Black Leadership Re-Defined

Vocalist, Emmy Award-winning actor, motivational speaker, emcee, auctioneer, community organizer, arts educator, and committed volunteer, T Mychael Rambo spreads some cheer and hope through his story of being homeless, sitting on the bench outside of the Ordway theatre in St Paul MN, watching people come and go to being an actor on the stage at the Ordway and several other theatres in the Twin Cities and beyond.   And by singing a few songs to help keep us uplifted during the holiday period.

Mr. James Dallas, a man of faith, seasoned executive, and agent of change in large domestic and international corporate settings, helps people navigate their lives in the face of daunting circumstances. James shares details with host Dr. Sylvia Bartley about how he evolved from a young man who grew up in the segregated south with an inferiority complex to a confident, successful C-Suite executive.  James shares how he took the 'Bridge from Ordinary to Extraordinary' and how we can do the same. It's a powerful and inspiring conversation.

Erica Simmons, Storyteller Strategist and Lifestyle Photographer in Atlanta, tells her own story of gratitude and thankfulness after experiencing a life-changing car accident in 2009.

Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Kim Nelson, retired Senior Vice President of External Relations for General Mills Inc, President of the General Mills Foundation, and Independent Board Director at Colgate-Palmolive, Cummins Inc., and Tate & Lyle, to learn about Kim’s career journey from an assistant Marketing Manager to the highest-ranking Black Women executive in General Mills.  Her exceptional work influencing change in the Twin Cities community, the importance of spirituality, her values, and mindful practices that enable Kim to live her best life.   

Kellen Rashad Nins, attendance liaison at Central High School and creator and founder of the Uposit.me app and social media, discusses positivity in our lives, and boldly recounts his personal journey through the criminal justice system as a confused young man, and how it impacted his drive to help kids stay positive and navigate the world. 

In Minnesota, only 24% of African American households own their home, compared with 77% of white households. Dondi Edwards, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Home Lending, joins Dr. Bartley to talk about the history of home ownership in America, including practices like racial covenants and redlining.  Dondi discusses the initiative he is leading in Wells Fargo to level the playing field around home equity as well as his impressive career journey and the role spirituality plays in his life.

Robyn Robinson joins host Dr. Sylvia Bartley to talk about her experiences as the first African American primetime news anchor in the state of Minnesota, her stint in politics, love for the arts and the entrepreneur behind her Rox jewelry line.  

Host Dr. Sylvia Bartley sits down with Dr. Lonnie Johnson in his Research and Development building in Atlanta, Georgia.  Dr. Johnson is an inventor and entrepreneur. He is well known for his invention of the Super Soaker®, which became the number one selling toy in America and the Јоhnѕоn Тhеrmоеlесtrіс Еnеrgу Соnvеrtеr (ЈТЕС), аn еngіnе thаt соnvеrtѕ hеаt іntо еlесtrісіtу.  Dr. Johnson talks about his childhood in Mobile, Alabama, his early inventions, his passion for engineering, and how he overcame the odds to become an internationally recognized inventor with over 140 patents.  Dr. Johnson is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, The National Toy Hall of Fame, The Black Inventors Hall of Fame, and The Black Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame.  He has a passion for community and anchors his work around providing opportunities for underserved children in the STEM arena—a conversation not to be missed.

Statistics show Black women and their babies have worse health outcomes than their white peers. In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Bartley welcomes Dr. Kristin Oates, OBGYN at Atlanta Gynecology and Obstetrics, Terra Cole Brown, Executive Director at Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation, and Shakita Thomas Kpetay from Remnants of Hope Coaching and Consulting for an informative discussion on the heightened risks faced by women of color and how to manage them.

According to the CDC, 1-in-5 Americans will experience mental health illness in a given year, 1-in-25 Americans live with a serious mental illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression, and according to the Lancet Psychiatry Journal, 1-in-8 Covid Patients are diagnosed with a first-time mental illness like anxiety and depression. September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day.

Mental and emotional health practitioners Kasim Abdur Razzaq, Dr. Janelle Jones, and Candice Ellis join Dr. Sylvia Bartley to discuss mental and emotional health.  They explain the symptoms, warning signs of mental illness and provide advice on how to help yourself and others suffering with their emotional health.