, two square city blocks in downtown Franklin, Tennessee and totals over 80 households.

By providing affordable homes for purchase, repairing existing homes and structures, and beautifying public spaces, our vision is to help transform the neighborhood into a vibrant community to be proud of for generations to come.

HBA is working together with the residents of this historic neighborhood to restore and rebuild it into what their vision is for the neighborhood and its future. We do this by having regular community meetings, design workshops, and having residents of the neighborhood on our board of directors and advisory board. Volunteers help in various ways including doing rehab projects on homes (repairs, painting, roofing, etc…) landscaping, gardening, clean up,  fundraising events and other volunteer projects.

The emphasis is on restoring the current community and not allowing gentrification of this historic neighborhood. HBA reapirs existing homes and offers quality, affordable homes for purchase to people who have not been able to attain the dream of home ownership. This is possible with the help of donated services and materials, volunteer labor, and financial contributions.

We looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.  Hebrews 11:10

More About Ty2 Foundation

The Ty2 Foundation has been created as a lasting memorial to the life of Ty Osman, II.  Ty had a servant's heart and was a light to everyone around him.  The foundation will allow his light to shine forever and will serve the charities that profoundly impacted his life.

Ty's departure leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of those who love him, but also in the places and situations where he loved to work. Every kind word, every prayer spoken on behalf of him and his family is so deeply appreciated. But Ty's work isn't done. In his honor, the Ty2Foundation will make contributions to make sure that the good work continues. As an organ donor, Ty showed his care for others. Even through his death, he chose to give a better life to those around him. This foundation will carry that beautiful spirit far into the future.

Ty, Nancy, Adair and Kendall have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support they have received.  This foundation has been established as their way of giving back. Many people and organizations have already stepped forward to provide support. This site will frequently provide updates about the foundation's efforts to honor Ty's life, while giving the glory to our Lord.

 Photos:  Ty2 Foundation.

President of Paul Quinn College on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

 Update: Audio of show can be found here.

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.

Join us on Saturday, February 16, 2013, to hear from 2012  HBCU Male President of the Year,  Michael J. Sorrell. Listen to President Sorrell share his passion for Paul Quinn College and the students of Quinnite Nation. Hear him talk about the numerous challenges he encountered on day one of his tenure at Paul Quinn College and how those challenges did not deter him for setting (and achieving) goals for the school that has inspired his students... and the nation.

Tune in to hear why he believes Paul Quinn College is on the path to becoming one of America's best small colleges. President Sorrell will share about servant leadership and its role in preparing college students for their future now. He will also discuss why he believes Paul Quinn College's Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising will be a "transformative force within our society

We will also hear from Marybeth Gasman who will share her insights on our interview with President Sorrell.

 Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers, inspires and motivates one to live their BEST life, can heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also be aired on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network.

More About President  Michael J. Sorrell

   Michael J. Sorrell is the 34^th President of Paul Quinn College and the reigning “HBCU Male President of the Year”. Under his leadership, Paul Quinn is experiencing one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of higher education. His vision is to transform the school into one of America’s great small colleges by focusing on servant leadership and academic rigor. Among the college’s numerous accomplishments during President Sorrell’s tenure have been: winning the “2011 HBCU of the Year” and the “2012 HBCU Student Government Association of the Year” titled; the demolition of 15 abandoned campus buildings; partnering with PepsiCo to transform the football field into the two acre “WE over Me Farm”; and achieving full accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).

     Michael received his J.D. and M.A. in Public Policy from Duke University.  While in law school, he was one of the founding members of the Journal of Gender Law & Policy and served as the Vice President of the Duke Bar Association.  Michael was a recipient of the Sloan Foundation Graduate Fellowship, which funded his studies at both Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (as a graduate fellow) and Duke University.  He graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Government, served as Secretary-Treasurer of his senior class, was a two-time captain of the men’s varsity basketball team, and graduated as the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer.

     The President recently joined the Alpha Epsilon Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  He currently serves on the National Finance Committee for Obama for America and on the boards of Amegy Bank, Teach for America, the North Texas Public Broadcasting Company, Inc. and KIPP Truth Academy. He also has been recognized by the Root Online Magazine as a member of the “Root 100” (a list of the top 100 emerging leaders in America) and the Dallas Observer as one of Dallas’ “30 Most Interesting People”.  Among his other recognitions are: the Excellence in Education Distinguished Alumni Award from his high school, St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, Illinois; the A. Kenneth Pye Award for Educational Excellence from Duke University’s School of Law; and the TRACS Leadership Award.  He is a past recipient of the Dallas Urban League’s Torch for Community Leadership and both the President’s and C.B. Bunkley Awards from J.L. Turner for his outstanding contributions to the Dallas legal community.

