S2E13: Loving Bottoms, Changing Minds

My guest for this episode is Founder and Executive Director of H.U.T.C.H. (Help United Through Caring Hands), Armishia Wiley-Adams. Armishia was raised by her grandmother and uncle after her mother died when she was eight. She became pregnant in high school and dropped out. After having two more children before the age of 22, Armishia became determined to get off government assistance. She earned her GED followed by a Bachelor’s in Organizational Management with a specialization in Human Resources Management and then a Master’s in Organizational Management with a specialization in Organizational Leadership. Over her decades of working in HR and making job placements, she was keenly aware of the gaps and flaws in the system where women were consistently referred for jobs that they were unqualified to keep. Armishia’s passion for helping women break out of poverty drove her to found her nonprofit H.U.T.C.H. Their mission is to teach women of all ages to become self-sufficient and workforce ready. During this interview, Armishia and I talk about everything from referrals and assessments to job training and placement; from George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks to voter suppression and what it’s like being an African-American mom in the Atlanta area, and we also talk about the pandemic’s impact on programs and the board. Through it all, Armishia generously shares her triumphs and struggles of running a nonprofit all while holding down a full time job in HR. As you know, I finished recording all the podcasts for this year months ago, and yet, each one has been released at a specific time for a specific reason. And I’ve been holding this interview until now because my guest holds a Vision Board Workshop every January…and I want you to consider sponsoring at least one woman to attend this because it will literally change her life. https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2-ep-18-armishia-wiley-adams/

I’m about to introduce you to a woman who is proof positive that the mission her organization passionately pursues on a daily basis works amazingly well. My guest, DeLashea Strawder, is the Executive Director and Artistic Director of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit—a creative youth development organization. In other words, Mosaic is a nonprofit organization which helps to unleash and explore the creative talents of young people all while developing leadership skills which will serve them the rest of their lives. DeLashea first learned about the organization in middle school, and after much prodding in high school by friends and teachers, she auditioned for and was accepted to Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and participated until she graduated. And though she never planned to return to Mosaic after graduation and heading off to college, the universe had other plans. As you listen to DeLashea’s story, you’ll be inspired by her strong commitment to both her career and her family, and you might be surprised how a turn in her grandparents’ health turned DeLashea’s plans upside down...but her journey into discovering her purpose in life right side up. I really appreciated DeLashea’s vulnerability as she shared about the intersectionality of being a young, black, woman running an established nonprofit in Detroit and the courage she has every day to lift up other people and make sure that the conversations that need to be had are had. You’re gonna love this interview with wife and mother of four, DeLashea Strawder, the Executive and Artistic Director of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep17-delashea-strawder

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States, we are re-releasing an educational and inspirational interview with someone whose people lived here before the country was “discovered.” Krista Beazley is now serving as the Executive Director of the Fort Apache Heritage Foundation. Hear about her journey into nonprofit leadership which began after the death of her husband. Show notes: https://yournonprofitlife.com/encore-s1e32/

Happy Veterans Day! Every year, here in the United States, we observe November 11th as a federal holiday to honor our military veterans—persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. “It [Veterans Day] coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day). In this episode, you’ll meet a remarkable woman who is not only the daughter of a veteran but the Deputy Director of a nonprofit organization that serves some of the most vulnerable veterans and service members in the country. KellyAnn Romanych is the Deputy Executive Director of Veterans Legal Institute. VLI provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled and low income current and former service members to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment and foster self-sufficiency. Her journey to VLI might surprise you—especially when you hear what her college major was! For KellyAnn, though, every move was made conscientiously as she followed her inner compass which continually directed her on a career path of serving the servers. KellyAnn is a lover of nature, a gifted writer, and one of the kindest women I know. I can’t wait for you to get to know her better as she shares her story and what it’s like to lead this growing nonprofit in Southern California.

