The CNN Podcast

In this episode of The CNN Podcast, Sheila and Ericka interview David Pyoas of D B Pyoas & Associates LLC. David brings more than 25 years of grant writing and business development expertise.   In addition to his writing ability, David has a wealth of experience as a successful entrepreneur, public affairs professional, and corporate consultant.   Early in his career, he served on the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation staff and as the Director of Operations for the Salvation Army, managing the daily functions of a multi-million-dollar operation. During this time, he established comprehensive departmental productivity measures resulting in documented increases in all departments ranging from 15% to 50%. In 2000, David established DB Pyoas & Associates, LLC, a nationally recognized and full-service business development and grant writing firm specializing in business and marketing plan preparation, financial search and procurement, IT consulting services, advisory board development, and human resources advising, and fund-raising and development. The grant writing team develops award-winning proposals and responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPS) and Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs). It has successfully been awarded over $60 million in grant funding for clients. Listen to the episdoe to learn more about how D B Pyoas and Associates LLC can help your nonprofit organization or for-profit business make a greater impact in your community and in your industry. Contact information: Website: http://www.dbpyoas.com Phone: 404-858-8420 (Direct); 843-905-3558 (Office) Email: david@dbpyoas.com Would you like to be a guest on an upcoming episode? Click here to sign up!

This was such a fun and exciting discussion! I had the pleasure to chat with our own L.I.T. Internship Program team – McKinzie, “Sam”, and Rashia. This episode shares nuggets to help you create a successful internship program for your nonprofit organization. ADVERTISE WITH US Meet the L.I.T. Internship Program team: McKinzie Thorson will be attending graduate school to receive a master’s in Forensic Psychology. McKinzie has a passion for the intersection of Psychology and Criminal Justice and hopes to make a difference in the Criminal Justice world. Samantha “Sam” Howard earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology there, as well as my Minor in Spanish. I am also a full-time nanny and a part-time barista. Next on my journey is attending graduate school for my Master’s Degree in School Psychology. I am very passionate about psychology, and I am eager to gain more knowledge about the way our minds work as people in hopes of making a positive impact on my community. Rashia van den Ende is one of the founding staff members of Life.... READ MORE: https://thecnnpodcast.com/create-successful-internship-program-your-nonprofit/

Geoffrey Mulenga is the Founder and Executive Director of Lotus Flower Community School, located in Ndola Zambia, Central Africa. ADVERTISE WITH US TO BE SEEN BY 1000s OF EYEBALLS EACH MONTH In this episode, you will hear just how passionate Geoffrey is about providing a safe place for children and women. In Zambia, women and girls are abused, and are vulnerable – susceptible to being forced into the sex trafficking nightmare. The youth are poor, hungry and uneducated. Geoffrey and his team of Workers and Volunteers, work hard to equip the youth and women with the knowledge and skills they We are a community-based organization, Lotus Flower Community School in Zambia offering free education and health to vulnerable people and communities.   KEEP READING: https://thecnnpodcast.com/former-zambia-army-solder-now-fights-for-human-rights/

We had an interesting experience, here in Georgia, with the run-offs. This called for the boots on the ground to stay there just a little while longer. ADVERTISE WITH US TO B SEEN BY 1000s OF EYEBALLS In this episode I had a follow-up chat with Kaitlyn Ball, the Civic Engagement Director with Cobb Collaborative. Kailyn shares the strategies she and her team employed to get the awesome results they achieved. Kaitlyn offered a paid internship and worked with six Interns. Kaitlyn explains how she ran the internship and offered some really good tips for how to ensure your internship program is successful

