Power Forward

To change her community, she had to re-build it. Her name is Shemayim Harris, but everyone knows her simply as Mama Shu. In this episode, you’ll find out how a former school administrator became the Founder and CEO of Avalon Village, a sustainable urban oasis in Detroit.

Mama Shu’s vision for transforming an entire city block was born out of tragedy after her son was killed by a hit and run driver at the age of 2. She talks openly about her healing process and how she was able to forgive the man who killed her son.

You’ll also hear Mama Shu’s advice for others who are looking to make a difference in their communities, including how to build a team that can help you reach your goals.

Chris Lampen-Crowell didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. He just knew he loved running and building relationships. In this episode, you’ll find out how Chris built Gazelle Sports for the long run by focusing on community, culture, and customers.

Still an avid runner, Chris talks about the benefits of exercise and how it can help you become more complete both personally and professionally. 

After 35 years in business, Gazelle Sports has had to endure its biggest hurdle during the pandemic. You’ll hear about the tough decisions that the company had to make and how they plan to keep moving.

When Jake Kelfer decided to go into business on his own, he asked himself 2 questions: What do I know and how can I help people? In this episode, you’ll find out how Jake became an author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker – all before the age of 30. 

Jake’s path actually started with an elevator ride. You’ll hear the story of how an interaction with a sports icon helped him figure what he wanted to do with his life.

You’ll also find out Jake’s tips for elevating your business, including how to make yourself valuable by doing things that others aren’t willing to do. 

Everyone told him he’d be dead or in jail by 21. He didn’t learn how to read until he was an adult. Yet Khali Sweeney found a way to not only turn his life around, but also do the same for hundreds of kids. In this episode, you’ll find out how Khali became the Founder and CEO of the Downtown Boxing Gym, a free after-school academic and athletic program in Detroit.

Impacting his community was and remains Khali’s singular focus. You’ll find out the mindset it takes to turn a goal into a mission.  

Khali has received national praise for his work and was honored as a CNN Hero in 2017. He’ll explain his vision for building a team, which starts with one simple question: what brought you here today?

Adam Rosh always knew he didn’t have to invent something to become a successful entrepreneur. He just needed to find a better way to deliver. In this episode, you’ll find out how Rosh went from an emergency room physician to opening his own education and technology company.

Adam set up his business so that if he failed, he would fail high. He’ll explain what it takes to point your compass in a direction that’s away from your comfort zone. 

Everything Adam’s company does is filtered through three core values. You’ll learn how that type of culture has created loyalty amongst employees and customers alike. 

Tedx events have always been known for sharing ideas and inspiring innovation. Little did event producers Terry Bean and Charlie Wollborg know they would have to embrace that very spirit to make Tedx Detroit 2020 happen.

In this episode, you’ll find out how Terry and Charlie took Tedx Detroit completely virtual and why that has created opportunities which they’ve never had before. You’ll also get a preview of what Tedx Detroit has in store, including how the event will feel like a return to its roots. 

How can we close the gap between where we are and where we want to be? In this episode, you’ll get the answer to that question from Executive Coach, Bill Hart.

Bill has been building champions for the last 17 years, from those in the C-Suite to small business owners. He’ll explain his fundamentals for success, including having the discipline to say no to the good so you can say yes to the great. 

As a 3-time cancer survivor, Bill has figured out how to live life on his terms. You’ll learn how to get the most out of every day by identifying what moves the needle for you.

At 6 foot 11, Paul Davis was hard to miss on the basketball court. But outside an arena of screaming fans, Davis had to find a new way to make his presence known. In this episode, you’ll find out how he went from putting up numbers on the court to crunching numbers in the financial world.

It’s one thing to get your foot in the door with a potential client. It’s another for them to let you stay. Davis will explain how the lessons he learned in basketball help him sell relationships over a service.

You’ll also hear Davis talk about the many injuries he had to overcome during his playing days and how those experiences shaped his perspective on transitioning to the business world.

She lived her dream for more than 20 years as a television news reporter. Then she decided it was time apply her skills in a different way. In this episode, you’ll find out how Robin Schwartz wrote a new chapter by opening her own public relations firm.

Getting her business off the ground was one thing. Keeping up with growth was another. Robin will explain how she built a team that plays to its strengths.  

Like many other businesses, Robin’s company was drastically impacted by COVID-19. You’ll find out how her old TV skills helped her pivot quickly and keep filling her clients’ needs. 

As human beings, we are programmed to compare ourselves to others. However, the biggest opponent we face every day is actually the person we see in the mirror. In this episode, Keynote Speaker Jake Thompson explains how to reach your full potential by competing against yourself.

Jake started his company, Compete Every Day, by selling t-shirts out of the trunk of his car. You’ll find out how to achieve your goals by focusing on outcomes while praising the process.

Plus, Jake discusses how true leadership means caring about and investing in the people on your team and why that matters even if they decide to leave.