Being An Ally Doesn’t Mean Having All The Answers. It just requires a commitment to antiracism, empathy, and cultivating a growth mindset that helps them research and understand how policies and politics can affect their own and others’ everyday experiences and access to resources. Marjorie and I attended the @brynmawrschool for 7 years, but didn’t become friends until 10 years after our graduation. We connected on IG when we realized that we were both educators that loved fitness, wellness, and social justice. Over the years Marjorie has consistently shown her commitment to antiracism by speaking up about inequality, and showing up for students in the classroom.

In this episode we discuss

-How books can open windows to learn about other cultures

-Owning your voice through writing

-Critical thinking & media literacy

-Embracing a growth mindset after trauma

-Preparing students for success

-The power of code switching

-How educators and allies can support African American students and colleagues

-Making antiracism a lifestyle

-Addressing and combating microaggressions in and out of the classroom

-Acknowledging privilege & inequality during the pandemic

-How empathy and compassion can help us heal

-Habits and mindsets to support personal and professional growth

-Being an ally after the protests stop

The real change starts at home for each one of us. Do what you can...as much as you can...and know that your voice matters so much! Take your time, but keep putting in the work. It’s everyone’s duty to make the world a better place. Go to https://justbloom.io/being-an-ally-doesnt-mean-having-all-the-answers-how-to-make-empathy-equity-a-habit/ to get more tips to engage in online and in-person conversations about social justice and the equitable treatment of Black people in America and abroad and all people.

Marjorie Walsh (BMS ’06) is a National Board Certified Teacher. She recently finished her tenth year, teaching high school English for Baltimore County Public Schools and most recently St. Mary’s County Public Schools. She taught ESL Across the Curriculum as an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and helped establish a dual enrollment English course with the College of Southern Maryland. She currently serves as a school mentor for new teachers, county curriculum writer, and College Board reader for the AP English Literature & Composition exam. *Any opinions expressed reflect her personal point of view and do not represent any of these institutions. . Connect with Marjorie at:

IG:https://instagram.com/thefitlitteacher?igshid=cfbytsvejd7b

#Wellness #Antiracism #Empathy #Equity #GrowthMindset #EducatorsOfInstagram #Teachers #EnglishTeachers #English #Voice #Literature #Teens #Parenting #COVID #Maryland #Schools #BlackLivesMatter #Equity #Diversity #Inclusion #DiversityandInclusion #Policy #Baltimore #WomenEmpoweringWomen #Fitness #Running #Yoga #Namaste #Spirituality

If you get clear on what you want, Dr. Tony Awojoodu can help you figure out how to get it. Dr. Tone is the Founder and CEO of Tone's Professional Advisory Solutions & Services, LLC, a proud husband, #GirlDad, healthcare strategist, serial entrepreneur, accredited investor, and high performance coach who helps high potential, impact-oriented, and unfulfilled professionals unlock their full potential so that they can change the world, build generational wealth, and live their best lives. 

 

Several years ago Tony was working on his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech on the path to becoming a professor for a top tier research University but something wasn't right. He was broke (making $25,000 a year on a graduate student stipend), completely unfulfilled with life, and had no clarity into what the future would hold for me. His health and relationships suffered, and he felt completely lost. During that period, Tony went searching for meaning in life and discovered that there were many things that he had not fully tapped into: his purpose, the strengths he naturally possessed, and strategies to increase his time, energy, and money. Collectively, he now refers to these as the ingredients of "peak performance".

Tony reinvested in these things and started to unlock the full potential in his life. He discovered his love for problem solving, graduated with his PhD, and landed a job at McKinsey & Company, the world's top management consulting Firm. He built a 7-figure investment portfolio in under 5 years and started building wealth for the next generation. He reinvested in his relationships and his health & wellness and married his college sweetheart. Today, Tony leads strategy for the northeast for DaVita, the world's largest dialysis provider, helps impact-oriented professionals achieve peak performance through his business, Tone's Professional Advisory Solutions and Services, and is a managing partner for multiple investment groups focused on early stage black-owned ventures and small businesses. Connect with Dr. Awojoodu at: 

Website: https://www.tonespass.com/aboutme

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr_tone/?hl=en 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVWZKzVTJR_96DttWDFWoQ?view_as=subscriber

Email: [email protected] 

Follow Bloom on 

IG: Dr. Stephanie Akoumany  https://www.instagram.com/dr.stephanieakoumany/  

IG: The Blooming Is A Habit Podcast https://www.instagram.com/thebloomingisahabitpodcast/?hl=en

Website:http://justbloom.io  

Email: [email protected]  

