Tag Archives: urban talk show

Why Did Slaves Grow Up In The Southern Colonies

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If you’re alive right now, it seems as if the thought of slavery is a thing of the past, like hundreds and hundreds of years ago; And while that is true, it really is not! The truth continues to point to these truths: Not every man is created equal and as petty as it may sound, that truth includes the fact that most folks in the United States have been trained to hate on some level causing many black and brown people to be mistreated.

On the surface, it may appear that we as a people are out of control; or simply have lost the way. Here’s the question: If we are not sure where we came from, how shall we ever return to a place where we know the truth. It seems impossible at best to believe we can ever truly experience what the actual slaves lived within the United States, but it goes down in history as having the largest groups of cash crops in the world.

The “experience” as it were, and its lingering effects are considered horrific, yes, but what would be more horrible is if we do not accurately account for these experiences in our voice as documentalists or story-tellers. But that all ends now with this week’s Urban Academics HOT-Seat Chosen Visionary. She spends her days interpreting the experience of 75-100 slaves who lived and died at the McLeod Plantation in Charleston South Carolina.

Three Books You Should Read

  1. Enduring The Call; A 14 Day Journey, by Jocelyn Fagan ($14.00)
  2. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey of Recovery From Loss, by Katurah A Bryant, LMFT ($14.99)
  3. When The Heart Takes Flight, by Carla Yarbrough ($9.99)

Who’s In This Week’s HOT-Seat

Reverend Toby Smith was born in Charleston, South Carolina, but grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She’s a graduate of USC, Columbia, and has done graduate work at American University and Colorado Christian University. Toby began her professional career at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she served domestically and abroad.

After eight years with the Federal Government, she returned home and began working at the Charleston County School District as the Public Relations Officer under the leadership of the late Superintendent, Sydney “Chip” Zullinger, who selected her to coordinate the district’s first bond campaign dedicated to repairing old dilapidated schools. That campaign led to politics and, her passion for the political process.

Rev. Smith’s biggest and boldest adventure to date: Commemoration 400, Charleston’s, year-long reflection on the experience of the enslaved and their descendants.  Today, Toby is the Lead Interpretive Aide at McLeod Plantation Historic Site; One of two cultural locations in the US presenting slavery issues from the enslaved perspective. In this role, Toby interacts with guests and visitors from all over the world while telling compelling stories of the 74-100 enslaved people who lived and died at McLeod Plantation.

Rev. Toby Smith, Cultural Interpreter and Licensed Ordained Minister, HOT-Seat Visionary Number 41, Charleston SC
Rev. Toby Smith, Cultural Interpreter and Licensed Ordained Minister, HOT-Seat Visionary Number 41, Charleston SC

Notable Accomplishments

  • FIRSTS: City of Charleston Mayoral Candidate on Racial Reconciliation and engaging communities in need
  • FIRSTS: Charleston Metro Credit Union’s First African-American Director of the Affairs Group
  • MINISTRY: Licensed Ordained Minister at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church (Rev. Willis Glover, Sr., Pastor)
  • SERVICE: Assists the Food and Clothing Ministry
  • SERVICE: Executive Director of Midland Park Community Ministries
  • SERVICE: Expanded food pantry and clothes closet programming and services to Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties
  • SERVICE: Non-Profit Grants development and strategy funding
  • SERVICE: Non-Profit Grant Reviewer for the Compassion Capital Fund
  • SERVICE: Taught financial literacy, first-time homebuyer, pre-and post-bankruptcy, and mortgage default classes throughout the state of South Carolina
  • SERVICE: Weekly Bible study, and Sunday School Classes
  • SERVICE: Worked with Youth and Women’s Ministries
  • Writer: IMARA Woman magazine (Columbia, SC), covering education and financial literacy

Three Things You Should DO

Are You New To The Weekly Roundtable

Who should attend? Administrators, Educators, Child Advocates, Entrepreneurs, Guidance Counselors, Mental Health Professionals, Parents, Political Figures, Students, Upward Mobile Professionals, School Systems Interested in Change, Teachers, and People Involved in Motivating Our Students Higher (P.I.M.O.S.H.) Subsidiaries. GRAB a Seat HERE.

Do You Have Questions?

Use the Comments Section Below to ask questions or get in touch with this HOT-Seat Chosen Visionary or the Urban Academics staff. Ask away, and she will get to your questions and quickly as possible.

Everything You Wanted to Know About GULLAH GEECHEE PEOPLE and Were Too Embarrassed to Ask

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We celebrate BLACKNESS every day, but across the world, February is a constant reminder of how far we’ve come as a people; Look @ Us! Closing out Black History Month 2021 COVID-19 Edition is a historian caught in the “Twilight Zone.” Someone who can remember “Before Freedom!”


My mother was born and raised in a tiny little place in South Carolina, not even on the map, one of twelve siblings, yet I’ve never heard her refer to the term “Geechee Gullah, nor Gullah Geechee, but why? Learning of this cultural and wealthy legacy has changed my life, and I pray it changes yours as you travel through time with a tour guide who uses the term “After Freedom.”


Black History month may be coming to a close based on the world’s calendar, but Being black in America will always be a mixed-bag of emotionally charged questions from one generation to the next. However, today is the dawning of a new day where the truth shall make us free. Change has come. Let us not miss this moment.

