DaGRIP

DaGrip with Cynthia P. Stitt: Building A Stronger Generation of Gifted Young Women

DaGrip welcomes Cynthia P. Stitt to the podcast for Women's History Month.  Cynthia P. Stitt is an ordained minister, inspirational author, poet, songwriter, and stage-play writer. She became a licensed Minister in May of 2000 and was ordained in July 2006. She currently serves as the Youth Pastor at Mt. Zion Restoration Church in Gastonia, NC under the leadership of Pastor Rodney Freeman.  She has two sons Joshua and Jalen and played an active role in caring for her Goddaughter Cearra Crawford Friday. She is a native of Gastonia, North Carolina.
Cynthia graduated from Hunter Huss High School and then later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Master's Degree in Health Administration. Cynthia P. Stitt is a military veteran who reached the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force before returning to Gaston County to give back to her community.  She is a certified Career, Life, Executive Coach, and Master Coach Trainer through Paradigm 360.  She is the owner of VisionWorks Enterprise, LLC, and her non-profit C & J Creative Expression, Incorporated.  Cynthia believes in perseverance and encourages others through her writing. 
Cynthia is an active member of the community, and she has a passion for Public Health, and she retired in June 2020 from the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health and has received the honor as one of the 100 Distinguished Public Health Nurses of North Carolina. She currently works with Gaston Business Association as the Leadership Gaston Coordinator.  She faithfully volunteers in the Highland Community at the Erwin Center where she works with a group of young men and women referred to as "My Sistahs and My Brothers."  She works with the youth in the community with the goal to provide mentorships and support to the youth so that they will be empowered to accomplish life dreams with a focus on academic achievement, life skills, and character building.  She has served the youth in the community for the past 25-plus years. She enjoys being a faithful volunteer on Thursday mornings with Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry at Mt. Zion Restoration Church. She has also served on several Community Executive and Advisory Boards in Gaston County.  She serves the community faithfully with her sisters she holds so true in the Zeta Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated ®.
Cynthia lives by the inspiring scripture "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13.  She believes in God’s purpose and destiny for her life and encourages all she meets to live purposeful so that God is glorified.

DAGrip welcomes Pierre L McElhaney - actor, minister, writer and owner of Nezo Entertainment

DaGrip welcomes Pierre L. McElhaney to the show. McElhaney a native of Gastonia, is a seasoned actor whose constant performance continues to keep him on the big stage.  From Atlanta to Texas, Pastor P is working with some of the biggest names in the business. His love for his city keeps him giving back to budding actors to sharpen their craft and offer their best gift.

Join the DaGrip this week as we discuss the impact of theater in Black America and what Pastor P is doing with Nezo Entertainment.

Black History Month Celebraton: DaGrip with special guest Rose Belk- Author, Artist, Leader, Pastor, Short-Film Producer

DaGrip welcomes Rose Belk to the show. Rose Belk is a minister, recording artist, songwriter, and author. As a native of Pineville, North Carolina, she began singing as a small child and gave her life to Christ at the age of twelve. The youngest of eight children, she was most impressed by the love God has shown her. Her parents were very instrumental in this impression and encouraged her to use her God-given talent of singing to His Glory. From this, she recognized her foundation in Christ and her gift to sing.

In 2000, Rose released her very first CD, My Song of Praise. Her gifts and talents are further showcased in her last five projects, Simply Rose - Nothing But Praise, This Is Your Season music video, her single, So Amazing, and her new hit single, Free to Be Me and new book, Free to Be Me – Secrets I Never Told!

Rose was the recipient of the Bank of America and Cultural Calendar’s Heritage award for Vocal Performance. She was a South Florida Gospel Music Awards nominee for Female Contemporary Artist in 2011. She has shared the stage with Helen Baylor, Phil Driscoll, Shirley Caesar, Ron Kenoly and others. She has also appeared on Bobby Jones Gospel. The pure sound of Rose Belk illustrates her pure heart, resonating a smooth and controlled tone and with a message that is crystal clear.

Rose is a graduate of Charis Bible College and has led praise and worship in many auditoriums, churches, and venues. Her love of God and gift in music has afforded her the opportunity to form, develop, and serve as the Director of praise and worship teams at Victory Christian Center and to conduct worship seminars. She was a contributing writer for Optimal Living Magazine, which is located in Washington, DC. Her creative writing skills are also exemplified in her new book, Free to Be Me – Secrets I Never Told. She has furthered her gifts and talent in her motivational videos, Morning Boost which is on YouTube.

Though Rose wears many hats, she always makes time for her family and loved ones. She is married to her soul mate of 42 years. Together they have been blessed with two children, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. She and her husband, Rogers, also run their own management company, R. Belk Music Group, LLC and record label, New Season Records and are pastors of True Identity Grace Church.

 

 

 

Black History - DaGrip with Lakesha Mobley - The Misrecognition of Black and Brown Girls

Lakeisha Mobley was born and raised in Charlotte NC. She is ordained clergy in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the mother of two sons. Lakeisha is the CEO of “It Startz With Me” a mentoring movement geared towards helping young girls ages 9 through 18 make sound decisions, better life choices and produce self-esteem so they may reach their full potential in life.

