Amplify Good

Erick Stephens-

Erick is all in on his love for and support of Rochester, NY. He brings his whole self to his life, work and all that is important to him. 

As the Parent Engagement Specialist for Healthi Kids, Erick provides technical assistance and support to schools to strengthen and improve parent engagement efforts. He also works directly with parents training them on advocacy and connecting them to opportunities to impact policy, systems, and environmental change in schools.

Links: 

NYS Infant Mental Health Association: https://www.nysaimh.org/ 

Frederick Douglass “Build strong children” quote: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/frederick_douglass_201574

Bike Rodeo: https://www.healthikids.org/blog/healthi-headlines-april-2017 

Healthi Kids: https://www.healthikids.org/

KABOOM Play Everywhere campaign: https://kaboom.org/play-everywhere

Common Ground Health: https://www.commongroundhealth.org/

All Pro Dad: https://www.allprodad.com/

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: https://www.rwjf.org/

Infant Mental Health (IMH): https://www.nysaimh.org/about-babies/

“Brenda’s Got A Baby” by Tupac: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRWUs0KtB-I

Langston Hughes: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/langston-hughes

“Slippin’” by DMX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ww-TQUeA3E

Lake Ontario: https://nyfalls.com/lakes/ontario/

Nancy Brown is a mental health therapist, meditator, cook, gardener, lover of cats, life partner, pianist, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Links: 

New Bedford Historical Society: https://nbhistoricalsociety.org/

New Bedford: https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/

Kathryn Grover: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-grover-5b37a62b

Thich Nhat Hanh: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/biography/

No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-mud-no-lotus-thich-nhat-hanh/1119845087

Zen Buddhism: https://www.lionsroar.com/what-is-zen-buddhism-and-how-do-you-practice-it/

Orthodox Judaism: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/background-and-overview-of-orthodox-judaism

Keywords: Counselor, Therapist, Mental Health, Orthodox Judaism, Zen Buddhism, New Bedford, Massachusetts, Friendship

Meshell R Baker specializes in training conscious businesses and sales leaders to boldly and confidently inspire emotional connections to the solutions they offer. Along with her team, she leverages her 25+ years of sales success in more than a dozen countries, to help people grow, and to deliver the extra-ordinary that creates superfan client relationships. Meshell is an Award-Winning International Keynote Speaker, Sales Confidence Igniter, Authentic Selling Zealot, and Co-Founder of Shift/Co Global Business Growth Community for Conscious Entrepreneurs. She is an amazing gift of clarity and is renowned for her no-nonsense approach. Meshell's unique approach to sales success is scientifically supported to create intentional behavior changes that deliver improve confidence and increase client conversion.

Links: 

Shift/Co: https://shiftco.global/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/shiftcoorg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shift-co-org 

The Conscious Entrepreneur: http://theconsciousentrepreneur.co/

Bodak Yellow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEGccV-NOm8

People Over Profit: https://thepeopleoverprofits.org/; https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23217084-people-over-profit; https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/7-powerful-habits-for-putting-your-people-over-profit.html

Keywords: Entrepreneur, Business, Black, African American, Growth Mindset, Confidence, Coaching, Joy

Ronkwahrhakónha was born in occupied Munsee Lenape and Wappinger territory to a Jewish mother and a Mohawk/Abenaki father. Lune is a college dropout, a trauma survivor, a mental health advocate, an indigenous educator, and a witch. Currently, he's living in Occupied Seneca Territory, after being forced to move back home due to lay-offs in Chumash trading territory.

Links: 

Mohawk Nation: http://www.mohawknation.org/

Abenaki: https://abenakitribe.org/; https://www.abenakination.com/

Dawes Act: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/dawes-act.htm#:~:text=The%20Dawes%20Act%20(sometimes%20called,to%20break%20up%20tribal%20lands.&text=Only%20the%20Native%20Americans%20who,allowed%20to%20become%20US%20citizens.

Judaism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism

Sex Work: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_work

Land Back: https://landback.org/

Lindsey Ellis: https://www.youtube.com/c/LindsayEllisVids/featured

Witchcraft: https://www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft/Contemporary-witchcraft

Keywords: Mohawk, Abenaki, Indigenous, Native American, Dawes Act, Indian Act, Judaism, Jewish, Jew, Ashkenazi, sex work, Land Back, youtube, Lindsey Ellis, witch, witchcraft, spells

Stephanie Johnson-Cunningham’s advocacy aligns with Museum Hue, an organization she co-founded and serves as Executive Director, supporting Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color. She built the first online directory and mapping of BIPOC museums across the United States. It is an invaluable resource that deepens public knowledge and understanding of art, history, and culture. Stephanie is currently working on a larger Cultural Mapping project specific to New York City with support from NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs. As a United Nations Human Rights fellow centering arts and culture, she applies the UN’s ratification of cultural rights to her work to call for greater recognition and representation in the arts ecosystem. Stephanie also received the Americans for the Arts 2019 American Express Emerging Leader Award for her work. She also hosted and produced On Display, a show for WNET’s ALL ARTS Network that focuses on ways museums are addressing societal issues that resulted from intersecting histories and connects to contemporary life. Each episode covers various topics from immigration, mass incarceration, transportation, and preservation of Black cultural spaces.

