Amplify Good

Aria is delighted to welcome LaShunda Leslie-Smith to the podcast. LaShunda is a role model, leader and mentor to Aria, and she offers transformational ways of being and knowing to her community.

From a mother at age 14 to a CEO by age 34, LaShunda is no stranger to adversity and hard work. When she was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a pediatrician or entrepreneur. Instead, when LaShunda was little more than a baby herself, she gave birth to her first child, a son. At that point, LaShunda could have become nothing more than a statistic. However, LaShunda is a dreamer and a doer. She became the first in her family to graduate college, earn a master's degree, and she is currently pursuing a doctorate. She accomplished all this while raising her son — and later her daughter — with her husband of now 22 years. 

Understanding the needs of teen parents, at age 24 LaShunda started her own nonprofit organization, Successful Pathways, to serve teens who are pregnant or who are on the path to becoming pregnant. She served that organization for nearly a decade before moving on to help found and implement several other nonprofit organizations, always supporting and advocating for underserved populations. LaShunda most recently served as the President and CEO of Young Women’s College Prep Foundation, Inc., and is now “doing her life’s work” as Executive Director of Connected Communities. 

LaShunda is blessed to share her life’s journey with her husband Moses and their two adult children, Branden and Myanna.

Links:

Dr. Ashley Cross: https://www.ashleyrcross.com/

Beechwood Neighborhood: http://www.beechwood14609.com/

Connected Communities: https://www.connectedcommunitiesroc.org/

EPIC Woman: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreEPICWomen

Generational Cycles/Family Legacies: https://centerforparentingeducation.org/library-of-articles/focus-parents/power-family-legacies/

 Genogram: https://genopro.com/genogram/#:~:text=A%20genogram%20(pronounced%3A%20jen%2D,psychological%20factors%20that%20punctuate%20relationships

Seabreeze Amusement Park: https://seabreeze.com/

Keywords: entrepreneur, neighborhood, community engagement, urban redevelopment, pregnancy, young mothers, genogram, family legacy, generational cycle, hope, education

Aria is SO excited to share this episode with you all! George and Aria go WAY back to when they were figuring out who they wanted to be in the world and how they wanted to approach their lives. After a span of roughly 8 billion years, it was incredible to reconnect over the podcast and catch up on what journeys they’ve been on.

George Garner earned his M.A. in Museum Studies from the prestigious Cooperstown Graduate Program where he gained experience in museum administration, exhibitions, and collections care at such well-known institutions as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (Cooperstown, New York) and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (St. Michael’s, Maryland). Since then, he has dedicated his career to exploring how museums and other memory spaces can lead people to make meaning from traumatic histories and use that history to work actively towards change today. 

He is excited by efforts to move beyond traditional museum models and recognizing how museums can become a thriving and integral part of 21st-century communities. Since 2012, he has served in various curatorial and administrative roles at the Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center, a space that, for thirty years, operated as a segregated city-owned swimming pool.

Links:

Back to the Future: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/

Civil Rights Heritage Center: https://clas.iusb.edu/centers/civil-rights/index.html

Freedom Summer: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/freedom-summer

Kimberle Crenshaw- Intersectionality: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?language=en

Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum: http://www.anthracitemuseum.org/

Subtle Acts of Exclusion: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/617257/subtle-acts-of-exclusion-by-tiffany-jana-and-michael-baran/

Keywords: museum, curator, civil rights, freedom summer, anthracite, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, segregation, racism, integration, intersectionality, heritage, microaggression, exclusion, inclusion, history, sociology

Nancy Sung Shelton is a miracle of human. She continually shares her wisdom and learnings with Aria and the team with abundant generosity. We are all delighted to welcome Nancy Shelton to our podcast!   

Nancy Sung Shelton, M.A. is a dedicated professional and community advocate, whose mission is to truly be a benefit in the lives of the people that she endeavors to help.  She is especially devoted to serving individuals who have been marginalized by society, and have been underserved, underrepresented and economically disadvantaged, working with them so that they can enjoy productive and personally fulfilling lives.  

Currently working in the capacity of Senior Consultant in Cultural Competence and Health Literacy for Coordinated Care Services, Inc., her professional experience has included working in the Criminal Justice, Family Law, Child Protection and Advocacy, Human Services, DD/MR, and Behavioral and Physical Healthcare systems. She is a community advocate who has served on many boards and committees throughout the greater Rochester area. 