As a nonprofit organization founder, or business owner, it is very important that you understand that you can’t tweak what you don’t track. ADVERTISE WITH US TO BE SEEN BY 1000s OF EYEBALLS! In this episode, Ericka has an eye-opening chat with Arianne about how to use Google Ads and Google Analytics to grow your business – nonprofit and for-profit, alike. Arianne is very interesting, as you will find out. She offers insights that can take you and your nonprofit or business to the next level. Learn more about Arianne below, and at www.arianneswork.com If you need an editor for your project, a copywriter, a consultation, SEO expertise, A/R expertise, or a new productive addition to your team, I’m your person. I’m an autistic adult with ADHD based in San Antonio, Texas (CST). I’ve written about being late-diagnosed autistic since I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist in 2016. I’m an Editorial Board Member for Stairway to STEM, a website resource for autistic students/students on the autism spectrum transitioning from high school to college. I frequently peer review for Autism in Adulthood academic journal.  My website has my blog, my published works, resources I’ve found helpful, and my contact form. I am currently available for opportunities and open for projects.  Arianne is volunteering to optimize all of our Google platforms – Ads and Analytics. Her bright and bubbly personality, coupled with her brilliance, radiates in her conversation and her work. We are truly pleased with all of the time, talents and effort Arianne is donating to LifeChangers! Do you need help with your Google Ads or Google Analytics? Contact Arianne for her rates. Be sure to mention that you found her on The CNN Podcast. Do you have a question or comment for Arianne or Ericka? Please share it below. Until next time… Be awesome and be blessed!

Starting and growing your nonprofit business is not as easy as it may sound. With the right marketing tools in place, it doesn’t have to be hard, either. Let’s talk about it! ADVERTISE WITH US AND BE SEEN BY 1000s! In this episode, Ericka shares valuable resources and tips that could take your nonprofit from zero to hero! As with any business – for-profit or nonprofit – you have two currencies… money and time. You may have more of one that the other, but we always share the free resources first. Ericka Scott is a Business Coach with years of experience in business, both online and offline. Visit the About Us page to learn more. As a nonprofit Founder and Executive Director, I know passion is what gets us started, and keeps us going in our nonprofit, right. Then, there are parts of starting and growing a business, that we are not used to. Certain resources and information we need, but how do we know what to pull out the plastic to pay for, and what to say, NO!” to? One extremely valuable resource you will hear about in this episode, is Nonprofit Elite. Why? This is the agency I used to form my nonprofit, LifeChangers, Inc. Ben Woodward, Founder and  Owner of Nonprofit Elite, came on air with us to share some much-needed information for all businesses, especially nonprofits, no matter what stage they are in.   Listen to the chat with Ben now   Listen to the entire episode wit Ben Woodman. Mention The CNN Podcast when you sign up and pay for the $1500. Nonprofit Setup Package, and receive a  $100 discount. Do you need help setting up your for-profit or nonprofit business online? Are you trying to figure out which marketing message and platforms to set up? No worries! contact us and complete the form with your information, and let’s have a brief chat about how we can help you. We love feedback and input! What would you add to the episode? Please leave your comment or question below, or you may contact us privately. Thank you!

Listen in as we jump into a colorful chat with celebrity Graffiti Artist, Mike "Saes" Halpern, a True-Yorker and Founder of NYC Bridge Runners.     ADVERTISE WITH US    Mike takes us along the path that started this creative, “all planet” running movement. He shows us the direction it's heading in but makes sure to include the nostalgic moments that only a New Yorker can truly appreciate! The NYC Bridge Runners are the 1st Run Crew that started the  "urban running" community back in 2003 and one of the founding Crews of the Bridge The Gap movement est 2012.   From Seoul to Soweto or Avenue A to Zagreb, our mission is to inspire others to bridge the globe by foot and #SpreadCrewLove daily/nightly. What started in NYC helped spawn a global network of creatives across all continents that include running, laughing and dancing as part of their lifestyles.    One goal of this movement, is to get people of all ages, cultures and color, off the couch and out into their city. You can learn so much about the area where you live, the people and the businesses, when you go on a run and intentionally learn about what's going on around you. Mike shares vivid detail about the various cities and countries where Bridge Runners crews are, and how you can join this movement. He tells us how people plan trips based on where they can connect with other Bridge Runners crews. This episode airs in time for you to register for, and make arrangements to connect with the Bridge Runners to celebrate their 20the anniversary, coming up in 2023. Connect on Instagram to keep up with the Bridge Runners crews: NYC Bidge Runners on Instagram Mike "Saes" Halpern on Instagram Are you a Bridge Runner?Share your location and how long you've been a member. Do you know of any other running clubs or crews you could share with our community? Please drop their info in the comments below. Thanks! Until next time... Be awesome and be blessed!