Links: 

Museum Hue

Race Forward Fellowship in the Arts

Andrea Achi, Curator at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Colored Girls Museum

Brooklyn Museum

MANY

Hampton University Museum

Kehinde Wiley, The Studio Museum in Harlem

NYC Cultural Mapping Project

Keywords: Museum, BIPOC museums, culturally responsive museums, cultural mapping, executive director, art, history, culture, New York City, societal issues, intersecting histories, advocacy, human rights

Hard-working. Creative. Smart. These words and so many more describe Calvin Eaton. What’s harder to describe is his influence, insight and generosity. 

Calvin Eaton is a disabled community educator, content creator, and social entrepreneur, whose areas of expertise include antiracism, equity, justice, instructional design, and program development. In 2016 Mr. Eaton founded 540WMain, Inc a virtual non-profit organization and antiracist education brand that promotes justice for all. 

In addition to his non-profit work, Mr. Eaton serves as an adjunct faculty member at St. John Fisher College, is a frequent guest lecturer at several Rochester area universities including Nazareth College and The University of Rochester; and sits on the Disparities Solutions Advisory Council with the U.S Pain Foundation.

Links: 

540 WMain, Inc.: https://540westmain.org/

540 WMain, Inc. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/540WMain

Depression Resources: https://nami.org/Home

Fibromyalgia: https://www.fibromyalgiapatienteducation.info/

Free the People Roc: https://www.facebook.com/ftproc

Urban-Suburban Program: https://www.monroe.edu/urbansuburban

Rochester Institute of Technology: https://www.rit.edu/

Segregation/Integration: https://eji.org/

Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589943423

Teach for America: https://www.teachforamerica.org/

Keywords: antiracism, civil rights, history, disability advocacy, pain management, chronic illness, special education, equity, community educator, justice, instructional design, and program development, higher education, racial health inequity

Joy and diligence describe Kate Weller in all things. Her care for historical scholarship and interpretation invites us all to look backward and inward as we process what is happening in the now.

Working in the museum field for almost 20 years, Kathryn Weller has served as a Curator of Collections, Executive Director, and currently, Director of Education. No matter what role, education and finding ways to create meaningful connections between audience members and the work, collections, and mission of museums has always been her focus. 

As a cultural educator, Kathryn looks for ways of engaging with visitors and creating dialogue through historical topics that connect to issues today. Historical interpretation, when educators wear historical reproduction clothing, practice trades and crafts through historical methods, and/or interpret in a way that provides a tangible connection to the past, is an important educational tool that Kathryn uses in her own museum and also as a volunteer for other cultural organizations.

Links: 

Lavada Nahon: https://lavadanahon.com/

New York State Museum: http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/

Not Your Momma’s History: http://www.notyourmommashistory.com/

Keywords: education, children, family, civil rights, history, New York State, audience engagement, museum, museum education, interpretation, historical interpretation, Italian food

Sometimes, Aria fangirls about the people in her community who are doing exceptional work to make all of our lives better. And then, she introduces herself to those people and tries to learn everything she can from them. Beatriz LeBron is one of those people and we are so grateful she joined us for a podcast conversation! 

Beatriz LeBron executes Healthi Kids’ Play ROCs campaign, developing strategies and tactics that advance play as a cornerstone of whole child health in schools and in neighborhoods. Key responsibilities include managing projects, convening the Play ROCs advocacy committee and key stakeholders, and engaging youth, families and residents.

LeBron has served more than 19 years in the human services sector and has extensive experience as a supervisor, educator, trainer and community health worker. With more than a decade of experience in policy creation, implementation and oversight in health care and education, she also has extensive knowledge of New York State Department of Health regulations. 

Prior to joining Common Ground, LeBron served as a social worker/bi-lingual at Eldersource, Community Place and Lifespan. Earlier, LeBron was a community health worker at Rochester Regional Health, where she worked with individuals facing social, economic and other barriers to maintaining their health. She also was a long-time substitute teacher in the Rochester City School District. LeBron currently serves as a commissioner of the RCSD Board of Education. 

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Science from St. John Fisher College, her certificate in Finance from Georgetown University and her associate degree in Liberal Arts from Monroe Community College. In her spare time, LeBron enjoys art, reading and spending time with her grandson and children.

Links: 

Bell’s Palsy: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bells-palsy#:~:text=Bell's%20palsy%20is%20an%20unexplained,of%20the%20face%20or%20head.

