Season 5
Season 5
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
043 | A Life Changing Transformation
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
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.
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
042 | On My Brain: Freaknik and the "Top" HBCUs
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
Saturday Mar 23, 2024
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."
Monday Mar 11, 2024
041 | Throwback: The Award Winner
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
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.
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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.
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
040 | What God Does Through You
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
"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.
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
039 | Bravo! Fitness!
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
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.
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
038 | Your Wellbeing Is Your Voice
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
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.
Thoughts? Jump into the conversation!
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
035 | Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
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.
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
031 | Lessons From Dogs
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
When my family talked about getting a dog, I talked about how much work it would be for us. What I didn’t anticipate is how much having a dog would teach us about ourselves. Who knew? Wilfred "Woofred" Hester knew.
As a professional dog trainer, Wilfred works with dog parents on helping them understand how their behaviors determine their dogs' responses. If things go well, the result is a host of personal leadership lessons that bring dog parents much closer to their pets.
My big three takeaways?
The thirst for instant gratification distorts vision.
Connect to life.
Know the capacity you have to fit things into your life.
Learn more about Woofred Dog Training at https://www.woofred.com.
The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.