Humanity Chats with Marjy

Davelyn Athena Hill, Executive Director of Speaking Down Barriers Shares About the Organization's Work.

Speaking Down Barriers started as poetry and conversation in November 2013. A group of mostly Black spoken word poets began to talk about race and racism in ways that implicated white supremacy. These conversations were centered around spoken word poetry which uses poetic devices with a first-person narrative and took place in the chapel of a majority white church in Spartanburg, SC. The conversations grew in diversity and in topic. Speaking Down Barriers' mission is equity for all and have two strategic imperatives; end oppression and value everyone. The organization holds these two imperatives in tandem believing that none of us are free until all of us are free and that everyone has inherent dignity and value that is not based on works.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

A parent of 5 Ivy-League educated graduates, Dr. Carline Crevecoeur joins Humanity Chats to share her Ivy League parenting story.

A Haitian- American retired board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, she is the author of  Pressure Makes Diamonds: From Homeschooling to the Ivy League-A Parenting Story.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

AMPLIFYING BLACK VOICES - FREDERICK D. REEVES AKA SON OF ICE, IS EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH SONG AND DANCE!

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Former Registered Nurse, Creator of the Diva By Cindy Hair Care Brand, and Owner of the Diva Day Spa and Healing Center, Joins Humanity Chats.

About Guest

Cindy Tawiah has opened the first Black- owned “Diva Day Spa and Healing Center” located in Baltimore County near Reisterstown Road. Diva by Cindy is the first ever multiethnic hair and skin care brand to specialize in natural products and services. This brand has been featured all over the world in venues such as the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airport, Black Enterprise magazine, the Drew Barrymore show, and in Ghana, Accra. 

Cindy Tawiah has also created vending machines with Diva by Cindy hair care and skin products that have helped to transform how these products are bought and sold in the marketplace. Now, Diva by Cindy has launched “The Diva Day Spa and Healing Center” which is an innovative and unique day spa that specializes in traditional services such as sauna treatments, foot detox, and other spa services also offers wellness and healing services for individuals and couples. Additionally, the Diva Day Spa and Healing Center offers business workshops and retreats for organizations and companies to help improve the health of their businesses.

Cindy Tawiah along with her husband and partner, Samuel Tawiah were able to fulfill a lifelong dream to open a Day Spa and Healing Center in October 2020, during the worst pandemic ever recorded. God answered Cindy and Samuel’s desire to provide a healing and wellness center for those who wish to be whole. Cindy’s background as a nurse and her “healing hands” helps to offer healing sessions that will not only transform your body but also your mind and soul. Cindy’s motto is “You can’t heal what you don’t reveal.” Cindy and her team are metamorphic and powerful experts in the area of healing, and her team has over 30 years of experience as spa estheticians. Many customers have echoed “You will leave this pink oasis feeling rejuvenated, and ready to live a life of passion and purpose.”

The Diva Day Spa and Healing Center exterior offers plush pink cherry blossoms and greenery, rolling hills, and the most tranquil atmosphere. The interior is tastefully decorated in the Diva by Cindy brand signature colors of pink and gold. Once you approach the property, tranquility and peace comes over you immediately. The pink oasis offers full-service body massages, facial treatments, deep tissue therapeutics, aesthetician services, manicures, and pedicures. Additionally, the Diva by Cindy Spa and Healing Center also offers services such as candle and pillow making sessions.  

Lastly, the healing services are truly exceptional in that they help both individuals, couples, and companies remove blockages and obstacles that often prevent them from being successful. This pink oasis is a must for anyone seeking to be pampered and desiring pure bliss on their path to wellness.

The Diva Project transforms appearances and changes the lives of women. Sales from Diva by Cindy support The Diva Project and for each product and service sold, 10% is donated to the cause of eradicating domestic violence against women. The Diva by Cindy brand is available at BWI International airport, Fort Belvoir Military Base, and other select locations, as well as www.divabycindy.com. Cindy Tawiah has been featured on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Baltimore's WMAR-TV, and Fox 45 and in Essence Magazine and on Examiner.com.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Victor Durrah, Executive Director of Brothers Restoring Urban Hope Shares About the Organization's Community Impact. 

