Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to community viewpoints. As Shawnee feeling blessed and highly favored.
On this Sunday morning, we are celebrating and highlighting women
in the community doing the work for Women's History Month.
So today I have Keisha Dean. She is here on
the line with me and Keisha, good morning. How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Good morning, Shawnie. I am great, how are you? You know?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Blessed that I could include all of the women that
are doing amazing jobs and in the community. So first
of all, before we get started about what you do
to empower our young minds, tell us a little something
about Keisha Dean again.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
I am Keisha Dean. I am originally from Jacksonville, Florida.
I am a proud graduate of William and Braine's High
School class of nineteen ninety three, so shout out to
my classmates. I lived in Atlanta for thirteen years and
I came back to Jacksonville to be closer to my son,
(01:00):
who is married at a high school graduate, a college grad,
and I needed to be closer to him who's in Savannah.
But I am just a people person. I'm a people person.
I love people. I love seeing people smile. I love
seeing people grow. I like to laugh. I'm just that
bubbly person I think that will just walk into a
(01:23):
room and just change the atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
And you should talk to us and tell us.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
You said that you're from Jacksonville, So tell us did
you go to college?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
What did you study in college?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I did go to college, but I actually was a
late college student, so I went to college in Atlanta, Georgia.
I'm a graduate of Mercer University and I have a
degree in social science with a mental health concentration. So originally,
when I graduated from school, my goal was to become
a counselor. But I kind of deviated from that when
(01:56):
my son Brian graduated from high school because as I
was the teen mom during his football time and I
was kind of like the team mom for all of
the little activities and everything that he did. When he
went off to college, there was just like a void
and I needed children. So I transitioned from the medical
field into education and being a social science graduate. I'm
(02:21):
a non traditional educator, but my passion for seeing children
grow and cultivating young minds kind of just made it
one of those things where I was gonna teach by
any means necessary and make sure that my students were successful.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Empowering mine's community. Shawnee speaking to Keisha Dean. She's here
to talk and tell us about herself, but what she
does to empower the next generation. So, as you heard,
Keisha transferred from the medical field into the education field. So, Keisha,
I know that this was a transition for you, So
talk to us about moving into the education sector and
(03:03):
why it was the best move at that time.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It was. It really was because throughout my working career,
I was either doing some type of administrative insurance or
medical you know positions, and so to go into a
classroom and my very first classroom was a pre K
special needs classroom, and in that classroom there were students
(03:30):
who were nonverbal, there were students who were in wheelchairs,
and my particular student actually had a feeding tube. Because
I was from the medical field, they was like, oh, yeah,
you'd be perfect, you know, so daily, you know, in
being with this student, I'm also making sure I'm you know,
cleaning feeding tubes and ety and stomach contents and all
(03:53):
of these things. But my biggest passion or concern was
to make sure that he had the same as as
the other preschool students being in the class next door.
And just because my student was in a wheelchair, I
had the feeding too. I felt that he deserved the
same opportunities and the same things as the other student
(04:14):
who didn't have those things. So it's a passion to
want to see each student thrive. I know what it
feels like to be that kid in the classroom who
doesn't get it, and you don't always have teachers that care.
So because I had a couple of teachers who did,
I always want to go back and make sure, Okay,
(04:34):
if this kid didn't get it, I'm going to help them.
I'm going to do whatever it is to make sure
they get what they need.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Johnnie, speaking ta Keisha Dean highlighting women doing the work
in the community and Women History Month, said, I know
this job, being an educator, being a teacher is not easy.
I know you've grown from that position and you've taught
in other areas. What is the biggest challenge of being
a teacher.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So the biggest challenge, I would say would be the
disconnect in between the older students and teachers and the
parents and teachers. So I taught middle school, moving back
to Jacksonville, I ended up teaching middle school, and some
(05:21):
of the students there's such a big deficit in reading levels.
I happened to be in some schools where there were
seventh and eighth grade students who were reading on a
kindergarten and first grade level, and unfortunately at seventh grade
and still being on that level. It's a tough task
(05:42):
to try to get that student where they need to be,
and a lot of the times it's just confidence and
somebody just didn't give them the confidence to kind of
push and want to thrive. But the hard part is
where when that student is in a death sit and
then there's a behavior issue where they're you know, disrespectful
(06:05):
or rude or those type of things, or you have
a parent who really doesn't take the initiative or you know,
stay on top of the student. And then at the
end of the school year, you know the parents are
upset because you know the kid may not be passing.
But you know, we've done conferences, we've done report cars,
we've done progress supports. So as a teacher, you do
(06:28):
what you're supposed to do to keep those parents informed,
but they don't always do the necessary work to partner.
It's a partnership. It's not about the teachers, it's about
the student. And at the end of the day, I
partner with my parents to see how we can grow
that scholar.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Thank you so much for being that teacher who cares
for that student community. Shaannie speaking ta Keisha Dean highlighting
women for Women History Months, and we really don't understand
as a society what it is to be a teacher
dealing with somebody else's child. Keisha, I know the work
(07:08):
has been hard, but I know it has been fruitful.
Talk to us about the time that you made a
difference in a student's life or a parent.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
I am like, super super excited because the very first
group of students that I taught when I came back
to Jacksonville in twenty nineteen, they're graduated from high school
this year and to see them, you know, I have
a couple of couple of them that are honograds. One
of the young ladies ran for MS RAIN. So seeing
(07:39):
those students who when I walked into this classroom, I
was told, well, they can't read, they can't do this,
They're not the best of students. To see these young
ladies and gentlemen thrive and become excellent scholars and begin
to love to learn. There were times in the classroom where,
(08:00):
you know, if it meant I needed to sit down
and break it down word for word, letter for letters,
sound or sound, text for text, whatever it took to
you know, make sure that student got what they needed.
