The Empowerment Zone

Book Launch: Fit For The Future - A Guidebook For Nonprofits To Thrive In A Changing World (Volume 1)

Dr. Carolyne Opinde: Empowering NGOs to Build a More Sustainable World —
Non-governmental organizations, also referred to as NGOs, focus on solving some of the most pressing social challenges facing communities and nations around the world. To successfully execute their social missions, NGOs must build strong infrastructures, consisting of knowledge, processes and resources. The NGO Whisperer Center for Social Impact is focused on just that: empowering NGOs for success.  Join Ramona as she talks to Dr. Carolyne Opinde about her new book Fit For The Future - A Guidebook For Nonprofits To Thrive In A Changing World (Volume 1).  This book explores many of the essential elements that NGOs must put in place to be successful.  Carolyne A. Opinde Dr.h.c. is an award-winning social impact expert, author, speaker and the Founder and CEO of The NGO Whisperer® Centre For Social Impact.  Originally from Kenya, Dr. Opinde currently lives in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Resources: https://ngowhisperer.com/ 
Topics:
Dr. Carolyne Opinde’s journey to becoming a leader in social impact
Evolution of the NGO Whisperer Centre for Social Impact
Importance of social innovation
NGO Whisperer Global Summit 2023
Fit for the Future:  A Guidebook for Nonprofits to Thrive in a Changing World (Volume 1)
Evolution of the book
Various challenges facing NGOs
Role of leadership in developing successful NGOs

Trailer! Dr. Carolyne Opinde: Empowering NGOs to Build a More Sustainable World

Next episode out on Monday, December 25 with guests Dr. Carolyne Opinde
Book Launch: Fit For The Future - A Guidebook For Nonprofits To Thrive In A Changing World (Volume 1)

Mastering Financial Fundamentals

Dr. Constance Craig-Mason: Preparing individuals for financial well-being — 
Financial education and literacy is so important to living a financially secure and abundant life, yet so many African Americans and Latinos lack the knowledge they need to create financial success for themselves and their families.  Join Ramona as she talks to Dr. Constance Craig-Mason about how individuals in Black and Brown communities can take steps to master the fundamentals of financial empowerment.  Constance shares strategies for building a prosperous financial future.  As the CEO of Concierge Financial Advisory and an Investment Advisor Representative at Forthright Capital Partners, Dr. Constance Craig-Mason teaches her clients how to manage their money, so they can live the life they want without worrying about money.
Resources: https://www.moneytalkschallenge.com 
Topics:
Constance’s personal and professional journey into becoming a financial advisor
Importance of exposure in inspiring financial empowerment
Intrinsic value of financial education and literacy to living an empowered life
Reasons for being intentional and clear about the life you want, so you can chart your life
Insurance
Investing
MORE:  memories, opportunities, relationships and experiences
Strategies for financial empowerment

Dr. Constance Craig-Mason: Preparing individuals for financial well-being

Next episode out on Monday, December 18 with guests Dr. Constance Craig-Mason
Mastering Financial Fundamentals

How can African Americans expand their power and influence?

Melvin M. Coleman: Black Economic Empowerment through Ownership and Control — 
Since the development of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, African Americans have primarily served as a source of labor in the American and global economy.  This has limited the ability of African Americans to build wealth, which leads to power and influence. Listen to the conversation as Ramona talks to Melvin Coleman about the need for African Americans to move beyond being employees and consumers to being owners of businesses and industries.  Melvin M. Colman is President of the Atlanta Black Chambers and the founder and chief portfolio strategist of Essential Wealth Management, a registered investment advisory firm based in the Atlanta area.  A US Navy veteran, Melvin is originally from Savannah, Georgia, and now makes Atlanta his home.
Resources: https://atlantablackchambers.org 
Topics:
Melvin’s professional trajectory into becoming an expert in economic empowerment
“DSGB”
Savannah, Georgia
Atlanta Black Chambers
Economic history of slavery
Labor history and the role of African Americans as a source of labor
Importance of ownership in building wealth
Strategies for the economic empowerment of the African American community
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Melvin M. Coleman: Black Economic Empowerment through Ownership and Control

Next episode out on Monday, December 11 with guests Melvin M. Coleman
How can African Americans expand their power and influence?

Are you crab in a barrel?

Rebekah Ratliff: inspiring an end the crab in a barrel syndrome — 
In this climate of heightened awareness around the need for diverse perspectives and equitable inclusion, individuals must be intentional about making an impact. Listen to a candid conversation between friends as Ramona chats with Rebekah Ratliff about the need for individuals to be supportive colleagues and not malicious crabs.  The crabs in the barrel syndrome is destructive and has detrimental consequences.  Rebekah contends that individuals and communities must be intentional about ending this harmful practice if we are going to move forward individually and collectively.   Rebekah is an international mediator and arbitrator with the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (JAMS), the first African American non-lawyer ever to be invited to the JAMS panel of neutrals. She provides dispute resolution services in the U.S., London and Caribbean. A native of Chicago, Rebekah currently lives in Atlanta.
Resources:https://www.consultccm.com 
Topics:
Rebekah’s professional trajectory into becoming an international mediator and arbitrator
Crabs in a basket syndrome
Ways to replace the crabs in the basket syndrome with more affirming behaviorsImportance of sowing seeds generously (in service) to reap generously
Taking risks
Racism
Simple analogy to understand Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B)
HBCU I.M.P.A.C.T. ®

Trailer! Rebekah Ratliff: inspiring an end the crab in a barrel syndrome

Next episode out on Monday, December 4 with guests Rebekah Ratliff
Are you crab in a barrel?

Insurance: do you know what you really need?

Daryl Perry: empowering clients to maximize their insurance investments — 
It is open enrollment!  It is that time of year to explore your insurance needs and determine what is best for you and your family.  Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.  Join Ramona as she talks to Daryl Perry, a ten-year veteran of the insurance industry.  Daryl combines his life experiences as a military brat, lover of hip hop, and insurance nerd to help make sense of something we all have to deal with. Being a married man and father of four also helps him to see insurance needs from different angles.   When it comes to insurance, Daryl contends that we all need to have a plan, not a plea.
Resources:https://wayoflifegroup.com/  
Topics:
Daryl’s professional journey in becoming an insurance professional
Importance of spending time to understand the various types of insurance
Affordable Care Act, AKA: “Obamacare”
Short-term health insurance
Dental and vision insurance
Supplemental insurance
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Permanent insurance
Risk factors in insurance
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Daryl Perry: empowering clients to maximize their insurance investments

Next episode out on Monday, November 27 with guests Daryl Perry
Insurance: do you know what you really need?