Monica May's Point Of View

POLIS Institute CEO Nat C. Jones shared that the organization is directing two new documentaries benefitting Central Florida. The 50 Fathers Docuseries - gives light to the differences men experience as fathers and their role in the family. The Legacy on Location Documentary will follow the elders in communities like Lake Mann, Rock Lake, Lake Lorna Doone etc. to share their heritage. For info on...

Tony Foster, Florida Chapter President of Kentucky State University (an HBCU) National Alumni Association discussed major issues facing our institutions today. The struggle to keep doors open stems from financial drought and student retention. The need for graduates to give back is more essential today than ever before. Connect with Kentucky State U to give back at info@ksunaa.org or find a HBCU i...

Orange County District 5 Commissioner Dr. Kelly Martinez-Semrad defined the status of the State Property Tax debate. The tax provides all of our daily infrastructure services. Without the tax, many of our regular county taxpayers would see a decrease in county services and would have to pay a higher state tax. Others (higher income residents) would benefit along with developers and landlords. Emai...

Orlando native Dr. Kalandria Smith starts local company, Landi-Lou Productions and presents, "I've Been Sleeping....." Saturday, June 27th @ Olympia H.S. 2:30 & 7:30pm Dr. Sherry Parramore, Executive V.P. & COO of Bethune Cookman University shared details about their "Day of Giving" Thursday, June 18th. They want to raise $200,000 which will be matched by a donor. If you'd like to add to the finan...

Lawanda Thompson, President of the Equite Council Corporation talked about the importance of continuing the celebration of Juneteenth. "Jazz & Jubilee" is Saturday June 20th 5pm - 10pn at Shady Park, 721 W. New England Avenue in Winter Park - featuring various talents from Orlando. Register to attend @ www.theequitycouncilcorporation.org (to accommodate everyone in case of inclement weather). Cee...

Star 94.5 and CMG urban radio stations nationwide broadcasted "Stopping the Music to Silence the Violence". Powerful stories were heard as we all came together to uplift one another.

Dr. Christopher Stansbury of Veterans Advocacy, LLC completed his dissertation on ALL services relevant to veterans returning home. He shared techniques to manage veteran PTSD and more. Connect with him @ christopher_stansbury@ymail.com or 773-879-7952 The 34th Annual Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival is coming to Orlando June 10th - 13th starting at the Eatonville Library. Poets Shawn Welcome a...

Cherlette McCullough, LMFT www.centerpeacetheragy.org shared that in order to face the growing mental health issue in the black community, we must normalize the conversation. Suppression does not eliminate pain or make it go away - it's important to seek therapy. Outlook Clinic provides free psychiatric and therapy care 407/898-0110. Cassandra Brown with All About the Ballot is also Chair in Lake...

The new CEO of The Sharing Center is Tekoa Pouerie is also the pastor of the Acceleration Church. She leads with compassion offering resources ranging from rental, utility services to food and more www.thesharingcenter.org . Call 407/260-9155. NEW VOTING MAPS DELETE BLACK REPRESENTATION Florida's governor has redrawn the voting maps to diminish black voting power. In Florida, the Fair District Ame...

Dr. Lashanda Harris lived in the projects, was on welfare, receiving food stamps when she made the conscious decision to change her life, by changing her mindset. During the pandemic she earned her Master's and PhD and became an author of various E-Books. Connect with her @ www.6FigureMindset.com Karen Castor Dental, Orange County's Supervisor of Elections reminded us there are three ways to vote...

Dr. Pernell Bush of No Limit Counseling is a licensed psychotherapist. We talked about femicide (which is the gender based killing of females by males) and how to "teach" men to identify and manage their rage. Three important factors 1. What does domestic violence look like 2. How can men disengage their rage 3. As a collective - have conversations about relationships openly - Connect with Dr. Bus...

Tracey Powell, a Walt Disney World Executive was named ONYX Magazine's Woman of the Year. She thanked them and discussed the role she plays in Disney's finance division as well as the job that she's been tasked with for the last 16 years, and that's creating the Disney Dreamers Experience. Dr. Trisha Bailey is a Jamaican born billionaire who turned poverty and assault into the drivers that helped...

