WELCOME TO #FRIDAYNIGHTCHATS

Excellence, Acceptance, Stewardship, and You! Welcome, Diana L. Clopton, to the Friday Night Chatroom. Education is an issue close to the heart of many communities. Our children compete on a global scale. How do we promote the well-being of our schools? How do we counter poverty in our schools? How do we effectively lead through change? Leading is about strategy, innovation, organizational design, people development, analytics, and being the architect of change. Leading influences inspires and intellectually stimulate your colleagues and community to elevate for the greater good. We will address these topics and questions in addition to values, aspirations, educational background, global experience, family, faith, and community. Again, welcome to the chat room, Diana L. Clopton, candidate for District School Board member #220.

Natalie Allison Brown is an award-winning author and motivational speaker. She is the author of Fifty-Two Cups of Coffee, a weekly devotional for the modern believer seeking intimacy with God. Passionate about the Gospel, she uses storytelling as a means to encourage, challenge, and inspire others. Over the last decade, Natalie has traveled around the world to various countries and continents, including South Africa, China, Israel, Australia, and Jamaica. With each opportunity, she has walked away with a greater desire to transcend barriers of cultural difference, race, and religion through her writing. It is through this international lens that she has been able to connect with a diverse audience of readers, crafting multifaceted stories of hope along the way.

Lionel Sweeny has 15-plus years of combined experience in Systems Engineering, Program Management, Human Resources, Organizational Design, and Change Management in Government Electronics, Education, and Telecommunications industries. Responsibilities at HS Partners include Leadership Development, Organizational Design, and Change Management Support. As an accomplished Human Resources leader with worldwide, broad-based management and generalist experience, Lionel’s expertise includes building alliances to drive system-wide change strategies and performance improvement resulting in value-added quality services to clients that impact the bottom line. Academic experience includes being Director of EdD in Computer Science for Judson University, Adjunct Instructor for Roosevelt University, University of North Texas, Eastfield College, and Organization Development consultant at DePaul University. Peers consistently recognize Lionel as a practical problem solver with sound business acumen, decision-making, excellent leadership, and communication skills. Academic degrees and certifications include a Ph.D. in Organizational Development from Benedictine University, a Master’s degree from the University of Texas with Certification in Organizational Design and Change Management, a Bachelor’s from the University of North Texas with concentrations in Electronic Design and Secondary Education Certification, Associate Degree in Electronic Design (drafting), and LaMarsh & Associates Managed Change Certification.

Dr. Gary L. Neal, Sr., Th.D. is the founder of Simply Redeemed Ministries, LLC, which provide formerly and currently incarcerated individuals with virtual and in-person life coaching in the areas of spirituality, leadership, and life skill components that will help create and provide them with a solid and sure foundation through Jesus Christ. Dr. Neal, Sr. is the author of the book “Embracing Your New Beginnings” which consists of life lessons and inspiration to help individuals embrace their Christian life every day with new excitement and zeal. Through his book, Dr. Neal’s desire is to teach individuals about the world God created for us, how our faith is woven into each area of learning, and how to find purpose and meaning through God's Will for our lives each day. ​ Dr. Neal Sr. is a retired police Sergeant from the City of Elgin, Illinois, Police Department, to which he proudly served 26 years. He is currently employed at the University of Florida – Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida as the Manager for Security Operations. ​ In addition, Dr. Neal, Sr. is the Associate Pastor at New Beginning Christian Worship Center in Micanopy, Florida. Dr. Neal, Sr., earned his doctorate in Theology at the Adullam Bible College in Jackson, Tennessee, and a master of Art in Organizational Leadership from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois.

