For Our Edification

054 | Throwback: A Burning Desire

This throwback episode features a conversation with playwright and author Harold Ellis Clark Jr. While he is known for his great radio broadcasting, public relations and communications work, Harold has made a mark as an award-winning playwright and author. In this interview from the old "Eddie Francis Podcast Show," Harold talked about his burning desire to write, how it felt to see that dream come true, the struggle in maintaining the dream, and how he stays motivated.
About Harold Ellis Clark Jr.
Profile:  https://www.stage32.com/profile/788995/about
Harold is a proud native of the Westbank of the Greater New Orleans area. He has won awards from Playhouse on the Square (Memphis, TN) for "We Live Here" (2013) and UpStage Theatre (Baton Rouge, LA) for "Fishers of Men" (2013).
He has been named one of two finalists for the Stanley Drama Award an unprecedented three times for "Tour Detour" (2013), "Uncle Bobby ’63" (2015), and "Madame Thames’ Spirit Bar" (2016). Harold was also named a semifinalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference in 2013 ("Tour Detour"), 2014 ("We Live Here"), and 2015 ("Uncle Bobby ’63"); and he traveled to Durban, South Africa for the South African premiere of "We Live Here" (2017). American Blues Theater (Chicago, IL) named Harold a featured finalist for the 2018 Blue Ink Playwriting Award for his play, "Run No More," and produced a staged reading of the drama. Additionally, the North Carolina Black Repertory Company (Winston Salem, NC) produced a staged reading of "Run No More" in 2019. As a 2018-2019 member of Southern Rep Theatre's 4D New Play Development Program in New Orleans, Harold penned "Indoctrination," for which he was named one of ten finalists for the 2019 Todd McNerney Playwriting Award. A staged reading of "Run No More," previously scheduled for April 17, 2020 at IATI Theater (New York, NY) as part of Cimientos 2020, occurred June 14, 2020 virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harold is known among Greater New Orleans radio listeners for having taken over the weekly talk show "Sunday Journal" for which he won multiple awards from the Press Club of New Orleans. He also authored the novel, Chummy's Spirit.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

053 | Throwback: Cultural Philanthropy

This throwback interview goes back to May 2018 when I asked Halima about cultural philanthropy. In this Write to Bear Alms segment, she gave great insight about how giving differs from one community to the next. At the time, Halima had been the chief philanthropy officer for the Texas Muslim Women's Foundation. 
Halima talks about the common traits among various communities in their giving, philanthropic legacies, her "a-ha" moment about cultural philanthropy, and the most unusual gift she has ever received as a fundraising and philanthropy professional.
About Dr. Halima Leak Francis
Website: https://sopa.tulane.edu/degrees-programs/programs-study/public-administration
Halima is a nationally accomplished educator, practitioner and scholar whose career spans more than 20 years. She has focused on strengthening capacity, sustainability and equitable practices within nonprofits, philanthropy, and higher education administration. Halima joined Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement in 2019 to lead the development of the school’s public administration program. As the program’s founding director and professor of practice, she worked with school leadership and advisors to steer curriculum design, recruit a nationally accomplished faculty, and secure accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.  Under her leadership, the program exceeded launch expectations by tripling initial enrollment projections and was later named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, reinforcing its role as a contemporary voice for advancing inclusive public service and community leadership.
Halima joined Tulane from Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, a multi-sector, ethnically and culturally diverse civic organization specializing in providing culturally specialized social services. She has a proven track record of strengthening of communities through meaningful collaboration, strategic leadership, and philanthropic investment. Along with her work at Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, she has developed programming and engaged public and private supporters on behalf of institutions such as the City University of New York School of Professional Studies, New York University, Barnard College, and Communities in Schools of Wake County (North Carolina). Throughout her career, Halima has also taught diverse populations of students, increasing educational and professional development access in public service related fields through online and blended learning environments.
Halima holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from New York University – Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development where she also earned her master's degree in sociology of education. She earned her B.A. in English from Hampton University. A dedicated community volunteer, she prioritizes advancing systemic equity and inclusion by supporting organizations and programs that are committed to the same. She serves as a founding co-chair of the HERitage Giving Fund, Tulane History Project co-chair, Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Impact 100 co-chair, and Foundation for Louisiana board member. Additionally, Halima holds the Carnegie Corporation of NY Professorship in Social Entrepreneurship at Tulane’s Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Born and raised in Winston-Salem, N.C., she has lived and worked in cities throughout Virginia, New York, and Texas. She now enjoys her home in the New Orleans area with husband Eddie, who is an award-winning mass media veteran and New Orleans native. Her favorite times are spent with her husband, her amazing bonus son, other family members, friends, and pets.

