SPECIAL SERIES: A different kind of town hall
As a country, wounds are being exposed. How do we heal them?
Join me for an 8-part series as I explore 1:1 in-depth conversations with local leaders and experts on their approaches to healing and growth within their respective disciplines.
Part 1: "We're All Looking For Our People" with Kijuana Boulrece, Therapist and Activist
FINDING OUR TRIBE
Kijuana Boulrece is a marriage and family therapist in Naperville and a local activist with the NAACP. She's also a fellow North Central College alumni with a master's degree from Northwestern University. In this episode, she's sharing her insight on gaining meaning from our past and the importance of having a community of elders. She also talks about protective factors we use to guard our hearts during times of crisis and finding our tribe.
https://edgewoodclinicalservices.com/staff/kijuana-boulrece-lpc/
Part 2: "I Seek Out Help" with Adrienne Holloway, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Aurora
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Adrienne is a social change maker on a mission to unite communities. serving as a 'chief' in her city with a Ph.D. in political science and public policy, she has the smarts and authority to make massive impact. Learn how growing up in Harlem and the Bronx by first-generation Puerto Rican parents shaped her approach to building community. Discussion themes include the power of struggle, surrender, sisterhood and seeking help.
Part 3: “There’s So Much To Learn” with Stephen Caliendo, Ph.D., Political Scientist and Dean, North Central College
LIFELONG LEARNING
The beauty of education is that it never ends. It’s been 15 years since I walked into his classroom and in many ways I've never left.
Insightful conversation with former professor, Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, political scientist and Dean at North Central College. Thank you Dr. Caliendo for continuing to educate, especially now, and for reminding me that “we can criticize & love” and that we all have yet “so much to learn”. This discussion focuses on racism, politics and power.
Part 4: “Empower Them To Fight Back” with Emily Galvin-Almanza, founder & CEO, Partners for Justice
DEFENDING THE VULNERABLE
Emily is a gladiator defense attorney and fierce advocate of criminal justice reform. Learn how she's empowering others to fight back and her holistic approach towards practicing law. A graduate of Harvard University and Stanford Law school, Emily is Senior Legal Counsel at The Justice Collaborative, and Founder & CEO of Partners For Justice, a nonprofit committed to increasing access to justice.
Part 5: "Someone Took A Chance on Me" with David W. Johnson, Editorial Photographer & Founder, True Chicago
CREATING CREATIVE SPACES
As a visual storyteller, David captures the life and personality of people all over the world and as founder of True Chicago, he’s creating spaces to connect and encourage creatives. Learn how his work continues to promote life and the empowerment of others. This conversation focuses on David's photography journey, founding True Chicago, and what it means to be a black creator during this time.
Part 6: “Take A Look At Yourself” with Tony Kokalj, owner and therapist, Foxbend Counseling
LOOKING INWARD
As a mental health provider, Tony is a professional at counseling people through problems. After earning the trust of my teenage son and husband, he's now someone I count on to 'tell me like it is'. In this episode, we talk about common challenges families and couples face, navigating interpersonal conflict, and self-improvement.
Part 7: “Empty Cups Overflow, Too” with Shawndra Lucas, writer, speaker, & doer
FOLLOWING FAITH
Shawndra's artistry inspires me to think critically and live authentically, and her ministry leading a citywide college outreach with her husband - intrigues me. How are they building faith, empathy and culture with students across Chicago? What is the voice of our young people? How does she get them to 'listen'? In this episode, she takes me back to church as she shares her thoughts on faith and reconciliation in modern times.
Part 8: “Look Forward, Think Ahead” with Todd Thibodeaux, President & CEO, CompTIA
LEADING FORWARD
Leadership lessons from CompTIA's president and chief executive officer, Todd Thibodeaux, on expanding emotional intelligence, stepping into leadership, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