Along with 17 other women who have endured and overcame tremendous amounts of emotional abuse, constant disappointment, and heart-breaking betrayal, Lakeisha Mobley is a writer in the book entitled, “When the Soul Cries” and her contribution is entitled The High Price Tags. Lakeisha shares her reasons for being compelled to tell a transparent truth to help others win at life.

During the podcast, Lakeisha shares not only her success with her mentoring program; but also her passion for prison ministry. She knows  she is just getting started and things can only go up through helping the least of these.

The book “When the Soul Cries” can be found on Amazon, Walmart Books, Good Reads and many more digital  and published platforms.

Black History Month Kick-off with Karlease Smalls - Nurse, Emerging Young Adult leader, & Visionary

David Anthoni welcomes Karlease Smalls to share her insights on Black History month.

Karlease is a native of New York but currently resides in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Karlease is a member of Zion Wesley AME Zion Church. Karlease started her nursing career as a Certified Nurse Assistant at Five Oaks Manor nursing home for four years. In December 2019, Karlease graduated from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences with her Associate Degree in Nursing.

Karlease passed her boards and began working at Atrium Health Northeast Emergency Department February 2020. With many transitions in life, Karlease recently transferred to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Atrium Health. This past May she graduated from UNC Wilmington with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Her long term aspiration is to become a Nurse Anesthetist. Her biggest motivations in her life are her parents and her Angel sister.

She is a member of the National Council of Negro Women. Karlease has a love for serving others and her community. Her favorite scripture she lives by is Jeremiah 29:11”For I know the plans I have for you, “says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

David Anthoni & DaGrip: the job snub for Steve Wilks & the trouble in Memphis

 After changing the culture in lockroom, wining games, and bringing a new energy back to the Carolinas, The Panthers snub Steve Wilks for the head coaching position. Meanwhile, David Anthoni leads the community to pray for the city of Memphis and pleads for peaceful protest.

DaGrip 12 Days of Prayer Celebration

David Anthoni opens 2023 with thanksgiving and prayer. Friends from across of the country join him with prayers ranging from homelessness to healing. 

Thanks to:

Pastor Rodney Gilchrist, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Dewberry, Dr. Jerret Fite, Dr. Daran H. Mitchell, Pastor Quintarro Smith,  and Pastor Robert Kelly.

DaGrip with Lynn Kennedy Mitchell - THe Annual Thanksgiving Rules

 

S5E10- DaGrip welcomes Lynn Kennedy Mitchell- The Annual Thanksgiving Rules #LaughterIsGoodMedicine

 

DaGrip welcomes Lynn Kennedy Mitchell, the Executive Director of Thrive High Point. Thrive High Point is a minority entrepreneurship initiative by the Chamber of Commerce. Thrive has been developed to support the broad needs of minority and women-owned businesses in the city.

As Executive Director of Thrive High Point, Lynn networks with young professionals and small business owners to push ideas from concept to fruition.

Lynn is a dynamic communicator whose personality illuminates every room she enters. Aside from her professional responsibilities, Lynn loves humor and a good conversation. Her free hearted spirit inspired The Annual Thanksgiving Rules. Lynn’s social media followers anticipate the release of her witty thought and hilarious standards every Thanksgiving. From favorite foods to holiday chatter, Lynn has good advice to create a heartwarming day filled with laughter.

Lynn Kennedy Mitchell is married to the Rev. Dr. Daran H. Mitchell and together they have one son, Caylen.

DaGrip with Ms. Erica Lawrence, Ms. Black International Ambassador 2022

S5E9- DaGrip with Ms. Erica Lawrence, Ms. Black

International Ambassador 2022

 

DaGrip welcomes Ms. Erica Lawrence to the podcast. Erica is a woman of faith, mom, inspirational speaker & Cancer awareness advocate. She is the newly crowned Ms. Black International Ambassador 2022 with her platform, The H.E.A.L. Initiative. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Communication Studies from UNC Greensboro and a Master’s degree in Business from Mercer University. She is a business operations & project management consultant through her business, 3E Project Solutions. In her free time, Erica enjoys reading, traveling, dancing and spending time with her 9-year old daughter.

S5E8 - DaGrip Welcomes Courtney Tate, Author of ”Tasty Cakes” & ”An Unforgettable Journey”

The DaGrip welcomes Courtney Tate, author, and veteran educator to share with us her views on writing powerful stories to impact the lives of black and brown kids in America. Courtney is the owner of Courtney Tate Consulting, LLC; where she empowers others in building a better tomorrow.

Courtney walks us through her journey of journaling and manifesting those late-night notes into books. She is passionate about helping students fine their own path through self-identification and literature. With the country suffering with low test scores after COVID, she believes her books are one-way parents and students can make improvements. Her work can be found on Amazon as well as her own website. As the holidays approach, a book from her library could be a helpful Christmas gift or beautiful stocking stuffer.
 

Upcoming events: 
     Women's Check-in: November 19, 2022 (I will be hosting this event and selling books here.)
     Gastonia Christmas Tree Lighting Dec 4, 2022 
     The African American Book Festival April 15, 2023 in Richmond, Va.
 
To order books click below.
www.courtneystate.com

https://www.amazon.com/Tasty-Cakes-Courtney-Tate/dp/B09XZJYKSH/ref=sr_1_2?crid=WK3J0T53PAKS&keywords=courtney+tate&qid=1667604743&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjU0IiwicXNhIjoiMC45MiIsInFzcCI6IjAuOTIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Courtney+Tate%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-2