Here’s To Life with Tori Reid

Ep. 40: Jaki Shelton Green - Poet Laureate of the People

In nearly six decades of work, she has mentored hundreds of authors, poets and women globally. Her poetry has appeared in African American Review, Essence Magazine, Ms. Magazine... and dozens of literary journals and lifestyle magazines. In 2003, she was the recipient of the North Carolina Award for Literature [http://ncpedia.org/history-north-carolina-awards] (the highest award the state can bestow for significant contributions in science, literature, fine arts, and public service). She was selected for the Forbes distinguished 2022 list, 50 Over 50 [https://www.forbes.com/50over50/], in the Lifestyle [https://www.forbes.com/50over50/lifestyle] category. She is an activist and a humanist, expertly versed in the power of words to lift the spirit, and she excels at the magic of  her being. She is passionate about "helping women, children, immigrants and newly literate citizens." She is the first African American and third woman to be appointed as the North Carolina Poet Laureate. When he appointed her in 2018, Governor Cooper stated that “(She) brings a deep appreciation of our state’s diverse communities to her role as an ambassador of North Carolina literature.” Her mission is to "promote and expand appreciation of the literary arts" and "help ensure a high quality of life for all North Carolinians." And that's why Here's to Life is proud to welcome, Jaki Shelton Green [https://jakisheltongreen.com/], poet laureate of the people. "Poetry is about so much more - it is about the work we do here on the planet. It is about crafting quality work and saving lives, elevating lives. It’s about the spirit. The serious writer who wants to work with an editor, the serious artist who wishes to workshop her work. My measurement of success is creating someone who is serious about the writing process. This is editing. This is refinement and curation of the spirit.” - Jaki Shelton Green   "we are the messengers/new messengers/arriving as mutations of ourselves/ we are these messengers/blue breath/red hands/singing a tree into dance" From her poem "who will be the messengers of this land." CREDITS: Guest:  Jacqueline Shelton Green Host and Producer:  Tori Reid [https://www.instagram.com/iamtorireid/] Executive Producer:  Patrick A. Howell Co-Executive Producer:  Tori Reid Writer:  Patrick A. Howell Post Production:  We Edit Podcasts Post Production Assistant:  Alana Coleman Voiceover Artist:  Vïntóry Blake Moore Premier Advertising Sponsor:  Vivreau Water Systems Advertising Sponsor:  Hilton Sacramento Arden West Ad Voiceover Artist:  Ginger Levert Logo Photography:  Bobby Holland / MPTV Images Photo credit for Jacqueline Shelton Green:  Duke University Music: "Sry" by Twelwe "Soft Speak" by Siarate "Febrero" by Vendla "Less Than Endless" by At The End of Times, Nothing a Victory & Noble production @ 2023 Victory & Noble LLC  All Rights Reserved. Find out more about Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green here: Jaki Shelton Green books [https://jakisheltongreen.com/books/] Jaki Shelton Green at Duke University [https://documentarystudies.duke.edu/people/jaki-shelton-green]

