My Cotton Patch Moment

In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with the Honorable Aramis Donell, Executive Director of Fair and Just Prosecution, civil rights advocate, attorney, and Florida's first Black state attorney. With a unique career spanning roles as a public defender, prosecutor, professor, and organizational leader, Aramis brings a profound perspective on justice, fairness, and accountability grounded in the real-world impacts on families and communities. Today, we dive deep into how justice must be redefined beyond mere punishment to consider both fair processes and human restoration. Aramis shares personal experiences from her upbringing in Saginaw, Michigan, including an early understanding of equity and a pivotal moment in high school that directed her path toward criminal justice. We discuss the hidden generational impacts of incarceration on families and children, why the criminal justice system must uphold humanity, and the crucial necessity of investing in education upstream to break cycles of mass incarceration. This powerful conversation highlights the discretion prosecutors hold, the importance of maintaining self-awareness and faith amid public leadership, and why true progress in criminal justice requires an unyielding commitment to long-term systemic change. Three Key Takeaways Redefining Justice through Equity and Process: Genuine justice is not solely about punitive outcomes; it requires equitable starting points and a fair process where everyone, regardless of background, receives equal access, rights, and humanity. Upstream Investment in Education: Preventing mass incarceration requires prioritizing quality education and literacy in early childhood, directly countering systems designed around school-to-prison pipelines. Preserving Humanity and Personal Agency: Holding individuals accountable does not require stripping away their humanity; true justice balances accountability with compassion, recognizing the deep multi-generational impact incarceration inflicts on whole families. Why Listen If you are seeking deep, actionable insights on criminal justice reform, prosecutorial discretion, and the human side of legal systems, this episode is a compelling listen. The Honorable Aramis Donell offers an inspiring blend of courtroom experience, public leadership, and personal resilience. Her perspective on systemic equity, education, and faith will leave you thoughtful about how communities can move toward genuine healing and lasting justice. Find the Honorable Aramis Donell here: Website: https://fairandjustprosecution.org 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown, CEO of kmb Consultancy, leadership strategist, author, and advocate for economic liberation. With over 30 years of professional practice and two decades of research, Dr. Brown consults with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and government agencies to build pathways to leadership, healing, and transformation—especially for formerly incarcerated women. Today, we dive deep into what economic liberation truly means beyond simple budgeting, moving past systems designed to extract resources and toward asset ownership and family autonomy. Dr. Brown shares her perspective as a mother raising Black sons, discussing how to instill self-worth, navigate systemic injustice, and balance the reality of the criminal justice system with preparing young men to thrive. We also explore the critical need for front-end community infrastructure over back-end detention funding, and how to support returning loved ones through belief, space, and shared trust. This powerful conversation highlights the innate leadership and resilience of formerly incarcerated women, the importance of proactive family investments, and why true community transformation starts when we build structures that allow everyone to claim their ground. Three Key Takeaways Redefining Economic Liberation: True economic liberation goes beyond basic financial literacy; it requires changing our relationship with money, moving away from extractive systems, and building family assets so choice is no longer dictated by poverty. Investing in Front-End Infrastructure: Preventing incarceration requires funding stable housing, strong schools, and family financial security decades before a crisis hits, rather than over-investing in back-end detention and supervision. Supporting Returning Citizens with Belief and Room to Grow: Families can best support returning loved ones not by managing them or fearing mistakes, but by standing close, believing in their capabilities, and giving them the space to step into their own leadership. Why Listen If you are looking for practical and profound insights on leadership, systemic equity, and rebuilding lives after adversity, this episode delivers a powerful masterclass. Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown brings a rare blend of rigorous organizational research, deep advocacy for formerly incarcerated women, and heartfelt maternal wisdom. Her actionable perspectives on economic liberation and community support will leave you inspired to pour into the people around you and advocate for lasting systemic change. Find Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown here: Website: https://www.revolutionarylead.com 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Shay Cook, CEO and Founder of Crusaders for Change®, LLC, a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping individuals build financial stability and long-term success. As an Accredited Financial Counselor®, military spouse, Shay brings over 20 years of experience to her passion for servant leadership. Today, we go beyond the surface to discuss the profound intersection of financial stability, systemic injustice, and family dynamics—particularly when fathers face the emotional burdens of returning home after incarceration. Shay reflects on celebrating the 10th anniversary of Crusaders for Change®, LLC, the deep shame and guilt that hits parental pride when financial security is lacking, and why basic budgeting and mindset shift are crucial to breaking cycles of recidivism. This powerful conversation explores the true human cost of financial illiteracy on the family unit, the importance of faith and perseverance when rebuilding from ground zero, and the absolute necessity of practicing patience and active listening to foster lasting restoration in the home. Three Key Takeaways Overcoming Guilt and Shame Through Basic Financial Foundations: Financial instability often strikes directly at a parent's pride and self-worth, making it vital to start small—even saving $20 a month—to build confidence, maintain discipline, and create