After taking a few months off to rest and regroup, Speak To Mic Podcast Show is OFFICIALLY BACK ON!!! In picking up where I left off in regards to Physical fitness and wellness, I had the honor and privilege to speak to holistic fitness/Nutrition coach & Co-creator of "Organik Dynasty", Deonna Jeffries who is located in Miami, FL doing extraordinary things in the world of fitness, more specifically in the field of plant-based nutrition. We discussed how she got started with becoming a physical trainer, the many lives she has helped transformed with her knowledge and the plant based supplements she sells, how her and her sister, Dominque Jeffries co-created "Organik Dynasty", a safe space for the culture transforming people physically, spiritually, and financially through organic nutrition & holistic wealth, and the 30-day ultimate lifestyle detox transformation, where her clients purchased plant-based supplements to flush their bodies of unhealthy diets. She provided such great insight and tips on how we can incorporate plant-based and organic foods into our diets to preserve a long and healthier life.

To conclude the month of April's topic "Physical Health & Wellness" I had the pleasure of talking with the Founder & member of the movement organization "Movers & Pacers" of Atlanta. We discuss the origin of the movement and how it got started, how long its been going strong, what the purpose was for starting such a movement which brings people together to not only enjoy cardio throughout various areas of Atlanta, but participate in sprint workouts, meet new people who ultimately would become accountability partners and friends, as well as partnering up with local businesses as well as big corporations for sponsorships.

This movement has brought so many people from all over together in unascend to encourage, motivate, and push those who want to make being physically fit a priority in their lives. Many people from this movement have went on to not only participate in marathons and walkathons, but some even went out to win sprinting events, 5k runs, 10k runs, etc, which came from the motivation from being apart of the movement. I can say proudly that I am a member of the movement myself and enjoy meeting new people all while staying in shape.

The t-shirt for this week's episode was brought to you by "Movers & pacers" ATL which can be bought on their website at linktr.ee/moversandpacers. You can also follow them on Instagram @moversandpacers. It was an honor and privilege to speak with these black men who started something 8 years and to see it still growing even to this day into so much more. This movement has done a great job with meeting people where they are and helping be where they've never thought they would be from a physical health standpoint. Kudos to the movement, which has become a way of life. 

This episode focuses on "The art of Yoga" and how to get more people in the black community to incorporate Yoga in their everyday life as it pertains to maintaining our physical health. My guest this week is a Darlon Wakefield also known as @yogi.raven on her Instagram page, who's a certified yoga instructor out of Memphis, TN. She shared some great insight on what inspired her to become a Yogi, more importantly a certified yoga instructor, how does yoga tie into being physical fit and healthy, how does yoga help with crohn's disease and other issues like muscle and joint pains. Lastly, we spoke about the different levels of becoming a yogi, whether it be beginner, intermediate, or advance and what each of those consist of.

She instructs yoga classes physically in the city of Memphis, TN and will be in the future, provide virtual sessions and can be reached on social media @yogi.raven on Instagram. Much love and appreciation to @yogi.raven for being on the show. It's important to be aware of all facets of how to stay physically fit and to take our health much more serious moving forward.

With the the month of April being "Health & Wellness" month, the first episode focuses more specifically on physical fitness. My guest for this episode is personal trainer Reginald May, owner & founder of Mayday fitness & Instructor of M.O.V.E. intense workout sessions out in the Atlanta, GA area, discussing such things as what made him get into personal training, where did the term M.O.V.E come from, what does the interval workout consist of, to what's the most common thing he gets asked about when in regards to personally training his clients. We spoke about accountability, sustainability, being consistent with eating right and healthy and setting realistic goals when it comes to making being healthy and physically fit a lifestyle and not a trend or a season. Reggie also spoke about the fact that misinformation in the world of fitness has become more common than it's ever been in the past with the industry becoming so saturated. He made a very valid point about how false advertisement and even other people's health and fitness testimonies can be misleading when in regards to your own and how you can't compare your journey to someone else's without knowing where that person start from and more importantly, what that person went through in their lives to get them to where they are physically.

This week's "I'm Fit to Wear this shirt - Kappa Alpha Psi" T-shirt is brought to you by Weight2wear Fitness Tees, a black owned business that specialize in producing Greek letter organization fitness T-shirts as well as non-greek fitness T-shirts, owned by William Young who located out in Dallas, TX. If you're looking for great shirt to work out and sweat in, be sure to check him out on Instagram @weight2wear and their website @www.weight2wear.com. If you want to learn more about getting physically fit, looking for a great training program to enroll in, in the Atlanta area looking to join the M.OV.E. movement or looking for a personal trainer, be sure to check Reginald May out on Instagram @maydayfitness_atl, or visit his website at www.maydayfitnessatl.com for more tips on how to get physically fitness and looking for a great virtual training program. TRUST ME, YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED!!!

***DISCLAIMER...WE ARE IN NO WAY REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS OR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE MERELY MEN AND WOMEN SPEAKING FROM OUR OWN PERSEPCTIVES AS PROUD MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION.

The panel guests for this episode is Ashley Woods, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Inc., Ashley Grandberry, member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority Inc., Mockia Shelton, a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority Inc., the member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority Inc. had last minute obligations to tend to so they couldn't join the conversation. This episode consisted of some very insightful and powerful perspectives from the ladies of the Divine 9, giving their thoughts on the precedence to have the most powerful woman and black woman in the world, who is a member of a sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Inc., to be sworn in as the first female Vice President of the United states, what it meant to them to witness this, and how important representation matters when it comes to little girls of color to see someone in such a prestigious position of power that looks like them. They also gave their perspectives on the community service initiatives that's near and dear to their hearts that their organizations part take in, from advocating for mental health, the importance of being a registered voter, advocating against domestic violence, as well as health and wellness in the black community. Lastly, we discussed what more can sororities do together to better assist the black community in a more unified and monolithic way.

