The moment that hit me without mercy—causing a combination of rage, frustration, and fear—was a local newspaper column that dragged my then-employer through the mud, igniting weeks of additional harsh media and social media commentaries. In the end, SUNO was removed from the bill and remains a member of the Southern University System.

In this Higher Edification segment, I speak candidly about how I found a transformational moment with the help of the SUNO community. I also talk about how I developed my personal leadership while continuing to practice personal growth and development. Read more about how this moment helped my growth.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Dave Delaney | davedelaney.me

Dave Delaney is a communication and leadership strategist, ADHD-aware coach, keynote speaker, and published author with 25-plus years of experience helping organizations and professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. He blends communication strategy, digital fluency, human-centered leadership, and creativity to help teams solve real problems: unclear messaging, siloed communication, low engagement, stalled growth, and the everyday friction that slows mission-driven work.Dave has served organizations as a senior communications leader, director of communications, consultant, and fractional support for marketing, culture, and leadership teams. He also coaches professionals, especially ADHD adults, to improve communication, navigate change, and build the clarity and follow-through they need to grow in their work and lives. Dave is the host of the Wise Squirrels Podcast.

About Rory Verrett | mysovereignpath.com

The founder of Sovereign Path™ and one of the most trusted executive coaches for purpose-driven leaders across industries and continents, Rory brings a rare combination of experience in executive search, leadership development, and succession strategy. He brings deep insight into what it takes to lead with clarity, conviction, and long-term impact.

Rory has coached CEOs, general counsels, professional sports coaches, startup founders, nonprofit executives, finance leaders, and global entrepreneurs. His work draws on over two decades of advising senior leaders at critical inflection points in their careers and organizations.

Rory developed Sovereign Path after leading succession planning for global corporations, managing the NFL’s leadership academy for emerging front office executives, and curating learning experiences for club executives at Stanford and Wharton business schools. He has presented talent strategy insights at the White House, testified before Congress, and lectured on leadership and equity in North America, Europe, and Africa.

As founder of Protégé Search, Rory has recruited executive leaders for some of the world’s most mission-driven companies, nonprofits, and B Corporations. This unique vantage point—at the intersection of purpose, power, and placement—makes him a uniquely effective coach for those seeking to lead authentically and with legacy in mind.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Rory earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University and was selected as a Truman Scholar. Through Sovereign Path, he helps ambitious, values-driven leaders design the next chapter of their lives and careers—on purpose, with purpose.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Melinda visited For Our Edification to share her journey from successful retail buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue to empowerment and business coach. After years of thriving in Corporate America, regularly working 12-hour days because she genuinely loved what she did, Melinda discovered that loving your work wasn’t enough when corporate politics got in the way.

Her turning point came in 2009 when both Melinda and her husband Ryan got laid off simultaneously. They moved to the Florida Keys without knowing anyone. But from that rock-bottom moment, they built three successful businesses.

Melinda shares how her new reality has been built on her revolutionary view on leadership, uncovering the power of meditation vs. mind loops, radical self-awareness, and more.

About Melinda Van Fleet | melindavanfleet.com

An intuitive and energetic empowerment business coach/mentor, Melinda is also a business owner with her husband and a bestselling author. She helps people understand how to expand their conscious awareness and use their intuitive gifts so they can achieve their goals and live their best life possible.

Melinda and her husband, Capt. Ryan Van Fleet have an inspiring story of how they moved to The Florida Keys in 2009 and created Good Karma Sportfishing and Educational Programs.

In 2021, she wrote and self-published two bestselling non-fiction books, Confidence Master for Couples: Roadmap to a More Intimate Relationship and Life & Love Lessons: How to Develop Confidence Through Your Spiritual Journey. Both are available on Amazon, Audible, in paperback, and eBook. Melinda is currently working on her first fiction book series in the Sci-Fi worldview genre.