     President Sorrell is married to the former Natalie Jenkins.  Natalie is an alumna of Spelman College and received her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  They have one son, two-year old Michael Augustus.

Wall Street Article featuring Paul Quinn College can be found here.

Other Media Outlets Stories:

Dallas South News

Dallas Morning News

Huffington Post

HBCU Digest

Recent Awards and Recognitions

2011 HBCU of the Year | 2012 HBCU Male President of the Year | 2012 HBCU SGA of the Year | 2012 TADC Distinguished Campus Leader Award

2012 Ebony Top Liberal Arts HBCU List | 2011 Huffington Post Top Ten HBCU Successes List | 2011 HBCU Digest Most Underrated HBCUs List

Photo Credits: Paul Quinn College

2013: A New Year New Word

Each year, millions, with the best intentions, promise to make the New Year “the best year yet”. Resolutions are confidently written down without plans to make them work. Losing weight, saving more money, or starting a new business are all resolutions made and usually discarded before the New Year has turned a week old. After a rousing chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” has been sung, reality hits many that resolutions from last year are being recycled without accomplishing any of the goals listed.

Several years ago, I stopped making resolutions of things I wanted to do in the New Year. My lists of lists were out. I began focusing on a word to define what I wanted to achieve in life instead of lists of resolutions. In 2008, because of the election, the words hope and change were everywhere. Our country was feeling hopeless and many were begging for leadership that would inspire them to change. I had bought hope and change letters and plastered them all over my office wall. I was hoping for big changes in my life. The elections of 2008 did change how our country was defined around the world. Many Americans never thought they would be alive to see the historic day. 2008 changed my how I defined what I wanted in life and what I wanted from my life.  I began to be focused and intentional in every area of my life.  

In 2009, my word choice that year was pray. I was on bended knees daily. Because of my prayer life, I saw the word pray everywhere I turned. I saw the word on bumper stickers, on billboards, on tee shirts, and key rings. One day, I saw the word on a hot air balloon floating over park. At that point, I realized what I focused on in life, was where I put my energy. My energy output determined what I got out of life. If I wanted positive outcomes, I had to focus on them. Intentionally.  Choosing a word as my focus vs. writing down a list of ‘wants’, was beginning to make sense to me. I went to God in prayer morning, noon, and night determined that my resolutions I sought would come through HIM.

When I read through my journals from 2009, the outcome of my year of prayers was not a “fixed” person but a woman who had become more discerning in life and who grown into a prayer warrior. There were changes in my life but the biggest change was how I defined my prayer life. Amen.

Because of the previous year, my word choice in 2010 was family. That year, the health of my grandmother, mother, and father took drastic turns. My children also threw me a few curve balls along the way. With the word family boldly nailed to my wall, my family was my focus, mentally and physically. I made no apologies to anyone. I was not just praying daily but I was in a constant state of movement from one family situation to another. 2010 seemed as if crisis was the word I chose. By the time 2010 ended, I knew the importance of having frank conversations with family members about their wishes if they are unable to take care of themselves without hemming and hawing. I also shared my wishes as well. Years before, I would have considered those conversations off limits but now I call it being responsible. When you know better, you do better. 

2010 was a year of putting out family fires. In 2011, I sought peace. Mind, body, and spirit. I wanted nothing to do with drama; personally, socially, or professionally. I did not avoid conflicts but I did not embrace them either. I had one Christmas tree that year. All of the ornaments had the word peace on them. In 2011, I said the word peace every day. The more I said the word, the more God showed me contention that needed to be addressed. Ask and it shall be given, right? I took an inventory of people in my life, including family, and looked at my extracurricular activities, and drew boundaries. If my activities were not necessary for my survival and were not meeting real needs by serving others, those activities were curtailed or cutoff all together. Almost instantly, peace in abundance came to me as I put my time and energy into doing things that were truly benefiting others and gave me a sense of purpose. The more I looked for peace, the more I saw my personal goals come together. As I cut out strife and confusion, the more opportunities were revealed to me. Being focused allowed me not to allow distractions to block a blessing. In the summer of 2011, I began producing, Living Your Best Life radio show. I was given more than I ever hoped or imagined. 

