In this interview, Bria shares her journey in understanding her identity and culture. Although she grew up in the Bronx, Bria wrestled with the many connotations that came with "being black". She wanted to know where she fit in, especially when it came to the people she spent most of her time with versus her Jamaican-American roots. Between her colleagues, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., and African American Studies classes sparked her desire to learn more. Bria is such a great role model when it comes to looking past stigmas and stereotypes. Bria believes in making room for the beautiful journey of embracing who we are and where we're from.
Help us keep the podcast going by supporting us at www.iamgratefulforpodcast.com/donate.

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

So thankful to get to interview my cousin Mark! Mark truly reminded me of the impact we can have on one another when we build one another up. In this interview, he openly shares about those who believed in him, even when he didn't have the grades or drive, and how it helped him become the man he his today. Despite 2020's hardships, Mark shares the lessons he learned about the importance of taking care of our mental health and his faith.
Help us keep the podcast going by supporting us at www.iamgratefulforpodcast.com/donate.

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Bryce shares his journey and experience at Tuskegee University, an HBCU (Historically Black College and University). He shares about the stereotypes, opportunities, highlights, and even the dark moments that sparked a depth in his relationship with God.
He also shares his passions of music, mental health, and giving back to young black males through mentorship.
Please check out Bryce's EP The Deep End on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/5Amc1QqlZTAMu5wHzyqrLr?si=TYLe9hE3STGI9kGvfF99OA&utm_source=copy-link) at and follow him on Instagram at @brycebigsmooth87 (https://www.instagram.com/brycebigsmooth87/)
Music: Ketsa and Scott Holmes

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

We have felt the difficulty in 2020 for sure...
In a powerful, funny, and insightful experience that we will never forget, tune in to learn from Ron Sachs of Sachs Media (https://sachsmedia.com) about what helped him get through this year and what he sees as the silver lining in it all.
We were blessed to have Ron join us to not only share his life, but also all about Sachs Media and America's Newspaper's recently launched campaign Share Gratitude 2020 (https://sharegratitude2020.com) as an effort to help us all take a look into our hearts and to reflect on what we are grateful for, despite how challenging 2020 has been. The campaign will be running through January 2021.
Please check out ShareGratitude2020.com (https://sharegratitude2020.com) and post what you are grateful for!
Music: Ketsa and Scott Holmes

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

A few years ago, while in Dubai and India, Josh's experience sparked an abrupt paradigm shift in his life.
He openly shares how the personal visit to these beautiful places changed his mindset and view of America and his relationships. Please take advantage of these valuable insights about gratitude and stereotypes that he shares while you have the chance.
Music by Ketsa and Scott Holmes

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Interviewing Mr. Hadley was a powerful, eye-opening experience. We enjoyed his bright and pleasant personality and amazing ability to recall the facts in his history. He shares his experience growing up on a plantation, joining the military, finding his wife, and how the museum came about. Get ready for a surprising and funny interview that we both believe you will enjoy.
Music by Ketsa and Scott Holmes

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

2020 has been a multilayered year. Finding positive media is challenging, and our worldview can grow dim.
If accepting reality and focusing on gratitude is a desire of yours, you are in the right place.
In this opening episode of I Am Grateful For Season II, we hear from Hope Lavender and her husband, Mitchell.
Hope started IAGF with the help of friends at Syracuse University back in 2016. The goal: to promote positivity through listening and understanding people's stories. Something we all could use more of today.
Hope discusses the origins of IAGF, the challenges, her feelings about 2020, the Pandemic, this season's theme of #CelebratingBlackLives, and exciting plans. Look out for the Episode dropping tomorrow at noon!
Music by Scott Holmes and Ketsa

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

In high school, Kat struggled with an identity crisis that led to hanging with the wrong crowds, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. Despite the love for her family, back then she struggled with feeling unloved and alone. But she chose to find her identity through music, the choir, Reggae, and Christianity. Her sister introduced her to music by inviting her to come sing alongside her Reggae band. This is where Kat began finding her confidence. At FSU, she also made the decision to leave behind the bad memories of her hometown and form new ones with other Christians. Kat decided to make the commitment to get dreadlocks and pursue music, two of the best decisions of her life. She learned to accept her parents' advice to stay in school but now she will be studying Entrepreneurship at FSU to help her become her own boss!
Kat is creative, a positive force that attracts great people, and extremely talented! I am so grateful for her outlook of gratitude helping develop into the confident and loving woman she is today.

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Mitchell, my sweet and supportive husband, was currently my fiancé when we did this interview. He is a campus minister at Crossway Church in Tallahassee, with aspirations to become a church leader and author. I am grateful for how Mitchell wrestled to find his identity to become the man is today. Being the youngest of four and navigating his relationship with God, were not always easy for him, but they have helped him find his true self. When Mitchell has a hard time being grateful, he reflects on his day to bring him back to a place of gratitude! As you listen to this interview, try thinking back through your day and identify what you are grateful for as you listen.

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

I had the honor of meeting Quameiha through a scholarship program called the Posse Foundation. She is definitely one of those people who when you meet her for the first time, you can immediately connect with her. I am grateful for her friendship but also the powerful example of love, joy, loyalty, passion, and talent that she exudes. These very same characteristics of Quameiha flow through everything she does as filmmaker, poet, actor, and her amazing skill at oration and theater performance.
But one of the most impactful things about Quameiha has always been her love for her family. I remember sitting in her dorm room looking at pictures of her family, friends, and especially her mother; how her face with glow with pride and excitement that made you feel personally connected with each loved one. Unfortunately, halfway through our college career, at 21, Quameiha lost her mom…and we all mourned alongside her.
Yet, Quameiha did not let this damper her spirit. Her gratitude makes her shine even brighter. Quameiha is grateful to have come into this world through her mother…A strong, amazing woman who loved, guided, and instilled greatness and value into Quameiha and anyone else all around her.
I’m grateful for how Quameiha holds onto the quote “The light of a man extends past their death”. It is such a great reminder that we do have an impact on those around us. This inspires me to live in such a way that people will see the light in me far after I am gone. I am also grateful for Quameiha’s resilient energy and how she uses the lessons she learned from her mother to face the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Don’t miss out what her mother taught her and what motivates Quameiha to be who she is and where she today.

Get full access to I Am Grateful For... at iamgratefulforpodcast.substack.com/subscribe