Brothers Restoring Urban Hope was recently awarded a Chapman Cultural Center Community Grant to create an educational S.T.E.M.-themed mural throughout the newly updated B.R.U.H. community center in Cowpens. The new S.T.E.M. mural will be painted in a way that identifies specific heavenly bodies and their position relative to the earth and sun.

About Victor

A native of Cowpens, Victor Durrah, Jr. is a non-profit leader and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his community work.

Victor earned an Associates Degree from Spartanburg Methodist College and a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Non-Profit Administration and Management from the University of South Carolina Upstate. He has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 15 years focusing on youth development.

Victor started his career with the Palmetto Council Boy Scouts of America, serving as the Director of Multi-Cultural Markets. He is the current Executive Director and Co-Founder of Brothers Restoring Urban Hope, Inc.(BRUH Mentor) -- a non-profit organization that focuses on group mentoring for young men and women.  

A recipient of several awards, Victor has been recognized as a graduate of the Grassroots Leadership Program, Black History Maker of the Upstate (2012), BSA PDL1, PDL2, PDL3 certified employee, and received the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change. He has also received the Talented Tenth Award from the Urban League for his work in African American Communities and has been recognized as a top young professional in the non- profit field by the Chamber of Commerce for 3 consecutive years.

A current board member for Habitat for Humanity, he serves as the A.I.M (Athletes In Ministry) youth advisor for Born Anew Church located in Spartanburg. His past community service includes his tenure as Community Services Chairman for the Gaffney Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Victor is currently pursuing a  Masters in Public Administration at Clemson University. 

About Chapman Cultural Center

Chapman Cultural Center provides major funding and support for many of Spartanburg’s arts and cultural organizations. The organization's programs serve more than 40,000 public and private school students throughout Spartanburg County, with residencies by professional artists in the disciplines of music, dance, visual arts, literature, media, theatre, and crafts. 


We are excited to partner with Chapman Cultural Center to amplify Black artists and organizations who have been impacted by the Agency's Community Grants program! 

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Sumi Mukherjee talks about his encounters with racism.

About Guest

Author and Speaker Sumi Mukherjee published his first book titled “A Life Interrupted – the story of my battle with bullying and obsessive compulsive disorder” in July 2011. His second book published in July 2014, is titled “Father Figure – my mission to prevent child sexual abuse”. His third book titled “How to stand up to workplace bullying and take on an unjust employer” was published in Jan 2017. His fourth and the latest book titled “Minority Viewpoint – my experience, as a person of color, with the American Justice System” was published in Dec 2020.

Since October 2011, Sumi has been speaking to hundreds of people around the country so others can benefit from his stories. Sumi has spoken to family members, caregivers, service providers, students, teachers, counselors, administrators, social workers, mental health professionals, parents, and the general audience. He has spoken at schools, colleges, religious organizations, bullying prevention conferences, other professional conferences, domestic violence/sexual abuse/mental health awareness events.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Dilys Sillah  Chats About Love, Grief and Emotional Independence.

About Guest

Dilys Sillah is a Transformational Life Coach, specializing in grief, emotional independence and marriage/relationship coaching. She is a Minister at New Glory Chapel in London, TEDx speaker, and founder of ‘Who Will Hear My ‘Cry (WWHMC). An advocate for women and children, Dilys is the author of the bestselling book, ‘Not This Widow – A Journey Of Grief: Love, Loss, Strength and Survival’.

She is also the author of ‘Predator or Prince: How To Find The Man Of Your Dreams, Not Your Nightmares’. The book educates women on how to spot red flags in men who may be emotionally or physically abusive.

Dilys is an excellent host and Speaker. She has hosted events with prestigious guests including the Ghana High Commissioner to London and Australia’s ambassador to Ghana - H.E. Gregory Andrews. Other guests include the British High Commissioner to Ghana - Ian Walker, and the Deputy Head of Missions at the Delegation of the European Union, Ghana – Pieter Smidt van Gelder.