Connect also at:

* Instagram: @melinda_vanfleet

* Patreon: Conscious Convergence- Your Most Purposeful Life

* Facebook: melinda.vanfleet.31

* LinkedIn: melinda-van-fleet

* TikTok: @melindavanfleet7

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Keep up with more strategic communications insights by signing up for my monthly LinkedIn newsletter, Edifying the Brand.

56 | Eddie’s the Guest

68 | Creating Student Success From Access with Dr. James K. Winfield

71 | Colleges and Universities as Civic Anchors with Dr. Halima Leak Francis

70 | Philanthropic Investment in New Orleans with Halima

69 | The Fight for Critical Thinking with Dr. Esha Lovrić

58 | Thinking, Feeling, and Leading with Christopher Tidrick

59 | Strength in Authenticity with Rashad Young

62 | Winners Win with Carlos Henry

And many thanks to those who joined me: Christine D. Ross, Dominique Luster, Lori Osborne, Andrea C. McLean, and Randy Phares.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

She shares her thoughts about the importance of colleges and universities’ role as civic anchors, how different types of institutions of higher learning contribute to their respective communities, and how the presence of colleges and universities influences citizens’ personal leadership.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

The research was produced by For Our Edification’s very own Dr. Halima Leak Francis, who is the Carnegie Corporation of NY Professor of Social Entrepreneurship in the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation & Design Thinking at Tulane University.

For this Write to Bear Alms segment, I’m rerunning a conversation that I had with Halima about her research and how New Orleans can continue to attract philanthropic investment on my weekly radio show, “The Way Forward” on WBOK radio.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Ending the episode with my Leadership for Good thoughts, I admit that this was supposed to be another episode entirely. But the ancestors said, “Ah-ah! Don’t do it.”

About Dr. Esha Lovrić

Raised in a region ripped apart by social and political upheaval, Esha is a social scientist dedicated to asking questions to give people more clarity about their relationship with society and society’s relationship with them. Her research and study quest begins with fundamental questions like:

How do we perceive the world?

Why do we perceive the world as we do?

What can we control?

How can we increase the chance of personal success?

Over the past 15 years, Esha’s journey in the field of sociological discourse has primarily revolved around the Western context. She has taught, lectured, supervised, and mentored at universities in Australia and now in the European Union. She continues to research and write scientific publications, as well as uphold the requirements of her appointment as a visiting academic fellow.

Esha teaches at the intersection of sociology and social structures, along with philosophy and other scientific evidence. She wholly rejects scientific dichotomies.

Her research interests are studying what motivates human beings to work hard for their future selves and what pulls people backwards. Esha also researches rituals and social pollutants, and social constructions.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Having been a first-gen student himself, James shares his higher education empowerment story. A current university administrator, he also talks about the importance of students having support in higher education, the growth that he seen from students on his journey, and how higher education can connect better with communities.

About Dr. James K. Winfield

James serves as the Associate dean for first year experience, general education, and retention strategies at Southern New Hampshire University’s Global Campus. His portfolio includes the implementation of holistic strategies and programs to improve the communication, orientation, and retention efforts for first-year students, along with developing policies and processes that support the general education experience of global campus students. James, a proud first-gen student, advocate, and researcher, has a multitude of administrative and teaching experiences at various institutions, including colleges that are flagship, land-grant, private, HBCUs, and online education.

James has been actively involved with NASPA and First-gen Forward, serving on the Forward Thinkers Group and is a founding member and past co-chair for the Black First-gen Collective. He has extensive experience in TRIO Programs, first-year programs, specifically orientation and first-year seminars - teaching, designing curriculum, and leading faculty development. He has launched and managed early alert systems, peer mentoring, and tutoring programs. James’s dissertation focused on the career self-efficacy and academic major decisions of low-income first-generation college students in a TRIO SSS program. He earned his Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Carolina, an M.Ed. in higher education administration, and his B.A. in mass communication from Auburn University. James is also a pop culture enthusiast and consistently writes about college and first-gen narratives in TV and film.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Randy Phares

The CEO of a successful consulting company, Randy Phares has been engaged by the US and Afghan governments to help launch four new industries in Afghanistan. He is the winner of the Best Achievement of Organizational Business Improvement in Manufacturing Award from the Global Six-Sigma and Business Improvement Awards. Randy has also led a world-leading turnaround of a multi-national business unit for a Fortune 1000 Corporation on the Forbes Most Admired Companies List. He is an expert witness in legal cases, a speaker, author, consultant, and executive coach featured in many publications. He is also the author of The Ultimate Interview Guide - Master the Most Challenging Questions to Land Your Dream Career!