Starting with a G.E.D., Nancy continued her education to receive an Associates degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelors degree in Behavioral Sciences, and a Masters degree in Management. Nancy is a Fearless Warrior and mother of 3 + 1 sons, Louis Jr., Garrison, Caiza (Kie-zah), and Michael.  Nancy is not shy to voice the unpopular view if it will improve someone’s condition, exemplifying her mission to boldly defend the disregarded and voiceless.     

Links:

CCSI, Inc.: https://www.ccsi.org/

Cultural Competence: https://npin.cdc.gov/pages/cultural-competence

Domestic Violence Resources (Rochester, NY): https://211lifeline.org/categories.php?cat=DomAbuse

Domestic Violence Resources (USA): https://www.thehotline.org/

Social Determinants of Health: https://nam.edu/social-determinants-of-health-101-for-health-care-five-plus-five/?gclid=Cj0KCQjws-OEBhCkARIsAPhOkIZGzO5lvnFQ4DfjWriZzxe26ZU1r6zedloJMZBcVu3_Mbhkcn6D8NQaAh_zEALw_wcB

Starfish Foundation: https://www.starfishfound.org/

Keywords: health equity, social determinants, hope, weariness, moral, business, human services, cultural competence, domestic violence resources, trauma, healing, trauma-informed

Are you ready to talk shop?! On today’s episode, Aria is joined by the incredible Philip Arca, a fellow capacity-building consultant. They talk shop, families, direct service, research and podcasting!

Philip is the Principal at arca & associates, a capacity-building firm that provides interim leadership services to an array of organizations, performs organizational assessments, and frequently assists with executive searches. Their other services include HR audits, leadership transition consulting, coaching, board governance, and strategic and business planning. Philip and his family call California home.

You can connect with Philip on his Linked In profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvincentarca/

You can listen to Philip’s podcast, NGO A GO GO, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Audible.

Links:

Alliance for Nonprofit Management: https://allianceonline.org/

Arnova: https://www.arnova.org/

Avenue Q, “Everyone’s a little bit racist”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovF1zsDoeM

Black Perspectives- Alicia Garza: https://www.aaihs.org/making-black-people-powerful-an-interview-with-alicia-garza/

Chuck Collins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Collins

Decolonizing Wealth: https://www.edgarvillanueva.net/the-book-1

Fab Labs: https://www.fablabs.io/

Greater Rochester Health Foundation: https://thegrhf.org/

Hidden Brain: https://hiddenbrain.org/

Megan Rapinoe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Rapinoe

Oakland Zoo: https://www.oaklandzoo.org/

Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation: https://www.rdlgfoundation.org/

Seneca Park Zoo: https://senecaparkzoo.org/

Song Exploder: https://songexploder.net/

Upstream: https://heathbrothers.com/books/upstream/

Keywords: capacity building, consultants, interim leadership, mental health, housing, zoo, advocacy, podcast, nonprofit

This episode hits so many of Aria’s high points: understanding Indigenous culture, honoring everything those of us in North America have because of Indigenous communities, storytelling, education, care for the community, inter-cultural exchange. Aria is so lucky that Perry Ground entered her life when he did- he has been an educator and mentor to her throughout the most recent phase of her career.

Perry Ground (Turtle Clan, Onondaga) presents traditional Native American stories about the beliefs, customs, and history of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people. Perry brings his stories to life through vivid descriptions, his rhythmic voice, and energetic stage presence. He also explains the tradition and history of storytelling itself. He has been telling stories for over seventeen years as a means of educating people about his culture. Perry learned most of the stories he shares from elders. Professionally, he served as the Director of the Rochester City School District's Native American Resource Center.

He has worked in several museums and taught at Syracuse and Cornell Universities, and spoken at museums, historical sites, indigenous nations, and institutions of higher learning. Perry now devotes all of his time to storytelling, traveling around the world sharing Native American stories.

You can hear Perry’s stories and stay updated on his travels and appearances on his Facebook page: Perry Ground- Talking Turtle Stories, https://www.facebook.com/TalkingTurtleStories

Resources:

Facebook page: Perry Ground- Talking Turtle Stories, https://www.facebook.com/TalkingTurtleStories

American Indian Movement: http://www.aimovement.org/

Onondaga- Turtle Clan: https://www.onondaganation.org/culture/

Haudenosaunee Confederacy: https://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/

Legends of the Longhouse: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/827563.Legends_of_the_Longhouse

Rochester Museum & Science Center: https://rmsc.org/

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

Iroquois Indian Museum: https://www.iroquoismuseum.org/

Myth of the “Vanishing Indian”: https://pluralism.org/myth-of-the-vanishing-indian

Keywords: Native American, Indigenous, American Indian, Iroquois, Haudenosaunee, Turtle Clan, Onondaga, museum, longhouse, Vanishing Indian, storytelling, liberation, lacrosse, education

This is an important podcast episode to Aria. Ashley is a friend, teammate, teacher and constant source of inspiration for Aria. Ashley’s influence runs deep and wide in Aria’s life, and she is so grateful to share Ashley’s wisdom with all of you!

