• Learn about the history of Animal Friends of the Valleys
• Identify the population the organization serves
• Discuss about the processes of pet adoption, and retrieving a lost pet
• Discover the services of the organizations’ clinics
• Learn about the Animal Control Services provided
• Find out about the current needs of the organization, and how the organization gives back to the community

Carolina Calderon is the Media and Event Manager at Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV), she plans on continuing to help AFV raise money through events, from weekend adoption to large galas.

Beth will be working with the community to obtain the needed sponsorships to help AFV become the leading community nonprofit shelter, by providing a safe haven for all animals and quality and affordable care. Through community education and involvement, Beth will help AFV in its goal to end pet overpopulation and for finding a loving home for every adoptable pet
in AFV’s shelter.https://animalfriendsofthevalleys.com/

Brought to you by J.C. Cooley Foundation "Equipping the Youth of Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow".

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn about the history of Animal Friends of the Valleys

Identify the population the organization serves

Discuss about the processes of pet adoption, and retrieving a lost pet

Discover the services of the organizations’ clinics

Learn about the Animal Control Services provided

Find out about the current needs of the organization, and how the organization gives back to the community

Carolina Calderon is the Media and Event Manager at Animal Friends of the Valleys (AFV), she plans on continuing to help AFV raise money through events, from weekend adoption to large galas.

Beth will be working with the community to obtain the needed sponsorships to help AFV become the leading community nonprofit shelter, by providing a safe haven for all animals and quality and affordable care. Through community education and involvement, Beth will help AFV in its goal to end pet overpopulation and for finding a loving home for every adoptable pet

in AFV’s shelter.https://animalfriendsofthevalleys.com/

Brought to you by J.C. Cooley Foundation "Equipping the Youth of Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow".

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An open discussion on the following Hot Topics in August 2021:
•    US Troops Withdrawal from Afghanistan, 
•    Covid-19 Vaccine and Mask Mandates, and
•    The Border Crisis
Bringing an insight to our listening audience on some of the issues and concerns on these topics with panel guests:

Joshua Goldsmith, Financial Adviser
Joshua Goldsmith has been a financial consultant and life insurance agent for almost 15 years.  His passion is helping people towards achieving financial independence.  He started Goldsmith Financial in 2012 and works as an independent consultant clearing through LPL Financial, the biggest independent broker/dealer in the nation. 
https://www.goldsmithfinancial.net/

Lutalo “Sweet Lu” Olutosin, Jazz vocalist
As a youngster Lu's goal was to be an uninhibited singer using a mix of jazz, blues, and gospel to create music with the message of soulful, spiritual healing.
This musical odyssey did not take the expected route, however. Instead, his trek detoured with a 35-year stint in the US armed forces. Lu’s years in the military taught him the very important lessons of discipline, order, method and ultimately, belief in himself. Lu retired from the Army with the rank of full Colonel allowing his full immersion into the music that has been the backing track to his existence since childhood.
http://sweetlumusic.com/

William Smiley, Cyber Security Expert.
As the Lead Program Manager for Cybersecurity for the Program Executive Office for Submarines, U.S. Navy LCDR (Ret.) William Smiley is responsible for ensuring all program managers, engineering, IT professionals as well as senior leadership understands what is required for obtaining critical authorizations to operate OCONUS, CONUS and At-Sea for the Department of the Navy.

Mr. Smiley has over 35+ years of specialized CYBER/ISR/Unmanned Vehicles (UUVs/UAVs/LDUUVs) Information Technology Naval-Industry experience.  He honorably served over 25+ years in the U.S. Navy Military Service retiring as a N2/N6 LCDR (Limited Duty Officer (LDO Mustang)/Information Professional/Information Warfare Officer (Highest enlisted rank was Senior Chief)). 