a stable foundation that prevents falling back into old survival habits. Integrating Mindset and Faith for Lasting Reentry: Successful reentry goes far beyond physical release from prison; it requires cultivating resilience, emotional maturity, and relying on faith and community support to navigate system-level barriers and sustain long-term growth. Supporting Returning Loved Ones with Patience and Open Communication: Families supporting returning citizens must extend deep patience and open, non-judgmental listening as everyone adjusts to new roles, shared responsibilities, and the emotional complexities of rebuilding trust. Why Listen If you are looking for practical insights on financial empowerment, overcoming post-incarceration challenges, and understanding the deep emotional links between money and personal worth, this episode offers an inspiring look at transformation. Shay Cook's expertise in financial counseling and her faith-centered approach will leave you inspired to seek community, embrace active money management, and support loved ones striving for new beginnings. Find Shay here: Website: https://www.crusaders4change.org/ 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Ashaki Daugherty, entrepreneur, mother of seven, and founder of several Dayton-based businesses including Kula and Kula Signature. As the wife of an incarcerated husband and the mother of twelve-year-old twins—one of whom is autistic—Ashaki understands firsthand the emotional, financial, and spiritual challenges families face when fathers are absent from the home. Before diving into these heavy topics, she and I also share a special personal moment, revealing that she is actually my daughter. Today, we go beyond the surface to discuss solo parenting, maintaining consistency for neurodivergent children, and navigating the profound shifts that occur when incarceration enters a household overnight. Ashaki reflects on the sudden reality of managing her household and restaurant business, the visual and emotional trauma her young children experienced during their father's arrest, and the deep vulnerability required to shift priorities toward protecting her children's joy above all else. This powerful conversation explores the true human cost of incarceration on the family unit, the unique ways preteens process the absence of a father figure, and the absolute necessity of leaning on a reliable tribe of family and friends to cultivate an environment of resilience, healing, and unconditional love. Three Key Takeaways Protecting the Joy and Normalcy of Children: Even amidst extreme family upheavals and financial ups and downs, prioritizing a stable environment and investing in your children's active pursuits—like competitive chess and cheerleading—is vital to keeping them grounded and demonstrating the rewards of hard work. Navigating Parenting with Deep Patience: Raising a neurodivergent child through a major family disruption requires a profound emotional evolution, teaching a parent how to lead with patience, deep advocacy, and an understanding of behavioral roots rather than reactive discipline. Prioritizing the Household Over the System: Spouses of incarcerated individuals face heavy, distinct practical burdens, making it essential to eventually establish clear boundaries that prioritize the financial and emotional well-being of the children at home first. Why Listen If you are looking for profound insights on maternal resilience, navigating the collateral consequences of the justice system, and the power of family tribes, this episode offers an eye-opening look at parental strength through a deeply transparent lens. Ashaki Daugherty's journey through intense personal growth and dedicated solo parenting will leave you inspired to champion family support networks, embrace active parenting, and advocate for the emotional protection of children navigating the absence of a parent. Find Ashaki here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KULACOMEGETYOUSOME/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulasignature/ 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.

In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with James DeLoach, a respected former Alabama corrections administrator who spent nearly four decades inside the criminal justice system. From his early days as a prison counselor to overseeing correctional operations across the state, Mr. DeLoach witnessed firsthand how incarceration impacts not only inmates, but also the children, families, and communities left carrying the weight of separation. Today, we go beyond the surface to discuss second chances, family reunification, systemic challenges, and the human realities of life behind bars. Mr. DeLoach reflects on his 38-year career, his upbringing during the Jim Crow era in Alabama, and how he stumbled into a lifelong calling rooted in faith and a deep commitment to justice for all people. This powerful conversation explores the true human cost of incarceration, the vital importance of rehabilitation and vocational programming, and why supporting families, caregivers, and the education system is the ultimate blueprint for breaking cycles and preventing crime. Three Key Takeaways Everyone Deserves a Second Chance: The vast majority of incarcerated individuals will eventually return to their communities. Providing them with the proper tools—such as rehabilitation, education, and parenting skills—is essential for improving their life experiences and facilitating successful reentry. The Heavy Burden on Caregivers: Incarceration impacts entire family structures, often forcing mothers to work multiple jobs or leaving grandparents to serve as the backbone of the community. Maintaining family connections is vital, yet it remains heavily challenged by structural barriers like long travel distances and limited transportation options. Investing in Prevention Over Infrastructure: While building new facilities might shift populations, it does not solve the root issues of overcrowding and systemic failure. True change requires investing heavily in quality education, early childhood care, and a stronger social safety net to nurture young minds and prevent crime before it starts. Why Listen If you are looking for profound insights on justice, systemic reform, and the power of resilience, this episode offers an eye-opening look at the corrections system through a deeply compassionate and experienced lens. James DeLoach's journey through nearly forty years of public service will leave you inspired to champion second chances, support single parents, and advocate for meaningful investments in the future of our youth. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.