052 | Leading with ADHD

October is ADHD Awareness Month, so it seems like a good time to continue sharing my experiences having been recently diagnosed with ADHD. I wondered how ADHD impacts the leadership journey, so I offered thoughts on what makes the journey a challenge. There are also thoughts about how people can support those who seem to have great leadership potential but also seem to display signs of ADHD. Finally, you'll hear about the advantages that someone with ADHD has as a leader.
Disclaimer:  I am not a mental health professional, and this does not serve as a diagnosis of any mental health conditions. 
Resources
Impact of ADHD at Work | Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Adult ADHD: Statistics and Facts | WebMD
Why Is Adult ADHD on the Rise? | University of Utah Health
6 strengths and benefits of ADHD | Medical News Today
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

051 | The Journey to Self-Validation

Priscilla María Gutiérrez's story is a true mental health journey. Having lived through trauma, she set to understand what it means to truly trust herself. Priscilla joined "For Our Edification" to tell her story of personal leadership so that others can understand what it means to reach a point of self-validation. In this episode, we learn, most importantly, what a healthy support system looks like and what keeps Priscilla going as a life coach.
About Priscilla María Gutiérrez
Website:  https://www.priscillamaria.com/
Priscilla María Gutiérrez is a keynote speaker, Certified Trauma-Informed Life Coach and trauma survivor who empowers others to become cycle breakers. She also a certified speaker for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) who holds a J.D. from the University of California Irvine School of Law. She also graduated cum laude from Johns Hopkins University.
Also a speaker for Greek University, she sees her life's purpose as helping others heal from trauma, overcoming limiting beliefs, and creating their ideal lives. As a sober, bisexual Latina woman with diagnosed mental illness, she makes it a point to show up authentically to exemplify that recovery and healing are very possible.
Priscilla is most active as a mental health advocate. She has served as a thrive coach for the Reframe App, supporting people reducing or quitting drinking. She coaches students in the DC Futures Program, a scholarship program offered through the Washington, DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Priscilla also hosts a monthly support group for LGBTQ+ Latinx people for OutCare Health, and she co-hosts Tuesday meetings for the Sober Black Girls Club that serve queer BIPOC femmes in recovery. She has helped facilitate a domestic violence support group as a trained advocate at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, and Priscilla has supported trauma survivors as a law student through the Veterans and Domestic Violence Clinics.
Additionally, she has written op-eds and essays for popular online platforms, such as Yahoo!, Blavity, and Nalgona Positivity Pride about mental health and the effects of trauma. Priscilla has also provided leadership and secured almost $400,000 in funds for a national mental health organization that serves Black communities.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

050 | Another Way to Win

On episode 19 of "For Our Edification," David Grubb spoke passionately about athletes and their mental health. Trevon Bryant lived it. As a running back at the University of New Hampshire, he saw his future as a professional football player ahead of him. One day, it slowed down drastically because of a severe knee injury. Trey eventually fell into what he calls a "dark hole," not only because he felt his dream slipping away, but also because he was missing a critical figure in his life--his father.
On this episode, Trey talks about how he climbed out of that dark hole to find other ways to experience that winning feeling. He talks about how he uses his story to inspire others through his talks as well as his mindset coaching.
About Trevon Bryant
Social Media: LinkedIn and @talkingwithtrey on Instagram and TikTok
Trey was a college football player with dreams of playing in the NFL when he suffered a traumatic knee injury, tearing his ACL, MCL, both medial and lateral meniscus and patellar tendon all in one snap. His life changed in an instance. He had to figure out a way to reinvent himself. Trey’s educational, professional and athletic leadership experiences have allowed him to develop different concepts and perspectives on how to effectively lead through adversity and opposition.
Trevon uses his Division-1 football experience to motivate and challenge those who have faced any level of difficulty or challenge through their position of leadership. As a residential hall director at the University of New Hampshire, Trevon worked with students closely through their personal and professional development. He continues to connect with students as a speaker with Greek University.Trey is sharing his message through “Talking with Trey” and is uplifting people all over the world.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.
 

