The BACK Community

Watch the full interview from 10/12/20 with Paris McKnight www.thebackcommunity.info Paris shares how she keeps herself motivated by staying focused on positivity. We discuss her passion for fitness and how she gets motivated by helping others in the Albany Community to reach their goals.

Hear us talk about traveling, finances and adulting.

Overall, we learn why consistency is key and how keeping a positive attitude with a positive circle that you can lean on is half of the battle.

Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 9/22/20 with Tyrone Waklatsi at www.thebackcommunity.info Listen in as Tyrone explains his earliest memories of Albany and why this place will always be home.

Tyrone opens up about his commitment to fellow Veterans and his time served in Kuwait and Iraq.

Albany helped to prepare him for life by teaching him how to be mentally tough but perhaps his focus on friendships and choices saved his life.

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Watch the full interview from 9/9/20 with Larsell Stovall at www.thebackcommunity.info Larsell explains how important his relationship with God has been as he's developed over the years. Listen in as he explains the need for more everyday mentors in the city of Albany. We discuss how fixing our own families would lead to us fixing problems that plague the community.

Perhaps the most inspirational piece of his story is how he credits his wife as the catalyst for his own growth.

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Watch the full interview from 8/25/20 with Dr. La'Shaunna Lipscomb at www.thebackcommunity.info Dr. L, as she likes to be called is one half of the podcast duo that make up "The Real Therapist for the Culture."

Listen in as she highlights her experience and the nostalgia she misses from growing up in Albany.

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Watch the full interview from 8/23/20 with Sheena Collier at www.thebackcommunity.info The founder of the “Collier Connection” and “Boston While Black.”

Listen in as Sheena explains the significance education has played in her upbringing and the need for a balanced approach. We discuss her favorite place to visit in Albany and her overall pursuit of authenticity. Her love for Albany radiates throughout this interview but she also makes it clear that her relationship with Albany is complicated.

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Watch Part II of the full interview with the Hon. Derek Johnson from 8/18/2020 at www.thebackcommunity.info Listen in as Derek continues that Greyhound bus trip story. He goes on to tell us his hopes for the City of Albany and the role the community must play in restoration and healing.

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Watch Part I of the full interview with the Hon. Derek Johnson from 8/18/2020 at www.thebackcommunity.info Listen in as Derek tells some of his most memorable moments and experiences in Albany. Laugh with us as he explains his time as a college student at Virginia Union University and what life was like once he returned to Albany.

Perhaps his vulnerability explaining the loss of his mother to cancer will resonate with you. I think it was the most humbling story of Part I of this interview.

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Watch the full interview with Charles and Brandon from 8/16/2020 at www.thebackcommunity.info Listen in as Charles, the Chair of the Albany Land Bank and Brandon, Engineer and local real estate investor tag team this B.A.C.K. interview.

We discuss the struggle of home ownership for African Americans in the city of Albany, the history and consequences of "red lining" and how to create Black wealth.

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Watch the full interview with Aaron Barnette from 8/12/2020 at www.thebackcommunity.info Aaron Barnette has dedicated more than half of his adult life to being an advocate and mentor for the youth.

Listen in as we discuss everything from his work with The Eagle Academy for Young Men to his transition and role at the Eagle Academy Foundation. Hear about his tenacious educational pursuit and his desire to eradicate white supremacy and systematic racism.

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Watch the full interview with Deryl McCray from 8/4/2020. Deryl McCray is the Co Founder of Bricks Barber Salon in Albany, NY.

Listen in as we discuss everything from his partnership with NYS Department of Corrections to his new business endeavors. He also opens up about being a Veteran and his continued volunteerism.

Prepare to be Inspired!