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An open discussion on the following Hot Topics in August 2021:

•    US Troops Withdrawal from Afghanistan, 

•    Covid-19 Vaccine and Mask Mandates, and

•    The Border Crisis

Bringing an insight to our listening audience on some of the issues and concerns on these topics with panel guests:

Joshua Goldsmith, Financial Adviser

Joshua Goldsmith has been a financial consultant and life insurance agent for almost 15 years.  His passion is helping people towards achieving financial independence.  He started Goldsmith Financial in 2012 and works as an independent consultant clearing through LPL Financial, the biggest independent broker/dealer in the nation. 

https://www.goldsmithfinancial.net/

Lutalo “Sweet Lu” Olutosin, Jazz vocalist

As a youngster Lu's goal was to be an uninhibited singer using a mix of jazz, blues, and gospel to create music with the message of soulful, spiritual healing.

This musical odyssey did not take the expected route, however. Instead, his trek detoured with a 35-year stint in the US armed forces. Lu’s years in the military taught him the very important lessons of discipline, order, method and ultimately, belief in himself. Lu retired from the Army with the rank of full Colonel allowing his full immersion into the music that has been the backing track to his existence since childhood.

http://sweetlumusic.com/

William Smiley, Cyber Security Expert.

As the Lead Program Manager for Cybersecurity for the Program Executive Office for Submarines, U.S. Navy LCDR (Ret.) William Smiley is responsible for ensuring all program managers, engineering, IT professionals as well as senior leadership understands what is required for obtaining critical authorizations to operate OCONUS, CONUS and At-Sea for the Department of the Navy.

Mr. Smiley has over 35+ years of specialized CYBER/ISR/Unmanned Vehicles (UUVs/UAVs/LDUUVs) Information Technology Naval-Industry experience.  He honorably served over 25+ years in the U.S. Navy Military Service retiring as a N2/N6 LCDR (Limited Duty Officer (LDO Mustang)/Information Professional/Information Warfare Officer (Highest enlisted rank was Senior Chief)). 

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• Introducing Vlada Vladic and Jami Fencel and their respective roles regarding the non-profit organization Vlada Seeds of Life (VSL)
• Discuss Vlada Seeds of Life (VSL) and how this organization reconnects families.
• Discover the impact that Vlada Seeds of Life has had on the community
• Learn about the supporters and sponsors to this organization

Vlada Vladic was raised in Serbia and grew up in what most Americans would consider the “old-world” way of living. Food, family, and community were the pillars that defined her childhood and approach to life. At the age of 19, Vlada achieved her dream of moving to the United States and brought these engrained old-world values with her. As a mother to two children, business owner, community leader and award-winning chef, Vlada’s personal journey gives her a unique perspective on raising kids and advancing communities through living and eating healthy.

While taking care of her family at home, Jami began her work with non-profit organizations 30 years ago. She put her experience as a graphic designer to work helping nonprofits with fundraising event design and began taking on more leadership roles as her career in volunteering progressed. Jami’s philanthropic efforts are primarily on women and children, our homeless population, youth, and our seniors; working to improve their lives which in turn improves all our standard of living.

Jami has been the secretary for Vlada’s Seeds of Life since 2015, a non-profit that reconnects families through cooking. She is also a member of Professional Women’s Roundtable and has hosted charitable events in her home. 

https://vladaseedsoflife.com/

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing Vlada Vladic and Jami Fencel and their respective roles regarding the non-profit organization Vlada Seeds of Life (VSL)

Discuss Vlada Seeds of Life (VSL) and how this organization reconnects families.

Discover the impact that Vlada Seeds of Life has had on the community

Learn about the supporters and sponsors to this organization

Vlada Vladic was raised in Serbia and grew up in what most Americans would consider the “old-world” way of living. Food, family, and community were the pillars that defined her childhood and approach to life. At the age of 19, Vlada achieved her dream of moving to the United States and brought these engrained old-world values with her. As a mother to two children, business owner, community leader and award-winning chef, Vlada’s personal journey gives her a unique perspective on raising kids and advancing communities through living and eating healthy.

While taking care of her family at home, Jami began her work with non-profit organizations 30 years ago. She put her experience as a graphic designer to work helping nonprofits with fundraising event design and began taking on more leadership roles as her career in volunteering progressed. Jami’s philanthropic efforts are primarily on women and children, our homeless population, youth, and our seniors; working to improve their lives which in turn improves all our standard of living.