Ep. 39: Jenifer Lewis - Walking In My Joy: In These Streets

Dubbed a “national treasure” and nicknamed the “Mother of Black Hollywood,” she’s starred in over 400 episodic TV shows, 68 movies, and four Broadway shows. During her prolific screen career, she’s most notably known as Zelma Bullock in Tina Turner biopic "What's Love Got to Do With It" and as Ruby Johnson in the socially-conscious sitcom "Black-ish." She’s an award-winning actress who steals every scene she’s in, and yet her “real work” is off stage and off camera as an activist and a mental health advocate. She’s a whirlwind of energy who has no time to waste. Her latest book and riveting work, “Walking in My Joy: In These Streets” touches the soul, makes you laugh out loud, while imparting ways on how to love yourself and keep negative energy at bay, while being beautifully transparent about her epic journey. She is a lover of life who is larger than life. Buckle up!! In this fiery conversation, they talk about the importance of loving yourself, her road to her authentic joy, making self-care a priority, how you can be in your joy, her latest book, and so much more. Here’s to the one and only, Jenifer Lewis. CREDITS: Guest:  Jenifer Lewis Host and Producer:  Tori Reid Executive Producer:  Patrick A. Howell Executive Producer:  Tori Reid Writer:  Tori Reid  Post Production:  We Edit Podcasts Add’l Post Production:  Brian K. Jackson at Maven Soundz   Add'l Editing:  Cutting Edge Editing  Post Production Assistant:  Alana Coleman  Music Supervision:  Another Place in Time Music   Voiceover Artist:  Vïntóry Blake Moore Premier Advertising Sponsor:  Vivreau Water Systems Advertising Sponsor:  Hilton Sacramento Arden West Ad Voiceover Artist:  Ginger Levert Logo Photography:  Bobby Holland / MPTV Images Photo credit for Jenifer Lewis:  Unknown Very special thanks to Terry Marsh, Ph.D.   Music: "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 - I, Moderato" (Rachmaninoff) by Skidmore College Orchestra a Victory & Noble production @ 2023 Victory & Noble LLC  All Rights Reserved. Connect with the Guest: Jenifer Lewis on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeniferlewisforreal/?hl=en] Walking in My Joy: In These Streets [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/walking-in-my-joy-jenifer-lewis?variant=39791868346402]

Ep. 38: Tom Dreesen (Part II) - The Man Who Made Sinatra Laugh

Part II: Tori returns in delight with one of her favorite spirits, a true comedian's comedian and one of the world’s most groundbreaking, well-respected, and beloved entertainers. A true pioneer and legend in the entertainment industry with 52 years of comedy, relationships, stories, and wisdom to share. He has made over 500 national TV appearances as a stand-up comedian, including more than 60 appearances on The Tonight Show, and was a favorite guest of David Letterman. For fourteen years, he was the opening act for Frank Sinatra, and performed countless times with artists like Smokey Robinson, Liza Minnelli, Natalie Cole, and Sammy Davis, Jr. He is currently appearing to rave reviews around the country in his one-man show “An Evening Of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra.” In this spirited Part 2 conversation, they talk about the inner workings of show business, how to have balance in life, your ego vs spirit, what brings him pure joy, and so much more! Here's to the man who made Sinatra laugh, and Tori's beloved "Uncle Tom" ... Tom Dreesen. “The day I met him, my life forever changed. The day he passed away, I knew my life would never be the same.” - Tom Dreesen (on his relationship with Frank Sinatra) CREDITS: Guest:  Tom Dreesen Host and Producer:  Tori Reid Executive Producer:  Patrick A. Howell Executive Producer:  Tori Reid Writers:  Tori Reid and Patrick A. Howell  Post Production:  We Edit Podcasts Add'l Editing:  Cutting Edge Editing  Post Production Assistant:  Sydney Rhone  Music Supervision:  Another Place in Time Music   Voiceover Artist:  Vïntóry Blake Moore Premier Advertising Sponsor:  Vivreau Water Systems Advertising Sponsor:  Hilton Sacramento Arden West Ad Voiceover Artist:  Ginger Levert Logo Photography:  Bobby Holland / MPTV Images Photo credit for Tom Dreesen:  James Devaney Music: "Jazz Intimate 6" by Magnus Ringblom “A Warm Welcome” by Martin Landstrom “Ready for New York” by Tiki Tiki “Tropic Swing” by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist Vivreau Ad Music - "That's What Left Us Behind" by Christian Anderson a Victory & Noble production @ 2022 Victory & Noble LLC  All Rights Reserved. Connect with the Guest: Tom Dreesen Official Website [http://www.tomdreesen.com] Still Standing: My Journey From Streets and Saloons, to the Stage and Sinatra [https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-Journey-Streets-Saloons/dp/1642933600]

Ep. 37: Ruth E. Carter (Part II) - What Makes Ruth, Ruth?