049 | Throwback: Whose Donation Is It Anyway?

It's another blast from the past. In 2016, Michael Jordan made significant donations to several causes. There were many critics, however, who questioned why the sports legend donated the money where he did. 
In this "Write to Bear Alms" segment from the old "Eddie Francis Podcast Show" and in the spirit of Black Philanthropy Month, Halima gave her thoughts about the intersection of philanthropy and personal leadership. She talked about the logic that goes behind philanthropic gifts and how nonprofit organizations can understand what philanthropists are looking for when they're ready to make their gifts.
About Dr. Halima Leak Francis
Website: https://sopa.tulane.edu/degrees-programs/programs-study/public-administration
Halima is a nationally accomplished educator, practitioner and scholar whose career spans more than 20 years. She has focused on strengthening capacity, sustainability and equitable practices within nonprofits, philanthropy, and higher education administration. Halima joined Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement in 2019 to lead the development of the school’s public administration program. As the program’s founding director and professor of practice, she worked with school leadership and advisors to steer curriculum design, recruit a nationally accomplished faculty, and secure accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.  Under her leadership, the program exceeded launch expectations by tripling initial enrollment projections and was later named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, reinforcing its role as a contemporary voice for advancing inclusive public service and community leadership.
Halima joined Tulane from Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, a multi-sector, ethnically and culturally diverse civic organization specializing in providing culturally specialized social services. She has a proven track record of strengthening of communities through meaningful collaboration, strategic leadership, and philanthropic investment. Along with her work at Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, she has developed programming and engaged public and private supporters on behalf of institutions such as the City University of New York School of Professional Studies, New York University, Barnard College, and Communities in Schools of Wake County (North Carolina). Throughout her career, Halima has also taught diverse populations of students, increasing educational and professional development access in public service related fields through online and blended learning environments.
Halima holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from New York University – Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development where she also earned her master's degree in sociology of education. She earned her B.A. in English from Hampton University. A dedicated community volunteer, she prioritizes advancing systemic equity and inclusion by supporting organizations and programs that are committed to the same. She serves as a founding co-chair of the HERitage Giving Fund, Tulane History Project co-chair, Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Impact 100 co-chair, and Foundation for Louisiana board member. Additionally, Halima holds the Carnegie Corporation of NY Professorship in Social Entrepreneurship at Tulane’s Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Born and raised in Winston-Salem, N.C., she has lived and worked in cities throughout Virginia, New York, and Texas. She now enjoys her home in the New Orleans area with husband Eddie, who is an award-winning mass media veteran and New Orleans native. Her favorite times are spent with her husband, her amazing bonus son, other family members, friends, and pets.

