Recently, during the 'State of Black Fathers in Fulton County' Forum, two of the leading voices on fatherhood, Fathers Incorporated and the Moynihan Institute for Fatherhood Research and Policy, released their latest report: "The Dynamics of Atlanta Black Dads: Unpacking the Myths and Realities of Non-Resident Fatherhood in Fulton County, Georgia". On Perspectives we go one-on-one with the founder and CEO of both organizations, Kenneth Braswell on this one-of-a-kind research report. Braswell's hope is that the findings will have far reaching implications and impact across the nation as the new cornerstone in understanding and addressing the unique challenges and triumphs of Black fathers.

Anxious students at the University of Georgia returned to class Feb 26 following the murder of Augusta University nursing student Laken Hope Riley. Authorities found Riley dead after a run near a lake on campus. Barb Jordan is my guest on Perspectives. She is the founder of an organization called Always BEV or Always Be Vigilant. Jordan is an educator and public speaker who lost her sister to homicide. She teaches women to use situational awareness to protect themselves from predators. She points out warning signs and red flags. She is a frequent guest on college campuses with useful tips and habits women can use to minimize danger to themselves.

All of us know that language matters, that some words paint a picture of an old way of looking at social issues. So, because the words we use have the power to influence how we view others, PETA’s humane education division, TeachKind, has created a new language guide—Words Matter—that’s packed with lessons, lists of animal-friendly idioms, and everything else educators need to help children learn to use language that’s kind and respectful to animals. Educator All of us know that language matters, that some words paint a picture of an old way of looking at social issues. So, because the words we use have the power to influence how we view others, PETA’s humane education division, TeachKind, has created a new language guide—Words Matter—that’s packed with lessons, lists of animal-friendly idioms, and everything else educators need to help children learn to use language that’s kind and respectful to animals.

As Words Matter explains, old expressions like “more than one way to skin a cat” normalize violence toward animals—but fun expressions like “more than one way to peel a potato,” or even just calling an animal “he,” “she,” or “they” versus “it,” are easy ways to instill the idea that animals are living beings deserving of consideration, not inanimate objects. This benefits everyone: Teaching children from a young age to use inclusive language helps them feel empathy for everyone, including their peers, and helps them grow into kind adults.

Lisbet Chiriboga joins us to explain, old expressions like “more than one way to skin a cat” normalize violence toward animals—but fun expressions like “more than one way to peel a potato,” or even just calling an animal “he,” “she,” or “they” versus “it,” are easy ways to instill the idea that animals are living beings deserving of consideration, not inanimate objects. This benefits everyone: Teaching children from a young age to use inclusive language helps them feel empathy for everyone, including their peers, and helps them grow into kind adults.

The Black Health Matters Summit and Expo returns to Atlanta March 2. Rosalyn Young Daniels joins Perspectives to discuss how the event delivers vital health education through impactful and enlightening interactive events where attendees can engage directly with leading health and wellness experts and advocates. The event will be held at The Loudermilk Conference Center, 40 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM EST. The event is FREE, open to the community, and as a hybrid event, attendees can enjoy the offerings either in-person or virtually. Attendees will be treated to stimulating and informative panel discussions and presentations, energizing fitness sessions, and free health screenings and immunizations. Complimentary breakfast and lunch and parking will be offered, and FREE giveaways and prizes will be distributed throughout the day. To register go to www.bhm2024wintersummit.com.

The Smyrna community is celebrating Black History Month with a Celebration Dinner with Dr. Daniel Black, author of the novel, Don’t Cry for Me. The dinner will be held Friday, February 23, at 5:30 p.m. at Smyrna Community Center. Dr. Daniel Black is an award-winning novelist, professor, activist, mentor and public speaker. His published works include They Tell Me of Home, The Sacred Place, Perfect Peace, Twelve Gates to the City, The Coming, Listen to the Lambs, Don’t Cry for Me, and Black on Black. His novel, The Coming, was published to broad critical acclaim in 2015 and is a first-hand account of the trauma and triumph of Africans aboard a slave ship in the 16th century.

