Smart Chronicles

Dr. Kennesha Bracely is the Founder Live Long Enterprises, Inc where she encourages others to Live Long by UNlimiting themselves. Live Long Enterprise’s core purpose is to inspire people to become resilient and live the life they desire after experiencing losses, disappointments, and traumatic life events through transformative travel, authentic personal and spiritual growth, art-based interventions,and physical and mental fitness.

Dr. Bracely is no stranger to loss and disappointments. She has overcome a lot in life, but the loss of her 19 yr old son, and the aftermath changed her life forever. She was inspired by her son to launch the the Live Long Enterprises lifestyle brand to encourage others by presenting various ways for individuals to "Live Long" through the most challenging aspects of this journey called life using various forms of art, spiritual, mental, and physical fitness, and travel. She has used both her personal and professional experiences to coach others towards resilience after life has presented some unexpected experiences. Dr. Bracely has worked with other mothers and fathers who have lost children, individuals with disabilities, and created and facilitated groups and trainings such as UNlimit Yourself Health and Wellness Transformation Coaching, Art with Angels Support Group, and Live Long Passports & Suitcases.

Dr. Kennesha Bracely holds the following professional certifications: Integrative Health and Wellness Coach, Group Fitness, and Kangoo Jumps Fitness. She has an earned Ed.D in Educational Leadership specializing in Higher Education, MA in Organizational Management, and a BA in Business Administration. She also holds teacher education certifications in the fields of Educational Leadership, Special Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, a proud mother, and passionate coach and educator.

In this episode, we revisit two previous guests to the podcast. This is the second part of a 5-part series dedicated to finding best practices concerning podcasting. Podcasting has existed for quite some time, but there are still tons to learn and benefit from these monthly conversations.

See below for the bios for both participants

Taryn “LoveReigns” Wharwood: Taryn “LoveReigns” Wharwood is a poet, writer, author, emcee, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. She is a native of Miami, is the Co-Founder of the Cypher Open Mic Poetry & Soul, the longest running open mic in Jacksonville history & 2nd in the State of Florida; Founder of Artis(Tree)Live & The Closet Jax. LoveReigns’ passion for people and words has afforded her opportunities to perform and advocate on the hills of Washington, DC, Canada and educational institutions from K12 - University levels across the country.

She has touched stages across the country and is showing no signs of slowing down. She has shared stages with Christina Milian, Deborah Cox, Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart, Knight Krawla, The Reformed Butterfly, The IGive, Monsta, Monica Monet, Kia Nicole and so many more. With her first spoken word cd, "The Evolution of a Poet" under her belt, she is currently working on a Chap Book and "Semi-biography" entitled "When the Reign Comes". She is also working on her sophomore album "Love's Paradox".

Mr. Al Pete: Mr. Al Pete began MCing in 2005 and released his first album in February Since then, he’s released 6 studio albums, 3 mixtapes, 2 collaborative albums, and has featured on numerous independent artists in Jacksonville, Florida and the North and South East regions of The United States.

Mr. Al Pete added the ‘DJ’ title while developing his emcee stance. He has played major roles in successful and historical events around Jacksonville, Florida, including The Glossary events, Rewind Old School events, the annual summer Fly Socks and Tees event, and has DJed many engagements that have kept him rising and being a sought out DJ. Mr. Al Pete added also the ‘actor’ title as well. He has been in numerous independent movies and plays, including the indie film ‘Treacherous’, which was in rotation at film festivals nationally, which his song ‘Something More’ being the movie’s soundtrack.

To expand and solidify his brand standings, Mr. Al Pete made efforts to establish his new venture: Mister Peterson’s Neighborhood, in March of 2013. With instant success of the themed ‘warehouse’ parties and creating a sub brand, The Groove Suite, which was created in 2014, the levels were raised. While hosting multiple events, The Groove Suite Podcast was formed in early 2016. The podcast was created to showcase the Neo Soul/ Progressive and other related genres of music of various U.S. and international independent artists. In August of 2016, Pete began working with the internet radio station The Sound of Duval by hosting his online radio mix show ‘Cubicle Music Mondays.’

While keeping up the daily jobs of a musical entrepreneur, he pursued expanding the brand to a network. In January of 2020, Pete created the Mister Peterson’s Neighborhood website and The Neighborhood Podcast Network, which hosts a range of podcasts from Jacksonville, Florida.