And then I was also the teacher who kept the
little mini fridge in the in the classroom, so you know,
(08:21):
there would be apple sauce and fruit cups and all
kinds of stuff and they come in and they just
walk in and grab what they wanted or grab what
they needed because a lot of the times, or maybe
not just because it was there, they took it. But
I wanted to make sure that there was never a
lack if I saw that a student you know, may
not have had, you know, the best pair of socks
(08:43):
or shoes or whatever. I was calling friends, I was
getting on Facebook, Hey y'all want to donate a couple
of dollars, Let me get a bag of socks and
I would just leave them at the school or whatever
I needed to do. I kept you know, personal items,
de ordering everything that or anything that my students could
have needed. I wanted to make it available in the classroom,
(09:06):
just so there was no distractions, there was no reason
you couldn't learn because there was something that you needed,
something to eat, there was you know, clean clothing if
you needed that, and if you just needed a hug,
you know I had that too, and that was just
It's that thing that fuels me. You know. My friends
always say, oh, when you're talking, teacher, you're so excited,
(09:29):
and so I can. I can just say that. It's
one of those things. Seeing a child go from a red,
which is the lowest level of reading, to go up
to the green is you know, the green and the
blue which is on average and above average. That's that's amazing.
And I've watched that happen. You know, you have to work,
you have to put in the work, but.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
It happened doing the work in the community.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Keisha Dean here with us Community Viewpoints highlighting women for
Women's History Month, and as you can see, he is
static about serving and taking care of our children's mind. So, Keisha,
I know that I saw on Facebook. You're very vocal.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
You want an award.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Talk to us about the award you want and congratulations.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Ooh shining, Now which one did I post?
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Teacher?
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Of the month, the teacher of the month. So you
are selected by your peers to be a teacher of
the month. And so the month of February, which was
awesome because it was Black History Month, and what better
month than February and Black History Month to be the
teacher who was honored for that month. But the thing
(10:40):
about it in being teacher of the month, I used
it to do different things with my students. I mean,
we went into Black history, like I was given the
economy to do so, so we learned, we did crafts
and things like that to just foster in the accomplishments
and the pride of the history that we should celebrate.
(11:05):
So yeah, that was one of the things that I
was pretty proud of because it's not always easy. There's
sometimes I'm looking at my principal thinking, oh my god,
this lady is gonna grabb my stuff, take my badge
on the way out the door. But you know, to
see her come to me and say no, you're teacher
to hear this, but we need a picture, and I'm like, okay, all.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Right, Dja, you are doing the work. And that's why
I wanted you to come on the show and shine
the light on you, just to say thank you for
serving in the community. I also know that you are
my sister and a part of the Eastern Star, so
we shine our light accordingly. Anything else that you'd like
(11:48):
to share about being a teacher in the community and
how the community can help the teachers out there.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yes, Oh, the biggest thing that I would say to
any parents or community member or someone that's listening. If
you see a need in the community, especially when it
comes to the children, please feel it. You know, if
there's a teacher in your neighborhood, drop off some hand sanitizer,
(12:16):
drop off a pack of apple sauce, drop off a
pack of you know, fruit snacks or something. Because there
are kids that come to school and they're hungry, and
we spend a lot of money. I don't think I
realized how much, you know, I spend out of pocket
just buying things because my students need it. I've even
(12:37):
gone as far as we have pajama day. A student
didn't have on pajamas, I do or dash pajamas to
the school because he wasn't going to be the only
student not wearing pajamas that day. As an educator, those
children become your child you know, and though I'm a
mom of one, he just laughs. He's like, well, what
are you doing for your kids today? You know, you
just give. So if there is somebody that is first,
(13:01):
if you know teacher, give them a hug because they
need it, they need it. And then anything they that
they ask or that you can do to support or give,
please do it. I promise you it goes to good hands.
We fight hard for our students and sometimes we just
need someone to fight just as hard for us. So
(13:22):
I appreciate you, Seanne and the opportunity and yes, you
are my Sistar, and that is where I learned to give.
I mean, sometimes you have to give outside of yourself,
but that is where I learned to give. So I
appreciate you, and I thank you for always being that light.
You are an amazing, amazing person and I am glad
(13:43):
to say that you are my Sistar.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Well, thank you because I did not know how amazing
you were, and that's why I wanted to pull you in.
Because everybody has his hidden talents, hidden lights on them,
and so I am trying to make sure that everybody
in Duval County, around the county, around the globe gets
at least fifteen minutes of light from me through community viewpoints.
(14:08):
One more question, what is one of the hidden okay talents.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
That you have?
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Ten talent? I actually was the art chairperson for one
of the private schools that I worked for so long,
long time ago. I was a member of hotting teens
where I danced, scene and acted in all of those things.
So I actually for two years every program that that
(14:34):
school had, I was either the chair or a part
of setting that program up, from costumes to writing scripts,
to taking music to picking background. So that is what
I absolutely love the art. It saved my life, like
literally if it were not for Sharon Coon and mister
(14:55):
Earl Thompson from Rebault Junior, those teachers, Weezy Louise Manning
from Rine High School, the coorus teacher, those teachers who
put arts and music and passion and all of those
things that kept me from doing so many things that
I could have gotten into that wasn't the right thing
to do. I was able to cultivate that gift in
me that I like to end time give to my
(15:18):
students and share with others. So yeah, that's a little
head in talent. I try to keep it to myself.
I try to use it as much as I can.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
You are a light sister.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Thank you so much for being so beneficial to our
community and having so many bells and whistles about you.
There's a lot that people are going to learn today now.