048 | Throwback: Not a 'Make It Rain' Fundraiser

Once upon a time, Halima was in the fundraising world. But she wasn't a "make it rain" fundraiser. That's because Halima's success was built on the understanding that fundraising isn't just about money, it's about relationships. Hear about why your organization's attitude towards donors is crucial, why it's crucial to choose sustainability over survival, and how your can empower your entire team to be fundraising ambassadors. Plus Halima talked about a couple of free resources to boost fundraising capacity.
Most importantly, this episode reveals why Halima is such a strong leader and how wisdom can have a lasting impact on fundraising.
About Dr. Halima Leak Francis
Website: https://sopa.tulane.edu/degrees-programs/programs-study/public-administration
Halima is a nationally accomplished educator, practitioner and scholar whose career spans more than 20 years. She has focused on strengthening capacity, sustainability and equitable practices within nonprofits, philanthropy, and higher education administration. Halima joined Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement in 2019 to lead the development of the school’s public administration program. As the program’s founding director and professor of practice, she worked with school leadership and advisors to steer curriculum design, recruit a nationally accomplished faculty, and secure accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.  Under her leadership, the program exceeded launch expectations by tripling initial enrollment projections and was later named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, reinforcing its role as a contemporary voice for advancing inclusive public service and community leadership.
Halima joined Tulane from Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, a multi-sector, ethnically and culturally diverse civic organization specializing in providing culturally specialized social services. She has a proven track record of strengthening of communities through meaningful collaboration, strategic leadership, and philanthropic investment. Along with her work at Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, she has developed programming and engaged public and private supporters on behalf of institutions such as the City University of New York School of Professional Studies, New York University, Barnard College, and Communities in Schools of Wake County (North Carolina). Throughout her career, Halima has also taught diverse populations of students, increasing educational and professional development access in public service related fields through online and blended learning environments.
Halima holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from New York University – Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development where she also earned her master's degree in sociology of education. She earned her B.A. in English from Hampton University. A dedicated community volunteer, she prioritizes advancing systemic equity and inclusion by supporting organizations and programs that are committed to the same. She serves as a founding co-chair of the HERitage Giving Fund, Tulane History Project co-chair, Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Impact 100 co-chair, and Foundation for Louisiana board member. Additionally, Halima holds the Carnegie Corporation of NY Professorship in Social Entrepreneurship at Tulane’s Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Born and raised in Winston-Salem, N.C., she has lived and worked in cities throughout Virginia, New York, and Texas. She now enjoys her home in the New Orleans area with husband Eddie, who is an award-winning mass media veteran and New Orleans native. Her favorite times are spent with her husband, her amazing bonus son, other family members, friends, and pets.

047 | Define Your Story

Dr. Sheena Howard has succeeded because of a simple mantra:  "This is not the end of my story." She joined "For Our Edification" to talk about the importance of her work as a creator who centers her work on representation. Having survived domestic abuse at one point of her life, Sheena's  journey is a call to action for anyone who's ever felt lost or unseen. She shares the power of self-belief and becoming the hero of your own narrative. Discover how Sheena's personal leadership can help you to tap into your inner strength and find the will to march toward your full potential. 
About Dr. Sheena Howard
Website:  https://sheenachoward.com 
Sheena C. Howard, is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and scholar. In 2014 Sheena became the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award (considered the ‘Oscars of Comics’) for her first book, Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation (2013). She is also the author of several critically acclaimed books and comics books. In 2017, Sheena published the Encyclopedia of Black Comics, which is the first book of its kind, profiling over 100 Black people in the comics industry. The Encyclopedia of Black Comics was named the 2018 American Library Associations’ Outstanding Reference Source. 
In 2014, Sheena published Black Queer Identity Matrix and Critical Articulations of Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation. Sheena is the co-writer of the comic book, Superb about a teenage superhero with Down Syndrome. 
Sheena has appeared on NPR, ABC, BBC, PBS as well as other networks and documentaries as an expert on popular culture, politics and social justice. Sheena is the subject of a 2018 Emmy-nominated episode of State of the Arts, which airs on NJTV and WHYY.
In 2016, Sheena directed, produced and wrote the documentary Remixing Colorblind, which explores the ways the educational system shapes our perception of race. Parts of the documentary were filmed at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Lehigh University and Drexel University. The film premiered at The Ritz Landmark theatre in Philadelphia. Sheena organized and hosted a talk about race and education at the Philadelphia Main Library in 2017 as a part of her documentary tour in which proceeds from the event went to local non-profit organizations.
Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Sheena has twice received a Proclamation from the City of Philadelphia for her literary work, social justice and creative projects.
A dedicated mother, she is a professor at Rider University in the Department of Communication and Journalism. Outside of her full-time job, Sheena spends time writing and speaking to organizations and educational institutions on a variety of topics including social justice, diversity, and representation.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

046 | I Have ADHD

At the age of 53, I found out that I have ADHD. Here's how it feels and this is how I'm handling it.

045 | The Commencement Address That No One Asked For

No one asked for this commencement address, but they got it.