Corey Allen, Founder and CEO of Society For Charity, has a transparent chat with Sheila and Ericka. He leaves no stone unturned, nor question unanswered. Listen in... ADVERTISE WITH US My name is Corey Allen I’m a native of Sylvester Ga. I have been doing nonprofit work in and around the Atlanta area for many years, helping to build a stronger community. I started my own nonprofit, Society For Charity, in February 2021. The main purpose of my nonprofit organization is to feed the homeless in Atlanta and beyond. I believe that educating the community about this problem is just as important as the problem itself.   CONTINUE READING HERE

this episode, Sheila and Ericka have a chat with Emerald Tunie, Founder, CEO and Executive Director of Feminie Cares. Listen in as we discuss a topic that doesn't get the attention it deserves... feminine hygience. ADVERTISE WITH US Emerald has earned her strips as an ATLiens! She completed her graduate degree in Organizational Development & Change back in 2018. While pursuing her degree, her interest in entrepreneurship became even stronger and felt the need to repursue her passion dealing within the spectrum of women’s hygienic health. After spiritually being dawned to reconsider seeking her passion, God provided her with resources and mentors that helped her developed a nonprofit to provide females with the need of feminine care products. Fast forward, she created Feminine Cares Inc., which is a nonprofit organization that provides sanitary hygiene napkins to other organizations that house female occupants who are in need of feminine care products. Her purpose is to continue to be God’s vessel with the mission of Feminine Cares to help those in need suffering from period poverty. Organization’s Mission Statement Feminine Cares Incorporated is a non-profit (501c3 registered) organization that provides sanitary hygiene products to female recipients in need of this free service. The focus of Feminine Cares Inc. is availability of female products, donation resources, and distribution to female locations that house multiple women in Georgia. READ MORE

Sheila and Ericka share valuable information that will help you in the Human Resources aspect of your nonprofit organization startup and growth. This information is helpful for for-profit businesses, as well. ADVERTISE WITH US In this Just Us episode, Sheila and Ericka discuss PEOs – Professional Employer Organization, and how they differ from a PSP – Payroll Service Provider. Depending on what Human Resources service you need, will determine which type of business you decide to use. Human Resources is a part of your nonprofit organization that must be set up properly from the day you begin paying your employees and/ or contractors. If you are not a Human Resources professional, You don’t want to take a crash course in your state’s Workman’s Compensation, Unemployment Insurance and whatever else you are responsible for… Ugh! We urge you to take time out of your busy schedule to research PEOs and PSPs to find out which one you need to work with. Then, learn which of the two types will serve your needs best. Remember to do your due diligence because you will co-employers, and they will be responsible for paying your employment taxes and other financial obligations. Just Works is the PEO mentioned in this episode. Ericka decided to use them, if they can provide the Workman’s Compensation, required by Georgia. Sheila and Ericka will share information on this, and other nonprofit business topics, as they learn about them. Do you have any information you could share with our listeners? Do you have questions or comments for Sheila or Ericka? Please write

In this "Just Us" episode, Sheila and Ericka share some really creative ways to raise funds for your nonprofit - not just for the holidays - but, also, to help you develop a year-round fundraising strategy, including for #GivingTuesday. ADVERTISE WITH THE CNN PODCAST Hopefully, you already have your fundraising and marketing calendars created, and are implementing what you planned. But, it's NOT too late if you haven't! You still have a few weeks before #GivingTuesday - the largest donation day of the year. This day is similar to Back Friday for for-prifit businesses.   How does a block party sound? How about a flea market? We discuss a variety of creative ideas to raise money for your nonprofit, We also give tips to help get your nonprofit organization on solid footing, starting with your mindset. Then, you will be able to get your nonprofit organization up and growing. We would love to hear your creative fundraising ideas for the holidays! Please leave them in the comments section below. Thank you! Do you have questions for Sheila or Ericka? Please leave them below, or cont

