Overcomers Overcoming

Dr. Frank L Douglas grew up in British Guiana with his mother and four siblings. Despite being exiled from his home country and experiencing discrimination, his critical thinking and problem-solving skills have earned him international acclaim. His love of education earned him a Fulbright Scholarship, and he came to America during the turbulent 1960s. He worked at Ciba Giegy and Aventis and was involved in the pharmaceutical industry, where he spearheaded the research and development of drugs that treat tuberculosis, arthritis, diabetes, seizures, cancer, and pulmonary embolism, among others. He received the Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development Director of the Year Award in 2001 and 2004; the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers in 2002; the Black History Maker Award in 2007; the Geoffrey Beene Foundation and GQ Rockstar of Science, and the Odyssey Award from the Center of Medicine in the Public Interest in 2010; and the Caribbean Heritage Award for Entrepreneurship in 2011. He authored the book, "Defining Moments Of A Free Man From a Black Stream," to honor those who have helped him along his journey. He shares insights from his latest book, "Addressing Systemic Discrimination By Reframing the Problem." In this thought-provoking book, Dr. Douglas introduces three concepts crucial to addressing systemic discrimination - Focus on the Individual, Equity, Inclusion, and Individual Engagement (EIIE), and Safe Haven Dialogues (SHD) Reframing Process. Dr. Douglas also highlights the importance of Equity and Inclusion in creating a psychologically safe environment within organizations and presents the Equity-Inclusion Culture Matrix as a tool to assess these cultures. The book's second section features real-life case studies of individuals from diverse professions who have experienced systemic discrimination. Dr. Douglas uses the SHD Reframing Process to objectively determine the aspects of systemic discrimination depicted in these cases. The VIP panel, comprising Victors over Injustice in their Professions, reviews issues of Equity and Inclusion and seeks to find a Better Problem to Solve by Reframing the Problem. You can learn more about and follow Dr. Douglas at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-frank-l-douglas/ and https://www.facebook.com/BooksbyDr.FrankDouglas/.

Business owners hire Julie Delucca-Collins to build and grow a successful business and life using simple habits, a strong mindset, and increased confidence to achieve their goals. When she started her business, she knew the satisfaction of everything her business would bring to her - freedom, Impact, Flexibility, and Income. Having dealt with and overcome some shortcomings early in her life, Julie became passionate about working with other business owners. Julie knows growing a business can be confusing, tiring, overwhelming, and frustrating. Julie authored the book "Confident You: Simple Habits to Live the Life You Have Imagined" available through Amazon. You can learn more about Julie and her Go Confidently coaching business at https://www.goconfidentlycoaching.com/. Catch the Casa-DeConfidence Podcast to be inspired and entertained.

Ron and Marty discuss the life-affirming value and practice of "I am" statements. Self-affirming statements have a therapeutic value of talking positively to and about yourself. Many times, we become what we think of ourselves. Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or cannot – you are right." Too often, we can think ourselves into depressive moods. As frequently, we can talk ourselves out of a slump to become positive by talking and thinking positively. When verbalized in a positive context, self-talk can add value to our countenance while inspiring us to interact positively with others.

Dallin Candland knows there is not enough compassion in this world. People are suffering everywhere, and many don't feel their story and struggle is worth hearing. Receiving compassion from others in his life struggles changed his life. Having someone listen to you in dark moments can help you feel new light and perspective. Through his life experiences, Dallin wants to be a light source to advance others through whatever darkness they are experiencing. Dallin knows compassion is a skill anyone can develop. Developing compassion/empathy will change your life and conversations - even if you are newly meeting the person. Dallin shares his life experiences and journey through his YIELD (Yes, I, Envision, Love, Demonstrated) Today podcast. Dallin hopes to build others up to help them know their voices are heard.

Amanda Blackwood survived human trafficking and child abuse. Through her life experiences, she is a public speaker, published author, and trauma recovery mentor for those seeking ways to combat PTSD and trauma responses. Amanda's mission is to be a catalyst to work with as many people as possible to lead them to live a fulfilled life through Christ. She's a woman who transformed her trauma into resilience and strength. Now, Amanda uses her knowledge of growth and healing to inspire trauma survivors everywhere so that they can become anything. On a cold day in 2018, she saw formerly trafficked people standing firm and showing their beautiful resiliency on a stage at an anti-trafficking event. At that moment, she finally knew her life's purpose. Since then, Amanda has spoken on many stages, international summits, and radio programs and had over a dozen books. She launched two podcasts - one that focuses on interviewing other authors of trauma and the other that discusses the long-term consequences of trauma and how to fight back for a better life. You can learn more about Amanda and her books at https://www.facebook.com/profile/100063483876426/search/?q=Amanda%20Blackwod.

What can keep a relationship together even when people are very different? Character and values are defining attributes of each person. Our personality defines who we are or how we are "wired." Our personality will largely explain how we express our values and character. Those values and character traits will largely determine how we respond to life encounters. In the context of a lasting relationship, we need to determine our values and those attributes we value most. We must learn our strengths and vulnerabilities as we learn who we are and what defines us. Ron and Marty will have been married 55 years on 7 September 2023. We can help you with DISC assessments while offering to speak with your group(s). Contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also contact Ron for a speaking engagement at https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/45012/simple.

Sammy Joe Ferrens has a life story of gratitude. His mother had polio and lived her life in a wheelchair. Throughout her life, she taught Sammy strength, happiness, endurance, and love. Her gift to Sammy as she passed away was one of gratitude. Sammy's purpose is to help others live a life of gratitude and obtain their greatness. By expressing gratitude, some people have reversed thoughts of suicide and depression to having a life of meaning and purpose. The inspiration for writing his book Broken Gratitude scheduled for Summer 2023 publication, came from his Tik Tok followers. You can learn more about Sammy Joe Ferrens at https://www.discovermentaledge.com.

Michaela Cox was born blind, widowed early by the love of her life in her second marriage, and is now a single mother and author. She is a multi- published author and speaker. She writes on various passionate topics and often takes from her life experience and journey. She is the author of five series, including 'Take a Sip, Take a Breath and Go...' series on motherhood, "Before the Clock Strikes Midnight" series on parenting and leaving a legacy for our babies, "Scripture, Spirituality and Our Culture" on our faith, beliefs, scripture and our culture, "We the People - Defining and Exploring Who we the People Are" as a people, society, and a nation, and the series 'Now I See'. Her other publications include "Living the Beach Life and Heartfelt Meditations." She has a passion for sharing her story and message of 38DDD: A journey of going from much tribulation to thriving in everything to help inspire and empower people on their own journey. In addition to being an author and speaker, Michaela is a mother to her two children.

The U.S. Army investigated LTC Jason G. Pike, arrested him, and tried to break him. He is A Soldier Against All Odds. Diagnosed at age seven with an acute learning disability and failing first grade that year, Jason was sent back to repeat it. At age nine, he was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a crippling bone disease dissolving the bone of his knee that added to his academic challenges and a significant physical disadvantage. With more than three decades of national guard and active service, after starting his military career at seventeen and retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel, he was told that none of it would be possible. For that advice, there were indeed excellent grounds. His story, therefore, is one of survival, perseverance, and a refusal to quit, no matter what, a characteristic gifted to him by his father. His book, "A Soldier Against All Odds," is on Amazon.