Darvel Desroches, Esq. President & CEO Darvel Desroches is a corporate attorney and business executive with significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, banking, and real estate brokerage and development. Darvel began his career at LaSalle Bank Corporation, where he worked on the bank’s strategic acquisitions and divestitures and private placements and counseled key executives on national bank and bank affiliates’ regulatory compliance. He was instrumental in creating LaSalle’s New Markets Tax Credit Program, through which the bank augmented its existing Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program by investing capital and making loans to businesses and real estate development projects located in low-income areas throughout the United States. During his career, Darvel has closed over $70 million of business and real estate development transactions. Darvel is the President and Chief Executive Officer of 1804 Realty Group LLC, a real estate development and consulting on revitalizing underserved communities through responsible and sustainable development. He creates and implements the company’s strategic acquisition and development plans; secures investment capital and financing; and oversees project management, design, and permitting. Darvel is a 2004 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was a member of the College’s Dean’s List for the 2003 academic year. Magna cum laude graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston, he is a 2001 recipient of the University’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Leadership and a four-year letterman and captain of the University’s Men’s Soccer Team. In his spare time, Darvel enjoys spending time with his family, physical exercise, and reading.

About Amy: Award-winning author, speaker, and model turned advocate, Amy started her podcast Support Someone Saturday to promote charities and ministries after her son was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. Amy inspires women to pray and seek God in order to discover their true source of power and purpose in life. She loves to encourage women and families to serve together and to be advocates in their community as they share the love of God with a hurting world. Amy’s 40-Day Prayer Journal, Unstuck: Step Into the New was just released on September 22, 2021. She and her family have weathered through many challenges and hardships. Amy shares how they have pursued God through prayer, overcome family betrayal through forgiveness, and started over after the pandemic. She hopes to inspire you to get unstuck and fulfill your God-given destiny. Amy and her husband Eric have been married for over 20 years and have two children, Arianna (16) and Ashton (12). They live in the suburbs of Chicago and own and operate AV3 Productions. They produce virtual, hybrid and live events for companies, churches and charities in Chicago and around the U.S. Amy’s first book, Model Behavior: Make your Career Path Your Calling (Redemption Press, 2019) is a memoir of her modeling career from a faith-based perspective. She has been featured on Fox News, Faith in the Marketplace Radio and in Inc. 500 Magazine.

Thank you, Darius for sharing your knowledge on entrepreneurship, wealth equity, black excellence, challenges in raising capital, crowd funding, professional opportunities, effective communication and the importance of giving back to the community. Darius is the founder and CEO of League Swype, a digital payment platform that serves as the trusted one-stop digital wallet where fantasy and e-sport betters can manage all of their payment activity. LeagueSwype is the first and only digital wallet that targets the near $8B fantasy sports market. It is the brand made by fantasy players and trusted by fantasy players. Darius education attainments include a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and an MBA from Northwestern University - Kellog School of Management.

The G-Law Group University at Albany – State University of New York, University of Miami School of Law. Co-hosting this interview with me is Michael J Love, JD. Simeon Genadiev’s Background The Bulgarian scholar graduated with honors from the University of Miami School of Law; Mr. Genadiev went straight to work fighting for the people. At the Miami-Dade Consumer Protection Division, he helped fight consumer fraud, economic crimes, and unfair business practices. After serving the great citizens of Miami-Dade County, Mr. Genadiev went into private practice. He has spent his career in private practice working assiduously on getting compensation for his injured clients and communicating clearly with them every step of the way. Through his experience litigating cases from the early stages to final resolution at trial, Mr. Genadiev has gained the tools necessary to get you the results you deserve. His involvement in national and state-wide class actions, such as the case against FPL for its failure to restore power to Floridians after Hurricane Irma and his 1.4 million dollar settlement case against Kia Motors and Hyundai, has shaped Mr. Genadiev’s legal career.

