Phenomenal Woman Magazine

Beletu

Shelley

Writers

Shelley M. Shockley

Marsha Walker Eastwood

Brittany Garrett

Rhonda Crowder

Creative

Belé Wondwossen

Jason Garrett

Cover

Story: Shelley Shockley

Photos: Tia McKnight

The Blush Gallery

Contributing

Rhonda Crowder

Michelle Phillips

Marianna Marron

Letitia Nall

Stephanie

LET'S EMBRACE THE UNIQUENESS OF ONE ANOTHER

Diversity, equity and inclusion also known as Affirmative Action is under attack in the United States. At the root of the attack are race-based programs, with the latest assault was the Supreme Court's decision that Harvard University and the University of North Carolina's race conscious admissions policies violate the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The ruling effectively dismantles any policies that use in its admission policies.

Statistics have shown that when these policies were rolled back in California and other states, the result was reduced enrollment by Black, Latinx and Indigenous students in their universities.

Not only are programs, books and organizations under attack due to their differences, but we are a country of people ostracizing one another based on external or personal beliefs that differ from the majority

The increase in hate crimes against the Asian community, those of the Jewish faith and the African American community have become so common it appears we are desensitizedto the abuse.

As I prepared to write this column for our annual Diversity edition the phrase, “Variety is the spice of life,” was a recurring theme in my mind along with God's word in Galatians 5:14, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Each of these phrases is in direct opposition to the state of our world today, and it is my belief that if we begin to embrace them we will find that we, as a people, are more alike than different.

I'm not alone in this thought, but what I found interesting is the history of “Variety is the spice of life,” dates back to 1785 and English poet William Cowper's poem, The Task, and according to the Bombay Review he “uses this poem as call for freedom and liberty for slaves while effectively undermining the very system of oppression that has long existed in the United Kingdom and United States.”

So, for more than 200 years we have been fighting the same battles instead of realizing that the unique qualities

of each person adds spice to this country once seen as a melting pot.

I ask that each of you celebrate your uniqueness while being open to the differences of others. We don't have to become besties, but if each of us engages in conversation with someone outside of our circle, we will learn something offering insight into the views of others. Little steps are needed to create major change. Let the change begin with us.

Our cover story features Kathryn M. Hall, an expert in diversityand inclusion. In her position as the Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion for JACK Entertainment, recognizing diversity as more than race is key to creating a welcoming environment for staff and guests. The team members at the JACK are representative of northeast Ohio and include young, old, and black, white, asian, hispanic and identify as many genders. This level of inclusivity Hall said is important to the success of their properties. Check out our cover story to learn more about Hall and the work she has done in DEI throughout the greater Cleveland area.

After delving into the world of diversity, be sure to meet Danielle “Dani” Morris, a young lady making a name for herself in the financial world as the Sr. Director, Revenue & Compliance Management at JumpStart Inc. She was raised on the east side of Cleveland and credits the Cleveland School of the Arts for saving her, and keeping her grounded. With a firm foundation, she has danced her way into a career that allows her to help others thrive.

Continuing in the area of finance, columnist Marsha Eastwood breaks down the world of insurance and how life insurance can impact your bottom line. She offers advice on the importance of purchasing insurance while debunking many of the arguments you may offer against making these investments.

It is our hope that something within these pages will assist you in your quest to be the best you possible. Most of all I hope you will embrace the differences of others around you, and open your mind to new people and experiences.

phenomenal

WOMAN WWOMAN Wphenomenal

LET'S EMBRACE THE UNIQUENESS OF ONE ANOTHER

Shelley M. Shockley

HOW LIFE INSURANCE CAN IMPACT YOUR FINANCIAL BOTTOM LINE

Marsha Walker Eastwood,

CLEVELAND NATIVE ANNA DANSER / US NAVY

SUSTAINABILITY IN SCHOOLS

COVER

DANIELLE (DANI) MORRIS

“Mission-driven organizations are where my passion resides, and that is why I continue to give my all to the space and faces I encounter daily,” says Danielle (Dani) Morris, Sr. Director, Revenue & Compliance Management at JumpStart Inc

A kid from Cleveland's eastside, Dani attended a few neighborhood elementary schools, bussed to Charles A. Mooney, walked to Charles W. Eliot, and graduated from The Cleveland School of Performing Arts (CSA) before earning her bachelor's and master's degrees.

