The Jali, host Melyssa Barrett

This week, I am joined by educator, keynote speaker, actress and comedian Tareka McClellan to discuss her passion for serving as a role model for youths by providing a safe space for self-expression to thrive and her journey of overcoming her fears of pursuing a career in comedy as everyone’s favorite granny, auntie and momma, MeMaw Jankins.

Author and powerhouse social justice advocate Kennetha Stevens shares her work within the Stockton Unified School District modifying teaching models and building better relationships between teachers and parents to effectively foster success in the education system and encourage a safe environment for children to learn and grow.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime with Black women having a 41% lower chance of survival than any other ethnic group. On this episode, I am joined by three inspirational breast cancer survivors Glynis Dove, Mateenah Floyd-Okanlawon and Marguerite Toliver who fought to overcome the challenges of their prognosis and now share their unique survivorship journey to advocate comprehensive healthcare practices and the deconstruction of racial and ethnic disparities in breast

Professional track and field athlete and founder of Let Women Decathlon Jordan Gray shares her journey as a trailblazer breaking American records and the determination behind petitioning for gender equality in the world’s most prestigious sporting event, the Olympics. 

Did you know that in the year 2023, only men can earn the title of World’s Greatest Athlete?

Surprisingly, yes, it’s true! And, with 30,000+ signatures on a petition for the International Olympic Committee, we are one step closer to seeing Olympic History made.

The Let Women Decathlon movement was founded by Team USA’s Jordan Gray and she, alongside women across the globe, would like to see gender parity in the Olympic Games.

Will you join us and help women (alongside men) prepare to compete at the highest level?

Together we can make Olympic history! 

“WOMEN HAVE BEEN SIDELINED FOR CENTURIES. WE’VE BEEN SAID TO BE INCAPABLE OF OWNING PROPERTY, RUNNING A MARATHON, FULL-COURT BASKETBALL, POLE VAULTING, RUNNING A MILE, HOLDING OFFICE, AND EVEN VOTING. WE’VE COME SO FAR, AND YET HERE WE ARE TRYING TO CLEAR YET ANOTHER HURDLE…IN THE YEAR 2023.”

– JORDAN GRAY, TEAM USA AND LWD FOUNDER

We’re raising money to support the Women’s Decathlon in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. Heaven To the Yeah is a non-profit that donates 100% of the proceeds directly to the movement, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to young girls and women across the globe… let women decathlon!

Check out and share our sponsor package to learn more…

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/63be0d6caf127a1e39811714/t/64cb0e1d0164437db20fcadf/1691029034407/LWD+SPONSORSHIP+PACKAGE+-+FINAL+-+DIGITAL-2.pdf

Learn more about the movement here and watch a few videos… https://heaventotheyeah.org

Thank you for creating a lasting impact for young girls and women

Executive vice chairman of Ascension Leadership Leland Rubin and Chuck Lockard share advice for beginning the steps towards generating legacy wealth management through workshops designed for financial literacy and achieving financial freedom. They also discuss solutions to bridge the racial wealth gap and strategies to utilize debt and build wealth.

Ron Busby, a co-founder of ByBlack, illuminates the innovative solutions crafted by Black engineers to empower the growth of Black-owned businesses. He also delves into how the organization fosters intentional purchasing by facilitating connections between consumers and minority-owned enterprises, thereby fostering nationwide opportunities for Black businesses to thrive.

Certified executive leadership coach, author and founder of Adaptive Leadership Strategies, LLC Brenda Harrington gives advice for organizations seeking authenticity, discusses her book, Access Denied: Addressing Workplace Disparities and Discrimination, and offers tools for minorities to reclaim their voice while navigating eliminating barriers to workplace inclusion.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the NAACP announced an agreement to work together to advance and improve the quality of life for all veterans, including minority veterans. As a part of the partnership, the VA and the NAACP will seek to increase the number of Black veterans enrolled in VA health care, increase awareness of VA benefits and services among Black veterans, and increase recruitment of culturally competent providers. The VA and the NAACP will also meet regularly, share expertise and knowledge, and coordinate outreach to minority veteran communities. 

Chair of Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Dr. Antwanisha Willamson-Berlus, Executive Pastor of BayNorth Church of Christ Sam Morris, and Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Kathy Gallowitz discusses the importance of providing accessible services and outreach that supports the veteran community, shares how organizations such as the NAACP and CAN offer their support to veterans, and how you can take action and embrace this community by getting involved in veteran outreach at both the local and national levels.