Talk! With Audrey

Jersey’s City’s Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization, Inc (PACO) has an initiative to help grow the local police force. They are offering a Free, 3-Day Law Enforcement Entry Level Prep Course.  Julio Garcia PACO Executive Director is Audrey's guest.

Some people associate warmer weather with outdoor activities like gardening and strolls through the park. Others associate the higher temperatures with staying cool indoors. However, many don’t realize that both may result in exposure to a common type of bacteria that can cause a serious and chronic condition that can lead to lung damage in those who are susceptible. It’s called Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Lung Disease. My guests are Dr. Patrick Flume, Pulmonologist and Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina and Debbie a NTM Lung Disease Patient.

Usher's New Look (UNL), is a philanthropic organization founded in 2009 by musical performer Usher Raymond, is celebrating 20 years of service and action with their 2019 Disruptivator Summit. My guest is the dynamic leader behind this amazing organization, Careshia Moore, President and CEO of UNL and we are going to talk about the foundation and some of he challenges that young people face.    

IBM is putting the spotlight on women leaders from around the world who are  the first movers in AI (Artificial Intelligence) for business in their inaugural “Women Leaders in AI” list. Michelle Boockoff Bajdek, CMO, IBM Watson is my guest.

As we approach mid-year, a number of forces are creating volatility in global markets. Probably the biggest concern is the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. Gene Goldman, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Research, Cetera Financial Group provides insight to some of the global trade and investor concerns. 

According to the CDC, 1 in 7 people with HIV in the U.S. don’t know they have the virus, and they are releasing new data that underscore's the urgent need to scale up HIV testing to end the epidemic. Dr. Eugene McCray, director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS joins me to talk about the critical role of increasing HIV testing as part of the proposed federal initiative to end the HIV epidemic and what everyone can do to support this goal.

The Multicultural Media Correspondents Association (MMCA), an advocacy organization leading a national call to action to increase media diversity, recently announced their honorees for the 4th annual Correspondents Dinner, David Morgan – Multicultural Media Correspondents Association (MMCA) President is my guest.

The 2019 Homebuyer Insights Report found that the youngest generation of homebuyers aren’t dragging their feet, as nearly 60 percent of prospective Gen Z homebuyers between the ages of 18 and 23 want to buy within the next five years, meaning they would own a home before the age of 30. AJ Barkley, is SVP, Neighborhood Lending Executive, Consumer Lending at Bank of America has tremendous insight to home buying trends.

NAACP recently announced its historic Jamestown to Jamestown event partnership, marking the 400th year enslaved Africans first touched the shores of what would become America. NAACP President Derrick Johnson joins me to discuss this historic event and the issues still facing the African-American community.

In today’s world of toxic dialogue and vitriolic political overload, too many of us spend time engaging negativity and giving away our power. What would it look like for us to lead where we are? Civil Rights Attorney and Activist Charles Coleman Jr. the founder and CEO of The Black SuperHero Project aims to do just that . . . by challenging himself and others to embrace the spirit of leading where you are.

Looking for a good book to read? Anthony Schneider joins me to talk about his latest novel, Lowdown-a Mafia romantic thriller. The story is set in Brooklyn and Sicily, spans three decades, and follows a twisting road strewn with sorrow and desire, deceit and ecstasy, shocking violence and intimate tenderness, to arrive at a surprising, bittersweet redemption.

Summer vacation for students is a time to enjoy the sun and recoup after 10 months of hard-work. While it is crucial to give our brains a break, research has found that over the summer students will experience 2 months of learning loss, the highest losses occurring in math and spelling. Joining me with tips to keep our students brains healthy and active in preparation for the upcoming school year, Nathan Hemmelgarn, Sr. Brand Director for Consumer Business at Carson Dellosa Education.

It’s that time of year again when Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduations are only days apart from one another. There is no need to go crazy waiting in lines to purchase your gifts . Because there are options. Gift cards! Joining me  with the hottest trends in gift cards that work perfectly for every gifting occasion. Shelley Hunter, a.k.a. the Gift Card Girlfriend.

The BIO International Convention, the world’s premier life sciences event, will return to Philadelphia, PA, from June 3-6 and is expected to attract more than 16,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors from 67 countries. The theme of this year’s convention is “It Starts with One.” Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization talks about the challenges, obstacles and future of biotechnology.

Whenever there is a crisis, our first responders put their own lives at risk to save others. These are individuals who answer the call, rush toward danger, and lead the way to safety. The Gary Sinise Foundation is an organization that serves our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Jessica Egerton, Director of Brand Development, Cooper Tiresand Elizabeth Fields, Director of Development and Chief Operating Officer for The Gary Sinise Foundation talk about their work and how you can support first responders.

 From inventing the implantable cardiac pacemaker to helping develop the brain-computer interface, with numerous advances in treating chronic disease, spinal cord injury, mental health, and countless other conditions and diseases, VA Research has been improving the lives of all generations of Veterans for more than nine decades. Dr. Patricia a. Dorn, Director, Rehabilitation Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs joins me to discuss VA Research Week and their award-winning scientific discoveries.

When making purchases both large and small, today’s American consumer is looking beyond product price and quality. They’re also taking into account what a brand says, what it does and what it stands for, and ultimately buying from companies that have a strong purpose that aligns with their personal values and beliefs. Accenture Strategy’s latest Global Consumer Pulse Research surveyed nearly 8,000 American consumers to gauge their expectations of brands and companies today. My guest is senior managing director at Accenture Strategy, Bill Theofilou.

As the 24-hour information cycle fills our airwaves and social media feeds, we are faced with a choice; give in to constant connectivity or take a time out to focus on what really matters. Life is Good Marks their 25th Anniversary by igniting a movement to Share Something Good. The Co-founders of Life is Good, Bert Jacobs, Chief Executive Optimist and John Jacobs, Chief Creative Optimist are my guests.

Filing an income tax return can be scary and overwhelming. What if you make a mistake? What if you use the wrong form? What are the new tax reform laws? It’s no surprise that 4 in 5 Americans say they want help when they file their taxes. Fortunately, there are resources available to take the stress out of filing and give you the assurance you’ve done it right. Financial expert, Nicole Lapin joins me with information about the new tax reform laws and how they might affect returns this year. 

The administration announced the President’s FY2020 budget proposal and it does not include federal funding for after school programs. If that happens, after school programs for more than 1.7 million students will be in jeopardy. My guests are Jodi Grant, Executive Director, Afterschool Alliance and Barry D. Ford, President and CEO, Council for a Strong America.