Heather French Henry is a multifaceted professional with expertise in authorship, product design, strategy, and media. With over 23 years of experience, she has worked extensively with organizations and government entities at local, state, and national levels. Heather rose to national prominence as Miss America 2000, leveraging her platform and family experience to advocate for military veterans.

In her roles as deputy commissioner and commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Heather oversaw various initiatives, including legislative policy, veterans nursing home facilities, cemeteries, benefits programs, and educational outreach, managing an annual budget of $120 million.

Today, Heather's company provides strategic outreach, media training and product design for organizations such as Global Game Changers, Brielle Cotterman Media and the Rosemary Clooney House Museum. Global Game Changers offers free curriculum and resources focused on service learning, leadership, and talent development for children's social, emotional, and academic growth. Brielle Cotterman Media is a boutique PR firm specializing in authentic storytelling and strategies for clients worldwide. The Rosemary Clooney House Museum is home to the famous White Christmas Costume Collection.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Heather and her family are involved in several philanthropic ventures, including the Future Fund Land Trust, Kentucky Prostate Cancer Coalition, and the Heather French Foundation for Veterans. She has received the esteemed Silver Helmet Award and Humanitarian Award from AMVETS, Patriot Award by USA Cares and the Public Affairs Award by the American Legion.

Heather hails from Maysville and Augusta, Kentucky, and is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning. She is married to Dr. Stephen L. Henry, a former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky and acclaimed trauma orthopedic surgeon, and they have two daughters, Harper Renee' and Taylor Augusta. For more information about Heather's work and activities, please visit www.heatherfrenchhenry.com . 

Bowling Green Native, Rachel Counts, is a 20 year old student of the University of Louisville school of nursing. In September she was crowned as Miss South Central Kentucky 2024, and will be competing for the Job and title of Miss Kentucky in just a few short weeks.

Rachel is a Bowling Green High school graduate class of 2021, and will graduate from the university of Louisville in May of 2025 with a bachelors of science in nursing. Upon graduation, it is Rachel’s goal to work in a childrens hospital in pediatric oncology. Her dream job also aligns with her current successes with her organization and community service initiative: Caps for Kayli. This is something she has created in efforts to end childhood cancer! She travels kentucky and sells pins to create support and fundraise to donate to St. Jude, where her friend, Kayli, got treatment while battling stage 4 Leukemia.

While at the university of Louisville, Rachel was a part of the champion winning university of louisville cheerleading team, where the head coach has just been featured in todays women! She also was a part of the ballroom dance club, and helped create the UofL rock climbing club! She also is an active member of RaiseRed, which is the largest student led organization on campus, where students stand and dance for 18 hours, raising millions of dollars to donate to pediatric oncology and hematologic disorders!

When Rachel has free time, she loves to spend it singing, dancing, rock climbing, or her favorite, cheerleading. She enjoys going to the gym to not only gain strength, but support her heart health and overall health. Rachel was in choir for many years, was in a number if musicals, and still loves to sing at any chance. She also loves to read, watch movies, and spend time with her friends and family. Her favorite thing to read and watch is Harry Potter, so if any muggles need some help, she is the girl to see!

One of Rachels many passions is traveling. With her family, she has been on 17 cruises, stretching out across the globe to her farthest destination of Australia! She loves to cruise and see the world one destination at a time! Her favorite places have been Belize, Jamaica, and Alaska.

Rachel one day hopes to become Miss Kentucky, where she will spread love, joy, and passion across the commonwealth, while sharing her CSI and fundraising to end childhoos cancer. As Miss kentucky, she will also be an advocate for kentucky proud, heart health, and overall health!

For More information about Caps for Kayli, and to keep up with Rachel on her journey, check out her instagram @capsforkayli and @missrachelcounts!!

Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.

Resources:
https://afsp.org/


About Taylor:
A suicide prevention advocate with a love for the military as Navy veteran soon to return back to the armed forces as a Naval Jag Officer. As of right now I am a Pre law student as a triple major, for Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Business with a minor in marketing.