Gullah

Gullah is a combination of Creolized language taking root through customs, traditions, and awful circumstances resulting from slavery in the US. This “Gullah” language was spoken by slaves settling in both South Carolina and Georgia. It’s not written language; It’s the passage and patios of the Lowcountry.


A good pot of GUMBO passed down over time might sum it up? African, English, and any adaptations, expressions, and words – Even foreign languages picked up, based on slave owner’s nationality.

The word “Gullah” might be a mixture of the African word Gora or Gola (names of tribes living in Sierra Leone). Some believe the Gala or Gallinas are the African connection for the Gullah people in the Sea Islands.

Three Books You Should Read:

  1. Enduring The Call; A 14 Day Journey, by Jocelyn Fagan ($14.00)
  2. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey of Recovery From Loss, by Katurah A Bryant, LMFT ($14.99)
  3. When The Heart Takes Flight, by Carla Yarbrough ($9.99)

Who’s In The HOT-Seat

Alphonso Brown, Author, Entrepreneur and Famous Historian of Gullah Geechee Culture in the HOR-Seat at Urban Academics Thursdays at 9:30 pm EST: https://bit.ly/UranAcademicsRoundtableSeat
Alphonso Brown, Author, Entrepreneur and Famous Historian of Gullah Geechee Culture in the HOR-Seat at Urban Academics Thursdays at 9:30 pm EST: https://bit.ly/UranAcademicsRoundtableSeat

Alphonso Brown was born and reared in Rantowles, SC, a rural area about 12 miles south of Charleston. He graduated from Baptist Hill High School. He received a BS Degree from S. C. State University in Music and a Masters’s from Southern Illinois University. Other Graduate studies in music include The University of SC, Charleston University, and The Citadel.

Notable Accomplishments

Author: A Gullah Guide To Charleston, by Alphonso Brown – BUY THE BOOK NOW

A Gullah Guide To Charleston, by Alphonso Brown ($5.01)

Professional Affiliations, and Memberships

  • Entrepreneur: Owner & Operator, Gullah Tours
  • Lecturer: The Gullah Language & Black History of Charleston
  • Licensed Tour Guide | City of Charleston, SC
  • National Educators Association
  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
  • SC Band Directors Association
  • SC Music Educators Association
  • The American Hymn Society

What’s More?

King Alonso is a member and the organist/choirmaster of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Charleston. His concert choir participates in community events throughout the Southeast at colleges, churches, Fortune 500 conventions, and the Kellogg Foundation convention. And the annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival of Churches, where they do an all-Negro Spiritual Concert, looks forward. Also, every other year, the Choir performs the Dubois’ “Seven Last Words of Christ. During Christmas, they fulfill several selections from Handel’s Messiah.


Mr. Brown is a retired Band Director from The Charleston County School District, where he worked at Rivers High/Middle School for many years. He and his late wife, Laquines, are the proud parents of three sons: Howard, Terrence, and Joel, three daughters-in-law, and presently, eight grandchildren.

New To The Weekly Roundtable?

Who should attend? Administrators, Educators, Child Advocates, Entrepreneurs, Guidance Counselors, Mental Health Professionals, Parents, Political Figures, Students, Upward Mobile Professionals, School Systems Interested in Change, Teachers, and People Involved in Motivating Our Students Higher (P.I.M.O.S.H.) Subsidiaries. GRAB a Seat HERE.

Do You Have Questions?

Use the Comments Section Below to ask questions or get in touch with this HOT-Seat Chosen Visionary or the Urban Academics staff. Ask away, and she will get to your questions and quickly as possible.

How Award-Winning Producer and Writer Makes You A Better Salesperson

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In business, regardless of a niche market or industry, branding could mean the difference between failure and success. When you combine the skills necessary to make a difference in today’s anxious, busy, and hectic society through social channels it gets even more difficult to navigate because everything is changing so fast.

To be in the know, you’ve got to surround yourself with folks who not only know what they are talking about but also know “how” to do what they are talking about and want nothing more than to share that with you. This week in the HOT-Seat is no different than any other, but one you don’t want to miss.

This week in the HOT-Seat is a Media Mogul who climbed up there all by herself! She’s an award-winning writer/producer skilled in social media branding, television, and movie production. It’s hard getting into a room with this one; But here’s your chance to dine at the table. Don’t miss this great opportunity, and PLEASE don’t keep it to yourself. Share with ALL your family, fans, and followers.

Three Books You Should Read

  1. Enduring The Call: A 14-Day Encounter, by Jocelyn Fagan ($14.00)
  2. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey of Recovery From Loss, by Katurah A Bryant, LMFT ($14.99)
  3. When The Heart Takes Flight, by Carla Yarbrough ($9.99)

In this Week’s HOT-Seat

Carla Yarbrough is an award-winning producer/writer, digital communications strategist, social media branding and visual marketing consultant, and new media video producer. She comes from the field of communications, television, and video production working in the public and private sector. Carla is also an online adjunct lecturer in the Global Strategic Communications graduate program at Florida International University in Miami. 

Her career began in television at WTNH-TV 8 (ABC) in New Haven, CT. She has worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC; the University of California Riverside; the University of Kentucky HealthCare; and the National Council on Compensation Insurance in Boca Raton, FL by leading visual brand strategies and new media projects. She was also an assistant professor at California State University, Long Beach in the department of journalism and public relations, and Cal State Fullerton in the department of communications for 12 years. 