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieakoumany  

Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health’s Blog https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-health/blog/bloom-wellness-summit 

Stephanie Introducing President Obama at White House Pell Grant Press Conference  

https://www.c-span.org/video/?285476-1/president-obama-remarks-higher-education-policy  

2018 NAIS POCC Conference- Self-Care and Mindfulness Strategies to Help Faculty of Color

https://youtu.be/w6p-Fyip5d0

How do you find joy in the midst of chaos? Bei says the secret is to walk in your purpose. You must identify your calling, gifts, talents, and follow your dreams. Despite your religious beliefs, we can choose to work towards our dreams and have faith on purpose. Not just to make a wish and close our eyes, but to put everything on the line to pursue our goals. We hope you enjoy S2: E10 of the Blooming is A Habit Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and get more tips on making yourself a priority.

Please rate, subscribe, and share!

This is the best possible time to show the world our gifts because we all need inspiration. We can be the rainbow in the midst of global storms. Show others a path to sunnier days. Right now.

Bei asks us to consider how healing starts within. Self love is essential for us to thrive, and self care is more than a trendy word. We have to make it a lifestyle. Bei reminds us that everyone can flourish with love. Who are you going to be when times are tough and when things are going great. Train and Bloom.

Bei Achirimofor’s Bio:

Growing up in two worlds, Bei can be best described as a lover of life. Born of Cameroon parents, Bei was born in Durham, NC and raised in Silver Spring, MD. She attended primary school in Yaounde, Cameroon. Bei attended the University of Maryland where she majored in Communications. She is currently residing in Los Angeles, California where she is pursuing her dreams of becoming a journalist and a film director.

Bei has been a professional photographer for over 8 years, which allowed her to travel the world. Her love for traveling and storytelling, started in high school when she would frequently participate in missions trips with her church youth group.

Bei doesn't plan on stopping any time soon. She enjoys being a moderator & an MC at events and also enjoys working out. Fitness is her middle name. As a lover of life, Bei hopes to impact her community by spreading her infectious joy and love for dancing and smiling with every individual she encounters.

We are facing unprecedented times. A global pandemic and global antiracism movement to protect and celebrate black lives. @josephlmsgreen notes that the revolution has already happened and now it’s time to put in work. He urges us to use our imaginations to create the lives and world that we want to see, especially during our most challenging days. He advocates for us to believe in ourselves, no matter what, because our abilities to dream and take action are our superpowers. Please listen, share, subscribe, and rate The Blooming is A Habit Podcast.

Joseph’s Top Tips To Reimagine & Redesign Your Life

Embrace a Growth Mindset

Use Technology to Create Innovative Learning & Entertainment Experiences

Offer Genuine Apologies

Make Kindness A Priority in All Of Your Relationships

Choose Happiness

Consistently Practice Self-Reflection, Mindfulness, Meditation, Journaling, Self-Care

Build Honest & Connections With Your Children, Family, Colleagues & Friends

Reimagine & Schedule Time For Work & Play with Children and Family

Joseph’s Bio:

Over the past 15 years, this passionate motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, professional storyteller and award-winning performance poet, has created and facilitated thousands of workshops with youth, educators, health care professionals, realtors, nonprofit organizations, and many others.

His workshops focus on implementing effective youth development strategies, Diversity and Inclusion, Creative Mindfulness, and burnout prevention for both personal and professional spaces.

With a background in theatre, performance poetry, and social justice education, Joseph seamlessly intertwines storytelling and spoken word poetry into his presentations and workshops to inspire his audience to join him on a journey which uplifts the core principles of self-care, self-awareness, diversity and inclusion, and paying your blessings forward to make a world a better place for everyone. He believes in the innate ability of story to connect people to their higher purpose and one another.

Joseph’s life story and work have been featured in media outlets such as Youth Today, UpWorthy, PBS NewsHour, and many more. He has recently keynoted or presented at the 2017 American Society of Addiction Medicine, Talks @ Google, University of Baltimore, 2016 and 2018 California Statewide Conference on Substance Use Disorder, 2017 Utah Fall Substance Abuse Conference, and Wisconsin Voices for Recovery Rally for Recovery.

After co-founding the nonprofit, poetryN.O.W., Joseph merged his organization with Split This Rock, a Washington DC-based poetry and social justice organization, where, for three years Joseph served as Director of Youth Programs.

