CWC News: Conversations with Charito at Excitement Radio
Photo: Lady Shannan Ighodaro
Honorable Shannan “Lady” Ighodaro, an accomplished empowerment strategist, brand and image consultant, and business executive, brings a wealth of experience in public relations, marketing, and community outreach. Elected to the Miami Gardens City Council in a historic November 2020 election, she is the first Bahamian American immigrant to hold this position in the largest African American city in Florida.
As a trailblazer, Shannan introduced and championed the unanimously approved “Made in Miami Gardens Economic Opportunity Public Private Partnership (PPP) grant program,” solidifying her commitment to fostering small business growth. Beyond her political role, she founded Oracle Consulting Group, LLC, specializing in public relations, marketing, and community outreach.
Shannan’s influence extends globally, having successfully branded initiatives for the United Nations, Miami Dade County Public Schools, and the Kids CLASS program. She’s also made a significant impact in education, serving as a consultant for Miami Dade College and Florida Atlantic University.
A visionary in empowerment, Shannan developed the Strategic Empowerment Wheel (SEW), a groundbreaking tool facilitating goal achievement. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Florida Memorial University and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, she has received numerous awards, including the Miami Dade Community Pillars Award in 2005 and recognition as one of Miami’s most influential black women in business by Legacy Magazine in 2020.
As an author, evangelist, and entrepreneur, Shannan founded the 100 Women of Virtue mentoring initiative, dedicating the past two decades to mentoring young women. Married to Dr. Erhabor Ighodaro, a former councilman and Vice Mayor of Miami Gardens, they are proud parents to twin children. Source: https://www.ighodaro4progress.com/about
Tune in Sunday, February 11, 2024 12N ET on #ConversationsWithCharito Join me and studio guest Mario Knapp, retired Major and 27 year veteran of Miami Dade Police Department. Knapp is promoting a track record of operational experience and exemplary leadership with a promise to uphold the values of honor and service. Is Mario Knapp the top candidate for sheriff in Miami-Dade county?
Major Mario Knapp (Ret.) is a 27-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department with a track record of operational experience and exemplary leadership. Throughout his career, he oversaw both uniformed and specialized units, trained all levels of personnel, and was instrumental in writing our protocols for mass casualty events and active shooters. And, when tragedy struck, Mario served as Command Post Incident Commander at the Surfside building collapse.
Mario’s grandparents, mother, and aunt fled the oppressive regime of Cuba in pursuit of the American Dream. A Lieutenant in the Cuban army prior to Castro taking power, Mario’s grandfather started a piñata business, while his grandmother worked tirelessly in New York City’s garment factories. The sacrifices, bravery, resilience and hard work of his family members have been a guiding light for Mario, instilling in him the values of determination and service.
As Sheriff, Mario promises to uphold the values of honor and service. He is ready to use his wealth of experience to create a safe and thriving community, working alongside residents to build a future of justice and opportunity. Source: http://www.MarioforSheriff.com
Tune in Sun Feb 4, 2024 12N ET on @ConversationsWithCharito Join me and studio guest John Barrow, law enforcement expert and accomplished musician for our Law Enforcement Segment: Crime Prevention & Community Policing
John Barrow was born and raised in Miami. The son of Barbadian immigrants, he was educated in Miami-Dade, received his Bachelors from Oberlin College, and returned to Miami to serve his community. Today, with 17 years of experience working with the Miami-Dade Police Department, John has attained the rank of Major and currently leads the Personnel Management Bureau. While working with the Miami-Dade Police Department, John received a Master of Science in Public Administration, with a concentration in Emergency Management, from Lynn University, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Florida International University. John has worked from one end of the County to the next, having served as a road patrol officer, a community service officer, an attained every civil service rank—sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. He has operational, administrative, investigative, and command experience. From solving and lowering crime, to serving as operational commander in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and as the acting South Operations Division Chief during the Surfside collapse, to writing budgets and grants, and working with all employee unions, the County attorneys and departmental legaladvisors, John has the experience to get the job done. His mission is to serve and protect the public with professionalism, integrity, and compassion, while fostering a culture of excellence and diversity within the agency. John brings a unique and creative perspective to his role, as well as a strong commitment to community collaboration. Source: J.Barrow
Marlyn Paris-Lawson, President and Founder, CRAMS Consulting, LLC Photo: CRAMS Consulting, LLC
CRAMS Consulting is being led by industry veteran, Marlyn Paris-Lawson. Marlyn’s credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Barry University. She is a dynamic, passionate, results-oriented bilingual professional with over 18 years of combined experience in education, social services and human resources.
