Suite Talk By Thinking Good

Just as one would expect, Dean Alton Pollard’s office at the Howard University School of Divinity is lined with bookcases teeming with scholarly tomes. But what makes the place unique is his collection of African art sitting atop pedestals and hanging from the walls. Perhaps the most significant piece in his collection, a statue of the Sankofa bird, resting on his desk is almost obscured by the stacks of books, papers and computer monitor nearby. Yet, even in that relative obscurity, it is a powerful reminder of the importance of learning from the past—especially amid the chaos and tumult of our current times. “Return and get it,” the statue speaks. Reflection gives way to reexamination, giving way to revelation. Our inspiring and thought-provoking conversation with Dean Pollard covers a lot of ground, but is centered on providing a paradigm for viewing the current social and political milieu, what history teaches us and how we can chart a path forward. Brought to you in two parts (look for the second install

In this 2006 New Years Eve talk, Rev. Dr. Jay Speights shares some timeless tips that are inspiring and actionable to help us enter the New Year and every day with focus and intention. You many recall Dr. Speights was our first guest on Suite Talk and at that time he talked about being the conductor of your own symphony. We will have Dr. Speights in the studio again soon to ask him to elaborate on this lecture to learn additional insights on how we can be more present and effective in our daily lives. Lean in, lean back and enjoy!

In this episode, we speak with Hamilton Grant, a talented entrepreneur, civic leader and activist hailing from Columbia, South Carolina. He is also the co-host of Columbia Career Connect, a professional development and networking conference geared toward college students and young professionals. The event, in its second year, will take place on Saturday, April 8th, and yours truly will be speaking about developing your personal brand. Click here to learn more about the conference. Additionally, Hamilton is a principal in Grant Business Strategies, a financial and strategic advisory firm for non-profits, small business and middle market companies. He is also the Vice President of the “Hate Won’t Win Movement,” which grew out of the aftermath of the racially motived massacre that took place at “Mother” Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC on June 17th, 2015. This organization is committed to building a more culturally cohesive society that appreciates and celebrates differences instead of allowing them to div

Here is an excerpt from our forthcoming Suite Talk podcast with Dr. Jay Speights. In this segment, we talk about why is it important to listen to the wisdom of our parents, grandparents and other elders, but also how they can be better teachers and leaders. In the full-interview (look for it soon) we take a deeper dive in to our earlier conversation on being the conductor of your own symphony. We’ll hear more from Dr. Speights on a range of topics, but for now lean in, lean back and enjoy!

In this episode of Suite Talk we sit down with U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City, MO for a serious, yet at times playful, conversation about faith, family, creative expression and social justice. Congressman Cleaver has worn many hats during the past four decades—City Councilman, Mayor, radio talk show host, husband and father—all while pastoring the St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City. Like his hometown standing at the confluence of two powerful rivers, Congressman Cleaver has spent his life navigating mighty forces at the intersection of secular and sacred worlds. He offers a unique perspective our current social and political landscape. Some of what we learn include: what he does to relax (get ready for this one), how to talk God and what it’s like to watch your son come into his own. Lean in, lean back and enjoy!

In this episode of Suite Talk, we bring you a conversation with Khali Gallman, an entrepreneur who is making interesting plays in several spaces. She is the founder of the travel company Not Just Spring Break, which connects young urban professionals with events across the nation. She is also the author of “Good on Paper, Great in Person” a comprehensive and actionable guide for those new to the workforce. Khali has created a successful niche providing a range of services to millennials, including the Columbia Career Connect conference, which will be taking place this year on Saturday, April 8th in Columbia, South Carolina. Yours truly, will be a panelist during that conference talking about developing your personal brand. Click here to register. Lean in, lean back and enjoy! Share what you’re thinking, leave a comment. Stay connected with the Thinking Good community.

