Segment 1: Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church & Bells Across PA We speak with Reverend Carolyn Cavaness, Pastor of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church—the oldest continuously Black-owned church property in the United States and the church founded by Bishop Richard Allen. As the first woman to lead this historic congregation, Reverend Cavaness discusses the unveiling of the Bells Across PA sculpture at Mother Bethel, part of the America 250PA initiative marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Created by Philadelphia artist Gail Gaines, the bell reflects Mother Bethel’s enduring legacy of faith, freedom, and social justice.
Learn more:
🌐 https://www.motherbethel.org
🌐 https://www.america250pa.org
📸 IG: @motherbethelame | @america250pa
Segment 2: Chase Community Center-Branch – West Philadelphia We’re joined by Tanyika Rickard, Vice President & Community Manager for the Philadelphia market at J.P. Morgan Chase, to discuss how the Chase West Philadelphia Community Center is redefining what a bank can be. Based at the community center, Tanyika shares how this innovative space serves as a true neighborhood hub—supporting financial health, homeownership, small-business growth, and expanded access to resources for Black and Latino residents in West Philadelphia.
Connect & learn more: Chase West Philadelphia Community Center
📍 15 S. 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
📞 445-888-3664
📸 Instagram: @ChaseBank (Philadelphia community workshops & events)
Segment 3: Tommi A. Vincent – The Table of Life We wrap up with Tommi A. Vincent—thought leader, life coach, and national advocate for survivors. The immediate past Chairwoman of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, board member with Survivor Justice Action and YOUNITY, and co-founder and COO of Vincent Country®, Tommi discusses her debut book, The Table of Life. Blending memoir, recipes, and life lessons, the book explores healing, resilience, and purpose—showing how food, faith, and community can transform lives. Learn more & connect:
🌐 https://www.tommivincent.com
📸 Instagram: @chef_tommi | @vincentcountry
✖️ X: @ChefTommi
📘 The Table of Life — available via her website and major retailers
Learn more:
🌐 https://www.motherbethel.org
🌐 https://www.america250pa.org
📸 IG: @motherbethelame | @america250pa
Segment 2: Chase Community Center-Branch – West Philadelphia We’re joined by Tanyika Rickard, Vice President & Community Manager for the Philadelphia market at J.P. Morgan Chase, to discuss how the Chase West Philadelphia Community Center is redefining what a bank can be. Based at the community center, Tanyika shares how this innovative space serves as a true neighborhood hub—supporting financial health, homeownership, small-business growth, and expanded access to resources for Black and Latino residents in West Philadelphia.
Connect & learn more: Chase West Philadelphia Community Center
📍 15 S. 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
📞 445-888-3664
📸 Instagram: @ChaseBank (Philadelphia community workshops & events)
Segment 3: Tommi A. Vincent – The Table of Life We wrap up with Tommi A. Vincent—thought leader, life coach, and national advocate for survivors. The immediate past Chairwoman of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, board member with Survivor Justice Action and YOUNITY, and co-founder and COO of Vincent Country®, Tommi discusses her debut book, The Table of Life. Blending memoir, recipes, and life lessons, the book explores healing, resilience, and purpose—showing how food, faith, and community can transform lives. Learn more & connect:
🌐 https://www.tommivincent.com
📸 Instagram: @chef_tommi | @vincentcountry
✖️ X: @ChefTommi
📘 The Table of Life — available via her website and major retailers
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine ballad Marl. Today will introduce you
to a gem in West Philly, Chase Banks West Philadelphia
Community Center, a hybrid bank branch and community hub offering
free financial health workshops, small business mentoring, home ownership support,
and a flexible space for local events. Then we speak
(00:22):
with author Tommy A. Vinson about her debut book, The
Table of Life, which blends storytelling, recipes, and hard earned
wisdom into a powerful guide for healing and purpose. But
first today we're speaking with Reverend Carolyn Cavanis, pastor of
the historic Mother Bethel am E Church, the oldest continuously
black owned church property in the United States. Reverend Cavenis
(00:45):
is making history herself as the first woman to lead
this landmark congregation. She joins us to discuss the unveiling
of bells across PA sculpture, part of the America two
fifty PA initiative commemorating the nation's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary,
and what this means from other Bethel Philadelphia and the
legacy of Bishop Richard Allen Well. Reverend cavinists for those
(01:06):
who may not be hearing or may be hearing this
for the first time. What is Bells across PA? What
is that initiative? And how did Mother Bethel become involved?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Sure, so again thank you Lorrain for having me.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Certainly just very honored to come and share about as
we are on the eve of celebrating the two hundred
and fiftieth birthday of America, the Simi Quincentennial, and as
part of the America two fifty PA Commission, which is
a Commonwealth commission that is celebrating across the Commonwealth.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
This is certainly the birthplace of democracy.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
And one of the ways is has been through the
Bells for PA program, which is invited organizations, institutions, communities
who have a sponsor who is very very kind the
sponsor at one such bell in order.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
To uplift the history our uplift you.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Know, certainly the community face around this celebration and so
we are very grateful at Mother Bethel for Missius Steven
Scott Bradley who sponsored our Liberty Bell, which is entitled
Our Freedom Rising, which depicts the story.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
In fact, it tells four stories, if you will.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
But keyamong it is the plight of persons of African descent,
rising above, defying the odds and creating and certainly securing
a legacy of black excellence in this country.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
The Philadelphia Bell was created by artist Gail Gaines. You've
given us a little taste of what it looks like.
But I wonder if you can be more descriptive. If
people were to come to Mother Bethel Amme and take
a look at it, what would they see?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Sure? So you know the first if you will, first
side is what we call the Mothership. It is to
depict the Maafa, the interaction of our ancestors with the
coming to America by way of the slave so to
my off of that coming forth, but by way on
the ship. And it is depicted by conquer shells. And
(03:06):
then we move where above the water they rise. And
then we move to the next frame, which is the
depiction of the eighteen eighty nine building, of the current
building of Mother Bethel A and Me Church, which sits
on the oldest parcel of land, So depicting our sixth Street,
which is our prize, you know, stained glass windows.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Also above the window.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Frame are thirty three beads to depict the I'm sorry,
fifty three beads to depict the fifty three pastors, and
in honor of mind being a point of the first
female pastor, this gains has a little has one of
the one of the gems that's a bit different right
in the middle, and she says, you know they're covering you, Reverend,
you know they've got your back before you. Then we
(03:50):
moved to another the side portion of the bell, which
we call the legacy of Black excellence. So lifting up
names began with Richard Allen Flora Allen, his first wife,
who purchased this plot in seventeen ninety one, along with
him Sarah Allen, his second wife, Absalom Jones, the Great
(04:11):
walkout the first priests of African descent, ordained by the
Episcopal Anglican Movement, lifting up the name of Shadwreck Descent,
lifting up the name of the Still Family, lifting up
the name of Frederick Douglas and Francis Ellen Watkins Harper.