044 | Keep Pushing

Business is Liz Springer's business. For her, however, business growth is heavily connected to personal growth. Having endured significant challenges in the business world, as a woman, Liz is dedicated to working with small business owners to overcome their challenges to grow their businesses. It all comes with a big message--keep pushing. Liz visited "For Our Edification" with an inspiring message about standing up, investing the necessary time for professional and personal growth, and resilience. 
For Our Edification is brought to you by Edify Ventures, LLC--Brand strategy for your people and you. Learn more at edifyventuresnola.com. 
About Liz J. Springer
Website:  lizjspringer.com or mystrategiesforgrowth.com
Liz J. Springer is a London-based international consultant who specializes in business strategy and video marketing techniques. With over 16 years of industry experience, she is a growth coach, an accomplished author of three books, and a national and international speaker.
Liz's work has been dedicated to helping and training small business enterprises in growth marketing strategies, management, and leadership skills. She has been working successfully with a number of businesses to achieve their goals, using an innovative approach to strategies and techniques to bring about change for the better in a way that would "bring out the right performance in people." She also specializes in custom video and video coaching as well as marketing techniques.
Besides delivering innovative training workshops in strategic leadership, idea generation and consulting, Liz has spoken at national, international conferences and seminars on personal and business development. She has regularly contributed to television programs, appearing on national lunchtime news, BBC international radio, and she has run her own show. Liz is also passionate about health and even wrote her own book on health.
Liz has worked as an independent management consultant amongst the top five consulting firms. She has worked with British Airways, Transport For London, Cazenove, Central Bank of Nigeria, Prevista, London universities, Equazen, and Rethink.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

043 | A Life Changing Transformation

George Sedberry became a fan of Historically Black Colleges and Universities through African American history. He's not just any fan; he's a fan with, shall we say, a past. So, when and how did he make the life changing transformation that got him known on TikTok and Instagram as "The White George"? George visited "For Our Edification" to tell talk about his turning point in life, his advocacy, how he takes the time for his own growth and development, and the walk across America that he plans to do to bring more awareness to the importance of HBCUs.
About George Sedberry
Social media handle:  @thewhitegeorge on TikTok and @thewhitgeorge Instagram
From a small town in Arkansas, George has worn many hats in life, from competitive athlete to former racist to mortgage executive to prison inmate to truck driver to a storyteller obsessed with REAL history--Black American history and the hidden crown jewel of the American higher education, HBCUs. 
 
George's journey is to discover the beauty and magnitude of these campuses as well as the men and women who made them such powerhouses of higher education. Even more, George is committed to tell HBCUs' story to people who don’t even know they exist.
 
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

042 | On My Brain: Freaknik and the "Top" HBCUs

American Black Gen Xers are buzzing with the release of "Freaknik: The Greatest Party Never Told." I watched it and two things stood out to me--one was folks' perception of Freaknik and the other was the way the documentary ended. I shared some thoughts.
On another note, I've had thoughts rattling around in my head for a while about what folks regularly regard as the "top" HBCUs. I'm not so sure this conversation serves us in the best way, and I talk about why.
Got thoughts? Let me hear them! Email eddie@eddiefrancis.com and I may share them on an upcoming episode of "For Our Edification."
 