President & CEO of Johnson Media, Inc. – A multimillion media corporation Author of Best Seller – The Entrepreneurial Mind MIT Sloan School of Management – MBA, Business Administration Harvard Business School – cross-registrant via MIT Sloan School of Management Harvard Business Review Case Study: Kevin D. Johnson: To Be a Venture Capitalist or an Operator B.S. Computer Science (NASA Scholar) – Morehouse College Kevin D. Johnson, president of Johnson Media Inc. and a serial entrepreneur, has several years of experience leading his marketing and communications company that serves many Fortune 100 businesses. Johnson Media Inc. has worked with brands such as Porsche, Chase, Coca-Cola, Brooks Brothers, Microsoft, and more. As an innovative leader, Kevin has appeared on CNN, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS, Oprah Radio, and in Forbes, The New York Times, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal. He is the author of the bestselling book, The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs, which continues to reach number one on Amazon in various categories since its 2013 launch (https://amzn.to/3E5aAwA). Recently, Johnson Media Inc. received a 2019 Communicator Award and a 2018 Davey Award for its work for BMW. In 2017 it received an AMY Award for its work for Porsche. In 2015, the firm received two Telly Awards and a Davey Award for its work with financial institutions, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Collectively, the awards were chosen from over 20,000 entries, honoring the finest work from agencies around the world. Over its two-decade history, Johnson Media Inc. has also started and spun off a few companies and brands, including Omni Publisher and Site Manager Pro, a web-based content management system and a user interface tool. In 2015, Kevin was invited to the White House for a special event regarding entrepreneurship with President Obama and dignitaries such as Mark Cuban, Steve Case, and Brian Chesky. The White House assembled entrepreneurs from around the world to recognize them and to create innovative solutions to world challenges. Kevin often speaks at conferences and universities around the world, covering topics ranging from entrepreneurship to marketing to self-publishing. He recently was a visiting lecturer at Universidad Anáhuac in Yucatan, Mexico, and was declared “Man of the Year” in 2017 by the Atlanta Tribune. He lives in Alpharetta, GA where he served as a commissioner. Kevin attended Morehouse College and studied computer science as a NASA scholar and Spanish, graduating with honors. He is an alumnus of MIT's Sloan School of Management where he serves as a lecturer.

Friday Night Chats celebrates a future leader in the Music Industry. "Kennedy Avery Smith" BA in Music Performance and Commercial Production, Clark Atlanta University Keyboardist, Producer, Songwriter, Arranger Kennedy Avery Smith's Bio Kennedy Avery is a 22-year-old keyboardist, producer, songwriter, singer, and arranger from Chicago, Illinois. She has been playing piano since the age of nine and is primarily self-taught. Now based in Atlanta and currently attending Clark Atlanta University as both a Piano and Composition major under the direction of Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Phil Davis, she has a sound reminiscent of 90’s and 2000s R&B with heavy jazz influences combined with the edge of modern alternative R&B. With smooth basslines, lush vocal harmonies, and complex layering, she draws inspiration from artists like Alicia Keys, Marvin Gaye and Janet Jackson. Kennedy has also arranged multiple classical pieces for chamber groups and other ensembles. In January 2021 Kennedy released her debut EP, “First Take”-- an independent, five-song project that showcases her ability to produce, write and perform every aspect of her music from top to bottom. Prior to this release, she has also been a featured vocalist, producer, and keyboardist on multiple collaborative projects with other Atlanta-based artists, including the jazz-fusion band Anonymous. She now plays and sings at countless venues in the Atlanta area, and was most notably seen presenting the Inspiration Impact award to Grammy Award-Winning gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard at the 2022 TV One Urban One Honors Awards.

CEO of Jerel Entertainment. Media press touts Virginia for proving itself to be a true launching pad for some of music’s best and brightest artists: Missy Elliot, D’Angelo, Timbaland, and Pharrell Williams. Tonight, I am excited to present an up-and-coming R&B Recording Artist, Producer, and CEO of Jerel Entertainment, Jerel Crockett. Jerel Crocket grew up around Gospel Music. At the age of 15, he learned how to play the piano. At the age of 16, he learned the ropes of show biz on his first job at Kings Dominion, learning both pop music and dancing. He received his classical and gospel vocal training from the Richmond Boys Choir at the age of 16. He is credited for his performances for the National Anthem at the Wizards game, Motown Gospel, The Real Housewives of the Potomac, National Harbor’s MGM Casino and Resort, and collaboration with Kenny Lattimore. Jerel’s recording accomplishments in “We Go Up” and “No Pressure” received artist acclaim as #6 on the Richmond Charts.