You may not know this, but branding is a marketing practice that includes colors, fonts and can get really deep like language. For Example, at the Urban Academics. Weekly Roundtable, we refer to eating and food because we are “branding” the notion that food is not only physical but much the same it’s education, emotional, spiritual, and probably good for more than that. Your brand should represent you and the customers you seek to serve. Don’t miss this segment if you need to get in front of a qualified professional to ask questions at no cost to you! Use this link to register for a seat at this week’s roundtable.

Three Things You Should Do

  1. Buy a Black History Movie: Hidden Colors by Amazon Prime ($14.99)
  2. BUY a Black History Photo of Barack Obama ($12.95)
  3. BUY A “Free-Ish Since 1895” T.Shirt, by African Pride ($19.95)

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Author: “When The Heart Takes Flight” by Carla Yarbrough
  • Award: Emmy; Co-Producer for the film: “I Am A Man: Lessons in Life”
  • Entrepreneur: Executive Director and Owner of TenOutOfTen, LLC Production Company
  • Producer: Effects of HIV/AIDS on Children & Famliesin Soweto (South Africa)
  • Producer: Several Films at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music (Memphis, TN)
  • Service: The advisory Committee for Soulsville USA at Stax Museum
  • Working Credits: Consultant to CBS Television (Burbank, CA) for a drama series & comedy show
  • Working Credits: Appeared on NPR (KPCC 89.3) providing commentary and examining stereotypes in reality-based television

 What’s More?

The Urban Academics Roundtable is your weekly dose of shareable content around Academics & Education. Each week, the goal is to educate, encourage, inform, inspire, lead, motivate, share, teach black, brown, and poor folks worldwide.

Who should attend? Administrators, Educators, Child Advocates, Entrepreneurs, Mental Health Professionals, Parents, Students, Upward Mobile Professionals, School Systems Interested in Change, Teachers, and any People Involved in Motivating Our Students Higher (P.I.M.O.S.H.) Affiliates.

New To The Weekly Roundtable?

The Urban Academics Roundtable is your weekly dose of shareable content around Academics & Education. Each week, the goal is to educate, encourage, inform, inspire, lead, motivate, share, teach black, brown, and poor folks worldwide.

Who should attend? Administrators, Educators, Child Advocates, Entrepreneurs, Mental Health Professionals, Parents, Students, Upward Mobile Professionals, School Systems Interested in Change, Teachers, and any People Involved in Motivating Our Students Higher (P.I.M.O.S.H.) Affiliates.

Do You Have Questions?

Use the Comments Section Below to ask questions or to get in touch with Lady Carla Yarbrough. Ask away and she will get to your questions and quickly as possible.

Urban Academics Online, Home of the "HOT-Seat" at the Weekly Roundtable. Thursdays at 9:30 PM (EST): https://bit.ly/RoundTabeReservation

How To Make Us Better – Developing Collaborative Partnerships Built With Multi-State A-List

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Dr. Ed Joyner has had a lifetime of academic experience, but it wasn’t always easy. He’s the Number Four Chosen Visionary in the HOT-Seat at Urban Academics. His willingness to share his story with such truth has made us all better. Many of our members refer to some of his one-liners often. Some call those “sound-bites,” and they make us better too!

For example, there’s no need to build a platform for one person or type of person – A table should be openly honest and where you can say what you have to. Anyone listening will give you what’s needed to get and keep the chest area clean and clear. Here at the Urban Academics Roundtable, we honor any opinions knowing that some people have salt, others use an herb you’ve never considered but a match nonetheless. We challenge you to listen to this incredible story, and if you move to change, we’ve done well, but there’s more—Check out BETA Membership AT Urban Academics.

The Philiosophy of Collaboration

According to most at the lowest level, collaboration is to share in contributing to a project or work – Something tangible is the outcome. It’s the thought of equal participation by people; animals don’t count and shared results amongst contributors.

Sometimes this concept, easy as it appears, had underlying cons as well as pros. An example of a con/scam would be one or more individuals demanding an equal reward for minimal to no effort to proposed outcomes, thereby causing everyone else to pick up the slack. It leaves a bad taste in some mouths while others could care less. If you’re not careful here – split right down the middle.

Collaboratives of all colors, shapes, and sizes exist for many things with a much broader philosophy. Membership is a better term than a partnership, and I will go over the differences in another post, as for this talk and how we can utilize others’ strengths to accomplish more than we could alone. BETA Membership at Urban Academics provides an opportunity for authors, entrepreneurs, speakers, or others to get their message out to the world. Collaborative content creation is a new way to create fresh content regardless of if folks are prolific thinkers and writers.

The best information or transfer thereof has been because there was more than one thought at the table. The Urban Academics Roundtable is the perfect platform and vehicle for constant Raw, Real, and Relevant Topical Content on Auto-Pilot. Not only that, but featuring real-life black, brown, and other to-notch HOT-Seat Chosen Visionaries from around the country and ultimately around the world. GO TO BETA MEMBERSHIP NOW.