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Andrea visited For Our Edification during Podapalooza to discuss how she practices personal leadership in the midst of working with purpose-driven women who are navigating transition, seeking clarity, or who are positioned to take the next bold step in their personal or professional lives.

About Andrea C. McLean

Andrea C. McLean is a board-certified coach, speaker, and award-winning author of Decide to Be Your Future Self. Creator of The S.O.A.R. Method®, she helps purpose-driven women shift their mindset, overcome challenges, and design bold futures. With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Andrea empowers women to lead their lives forward with clarity and confidence.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

And she came bearing gifts. Take advantage of her complimentary Authority Visibility Audit and free downloadable checklist, 5 Steps to Evaluate Your Brand & Online Authority: https://www.bizbolster.com/vip-visibility-audit

About Lori Osborne

Affectionately known as The Authority Amplifier, Lori is the founder of BizBolster Web Solutions and the creator of The Authority Blueprint™. With nearly a decade of experience in brand strategy and website design, Lori helps Thought Leaders identify and clarify their brand and translates it into authority-driven websites that attract aligned clients and amplify their impact online.

When she's not building powerhouse brands, Lori enjoys coastal life near Amelia Island, Florida, alongside her amazing husband and two adorable fur babies.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Note:  A passage from the book "Footprints of Black Louisiana" was shared on this episode. It reads that Xavier University of Louisiana opened in 1915, however, Xavier opened in 1925.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Not even 30 years old, Carlos visited "For Our Edification" to talk about what makes him so hungry for greatness, what he has learned about himself in his leadership setbacks, and how he practices personal leadership.

About Carlos Henry

Website:  https://carlosjhenrywinz.com/

Carlos J. Henry is the world’s greatest leadership speaker. He started his career in 2023 with a focus on leadership. As a result of years in leadership roles, he discovered that others are struggling to recognize themselves as leaders and become contributing members to their community. Combined with his experience and desire to help, he took to the stage to reach as many people as possible in the realm of leadership.

Today, Carlos's talks will inspire you and create a detailed plan to build up your community. He is a highly sought-after speaker, author, and coach. His book, Winnerz Win, is an industry favorite and has inspired his coaching business. Carlos has inspired leaders to create contributing members to the community. 

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Dominique Luster

Dominique's Website:  https://www.thelustercompany.com/

Dominique is a professional archivist, researcher, storyteller, and founder of The Luster Company, an agency that offers professional archival and storytelling services to uplift Black stories.

She has previously worked as a liaison librarian at the University of Pittsburgh, where she received her MLIS in library and information science. Dominique is also a proud University of Kentucky Wildcat, where she earned her B.A. in theatre design and technology. As a student, she apprenticed at Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, and the Dorset Theatre Festival. Dominique also took her studies abroad as a Fulbright scholar at the Freie Universität Berlin in Germany. 

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Plus, I’m introducing Higher Edification, more personal leadership conversations, and Write to Bear Alms.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Rashad Young

Rashad's Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/RashadYoung

Rashad Young is a counselor, author, speaker, and podcast host based in St. Louis. He dedicates his life to attempting to stimulate people's intellect and to fuel healthy conversations. Rashad is the author of the inspirational book Renew: Finding Yourself Again, the artist expression book Be Formless, and the poetry book Ville. Rashad earned his master's degree in counseling and applied psychology from Webster University and his bachelor's in education from the University of Missouri.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Chris Tidrick is on a mission to create a world where people think and feel so that they can lead better, especially men. That is why he started hosting the ILLUMENATE podcast. Chris joined For Our Edification to chat about his podcast, his "Think. Feel. Lead." mantra, and the "a-ha" moments that have helped him become a better leader. 

