May 30 marks Memorial Day in the us; an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Much of what we know about key historical events are learned through documentaries, school, and history books - but most vividly, is the first-hand accounts retold from our grandparents and ancestors who were alive during these periods. However, research from America’s leading biography-writing service, Story Terrace, found over half of the respondents (56%) say that much of their family history is lost because they no longer can speak with the person who knows the most about it.

During May, we acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our neighbors of Asian American and pacific islander descent. Or simply AAPI month. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in Georgia and in the United States. Yet their history is rarely taught in Georgia classrooms.

The group – Asian American voices for education – created and launched a heritage month kit designed for not only educators, but also parents to celebrate and teach Asian American history in Georgia classrooms. Joining us to discuss their work is Weonhee (pronounced one-he) Ann Shin, executive director of Asian American Voices for Education.

WE SEE EACH OTHER is a personal history of trans visibility since the beginning of moving images by Tre’vell Anderson. A literary reckoning, it unearths a transcestry that’s long existed in plain sight and in the shadows of history, and further contextualizes this present moment of increased representation. Though there have been trans memoirs and histories, there has never been a book quite like this, nor a conversation like this on Perspectives. Tre'vell says, "I don’t remember exactly when I was taught to hate myself." As the narrative unfolds, Tre’vell knits together the history of trans people on screen with stories of their life growing up and their formative experiences as a Black, trans journalist.

The schoolyear is about to end and many students will still be reading below their grade level. Blame this learning gap on the COVID-19 pandemic. One woman, however, is working to make reading easier and more enjoyable for children. Author and child advocate Sherrika Myers is back with the third in her series of Lil' Herbie books. This one is Lil' Herbie's New Friend. Herbie is a little boy learning to adapt to change. He battles stuttering and is growing stronger in each new story.

Author Leah Johnson always wanted to be a superhero. When she discovered writing is her superpower, she became a writer which she says is the next best thing to being a superhero. Her debut novel, You Should See Me in a Crown was a best seller and won many honors including selection as one of Time's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Johnson is back with a novel for middle school students, Ellie Engle Saves Herself. This book tells a story about friendship, change and the power we have to love ourselves. Leah says she tells stories about Black girls with big hearts.

In Georgia, hundreds of young people age out of the foster care system every year. Many of these kids have experienced varying degrees of abuse and neglect without the proper health care to help them to work through their trauma. This contributes to many former foster care children's disadvantages when entering adulthood and the workforce. Young adults who grew up in the system are less likely to find satisfactory permanent employment and often become homeless. Amerigroup Georgia and the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC) have partnered to provide young adults who have experienced foster care with critical workforce training and employment opportunities. One such program is led by Monty Green and his IT Apprenticeship program at Elevance Health (formerly Anthem). This is a national, Labor Department IT registered program targeting foster and other underserved youth. Joining Green on the show is Bhavini Solanki, Director Amerigroup.

Within fiction lies the seeds of powerful transformation and inspiration. Some of the most inspirational guidebooks are parable, including Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese and Dr. Seuss' Oh, The Places You'll Go. Both have inspired business visionaries, entrepreneurs and graduates for decades. Joining this thoughtful collective is Ed Hajim's The Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable About Preparing for Your Future. Ed believes that the roadmap to success is not found by using GPS or a search engine. At the heart of the parable are the four Ps which have guided Ed over his career, passion, principle, partners and plans. He's our guest for the half hour.

There is a saying, that when you know better, you do better. As a lifelong learner, I’m delighted to welcome to perspectives Cat McAfee and Charaun Cash. McAfee is executive director of LA Amistad and Cash is executive director of VOX Atlanta. They along with Habitat for Humanity’s Joshua Rogers are participating in the American Express Leadership Academy. This six-month program seeks to equip leaders with new skills to respond to the rapidly changing needs of their communities.

Fans of the television show Power on STARZ know Councilmember Rashad Tate played by acclaimed actor Larenz Tate. What fans may not know is that Tate is the youngest of three brothers and where one goes, they all go. Lahmard is a comedian/actor and Larron runs the family business and foundation. They join me to talk about being brothers, making their grandmother proud and the importance of giving of their time, talent and treasure to their communities in both Los Angeles and hometown of Chicago.

The Knowledge House wants you to join them for their first in person recruitment event since COVID. The event is Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Atlanta Tech Village, 3423 Piedmont Road, NE Atlanta, 30305. Founded in New York in 2014, The Knowledge House exists to close the gaps in education to employment pipeline by leading digital skills training for underserved communities. Graduation from one of their programs often yields an internship and employment with salaries in the $60-$80,000 range. We are talking with the organization's co-founder and CEO, Jerelyn Rodriguez who will be in Atlanta Saturday about the ideal candidates for their student and adult programs.