Joann Febus, Executive Director of Dress for Success updated us on their new programs for women (and men) in search of employment. They have a 25th Anniversary drive to "Adopt a Closet" find out more 407/721-9859

Jennifer Wilcox, Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Citrus Council shared results of the study The State of the Florida Girl and invited listeners to consider having their daughters join a local troop in their area. For info to sponsor a girl email [email protected]

Karen Castor Dentel, our new Orange County Supervisor of Elections, shared updated information as we prepare for the midterm elections. This election happens midway through our presidential four-year term. The following are elections happening March, August 16th and November 3rd.

Organ donation is not something that our community openly discusses, yet we have the highest numbers on national transplant registries. Our Legacy, is an organ transplant organization working through Advent Health that provides information as well as the gift of life for persons in need. They are presenting their annual "Gift of Life" program Saturday, February 21st @ Patmos Chapel in Apopka. It's FREE, and everyone is welcome to enjoy music from Orlando's best entertainment while learning more about the need to donate. For more info www.ourlegacyfl.org

Our recorded conversation with Former Congresswoman Val Demings left us with several nuggets. She talked about how Florida is a testing ground for national policy debates. We discussed the importance of accountability and defining the issues that voters should be paying attention to. Demings reminded us that the President is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. Her response to what defines our 2026 voter issues was "affordability, taxes, and education.

Russell Drake, CEO of Build Black Daily, shared his digital Black History calendar for 2026. He shares over 60 activities that cover 7 counties - to receive your copy visit www.buildblackdaily.com

The Central Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials has been in existence since 1999. Former Chair, Clerk of the Court Russell has now handed the torch to Congressman Maxwell Frost. The members are local city and county officials as well as state legislators, and they convene to hear constituent concerns. To connect contact [email protected]

Dr. Candace Finley, Director of the eSTEAM Learning Program in Eatonville, shared the importance of teaching our youth about the possibilities of STEM. She did a play on the acronym that added an "e" for entrepreneurship, and of course the "A" is for arts. Her next event is a walking and bike tour of Eatonville. "Routes to Roots" happens Feb. 21st 7am-12pm. www.esteamedkearninginc.org

Dr. Moresa Culbreath is a licensed psychologist and founder of We Care Support Services. She supports children through adults with evaluation, educational, and employment guidance. She maintains that "Early intervention works, and that lack of (early diagnosis) leads to misdiagnosis." Her event "Psychology for Black Girls," will bring together black clinicians to increase access to culturally responsive mental health education and resources. Connect and register online at www.psychologyforblackgirls.com and find out more about her agency www.wecaresupport.org

There is a "Science to Sisterhood" so says Anika Allen with 5-Star Friendships! An organization she began during the pandemic that stays on the cutting edge of research on the importance of friendship in terms of life longevity. Today there is a national epidemic where 20% of our population suffer from loneliness. She also pointed out that since the lifespan of women is longer than men, some 80% of women will die alone. Therefore, it's important to develop friendships. In a social setting, you can let your clothes, a broach or tie be a focal point to start a conversation. Other important gestures we can use to make ourselves appealing to friendship would be to put our phones down, have engaging eye contact and facial expressions. Connect with Mrs. Allen at www.FiveStarFriendships.org. Order her book "Friendships to Go!" on her website.

January is National Mentoring Month, and the Winter Park Kappa League developed a youth mentoring component now in its 20th year. To date they have serviced over 100 male youth on the importance of community and mentoring. Derek Walls, their Leadership Coordinator designed the "Speed Networking Experience" to get 20 males connected with 20 community leaders. Khalil Dexter, a 9th grade student at Jones H.S. Is the Vice President of their young men's group and shared how integral the league has been in his development overall. To connect your son to the league call 321/209-4610 or visit www.winterparkkappaleague.com

Tyasia Raynae is the Chair of the 31st Valencia Student Film Celebration February 28th on the East Campus. She is the 2nd African American student to chair the entire celebration (the first was in 2014). This year's celebration is named after Ralph Clemente, an esteemed professor who structured the film program at Valencia. Films will be shown at 1pm and 6pm and the public is invited to attend FREE. We talked about the power of film to tell stories that often go unheard. The students who attend the school vary in age and experience and will get to share their Capstone projects. For sponsorship information [email protected] or [email protected] or call 689-500-9550

The Central Florida Leadership Academy is an Orange County Public Charter School operating for 16 years in the "Milk District" @ 427 N. Primrose Avenue in Orlando. The principal, Maria Cameron and Board Chair, Dr. Clara Walters shared that the school operates the same as a "regular" school offering smaller classroom sizes for grades 6-12. However, students have additional lessons in leadership and character development in their curriculum. There is no testing requirement just an application process - https://www.cflacademy.org/

