Full Morning show

H.E.A.L. Leadership Summit

BookSpring is the leading Central Texas organization focusing on building literacy skills and the motivation to read through increasing home libraries and reading aloud activities for children. With 50 years of experience, BookSpring has taken the best practices of our founding programs and adapted them to the unique needs of Central Texas low-income families.  We provide a continuum of early literacy interventions through a theory of change that supports brain development, family interaction, skill-building, and the motivation to read in children from birth through age 12.

Our programs increase awareness of the importance of reading while providing the tools to do so. To maximize impact, we partner with medical clinics, schools, and other non-profits to work through their programs with book distributions, supplemental activities, and events designed to educate, inspire and build intrinsic motivation to read. Check out our Book Selection Policy. 

As a nonsectarian, nonpartisan, inclusive organization, we value:

Our Shared ValuesFor general inquiries, email [email protected]. 

Colonel Audricia “Driece” M. Harris

Director, Functional Community Management

Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs

The daughter of veterans, Colonel Audricia "Driece" M. Harris, hails

from Ashburn, Virginia, and is a distinguished military officer with a

rich and diverse career. Her journey in the United States Army began

in 2002 when she was commissioned as a second lieutenant, marking

the commencement of her remarkable service to the nation.

Currently, Colonel Harris holds the prestigious Director of Public

Affairs Functional Community Management position for the Office of

the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. In this role, she is responsible for working

across the department to institutionalize public affairs by cultivating a workforce that is

innovative, adaptable, and fully prepared to support the public affairs requirements of the

Department of Defense.

Before her current assignment, Colonel Harris held esteemed positions such as the senior

military advisor within the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs,

director of communication for Army Futures Command, senior communication advisor for the

Secretary of the Army and a Pentagon spokesperson, where she served as the lead

communication advisor for various critical areas, including, modernization, personnel, civil

unrest, Africa Affairs, Cyber Security, Defense Intelligence, and Special Operations.

Her exceptional public affairs prowess has been pivotal in ensuring the public remains informed

about vital defense matters.

Beyond her impressive military career, Colonel Harris is a lifelong learner. She pursued higher

education, earning a master's degree in information resource management from Central Michigan

University and a master's degree in public relations management from the University of

Maryland University College. Her commitment to education demonstrates her dedication to

personal growth and excellence.

Colonel Harris's military assignments have taken her to diverse and challenging environments

across the globe. From Seoul, Korea, where she served as the Director of Internal Information, to

Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she directed marketing efforts for Army ROTC programs, and even

to Sinai, Egypt, where she led press and VIP visits for a small peacekeeping organization, her

career has been marked by adaptability and leadership in dynamic situations.

Colonel Harris finds balance and joy in various hobbies outside her military service. She is an

avid reader, a dedicated community volunteer, and a passionate traveler who appreciates the

beauty and culture of different places across the globe. Her heart finds warmth in spending

quality time with her friends and family and volunteering to provide public relations and

communication expertise to non-profit organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,

The ROCKS, Inc., and It Takes Two, Inc.

Full Morning show

Full show

Did you know the city of Austin has a down payment assistance program that offers up to $40,000 to those that qualify? Did you know that there are homes for sale within Austin City Limits under $300,000? Join us to learn how to combine these programs and get into a home with very little out of pocket! For more information about the day's agenda, you can visit our website at www.austinblackrealestateprofressionals.com/communityimpactday

Community Impact Day is taking place on April 13th in over 100 cities across the United States. Attendees have access to group and individual education on how to obtain and protect their real estate assets. In Austin, our goal is to have 250 families in attendance throughout the course of the day.

Those in attendance will be able to walk away with the next steps needed to secure housing, be it an affordable rental, or a house to call their own. We will be providing a list of common pre-approval documents so that families can be pre-approved on site, and potentially go under contract on one of the homes offered by our affordable housing partners.

This event is not just for first time home buyers, but existing homeowners too. Classes will be aimed at helping local Austinites learn and understand how owning a home can help build generational wealth and close the existing homeownership gap that currently exists. Concurrent workshops on the homebuying process, the loan process, building credit, investing, estate planning and careers in real estate for example will be offered.

Jonna Lagrone-Haynes

Elder Mosley Hobson

What Is VU ATX?

Welcome to VU ATX! Our vibrant community thrives on the spirit of giving back and making friends. Discover unique opportunities for Austin volunteering that allow you to make a difference while meeting cool people the second Saturday of every month. 

At Volunteering Untapped ATX, we're your gateway to the best volunteering experiences in Austin. Whether you're a local or a visitor, our organization connects you with diverse projects that align with your interests and values. Engage in Austin's rich culture of volunteerism and hang out with some cool people while doing it. 

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Why choose us for volunteering in Austin? We curate a wide range of options, from environmental conservation to education and social welfare. Whether you have a few hours to spare once in awhile or want to commit long-term, we have opportunities that suit your schedule.

Benefits of volunteering with us:

Community Impact: Contribute to Austin's growth and well-being by actively participating in local initiatives.

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Personal Growth: Develop new skills, meet diverse people, and gain a fresh perspective on the world around you.

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Unforgettable Experiences: Create memories as you explore Austin.

Networking: Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, expanding your personal and professional circles.

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Flexibility: Choose from one-time events or ongoing projects, allowing you to volunteer on your terms.

Full Morning show with Jabari and Symply Courtney, Guest Annora Dirsa from VOLUNTEERING UNTAPPED ATX

Eric Heideman is a 24-year-old blues musician living in Austin, Texas from Salt Lake City, Utah. 

He recorded his breakthrough record with a team of Grammy nominees, Blues Music Award, and International Blues Challenge winners. Producers Victor Wainwright and JW-Jones along with master engineer Dave Gross brought their Award-winning talents to Fat Rabbit Studios in New Jersey. "This is my most exciting release yet, and I am thrilled to have worked with such a critically acclaimed team," says Heideman. "This is the most soulful and high-quality record I've made." Co-producer JW-Jones says "Victor Wainwright and I really brought out the very best of Eric's abilities, and this is a really great album!" 

Heideman was personally requested to open shows for ZZ Top at Eccles Theatre and Walter Trout at The State Room.

He was a featured performer at the Utah Blues Festival in 2022 & 2023 and has traded riffs alongside some of the top blues artists in the world including Nick Moss, Thornetta Davis, Vanessa Collier, Albert Castiglia, Tony Holiday, Laura Chavez, and Sugaray Rayford.

Eric's original song "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" was featured on the channel 'Don's Tunes' on YouTube and has over 100,000 views.

Heideman graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Guitar Performance where he studied under and played with Grammy-nominated artist Kris Johnson.

Social Links

Website: https://www.ericheideman.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/59KrSqCOqVMqNhjSQ838FN?si=_JxdxTsaQ7ueffSx9dI5qg

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/eric-heideman/1384089351

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericheidemanmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericheidemanmusic/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericheidemanmusic/
ERIC HEIDEMAN
☆ Featured Artist at the Utah Blues Fest (2022)☆ @ericheidemanmusic | ericheideman.com➔  New all-original Eric Heideman "Third Degree Gravity" out now!     w/Victor Wainwright & JW-Jones!