The Public Affairs Podcast

KG Smooth continues to reads portions of the book Meet Your Strawman: And Whatever You Want To Know by David E. Robinson. If nobody has told that you have a Strawman, then this could be a very interesting experience for you. Your Strawman was created when you were very young, far too young to know anything about it. But then, it was meant to be a secret as it's purpose is to swindle you, and it has been used very effectively to do just that ever since it was created.

Make a difference while exercising —walk, run, cycle—all in honor of UNCF, our students and schools! Join us in Houston for the South Texas Walk and help UNCF raise funds to support our HBCUs and students.  We talk to Kaylon Beck, Development Director for UNCF Houston about the walk and how we can build better futures one step at a time.  The UNCF Walk for Education is a 5K Walk and will be at Tom Bass Park Saturday, September 10th from 7am to 12 noon, a local initiative to raise the critical funds UNCF needs to fulfill our mission of support to our member HBCUs and to help our students to become active participants of society through a high-quality education.

Houston based life and wellness coach, Lindsay Locke, has made it her goal to inspire others to improve their quality of life by focusing on their personal growth and wellness. As the owner of LockedIn Life & Wellness Coaching, Locke feels it is her unique purpose to share her experience overcoming the tragic loss of her eldest child, Houston R&B Princess JaeRene, who was killed instantly in a drunk driving incident in April of last year, to help others prevail. On Saturday, Aug. 27th, Locke will be celebrating the launch of her new self-help book “Self Reflection; A Journey To A Better You” with a Self-love Book Signing Brunch at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. The brunch will include Fitness, Wellness, and Self-Care experts sharing tips on self-help, vendors, lite bites, and of course words from Locke about her self-help journey.

The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) proudly announces its upcoming Minority Business EXPO set for this September 28th (day 1) and 29th (day 2). Ingrid Robinson, president of HMSDC, tells us about this year’s EXPO, which is intentionally titled EXPONENTIAL GROWTH, to describe our path forward as we push out of the pandemic into a new sense of normalcy. It is about making business connections, sharing industry insights, and learning about new opportunities to achieve exponential growth through the energy transition and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The 2022 EXPO is a “hybrid” format with Day 1 activities being held in person at Woodside Towers,1500 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX and Day 2 being held via HMSDC’s interactive virtual platform.

Frederick J. Goodall is the Founder & Creator at Mocha Man Style.  Men change the oil in their car every 3,000 miles, but when it comes to their own health, they are reluctant to get a check-up.  We aim to change that!  Mocha Man Style and Tex US Too are inviting all men and the people who love them to attend our Men’s Health Expo and Blood Drive Presented by Reincke Vein Center.  The event will be held at The Gite Gallery (2024 Alabama St., Houston, TX 77004) on Thursday, August 25th from 5 pm – 9 pm.

Pat Rumph, mentoring chair for 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston and Everett Hare Sr., interim education committee chair for 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, talks about their mentoring program.  Mentoring is the signature program and cornerstone of 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. (The 100). The social, cultural, emotional, and unique needs of youth, primarily African American males, are addressed through group mentoring relationships by members of The 100. Committed to our cause, our members serve as positive role models, advocates, and trusted advisors to children and young adults, including the Collegiate 100 and the Emerging 100, in the Houston community.

Pastor Walter August of the Church at Bethtal's Family talks about the their No More Violence Summit.  Their mission is to love and lead all people into a new life change in Jesus Christ.

Premier High School - Houston Sharpstown is a new,  free public charter school now enrolling students for the fall. Like the more than 50 Premier High School campuses across Texas and Arkansas, Premier High School  - Houston Sharpstown will help students get back on track, earn a diploma, and receive the professional training they need to succeed after graduation.  We talk to Christina Degbo, the Campus Director of Premier High School, who tells us what makes Premier High Schools different from any other high school.

George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police made worldwide headlines, propelling the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for racial justice. But the story of him as a family man, mentor and community member has not been widely told. In a heartfelt and deeply personal account, Bridgett Floyd shares the powerful bond between her and her brother.  We talk to Taslta Bapiste, Rae'l Ba, and Charles Hunter, who stars in the short film, "The Gentle Giant," which is streaming on Hulu and YouTube.  The Ad Council and R/GA launched a series of powerful new films from the iconic Love Has No Labels campaign using real stories to showcase how acts of love can drive inclusion, equity and justice.

Yellowland Records, a Houston-based, Black woman-owned independent record label, is launching a new internship program this month at the label’s brand-new recording studio (3334 Edloe Street) in River Oaks!  Yellowland Records is giving students and young artists a hands-on chance to learn all facets of the recording industry this summer, along with practical tools to take their careers beyond the music scene!  The independent label, launched by Millionaire Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker Twiler Portis and her son, rising Houston rap and hip-hop star Jimmy Bolt are committed to the community initiatives, education, and philanthropy

Author, philanthropist, and founder of the K. Mejia Community Center, Kimberly Mejia talks about her new book and a special event she's doing for women.   

Little STEM Academy is a comprehensive learning academy providing integrated, small class sizes with hands-on and simulation experiments for ages 3, 4 and early 5-year old learners. The Academy’s primary focus is effective and advanced brain development, social play, and communication.  With a team of professionals trained to teach learners with higher-order thinking, your child will not only be ready for their next school level, but prepared to experience advanced or gifted and talented programs, sooner than later.  La Sonja Jordan Henderson owns and operates two high quality early childhood learning centers and joins KG Smooth for a great conversation. 

The High School for the Performing and Visual Art's is having their 50th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend commemorating their unity and achievements and work to pave the way forward for those who follow in their footsteps.  KG Smooth talks to Grammy nominated singer, Ashley Tamar Davis, (HSPVA Alum) and the co-chair for the PVA homecoming about the weekend filled events and the history of this legendary high school. 

“Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine” has returned to The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science after its 2020 exhibition was interrupted by COVID-19 closures. The first traveling museum exhibition to focus on the reality and relevance of artificial intelligence, "Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine" will be on display at The Health Museum until September 5, 2022. We talk to the Marketing Manager, Stephanie Wigginton for all the information. For more information, please visit https://www.thehealthmuseum.org/exhibit/ai-artificial-intelligence-your-mind-machine.

Mr. Paul Newman is the Chef instructor at Houston Food Bank.  He oversees a program offering Second Chances for offenders who'd like to learn culinary skills and earn a certification.  He spoke with KG Smooth and I about sharing this information with our audiences on the community platform to help others in our community learn and earn for a better way of life.

Reginald hardy Sr., founder and director of The Baller Academy, talks about purpose of the organization, the challenges of our young men today, and the basketball league.  They help prevent youth suicides, youth depression, anxiety, and address youth health issues.  The program also has youth mentoring, skills & drills, basketball games, healthy eating tips, and a free gym membership.

How does a 35-years-young man with no family history or symptoms get a prostate cancer diagnosis? It’s an “old man’s disease”! This shocking diagnosis changed Gabe Canales’s life in 2010. After a doctor asked him, “What’s your diet?”, Gabe’s eyes were opened to realize that his diet may have contributed to his disease, and that his family history is full of diet-related chronic issues such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.  Gabe Canales is a prostate cancer survivor. He became a men’s health advocate and established the Blue Cure Foundation in 2010. Gabe has given a TedX talk and many other health keynotes nationwide, as well as making contributions to the Houston Chronicle and HuffPost. He has also been featured in Forbes.