Common Ground Health: https://www.commongroundhealth.org/

Healthi Kids: https://www.healthikids.org/

Jamaican Curry Chicken: https://jamaicanfoodsandrecipes.com/jamaican-curry-chicken-recipe/

Protective Factors: https://health.ucdavis.edu/crhd/pdfs/resources/roadmap-for-resilience-ca-surgeon-generals-report-on-aces-toxic-stress-and-health-12092020.pdf

RCSD Board of Education: https://www.rcsdk12.org/boe

WDKX: https://www.wdkx.com/

Keywords: educator, social worker, mental health, social emotional health, children, family, social justice, civil rights, Bell’s palsy, public health, board of education, Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Boricua, protective factors, radio

Aria walked into a foundation board room a few years ago and Ruth Turner stopped speaking to the person next to her, pointed at Aria and said, “I have a dress in that same fabric.” And so began their friendship! What started as an enthusiastic conversation over Ghanaian fabrics and clothes designed by a mutual friend, turned into one of Aria’s most important relationships of her adulthood.

Ruth B. Turner graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester receiving a B.S. in Social Work and a MSW from University of Buffalo. She also holds a MS. Ed from SUNY Brockport. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker who has served the profession for over 24 years. 

Dr. Turner is known as a champion of children and families in Rochester, New York which she calls home. As an educator, she has committed herself to the principles of restorative practices, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Under her administrative leadership with Rochester City School District (RCSD), she worked to support the most vulnerable students and was an advocate for all students and families. In her tenure, she led the revision of the student code of conduct. She also led the district in adopting restorative justice initiatives in terms of student discipline as was a key leader of anti-racism work for the district. 

For over 13 years she served the Rochester City School District as a social worker, Director and Executive Director for student support services. Before her departure, she served as the Chief for Student Support and Social-Emotional Learning. Before joining RCSD she led the foster care and adoption unit for the Urban League of Rochester. She also spent several years as a trainer for the Center for the Development of Human Services where she focused on child welfare services. 

Ruth’s commitment to the intersection of social work, social welfare, and education began very early in life, rooted in her experience immigrating to the US as a political refugee from Eritrea. It was the kindness and diligence of a social worker who aided her successful transition during one of the most challenging periods in her life. Through the support and advocacy of individuals like this social worker, Ruth graduated from the RCSD and attended college as a 1st generation college student. She has never forgotten the power of support in mitigating the effects of adverse events in childhood, that can aid in helping individuals to reach their fullest potential.

Dr. Turner is married to Dr. William R. Turner Jr., Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies at SUNY Brockport. Together they have three children.

Links:

Black Mental Health: https://nami.org/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-s-Statement-On-Recent-Racist-Incidents-and-Mental-Health-Resources-for-African-Americans?gclid=CjwKCAjwieuGBhAsEiwA1Ly_ne82WI56amGffdzBDOoCzPzwpg9t5RU0SQ3h7QKCc6fP5u7fYZih_RoC5UQQAvD_BwE

Eritrea War of Independence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrean_War_of_Independence

High Expectations:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/10/24/study-finds-high-school-teachers-have-differing-expectations-black-and-white

https://hub.jhu.edu/2016/03/30/racial-bias-teacher-expectations-black-white/

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/teachers-lower-expectations-for-black-students-may-become-self-fulfilling-prophecies-study-finds/2017/10

John Turner: https://theithacan.org/writer/john-turner/page/4/

Keywords: Black, educator, social worker, mental health, social emotional health, children, family, Eritrea, refugee, doctor of Education, high expectations, political refugee, support, idea of self, self-determination, social justice, civil rights 

Prepare to be star-struck by Aria’s guest on today’s podcast! They have been a teacher, mentor, guide and friend since the two first crossed paths, and they continue to support Aria’s growth and reflection today.

Adrian Elim aka "Gatekeeper" 

They/Them/Theirs 

Visual Artist | Activist | Filmmaker | Organizer | Entrepreneur | Bad Bitch 

Gatekeeper is a Queer Non-binary Femme visual artist, filmmaker, organizer, activist & entrepreneur based in Brooklyn, NY. Originally from Rochester, they have been involved with a number of different grassroots efforts including the BLM movement and have helped to establish a number of organizations that work toward Black Liberation. Currently, they own their own production company and are the founder & former chair of Rochester Black Pride. Their main focus & work is to center, uplift, and empower Black Queer & Trans people.

Links:

Afropunk Festival: https://afropunk.com/

Brotherhood Productions: https://www.brothahoodproductions.com/

Free the People Roc: https://www.facebook.com/ftproc/

Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/get-rochester-black-pride-a-building

Kimberlé Crenshaw: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Memorial Art Gallery: https://mag.rochester.edu/

MOCHA Center: https://www.trilliumhealth.org/services/the-mocha-center

Rochester Black Pride: https://www.rocblackpride.com/

The Avenue Black Box Theater: https://www.avenuetheatre.org/

Keywords: activist, queer, gender, transgender, nonbinary, femme, photography, video, production, Black lives matter, BLM, Pride, youth, history, intersectionality, artist, art, film, entrepreneur, bad bitch, organizing, visual