So these tremendous men and women upon whose shoulders we stand.
And then it captures on this next side frame lifting
(04:31):
up let freedom ring, freedom rising with a butterfly to
show again this metamorphosis, this change rising above. And then
a quote by Richard Allen to paraphrase that this is
our mother country wherein our teetars have water. This is
our mother country. And then the dome, the top portion
(04:53):
has the American flag. And so again that although freedom
and dependence, we can say has not fully been realized,
there still is. And certainly in the tradition of our founder,
Richard Allen, who I deem and Kyle a patriot who
stood for the ideals of America, that we believe that
we can rise to what this country upon the pillars
(05:16):
upon which it was written to stand for. We are
just a part of helping to all come and to
be manifested.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
That's a beautiful description. Now, you are the first female
pastor in Mother Bethel's long and storied history. What has
the experience meant to you personally? And how has the
congregation embraced this historic moment.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I am deeply humble, I am deeply privileged.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I am a fourth generation Amy pastor, so to be
at the helm of the Mother Church, the mother of
our denomination. You could have never told me this. Also
to know that I have been entrusted. I am the
sacred caretaker of this rich history, of this sacred ground,
(06:00):
and also the people of this congregation who I have
a debt of gratitude, who for over you know, two
hundred plus years, have been an important part of her care,
her upkeep.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And also that this is the place.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Where you know, we gather, where we you know, baptize
our babies and bury you know, our loved ones.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
And so you know, this.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Has been a uh what I call and we say
every you know, every week to each other, you know,
welcome home. This is Heaven's Gate, the place where heaven
and Earth meet, a place of gathering, a.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Place of love.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
And so that is, you know, and that we have
such import certainly to our denomination, also to our great
city and beyond.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I mean I am amazed.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I mean I had to received a note, you know,
someone from Italy and Reverend We're you know, we would
like to come and visit, Like what are the times
you know, and so to you know, there's such a
that this is hollowed ground. It is a well spring,
you know, it produces, you know, something transformative happens when
you are here. And so to be at the helm,
to be in the big chair, and there's certainly there
(07:11):
are days where I'm like, wow, Carolyn, you're the pastor
of Mother Bethel.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Wow, yeah, that is incredible. Now, Mother Bethel has always
been a center for social justice, spiritual leadership, and community action.
I wonder if you can talk about how this unveiling
continues that tradition certainly.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
So you know, one is that it definitely centers.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
We have deemed our matra, our model for this semiquin
centennial celebration celebrating black excellence from America's beginning. So from
the very beginning you know of this country, albeit if
you want to, you know, certain with the Constitution seventeen
eighty seven, or certain with the independence which we're celebrating
seventeen seventy six, but one could argue even before that
point that person of African descent have a tremendous import
(07:59):
to the status and for the flight for freedom of
this country. That it is important, it is incumbent upon
us to share their stories, to raise their names, and
that also, you know, certainly pay homage to Richard Allen,
Asathon Jones, James Forton, but there are so many others
whose names deserve and must be and that we can
learn from. And so that's what makes me so excited
(08:21):
about this. Are the treasures that we're finding, the names,
you know, the connections. We even on Sunday we ask
members of the congregation if they would be comfortable being
in period peace and so again to depict, to bring
alive you know, these names, these stories, the revolutionary founding era,
and so to be a home of a bell certainly
(08:43):
as we are joining you know one hundred plus others
across the Commonwealth, that we are just as important to
American history as anyone else.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
And that also art allows us right to share. What
is your interpretation?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
What is it that you see or even now you
know the artists miss games, she said, well, revenues or
anything else you want to add anyone else's name, you know.
So there have been a few things that I said,
you know, can we can we work in you know,
the Juneteenth flag for example, Can we add Caroline Lecount's name?
Can we add a fabric from the homeland you know
(09:19):
that I have in my possession.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
So again, how you know this?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
And for and a debt of gratitude to the Bradley
family that this bell will be housed here through perpetuity,
so to know, one hundred, two hundred years from now,
in the same way, that we are the home of
the centennial bust of Richard Allen from eighteen seventy six,
commissioned by Aamme's in Arkansas. So here we are at
(09:44):
the two fiftieth where we have this bell again depicting
and showing and putting, you know again, and the history
we can learn from the interpretations, you know, the many
pictures that were taken and will be taken because we
know there'll be people coming by.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
You know, how many bells did you se?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
You know there's gonna be some competition, you know, So
again that this is our contribution and that.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
We're lifting up how important our history and our story is.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Yeah. Wonderful Reverend Carolyn Cavnis, who is pastor of Historic
Mother Bethel AaB Church, the oldest continuously black owned church
property in this country, making history herself as the first
woman to lead this landmark congregation. She has joined us
to talk about the unveiling of the bells across PA Sculpture,
part of America to fifty PA's initiative commemorating the nation's
(10:33):
two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. Thank you so much for
joining us today.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
It is my incredible pleasure to welcome Tanika Ritcard, vice
President and Community Managers for the Philadelphia market with JP
Morgan Chase. With more than fifteen years of experience in
financial services, Tinnika is driving the bank's effort to be
more than a financial institution, to become a trusted community partner.