KATHRYN

M. HALL VP, Diversity & Inclusion, JACK Entertainment

With a communal foundation as a child and a wealth of experience in collaborative leadership, Kathryn M. Hall, the VP of Diversity & Inclusion for JACK Entertainment is working to change the face of gaming byfocusing on the community

Community has been central in Hall's life since birth. She was raised in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood on a tight-knit street where her neighbors helped shape the values, she has woven throughout her career path.With a communal foundation as a child and a wealth of experience in collaborative leadership, Kathryn M. Hall, the VP of Diversity & Inclusion for JACK Entertainment is working to change the face of gaming by focusing on the community

See page 16 ... PAGE 10

DELICIOUS RECIPES

HOW LIFE INSURANCE CAN IMPACT YOUR FINANCIAL BOTTOM LINE

“You don't buy life insurance because you are going to die, but because those you love are going to live. Insurance is the embodiment of preparedness, offering a safety net when life takes an unexpected turn. Insurance is like a safety net that helps you bounce back when life throws you a curveball” ~ Jeremiah Say

When you mention the topic of life insurance, o f t e n t i m e s f o u r immediate responses embrace a negative rationale – “I know I should, but I can't afford it”, “I don't need it. My job covers me, so if I die at least, I can get buried.” “I don't have a family, and I don't own anything. Someone will dispose of my remains when I die. Isn't that what GoFundMe is for?” “If my wife dies, she will remarry and be taken care of.” The problem with dwelling on the negative is that people jump to conclusions about the real benefits of having a life insurance policy.

First, let's respond to the affordability issue. Life is about establishing priorities. There is a difference between the small number of people who truly have no disposable income - the ones with nary a penny to spare. Their income is fixed below the poverty level, and each month, they struggle to survive. Then there are the others who have selective disposable income, such as money spent on “must-have fun expenditures for things like cigarettes, alcohol, weekly entertainment venues, expensive clothing, and the high cost of membership in a social circle. These are the people who feel they must keep up so as not to be ostracized by the group. They must attend every invitational event, even if it means increasing their debt ratio. Clearly, these priorities were established for life in the here and now.

Second is the “I don't need it. My job covers me, so if I die, at least I can get buried” The caveat here is that this coverage can become null and void if the job is lost for any reason. Imagine working for a company for 10, 15, 20 years, or longer, and suddenly, the company shuts down. Today many companies are opting for permanent layoffs, which result in job loss. What if there is a disabling injury and the breadwinner can no longer work? Now you can understand the importance of a life insurance policy.

A healthy 20 or 30-something individual is a lot easier to insure. It will pay less in premiums than someone retiring and may have acquired age or lifestyle-related health issues during their time on the job. Also, you are likely to have fewer financial obligations at this stage. Thus, you can choose to profit from investments in the capital market with unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs). In addition to this, you can also consider protecting your income from unforeseen disabilities or critical ailments. However, no matter what age a potential policyholder is, the protection of assets is imperative.

The third argument is one that all too many uninsured people embrace, “I don't have a family, and I don't own anything. Someone will dispose of my remains when I die. Isn't that what GoFundMe is for?” Family defines a lot of

situations, and ultimately the disposition of a deceased person falls on the shoulders of the closest living relative –without regard to that person's financial wherewithal. Depending on GoFundMe for burial expenses is counting on the generosity of unknown others, which is tricky at best.

Recently a 40-year-young woman with children was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in front of her children. Her family had no idea where to turn to get the money for her burial and the immediate support of her children. A GoFundMe account was set up along with yard sales and even trips to a pawn shop, and all totaled was not nearly the amount needed for burial. Finally, an installment arrangement was made by a neighbor for her cremation.

The fourth argument about a spouse remarrying after the loss of a husband and breadwinner, along with the other scenarios are clear examples of the epitome of selfishness. The widow could have lost her house along with most or all income from the breadwinner's death. The children not only became orphaned but also suffered the loss of their mother's income.

These may appear to be worst-case scenarios, but they occur daily What is most troubling is that few people ask what life insurance can do for me other than providing for burial expenses. What is the real benefit of having a policy? Aside from peace of mind, there are several financialbenefits to having a life insurance policy.

ReasonstoHaveaLifeInsurancePlan:

1.Long-termfinancialgoal

Life insurance plans help you create a substantial financial corpus for your long-term financial goals by helping you save money with the protection of life cover.

2.Protectthechild'sfuture

Every parent wants to provide their child with the best possible future. Life insurance plans ensure your child has the best possible future even when you are not around.

3.Loansandliabilities

If you are applying for a loan, your life insurance policy's cash value can be used as collateral. What are the advantages of life insurance as an investment?

That's because permanent policies like whole life insurance include a reserve called the “cash value.” A portion of your premium goes toward the cash value, and the money grows tax-deferred. You can withdraw or borrow the funds to pay for expenses while alive.

