Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity 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".

Hear from Greek fraternities and sororities and their national presidents 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 for real world life lessons and to serve others.

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, we will hear from Kappa Alpha Psi's Grand Polemarch (President and CEO), William "Randy" Bates. President Bates will share the rich history of the 101 year old fraternity and how the fraternity focuses on achievement, its fundamental purpose.

Along with Mr. Bates will be (Bro.) Rodney C. Perkins, Healthy Kappas Healthy Communities;(Bro)Jeremy Williams, Senior at Vanderbilt University; (Bro.) L'Mani Viney, National Guide Right Commission Chairman; and (Bro.) Jwyanza Nuriddin, Director of Kappa's Undergraduate Leadership Institute (ULI). Each gentleman will shine the spotlight on programs that have changed the lives of young men around the world and have produced tomorrow's leaders today. Focus on education as well as new community healthcare initiatives will also be discussed.

The men of Kappas Alpha Psi will share how their philanthropic accomplishments strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and how leading by example is the key to success in all of their endeavors.

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.

More About Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is an international organization founded on the campus of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana on January 5, 1911. Since its inception, it has trained men, particularly undergraduates, for leadership roles in their communities and the attainment of a high degree of excellence in their academic pursuits. Its membership represents some of the most outstanding Americans in our country's history including Arthur Ashe, Reverend Leon H. Sullivan, Johnnie Cochran, Jr., a host of Mayors and other elected officials, and five (5) current members of Congress. The International Headquarters is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For additional information, go to www.KappaAlphaPsi1911.com.

William "Randy" Bates, Jr. Esq. Grand Polemarch

Mr. Bates has been a member of the Texas Bar for 30 plus years. He practices in the area of public finance, which includes acting as co-bond counsel, co-special disclosure counsel, underwriter’s counsel and co-underwriter’s counsel. Bates is committed to the area of public finance, spending most of his time and efforts representing issuers and underwriters in a wide variety of bond transactions. Bates is also licensed in the state of Missouri.

Bates undergraduate studies were completed at Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He received his Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 1981. Bates was elected President of his freshman class at law school and later served as Law Student Director to the Texas Young Lawyers Association. In 1997, Bates was selected as "Outstanding Texans" in the field of education by the Texas legislative Black Caucus.

Bates is a law partner with Bates & Coleman, PC., and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lone Star College System. He was elected chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1996, 1998, & 2008 where the College system received 9 separate credit upgrades for Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Bates went on to become the Polemarch of Houston Alumni, and soon after served as Board Member of the Southwestern Province. From 1994 – 1998 Bates served as the Senior Vice Province Polemarch of the Southwestern Province, and moving into the role of Polemarch of the Southwestern Province from 1998-2003.

As Senior Grand Vice-Polemarch, Bates served on the Executive Committee and also served as the Chairman of the Council of Province Polemarchs and Senior Province Vice-Polemarchs. Working with the Province Polemarchs they made history with donations of over $1,000,000 to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Bates is the 32nd Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpa Psi. His administration's theme: “100 Years and Building: The Journey Continues.”

Jeremy Williams, Vanderbilt University 2012

Jeremy L. Williams is an Economics and Religious Studies double major from Huntsville, AL. He has been actively involved in VSG, VUcept, BSA, MLC and Kappa Alpha Psi where he currently serves as International Vice President (Junior Grand Vice Polemarch).

As Junior Grand Vice Polemarch, Williams, serves as an undergraduate member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s National Board of Directors. He’s already reached one of the highest achievements for an undergrad. Williams (Spring 2009) was a 2010 Kappa Fellows for the Fraternity's Undergraduate Leadership Institute (ULI). Williams took part in an intensive week-long institute in Cincinnati, OH sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi and GE. He was one of only 47 undergraduate brothers to receive this prestigious honor nationwide.

Williams is a member of the Nu Rho Chapter at Vanderbilt University. Attending ULI helps younger members learn more about what it takes to lead in the fraternity, in the marketplace and in the community. As a young twenty something, William is recognized as being a part of the forefront of leadership in Kappa Alpa Psi.

L-Mani S.Viney, National Guide Right Commission Chairman

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.

Jwyanza Nuriddian, Director of Undergraduate Leadership Institute

Jwyanza Nuriddian, a graduate of Florida State University and Georgia Institute of Technology, is the director of the Undergraduate Leadership Institute (ULI).

Since its inception in 2004, the biennial Undergraduate Leadership Institute (ULI) has trained over 200 undergraduates for leadership and bestowed the designation of Kappa Fellow to the Fraternity’s best and brightest leaders. The ULI is a highly structured and intense leadership experience designed to increase undergraduates’ capacity to lead in multiple contexts—in the fraternity, on campus, and/or in their communities. Small group discussion, large group lecture, and case study analysis provided a rich learning environment for brothers to reframe or reinforce their approach to leadership. Social media, movie clips and an instant polling system support the curriculum. Invited speakers complemented the Institute by reinforcing the curriculum with practical examples based on their extensive leadership experiences and knowledge. The Institute format requires long days and structured time for socializing and exploring the host city. In recent years, General Electric has sponsored several days which focus on engaging the participants in a broad understanding of leadership in Corporate America and transitioning from college to career. The participants quickly learn that the ULI is not limited leadership in their current community, but also life beyond college.

