TheHBCUNation

Our Host, Anthony Ray, talks with Mrs. Arnika Frazier-Jackson, Director of Panda Cares Student Professional Development Programs, about the upcoming leadership conference and all things Panda Cares! For the past two years, the Panda Cares Scholars Leadership Conference powered by UNCF, has been held virtually. This March, the interactive and innovative 3-day intense leadership training will return in person in Disney Springs Orlando, Florida. Accepting scholars from various majors including Engineering, Computer Science and Public Health, UNCF and The Panda Cares foundation are excited to meet the 2023 Leadership Scholars and aid in their embarkation to the workforce. Scholars will meet and network with leaders in their desired field of interest, take part in on-site interviews, shadow professionals in non-traditional work environments and more. To learn more about the Panda Cares Scholars Program, go to UNCF.org/PandaCares.http://www.uncf.org/PandaCares   This episode can be seen on HBCU Smart TV, HBCUi

This week, Gerald Hector, Creator and Host of "It's Easy Son" talks with special guest, Ambassador Audrey Marks, Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States of America!

Mr. Anthony Ray talks with Coach Eric Strothers, head basketball coach of the Tougaloo Bulldogs. Coach Strothers is no stranger to the basketball court or coaching. He spent three decades as an assistant coach at Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State Universities. While currently holding the record for most wins at Tougaloo as a first time head coach, Coach Strothers cares more about his players winning in life than on the court. He ensures they earn degrees. Strothers enacted academic study hall for each player to make sure his players are excelling in education. In addition, Coach Strothers recruits ‘young’ athletes to nurture and develop their skills throughout their tenure at Tougaloo to build a winning team. It’s a life lesson, he learned through his own experience. Strothers was a walk on at Jackson State University where he made a great impact. He was the team's most valuable player, both as a junior and senior. In 2018, Coach Strothers was inducted into Jackson State University's and SWAC's Ha

Gerald Talks with Gary Harrell on #ItsEasySon!!! "Gary Harrell joined Jackson State in November of 2020, after serving as running backs coach for a season at Alabama State. In the Fall 2021, Santee Marshall and Peyton Pickett combined for nearly 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. Prior to joining ASU, he served a two-year stint under Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic. He joined the Florida Atlantic staff in January of 2017. His attention was given to the wide receivers who rotated throughout the season seeing the quarterbacks utilize a total of nine receivers. Senior Kalib Woods was named the Conference USA Championship MVP, and Willie Wright, just a freshman, was the team’s most consistent wideout and led the Owls with 56 catches and a total of six scores. Following the year, Wright earned a spot on the C-USA All-Freshman team. Prior to his stint at Florida Atlantic, his alma matter came knocking on his door and asked the Miami native to return to the program, but as the head coach in 2011. All told, Ha

Mr. David Oliver is the former 110 meter hurdles champion winning the gold medal at the World Championships in Moscow in 2013 with a time of 13 seconds. He share his upbringing and lessons learned along the way with Author and Host, Mr. Gerald Hector.

Ransom Miller, III is the founder and chairman of Project GiveBack, a community service organization based in Washington DC. Project GiveBack’s primary program is The Annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution which has provided over 23,000 grocery baskets since 1995. Other programs coordinated by Project GiveBack include: The Children's Book + Toy Drive, which provides books and toys for children; The Computer Sponsor Program, which has assisted schools and community organizations in the acquisition of Computers; The Annual Back 2 School Supply and Backpack Drive, which provides grade appropriate supplies to at risk children; The Support Effort which provides food and supplies to those dealing with homelessness; and the Children’s Easter Celebration, which provides a provides a safe and fun activity for local children. The target demographic for all programming is low income, underprivileged families with a specific focus on children. In other community service efforts, Ransom impacts his hometown community of