In this follow-up chat, let’s talk all things GRANTS with David Pyoas of DB & Associates. Sheila and Ericka spoke with David in episode #6, when we discussed strategies to build an impactful nonprofit organization. ADVERTISE WITH US Many new nonprofit founders mistakenly expect to fill their bank account with grant money. Unfortunately, there are very few new nonprofits who can say they that grants were their main source of funding during their first few years. However, you should still know what a grant is, and good tips and tricks to help get your RFP (Request For Proposal) or grant application approved. David has been writing grants since the 1980s and has an incredible success rate of 86%. This is certainly a number to compare other grant writers to, if you are looking to hire one. Of course, even this success rate does not guarantee that your nonprofit will be awarded the grant. It does, however, increase the chance that you will make it to the short list of finalists. David shares other parts of your nonprofit, that grant makers will look at, during the review process. David, Sheila, and Ericka also discuss different ways a nonprofit can expand, incorporating a for-profit arm of the organization. Oh, but don’t leave before the very end, when David, Sheila and Ericka go way back in time, and dust off the memory banks during the “What would you do” segment of the show. Here is how you can contact David to learn how DB Pyoas & Associates can help grow your nonprofit organizationor your for-profit business: Website: http://www.dbpyoas.com Phone: 404-858-8420 (Direct); 843-905-3558 (Office) Email: david@dbpyoas.com BE A GUEST ON THE CNN PODCAST Do you questions or comments for David, Sheila or Ericka? Please leave them in the comments section below, or you may contact us. Thank you!

Sheila and Ericka enjoy an eye-opening discussion, with Salik Sohani of Georgia Muslim Voter Project, and learn about they're creative ways to increase registrations. ADVERTISE WITH THE CNN PODCAST Georgia Muslim Voter Project (GAMVP) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization founded in 2015 in response to the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric that was prevalent in mainstream politics and the low rates of civic engagement in the Muslim community. GAMVP aims to activate and empower Muslim voters in order to elevate the collective power and voices of all Muslims. We stand for equal representation and justice in all forms. Salik Sohani, the son of Pakistani-American immigrants, is a Senior Community Organizer with Georgia Muslim Voter Project. Salik graduated from New York University in 2018, where he received a degree in Education. He leads GAMVP's education and policy/advocacy efforts and also supports GAMVP's field organizing team during election seasons. Podcast Guest SignupBe A Guest On The CNN Podcast Salik, an avid Atlanta Hawks fan, enjoys playing tennis and golf, working out, traveling, and exploring everything Atlanta has to offer in his free time. Ways to contact Salik and the Georgia Muslim Voter Project Website: www.gamvp.org Email: salik.sohani@gamvp.org Do you have a question or comment for Salik, Sheila or Ericka? Please write it below. You may also visit the Contact Us page. Thank you! Until next time... Be awesome and be blessed!

Listen in as Sheila and Ericka have a high-level business discussion with Ben Woodward, co-founder of Nonprofit Elite. Learn about nonprofit organizations - formation and staartup. ADVERTISE WITH THE CNN PODCAST Nonprofit Elite was founded in 2006 to help you explore the benefits of starting a nonprofit organization (public charity or private foundation) and to provide you with assistance during the early stages of planning, formation, and 501c3 tax exemption. We are a consulting firm that provides document preparation, and we are proud to represent both large and small-budget organizations who understand the value of an efficient, mistake-free startup.  We also work directly with law firms and CPA’s who outsource their work directly to us. Much of our work involves the preparation of 501c3 formation documents, including your Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, EIN, and IRS Form 1023–Application for Recognition of Exemption. We also provide expertise in the areas of state and federal compliance, including nation-wide charitable solicitations registration and your annual IRS Form 990 filings. Ways to contact Ben and Nonprofit Elite: Website: nonprofitelite.com/contact Email: benwoodward@nonprofitelite.org BE A GUEST ON THE CNN PODCAST If you found anything in this episode helpful, we kindly ask that you like, share and subscribe to our podcast. Do you have a question or comment for Ben, Sheila or Ericka? Please write it below. Thank you. Until next time... Be awesome and be blessed!