In December of 2011, a friend and book club member, Catherine Ramsey, wanted to give books for Christmas gifts to a Girl Scout Troop. Being avid book readers, the club embraced her idea and set about planning a party for the Troop. I dressed as my favorite character, Ms. Santa, I read to the Girl Scouts. Catherine asking me to read to the girls led me to choose the word read to focus on 2012.

 In 2012, I began reading at elementary schools regularly and visiting a nursing home monthly.  No matter how packed my schedule was, nothing interfered with me sharing adventures from a book with my special friends. Visiting my favorite schools and nursing home was me being intentional with my volunteer time. I took my time with them seriously and so did my special friends that I was reading too.

Most of 2012 seemed to involve reading books in one aspect or another. From being in a book club with women I have grown to respect and admire greatly; to numerous authors as guests on Living Your Best Life; to attending book signings around the country; to traveling with the First Lady of TN, Crissy Haslam, as she promoted her reading and early education initiatives; to being asked to co-author a book series with Milestone Publishing that feature co-authors, George Foreman and George C. Fraser; to close friends opening a book store, Eastside Story; my personal passion for reading books had taken on a life of its own. I read every genre too; faith, children, mystery, art, history, how-to, fix-me, fix-him. You name the subject, I read it. I was not reading to read, I was reading because I actually love reading. My focus on books took me from reading to others to being read by others. Milestone Publishing asked me to write several more books. I was also given the green light to produce two more radio shows for XM Radio. God is good!

Now, I am seasoned with better understanding about my word I focus on each year.  I have learned that when I chose a word, my word choice petitions an action from me.  The word pray meant praying prayers.  The word hope meant believing change would happen. As I look back at how each word brought transformation in my life, I realize how each year prepared me for the next chapter of my life. Each year, some more excruciating than others, was in deed my best year.

This year, 2013, the word give speaks loudly to me. Several phrases kept repeating themselves over and over; “Give abundantly;” “Givers gain;” “Giving and Living;” and “Too much is given, much is required;” “Never give up.” “Forgive as you have been forgiven”. "Living and Giving".

I do not know what is in store for me but I love the foundation that each word has given me to face the challenges and the excitement of a New Year. Will you join me on my journey? Chose a word and embrace it in 2013.

 An edited version of this story was first published in the Jan/Feb Issue of Mocha Market Magazine.

Paul Quinn College on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

 Update: Audio of show can be found here.
 
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.

Join us on Saturday, February 9, 2013 as we officially kick off a year of living and giving with Paul Quinn College Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy's executive director, Halima Leak. Listen as she shares with us her experiences as a fundraiser for organizations like the United Way of Forsyth County, Communities in Schools of Wake County, INROADS NC / Triangle, Barnard College of Columbia University, the New York University School of Law, and the Faculty of Arts and Science at New York University.

Halima will discuss her study of philanthropy in education as a doctoral student in New York University's Higher Education Program.  Halima will also share the exciting historical news of her new position at Paul Quinn College and the impact the center will have in the world of philanthropy while developing and educating young leaders. Hear how Paul Quinn's program will empower communities of color and HBCUs throughout the nation.

Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers, inspires and motivates one to live their BEST life, can heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST. This show will also be aired on WTST, a member of the HBCU radio network.

More About Paul Quinn College 

Michael J. Sorrell, 34th President of Paul Quinn College

Paul Quinn College has received approval from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, also known as TRACS, to include Entrepreneurship and Fundraising and Philanthropy as concentrations in the College’s Business Administration program which confers a bachelor of science to its graduates.  Students will be able to declare the two concentrations starting Fall 2013.

“Our goal is to empower students from under-resourced communities around the world use their power, abilities, and imagination to change not just their circumstance, but those of everyone around them” said Michael J. Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn.  “This is the Quinnite Nation’s new urban college model. We will use higher education as an economic development incubator for under-resourced communities. These programs are another step in that direction.”

Entrepreneurship at Paul Quinn will train students to become conscious business developers and investors in under-resourced communities.  Entrepreneurship students will be expected to carry out the College’s mission of servant leadership by applying the principles of business ethics and social responsibility. Graduates of the program will have learned to resolve ethical dilemmas to improve business opportunity and development in underserved communities. Courses will include social entrepreneurship, a social entrepreneurship internship, small business management, and leadership.

