Ms. Wanda's Full Circle Radio

What does it take to turn a dream into a thriving community gathering space?

This week on Full Circle, Wanda Smith sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Renee Jōneck, owner of Jōneck's Wine Bar in Sacramento. More than just a place to enjoy a glass of wine, Jōneck's has become a welcoming destination where conversations flourish, friendships are formed, and community is cultivated.

Renee shares her journey of opening and sustaining a brick-and-mortar business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of community support for small and Black-owned businesses. In a time when many local businesses struggle to survive, Renee's story is one of courage, resilience, and determination.

Learn how Jōneck's Wine Bar was intentionally designed as a comfortable and inclusive space where everyone feels at home. Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a mocktail lover, or simply looking for meaningful connection, Jōneck's offers an experience that goes beyond what's in your glass.

From unique wines sourced from around the world to creating opportunities for people to gather and connect, Renee discusses how business can serve as a catalyst for building stronger communities.

In This Episode, we discuss:

• Renee's entrepreneurial journey
• The realities of owning a brick-and-mortar business
• Challenges facing small businesses today
• Why community support matters
• Creating welcoming spaces for connection and conversation
• The role of Black-owned businesses in strengthening local communities
• Building relationships through hospitality
• What's next for Jōneck's Wine Bar

• Small businesses thrive when communities intentionally support them.
• Entrepreneurship requires courage, resilience, and adaptability.
• Community spaces play a vital role in combating isolation and building connection.
• Supporting local and Black-owned businesses creates economic impact that benefits entire communities.

Renee Jōneck is the owner of Jōneck's Wine Bar, a casual, community-focused wine bar in Sacramento dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where people can gather, connect, and enjoy wines from around the world. With a focus on hospitality, inclusion, and authentic relationships, Renee has built a space where guests are encouraged to relax, share stories, and stay awhile.

Whether you're looking for a new favorite wine, a cozy place to meet friends, or a welcoming community atmosphere, visit Jōneck's Wine Bar and experience firsthand what Renee has created. Your support of local businesses helps strengthen our neighborhoods and keeps unique community spaces thriving.

Visit them at 2231 J Street, Sacramento / www.jonecks.com or follow them on social media @jonecks_wine_bar

On this week's episode of Full Circle, we welcomed representatives from two powerful programs operating under the same mission-driven organization: Saving Sarah's Daughters and the Youth Violence Conflict Resolution Seminars (YVCRS).

During the first hour, guests Mashal and Natania shared the vision behind Saving Sarah's Daughters, a program dedicated to empowering young women and girls through mentorship, life skills education, emotional wellness support, and positive identity development based on biblical principals.

They discussed the challenges facing young women today and the importance of creating safe spaces where girls can build confidence, develop healthy relationships, strengthen decision-making skills, and discover their value and purpose.

In the second hour, Yameen joined the conversation to discuss the impact of Youth Violence Conflict Resolution Seminars, an initiative focused on equipping young people with practical tools for conflict resolution, leadership development, communication, emotional intelligence, and violence prevention. Through workshops, seminars, and community engagement, this biblically based program helps youth become problem-solvers, peacemakers, and leaders in their schools and neighborhoods.

Together, these programs are addressing some of the most pressing issues affecting today's youth, including:

• Peer pressure
• Bullying and conflict
• Emotional wellness
• Communication challenges
• Self-esteem and identity
• Family dynamics
• Leadership development
• Violence prevention
• Healthy decision-making
• Community engagement
• Personal responsibility

This conversation highlighted a critical truth: when young people are given the right tools, guidance, and support systems, they are far more likely to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and professionally.

Today's young people face unprecedented pressures. Social media influences, community violence, mental health challenges, academic stress, and uncertainty about the future can leave many youth feeling disconnected and unsupported.

Programs like Saving Sarah's Daughters and Youth Violence Conflict Resolution Seminars provide practical solutions. The result is stronger youth, stronger families, and stronger communities.

Whether you are a school administrator, youth program coordinator, nonprofit leader, faith-based organization, community group, or event planner, these programs offer engaging and impactful presentations designed to meet the needs of today's youth.

The team is available for:

School assemblies, Student leadership conferences, Youth summits, Parent engagement events, Community forums, Nonprofit and organizational workshops, Professional development sessions, Mentorship programs, Resource fairs, Conferences and special events.

