Cool Soror with Rashan Ali

No Longer Unraveling with Stephanie Mitchell Hughes

We are happy to welcome Stephanie Mitchell Hughes to the show. A Cool Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Stephanie is a servant to the community.

Born into a family of educators, Stephanie has had a passion for children her entire life. She works as an attorney and showcases her social activism in the areas of child advocacy, domestic violence, and empowering women and girls. Stephanie has represented children who are abused, neglected and dependent, advocated on behalf of children with learning differences, worked on local, state, and national initiatives in support of victims of domestic violence, and supported other programs to empower and educate women.

In February 2006, Stephanie became a single parent, with few resources, and no support. At the time, Stephanie had a law practice devoted to representing children in the child welfare system and older women in need of assistance with managing end of life issues. Despite all of her experience and education, Stephanie found it difficult to transition back into the traditional practice of law.

In the midst of parenting, running a household, and a fledgling law practice, Stephanie disconnected from the community and allowed all of her professional contacts to grow stale. However, Stephanie also realized that her difficulties as a single working mother stood in stark contrast to the challenges experienced by other single mothers with less education, even fewer resources, and no support. Stephanie openly shares her personal story so that other single mothers will learn from her many mistakes and to encourage them on their journey.

In October 2013, Stephanie talked about her journey as a single parent at TedxColumbus 2013. It is there that she spoke at length about growing in the valley and she goes even deeper in this episode aptly named, “No Longer Unraveling.” Her story will allow you to have a better understanding of the journey, particularly your own.

Social Media:
Facebook: Stephanie Mitchell Hughes
Instagram: @stephaniemitchellhughes
Twitter: @srmhughes

Website: www.stephaniemitchellhughes.com

"Give Thanks” with Rashan Ali

Our host, Rashan Ali reveals the 11 things she is most thankful for in this moving episode. Hear how she has changed her thoughts physically and mentally and how
her closeness to God has evolved.

Instagram @rashanali

Meet The Perry’s with Darrell & Tacoma Perry

It’s our first ever Cool Couple episode with Darrell & Tacoma Perry. Darrell - A Cool Bruh of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Tacoma - A Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. both attended Indiana University but their paths did not cross until well after their undergraduate years. They have been concurring the journey of love ever since and helping other couples along the way.

Tacoma is a television personality turned stay-at-home mother and Darrell Is a corporate executive at a Fortune 500 Company. Together, they have found their passion outside of these roles. Soulmates Over Soul Food is a vlog soon to turn video podcast dedicated to having real conversations with real married couples. The premise and purpose of SOS is to yield a lifetime of wisdom over a beautiful dinner. They talk with couples about what makes their marriages work as well as what lessons they have learned along the way. Hearing couples’ stories of love, loss, triumph and togetherness reaffirms what it means to be committed to another individual.

The Perry’s have a love story that is uniquely their own and continuing to spread the love they share is a true testimony to the type of people they are. Hearing them together personifies what real love should feel like. Their union is special and that is why it is essential that we meet them. You will be glad you did.

Social Media:
www.soulmatesOverSoulFood.com
FB: Darrell Perry TW: @D_PerryJr
IG: Tacoma Perry TW: @TacomaPerry

The King of Strings with Ken Ford

It’s another Cool People episode of The Cool Soror Podcast with the amazing violinist Ken Ford. A native of Atlanta, Georgia Ken had the innate ability to understand music by ear before he was classically trained. He got his first violin at nine-years-old and the rest is melodious history.

Electric. A word that describes not only Ken Ford’s violin but aptly describes the man himself. His electrifying and deeply physical live performances have audiences up on their feet and into the aisles, feeling the music as much as he does. Far from being any quiet instrument, Ken’s infectious energy takes the violin center stage with amazing artistry and creativity, rocking out on the violin with passion and fervor.

A wonder to behold on stage, Ken’s evocative playing and passion for strings on the electric violin have enthralled fans of all ages, as well as peers from diverse genres, from jazz to blues, R&B to hip-hop and more. With a soul-stirring style that highlights all the voices of the violin, from sensuous and genteel to dramatic and muscular, Ken’s talents have brought him on stage and into the recording studio with a range of superstar artists including Bruno Mars, Jill Scott, Wyclef Jean, Chaka Khan, Ledisi, Brian Culbertson, the late Barry White, Erykah Badu and more. Additionally, Ken had the pleasure and honor to play for our beloved First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama!