About Christopher Tidrick

Website:  https://christophertidrick.link/

When he is not hosting "ILLUMENATE" or co-hosting "Candid Conversations on Leadership" with Candice Solomon-Strutz, Chris Tidrick is doing his day job as a seasoned technology leader. He boasts over 30 years of experience driving digital transformation in higher education. As the chief information officer at Gies College of Business, Chris leads strategic initiatives to enhance data-driven decision-making, student success, and operational efficiency. He currently chairs the Generative AI Solutions Hub at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and regularly shares his insights through his podcast, speaking engagements, and writing. 

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Christine D. Ross

Website:  https://www.radiatehealthandwellness.com/

Christine has a passion for holistic health, which she describes as both professional and profoundly personal. As a cancer survivor, she has navigated the intricate pathways of healing and resilience. The experience has enriched Christine's approach, blending empathy with expertise so that she can guide others on their wellness journeys. With this, Christine looks forward to exploring the potential of a balanced, joyful, and healthy life with the people she helps.

As an empowerment and life coach, Christine's journey began with a deep-seated passion for personal growth and the empowerment of others. She has certifications from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) to become a board-certified health and wellness coach. Through this, Christine helps people link personal empowerment to physical and mental well-being.

Christine's background is in education, dance, and yoga instruction. It is a combination of professional knowledge and rich personal experiences that make her an empathetic and relatable mentor in the journey toward comprehensive well-being and self-discovery.

As a published author, Christine weaves inspiration and transformation into every word, striving to share insights and stories that resonate and empower. Her writing reflects her dedication to the art and science of health and wellness, offering readers a blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom.

Christine has specialized in behavior change, fitness, nutrition, and whole foods cooking, recognizing the critical role of cognition, exercise, and nutrition in overall health. Her approach extends beyond eating right; it's about discovering the joy and vitality in living consciously, enjoying movement, creating a sustainable, healthy environment, and eating nourishing foods.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Mykel Shannon Jenkins

IMDB Profile:  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420926/?ref_=ra_sb_ln

Mykel, born in Biloxi, Mississippi to an officer in the U.S. Air Force, called many states home. With his parents and two siblings, the family finally settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Mykel graduated from Bonnabel High School. After that, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University New Orleans. While in high school, Mykel was a national competitor in drama as well as speech and debate. That is where his fire for the dramatic was ignited.

During college, while holding down a part-time job as a waiter, Mykel became a household name as the host of New Orleans’ WB38 Kids’ Club, where he served as an on-air personality for more than four years, introducing kids and parents to a world of knowledge. After college, while still in New Orleans, Mykel began his acting career, landing minor roles in a few movies. During this time, Mykel’s knack for writing reared its creative head as he penned his first screenplay about childhood friends who pull off the greatest art heist. Although this one did not make it to film (yet), Mykel has written, directed, and produced over six screenplays since that first one.

In 2003, empowered by his family and armored with a dream and staunch determination, Mykel made his big move to Hollywood. Mykel has studied under some of the most renowned teachers in the industry, such as the Beverly Hills Playhouse, Gary Imhoff, Lesly Kahn, and continues to be mentored by acting coach Eric Stuart. Over the years, Mykel’s hard work paid off. His TV credits include The CW’s "Containment," "Steppin’ Back to Love," "A Royal Christmas Ball," "Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland," and "The Bold and the Beautiful," among many others. Mykel’s film credits include The Last Heist, Beyond the Trek, The Masked Saint, Same Kind of Different as Me, and Undisputed 3: Redemption, where he brought to life the charismatic and unforgettable American fighter, Turbo.

Mykel also starred in the critically acclaimed WellGo USA Ent (THEATRICAL)/Netflix’s The Paper Tigers, a film about three now middle-aged Kung Fu prodigies who reunite to avenge the death of their master teacher. Most recently, Mykel played Dobbs Ryker opposite Morgan Freeman (gang kingpin Kendric Ryker) and Luke Hemsworth (Lee Gunner) in the action-thriller motion picture Gunner (2024).

