Our featured guest today is Marquice Bell: Mr. Bell Persevered through homelessness, anger, addiction, foster care, prison, and gangbanging. This young king fought to reclaim his rightful place as a productive father and contributing member of society. Presently he is a local government employee and a detailing entrepreneur.

 Mr. Bells journey in life has shifted his perception of the world. He stopped viewing himself as a victim. He is appreciative of his life experience and how it shaped his ambition, which drives one's view of the world and how they will engage it.

The human spirit is incredibly resilient. Marquece receives support from a Village of people (F3-Fitness-Fellowship-Faith, Men Speak, Goodwill, Unified Workforce Development Program, and Community) who empower him with resources, mentoring, coaching, information, encouragement, and opportunities to overcome his adversity.  When people receive emotional, mental, and financial support, they create the life they want. It's about making mental shifts, implementing proven psychological techniques and, of course, taking action (even if you can only see the first step of the staircase). Marquece shared how his grandmother's unconditional love and wisdom guide his steps to this day.

My request for today is that you help share this episode. So, If you're posting to social media, please tag @embrace_your_truth and @urban_institute_4_sf and use the hashtag #InfiniteVoiceofOurYouth #ChangeYourMindChangeYourLife #MissionFuel #EmbraceYourTruth

Key Points from Marquice:

* I AM grateful for my spirituality and children, that's my motivation.

* He witnessed abuse and ate from a garbage can to survive at 13 years old.

* As a young person, he viewed life from the lens of either you are with me or against me. The gang showed him, deceptive love. The love the gang provided was at a price.

* His grandmother offered him values and morals that did not align with how he was living after she died in his arms at 13.

* He has used his grandmother's wisdom to change his life.

* There are consequences for our actions.

* His grandmother raised him to treat all people with respect.

* Helping others allowed him to overcome his addiction.

* My support system has held me accountable.

* Marquice talked about hiding the true version of himself to impress others until he realized the power of who he was and that God had a plan for him.

* When you hit rock bottom. Start over fresh and appreciate the victories.

* Cut off everything that's a reflection of who you use to be to create the new version of yourself.

* Surround yourself with people who want what's best for you. Your network is your net-worth....Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

The soul of black folks.

gUp from slavery.

Mass incarceration of black people.

Never go home again by Omar Tyree.

TWEETABLES:

When you take something out of a ball. You have to put something back in for it into still be a ball. (when you itake love away people replace it with anger).

Hurt people, hurt other people. @little1971kelly

My past does not determine my future. @little1971kelly

When I hit rock bottom and looked up, it was so many hands extended to lift me out the well. @little1971kelly

If you cut off everything that has the potential to cause gang green, your probability of thriving dis exponentially increased. @little1971kelly

Our featured guest today is Ryan Henderson Floyd. Ryan is a local government employee, mother, wife, entrepreneur, former model, and mentor. On this episode, Ryan discusses her journey, which includes becoming a teenage mother in college. Her pregnancy did not prevent her from graduating in four years. In fact, Mrs. Floyd shares how she used her pregnancy and life experiences as the mission fuel to propel her entrepreneurial ascension to help young girls.

The value adds that this mission fuel provided yielded a return on investment that manifested into a nonprofit called say YES; the acronym stands for Youth Empowered to Succeed. The focus of the organization is to empower young people to lead, listen, and realize that they can accomplish anything when they understand their value. She works with them on self-confidence and love.

 In the podcast, Ryan illustrates the power of listening and surrounding yourselves with people who encourage growth. She teaches these characteristics to offer young people tools and resources that help them build BRIDGES to actualization.

 My request for today is that you help share this episode. So, If you're posting to social media, please tag @embrace_your_truth and @urban_institute_4_sf, @sayyesmentoring.com and use the hashtag #InfiniteVoiceofOurYouth #ChangeYourMindChangeYourLife #MissionFuel #EmbraceYourTruth

 TWEETABLES:

If someone didn't help me when I was going through school, I would not have been able to do the things I accomplished. 

If we operate in our gift, then we can bring out the best in ourselves and others.

affirmations and faith will manifest the results we seek

Sometimes you don't recognize your purpose until you sit still and allow yourself to appreciate the enumeration of experiences that helped others and made you happy. @little1971kelly

Encouragement comes from everyday people if we listen.

You set an impression the moment you walk in the door. You carry yourself how you feel.

In today's episode, Ron King Jr., author, speaker, publisher, youth advocate, and publisher talks about young people. He feels they have the capacity to excel and accomplish amazing achievements when given the opportunity and encouragement from their support system.

During the podcast, Ron King Jr., explains how he and the host, Kelly R. Little, met as a result of a mutual friend. That friend Brother Bailey purchased several of Ron's books to share with others. Ron went on to emphasize the importance of relationships and rapport in creating an excellent environment for learning.

Ron believes that educators are responsible for cultivating students skills and skill sets by challenging and helping them to navigate the school system.