Over the last 2 years, she has been actively involved with the fight to end gender based violence. Dilys is especially passionate about ending harmful widowhood rites. In addition to being an advocate for women and children who raises awareness on rape, child abuse and domestic violence, Dilys continues to bring awareness to issues such as child marriages and domestic abuse. As a widow, she is concerned about the millions of widows that are left destitute, forced to undergo sexual cleansing practices and other human rights violations that are not intercepted or prohibited by enforced laws. 

Dilys’s activism work is giving a voice to subjugated and oppressed women and girls to empower them to redefine their lives and live again.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Dr. Fatimah Jackson Reviews Dr. Bernard Kwabi Addo's Book - Check the Fats.

About Dr. Jackson
Dr. Fatima Jackson received her Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. (cum laude with Distinction in all Subjects) from Cornell University. Her doctoral dissertation research was on The Relationship of Certain Genetic Traits to the Incidence and Intensity of Malaria in Liberia, West Africa. She has conducted research on (and is particularly interested in): 1.) Human-plant coevolution, particularly the influence of phytochemicals on human metabolic effects and evolutionary processes and 2.) Population substructure in peoples of African descent, developing Ethnogenetic Layering as a computational tool to identify human microethnic groups and differential expressions of health disparities. Trained as a human biologist, Dr. Jackson has published extensively in such journals as Human Biology, Biochemical Medicine and Metabolic Biology, Journal of the National Medical Association, American Journal of Human Biology, Annals of Human Biology, BMC Biology, and most recently the American Journal of Public Health. Dr. Jackson's research has been funded by: USAID, Ford Foundation, Huber Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, NIH (NIMHD and NHGRI), Wenner-Gren Foundation, and EPA. - https://profiles.howard.edu/profile/43451/fatimah-jackson

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Moses has worked with NFL Players like Odell Beckham Jr.  and toured all around the United Staes.

We are so excited to partner with Chapman Cultural Center to amplify Black artists and organizations who have been impacted by the Agency's Community Grants program!  Our guest for this episode is Moses "Galaxy" Jenkins.

About Moses

Moses " Galaxy " Jenkins is an outgoing and energetic choreographer/dancer based in Spartanburg, SC who is trained in a variety of social dances including hip-hop, street dancing, animation, and pop-lock. He is an activist who has become a huge part of the Spartanburg community by participating in Dancing with the Spartanburg Stars, an event that raises money for cancer patients/survivors, and several rallies that promote anti-bullying. Moses has the creative ability to express different genres through movement that expresses ideas and stories. With a passion to be a choreographer who gains a widespread success through creating some of the most original, versatile, and hot hip-hop dances. Moses plans to create a different meaning to the word dance. He is also a creative director, short filmmaker, actor, published photographer, music artist, and producer, Activist, among other things. Learn more about Moses' work here.

About Chapman Cultural Center

Chapman Cultural Center provides major funding and support for many of Spartanburg’s arts and cultural organizations. The organization's programs serve more than 40,000 public and private school students throughout Spartanburg County, with residencies by professional artists in the disciplines of music, dance, visual arts, literature, media, theatre, and crafts. 

Humanity Chats

Curated by Marjy Marj, Humanity Chats is a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Pharmacist Rachel Dodoo Discusses Her Skincare, Beauty and Aromatherapy Products.

About Guest

With 28 years of Pharmacy experience, Rachel was abruptly laid off after 14 years of diligent service as a community Pharmacist with a retail chain drugstore due to the Covid19 pandemic. As a result, Rachel decided to use her pharmaceutical knowledge and expertise to create quality natural based products for her consumers. RD Candles and Melts is a mix of soy blend wax and carefully selected fragrance oils infused with natural essential oils to create Aromatherapy Candles, Melts and Diffusers. The scents are soothing yet energetic.  Recently, Rachel started working on The RD Collection skin care line. Customer reviews indicate that RD products “lift you up!” In the case of her candles, Rachel uses mostly wooden wicks that burn with a crackling sound, creating a calming ambiance. And the best part, 10% of your purchase will support charities for underserved children.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj