John Hines is in for Sheletta on this ice cold Saturday and we are almost two weeks into the new year so we want to know - did you accomplish your new year's resolutions or have you started ? Also the American Red Cross has an incentive with donating blood that could land you and someone else at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas just by donating blood so we talked to Sue Thesenga who is the Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross: Minnesota and Dakotas Region about that and the shortage they are facing right now for the first time in many years. 

There is a massive shortage in blood donors for the first time in years and the American Red Cross is not only urging many to donate blood but are also putting up a pair of tickets and a trip to Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58 for anyone who donates blood. Sue Thesenga is the Regional Communications Manager for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region for the American Red Cross and she joined us to talk about the dire need for blood donations and tells us more about the Super Bowl 58 sweepstakes. 

Is there a stigma around Black women staying single longer in life?  Dr. Kris Marsh, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland, explores this and the meaning of family in her new book, "The Love Jones Cohort".  She joins the program to discuss what went into the book.

Are you looking for an event to attend and celebrate the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?  Ashley Oolman (Equity Strategist from the Minnesota Office of Equity, Opportunity, and Accessibility) and Diego Diaz Rivero (Health Equity Strategist from the MN Dept. of Human Services) join the show to give us some options.

We get an update on several Martin Luther King events being held next week from Ashley Oolman and Diego Diaz-Rivero.

Sheletta digs into the third anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

Dr. Kris Marsh from the University of Maryland describes what led her to write the new book, "The Love Jones Cohort".

For some, the beginning of a new year means taking a break from drinking alcohol.  But what does Dry January do to businesses that rely on alcohol sales?  Urban Growler Brewing owner Jill Pavlak tells us how the company is providing options for those deciding to stay sober.

Sheletta reaches out to the listening audience for help with a particular hormonal issue.

Urban Growler Brewing owner Jill Pavlak explains how her company is dealing with people that are celebrating a Dry January.

One local business owner was ready to reach out for help in keeping her company open.  Then, a generous benefactor stepped in.  Muddy Paws Cheesecake owner Tami Cabrera explains the story from that point.

As the New Year kicks in, the Science Museum of MN is kickstarting a new campaign to introduce children of color to the worlds of STEM and STEAM.  Karilyn Robinson, Marketing Public Relations Specialist at the museum, talks about this Saturday's event and the series of days yet to come.

Sheletta explains the honor she has to be named a keynote speaker at an upcoming MLK event.

Karilyn Robinson from the Science Museum of MN tells us about a series of events designed to help build diversity in STEM.

Tami Cabrera of Muddy Paws Cheesecake describes how a helping hand led her to keep her business going.