Mrs. Paris-Lawson is an open-minded leader recognized for her creative thinking, exceptional people skills, impeccable work ethics, and motivational abilities. Her inclusive approach to problem solving has resulted in establishing strong community partnerships. She is best known for her passion for motivating students to tap into their inner-selves, work to their full potential and earn their way to college. Her sound academic tracking strategies, coupled with innovative student advocacy and engaging motivational workshops are contributing factors which have resulted in over 800 at-risk students being accepted to the college of their choice in the last seven years. She is credited for her contribution in transforming a local drop-out prevention program into a leading college readiness and access program, whose best practices have been recognized and adopted at the state level. Source: https://www.cramsconsulting.com/experience.html
Photo: Sharron L. Henley, Min., M.A., receiving President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award on December 2, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Photo Credit: Yolande Daquin, B.S.
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest level of recognition bestowed on an individual by the President of the United States to honor individuals in the nation that exhibit outstanding character, work ethic, and dedication to their communities.
Ms. Henley, 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree, was recognized on Saturday, December 2, 2023 by Dr. Joy A. Riley as an unsung hero and community leader for providing more than 4,000 hours to individuals, organizations, and local school districts while inspiring hope, empowering communities, and changing lives in South Florida.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected as a 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. I would like to congratulate all honorees and organizations being honored this evening for their relentless efforts of innovative change and solutions of progress in our urban communities. I am humbled and honored to have my work recognized by Tylisha of Tye Live Entertainment presented by Dr. Joy Riley of Cream Colored Sisters. This accomplishment is not something that I did alone, and there are many others who deserve to share in this prestigious honor. Firstly, I would like to thank God, my heavenly father, for I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. I would also like to thank my family, friends, colleagues, Urban Community Connections, Inc. family, Urban League family, Excitement Radio station family, National Council of Negro Women Metropolitan Dade County Section, and most importantly, my Liberty City community”, said Henley.
Sharron L. Henley, Min., M.A. 2023 Presidential Volunteer Service Award Announcement.
As an educator, ordained minister, and non-profit program management specialist, she possesses more than 25 years of experience in working with minorities on educational attainment and self-sufficiency in South Florida.
She continues to embrace her Black and Hispanic cultures, by bringing awareness via her non-profit organization; Urban Community Connections, Inc., managed by Conversations With Charito, LLC.
As a journalist on her radio show, Conversations With Charito at Excitement Radio Station, she specializes in topics related to Anger Management, Effective After-School Programs, Breast Cancer Awareness, Child Care, Education, Elder Abuse, Etiquette, Financial Literacy, Identity Theft, Public Policy, Grant Writing, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Human Trafficking Awareness, Non-Profit Management, Parental Involvement, Peer Pressure, Self-Esteem, Work Ethics, and Single-Parenting.
Ms. Henley is an active member of The National Council of Negro Women Metropolitan Dade County Section serving as the Corresponding Secretary. She also serves as a dedicated board member for North Miami Beach Police Department’s Police Athletic League (PAL).
For more information about Ms. Sharron L. Henley, Min., M.A. visit https://cwcnews.org
Officers and members of National Council of Negro Women Miami Dade County Section (NCNW-MDCS) attending awards ceremony with member/honoree on December 2, 2023 in Miami, FL. (L-R) (Shaquelia Holmes, President) (Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, M-DCPS School Board Member-District 2, Lifetime Member) (Sharron L. Henley, Honoree/Corresponding Secretary) (Tishria Mindingall, Parliamentarian) (Dr. Angela Thomas-Dupree, Lifetime Member)
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