In this episode of the Give It Up Podcast, Margo Hinton sits down with educator, consultant, and sports entrepreneur Monique A.J. Smith, host of A Chat in the Garden Podcast and Hampton University sport's management professor with over 30 years in athletics administration.  Margo and Monique discuss her career evolution from internship, to public relations, to Sports Information Director, to NCAA Consultant, to Athletic Administration entrepreneur. Monique shares her insights on branding, leadership, and entrepreneurship in sports, and how she built a thriving platform that amplifies the voices of African American women athletic administrators.  This conversation is rich in storytelling and strategy for personal success, as well as, building your brand.  

1:45 - Introduction

5:00 - Best Thing I Heard Today

7:15 - I never thought about that

10:00 - Practice is Over

12:30 - Where can I get a Hot Air Balloon?  

14:00 - First Female Full-Time Sports Information Director

16:45 - Janet A. Lee (First CIAA Woman AD) 

21:00 - Compliance Director 

24:00 - Time to Move On (Roots hitting my Pot)

27:00 - NCAA Leadership Consultant

30:00 - Create a Need

32:00 - Promoting Other People

35:00 - Consultant Work and Entrepreneur Transition

38:00 - What Have I done Well/People need it

40:00 - Bought the Land

44:00 - Identifying Burnout

46:00 - You're never gonna leave you

49:00 - Using Therapy Tools 

52:00 - EB Henderson Stay Tuned!

54:00 - Be in Motion

https://margohinton.com

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Bellevue Elementary principal Qualisha Zyhier is back on the Give It Up Podcast to continue the conversation on Educational Leadership with Margo Hinton.  Principal Zyhier's name means "Princess of Equality" and she shares how her new school is prepared to grow equal voice for and opportunities for students that are far too often marginalized.  Qualisha shares insights on empowering students, and modeling authenticity.  Be prepared to listen, take notes, and enjoy this meaningful conversation on education and life.  

3:30 - Found my Tribe

5:20 - Best Thing That I Heard Today

9:00 - Remembering Coach L

12:40 - What sustains you on your worst days?

14:30 - Empowering Teachers

16:30 - Quality Lesson Planning (Culturally Relevant)

19:45 - Hanging on to Greatness

23:00 - 10 Different Languages

26:00 - Hoop Nation (Scholarships)

33:00 - Moving On; Overcoming Fear 

36:00 - Jumping into your Jeans

39:30 - Impacting Generations

42:45 - Love Train

44:45 - Community/Parent Engagement

47:00 - Parent Passion and Advocacy

49:30 - Disrupting Inequity in Gifted Identification

53:00 - Self-Love and Taking Care of Yourself

55:15 - Word to the Children "You are Brilliant!"

57:45 - Turning the Tables

59:00 - Give It Up Moment

www.margohinton.com

Give It Up Game Plan

Play #1: Lead with authenticity. Qualisha reminded us that showing up as your whole self is not just powerful, it’s necessary.

Play #2: Protect your energy. She showed us how setting boundaries keeps you grounded and able to serve others without losing yourself.

Play #3: Community is the real win. Whether it’s teammates, colleagues, or family; success comes when you build and pour into your circle and your circle pours into you.

Qualisha Zyhier is a passionae, powerhouse advocate for children whose leadership blends vision, heart, and unshakable belief in every student's brilliance.  Give It Up Podcast host Margo Hinton sits down with the recently named Administrator of the year by the Shyne Awards Foundation to discuss her upbringing, leadership style, and unwavering support for children.  They also discuss practical ways to inspire and bring out the best in every child.  Zyhier's deep commitment to culturally rich, inclusive education and a gift for inspiring both staff and students will leave you wanting to hear even more.  She represents the very best in educational leadership by lifting communities and unlocking the full-potential of every child she serves.  Qualisha Zyhier is on the cutting edge of educational transformation.  

