Monica May's Point Of View

With reflections from Pastor's Terence Gray of St. Mark AME Church and Sharon Riley of Agape Perfecting Praise & Worship Center, we shared real stories from our audience about getting up when life gets you down. Our discussion focused on Resurrection Beyond Religion. If you or anyone you know is dealing with depression, please contact Dr. Pernell Bush (407) 906-0139 Visit the Website http://www.nolimitempowerment.org

Nat C. Jones is the new CEO of the POLIS Institute. They match investors with community organizations here in Orlando. They're looking for students to join their FELLOWS Program. Contact [email protected] 
 
 Follow @DrJeremyLevitt for an update on the United Nations vote to recognize slavery through the transatlantic slave trade. Most nations voted favorably with 52 abstentions; The United States was one of 3 nations voting against the recognition. 
 
 Tiffany Moore Russell is not only the Orange County Clerk of the Court, but the South Atlantic Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. They have raised $2 million under her leadership and are hosting the 73rd annual conference April 1-5 in Orlando. Contact [email protected] to find out the two events the public can attend.

Dr. Lavon Bracy and State Senator Lavon Bracy-Davis shared a fun filled conversation about what it was like growing up in a family of community servants. They had a chance to laugh and tell behind the scenes stories that we'd never heard before. 
 
 Village of Love, Inc. is an organization assisting families through the loss of a loved one through gun violence. Emily Pringle and Tuwanan Ware both lost their sons at the age of 20. They shared how VOL supports families with grief counseling, victim compensation forms, burial assistance, and more. Connect with them through www.villageofloveinc.org or call 407/309-0645

Dr. Lavon Bracy and State Senator Lavon Bracy-Davis shared a fun filled conversation about what it was like growing up in a family of community servants. They had a chance to laugh and tell behind the scenes stories that we'd never heard before. 
 
 Village of Love, Inc. is an organization assisting families through the loss of a loved one through gun violence. Emily Pringle and Tuwanan Ware both lost their sons at the age of 20. They shared how VOL supports families with grief counseling, victim compensation forms, burial assistance, and more. Connect with them through www.villageofloveinc.org or call 407/309-0645

LaShea Reeves, Executive Director of 8 Cents in a Jar shared how she turned her family's lack of financial knowledge and personal tragedy shaped her own life. Today she and her team teach students how to manage money and grow dividends. She shared 3 things, the signature program "Money Expo" is April 4th, the "Youth Investment Summit" is May 29-31 in N.Y.C. and they're expanding their team, they need a math and reading tutor as well as a Financial Literacy Coach - Visit www.8cents.org to find out more 
 
 In March we also acknowledge National W omen and Girls HIV Awareness and Dr. Andrea Dunn, Executive Director of Let's Bee HIVE dispelled myths to lessen the stigma of the disease. She also shared information about drugs, PrEP and PEP that can prevent the spread of the disease. Listen to her podcast on Spotify "Stinging Stigma" and connect with her @ www.letsbeehive.org

26 Health invites the community to a seminar on menopause, March 24th 6pm at their office 801 N. Magnolia Avenue. Physicians will be available to answer all questions. "Is it Hot in Here" is a FREE discussion . Register online at www.26health.org 
 
 Center for Change is an education and resource organization that serves Orange, Osceola and Volusia counties. They provide information and testing on colon and prostate cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, chronic pain, and more. We spoke with a 5-year colon cancer survivor, Renard Mitchell about his experience. They shared their collaboration with the Colon Cancer Coalition and the upcoming Sneaker Ball as well as the 5K "Get your Rear in Gear" run. For more info visit www.floridacenterforchange.org

Joann Febus, Executive Director of Dress for Success updated us on their new programs for women (and men) in search of employment. They have a 25th Anniversary drive to "Adopt a Closet" find out more 407/721-9859
 
 Jennifer Wilcox, Executive Director of Girl Scouts of Citrus Council shared results of the study The State of the Florida Girl and invited listeners to consider having their daughters join a local troop in their area. For info to sponsor a girl email [email protected]

Karen Castor Dentel, our new Orange County Supervisor of Elections, shared updated information as we prepare for the midterm elections. This election happens midway through our presidential four-year term. The following are elections happening March, August 16th and November 3rd.

Organ donation is not something that our community openly discusses, yet we have the highest numbers on national transplant registries. Our Legacy, is an organ transplant organization working through Advent Health that provides information as well as the gift of life for persons in need. They are presenting their annual "Gift of Life" program Saturday, February 21st @ Patmos Chapel in Apopka. It's FREE, and everyone is welcome to enjoy music from Orlando's best entertainment while learning more about the need to donate. For more info www.ourlegacyfl.org

Our recorded conversation with Former Congresswoman Val Demings left us with several nuggets. She talked about how Florida is a testing ground for national policy debates. We discussed the importance of accountability and defining the issues that voters should be paying attention to. Demings reminded us that the President is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. Her response to what defines our 2026 voter issues was "affordability, taxes, and education. 
 
