InflexionPoint Podcast: Cultivating Change from the Inside Out Creating a Brave Space for Conversations about Personal Transformation, Racism, and Accountability

InflexionPoint Podcast: Cultivating Change from the Inside Out Creating a Brave Space for Conversations about Personal Transformation, Racism, and Accountability

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InflexionPoint Podcast: Cultivating Change from the Inside Out Creating a Brave Space for Conversations about Personal Transformation, Racism, and Accountability episodes

  • Encore: Who Shapes the Moral Climate of Society? A Conversation with Author William Mile

    REIMAGINE WE BEGINS WITH REIMAGINE ME
    "It's not just a philosophy, a brand, or even a framework, It represents an evolutionary process towards empowerment."—Anita D. Russell

    Worldview Formation: The 8:2 Theory of Leadership
    Worldview formation refers to the process by which individuals or groups develop a comprehensive set of beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape their understanding and interpretation of the world.





    Insight: Racism, nationalism, tribalism, and hierarchy are not first political problems. They are identity problems produced by worldview formation. In many historical situations, a relatively small number of people strongly shape the moral direction of a society — for better or worse.
    Book Quote: “Imagine the possibility of exposing hidden forces that have manipulated civilizations, sparked genocides, and turned brother against brother. Imagine how much better your life could be if you had knowledge powerful enough to fuel culture, unite humanity, and create meaning in people’s lives for generations to come.”  — William Mile

    Central Question: Why do you use the word imagine? 


    Audience Reflection Ethos
    1. Who influences your moral thinking the most?
    2. Where do you see the “8:2 dynamic” in your own environment?
    3. What responsibility do individuals carry when destructive narratives dominate public discourse?
    4. When have you personally helped shift the moral climate of a conversation, group, or community?
    5. What would change in society if more people consciously chose to defend human dignity in everyday interactions?


    0 min
  • A Case Study in Worldview: “Rescue or Empowerment?"

    MANNA WORLDWIDE
    MANNA Worldwide began with a conviction that vulnerable children deserved more than survival. 
    “At MANNA Worldwide, we believe no child should have to face hunger or poverty alone. For almost 30 years, we have worked with local leaders and communities to create programs that meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children. Every project starts with one question: How can we give these children hope today and a brighter future tomorrow?” 

    Core Mission: 
    “...rescuing children from the grip of poverty,” with a holistic faith-based model focused on nutrition, medical care, education, clean water, orphan/family care, camps/retreats, leadership/job skills, and gospel-centered service.  


    7 Key Program Areas: 
    MANNA Worldwide works directly with local partners across 47 countries to rescue children from the grip of physical and spiritual poverty:


    (1) Nutrition Centers
    (2) Medical Clinics
    (3) Education & Schools.
    (4) Clean Water Projects & Wells
    (5) Leadership Development
    (6) Camps & RetreatS 
    (7) Orphan Care & Family Homes


    Mission Trips: 
    Rooted in local communities, MANNA develops programs around their specific needs, giving mission trip participants the unique opportunity to partner with people who live in and love those communities to bring flourishing and hope to children. 


    EPISODE REFLECTIONDoes MANA Worldwide see itself as a catalyst for self-empowerment or a source of empowerment?

    AUDIENCE REFLECTION ETHOS



    1. Power & Narrative: 
    When you engage in helping others—do you see yourself as bringing power to them, or helping reveal the power that already exists within them?


    2. Helping vs Building: 
    Are your efforts (time, money, service) creating short-term relief—or contributing to long-term capacity, ownership, and independence?


    3. Role & Responsibility: 
    In the spaces where you serve, are you positioned as the center of the solution—or are you intentionally making space for others to lead, decide, and define their own future?

    Giveaways:

    · MANNA Worldwide
      https://mannaworldwide.com

    · MANNA. Worldwide YouTube Videos
      https://www.youtube.com/@mannavideos

    · MANNA Worldwide Facebook
      https://www.facebook.com/MANNAWorldwide/

    · MANNA Worldwide Linkedin
      https://www.linkedin.com/company/mannaworldwide/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true

    · Audience Reflection Ethos
      https://theplacetosoar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IPP-Reflection-Ethos-EP-106-May-6_2026.pdf

    · Humanitix Online Event
      Reimagine We: The Conversation Most People Avoid—But Can’t Afford To
      A bold, guided experience to (1) confront the beliefs shaping how you see yourself, others, and the world and (2) examine the belief systems underneath them.
      https://events.humanitix.com/complimentary-reimagine-we-guided-experience