The Raw, Real, and Relevant Replay Number Four – Available NOW! On-Demand! On YouTube! Oh Yes! Subscribe Now https://bit.ly/SubscribeUrbanAcademicsYouTubeChannel

Watch, or Listen To the Video:

The Multi-State A

Urban Academics desires to get everything right, but we know based on experience, things sometimes go wrong. With the BETA Membership programs, we want to partner with folks who wish for their products and services to rise up and above the packs, and we want the same. With BETA Membership, we provide you with services at a fraction of their original costs – In return for genuine and honest feedback. We will determine what works and what does NOT quickly make it better for black and brown folks who sometimes won’t read everything getting themselves into trouble.

So that you know, a “C” is failing in the inner-city urban schools. We know you cannot compete, and few if anyone has the time to step in for students, but Urban Academics wants to change that too! With the launch of Speaker’s Bureau at Urban Academics, we’ll be matching BETA Members through Speaker’s Bureau to speaking opportunities where decision-makers in academia are likely to be. GO TO BETS MEMBERSHIP NOW to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Activists, Advocates, and Educators – Are You Prepared For A Good Thing?

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Here we are into a new year ushering in prophecy and a paradigm shift; A unique dispensation has come. One this that’s true about COVID-19, the 2020 Presidential Election, and the 2021 Inaugural address, swearing-in President Joe Biden, Jr. and Kamala Harris. COVID-19 changed the world based on over-turning the U.S. education system, now turned over to Sir. Joe and Lady Kamala re-building; Bigger, better, and stronger than ever.

Every item purchased comes with instructions; even your t-shirts have tags with washing instructions included. Suppose our children aren’t reading by a certain age. In that case, many things go into play, including but not limited to low expectations, math restrictions, and not being able to read laundry labels. Frustration can set in when children are not successful in school. It may seem trivial, but it’s happening everyday within our inner-city schools.

It’s a good thing some urban professionals understood their calling and purpose early enough to position themselves as change agents. This week’s Chosen Visionary is an educational leader, activist, and advocate who has been developing young people for years. The communities of Bridgeport and New Haven, CT, are incredibly proud to have him, and the work he’s doing helps struggling students tremendously.

Three Books You Should Read:

  1. The Curse of Ham: Race and Slavery in Early Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Jews, Christians, and Muslims from the Ancient to the Modern World) by Princeton University Press ($47.95)
  2. The Curse of Ham: Satan’s Vicious Circle, by Xulon Press
  3. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey of Recovery From Loss, by Katurah A Bryant, LMFT


Kevin P. Muhammad, leading by example, has consistently directed his energies towards improving the lives of those living in poor and underserved communities across the state of Connecticut. An unapologetic educational advocate for parents and their children, Mr. Muhammad, serves as a voice for the voiceless, liaising with schools and other agencies on behalf of families. As an educator, he works relentlessly to ensure that marginalized Black and Brown children can access a rigorous and equitable curriculum.

He’s a well sought-after compelling keynote and motivational speaker. He has presented numerous audiences, including schools, organizations, and communities, on an assortment of content and topics that include education, prison, reform, health care, and spirituality. In May 2016, he was the Keynote speaker at a community conversation on the necessity of Defining Leadership, held at The University of Massachusetts.

In 2017 to address the need for cultural sensitivity training and support among correctional officers at the Corrigan Radgrowski Correctional Center, Mr. Muhammad himself provides this training. He worked with officials on engaging with inmates of color and those from different ethnicities.

Kevin P Muhammad, Founder MUCKMUDD, LLC; Activist, Advocate and Educator

Awards

  • AWARD: 100 Black Men of Color” Honorees
  • AWARD: “Fathers Who Are Active in the Community”–Mother Demand Action
  • AWARD: Greater Bridgeport NAACP, Public Leadership Education
  • AWARD: Greater Bridgeport NAACP, Award for Education by W.E.B. Du Bois.
  • AWARD: The Muhammad Islamic Center, People’s Victory Award, Outstanding Service in Education
  • AWARD: 100 Black Men of Color” Honorees

Other Noteworthy Accomplishment

  • Collaboration: Connecticut Against Violence (CAV) Organization. For the past eight years, he has worked with CAV,
  • Created MUCKMUDD, L.L.C.
  • Member: Bridgeport’s Mayor’s Youth Violence Initiative: My Brother’s Keeper Youth
  • Offers day schooling as an alternative to the public school
  • Provides tutoring and mentoring services, to hundreds of (K-12) students within Fairfield County
  • Serves as an education advocate for children and families
  • Speaker & Facilitator

What’s More?

Mr. Muhammad is a graduate of Sacred Heart University with a Bachelor’s in Science and Biology. He maintains a Sixth Year Degree in Educational Administration and is currently pursuing another degree. When he finds any rare spare time, he loves spending it in fitness and with his family. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below.

New To The Roundtable?

The Urban Academics Roundtable is your weekly dose of shareable content around Academics & Education. Each week, the goal is to educate, encourage, inform, inspire, lead, motivate, share, teach black, brown, and poor folks worldwide.

Who should attend? Administrators, Educators, Child Advocates, Entrepreneurs, Mental Health Professionals, Parents, Students, Upward Mobile Professionals, School Systems Interested in Change, Teachers, and any People Involved in Motivating Our Students Higher (P.I.M.O.S.H.) Affiliates.

DOWNLOAD PDF (TIME SENSITIVE GIFT ) 1-Week Only

Why Our Author and Historian Is Better Than Yours

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As New Year 2021 settles in while COVID-19 is still amidst, there remains one thing that we cannot put off any longer; And that’s the educating of our children, especially those attending inner-city schools with less than adequate resources.  