In 2017 Joseph started LMSvoice, an organization dedicated to helping people and socially

conscious organizations discover and share the transformative power of story. www.LMSvoice.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/josephlmsvoice/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josephlmsgreen/

Website: https://www.LMSvoice.com

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Stephanie Akoumany is host of the Blooming is a Habit Podcast a podcast series highlighting innovative solutions to complex social challenges discovered by students, parents, educators, business professionals, business owners as they pursue their passions and create careers and/or businesses of their dreams.

Join Dr. Akoumany and her guests as they discuss their journeys and their impactful interventions in the areas of Health & Wellness, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Family, Relationships, Education, Science & Technology, Career & Business.

Follow Bloom on

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.stephanieakoumany/

Website: http://justbloom.io

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieakoumany

Stephanie Introducing President Obama at White House Pell Grant Press Conference

https://www.c-span.org/video/?285476-1/president-obama-remarks-higher-education-policy

When teachers believe in their students, they empower them to change the world. In this episode, Ashley Douglas shares success stories from teaching Kindergarten & 1st grade as a model teacher and team lead for 9 years in Baltimore City Public Schools before & after COVID-19. She shows how important it is to understand our students’ and their families’ experiences and how schools can create in school and now online programming to meet their needs.

Ashley is one of the most passionate teachers and mothers that I know! Her children are amazing and her students and their parents always share stories of how she changed their lives!

She is also an Adjunct Professor at Towson University in the department of Elementary Education, an Improving Education Teacher Implementation Fellow, and Teach For America Alumna.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley and her cohort of Improving Education Fellows developed Learning in a Box, interactive resources that can be used to engage in fun, meaningful learning activities at home for children in Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade.

She was a celebrated TFA alumna, Ashley has been featured in internal instructional videos and material after obtaining model teacher status in 2015.

She is a Baltimore native and graduate of The Bryn Mawr School and the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned a Masters of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University.

Ways you can connect with Ashley:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @mrsdouglas6 https://twitter.com/mrsdouglas6

Instagram: @ashleydouglas6 https://instagram.com/ashleydouglas6?igshid=1m0cvxdc563tp

Improving Education Teacher Improvement Fellowship

https://www.improvingeducation.org/teacher-improvement-fellowship

Learning in A Box: https://bedtimeinabox.org/pages/donate-learning?mc_cid=95869a1dba&mc_eid=483c525354

Follow Bloom on

IG: www.instagram.com/dr.stephanieakoumany/

Blog: justbloom.io

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieakoumany

Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health’s Blog www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-health/blog/bloom-wellness-summit

Stephanie Introducing President Obama at White House Pell Grant Press Conference

www.c-span.org/video/?285476-1/president-obama-remarks-higher-education-policy

2018 NAIS POCC Conference- Self-Care and Mindfulness

Strategies to Help Faculty of Color

youtu.be/w6p-Fyip5d0

What did you need from your family and school when you were growing up? What would you while going through a pandemic? To be seen, heard, have fun, and feel cared for! Jamila Sams MA.ED the Founder and CEO of Go to Ms. Sams and Advisory 4 the Culture notes that COVID-19 is teaching all of us that we need to evolve to meet our own self care needs AND the needs of our families, schools , and organizations.

In order to do this we must own what’s going well & what can be improved. Then we must ask our children and teens what they need and how they would like to thrive. Jamila gives adults (parents, educators, and policy makers) the tools needed to establish positive & meaningful connections with young people, meet them where they are, and help them reach their goals and aspirations.

This 2019 Johns Hopkins University Business School TED X Speaker https://youtu.be/dhqHOMj44KM

shares:

-The importance of culturally relevant curriculum and advisory activities for students of color and marginalized students

-How funding policies affect schools and educators

-How students, educators, administrators, and parents can build deeper connections

-How cities can help education systems meet the changing needs of students who may be disengaged or unable to commit to online learning

-What COVID-19 means for the safety and wellbeing of economically disadvantaged students and students without many social safety nets

-How schools can help students, parents, and educators find their purpose and their "why"

Connect with Jamila

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.gotomssams.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gotomssams

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gotomssams/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/advisory4theculture?igshid=pmrmmsxrkrrc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilasams

Connect with Dr. Steph & Bloom

IG: www.instagram.com/dr.stephanieakoumany/

Blog: justbloom.io

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieakoumany

Guest Bio:

Throughout her career as a school administrator, Jamila Sams heard frustrated teachers tell marginalized students “Get out and Go to Ms. Sams!” on a daily basis. Teachers viewed these students as troublemakers who did not want to learn and attributed to them labels such as “at-risk”, “bad”, and, with no formal diagnosis, “ADHD.” However, Ms. Sams saw students who were passionate and creative, but were often unseen and unheard. Ms. Sams recognized that she was uniquely suited to bridge the communication gap between youth who struggle to express themselves effectively and adults who struggle to understand the complex challenges that marginalized youth face every day. In 2013, she founded the education consulting agency, Go to Ms. Sams Inc., to give adults the tools needed to establish positive and meaningful connections with young people, meet them where they are, and help them reach their goals and aspirations.

