Somewhere in the Middle with Michele Barard

Certified Federal Contracts Manager Khalil Memon shares his knowledge of federal contracting to help others get in on this multi-million dollar field Khalil Memon is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager, Certified Federal Contracts Manager, and Certified Commercial Contracts Manager. Khalil has been working as a Managing Director with Dynamic Contracts Consultants, LLC for the last 5 years....

Somewhere in the Middle welcomes Janae Marie, author of Sleeping with the Enemy Janae Marie began writing at the age of 13 and published her first book at the age of 25. She was awarded a degree in Media Arts at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mi. She later relocated to California where she earned a second in Broadcast Journalism and published two more books by the age of 30.  Janae Marie is th...

Financial Advisor Jason Zara joins me on Somewhere in the Middle Jason Zara is a financial advisor with Transamerica/World Financial Group. He is life, health, and securities (Series 6 & 63) licensed and loves working with families to help them find financial independence. He has worked with chambers of commerce for more than five years. He has years of experience in marketing, journalism, and...

Dr. Beverly A Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies, joins me on Somewhere in the Middle Dr. Beverly A. Browning has been consulting in the areas of grant writing, RFP responses, technical writing, and organizational development for over four decades. Her clients have included Tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, career, volunteer and combination fire departments; cha...

Author B.G. Howard joins me on Somewhere in the Middle G. Howard was born and raised in the small town of Baxley, GA, where he graduated high school before relocating to Macon, GA. There, he attended College at Mercer University, though circumstance prevented him from completing his collegiate education. He has lived in several cities throughout the eastern part of the United States, before finall...

Nicholas Maze, the author of White Collar Woman, talks with us about becoming an author, the publishing process, and sharing stories that uplift Nicholas Maze started writing at the age of 12. Despite becoming distracted from writing early in life, he later went all in pursuing a master’s degree in creative writing. Maze is the author of the popular book series, White Collar Woman. The book series...

Spiritual Photographer and Author Kaolin K joins me on Somewhere in the Middle Kaolin is originally from Brooklyn, New York, where she raised her two adult children. She worked in politics and the Arts, and in the 90's Kaolin moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. She attended Holyoke Community College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and matriculated in the Opera Department at Smith. Ka...

Author LaTara Robertson joins me on Somewhere in the Middle with Michele Barard LaTara Robertson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she was reared by her beloved grandmother, who passed away three weeks before LaTara’s 13th birthday. LaTara is a former model with Casablanca Model Management Talent Agency and is the mother of one son, Romond, who is her inspiration. Robertson first discovered her p...

Somewhere in the Middle with Michele Barard welcomes bestselling author Rev. Dr. Nicole B. Simpson Reverend Dr. Nicole B. Simpson, CFP®, is a practitioner with over 29 years of experience in the securities industry. On September 11, 2001, her life was drastically altered while working as a financial planner on the 73rd floor of 2 World Trade Center. Simpson was on the 44th floor when Tower 2 was h...

Somewhere in the Middle with Michele Barard welcomes Diversity and Criminal Justice Reform Advocate Dr. Maxine Bryant  Dr. Bryant holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ball State University, a Master of Arts Degree from Saginaw Valley State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services Degree from Walden University. All of her degrees have a concentration in Criminal Justice & Cor...

Diane Sears, United States Coordinator for International Men’s Day, shares why we need prison reform DIANE A. SEARS is the United States Coordinator for International Men’s Day ( www.imd- global.org ) – a position she has held since 2009; the creator of the International Day of Prayer for Men and Boys which launches the United States’ observance of International Men’s Day; Chair, USA 2012- 2022 In...

Somewhere in the Middle welcomes Samuel Woods, author of Imprisonment Samuel Woods is a native of Canton, Ohio, where he was indoctrinated into street life at the age of twelve. Despite a strong desire to turn things around for himself, Sam found himself moving from the juvenile court system to the adult prison system. He currently is incarcerated in Mansfield Correctional Institution serving a 35...

Alan Black shares his journey of surrender to become a Christian author Alan Black grew up in the United Methodist Church. While he proudly embraces his background and personal history within the United Methodist Church, he does not feel that denomination is important. What matters most is the relationship that you have with the Lord. Through the years, if Alan were to describe his relationship wi...

