BACK Interview with Wilmer "Decky" Lawson

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Watch the full interview from 4/27/2021 with Wilmer “Decky” Lawson. Wilmer Lawson a candidate for Albany Common Council in the 5th Ward explains to us his love for the Albany Community. 

Running the Arbor Hill Sports Complex in the Albany Community for years he has poured his heart into the communities through sports, singing and free activities.  

We discuss the importance of focusing on the family structure and how it’s the key to revitalizing our communities.    

 Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 4/22/2021 with Jillian Sherman. Assistant Principal Sherman discusses her path to becoming an educator and all of the ways she gives back to the community.  

We see how her passion for track and fashion continue to influence her life today as she educates and mentors the next generation of students.  

Listen as we discuss the importance of exposure and consistency but how education can open up doors that you couldn’t even begin to imagine.     

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 4/21/2021 with Alonzo “Zo Zigga” Verbal at www.thebackcommunity.info  

Zo discusses everything from fitness, to therapy to how education transformed his entire way of thinking.  We discuss his passion for the arts and how his transformational plays help to educate and heal the community.  

Listen as we both discuss how a childhood tragedy affected us and the importance of encouraging vulnerability among men.     

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 4/20/2021 with Patrick Williams at www.thebackcommunity.info

Listen in as we discuss everything from bullying, systematic racism to overcoming failure. 

Pat talks about his earlier struggles with education and how he managed to not give up and later obtain his GED, graduate from Le Monye College and obtain a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. 

We even discuss the historical significance of the George Floyd verdict. 

Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 4/62021 with Patrick “Flay” Robinson at www.thebackcommunity.info This episode with Flay is easily one of my favorites already.  

Flay talks about how his passion for community activism and how he was inspired by watching the pillars in the Albany community that laid the foundation before him.  We talk about fashion and the cultural shifts, we talk about “Cooking with Flay” and of course we talk sports.  

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 3/30/2021 with Joe Bell at www.thebackcommunity.info

Joe talks about his work as a party promoter both in Albany and Atlanta and what he does to curate the ultimate club goer experience.
 

He explains his favorite places to visit in the City of Albany and what the city needs to do in order to maintain the young professionals that are eager to have a social life.
 

Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 3/22/2021 with Lonnie “Love” Griffin. Lonnie explains how his work as a Corrections Officer strategically positions him to help encourage and motivate those in need of guidance.

He wears several hats in the community. Listen, as he explains his love for the Albany Community and how he lives vicariously through his children’s educational pursuits.

He explains the benefits as the watcher and how being the tortoise is better than being the hare.

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 3/2/2021 with Ron “Cook” Barrett. Cook’s work with the youth in the Albany community spans over three decades. 

Through his work as a gang prevention specialist and perhaps most notably “Teen Night” he has been able to positively shape and steer the minds of many Albany inner-city youth.

Listen in as he touches on the urgency of youth issues and the importance of more diversion programs.

Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 2/23/21 with the Hon. Jahmel Robinson councilman in Albany, NY. 

Councilman Robinson tells us how he juggles between duties as husband, father, councilman and Pastor . 

Listen in as he discusses the power of politics, parliamentary procedures and the importance of mentorship in the city of Albany.

Prepare to be Inspired!

Watch the full interview from 2/16/21 with Kashiff Thompson. Kashiff tells us about his enthusiasm for learning and self awareness.
 

Listen in as he breakdowns the importance of mentoring and how his mediation skills have resolved conflicts throughout the Capital District. Currently pursuing his PhD, Kashiff discusses his early struggles with school and how he later went on to graduate from Harvard.
 

Hear his plans to stay engaged and involved in the Albany community.
 

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 2/9/21 with Tiera Gailliard-McAfee. Tiera is a Social Worker by profession but I think being a "sports mom" is what she is most passionate about. She explains how important authenticity is to her own brand but also as a counselor.      

We talk about the importance of mental health and her hope and desires of reaching back to the Albany youth. 

Listen in as we explore education, traveling and how the community centers of old have disappeared. 

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 2/2/21 with Mojavi Emi. Mojavi is the curator of many creative initiatives that have been entertaining the Albany Community for decades but perhaps he is most recognizable from his works with Urban Guerrilla Theater and Epiphany Radio Universe.    

We talk about the importance of mental health and how the impact of COVID-19 is disproportionally impacting communities of color. Don't put your health on the shelf.   

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 1/26/2021 with Shawn "Floss" Cooks. Mr OMG (on my grind) tells us about how he migrated to Albany many years ago and his fondest memories of the city.   

He explains the difficulties of juggling work and parenting during this global pandemic and how his community work with the SNUG Outreach program is what he is most passionate about.   

Listen in as he explains how changing his mindset helped him to transition to bigger and better things.    

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 1/19/21 with Diona Howard-Nicolas, Esq. Diona explains how her intrigue for law was sparked by an early encounter experiencing racism.    

Listen in as she breaks down "Believe, Try, Achieve" and how her and her husband teach their kids the importance of ownership and entrepreneurial skills. When you hear how her and her husband attended Law School at the same time while raising a young child you will understand why it takes a VILLAGE.   

Prepare to be Inspired! 

Watch the full interview from 1/12/21 with Manetertep El Dey the founder of the Albany House of Peace. 

We talk about the cost of leadership and how people perceive you differently while your on the journey of self development as opposed to when you reach your final destination. Tep is definitely a history buff so prepare for an education lesson. Manetertep believes it is his duty to bring the information to the people as he handles the people's business. 

Prepare to be Inspired!