H.O.P.E. Scholarship Third Anniversary and #50for50 Kick Off 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, September 29, 2013, tune in to hear us celebrate the 3rd Anniversary of H.O.P.E. Scholarship. Listen to the founders, Jeffery Chance and Michelle Nealy, share about their passion to help make quality education affordable to deserving students.  Hear how they have stayed inspired to continue to give to others while still pursing their career and educational goals. We will also hear from H.O.P.E.'s fundraising chair, Brandy Jackson, who will give us input on how we can all "bloom where we are planted" to help others stay in school. And to help keep the motivational party flowing, we will be joined by everyone's favorite college President, President Michael J. Sorrel of Paul Quinn College.

In 3 years, HOPE has given away several scholarships and raised nearly $10,000! HOPE’s blog readership boasts 31,000+ views and we have a social network of over 5,000. HOPE has made the thoughts and views of university presidents, Phi Beta Kappas, and alumni accessible to current students. HOPE is helping to change the face of philanthropy through the H.O.P.E. Dealer movement by challenging millennials, ages 18 to 34, to give their time, money and talents to empower their communities.

 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, on Tune In, 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 H.O.P.E.

Since their inception in 2010, The H.O.P.E. Scholarship team has worked diligently to lighten the financial burden on college students by providing need-based scholarships. We understand the serious financial challenges that college students face. For that reason, H.O.P.E has raised nearly $10,000 and awarded five scholarships.
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​ We have resolved to be HOPE DEALERS, individuals committed to sustaining historically black colleges and universities by empowering the students who attend them financially, physically and emotionally.

Please consider giving a gift to The H.O.P.E. Scholarship. Your donation provides more students with the opportunity to thrive in our competitive world. You can change the world by providing others the gift of a college education. Start with H.O.P.E. The impact is everlasting.

The H.O.P.E. Scholarship Initiative is a non-profit organization designed to empower college students facing financial hardships. The organization was founded by two Howard University alumni committed to serving their communities.

Photos from H.O.P.E. Scholarship 3rd Anniversary Party can be found here.

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SAFE Co-Founder: Impact of PTSD Can No Longer Be Ignored on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life as we celebrate our military heroes' journeys before and after their service to our country. Hear from men and women who are sons and daughters; husbands and wives; fathers and mothers; grandparents; siblings; and loyal friends. Hear members of the Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy share personal stories and highlights from their military careers. All have roles that made them the "first" in many endeavors throughout their lives and in the military. We will hear about their rarely discussed acts of courage and sacrifice that embody servant leadership that will empower, inspire, and motivate listeners.

On Saturday, September 21, 2013, tune in to hear veteran, pastor, and co-founder of  SAFE, Rev. Jodi McCullah discuss the ever increasing awareness of PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) and TBI (traumatic brain injury) in the veteran and active duty members of the military. Listen as Jodi McCullah share how unresolved issues from facing life and death trauma daily can have a lasting impact on the mind, body, and soul. 

Jodi McCullah also talks about the importance of self care and two of the basic needs that many seek when asking for help, confidentiality. She shares how vital the importance of trust and confidentiality are for a person who maybe suffering from mental health issues. It may also be the determining factor to getting them into counseling.

Jodi McCullah was interviewed two days prior to the Navy Yard tragedy. Listen closely as some of the issues that have gripped the headlines during this week are foreshadowed in this compelling interview. PTSD can no longer be ignored as communities look for more solutions to get members of the military community help without shame, labeling, or repercussions.

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

Symptoms of PTSD (Mayo Clinic)
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms typically start within three months of a traumatic event. In a small number of cases, though, PTSD symptoms may not appear until years after the event. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are generally grouped into three types: intrusive memories, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety or emotional arousal (hyperarousal). 

Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:

• Flashbacks, or reliving the traumatic event for minutes or even days at a time
• Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event

Symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing may include:

• Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Avoiding activities you once enjoyed
• Hopelessness about the future
• Memory problems
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships

Symptoms of anxiety and increased emotional arousal may include:

• Irritability or anger
• Overwhelming guilt or shame
• Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much
• Trouble sleeping
• Being easily startled or frightened
• Hearing or seeing things that aren't there

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can come and go. You may have more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms when things are stressful in general, or when you run into reminders of what you went through. You may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences, for instance. Or you may see a report on the news about a rape and feel overcome by memories of your own assault. 