More than ever, we need educators at every level from every walk of life to share what you know. Children and parents alike are starving for you and what you have to offer. Click HERE Make HOT-Seat Reservation!

In The HOT-Seat, Number Thirty-Four, this Week’s Chosen Visionary is Lady Alice Faye Duncan (Memphis, TN). She is an Author and Historian who penned the book Memphis, Martin, and The Mountaintop; The Sanitation Strike of 1068. While Lady Duncan has quite a few books published and available (listed below); You can DOWNLOAD a GIFTED PDF Copy here of Memphis, Martin, and The Mountaintop; The Sanitation Strike of 1968.   It’s NOT free, but during the week of Martin Luter King’s Birthday, she pays it forward with a Freebie.

Lady Alice Faye Duncan grew up just minutes from where Martin Luther King Jr. was killed; Constant reminders shaped her life and love of history. Having her here at the Urban Academics Roundtable is awesome, Kicking-off Black History Month! Some folks would believe Black History Month is somehow shade because it’s in February (the shortest calendar month). However, M.L.K. Holiday has always been the fore-runner from January 15 – February 28th or 29th, whichever is up if you opened your eyes.

Ms. Duncan has a lifetime of memories and research to share, so grab a seat and a bib so you can eat without messing up your clothes. She knows the truth about Martin Luther King, and we are blessed to break bread. Join us every Thursday; What Urban Folks Need to understand, remember, share, and teach to our children.  

Three Books You Should Read

  1. Martin Luther King, Jr on Leadership: The Essential Box Set by Hachett Audio
  2. Memphis, Martin, and The Mountaintop; The Sanitation Strike of 1968 (FREE DOWNLOAD) by Alice Faye Duncan
  3. The Z.O.L.A. Experience: A Journey of Recovery From Loss by Katurah A Bryant, L.M.F.T.

Is Martin’s Dream Alive? What is Black History Month? Let’s talk about it? Join us at the Urban Academics Roundtable for a candid discussion on making sure we learn, so we have something to teach our children! Don’t keep it all to yourself – Tell a friend – The Urban Academics Roundtable, Thursday at 9:30 pm (E.S.T.)

Grab A Seat Here!

HOT Seat 34 Alice Faye Duncan Memphis TN
HOT Seat 34 Alice Faye Duncan Memphis TN

Notable Accomplishments

About the Urban Academics Roundtable 

Raw, Real, and Relevant Intellectual Talk with HOT-Seat Q&A

Inner-City Urban Content Creation, Thursdays, 9:30p EST

The Urban Academics Roundtable convenes discussions on various subjects and topics around academics and education and issues affecting each one today. It’s an intellectual talk show with HOT-Seat Q & A around the inner-city urban experience – For Business, Home, and School. 

The Coveted “HOT-Seat,” is reserved for forward-thinking folks who have resources and tools readily available to discuss issues in our communities needing change now, one family/person/topic at a time. We need solutions, not more problems, for today’s questions. These conversations are necessary and RAW, often too “HOT” to stop. You can recommend someone, a colleague, or other professional – Contact Patrina S Reddick by Clicking HERE.

The Urban Academics Roundtable

Thursdays at 9:30 PM (EST)

CONFERENCE NUMBER:

Dial-In:  605.472.5272  –  Pin: 836692 #

Fall in Love With Number One – Kaye Harvey Develops Your Community And Motivates Positive Youth.

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Does any of the children in your family attend a Montessori School? Many of our black and brown parents report having never heard of Montessori schools, but they have been around for years. What is now known as Montessori Education was established by a woman named Maria Montessori, whose idea was to create an environment embracing the holistic approach to each child, fostering lifelong explorative and self-paced learning.

The thing is, the Montessori learning/teaching style is nothing new – ALL of the thousands of the children I’ve worked with over the years were born with that philosophy built right in. The problem presents itself when a child does not conform to the request of the parent, teacher, or both; Punishment is likely to happen before the unsuspecting adult has time to help little Sally or Johnny process the why and what will make the attitude or tantrum go away. Almost 100% of the time, children will tell you what happened if they don’t know how they felt about what happened and why.

In my personal experience, there were no Montessori schools in my neighborhood. Still, I can imagine many parents, teachers, and others have been embracing similar teaching styles without adding Lady Maria Montessori’s name to the mix. But, I digress. The desired outcome is to raise conscious and good productive citizens in the world with something to offer someone else. It doesn’t always work out that way, but this Chosen Visionary in the HOT-Seat has made it her life’s work to develop young people worldwide. She shares her story of overcoming barriers to being one of the first black folks to open a Montessori school in Connecticut and the only one in both the Hill and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.

Notable Accomplishments

  • Black Owned Enterprise Business
  • Community Organizing Guru
  • First Black Woman to Open Montessori School in New Haven, CT
  • Howard University Alum (Fine Arts)
  • She is a Grandma
  • Woman-Owned Enterprise Business
Urban Academics Roundtable Welcomes Kay Harvey, the First HOT-Seat Sitter ever, Back for Recap, Reviews and Updates from Atlanta, GA and New haven, CT Thursday 9:30 PM (EST)
Urban Academics Roundtable Welcomes Kay Harvey, the First HOT-Seat Sitter ever, Back for Recap, Reviews and Updates from Atlanta, GA and New haven, CT Thursday 9:30 PM (EST)

Opal Lee, Author and Community Activist , known all over the world as The Grandmother of Juneteenth is in the HOT Seat - Thursdays at 9:30 PM (EST) - https://bit.ly/RoundTabeReservation

OMG, The Best Unifier Ever – Juneteenth A National Holiday

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What an awesome way to be free! Juneteenth, a National Holiday! There are only three opinions that matter in the court of law: (1) The Facts/Truth; (2) The Human Element; and (3) The LAW. The ladder superseding them all, but only because it is LAW. Any of the other two can make the law (letter) of none effect.