    · Join the conversation of our Private Facebook Page
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/inflexionpointpodcast
    54 min
  • Encore: Kheprw Institute: A Community Story of Empowerment Through Self-Mastery


    KHEPRW INSTITUTE
    In this episode of InflexionPoint Podcast, we explore the work and witness of Kheprw Institute, an Indianapolis-based organization grounded in the belief that the most significant resource in any community is its people. We examine Kheprw’s founding, leadership, guiding framework, and its commitment to community empowerment through self-mastery. Together, we consider how Kheprw’s Four E’s — Empowerment, Education, Environment, and Economy — offer a practical model for linking personal transformation with community transformation. We also reflect on the parallels between Kheprw’s work and a broader vision of people-centered, community-rooted change. By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to describe how Kheprw Institute connects self-mastery, community empowerment, and wealth-building into a practical model for transformative change. 





    CREATING A HUMAN-CENTERED WORLD
    One of the most compelling parts of Kheprw’s origin story is that it begins with a simple but powerful premise: People in marginalized communities are not empty vessels or social problems to be managed. They are assets, visionaries, and builders whose gifts are often constrained by unjust conditions. That is a fundamentally different starting point. The institute was founded to create a more just, equitable, and human-centered world by nurturing youth to become leaders. Kheprw’s work is rooted in African American culture and experiences. ‘Kheprw’ is an ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) word for rebirth and renewal, symbolized by the dung beetle, which brings new life from waste. For Kheprw Institute, this symbolizes using the skills, resources, and relationships to create something new and beautiful. Kheprw’s mantra is “Community Empowerment through Self-Mastery,” an emphasis that improving ourselves is the foundation for positive change.




    KHEPRW ALIGNS WITH REIMAGINE WE
    One of the deepest alignments is that Kheprw Institute and Reimagine We both resist shallow change. Neither framework is satisfied with performance, branding, or rhetoric alone. Both point toward transformation that is relational, structural, and rooted in how people understand themselves and one another. 





    AUDIENCE REFLECTION
    By the end of the episode, listeners should be able to describe how Kheprw Institute connects self-mastery, community empowerment, and wealth-building into a practical model for transformative change. 





    "We believe the most significant resource in any community is its people...Building a new economy based on cooperation is essential to address the challenges of the present and sustain our communities into the future." 
    — Kheprw Institute
    0 min
  • Kheprw Institute: A Community Story of Empowerment Through Self-Mastery


    KHEPRW INSTITUTE
    In this episode of InflexionPoint Podcast, we explore the work and witness of Kheprw Institute, an Indianapolis-based organization grounded in the belief that the most significant resource in any community is its people. We examine Kheprw’s founding, leadership, guiding framework, and its commitment to community empowerment through self-mastery. Together, we consider how Kheprw’s Four E’s — Empowerment, Education, Environment, and Economy — offer a practical model for linking personal transformation with community transformation. We also reflect on the parallels between Kheprw’s work and a broader vision of people-centered, community-rooted change. By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to describe how Kheprw Institute connects self-mastery, community empowerment, and wealth-building into a practical model for transformative change. 





    CREATING A HUMAN-CENTERED WORLD
    One of the most compelling parts of Kheprw’s origin story is that it begins with a simple but powerful premise: People in marginalized communities are not empty vessels or social problems to be managed. They are assets, visionaries, and builders whose gifts are often constrained by unjust conditions. That is a fundamentally different starting point. The institute was founded to create a more just, equitable, and human-centered world by nurturing youth to become leaders. Kheprw’s work is rooted in African American culture and experiences. ‘Kheprw’ is an ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) word for rebirth and renewal, symbolized by the dung beetle, which brings new life from waste. For Kheprw Institute, this symbolizes using the skills, resources, and relationships to create something new and beautiful. Kheprw’s mantra is “Community Empowerment through Self-Mastery,” an emphasis that improving ourselves is the foundation for positive change.




    KHEPRW ALIGNS WITH REIMAGINE WE
    One of the deepest alignments is that Kheprw Institute and Reimagine We both resist shallow change. Neither framework is satisfied with performance, branding, or rhetoric alone. Both point toward transformation that is relational, structural, and rooted in how people understand themselves and one another. 