When to see a doctor

It's normal to have a wide range of feelings and emotions after a traumatic event. You might experience fear and anxiety, a lack of focus, sadness, changes in how well you sleep or how much you eat, or crying spells that catch you off guard. You may have nightmares or be unable to stop thinking about the event. This doesn't mean you have post-traumatic stress disorder. 

But if you have these disturbing thoughts and feelings for more than a month, if they're severe, or if you feel you're having trouble getting your life back under control, talk to your health care professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse. 

In some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may be so severe that you need emergency help, especially if you're thinking about harming yourself or someone else. If this happens, call 911 or other emergency medical service, or ask a supportive family member or friend for help.

Photos by Lawrence Taylor

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Nashville Songwriters to help Middle Tennessee Heroes Heal Through Workshop

Fort Campbell is proud to be the home of the only Air Assault Division in the world, the 101st Airborne Division, the Army’s most-deployed contingency forces. In fact, the most recent U.S census recognizes that Clarksville, TN as the 2nd densest veteran population in the country. An hour drive from Clarksville and Fort Campbell is Nashville, TN, home to the Tennessee National Guard. Members of the Tennessee National Guard  have been deployed multiple times since 2002.

Many of these warriors carry with them Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other emotional, mental, and physical injuries.

There is little argument that war is hard. The sacrifice, courage, and determination that it takes for the men and women of America’s Armed Forces to face loss of life and limb on the battlefield can be unimaginable to most ordinary civilians.  Often, the battlefield is not left behind when our military men and women return home. The burden of war is carried within them. The memories of combat experiences invade the mind daily. This impacts their ability to rejoin the community, families are torn apart, jobs are lost, and some face incarceration. The solider suffers silently while family and close relationships watch hopelessly.

Because music can change and even potentially save a life, Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) and The Beat of Life are combining the expertise and resources of trained counselors and professional songwriters to help Ft. Campbell's veterans and active duty military personnel find a voice to tell their stories through songs.

The Bluebird Café calls the songwriters the “heroes behind the hits”. Nashville is nationally recognized as one of the top homes for successful songwriters of all genres. Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is one of the nation's highest songwriting honors. The songwriter is the heart beat of Music City and Middle Tennessee.

On the weekend of September 20-22, 2013, twenty servicemen and women have been invited to attend a retreat at the beautiful Cedar Crest United Methodist Campsite in Lyles, TN, where each soldier will be paired with one of Nashville’s most prolific songwriters to collaborate in telling their stories and creating original songs. Those stories, told through the undeniable power of music, will hopefully help begin that healing process.


Singing Their Stories Concert:

On November 8, 2013 at 7pm, these soldiers-turned-songwriters will take the stage with their co-writers to perform the original songs created at the retreat for family, friends, and the general public. The concert will feature hit songwriters and top artists from Nashville. The concert will be held at Austin Peay State University’s nationally acclaimed George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall. It will be a night sure to be filled with healing as well as inspiration for all. Tickets are $5 at the door and a love offering will be collected to fund the counseling work of SAFE.

Singing Their Stories is sponsored by Shofner Vision Center, Austin Peay State University, Tennessee United Methodist Church Camp and Retreat Ministries, The Beat of Life, and SAFE.

SAFE is a resource for the region to ease the readjustment and reintegration of military members returning from our current wars and their families, as well as veterans from previous eras. The counselors and staff of Soldiers And Families Embraced are made up of veterans, family members of veterans or active duty military, or have extensive experience working with them. All services are confidential and provided free of charge.

The Beat of Life was also founded on the belief that we live in a city of tremendous heart, where members particularly of our music community are eager to give of their time, skills, talents, and passions, but that there was a need for a one stop shop, a central clearinghouse of sorts, to bring together what we have with what is needed in this city.

 
For Interviews:

Rev. Jodi McCullah (SAFE) 615-347-9071
Jeni Dominelli (The Beat of Life) 615-957-6324


Songwriter List:

David Bradley, Bob Regan, Tim Gaetano, Doug Drake, Lisa Malone, Stephen Cochran,  Jason Jones, Keni Thomas, Jeremy Bussey, Michael Peterson, Tim Maggart, Eric Lee Beddingfield

Album Production: Curt Ryle will be producing the album of the songs created by the heroes and songwriters

The Song Team: Jeff Jacob & Sheree Austin

Photo Credits: Fort Campbell, Commissioner Many-Bear Grinder, Cedar Crest Camp, and The Beat of Life

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President of Des Moines University on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life as we kick off a new series, "Madame President". We will profile women in higher education who have shattered the glass ceiling at their institutions and lead by example. Their leadership is viewed not only vital to academia but crucial to how America embraces women as Presidents and CEOs of corporations nationwide.