Volunteers can make or break a community nonprofit organization. We sat down with Rashia van den Ende, a Volunteer with LifeChangers, Inc. What keeps her passionate, and how can nonprofits attract millennials to help out? Let's talk about it! Rashia van den Ende volunteers as the Communications Organizer with LifeChnagers, Inc., a Cobb County-based 501(c)3 community nonprofit organization. Rashia handles onboarding, training, supervises Interns and Volunteers, and she ensures everyone is aligned with the organization's mission statement. Rashia is one of the founding staff members of LifeChangers, Inc., as well as our Communications Organizer. Rashia quite literally has her hands in almost every aspect of the organization.   ADVERTISE WITH US   This young woman has many great responsibilities within our organization, maintains all our social media accounts, takes care our graphic design needs, and tracks our analytics to name a few. After years of providing customer service in the work force, Rashia decided to join the LifeChangers team to continue to help others in a way that she never thought she would. Helping those in need has always been a life goal for Rashia, which is part of what drew her to LifeChangers, Inc. This opportunity has not only been a learning experience, but also, has given her a way to put her talents to great use. Do you have questions for Rashia, Sheila or Ericka? Please write your question or comment below. Thank you!

Listen in as Sheila and Ericka have a candid discussion with Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative. Topics include childhood eduction and the impact of the pandemic on children and families. This episode is chock-full of information to raise awareness of needs Cobb Collaborative is filling. ADVERTISE ON THE CNN PODCAST About Irene and the Cobb Collaborative: Irene Barton was named the Executive Director of the Cobb Collaborative in September 2018 after serving as the organization’s Resource Manager since July 2017.   Since becoming the Director, Irene has diversified the Collaborative’s funding streams, doubled its membership roster, hired a full-time Program Manager as well as a Communications Director to overhaul and grow the communications channels. Using the collective impact model, the Collaborative convenes community stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and families in Cobb County and is the local presence for the Georgia Family Connection Partnership. The Collaborative focuses on three priorities: 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency as the local contact for the Get GA Reading Campaign Mental Health through its Mind Your Mind (Cuida tu Mente) work Civic Engagement – voting and engagement at the grassroots level Irene is a member of the East Cobb Civitans and is the President-Elect. She was recently appointed to the Georgia PTA Board of Directors as the mental health chair and has been presenting to PTA leaders across the state on the importance of mental health, risk factors, protective factors and local resources. She is the Co-Chair of the Cobb & Douglas Public Health Behavioral Health Workgroup which is charged with implementing the strategies of the current Community Health Improvement Plan and was appointed to the Regional Advisory Committee for DBHDD’s Region 1. In 2022, she was named a Woman of Achievement by LiveSafe Resources. Prior to joining the Collaborative, Irene held numerous volunteer leadership positions with Georgia PTA at the local, district and state level and served on several nonprofit boards in a variety of positions, including as Board Chair.  Irene was selected as a member of the 2021 Regional Leadership Institute Class and was an Education Policy Fellow for the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education in 2016-17. She is an alumni of the Cobb Chamber’s Honorary Commanders program. She worked in the financial services field for a number of years prior to joining the Cobb Collaborative. BE A GUEST ON THE CNN PODCAST Irene and her husband Steve have resided in Cobb County for 30 years and are the proud parents of a daughter who is enrolled at Georgia Tech and a son who is a freshman at Auburn University. Her “favorite” child is their rescue dog, Harper.  The Bartons are parishioners at the Catholic Church of St. Ann.  Irene enjoys reading nonfiction and running in her spare time. Do you have a question or comment for Irene, Sheila or Ericka ? Please leave your question or comment below. Feel free to contact us privately. Thank you!

Enjoy a boat load of laughs as Sheila ad Ericka have a blast while sharing innovative funding ideas that you can implement in your community nonprofit organization TODAY! ADVERTISE WITH US Learn what and how you can use various funding platforms - crowdfunding campaigns, grants, public donations and other sources. DISCLAIMER: Sheila Hardy, Ericka Scott, their respective nonprofit organizations nor The CNN Podcast are professional accounting or legal professionals. All information shared in this podcast, is from our own experience. Please do your own due diligence. In this episode discuss the difference between a nonprofit on the state level, and a 501(c)3 - or whichever type of nonprofit organization you plan to form. We also discuss crowdfunding options, bank fees to be aware of, ways that a nonprofit without a 501(c)3, could raise money for their organization. BE A GUEST We are here to shine the spotlight on your community nonprofit organization. We want all the good work you and your organization are doing, to be heard. Feel free to contact us with questions.