041 | Throwback: The Award Winner

The reason Eddie is an "award-winning" broadcaster is Immaculée Ilibagiza. In 2010, he interviewed the Rwandan genocide survivor for a retreat that she was holding in New Orleans. A year later, Eddie won the Press Club of New Orleans Excellence in Broadcasting Award for the Best Radio Entertainment Feature. This interview is a throwback from his days as a contributor to "Sunday Journal with Hal Clark" on WYLD-FM in New Orleans.
About Our Sponsor
"For Our Edification" is brought to you by Edify Ventures, LLC, brand strategy for your people and you. Edify partners with organizations for employer branding strategy and marketing and communications services. Individuals, however, can take advantage of Edify's personal branding services which include public speaking coaching, resume design, professional biography writing and copy for websites. Learn more at https://edifyventuresnola.com. 
About Immaculée Ilibagiza
Website: https://www.immaculee.com/ 
Immaculée Ilibagiza was born and raised in a small village in Rwanda, Africa. She enjoyed a peaceful childhood with her loving parents and three brothers. Education was very important in her household, so it was no surprise that she did well in school and went on to the National University of Rwanda to study electrical and mechanical engineering. It was while she was home from school on Easter break in 1994 that Immaculée's life was transformed forever.
On April 6 of that year, the Rwandan President’s plane was shot down over the capital city of Kigali. This assassination of the Hutu president sparked months of massacres of Tutsi tribe members throughout the country. Not even small, rural communities like Immaculée’s were spared from the house-by-house slaughtering of men, women and children.
To protect his only daughter from rape and murder, Immaculée’s father told her to run to a local pastor’s house for protection. The pastor quickly sheltered Immaculée and seven other women in a hidden 3 x 4 foot bathroom. For the next 91 days, Immaculée and the other women huddled silently in this small room, while the genocide raged outside the home and throughout the country. 
While in hiding, anger and resentment were destroying Immaculée’s mind, body and spirit. It was then that Immaculée turned to prayer. Prior to going to the pastor’s home, Immaculée’s father, a devout Catholic, gave her a set of rosary beads. She began to pray the rosary as a way of drowning out the anger inside her, and the evil outside the house. It was that turning point towards God and away from hate that saved Immaculée.
In addition to finding faith, peace, and hope during those three months of hiding, Immaculée also taught herself English. Immaculée was always a good student and already fluent in Kinyarwanda and French. Using only a Bible and a dictionary, she spent countless hours in that cramped bathroom learning her third language. 
After 91 days, Immaculée was finally liberated from her hiding place only to face a horrific reality. Immaculée emerged from that small bathroom weighing just 65 pounds, and finding her entire family brutally murdered, with the exception of one brother who was studying abroad. She also found nearly one million of her extended family, friends, neighbors and fellow Rwandans massacred.
After the genocide, Immaculée came face-to-face with the man who killed her mother and one of her brothers. After enduring months of physical, mental and spiritual suffering, Immaculée was still able to offer the unthinkable, telling the man, "I forgive you."
In 1998, Immaculée emigrated from Rwanda to the United States where she continued her work for peace through the United Nations. During that time, she shared her story with co-workers and friends who were so impacted by her testimony they insisted she write it down. Three days after finishing her manuscript, she met best-selling author Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, who, within minutes of meeting her, offered to publish her book. Dyer is quoted as saying, "There is something much more than charisma at work here - Immaculée not only writes and speaks about unconditional love and forgiveness, but she radiates it wherever she goes."
Immaculée's first book, Left to Tell; Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust (Hay House) was released in March of 2006. Left to Tell quickly became a New York Times Best Seller. To date, it has been translated into seventeen languages and has sold over two million copies. Immaculée's story has also been made into a documentary entitled The Diary of Immaculée. She has appeared on 60 Minutes, The CBS Early Show, CNN, EWTN, CBS Evening News, The Aljazeera Network as well as in The New York Times, USA Today, Newsday, and many other domestic and international publications. She was recently featured in Michael Collopy's Architects of Peace project, which has honored legendary people like Mother Teresa, Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama.
Immaculée has received honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Notre Dame, Saint John's University, Seton Hall University, Siena College, Walsh University and the Catholic University of America. She has been recognized and honored with numerous humanitarian awards, including The Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace, the American Legacy's Women of Strength & Courage Award and the 2015 National Speaker’s Assocation’s Master of Influence Award.
Left toTell has received a Christopher Award "affirming the highest values of human spirit," and was chosen as Outreach Magazine's selection for "Best Outreach Testimony/Biography Resource of 2007." Left to Tell has been adopted into the curriculum of dozens of high schools and universities, including Villanova University, which selected it for their "One Book Program," making Left to Tell mandatory reading for its 6,000 students.
Immaculée has written six additional books in recent years - Led by Faith: Rising from the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide, Our Lady of Kibeho, If Only We Had Listened, Visit from Heaven, and The Boy Who Met Jesus, and The Rosary.
Today, Immaculée is regarded as one of world's leading speakers on faith, hope and forgiveness. She has shared this universal message with world leaders, school children, multinational corporations, churches, and at events and conferences around the world, including a recent presentation to over 200,000 people in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