The ULI has gained popularity and notoriety since its inception and is unlike any other program the Fraternity offers. Evaluations consistently tout the ULI as “the best undergraduate experience Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity offers.”

Rodney C. Perkins, Healthy Kappas Healthy Communities Program

Rodney C. Perkins is the newly appointed Health Coordinator for the Eastern Province Healthy Kappas Healthy Communities program, a new fraternity initiative developed by the 32nd Grand Polemarch William "Randy" Bates, Jr. As coordinator, Perkins provides leadership for promoting health and wellness within the province.

Under Perkins' leadership, The Eastern Province began screening for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity during the 2009 Eastern Province Council Meeting to raise awareness about health disparities among African Americans and promote screening to emphasize the importance of early detection. Within three years, the initiative has become a vital part of the Eastern Province during C. Roger Wilson Leadership Conference and Province Council. During the 79th and the 80th Grand Chapter Meetings, the Healthy Kappas Healthy Communities program provided mobile medical screening service to fraternity brothers attending the event. To date, over 1000 Kappa men, silhouettes, and members of the community have been screened.

Perkins holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, MD. He is also a Master of Public Health degree candidate at the George Washington University School of Public Health with an emphasis in Epidemiology and HIV studies with an anticipated completion in Summer 2012.

To make contributions to support the Kappas Alpha Psi programs, contributions can be made online here or contact their national office here.

Special thanks to College Crib, Mocha Market Magazine , Dwayne Murray (31st Grand Polemarch), the Indiana University Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpa Psi, Walter Searcy and Caldwell Ramsey.

Big Thanks to my mom, Dr. Stringer, who inspired this series.

Tri Delta Fraternity on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations and leaders who led 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".

Hear from Greek fraternities and sororities and their national presidents 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, April 21, 2012, our guests will be dynamic women of Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) Fraternity. The Tri Delta’s National President, Jackye Clark, and the director of special projects, Stacy Gillard, will share about their fraternity’s dedication and determination to give hope to St. Jude families since 1999. They will also share about Tri Delta’s major milestones and signature events that have impacted women and communities worldwide.

Brett Collins, the national supervisor of Greek programs at St. Jude, will share how the philanthropic endeavors of Tri Delta have helped ease economic hardships for families coping with a child who has cancer or a catastrophic illnesses. Brett will share about the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the value of the St. Jude’s Tri Delta Partnership.

We will also hear from the University of Tennessee Tri Delta's Delta Sigma chapter. Abby Powell and Jillian Smith will share how their fraternity has prepared them to be leaders of tomorrow today. The Delta Sigma chapter of Tri Delta has raised over $83,000 this past year for the children at St. Jude.

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.
More About Delta Delta Delta and St. Jude

Delta Delta Delta Fraternity (Tri Delta) officially adopted St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as its national philanthropic partner in November 1999, providing members the opportunity to unite in support of a children's cancer charity. Since that time, Tri Delta chapters across the country have raised money and awareness for the hospital in a variety of ways.

In 2005, a year earlier than expected, Tri Delta raised $1 million that endowed the hospital's Teen Room. In 2006, Tri Delta took on a second commitment to raise $10 million in 10 years to name the Patient Care Floor in the Chili's Care Center. In just four years – by May 2010 – Tri Delta met the $10 million fundraising goal.

In July 2010, Tri Delta announced its third naming commitment, an aggressive challenge to raise $15 million in 5 years to name the Specialty Clinic located in the Patient Care Center at St. Jude. As of July 2010, Tri Delta members have raised nearly $16 million for the children of St. Jude. This success is only made possible by the deep commitment of the Tri Delta collegiate and alumnae members from around the country.

University of Tennessee's Tri Delta Chapter Guests

Jillian Rachel Smith
2012 Delta Sigma President
From Memphis, Tennessee
Junior majoring in Communications and Business
Graduating in 2013

Abby Bonnett Powell
2012 Delta Sigma Philanthropy Chair
From Nashville, Tennessee
Sophomore Majoring in History and Education
Graduating Date 2015




Support Tri Delta's effort by going here

More Tri Delta Links
www.tridelta2012.com
www.givethankswalk.org

Photo Credits:
Pictures of Children supplied by St. Jude
Pictures of Jackye Clark, Abby Powell, and Jillian Smith by Tri Delta

Photographer Chip Cooper on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes and Mocha Market Magazine during April as we spotlight out of the box thinkers who are change agents. From serial entrepreneurs who will not allow the word “no” be a stumbling block on the road to success to leaders of organizations who challenge the status quo by leading by example to military men and women who are taking their military training that helped rebuild foreign countries and now applying their skills in their communities to photographers who allow their lens to tell stories about individuals and culture that inspire us to appreciate the beauty in all people. Tune in to hear best practices, how they became overcomers, and how they turned missteps into opportunities.

On Saturday, April 14, 2012, renown photographer and scholar Chip Cooper will talk about his latest book,Old Havana, La Habana Vieja. For three years Chip and Cuban photographer, Nestor Marti, photographed a city that is undergoing a culture rebirth that have many longing to visit Cuba. Throughout the 228 pages coffee table book you will see proud, happy people ages nine to ninety nine that are living out thriving and vibrant lives. Hear Chip share about the inspiration behind the book and Cuba's rich heritage. Chip will also give us updates on the rebuilding of his hometown, Tuscaloosa,Alabama.