Jami has been the secretary for Vlada’s Seeds of Life since 2015, a non-profit that reconnects families through cooking. She is also a member of Professional Women’s Roundtable and has hosted charitable events in her home. 

https://vladaseedsoflife.com/

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• Introducing Desi Carson – Mental Health Equity Advocate, Business Development Manager, Community Builder, Social Activist, and Life Coach
• Discover what the acronym IDEAS stands for.
• Learn about Inclusion NextWork and the services and resources it provides
• Discuss what PsychoHairapy is and how certain stereotypes can affect individuals, organizations, and workplaces.

There is no “DESI” without “DEI”. Growing up across 10 different states, I found consistency in volunteerism such as food drives, shelters, teaching sports skills to children with special needs, anonymous suicide hotlines, and more. As a queer woman of color, I repurpose my vastly diverse life expertise by specializing in intersectional advocacy.

After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2014, I’ve spent my “main” career running inclusive recreational programs at UVA, Valdosta State University, and adult sports on a national level at ZogSports. At each institution, I introduced adaptive sports as well as created grassroots DEI initiatives leading to long-standing internal changes. I’ve been featured in publications concerning national sales strategy and LGBTQIA+ representation within the sports world. I’ve also volunteered for the past five years as a Venue Director for the Special Olympics of Georgia.

Business Development Manager for PsychoHairapy. We utilize hair care as an entry point for self-care and equitable mental health access for POCs. I am also the IDEAS Development Partner for INW and am responsible for facilitation, content creation, research implementation, and social engagement.

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing Desi Carson – Mental Health Equity Advocate, Business Development Manager, Community Builder, Social Activist, and Life Coach

Discover what the acronym IDEAS stands for.

Learn about Inclusion NextWork and the services and resources it provides

Discuss what PsychoHairapy is and how certain stereotypes can affect individuals, organizations, and workplaces.

There is no “DESI” without “DEI”. Growing up across 10 different states, I found consistency in volunteerism such as food drives, shelters, teaching sports skills to children with special needs, anonymous suicide hotlines, and more. As a queer woman of color, I repurpose my vastly diverse life expertise by specializing in intersectional advocacy.

After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2014, I’ve spent my “main” career running inclusive recreational programs at UVA, Valdosta State University, and adult sports on a national level at ZogSports. At each institution, I introduced adaptive sports as well as created grassroots DEI initiatives leading to long-standing internal changes. I’ve been featured in publications concerning national sales strategy and LGBTQIA+ representation within the sports world. I’ve also volunteered for the past five years as a Venue Director for the Special Olympics of Georgia.

Business Development Manager for PsychoHairapy. We utilize hair care as an entry point for self-care and equitable mental health access for POCs. I am also the IDEAS Development Partner for INW and am responsible for facilitation, content creation, research implementation, and social engagement.

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So often when we interact with people or even travel through life ourselves, we deal with things on a surface level. A lot of that is to protect ourselves from disappointment, but if we really want to get all there is out of life, we need to go beyond the surface--both in our thinking and in our way of embracing experiences. Our differences can seem bigger than life, but if we approach situations and interactions with a focus on our shared humanity, we might be surprised at the outcome.

Mr. Fikes has held various positions in finance, operations, and management. After 18 years of traditional employment, he stepped out as an entrepreneur venturing into consulting, construction, and transportation. Since 2008 he has built a tremendous wealth of knowledge via consulting with a myriad of small companies, a few large profile companies, municipalities, a major university, and the federal government

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So often when we interact with people or even travel through life ourselves, we deal with things on a surface level. A lot of that is to protect ourselves from disappointment, but if we really want to get all there is out of life, we need to go beyond the surface--both in our thinking and in our way of embracing experiences. Our differences can seem bigger than life, but if we approach situations and interactions with a focus on our shared humanity, we might be surprised at the outcome.

Mr. Fikes has held various positions in finance, operations, and management. After 18 years of traditional employment, he stepped out as an entrepreneur venturing into consulting, construction, and transportation. Since 2008 he has built a tremendous wealth of knowledge via consulting with a myriad of small companies, a few large profile companies, municipalities, a major university, and the federal government

Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.