Her work in West Philadelphia through the Chase Community Center
(11:03):
branch at fifty second in market is focused on financial health,
home ownership, and small business support, creating access to resources
for black and Latino residents and we are delighted to
learn more about her vision, the impact of the center
and what is ahead. Well, thank you so much for
joining us today. And of course we do have to
mention Chase's partnership with iHeart, in particular our station Power
(11:25):
ninety nine where Chase is underwriting Hometown Heroes and that
is a program to provide one thousand dollars to nonprofit
organizations and community leaders who are doing good work. And
we just had a chance to give out one thousand
dollars to a nonprofit. So, Dinnika, that does make your
job really fun, right, it does. I enjoy my job
so much.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
I really enjoy being able to amplify persons in the
community who are doing the heavy lifting and have been
doing it for years, and they've done the work prior
to us coming to Philadelphia, So we really appreciate the
opportunity to shine a light on the work that they're
doing and thank them for it.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
We're very grateful for Chase's sponsorship. But also let's talk
about the community centers that Chase provides. Chase Community Center
branch in West Philadelphia. Talk about the model, because it's
really quite unique and it's kind of different from what
banks are usually known for sure.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
So we now have twenty community centers across the country
and Philadelphia was one of the cities who was chosen
to have a community center. The address for that is
fifteen South fifty second Street, so we sit right under
the fifty second Street l and that model is a
traditional bank branch with a community room associated with it
attached to it. From that room, we're able to deliver
(12:35):
programming based on our four pillars, and to your point,
those four pillars home ownership, small business, workforce development, and
financial health. I deliver content in the financial health space.
Of those four pillars, we have community home lending advisors
and home lending advisors, and there's also Senior Business Consultants.
They focus on the home ownership pillar and the small
(12:56):
business pillar.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
I was able to go to one of your sessions
and I was very impressed with number one, how many
people pack that room. I mean, it was well attended
and it was really highlighting young entrepreneurs who are making
a difference and have received support financial and also just
advice wise from Chase and I wonder if you can
talk about some of the pressing challenges that you're seeing
(13:18):
in local community around financial health, home ownership, and small
business growth and how's your team addressing them through the center.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
So some of the pressing challenges that we see as
a release to small business access to capital. How are
we addressing access to capital? You need that in order
to grow your business. So when you want to scale
a business, where do the funds come from? So our
Senior Business Consultants is a free coaching program one to
one and they help you determine where the holes are
in your business and help you plug those holes so
(13:47):
that you can now scale. So access to capital is
one of the barriers as released to small business, and
then sometimes just not knowing what you need to grow
so they help you think a little bit differently as
they listen to your story. Their responsibility and their role
is where can we help you improve? So even if
it's not capital, maybe it's something else. Maybe it's marketing.
So the small business workshops that we host in that
(14:09):
space every third Wednesday is a networking opportunity and your
solve just might be in the room that day, So
we encourage you to tap into our small business workshops.
Another hurdle as it release to home ownership, sometimes there
just isn't enough money for closing down payment. We educate
you on down payment assistance that's available, our five thousand
dollars closing cost credit that can be layered with other
(14:31):
products that are offered with from the city down payment
assistance programs. So we have seasoned professionals who know what
you need and come point you in the right direction.
And we do a great job at partnering with organizations
in the city so that our blows really count.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
You're right, I think a lot of times people just
don't know what they don't know. They don't even know
what the questions are to ask, and that's what the
Community Center really provides. Now, the workspace at the branch
hosts workshops, pop ups, and community events. Can you to
share a recent success story or meaningful moment from one
of these events?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (15:04):
So one of our most recent events. October was a
busy month for us, so we had several events we
host every year, something called Creator Fest, and that is
to bring content creators who want to monetize and do
this full time or even if you're doing it part time.
So we brought together a group of creators so that
they can exchange ideas. There was a panel discussion, how
(15:25):
are you monetizing? What do brand deals look like? How
do I get involved with brand deals? So great information
was provided to creators and we partnered with Sunkiss, who
was one of our community partners. We had another event
where you all joined US founders in Philadelphia and it
was a well attended event. The goal for that was
to educate from a funding perspective, what are funders looking like?
(15:49):
What is the bank thinking? We want to teach you
to think like the bank so that you are successful
in your interactions when you need access to capital, when
you need marketing materials. The goal is to make sure
that you understand how to think like the bank and
then you also heard from a panel of persons who
are owning their own business and they are founders. What
channels have they used in order to obtain access to capital?
(16:11):
So they gave you their experience. We gave you our
experience from a funder's perspective, so that you had a
well rounded education when you left. And the goal is
that we have actionable items, something you can take action
on the day you leave our workshops to make your
business grow, consumer life easier, even if it's budgeted savings
and credit. We're going to tell you exactly what you
(16:32):
need to know in those spaces as well.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Looking ahead, what are some of the next major initiatives
or partnerships. The center is planning to deepen its impact
over the next year.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
In planning for twenty twenty six, we are going to
continue the cadence that we have as it relates to
small business workshops because we have found that it works.
It is a really good networking space to grow your
business and to hopefully meet the person that you need
who is going to grow your business and you can
grow theirs. So we're going to get tinue with that cadence.
Every third Wednesday of the month, we are also going
(17:03):
to dig deeper with our partnerships from a organizational partnerships perspective.
We host workforce development workshops in West Philadelphia. So, if
you service a workforce development program and you would like
those persons to learn about budget savings, credit, reach out
to us. We are open to welcome you into the
room and we can have those sessions. So as it
(17:24):
relates to the workforce development component, what we have seen
that works is bringing organizations who focus on workforce development
cohorts bring them into the West Philadelphia branch so that
we can now teach you how to save the money
that you are now earning. Workforce development often puts you
in a position where you're earning more money.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
What do I do with it?
Speaker 2 (17:44):
How do I invest?
Speaker 4 (17:45):
So we are going to focus on saving budget, credit, investing, retiring, well,
how do we do that right? So we are focused
on those initiatives.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
That's great for folks who are interested. How can someone
get involved with the centers program or even reserve the
community room space. What's the best way for them to
connect with you and your team?
Speaker 4 (18:06):
The best way to connect with me and my team
email me directly. I will provide my email address it's long.
It's Tanika t A n Yika dot r I ck
A r D at Chase dot com. Send me an
email or come into our West Philadelphia branch. You can
let the branch manager know the staff there. No I
(18:27):
need to speak to Tanka about reserving the room and
they'll put you in contact. We'll also follow up with
you and let you know what we have going on
every single month. Is there a website you can utilize
Chase dot com. There is information on our website Chase
dot com. However, as it relates to events in the branch.