In honor of season four starting back up, let's take a trip down memory lane to season one with Ryan Hickman's inspiring episode. Recorded in 2021, this conversation highlights Ryan's incredible mission to make a positive impact on the environment through recycling. While some facts shared in this episode may be out of date, the passion and dedication Ryan brings to his cause remain timeless. Join us as we revisit this enlightening discussion and learn about Ryan's journey, his challenges, and his achievements. To learn more about Ryan's mission and support his efforts, visit his website. 

https://ryansrecycling.com/about/

Instagram: @missamericaky

Mallory Hudson, Bowling Green native and University of Kentucky student, is Miss Kentucky 2023. She is a 2020 graduate of South Warren High School where she was named a 2019 Kentucky Governor's Scholar.

Upon completion of the Governor's Scholars Program (GSP), she served as a Community Ambassador for GSP speaking to local high school students about the program's mission to keep the state's "best and brightest" students in-state for college. Mallory personally embraced this mission and accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington. Mallory is currently a senior at UK where she is studying Communications and Political Science, and she plans to attend law school post graduation. At the University of Kentucky, Mallory has been actively involved in organizations such as Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, UK Student Government Association, Leadership Development Program, DanceBlue, and UK Panhellenic Council.

Off-campus, Mallory has been in over 40 theatrical productions, including a feature film, Beauty Mark, which was awarded the Best Narrative Feature Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival. Her favorite role to date is Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!. Additionally, Mallory is a two time Kentucky State Beta Speech Champion, served as a 2023 Kentucky Derby Festival Princess, and was named a Cycle 12 Jovani "It Girl" for her modeling work with Jovani Fashions in Atlanta and New York.

Mallory's Community Service Initiative is Inclusive Stages, which is designed to provide theatrical and artistic opportunities for individuals with special needs. Through her CSI, Mallory has had the honor of implementing a number of initiatives to further inclusivity efforts in the state. For example, she has initiated inclusive acting classes for individuals with a diagnosis of Down syndrome, written a children's book Inclusive Stages, created a podcast "Inclusive Stages: Behind the Curtain," and distributed sensory kits to Kentucky theaters to make them more accessible for those individuals with sensory processing disorders. Ultimately, Inclusive Stages strives to teach people to look for capabilities instead of disabilities and welcome all to not only the theatrical stage but also to the stage that is life! Mallory was awarded the 2023 Kentucky Farm Bureau Quality of Life Award for her work with Inclusive Stages.

In her free time, Mallory enjoys singing, playing guitar, reading, working out, cheering on her Kentucky Wildcats, spending time with her beloved Goldendoodle Bella, watching a good 'whodunit' film with friends, attending her younger sister, McLaine's, sporting events, and traveling with her parents Todd and Caroline. During her year of service, Mallory will serve as the official spokesperson for Kentucky Proud through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Mallory is especially excited about this opportunity due to her grandfather being a proud Kentucky farm owner in Edmonson County. Mallory plans to travel the state encouraging Kentuckians of all ages to support their fellow Kentuckians by purchasing agricultural products and services made, grown, and produced locally.

Mallory hopes to be remembered as a Miss Kentucky who built intentional connections with Kentuckians, advocated for inclusion, led with a servant's heart, and empowered through education.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paxtonkbaker/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paxton-baker
The Congressional Award: https://www.congressionalaward.org/
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Paxton K. Baker is an American businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who has served in the entertainment, music, sports and production industries for over 30 years.

Mr. Baker is a minority owner of the Washington Nationals Baseball club and currently serves as chairman of the Washington Nationals Founding Partners Group.  He is also currently a part of the ownership groups for the Old Glory DC Rugby Football Club and Cape Town Tigers Basketball Club, which competes in the NBA Africa/Basketball Africa League (BAL).  He currently serves as a governing Board Member of the Global Sports Summit, a private and exclusive gathering of global professional sports franchise owners and industry leaders.  Mr. Baker has held ownership interest in both the Washington Kastles World Team Tennis League and Washington Spirit National Women’s Soccer League, with each team becoming reigning champions during his tenure.

In 2018, Baker launched the Washington, D.C., office of Liquid Soul, the agency behind the marketing and promotion of such blockbuster films as Black Panther and Fast & Furious 6. 

