Humanity Chats with Marjy

Humanity Chats is happy to host five educators as they discuss the importance of social-emotional learning on SEL Day.

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

Be HER Champion is an uplifting panel discussion to motivate girls and women to speak up, support, and advocate for each other. The virtual event is free and open to all genders.

In commemoration of International Women's Day, join our panelists and moderator as we learn about ways to be inclusive, affirming, amplifying, and to encourage a sense of belonging across different platforms. Panelists share experience in business, the nonprofit world, education and, from a global perspective.

Meet our Panelists

Mary L. Thomas - has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of The Spartanburg County Foundation and as the Executive Director of the Robert Hett Chapman III Center for Philanthropy

Molly Talbot-Metz - is the Mary Black Foundation’s fourth President/CEO

Anita Erskine - is a multi-hyphenate – an award-winning TV Host and Producer, Event Moderator, Actress and Keynote Speaker. She has been featured in the following publications: Forbes | CNN | Business Insider | Discovery | CNBC Africa | Avance Media | Glitz Africa | Those Who Inspire | Who Is Who | Trent Magazine | New African Women

Moderated by Marjy Marj (Marjorie Boafo Appiah) - seven-time bestselling author, business leader and host of the globally ranked Humanity Chats Podcast.

The theme for this year's Women's Day celebration is Embrace Equity.

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

Alabama Poet Laureate and Celebrated Author Ashley M. Jones Joins the Chats to Talk Literacy and Writing Journey.

About Ashley

Ashley M. Jones is Poet Laureate of the state of Alabama (2022-2026). She holds an MFA in Poetry from Florida International University, and she is the author of Magic City Gospel (Hub City Press 2017),  dark / / thing (Pleiades Press 2019), and REPARATIONS NOW! (Hub City Press 2021). Her poetry has earned several awards, including the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers Award, the Silver Medal in the Independent Publishers Book Awards, the Lena-Miles Wever Todd Prize for Poetry, a Literature Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the Lucille Clifton Poetry Prize, and the Lucille Clifton Legacy Award. She was a finalist for the Ruth Lily Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship in 2020, and her collection, REPARATIONS NOW! was on the longlist for the 2022 PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry. Her poems and essays appear in or are forthcoming at CNN, POETRY, The Oxford American, Origins Journal, The Quarry by Split This Rock, Obsidian, and many others. She teaches Creative Writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and in the Low Residency MFA at Converse University. Jones co-directs PEN Birmingham, and she is the founding director of the Magic City Poetry Festival. She recently served as a guest editor for Poetry Magazine, and she is a 2022 Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate Fellow. 

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

Sidney Keys III is a young author and entrepreneur, who decided to take his love for reading to the next level by creating Books n Bros at the young age of 10!

You may recognize him from appearances like: Oprah’s magazine, Good Morning America, CNN, Huffington Post or being honored as an official Marvel hero! His name is Sidney Keys III and he loves to read. In addition to playing sports and playing a leadership role in student government, Sidney continues to inspire young readers across the globe. He joins Marjy to share his passion for literacy and the motivation behind his newest book - Books N Bros: 44 Inspiring Books for Black Boys.

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

The community gathers to launch Marjy Marj's Conversations About Race. Panelists discuss issues pertaining to inequities, race, stopping Asian hate, inclusion, belonging, mentorship, Colorism, broadening our lens, and more. 

Launch Panel - Hope Blackley, Dr. Russell Booker, Dr. Esther Godfrey, Dr. Nika White, and Victor Durrah Jr. 

Humanity Champion Organizations in attendance:
Betsy Wakefield Teter (Hub City Writers Project)
Nicke Haney (Brown Girls Read)
Bruh Mentor BROTHERS RESTORING URBAN HOPE, INC.
Institute for Youth Justice
Spartanburg Academic Movement
Carlo and Nika White Foundation

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

Mother and daughter Robin and Katherine Pearson share their experience with homeschooling, the art of writing, and their interest in history.