040 | What God Does Through You

"It's not about you. It's about what God does through you." Those are the words of Dr. Ansel Augustine, international speaker, author, and educator. Ministry is Ansel's life, and he joined "For Our Edification" to talk about how his dedication to faith has been an important part of his personal leadership.
While he well-known around his home city of New Orleans for his giving, Ansel also works to balance it all out with self-care. "Preach" candidly discusses how he views himself, how New Orleans is a part of him, and how DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) has become part of his work.
About Ansel Augustine
Website:  holyhotboy.info
Dedicated to justice and faith, Ansel is an Emmy-nominated producer, award-winning author, speaker, and educator. Among Ansel’s works are the award winning book, Leveling the Praying Field: Can the Church we Love, Love us Back? and The African American Catholic Youth Bible. Known for his youth ministry, Ansel also authored Sunday Prayer for Teens. His documentary “Black Faith Matters” boldly and thoughtfully addressed “one story” of the Black Catholic experience, earning an Emmy nomination. Ansel is also on the faculty of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, Graduate Theological Foundation, and Loyola University New Orleans’ Institute for Ministry. 
Ansel’s career goes back over two decades. He began as the Youth Minister at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in the famed Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans. Since then, he has led in roles as the New Orleans Area Director for Vagabond Missions, Executive Director of Cultural Diversity and Outreach for the Archdiocese of Washington, and Associate Director/Coordinator of Black Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the CYO Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office. Ansel also served as Campus Minister at Xavier, Loyola, and St. John’s University in Queens, New York.
When Ansel is not fulfilling his duties or writing, he can be found generously volunteering his time and resources. He serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Michael's College (Burlington, Vermont) as well as on the Board of Directors for the Congo Square Preservation Society. Ansel has worked in prison ministry for over 25 years in various capacities, and he has also served on the board of directors for the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA) and the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). 
True to his roots, Ansel gleefully sports the moniker “Holy Hot Boy,” paying homage to the soulful, vibrant cultural legacy of his home city, New Orleans. So dedicated is Ansel to the cultural preservation of one of the world’s most beloved cities, that he volunteers with the Mardi Gras Indian Council and Backstreet Cultural Museum. In the aftermath of destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina and a significant loss of city services on the heels of Hurricane Ida, Ansel was one of the boots-on-the-ground volunteers who participated fully in his community’s recovery.
Among Ansel’s long list of honors are:  The President’s Volunteer Service Award (LIFETIME), Gambit 40 Under 40, City of New Orleans Millennial Award, Loyola University Black Student Union Outstanding Community Service by an Alumnus Award, Knights of Peter Claver Chicago Archbishop James P. Lyke Image Award, Archdiocese of New Orleans Blessed Frasatti Young Adult Ministry Award, St. John’s University Latin American Student Association Administrator of the Year, St. John’s University Black Student Union Administrator of the Year, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. New Orleans Alumnae Chapter Artie Award. Ansel was also inducted into the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame.
Ansel earned his Bachelor of Arts in sociology and his Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans. He earned his Doctor of Ministry from Graduate Theological Foundation and his Certificate in Youth Ministry from Xavier University of Louisiana's Institute for Black Catholic Studies.
Ansel is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Peter Claver, and the Wild Tchoupitoulas (Black Masking) Mardi Gras Indians. He is also an Associate Member of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.
 

039 | Bravo! Fitness!

Personal trainer Micah "Bravo" Matthews trains more than the body. He goes out of his way to train the mind and the spirit. Set to enjoy a lucrative engineering career, Bravo decided that he wanted more out of life than he felt a lot of his colleagues were getting. That's when he decided to invest in a healthy lifestyle.
In an interview that originally ran in 2018 on the old "Eddie Francis Podcast Show," Bravo talked about his passion for fitness and effects of the physical fitness journey on mental and spiritual fitness. 
About Micah "Bravo" Matthews:
Website:  www.bravo.fit
Instagram:  @_bravo.fit_
TikTok:  bravo.fit
YouTube:  BravoFit
Facebook:  _bravo.fit_
Bravo is a personal fitness trainer and life coach whose practice is based on the principles of "Action, Belief, Consistency, and Discipline." He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering from Louisiana Tech University and began his career in Texas. Not satisfied with his professional direction, Bravo made the leap to begin a new career in an area that brought him the most joy. The New Orleans native continues to work with clients to help them live the best quality of life that they can.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

038 | Your Wellbeing Is Your Voice

At one point, Kimberly O'Neil was concerned that she would lose her voice, both figuratively and literally. Heavily committed to community work and education, Kim dedicates her life to empowering people to lift their voices to fortify the causes they care about. When her wellbeing was threatened by COVID-19 and workplace bullying, she realized that she had to take care of herself, too. Kim shares personal leadership stories and thoughts to encourage each of us to take care of ourselves so that we can do what we do best.
Eddie also shares candid thoughts about the impact of Antoinette "Bonnie" Candia-Bailey, a university vice president who died by suicide in January of 2024 on the heels of workplace bullying allegations.
Warning: This episode includes comments about self-harm. If you are thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.
 