Ron shared the richness of discussion between himself and Kelly and how their 45-minute appointment was extended well over two hours. It caused Ron to be late in picking up his kids. (laughter)

The conversation was solution focused and spoke to the power of their divine connection.

Ron shared his gratitude for GOD and family.

He has a degree in history and experience in case-management for foster kids. The conversation transitioned to generational wealth, curses, and how to navigate current systems while promoting black unity.

Ron went on to emphasize the challenge of social promotion and how that disadvantages them.

Instagram: @Ron King JR.

LinkedIn: Ron King Jr.

Our featured guests today are Christine Edwards (Amplify Charlotte-CEO and Local Government-Community Engagement Expert), Asia Bartholomew (Student-UNC-Charlotte): Today's featured guest blessed us with information on how to engage, influence, mentor, celebrate and highlight the power of family, civic empowerment, and its influence on the development of young people.

 Our creatives, Christine, and Asia both spoke about how they were influenced by leaders who modeled the changes that they wanted to influence in the community. Christine and Asia articulate the influence that their parents have had on them finding and standing in their purpose, while also navigating college life. Family support has helped scholars as they embrace adulthood and their collegiate journey with excitement.  Listening to these guest speak about leadership, Education, and the power of mentors is a must if we are to help young people reach self-actualization.

Christine discussed her organization, Amplify Charlotte, who works with governments and nonprofits to enhance community engagement capacity and increase awareness of special projects by hosting public meetings and workshops, specifically for capital projects and community developments.

 Christine proceeds to discuss her civic engagement tools and resources for community leaders as well as fun local government trivia for both youth and adults! These tools are essential if we are to hold our representatives accountable for taking care of our interests.

 Her place-based neighborhood outreach initiatives if utilized, will improve the quality of life for community residents and stakeholders.

 My request for today is that you help share this episode. So, If you're posting to social media, please tag @akilahmarie @amplifyclt @missedwardsclt @embrace_your_truth and @urban_institute_4_sf and use the hashtag #InfiniteVoiceofOurYouth #ChangeYourMindChangeYourLife #MissionFuel #EmbraceYourTruth

Key Points from the episode:

* Awareness and cultural understanding help shape what's going on in the community.

* Family is the foundation that births us to dream.

* Remembering the journey keeps us grounded and humble. It encourages us to step away from the chaos of life and appreciate it in its richness.

* Videos across all social media platforms receive more engagement than text.

* Mentors have been instrumental in walking in my purpose.

* Southern Piedmont Chapter of National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) helped to shape many black professionals.

* Acknowledging the Impact of the late great Harry Jones, former County Manager and NFBPA who was a trailblazer who equalized opportunities in local government.

* Deconstructing the Genx, GenY, and Millennial labels.

* Christine Edwards, Khalia Braswell and Sherell Dorsey were the benchmark that aspired to be in the community.

* The importance of deconstructing labels that limit others.

* Systemic strategies that teach people how to get your voice heard, making sure you are represented in government and how to make a change at the neighborhood level.

* Helping communities grow with dignity.

* Educating people on how to advocate and speak up for themselves.

* Voicing the need of young people.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Books: Love where you live     Author: Peter Kageyama

Books:  I'm Judging you                   Author: Luvvie Ajayi

LinkedIn: Christine Edwards, MPA

Instagram: @missedwardsclt and @amplifyclt, @Akilahmarie

Twitter: @MissEdwardsCLT

TWEETABLES:

Development is much more than professional development. We have to invest in the entirety of people. @Little1971kelly

I consume information beyond written information. Visual content is critical for creatives.

Watching my parents journey has had a transformational impact on my creative journey. My parents are creatives: videographer and web designer; their accomplishment has influenced my journey.

 Partnering with organizations to empower young people to speak up. @MissEdwardsCLT

We have to create affordable housing for residents of this city.@hMissEdwardsCLT

Our featured guests today are Courtnie McIntosh(The Academy of Goal Achievers-Founder/CEO) and, Katimah Irving (High School Senior, Goal Achiever and soon to be NC A&T-Freshman). In today's episode, we highlight the importance of helping young people navigate themselves, career readiness, and, the arduous preparation for their college application journey. On the show, Courtnie was open and honest about making sure she empowered young people to be a part of the solution. She was vulnerable and shared her experience in navigating the college preparation process. During the podcast,  Courtnie explains why she advocates for collaboration and how it benefits students. She proceeds to assert the vitality of the youth voice and why capturing their opinion is imperative to deriving sustainable change.

In this segment of our podcast, we are excited to amplify an exchange of power from mentor to mentee. Our future leader, Katimah, explains how vital Courtnie was in her high school journey. Katimah shares that Courtnie was instrumental in helping her find and appreciate her authentic voice and purpose. More importantly, this future NC A&T Aggie informed us that once she realized her value and alignment with the high school that would harness her growth and trajectory. Thus, she attended three schools before finding the school that she knew provided her the best opportunity to thrive socially, academically, and professionally.