Living Your Best Life, is a radio show that empowers, inspires, and motivates one to live their BEST life. Living Your Best Life can be heard on 760AM in the Middle TN Region, Inspirational Networks, military bases, and UStream.TVfrom 9-10AM CST.

More about Chip Cooper

Chip Cooper was the former Director of Photography for the University of Alabama for 33 years and is now artist in residence in the Honors College, as well as a faculty member in Arts & Sciences.

He received his BA from the University in 1972, followed by post-graduate work in photography.

While working for the University of Alabama, he published the following books: Hunting: The Southern Tradition, Taylor Publishing, Dallas Texas; Alabama Memories, WH Smith, New York City; Silent in the Land & Common Threads, CKM Press, Tuscaloosa Alabama, Crimson: The University of Alabama, Booksmith Group, Nashville Tennessee}; and Charlie Lucas, The Tin Man, University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa Alabama.

He recently had a photography exhibition in Havana, Cuba, and one in Alabama with Cuban photographer Nestor Marti entitled "Side by Side." They have finished Habana Veija, (Translation: Old Havana) published by Alabama Press in February 2012.

Cooper won an award of excellence for his book, Silent in the Land, from Communication Arts Magazine, and is a past recipient of an Artist Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. He has shown his work nationally and internationally, and his work is in many museums, and private and corporate collections.

Text INSPIRE to 99000 questions or comments for Chip and to win a copy of his book. Other prizes $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Nobel and dinner for 4 to Ellendale's.

Capture Big Blue Spirit at Third Annual Legends Weekend

Tennessee State University former football players will help kick off the HBCU's Centennial celebrations with their highly touted, must attend "Legends Weekend". In its third year, The Legends Weekend, is not just a football game for former Big Blue players. Many players use the weekend as an opportunity to meet young players to offer guidance, encouragement, and mentoring. Former players have also donated to the team by helping renovated the football team locker rooms. The Legends Weekend events are sponsored by the TSU's Big Blue Football Alumni Chapter.

In honor of Tennessee State University's Centennial year, TSU's Football Alumni chapter is adding a twist to this year's weekend festivities by playing Vanderbilt University's Football Legends. Players who played from 1950–2008 at both schools are invited to participate in a game of flag football before TSU's Blue and White scrimmage. Former players are inviting you to put on your blue and white(or black and gold) and meet them at "The Hole".

A rooster of twenty players will play for each team. Not a football player? Don't worry, there will be plenty of room for coaching, sideline critiques, and cheering on the players. Bring your school pride and celebrate with the Big Blue Tigers. And yes, as in previous years, Bengay and ice are free to all players!

Tennessee State University's Sustaining the Legacy through Excellence, Resilience and Unity 100th year anniversary will begin April 14-21, 2012. But TSU Football Alumni Chapter encourages everyone to start the celebrations early by joining The Legends Weekend Tiger and Commodore Mixer on Friday, April 13, 2012 starting at 9:00pm at the Maxwell House Hotel. The cost of admittance is $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

For the most up to date list of TSU's Centennial celebrations click here and here.

For more info about TSU Football Alumni Chapter contact Jerrold McRae jmcrae@tnstate.edu

Serial Entrepreneurs Jacob Weiss and Jai Jai Greenfield on Living Your Best Life

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes amd Mocha Market Magazine during April as we spotlight young, talented, and out of the box thinkers who are business and social change agents. From serial entrepreneurs who will not allow the word “no” be a stumbling block on the road to success to leaders of organizations who challenge the status quo by leading by example to military men and women who are taking their military training that helped rebuild foreign countries and now applying their skills in their communities and in the marketplace. Tune in to hear best practices, how they became overcomers, and how they turned missteps into opportunities.

On Saturday, April 07, 2012 Dr. Jacob Weiss of Playing By Air will share about his latest adventure that help you apply your creativity to impact society and support causes that align with your passions and professional career. We will also hear from Jai Jai Greenfield of Harlem Vintage Wine Shop. Jai Jai will share how she took a leap of faith and left Morgan Stanley to open the first wine shop in Harlem. Both entrepreneurs armed with degrees from Princeton, Vanderbilt, University of Pennsylvania, and Kellogg, could be top executives at any fortune 400 company. But they have chosen to follow their passion and live life to the fullest as CEO’s of their own companies.

Living Your Best Life, is a radio show that empowers inspires, and motivates one to live their BEST life. Living Your Best Life can be heard on 760 The Gospel in the Middle TN Region, Inspirational Networks, military bases, and UStream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

More about Dr. Jacob Weiss
Jacob is the founder of Playing By Air, an entertainment company that uses juggling and variety arts to support community arts and health initiatives, in particular for cancer prevention and awareness. He also works closely with non-profit organizations on strategies for building relationships and community partnerships using social media.

Specialties: Social Entrepreneurship Corporate Entertainment Circus Entertainment Performing Arts Juggling Cancer Awareness Community Building Social Media Biomedical Informatics
Meet Dr. Jacob Weiss story here

More About Jai Jai (Ramsey) Greenfield
For Nashville-reared Greenfield, frequent visits to her grandparents and cousins in Harlem were a childhood highlight. During those trips she heard stories of the neighborhood's heyday during the 1920s and 1930s, a time when Harlem was the social center for Manhattan nightlife and a thriving arts and music center.
Harlem Vintage reflects that heritage — it features vintage photographs of Greenfield's grandparents — while evoking wine production. Natural countertops have been crafted of leaves and cork, mahogany wood and curved ceilings are reminiscent of the barrels where wine is stored.