In addition to speaking engagements and workshops, they are also available to host informational booths and resource tables at community events, providing valuable information, resources, and opportunities for youth and families to connect with supportive services.

Their presentations are interactive, relevant, and designed to create meaningful conversations that inspire positive change long after the event ends.

To learn more about these programs, schedule a workshop, invite them to speak, or request a booth at your next event, connect with the organization directly and discover how they can support the young people in your community.

Guests:

• Mashal – Saving Sarah's Daughters
• Natania – Saving Sarah's Daughters
• Yameen – Youth Violence Conflict Resolution Seminars

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Ms. Wanda welcomes Christian Jacobs, LMFT, Founder and CEO ofEmpath Health Collective, for a deeply insightful conversation on the mental health needs of Black men and boys.

Christian brings clinical expertise, lived experience and cultural understanding to topics that are often overlooked ormisunderstood. Together, we explore

• How depression shows up differently in men,
• The long-term impact of parentification,
• How community violence shapes emotional development.

Christian also shares practical tools for helping boysput language to their feelings and offers guidance for older men who may be beginning their healing journey later in life.

We also discuss the differences between licensed clinicians, unlicensed professionals, and coaches—an importantdistinction for anyone seeking mental health support.

Christian even uses John Singleton’s Baby Boy as a case study to illustrate intergenerational trauma, emotional immaturity, and the path toward accountability.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone committed to supporting theemotional wellbeing of Black men and boys.

Call to Action:
Share this episode with the men and boys in your life. These conversations matter.

Follow Christian on Instagram: @christianjacobs_lmft

Special Opportunity:
Christian is launching a 10‑week virtual academy focused on substance use prevention for young men ages 18–26. The program includes a stipend.
Registration is open until 5/21.
To request an application, email: [email protected]

This week on Full Circle, we welcome Nichole D. Alexander, Founder and Executive Director of Scholars for Purpose, Inc., a nonprofit committed to empowering single parents through education resources, mental wellness support, and prevention-focused programming.

Nichole shares her powerful personal journey as a single parent navigating college at an HBCU, and how those experiences shaped her passion for creating safe, supportive spaces for other families facing similar challenges.

We dive into the critical issues impacting single-parent households today, including access to resources, mental wellness, and the need for prevention strategies for youth. Nichole explains how Scholars for Purpose is addressing these gaps with intention, compassion, and community-centered solutions.

The conversation also highlights the upcoming Community Empowerment Workshop: Building Resilient Families, happening Sunday, May 3rd from 3–6 PM in Sacramento at Capitol City SDA Church. This free event brings together parents, professionals, and community partners to focus on strengthening families through education, wellness, and real-life strategies.

Listeners will walk away inspired, informed, and equipped with ways to get involved, support the mission, and build stronger, more resilient families in their own communities.

This week on Full Circle, we welcome Valene Byrd, Founder and Program Director of ART-TISM, an inclusive arts program dedicated to creating safe, sensory-friendly spaces where children of all abilities and their families can learn, create, and connect.

As a special needs parent, educator, and artist, Valene’s work is rooted in lived experience and a deep commitment to ensuring neurodiverse children—especially within the Black community—are seen, supported, and celebrated. Inspired by her son Mateo, Valene turned a personal journey into a community movement.

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, this conversation explores what it truly means to move beyond awareness and into meaningful inclusion.

• The origin story of ART-TISM and the meaning behind “Safe Spaces for Special Needs Families to discover their child’s gifts”
• The difference between autism awareness and autism acceptance
• The importance of culturally responsive, inclusive spaces
• Barriers Black families face in autism diagnosis and support
• The role of art as a tool for expression, healing, and connection
• Building community for both children and parents navigating ASD

April 22 | 6pm–8pm
Talkin’ Bout Autism in the Black Community (Underground Books)
A powerful and necessary conversation addressing stigma, disparities, and access to care.

April 25 | 11am–4pm
5th Annual ART-TISM Interactive Art Exhibit
A FREE, family-friendly event featuring:

• Hands-on art stations
• A calming room
• Resource fair
• Community-centered experiences
  Registration required

• Attend one (or both) of the April events
• Share this episode with families, educators, and advocates
• Support inclusive programming in your community

In this powerful conversation, Full Circle welcomes leaders from the Sacramento Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women to discuss the urgent need for awareness, advocacy, and action during Black Maternal Health Week.