Early in his career, Ken followed his passion for violin but lived a dual life, working as an IT programmer while honing and indulging his love of music at night. He established himself on the scene with local artists and newcomers, attracting more and more fans and attention from national and international promoters and peers. From the bottom up, he has built his kingdom. It’s only right that he holds the crown of “The King of Strings.”

Social Media:
www.kenford.net
IG @kenfordkingofstrings FB kenfordkingofstrings

My Mother’s Keeper with Dr. Sheila D. Williams

It is our pleasure to welcome Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Cool Soror, Dr. Shelia D. Williams to the show! She is a life strategist, author, John Maxwell Speaker, trainer, coach and radio show host from Central Florida. She obtained her Psychology degree from The University of Central Florida and also obtained her Master’s Degreee in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University. Never limiting herself, she received her Doctorate in Leadership and Education from Barry University.

Dr. Williams had always wanted to gain a better understanding of mental illness due to her own mother’s battle with clinical depression and Multiple Sclerosis. She knew that there was some different about her mother, but her illness went undiagnosed for years. This, impart, was the result of the stigma associated with mental illness in the black community coupled with continually being misdiagnosed. Her mother finally got the answers she had been looking for, but not until Dr. Williams was well into her 20’s.

She knew the call on her life was to shatter the shame associated with mental illness by being vulnerable enough to share her compelling story as a witness. After years of refusal, Dr. Williams’ mother gave her the blessing to move forward with writing, “My Mother’s Keeper” days before her death. In this book, she confesses the she carried the “family secret” for over 30 years because of her mother’s embarrassment of her diagnosis. It is her goal to end the stigma associated with mental illnesses. She believes that it is important to start and continue the conversation about mental illness and understand that it is a part of our health.

Dr. Shelia D. Williams is truly her mother’s keeper. And because of that, so many people are beginning to tell the secrets and find the solutions.

Social Media:
IG: @DrSheilaDWilliams FB: DrSheila D Williams Tw: DrSheila

Site:
www.DrSheilaDWilliams.com & info@JohnCMaxwellGroup.com/SheilaWilliams

CYCLED! with Dr. Shayla Cornick

We welcome Dr. Shayla Cornick to the show! A Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a Decatur, Georgia native, Dr. Cornick has traveled a very unique path!

She an educator, researcher and entrepreneur and has a strong passion for fitness and education with an unyielding desire to help others discover their best and be their best.

Dr. Cornick is the owner of CYCLED!, an upscale boutique, indoor cycling studio with locations in Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland and the Takoma Park neighborhood of Washington, DC. She found her passion in fitness over 10 years ago, and opening CYCLED! has undoubtedly allowed her to combine her love for spinning and helping others. As a Spinning certified instructor, Dr. Cornick has devoted her life to fitness not only because of the benefits she has personally received, but also to motivate, empower and support others on their journey towards healthier, happier lifestyles.

With over 14 years of experience in education, Dr. Cornick continues to fuel her passion for helping others. As an educational consultant, she’s able to identify the needs of educators and students, share information to support their growth, and provide evidence to celebrate their accomplishments.

This woman embraces life and calls herself the “The Chief Happiness Officer!” Her desire is to spread happiness everywhere she goes. She is definitely getting that done through every push of the pedal at CYCLED!

Social Media:
www.cycledmd.com
IG: @ShaylaLatrice @CYCLEDMd

The Undefeated with Tiffany M. Simmons

It’s always dope to feature Cool People on The Cool Soror Podcast and today is no different! We welcome attorney, author and actor Tiffany M. Simmons.

With a knack for creative reinvention and an unsurmountable hustle, Tiffany is determined to leave her mark on the entertainment industry. As an undefeated attorney and CEO of the Simmons Law Firm, she’s already demonstrated her prowess to exceed expectations. Therefore, adding another notch to her already impressive belt of achievements
is no surprise.

Her next move is her most challenging yet and she’s opening up to allow others a front row view of how she intends to get it done. Raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan – one of the notably worst cities for African-Americans who live below the poverty level and have the least access to quality public education – Tiffany was determined to create a new path. She became heavily involved in the arts but was equally fascinated with the jobs behind the scenes. This thirst led her to law school and the rest is history!

With a strong concentration in Entertainment Law, Tiffany remained in the thick of the industry – patiently awaiting her return to the arts as an entertainer. After completing acting classes at the world renowned Tasha Smith Acting Workshop (TSAW), she was ready and eager to get back to the world of creativity.