Harlem Vintage has been recognized as a “vanguard” and “model” for Harlem’s economic development by publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Crain’s New York Business, Time Out New York and Black Enterprise.

A veteran of Smith Barney's investment banking division and Morgan Stanley's sales and trading department, Greenfield isn't afraid of hard work, long hours or blazing a trail as one of the few African-American females to pursue a career on Wall Street and as an entrepreneur in the retail wine industry.

Bryan and Kimberly Ricci on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join us Saturday, March 31, 2012 on Living Your Best Life to hear the inspiring story of how a once homeless youth, Bryan Ricci, is giving back to those who helped him turn his life around by paying it forward helping the homeless community. Ricci will also share how the Oasis Center impacted his life as a teen and a young adult.

Ricci will be joined by his wife, Kimberly, and their beautiful children. Hear his family share about the husband and dad they know today; a man of faith, an inventor and a company CEO. Listen to the Ricci family share about being faithful in life, dreaming big, and how their invention, the Eraselet, "a bracelet eraser", is raising awareness of the ever growing homeless community and what they are doing to help stamp out hunger.

Living Your Best Life, is a radio show that empowers inspires, and motivates one to live their BEST life. Living Your Best Life can be heard on 760 The Gospel in the Middle TN Region, Inspirational Networks, military bases, and UStream. TV from 9-10AM CST.

More About The Eraslet

The Eraselet was invented as a way for the Ricci family three young daughters, all in elementary school, to keep from losing their erasers. Since the girls loved bracelets, why not an eraser in the form of a bracelet? The product, a revolutionary eraser in the form of a bracelet, was given the title "Eraselet", patent-pended and trademarked through the USPTO (United State Patent and Trademark Office).

It was important to Bryan and Kimberly Ricci to produce the Eraselet in the US. They felt strongly that with our country's current economy in shambles, it did not seem right to send American jobs overseas. After being told over and over that they would have to go outside the US to find an affordable manufacturer, they kept searching until they found a 90 year old family owned business, Alliance Rubber Company, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. By staying firm to their commitment to sell "Made in the USA" products, every time you buy an Eraselet, you are helping to provide jobs right here in the USA.

The Eraselet can be an excellent fundraising item for various causes and can be customized for organizations to "Erase Your Cause". The Eraselet is also giving back through the Ricci's non-profit, Erase World Hunger. Erase World Hunger provides food and clean drinking water to children right in our own back yard and impoverished countries.

The Eraselet can found in Dollar General Stores, Life Way Christian Bookstores, and ordered online at www.eraselet.com.

Let's get Eraselet on the shelf at Walmart by voting for them here.

Photos supplied by Kimberley Ricci

Living Your Best Life is in partnership with Mocha Magazine.

Soprano Karen Parks on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week." Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as "Women’s History Week." In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month." Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

As well continue to discuss phenomenal women throughout the month of March, please join Living Your Best Life in partnership with Mocha Market Magazine on Saturday, March 24, 2012 to hear Soprano Karen Parks share about her life, her musical career, her work with young performers and what keeps her inspired. She will also share about her upcoming performance at Lipscomb University. The Greenville, South Carolina native made her historic recording tribute to Harry T. Burleigh's body of work in Nashville. Nobody Knows: Songs of Harry T. Burleigh, co-produced by Parks and Grammy-winning producer David Macias, debuted at #2 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Album Chart upon its 2008 release. Karen Parks divinely given voice has been heard around the world.

Ms. Parks has performed in major opera houses and concert halls in many European countries including Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, England, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Hungary and Estonia. Her performances in America include debuts with recognized orchestras and conductors including Carnegie Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, The Kennedy Center, Meyerson Hall, San Francisco Opera, The Boston Pops and The Nashville Symphony. Other roles and works with various companies and orchestras include Verdi’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mahler’s Second Symphony, Dvořák’s Te Deum, Bach’s Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah, Mařenka in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, and the role of Harriet Tubman in two different operas (Harriet and Frederick Douglass). By special commission, she was the first artist to record an English language album (Nocturne) of Finnish classical music from Finnish poetry.

Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers inspires, and motivates one to live their BEST life, can be heard on 760 The Gospel in the Middle Tennessee region, Inspirational Networks, and military bases. Living Your Best Life is also streamed live on www.UStream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

More About Karen Parks' Lipscomb Performance
Soprano Karen Parks will perform along with Lipscomb University's Jerome Reed, the Patricia and Rodes Hart Chair in Piano as part of the Artist Series. Parks will perform works by Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, Brahms, Faure, Puccini, Gershwin and a set of traditional spirituals arranged by Harry T. Burleigh.

Parks will conduct a Master Class on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The soprano virtuoso will present a concert on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Both events will be held in Lipscomb University's Ward Hall. Tickets for Saturday's concert may be purchased online or at the door.

$15 adults, $10 students, Free with student ID.

Text INSPIRE to 99000 to win tickets to the concert, copies of Harry T. Burleigh's compositions, tickets to the Nashville Symphony, or a membership to the Frist Center.




(I would like to thank Honorable William J. Zick for his extensive research on www.africlassical.com that led me to spending hours studying such fascinating musician who stories must be told.

