Monica May's Point Of View

6:00 am – Central Florida Diaper Bank – Guest: Sharon Lyles, Executive Director The diaper bank started in 1995 after Sharon found herself and her newborn down to one pamper. She was a single, working mom and felt she had hit rock bottom. Since that time, Sharon developed a service for mom’s and now dad’s to receive the basic essentials to help raise happy and healthy babies. They now offer everyt...

Florida Economic Consortium (www. FLConsortium.org) CEO, Rod Love has initiated a new youth violence advisory council for ages 15 - 23. The work will be done by the youth for the youth as they look at what is happening today in communities throughout our city. If you have a young person who would like to participate, please request an application at YVP@FLConsortium.org Call 407/494-2406. The Cons...

April is National Financial Literacy month, declared in 2003 by President Obama to extend from just Youth Financial Literacy Day to the month being designated toward developing smart money management habits. We spoke with Route 7, an organization designed for men to speak to accountability in all aspects of life. They are offering a FREE Money Talks Speaker Series April 26th 7pm @ the Grand Avenue...

We spoke with Monique Worrell, State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. She gave us her background which is in criminal justice. Worrell has had years of experience teaching and practicing law, Mrs. Worrell broke down several tactics used by governing members capable of creating false narratives. Discussed how direct filing youth is like writing children off sending them to adult priso...

Can there ever be “Reparations of relationships” between police and the community? That was our hot topic this morning. We welcomed Julian O’Neil from United Foundation of Central Florida and Kelli Murray as we discussed various approaches to tackle the root of disconnect between citizens and law enforcement. Julian was “saved” by the same community organization he works for now. To find out how t...

Dealing with the housing crisis from the Bright Community Trust perspective, Traci Blue and Michael Vaz discussed the development of a regional strategy. Targeting the Bipoc community to provide assistance in entering the home ownership buyers’ market. Tune it to hear more of their process and financial empowerment programs. Visit the brightway.org or Call (727) 475-1366. Talking about money this...

Every year on March 10th and throughout the month of March, local, state, federal and national organizations come together to shed light on the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls and show support for those at risk of and living with HIV. This year marks the 18th annual observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. STAR 94.5 took a moment to get an update from a local HIV ed...

How are we managing with the increase of violence in schools across the country. Some say the pandemic, has caused the issue to increase. Welcoming Vicki Felder District 5 OCPS board Member and Jacquie Alexander from Keeping Up Suspension, to the mic. Our children need guidance, for it takes a village to raise a child. Join the panel discussion at a Community Anti-Violence Round Table Discussion M...

Monica has a candid conversation on Black History and Governor Ron DeSantis's Bill on African American Education with Donique Rolle, African American History Educator and Kristin Thomas, Director of The Black History Project.

Supervisor of Elections, Bill Cowles, provides clarification on upcoming elections for Orange county. Elections for Council seat in Maitland, Mayor and City Commissioner in Ocoee are March 14th. The last day to request a vote by mail ballot is 10 days before the election, March 4th. Do not wait until the last minute. Visit https://www.ocfelections.com/ to access more information on the voting proc...

Thirty years ago Attorney Helene Bloom read a newspaper article about Reverend Fred Maxwell and his desire to provide services for the city’s homeless. The pair met and Bloom’s words were, “You Continue to Dream and I’ll Start Looking for the Money.” She kept her word and the two founded what we know today as Pathlight HOME. The project provides food, shelter, case management and more to the homel...

Guests on POV, Justin Kinsey Executive Director for the Westlake District and Demetrius Summerville Director of Operations for Lift Orlando, speak on the extended projects of Florida Citrus Sports in conjunction with the 32805 community. Florida Citrus Sports operates differently than your typical sporting complex. They are in partnership with community advocates, Lift Orlando to provide prosperit...

Mental Health, Therapy and Suicide, is a conversation we never intend to have with family or friends, so we bared all information to hopefully help someone in crisis. Our guests this morning: Dr. Lauren Josephs, Pernell Bush and Jonathan Gustave. With a background in research and behavioral science Dr. Lauren Josephs expressed the reasons behind untreated mental health issues ljosephs@vvgroup.net...