Ph.D. in Computer Science - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC Assistant Professor Virginia State University Cybersecurity and Biometrics Researcher Published a book chapter entitled New Trends and Developments in Biometrics Published over 20 articles in the field of Cybersecurity, Biometrics, and Genetic and Evolutionary Computations Co-Founder of the Cybersecurity and Data Forensics Laboratory - Virginia State University

Assistant Professor Health Promotion and Performance - Judson University Speaker, Control Tactics Instructor, and Educator New Minted Author and soon-to-be-released book, The Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Better Control Tactics, fewer Lawsuits and Building Community Trust Through Martial Arts. Pagoda Rebirth Martial Arts B.S. - Kinesiology - University of Illinois M.S. Recreation Administration - Illinois State University Ph.D. Kinesiology - University of Illinois • The importance of verbal de-escalation training • Understanding the Law • Conceal Carry Law • Strategies when stopped by the police • Essential elements of an influential community policing program • Barriers to good police-community relations • Best strategies to strengthen the relationship between the police and minorities? • Strategies in terms of training, educating or cultivating an internal culture to combat the effect of unconscious racial bias so that it does not affect how police enforce the law. • Cultural competency as a required component of police training. Should CC be mandated by the state or left to the individual police departments? • Bridging de-escalation through positive interaction Pagoda Rebirth Martial Arts - Trained in 5 different styles of Karate Arts

#FNC welcomes Dr. Elfreda Massie to the chatroom. Join Dr. Karen Love and Associate Professor Dana Pautsch in a Fireside Chat with Dr. Massie. Dr. Massie brings extensive knowledge and experience to the Chatroom in designing and using digital tools in the K-12 classrooms. She is also the author of "When the Music Changes: What Adversity Taught Me about the Healing Power of Faith.

Thank you, Enoch Love, for teaching us the value of hard work, determination, and confidence in the plan God has for you.  There were so many life lessons in this discussion. Here's what I heard you say. 1. Have a strategy. Without direction, you waste valuable time and resources. 2. Do your research to understand the operations, culture complexities, corporate structure, and its underpinnings so that you can make informed choices, never to be led to confusion, but to control your destiny. 3. Whenever time and opportunity present itself, be prepared to rebrand. 4. Always answer the WHY? 5. Satisfy your thirst for knowledge, wisdom, leadership, positioning, and serving others.   Thank you, Rev. Shirl Love, for teaching us that it's okay to be broken as long as God is in the midst preparing you, building you, and strengthening you for His Glory. Here are some of the wisdom nuggets I pulled from your interview. 1. Never let man distract, discourage or diminish all that God has in store for you. 2. Trust God to build eternal confidence in your soul so that you can serve the outer most reaches of the earth. 3. Do not allow the world to dictate or control the vision God has given you. 4. Never fear ministering to what the world label as the 'least of these.' 5. Serve with an open heart. 6. Always remember that God is the originator of this symphony. He composes, arrange, and aligns the harmony and dissonance in your life. Celebrate the path, 'the road to Damascus moments', knowing that God will harmonize each chord of dissonance, building unrealized crescendo, so that you will conquer all that he has planned for His Glory.   Thanks to Enoch and Rev. Shirl Love Thank you both for teaching us the importance of valuing our relationships. Thank you for teaching us that ministry and business partnerships can work with God in the Center.  From business operations to ministry service, your legacy and love will be shared for generations to come.  God Bless.

From Retired Lieutenant Marine Corp Communications Officer, to Commercial Banker, President of the Rockford Housing Authority Development Corporation and Board Member of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Mr. Lumpkins has experienced valuable lessons in Leadership.

Crystal Hardie Langston, MBA, UVA, Duke Fuqua School of Business, Witwatersrand, South Africa Cultural Leadership: How to effectively negotiate "Diversity and Equity in C-Level Positions." Crystal Langston is a graduate of UVA with a B.S. in Commerce, Marketing, and Management and an MBA from Duke Fuqua School of Business. She was also a Rollins Scholar at Duke Fuqua School of Business. She studied abroad at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. She serves as Principal and Chief Diversity Officer at the Vanguard Investment Group in Malvern, Pa. Vanguard is an investment group with approximately $6.2 Trillion in Global Assets. Crystal Langston's outstanding portfolio and professional career consists of the following positions: Principal, Chief Officer & Head of Specialty Programs, Principal, Corporate Strategy, and Principal, Head of Vanguard Retirement Plan Access. Crystal has received several honors/awards. In 2007, the Diversity MBA Journal honored her as one of the Top 50 Corporate Executives under 50. In 2011, she was featured in Profiles in Diversity Journal as part of the Women Worth Watching Series. In 2012, she was nominated as one of the Top Influential Women in Corporate America. In 2016, she received the 40 Under 40 Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Transform Rockford Mission - "To facilitate the Rockford Region's transformation into a Top 25 Community by 2025. David Sidney - Executive Director for Transform Rockford, a grassroots private foundation. In 2013, Transform Rockford was ranked in the Top 10 for being one of the most miserable cities to live. David Sidney and Transform Rockford is seeking to facilitate the Rockford Region into a Top 25 Community by 2025 in Economic Quality, Education, Housing, Innovation, WorkForce Developments and Faith-Based Efforts.