Taryn “LoveReigns” Wharwood is a poet, writer, author, emcee, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and in the words of Ebony Payne-English, a curator or dopeness. LoveReigns is truly in a lane of her own and isn’t afraid to create another one if she has to.

Taryn "LoveReigns" Wharwood, a native of Miami, is the Co-Founder of the Cypher Open Mic Poetry & Soul, the longest running open mic in Jacksonville history & 2nd in the State of Florida; Founder of Artis(Tree)Live & The Closet Jax. LoveReigns’ passion for people and words has afforded her opportunities to perform and advocate on the hills of Washington, DC, Canada and educational institutions from K12 - University levels across the country.

Wharwood has literally been poetry's baby since the beginning. Her love of poetry began with her mother and continued throughout her years in private school. "In Kindergarten, the directors of my school would make us recite a poem everyday before we could enter into the building, the rest is history" She is used to being on stage and has definitely found a home within poetry professionally.

She has touched stages across the country and is showing no signs of slowing down. She has shared stages with Christina Milian, Deborah Cox, Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart, Knight Krawla, The Reformed Butterfly, The IGive, Monsta, Monica Monet, Kia Nicole and so many more. With her first spoken word cd, "The Evolution of a Poet" under her belt, she is currently working on a Chap Book and "Semi-bioraphy" entitled "When the Reign Comes". She is also working on her sophomore album "Love's Paradox".

Deborah Reid is an accomplished artist and an AV rated attorney with over 36 years’ experience. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and providing support to other creatives. She is a seasoned federal practitioner and is admitted to the bars of Florida, California, New York, and New Jersey. Deborah is the author and presenter of Law: Artfully Explained Seminars which include Copyright or Wrong? That’s (not) Fair, Contracts for Creatives and Art Speaks!.  The seminars translate legal concepts into images and educate artists on areas of the law that impact their careers.

Lastly, if you have time and want to read more about Deborah, please go to the following link:

https://deliaquigley.com/2020/09/20/interview-deborah-reid/

It is a good interview that shines light on the artistic side of Reid.  Great interview questions. Enjoy!

Bilaal Muhammad is an award-winning poet, writer, and spoken word artist who now lives in Savannah, Georgia after more than a decade in southeast Georgia. He has read his work in major US cities, several high schools, and colleges. His poetry has been recognized by the International Library of Poetry, he received the Editor’s Choice award in 2003, 2004, and 2005 for his poetic artistry. He is a writing Fellow for Deep Center, mentoring young writers, poets, and authors. While perfecting his craft, he has worked as a Police Officer for twenty-seven years which makes Bilaal an interesting artist. He shares his perspective as officer in his work.

Bilaal and I discussed the duality of his existence as an artist, police officer and community activist. Bilaal was transparent and gave some very honest responses as it related to his experiences as a police officer and a civilian.

Here is some information concerning Grid Iron Firearms Training (G.I.F.T).

Kareem and Chanel are the business minds behind G.I.F.T. – Grid Iron Firearm Training, LLC. G.I.F.T.’s mission is to educate the community about 2nd Amendment rights and firearm use. It is one thing to train people but it is another thing to educate and have the ability to certify them to obtain their conceal carry license/permit (CCW) but you have to have special training for this. Having seen the large influx of request for conceal carry certification in the community, Kareem and Chanel decided to take it to the next level and became NRA Certified Instructors.

The mission of the organization is to provide clients with a powerful tool to grow their firearms training business, provide customers with an easy to use centralized web service that meets their diverse needs in finding reputable firearms instructors and training classes, and provide a networking tool that helps customers and clients build mutually beneficial bridges in the firearms training industry.

They believe in activism through training, meaning that the preservation of our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms begins with education and continues with quality firearms instruction.

They believe that training citizens who carry for personal protection and professionals who carry a gun for a living on how to safely and effectively use firearms is a high calling in the history of our country.

For additional information, please visit https://firearmstrainingcentral.com/about-ftc/about-us/

In this episode, we explore the business of podcasting with guests and podcasters: Badr Milligan (The Short Box: A Comic Book Podcast), Ray Hollister (Digital Media Director at WJCT) and Shantrell Holmes (Southern Tea Podcast). This episode is basically about best practices as it relates to creating and curating content, monetization, marketing, and publishing episodes. The guests basically tell stories of what went wrong, what went right and how they arrived to where they are currently. Basically, informing the listener that everything is trial, and error and the fact is that it takes grit to maintain in the world of podcasting. This is the first episode in a monthly series that will seek to find ways to present a better listening experience to the listener. This series run throughout 2020 and 2021.