Dawn Ofodile and Lawrence Davis from the City of Orlando and Alpha Phi Alpha respectively, shared the upcoming calendar of events commemorating what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's 97th birthday. "Mission Possible" is this year's theme which focuses on everything from a candlelight vigil to the Great Day of Service at the Orange County Convention center where 5,000 volunteers are needed to package food for one million people in need. The Alpha's will host the MLK Forum Thursday at FAMU Law School Thursday, January 15th and the 40th Annual Luncheon Friday, January 16th which features the "Drum Major" Award honoring 6 community trailblazers. Radio and television personality Jeff Johnson is the speaker. Tickets are available at www.mlkluncheon.org For student scholarship information, apply online @ www.hankinsjohnson.org

We discussed the top issues for Gov. Ron DeSantis' final legislative session as governor. Equal Ground founder Jasmine Burney-Clark shared the top issues: property Tax Reform/

Healthcare/ and Increased insurance rates. Mrs. Burney-Clark shared that the 2020 census showed 1 additional seat forcing the redistricting that wiped out 50% of black representation. We discussed that the State Supreme Court judges appointed are all young and that every six years citizens get to vote on their retention. Follow www.equal-ground.com for details on the upcoming sessions. On Facebook and YouTube follow them @ EqualGroundFL. They have their Free and Open Monthly Political Empowerment Calls the 3rd Monday every month, however, the call this month honors Dr. King's holiday and will be Tuesday Jan. 20th 6pm

Reshell Smith, CEO of AMES Financial Solutions, reminded us that starting off financially strong this New Year is still super important. Paying down debt is the best way to start - who do you need to pay, write it down and then pay in the right order. Since pension plans on jobs are becoming extinct, use your company's 401K plan - if they match 5% to yours 5%-= 10% growth that you can take out at the age of 59 ½ with no penalty. Save 3-6 months of living expenses and keep $1,000 as your emergency fund. Check your credit history at www.annualreport.com Connect with Reshell at www.amesfinancialsolutions.com 407/258-1062

State Attorney Monique Worrell of the 9th Judicial Circuit will join State Senator Bracy-Davis, Representative Young along with the Clerk of the Court, the Public Defender's Office, Orange County Sheriff's Office & FRRC for a Record Sealing and Expungement Workshop at Barnett Park 4801 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando, Wednesday January 7th 6pm. It is open to people in Orange and Osceola (the 9th Judicial Circuit). Pre-registration is encouraged so the State Attorney can pull your "rap sheet" in advance. However, you can still attend but may have to come to the courthouse to have records pulled. Who should attend? Anyone who has an adjudication (conviction) that has been withheld. Sealing and Expungement Defined: Applicable Laws: Expungement- Fl. St. 943.0585, Sealing- Fl. St. 943.059 Expungement means to remove from record, erase, destroy, and no public access to record. Agencies that have access to sealed records will need a court order to view expunged documents. Seal means no public access to the record. Only agencies listed in 943.059(4)(a) shall have access to the record. Once a case has been closed, the sealing/expungement process can begin. Sealing and expungements are available for adult and juvenile cases. However, not all cases are eligible to be sealed or expunged. The team will tell you if you're eligible, so even if you think you may be excluded, please still attend. Register on Facebook at the Office of the State Attorney Monique Worrell or https://forms.gle/aw2ZVhkZ2aPamKxKA

Chenise Williams, founder of the African American Women's History Project shared the vision she had for the organization that began two decades ago. She wanted to celebrate African American women (and a few men) who were instrumental in shaping the foundation of our community. Since its inception, hundreds of women have been highlighted. The proceeds from the events provide scholarships and mentoring opportunities to graduating high school seniors. On Friday January 9th 50+ women will be honored in a private ceremony. "The Power of Her Presence" will open to the public on Saturday @ 12pm January 10th and be housed at the Girl Scouts building 341 N. Mills Avenue in Orlando in the Women's History & Cultural Center on the 2nd floor.

Author, Miz B shared 3 books with Monica recently; "Brokenhearted at Christmas," "On The Other Side of the Cul-de-Sac" and "She Feelin' Herself." She has been writing for some time now and has degrees in communication that entails both writing and editing. Her favorite authors run from Eric Jerome Dickey and E. Lynn Harris to Terri McMillan. Miz B started as a ghostwriter for others and shares that her books are all totally fiction. You can connect with her on FB @ Miz B's Fun Reads and [email protected]. You may purchase her books on Amazon or at Ingram Spark.

16-year-old Javan Thompson attends Creative Global Schools and is dually enrolled at the University of South Florida. With a 4.1 GPA in his 10th grade, his principal Kim Lundy suggested he apply for a research project through Alpha Scholars. He was offered a scholarship and chose to write on their "Sustainable Development Goal #3" which was on Good Health and Well Being. He learned about the mechanics of how to write a proper research tool, and his work was submitted to the Harvard Review. Javan's goals are to complete high school and attend an Ivy League college with the intention of continuing medical research or become a surgeon. To read Javan's research project visit https://hir.harvard.edu/alpha-scholars-summer-2025-medal-winners/