If ever there was a time for a country like the united states of America to pay attention to its history and make necessary concessions. When I was a little girl, I wondered who was writing our stories? I mean, some things off the cuff do NOT make much sense, nor cents, ha! But, within all that came a woman who would change history for Juneteenth, and she is the Chosen Visionary in the HOT-Seat …

Read HOT-Seat #32 Press Release about Ms. Opal Lee, A.K.A., The Grandmother of Juneteenth

DIAL Into the Weekly Roundtable: 605.472.5272 + Pin#: 836692

Yessir, I can say, ha! I mean it too. But why am I so cocky with this Hot-Seat Chosen Visionary posted article? Because discovering that there is no rush to live is refreshing. Sitting at the Master’s table at Urban Academics has enlightened my understanding of dreams, goals, and timing. Therefore, age has little to nothing to do with those (objectives, goals, and timing). After meeting this week’s Chosen Visionary, I am well able to continue in the path to each dream of dropping off and picking up whatever I am supposed to whenever God wills.

Three Books You Should Read

  1. Enduring The Call: A 14-Day Encounter by Jocelyn Fagan, Author, Entrepreneur, and Licensed Minister
  2. Empowerment Series: Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs, Updated (MindTap Course List
  3. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey Of Recovery From Loss by Katurah A. Bryant, LMFT

This week’s Chosen Visionary in the HOT-Seat is an example of all things faith. From her earliest years, she has been able to triumph over obstacles that would have destroyed others, having no choice but to give up and quit. Nope; Not this one. She kept going as if driven by a higher power. The source of success, long life, is a direct result of her faith, proving that grace abounds in her life and those around her.

This Week In The HOT-Seat

Lady Opal Lee is from Fort Worth, TX, and she’s the 94-year-old who wants Juneteenth to be a National Holiday. Yes, Juneteenth originated in TX, but 47 states now have it as a state day of observance to commemorate the ending of slavery. More are making it a paid day off, including Virginia, New York, and Texas. Ms. Lee believes Juneteenth can be a unifier because it recognizes that slaves didn’t free themselves. They had help from Quakers along the Underground Railroad; abolitionists were black and white like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, soldiers, and many others who gave their lives for the enslaved’s freedom.

How Does She Do It?

I started a walking campaign in Washington, DC, in 2016 and have continued it to bring awareness that there is support for it all across this nation. There is legislation in the Senate S.4019 and in the House H.R.7232 – Juneteenth National Independence Day Act – that needs to be passed into law.

Her vision is gaining traction with the National Football League, Nike, and Target now on board recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth given their employees the day off. Whether that’s all employees or only those who are African American or Black, I’m not sure, but whatever their policy is, it includes Juneteenth! Lady Opal certainly did a great job calling them out. Here’s a Video of Ms. Opal Lee getting at Nike – Watch The Video.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a name based on June 19, 1865, which is the day that enslaved Americans became free (at least that’s what was said). Union General Gordon Granger was excited that the Civil War was over and enslaved African Americans were free; He announced in Galveston, TX, because not everyone got the memo. It was two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

Since June 19, 1866, it’s a day to celebrate our independence; Juneteenth is also considered Black Independence Day, Freedom Day, and Jubilee Days. Today, all but three states recognize Juneteenth; the three who don’t are Hawaii, North Dacota, and South Dakota. Texas, where Lady Opal Lee is from was first to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday.

Ms. Opal Lee’s Petition to Make Juneteenth a National Holiday, at the time of this writing, was over 1.5 million signatures; Please add your name to the petition now!

Watch This – Puff Daddy & P.Diddy and Ms. Opal Lee …

“I put that on GOD – You’re gonna see this done – We don’t need incremental change. We gonna get many wins no crumbs and we don’t get them all we gonna give ’em hell.”

Sean “P.Diddy” Cobs

Notable Accomplishments of Lady Opal Lee

Three Things You Need To Do

Teach A Child About Juneteenth

Learn More About Juneteenth NOW!

BUY A JUNETEENTH T-Shirt

What’s More?

served on the Historic & Cultural Landmarks Commission, AIDS Outreach committee, Evans Avenue Business Association, Good Samaritans, and Riverside Neighborhood Advisory Council. She has served as Precinct Chair for District 8 for over 30 years, a member of Grandmother’s Club, and Ethel Ransom Humanitarian & Cultural Club. She is an active member in her church, Baker Chapel AME (Ft Worth), where she serves as a Missionary, church school teacher, assistant teacher, and Deaconess.

Ms. Opal Lee, in her spare time (if any), enjoys family gatherings, going to the movies with Aunt Joanne and her daughter Renee. She especially likes reading lots of books; The proud great-grandmother, great-grandmother of eighteen (18), and too many great-great-great-grandchildren to count—a blessing and monument of a heart filled with pure gold. No soul is perfect, but we are coming pretty close here; Do you agree?