Dr. Stein-Merrill is the Program Chair for both Applied Psychology and Human Science Department. She attained both Masters and Doctorate Degree from Mississippi State University – Starkville, MS. She continued her studies as Specialist from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Followed by Post Doctorate work from California State University Fresno. She has published over 100 videos Fitness Videos. Dr. Teri Stein Merrill's has expertise in organizational leadership, executive coaching, , mentoring, and teaching which spans the globe. Dr. Stein Merrill views Diversity from a Global perspective. She lives by the mantra “Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance. Dr. Stein Merrill conducted research in China at SIAS International University and presented at the 9th Annual Women Leadership Symposium in China. She's hosted students from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Korea, China and Chicago (South Side). Tonight’s topic is Future CEO’s let’s embrace Cultural Competencies and Manage Emotional and Physical Self-Care through Faith. Welcome Dr. Teri Stein Merrill! As a Human Resources professional and an educator/consultant specializing in Organizational Leadership, Human Resource Development and Diversity for almost three decades, I was both honored and profoundly touched to share my thoughts regarding diversity and inclusion in today’s business and educational environment. I believe that the practice of diversity in both the business and educational communities have recently undergone a major paradigm shift. In its infancy, diversity was viewed as successful if a dedicated percentage of jobs or student acceptances were offered to minorities. However, we have now moved into a more impactful and transformational stage of diversity, which we call “inclusion.” So what does inclusion mean in reality? Through my research, I have determined that the practice of inclusion requires us to do more than simply recruit a diverse workforce or student population. Inclusion requires us to better understand how we can empower diverse people to thrive once they arrive on our campuses and at our businesses. Think of it like this: “Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance.” What do diversity and inclusion look like for an African American born and raised in the South? I have been fortunate to have worked for many organizations throughout my business career, which allowed me to witness the difference between organizations that focus on diversity metrics versus those that focus on inclusive diversity best practices. Some researchers suggest that focusing on educating individuals about inclusive diversity can be a challenging and oftentimes exhausting task. Quite the contrary, I am of the opinion that attempting to address, identify, solve and improve issues of race and inclusion does not have to be a daunting task. Over the last 10 years, I have had the honor of mentoring, executive coaching, teaching and hosting students from many parts of the world. To date, I have hosted students from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Korea, China and Chicago (South Side). Each experience has been uniquely rewarding, educational and lifechanging as well as providing me an opportunity to experience what it really means to be inclusive beyond academic theory. So back to the statement “Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance.” What does “inviting someone to dance” look like in my home? At my home, our non-African American guests are expected to maintain their full identity and share their culture with us. We reciprocate by sharing our African American culture with them. When Hoalin, my most recent student from China came to live with my family two years ago, he was surprised to see that we used chop sticks every day at dinner, shopped at the local Asian markets and were eager to learn his language. Additionally, I am learning how to speak the Chinese language and how to cook a number of authentic Chinese dishes, which were handed down to Haolin from his grandfather. In return, Hoalin is currently reading a book by Fredrick Douglas, enjoying American cuisine and has many questions about the Christian faith. As you can see, the practice of inclusion as a host parent has been educational for the both of us. In addition, as part of my international research at Judson, I did my second speaking engagement in May at the 12th Annual World Academy Women’s Symposium held at Sias International University in Zhengzhou, China. God is forever working in my life, and this experience will allow me to interact with women from around the world and learn about their workplace and employment practices as well as share how such practices work in the United States. Praise be to God.

