Vivian Owens is an Author and Historian in the Mount Dora Community, she is the Author of Mount Dorians: African American History. In the interview she shares who was the first AA to settle in the Mount Dora community and the education and historic sites. 

Sgt. Major Malvin Williams is the Interim Director of Soldiers to Scholars, a program created by Dr. Alzo Reddick provides Veterans with educational opportunities; Veterans work with the students as mentors, help with tutors and walk children to and from school in a high traffic area.

Local Visual Artist Joyce Hayes shares intriguing details as to what inspired her career and where you can find her earlier painting; Joy is a community artist and has her work in several local galleries, Bronze Kingdom, Park Ave Gallery in Sanford and has is a returning artist to the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk and Urban Art Festival.

Chafon Gray enthusiasm as an esthetician, young entrepreneur is contagious and a remedy for success. Chafon talks about sugaring and why it is good for the skin and the full benefits to men and women.

As Central Florida continues to change the desire to connect with our local communities and the leaders who carry the history, and create dynamic and engaging programming to move the community along---Our Seat Our Table Leadership Lounge is committed to finding authentic community builders to share their first hand knowledge. Representative, Founder/Historian Geraldine Thompson shares the history of Dr. William Monroe Wells and what fueled her passion to initiate a repository for Orlando’s black pioneers, Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture

511 W South St, Orlando FL 32805 

www.pastinc.org

www.ourseatourtable.com

Community Builder and Founder Daniel Ings of Boys to Men Mentoring is an exceptional grassroots organization working to provide life skills and hand on experience to young men ages 10-18 in Orange and Seminole County. You will hear Daniel’s enthusiasm as he speaks about the difference his program is making in the lives of the young men and their families.

 www.B2morlando.org

 www.ourseatourtable.com

 Choreographer Maxine Montilus speaks about her experience with the Opera Orlando and being the choreographer of their performance of Carmen. Maxine speaks about her background, and her amazing journey to becoming a choreographer- brought to you by  Browne Box Creative Solutions, 

Andrew Browne.

www.browneboxcreative.com

Tax Specialist Darlene Robinson is known as the “Tax Diva”! Darlene shares successful business tips for start professionals-brought to you by Eatonville Chamber of Commerce, LaVonda Wilder.

[email protected]

www.eatonvillechamberofcommerce.org

Host Barbara Chandler, Co-Hosts LaVonda Wilder and Andrew Browne discuss their emotions around the repeat of African American communities being re-traumatized as The Trail of Derek Chauvin opened this week; the discussion includes Florida’s “anti riot bill”, as another form of Jim Crow  which is meant to intimidate Black people from protesting after seeing police officers kill family members and close friends--at the same time while seeking Justice for George Floyd. Listeners will hear heartfelt stories from the Hosts as they navigate the necessary conversations.

Depending on who you are speaking with, you may hear negative stories about the community of Pine Hills, Florida located in West Orlando. Community Historian Bertina Bush sets the narrative straight as she shares the history of what was once a majority white neighborhood to now one of the largest, ethnically diversified communities in Central Florida.  Sandra Fatmi-Hall, Founder of United Foundation of Central Florida talks about her commitment to Pine Hills community; through effective partnerships during the pandemic she has been able  to combat food insecurities for thousands of Families and how implementing a tutoring program in Evans High School has help to raise the academic profile of the school. Local Haitain Artist, Patrick Noze joins us and speaks candidly about his journey to overcoming stereo-types to becoming a well recognized and prolific artist. Glenn Providence is the consummate businessman throughout Central Florida, Executive Director for Hebni Nutrution, Chief Officer of Smile Ice Cream, and the Editor for the Midtown Press--a community newspaper which showcases Pine Hills small business, and shares homegrown stories of residents and the difference they make in the sustaining the pride in Pine Hills community!