2:50 - Give It Up Spotlight

5:23 - Relocating from NYC to PGH

6:35 - Central Connecticut State University Baller

8:10 - Her children 18-21-22

12:00 - Building a Winning Team

13:00 - Mind Your Business

16:15 - Speak Up

19:00 - Role Model/Virginia Experience

22:00  - Authenticity

25:00 - No Rooms Where I am Not Wanted

28:30 - Herb T (Connect before you Correct)

29:00 - Maslow Before Bloom

31:30 - Love in the Classroom

34:00 - Modeling Uplifting Marginalized Populations

35:40 - "Children will be the mirror of what you poured into them"

38:00 - Opportunities for students to Shyne and help others

40:30 - Equity during the Pandemic

44:50 - Being Innovative to Spark that Joy

45:45 - High Energy/Team Player

50:00 - Missed Beyonce

51:00 - Shyne Awards Adminstrator of the Year

55:00 - Good Trouble

57:45 - Be Bold and Unapologetic

On this episode of the Give It Up Podcast, Margo sits down with Dr. Christine Herring, the author of the Mind Jukebox and co-founder of Herring Seminars and Consulting.  They explore how the thoughts we play on repeat shape our lives, leadership, and self-worth.  From the corporate boardroom to personal breakthroughs, Dr. Herring shares powerful insights on how to silence mental noice and choose thoughts that elevate, inspire, and empower.  We dig into:  How the Mind Jukebox playlist can help you recognize and reprogram negative thinking; What it takes to thrive as a Black woman educational leader; how leaders can shift workplace culture by shifting mindsets.  Dr. Herring's personal journey of transformation and why your "mental playlist" matters is also discussed.  This is a bold, soulful, and practical conversation that will leave you thinking differenly about the stories you tell yourself and how to give up what no longer serves you.  Please visit www.herringseminars.com for more information.  

3:55 - Give It Up Spotlight

6:23 - Poem:  The Black Woman

7:50 - Not who I thought I would be

9:30 - Other people's opinion

11:34 - "Now I had these girls"

12:11 - "My why became my children"

14:45 - Music changes our vibration

18:35 - An educator at the core

20:24 - What's going on?

22:10 - "We're all leaders"

24:10 - Be Brave

26:00 - The other Dr. Herring (Chuck)

30:07 - Handprints and Footprints

35:57 - Calling People In

37:30 - Level setting language

40:20 - The Four Agreements

43:50 - Music and Mantras to maintain identity

45:30 - Staying in the Lab too long

49:00 - Multi-generations in the work force

53:35 - The reward for authenticity

54:30 - Mind Jukebox Trilogy 

55:00 - Women's Wellness Retreat (October 14-17)

57:00 - Give It Up for Family

Dr. Christine Herring 

www.herringseminars.com

www.margohinton.com

The new season of the Give It Up Podcast kicks off with husband and wife Reverend Kay Brown and Dr. Ron Brown.  Kay envisioned a faith-based youth ministry dedicated to uplifting and equipping young people across western Pennsylvania and J.A.M. (Jesus Annoints Me) was born in 2001.  J.A.M. engages over 1,100 youth annually through dynamic worship, leadership, arts ministries, and educational support.  Give It Up Podcast hosts Margo Hinton discusses the origin, mission, and future of J.A.M. with the Browns.  The back to school J.A.M. will take place on Friday August 15th at the Central Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  They will also be hosting a Male Empowerment Forum on Saturday, August 16th.  For more details, please visit www.jam-fest.org.  

4:45 - Give It Up Spotlight J.A.M. (Jesus Annoints Me)

6:55 - How they met?

10:00 - Who inspires you?

15:15 - The orgins of J.A.M.

19:00 - Kay leading desegregation at Woodland Hills

22:30 - The sports Connector

24:30 - Being transparent with the youth

28:30 - Participation as a youth in ministry and sports

34:00 - What J.A.M. means to me

36:00 - Devaunte Butler Featured Speaker

43:00 - Male Empowerment Forum

51:00 - Visit www.jam-fest.com register and donate

53:00 - Partner Organizations

56:30 - Future Growth of J.A.M.

59:00 - What do you know for sure?  

Margo Hinton welcomes back her partner in power Curleta Harris to wrap up the NBA season and jumpstart the WNBA season.  They talk about the stars of the playoffs featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They also discuss the horrific injury that Tyrese Haliburton suffered in game 7.  The Oklahoma City Thunder hoisted the championship trophy and the Pacers fought to the end, but fell short.  Caitlin Clark has been injured for much of the WNBA season, but somehow controversy still surrounds her.  Curleta and Margo give you the goods on pro-basketball and chime in on the Steelers acquisition of Aaron Rogers.  All this and more on this episode of the Give It Up Podcast. 