Dr. Sartor's expertise includes Environmental Design, Architectural Design, Research Methodologies, Multi-Cultural Studies, Architectural Programming & Cultural Anthropology. He earned a master's degree in Architecture from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala., and a Ph.D. in Environmental Design (with specialties in Cultural Anthropology and Multicultural Studies) from The Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Sartor is the author of several books and a member of several professional affiliates. He was recently appointed to a three-year term on the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) Commission on Diversity and Inclusion. During civil unrest and uncertainty, Dr. Sartor directs, mentors, and cultivates an atmosphere of achievement and excellence despite the circumstances. He has been steadfast and intentional in seeking justice and equality for all. This man of God is taking the time to bless, share perspectives, and affect change.

Bishop Dr. Michael J. Love, Th.D. is the senior pastor of (TBCCI) in Crystal Lake, IL. on January 13, 1991. Dr. Love was licensed and ordained in June 1978. Under Bishop Love's leadership, Trinity has grown from a Bible study consisting of 13 individuals in the living room of his family's home to a 50,000 square foot campus on 4.2 areas. Included on the campus is a 30,000 square foot state of the art Worship Center, a new sanctuary with a maximum seating capacity of 800, a 225 seat capacity banquet hall, ten classrooms, and an inviting and open Narthex. The Chapel, has a seating capacity of 350. Trinity has partnered in ministry with over forty daughter churches in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, and Kenya. In 2016, Trinity began a ministry partnership in Jamaica.Through the stewardship of TBCCI, Trinity's Campus, the new Worship Center was acquired and completed debt-free. Over the past 30 years, Trinity birthed over 100 ministries. n 2014, Dr. Michael and Karen Love founded the Love Family Christian Foundation and purchased the old Masonic Temple built in 1923, a 50,000 square foot facility I Elgin, IL. LFCF is a 501c3 organization touching and empowering lives through Global and Domestic Education, Medical Missions, Worship and Performing Arts and Community Outreach.

Retired Lt. Colonel Mark Mines, the owner of multiple McDonald's Franchises, shared strategies for success, organizational excellence, leadership, discipline, and the challenges of building a brand. The Retired Lieutenant shared the critical importance of coaching, mentoring, capital outlays, and strong domain. He further explained the benefits of being committed to your passion and determination, commitment, networking, and relationship building. Mark Mines owns four McDonalds Franchises and will be opening two more very soon. He and his lovely wife Lydia plans to open 100 McDonald Franchises. The Retired Lt. Colonel leads the Empowerment Ministry at his church in Georgia. The Empowerment Ministry tithes 10% of the church collections to the community. This ministry adopts schools and donates tangible items such as computers to contribute to the students' education.  Thank you, Lt. Colonel.

Dr. K. Shelette Stewart has over 20 years of leadership experience in teaching, strategic business planning, marketing, and business development with prominent academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies including Harvard Business School, The Coca-Cola Company and BellSouth Corporation/AT&T. She is a Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Program Specialist and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration. A graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Stewart currently serves in a leadership role with Harvard University, overseeing strategic partnerships with global corporations for Harvard Business School. She is also the principal and founder of Stewart Consulting, LLC, a business consulting and leadership development firm serving both corporate and non-profit clients. Shelette’s board memberships include the LEAD Program, New Hope & Compassion (NHC) for China, the Warren Holyfield Boys & Girls Club, and Morehouse School of Medicine – School of Public Health Visiting Committee. She is the recipient of The YWCA of Greater Atlanta & The Coca-Cola Company Salute to Women of Achievement Award and is available for Keynote Presentations, Seminars, Workshops, and Professional Consulting Sessions nationally and internationally.