By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, BsEd, MSHSVC PWM Contributing Writer

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Collateral assignment of life insurance provides a lender with collateral when you apply for a loan. In this case, the collateral is your life insurance policy's face value, which could be used to pay back the amount you owe in case you die while in debt. Collateral assignment of life insurance is a common requirement for business loans, and lenders may require you to get a life insurance policy to be used for collateral assignment.

Term insurance policies make sure that the burden of your loan doesn't fall upon your dependents in your absence. Term insurance plans are the most affordable ways to protect the home loan amount and safeguard the shelter of the policyholder's family in case of his/ her untimely death.

4.Child'seducationplanning

Child education plans help you save and build a financial corpus for your child's future education expenses. These plans provide life cover so that the child gets the sum assured even in the case of the policyholder's untimely demise.

5.Dependentspouse

If your spouse is financially dependent on you, a life insurance plan will ensure that your spouse lives a financially independent life in case of your absence. Life insurance can also guarantee survivor benefits of a pension plan. You own it and control it- not the pension plan.

6.Leaveatax-freelegacy

As life insurance pay-outs are tax-free under Section 10(10D) ** of the Income Tax Act, 1961, you can leave a tax-free legacy for your loved ones. Unlike a retirement

account, where if a withdrawal is made, it becomes a taxable event, and money can't be put back, life insurance cash values can be borrowed and repaid to the policy without becoming a taxable event. The borrowing and repayment are not even reportable on a 1099, so your transaction stays private.

7.Retirementplanning

Life insurance plans help you invest and build a financial portfolio for your retirement so that you can live your postretirement life comfortably When setting up income strategies at retirement, a pension plan often gives several choices for receiving funds – both to the pensioner and his/her surviving spouse. The “survivor option” chosen is actually a form of life insurance, purchased by and owned by the pension plan. Only the surviving spouse can receive a survivor benefit, so the better plan would be for the pensioner to plan and purchase their life insurance. They can often own the plan for less cost than purchasing the benefit through the pension, and there are options for canceling and directing the benefit to children should the surviving spouse not outlive the pensioner

To reiterate the importance of life insurance on your financial bottom line -i t is important because it provides financial security to the family when the policyholder dies. Life insurance can enable the family of the policyholder to stay financially independent, so they do not have to compromise their lifestyle.

You should not buy life insurance only for tax benefit. Your investments must match your long-term life goals, such as children's higher education and financial freedom in retirement. Also, you need to secure your loved ones with sufficient insurance coverage to overcome the uncertaintiesof life. <

CALMING COLOR

“Mission-driven organizations are where my passion resides, and that is why I continue to give my all to the space and faces I encounter daily,” says Danielle (Dani) Morris, Sr Director, Revenue & Compliance Management at JumpStart Inc.

JumpStart is a nationally recognized venture development organization providing capital, services and connections to help entrepreneurs grow and corporations innovate. Since 2010, the startups and small businesses supported by JumpStart and its partner organizations have generated more than $11.6 billion in economic impact, contributing to economic vitality, job growth and state and local taxes.

JumpStart strives to create equitable opportunities and economic growth for Black, Hispanic/Latino and womenled companies, driving progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable future. In 2022 alone, JumpStartsupported companies led by women contributed $446 million in economic impact and more than 3,591 jobs; companies led by Latino/Hispanic entrepreneurs contributed $50 million in economic impact and 467 jobs; and companies led by Black entrepreneurs contributed $139 million and 1,591 jobs. For more information about JumpStart, visit jumpstartinc.org.

Phenomenal Woman recently spoke with Morris to learn more about her career journey, the work she is doing at JumpStart and her contribution to our communities.

A kid from Cleveland's eastside, Dani attended a few neighborhood elementary schools, bussed to Charles A. Mooney, walked to Charles W. Eliot, and graduated from The Cleveland School of Performing Arts (CSA) before earning her bachelor's and master's degrees.

Danielle (Dani) Morris

USINGHERFINANCIAL ACUMENTOHELPOTHERS

She credits her enrollment at CSA as a life-saver stating, “CSA possibly saved me from a different path. Dance rehearsals and cheerleading kept me busy and what I believe out of harm's way.” She continued, “Yet, things were different back in the 80s; we walked, rode our bikes, swam at the local city pools, and took RTA to Randall Park Mall and Downtown's Terminal Tower, Woolworth, and spent hard-earned chores money at the various shops on th East 4 Street. Our biggest obstacles were avoiding drug dealers, getting hooked on them, and the drug users begging you for money. The crack epidemic was real in my hood. ”

In middle school, Dani was determined to have her own money That encouraged her to seek out employment through CMSD's summer job program, and at fourteen, she worked in City Hall during the summer months. Later, Dani worked at several restaurant chains and supermarkets, gaining valuable finance and business experience. She stressed, “The most useful experience applicable to my career path was balancing the store's daily books, what we referred to as “count down.”

