This...I...Do...For...Me: Over 50, Black and Fabulous!

Episode 58 With Susan Millender

In this episode, I interview Susan Millender, who shares with us information about a rare brain malformation (primarily diagnosed during pregnancy and sometimes diagnosed after birth). She wants us to know that her organization Families for HoPE is the only organization whose mission it is to support the entire family impacted by this disease. She works, along with a dedicated Board of Directors and with volunteers to meet the direct service needs of the Holoprosencephaly community. Susan has always had an interest in community service and working in environments that have a strong mission to help ameliorate anxiety and isolation. Susan is currently the Executive Director of Families for HoPE, Inc., an Indianapolis based nonprofit serving children diagnosed with Holoprosencephaly and related rare brain malformations. She is the first person to fill the role in the organization's 17-year history. Susan was born in East Chicago, IN and grew up in nearby Gary. She attended Ball State University and graduated from Calumet College, Whiting, IN, with a BA in Mass Communications. Susan has worked as a health advocate in nonprofit settings in the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years, specifically among children and families struggling to gain and maintain well-being and resilience. She is a member of the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. Previously,she led Seattle-King County Washington's Guided Pathways nonprofit family support organization as Executive Director. She has served as Program Director for the American Diabetes Association of Washington and Northern Idaho, and directed marketing communications programs for Seattle Counseling Services, Sound Generations of Seattle-King County, and Seattle's Bloodworks. She counts travel and reading among the leisure-time activities she most enjoys. Susan can be reached directly through info@familesforhope.org

Episode 57 WIth Saaudiah Muhammed

Robin Tillotson Sun, 11 Jun, 15:32 (6 days ago)       to me           In this episode Saaudiah Muhammad shares the progression and trajectory that led her to a career in the Mental Health space.  Having received a strong and strict upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, from her mother, who left Alabama to experience a more prosperous life in the north, Saaudiah developed strong decision making skills and over time a discerning eye. To this day, she applies those lessons in her thriving business Black Butterfly Counseling and Consulting. Also, in 2019, she developed a Blog entitled The Muslim Therapist, and she is a strong observer of how African Americans are impacted by inequality as it relates to mental health treatment and the respect that is often not provided to the patient. When I asked her what words of wisdom would she offer women age 50+, she emphasized that she would offer her wisdom to those in the plus 40 cohort, as well. Those words simply put — "Live life on your own terms and more importantly be open to exploring new experiences and don't limit yourself." Saaudiah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works as a psychotherapist, consultant and coach. She has spent most of her professional career working in social services, including child welfare, community services and in hospital/clinical settings for many years. Saaudiah's interest in mental health began while working at a community hospital and recognizing the difference in the treatment of patient care for those who were experiencing mental health crises. Saaudiah knew she wanted to work towards effecting a change for people facing mental health challenges. Saaudiah is passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health and therapy among communities of color and within the Islamic faith especially. Her niche is working with Black and Muslim Women in individual therapy. Saaudiah is a published writer of several articles and books including several journals. With her love of cooking and baking, she published a vegetarian cookbook titled "Vegetarian Cooking Made Easy". As a clinician she wanted to help her clients, and all those who are in therapy with creating a therapy journal entitled Therapied: A Therapy Journal. She is also the creator of "The Better Self Journal" Book 1 and Book 2. The Better Self Journal was designed to help all those who use this journal to be inspired, motivated and encouraged with writing prompts, affirmations and beautiful Black imagery. Saaudiah loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys cooking (including baking), traveling, art collecting, and writing. She loves collecting crystals and crystal jewelry, working out, utilizing sound therapy with singing bowls and tuning forks and she is a reiki practitioner. She strives to live a holistic and healthy lifestyle. Saaudiah loves to laugh. She feels it's one of the best medicines you can have in your life. Saaudiah is an advocate for social justice. She is also working on several literary projects focusing on mental health and wellbeing. Saaudiah is dedicated to her Islamic faith and that is the force that drives her. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University located in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where she obtained a Masters in Social Science Administration (Social Work). She will begin a doctoral program in Social Work this fall. **** Vegetarian Cooking Made Easy may be purchased via amazon https://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Cooking-Made-Saaudiah-Muhammad/dp/1795616806/ref= tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= All the journals can be purchased via: www.TheMuslimTherapist.org  The Better Self Journals can be purchased on www.themuslimtherapist.org or you can purchase them on Amazon.    