Our branch staff across the city, they have access to
(18:48):
our events and they can invite you through emails, and
we also invite you myself through email. So we will
stay in contact with you, and please tap into any
of our branches in Philadelphia. They'll be able to tell
you what's going on in the community room in West Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Fantastic. Well, it's an absolute gem, a real contribution to
not only West Philadelphia but the city of Philadelphia. For
those out there who are looking to achieve the American dream,
which is home ownership or maybe even owning your own business,
this community center is there for you. Tanika works in
West Philadelphia through the Chase Community Center branch at fifty
second in market, focusing on financial health, home ownership, small
(19:25):
business support, and creating access to resources for all anyone
who needs that help. They're there for you. And we
are absolutely delighted for our partnership with Chase in the
Hometown Heroes program, which provides one thousand dollars that are
from organizations to organizations nominated by listeners. And every time
we bring the nonprofit in, we always cry a little
(19:48):
bit because it is so beautiful to see the positive
things that people are doing in our community and to
be able to reward them with one thousand dollars is
just absolutely priceless, and we thank you for giving us
that opportunity to share that capital for those nonprofits who
very desperately need it.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Right now, we encourage our nonprofits tap in with us.
We are actually working with you all in twenty twenty
six as well. Please tap in with us.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Okay, beautiful, thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
You're welcome.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Today we're joined by Tommy a Vincent thought leader, life coach,
and powerful advocate for women. She is the immediate past
chairwoman of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a board member
for Survivor Justice, Action and Unity, and co founder and
COO of Vincent Country. Her debut book, The Table of Life,
(20:40):
blends storytelling, recipes, and hard earned wisdom into a guide
for healing and purpose. We'll talk about her journey, her advocacy,
and how food and faith come together to transform lives. Well,
thanks so much for joining us in congratulations on your book.
So for listeners who are just hearing about it, what
is spampired you to bring together memoir, life, lessons and
(21:04):
recipes into this one powerful collection.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Yeah, so thank you, Lorraine. The Table of Life, the
book itself, is really geared towards teaching the reader how
to build their own tables, one dish at a time,
using all of the ingredients of their life. And so
in the book, I am demonstrating that through my own
personal storytelling and the lessons that I've learned along the way.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
You talk about the ingredients of life, resilience, faith, courage, forgiveness,
and love. Which of these ingredients was the hardest one
for you and how does it show up in your story?
Speaker 5 (21:38):
I would say the most challenging of those ingredients is
the love component. And I say that because we are
it is easier for us to love other people than
it is for us to love ourselves. And my journey
was that of me learning how to love myself, to
value myself, and to know that I am worthy. And
(22:00):
that is something that I am relentless about in my
opportunity to speak to other people and just really instilling
in them that they are just worthy just because you know,
we don't have to work for worthiness. We are worthy
just because and how we love ourselves, it allows for
us to also love other people.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
I love what you're advocating because in this time of
social media and everyone connecting through social media and the
Internet and all that face to face contact and gatherings
like the kinds that you propose, I believe are more
important now than ever before. Now. In your Table of
Life dinner series, you bring the book to life through food,
(22:42):
storytelling and sisterhood. Tell us what happens at these gatherings
and why is creating safe spaces for women so important
to you?
Speaker 5 (22:49):
Well, Cooking saved my life and I talk about that
in the book. When I had a major bout of depression,
I found myself cooking my way through healing. In addition
to therapy. So to be clear, I did a lot
of therapy. And then one of my tools, my anchorings,
was getting in the kitchen and it was cooking. And
I found that when you get people to the table,
(23:10):
you present an opportunity to conduct a pulse check. So
you can look people in their face, you can hear
the trembling in their voices, you can see the smiles
on their faces, you could see the tears rolling down
their eyes, and you can look and see does anyone
here need any resuscitation. So the dinners, the Table of
Life dinner series is allowing me to move around the
country and sit at tables with women and I get
(23:33):
to hear their stories and even just the aspect of
being heard, you know, being seen and being heard, and
that in itself is conveying that you matter. And so
these dinners allow for us to not only be fed
in our bodies and our bellies, but it also is
a feeding and a healing of our souls.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
You have talked about being a survivor of domestic violence
and a national leader in this space, including surveying as
the immediate past chairwoman of the National Domestic Violence Hotline,
which is so incredibly important. How does your advoacy work
intersect with the themes of healing and empowerment in this book?
Speaker 5 (24:09):
You know when someone is in an abuse of relationship?
I would venture to say, at least from my own
personal experience, you don't see it as such. I know
for myself, I grew up in a family culture where
there was a prevalence of violence and relationships, so for
me it was very normal, and so I just believe
it is extremely important that we are able to dismantle
(24:31):
any misconceptions of terms and definitions, especially where relationships are concerned.
And when we're able to do that, we come back
to that space again of self love, because real love
does not hurt intentionally.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Vincent Country has become a major platform for faith, family,
and food. How do you and your husband, Troy Vincent
use this brand to support family strength and communities and
advanced conversations about gender based violence.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
It's it's a multi prong approach where we are engaging
and one we're modeling a healthy relationship. We believe that
some things are better caught than taught, so by us
putting our family forward, we are presenting an option that
people can see what a healthy relationship looks like, So
if they don't have one currently that they're looking at
(25:23):
to emulate, they can see that in us. And then
we take that even a step further with our events
and commission and partnership with Niagara University where we are
conducting a research some research there where we're really trying
to understand how people are defining abuse and understanding abuse.
Like I mentioned to you, for myself personally, I grew
(25:44):
up in an atmosphere where there was a violence present
in multiple relationships, and so I never would have thought
that there was something wrong with the relationships I was
engaging in. So what do people will believe abuse to be?
Because if you think it's normal, then abuse is okay
(26:05):
as we have it defined, but that's not how you're
defining it. So we want to get into the minds
of young people to understand what are they believing, so
we can develop a tool where they're able to shift
the definition that is incorrect towards the one that is
correct and so they can start loving healthy in relationships.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
I'm sure there are going to be a lot of
women and also men as well who are listening who
are currently in abusive relationships, and as you and I
both know it's a struggle and it's a journey, and
it's one that can be very difficult for individuals when
it comes to struggling with self worth, trauma, or simply
(26:48):
finding balance. So what do you hope they take away
from the Table of Life and how can they begin
to create their own table with intention and gratitude.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
I'm hoping that when the reader has an opportunity to
be nourished off the pages of the Table of Life,
that they walk away knowing that every ingredient in their
life has the opportunity to build a one of a
kind dish that is them. I am not the woman
I am today without my experiences. While many of them
(27:20):
were challenging, many of them created obstacles that I had
to understand so that those obstacles could transform into stepping stones.