Go to Ms. Sams provides services to educators, nonprofit professionals, and members of the business community around three core pillars: School Climate and Culture; Youth Program Development and Training; and Strategic Partnership Development. Clients include the Maryland State Department of Education; the New York City Department of Education; QLIK Corporation; Mentor Foundation USA, Mentor International, and El Desafio in Rosario, Argentina.

Ms. Sams has been a featured TEDx speaker for the Johns Hopkins School of Business, panelist for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, presenter for the National Gathering for the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color, and the Center for the Promotion of Social Emotional Learning National Conference. Ms. Sams is a native of Philadelphia and a proud first-generation college graduate of Lincoln University. She also has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

How we treat each other matters and how we advocate for each other matters. When students don’t feel included, respected, and understood, they don't feel well. Experiencing bias, racism, sexism, classism, ageism etc. can lead to feelings of isolation, fear, anxiety, depression, and anger. Educators have a responsibility to stand up for their students when they see or hear someone being mistreated, made fun of or harassed because of some part of their identity. Many educators may feel unprepared to do so due to the lack of diversity or conflict resolution training. Educational consultant and therapist, Jen Cort explains how teachers don’t have to have all of the answers to help their students thrive. They just have to be willing to be acknowledge moments of bias, be vulnerable, lead with their hearts, and learn from their students.

In this episode we explore

The challenges that students, educators, administrators, parents/guardians faced before COVID-19 around diversity, equity, and inclusion and the challenges they are facing now.

How students, educators, administrators, and parents can heal and create stronger bonds. How to create conversation norms that help school communities thrive.

Guest Bio:

Jen Cort, LCSW-C has spent the last 25 years in Quaker schools as a counselor with all ages, assistant head of lower school, head of middle school, and senior administrator. Jen's therapy background includes serving as a counselor in lower, middle, and upper schools as well as private practice. She began consulting after seeing a need for supporting schools to live out their missions regarding diversity and inclusion such that students can be seen and heard while learning to be visible and use their voices in productive ways. Jen has been a keynote speaker, presented at national conferences, a frequent contributor to blogs and journals, and is the host of an internationally syndicated podcast "Third Space With Jen Cort" bringing student, faculty, staff, and parents voices focusing on equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. Jen is a member of Sandy Spring Friends Monthly Meeting.

Contact: Jen Cort at [email protected]

http://www.jencort.com/

Third Space With Jen Cort Interview with Dr. Stephanie Akoumany https://soundcloud.com/voiced-radio/third-space-with-jen-cort-stephanie-akoumany

IG: https://instagram.com/jencortedcon?igshid=1tk55m5h4ojcg

Facebook/ https://www.facebook.com/JenCortConsulting/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenCortEdCon

Follow Bloom on

IG: www.instagram.com/dr.stephanieakoumany/

Blog: justbloom.io

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieakoumany

Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health’s Blog www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-health/blog/bloom-wellness-summit

Stephanie Introducing President Obama at White House Pell Grant Press Conference

www.c-span.org/video/?285476-1/president-obama-remarks-higher-education-policy

2018 NAIS POCC Conference- Self-Care and Mindfulness

Strategies to Help Faculty of Color

youtu.be/w6p-Fyip5d0

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, 27.5 million Americans did not have health insurance. Only 60% of companies offered their employees health insurance, but even then so many Americans could not afford the premiums because they were high deductible health plans so they could not afford the out-of-pocket cost. Listen to the Blooming is A Habit Podcast S2:E5 as we interview the amazing Dr. Mark Bittle the Program Director of John Hopkins School of Public Health’s Master of Health Administration & Online Masters of Applied Science in Population Health Management as we discuss barriers to accessing healthcare in the US, more inclusive healthcare models, the need for universal healthcare, and what habits, mindsets, and work cultures can best support patients, healthcare practitioners, and healthcare administrator’s holistic wellness. 

Guest Bio: Mark J. Bittle, DrPH, MBA, FACHE

Dr. Mark Bittle is a Senior Scientist in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. An experienced health care executive, Dr. Bittle is board certified in health care management as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). His healthcare executive experience spans all facets of ambulatory services, including development and operations of community-based primary and multispecialty physician practices, hospital-based ambulatory and faculty practices organizations, quality and patient safety improvement activities.