Somewhere in the Middle welcomes Education Consultant Joy Simuel  Joy is an energetic and experienced special education professional with a passion for pushing students to realize their full potential. With over 10 years of experience, she is a dedicated and resourceful educator with a solid commitment to the growth of the whole child. Giving parents the knowledge and confidence they need to advoc...

Kaolin K shares her experience working with white people seeking to foster equality in their lives Kaolin K is originally from Brooklyn, NY, where she raised her two adult children. She worked in politics and the Arts, and in the 90’s Kaolin moved to Northampton, MA, attended Holyoke Community College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and matriculated in the Opera Department at Smith. K...

Author and Community Activist DeWandus Johnson Shares His Journey from Prison to Activist DeWandus Johnson Sr. was born and raised on the westside of Chicago, in the Lawndale Community. He fell into street life at an early age and was sent to prison when he was seventeen. Upon his release and while on parole, he left the grimy streets of Chicago and landed in Omaha, Nebraska. Unable to shake his “...

Somewhere in the Middle with Michele Barard Welcomes Business Mentor Ana Robles Ana Robles is the founder of Life’s Journey to Excellence in Covina, California. She helps business owners, sales professionals & entrepreneurs by providing sales training, create a system and business strategy in both group and one-on-one environments. Ana specializes in working with Small Businesses, Emerging &am...

Education Mentor and Author Darrian Tanner Encourages Educators to Create Win-Win Situations in the Classroom Darrian Tanner is currently an 11th-year secondary education English teacher and a 2nd-year Instructional Mentor in the state of Florida. She was born and raised in East St. Louis, IL, and this is where her love for education truly began as she was inspired by both her teachers and aunts w...

Tawana Williams "The Hope Coach" Discusses the Choices She Made to Build Her Writing and Speaking Career Tawana Williams was born without arms and impaired use of her legs. She’s an award-winning Keynote Motivational Speaker, TV Personality, Author, Artist, Mentor, Executive Producer, Co-Producer, Businesswoman, Humanitarian & CEO. She’s a highly sought-after speaker with a powerful and uplift...

Somewhere in the Middle welcomes Food Activist Yvette Blair-Lavallais Reverend Yvette Blair-Lavallais was seven years old, sitting in the pew at Lee Chapel AME Church in Dallas, when she sensed that God was calling her to preach. By the age of 10, she became involved in children’s Sunday School and afterschool Bible studies. God continued to shape her for ministry as she took on leadership roles w...

Christian Coach, Author, and Inspirational Speaker Dr. Kendra Davis-Burch helps women change their lives for the better Dr. Kendra Davis-Burch is a 1999 & 2009 graduate of Winston-Salem State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology (1999) & a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (2009). She is also a 2016 graduate of Apex School of Theology where she earne...

Education Expert and Social Worker Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon shares her experience working with and helping children succeed in the Atlanta public school system Dr. Terriyln C. Rivers-Cannon is a School Social Worker in the Atlanta area and has devoted over 18 years to improving the lives of Georgia’s school-aged population. Her role is that of a child advocate, providing appropriate intervention...

Did you know the United States is the last Western power to use the death penalty? Steffen Hou discusses the devastation the death penalty causes in individual lives and entire communities. Steffen Hou is a Danish author and filmmaker, who lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. As a true-crime author, he has worked all over the world and written about topics such as child abductions, the Ku Klux Klan, the...

Sherry Hill, author and mother of late New England Patriot's player Marquise Hill, shares her journey through grief after her son's death Sherry Hill is the proud mother of the Late Marquise Hill who played as #94 at LSU and #91 with the New England Patriots. Ms. Hill is a ’79 Alumna of Alabama A & M University where she earned a B.S. Degree and Pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha in ’77. She has ten years...

Julia Black and I discuss how African-American Characters are portrayed in literature and film in the US Julia Black and I are getting into the topic of how African-American Characters are portrayed in literature and film in the US a little bit deeper this time, and it's just because the topic is so big. It's it really warrants a lot more discussion, a little bit more thoughtfulness. So, we are do...