 Russell Drake, CEO of Build Black Daily, shared his digital Black History calendar for 2026. He shares over 60 activities that cover 7 counties - to receive your copy visit www.buildblackdaily.com
 
 The Central Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials has been in existence since 1999. Former Chair, Clerk of the Court Russell has now handed the torch to Congressman Maxwell Frost. The members are local city and county officials as well as state legislators, and they convene to hear constituent concerns. To connect contact [email protected]

Dr. Candace Finley, Director of the eSTEAM Learning Program in Eatonville, shared the importance of teaching our youth about the possibilities of STEM. She did a play on the acronym that added an "e" for entrepreneurship, and of course the "A" is for arts. Her next event is a walking and bike tour of Eatonville. "Routes to Roots" happens Feb. 21st 7am-12pm. www.esteamedkearninginc.org 
 
 Dr. Moresa Culbreath is a licensed psychologist and founder of We Care Support Services. She supports children through adults with evaluation, educational, and employment guidance. She maintains that "Early intervention works, and that lack of (early diagnosis) leads to misdiagnosis." Her event "Psychology for Black Girls," will bring together black clinicians to increase access to culturally responsive mental health education and resources. Connect and register online at www.psychologyforblackgirls.com and find out more about her agency www.wecaresupport.org

There is a "Science to Sisterhood" so says Anika Allen with 5-Star Friendships! An organization she began during the pandemic that stays on the cutting edge of research on the importance of friendship in terms of life longevity. Today there is a national epidemic where 20% of our population suffer from loneliness. She also pointed out that since the lifespan of women is longer than men, some 80% of women will die alone. Therefore, it's important to develop friendships. In a social setting, you can let your clothes, a broach or tie be a focal point to start a conversation. Other important gestures we can use to make ourselves appealing to friendship would be to put our phones down, have engaging eye contact and facial expressions. Connect with Mrs. Allen at www.FiveStarFriendships.org. Order her book "Friendships to Go!" on her website. 
 
 January is National Mentoring Month, and the Winter Park Kappa League developed a youth mentoring component now in its 20th year. To date they have serviced over 100 male youth on the importance of community and mentoring. Derek Walls, their Leadership Coordinator designed the "Speed Networking Experience" to get 20 males connected with 20 community leaders. Khalil Dexter, a 9th grade student at Jones H.S. Is the Vice President of their young men's group and shared how integral the league has been in his development overall. To connect your son to the league call 321/209-4610 or visit www.winterparkkappaleague.com

Tyasia Raynae is the Chair of the 31st Valencia Student Film Celebration February 28th on the East Campus. She is the 2nd African American student to chair the entire celebration (the first was in 2014). This year's celebration is named after Ralph Clemente, an esteemed professor who structured the film program at Valencia. Films will be shown at 1pm and 6pm and the public is invited to attend FREE. We talked about the power of film to tell stories that often go unheard. The students who attend the school vary in age and experience and will get to share their Capstone projects. For sponsorship information [email protected] or [email protected] or call 689-500-9550 
 
 The Central Florida Leadership Academy is an Orange County Public Charter School operating for 16 years in the "Milk District" @ 427 N. Primrose Avenue in Orlando. The principal, Maria Cameron and Board Chair, Dr. Clara Walters shared that the school operates the same as a "regular" school offering smaller classroom sizes for grades 6-12. However, students have additional lessons in leadership and character development in their curriculum. There is no testing requirement just an application process - https://www.cflacademy.org/

Dawn Ofodile and Lawrence Davis from the City of Orlando and Alpha Phi Alpha respectively, shared the upcoming calendar of events commemorating what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's 97th birthday. "Mission Possible" is this year's theme which focuses on everything from a candlelight vigil to the Great Day of Service at the Orange County Convention center where 5,000 volunteers are needed to package food for one million people in need. The Alpha's will host the MLK Forum Thursday at FAMU Law School Thursday, January 15th and the 40th Annual Luncheon Friday, January 16th which features the "Drum Major" Award honoring 6 community trailblazers. Radio and television personality Jeff Johnson is the speaker. Tickets are available at www.mlkluncheon.org For student scholarship information, apply online @ www.hankinsjohnson.org
 
 We discussed the top issues for Gov. Ron DeSantis' final legislative session as governor. Equal Ground founder Jasmine Burney-Clark shared the top issues: property Tax Reform/
 Healthcare/ and Increased insurance rates. Mrs. Burney-Clark shared that the 2020 census showed 1 additional seat forcing the redistricting that wiped out 50% of black representation. We discussed that the State Supreme Court judges appointed are all young and that every six years citizens get to vote on their retention. Follow www.equal-ground.com for details on the upcoming sessions. On Facebook and YouTube follow them @ EqualGroundFL. They have their Free and Open Monthly Political Empowerment Calls the 3rd Monday every month, however, the call this month honors Dr. King's holiday and will be Tuesday Jan. 20th 6pm