I know you said that when you started, you were
teaching some students and they're graduating.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
What would you like to tell those students as we.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Air this, I would like to say one our name
in particular, Rosalie Kamara, You young lady, I am absolutely
proud of I'm proud of all of you, but I
am so proud of your tenacity and your strength. And you,
guys thought when nobody would fight for you, you guys thought,
(16:09):
you continued and you've learned, you grew, and now you're
at that place where the world is yours and you
can get and have whatever you like. It doesn't stop
now just because we're at graduation. It does not stop now.
But Miss Dean, as they so affectionately call me, Miss Dean,
(16:33):
is so proud of you, and I am honored to
have been a part of your journey. Also, really quick Seannie,
one of my first students in Georgia, My kindergarten student.
Her name is Madison. She actually got to travel outside
the US this summer or actually spring break, and to
(16:55):
see that her mom sent me that flyer. So seeing
these students that I was a part of their lives
actually just be bigger than life now. It's amazing. So
you guys, I'm proud of all of you.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
I am so proud of you, and I am proud
of you for being a vessel and a light for
these students. Thank you so much, Kisha dean community here
to empower us and enlighten us about being an educator,
a teacher in Duval County and in Georgia. Thank you
Keisha for being a part of community viewpoints. Thank you
for not feeling it robbery to pour into somebody else's child.
(17:32):
So thank you for your due diligence, and thank you
for being a light in our community.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Shawnee, thank you, and we're back with community Viewpoints to Shawnee.
On this Sunday morning, we are empowering our community and
we are definitely talking to some amazing community advocate servants
in the community from Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity Incorporated. Good morning,
Ernest Glover Good morning, Dennis Gamble.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Good morning, good morning, Good.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Morning, gentlemen. It is a pleasure to speak with you
both this morning. Dennis, if you would just tell us
a little something about your tenure with the Foundation and
with the organizational fraternity, and then we'll ask mister Glover
to also give us his history with the Cappus as well.
Speaker 5 (18:17):
Absolutely, i'd just like to say good morning to all
our great listeners out there. Again. My name is Dennis Gamble,
and I'm the chairman of the Aphaside Jacksonville Foundation, and
we're excited about several things, one being was celebrating our
one hundred anniversary here in the state of Florida. We
(18:40):
are the oldest Black Greek letter organization formed in the
state of Florida. And on February twenty seventh, down at
the Rich Theater and Museum, we had a wonderful program
to illustrate that amazing feed that we're so proud of.
In addition to that, the Foundation serves the community and
(19:07):
we have an outstanding mentorship program and we provide scholarships
to where the high school students in the metropolitan area
and some of the surrounding counties.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Community Shawnee talking to the Caappus this morning from the
Kapa Jacks Foundation. Ernest Glover is also here with us.
Mister Glover, if you would tell us your involvement and
how long you've been with the Kappas.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Good morning. My name is Ernest Glover. I'm the chair
of this year's charity golf tournament. I've actually am a
fairly new member of the fraternity. I was an initiative
of the twenty twenty three Spring Online and I'm honored
to be a member of this great fraternity community.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Shawnee speaking to men in the community serving with the
Kappa Jacks Foundation. Now, mister Gamble, I understand that you
have been doing a lot for our community, for our students,
and the drive that we're talking about today empowers students
through scholarship.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
If you would just talk to us about the.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Events that is coming up and how we can get involved.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
Absolutely, on the weekend of April eleventh and twelfth, we're
doing two amazing events and all that Brother Glover talk
more about those events in detail. These events will help
us focus on our Guide Right Capitally program and the
services we provide to young African American boys in middle
(20:38):
school and high school as well as our scholarships today,
we've raised since nineteen ninety seven over five hundred and
thirty three thousand dollars towards scholarships for worthy high school
seniors going to college.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
And with this event, I know that we always party
with the purpose because there is a purpose to empower
our community. So, mister Glover, if you would talk to
us about the event and what the community can expect
with this two day, amazing event that it looks like
there's going to be a lot of fun with this drive.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
Our first event, which is our inaugural Hooja Caddy. It
is a golf theme event where we want you to
come dressed as a golfer, have fun, eat, enjoy live music,
and raise money for the foundation. We are providing a
buffet style meal and a drink for those who attend.
(21:37):
We also have live entertainment by the Catch downstairs and
also a DJ. We're going to be doing a best
Dressed Golf Outfit contest where the best dressed male and
female will receive a prize from a sponsor who will
outfit them with a golf outfit. For those in the
(21:58):
golf outfits and also an on site fifty to fifty
raffle where people will donate and someone can walk away
with a portion of those donations as part of the prize,
and a putting contest where prizes will be given to
the best male and female putter. With this, we expect
to have a lot of fun. We expect to make
(22:21):
this event an annual event, and we need their support
to do that. The next day, on Saturday, we'll conclude
our weekend with the thirtieth annual Charity Golf Tournament. A
lot of people don't know that This tournament started in
nineteen ninety three with only twelve golfers. Last year we
hosted over one hundred and twenty and this year we've
(22:42):
to continue that tradition. It is one of the longest
running tournaments golf tournaments in the city. A lot of
people didn't know that, but we've been impacting the community
for a very long time. So we want people to
come out. If they want to play, they can still register.
We still have a few spots available, but we expect
(23:02):
to give them a great experience. On Saturday, April twelfth, tun.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
D Shawnee speaking to Ernest Glover and Dennis Gamble from
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity incorporated here to empower us, but
to give us another angle on how to get out,
get involved and party with a purpose to empower our community.
Mister Glover, if you would, I know that you have
had tenure with Kappa Alpha Psi and then Ernest, I'm
(23:28):
coming to you being a new member, but being a
part of the Kappas. What has been the most memorable
experience other than servicing the community, mister Gamble.
