Scratchwerk ^EDU

What does it take to create lasting community change? For Charles Griggs, Director of Community Initiatives in Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan's office, the answer lies at the intersection of experience, empathy, and strategic advocacy. In this candid conversation, Griggs shares insights from his journey through media, marketing, public health, and public service. As the architect behind the...

We explore three major AI developments reshaping business and technology: PWC's new Agent OS platform, ChatGPT's memory feature, and Wharton School of Business's new AI major. • PWC launches AgentOS, a $1 billion platform helping businesses deploy enterprise-level AI agents • ChatGPT's new memory feature allows it to recall user preferences and past interactions • Wharton Schoo...

Tech giants are pushing boundaries with AI in healthcare, meeting participation, and augmented reality wearables. These advancements signal a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology in our daily lives. • Apple developing Project Mulberry, an AI health companion aimed at replicating primary care physician functions through iPhones and Apple Watches • Otter.ai has launched a voice assis...

What does true representation look like in spaces where you're not expected? Marsha Oliver, Senior Vice President of Community and Public Engagement at the PGA Tour, takes us on a journey that challenges conventional thinking about career paths, community impact, and authentic leadership. Tia Leathers and Ronnie King join Marsha in a conversation as Oliver recounts her life-changing experienc...

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable has become something of a personal development mantra, but what happens when we apply this principle to our communities?  Many of us believe our communities are "so close" to breakthrough – but can this perspective be keeping us in comfortable patterns that limit real progress. The truth? We might not be as close as we think, and the path forw...

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape our workplaces with Bill Gates predicting AI will replace most human jobs within the next decade. His statements highlight how AI will fundamentally change not just our careers but basic human activities, raising important questions about purpose and the future of employment. • Bill Gates predicts AI will replace most human jobs within the next decade •...

An intimate conversation with Dr. Johnnetta Cole reveals the extraordinary journey of a woman who has repeatedly made history throughout the years. From entering Fisk University at just 15 years old to becoming the first African-American woman president of Spelman College, Dr. Cole's life exemplifies resilience, vision, and purposeful action. Dr. Cole shares the remarkable story of her journe...

What if we brought the same playful energy, the same permission to imagine without judgment, to discussions about AI replacing jobs or the changing nature of education? What if these conversations didn't have to feel like doom and gloom? When we remove the pressure of solving global problems and instead approach them with genuine curiosity, something remarkable happens – creativity flourishes...

Tech advancements are reshaping our future with unprecedented breakthroughs in quantum computing, renewable energy, and biotechnology. We explore revolutionary developments that promise to transform industries while raising important questions about encryption security, sustainability progress, and ethical gene editing implications. • Quantum computing breakthrough achieves processing speeds that...

Mia Jones is a force of nature whose mission to serve Jacksonville's underserved communities has shaped her remarkable career from city council to the Florida legislature and now healthcare leadership. Her approach to creating change reveals a masterclass in relationship politics – not the partisan kind, but the human connections that transcend political divisions when addressing community ne...

Ever considered the radical notion that surveillance and AI could be our most powerful allies in the fight for equity? This exploration challenges everything we think we know about technology's relationship with social justice and opens a provocative question: for communities consistently receiving unfair treatment from human decision-makers, could technology offer a more equitable solution? ...

We explore three major AI developments transforming our world: AI surveillance in schools, food technology innovations showcased at South by Southwest 2025, and the global politics of AI regulation.  • AI surveillance in schools expected to become a $3.2 billion market by 2028 • South by Southwest 2025 highlighted AI-driven food innovations • Lab-grown meat industry projected to reach $2 billion b...

What happens when the power to determine someone's fate rests in your hands? Attorney Octavius Holliday Jr., Director of the Human Rights Division at the State Attorney's Office, pulls back the curtain on prosecutorial discretion and the human element of justice in this thought-provoking conversation. Holiday's remarkable journey from Duke University to respected prosecutor took an...

Ronnie King and Tia Leathers reflect on the evolution of the MyVillage Project from a modest $10,000 fund into a community-designed and tech-driven initiative across Florida. What began as an effort to support Black-led nonprofits has blossomed into an innovative ecosystem reaching 10,000 students annually through partnerships with 350 organizations in five communities. At the heart of the MyVilla...

We cover some groundbreaking developments in technology and their effects on society. We discuss Ripple's new nonprofit aimed at educating the public about cryptocurrency, Meta's new brain-to-text technology, and Salesforce's AI-driven AgentForce 2DX update. • Ripple launches the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) to promote cryptocurrency education sends a $50 million grant...

Step into a compelling conversation with former Florida State Senator Tony Hill, as he unpacks his journey from longshoreman to public servant. In this warm and engaging episode, we discuss the importance of community connections and how these relationships can empower individuals and families alike. Senator Hill shares insights into civic engagement, advocating for youth participation, and the cr...

Join us for a captivating episode featuring Dr. Barbara Ann Darby, a distinguished educator and community advocate who has dedicated her life to empowering others. From her significant tenure as Campus President at Florida State College at Jacksonville to the founding of impactful community initiatives such as the Young Black Male Academy and the Urban Education Symposium, Dr. Darby reflects on he...

Unlock the secrets of the quantum realm as we help change your understanding of technology's future. Imagine a world where time travel, disease cures, and supercharged human brains are not just figments of science fiction, but tangible realities. In this episode, we break down the mysteries of quantum mechanics, focusing on the strange behaviors of subatomic particles that defy classical logi...

A significant societal shift is underway as executive orders challenge the stability of DEI programs in education, the race for humanoid robotics accelerates, and Microsoft achieves a breakthrough in quantum computing. We explore how these developments intersect and impact marginalized communities, job markets, and the future landscape of technology and education. • Discussion on executive orders...

Dr. Baron Kelly is not just an acclaimed actor; he's a storyteller who brings the magic of theater to life. His journey from the Metropolitan Opera's children's chorus to Broadway's grand stages is a testament to the power of early artistic exposure. We explore how his childhood in New York, filled with a fascination for old movies, laid the foundation for a career that spans i...

Could AI chatbots become our closest companions, rivaling human friendships by 2026? Explore this intriguing possibility as we discuss the ever-evolving landscape of AI companionship. As chatbots become increasingly conversational and lifelike, they might soon offer the emotional connections and privacy we often seek in our human relationships. Tune in to understand how these digital friends could...

This episode dives into the evolving landscape of skill development, education, and employment as we explore the recent wave of tech layoffs, the implications of executive orders on education funding, and Elon Musk’s billion-dollar bid for OpenAI. The conversation emphasizes the need to adapt workforce skillsets and evaluate the impact of these shifts on marginalized communities while grappling wi...

Join us as we sit down with the Honorable Judge Brian Jordan Davis as he shares his remarkable journey from aspiring dentist to federal judge, highlighting the pivotal role of community support and mentorship in his career. His candid stories reveal the perseverance required to overcome obstacles and the significance of engaging in community service and leadership. Together, we dive into the gener...

Unlock the transformative power of social engineering as we challenge conventional perspectives. Ever wondered how technology and policy silently shape our daily lives and societal norms? This episode promises to reveal the dual nature of social engineering, from its sometimes negative reputation to its potential for driving positive social change.  We trace social engineering's fingerprints...

This episode analyzes Google's significant policy change regarding AI military applications, Amazon's increasing automation in its fulfillment centers, and the implications of Trump's proposed sovereign wealth fund that may incorporate cryptocurrency. We delve into the ethical, economic, and social ramifications of these pivotal developments, sparking essential discussions for our l...