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“What Everyone Must Know About The Magic In Music – Raymond Sanders On Clout, Money, And Power

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Music is the one universal language everyone can speak – Even without words. It’s the purest form of magic, and its POWER has transcended attitude, mood, apace, and time; Hearing a particular song can bring you back to a specific place and time = Magic! Can you imagine what life would be like without music?


The words song and melody appear in the Bible (combined) between 150 and 200 times, which means Go himself is fascinated with music, more specifically songs. There are all kinds of passages pointing to worship, and there’s not one Church that would dare to start Sunday morning service without the timbrel and dance. We ALL need music, and the spoken word fits nicely inside of it.

Read HOT-Seat #31 Press Release on Raymond Sanders

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Three Books You Should Read:

  1. A Promised Land by Barack Obama ($24.99)
  2. Embracing The Call by Minister Jocelyn Fagan ($14.99)
  3. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey of Recovery From Loss by Katurah A Bryant, LMFT ($14.99)

What’s magical about the moment we are in is that Christmas’s spirit always seems to rise above what folks are feeling, or at least it looks that way as of Cyber Monday. 

“Roughly 186 million shoppers purchased something online or in-store from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, down from 190 million a year ago, the National Retail Federation said Tuesday. Shoppers spent an average of $312, a 14 percent drop from $362 in 2019.2 days ago.”

Abha Bhattaral, Washington Post (Retail Contributor)

Look at the overall consumption of everyday consumers, many of whom are out of work or barely getting by but find ways to shop when they believe there’s a sale or some kind of value proposition. Music, oh yes, the topic of this week’s roundtable segment. So you can make the connection to Music and Magic, I had to help you see numbers you understand. For this example, I will use rap music (we are urban here). Hip-Hop, R&B, and Rap are dominating in the streaming world – Topping every other medium. There’s never been a more profitable time for actual artists in music. For years the BIG money was reserved for writers and music producers, with vocalists glorified worker bees for hire.

“In 2017, Goldman found live music, publishing, and recorded songs made $26 billion, $6 billion, and $30 billion respectively. The firm estimates by 2030 these categories will reach $38 billion for live music, $12.5 billion for publishing; With biggest gains seen in recorded songs at $80 billion.”

Kori Hale, Forbes Magazine (Contributor)

In other words, this chosen visionary in the HOT-Seat is a child prodigy who can play any instrument on a dime without any traditional music lessons or schools. He can hear and identify any sound and repeat it, even with his voice. He is a rare breed who can only turn the gift on when prompted by a higher power. Grab a seat and pull up to the table- This is going to be good.

This Week’s HOT-Seat Chosen Visionary

This week, in the HOT-Seat, we are coming together to be wowed by this week’s chosen visionary, King Raymond Sanders – Child Prodigy, who traveled the world with his famous father and grandfather were both in the music business. Raymond is blessed to have lived this lifestyle throughout his life. Although connected to compelling people, he remains humble and kindly serves whenever and wherever he can.

Raymond Sanders HOT-Seat Chosen Visionary Number 31 on Music and Magic. Using your gifts to fund your dreams. Thursdays at 9:30 PM (EST): DIAL In: 605.472.5272 + Pin#: 836692
Raymond Sanders HOT-Seat Chosen Visionary Number 31 on Music and Magic. Using your gifts to fund your dreams. Thursdays at 9:30 PM (EST): DIAL In: 605.472.5272 + Pin#: 836692

And he has toured with Michael Bolton overseas through the City Kids New Haven, CT initiative. Raymond, in short, can and will sing you silly if the spirit hits him just right. A gift, straight from the throne of grace. Although gifts don’t come with repentance, they come with haters and folks that will exploit and misuse; Mr. Snders has these memories too, and his story is one of overcoming many obstacles while clinging to the music, which always leads him back to the magic.

Notable Accomplishments

  • Award: City of New Haven Healthy Start Program
  • Award: Fatherhood Initiative (City of New Haven)
  • Michael Bolton Protege’
  • Public School Music Teacher (Middle School Al Mamata)
  • Public Speaker
  • Training Facilitator & Teacher

Three Things You To Consider NOW!

  1. Life Insurance Policy (It’s one of few insurances that really pay-out)!
  2. Real Estate Investment – OR – Small Home-Based Business
  3. Visiting with your parents at least once per week

What’s More?

King Raymond Sanders spends all of his time making folks smile, we could learn so much from this conversation. He lives in New Haven and is available through the Speaker’s Bureau at Urban Academics.

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The Urban Academics Roundtable, Thursdays at 9:30 PM (EDT)

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The Urban Academics Roundtable convenes discussions on various subjects and topics around academics and education and issues affecting each one today. It’s an urban intellectual talk with Q & A around black, brown, and poor folks living the inner-city urban experience – For Your Business, Home, and School. 

The coveted “HOT-Seat,” is reserved for forward-thinking folks who have resources and tools readily available to discuss issues in our communities needing change now, one family/person/topic at a time. We need solutions, not more problems, for today’s questions. These conversations are necessary and RAW, often too “HOT” to stop. You can recommend someone, a colleague, or other professional – Contact Patrina S Reddick by Clicking HERE.