Speaker 5 (23:40):
Oh man, there's been so many, but you know, just recently,
I received a call from one of our young CAPA
leagues who joined when he was actually a fifth grader
or sixth grader, and we typically don't take them into
middle school, but this man was so dynamic that we
(24:01):
can see it back then. He informed us that he
went on the Florida State University, graduated, and he applied
to law school and he's recently been accepted into Harvard
and Yale Law School. So he's got a big decision
to make on where he's going, and we're just so
proud of him. His name is Rotney Wells. The second,
(24:25):
we're just really excited. We've had two Gate Millennium awardees
come through our internship program, and those are other funds.
When the kids achieved at those levels, then you know
that you really made a dent and felt good. A
lot of times we don't see the results of pouring
into these young black men into years later, and you
(24:48):
just never know how you're going to impact somebody. So
those are my fundest memories. I like to also add
that as a ten November on March eleventh, celebrated forty
two years in this fraternity, and I wouldn't do anything
else differently than what I've done over these forty two years,
being above in an amazing organization, kept outa side fraternity.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Well, we thank you for your service, sir, and I
understand there's a lot of brothers out there serving like you,
and then there's other brothers that see you and want
to serve like Ernest Glover. So, mister Glover, being a
part of this organization, cheering this event, I know you're
going to have fondest memories. But how was it just
navigating and creating this event for you being a new
(25:32):
member of the Kappa Alpha PSI fraternity.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
Well, one of the things that I've noticed before I
became a member, I've played in the tournament many years
and I've always had an affinity to what the purpose
of the tournament. So when I joined, I felt that,
you know, we need to expand this and let the
community know exactly what we're doing and how they can help.
(25:58):
And so by coming up with the concept of Whoja
Caddy is meant for the non golfers to come and
enjoy and help with this project and this.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Mission, I said, well, this is different, but it is
catching and it allows the community to do something different.
We always know that serving is what we do, but
inspiring and being different is amazing. So thank you brothers
for bringing that to the table. Now I know that
the community wants to come out because it seems like
this is going to be amazing. How can the community
(26:29):
get involved, How can we get those tickets and how
can we enjoy this event and build your foundation so
that you can empower the children of our community.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
Absolutely. We can be reached through email at Capital Foundation
nineteen twenty five at gmail dot com, and then our
website is www dot Capital jack Jax Foundation dot org,
(26:58):
or we can be reached our directly. My phone call
my memory is nine or four six seven four four
three one and Brothy Glover, which you provide your contact
information in any other way that the community can reach us.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
Yes, the best way to reach me would be by email.
It is E Glove thirty thirty four. That's E G.
L o V E three zero three four at gmail
dot com. And also you can call me at nine
zero four three three four one two three six. I
(27:36):
suggest that you text me more so than anything else
if you really need to reach me. For our events,
we are on event bright. You can look up Who's
your Caddy for Friday Night event and on event bright
for the golf tournament, you can you can search Kappa
Alpha Psi thirtieth Annual Charity Golf Tournament and you should
(27:56):
be able to find us there. For tickets or even sponsorship.
We're still looking for sponsorships if you want, and partnerships
if you want to be involved with that. We'll be
glad to accept any kind of help that you want
to give us, because it's not for us, it's for
the community, and we would appreciate if you take a
look at our website.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Community Shawnee speaking to the men of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity incorporated with the Foundation this morning. Ernest Glover and
Dennis Gamble here to empower us, but to cultivate young
leaders in the Jacksonville community to achieve their hopes and
dreams in every field of human endeavor. Their website is
amazing powerful. It also shows what they.
Speaker 3 (28:39):
Have been doing.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
And I know you guys have so many other things
that you will be doing for the community, but this
event understanding, it's for the foundation and scholarships to.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Help young adults community.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
If you want to sponsor, if you want to be
a volunteer, you can go to their website. Gentlemen, is
there anything else that you'd like to share with the community.
Any young man out there that may want to join?
Because you are all are a powerful community advocate. How
can those young men get in touch with you?
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Thanks bags, and we'll always open to increasing our guide
Right Catholic program. We can be reached via our website
again at www dot Capital jack Ka P P A
j A X Foundation dot org, or we can be
(29:31):
emailed at Capital Foundation nineteen twenty five at gmail dot com.
There's links on our website that we lead them to
the application process and it's pretty straightforward application.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
Gentlemen, I want to thank you for always empowering the community.
So I want to thank you all for doing your
due diligence in the community ensuring that you partner with
the community as well. So thank you for being a
part of our community and blessing our community. Is there
anything else that you'd like to share with the community
about what's coming up other than this event?
Speaker 5 (30:08):
Absolutely, you know, thank you for acting. Our regional meeting
will be held here in Jackionville on the day so
March twenty seventh through the thirtieth down at the Highest
Riverfront Hotel. We'll be celebrating seventy five years without Southern
Product as well as our Yellow Centennial celebrations. Be on
(30:30):
the lookout for what's going on in the city for
CA office side and we're going to take over during
the week of March twenty seventh through the thirty downtown Janksville.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Salute to you, gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Thank you for empowering us today, and thank you for
providing a party with a purpose.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
Gentlemen, Is there anything else that we need to cover?
Speaker 4 (30:49):
This?
Speaker 5 (30:49):
One thing I didn't mention. I said that our province
meeting was March twenty seventh through the thirty. What I
didn't say is on the twenty seventh to our public
meeting starts at seven o'clock and that's open to the public,
and we'd like for the media to come out as well.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
Community get involved, stay involved, be and empowered. Thank you
so much for listening to community viewpoints. Have a blessed day.
