1st SUNDAY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH – Filmmaker RaMell Ross, “The Nickel Boys,”, Congressman Maxwell Frost and Retired Pepsi CEO and Author, Derek Lewis

Hollywood filmmaker RaMell Ross shared background information about the making of his Oscar nominated documentary, “The Nickel Boys.” Adapted from the book written by Colson Whitehead, it is the true story of the Dozier School a boy's reformatory in the Panhandle. The juvenile reform school was a target of frequent state and federal investigations that were largely ineffective. It was later found that between 1914 and 1973 at least ninety-six boys died at the camp. Ross, a standout basketball player was injured and found his true love was photography. He is now a professor at an Ivy League school and will continue to tell stories through his own lens. Connect @ramellross Congressman Frost, the youngest to be elected – is the first Gen Z member now in his 2nd term. Our conversation on the federal cuts enacted by the current President has put the nation and our state on guard. Frost wants us to, “Be aware this is only the beginning, but we can make it through!” The survival plan is to stay informed, be aware of all elections – there are 2- and 4-year terms plus special elections coming up for Governor in two states. Stay on top of the first 100 days in office and connect with your elected officials. Connect at https://frost.house.gov/contac Derek Lewis who retired from Pepsi CEO after 35 years, was the highest-ranking black executive in the company’s history. An HBCU grad, Lewis was being considered by Pepsi as well as the CIA. His choice for corporate life served him well, even coming from less than humble beginnings. Born in D.C. he had to steer himself toward success – his book Survive + Advance is a blueprint for those coming up in the streets, trying to survive in corporate America or trying to figure life out. Connect @realdereklewis