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Creative Juice And The Money. Edmond Bwak Comfort On Selling Skills In A New Economy

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Whether it’s your first winning painting in your school’s art contest ($5 prize), or a genius science and technology kid-wizard, those with the “juice” are highly sought after and paid lots of money for their gifts and talents. Today, creativity is at an ALL time high, especially where technology is concerned. App developers are selling text in the billions every day – Building niche sites and when they get to a certain amount of subscribers and revenue, they sell on different marketplaces.

This week’s Chosen Visionary is no different – He has done work (big and small) for almost everyone, knows how to sell his God-given gifts & talents, and he’s not getting tired. Join the call Thursdays at 9:30 pm)EST), and don’t forget to tell your family, followers, and friends. This episode of the Weekly Roundtable is going to be good.

One thing is for sure, there is a contest for creative juice on every corner, and winners often set the stage for the most beautiful creations the human eyes have seen. Imagine the Black Panther movie starring the late Chadwick Boseman – That movie was incredible to the eye much faster than the location, plot, and theme. Do you have “Creative Juice?” If so, let us know in the comments section below. You could get a collaboration request from Urban Academics?

Read HOT-Seat #30 Press Release on Edmund B*Wak Comfort

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Who’s in the “HOT-Seat”

Chosen Visionary Number Thirty (30) is Edmund “BWak” Comfort, a New Haven native and President/CEO of B8Wak Productions for almost twenty years. He feels responsible for nurturing up-and-coming graphic designers and visual artists from all over New Haven, CT, and beyond. He uses visual arts techniques to express himself through Carpentry, Custom Airbrushing, Photography, and Set Design. Mr. Comfort’s impressive career includes Cornerstone Theater (Hollywood CA). He has created over 30 Sets at the Harlem School of the Arts (NYC), Long Wharf Theater (New Haven), Yale Repertory Theater (New Haven), and local events. BWak has some stage plays too that he has written, directed, and produced.

When you’ve got the “juice,” the creative kind, the fix for creativity is not without but rather within. There’s a big difference between the terms “corporate America” and “starving artists.” and for a good reason. They are exact opposites; no matter how intelligent one might be, the “juice” will eventually take over. Imagine the music industry without a young Michael Jackson, Prince, Usher, and many others, who started very young – They never had a choice. It chose them instead of the other way around. The same is true for athletes, entertainers, political figures, and the like – If you’ve got the “juice,” it’s NOT because of the money – You were born with it.

Three Books You Should Read

  1. Enduring The Call: A 14-Day Encounter by Jocelyn Fagan, Author, Entrepreneur, and Licensed Minister
  2. Empowerment Series: Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs, Updated (MindTap Course List
  3. The ZOLA Experience: A Journey Of Recovery From Loss by Katurah A. Bryant, LMFT

B*Wak uses his entrepreneurial training and experiences to uplift himself, family, friends and his community through collaborations that have included The Universal Zulu Nation, Yale Peabody Museum, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Greater New Haven Community Foundation, Office of Cultural Affairs, Empower New Haven New Haven Housing Authority, Faith based organizations, a host of local community organizations, and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven.

Edmund “B*Wak” Comfort is also the recipient of numerous certificates and awards, which includes the 2002 Arts Council’s “Redefining Arts Award”, where over 50 artists were nominated.

Three Things You Should Do

  1. Sign Ms. Opal Lee’s Petition Making Juneteenth a National Holiday
  2. Buy $5 Tickets for Clairesa Clay’s Blerd City Con Film Festival & Conference (Vertual From Brooklyn)
  3. Testimony! A Christmas Letter From Crunch Bunch & Family Made it to Walmart – BUY IT NOW!

Notable Accomplishments

  • Artistic Director, PIMOSH Intensive Arts Education & Technology (2005-2007, and 2014-2018)
  • Associates Degree (Business & Applied Sciences
  • Award: Advancing Youth Development – Youth Development Training & Resource Center
  • Award: Arts Education Award (City of New Haven)
  • Award: New Haven Cultural Experience Tour (City of New Haven)
  • Award: School and Community Rites of Passage – State of Connecticut Assets Network
  • Middle School Art Teacher (Roberto Clemente Middle School)
  • Professionally Trained Set Designer

What’s More?

B*Wak loves to serve his community, family, and friends with his best, exhausting himself to make sure every gesture, product, and service is just right – Meticulous as ever! it is no surprise that he continues to share his experiences throughout his exciting career with every child he meets.

New to The Urban Academics RoundTable?

The Urban Academics Roundtable is your weekly dose of shareable content around Academics & Education. Each week, the goal is to educate, encourage, inform, inspire, lead, motivate, share, teach black, brown, and poor folks worldwide.

Who should attend? Administrators, Educators, Child Advocates, Entrepreneurs, Mental Health Professionals, Parents, Students, Upward Mobile Professionals, School Systems Interested in Change, Teachers, and any People Involved in Motivating Our Students Higher (PIMOSH) Affiliates.

Thank you for being here. Suppose someone has invited you to have a seat here at the RoundTable, especially for a reservation for the “HOT-Seat” you are honored among peers and considered a thought leader in your work. Your accolades speak for themselves – Welcome aboard!

DIAL In: 605.472.5272 + Pin#: 836692

Cricket, Metro PCS, and T-Mobile Customers PLEASE READ

Follow these directions to avoid fees

1.  Back-Up Number209.399.9091 +

2. Dial-In Number605.472.5272 # +

3. Pin Number: 836692 #