For over a decade Ashley has worked in the heart of the social justice movement in Rochester, New York. She began first as an Advocate with Refugees helping Refugees, then as the Fight for 15 Lead Organizer and Racial Justice Organizer for Metro justice, then the state-wide Lead Organizer on criminal justice reform on the FREENY campaign at Just leadership USA. Ashley is currently the Lead Organizer for NYCLU- Genesee Valley chapter. She joined Aria Strategies in October 2018 as Operations Manager while continuing in her capacity as a criminal justice reform advocate and community organizer. Ashley shifted her focus at Aria Strategies to Special Projects in February 2019 where she provides essential consultation and advice to our team. 

Ashley serves as chair of the Advisory Board for the YWCA of Rochester where she works with families directly affected by homelessness, addiction, re-entry and domestic abuse. She is the co-leader and Diversity Chair for Action Together Rochester, where she fights for progressive causes through collaboration, education, equity and advocacy in our community. 

Ashley strives every day to love mercy, pursue justice and walk humbly before her God.

Links:

Danielle Ponder: http://danielleponder.com/

Defund Police/Refund Communities: https://www.publicbooks.org/defund-the-police-and-refund-the-communities/

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

New York Civil Liberties Union- Genesee Valley: https://www.nyclu.org/en/chapters/genesee-valley

Refugees Helping Refugees: https://rhrroc.org/

The New Jim Crow: https://newjimcrow.com/

13th (documentary): http://www.avaduvernay.com/13th

Keywords: activist, advocate, school, education, justice, organizing, criminal justice, police violence, proximity violence

Sarah Adams is a ray of Light, a voice of her generation, a force for justice in the world. She’s an incredible youth activist and leader, and her journey is just beginning.

Sarah Adams is a poet, community organizer, social justice activist and leader. Most of her work is centered around anti-Black police violence as well as education. In fact, Sarah’s advocacy and activism began when she organized a student walk-outs to protest impending teacher layoffs. She is a freshman at East High School, an Avenue Fellow at the Avenue Blackbox Theatre, a Youth History Ambassador with Teen Empowerment, and leader of Youth Advocacy Committee.

Link to:

Defund Police/Refund Communities: https://www.publicbooks.org/defund-the-police-and-refund-the-communities/

East High: https://www.rcsdk12.org/east

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

New York Civil Liberties Union- Genesee Valley: https://www.nyclu.org/en/chapters/genesee-valley

Rochester City School District: https://www.rcsdk12.org/

Teen Empowerment: https://teenempowerment.org/rochester/

Keywords: youth, activist, advocate, teens, teenagers, school, education, justice

Sometimes people come into your life and you don’t know that they’ll do big, important things for your development and growth as a human. Star is one of those people for Aria.

Starlyn D’Angelo grew up in Colorado and developed a love of history while listening to her grandmother tell family stories. She started volunteering in museums when she was 16 and went on to obtain a M.A. in Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. She previously served as Executive Director of the Shaker Heritage Society and Curator of the Shaker Museum Mt. Lebanon. She recently changed direction and started working as the Director of Philanthropy and Strategic Planning for the Palace Performing Arts Center. 

Throughout her career, she has worked to build a strong sense of community while cultivating a greater appreciation of history and culture. Her volunteer work includes serving on the board of the Museum Association of New York and working with a reproductive surgeon to provide online information and support for women with mullerian anomalies. Starlyn lives with her husband and 12 year old daughter in Kinderhook, New York. She enjoys hiking with her family, crawling around old buildings, and practicing yoga.

Links and Resources:

Albany Education Foundation: https://albanyeducation.org/

Museum Association of New York: https://nysmuseums.org/

Palace Theater: https://www.palacealbany.org/

Save Our Stages: https://www.saveourstages.com/

Shaker History and Information: https://www.nps.gov/articles/history-of-the-shakers.htm

Keywords: history, education, arts, culture, economy, COVID-19, theater, Shakers, honesty, vulnerability, transparency

Nita’s creativity, intelligence, experiences and insights inspire Aria on the daily. She’s been a great friend for a decade and a half, and provides care and goodness that nurtures the people around her.