Rod Love and Attorney Greg Jackson fill in for Monica May and have a conversation with Florida House of Representative Bruce Antone and President & CEO of Greater Orlando Sports Commission Jason Siegel.

Mr. Jaylen Christie , a true “blerd” (black nerd) made a childhood wish come true by developing a comic book for tweens. Prior to the release of his new Comic Book, “Stink Bomb man and the Brain Kids”,Jaylen spoke to Monica about teaching youth how to coexist and excel using their brain power. http://jaylenchristie.com/. Sean Roberts, creator of AMRAK an Anti-bullying campaign, reminded us that th...

Starting the new year on a serious note we welcomed Ronessa Strickland-Roberts and April Johnson to discuss the social determinants of health. Recognizing that receiving medical care alone, cannot cure illness if an individual’s basic needs are not addressed. If you are experiencing scarcity in resources to maintain good health or want to receive more information please visit https://www.my-small-...

This was a multifaceted show, where we covered everything Christmas related. We started with affordable toys from Dr. Sassy’s List. Laine Powell gave parents the best way to stimulate their child during the colder inactive months. Most of her suggestions were STEAM related, to give children a different perspective Then we entered under the umbrella of holiday cheer, with the parish of Pastor Tekoa...

This morning we were blessed with the reminder, “To move in the direction that rewards your heart!” That’s what Mr. Derrick Chubs did after 15 years of working for corporate America. He became the new CEO of Second Harvest food bank targeting the community’s food insecurity. The main issue of hunger stems from poverty, a growing problem with an opaque future. As an advocate of the community we ask...

Offering a contagious laugh, Attorney Kimra Major Morris is a top-rated intellectual property attorney and a nationally-published trademarks author, and host of Legal Connections. She dives explicitly into the difference between trademark and copyright including the penalties and missed opportunities of not acting on protecting your name or brand. For patent and trademark information www. USPTO.co...

Secily Wilson, President of WOW (Women Overcoming with Willpower) Legacy Group invited women to join the 6 month process her organization offers to help them get "back on their feet" from a life setback. They have invited Sarah Jakes Roberts as keynote for the 10th Anniversary of "Fall into Fabulous," December 10th at the Hyatt. For enrollment and more information www.wowlegacygroup.org Jones High...

“When Pink Meets Blue,” an open discussion about breast and prostate cancer! If you are black, you are at risk to develop either breast or prostate cancer. In fact, 1 in 6 black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and our men are twice as likely to die from it than white men. Each year in the U.S. about 264,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed In women and about 2,400 in men and about 4...

This morning both Presidents Dr. Larry Robinson from FAMU and Dr. Lawrence Drake from Bethune Cookman including Tony Jenkins the Central Florida Marketing Director invited the spirit of the Classic weekend quickly approaching. The nation’s premier HBCU football rivalry will celebrate its 25th game in Orlando when the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats meet the Florida A&M University Rattlers in t...

Guests: Timothy Ayers, Chair Orange County Democratic Black Caucus http://www.orangecountydbc.org/ Barbara Lanning and Attorney Cecile Scoon www.https://www.lwv.org/ Voting the entire ballot is key to every election. Please don't stop at the top 3 offices, pay close attention to all elected official positions, judges and amendments because they all affect our lives locally. For information on the...

Orange County reported the lowest turnout in the region, with just under 186,000 people voting, that's less than 22% of those registered. What is causing voter apathy? The Midterm election is Tuesday November 8th and this morning’s discussion was on what’s causing black and brown people to not vote. Kristin Thomas from Equal Ground was our guest and she said beyond the pandemic and low wages, ther...

Eatonville, Florida, is the first Black incorporated city in the United States of America. For more than 130 years there has NEVER been a bank in that area. The opening of Unity of Eatonville Federal Credit Union will serve as the community’s first federally funded insured financial institution. Our guests were George Williams Board Chair, James Rivera Branch Manager and Pastor Willie C. Barnes Vi...