    AUDIENCE REFLECTION
    By the end of the episode, listeners should be able to describe how Kheprw Institute connects self-mastery, community empowerment, and wealth-building into a practical model for transformative change. 





    "We believe the most significant resource in any community is its people...Building a new economy based on cooperation is essential to address the challenges of the present and sustain our communities into the future." 
    — Kheprw Institute
    Giveaways:

    · Kheprw Institute — About Us
      Organization’s mission, public framing, and its emphasis on creating a just, equitable, human-centered world
      https://kheprw.org/about-us

    · Kheprw Institute — Our Philosophy
      Four E’s framework: Empowerment, Education, Environment, and Economy.
      https://kheprw.org/our-philosophy

    · Encyclopedia of Indianapolis — Kheprw Institute
      Founding history, founders’ names, and early development of the organization in Indianapolis.
      https://indyencyclopedia.org/kheprw-institute

    · Kheprw Institute — Kheprw Integrated Fund
      Kheprw’s approach to community wealth-building and support for under-resourced Black and Brown businesses.
      https://kheprw.org/kheprw-integrated-fund

    · Kheprw Institute — Democratizing Data
      Kheprw connects education, grassroots leadership, and public policy advocacy through data access and training.
      https://kheprw.org/data-2/

    · Audience Reflection Ethos: Sit with these questions as you reflect on self-mastery, community, and transformation.
      https://theplacetosoar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IPP-Reflection-Ethos-Ep103_040126.pdf

    · Complimentary Reimagine We Exploration: A Journey of Courage and Connection in Community
      https://events.humanitix.com/complimentary-reimagine-we-exploration
    59 min
  • Who Shapes the Moral Climate of Society? A Conversation with Author William Mile

    REIMAGINE WE BEGINS WITH REIMAGINE ME
    "It's not just a philosophy, a brand, or even a framework, It represents an evolutionary process towards empowerment."—Anita D. Russell

    Worldview Formation: The 8:2 Theory of Leadership
    Worldview formation refers to the process by which individuals or groups develop a comprehensive set of beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape their understanding and interpretation of the world.





    Insight: Racism, nationalism, tribalism, and hierarchy are not first political problems. They are identity problems produced by worldview formation. In many historical situations, a relatively small number of people strongly shape the moral direction of a society — for better or worse.
    Book Quote: “Imagine the possibility of exposing hidden forces that have manipulated civilizations, sparked genocides, and turned brother against brother. Imagine how much better your life could be if you had knowledge powerful enough to fuel culture, unite humanity, and create meaning in people’s lives for generations to come.”  — William Mile

    Central Question: Why do you use the word imagine? 


    Audience Reflection Ethos
    1. Who influences your moral thinking the most?
    2. Where do you see the “8:2 dynamic” in your own environment?
    3. What responsibility do individuals carry when destructive narratives dominate public discourse?
    4. When have you personally helped shift the moral climate of a conversation, group, or community?
    5. What would change in society if more people consciously chose to defend human dignity in everyday interactions?



    Giveaways:

    · William Mile, Author of Imagine: Toward a Brotherhood of Man
      https://williammile.com/

    · Writing to Inspire Depth, Change, and Cultural Upliftment
      https://nyweekly.com/book/william-mile-writing-to-inspire-depth-change-and-cultural-upliftment/

    · Toward a Brotherhood of Man: A Handbook for the Quietly Decent Majority
      https://theamericannews.com/toward-a-brotherhood-of-man-a-handbook-for-the-quietly-decent-majority/

    · Imagine: Toward a Brotherhood of Man: A Vision for Unity in Challenging Times
      https://usreporter.com/william-mile-on-imagine-toward-a-brotherhood-of-man-a-vision-for-unity-in-challenging-times/

    · William Mile: Audience Reflection Ethos
      https://theplacetosoar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/William-Mile-Audience-Reflection-Ethos.pdf
    57 min
  • Reimagine We: Worldview Formation Cycle

    Reimagine We Begins with Reimagine We
    It is not just a philosophy, a brand or even a framework. It represents an evolutionary process towards empowerment. Most empowerment models start with confidence. Reimagine We starts with awareness of inner formation. We envision empowerment as human development not motivation. Further, we recognize that people often try to change systems without understanding the psychological and moral architecture that created the system. 