Expanding his opportunities, Mykel delved into creative writing and directing, which was provoked by his own words, “Why wait for an opportunity? I will create my own.” He has written, directed, produced, and starred in over six features, including The Gods, The Gods 2: The Dark Side, Two Wolves, and Octopus Pot. Mykel is currently writing The Gods 3, and a series entitled Summer 17. In 2024, Mykel released Youn’G (which he again wrote, produced, directed, and co-starred), spotlighting his son, Bryce Clyde Jenkins, in a coming-of-age dramedy about a teenage boy who, with the help of his close friends, fights for his true love while at the same time discovering his cool neighborhood mentor is his father.

Although Mykel is quite busy writing, directing, and acting, he still finds time to train physically as well as spiritually. As a personal trainer, Mykel knows what it takes to maintain a healthy body and mind: hard work and dedication. Mykel applies these disciplines to all that he does.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

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.

Halima discussed 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.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

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.

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 is also a certified speaker for the 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.

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 a 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 in 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.

Trey discussed 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 instant. 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 closely with students through their personal and professional development. 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.

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.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

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.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

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 comic 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 Association’s 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.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

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 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.

About George Sedberry

Social media handle:  @thewhitegeorge on TikTok and @thewhitgeorge on 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.

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.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

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 found her entire family brutally murdered, with the exception of one brother who was studying abroad. She also found that nearly one million of her extended family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Rwandans had been 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 that 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 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 Al Jazeera 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 Speakers Association’s Master of Influence Award.

Left to Tell has received a Christopher Award, "affirming the highest values of the 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 its "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 the 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 São 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.

While he is 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 Dr. 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.

In an interview that originally ran in 2018 on the old "Eddie Francis Podcast Show," Bravo talked about his passion for fitness and the 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.

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 the 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 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.

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 TEDx 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.

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.

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 me 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.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Sharna Fabiano | sharnafabiano.com

Sharna Fabiano is an artist, coach, author of Lead & Follow: The Dance of Inspired Teamwork, and host of the Lead & Follow podcast. Her long study of improvisation and partnering has made her a specialist in Argentine Tango, for which she is recognized internationally. She brings her insights from the world of social dance into the professional sphere with innovative training programs on leadership and followership for teams and organizations.

Sharna’s accomplishments in the dance world include establishing two tango schools, directing her own performing company, and founding a nonprofit organization. Throughout her dance career, she has been an outspoken advocate for learning both leading and following roles independent of gender, a practice that cultivates empathy, inclusion, and creativity.

In 2011, she collaborated with followership pioneer Ira Chaleff on a video training tool using tango to illustrate how followership directly impacts leadership in organizations. In 2017, she received a Hemera Foundation artist fellowship to explore the link between contemplative practice and art making. In 2019, she presented her work on leadership/followership dynamics at the very first Global Followership Conference, and more recently at conferences held by the Association for Change Management Professionals, the Association for Talent Development, and the International Leadership Association.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

In this energized interview, we go in about overcoming obstacles to strengthen personal leadership. From the power of awareness to dealing with baggage to choosing who we are in the moment to putting accountability in perspective, P.J. covers a lot of emotional ground.

Learn more about P.J. and connect with him at https://www.pjswisdom.com.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

As a professional dog trainer, Wilfred works with dog parents to help 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.

Jenny visited For Our Edification for a robust, energetic, nerd-out conversation about servant leadership. We find out what led to her fascination with it, how she infuses it into her marketing work, and how she practices self-care as an ardent believer in servant leadership.

Jenny also serves as the vice president for marketing and communications at the University of Montana.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Having researched fundraising capacity-building at HBCUs, Halima talks about why these fundraising disparities in exist. She also discusses what funders value in their relationships with institutions and more.

