Voices for Change Podcast

We are living in tense times. Some might say the world has gone crazy. People don't feel safe anywhere anymore. In times like these, many turn to their faith for insight and answers. Joining Danita on this episode of "Voices for Change" is Bishop John Walden, senior pastor of Aspinwall Church in Cleveland and Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Goods, senior pastor of Shiloh Church in Cleveland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black female entrepreneurs earn an average of $24,000 compared to $142,900 among all female-owned businesses. Women of color were denied business-related relief funds 2 to 3 more times than white or male business owners. Since 2020, women of color (13%) have received less business-related financial assistance from banks and institutions than men. And yet there are many successful women entrepreneurs who are doing it and doing it well. Joining to discuss are Nicole Liatos, senior director of the Women's Business Center of Ohio; seven-figure CEO Tenora Mia Edwards; and Renay and Tracy Fowler of Fashions by Fowler.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's talk about ways to attack the stigma of mental health in the Black community. Here to discuss are two people who represent key areas where mental illness is rising -- Black men and the faith community. Joining us are filmmaker and speaker Mike Berry and the Pastor of South Euclid United Church of Christ, Courtney Clayton Jenkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research reveals that teens are thinking differently when it comes to their future in the workplace. They value work they enjoy over work that pays well. They're also very concerned about student loan debt. Their most desired jobs: healthcare, and social media influencer. Joining Danita to discuss are 18-year-old Karson Suppes, who started her own business "Safe Chain" though Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio; and Lori McCleese, President of Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Black homes are led by a single parent, and that parent is often the mother. That means the weight of "The Talk" falls on her shoulders. The current news cycle of shootings has ignited the conversations around "The Talk" in the Black community. Joining Danita to discuss are Kim Harris, founder of Shaker African-American Mothers Support; and Xaviera Patrick, an etiquette coach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been at least 13 school shootings involving grades K-12 this year, including the March 27 shooting in Nashville where three children and three adults were killed at a private Christian elementary school. According to the CDC, guns are the leading cause of death for American children and teens, surpassing car accidents in 2020. How has all this impacted our children? And how do we process the grief that comes with reports of our children dying from senseless gun violence in places that should be safe? Joining Danita to discuss are Julia Elfritt, director of education for Cornerstone of Hope, a center that provides support, education and hope for grieving children, teens and adults; and psychotherapist Ariel De'Freeze from The Centers for Counselling and Trauma Recovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to CDC data, nearly 57% of American teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021—double that of boys, representing a nearly 60% increase and the highest level reported over the past decade. Youth mental health has continued to worsen—with stark increases in widespread reports of harmful experiences among teen girls. Joining Danita to discuss are Robyn Hill, a licensed therapist, author and speaker; and Liz Ferro, founder of Girls With Sole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a mental health crisis in America right now. Suicide deaths have ticked up in Ohio, with the increase greater in males, with Black Ohioans faring worse, with a 56 percent increase in suicide deaths over the last 14 years among those 25-64 years old. Today we are going to discuss Black males and depression -- suffering in silence. Joining the discussion are William Hasan, a mental health therapist with The Black Mental Health Corporation; and Donald; and Donald, a man who has experienced depression.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August is National Black Business Month, a time when consumers are encouraged to focus on and support Black businesses. This year, as many businesses are trying to rebound from the pandemic, Black businesses are having a harder time than most. So today on Voices for Change we are going to talk to two Black business owners to see how they are taking care of business. Torrian Denise is the owner of Dornee, which formulates products from natural and organic ingredients to restore and maintain healthy skin. And we're talking to Gwen Penn, owner of Lotus Candles, a family business that makes handmade candles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The picture of gun ownership in this country has changed. Black women are the fastest growing group of gun owners in America and make up the majority of the 40,000 members of the National African-American Gun Association. Why are we seeing this now? Because they feel an increased need to be secure. The deaths of African-Americans due to police brutality and violent acts by white supremacists fuel their need to protect themselves. Joining us from the Cleveland chapter of Chicks Who Carry is Renetta Atterbury.