Veronica Burns on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week." Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as "Women’s History Week." In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month." Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes along with Mocha Market Magazine as we celebrate women who are redefining power and influence. From celebrities to authors to leaders to educators to mom-next-door, hear from women who are impacting the world around them while empowering others to do the same.

Tune in Saturday, March 17, 2012, to hear from serial entrepreneur Veronica Burns. She will discuss how women can no longer rely on "lady luck" in their career choices. Women, especially those facing corporate downsizing, must plan strategically to survive and thrive in today's marketplace while preparing for their future.

Hear Veronica tell how she transitioned into her new career choice after 40 years in corporate human resources and using her skills to help other women become business women.

Living Your Best Life is a progressive radio show that empowers, inspires, and motivates individuals to live their BEST life. Living Your Best Life can be heard on 760 AM in the Middle TN Area, on military bases, and Ustream.TV worldwide from 9:00-10:00am CST.

More Info on Veronica Burns

Veronica Burns is an accomplished business partner and leader in human resources best practices. Veronica has a broad base of experience in financial, educational and healthcare environments. She is a solutions oriented human resource professional with the skills and strengths to bring organized approaches and successful people management with expertise in a variety of human resources disciplines including: salary Administration, strategic planning, organizational design, leadership coaching, performance management, staffing and dispute resolution.

Veronica moved to Nashville in 1999 and secured a human resources leadership position at Vanderbilt University and Medical Center. She held the position of Senior Director of Human Resources when she left Vanderbilt in 2011.

Prior to coming to Nashville, Veronica provided more than twenty years of human resources expertise and leadership in the Chicagoland area for large employers in healthcare, (Northwestern University Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital) finance, (Harris Trust Bank, General Board of Pensions for the United Methodist Church) and academia.

Veronica Burns is also a Dispute Resolutions Mediator, certified under Rule 31 by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Text INSPIRE to 99000 for questions, comments, and a chance to win Easter dinner at Monell's Restaurant.

Stacey McBride-Irby on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week." Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as "Women’s History Week." In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month." Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes along with Mocha Market Magazine as we celebrate women who are redefining power and influence. From celebrities to authors to leaders to educators to mom-next-door, hear from women who are impacting the world around them while empowering others to do the same.

Tune in on Saturday, March 10, 2012's for an interview that has been a year in the making! Hear from internationally renown creator of Mattel's So In Style Dolls, Stacey McBride-Irby. Stacey designed the most diverse cultural line of dolls ever created for the world's most premiere toy company. During her fifteen years at Mattel, Stacey also designed numerous fashions for the Disney Princess Collection and for the iconic Barbie line.

In addition to designing for Mattel's Disney Princess Collection and the Barbie, Stacey designed the highly sought after AKA Doll in celebration of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Centennial in 2008.

Stacey's creation of the So In Style dolls marked Mattel's first line of African American dolls that closely resemble today's young girls and women. The dolls were not just toys to play with but showcased the stylish diversity of the African American community and strongly encouraged education and mentoring.

Stacey will share about her new business venture with the One World Dolls Project and how her partnership with Trent Daniels will give her an opportunity to use the power of play and collector dolls to reflect genuine diversity and not limit her creativity to one group of people or organization.

Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers, inspires, and motivates us to live our BEST life, is heard on 760AM The Gospel in the Middle-TN area, Inspirational Networks, military bases and on Ustream.TV worldwide from 9:00-10:00am CST.

For more info on the One World Doll Project click here.

To Purchase Limited Edition Obama 2012 Dolls click here.

Previous post about Stacey McBride-Irby here.

To learn more about why Stacey McBride-Irby's doll are such an inspiration to me click here.

To win a trip to LA to meet Stacey McBride-Irby click here.

TEXT pictures of your favorite doll or your favorite doll story to INSPIRE to 99000.

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Dr. Norma Burgess and Jennifer Abernathy on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

February is often known as the month of love. Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes in partnership with Mocha Market Magazine as we discuss loving yourself, your family, and your community better. Hear personal stories from couples who radiate with love for one another as well as random calls to individuals Genma love to talk to and have written about over the years. We will also profile events that will enrich your community and empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your best life.

Join us on Saturday, February 25, 2012, to hear two dynamic women share about their passion for helping others. Dr. Norma Burgess, the Founding Dean of Lipscomb University's College of Arts and Sciences, will discuss Lipscomb's upcoming Women's Leadership conference. The conference, in its sophomore year, promises to be as electrifying as the inaugural event.

We will also hear from Jennifer Abernathy, the executive director of Tennessee Respite. Jennifer will share how Tennessee Respite Coalition wants to help strengthen families by helping provide assistance for the caretakers. We will learn about the organization and its mission to enhance the quality of life for family caregivers through respite.

Living Your Best Life can be heard on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00AM on 760AM, on military bases, and Ustream.TV.

More About Dr. Norma Burgess

Dr. Norma Burgess is the founding dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Burgess previously worked at Chatham University, Pittsburgh, where she was founding dean of the College of Graduate Studies. In that role, she was responsible for every aspect of graduate education, including new program development, faculty evaluation, budgetary management, academic management, and faculty and support services.

From 1993-2007 at Syracuse University, Burgess earned the rank of full professor and chair of the Department of Child and Family Studies and was academic co-chair of the Bachelor of Professional Studies program. She has also served as a visiting professor for the University of the Aegean in Rhodes, Greece, and as a member of the summer faculty at Cornell University. Dr. Burgess is a widely published scholar with a focus on work and family and leadership development.