Dr. Black has a Ph.D. in African American Studies and has spent the majority of his 30 academic years as a professor of African American Studies at his beloved alma mater, Clark Atlanta University. The Black History Month Celebration Dinner includes dinner, a presentation by Dr. Black, and book signing. Book sales will be available on site, courtesy of Bookmiser. Dinner is catered by Chef Mark Brown and will feature contemporary Southern cuisine.

On this Super Bowl Sunday, we sit down with three-time Super Bowl-winning executive and strategist Michael Lombardi. In his book Football Done Right, he's setting the record straight on the coaches, players and history of the NFL. He that takes readers on the ultimate journey through the NFL's history where he presents his calls on the greatest players and coaches the sport has ever seen. Lombardi has done it all—from scout to executive to coach—and with this book, he tackles all aspects of the sport, channeling his 35+ years of experience with the NFL into an all-encompassing celebration of the game. From “Monday Night Football” to Super Bowl Sunday, the NFL is a dominating force in the lives of millions of fans who tune in and passionately cheer for their favorite teams. And when the games are over, the conversation is just getting started. Through his incisive analysis, first-person experience, and hard stats, Lombardi makes a definitive case for the most influential coaches and best players, while also honoring the many change makers, trade negotiators, and sportscasters who played an essential role in popularizing the game that we recognize today.

Jennifer Hernandez is far from an overnight success. In her memoir, No One Can Stop Me But Me, she shares her journey from trauma to recovery. She challenges others facing hardships to allow themselves to say, "I deserve more." Her story demonstrates how anyone courageous enough to help themselves can change their narrative and impact not only their own lives positively, but also the lives of others. Hernandez is an award-winning entrepreneur and single mother of four with 18 years in the mortgage industry. Her passion today is helping others like her find their way into their first homes. She ranks in the top one-percent of loan officers nationwide, is a top woman originator and holds the #1 position for FHA lending in her home state of Illinois.

Mental health issues can affect anyone. One in 5 American adults experienced a mental health condition in a given year. One in 6 young people have experienced depression. It's okay not to be okay and it is as important to ask for help. Often, people in crisis or in need of help seek to connect with a professional with whom they can relate. Frederick Walker is one such person. He is founder of Walker Family Services, an Atlanta-based mental health treatment center. What makes Frederick additionally skilled at his craft, he too has battled mental health challenges. His center has been open and active for a decade now and growing. Walker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP). That is, he has mastered the principles of psychiatric rehabilitation and understand how to implement them in practice.

Alan Stein says, "you own your career. I'll help you to accelerate it." Stein is the man behind Kadima Careers an organization dedicated to helping ambitious professionals get more interviews, better jobs and better income. He established Kadima Careers to address the inefficiencies, biases, and illogical hiring process that hinders great candidates from achieving great careers. Kadima helps people land great jobs faster with more pay at the world's best companies. Alan has been a global leader and hiring manager at Google, Meta, Salesforce, American Express, and Tableau among others. We also spend time with The College Board's Dr. Brandi Waters talking about the new AP African American Studies course. It is a college-level interdisciplinary introductory course that covers the history and experiences of African Americans in the United States within the broader context of the African diaspora. Students will explore diverse topics such as early African societies and the roots of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the Great Migration and the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black is Beautiful movement of the 1970s. This revised framework will be used when the course is formally launched in the 2024-25 academic year.

In this stirring tribute to Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, Jr., their granddaughter, Yolanda — a national civil rights figure in her own right — is ready to lead in this powerful picture book text! With inspiration from Langston Hughes and deep love for her grandparents, Yolanda King shows the world that young people are strong enough to carry on their elders' legacy while creating a new path for themselves. Her words are meaningful and universal, painting an expressive tableau of the issues facing young people today — racial equality, bullying, gun violence, climate change, disease, community, empowerment, inclusion, and more. Yolanda's words will comfort and inspire the next generation of dreamers.