I am not the woman I am today without them.
And there were many times in my life where I
was tucking away aspects of who I was because I
thought they would disqualify me from being in rooms and
(27:42):
at tables. And as I'm matured and I came to
love myself, I realized that the things that I thought
were my disqualifiers were actually my qualifiers, and so I
want the readers to know there is nothing in your
life that causes you to not be worthy. We can
walk into the lives that God has given us and
we can use all of those ingredients and we can
(28:04):
become exactly who He created.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
Us to be.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
Love that. If people would like to get a copy
of your book, The Table of Life, or if they'd
like to connect with you in all the different ways
that you make available, how do they do that?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (28:19):
So you can purchase The Table of Life on Amazon
and Barnes and Noble. You can also go to my
website which is TOMMYV dot com and that's Tommy Tommi
v dot com and I am on social media at
Chef Tommy V. Again, that's Tommy t Mmi.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
The Table of Life is the name of the book
which blends storytelling, recipes, and hard earned wisdom into a
guide for healing and purpose. We've been speaking with Tommy,
a vincent thought leader, life coach, and powerful advocate for women.
Thank you so much for joining us here today.
Speaker 5 (28:55):
Thank you, Lorraye.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app ye Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard morel and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:17):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
Good morning and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine ballad Marl. Today will introduce you
to a gem in West Philly, Chase Banks West Philadelphia
Community Center, a hybrid bank branch and community hub offering
free financial health workshops, small business mentoring, home ownership support,
and a flexible space for local events. Then we speak
(00:22):
with author Tommy A. Vinson about her debut book, The
Table of Life, which blends storytelling, recipes, and hard earned
wisdom into a powerful guide for healing and purpose. But
first today we're speaking with Reverend Carolyn Cavanis, pastor of
the historic Mother Bethel am E Church, the oldest continuously
black owned church property in the United States. Reverend Cavenis
(00:45):
is making history herself as the first woman to lead
this landmark congregation. She joins us to discuss the unveiling
of bells across PA sculpture, part of the America two
fifty PA initiative commemorating the nation's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary,
and what this means from other Bethel Philadelphia and the
legacy of Bishop Richard Allen Well. Reverend cavinists for those
(01:06):
who may not be hearing or may be hearing this
for the first time. What is Bells across PA? What
is that initiative? And how did Mother Bethel become involved?
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Sure, so again thank you Lorrain for having me.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Certainly just very honored to come and share about as
we are on the eve of celebrating the two hundred
and fiftieth birthday of America, the Simi Quincentennial, and as
part of the America two fifty PA Commission, which is
a Commonwealth commission that is celebrating across the Commonwealth.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
This is certainly the birthplace of democracy.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
And one of the ways is has been through the
Bells for PA program, which is invited organizations, institutions, communities
who have a sponsor who is very very kind the
sponsor at one such bell in order.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
To uplift the history our uplift you.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Know, certainly the community face around this celebration and so
we are very grateful at Mother Bethel for Missius Steven
Scott Bradley who sponsored our Liberty Bell, which is entitled
Our Freedom Rising, which depicts the story.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
In fact, it tells four stories, if you will.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
But keyamong it is the plight of persons of African descent,
rising above, defying the odds and creating and certainly securing
a legacy of black excellence in this country.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
The Philadelphia Bell was created by artist Gail Gaines. You've
given us a little taste of what it looks like.
But I wonder if you can be more descriptive. If
people were to come to Mother Bethel Amme and take
a look at it, what would they see?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Sure? So you know the first if you will, first
side is what we call the Mothership. It is to
depict the Maafa, the interaction of our ancestors with the
coming to America by way of the slave so to
my off of that coming forth, but by way on
the ship. And it is depicted by conquer shells. And
(03:06):
then we move where above the water they rise. And
then we move to the next frame, which is the
depiction of the eighteen eighty nine building, of the current
building of Mother Bethel A and Me Church, which sits
on the oldest parcel of land, So depicting our sixth Street,
which is our prize, you know, stained glass windows.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Also above the window.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Frame are thirty three beads to depict the I'm sorry,
fifty three beads to depict the fifty three pastors, and
in honor of mind being a point of the first
female pastor, this gains has a little has one of
the one of the gems that's a bit different right
in the middle, and she says, you know they're covering you, Reverend,
you know they've got your back before you. Then we
(03:50):
moved to another the side portion of the bell, which
we call the legacy of Black excellence. So lifting up
names began with Richard Allen Flora Allen, his first wife,
who purchased this plot in seventeen ninety one, along with
him Sarah Allen, his second wife, Absalom Jones, the Great
(04:11):
walkout the first priests of African descent, ordained by the
Episcopal Anglican Movement, lifting up the name of Shadwreck Descent,
lifting up the name of the Still Family, lifting up
the name of Frederick Douglas and Francis Ellen Watkins Harper.
So these tremendous men and women upon whose shoulders we stand.
