We hear so much about the problems in America's public schools that one would think that our schools are a disaster.  Although there are many problems, there are also many dedicated teachers working hard under very difficult circumstances, and with limited resources, to teach our children and help them achieve their full potential. However, one of the issues that has concerned me for many years is the failure of the majority of school districts in the United States to adapt to change and employ more effective means of engaging students and the emphasis on standardized testing rather than focusing on the needs of the students.  Much of this has been mandated by the federal government. On tonight's show, we examine some of the schools that have departed from the normal methods used in most schools and who have been very successful in helping their students to excel.  Our special guest is Mr. Doron Townsell, a Partner with Ember Charter School for Mindful Education, Innovation & Transformation in Brooklyn, NY.  We will discuss why these "model schools" have been able to achieve such great success, Common Core and standardized testing, the inequities in resources between schools in more affluent areas in contrast with rural and urban schools, assisting students with learning disabilities, dealing with difficult students, and much more.

Are Model Schools The Blueprint For Solving The Crisis In America's Schools?

Women and Finances Series - Episode #1: Tune in and hear the challenges and achievements of various women in finance and business. Tonight's guest is Dionne Blanks. She is the Founder and President of the Economic Empowerment Circle, LLC, a financial coaching company that focuses on financial literacy and education.  Dionne is deeply passionate about coaching women to develop a money mindset and to strategically build wealth.  With over 20 years of experience in the Financial Services and Wealth Management Industry, Dionne has witnessed how financial guidance assists high net worth and affluent clients with achieving financial goals. Dionne is known for her effective and holistic approach to helping her clients to eliminate their debt, implement effective money management skills and build A1 credit. In addition to her academic background and work experience, Dionne is also an Accredited Financial Counselor through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education as well as a Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach.

LIONEL SHIPMAN PRESENTS: Women And Finance Series #1 W - Guest Dionne Blanks

A Clearwater, FL native, Chef and Owner of Livy O’s Catering Co., LLC.; and President and Founder of Sisters Standing Strong, Inc. a non-profit organization. With over 20 years of Health Administration experience, and 10 years of Culinary experience, serving family, friends, various cultures, local and national celebrities, and guest appearing on over 4 national television networks, it is no wonder why Lennise is one of the most requested caterers in the Tampa Bay area. A survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, and an absent father, Lennise was determined not to allow her past to dictate her future. Fighting against all odds, she is now the wife of a loving husband, Omar Germany, the mother of 6 beautiful children, a college graduate with a degree in Counseling and Business Management, and the Owner of an award-winning, 6-figure grossing catering company in Brandon, FL. In June 2014, Lennise decided to satisfy the burning desire to pursue her dream of being an entrepreneur. Strong and supportive, her husband Omar encouraged her dream. Naming the business after her children, (Livy, Obree, Olena, and Omar) Lennise founded Livy O’s Catering Co., in October 2014, by selling meals from the trunk of her car. With dedication, faith, and perseverance the company continues to grow into a reputable operation. Livy O’s Catering Co. is now a full-service catering company, with over 30 employees.

LIONEL SHIPMAN PRESENTS: Women And Finances Series - #2  W/Lennise Germany

Aisha Lloyd-Minnis is a Certified Public Accountant, with Master’s degrees in Law, and Business Administration; she is also in her final year of Doctorate level studies. A veteran of the U.S. Army, she has over 17 years experience in the accounting, banking and regulatory fields.  As she built her career in the financial services industry, Aisha found she was on a never-ending treadmill in her pursuit of professional success. With every benchmark she achieved, additional opportunities to succeed surfaced. Though she felt increasingly disconnected from herself and her personal values, she continued to rise to every professional challenge. When she became a mother, she realized this was a price she was no longer willing to pay. Aisha decided to take a step back and examine the priorities in her life. This led to her embarking on a transformational journey to realign her lifestyle so it would be sufficiently balanced and more fulfilling. She currently serves as Deputy Executive Director/Head of Supervision of The Securities of the Bahamas. She is also an entrepreneur, as the founder of Technicolor Blossom LLC, a lifestyle design company that supports women as they travel the journey to self-discovery and inner fulfillment.