MansaWear owner and fashion designer Nita Brown was born in Ghana. As the daughter of a diplomat, she left for her first overseas trip at the age of seven, traveling to the Czech Republic. Nita completed her secondary schooling in Ghana, received a B.A. in History from Columbia University and an M.B.A. in International Management from Georgetown University. She speaks Ashanti (Twi) and French. 

Brown’s passion for fashion was ignited by her mother. She grew up surrounded by the constant interactions and discussions of her mother and her couturiers about fabric choices and current styles. Her mother’s innate eye for color, quality fabrics and tailored looks influenced MansaWear’s structured pieces, bold colors and varied fabric prints. MansaWear designs and manufactures tailor-made and ready-to-wear clothing using vibrant colors and bold pattern Ghanaian prints that provides maximum versatility, flexibility & economical. It’s about being uniquely you and the art of the mash-up. That is mixing and matching your Ghanaian-inspired MansaWear outfit with items already existing in your closet to create endless styles for daily and special occasions. Her goal is to create an enduring branded clothing line using high-quality Ghanaian fabrics and tailoring sensibilities. 

MansaWear is a permanent fixture at Rochester Fashion Week, where Nita debuts each year’s fabric and style collection. MansaWear is sold at Memorial Art Gallery’s museum shop, or at the full-fledged retail site www.mansawear.com or in person at 367 Park Ave, Rochester. MansaWear has been featured in numerous media outlets including, the Rochester Business Journal, The Democrat and Chronic and Chanel 8 CBS’s Be Inspired Show and twice on News 10 NBC’s Spotlight segment.

During her spare time, Ms. Brown runs, raises funds for building and supporting schools for the FST Sisters, a community of nuns based in Ghana. She is active at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, where she has served on Parish Council and now assists as a lector and communion minister.

Links and Resources

MansaWear: https://mansawear.com/, https://www.facebook.com/MansaWear

Ghana: https://www.ghana.gov.gh/

Columbia University: https://www.columbia.edu/

Georgetown University: https://www.georgetown.edu/

Rochester Fashion Week: http://www.fashionweekofrochester.org/

Keywords: education, anti-racism, parenthood, parenting, Black History, African American History, business, art, fashion, politics   

This episode contains multitudes. Callid and Aria are an unlikely combination, but they came into each other’s lives at a time when life circumstances created opportunities for engagement. And thank goodness! They hold each other in dear care. In this episode, Aria and Callid talk about the role of higher education in the contemporary American experience, power and privilege (in everything), parenting and families, democracy and spirituality.    

Callid Keefe-Perry is a proud father and husband. He serves in the traveling ministry within and beyond The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), often working as an organizational consultant, retreat leader, or workshop facilitator for faith communities and non-profit organizations. Originally trained as a Communication and Media Theorist, he served as one of the two Co-Executive Directors of ARC: Arts | Religion | Culture until November 2020, an organization committed to supporting individuals and organizations whose work is at the intersection of spiritual and creative practices, especially as those practices are done for community-building and work towards justice. Organizationally, he focused on helping groups clarify their goals and make sure that their commitments to justice and equity become more than just aspirations and good intentions. He currently serves as Senior Editor of the academic journal "The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies (ARTS Journal). He works with ARC to steward that publication in collaboration with The Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies and United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

Callid is also a Lecturer in Practical Theology at Boston University’s School of Theology. Academically, his research is about encouraging ways that religious and spiritual perspectives can be discussed in the public square in ways that support pluralism, democracy, and social justice. He publishes on issues related to the ways that schooling affects the interior life of children as well the importance of imagination and creativity in spiritual life. 

Previously, Callid has been a public school social studies teacher, the co-founder of a community theater in Rochester, NY, and the Executive Director of The Transformative Language Arts Network. He thinks it is OK for people to laugh a lot, that power cedes nothing without demands, and that creativity is a vital quality of adaptive and effective leadership. More about Callid is at CallidKeefePerry.com

Resources & Links: 

Callid’s Website: https://callidkeefeperry.com/

Callid’s Poem: https://artsreligionculture.org/blog/2020/10/19/chronicles10-19-20

Boston University School of Theology: http://www.bu.edu/sth

Kimberlé Crenshaw (originated term: intersectionality): https://aapf.org/kimberle-crenshaw

Intersectionality: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?language=en

Keywords: education, anti-racism, higher education, college, university, practical theology, arts, spirituality, democracy, intersectionality, privilege, marginalized identity