Bio for Deacon Carpenter

At the age of 16, chronic illness and obesity led Deacon to a fateful meeting with a local Ayurvedic doctor, which created a seismic shift I Deacon’s perception of food, health, and physical balance. Heeding the advice of his doctor, Deacon modified his diet, started to practice yoga, and shed over 140 pounds. To Deacon, Ayurveda and yoga together just made sense. Once he was educated and emplowe4red to understand what was causing him to be sick, the steps reclaiming his health were clear and simple.

Deacon’s momentum in Ayurvedic studies continued at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. Although always knew that he would become an Ayurvedic practitioner at some point in his lifetime, it was a 16-year career working in the trenches of New York City advertising agencies that gave him the wherewithal to strike out on his own. Working in the global advertising and branding, he was able to hone his communication skills, enabling him to convey the complex ideas and concepts of Ayurveda and Yoga in a very comprehensive manner.

Deacon is the author A little bit of Ayurveda and believes in a practical approach to Ayurveda and Yoga. He teaches Hatha at WELL+Sonoma and brings the Yoga studio experience anywhere in Sonoma and Napa counties with The Yoga Van.

In this day and age, true to heart Hip Hop artists are far and few between, and Mr. Al Pete is definitely one of those artists. One part emcee, one part DJ, and one part musical entrepreneur, makes up some of the ingredients in the recipe for this Hip Hop elitist in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mr. Al Pete’s music journeys start as early as 2005. His first emcee studio album, ‘Talk About It’, was released in February of 2009. Since then, he’s released 6 studio albums, 3 mixtapes, 2 collaborative albums, and has featured on numerous independent artists in Jacksonville, Florida and the North and South East regions of The United States. To add on, he created the ABA basketball team, Jacksonville Giant’s, theme song and has executive produced for various independent artists, including MJbaker’s mixtape ‘Just Another Interlude’ and her studio album ‘Feel Somethin’’.

Mr. Al Pete added the ‘DJ’ title while developing his emcee stance. He has played major roles in successful and historical events around Jacksonville, Florida, including The Glossary events, Rewind Old School events, the annual summer Fly Socks and Tees event, and has DJed many engagements that have kept him rising and being a sought out DJ. Mr. Al Pete added also the ‘actor’ title as well. He’s been in numerous independent movies and plays, including the indie film ‘Treacherous’, which was in rotation at film festivals nationally, which his song ‘Something More’ being the movie’s soundtrack.

To expand and solidify his brand standings, Mr. Al Pete made efforts to establish his new venture: Mister Peterson’s Neighborhood, in March of 2013. With instant success of the themed ‘warehouse’ parties and creating a sub brand, The Groove Suite, which was created in 2014, the levels were raised. While hosting multiple events, The Groove Suite Podcast was formed in early 2016. The podcast was created to showcase the Neo Soul/ Progressive and other related genres of music of various U.S. and international independent artists. In August of 2016, Pete began working with the internet radio station The Sound of Duval by hosting his online radio mix show ‘Cubicle Music Mondays.’

While keeping up the daily jobs of a musical entrepreneur, he pursued expanding the brand to a network. In January of 2020, Pete created the Mister Peterson’s

Neighborhood website and The Neighborhood Podcast Network, which hosts a range of podcasts from Jacksonville, Florida.

For updates and social media handles, please visit www.mralpete.com.

In this episode, I speak with Elexia Coleman-Moss. Coleman-Moss is the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, Empowerment Resources, which was founded in 2002 and incorporated in 2003. Empowerment Resources, Inc. (ERI) is a private 501c3 nonprofit organization located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Upon moving to the community in 2001, Coleman-Moss recognized the need for gender relevant programming for at-risk girls in the city. After learning about the issue’s girls face locally and enlisting community support, Coleman-Moss started a pilot “rites-of-passage” program called Journey Into Womanhood. In 2014, Journey Into Womanhood (JIW) celebrated its 10th anniversary and it is ERI’s flagship program.

In 2006, ERI expanded its programs to include Life Skills Workshops and Parenting Education Seminars that are offered in schools, churches, recreational facilities, and other spaces where community members meet. These services allow ERI to “meet people where they are.”

Coleman-Moss walks us through the process of building a nonprofit organization from the ground up. More importantly, she guides us through leading a community-based organization through COVID and social unrest that has continued throughout the United States.