Humanity Chats with Marjy

Sidney Keys III is a young author and entrepreneur, who decided to take his love for reading to the next level by creating Books n Bros at the young age of 10!

You may recognize him from appearances like: Oprah’s magazine, Good Morning America, CNN, Huffington Post or being honored as an official Marvel hero! His name is Sidney Keys III and he loves to read. In addition to playing sports and playing a leadership role in student government, Sidney continues to inspire young readers across the globe. He joins Marjy to share his passion for literacy and the motivation behind his newest book - Books N Bros: 44 Inspiring Books for Black Boys.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Sidney Keys III is a young author and entrepreneur, who decided to take his love for reading to the next level by creating Books n Bros at the young age of 10!

You may recognize him from appearances like: Oprah’s magazine, Good Morning America, CNN, Huffington Post or being honored as an official Marvel hero! His name is Sidney Keys III and he loves to read. In addition to playing sports and playing a leadership role in student government, Sidney continues to inspire young readers across the globe. He joins Marjy to share his passion for literacy and the motivation behind his newest book - Books N Bros: 44 Inspiring Books for Black Boys.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

The community gathers to launch Marjy Marj's Conversations About Race. Panelists discuss issues pertaining to inequities, race, stopping Asian hate, inclusion, belonging, mentorship, Colorism, broadening our lens, and more. 

Launch Panel - Hope Blackley, Dr. Russell Booker, Dr. Esther Godfrey, Dr. Nika White, and Victor Durrah Jr. 

Humanity Champion Organizations in attendance:
Betsy Wakefield Teter (Hub City Writers Project)
Nicke Haney (Brown Girls Read)
Bruh Mentor BROTHERS RESTORING URBAN HOPE, INC.
Institute for Youth Justice
Spartanburg Academic Movement
Carlo and Nika White Foundation

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

The community gathers to launch Marjy Marj's Conversations About Race. Panelists discuss issues pertaining to inequities, race, stopping Asian hate, inclusion, belonging, mentorship, Colorism, broadening our lens, and more. 

Launch Panel - Hope Blackley, Dr. Russell Booker, Dr. Esther Godfrey, Dr. Nika White, and Victor Durrah Jr. 

Humanity Champion Organizations in attendance:
Betsy Wakefield Teter (Hub City Writers Project)
Nicke Haney (Brown Girls Read)
Bruh Mentor BROTHERS RESTORING URBAN HOPE, INC.
Institute for Youth Justice
Spartanburg Academic Movement
Carlo and Nika White Foundation

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Mother and daughter Robin and Katherine Pearson share their experience with homeschooling, the art of writing, and their interest in history.

About Robin Pearson
Robin W. Pearson’s writing sprouts from her Southern roots, her faith in Jesus Christ, and her love of her husband, seven children, and four-legged baby, Oscar. She’s the author of the Christy Award–winning A Long Time Comin’, ’Til I Want No More, and her latest, Walking in Tall Weeds. Follow this homeschool mama to hear her adventures in faith, family, and fiction.

About Katherine Pearson
A graduate of Wake Forest University, Katherine loves to study and discuss history.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Mother and daughter Robin and Katherine Pearson share their experience with homeschooling, the art of writing, and their interest in history.

About Robin Pearson
Robin W. Pearson’s writing sprouts from her Southern roots, her faith in Jesus Christ, and her love of her husband, seven children, and four-legged baby, Oscar. She’s the author of the Christy Award–winning A Long Time Comin’, ’Til I Want No More, and her latest, Walking in Tall Weeds. Follow this homeschool mama to hear her adventures in faith, family, and fiction.

About Katherine Pearson
A graduate of Wake Forest University, Katherine loves to study and discuss history.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Spartanburg Police Chief Thompson shares his policing experience, the  relationship  between the police and the community,  measures being taken by the police to combat police brutality, training opportunities within the police force , and the fears faced by members of the force.

About Chief Thompson
Chief Alonzo Thompson was born and raised in North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1982 with a B.A. degree in Political Science. He is a graduate of the 183rd Session of the FBI National Academy, and a graduate of the DEA Drug Unit Commander Academy N° 55. He also completed the Public Executive Leadership Academy (PELA-2012) held at the School of Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chief Thompson served 30 years with the Winston– Salem Police Department and retired from the agency in January 2014 after having attained the rank of Assistant Chief. Chief Alonzo Thompson assumed the role of Chief of Police for the City of Spartanburg on February 1, 2014. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association (SCPCA), and the FBI National Academy of Associates – SC Chapter.
Chief Thompson is the immediate past Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate and remains on the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors for AMI Kids White Pines; Charles Lea Center; Mobile Meals and Project Hope Foundation. He formally served on the Boards of Directors of Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM); Spartanburg Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN); Palmetto Council Boy Scouts of America and Fifty Upstate Senior Wellness Initiative. He is currently a member of the Spartanburg Racial Equity Collaborative. Chief Thompson is a graduate of the South Carolina Diversity Leadership Institute Upstate Class XVIII - Fall 2014 of the Richard W. Riley Institute at Furman University. He also completed the Leadership Spartanburg Class of 2014-15 and serves on the Board of Regents of the Leadership Spartanburg Alumni Association. 