Long time no see. Can you believe it’s already October and the holidays are right around the corner? Literally. And I think we’re all still waiting to see what it’s going to be like this year as we begin peeking out from behind this life-altering global pandemic. I know one of the traditions my family missed out on last year was an in-person holiday handbell concert by the Raleigh Ringers. It wasn’t safe and like most arts organizations, they took their performance to cyberspace. This pandemic has really turned the way we experience life upside down, and I truly believe that one of the hardest hit subsectors in the nonprofit world is arts & culture. And yet, the sector rose to the occasion as it provided us with virtual concerts we’d otherwise never been able to attend (Third Coast Baroque and Broadway Inspirational Voices, I’m talking to you!), virtual gatherings to create and reflect on beauty, and so much more. My guest today is Dionne Powlenzuk, the Executive Director of the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington in Bowmanville, Ontario Canada. We recorded this podcast earlier this year before adding video, so ironic as it is, we only have audio for this interview. So… could you imagine how to run a public art gallery during a pandemic? Like how can you even? How do you continue serving your community when everything is on lockdown? Or not? Or again? The fact is: Even though we are finally seeing the light at the end of the Covid tunnel, this pandemic has hit the arts sector the hardest of all. And yet, I cannot fathom how we would have survived this pandemic without leaders like Dionne who took what was primarily an in-person only experience and moved it online and outdoors so we could learn and refresh our spirits during one of the darkest times in our lifetime!. In this interview, Dionne and I talk about how she started volunteering at the organization she now leads, and what that journey has been like. We also explore the various ways the pandemic has changed the way we experience the arts, and how her local gallery has not only expanded their audience, they’ve also grown the pool of artists they support—with living wages—to include artists worldwide. So with no further adieu, allow me to introduce you to Dionne Powlenzuk, the Executive Director of the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington. https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep16-dionne-powlenzuk

Today’s interview is with the founder of a Humane Society in southern Texas. You might not be familiar with this type of organization so let me help you get your bearings. You’ve heard of animal rescues and animal shelters before, right? And when you think about them, you probably imagine they rescue pets like cats and dogs. And maybe, if you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you also think of birds, pigs, and snakes! So, let me ask you this. Have you ever thought about what happens to abused and neglected horses? Or what happens when a horse owner loses her job and can’t afford to care for her well-loved four-hoofed friend? Did you realize that horses sometimes need to be rescued? Sheltered? Rehabilitated? Well, they do, and today you’re going to meet a woman who not only saw the need for a horse rescue, she decided to start a nonprofit organization that does just that. Today’s episode was so much fun to record. My guest is the Founder and Executive Director of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, Jennifer Williams. During our interview, Jennifer shares about her love of horses and her journey into the nonprofit sector--which, by the way, was never part of her life plan. She also shares about how she met her husband online back in the mid 90s (something we have in common), and how her life changed after having her daughter later in life. Additionally, Jennifer has a genetic condition that has made running a nonprofit more challenging than it would have been without it. We also discuss life as a nonprofit founder and how hard it was to build a strong board--but so worth it. I can’t wait for you to meet Jennifer Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society in Rosharon, Texas. https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep15-jennifer-williams/

Today's guest is a young man who found his life’s purpose while pursuing a music degree at Yale University. He was working toward a career in musical theater (think Broadway) and enjoyed studying alongside so many talented musicians and artists. He longed for the chance to collaborate with fellow students outside of coursework, but quickly discovered there weren’t actually that many opportunities to be found. So, as it often happens with nonprofit founders, my guest decided to take action... and now chronically ill children are not only writing their own lyrics and songs, but they are collaborating with professional musicians to produce their songs and share them with the world... How? That’s exactly what you’ll learn in my interview with Dan Rubins, Founder and Executive Director of Hear Your Song. During our conversation, you’ll learn not only how this organization was born, but also how it has evolved over the past few years, and how it is poised for exponential growth in the very near future. And let me just say this here and now: Prepare to be impressed. This is a truly unique podcast, because not only will you get to hear all about “Hear Your Song”, you’ll also learn the backstory of a few of the kids’ songs AND actual excerpts that have already been produced.   https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep14-dan-rubins/