Not only is Tiffany building her acting resumé, but she’s also taking the literary world by storm. With the release of her fourth novel, The Plug’s Lawyer – a trap novel about a good girl with street habits – she’s also added the title, AUTHOR, to her impressive repertoire.

Tiffany is winning the fight of this life and she is continuing to make moves in the rink. She embraces every round for the win. That’s what undefeated looks like.

Social Media:
Twitter: @iamsimmonslaw IG: @officialsimmonslaw @thatslawebook @theplugslawyer

FB: Simmons Law, Tiff M. Simmons

Kindness Personified with Dr. Kimberly Manning

The Cool Soror Podcast welcomes Dr. Kimberly Manning a Cool Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. This Inglewood, California native has a heart of gold and to be in her presence at any given moment is truly a gift. A medical physician, affectionately known as “The Grady Doc,” Dr. Manning has an innate passion for her patients and a resounding kindness that every human being should encapsulate. Her official title is Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Attending Physician/Clinician Educator at Grady Memorial Hospital but she is so much more.

A friend to everyone she meets, Dr. Manning describes herself as the following:

“I’m a wife. I’m a doctor. I’m a mom. I’m a thinker. I’m a doer. I’m an innovator. I’m a writer. I’m a teacher. I’m a leader. I laugh hard every day. I cry at least once every day. I live my life with intention and purpose. I try very hard to use my gifts and to be kind. “

You can see her passion in words on her blog: TheGradyDoctor.com

Dr. Manning’s zest for life has always been within her, but after the sudden passing of her older sister and soror in 2012, she has vowed to make the most of every single moment in life. She finds the good in any and all situations. We should all have just a little taste of what this good doctor orders. Her order? Kindness on a platter. Kindness personified.

Social Media:
Twitter: @gradydoctor

www.GradyDoctor.com

 

Balanced Not Busy with Ciji Townsend

This Cool People Episode with Ciji Townsend offers 15 minutes of power to teach you how to make the most of your busy life! Ciji Townsend, a change agent. PR specialist and corporate executive offers tangible ways to execute our days with the most effectiveness, including simply getting a watch to curve distractions.

Who is Ciji? She is a believer, wife and a friend but most importantly she is genuine and authentic on her everyday journey to live balanced not busy and provide practical solutions to others (mostly strangers) to find balance and ultimately shift from crazy busy to confident calm.

Ciji has been intrigued by the word, busy since she was six years old. Surrounded by working parents and grandparents, everyone seemed to be really really busy…ALL of the time. Ciji was initiated into her family’s secret society of busy people when she turned 13. Her over programmed social calendar, full schedule and ridiculous amount of commitments from school sports to the youth and government club was an official rite of passage.

Ciji remained in the secret society and committed to the condition of being busy in high school, college and for many years post-graduation. Until one day a light bulb went off and she no longer wanted to respond to “how are you?” with the overused response, “I’m so busy!” She will show you how to remain balanced, not busy one step at a time!

Social Medial:
Instagram: @balancednotbusy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balancednotbusy/
Twitter: @balancednotbusy
Website: balancednotbusy.com

Lakeshia The Resilient with Lakeshia P. Dixon

We are happy to have Lakeshia P. Dixon join the Cool Soror Podcast! A Cool Soror of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., this educator, activist, wife and mother has taken life by its horns and led the way. A native of Miami, Florida and mother of three, she strives to impart to her children the importance of education and always putting your best self forward. You can feel her incredible energy and zest for life with every utterance.

Lakeshia wears many hats and the one with likely the most flair is the colorful hat of motherhood. Noticing her son, Kaiden begin to experience pain in his leg at a very young age, she dug deeper to get the answers she needed. That answer would not come until years later which resulted in her son’s leg being amputated. But what could have been deemed something completely life-altering has turned into an opportunity to educate people about children with physical differences. With that, “Kaiden The Great and the Sinister Lunch Lady” was born as well as Kaiden’s Crew, a non-profit organization that provides assistive devices to these children.

She operates an Educational Enrichment company and provides support to local schools within her community. When asked how she prevails through uncertain times, Lakeshia simply states:

“One day, TODAY, will be a long time ago. Knowing this, you can always push forward because your greater is certain to come.”

This epitomes resilence and so does she.

Social Media:
IG: @keshiawrites TW: @keshiawrites
IG: @kaidenthegreat_
www.lakeshiapdixon.com
www.kaidenthegreat.com