LIONEL SHIPMAN PRESENTS: Women And Finances Series - #3 W/Aisha Wonderful

Amy Vetrone specializes in bringing financial wellness programs to the workplace.  Her approach is personalized and relatable.  While working in the banking industry, she quickly saw that adults needed better financial guidance and instruction.  Through workshops and personal financial coaching, she is helping people develop a positive money mindset that sets people up for success to reach short and long-term goals.  Amy considers herself a financial literacy advocate. In 2017, she testified in favor of a personal financial literacy bill at the assembly and senate level.  That bill was passed into law on November 30, 2017 making personal finance a requirement in K-12 schools in Wisconsin.  She volunteers in the classroom delivering smart money lessons to students.  Her compassionate approach to financial education is helping many people.  Amy resides in Neshkoro, WI with her husband and two children.

LIONEL SHIPMAN PRESENTS: Women And Finance Series - #4  W/Guest Amy Vetrone

Dr. Baxter has a B.A. in Communication, a M.S. in Management, is a Certified Executive Coach, a Financial Fitness Coach™, and a Mental Health First Aider. She is a member of the Dallas VA Community Veteran Engagement Board, a Military Veteran Peer Network Facilitator, and an advocate for women veterans. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor & a Financial Fitness Coach. Brandy is the Owner/Principal Coach at Living Abundantly where she coaches families to shift their mindset to bring future goals into present reality. Through these sessions, she encourages self-awareness for her clients to develop their own action plan, whereby they are empowered to take measurable steps toward reaching their personal and financial goals, such as homeownership, debt elimination, career advancement, and more. Brandy is a dynamic and engaging speaker who often leaves audiences energized and motivated.  As a Facilitator, she leads groups through various courses that challenge them to take ownership of their money, their mind, and their mission in life.  When she is training a group, she knows how to take the technical and make it understandable.
Websites:
BrandyBaxter.com 
Time2LiveAbundantly.com
BlackGirlFinMagic.com

LIONEL SHIPMAN PRESENTS: Women and Finance Series - #5 w/Guest Brandy Baxter

Among her many achievements, Dr. Renata Brown holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management as well as a certification in graphic design from Kennesaw State University of Georgia. Dr. Brown served as marketing and advertising director for the Hopewell Baptist Church Drama Guild. In 2013, she booked talent for the show Spoken Sound of Soul on independent artists, station Be100Radio.com. Dr. Brown's zeal for the arts and motivational speaking comes from being an artist. She is the publisher of two online magazines A-Spire.me, an arts and entertainment magazine, and EM-Spire.com. She is also founder of an award show that highlights the arts. Dr. Brown is also an accomplished songstress, poet and speaker who began writing poetry at eight years old. “At the heart of me” she states, “I am a creative". Dr. Brown is featured in several anthologies and has appeared on numerous Radio and Television talk shows. She self -published ‘Simply Life is a Poem’ in 2010. In her own words “Artistry is not a hobby for me. The arts are my passion and ministry. Helping others release their creativity is my mission”. Dr. Brown's journey includes being a teen parent at the age of 14. Three years later finding out that her daughter had a genetic incurable disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, that she would eventually succumb from complications. Much of her story is colored by these traumatic experiences.