Observed nationally from April 11–17, Black Maternal Health Week was founded to bring attention to the disparities impacting Black mothers in the United States and to uplift community-driven solutions that center dignity, safety, and equity in care.

This episode explores the upcoming 5th Annual Black Maternal Health Symposium, taking place April 14 in Sacramento. Designed for pregnant individuals and new parents, healthcare and advocacy professionals, birth workers, community advocates, and students focused on maternal and infant health, the symposium creates space for education, dialogue, and collective action.

The conversation also highlights the Black Baby Doll Drive, an initiative with a goal of collecting 1,000 dolls for children in foster care and community support programs. The discussion goes beyond donation—exploring how representation impacts self-esteem and identity, and how a doll can serve as emotional support for children navigating difficult transitions.

Listeners are invited to attend the event, donate, and become part of a larger movement working toward birth equity and community care.

Event Details:
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
10:30am – 2:30pm
South Sacramento Christian Center
7710 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento

Donation Drop-Off:
9:00am – 4:00pm

Register, attend, or donate online to support the drive.

This powerful episode of Full Circle brings together voices from Sierra Donor Services to explore the life-saving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation—and why this work matters now more than ever.

Through a blend of facts, lived experiences, and heartfelt storytelling, this conversation challenges listeners to rethink legacy, community responsibility, and the power of a single decision.

Featured Guests:

Alex Vaiz, External Affairs Director, Sierra Donor ServicesMelissa Lane, Organ Recovery Coordinator and donor motherMichael Coleman, Communications Director, DCI Donor Services

The Urgent Need

Over 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for a transplantNearly 20,000 are in California alone

16 people die each day waiting for a life-saving organ

Communities of color are disproportionately impacted, especially in kidney transplant waitlists

The Power of One Decision

One organ donor can save up to 8 livesTissue donation can improve up to 75 lives

Donations can restore sight, support burn recovery, and help cancer survivors heal

Kidney Health Month Spotlight
March serves as a critical reminder of the need for kidney donors, with nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a kidney transplant

A Story of Love, Loss, and Legacy
Melissa Lane shared the story of her daughter, Sakeita, whose legacy lives on through organ donation—offering others more time, more memories, and more tomorrows. Her story grounded the conversation in what this work truly means for families.

Donate Life Month (April)
A national movement to:

Raise awarenessHonor donor heroes and their familiesInspire new donor registrations

Light Up Sacramento
March 31 | 7:00–8:30 PM
Mount Vernon Memorial Park, Fair Oaks
A moving visual tribute honoring donors and their life-saving legacy.

Donor Dash & Health Fair
April 18 | 7:30–10:00 AM
Crocker Park, Sacramento
A community gathering to honor donor heroes, celebrate recipients, and support those still waiting.

Sierra Donor Services serves 2.8 million people across 13 counties, providing life-saving organ recovery and ongoing family support.

Recent impact includes:

170 donors leading to 422 organ transplants

855 tissue donors improving countless livesOver 1,200 families supported through grief and aftercare services

This is more than awareness. This is about action.

Here’s how you can make a difference today:

Register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor at sierradonor.org or registerme.orgHave a conversation with your loved ones about your decisionAttend and support upcoming Sierra Donor Services eventsShare this episode to spread awareness

Your decision could save lives. Your legacy could change generations.

Follow or Subscribe to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode.

The transition from high school to college can be overwhelming for many students and families. Navigating course requirements, financial aid, academic planning, and transfer pathways often leaves students unsure of how to move forward.

In this episode of Full Circle, Ms. Wanda sits down with Dr. Camille Wise, Director of the City Scholars Program at Sacramento City College, to discuss a new initiative designed to simplify that journey and help students reach their goal of transferring to a four-year university.

City Scholars is a two-year, cohort-based program designed to help students complete a Degree for Transfer while receiving structured guidance, academic planning, and community support along the way.

The program was developed after campus leaders analyzed student data and discovered a significant gap between students who intended to transfer and those who were actually able to do so within two years. City Scholars was created to close that gap by removing common barriers and providing students with a clear academic roadmap.