For 16 years, Mr. Baker served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of CENTRIC (formerly BETJ), BET’s complementary network targeting the African American and multicultural adult. Baker was also President of BET Event Productions, which produced music festivals, award shows, TV specials and concerts throughout the world.

Affiliated with a number of professional, civic and cultural organizations, Mr. Baker is a member of the board of directors for the United States Senate Preservation Trust, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest private, historically black university.

In 2006, Mr. Baker was appointed by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to serve as a member of The Congressional Award Foundation National Board of Directors, the only official charity of the United States Congress. Shortly thereafter he was elected to serve as Vice Chairman and then Chairman of the Board in 2007 to present.

In 2022, Mr. Baker was elected to join the Board of the Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the charitable arm of the Washington Nationals.  He also serves on the Board of WAMU, Washington DC’s NPR station and is an inaugural Board Member for the Trucking Cares Foundation, a non-profit developed under the American Trucking Associations designed to improve the safety, security and sustainability of America’s highways.

Check out todays eposide with the co-founder of The Friendly Fridge Network, Ryan Frieman. 
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Website: https://www.thefriendlyfridgenetwork.org/
Email: [email protected]
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About The Friendly Fridge Network: We are a non-profit organization that works to combat food insecurity as well as food waste. With the help of Meals on Main, we are able to redirect food that is past the sell-by date to those in need. We have community hubs for refrigerators and freezers for food insecure communities to have food with no questions asked. This system of trust has been very successful for those who want to give back to their community, and those who need help.

About Ryan: Ryan Frieman is a Co-Founder of the Friendly Fridge Network. Throughout her middle and early high school years, she volunteered at various organizations in Westchester County.

As the Director of Team Leadership and Community Outreach, Ryan manages the day to day activities of the team.  She is  charged with overseeing the planning and implementation of community and partner outreach strategies.  

Since her involvement in 2020, Ryan has worked diligently to create a network of volunteers and partnerships.  Most recently she has focused her efforts on expanding the volunteer network, speaking to other students and local businesses and engaging in fun fundraisers.  Additionally, she has worked to launch and grow the Friendly Freezer Network, an emergency meal assistance program and the FFN’s food pantry.

In her free time, Ryan enjoys working out and spending time with her friends and family.  

After a short break we are back and better then ever! Kicking us off today Jahkil Jackson shares everything from to his organization Project I Am, his books, the power pillows, and so much more!
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahkiljackson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialprojectiam/
Website: https://jahkil.com/
Project I Am: https://officialprojectiam.com/
Books:
1. https://www.amazon.com/Am-Mr-Jahkil-Naeem-Jackson/dp/B08JN2QG83
2. https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Wait-Great-philanthropy-entrepreneurship/dp/B09TN1SMXP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4DVIAHXPDQOH&keywords=jahkil+jackson&qid=1684525646&sprefix=jahkil+jackson%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1
Crate and Barrel Power Pillows: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/i-am-embroidered-kids-throw-pillow/s265483?localedetail=US&a=1552&campaignid=16462198968&adgroupid=132462539445&targetid=pla-1881134281437&pla_sku=265483&pcat=HSW&ag=kids&scid=scplp265483&sc_intid=265483&gclid=CjwKCAjwvJyjBhApEiwAWz2nLS5906ErHzhpd8O2BVuGCkGQ_ukOZfcIAIYrlmoCZsh1I3yTXihTIhoCXoQQAvD_BwE 
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Jahkil Jackson is a 2-time best-selling author, youth-philanthropist, social-entrepreneur, student-athlete, influencer and founder of Project I Am, a nonprofit organization he created when he was 8 years old to build awareness to homelessness. Now 15, Jahkil has already earned a reputation for himself as one of the world’s most influential changemakers by President Barack Obama. Jahkil has made it his mission to assist those in need who are residing on the street and in shelters while engaging other youth to become change agents.