We recently sat down with Acacia Bamberg Salatti, the author of “A Leading Actor Learns to Love the Supporting Role,” for a deeper dive into the myriad issues explored in her piece. In 2009, she was appointed by the White House to the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2009, serving throughout the Obama Administration. She served as the Director and her portfolio included engagement on minority health outreach and health disparities reduction strategies. She holds a Masters in Divinity and a certificate in Black Church Studies from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She is also a former Adjunct Professor of Religion at Columbia College, her alma mater. We will hear more from Acacia in the future, but for now lean in, lean back and enjoy!

Here’s the second half of our conversation with  Acacia Bamberg Salatti, the author of “A Leading Actor Learns to Love the Supporting Role,” a deeply emotional and inspiring piece. Our talk with Acacia is a probative examination of the many issues raised in her article.

In this episode of the Suite Talk podcast, we sit down with Liz Yee, Director of Admissions for Lowell School in Washington, DC. The 51-year-old independent school is committed to creating a community of lifelong learners who value and respect each other. Our chat with Liz is designed to help you and your family navigate the school admissions and selections process, whether you are considering independent, parochial, public and charter schools, or all the above. Full-disclosure, my oldest son has attended Lowell for three years, and my youngest will start in the Fall. And no, I’m not getting a discount on tuition for featuring Liz and Lowell on the Suite Talk podcast. Our goal is offer you and your family expert insights and practical guidance you can use to make the best possible choice for your child’s education. No matter if your child, grandchild, niece or nephew is in preschool, primary, middle, high or entering college, this episode will help inform your decision-making process. Some of the topics we ex

In this empowering and deeply intimate piece, Acacia Bamberg Salatti shares how she learned that sometimes the best thing you can do is to let another shine. “I was the supporting actor in a long running sitcom,” she says. “My job was to make the stars of the show look good and not mess up the plot.” In the course of caring for her ailing parents, Acacia gains powerful insights about subduing ego, understanding strengths and weaknesses, and learning when leaders need to follow. I hope you enjoy this piece and find it applicable to your own life, as I did mine. Acacia is busy working on a couple of more pieces for Thinking Good, which are sure to inspire, empower and inform. Look for them soon. Please subscribe to our feed, rate us, leave a comment and share what you hear on Facebook, Twitter or by email. Lean in, lean back and enjoy! 

In this episode of Suite Talk we have a conversation with Sam Barcroft, founder and CEO of Barcroft Media, a digital media company with multiple lines of business and a massive global reach. “I’ve been passionate always about incredible stories and always think there is nothing more wonderful than a true story,” says Sam. Barcroft’s story begins in 2003, with him working as a freelance photo journalist who was generating enough projects to hire someone to lighten the load and spread the wealth. “I started my own company based upon the fact that I thought there were some opportunities for me to go it alone and take my work in the direction I really wanted to do, free of working for anyone else directly.” From the backroom of a North London flat, Barcroft Media now has offices in London, New York City and New Delhi. Barcroft TV is the second most popular YouTube news channel with 68.2 million views. Barcroft’s production company and wire service provide content for a host of global brands like National Geograph

In our final interview with Wilson Lea exploring his article 4 Wise Wealth Tips for Your Wallet, we focus on why it is essential for you to have liquid savings to weather whatever life may throw your way. “Traditional financial planning says that you should have 3 to 6 months of living expenses … In a perfect world this is true,” Lea says. “Admittedly, this can be difficult to do. You should always have some savings, but while you’re working on the other steps, $1000 should be enough cushion to get you over most things that could come up.” Listen to learn more! In case you missed our earlier chats with Wilson stemming from his article 4 Wise Wealth Tips for Your Wallet you can find them here: Part 1: The Importance of Wealth Management Part 2: Save for Retirement Part 3: Pay Down your Debt Part 4: Budget As always, join the conversation by letting us know what are your topic financial goals. Lean in, lean back and enjoy!