He is also a graduate of the Spartanburg Regional Health System 2017 Regional Fellows Leadership Program. Chief Thompson is a member of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg and the South Side Lions Club. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Chief Thompson is married to Catrina Amelia Thompson who recently retired as Chief of Police of the Winston-Salem, NC Police Department to be appointed as the US Marshal of the Middle District of North Carolina. He cherishes his roles and responsibilities as a father to the couple’s two children, Alyson Blakely and Christopher Aaron.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Spartanburg Police Chief Thompson shares his policing experience, the  relationship  between the police and the community,  measures being taken by the police to combat police brutality, training opportunities within the police force , and the fears faced by members of the force.

About Chief Thompson
Chief Alonzo Thompson was born and raised in North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1982 with a B.A. degree in Political Science. He is a graduate of the 183rd Session of the FBI National Academy, and a graduate of the DEA Drug Unit Commander Academy N° 55. He also completed the Public Executive Leadership Academy (PELA-2012) held at the School of Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chief Thompson served 30 years with the Winston– Salem Police Department and retired from the agency in January 2014 after having attained the rank of Assistant Chief. Chief Alonzo Thompson assumed the role of Chief of Police for the City of Spartanburg on February 1, 2014. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association (SCPCA), and the FBI National Academy of Associates – SC Chapter.
Chief Thompson is the immediate past Chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate and remains on the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors for AMI Kids White Pines; Charles Lea Center; Mobile Meals and Project Hope Foundation. He formally served on the Boards of Directors of Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM); Spartanburg Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN); Palmetto Council Boy Scouts of America and Fifty Upstate Senior Wellness Initiative. He is currently a member of the Spartanburg Racial Equity Collaborative. Chief Thompson is a graduate of the South Carolina Diversity Leadership Institute Upstate Class XVIII - Fall 2014 of the Richard W. Riley Institute at Furman University. He also completed the Leadership Spartanburg Class of 2014-15 and serves on the Board of Regents of the Leadership Spartanburg Alumni Association. 

He is also a graduate of the Spartanburg Regional Health System 2017 Regional Fellows Leadership Program. Chief Thompson is a member of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg and the South Side Lions Club. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Chief Thompson is married to Catrina Amelia Thompson who recently retired as Chief of Police of the Winston-Salem, NC Police Department to be appointed as the US Marshal of the Middle District of North Carolina. He cherishes his roles and responsibilities as a father to the couple’s two children, Alyson Blakely and Christopher Aaron.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Jasmine Stewart joins the chats to share about self-worth.

Jasmine's purpose in life is to foster lasting relationships of love & integrity with girls and young women by building them up through the teaching of self-worth. 

Founder of Broken but Healed, an organization dedicated to enriching, educating, and inspiring young ladies to be exceptional women of God in their home, schools, and community, Jasmine challenges those around and connected to her to strive to live a life that is pleasing to Christ despite what this dark world may portray. 

Jasmine enjoys reading, shopping, and giving back to her community. She and her husband, Devin have a son and daughter. The family currently resides in Boiling Springs, SC.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj

Jasmine Stewart joins the chats to share about self-worth.

Jasmine's purpose in life is to foster lasting relationships of love & integrity with girls and young women by building them up through the teaching of self-worth. 

Founder of Broken but Healed, an organization dedicated to enriching, educating, and inspiring young ladies to be exceptional women of God in their home, schools, and community, Jasmine challenges those around and connected to her to strive to live a life that is pleasing to Christ despite what this dark world may portray. 

Jasmine enjoys reading, shopping, and giving back to her community. She and her husband, Devin have a son and daughter. The family currently resides in Boiling Springs, SC.

Humanity Chats - a conversation about everyday issues that impact humans. Join us. Together, we can go far.

Thank you for listening.  Share with a friend.  
We are humans.  
From all around the world.  
One kind only. 
And that is humankind. 
Your friend, Marjy Marj