Special thanks to each of these ladies who are proud members of their sororities and who are out in the world being the very example they want to see more of, which needs to be highlighted and celebrated much more than it has been.

***DISCLAIMER...WE ARE IN NO WAY REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS OR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE MERELY MEN AND WOMEN SPEAKING FROM OUR OWN PERSEPCTIVES AS PROUD MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION. This panel consists of The Divine 9; Mark Anthony, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc., Kimberly Stovall, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Inc., Noel Rock, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc., Kentrilia Whitson, a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority Inc., James Butts, a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Inc., Corell Oglesby, a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority  Inc., Denise Doss, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority Inc., and Pasquail Cook, a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity Inc.,... The member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity Inc. was having technical difficulties and was unable to join.  

This episode focused on not only the perspectives of each individual as it pertains to the relevancy of our organizations hold today compared to yesteryear, but also our community service initiatives that resonates with each of us, what impact and influence we have today, and what more can we do together to be much more present and vigilant when it comes to being true examples and role models in our black community. Our obligations to our community has not changed, but more so expanded. By servicing our communities, advocating for equality, uplifting and celebrating each other, we understand the importance of being the change we want to see in the world and will contribute to the advancement of our race and culture.

***DISCLAIMER... WE ARE IN NO WAY REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS OR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE MERELY MEN SPEAKING FROM OUR OWN PERSEPCTIVES AS PROUD MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION.  My panel for this episode is 5 black men who members of different black fraternities: Johney Johnson, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Kevin Barnes, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Terrell Wade, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Timothy Stallworth, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity Inc., and Donte Robinson, a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., discussing the place our Divine 9 orders in society as it pertains to servicing the black community from each of their perspectives.   

These gentlemen all dove into specific topics such as what community service initiative resonates with them the most within their organization, what can we do more to promote black excellence and what more can we do together as fraternal members of the Divine 9. A very insightful conversation that speaks to the many things that we as members of our organizations have been involved in and what more can be done to service the very communities from which we come.

This episode is dedicated to my uncle and retired Lt. for Chicago Fire Department and retired military veteran Dwain P. Williams, who was shot and killed on Thursday, December 3, 2020 during an attempted carjacking in Chicago, IL. He was just leaving out of his favorite popcorn shop "Let's get poppin" located on 118th & Western when he was approached by 4 assailants, 2 of which had guns drawn, tried to steal his Jeep Trackhawk from him. Lt. Williams then drew his gun and initially started to shoot, fearing for his life and defending himself, 1 of the assailants returned fire with 1 single shot to the sternum of Lt. Williams. Shortly after, he had succumbed to his gunshot wound and was pronounced at the scene.  

In honor of my beloved uncle, I had the honor of speaking with my family, my Aunt Karen Williams, who was married and with my uncle for 30 years, his 4 beautiful daughters: Tarmarcea Humphrey, Kenya Hester, Dakeeda-Williams Barton, and Diona Williams to talk about just the kind of man, husband, and father he was among other things he was to us all.  In this dedication episode, we also spoke briefly about the recent spike in carjacking in Chicago as well as how our family started a foundation in honor of him and his many contributions to the city of Chicago.  

We took the time to thank Mayor Lightfoot of Chicago, IL for all she's done as well as the Chicago Police Department that worked with other entities to apprehend the 4 assailants involved in the shooting death of our love one. Special thanks to the Chicago Fire Department for choosing to name a room in the new fire station in Chicago after our love one, which is a high honor that we all know he would be proud of. #BeDwainStrong #Hero911

This Episode focuses on the importance of voting in the black community, how real is voter's suppression, voting based on interest vs individual, and why it is so important as black people to exercise their right to vote both locally and nationally.

This week's T-shirt comes from the black owned business "Deference.com" that specializes in creating black Greek letter organization paraphernalia. My shirt consist of the word "VOTE" with my fraternity emblem Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.

Be sure to check out the latest episode of #SpeakToTheMicPodcastShow for more details on what's at stake during this 2020 presidential election on Spotify, Google podcast, Apple podcast as well as my YouTube channel. Help me get over 100 subscribers for my YouTube page and for more content from previous episodes, be sure to like, comment, follow, and subscribe to my podcast page on Instagram @speaktothemic_podcastshow as well as Facebook.

Thank you for your support in advance. 

This episode focuses on the discouraging events of 2020. From racist and police brutality, the pandemic, unemployment, the presidential election, to religion and spirituality being politicized with clergymen and women parading around president Trump and lying to the American people about his religious beliefs. My panel guests include Spiritual teacher & Pastor Matthew L. Brown of Greater Community COGIC in the Atlanta area and Pastor Jason Long of Encounter Worship Center of Chicago to shed some spiritual light on how we all need to stay vigilant and encouraged through God's word because he has the final say and his word will never change.

This week's "Citizen of Wakanda" T-shirt  was worn in tribute to the late actor and king T'Challa himself, Chadwick Boseman, who lost his battle to colon cancer... WAKANDA 4EVER. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family, and friends. Our thoughts and prayers also goes out to the family of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was a huge advocate for such things as  women's rights and Roe v Wade case that gives a woman the freedom of choice.