Mrs. Lakeia Hall of Halls Academy teaches youth the importance of money management. She invited listeners to their free Financial Summit in Polk County and to enroll students in the upcoming summer finance program. Visit www.thehallsacademy.com for more information. Bethune Cookman University's 8th President, Dr. Albert Mosley will be installed this weekend on campus. To find out more about the ac...

With reflections from Pastor's Terence Gray of St. Mark AME Church and Sharon Riley of Agape Perfecting Praise & Worship Center, we shared real stories from our audience about getting up when life gets you down. Our discussion focused on Resurrection Beyond Religion. If you or anyone you know is dealing with depression, please contact Dr. Pernell Bush (407) 906-0139 Visit the Website http://www.no...

Nat C. Jones is the new CEO of the POLIS Institute. They match investors with community organizations here in Orlando. They're looking for students to join their FELLOWS Program. Contact nat@polisinstitute.org Follow @DrJeremyLevitt for an update on the United Nations vote to recognize slavery through the transatlantic slave trade. Most nations voted favorably with 52 abstentions; The United State...

Dr. Lavon Bracy and State Senator Lavon Bracy-Davis shared a fun filled conversation about what it was like growing up in a family of community servants. They had a chance to laugh and tell behind the scenes stories that we'd never heard before. Village of Love, Inc. is an organization assisting families through the loss of a loved one through gun violence. Emily Pringle and Tuwanan Ware both lost...

Dr. Lavon Bracy and State Senator Lavon Bracy-Davis shared a fun filled conversation about what it was like growing up in a family of community servants. They had a chance to laugh and tell behind the scenes stories that we'd never heard before. Village of Love, Inc. is an organization assisting families through the loss of a loved one through gun violence. Emily Pringle and Tuwanan Ware both lost...

LaShea Reeves, Executive Director of 8 Cents in a Jar shared how she turned her family's lack of financial knowledge and personal tragedy shaped her own life. Today she and her team teach students how to manage money and grow dividends. She shared 3 things, the signature program "Money Expo" is April 4th, the "Youth Investment Summit" is May 29-31 in N.Y.C. and they're expanding their team, they n...

26 Health invites the community to a seminar on menopause, March 24th 6pm at their office 801 N. Magnolia Avenue. Physicians will be available to answer all questions. "Is it Hot in Here" is a FREE discussion . Register online at www.26health.org Center for Change is an education and resource organization that serves Orange, Osceola and Volusia counties. They provide information and testing on col...

Joann Febus, Executive Director of Dress for Success updated us on their new programs for women (and men) in search of employment. They have a 25th Anniversary drive to "Adopt a Closet" find out more 407/721-9859 Jennifer Wilcox, Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Citrus Council shared results of the study The State of the Florida Girl and invited listeners to consider having their daughters joi...

Karen Castor Dentel, our new Orange County Supervisor of Elections, shared updated information as we prepare for the midterm elections. This election happens midway through our presidential four-year term. The following are elections happening March, August 16th and November 3rd.

Organ donation is not something that our community openly discusses, yet we have the highest numbers on national transplant registries. Our Legacy, is an organ transplant organization working through Advent Health that provides information as well as the gift of life for persons in need. They are presenting their annual "Gift of Life" program Saturday, February 21st @ Patmos Chapel in Apopka. It's...

Our recorded conversation with Former Congresswoman Val Demings left us with several nuggets. She talked about how Florida is a testing ground for national policy debates. We discussed the importance of accountability and defining the issues that voters should be paying attention to. Demings reminded us that the President is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. Her response to what defin...

Dr. Candace Finley, Director of the eSTEAM Learning Program in Eatonville, shared the importance of teaching our youth about the possibilities of STEM. She did a play on the acronym that added an "e" for entrepreneurship, and of course the "A" is for arts. Her next event is a walking and bike tour of Eatonville. "Routes to Roots" happens Feb. 21st 7am-12pm. www.esteamedkearninginc.org Dr. Moresa C...

There is a "Science to Sisterhood" so says Anika Allen with 5-Star Friendships! An organization she began during the pandemic that stays on the cutting edge of research on the importance of friendship in terms of life longevity. Today there is a national epidemic where 20% of our population suffer from loneliness. She also pointed out that since the lifespan of women is longer than men, some 80% o...