References:

How funders, school leaders can step up to combat philanthropic disparities faced by HBCUs (USA Today): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/05/27/hbcus-philanthropic-funding-continues-to-favor-white-institutions/70254668007/

Changing the Odds: Lessons Learned from the Kresge HBCU Initiative:  https://kresge.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Changing-the-odds_lessons-learned.pdf 

Making Bricks without Straw: The Kresge HBCU Initiative and Fundraising at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Halima's dissertation): https://www.proquest.com/openview/f7f14fea88534469d95891934e9ea01f/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

So, how do we deal with feeling shame in the struggle? Halima believes that tapping into our creativity could be a great answer.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

She has ever so wise words about the importance of showing up when you're in the middle of the struggle and how she works through moments of struggle, even in her job as an educator. Finally, find out why Halima says it all comes down to your "why." This is part one of pure inspiration.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

References:

LinkedIn: Why I Hate the Term 'Soft Skills'

Medium: Soft Skills: Origin, where it comes from and Concept

National Career Development Association: Why We Should Stop Using ‘Soft’ Skills

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not necessarily reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

I invited Thought Feeder co-host and principal/CEO of Bravery Media, Joel Goodman, to join me on "For Our Edification" to chat about what he heard from guests about the challenges and the victories of their work. Our conversation turned into a pretty interesting direction, as we also picked apart the internal politics that higher ed marketers endure in managing their college/university websites. It got so good that this is a two-part interview.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Jon-Stephen Stansel, who is the director of social media for Chaotic Goods studios and who has managed social media in higher ed, also knows all too well. JS visited For Our Edification to put the role of social media manager into perspective. JS is also the co-host of the podcast Thought Feeder. Learn more about him by going to jsstansel.com.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Change management expert, Dr. Robin M.L. Johnson, joins the podcast to provide insight about the very important role of emotional intelligence and how organizational changes affect those not in power. Robin is the founder and chief change leadership advisor for DesignOrg Solutions.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

I brought in Jackson State alum and PR professional, Eddie Brown, to discuss the bigger issue--how Jackson State and other HBCUs provide opportunities to the Primes of the world, and also why HBCUs don't need heroes. Learn more about Eddie's agency, Brown Public Relations, at http://www.brown-pr.com/.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

On the old Eddie Francis Podcast Show a few years back, Halima and I had a chat with Sonny about Son of a Saint’s work and the road that he personally traveled to change the lives of the young men his team serves. What started as Sonny simply doing what he thought was right has grown into a fully functioning nonprofit with a diverse staff of case managers, finance people, mental health specialists, marketing professionals, etc. as well as a diverse class of mentees.

Want to see where Son of a Saint is headed? Enjoy this video.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Check David out on "Crunch Time" on 103.7 The Game, "Hard in the Paint," MLBbro.com, The Bird Writes, and The Bird Calls on Spotify.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

I turned to a couple of great, creative friends, Khalilah Elliott and Jamal Sterling. Khalilah is the founder and chief disruptor of Gafford Communications, and Jamal is an actor and educator. Both also host the arts and entertainment podcast Whatever We Want with Jay & Kay. Besides creativity in the Black community, we talk about the creative process, barriers to creative output, finding creativity in whatever you do, and why it's good for creativity to make people nervous.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

My fellow Alpha brother did me the honor of joining me on For Our Edification to talk about how Apple Fried Apple. Most importantly, we chatted about how D9 members in education leverage their memberships to expose their students to higher education, especially HBCUs.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

To talk this out, I turned to an old speaking colleague of mine, Mark Wiggins. Mark is a speaker, author, trainer, and host of the "Off the Bench" podcast. We talk about how he got into the business, when he realized that his words were reaching people, and what motivational speaking does for folks' identity and value. Mark also talks about why the word "until" is special.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

RESOURCES

The Narcissism Spectrum Model

"Why Is Narcissism Increasing Among Young Americans?"

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

I know exactly why--identity and value. Alpha Kappa Alpha, like so many of our sororities and fraternities, probably helped her figure out who she is and how she influences those around her. Not only that, but Divine Nine organizations are built on causes. Listen to me break it down on this episode.