    In this episode, we explore the power of worldview formation and collective imagination in creating a better world together. Listen in as we discuss the transformative potential of evolving our mindset and shaping our culture and society for the future. Reimagine We treats empowerment as human development, not motivation. And development always unfolds in stages. Reimagine We is not a political ideology. It is not a self-help motivation platform nor a social justice club. Instead, it is a worldview formation process.


    Worldview Formation Cycle
    Our purpose here is to expose listeners to a worldview formation process that examines how we interpret reality, how we live in that reality, and how we shape society. Understanding worldview formation begins with understanding that our words, actions, and behaviors are not random. They are downstream of an inner worldview framed by our thoughts, beliefs, and ideas. The inner worldview shapes how we interpret outer reality; how we value ourself and others;  and how we decide what is possible. All of that is to say that our innermost thoughts, beliefs, and ideas shows up in our words, actions, behaviors as a function of our worldview formation. 




    The Hidden Reality: Humans Are Conditioned
    Core Concept – people do not start life thinking independently. We start life absorbing narratives as sources of formation—who we are; where we come from; and what matters.  The range of narratives include family stories, cultural/historical roots, media exposure, identity/self concept, fear/trauma, education, and more. And on top of all that,  we also experience shifts in worldview as we experience life daily. The Worldview Formation Cycle operates on four major planes: 
    • Informing our decisions, behaviors, and culture.
    • Shaping our perception: trust, building, meaning, and identity.
    • Creating results in society, community, justice. 
    • Conflict or cohesion

    Finally, the Worldview Formation Cycle continues through Praxis (consciously and unconsciously): Actions, Habits, Policies, Relationships, and Institutions.




    Worldview Is the Invisible Architecture That Produces Your Identity 
    A worldview is not what you believe. A world view is what your life consistently assumes is true about realty, people, power, and purpose. Worldview is reflected in how you show up. Now ponder these questions:
    • How do you show up?
    • Who/what do you represent when you show up?
    • Why do you show as you do?
    • What is the impact of how you show up?
    • Who do you show up as?




    Women's History Month Highlight
    In this Women's History Month moment, we honor Sandra Babu-Boateng. She is a media entrepreneur, global strategist, and convener focused on the intersection of Africa, the African dipora, and global power.Sandra is also the co-founder of Dana Genius, as global media and experiential company that connects people, brands, and ideas through culture. She stands off a platform of Power, Promise and Path Forward. 





    Giveaways:

    · Sandra Babu-Boateng

    · https://sandrababuboateng.com

    · https://panagenius.com

    · Invitation: Join this COMPLIMENTARY 3-hour midweek intensive to explore the Reimagine We Platform.
      Thursday, March 26

    · 6–9 PM EST

    · Zoom

    · Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/LdjyuZjYRp-T3R0v6xwULw#/registration

    · Reflective Ethos: Who Am I Inside the World I Believe I’m Living In?
      https://theplacetosoar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IPP-Reflective-Ethos-Ep103-03.04.26.pdf

    · Free Resources at the SOAR Book Boutique

    · https://soarbookboutique.com/Complimentary-Digital-Downloads-c100850032

    · We're Always Looking for New Guests! Guest Inquiry Form

    · https://forms.gle/JP5KqFPJiJnNcTYM9

    · Visit The Place to SOAR

    · Personal Transformation Empowerment & Cooperation

    · https://theplacetosoar.com

    · OMA Center for Mind Body Spirit

    · https://omapittsburgh.org
    58 min
  • Reimagine We: An Evolutionary Empowerment Process
    Two Different Meanings of Empowerment: You’ve probably heard the word empowerment your entire life. We hear it in leadership programs, self-help books, professional development, coaching, even politics. And usually when people use the word, they mean something very specific.
    Most empowerment models are built around one central idea: Helping a person increase their ability to achieve desired outcomes. Empowerment becomes confidence, skill-building, productivity, influence, or power. You learn to set goals and to improve communication. You become more assertive. You advance in your career.  You gain authority. Traditional empowerment makes this fundamental assumption: If individuals become more capable, then society improves by becoming effective.
    Reimagine We defines empowerment differently based on this fundamental question: Why do highly capable, intelligent, educated, successful people still struggle deeply in relationships, conflict, and social understanding? Two people can have the same training, same education, same professional success — and still walk into the same conversation and experience completely different realities. While traditional empowerment strengthens what a person can do, it does not necessarily examine how a person interprets other human beings.
    Society improves when people interpret each other with greater awareness, clarity, dignity, and understanding. This is why highly successful organizations, institutions, and communities can still become dysfunctional. They have skilled individuals but unexamined perceptions amongst and between those individuals. Why is that? Because behavior doesn’t come directly from knowledge. Behavior comes from meaning. And meaning comes from worldview.
    Worldview is the lens through which we interpret intention, fairness, respect, threat, and belonging. And most of us didn’t consciously build that lens. We absorbed it — from family experience, community narratives, emotional memories, and cultural expectations. Reimagine We defines empowerment differently. Empowerment is not only the ability to act effectively. It is the growing awareness of the lens through which we experience other human beings. By understanding worldviews, individuals can foster a more inclusive, harmonious, and cooperative  society.