In this episode, Sheila and Ericka continue the heartfelt discussion about the hurdles that community nonprofit organizations face, whether they are new or seasoned, but have hit a plateau. ADVERTISE WITH US Let us discuss: The technical hurdles Founders face Networking, or lack thereof, with other community nonprofit organizations How does the 80/20 rule, Pareto’s Principle, play a major role in in the nonprofit world? Listen up and grab a few golden nuggets that can help you see the hurdles you are facing, as a great lesson learned. You will get past xyz if you learn to borrow lessons from others. This is a BIG reason The CNN Podcast was created. There really is NO reason for each new or struggling community nonprofit organization to go through the EXACT SAME issues as the seasoned nonprofit organizations. Ericka shares many similarities between owning a business in the for-profit space and now, founding a nonprofit organization. She describes a solution that would help ALL nonprofit makes a hearty contribution to solve many of the world’s problems… Yes! Sheila shares some of her woes as it relates to attempting to network with other nonprofits, large and small. This has been a major hurdle for Sheila’s nonprofit, Because It is Personal. How to contact and support Sheila and Ericka: Sheila Hardy, Founder and CEO, Because It is Personal, Inc. Transformation Life Coach, Common Sense TransformationalLC.com Ericka Scott, Executive Director, LifeChangers, Inc. Christian Life and Business Coach, Life by the Book Coaching Please like, share, and subscribe to our podcast. Thank you! Did we miss anything? Do you have a question or comment for Sheila or Ericka? Please leave it below. Thank you!

In this awesome, fun-filled "Just Us" episode, Sheila and Ericka share a boat load of goodies in this impactful episode of The CNN Podcast! ADVERTISE WITH US Whether you are still in the planning stages of starting your nonprofit organization, or you have been a community nonprofit organization for years, but have hit a plateau, you will find something in the episode helpful. Sheila and Ericka discuss the hurdles many nonprofit organizations faced, and they share helpful information on how to get through them. Although Sheila and Ericka face their own hurdles from a Godly viewpoint, they also share how those who are not Believers can deal with the hurdles they face in their nonprofit organization. Please subscribe to our podcast from your favorite podcast player. We ask that you share this podcast with your family, friends, and online community. Thank you! Is there anything you would add to this discussion? We love input! Please leave your comment below. Thank you!

In this episode, Sheila and Ericka discuss homelessness with Dr. John Morgan of Cobb Hope Park. What are some of the biggest hurdles facing organizations that want to create solutions?  Listen up because you might be surprised at what Dr. John Morgan shares about why Cobb Hope Park came to a screeching halt a few years ago.. A native Texan, retired university professor and dean, Dr. John Morgan has volunteered many years with metro charities serving the homeless, including Cobb’s Center for Family Resources, MUST Ministries, the Samaritan House (now Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency), and more recently, Marietta First United Methodist Church’s Good Samaritan Outreach, where he started a job search and bike ministry. As a member of Cobb’s Faith Partnership, and Cobb Collaborative’s Homelessness Awareness Strategy Team Effort, he leads the latter’s Homeless Shelter subcommittee and regularly performs at its Memorial/Vigil for deceased homeless/veterans. He led a team of citizens, social workers, faith representatives, officers and teachers in presenting the county with "A Feasibility Study for an Unsheltered Homeless Outreach Portal Program in Cobb County" that envisions a Cobb Hope Park. With the onset of the pandemic, he now supplies more than 35 regional charities with weekly lists of job fairs/events, training opportunities, including hundreds of various postings/notices and other helpful employment resources. He lives in Marietta, GA, with his wife Shirley, a retired special education/reading teacher; they have a grown daughter, a social worker, and son/computer entrepreneur in Washington, D.C.   Contact Dr. John Morgan: jgmorgan42@yahoo.com Do you have a question or comment for Dr. John Morgan, Sheila or Ericka? Please leave your comment or questions below. You may contact us privately by visiting our Contact Us page. Thank you!