Mehdi Mamouri - Helping to Bridge Culture in Morocco

Mehdi is a passionate caring young businessman, who wants to help people in Morocco understand the culture in the United States and vice versa. Studying in the United States at Nova Southeastern in Southern Florida, Mehdi graduated with a business degree. While living in the United States, Mehdi experienced obstacles and difficulties many immigrants feel when they first come to the United States. Mehdi has some wonderful stories to share about life in Morocco, his time in the United States, and what his dreams are to help bridge cultural understanding in his country.

Teng Deng & Todd Love Ball, Jr. - Giving Hope to Africa

Teng Deng

Teng is a professional soccer player in Europe and has played professional soccer since 2008. He is the founder of Football for Change, a charity committed to helping youth in Sudan, where he immigrated from as a child. Teng has a passion for service and wants to help youth in Africa understand they have value and also to know that African people who left do come back to make a difference. 

Todd Love Ball, Jr.

Todd is the co-author of Wavers & Beggars, New Insight and Hope to End Poverty and Global Challenges. He is the founder of KT Fit Love, a fitnees company designed to help families spend time together and be fit simultaneously. He is also the author of two fictional books, Love Against Society and Members Only Northshore Confessions, Todd Love Ball, Jr. works professionally as a fitness educator and philanthropist. Involved in international relationship building with African-American communities and Polish communities, Todd is a bilingual speaker of English and Polish, and has traveled to Africa and Poland in efforts of community building. Todd lives with his wife and two children in the city of Palatine, IL. (www.waverandbeggars.com)

Purity Gikunju - Coffee Growers Alliance

From Coffee Growers Alliance website (www.growersalliance.com)

"I grew up very poor on a coffee farm in Kenya. I feel a great desire in my heart to speak out not just for the poor coffee growers back home in my own village of Mwea in Kenya but for coffee growers from all over the world who are still very poor even today despite the fact that they do the most work. The reason that they are still poor is because they have been taken advantage of for way far too long by the several unnecessary middle men who take the biggest cut. My biggest dream is to connect coffee growers directly to the market."

Miss Purity Gikunju – President and CEO, Growers Alliance Coffee Company, Jacksonville, Florida

 

NOTE:  This recording was conducted in an outdoor venue with high force winds so some of the audio is poor quality.  Please listen through the small areas of poor quality.  This is an awesome interview and Purity is a "big time" Agent of Social Change making a difference in the world.

Mr. Ariel De La Cruz - Antero Mota Baseball Coach, Mentor

Ariel serves as a local coach and leader in Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic. Growing up in the D.R., Ariel experienced the hardships of poverty many Dominican youth must overcome. Yet, he didn't allow his circumstances to stand in his way. Blessed with an opportunity to study and play baseball in the United States, Ariel played two years of college baseball before his college discontinued their program. Without any options, Ariel returned to the D.R. with a desire to help the local youth as a coach, mentor, and therapist. Ariel has worked with U.S. based organizations Dreamweaver (Gear for Goals) and ChiroMission to help thousands of youth receive baseball equipment. Working with local youth, Ariel believes one way we can end poverty and inspire youth is through strong sports mentoring programs. Contact: [email protected]

Mr. Ken Taylor - Founder Kimana School of Leadership & Professional Studies and Dreamweaver International

Mr. Ken Taylor has resided in Kenya for twenty years and has a degree in theology through the Shiloh Institute in Hamilton, Montana. Prior to moving to Kenya, Mr. Taylor successfully ran a large cement contract company in Carson City, Nevada. Mr. Taylor's company was responsible for the planning and development of road systems, curb, gutter, and housing foundations. Mr. Taylor has gained extensive experience in the country of Kenya while building small community churches, schools, and the construction of a ten-acre campus devoted to advanced education and medical care. Mr. Taylor was married to Sandra Taylor for 31 years prior to her passing in 2016. He has a deep passion to serve and bring hope to people in Africa. He believes God has a plan for every person and lives his life to serve Jesus first above all else in his life. He has five children and seven grandchildren. To learn more www.dreamweaver911.org

ANDREA ALEXANDER, FOUNDER

As a life-long resident of Loudoun County, Andrea has been involved in youth sports as a player, coach and mom of two boys. During this time, she personally experienced the rising costs of youth sports and witnessed numerous kids being left out due to lack of financial support or equipment. Glory Days Live was created to provide an opportunity for every child in Loudoun to be able to participate in athletic activities. Andrea oversees the various programs and initiatives of Glory Days Live to ensure those in need are getting the support necessary to fully participate in youth sports. Contact Andrea at [email protected].