Some Divine Resources:

A Deeper Look at the Divine Nine's Impact | The Huffington Post

Black Greek Success Blog | BlackGreekSuccess.org

Sister Soldiers: A Look at Black Sororities in the Black Lives Matter Movement | Essence

Loretta Lynch hearing: Why all those red suits in the crowd? | Christian Science Monitor

Watch the Yard

Grown and Greek TV

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

In this great interview, Eric and Maleka talk about how their relationship blossomed and served as a foundation for their health and wellness success with Better Choices.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Leslie is no stranger to For Our Edification. A member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., she appeared on episode 4, "The Mental Health Benefits of Giving". Leslie is a relational counselor with extensive experience working with military veterans, veterans' families, and women/families in substance abuse recovery. She is a doctoral candidate at Barry University, where her research interests include the evolution of families, polyamory families, race/class/gender, and cultural competency, as well as indigenous and traditional mental health healing modalities. Leslie earned her bachelor's degree from Hampton University in mass media arts and her Master of Science in marriage and family therapy from St. Thomas University (Fla).

Von is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He talks about positive psychology on One Life Radio. Von earned his bachelor's degree in business administration, his master's degree in education, and his Ph.D. (earned after this interview was recorded) from the University of North Texas. He has experience working with physically and sexually abused youth, couples, men’s issues, anger management, adolescents, depression, anxiety, and addictions.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Halima breaks down the philanthropic identity. She defines it, how it feeds into one's reputation, what it means to protect a philanthropic identity, the difference between influence and power in philanthropy, and how to establish a philanthropic identity.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

For this discussion, we lean on Halima's knowledge of education. Having earned her master's degree in Educational Sociology, Halima touches on the history of higher education, which includes the complex history of HBCUs. From there, we do a deep dive discussion about what is left on the table by people quickly dismissing college as a viable option for success. Unapologetically, we tie higher education into a critical part of Black America's identity and value.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Before that, however, I had the pleasure of interviewing her dad, actor and acting instructor, Lance E. Nichols. By far, this is one of the most entertaining interviews I have ever done, thanks to Lance's energy and charm. Lance has appeared as Dr. Larry Williams in "Tremé", as Gene Clancy in "House of Cards", and as the Preacher in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons". Enjoy!

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

About Darryl Lester

A leading voice in philanthropy, Darryl is the director of Service Year at North Carolina State University's Institute for Emerging Issues. He is also the founder of HindSight Consulting and the Community Investment Network. Darryl had also served as the director of Community Leadership and Programs at the Triangle Community Foundation (NC) and as a trustee of the Warner Foundation. An alumnus of Wofford College(B.A., economics) and North Carolina State University (M.Ed. in counselor education and minor in psychology), Darryl is a brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

About Vince Bayyan

Vince is a former development leader at Claflin University and St. Augustine's University. He also has non-profit experience as a former executive director of the YMCA Clarence E. Lightner Youth Leadership Academy in North Carolina. Also a dedicated artist, Vince is the principal partner of Bayyan Ventures and the Arts Conference Event Center. Vince holds a B.A. in mass communications from Hampton University.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Using my professional experience and information I am gathering for my master's degree research, I lay out the signs of narcissistic leadership using the events surrounding Fyre Fest as portrayed in the documentaries. This isn't about the organizer so much as it is about helping people understand how working under narcissistic leaders can adversely affect one's identity and value. Trust me, I know. We look at both warning signs and ways people can protect themselves under narcissistic leadership. 

For Dr. Ramani Durvasula’s TED talk on narcissism, click here.