    Audience Questions
    1) Who or what most shaped how you see “people like you” vs “people different from you”?
    2) If you had grown up in a different family or culture, how certain are you your conclusions would be the same?
    3) Do you usually assume strangers are safe, suspicious, or irrelevant — and where did that expectation come from?

    Giveaways:

    · Invitation: Join this COMPLIMENTARY 3-hour midweek intensive to explore the Reimagine We Platform.
      Thursday, March 5

    · 6–9 PM EST

    · Zoom
      Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/LdjyuZjYRp-T3R0v6xwULw#/registration

    · Free Resources from the SOAR Book Boutique
      https://soarbookboutique.com/Complimentary-Digital-Downloads-c100850032

    · Subscribe to Anita Speaks on Substack
      https://anitadrussell.substack.com

    · Worldview Test (WVTest.com) — Modern/Cross-Cultural Focus
      https://wvtest.com/responses/:id/intro

    · Sign Up for the Reimagine We Newsletter
      https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/2052629/forms/179634014105110269
    0 min
  • The Evolution from the Cairo Question (2021) to Reimagine We (2026)
    2026 Theme: “Reimagine We Begins with Reimagine Me.” Preamble to the “Reimagine We” Declaration of Engagement:
    We live in a world built on extraction, not relationship. 
    It was designed to consume people, land, labor, and spirit in the name of profit, power, and dominance. It taught us competition instead of cooperation, hoarding instead of sharing, and alienation instead of belonging. It told us that our worth is measured by productivity.
    That our humanity is conditional.

    We reject the principles of extraction and embrace the principles of cooperation, relationship, and collaboration.
    Key principles of healthy relationships include mutual respect, trust, and affection. Additionally, understanding and addressing each other's needs, effective communication, and conflict resolution are essential for building strong collaboration.


    We begin this episodic conversation with a continuation of the significance of Kwanzaa Principles as more than a year-end celebration. Here the principles are defined as a blueprint for collective liberation: Unity. Self-Determination. Collective Work & Responsibility. Cooperative Economics. Purpose, Creativity. Faith.




    Something is shifting. 
    What we were told was permanent is being questioned in real time. This is not simply chaos—it’s an inflexion point. Or perhaps more precisely, a rupture. A rupture not chosen; but triggered. The point, however, is not the trigger. The point is our response. A moment when the future can bend toward what we choose to rethink and rebuild. But we cannot reimagine society without first reimagining ourselves. Remember this: Every system reflects the beliefs of the society that created it.Welcome to InflexionPoint Podcast. Where Reimagine We begins with Reimagine Me.



    Giveaways:

    · An Interview with Dr. Angela Davis by Dr. Robert Livingston - https://robertlivingstonphd.substack.com/p/the-struggle-engenders-strength-solidarity?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

    · The National Museum of African American History and Culture - https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/seven-principles-kwanzaa

    · Prelude to the 12-month Reimagine We Empowerment Lab launching in March 2026.
      COMPLIMENTARY 3-hour midweek intensive. Thursday, Feb 26

    · 6–9 PM EST

    · Zoom
      https://zoom.us/meeting/register/LdjyuZjYRp-T3R0v6xwULw#/registration
    0 min
  • Reimagine We Begins with Reimagine Me: Kwanzaa as a Blueprint for Collective Liberation
    Opening statement of the “Reimagine We” Declaration of Engagement:
    We live in a world built on extraction, not relationship. It was designed to consume people, land, labor, and spirit in the name of profit, power, and dominance. It taught us competition instead of cooperation, hoarding instead of sharing, and alienation instead of belonging. It told us that our worth is measured by productivity; that our humanity is conditional; and that some lives are disposable.