The first of its kind to be established at a historically black college or university and only the second undergraduate institution to offer such a degree in America,Paul Quinn’s undergraduate program in Fundraising and Philanthropy is a comprehensive curriculum that will prepare students to compete for careers related to the emerging field of philanthropy. Recognized as one of the hottest 25 future careers by U.S. News and World Report, fundraising creates leaders among diverse career paths related to the philanthropic sector. Courses at Paul Quinn will include advanced fundraising, donor relations, grant proposal writing, and prospect research.

Paul Quinn was accredited by TRACS in 2011. The College overcame accreditation challenges by achieving full accreditation status in a record-breaking 18 months. TRACS is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

More About Halima Leak 

Executive Director of Paul Quinn's Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy

Halima Leak has spent close to 15 years involved in fundraising and philanthropy as both a practitioner and scholar. Her experience includes institutions and organizations such as: The City University of New York’s School of Professional Studies, New York University, Barnard College of Columbia University, and Communities in Schools of Wake County (North Carolina). She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Hampton University and Master of Arts degree in Educational Sociology from New York University Steinhardt School of Education, from which derived her master thesis topic of research, “Alumni Giving and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” Leak is also a Ph.D. candidate at the New York University Steinhardt School of Education. In addition to providing leadership for the Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy, she also serves as the Interim Director of Development for Paul Quinn College.

Charles R. Dickerson on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Update: Audio of show can be found here.

2013 is now a month old! Many began the New Year with dreams of owning their business. At the same time, many seasoned business owners vowed to make changes to grow, expand, and become more efficient.

Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes wants to help new entrepreneurs to stay inspired and motivated while helping veteran businesses owners and serial entrepreneurs become renewed and empowered throughout the year.

On Saturday, February 2, 2013, join us to hear Charles R. Dickerson, Vice President of Performance Management and Support Services at Pepco Holdings, Inc (PHI). Pepco Holdings, Inc. is one of the largest energy delivery companies in the Mid-Atlantic region, serving about 2 million customers in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and New Jersey.

Listen to Charles share what small business owners can do to make themselves stand out in the marketplace. He will give us advice on marketing your goods and services to large corporations and discuss minimizing mistakes that keep businesses from being profitable.

Charles will also give us his views on why small businesses must become stake holders in their community and why it is so important for the community to support local businesses.

This show promises to empower, to inspire, and to motivate you to live your BEST life.  Living Your Best Life can be heard on 760 AM in the Middle-Tennessee Region, military bases, and streamed live on U-Stream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

 More About Charles R. Dickerson

Vice President – Performance Management and Support Services

Charles is responsible for PHI’s Transmission & Distribution Construction, Maintenance and Operations processes, and its Customer Satisfaction and Revenue Management processes along with Support Services functions (Supply Chain, Materials and Logistics Management, Facilities, Fleet, Human Resource Services and Disbursement Accounting).

Previously, Charles was responsible for all aspects of customer care – including meter services, meter reading, billing, energy procurement, energy efficiency and demand response programs, customer contact centers, marketing and customer relationship management along with credit & remittance – for PHI’s 1.9 million customers across its three regulated (gas and electric) utilities. PHI is one of the largest energy delivery companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.

He also served as Vice President Strategic Planning & Chief Risk Officer responsible for directing corporate planning processes and leading the management team and officers to create strategic plans and goals that drove performance; and he served as Vice President – Gas Delivery for Delmarva Power responsible for engineering, construction, operations and maintenance.

Charles joined Pepco in 1989 and has held a number of positions including Manager Customer Operations Division; during which time Pepco was recognized as an industry leader in customer care. In this capacity he helped lead Pepco to the #1 status for the JD Power and Associates "Customer Satisfaction Survey" and Pepco winning Call Center Magazine's "Best Call Center of the Year" in 2001; he was also named Call Center Magazine's "Manager of the Year".

Charles has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and a MS in Applied Management both from the University of Maryland. He is a licensed First Class Steam Engineer in the State of Maryland, a past member of the Editorial Board for Call Center Magazine, and a past member of the Diversity Best Practices Leadership Council. Presently, Charles serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Treatment Learning Center, and has served as an Adjunct Professor for the University of the District of Columbia’s School of Business.