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January arrives with this collective fantasy: clean slate, new energy, everything resets. We're supposed to feel the possibility. Momentum. The chance to do it differently this time. Except some of us enter the new year already exhausted..

The month of January ushers in a season of new beginnings. As the first month of the year, it offers an opportunity to reset, refresh, and recharge, inviting change for the better. January represents both endings and beginnings: a transition from the old to the new, the past to the future. It is a time for reflection and foresight. 

Debt has a way of creeping in quietly, even for high performers. A few “I’ll deal with it later” credit card purchases here, an unexpected car repair there, and suddenly you’re juggling balances that feel heavier than they should. The good news is that debt isn’t permanent.

The new year has a way of making everything feel urgent. New goals. New routines. New You?  There is an unspoken pressure to step into new versions of ourselves that we are suddenly supposed to step into the moment the calendar flips. But after the noise fades, what most of us really crave isn't reinvention its actually alignment.

Coming back from the holiday break can feel a lot like walking out of the locker room to start the second half. The game didn’t end—it simply paused. The score may be tight, the crowd may be loud, and the pace may be unpredictable. But great teams don’t panic at halftime. They adjust. And great educators can do the same. 

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. 

“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

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? 

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.