3:25:  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 

6:10:  No Drama NBA Finals

6:35:  T.J. McConnell Love

9:45:  Bruce Family Royalty

14:25:  Should Chris Paul get an honorary ring

15:06:  Game 7 Tyrese Haliburton Injury

23:00:  Haliburton Choke Symbol 

28:00:  KD's Legacy

33:00:  Drew Holiday Trade

38:00:  WNBA Fights

39:30:  Fever Coach Bashes the Officials

41:00:  Officials make calls after plays

46:00:  Curleta does not like Aaron Rogers

48:00:  Giving it up for Everyone Remaining Sane

Kiandra Browne was born and raised in Canada, but her athletic ability brought her to America where she played basketball as an Indiana Hoosier and graduated this year from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Her freshman year she made the life decision to convert to Islam.  She explains her journey from Canada to America and her search for meaningful religious expression.  On that journey she started a modest clothing line featuring athletic apparel.  Kiandra's story is inspirational and relatable as she shares it wih Margo Hinton on this episode of the Give It Up Podcast.  

2:10. Give It Up Spotlight

5:00. Growing Up in Canada

10:36. Breaking the Mold

14:15. Coming to America

19:30. American Stereotypes

28:30. Reverting or Converting to Islam

39:40. Decision to Cover

45:50. Empowered in her Decision

52:00. Uplift Clothing Line 

55:50. Being Happy with the life you lived

58:08. Giving It Up for Our Moms

Musician, fashion designer, and entrepreneur Jacquay Hosey AKA BLAKKING Folk sits down with Margo Hinton on the Give It Up Podcast to discuss God, music, fashion, and redemption.  His authenticity and wisdom are enlightening for all those looking for light during this historical time where many feel left in the dark.  His partner Jadah Fields introduces her new book:  Random Thoughts of a Woke Soul.  She inspires and motivates with her transparent evolution as a spritual being.  Search BLAKKING Folk on Instagram and Jadah's book can be found on Amazon.  

3:11         Florida Roots

6:30       College Basketball

11:40      A divided house can not stand

14:30     Musical Gift

20:00    Choose where you put your energy

26:00    Fashion Genius

30:00    Facing the Devil

33:00    Get comfortable with being yourself

42:00    Judge Not

49:00.    Jadah Fields New Book

55:00.    Finding Family

Kelli Shakur is the Founder of FroGang Foundation Inc. They are a movement and an organization that unapologetically promotes, empoweres, and encourages natural hair and afros and the symbolic power they hold.  Give It Up Podcast host Margo Hinton interviews Kelli, Tree Pittsburgh's Clara Kitongo, and FroGang girl Samaudi Archibald to discuss the power of natural hair and the importance for Black women and girls to embrace themselves.  

5:30 Kelli talks about her evolution as a natural hair movement leader.

10:00 Kelli shares how God gave her a vision to do a photo shoot with your Black girls with natural hair in Pittsburgh's historical Hill District that went viral.  

13:00 Clara tells her hair story.

14:20  Samaudi tells how she decided to wear dreadlocks as a young girl.  

21:00  Dr. Jamil Bey introduces Clara and Kelli and their partnership flourishes. 

25:00 Kelli talks about the various programs for the FroGang girls.

32:00 Kelli gets her flowers.

35:00 FroGang building a well for girls in Uganda. Donation information...

38:00 Standing firm about the language of natural hair.

42:00 Samaudi gives advice to young girls regarding their natural hair.

52:00 Guests Social Media 

56:30 Grow the Mangos

Please donate and help Kelli and the FroGang Family build a well in Uganda at www.frogang.org.

The Give It Up Podcast with Margo Hinton Welcomes back Curleta Harris to discuss the biggest sports stories of 2024, as well as, the stories they are looking forward to in 2025.  Be prepared to get schooled by these women on sports and on life.  They discuss the rise in popularity of women's sports and how Caitlin Clark changed the game.  They touch on the Steelers collapse ant whether Mike Tomlin is still the answer in Pittsburgh.  The Olympics, the college football playoff, and more are discussed on this 2024 sport's wrap up.