We welcome to the chatroom Nyasha Nyamapfene, social innovator, disruptor, with a decade of experience in social enterprise, entrepreneurialism, and the private financial markets. Nyasha Nyamapfene is a social innovator with a lifelong commitment to equity, social change, and service. She has an established track record of designing and scaling social innovations that address the most pressing issues of urban communities. She currently serves as Founder of Transcend Health Media – a health communications platform created to develop content, breakthrough health activations, and cause-related partnerships. Nyasha is also a Member of the Economic Club of Chicago, and a Board member of the Chicago Community Land Trust. Nyasha also serves as the Benefit Chicago Advisory Board Member, a collaboration of the MacArthur Foundation, which mobilizes $100 million in impact investments for Chicago nonprofits and social enterprises. Nyasha’s career has spanned public, private, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial sectors. A former finance professional, she has worked in Chicago and London in investment banking, private equity, private placements, and mergers & acquisitions. She has worked at companies including JP Morgan Chase, Shore Bank Capital, and $15 billion hedge fund Magnetar Capital. Nyasha also spent over 10 years in urban education reform in Chicago after being recruited to the Broad Residency in Education, a national executive development program that recruits experienced business and policy leaders into the k12 ed sector. Social innovations Nyasha has developed and scaled include: Gospel Run. Nyasha is the Founder of Gospel Run, a nationally recognized public health platform created to close the health gap and change the health narrative in urban communities. The organization launched a faith-based health and wellness lifestyle brand in 2013 and created a new category in the endurance running segment - the Gospel Run 5K. It is the first and largest endurance event of its kind in the country. 6to16. Nyasha spent four years in innovation at the University of Chicago developing and scaling 6to16 - a college-readiness intervention starting at sixth grade and integrating digital learning with traditional classroom curricula. The project design was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and 6to16 has reached over 16,000 students since inception. The Magnetar Investment Academy. Spending six years with the Magnetar Capital Foundation, the development, and scaling of its flagship work in financial education, a curriculum-centered program designed to teach high school students about the financial markets. The intervention reached 10,000+students in its first 5 years. It reaches both high school students which include public, , charter, selective enrollment, and independent schools.

Kesha Kent - National Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Author of 'Networking, It's Your Superpower, MrsKesha Speaks, Podcast.

How are you dealing with COVID19? Weight gain? Mental Stress?; feeling a bit anxious about the nation's current state, your family, yourself? Join #FridayNightChats with LaDawne Jenkins from Rush University Medical Center and Faith Community Church as she provides stats, strategies, insight for Health and Fitness, and it impacts on Mental Health. LaDawne has a Masters in Research Administration from Rush University and have served as the Project Director for the 'Alive Project' (Abundant Living in Vibrant Energy), she is currently working on two research studies on Health Equity in the African American Communities, Heart to Heart Hypertension - Intervention Study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a COVID-19 testing initiative in the African American Community. Results of Alive: A Faith-Based Pilot Intervention to Improve Diet Among African American Church Members https://muse.jhu.edu/article/720991 Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, Volume 13, Issue 1, Spring 2019, pp. 19-30 (Article) Published by Johns Hopkins University Press DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/cpr.2019.0005 Topic: Health and Fitness, and it impacts on Mental Health Guest Speaker: LaDawne Jenkins Date: September 25, 2020 #lfcf, #judsonawesome, #lovefamilychristianfoundatiion, #leadership, #AfricanAmericanCommunity,

From Criminal Justice Degree to Ministry Leadership. Listen to the transformational process of Ebony Norris as shares her story on God's calling and Leadership Alignment.

Sugar, Neurotoxicants and ADHD

The InZone Project - Terrance Wallace About Founded in New Zealand in 2011 by Terrance Wallace, the InZone Illinois Project is a Section 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports disadvantaged families of minority boys in grades 7 through 12, by providing them with access to wrap-around support services in a safe and nurturing living environment.