And then it captures on this next side frame lifting
(04:31):
up let freedom ring, freedom rising with a butterfly to
show again this metamorphosis, this change rising above. And then
a quote by Richard Allen to paraphrase that this is
our mother country wherein our teetars have water. This is
our mother country. And then the dome, the top portion
(04:53):
has the American flag. And so again that although freedom
and dependence, we can say has not fully been realized,
there still is. And certainly in the tradition of our founder,
Richard Allen, who I deem and Kyle a patriot who
stood for the ideals of America, that we believe that
we can rise to what this country upon the pillars
(05:16):
upon which it was written to stand for. We are
just a part of helping to all come and to
be manifested.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
That's a beautiful description. Now, you are the first female
pastor in Mother Bethel's long and storied history. What has
the experience meant to you personally? And how has the
congregation embraced this historic moment.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I am deeply humble, I am deeply privileged.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I am a fourth generation Amy pastor, so to be
at the helm of the Mother Church, the mother of
our denomination. You could have never told me this. Also
to know that I have been entrusted. I am the
sacred caretaker of this rich history, of this sacred ground,
(06:00):
and also the people of this congregation who I have
a debt of gratitude, who for over you know, two
hundred plus years, have been an important part of her care,
her upkeep.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And also that this is the place.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Where you know, we gather, where we you know, baptize
our babies and bury you know, our loved ones.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
And so you know, this.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Has been a uh what I call and we say
every you know, every week to each other, you know,
welcome home. This is Heaven's Gate, the place where heaven
and Earth meet, a place of gathering, a.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Place of love.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
And so that is, you know, and that we have
such import certainly to our denomination, also to our great
city and beyond.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I mean I am amazed.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I mean I had to received a note, you know,
someone from Italy and Reverend We're you know, we would
like to come and visit, Like what are the times
you know, and so to you know, there's such a
that this is hollowed ground. It is a well spring,
you know, it produces, you know, something transformative happens when
you are here. And so to be at the helm,
to be in the big chair, and there's certainly there
(07:11):
are days where I'm like, wow, Carolyn, you're the pastor
of Mother Bethel.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Wow, yeah, that is incredible. Now, Mother Bethel has always
been a center for social justice, spiritual leadership, and community action.
I wonder if you can talk about how this unveiling
continues that tradition certainly.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
So you know, one is that it definitely centers.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
We have deemed our matra, our model for this semiquin
centennial celebration celebrating black excellence from America's beginning. So from
the very beginning you know of this country, albeit if
you want to, you know, certain with the Constitution seventeen
eighty seven, or certain with the independence which we're celebrating
seventeen seventy six, but one could argue even before that
point that person of African descent have a tremendous import
(07:59):
to the status and for the flight for freedom of
this country. That it is important, it is incumbent upon
us to share their stories, to raise their names, and
that also, you know, certainly pay homage to Richard Allen,
Asathon Jones, James Forton, but there are so many others
whose names deserve and must be and that we can
learn from. And so that's what makes me so excited
(08:21):
about this. Are the treasures that we're finding, the names,
you know, the connections. We even on Sunday we ask
members of the congregation if they would be comfortable being
in period peace and so again to depict, to bring
alive you know, these names, these stories, the revolutionary founding era,
and so to be a home of a bell certainly
(08:43):
as we are joining you know one hundred plus others
across the Commonwealth, that we are just as important to
American history as anyone else.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
And that also art allows us right to share. What
is your interpretation?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
What is it that you see or even now you
know the artists miss games, she said, well, revenues or
anything else you want to add anyone else's name, you know.
So there have been a few things that I said,
you know, can we can we work in you know,
the Juneteenth flag for example, Can we add Caroline Lecount's name?
Can we add a fabric from the homeland you know
(09:19):
that I have in my possession.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
So again, how you know this?
Speaker 3 (09:23):
And for and a debt of gratitude to the Bradley
family that this bell will be housed here through perpetuity,
so to know, one hundred, two hundred years from now,
in the same way, that we are the home of
the centennial bust of Richard Allen from eighteen seventy six,
commissioned by Aamme's in Arkansas. So here we are at
(09:44):
the two fiftieth where we have this bell again depicting
and showing and putting, you know again, and the history
we can learn from the interpretations, you know, the many
pictures that were taken and will be taken because we
know there'll be people coming by.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
You know, how many bells did you se?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
You know there's gonna be some competition, you know, So
again that this is our contribution and that.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
We're lifting up how important our history and our story is.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Yeah. Wonderful Reverend Carolyn Cavnis, who is pastor of Historic
Mother Bethel AaB Church, the oldest continuously black owned church
property in this country, making history herself as the first
woman to lead this landmark congregation. She has joined us
to talk about the unveiling of the bells across PA Sculpture,
part of America to fifty PA's initiative commemorating the nation's
(10:33):
two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. Thank you so much for
joining us today.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
It is my incredible pleasure to welcome Tanika Ritcard, vice
President and Community Managers for the Philadelphia market with JP
Morgan Chase. With more than fifteen years of experience in
financial services, Tinnika is driving the bank's effort to be
more than a financial institution, to become a trusted community partner.
Her work in West Philadelphia through the Chase Community Center
(11:03):
branch at fifty second in market is focused on financial health,
home ownership, and small business support, creating access to resources
for black and Latino residents and we are delighted to
learn more about her vision, the impact of the center
and what is ahead. Well, thank you so much for
joining us today. And of course we do have to
mention Chase's partnership with iHeart, in particular our station Power
(11:25):
ninety nine where Chase is underwriting Hometown Heroes and that
is a program to provide one thousand dollars to nonprofit
organizations and community leaders who are doing good work. And
we just had a chance to give out one thousand
dollars to a nonprofit. So, Dinnika, that does make your
job really fun, right, it does. I enjoy my job
so much.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
I really enjoy being able to amplify persons in the
community who are doing the heavy lifting and have been
doing it for years, and they've done the work prior
to us coming to Philadelphia, So we really appreciate the
opportunity to shine a light on the work that they're
doing and thank them for it.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
We're very grateful for Chase's sponsorship. But also let's talk
about the community centers that Chase provides. Chase Community Center
branch in West Philadelphia. Talk about the model, because it's
really quite unique and it's kind of different from what
banks are usually known for sure.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
So we now have twenty community centers across the country
and Philadelphia was one of the cities who was chosen
to have a community center. The address for that is
fifteen South fifty second Street, so we sit right under
the fifty second Street l and that model is a
traditional bank branch with a community room associated with it
attached to it. From that room, we're able to deliver
(12:35):
programming based on our four pillars, and to your point,
those four pillars home ownership, small business, workforce development, and
financial health. I deliver content in the financial health space.
Of those four pillars, we have community home lending advisors
and home lending advisors, and there's also Senior Business Consultants.