Burgess has served as chair of the women’s caucus of the American Association of Higher Education and is currently a board member at-large of the National Council on Family Relations. She is co-author of African American Women: An Ecological Perspective and numerous articles and other writings on work and family life, leadership, faculty development and workplace diversity.

Burgess holds a doctorate in sociology and a master’s degree in public affairs from North Carolina State University as well as a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Tennessee. She is a native of Stanton, Tenn.

To learn more about Lipscomb Women's Conference click here.

More About Jennifer Abernathy and Tennessee Respite

Jennifer Abernathy is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Respite Coalition, an organization that provides respite services and information to family caregivers across the state. She has diverse professional experience working in the fields of disability, mental health, volunteer management, senior services, and higher education.

The Tennessee Respite Coalition (TRC) provides relief to families and caregivers from the extraordinary and intensive demands of providing ongoing care for loved one.

Over the past year, the Tennessee Respite Coalition has provided access to respite to over 200 families across the state of Tennessee. The services that these families have been provided have enabled them to continue to care for their loved ones in their homes as well as get a much needed break from the everyday stresses associated with being a primary caregiver for someone in need and in a vulnerable state. For more info Tennessee Respite click here.

You Got Email Mayhem

Emailing has become the primary form of communications for 99% of the business people I know. Call me outdated, but I am determined to hold dear to hearing a person’s voice and tone while speaking with them. I wear my 1% badge with honor as I dial the numbers of my clients or personal acquaintances to say "hello," to talk through an issue, or to debate a point. I have learned that when I have much to say, emailing is not the best form of communications for me. Too many thoughtless emails have become newspapers’ headlines, the source of bloggers’ multiple posts, and the cause of careers lost at sea. To add to the growing malady, tweets are rapidly replacing emails as the number one cause of unemployment among anchors and pundits’ suspensions.

Email mayhem should have its own course at business seminars, non-profit organization orientations, and civic meetings. The conversations around the dos and don’ts of emailing, and texting for that matter, can no longer be limited to young adults vying for future employment opportunities. Over the last several years, I have received the best of the best or the worst of the worst depending on how you read them of emails unsuitable for reprint and dying to be reposted. Several emails in the batch have left many folks speechless and have caused private issues to spill over in the business realm. Thinking back on my own email internet footprint, I shudder, now that I am older, wondering about what I sent without thinking or(over thought) once upon a time…or two or three. An email is an email, whether it is sent between the hours of 8-5 or 4 in the morning, today or ten years ago. But an email can also be demoralizing, even when it is not intended to be. Prayers cannot erase a mangled, disheartening email.

Since I write during wee hours of the morning, the most epic emails that I have read have been written while angels are asleep. The rants and ravings of minds gone mad, or drinking, have been put into emails and blasted to hundreds of individuals’ inboxes. I have read every vile thought that could be written about anyone by individuals who left professionalism on planet Mars. From insults to innuendos to threats to rambling disjointed piece mill thoughts that were meant to smear, or try destroy an individual's reputation. Confrontations by email are becoming a distasteful part of our culture. So distasteful, email mayhem has lawyers for those seeking legal recourse for what has been written by others in emails on and off the job.

When assaulting emails become part of regular correspondence from an individual or an organization, it is considered cyber bullying or cyber harassment. I used to call it ignorance or foolishness on steroids but the more I read, the more I agree to the legal definitions. I chose not to respond or deal with anyone who sends ranting emails to me directly or within a group. Period. Occasionally, I have responded with short replies to clarify a situation but never to engage a debate via email.

Once, I even sought legal counsel over an email sent to me that was so revolting that my printer sought therapy after I printed it out. Upon reading the email, the attorney began salivating and shared several emails over the years that he responded to on behalf of clients. Instead of being encouraged, I left his office dismayed that his binder was five inches thick with emails that were sent without regard by senders to receivers and the number of individuals copied. Who knew the consequences would result in staggering amounts in monetary compensations.

Having a column in print, on the web, and now, being a voice on the radio, I am keenly aware that what I say or write has consequences. The more interaction a person has with the public, the more the responsibility they have in how they use their words. This rule does not apply only to elected officials but even to civic and social organizations that serve the community.

In the world of instant viral communications, what we write even in private can come back to haunt an inbox. An email is permanent and can be lethal in its delivery. It can never be erased. Send wisely.

Management Issues

Tips for handling unprofessional emails in the workplace.

Try to avoid an escalation into an all out email war. Think carefully how to reply to the email.

Talk to colleagues or friends if you feel hurt. Don't bottle it up.

Ask for time to discuss your feelings with the sender, face to face if possible.

Emails can feel much worse than the sender intended: don't immediately launch into accusations.

Give the sender a chance to explain what they meant.

Try to work together to resolve underlying issues.

Seek agreement on a less abrupt way of communicating in future.

Keep a record of exchanges, so if the problem persists you can discuss it with a senior member of staff. By Brian Amble

Ernie and Gretchen Campbell and Charles and Marie Sueing on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

February is often known as the month of love. Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes in partnership with Mocha Market Magazine as we discuss loving yourself, your family, and your community better. Hear personal stories from couples who radiate with love for one another as well as random calls to individuals Genma love to talk to and have written about over the years. We will also profile events that will enrich your community and empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your best life.