My guest today is LeeAnn Porter, the Founder and Executive Director of Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank in Galesburg, Illinois. LeeAnn started the organization in her home back in 2014, and now they operate out of a 5,000 square foot warehouse and serve residents of SEVEN COUNTIES in Central Illinois. Even though Loving Bottoms is a diaper bank—a hub for diaper distribution—the organization also provides a variety of basic necessities such as period supplies, incontinence supplies, and wipes to those in need. Why is LeeAnn so passionate about diapers, you ask? Well, it goes back to a time when her world had turned upside down and LeeAnn found herself in a place she’d never been...making choices she never thought she’d ever have to make. You will be inspired by LeeAnn’s story. It took a lot of grit and determination to rebuild her life. It wasn't long until she knew she had to help others who face similar challenges. And that's when the idea of a nonprofit burst in and said, "Start a diaper bank!" I can’t wait for you to meet LeeAnn and hear how she’s helping her community (and surrounding communities) by providing what they need when and where they need it. If you listen to the whole episode, you’ll hear about the most creative and fun fundraising idea I’ve heard about in a super long time. When she explained it, I was like, “Sign me up!” and “Take my money!” Yes, it’s that good, and you could totally adapt it to a virtual fundraiser if needed. Enjoy this interview with the lovely and tenacious LeeAnn Porter, founder and Executive Director of Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank. https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep13-leeann-porter/

In this podcast, you will meet the Reverend Young Lee Hertig. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of both the Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity AND Asian American Women On Leadership. She’s also the Editor-In-Chief of ChristianityNext, and the author of The Tao of Asian American Belonging: A Yinist Spirituality. Did you catch that? She literally wrote the book on Asian American Christianity...because there wasn't one!!! Her book lifts up the voices of female, Asian American in Christian ecological theology. She coined the term yinist in the 1990s to “name the nameless Asian American feminism.” Her organization is progressive, intersectional, holistic. My personal educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies and Archaeology so I was basically fangirling the entire time. It was an honor to interview someone who shares my love of theology and passion for elevating the voices of women—especially minority and marginalized women in Christianity. We have such an incredibly diverse group of nonprofit leaders we support in the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. They are incredible human beings, and Rev. Hertig totally filled my tank. Without any prompting from me (I promise!), Dr. Hertig shared her appreciation for the Lab and said our resources are what helped her get out of the catch-22 of not being able to raise money for her 15-year old organization. Wow... I'm on cloud nine right now... just to have the opportunity to interview Young and learn the details of her own journey into the nonprofit sector. You will be inspired and motivated when you hear why they changed the name of their organization without losing the acronym ISAAC. I cannot wait for you to meet Rev. Young Lee Hertig, co-Founder and Executive Director of ISAAC: Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity.   https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep12-young-lee-hertig/

In this episode, we turn our focus to PRIDE and the nationwide celebration of LGBTQIA2S+ humans who deserve the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness just like everyone else. We are all image bearers. Today, I am honored to share my interview with Katie Cox, the new Executive Director of The Equi Institute, a nonprofit located in Portland, Oregon. The Equi Institute exists to enrich the lives of marginalized humans with trauma-informed and culturally affirming care with a little social justice advocacy for good measure. In this interview, Katie and I will discuss the total metamorphosis of her organization over the past few years. She will share the interesting story of how a car accident led to her landing a job as the Billing Specialist for the medical doctor who eventually founded The Equi Institute and how her role in the organization evolved during what I'm calling their “caterpillar days.” Unfortunately, the organization was experiencing financial difficulties about the time Covid-19 was declared a pandemic. They pivoted as much as they could but eventually had to pause programs and go into a "cocoon" state, not sure if they’d ever get out of it. But here we are in the summer of 2021, and The Equi Institute has emerged as a strong, beautiful, financially stable butterfly ready to take flight. https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep11-katie-cox/