About this episode's guest, Kimberly O'Neil
Website: justkimonline.com
TED Talk, Your Voice Is Your Currency: https://youtu.be/no_QblQ27h4
A native of Queens, New York, Kim is the CEO and founder of Giving Blueprint and the creator of Cause Studio, a collaborative nonprofit initiative, to provide cost-friendly training and resources that aid the social sector in reducing the number of failing startup nonprofit organizations.
Having grown up with community work, Kim understands that a community’s voice is its currency and must be used in order to affect real change. As an authority in the nonprofit space, she frequently speaks publicly, teaching organizations how to cultivate long-standing relationships and partnerships to support communities.
She is an award-winning professor, executive leader, and social good expert with an impressive list of accomplishments.
She served as the youngest African-American woman city manager in the United States.
Kim is a former veteran senior government and nonprofit executive who has led activities that have generated more than $20 million for community initiatives. She has also mentored organizations to collective revenue-generating activities in excess of $1 million annually since 2015.
She is experienced in negotiating major urban economic development projects and has impacted public policy decisions while lobbying in New York City and on Capitol Hill.
Kim's awards and honors include:  the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas award for Social Innovation, a Business Journal Minority Business Leader, the Association of Women Business Owners-DFW Chapter Entrepreneurial Spirit Mentor, Outstanding Associate Faculty of the Year for Collin College, one of Frisco Style Magazine's Faces of Higher Education, and she was featured in Plano Magazine's 2018 Girl Boss issue.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.
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037 | Relationship Goals...For Real

Let's call this a get-to-know-you episode. It was such a pleasure to have Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew on to talk about her work and what she values most--relationships. A "network weaver," as she calls herself, Froswa' talks about her expertise in social capital, why she's concerned about the lack of connection among generations, how leadership is thwarted by impostor syndrome, and what she has learned about herself through it all. For Froswa', social capital is key to personal, professional and organizational growth. Talk about relationship goals...for real.
Froswa’ runs Soulstice Consultancy, and she’s the co-founder of HERitage Giving Circle (along with Akilah Wallace, who appeared on episode 35, and Halima). Froswa' is also the co-founder of Power in Action-Dallas. She has done a TED Talk and has been quoted/featured in Forbes, Modern Luxury, The Huffington Post, and other media outlets. Froswa' was featured in the documentary “Friendly Captivity” which followed seven women from Dallas to India.
Froswa's website:  https://www.drfroswabooker.com/
"Proximity+Presence: Social Capital and Polarization":  https://www.ted.com/talks/froswa_booker_drew_proximity_presence_social_capital_and_polarization 
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

036 | Lyrics, Business, and Buns. Why Not?

Why not? It's a question that Austin Levy seems to ask whenever he has an idea for a venture. Recognized as one of Gambit's 2023 "40 Under 40," the New Orleans MC (known as A.Levy) has spent over two decades as a recording artist and businessman. We spent time talking about what it means to grow as an artist, his business ventures, and what he has learned about himself through it all.
Connect with Austin:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alevyworld
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Alevyworld
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alevyworld
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/a-levy/1456275
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5oxFgwORh8tPUYcKcQBEtm
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/8033525
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

035 | Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month

August is Black Philanthropy Month. It's a time that celebrates the legacy and traditions of giving throughout the African diaspora.
One group that has uplifted Black philanthropy is HERitage Giving Fund. Based in Dallas, HERitage has awarded over $100,000 to Black women-led nonprofit organizations that serve Black women and girls throughout North Texas.
Akilah Wallace founded HERitage with Halima and Froswa' Booker-Drew. She joined "For Our Edification" to talk about how HERitage honors Black philanthropy through its efforts and programming. She also gives helpful suggestions for "everyday" Black folks to practice philanthropy.
Learn about Black Philanthropy Month at blackphilanthropymonth.com.
Learn about HERitage Giving Fund at heritagegivingfund.org.
Learn about Akilah Wallace at akilahswallace.com
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.