They focus on the home ownership pillar and the small
(12:56):
business pillar.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
I was able to go to one of your sessions
and I was very impressed with number one, how many
people pack that room. I mean, it was well attended
and it was really highlighting young entrepreneurs who are making
a difference and have received support financial and also just
advice wise from Chase and I wonder if you can
talk about some of the pressing challenges that you're seeing
(13:18):
in local community around financial health, home ownership, and small
business growth and how's your team addressing them through the center.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
So some of the pressing challenges that we see as
a release to small business access to capital. How are
we addressing access to capital? You need that in order
to grow your business. So when you want to scale
a business, where do the funds come from? So our
Senior Business Consultants is a free coaching program one to
one and they help you determine where the holes are
in your business and help you plug those holes so
(13:47):
that you can now scale. So access to capital is
one of the barriers as released to small business, and
then sometimes just not knowing what you need to grow
so they help you think a little bit differently as
they listen to your story. Their responsibility and their role
is where can we help you improve? So even if
it's not capital, maybe it's something else. Maybe it's marketing.
So the small business workshops that we host in that
(14:09):
space every third Wednesday is a networking opportunity and your
solve just might be in the room that day, So
we encourage you to tap into our small business workshops.
Another hurdle as it release to home ownership, sometimes there
just isn't enough money for closing down payment. We educate
you on down payment assistance that's available, our five thousand
dollars closing cost credit that can be layered with other
(14:31):
products that are offered with from the city down payment
assistance programs. So we have seasoned professionals who know what
you need and come point you in the right direction.
And we do a great job at partnering with organizations
in the city so that our blows really count.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
You're right, I think a lot of times people just
don't know what they don't know. They don't even know
what the questions are to ask, and that's what the
Community Center really provides. Now, the workspace at the branch
hosts workshops, pop ups, and community events. Can you to
share a recent success story or meaningful moment from one
of these events?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (15:04):
So one of our most recent events. October was a
busy month for us, so we had several events we
host every year, something called Creator Fest, and that is
to bring content creators who want to monetize and do
this full time or even if you're doing it part time.
So we brought together a group of creators so that
they can exchange ideas. There was a panel discussion, how
(15:25):
are you monetizing? What do brand deals look like? How
do I get involved with brand deals? So great information
was provided to creators and we partnered with Sunkiss, who
was one of our community partners. We had another event
where you all joined US founders in Philadelphia and it
was a well attended event. The goal for that was
to educate from a funding perspective, what are funders looking like?
(15:49):
What is the bank thinking? We want to teach you
to think like the bank so that you are successful
in your interactions when you need access to capital, when
you need marketing materials. The goal is to make sure
that you understand how to think like the bank and
then you also heard from a panel of persons who
are owning their own business and they are founders. What
channels have they used in order to obtain access to capital?
(16:11):
So they gave you their experience. We gave you our
experience from a funder's perspective, so that you had a
well rounded education when you left. And the goal is
that we have actionable items, something you can take action
on the day you leave our workshops to make your
business grow, consumer life easier, even if it's budgeted savings
and credit. We're going to tell you exactly what you
(16:32):
need to know in those spaces as well.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Looking ahead, what are some of the next major initiatives
or partnerships. The center is planning to deepen its impact
over the next year.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
In planning for twenty twenty six, we are going to
continue the cadence that we have as it relates to
small business workshops because we have found that it works.
It is a really good networking space to grow your
business and to hopefully meet the person that you need
who is going to grow your business and you can
grow theirs. So we're going to get tinue with that cadence.
Every third Wednesday of the month, we are also going
(17:03):
to dig deeper with our partnerships from a organizational partnerships perspective.
We host workforce development workshops in West Philadelphia. So, if
you service a workforce development program and you would like
those persons to learn about budget savings, credit, reach out
to us. We are open to welcome you into the
room and we can have those sessions. So as it
(17:24):
relates to the workforce development component, what we have seen
that works is bringing organizations who focus on workforce development
cohorts bring them into the West Philadelphia branch so that
we can now teach you how to save the money
that you are now earning. Workforce development often puts you
in a position where you're earning more money.
Speaker 1 (17:43):
What do I do with it?
Speaker 2 (17:44):
How do I invest?
Speaker 4 (17:45):
So we are going to focus on saving budget, credit, investing, retiring, well,
how do we do that right? So we are focused
on those initiatives.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
That's great for folks who are interested. How can someone
get involved with the centers program or even reserve the
community room space. What's the best way for them to
connect with you and your team?
Speaker 4 (18:06):
The best way to connect with me and my team
email me directly. I will provide my email address it's long.
It's Tanika t A n Yika dot r I ck
A r D at Chase dot com. Send me an
email or come into our West Philadelphia branch. You can
let the branch manager know the staff there. No I
(18:27):
need to speak to Tanka about reserving the room and
they'll put you in contact. We'll also follow up with
you and let you know what we have going on
every single month. Is there a website you can utilize
Chase dot com. There is information on our website Chase
dot com. However, as it relates to events in the branch.
Our branch staff across the city, they have access to
(18:48):
our events and they can invite you through emails, and
we also invite you myself through email. So we will
stay in contact with you, and please tap into any
of our branches in Philadelphia. They'll be able to tell
you what's going on in the community room in West Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Fantastic. Well, it's an absolute gem, a real contribution to
not only West Philadelphia but the city of Philadelphia. For
those out there who are looking to achieve the American dream,
which is home ownership or maybe even owning your own business,
this community center is there for you. Tanika works in
West Philadelphia through the Chase Community Center branch at fifty
second in market, focusing on financial health, home ownership, small
(19:25):
business support, and creating access to resources for all anyone
who needs that help. They're there for you. And we
are absolutely delighted for our partnership with Chase in the
Hometown Heroes program, which provides one thousand dollars that are
from organizations to organizations nominated by listeners. And every time
we bring the nonprofit in, we always cry a little
(19:48):
bit because it is so beautiful to see the positive
things that people are doing in our community and to
be able to reward them with one thousand dollars is
just absolutely priceless, and we thank you for giving us
that opportunity to share that capital for those nonprofits who
very desperately need it.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Right now, we encourage our nonprofits tap in with us.
We are actually working with you all in twenty twenty
six as well. Please tap in with us.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Okay, beautiful, thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
You're welcome.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Today we're joined by Tommy a Vincent thought leader, life coach,
and powerful advocate for women. She is the immediate past
chairwoman of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a board member
for Survivor Justice, Action and Unity, and co founder and
COO of Vincent Country. Her debut book, The Table of Life,
(20:40):
blends storytelling, recipes, and hard earned wisdom into a guide
for healing and purpose. We'll talk about her journey, her advocacy,
and how food and faith come together to transform lives. Well,
thanks so much for joining us in congratulations on your book.