 

Currently, Dr. Bittle is Program Director for the Master of Health Administration and the innovative online Master of Applied Science in Population Health Management at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He teaches courses in Leadership and Management, Collective Impact and Collaboration, Health Care Financing, Medical Practice Management, and Healthcare Strategy. His areas of research interest include physician leadership development, organizational and management factors that influence physician alignment and managing change in complex organizations, and developing effective strategies for collaboration within population health management. 

Dr. Bittle serves on various boards including the Maryland Rural Health Association, the Maryland Association of Health Care Executives, and The Shepherd’s Clinic, a unique, non-profit organization providing free, quality comprehensive health care to Baltimore’s uninsured. He is active in the American College of Health Executives where he serves as Regent for Maryland and as faculty. Dr. Bittle is the Ambulatory and Medical Group Practices faculty forum leader for Association of Universities and Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), and is currently serving a 2 year term as a governing councilor for the American Public Health Association (APHA). Dr. Bittle earned his Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) with a concentration in Leadership and Management, from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, his MBA from the University of Baltimore and his Bachelor of Science in Emergency Health Services from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Contact: Dr. Bittle: [email protected] 

Follow Bloom on 

IG: www.instagram.com/dr.stephanieakoumany/ 

Blog: justbloom.io 

Email: [email protected] 

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieakoumany 

Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health’s Blog www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-health/blog/bloom-wellness-summit 

Stephanie Introducing President Obama at White House Pell Grant Press Conference  

www.c-span.org/video/?285476-1/president-obama-remarks-higher-education-policy 

2018 NAIS POCC Conference- Self-Care and Mindfulness

Strategies to Help Faculty of Color

youtu.be/w6p-Fyip5d0

Are You Giving Yourself Permission To Thrive While Quarantined? Want to figure out your next steps? Listen to S2:E4 of the Blooming is A Habit Podcast with Dris Villaman a health and wellness advocate, coach, educator & Zumba instructor from #WashingtonDC who currently lives in South Korea. Listen & learn how to bet on yourself, trust your intuition, align your passions with your career choices, take calculated risks, create boundaries for yourself, and cultivate a more physically, emotionally, and spiritually fit while quarantined at home. We also discuss how South Korea handled Covid-19 and what we can do in the U.S. to connect more deeply with ourselves and loved ones even while practicing social distancing.

Drisneidi Villaman graduated from University of Maryland with a BS in Kinesiology with a strong passion on public health. She has worked in various organizations such as the FDA as a Wellness Assistant Coordinator, Federal Reserve Board as a Health Fitness Program Manager, Healthy Futures as a Health Advocate and as a fitness instructor and health coach. Her experience in fitness and corporate wellness has allowed her to learn about many of the components of health. Her passion for Zumba has also opened many doors worldwide to understand the crucial component that fitness and community plays on health. In the future, she aspires to obtain her Masters/PHD in Global Health. She is originally from Dominican Republic but has lived in the US since an early age and is currently residing in South Korea.

I’m so excited to have Elyse Preston on BIAH S2 E3 to discuss the power of yoga, meditation, healing from emotional, social, and physical trauma, life design, DEI and ending racism, and community building in Baltimore and other urban hubs around the world.

Elyse is a wellness advisor, and community leader whose

work focuses on centering connection as an essential ingredient for healing and social transformation. Elyse

believes that when we intentionally invest in creating healthy relationships with ourselves and others, we are

shifting the energetic conditions in our communities and the wider world. Elyse is particularly passionate about

supporting changemakers and visionaries, who experience stress and burnout while in service to others.

Elyse is passionate about creating more opportunities for yoga, deep relationships, spiritual practice, creative expression and self-care. She's grateful for the opportunity to share the practices she loves, and is inspired by any occasion to deeply connect with others.

Be More Connected Summit: Laun ching April 28th- May 12th. Soul-Centered Wellbeing for Leaders and

Change -makers.

The vision for this event is to bring together healers, scholars, artists and activists to celebrate transformational work in our culture and to provide

participants with concrete tools to promote health and wellbeing in their own lives.

To learn more visit, bemoreconnectedsummit.com

Follow Bloom on

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.stephanieakoumany/

Blog: http://justbloom.io

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieakoumany

Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health’s Blog https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-health/blog/bloom-wellness-summit

Stephanie Introducing President Obama at White House Pell Grant Press Conference

https://www.c-span.org/video/?285476-1/president-obama-remarks-higher-education-policy

2018 NAIS POCC Conference- Self-Care and Mindfulness

Strategies to Help Faculty of Color

https://youtu.be/w6p-Fyip5d0