She is so much more than a costume designer or expert storyteller. She is a trailblazer. A pioneer. A leader. Think Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. Spike Lee’s Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing or 12 other Spike Lee joints. Ava DuVernay’s Selma. Lee Daniels' The Butler. Steven Spielberg’s Amistad. Coming 2 America… and so much more. But who is the woman behind the accolades? What makes her tick? What gives her life? And what drove her to become the first African American to win an Academy Award in Costume Design? And furthermore, how has it changed her? Here's to diving deeper into the life and mind of the modern iconoclast… Ruth E. Carter. CREDITS: Guest:  Ruth E. Carter Host and Producer:  Tori Reid Executive Producer:  Patrick A. Howell Executive Producer:  Tori Reid Associate Producer:  Sterfon Demings Writer:  Tori Reid Post Production:  Cutting Edge Editing Additional Post Production:  Stereo Mixtrumental Post Production Assistant:  Sydney Rhone  Music Supervision:  Another Place in Time Music Voiceover Artist:  Vïntóry Blake Moore Premier Advertising Sponsor:  Vivreau Water Systems Advertising Sponsor:  Hampton University Advertising Sponsor:  Hilton Sacramento Arden West Ad Voiceover Artist:  Ginger Levert Logo Photography:  Bobby Holland / MPTV Images Photo credit for Ruth E. Carter:  Jeff Lipsky Music: “Glow” by Stereo Mixtrumental “Burning Up” by Chi Vaughn "Act I Fluvial" by Jo Wandrini Outro - Produced by Stereo Mixtrumental Vivreau Ad Music - "Soft Speak" by Siarate a Victory & Noble production @ 2022 Victory & Noble LLC  All Rights Reserved. Connect with the Guest: Ruth E. Carter Official Website [https://www.ruthecarter.com/] Ruth E. Carter Afrofuturism in Costume Design Exhibit [https://mopop.org/RuthCarter] Visit Hampton University: The Standard of Excellence [https://home.hamptonu.edu/]

Ep. 36: Dr. William R. Harvey - The Visionary Leader and the Power of Legacy

Tori returns to her beloved alma mater, Hampton University, reflects and has a very special homecoming with the singular President Dr. William R. Harvey. Known for more than 40 years of legendary leadership, he transformed the university from a small Black college to a world-class leader within higher education. Whether it’s his powerful presence, establishing the largest free-standing proton beam cancer center in the world, increasing the endowment from $29 million to over $400 million dollars, erecting 29 new buildings and the initiation of 92 new academic degrees… or simply his passion and unwavering commitment behind it all, he is a highly respected titan among men. Tori delights in her "Hampton Experience" and love for the prestigious HBCU. In the center of the Hampton University Museum, the oldest African American museum in the nation, they discuss the power of dreaming, what makes Hampton University singular, the importance of character, what he's most proud of, the key to being unshakeable under pressure, his wish for the future of Hampton University, and so much more! Here's to the titan visionary leader, Dr. William R. Harvey.  CREDITS: Guest:  Dr. William R. Harvey Host and Producer:  Tori Reid Executive Producer:  Patrick A. Howell Executive Producer:  Tori Reid Co-Producer:  James Parker Writers:  Tori Reid and Patrick A. Howell  Audio Recording:  Franklin Fitzgerald Post Production:  We Edit Podcasts Additional Post Production:  Stereo Mixtrumental Music Supervision:  Another Place in Time Music Voiceover Artist:  Vïntóry Blake Moore Premier Advertising Sponsor:  Vivreau Water Systems Advertising Sponsor:  Hilton Sacramento Arden West Ad Voiceover Artist:  Ginger Levert Logo Photography:  Bobby Holland / MPTV Images Photo credit for Dr. William R. Harvey:  J.D. Scott A special thank you to Vanessa D. Thaxton-Ward and the staff at the Hampton University Museum.  Music: "Afternoon in Washington Square Park” by Jerry McHoy "Act I Fluvial" by Jo Wandrini "Act II Hygro" by Jo Wandrini “King’s Chamber” by Cercles Nouvelles Vivreau Ad Music - "Soft Speak" by Siarate  a Victory & Noble production @ 2022 Victory & Noble LLC  All Rights Reserved.