"Jay “Sky” Walker was born in Los Angeles, California on January 24th, 1972. He was drafted out of University High School to be a pitcher for the California Angels organization’s minor league team. Eventually, Jay realized that his passion was football, and was recruited to play for the Howard University Bison. ​As a quarterback, Jay led the Howard Bison to their only playoff berth in the school’s history and an 11-0 season in 1994. He was named I-AA football player of the year by Sports Illustrated in ’94, placed in the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame in ‘05, and placed in the MEAC Hall of Fame in ‘17. He continued his football professionally for four seasons in the NFL: two years with the New England Patriots in ’94 and two years with the Minnesota Vikings in ’96 and ‘97. True to his Political Science degree from Howard University, Jay has been a member of the House of Delegates since January 10, 2007. He is a member of the Economic Matters Committee. He was the Vice-Chair of Ways and Means Comm

Eric Watson recently joined Southern California Edison as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion within People, Culture, & Strategy in HR.   Eric is both a visionary and business strategist, bringing to the table nearly two decades of experience developing, implementing, leading, and supporting enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives for large, multi-site organizations. Most recently, Eric was an executive consultant with the Kaleidoscope Group and before that served as president and CEO of Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (CVMSDC). Eric has held various executive positions in diversity and talent acquisition at Food Lion and managed supplier development for Delhaize America before his role at CVMSDC.   Eric will lead the design and execution of the company's comprehensive business diversity and inclusion strategy and will partner with other areas of HR to enhance our processes and will reinforce and build new external partnerships to continue our journey as a leader in dive

This week, Gerald talks with Dr. Ford, the eighth president of Dillard University this week on #ItsEasySon. Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR is the eighth president of Dillard University. Prior to leading Dillard, she served as the dean of the School of Communications at Elon University, the second to serve in that position in the university’s history. There, she led more than 80 faculty and 1,500 students with six undergraduate major programs of study and one graduate program. President Ford is recognized nationally for her work in public relations. In 2021, the Arthur W. Page Society presented President Ford with the Distinguished Service Award for her service to the public relations profession and her commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the field in 2021. That same year, ColorCOMM listed her as one of 28 Most Influential Black Females in Communications. In 2019, President Ford received the Public Relations Society of America’s Outstanding Educator Award; and, in 2018, she was inducted i

Gerald Hector talks with Super Bowl Champion and his former teammate at Howard University, Mr. Billy Jenkins.

Barbara L. Peacock, D. Min. Author: Award Winning - Soul Care in African American Practice Chair Biblical Studies at Chun University Founder Peacock Soul Care - Institute of Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Formation and Soul Care Leadership 704-608-4803 Book Info: https://www.ivpress.com/soul-care-in-african-american-practice Press Kit: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Press-Kits/4671-press.pdf BIO: https://www.ivpress.com/barbara-l-peacock Website: barbaralpeacock.com Website: peacocksoulcare.com Website: chununiversity.info linkedin: Barbara Peacock

Humanitarian, social-entrepreneur, activist, and concerned citizen of our global community. These are some of the descriptors most commonly used when referring to Ronnie Lott, a four-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer. Lott’s accomplishments beyond the football field have exceeded his superb career as one of the most distinguished and identifiable defensive players in NFL history. Lott’s commitment to serve others -- a trademark of his humanitarian efforts -- began during his NFL playing career when he learned that the success he had in football could feed his passion for helping others. In 1989, Lott and his wife Karen founded “All Stars Helping Kids,” (ASHK) a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization that supports underserved youth. ASHK, has raised more than $30 million with a mission of disrupting the cycle of poverty by increasing the effectiveness of non-profits that focus on education, career readiness and the health and wellness of Bay Area youth. Additionally, ASHK ha

Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins is the Executive Program Director of the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University (HBCU ELI at CAU).

Gerald Hector has a special segment where he is the guest on the show, FRIENDS TALKING with host, Chris Ashman!