    Reimagine We rejects the principles of extraction and embraces the principles of relationship, engagement, and connection. Key principles of healthy relationships include mutual respect, trust, and affection. Additionally, understanding and addressing each other's needs, effective communication, and conflict resolution are essential for building strong connections. We begin this new journey with a focus on hyper-individualism, Kwanzaa, and the fight for collective liberation.




    America's Hyper-Individualism. America worships individualism; not health individualism by hyper-individualism. Yet it begs us to consider two questions: Do we recognize that a society built on individualism will eventually devour its own people? What if we were to shift from individualism to collective agency?Kwanzaa was never meant to be just another holiday. It is a warning and a blueprint. It is a systems design manual for liberated people. 



    Kwanzaa was created in1966 during a time of crisis—not to decorate the moment, but to orient a people. 

    It was designed to reconnect African American with African values. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase, meaning first fruits, symbolizing harvest, renewal, and responsibility to the community. At its core, Kwanzaa asks a timeless question: What does it mean to be accountable to one another as a people? And that question is just as relevant now as it was in 1966. 


    Our audience is encouraged to consider these questions: 
    (1) Which Kwanzaa principle do I resonate with most in my life? 
    (2)  Which do I need to live more fully in my own life this year? 
    Ask yourself these questions because transformation is not something we join; it is something we become.



    Giveaways:

    · Read the full Reimagine We Declaration of Engagement: https://theplacetosoar.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Reimagine-We-Declaration-of-Engagement.pdf

    · Complimentary 3-Hour Sneak Peek into the Reimagine We Platform. FEBRUARY 22

    · 6-9 PM ET

    · Registration required: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/LdjyuZjYRp-T3R0v6xwULw#/registration

    · Invitation to the 2026 kickoff presentation of the Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Pittsburgh Branch of ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life & History. Reimagine We: A Platform for Personal Transformation, Community Engagement, and Collective Liberation. JANUARY 24, 2026

    · 11:30 AM - 1 PM ET. Registration required - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1Wns936gSN65cdTbq_It6w
    57 min
  • Encore: 2025 Community Engagement & the Grassroots of Change: An Inspirational Year in Review
    2025 Theme: “Community Engagement & the Grassroots of Change.” Throughout the year we have explored stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. In our last show for 2025 we recap the year with our most inspiring episodes and introduce the theme for 2026. Throughout 2025 we have stimulating discussions between Anita, Mavis, and Gail. We have also had an awe-inspiring group of guests, handpicked to reflect the theme of community engagement and the grassroots of change. We honor our guests and the works they have done and continue to do in the name of transformation, empowerment, engagement across the multiple sectors of our society.

    Is It Possible to Build Trust in Community-Police Relations? Conversation with Shadae McDaniel Senior Vice President/Programs and Strategic Initiatives/Director, All Stars Project (ASP) of New Jersey. 
    Beginning in February we hosted an in-depth exploration of the All Stars-Project and its signature program "Operation Conversation Cops and Kids." Among many accolades, Shadae was ranked among the ROI-NJ “2023 Influencers: People of Color." NJUrbanNews.com Article: “Shadae McDaniel Builds Bridges, Provides Opportunities for Youth Through the Power of Performance.” Founded in 1981, All Stars Project (ASP) is a 501(c)3 national nonprofit that uses a performance-based approach to help tens of thousands of inner-city youths and their families create success in their lives. Operation Conversation: Cops & Kids (OCCK) is an innovative police–community relations model program run by ASP in partnership with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Newark Police Division (NPD). This award-winning program uses performance, improvisation, and conversation to help inner-city teenagers and police officers build trust and improve their relationship.

    Until We Are All Free Movement, a human rights organization led by formerly incarcerated criminal justice experts. In March our case study focused on the Until We Are All Free Movement with guest Kevin Reese, Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director of UWAAF and Co-Founder/CEO of Until We Are All Free Consulting Group.
    Question: God, what is it that you’re working on in my life? What do you do when the answer is build a bridge of people and be a bridge through and with people? Kevin is the answer. Kevin grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He spent 14 years incarcerated inside of the criminal justice system. During that time, he founded the BRIDGE, a grassroots group of directly impacted criminal justice experts whose mission is to abolish mass incarceration and to find a path to true transformative criminal justice. Kevin says,“My idea was to create a program that builds a bridge between people like me, mostly men in prison but women, too, and the community. That bridge and this work is actually revolutionary. Because I’m not supposed to be able to make a connection to people on the outside. Prison is all about preventing that. But the BRIDGE partnership we’ve been working on gives light to an entire caste of people who are incarcerated.”