On February 18, 2012, join us to hear two powerful couples who are living by faith while supporting their families and giving back to their community. Hear them share how they encourage friends and work at balancing career and home life. Ernie and Gretchen Campbell and Charles and Marie Sueing are living life to the fullest with boldness and grace.

Living Your Best Life is heard on 760AM from 9:00-10:00AM CST in the Nashville-Middle Tennessee Area, on UStream.TV and on military bases.

More about The Campbells

Dr. Gretchen Campbell began her career as a neurologist and an associate professor of clinical neurology for Vanderbilt University of Nashville TN. She attained staff appointment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as well as Williamson Medical Center. After a six year tenure at Vanderbilt, Dr. Campbell transitioned to her current position as a neurologist with KCA Medical Group in 2008. She remains on staff at Williamson Medical Center, Franklin TN, where her home office is located. Dr. Campbell is board certified in neurology, and treats all neurological illnesses including migraines, epilepsy, back pain, neck pain, neuropathy, pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis and a host of other conditions. She offers multiple procedures to determine and treat the root cause of symptoms prior to treatment. KCA Medical Group Franklin is also an accredited center for Tysabri infusions (an intravenous treatment for Multiple Sclerosis).

Dr. Campbell is active in her medical community as a member of the Tennessee Medical Association, The American Academy of Neurology, the American Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association, The American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the National Headache Foundation.

Dr. Campbell is originally from Birmingham, Alabama and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. She subsequently received her medical doctorate from Meharry Medical College. Dr. Campbell then went on to complete her internship in psychiatry and internal medicine, followed by a residency in neurology at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. She was honored to be selected chief resident during her final year. The Campbells have two beautiful girls and lives in Williamson County.

Ernie is the Founder and CEO of Mocha Market Media. Mocha Market is comprised of two branches, a magazine and a website. Both branches focus on highlighting the accomplishments of the African American community. This is accomplished through informative articles written by African Americans, interviewing interesting/successful African Americans, and publishing photos of African American events throughout Middle Tennessee.

A resident of Williamson County for 9 years, Campbell seeks leadership activities in all areas of his life. He is a member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), a mentor with The 100 Black Men, and a teacher and deacon at Heritage Church of Christ. Campbell loves teaching and mentoring the youth; having a positive impact on a developing mind.

Campbell is originally from Athens, Al and holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Master of Engineering in Management of Technology from Vanderbilt University.

More About The Sueings

Charles Sueing, a native Memphian, earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and has resided in the Nashville area since 1994. He is the principal agent and President of Sueing Insurance Agency, Inc., which is a full service insurance and financial services agency with Nationwide Insurance & Financial Services. Having began his career with Nationwide over 18 years ago, he moved through the ranks of corporate management before branching out to start his own agency here in Nashville 13 years ago. This full services insurance agency offers insurance solutions and financial services including coverage for auto, homeowners, business and life as well as a variety of retirement and investment vehicles. In this most competitive environment, Charles still believes that Customers Service Matters and he and his staff have dedicated themselves to providing the very best in quality and service available. He was recognized by Nationwide Insurance Co as the 2007 Regional Community Service Award winner and 2009 District Community Service Award winner for his outstanding community and customer service work.

Charles is very active in various business and community organizations and has served at the Board level on many of them including the Nashville Association of Real Estate Brokers, North Nashville Community Development Corporation, Chairman for the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, Executive Committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Chairman for the Nationwide Insurance United Way Fundraising Campaign.

Currently, he is on the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce where he also served as Chairman for the Small Business Council. Charles received the 2008-2009 Spirit of the Chamber Award for his efforts in leading Small Business initiatives. In addition to this, he has served as the Nominating Committee Chairman, Steering Chairman, Scoutreach Strategic Plan Chairman, and just recently concluded a term as Vice President of Scoutreach for the Middle TN Council of Boy Scouts. He remains a member of the Executive Board for the Boy Scouts. Additionally, he is currently on the Board for Urban League of Middle TN and is a Global Board Member of 100 Black Men of America and Board President of 100 Black Men of Middle TN. In 2008, Charles was appointed by Mayor Karl Dean to serve on the TN State Fair Board of Commissioners and also joined the Executive Board for Faith Family Medical Clinic and the Nashville Business Coalition.

Charles is a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Nashville where he has served in several capacities including the Board of Directors, Membership Committee, Program Committee, Second Harvest Feed the Need program and the Watkins’s Park Community Center. He is an alumnus of the 2010 Class of Leadership Nashville and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

The Sueings have been married for 18 years and have 3 children. They are members of Lake Providence Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon. When not busy pursuing business opportunities or being involved in community service, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, enjoying good food and good music and is an avid golfer.

Marie R. Sueing, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, has lived in Nashville since 1994. A Senior Sales Manager for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), she began her career in the hospitality industry in 1990 in Atlanta, GA after attending Spelman College. Her former positions over the last 20 years with various Marriott Hotel brands, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, and Starwood Hotels Worldwide have prepared her for her current role at the NCVB.