Topic: "Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness" Dr. Rendall is a Judson Alum who graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Judson University, M.S. in Counseling Psychology - University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee), and D.M. in Organizational Leadership - University of Phoenix. He is a TEDxZurich and TEDxMcHenry phenomenal speaker and has spoken on every continent. Most of all, he is a believer in Christ. As a child, Dr. Rendall was labeled as Oppositional, Fidgety, Talkative, Unfocused, Unfocused, Obnoxious, Inappropriate and Immature. Listen in and learn how Dr. Rendall pivoted his "Weakness into Uniqueness. • During the last fifteen years, David Rendall has spoken to audiences on every inhabited continent. His clients include the US Air Force, Australian Government, and Fortune 50 companies such as Microsoft, AT&T, United Health Group, Fannie Mae, and State Farm. Prior to becoming a speaker, he was a leadership professor and stand-up comedian. He also managed nonprofit enterprises that provided employment for people with disabilities. In between presentations, David competes in ultramarathons and Ironman triathlons. Author of Four Books: - The Four Factors of Effective Leadership - The Freak Factor - The Freak Factor for Kids - Pink Goldfish The Freak Factor/ Your Weakness is Your Power - 2017 Conference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdRhH9411hI The Opposite of a Good Thing - TEDx Talks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QGKCcYtnvg Freak Factor: Discovering Your Uniqueness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqS0zSTlsM8 Dave Rendall: Embrace Your Freak Factor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-6ndzypp6Y Oppositioning: A Simple and Surprising Strategy for Innovation and Differentiation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5LxQNlLr9M

What does Technology Leadership, Resource Optimization and Wealth Accumulation have in common? How does the technology giants meet the Public Service Demands? Dr. Karl Wyatt, COO from incCommunication Services, Inc joins the #FridayNightChats team to discuss the complexities ofTopic: Wealth Accumulation, Public Service Demands and Stewardship Crisis: An Intelligent Greed Leadership … Opportunity.”Date: July 10, 2020 Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/425966778?pwd=U01qc2FWV0NkZDNTZFM1Zk5rRFVyUT09 Meeting ID: 425 966 778 Password: 307852

06.26.2020 Friday Night Chats - Leading the Generation Z Culture Effectively in an Organizational Construct

Alston B. Reece, MBA, PMP, Master Project Management, LSS Black Belt Global Business Process Manager, Procure to Pay Topic: Leading Global Teams -

06.12.2020 The Innovative Path to Brand Building Marketing Strategy, Innovation Product Leader, Finance, Strategy

06.05.2020 Friday Night Chats is a platform created to present a plethora of disciplines to the Organizational Leadership Platform.

05.08.2020 Friday Night Chats is a platform created to present a plethora of disciplines to the Organizational Leadership Platform. Nursing Informatics and Organizational Leadership Nardalyn Johnson, MSN-RN-BC

05.15.2020 #FNC - #Friday Night Chats Supply Chain Pharmaceuticals and the Impact of Healthcare in America Pharmaceuticals and Organizational Leadership Friday Night Chats is a platform created to present a plethora of disciplines to the Organizational Leadership Platform.

04.24.2020 Friday Night Chats I'm so proud of the Friday Night Chats with the students in Org. Leadership. Our special guest was Dr. Denise Purvis and Associates. . Thank you, Dr. Denise Purvis, Elizabeth Brekelbaum (December, 2020 Grad) and Takesha Brooks (December 2020 Grad) for providing strategies for developing Emotional Intelligence and good mental health.

January 7, 2022 - Dr. Elfreda Massie, PhD, SHRM- SCP - Leadership, Education and Innovation February 4, 2022 - Dr. Jeremy Butler, PhD - Leadership, Police Reform and the Use of Force Tactics February 18, 2022 - Dr. Joseph Shelton, PhD - My Life - Leadership and CyberSecurity March 4, 2022 - Kevin D. Johnson, MBA, MBA - Key Strategies to Creating ' The Entrepreneurial Mind' April 8, 2022 - Simeon Genadiev, Esquire - Success, Leadership and The Law May 6, 2022 - Darius Grandberry, MBA, CPA, CEO - God, Leadership and Wealth Building June 3, 2022 - Dr. Karla Wyatt, MD - When God Orchestrates Your Career August 5, 2022 - Amy Joob, Author, Model, Podcast Host - Unstuck: Step Into the New September 10, 2022 - Darvel Desroche - The Art of the Deal - Effective Negotiation Techniques October 7, 2022 - Dr. Gary Neal - In Conversation with Dr. Gary November 4, 2022 - Dr. Lionel Sweeny - What is your Appreciative Intelligence? December 2, 2022 - Natalie Brown, International Speaker, Author - 52 Cups of Coffee