Welcome to community viewpoints. As Shawnee feeling blessed and highly favored.
On this Sunday morning, we are celebrating and highlighting women
in the community doing the work for Women's History Month.
So today I have Keisha Dean. She is here on
the line with me and Keisha, good morning. How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Good morning, Shawnie. I am great, how are you? You know?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Blessed that I could include all of the women that
are doing amazing jobs and in the community. So first
of all, before we get started about what you do
to empower our young minds, tell us a little something
about Keisha Dean again.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
I am Keisha Dean. I am originally from Jacksonville, Florida.
I am a proud graduate of William and Braine's High
School class of nineteen ninety three, so shout out to
my classmates. I lived in Atlanta for thirteen years and
I came back to Jacksonville to be closer to my son,
(01:00):
who is married at a high school graduate, a college grad,
and I needed to be closer to him who's in Savannah.
But I am just a people person. I'm a people person.
I love people. I love seeing people smile. I love
seeing people grow. I like to laugh. I'm just that
bubbly person I think that will just walk into a
(01:23):
room and just change the atmosphere.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
And you should talk to us and tell us.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
You said that you're from Jacksonville, So tell us did
you go to college?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
What did you study in college?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I did go to college, but I actually was a
late college student, so I went to college in Atlanta, Georgia.
I'm a graduate of Mercer University and I have a
degree in social science with a mental health concentration. So originally,
when I graduated from school, my goal was to become
a counselor. But I kind of deviated from that when
(01:56):
my son Brian graduated from high school because as I
was the teen mom during his football time and I
was kind of like the team mom for all of
the little activities and everything that he did. When he
went off to college, there was just like a void
and I needed children. So I transitioned from the medical
field into education and being a social science graduate. I'm
(02:21):
a non traditional educator, but my passion for seeing children
grow and cultivating young minds kind of just made it
one of those things where I was gonna teach by
any means necessary and make sure that my students were successful.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Empowering mine's community. Shawnee speaking to Keisha Dean. She's here
to talk and tell us about herself, but what she
does to empower the next generation. So, as you heard,
Keisha transferred from the medical field into the education field. So, Keisha,
I know that this was a transition for you, So
talk to us about moving into the education sector and
(03:03):
why it was the best move at that time.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It was. It really was because throughout my working career,
I was either doing some type of administrative insurance or
medical you know positions, and so to go into a
classroom and my very first classroom was a pre K
special needs classroom, and in that classroom there were students
(03:30):
who were nonverbal, there were students who were in wheelchairs,
and my particular student actually had a feeding tube. Because
I was from the medical field, they was like, oh, yeah,
you'd be perfect, you know, so daily, you know, in
being with this student, I'm also making sure I'm you know,
cleaning feeding tubes and ety and stomach contents and all
(03:53):
of these things. But my biggest passion or concern was
to make sure that he had the same as as
the other preschool students being in the class next door.
And just because my student was in a wheelchair, I
had the feeding too. I felt that he deserved the
same opportunities and the same things as the other student
(04:14):
who didn't have those things. So it's a passion to
want to see each student thrive. I know what it
feels like to be that kid in the classroom who
doesn't get it, and you don't always have teachers that care.
So because I had a couple of teachers who did,
I always want to go back and make sure, Okay,
(04:34):
if this kid didn't get it, I'm going to help them.
I'm going to do whatever it is to make sure
they get what they need.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Johnnie, speaking ta Keisha Dean highlighting women doing the work
in the community and Women History Month, said, I know
this job, being an educator, being a teacher is not easy.
I know you've grown from that position and you've taught
in other areas. What is the biggest challenge of being
a teacher.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So the biggest challenge, I would say would be the
disconnect in between the older students and teachers and the
parents and teachers. So I taught middle school, moving back
to Jacksonville, I ended up teaching middle school, and some
(05:21):
of the students there's such a big deficit in reading levels.
I happened to be in some schools where there were
seventh and eighth grade students who were reading on a
kindergarten and first grade level, and unfortunately at seventh grade
and still being on that level. It's a tough task
(05:42):
to try to get that student where they need to be,
and a lot of the times it's just confidence and
somebody just didn't give them the confidence to kind of
push and want to thrive. But the hard part is
where when that student is in a death sit and
then there's a behavior issue where they're you know, disrespectful
(06:05):
or rude or those type of things, or you have
a parent who really doesn't take the initiative or you know,
stay on top of the student. And then at the
end of the school year, you know the parents are
upset because you know the kid may not be passing.
But you know, we've done conferences, we've done report cars,
we've done progress supports. So as a teacher, you do
(06:28):
what you're supposed to do to keep those parents informed,
but they don't always do the necessary work to partner.
It's a partnership. It's not about the teachers, it's about
the student. And at the end of the day, I
partner with my parents to see how we can grow
that scholar.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Thank you so much for being that teacher who cares
for that student community. Shaannie speaking ta Keisha Dean highlighting
women for Women History Months, and we really don't understand
as a society what it is to be a teacher
dealing with somebody else's child. Keisha, I know the work
(07:08):
has been hard, but I know it has been fruitful.
Talk to us about the time that you made a
difference in a student's life or a parent.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
I am like, super super excited because the very first
group of students that I taught when I came back
to Jacksonville in twenty nineteen, they're graduated from high school
this year and to see them, you know, I have
a couple of couple of them that are honograds. One
of the young ladies ran for MS RAIN. So seeing
(07:39):
those students who when I walked into this classroom, I
was told, well, they can't read, they can't do this,
They're not the best of students. To see these young
ladies and gentlemen thrive and become excellent scholars and begin
to love to learn. There were times in the classroom where,
(08:00):
you know, if it meant I needed to sit down
and break it down word for word, letter for letters,
sound or sound, text for text, whatever it took to
you know, make sure that student got what they needed.
