Make Them Know Your Name: Nicole Ward on Gold Standard Impact & Grassroots Power

Make Them Know Your Name: Nicole Ward on Gold Standard Impact & Grassroots Power

As co-founder of the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, Nicole Ward is leading the charge to improve heart health education, expand access to AEDs, and save lives across Ohio. On this episode of Impact Play with Dr. J, Nicole shares her story of purpose, advocacy, and building lasting change from personal tragedy.

Doran Grant’s Path from the NFL to Paying It Forward

Doran Grant’s story isn’t just about football — it’s about showing up with your full self, every single time. From winning a national championship at Ohio State to playing in the NFL, and now leading young men as head coach at St. Vincent–St. Mary, Doran has stayed rooted in purpose. On this episode of Impact Play with Dr. J, he opens up about the mindset that carried him through the highs and lows of pro sports, why he came back to Akron, and how he’s using his platform to build more than just athletes. This one’s about legacy, leadership, and living with intention.

From Gridiron to Global Impact: Mekka Don’s Playbook for Purpose

In this episode of Impact Play with Dr. J, we sit down with Mekka Don — former Ohio State football player, attorney-turned-artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist — to explore how he’s redefining success beyond the spotlight. Known for his dynamic career pivot from law to music, Mekka Don has built a brand rooted in culture, empowerment, and giving back. He shares his journey of creating opportunities for others, using music as a platform for change, and why community impact will always be part of his game plan.

RBI and the Cleveland Guardians: How Baseball Builds Community with Rafael Collins

On this episode of Impact Play with Dr. J, we step up to the plate with Rafael Collins, Assistant Director of Community Impact and Diversity Initiatives for the Cleveland Guardians. Rafael shares how Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program is changing lives, opening doors, and creating opportunities for young athletes in underserved communities. From developing leadership skills to promoting diversity in the game, this conversation goes beyond baseball to explore what it really means to invest in the next generation.