Celebrating our 10th episode with a jingle and Women from our local and surrounding communities share personal experiences about their work, travels and what keeps them motivated. The panel of women range in demographics, occupation, age, experience and education. Each woman’s point of view different, when asked to define “leadership”;  

Michelle Smith: Federal Government and World Class Traveler

Mila Belle: Local Visual Artist

Nikki Holmes: Singer/Songwriter

Holly Tanyhill: Community Builder

Pamela Bussey: Attorney/ Mediator, World Class Traveler

Chelsea Baker: UCF Graduate, Grassroots Organizer

Felicia Shelton: Educator

Amy Lalane: Founder of Bridge The Gap Coalition

Our Seat Our Table: Leading The Vision!  Host Barbara Chandler reaches out to New Smyrna Community Historian Ann Harrell, Ann is a board member with the "Mary Harrell Black Heritage Museum". Ann Harrell shares the vision of why Mary Harrell saw the need to create a museum dedicated to the African American history of New Symrna Beach. www.Blackheritagemuseum.org

Community Leader, Vivian Geary Founder of "Caring For Family Caregivers" saw the need to create a support system for family caregivers. Vivian shares her passion, and resources she found along her personal journey with community members who find themselves in the same space, of caring for parents or loved ones. http://familycaregiversnow.com/

Enjoy the Artists Spotlight with Andrew Browne of Browne Box Solutions and New Symrna Beach Artist Shyraika "Shy" Morris of Peace Arts. Shy Morris is the creator of several murals, and a maintains community garden which she also uses to connect students to history and art.  

LaVonda Wilder, Founder of Eatonville Chamber of Commerce interviews local videographer Oluwaseyi "OT" Thomas, owner of OT Persceptives. OT talks about his journey to becoming a business owner, OT shares how he transistioned from being infront of the camera to now being behind the camera--and how it helps small businesses and nonprofits in tell their story. 

otpersceptives.com       

Pull Up for "Chat with The Historian'' with Host Barbara Chandler and DeLand Community Historian, Mike Brown.  Mike will share the African American history of DeLand and what visitors will experience while touring the African American Museum of the Arts. https://www.africanmuseumdeland.org/  

Our Community Spotlight features Dr. Felicia Benzo, Founder of the Catalyst Global Youth Initiatives, Inc., Volusia County Black History Honoree 2021. Dr. Benzo joins us and discusses why she started Catalyst mentoring and shares  success stories that the organization is having while fostering positive and healthy interactions within the community! https://mentoringforgreatness.org/

Dr. Vicki Van Hurley is in the seat, as the Artist Spotlight with Andrew Browne of Browne Box Creative Solutions! Vicki Van Hurley is an artist, Branding Coach, and Adjunct Professor; you will hear her personal story of how she became known as the The Design Doc! https://www.thedesigndoc1.com/

This week LaVonda Wilder, Founder of Eatonville Chamber of Commerce, Business Spotlight features a match up between John and Albert Richards of  Posh Rock Tennis Foundation! The Richards are committed to working with inner city youths and teaching the fundamentals of playing tennis which promotes a healthy and positive self-esteem in children. http://poshrockfoundation.org/

We continue to build community through, local leaders creating effective initiatives and direct programming with positive impact into communities. We continue to educate our listeners about historic African American communities and their  roles and contributions in vibrant cities;  This week we will speak to Community Historian Walter Gilbert from Newtown Sarasota FL; Kristen Fulwilye Thomas with Equal Ground shares information on "Take The Lead" an interactive training for African American community members who would like to go into politics  and why this is important in our local communities. Meka King, Lead Organizer of CFEA-Central Florida Entertainment Advocacy will join us and share why it was important to create an organization which advocates for African Americans in theatre and other forms of entertainment. Small Business Spotlight with LaVonda Wilder and Local Farmer Ray Warthen, Founder of Infinite Zion Farms shares his passion for building a healthy community through community farming and gardening. Wellness check in with RoseMary Johnson, Certified Yoga Instructor will give us some healthy tips as we go into March madness!

Co-Hosts Andrew Browne and LaVonda Wilder take the seat as they each share personal stories, and of Family, Community and Career--inspirational moments and challenges which have helped to shape many of their decisions and choices to serve the local community through creative grassroots programming and civic engagement. This show was a way to connect our hosts to the listeners.