So for listeners who are just hearing about it, what
is spampired you to bring together memoir, life, lessons and
(21:04):
recipes into this one powerful collection.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
Yeah, so thank you, Lorraine. The Table of Life, the
book itself, is really geared towards teaching the reader how
to build their own tables, one dish at a time,
using all of the ingredients of their life. And so
in the book, I am demonstrating that through my own
personal storytelling and the lessons that I've learned along the way.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
You talk about the ingredients of life, resilience, faith, courage, forgiveness,
and love. Which of these ingredients was the hardest one
for you and how does it show up in your story?
Speaker 5 (21:38):
I would say the most challenging of those ingredients is
the love component. And I say that because we are
it is easier for us to love other people than
it is for us to love ourselves. And my journey
was that of me learning how to love myself, to
value myself, and to know that I am worthy. And
(22:00):
that is something that I am relentless about in my
opportunity to speak to other people and just really instilling
in them that they are just worthy just because you know,
we don't have to work for worthiness. We are worthy
just because and how we love ourselves, it allows for
us to also love other people.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
I love what you're advocating because in this time of
social media and everyone connecting through social media and the
Internet and all that face to face contact and gatherings
like the kinds that you propose, I believe are more
important now than ever before. Now. In your Table of
Life dinner series, you bring the book to life through food,
(22:42):
storytelling and sisterhood. Tell us what happens at these gatherings
and why is creating safe spaces for women so important
to you?
Speaker 5 (22:49):
Well, Cooking saved my life and I talk about that
in the book. When I had a major bout of depression,
I found myself cooking my way through healing. In addition
to therapy. So to be clear, I did a lot
of therapy. And then one of my tools, my anchorings,
was getting in the kitchen and it was cooking. And
I found that when you get people to the table,
(23:10):
you present an opportunity to conduct a pulse check. So
you can look people in their face, you can hear
the trembling in their voices, you can see the smiles
on their faces, you could see the tears rolling down
their eyes, and you can look and see does anyone
here need any resuscitation. So the dinners, the Table of
Life dinner series is allowing me to move around the
country and sit at tables with women and I get
(23:33):
to hear their stories and even just the aspect of
being heard, you know, being seen and being heard, and
that in itself is conveying that you matter. And so
these dinners allow for us to not only be fed
in our bodies and our bellies, but it also is
a feeding and a healing of our souls.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
You have talked about being a survivor of domestic violence
and a national leader in this space, including surveying as
the immediate past chairwoman of the National Domestic Violence Hotline,
which is so incredibly important. How does your advoacy work
intersect with the themes of healing and empowerment in this book?
Speaker 5 (24:09):
You know when someone is in an abuse of relationship?
I would venture to say, at least from my own
personal experience, you don't see it as such. I know
for myself, I grew up in a family culture where
there was a prevalence of violence and relationships, so for
me it was very normal, and so I just believe
it is extremely important that we are able to dismantle
(24:31):
any misconceptions of terms and definitions, especially where relationships are concerned.
And when we're able to do that, we come back
to that space again of self love, because real love
does not hurt intentionally.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Vincent Country has become a major platform for faith, family,
and food. How do you and your husband, Troy Vincent
use this brand to support family strength and communities and
advanced conversations about gender based violence.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
It's it's a multi prong approach where we are engaging
and one we're modeling a healthy relationship. We believe that
some things are better caught than taught, so by us
putting our family forward, we are presenting an option that
people can see what a healthy relationship looks like, So
if they don't have one currently that they're looking at
(25:23):
to emulate, they can see that in us. And then
we take that even a step further with our events
and commission and partnership with Niagara University where we are
conducting a research some research there where we're really trying
to understand how people are defining abuse and understanding abuse.
Like I mentioned to you, for myself personally, I grew
(25:44):
up in an atmosphere where there was a violence present
in multiple relationships, and so I never would have thought
that there was something wrong with the relationships I was
engaging in. So what do people will believe abuse to be?
Because if you think it's normal, then abuse is okay
(26:05):
as we have it defined, but that's not how you're
defining it. So we want to get into the minds
of young people to understand what are they believing, so
we can develop a tool where they're able to shift
the definition that is incorrect towards the one that is
correct and so they can start loving healthy in relationships.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
I'm sure there are going to be a lot of
women and also men as well who are listening who
are currently in abusive relationships, and as you and I
both know it's a struggle and it's a journey, and
it's one that can be very difficult for individuals when
it comes to struggling with self worth, trauma, or simply
(26:48):
finding balance. So what do you hope they take away
from the Table of Life and how can they begin
to create their own table with intention and gratitude.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
I'm hoping that when the reader has an opportunity to
be nourished off the pages of the Table of Life,
that they walk away knowing that every ingredient in their
life has the opportunity to build a one of a
kind dish that is them. I am not the woman
I am today without my experiences. While many of them
(27:20):
were challenging, many of them created obstacles that I had
to understand so that those obstacles could transform into stepping stones.
I am not the woman I am today without them.
And there were many times in my life where I
was tucking away aspects of who I was because I
thought they would disqualify me from being in rooms and
(27:42):
at tables. And as I'm matured and I came to
love myself, I realized that the things that I thought
were my disqualifiers were actually my qualifiers, and so I
want the readers to know there is nothing in your
life that causes you to not be worthy. We can
walk into the lives that God has given us and
we can use all of those ingredients and we can
(28:04):
become exactly who He created.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
Us to be.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
Love that. If people would like to get a copy
of your book, The Table of Life, or if they'd
like to connect with you in all the different ways
that you make available, how do they do that?
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (28:19):
So you can purchase The Table of Life on Amazon
and Barnes and Noble. You can also go to my
website which is TOMMYV dot com and that's Tommy Tommi
v dot com and I am on social media at
Chef Tommy V. Again, that's Tommy t Mmi.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
The Table of Life is the name of the book
which blends storytelling, recipes, and hard earned wisdom into a
guide for healing and purpose. We've been speaking with Tommy,
a vincent thought leader, life coach, and powerful advocate for women.
Thank you so much for joining us here today.
Speaker 5 (28:55):
Thank you, Lorraye.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app ye Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard morel and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:17):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
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