Dr. Wise shares how the program supports students academically, socially, and personally while preparing them for transfer to universities across California and beyond.

• How cohort-based learning creates community and accountability
• How preset course schedules help students graduate on time
• The role of dedicated counselors and student support specialists
• How the program connects students to campus resources and services
• Transfer opportunities to CSU, UC, and other universities
• The three majors currently offered through the program
• How students can apply and what the enrollment process looks like

City Scholars is designed to remove many of the obstacles students face when navigating community college independently.

Students in the program may pursue a Degree for Transfer in one of the following fields:

Psychology
Business
Administration of Justice

These majors were selected because they are among the most popular pathways for students and offer broad transfer opportunities to universities.

This program may be a great fit for students who:

• Are graduating high school this year
• Plan to attend Sacramento City College in Fall 2026
• Plan to enroll full-time (12–16 units per semester)
• Want to transfer to a four-year university
• Want structured guidance and a supportive student community

Students interested in the City Scholars Program should:

1. Visit the Sacramento City College City Scholars webpage

2. Complete the City Scholars Student Interest Form

3. Apply to Sacramento City College through the California Community College application system

4. Submit financial aid applications if needed

5. Connect with program staff who will guide them through the next steps

Because the program has limited space, early interest is encouraged.

For many community college students, the dream of transferring to a four-year university can feel unclear or difficult to achieve.

City Scholars was created to make that path more accessible by combining academic structure, personal guidance, and a strong sense of community.

By helping students stay on track and connected to the support they need, the program aims to help more students achieve their goal of earning a bachelor’s degree.

Listen to this episode of Full Circle to learn how the City Scholars Program is helping students move from high school to community college and ultimately to a four-year university with confidence and support.

If you are a high school senior, parent, counselor, or mentor supporting a student preparing for college, take the next step today.

Learn more about the City Scholars Program and complete the student interest form to get connected with program staff.

Share this episode with students and families who may benefit from a structured pathway to college

Have a business idea but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve launched your business but need support building a stronger foundation.

On this episode of Full Circle, host Ms. Wanda talks with Shayla Walker, founder and CEO of Sistah Soul Brunch & Mixer, about the Venture Soul Entrepreneurship Program—a new initiative designed to support early-stage Black entrepreneurs.

This hands-on program is designed for individuals who are in the ideation phase or within their first one to two years of business and are ready to strengthen their strategy, skills, and network.

Running March through July, Venture Soul brings entrepreneurs together for nine interactive workshops covering essential business topics including:

• Branding and marketing strategy
• Leveraging technology and AI
• Accessing business loans and funding opportunities
• Building sustainable business systems
By learning directly from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, participants will also gain valuable networking opportunities and mentorship while building relationships with other entrepreneurs on a similar journey.

The program culminates in a Business Showcase & Mixer, where participants will pitch their businesses and compete for support in their next stage of growth.

Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase their businesses at the 4th Annual Sistah Soul Brunch & Mixer this summer, gaining exposure to potential clients, collaborators, and community supporters.

If you’re ready to move your business idea forward, this program was created with you in mind.

Applications are open now, but space is limited.

Apply today:
sistahsoulbrunch.org

We’re kicking off Women’s History Month with an inspiring conversation featuring Sisters in Success (S.I.S.) at San Joaquin Delta College.

S.I.S. is a mentorship and cultural enrichment program dedicated to supporting Black/African/African American female students through intentional programming, sisterhood, and culturally responsive engagement. Led by Program Director Dr. Malika Hollinside, the initiative was created to increase academic success rates while strengthening mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

In this episode, we explore:

• The vision and founding purpose behind Sisters in Success
• The importance of culturally affirming spaces for Black women in higher education
• How mentorship and sisterhood improve academic outcomes
• The power of accountability partnerships
• Community involvement and leadership development
• Mental health awareness and holistic wellness practices
• The life-changing impact of the annual HBCU tour
You’ll hear directly from S.I.S. participants about their lived experiences — how the program has helped them find their voice, build confidence, and strengthen bonds with other Black women on campus.

This episode is a reminder that when Black women are nurtured, supported, and seen, they create excellence not only for themselves — but for generations to come.

Share this episode with a student, mentor, educator, or parent invested in the success of young Black women.

Women’s History Month is about honoring legacy — and investing in the future.