Here’s Part 4 of our conversation with Wilson Lea of Parallax Advisor taking a deep dive into the subjects covered in his article, 4 Wise Wealth Tips for Your Wallet. In this episode, we talk about the importance of creating a budget. “This is the hardest one for most people,” Lea says of understanding how folks spend and on what. But, he says, “tracking your expenses will help you understand where your money is going and how it is used. Budgets also help you avoid spending unnecessarily.” Listen to learn more! Here you can find out Wilson’s advice on saving for retirement and eliminating debt. Next week we’ll talk with Wilson about developing strategies to build and maintain a liquid savings. As always, join the conversation by letting us know what are your topic financial goals. Lean in, lean back and enjoy!

In the third installment of Suite Talk‘s interview with Wilson Lea, based on his article 4 Wise Wealth Tips for Your Wallet, we examine strategies for reducing debt (step one—don’t accumulate any more). “What I suggest is that you start with the smallest balance credit card and make bigger payments on that card and make the minimum payments on other cards,” says Lea of Parallax Advisors, a boutique wealth management firm based in Irvine, CA. “As you pay off the smaller cards take those payments and move them up with the payments on the next biggest balance.” With over two decades of expertise, Wilson has a proven track record of helping businesses, executives, retirees and families meet their financial goals.  Next time we’ll be talking about creating a budget to better help you achieve your wealth aspirations. You can also join the conversation by letting us know what are your topic financial goals. Lean in, lean back and enjoy!

Here’s Part 2 of the Suite Talk‘s interview with Wilson Lea of Parallax Advisor exploring his article 4 Wise Wealth Tips for Your Wallet. In this segment of our chat we focus on saving for retirement. “This is a must, must, must,” says Lea, a wealth managment advisor with over two decades of experience in finance. “If you are working full time, you HAVE to save your money … Zero percent is not an option. Pay yourself first.” Listen to learn more! You can also join the conversation by letting us know what are your topic financial goals.

In this episode of the Suite Talk podcast we take a deep, but accessible, dive with Wilson Lea of Parallax Advisor and explore his article 4 Wise Wealth Tips for Your Wallet. Brought to you in several parts (look for a new installment every Wednesday in January & early February) we break the conversation in to bite size chunks to help you focus on the key elements of getting your finances in order and setting you on a path to wealth accumulation. Here we introduce the topic in a way that demystifies wealth and money management before methodically dissecting each of Wilson’s 4 Wise Wealth Tips for Your Wallet: Save for Retirement; Pay Down Your Debt; Budget and Build Up Your Liquid Savings. Join the conversation by letting us know what are your topic financial goals.  

In this episode of Suite Talk we chat with Alexis Coates, the founder and CEO of Black Business Review, a digital news company connecting minority business owners with a network of information, contacts and knowledge. We learn how Black Business Review plans to disrupt the traditional media landscape for minority-related news and information by deploying an aggressive social media strategy and novel technology solutions. Additionally, Alexis shares his thoughts on being a serial entrepreneur, where good ideas come from and the importance of knowing the difference between Twizzlers and Red Vines. Growing up in Baltimore, MD, Alexis learned the value of capitalizing on gaps in the marketplace after launching his first venture hawking candy to other kids in his neighborhood. That successful foray into the world of commerce lit a fire fueling a life-long drive to pursue more innovative enterprises. A former professional basketball player in Europe and the Middle East, and educational software developer, Alexis cr

Here’s part two of our interview with Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia, South Carolina. In this half of the conversation we learn: The words he lives by The best career advice he’s ever received What he’d tell his 20-year-old self In case you missed the first part of our conversation, you can find it here. We’ll have Mayor Benjamin back soon, but until then lean in, lean back and enjoy!

We recently sat down with Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia, South Carolina for a fun and enlightening conversation. Among the takeaways are: Dads should kiss their kids more It is okay to be different, even when 20 million pairs of eyes are watching Micah 6:8 The importance of knowing what you don’t know We’ve broken this interview in two part. The second half of our conversation with Mayor Benjamin will be posted shortly. So, until then lean in, lean back and enjoy!

Family and friends celebrated a two-year-olds birthday share their hopes and dreams for him when he’s their age. Here is an an intergenerational perspective on what they want for him, and our country, going forward. Lean-in, lean-back and enjoy!