About Robin Pearson
Robin W. Pearson’s writing sprouts from her Southern roots, her faith in Jesus Christ, and her love of her husband, seven children, and four-legged baby, Oscar. She’s the author of the Christy Award–winning A Long Time Comin’, ’Til I Want No More, and her latest, Walking in Tall Weeds. Follow this homeschool mama to hear her adventures in faith, family, and fiction.

About Katherine Pearson
A graduate of Wake Forest University, Katherine loves to study and discuss history.

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

Spartanburg Police Chief Thompson shares his policing experience, the  relationship  between the police and the community,  measures being taken by the police to combat police brutality, training opportunities within the police force , and the fears faced by members of the force.

About Chief Thompson
Chief Alonzo Thompson was born and raised in North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1982 with a B.A. degree in Political Science. He is a graduate of the 183rd Session of the FBI National Academy, and a graduate of the DEA Drug Unit Commander Academy N° 55. He also completed the Public Executive Leadership Academy (PELA-2012) held at the School of Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chief Thompson served 30 years with the Winston– Salem Police Department and retired from the agency in January 2014 after having attained the rank of Assistant Chief. Chief Alonzo Thompson assumed the role of Chief of Police for the City of Spartanburg on February 1, 2014. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association (SCPCA), and the FBI National Academy of Associates – SC Chapter.
Chief Thompson is the immediate past Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate and remains on the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors for AMI Kids White Pines; Charles Lea Center; Mobile Meals and Project Hope Foundation. He formally served on the Boards of Directors of Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM); Spartanburg Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN); Palmetto Council Boy Scouts of America and Fifty Upstate Senior Wellness Initiative. He is currently a member of the Spartanburg Racial Equity Collaborative. Chief Thompson is a graduate of the South Carolina Diversity Leadership Institute Upstate Class XVIII - Fall 2014 of the Richard W. Riley Institute at Furman University. He also completed the Leadership Spartanburg Class of 2014-15 and serves on the Board of Regents of the Leadership Spartanburg Alumni Association. 

He is also a graduate of the Spartanburg Regional Health System 2017 Regional Fellows Leadership Program. Chief Thompson is a member of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg and the South Side Lions Club. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Chief Thompson is married to Catrina Amelia Thompson who recently retired as Chief of Police of the Winston-Salem, NC Police Department to be appointed as the US Marshal of the Middle District of North Carolina. He cherishes his roles and responsibilities as a father to the couple’s two children, Alyson Blakely and Christopher Aaron.

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

Jasmine Stewart joins the chats to share about self-worth.

Jasmine's purpose in life is to foster lasting relationships of love & integrity with girls and young women by building them up through the teaching of self-worth. 

Founder of Broken but Healed, an organization dedicated to enriching, educating, and inspiring young ladies to be exceptional women of God in their home, schools, and community, Jasmine challenges those around and connected to her to strive to live a life that is pleasing to Christ despite what this dark world may portray. 

Jasmine enjoys reading, shopping, and giving back to her community. She and her husband, Devin have a son and daughter. The family currently resides in Boiling Springs, SC.

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

The mother of Ghana's Spelling Bee, mentor and child advocate - Eugenia Tachie-Menson discuses the importance of investing in 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

Dr. Dweck shares how to navigate menopause. She answers questions on menopause, perimenopause, vaginal health, and lifestyle changes. We discuss hormonal changes, therapy, and more.

About Dr. Dweck
Dr. Alyssa Dweck is a practicing gynecologist and the Chief Medical Officer of Bonafide. An Ob/Gyn for over 25 years with a special interest in menopausal health and training in female sexual health, Dr. Dweck is the co-author of three books and has appeared on The Today Show and Good Day LA.  She contributes regularly to multiple prints and online media outlets.  She has been voted “Top Doctor” in New York Magazine and Westchester Magazine.

When she’s not helping women improve their health, Dr. Dweck enjoys time with her husband, two sons, and “girly” English Bulldog.  She is an avid runner and sports car enthusiast.

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