And then I was also the teacher who kept the
little mini fridge in the in the classroom, so you know,
(08:21):
there would be apple sauce and fruit cups and all
kinds of stuff and they come in and they just
walk in and grab what they wanted or grab what
they needed because a lot of the times, or maybe
not just because it was there, they took it. But
I wanted to make sure that there was never a
lack if I saw that a student you know, may
not have had, you know, the best pair of socks
(08:43):
or shoes or whatever. I was calling friends, I was
getting on Facebook, Hey y'all want to donate a couple
of dollars, Let me get a bag of socks and
I would just leave them at the school or whatever
I needed to do. I kept you know, personal items,
de ordering everything that or anything that my students could
have needed. I wanted to make it available in the classroom,
(09:06):
just so there was no distractions, there was no reason
you couldn't learn because there was something that you needed,
something to eat, there was you know, clean clothing if
you needed that, and if you just needed a hug,
you know I had that too, and that was just
It's that thing that fuels me. You know. My friends
always say, oh, when you're talking, teacher, you're so excited,
(09:29):
and so I can. I can just say that. It's
one of those things. Seeing a child go from a red,
which is the lowest level of reading, to go up
to the green is you know, the green and the
blue which is on average and above average. That's that's amazing.
And I've watched that happen. You know, you have to work,
you have to put in the work, but.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
It happened doing the work in the community.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Keisha Dean here with us Community Viewpoints highlighting women for
Women's History Month, and as you can see, he is
static about serving and taking care of our children's mind. So, Keisha,
I know that I saw on Facebook. You're very vocal.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
You want an award.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Talk to us about the award you want and congratulations.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Ooh shining, Now which one did I post?
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Teacher?
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Of the month, the teacher of the month. So you
are selected by your peers to be a teacher of
the month. And so the month of February, which was
awesome because it was Black History Month, and what better
month than February and Black History Month to be the
teacher who was honored for that month. But the thing
(10:40):
about it in being teacher of the month, I used
it to do different things with my students. I mean,
we went into Black history, like I was given the
economy to do so, so we learned, we did crafts
and things like that to just foster in the accomplishments
and the pride of the history that we should celebrate.
(11:05):
So yeah, that was one of the things that I
was pretty proud of because it's not always easy. There's
sometimes I'm looking at my principal thinking, oh my god,
this lady is gonna grabb my stuff, take my badge
on the way out the door. But you know, to
see her come to me and say no, you're teacher
to hear this, but we need a picture, and I'm like, okay, all.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Right, Dja, you are doing the work. And that's why
I wanted you to come on the show and shine
the light on you, just to say thank you for
serving in the community. I also know that you are
my sister and a part of the Eastern Star, so
we shine our light accordingly. Anything else that you'd like
(11:48):
to share about being a teacher in the community and
how the community can help the teachers out there.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yes, Oh, the biggest thing that I would say to
any parents or community member or someone that's listening. If
you see a need in the community, especially when it
comes to the children, please feel it. You know, if
there's a teacher in your neighborhood, drop off some hand sanitizer,
(12:16):
drop off a pack of apple sauce, drop off a
pack of you know, fruit snacks or something. Because there
are kids that come to school and they're hungry, and
we spend a lot of money. I don't think I
realized how much, you know, I spend out of pocket
just buying things because my students need it. I've even
(12:37):
gone as far as we have pajama day. A student
didn't have on pajamas, I do or dash pajamas to
the school because he wasn't going to be the only
student not wearing pajamas that day. As an educator, those
children become your child you know, and though I'm a
mom of one, he just laughs. He's like, well, what
are you doing for your kids today? You know, you
just give. So if there is somebody that is first,
(13:01):
if you know teacher, give them a hug because they
need it, they need it. And then anything they that
they ask or that you can do to support or give,
please do it. I promise you it goes to good hands.
We fight hard for our students and sometimes we just
need someone to fight just as hard for us. So
(13:22):
I appreciate you, Seanne and the opportunity and yes, you
are my Sistar, and that is where I learned to give.
I mean, sometimes you have to give outside of yourself,
but that is where I learned to give. So I
appreciate you, and I thank you for always being that light.
You are an amazing, amazing person and I am glad
(13:43):
to say that you are my Sistar.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Well, thank you because I did not know how amazing
you were, and that's why I wanted to pull you in.
Because everybody has his hidden talents, hidden lights on them,
and so I am trying to make sure that everybody
in Duval County, around the county, around the globe gets
at least fifteen minutes of light from me through community viewpoints.
(14:08):
One more question, what is one of the hidden okay talents.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
That you have?
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Ten talent? I actually was the art chairperson for one
of the private schools that I worked for so long,
long time ago. I was a member of hotting teens
where I danced, scene and acted in all of those things.
So I actually for two years every program that that
(14:34):
school had, I was either the chair or a part
of setting that program up, from costumes to writing scripts,
to taking music to picking background. So that is what
I absolutely love the art. It saved my life, like
literally if it were not for Sharon Coon and mister
(14:55):
Earl Thompson from Rebault Junior, those teachers, Weezy Louise Manning
from Rine High School, the coorus teacher, those teachers who
put arts and music and passion and all of those
things that kept me from doing so many things that
I could have gotten into that wasn't the right thing
to do. I was able to cultivate that gift in
me that I like to end time give to my
(15:18):
students and share with others. So yeah, that's a little
head in talent. I try to keep it to myself.
I try to use it as much as I can.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
You are a light sister.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
Thank you so much for being so beneficial to our
community and having so many bells and whistles about you.
There's a lot that people are going to learn today now.