The tourism and convention industry accounts for over 56,000 jobs in Nashville, second only to the healthcare sector. Over 10 million people visit Nashville each year due largely in part to the marketing and sales efforts of the NCVB. Marie’s primary focus is to solicit market specific convention business to Nashville, which is a vital source of economic growth and development in our city. These markets include social welfare groups, military associations, ethnic / multi-cultural, religious and fraternal organizations. She is a believer that in order to be effective in her sales efforts, she must continue to provide the highest level of customer service to current and prospective clients. She also understands that relationships play an integral role in the sales process, and works diligently to develop and maintain them with each customer. In order to touch the majority of these customers, she often attends various industry tradeshows and sales trips across the country. Many of these travels include her participation within several market specific membership organizations such as: the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (serves on their Membership Committee), Religious Conference Managers Association, Christian Meetings and Conventions Association, Fraternity Executives Association, Collinson Media events, and Roadshows hosted by the NCVB.

Over the years, Marie has volunteered her time and offered her support to several local organizations within the community. These include the Middle TN Chapter of the NAACP, United Way Senet Society, United Way R.H. Boyd Leadership Society, the Urban League of Middle TN, Junior Achievement, Rotary / Second Harvest Feed the Need program and is active with the Youth Ministry at Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church.

Marie is currently an active member of the TN State University Women’s Center Advisory Board, The Elite Athlete Board of Directors, and a member of the Foundation Committee of Jack and Jill of America Nashville Chapter.

When she is not working to bring visitors to the city she loves, she spends the majority of her time with her very active family.

Curt Hahn, Maisha Dyson, and Clay Brocker of Deadline on Living Your Best Life With Genma Holmes

February is often known as the month of love. Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we discuss loving yourself, your family, and your community better. Hear personal stories from couples who radiate with love for one another as well as random calls to individuals Genma love to talk to and have written about over the years. We will also profile events that will enrich your community and empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your best life.

Living Your Best Life is heard on 760AM from 9:00-10:00AM CST in the Nashville-Middle Tennessee Area, on UStream.TV and on military bases.

Tune in on February 11, 2012 to hear Curt Hahn, CEO of Film House and producer-director of Deadline, discuss his love of producing inspiring, uplifting films that are often overlooked by Hollywood; meaningful stories that speak to the heart. In addition to Curt, we will also hear from cast members, Maisha Dyson (Vanessa Brown) and Clay Brocker (Possum) who gave stellar performances in Deadline. Maisha and Clay will share about their characters in the movie and what it took to prepare for their roles. Genma, who played Possum's wife in Dealine, will chime in about the role Curt Hahn played in helping launch Living Your Best Life radio show.

Inspired by a true story, Deadline is adapted from Mark Ethridge's novel Grievances. Ethridge is a former managing editor of The Charlotte Observer. Deadline will be released in theaters on February 17, 2012 nationwide.

Curt Hahn
Curt Hahn was born and raised in New England. He discovered architecture at Phillips
Exeter Academy and enrolled in architecture school at Washington University.
Filmmaking was his other passion and after attending UCLA's summer session in film
production, he transferred to film school at the Disney-endowed California Institute of the Arts. After getting his BFA in Film from Cal Arts he moved to Nashville and founded Film House.

Film House has grown to become the largest film production company in Tennessee,
moving into its 40,000 square foot studio, editing and office facility in 1996. As CEO, Curt leads a team that produces hundreds of films and TV spots annually. He's directed such performers as Eric Roberts, Steve Talley, Candice Bergen, Teri Garr, Janine Turner, Garth Brooks, Kate Jackson, Amy Grant, Isaac Hayes, Reba McEntire, Shaquille O'Neill and Shania Twain. Curt's a member of the select International Quorum of Motion Picture Producers (IQ) and served as IQ President for two terms. IQ is an invitation-only organization of some of the world's top filmmakers.

Transcendent, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Film House, produces independent
features. Our current projects are “Jubilee”, based on the remarkable true story of Ella Sheppard and the original Fisk Jubilee Singers, and “Deadline”, which will be released in theaters nationwide in 2012. “Deadline” stars Steve Talley and Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts as reporters investigating the murder of an African American youth in rural Alabama that has gone uninvestigated, unsolved and unpunished for almost twenty years.

Curt wrote and directed Transcendent's first film, " No Regrets” starring Janine Turner and Kate Jackson. “No Regrets” has been a worldwide success, with repeated airings on HBO in Europe, Lifetime Television domestically, Hallmark in the U.K. and in dozens of other countries around the world. Next Transcendent co-produced “Two Weeks” starring two time Academy Award winner Sally Field, Ben Chaplin and Tom Cavanagh, with L.A.-based writer-director Steve Stockman. “Two Weeks” was released theatrically by MGM in major markets across the country in 2007. Transcendent produces the kind of inspiring, uplifting films that are often overlooked by Hollywood; meaningful stories that speak to the heart.

Maisha Dyson
Maisha Dyson’s film credits include The Scorpion King, How I Spent My Summer Vacation, Call Me Chris and Breakfast at Ben's. She has made television appearances on Savannah, Another World, As the World Turns, Boston Public, Eve, Las Vegas, Coupling and Not Now Kitty.

Clay Brocker
Clay Brocker other film credit's include D4, C2: Love at First Sight, Skarecrow

Genma Holmes and Clay Brocker in Deadline

Click here for premier events for Deadline in other cities

Press Coverage:here

Is Being In A Movie on Your Bucket List?

Text INSPIRE to 99000 to win passes to the red carpet premiere on Wednesday Feb 15th, 2012, copies of the book Grievances, and the sound track.