Episode 56 With Jarrie Brown

In this episode, I interview Jarrie Brown, who is a lover of Israel and all that she learned about this exciting country during her travels there. She shares when her love of Israel, especially Jerusalem, began and why she and her mom took the journey there to honor her father's memory. She encourages us to travel there not only because of the spiritual significance, but as a place that is highly livable, safe and enlightening. Jarrie L. Brown is an Ethics Compliance Investigator with a local Government Agency in Chicago, IL. A Graduate of DominicanUniversity and a Former Ebony Fashion Show Stylist (Ebony and Jet Magazine). As a Stylist, she's traveled extensively throughout the US, Canada, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Europe. And during her spare time, she is an artist, seamstress and the loving grandmother of two. Jarrie has been traveling since the age of two, but her accomplished travel includes a tour of the Holy Land, Jerusalem, Israel (College studies and tour of the United Kingdom, France, and Rome, Italy). "America is my Country, but Jerusalem Israel is my home", says Jarrie! If you would like to reach out to Jarrie regarding travel to Israel, you can email her at brownjarrie@gmail.com

Episode 55 With Antonia Ruppert

In this episode, I had the exciting opportunity to interview a wonderful community artist. Antonia "Toni" Ruppert is an Illinois artist who has been creating for over 25 years. She creates paintings that tell a story. Ruppert fell in love with art as a child upon seeing her Dad draw after coming home from work at Brachs Candy Company. The oldest of six siblings, she recalls drawing horses and people on tons of pink paper that was gifted to her by the dentist office. Now creating on canvas, panels and paper using all kinds of paint, she is inspired by stories of faith, hope and love. Ruppert was the 2021 Invest South/West Artist in Residence for Chicago's Austin community and the 2022 Artist in Residence for the Addison Public Library. Ruppert is an honoree of the Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award for Cook County. Ruppert has been featured in the Museum of Science and Industry Black Creativity Exhibition, Moraine Valley Community College Regional Showcase and the Dupage Art League's Best of the Best Exhibition. Her favorite paintings and murals can be found in numerous regional venues including the Berwyn North District 98 elementary schools. Other commissions include: University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago Public Library, Acorn Public Library, Addison Public Library, Austin Childcare Network, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Forest Park Park District, Elmwood Park Public Library, Grand Prairie Services, Living Springs Community Church, Markham Public Library, Near North Montessori School, Oak Forest Park District and the Oak Park Area Arts Council. In 2021, she collaborated with the Office of the Mayor of the City of Berwyn and the Award Winning Junior State of America Morton West Debate Club Chapter to commission and speak at the first Juneteenth Commemoration held in the city. Ruppert is thankful to God for her gifts and is currently illustrating a children's book —"The Place Where I Belong" by Candice Klopfenstein due out later in 2023. Ruppert is on the board of Sarah's Inn, a domestic violence awareness and prevention agency and is well known at the frontlines of the activist community and as a notable artist.  Ruppert seeks to uplift her entire community with creative expression.   You can connect with Toni at toni@toniruppert.com  

Episode 54 With Karen Gilliam

In this episode, I speak with Karen Gilliam, who is in alignment with her assignment, and she wants others to be also. She helps others to put their dreams to the test by working with you to execute the six "Es" — Encourage, Empower, Enlighten, Educate, Elevate and Escalate. She shares that although she lost her husband to cancer, she emerged as a Queen Warrior versus a widow, who functions in a world of isolation, poverty and sorrow. Karen, aka Coach KG, is a seasoned mentor, coach, entrepreneur, trainer, and speaker. She is the CIO, Continuously Inspiring Others, of Destn2bme By Design with Karen Gilliam. Her career spans over four decades with her mission being the same in any capacity. Her personal and professional mission statement is to encourage, empower, enlighten, educate, elevate, and escalate people from a life of default to a life by design and being the best version of themselves. Karen's strengths are positivity, winning others over, maximizer, empathy, and communication. To sum up these strengths, Karen is a strong communicator who positively sees the best in others and maximizes their belief in themselves by believing in them. Karen recently added author to her hats by publishing her first book to be released this fall. The book covers her journey of caregiving for her husband of 43 years and how to live her life after his transition as a "Queen Warrior" and not a "widow". Coach KG resides in Vancouver, WA, surrounded by her loving family of three adult children, their spouses and 11 grandsugars (because they are sweet as can be). She enjoys reading, trivia, cooking and traveling. After hearing her, you will realize there is nothing you can't do! MOST INSPIRING! Contact her at coachkg57@gmail.com