I know you said that when you started, you were
teaching some students and they're graduating.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
What would you like to tell those students as we.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Air this, I would like to say one our name
in particular, Rosalie Kamara, You young lady, I am absolutely
proud of I'm proud of all of you, but I
am so proud of your tenacity and your strength. And you,
guys thought when nobody would fight for you, you guys thought,
(16:09):
you continued and you've learned, you grew, and now you're
at that place where the world is yours and you
can get and have whatever you like. It doesn't stop
now just because we're at graduation. It does not stop now.
But Miss Dean, as they so affectionately call me, Miss Dean,
(16:33):
is so proud of you, and I am honored to
have been a part of your journey. Also, really quick Seannie,
one of my first students in Georgia, My kindergarten student.
Her name is Madison. She actually got to travel outside
the US this summer or actually spring break, and to
(16:55):
see that her mom sent me that flyer. So seeing
these students that I was a part of their lives
actually just be bigger than life now. It's amazing. So
you guys, I'm proud of all of you.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
I am so proud of you, and I am proud
of you for being a vessel and a light for
these students. Thank you so much, Kisha dean community here
to empower us and enlighten us about being an educator,
a teacher in Duval County and in Georgia. Thank you
Keisha for being a part of community viewpoints. Thank you
for not feeling it robbery to pour into somebody else's child.
(17:32):
So thank you for your due diligence, and thank you
for being a light in our community.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Shawnee, thank you, and we're back with community Viewpoints to Shawnee.
On this Sunday morning, we are empowering our community and
we are definitely talking to some amazing community advocate servants
in the community from Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity Incorporated. Good morning,
Ernest Glover Good morning, Dennis Gamble.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Good morning, good morning, Good.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Morning, gentlemen. It is a pleasure to speak with you
both this morning. Dennis, if you would just tell us
a little something about your tenure with the Foundation and
with the organizational fraternity, and then we'll ask mister Glover
to also give us his history with the Cappus as well.
Speaker 5 (18:17):
Absolutely, i'd just like to say good morning to all
our great listeners out there. Again. My name is Dennis Gamble,
and I'm the chairman of the Aphaside Jacksonville Foundation, and
we're excited about several things, one being was celebrating our
one hundred anniversary here in the state of Florida. We
(18:40):
are the oldest Black Greek letter organization formed in the
state of Florida. And on February twenty seventh, down at
the Rich Theater and Museum, we had a wonderful program
to illustrate that amazing feed that we're so proud of.
In addition to that, the Foundation serves the community and
(19:07):
we have an outstanding mentorship program and we provide scholarships
to where the high school students in the metropolitan area
and some of the surrounding counties.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Community Shawnee talking to the Caappus this morning from the
Kapa Jacks Foundation. Ernest Glover is also here with us.
Mister Glover, if you would tell us your involvement and
how long you've been with the Kappas.
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Good morning. My name is Ernest Glover. I'm the chair
of this year's charity golf tournament. I've actually am a
fairly new member of the fraternity. I was an initiative
of the twenty twenty three Spring Online and I'm honored
to be a member of this great fraternity community.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Shawnee speaking to men in the community serving with the
Kappa Jacks Foundation. Now, mister Gamble, I understand that you
have been doing a lot for our community, for our students,
and the drive that we're talking about today empowers students
through scholarship.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
If you would just talk to us about the.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Events that is coming up and how we can get involved.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
Absolutely, on the weekend of April eleventh and twelfth, we're
doing two amazing events and all that Brother Glover talk
more about those events in detail. These events will help
us focus on our Guide Right Capitally program and the
services we provide to young African American boys in middle
(20:38):
school and high school as well as our scholarships today,
we've raised since nineteen ninety seven over five hundred and
thirty three thousand dollars towards scholarships for worthy high school
seniors going to college.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
And with this event, I know that we always party
with the purpose because there is a purpose to empower
our community. So, mister Glover, if you would talk to
us about the event and what the community can expect
with this two day, amazing event that it looks like
there's going to be a lot of fun with this drive.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
Our first event, which is our inaugural Hooja Caddy. It
is a golf theme event where we want you to
come dressed as a golfer, have fun, eat, enjoy live music,
and raise money for the foundation. We are providing a
buffet style meal and a drink for those who attend.
(21:37):
We also have live entertainment by the Catch downstairs and
also a DJ. We're going to be doing a best
Dressed Golf Outfit contest where the best dressed male and
female will receive a prize from a sponsor who will
outfit them with a golf outfit. For those in the
(21:58):
golf outfits and also an on site fifty to fifty
raffle where people will donate and someone can walk away
with a portion of those donations as part of the prize,
and a putting contest where prizes will be given to
the best male and female putter. With this, we expect
to have a lot of fun. We expect to make
(22:21):
this event an annual event, and we need their support
to do that. The next day, on Saturday, we'll conclude
our weekend with the thirtieth annual Charity Golf Tournament. A
lot of people don't know that This tournament started in
nineteen ninety three with only twelve golfers. Last year we
hosted over one hundred and twenty and this year we've
(22:42):
to continue that tradition. It is one of the longest
running tournaments golf tournaments in the city. A lot of
people didn't know that, but we've been impacting the community
for a very long time. So we want people to
come out. If they want to play, they can still register.
We still have a few spots available, but we expect
(23:02):
to give them a great experience. On Saturday, April twelfth, tun.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
D Shawnee speaking to Ernest Glover and Dennis Gamble from
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity incorporated here to empower us, but
to give us another angle on how to get out,
get involved and party with a purpose to empower our community.
Mister Glover, if you would, I know that you have
had tenure with Kappa Alpha Psi and then Ernest, I'm
(23:28):
coming to you being a new member, but being a
part of the Kappas. What has been the most memorable
experience other than servicing the community, mister Gamble.
