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Joseph’s Holiday Brisket
When I was young, my grandfather Joseph made brisket as if it were as ordinary as Sunday dinner. But it never felt ordinary. It felt warm, intentional, and rooted in family. Now, this is my version, made from the taste I remember, and the feeling it left behind.

Stayce Fowler
2 days ago2 min read


Looking Good, Feeling Better: How friendship and self-care help weather NYC’s changing seasons
“Winter is coming” is more than an iconic meme from “Game of Thrones.” Colder, harsher weather is the reality for my friends and me in New York City. As seasons change, so can moods, feelings and mental health. Seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is brought on with changing seasons, usually starting in the fall and oftentimes lasting through the winter, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While Mental Health America reports people aged 20 through 30 exper

Deron Dalton
2 days ago6 min read


When Stories Bind Us, For Good
Across the world, homes have been transformed into mini-recording studios featuring an age-defying immersion spurred on by Hamilton, Wicked, and K-Pop Demon Hunters. At a time in history when no one can agree on anything, how is it that these musical theatre sensations have nudged the needle toward a solid universal movement?

Dr. Vickie Shurelds
2 days ago3 min read


ART TATUM A FORCE IN HARLEM & BEYOND
Art Tatum’s mesmerizing dexterity guided his fingers over the pearly keys faster than shooting stars across the sky. His unique style made him one of the most innovative pianists in history. Tatum’s riveting velocity, daring improvisational spirit, and insane flying rhythms mesmerized anyone in his presence including some of his music contemporaries. His technical brilliance restructured the voicings of jazz piano.

Ronald E. Scott
2 days ago4 min read


Pause, Reflect, and Lead with Presence
December brings a natural rhythm of reflection. As the year winds down, we tally our wins, reassess what didn’t go as planned, and set intentions for the year ahead. Among these resolutions to exercise more, save more, or achieve more, there is one resolution that is often overlooked, yet profoundly transformative: the resolve to be yourself.

Dr. Patrice McClellan
2 days ago3 min read


Celebrate Anyway
Every year around this time, the world tells us to be merry. The lights go up, the commercials start shouting, and suddenly it feels like you’re supposed to be cheerful on command. But this year, that feels harder than usual... celebrate anyway

Dr. Nicole Brock
2 days ago3 min read


Rich vs. Wealthy: Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think
It’s easy to spot someone who looks rich, with their designer wardrobe, luxury car, and five-star vacations. But true wealth often doesn’t announce itself so loudly. In fact, the wealthiest individuals are often the ones who appear the most grounded, intentional, and quietly confident in their financial lives.

Lionel Brock
2 days ago3 min read


Energy Affordability as a Foundation for Growth and Prosperity
As communities across the country navigate rising living costs, energy affordability has become a central concern for families, entrepreneurs, and local leaders alike. For underserved neighborhoods and small-businesses—especially those owned by women, people of color, and first-generation entrepreneurs—energy costs are no longer a background issue.

Angela Dingle
2 days ago3 min read


MICAH LEE: LEADING A FASHION MOVEMENT IN NORTHWEST OHIO
Micah Lee’s journey through the retail and fashion industry comprises nearly three decades of experience. Combining innovation with heart, he has developed an understanding of what makes fashion powerful and purposeful. As a seasoned manager and leader, Micah has spent 28 years creating meaningful connections between product and people.

Jada Danyell
4 days ago4 min read


Sandi Bass: The Elegance of Resilience
In the annals of haute couture, few experiences rival what Sandi Bass recalls from her own journey. She tells of Hubert de Givenchy surrounding himself with six Black women in his inner circle of muses and of how she, a girl from Nashville, twirled in a Paris salon wearing a gown that fit so perfectly that her being in that place and time felt like destiny.

Dallas Fowler
4 days ago5 min read


Dionne Phillips — Toledo’s Own Boss Lady Making History in Beverly Hills
This article is about Toledo producing a “Boss Lady,” Dionne Phillips. Boss Lady is a colloquial term for a woman who is confident, assertive, and in control of her professional and personal life. The term implies strength, independence, and success. It’s used to describe someone positive, determined, creative, resilient and who inspires others. All attributes that describe Dionne.

Angela Smith
4 days ago4 min read


Uplifting Voices: Three Black Male Educators on Their Journey
Representation matters. As a Black male educator turned behavior analyst and consultant, I know firsthand how powerful it is for students to see someone who looks like them leading a classroom, a team, or an entire building.

Anthony Bronaugh
4 days ago4 min read


To the Woman Who Told Me I Didn’t Need Permission
I don’t even remember where we were standing. Maybe it was a conference hallway? Perhaps it was one of those moments that felt casual until it rearranged my life. I can’t quite remember, but she looked me dead in the eye and said, “You don’t need permission.” Not “you can do it,” not “you should try.” Just: you don’t need permission.

Dr. Nicole Brock
Nov 44 min read


Make it Easy on Your Loved Ones: Beneficiaries
When it comes to financial planning, some tasks sparkle with excitement. For example, investing, retirement planning, or even tax strategies (for those who enjoy a challenge). Then there are the tasks that feel less glamorous but are just as critical. Naming beneficiaries falls squarely into that second category.

Lionel Brock
Nov 43 min read


Recharging the Right Way: A Holiday Break Blueprint for Educators and Leaders
As we wind down the final months of the year and enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I encourage every educator, administrator, parent, and provider to do something that’s often overlooked—but essential: recharge.

Anthony Bronaugh
Nov 43 min read


Surviving to Thriving: Santoria’s Story
As I stepped into the buzzing conference hall, alive with energy and voices, my attention was immediately captured by a young woman across the room. She was in her early twenties, vibrant and magnetic—an unmistakable presence. With a dazzling smile and an infectious spirit, she moved through the crowd like a burst of light...

Angela Smith
Nov 44 min read


Breaking Communication Barriers Through Spelling
Spelling to Communicate (S2C) is a method that uses gross motor movements to communicate rather than fine motor movements, which are typically used for speech. Instead of using the mouth and vocal cords to form words..

Anthony Bronaugh
Oct 234 min read


The Suede Edit: Three Suede Upgrades For Fall 2025
Fall is tricky for me. I'm usually a matching set kind of woman with head-to-toe looks that make getting dressed simple. But once the leaves start turning, I crave a little bit more texture to break up the sameness without losing the ease. That's where suede comes in.

Jada Danyell
Oct 162 min read


Tech and the Minority Community: Bridging Gaps, Building Futures
When I first stepped into the tech industry, I didn’t follow the traditional path. Like many, my journey was unconventional—full of twists, detours, and lessons that shaped my understanding of what tech truly means. I didn’t attend school to pursue a degree in computer science, and for that matter, I didn’t even graduate from college. I’ve never held an IT role for a Fortune 500 tech company. While many see me as a tech guru, I’ve always considered myself more ‘tech adjacent’

LeSean Shaw
Oct 163 min read


Roth vs. Traditional IRA: What’s the Difference and Which One’s Right for You?
When it comes to saving for retirement, one of the big decisions you might face is whether to open a Roth IRA or a Traditional IRA. At first glance, the rules can be confusing—with contribution limits, tax advantages, and withdrawal rules coming into play. But don’t worry. Once you break it down, the differences between the two retirement accounts are pretty straightforward.

Lionel Brock
Oct 163 min read
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