LIONEL SHIPMAN PRESENTS: Women and Finance Series - #6 w/Guest Renata Brown

Monica is a graduate of the University of North Texas and holds a BS degree in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas, and a Master of Theological Studies from Dallas Baptist University. She is an author, mentor, educator, TED presenter and a business professional with over 26 years of experience in cost, taxation, and operational management with a Fortune 100 company, United Parcel Service. She uses her engaging personality, her contagious energy and her experiences as a professional and personal coach to spur people to action, reclaim themselves, conquer their problems, pursue their dreams, and find their own sparkle and shine. She speaks the truth in love without holding anything back.  Monica empowers others especially women to search within and discover how to reach their highest potential, both personally and professionally. After a session with Monica, they left motivated and inspired to be engaged, enriched, empowered and SMART! Monica is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Monica Johnson Enterprises LLC, which includes the brands That Girl is S.M.A.R.T., OneWordMovement Charities, a nonprofit organization for mentoring young girls and Publishing House. 

Women and Finance Series - #7 w/Guest Monica Johnson

Veronica Dangerfield has enthusiasm that is riveting. It will grab your mind, ignite your soul, and fatten your wallet.  She is a Financial Educator for Patelco Credit Union, an award-winning speaker, a published poet, and a professional comedienne. What you will remember most about Veronica’s presentations is how much fun you had learning. 
She has won numerous awards for her work as a financial educator including.   In 2017, she was awarded the Credit Union Rock Star Award and a national award called Desjardins for her contributions to adult financial literacy. As a philanthropist, she supported the Bay Area Crisis Nursery for six years producing and performing in an annual Mother’s Day Comedy Show. She has taught financial literacy for 18 years at UC Berkeley, Cal State University East Bay, San Francisco State University, Diablo Valley College, and Sierra Junior College as well as dozens of high schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the state. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Sacramento State University. Veronica is an avid traveler, the mother of three, and a committed to life-long learning.  She believes that in order to achieve financial prosperity people need to understand the emotional impact of money. The practice of compassion and forgiveness is vital to changing and adjusting to new financial behaviors.

LIONEL SHIPMAN PRESENTS: Women & Finance Series   #8 w/Veronica Dangerfield

​​Jacqueline V. Twillie holds an M.B.A. in Leadership and is the Founder and President of ZeroGap.co, a global training, and development firm that specializes in women's leadership within male-dominated industries. ZeroGap has been identified as one of the fastest growing companies in 2019 by Inc. Jacqueline is an Amazon Best Selling Author. She has been featured in Forbes, FastCo, Essence Now, Black Enterprise, Parade, Today.com, NBC BLK and more… on the topic of Women’s Leadership and Negotiation Strategy. Jacqueline is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and earned her MBA from Tiffin University. Her life’s mission is to eliminate the gender wage gap by providing practical strategy for women to advance and thrive in leadership roles. In her downtime, she loves to practice yoga and cook. When Jacqueline isn’t working on leadership development for women she enjoys seeing the world from up in the air check out her skydive video on YouTube.
Websites: 
www.jacquelinetwillie.com  
www.zerogap.co

Women & Finances - #9 w/Guest Jacqueline V. Twillie

A native Baltimorean, Lisa was raised in the Lexington Terrace Housing Projects. Her childhood in Baltimore was mired in neglect, sexual abuse and abandonment.  With no support, guidance nor treatment for these issues, she found herself gripped with homelessness, severe poverty, stress and a lot of anger. Despite all these barriers and many other struggles, she maintained a positive outlook on life and eventually became a proud graduate of Coppin State University with a BS in Business Management and a MBA from University of Baltimore. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Lisa started Celeebrate Us Gift Baskets (spelled with an extra “e” because she does extra for her customers). As she continued her journey on personal development, she embraced the value and power of volunteerism. In 2015, she contacted the Department of Social Services (DSS) to ask for a volunteer opportunity to mentor women on welfare. Lisa spent many years on welfare and understood the pain and humiliation of having to depend on government assistance. As she shared her desire to mentor young women with a staff member at DSS, she was connected to the Workforce Development Administrator that thought that her journey towards self-sufficiency was very powerful and offered her a contract to conduct a workforce training course. That relationship has blossomed in a tremendous way and now includes providing workforce training to homeless youth in Baltimore City.

Are Model Schools The Blueprint For Solving The Crisis In America's Schools?

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