Mr. Laws is an accomplished corporate executive leader with over 25 years of extensive experience working within the top Fortune 20 companies. Prior to joining Nemours Children's Health, Mr. Laws held several C-Suite roles to include Global Sr. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager role with Amazon. Executive Leadership roles with Starbucks Coffee Company, two Japanese pharmaceutical sales/marketing firms and Mobil Oil Corporation. Mr. Laws hold a Master’s degree in Business Management, Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and Executive Leadership Certificates from Harvard University. Member of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

Jeffrey Graham is the Vice President, Deputy Head of Independent Distribution Partners for Chubb Insurance Company’s International Division. With 34 years of Insurance Field Sales and Producer Development experience, he has executive oversight for developing business in emerging international markets across enterprise divisions of Commercial, Personal Lines and Accident & Health businesses. With responsibilities for over 22,000 agents and brokers generating over $1.1B. and operating in 12 of Chubb’s 54 countries and territories spanning across Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Far East regions. Prior to joining Chubb, Jeffrey spent 30 years with Travelers and Aetna Insurance Companies in varying leadership and consulting roles working in partnership with Independent Agents throughout North America. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Hampton University, Hampton, VA and has earned various insurance licenses and certifications throughout his career.

James, originally from Long Island, NY, received his B.A. from the University of Virginia in May of 2000, after which he joined Bank of America as a Commercial Paper Trader. Due to his uncanny ability to identify properties and situations that are “ripe for development,” James founded J.S. & Associates, Inc. in 2002, which is also central to his vision of economic development and self-sufficiency for families in the greater Charlotte area. Since relocating to Charlotte, James has been making a name for himself in real estate development with a particular focus on the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in The Queen City. After years in finance with Bank of America, he joined Helen Adams Realty because it shares his commitment to customer service, authenticity, and reliability. James strengths are unlimited drive and creativity, very strong interpersonal skills, a wealth of investment knowledge, a thorough understanding of real estate growth trends in and around Charlotte, and most importantly, absolute integr

Michael G. McPherson is the Chief Financial Officer for the National Education Association (NEA) in Washington, DC. He directs NEA’s financial and business operations while serving on several Boards, Trusts and Planning and Policy-making committees. He is the Chair of Education International’s Audit Committee (Brussels, Belgium) as well as the Chair of the Audit and Financial Review Committee of California Casualty Insurance Group. Michael is a licensed CPA and obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University. He attended Calabar High School in Jamaica from 1969-1976. During his tenure at Calabar he captained the 1972 winning Colts (U-15) football team and the Colts cricket teams and participated at Champs as a high jumper .He later captained the Manning Cup team and was a member of the 1974 winning Walker Cup and All Manning teams. He was later awarded a full football scholarship to Howard University in Washington DC where he graduated with honors. Over the past 10 years he has

Sam Johnson leads the EY Americas growth strategy by engaging and motivating 71,000 people to drive top-line growth and propel the EY brand in the market. With more than 25 years of experience, Sam has served in various positions, successfully growing and transforming the EY business. Most recently, Sam was Vice Chair and Southeast Region Managing Partner, where he oversaw more than 5,000 professionals across six US states, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Under his leadership, the Southeast Region led the Americas in growth for FY18. From his tenure as EY Americas Risk Management and Internal Controls Services Leader, Sam has in-depth knowledge around risk management compliance and internal controls programs. He has also served as Accounts and Business Development Managing Partner, as well as Advisory Managing Partner for the EY Northeast Region. Sam is a member of the Ernst & Young LLP US Executive Board and the EY Americas Operating Executive. His innovation and keen business insights will continue the gro

Dr. Vann R. Newkirk, Sr., a native of Elizabethtown, North Carolina, was named the 17th President of Fisk University by the Board of Trustees on February 15, 2021. He served as Fisk’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2018 until his Presidential appointment. Dr. Newkirk has an extensive leadership record with proven evidence of effectiveness on many levels. For instance, he has a 25-year career in creating innovative educational programs which, have enhanced enrollment, at each institution in which he was formerly employed. Over his career he also built and managed off-campus degree programs, enhanced sponsored programs productivity, and played major roles in the administration of institutional research and effectiveness. Newkirk has worked with organizations such as the SACS Consulting Network, the Capacity Building Institute of the UNCF, and the Patterson Research Institute. In these roles he led more than a dozen colleges and universities through initial accreditation or through reaffirm