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Racially motivated massacres like the one that just occurred in Buffalo are a painful reminder of the evil that exists in this country. In this case, an 18-year-old gunman had specific plans to kill as many Black people as he could. Today on Voices for Change we want to express and discuss how Black journalists feel when stories like this erupt, and our job is to process and deliver information objectively, even though it's hitting us hard, personally. Joining Danita are her colleagues at News 5 who are Black and biracial to give their honest thoughts on how stories like this effect them: anchor DaLaun Dillard, reporter Camryn Justice, news planning editor Helen Maynard and operations technician Dennis Cavin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Half of all high school students surveyed reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day and no longer do their usual activities, while 47 percent of lesbian, gay and bisexual teens said they had seriously considered committing suicide. But there is a thread of hope. Teens who feel a genuine connection to other people report better levels of mental health. The pandemic is putting in full view that our kids are not OK. Joining to talk about this problem and solutions are Robyn Hill of Robyn Hill Counseling & Professional Development Services, a speaker, author, licensed therapist and personal growth teacher with a personal focus on emotional wellness and soul-care; and Amy Mansfield, Facilitator of the Queer Youth Initiative at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ plus youth ages 11-20. It provides youth with a network of support and opportunities to express themselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He is a voice that has made me smile and laugh over the years. He's an actor, comedian, author and, now, singer. He will be performing at the Lorain Palace Theater on April 15 at 7:30 PM. There are many layers to this man -- Mr. Tommy Davidson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cleveland's 58th mayor Justin Bibb has reached his first 100 days in office. It kicked off with a cold welcome from Mother Nature as a major snowstorm hit the city. Residents couldn’t navigate unplowed streets and called for the mayor to do something. A mayor who barely had the chance to warm his office chair was met with his first big challenge to fix the city's snow removal system. What he did with that time would be tested quickly because another storm hit soon after, and this time resident's complaints were met with action, utilizing technology by activating a brand new snowplow tracker to inform people of streets that had been cleared and it was updated hourly— progress tracked in time. Time is something Bibb wants voters to be mindful of, saying, "Change takes time. Structural change takes even more time." On the Voices for Change podcast, recorded in our station’s podcast studio, Mayor Bibb joined News 5 anchor Danita Harris to share what his first 100 days have been like so far, the highs, the lows, the challenges and the unexpected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your money ... matters! What's your financial story? Struggling with finding ways to save? Credit score a 911 emergency? Does your mind go blank when trying to set a budget for your household? You have insurance on your cell phone but not life insurance? If you said "yes" to one of these questions, this topic is for you. Get ready to shift into a money mindset as we discuss ways to give your money a makeover. Joining us today are Meltrice Sharp, founder of visionary of Women Creating Wealth and Impact, and Clarissa Foster, executive director of Women Creating Wealth and Impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The culture of our workforce is being challenged and changed by young women who want employers to address issues like diversity, mental health and family dynamics. They are also in need of women who have been where they are, to mentor them. We're highlighting a program that creates a safe space for millennial women to grow personally and professionally. Joining me are Alexandria Johnson Boone, founder and chairwoman of the Women of Color Foundation and creator of The "M" Suite; and ChiChi Nkemere, founder and director of strategy at Enlightened Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before saying "I do," what needs to be addressed before joining someone in holy matrimony? Joining Danita to talk about what to do before you say "I do" is Rev. Dr. Trish Harleston, Angel Chapman-McDavid, just back from her honeymoon on her second marriage, and Melissa, who just got engaged on Valentine's Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the news broke that a former Miss USA, 30-year-old Cheslie Kryst, committed suicide, many were shocked, and they were left wondering why. Joining Danita to discuss are Dr. Cynthia Woods, the Clinical Director/CEO of Foundational Counseling Sevices in Beachwood; and Lynette Haggins-Mother, a mother, wife, church leader, manager — and survivor of a suicide attempt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of guides, books and classes for expectant moms, but what about dad?Melvin White runs a daddy bootcamp and Darren Hesson, a recent graduate, talk with Danita about what new dads face.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gun violence in America is a major problem, affecting many, but disproportionately impacting the lives of young adults, males and communities of color. In the first week of 2022 alone, there were 341 deaths and 561 injuries, according to a tracker created by ABC News and The Gun Violence Archive. Gun violence costs the healthcare system more than $1 billion a year, according to the Government Accountability Office. And guns remain the weapon of choice for homicides and suicides. Today we talk about gun violence and what's being done at the grass roots level with El Jay'Em of Project Ripple and Michelle Bell, founder of M-PAC Cleveland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.