Listen to this series inspiring group of college and university presidents who are taking their students out of the classroom and into surrounding neighborhoods for real world life lessons to serve others.With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these academia leaders are global change agents and embody "Be the change you want to see in the world".

On Saturday, September 14, 2014, Dr. Angela Franklin, President of Des Moines University, will share her journey from South Carolina to the presidency of one of the largest medical schools in the country. Tune in to hear her share about servant leadership, work-life balance, and being the first woman president at the helm of the 115 year old school. Tune in to hear from an educator and leader who will empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your BEST life.

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


More About Dr. Angela Franklin

Angela L. Walker Franklin, a native of McCormick, South Carolina, is a 1981 Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude graduate of Furman University, a small liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina. A licensed clinical psychologist, she completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1985 at Emory University, followed by a yearlong clinical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dr. Franklin recently concluded her fourth term on the board of trustees of Furman University.

Angela L. Walker Franklin, who became Des Moines University’s 15th president in the spring of 2011, has worked in higher education for more than 20 years. Previously, she was executive vice president and provost at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where she oversaw academic and administrative departments. She served as acting president during the summer of 2009 and held a professorship in Meharry’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

Prior to her role at Meharry, Dr. Franklin held several positions at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, including, vice dean, associate vice president for academic and student affairs, associate dean for student affairs, director of counseling services and assistant professor of psychiatry.

A former American Council on Education Fellow (2001-02), Dr. Franklin is also a 2004 protégé of the Millennium Leadership Institute which is sponsored by the Association of State Colleges and Universities in preparing the next generation of leaders in higher education. She also participated in the 2008 Prospective President’s Workshop of the United Methodist Church affiliated Schools.
Since becoming the 15th President of Des Moines University in March 2011, Dr. Franklin has completed a new strategic plan, beginning with updating the university mission and vision statements. She has reorganized several administrative units and embraced change in restructuring the university clinic to become a better resource for the training programs as well as the surrounding community.

Dr. Franklin has become actively involved in the Des Moines Community, now serving on the boards of the Science Center of Iowa, Bankers Trust and The Greater Des Moines Partnership. In January 2013 she was named chair of the American Heart Association Go Red For Women movement in Des Moines. She has also provided insight into her vision for DMU by speaking to numerous civic organizations, alumni and others in Des Moines and around the country.

More About Des Moines University

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University comprises three colleges offering nine graduate degrees. A health sciences university since adding the colleges of health sciences and podiatric medicine and surgery in 1981, the programs share a collective strength — a collaborative campus community where students and faculty come together in the pursuit of knowledge.
Des Moines University offers degree programs in medicine and the health sciences. We share a singular mission to develop distinctive health professionals committed to health promotion, the discovery of knowledge and service to the community.

Facts about DMU

• Total enrollment of over 1800 — DMU is the largest medical school in Iowa with approximately 841 students in the osteopathic college. It’s large enough to offer every educational amenity but small enough to focus on excellence.
• DMU is the second oldest osteopathic school in the country.
• DMU is one of the top 20 largest medical schools (for D.O.s or M.D.s) in the nation, out of 155 schools.
• The very first medical class in 1898 included both sexes and today 54% of the student body are women.
• 66% of students are recruited from other states.
• Students received more than $3 million in scholarships in the ’11-’12 academic year.
• We have 10,514 living alumni and 2,050 working in 94 Iowa counties.

Our academic programs

• Doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.)
• Master of science in anatomy (M.S.)
• Master of science in biomedical sciences (M.S.)
• Doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)
• Master of science in physician assistant studies (M.S.)
• Doctor of physical therapy (D.P.T.)
• Post-professional doctor of physical therapy (D.P.T.)
• Master of health care administration (M.H.A.)
• Master of public health (M.P.H.)

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academia, careers, Des Moines University, Dr. Angela Franklin, Go Red, Madame President, servant leadership, shattering glass ceilings, women in higher education, women leadership, women on boards