    Youth Empowerment Services, of Pittsburgh PA: “Ahead of its time and punching above its weight, Youth Enrichment Services (YES) formed in 1994...The heart of YES is a spirit of mentorship...By leveraging their unique skills and abilities and centering their voices, YES has created a formula for success that influences community growth, economic prosperity, and student-driven leadership." 


    In our case study of the YES organization we invited Denise Jones, Educational Consultant at Youth Enrichment Services into the studio. Denise Jones is the daughter of two passion-driven educators. She attended Allegheny College, majored in Economics and minored in Black Studies. Later Denise applied for Teach for America and came to understand the joys and limitations of teaching, particularly in bureaucratic systems. Eventually she agreed to work at her father’s community-based non-profit organization, Youth Enrichment Services (YES), to help young people become their own best resource. She is now pursuing a PhD in education and psychology from the University of Michigan.





    Ujamaa Collective, Pittsburgh PA: A Unique Cultural Enriching Experience! Ujamaa Collective is a 501(c)3 non-profit artisan boutique. We (Anita is a member!) serve Africana women providing cultural, artistic, and entrepreneurial exchange in the historic Hill District of Pittsburgh. Our passion for cooperatives is rooted in our values of Fair Trade, meaningful work, creativity, community, and wellness. Two  Sisters from the Ujamaa Collective shared their wisdom, community engagement practice, and the cooperation with our audiences — Lakeisha Wolf, Executive Director, and Alana Griffin, Ambassador. 


    LaKeisha is a cultural worker, creative entrepreneur, and teaching artist with an emphasis on identity, racial justice, community connection, and whole-body wellness. She is a founding member of the Ujamaa Collective and has served as Executive Director since 2013. Alana lives out the organization’s mission to empower Africana women through cooperative economics, cultural expression, and community healing. 

    Economic Sovereignty in Burkina Faso: From Thomas Sankara to Ibrahim Traoré | Guest: Leontine Osuagwu. In this episode we dig into the role of sovereign psyche in leadership, particularly in the African nation of Burkina Faso under the past leadership of Thomas Sankara (1949-1987) and current leader, President Ibrahim Traoré. 
    The home country of our guest, Leontine Osuagwu, is Burkina Faso. With over 20 years of leadership experience across corporate, nonprofit, for-profit sectors, she helps leaders cultivate the mindset, strategy, and emotional intelligence to lead with excellence in creating sustainable impact. She's brings honor and soulful insight into the events unfolding in her home country.


    Mental Health, NAEP and Coach Bradley: A Unique Blend of Mentorship, Empathy, and Strategic Insight In His Work as a Transitional Life Coach. Coach Bradley specializes in guiding adolescents through the transition from high school to adulthood while also supporting adults navigating career changes and life pivots. Ed integrates emotional intelligence, active listening, and values-based goal setting to create a safe, supportive coaching environment. Whether preparing students for life’s next step or helping adults embrace new opportunities, Ed equips people to create lasting, meaningful change.
    In a second episode featuring Coach Bradley he provided an understanding of NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress), explaining its purpose and how it differs from state tests, and the role it plays in systemic racism, accountability, and test-based reforms in education.

    Case Study ShiftWorks Community+Public Works | Guest: Sallyanne Kluz, Executive Director. Sallyann Kluz is a Pittsburgh-based arts administrator, architect, and urban designer whose practice is situated at the intersection of art and community development. Her practice includes public art programs and strategies, community engagement, design education, public space design, and neighborhood development strategies. In her leadership role, Sallyann is focused on providing technical assistance to artists and clients, and expanding the role of artists in community development, civic design, and community engagement.
    Why Community and Public Arts? Sally led us into a meaningful discussion pondering this question. The short answer is this: "Shiftworks Community+Public Arts envisions a region in which the creative practices of artists are fully engaged to collaboratively shape the public realm and catalyze community-led change." The work is designed to expand the range of possibilities for artists to engage communities. 

    We applaud our guests who have made this year meaningful, insightful, and engaging!


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About InflexionPoint Podcast: Cultivating Change from the Inside Out Creating a Brave Space for Conversations about Personal Transformation, Racism, and Accountability

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