SOURCES

Leader Narcissism and Outcomes in Organizations: A Review at Multiple Levels of Analysis and Implications for Future Research by Susanne Braun

The Narcissism Spectrum Model: A Synthetic View of Narcissistic Personality by Zlatan Krizan and Anne Herlache

How to Handle Narcissistic Abuse by Darlene Lancer

Narcissistic Leaders: The Incredible Pros, the Inevitable Cons by Michael Maccoby

8 Types of Narcissists -- Including One to Stay Away From at All Costs by Kristen Milstead

Narcissistic Leaders and Their Victims: Followers Low on Self-Esteem and Low on Core Self-Evaluations Suffer Most by Barbara Nevicka, Annebel De Hoogh, Deanne Den Hartog & Frank Belschak

The Narcissism Epidemic and What We Can Do About It by Joe Pierre

EDITORIAL NOTE

I referenced the Op Ed Project during my "to be sure." Please take time to find out more about this great organization.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

Finally, Halima offers words of advice to anyone considering or just embarking on the doctoral journey. Pay close attention to her thoughts on maintaining a sense of mental wellness and wholeness on the quest for knowledge.

One more thing. You'll hear some odd noises at 12:55. Ignore it; we have no idea what was going on. *smiles*

Closing music by Swagg Beats.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

In part one, Halima discusses why she chose to pursue a Ph.D. and why she chose her research. We find out how her passion for understanding fundraising capacity-building at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and being an alumna of Hampton University served as key motivators. This part goes deep as we find out how the inequities between HBCUs' and majority institutions' are more intricate than many realize.

That being said, we learn that the doctoral journey can be a very personal process. Halima also discusses who she was prior to her doctoral journey and her identity and value now.

Closing music by Swagg Beats

Halima's guest was Leslie M. Brown, a mental health professional who is pursuing her Ph.D. in counseling. Leslie's mental health work includes stress reduction workshops for various groups and counseling military veterans. She explains the neuroscience behind the feelings of satisfaction that come from giving and how an attitude of gratitude relieves stress. Halima and Leslie also discuss the importance of leveraging giving to help youth develop their mental health.

Not only is Leslie a great friend, but she also serves on the board of the Purposeful Philanthropy Foundation.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

David Grubb, a columnist for Crescent City Sports, has a very good idea of the real identity and value of the player who had a tough game. In this throwback interview (from the old Eddie Francis Podcast Show), David talked about the identity and value of athletes beyond the arena on the heels of a mistake that ended my New Orleans Saints' 2018 playoff run. The tables turned for the Saints, however, when a mistake kept their season alive in the 2019 playoffs. Who Dat!

David talked about what it's like in the locker room for players after crushing defeats or big mistakes. He also talked a bit about student athletes and how athletes manage social issues. David not only provides great insight, but he mixes in a couple of great stories--like that time he almost got pulverized by former NFL linebacker Greg Lloyd in the locker room.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

The response? HATERATION!

But not everybody is letting the haters have their way. Take this tweet, for instance:

I hate when people say saying #NewYearNewMe is lame. It's a time to set benchmark #goals and #resolutions. Maybe you don't need that fresh start but I know plenty of people who do. Let's make #2019 great.#LetsWork #Money #Family #Fitness #Health #Growth #MentalHealth #Love #Joy

— D. A. Daniels, Jr. (@DeryleDanielsJr) January 1, 2019

With so many eager to knock the "New Year, New Me" crowd off their pedestals, Halima and I talk about how the pushback just may affect those who are looking to reinvent themselves. Halima, who teaches sociology, offers thoughts about why she believes there have been such toxic responses to the "New Year, New Me" mantra. We also chat about people who present images of their "perfect" lives on social media and whether or not they're being real. Are they real???

Bonus! Halima reveals why she tapped out on "Game of Thrones".

Here's an interesting read that we referenced during the conversation:  "How Social Media Affects Our Self-Perception".

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

This podcast is about identity and value--who we are and how we influence those around us. For Our Edification's co-pilot, Dr. Halima Leak Francis, is the host of the Write to Bear Alms segment, which provides insights and information about how giving can build sustainable communities. Being the fundraising mastermind she is, Halima will also sprinkle some helpful fundraising tidbits along the way. Also, check out the Write to Bear Alms blog.

The views expressed on “For Our Edification” do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.