Speaker 5 (23:40):
Oh man, there's been so many, but you know, just recently,
I received a call from one of our young CAPA
leagues who joined when he was actually a fifth grader
or sixth grader, and we typically don't take them into
middle school, but this man was so dynamic that we
(24:01):
can see it back then. He informed us that he
went on the Florida State University, graduated, and he applied
to law school and he's recently been accepted into Harvard
and Yale Law School. So he's got a big decision
to make on where he's going, and we're just so
proud of him. His name is Rotney Wells. The second,
(24:25):
we're just really excited. We've had two Gate Millennium awardees
come through our internship program, and those are other funds.
When the kids achieved at those levels, then you know
that you really made a dent and felt good. A
lot of times we don't see the results of pouring
into these young black men into years later, and you
(24:48):
just never know how you're going to impact somebody. So
those are my fundest memories. I like to also add
that as a ten November on March eleventh, celebrated forty
two years in this fraternity, and I wouldn't do anything
else differently than what I've done over these forty two years,
being above in an amazing organization, kept outa side fraternity.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Well, we thank you for your service, sir, and I
understand there's a lot of brothers out there serving like you,
and then there's other brothers that see you and want
to serve like Ernest Glover. So, mister Glover, being a
part of this organization, cheering this event, I know you're
going to have fondest memories. But how was it just
navigating and creating this event for you being a new
(25:32):
member of the Kappa Alpha PSI fraternity.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
Well, one of the things that I've noticed before I
became a member, I've played in the tournament many years
and I've always had an affinity to what the purpose
of the tournament. So when I joined, I felt that,
you know, we need to expand this and let the
community know exactly what we're doing and how they can help.
(25:58):
And so by coming up with the concept of Whoja
Caddy is meant for the non golfers to come and
enjoy and help with this project and this.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
Mission, I said, well, this is different, but it is
catching and it allows the community to do something different.
We always know that serving is what we do, but
inspiring and being different is amazing. So thank you brothers
for bringing that to the table. Now I know that
the community wants to come out because it seems like
this is going to be amazing. How can the community
(26:29):
get involved, How can we get those tickets and how
can we enjoy this event and build your foundation so
that you can empower the children of our community.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
Absolutely. We can be reached through email at Capital Foundation
nineteen twenty five at gmail dot com, and then our
website is www dot Capital jack Jax Foundation dot org,
(26:58):
or we can be reached our directly. My phone call
my memory is nine or four six seven four four
three one and Brothy Glover, which you provide your contact
information in any other way that the community can reach us.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
Yes, the best way to reach me would be by email.
It is E Glove thirty thirty four. That's E G.
L o V E three zero three four at gmail
dot com. And also you can call me at nine
zero four three three four one two three six. I
(27:36):
suggest that you text me more so than anything else
if you really need to reach me. For our events,
we are on event bright. You can look up Who's
your Caddy for Friday Night event and on event bright
for the golf tournament, you can you can search Kappa
Alpha Psi thirtieth Annual Charity Golf Tournament and you should
(27:56):
be able to find us there. For tickets or even sponsorship.
We're still looking for sponsorships if you want, and partnerships
if you want to be involved with that. We'll be
glad to accept any kind of help that you want
to give us, because it's not for us, it's for
the community, and we would appreciate if you take a
look at our website.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Community Shawnee speaking to the men of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity incorporated with the Foundation this morning. Ernest Glover and
Dennis Gamble here to empower us, but to cultivate young
leaders in the Jacksonville community to achieve their hopes and
dreams in every field of human endeavor. Their website is
amazing powerful. It also shows what they.
Speaker 3 (28:39):
Have been doing.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
And I know you guys have so many other things
that you will be doing for the community, but this
event understanding, it's for the foundation and scholarships to.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Help young adults community.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
If you want to sponsor, if you want to be
a volunteer, you can go to their website. Gentlemen, is
there anything else that you'd like to share with the community.
Any young man out there that may want to join?
Because you are all are a powerful community advocate. How
can those young men get in touch with you?
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Thanks bags, and we'll always open to increasing our guide
Right Catholic program. We can be reached via our website
again at www dot Capital jack Ka P P A
j A X Foundation dot org, or we can be
(29:31):
emailed at Capital Foundation nineteen twenty five at gmail dot com.
There's links on our website that we lead them to
the application process and it's pretty straightforward application.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
Gentlemen, I want to thank you for always empowering the community.
So I want to thank you all for doing your
due diligence in the community ensuring that you partner with
the community as well. So thank you for being a
part of our community and blessing our community. Is there
anything else that you'd like to share with the community
about what's coming up other than this event?
Speaker 5 (30:08):
Absolutely, you know, thank you for acting. Our regional meeting
will be held here in Jackionville on the day so
March twenty seventh through the thirtieth down at the Highest
Riverfront Hotel. We'll be celebrating seventy five years without Southern
Product as well as our Yellow Centennial celebrations. Be on
(30:30):
the lookout for what's going on in the city for
CA office side and we're going to take over during
the week of March twenty seventh through the thirty downtown Janksville.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
Salute to you, gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (30:41):
Thank you for empowering us today, and thank you for
providing a party with a purpose.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
Gentlemen, Is there anything else that we need to cover?
Speaker 4 (30:49):
This?
Speaker 5 (30:49):
One thing I didn't mention. I said that our province
meeting was March twenty seventh through the thirty. What I
didn't say is on the twenty seventh to our public
meeting starts at seven o'clock and that's open to the public,
and we'd like for the media to come out as well.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
Community get involved, stay involved, be and empowered. Thank you
so much for listening to community viewpoints. Have a blessed day.
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