Jahkil has set and surpassed many goals. Distributing Blessing Bags to the homeless has been one of his biggest achievements thus far. In just a few years, Jahkil has led Project I Am’s efforts in raising $400,000 for the homeless and has impacted over 100,000 men, women and children globally. Jahkil has recruited over 1,000 youth changemakers to distribute to those in need in Chicago, LA, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and more. Support has also been sent to orphans in Mbabane, Swaziland and Ghana as well as natural disaster victims in Guatemala, the Bahamas, Florida, Houston and Puerto Rico.

Jahkil was tapped to participate in Disney’s Be Inspired Black History Campaign, Lebron James’ #AlwaysBelieve 2018 campaign, Nike’s Until We All Win & You Can’t Stop Our Voice campaigns and is now a Marvel Super Hero, CNN Hero Young Wonder and Tedx Talk speaker. His philanthropy has also led to partnerships with the NBA, Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, Invisalign, Crate & Barrel and The Gap and was named one of BET’s 15 under 15.

Join Shreyaa and Esha Venkat in todays GivingTuesday Project. Check out all that these two amazing volunteering powerhouses have planned for this years GivingTuesday. 
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Website: https://www.nest4us.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinnest/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joinnest4?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nest4us/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nest4us/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT4EFqMx8_ZM_DOki5mE4vQ
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Shreyaa Venkat (20) and Esha Venkat (17) are the founders of NEST4US, a 501(c)3 non-profit formed as a philanthropic platform built upon kindness, generosity, and social good. They address over 14 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and a plethora of societal issues including global hunger, climate change, quality education, poverty, sustainability, equity, and more. As award-winning nonprofit leaders, international speakers, humanitarians, global changemakers, and Gen-Z activists, they engage people of all demographics in nondiscriminatory grassroots movements. Through 5 core programs, their team of 5,000+ volunteers have contributed over 2.1 million dollars in value of volunteer hours and impacted tens of thousands in 30 countries across 6 continents! As avid champions for human rights and community development, they have presented at hundreds of esteemed conferences, panels, and
summits on international platforms and featured on global mediums including the TODAY Show, Forbes, GMA, NewYork Times, Variety, Thrive Global, Lifetime TV, People Magazine, Channel Kindness, Reader’s Digest, NBC News, Daily Mail, WUSA9, Global Heroes Magazine, etc. Their overall vision is to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to create a more compassionate and inclusive world by instilling a passion for service in their communities through acts of kindness.

For today's GivingTuesday Spark leader episode, Sammie Vance joins us and shares what her plans are for this years GivingTuesday.
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Website: https://sammiesbuddybenchproject.com/
Instagram: @sammiesbuddybenchproject
Facebook: Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project
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Samantha “Sammie” Vance is on a mission, to make the world a less lonely place starting with making sure all kids have a friend. She wants to spread kindness wherever she goes.

She has gained worldwide attention through her project where she collected plastic caps and lids and had them recycled into buddy benches for her school and all around the country. It has impacted and inspired many from kids to adults.

Sammie received a Certificate of Excellence from her cities Mayor, been a guest on the Today Show with Kathie Lee, Nightly News with Lester Holt, covered by Martha Stewart Living, USA Today to name a few.  She has over 40 million views on numerous videos done on her, including one of them tweeted about by Reese Witherspoon.  She has partnered with Walgreens and UPS who wanted to help her continue to spread kindness. 

She has won multiple International Awards including and an award named for her. Most recently she won the Diana Award, Gloria Barron Prize for Inspiring Young Heroes and Prudential Spirit of Community Award. She has been in magazine publications such as Bravery and Highlights and even in magazines in the UK and as far as Australia. 

 She wants to write books to inspire others to be kind and make a difference. Her debut book “Inspire the World: A Kid’s Journey to Making a Difference” will be released August 24, 2021, by Clear Fork Publishing.

 Sammie lives in Indiana and is in Middle School. Her favorite subject is math, and she loves pizza, DIY crafts, writing poems, and meeting new people. She loves receiving mail from all over the country and the world. She is a Giving Tuesday Sparks Leader and involved in various groups to support and inspire youth. She has recently co created a group called World Changers geared at young women to encourage them that they can make a difference no matter their age. Sammie does a weekly podcast called Sammie Smiles where she interviews people from all walks of life. It is geared towards leaving her listeners and guests inspired and with a smile.