My request for today is that you help share this episode. So, If you're posting to social media, please tag @embrace_your_truth and @urban_institute_4_sf, @Getliketimahh, @goalachievers, @courtnie_mcintosh and use the hashtag #InfiniteVoiceofOurYouth #ChangeYourMindChangeYourLife #MissionFuel #EmbraceYourTruth

 TWEETABLES:

Find a place that will make you happy when choosing a school @goalachievers

I became who I am when I found the school that encouraged me to be who I am supposed to be @getliketimahh

School is more than academics; we have to embrace and cultivate the totality of our youth @little1971kelly

We have to be able to transition young  adults, assist families with employment and challenges to build bridges to excellence @goalachievers

Our featured guests today are Don Thomas Jr. (Leading on Opportunity-Community Impact Director), Arianna -Thomas (Student-Hampton University-Sophmore), Linda McKinley (Training and Quality Manager-Mecklenburg County Government), and Patience Mckinley (Mars Hill College-Junior).

In today's episode, we celebrate and highlight the power of family, and it's influence on the development of young people. Our professionals, Linda and Don both share how their parents influenced their professional growth. Arianna and Patience articulate the influence that their parents have had on them finding and standing in their purpose, while also navigating college life. Family support has helped scholars as they embrace adulthood and their collegiate journey with excitement. Listening to these guest speak about leadership, Education, and the power of mentors is a must if we are to help young people reach self-actualization.

My request for today is that you help share this episode. So, If you're posting to social media, please tag @embrace_your_truth and @urban_institute_4_sf and use the hashtag #InfiniteVoiceofOurYouth #ChangeYourMindChangeYourLife #MissionFuel #EmbraceYourTruth

Key Points from the episode:

* Patience first pet is what began her love of animals and is the foundation for her going into zoology and biology.

* Parents planted the seed for love for animals.

* Train up a child in the way that they should go.

* Arianna helped her father run for an elected position as a high school student, she went on to speak about the 99 percent placement program in the 5-year M.B.A program at Hampton.

* Patience and Arianna are honor society students.

* Arianna was instrumental in making social media suggestions on how adults can use the platform to reach listeners.

* How women balance marriage, parenthood, spirituality, and professional life.

* Patience was a trailblazer in her school and set a standard for zoology in her previous high school.

* Don talked about data that shows the importance of presence and black males.

* Intentionality and engaging community.

* Systemic strategies that help change the narratives.

Intro by Paul Day CEO/ Founder of Innovate Tech Charlotte

Paul Day is a technology visionary teaching teens through his school and summer camp leadership and innovative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Blockchain Technology, Computer Coding, and Quantum Computing creating economic mobility, entreprenuers and a pipeline of talent for large companies. 

LinkedIn: @InnovateTechCharlotte

Twitter: @SummerTechst1

Featured Guest Steve Vassor

Our featured guest today is Steve Vassor, Vice President of Membership, and Director for the Campaign for Black Male Achievement's Rumble Young Man Rumble. Steve is a proud Dad, grateful husband, servant leader, visionary, coach, mentor, a man of faith, and action. He's a transformational speaker and facilitator.

This episode is overflowing with dynamic energy and information on how to galvanize leaders to collectively manifest sustainable changes in communities that serve black and brown boys.  Steve shared how the Campaign brought in health and healing strategies to drives vibrance. He took the time to share and break down Dr. Phyllis's Hubbard's suggestions on what should we be consuming with our eyes, ears, and mouth.

Throughout his career, Steve's selfless service, supported, led, organized, trained, planned with and funded youth and community-serving organizations. He served in the following capacities; committees, commissions, and Boards focused on improving life outcomes for children, youth, and families. Steve speaks to his current employment as his life's purpose. However, he shares his journey and how it informed him to living his purpose.

Steve talks about the transference of energy, and the spirit of Muhammed Ali, his Ancestors, and the vision of Reverend Wyatt, and Shawn Dove who had the foresight to have the Rumble in the Ali Center. There is a universal spirit in the Ali Center that emits love, energy, spirituality, and transformation. As a result of this special place, teachers are inspired to educate our children more effectively. The young people view life from a different lens, thanks to the Rumble. They are confident and humble. The rumble allows everyone to get connected, committed, and catalyze change!

Tweetables:

There can be no timezone, that's longer than the 400 years that our ancestors have fought since they were brought to these shores, and impacted the culture in the U.S. @SteveVassor

Infinite voice is a time warp in itself, so what's a couple of hours here and there. @SteveVassor

Let's dig in, let's break out the fork and knife. Let's cut this thing open and go to work. @SteveVassor

https://www.blackmaleachievement.org/

Rumble Young Man Rumble

Host Kelly R. Little

Website: http://www.embraceyourtruth.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-little/