Monica May's Point Of View

MEMORIAL DAY VETERANS' ADVOCACY/THE 34th ANNUAL SOUTHERN FRIED POETRY SLAM FESTIVAL

Dr. Christopher Stansbury of Veterans Advocacy, LLC completed his dissertation on ALL services relevant to veterans returning home. He shared techniques to manage veteran PTSD and more. Connect with him @ christopher_stansbury@ymail.com or 773-879-7952 The 34th Annual Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival is coming to Orlando June 10th - 13th starting at the Eatonville Library. Poets Shawn Welcome and Blu Bailey are helping to spearhead the event. To purchase tickets and find more information www.southernfriedpoetryclam.com

BLACK MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS - ANSWERED/ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE SOUTH/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Cherlette McCullough, LMFT www.centerpeacetheragy.org shared that in order to face the growing mental health issue in the black community, we must normalize the conversation. Suppression does not eliminate pain or make it go away - it's important to seek therapy. Outlook Clinic provides free psychiatric and therapy care 407/898-0110. Cassandra Brown with All About the Ballot is also Chair in Lake County of the Black Women's Roundtable shared the reason she marched in Alabama yesterday was to bring attention to current voter suppression attempts, to honor our ancestors and pave the way for the next generation. Carlos Durden from Orange County Emergency Management updated us on how to get ready for this hurricane season that begins June 1st. He shared what tools every family need in their kit, along with a 1-week supply of water, canned goods and non-perishable items. If going to a shelter bring your own bedding, medicine and toiletries... See their website for more info www.ocfl.net\storms

MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE 2026

The new CEO of The Sharing Center is Tekoa Pouerie is also the pastor of the Acceleration Church. She leads with compassion offering resources ranging from rental, utility services to food and more www.thesharingcenter.org . Call 407/260-9155. NEW VOTING MAPS DELETE BLACK REPRESENTATION Florida's governor has redrawn the voting maps to diminish black voting power. In Florida, the Fair District Amendment passed in 2010 and Genesis Robinson, Executive Director of Equal Ground Florida shared what's behind the gerrymandered maps. EG has filed suit in State Court to stop this map from going forward. This midterm election (August 18th-primary and November 3rd election) is more important now more than ever. Connect @ www.equalground-fl.com

6 FIGURE MINDSET/3 WAYS TO VOTE IN THIS MID-TERM ELECTION/ACLU FLORIDA

Dr. Lashanda Harris lived in the projects, was on welfare, receiving food stamps when she made the conscious decision to change her life, by changing her mindset. During the pandemic she earned her Master's and PhD and became an author of various E-Books. Connect with her @ www.6FigureMindset.com Karen Castor Dental, Orange County's Supervisor of Elections reminded us there are three ways to vote in the upcoming midterm election. Your vote by mail ballot will be on the way if requested; early voting starts August 3rd for the August 18th Primary and October 19th for the November 3rd election. Find out more www.ocfelections.gov Keisha Mulfort is the new Deputy Executive Director & Strategy Officer of the ACLU. She will be calling on all voting rights organization to mobilize to get the word out about upcoming elections, voter education and more. Connect and join @ www.ACLUFL.org on all social platforms it's @ACLUFL

MANAGING MALE RAGE as a SHIELD AGAINST "FEMICIDE" /BEING BLACK IN CORPORATE AMERICA

Dr. Pernell Bush of No Limit Counseling is a licensed psychotherapist. We talked about femicide (which is the gender based killing of females by males) and how to "teach" men to identify and manage their rage. Three important factors 1. What does domestic violence look like 2. How can men disengage their rage 3. As a collective - have conversations about relationships openly - Connect with Dr. Bush @ nolimitcounselingsolutions.com HR Expert Ebony Russ, author of "Tea Tactics & Tenacity shared a few tips to help Black people thrive in corporate America. A few are: Know Your Worth, Lead with facts if there is an issue and HR has to be involved and be persistent so you can get a resolution. Go to Amazon for her book and connect with her @ IG - Russ.consulting