While working in a grocery store and confident in what she wanted to do with her life, Dani enrolled at Cleveland State University (CSU). She then secured a job at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) while continuing her CSU studies and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Her work at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) led her to hold progressive responsibilities as Accounting Clerk, Accountant, Manager, and Assistant Controller. Danielle pursued her studies and earned her master's in Business Administration from CWRU. Of her decision to pursue her master's degree, Dani said, “Thanks to a coworker, Marina Lydiker, she motivated me to enroll in the MBA program at CWRU It was the best decision I could have made that anchored many parts of my personal growth and professional career I acquired and shared my skills of connecting with people, storytelling, and being an inspirational leader No doubt my Granny had a hand in it as well.”

After leaving higher education in 2011, Dani landed the Controller's position at JumpStart Inc. There, she said, “Our program and service offerings grew quickly and required a more complex accounting and compliance system and processes. As a result, the extraordinary Revenue & Compliance Management role and the team were created.”

JumpStart continues to support entrepreneurs and other members of our community. The organization 'provides capital, services, and connections to help entrepreneurs chart their growth path, surrounding them with the people and resources they need to go further and faster.'

In her capacity, Morris is responsible for maintaining and continually improving JumpStart's financial soundness and efficiency through the proper accounting of revenue. She oversees compliance activities and is responsible for preparing and reviewing state, grant and fee for service activities. She manages collection process and project future cash receipts as well as all compliance regulatory and funder-based requirements. With an emphasis on compliance and audit, Dani is an expert in federal and state grants management, investment fund operations, and financial accounting. She is also engaged in business operations, strategy, and advancements toward improvement in operations and systems decisions.

Understanding small business owners need operations knowledge, business financial literacy, and stewardship that transforms into greater savings and revenue. “Most entrepreneurs play the role of the bookkeeper, HR, Marketing, payroll processor, and the janitor too! Knowing your numbers is essential to the success and growth of businesses. The ability to communicate results can make or break a loan or investment opportunity,” she said.

She stays consistent in her advocacy for supplier diversity, connecting businesses with other businesses (B2B) and creating opportunities for JumpStart and partners to engage with minority-owned businesses.

For Danielle, a typical day includes juggling between accounting and oversight of various processes to managing the organization's compliance and internal controls connected to the organization's funding and policies. As a senior staff member at JumpStart, she said, “My expertise and opinion are often called upon, and I serve as a trusted voice for others, speaking up for those who aren't comfortable doing so themselves. As one of my colleagues, Tamika Otis says, Dani delivers compliance with compassion.”

With the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID19 EIDL lending at their peak, business owners and organizations awarded loans found themselves in a new space of tracking funding. Most had to invest in sound financial systems that tracked and reported expenses, which was a requirement for compliance.

Mindful of these, Danielle established her private company, DM Strategic Solutions, in 2020 to help move organizations from zero or manual accounting processes into structured, multifaceted operation systems with written policies. The company also assists small business owners and solopreneurs with understanding cash flows, balancing the books, and developing checks and balance processes as they grow their business.

As the Chief Transformation Officer, Dani, and DM Strategic Solutions provide consulting services “where improvements to bridges and traffic controls involving People, Processes, and Technology are essential to business growth and sustainability.” Her company specializes in transforming quantitative data into bankable indicators in operations, finance, and information systems, to meet performance metrics and

audit readiness. It establishes processes that carry businesses in their journey and measure what they said they would do!

Dani currently serves as Board Chair of DANCECleveland, the country's oldest modern dance presentation organization that brings the passion and verve of modern and contemporary dance to the hearts and minds of Northeast Ohioans. A strong desire to engage with a board seeing diversity of thought, engagement, and making an impact with its efforts for women and minorities in dance was a major factor that brought her to the organization.

She also stays connected with her high school (CSA), connecting talented alumni (artists, professionals, and entrepreneurs) with students and faculty and engages with the Women of Color Foundations' Equity Project mentees.

Continued on next page...

In 2012, Dani became a member of Black Girls Run (BGR), Cleveland Chapter. BGR encourages and motivates black women to practice a healthy lifestyle, making fitness and healthy living a priority. She said, “Though I'm not up at 5am running with the group anymore, I do my best to engage on the weekends and register or volunteer for local races, supporting the community that supported me when I needed the extra push.”

Service has always been a huge part of Dani's life. She served as race director for this year's Bessie's Angels 5k Run. Bessie's Angels, a local nonprofit, continues to help young women impacted by foster care through well crafted programs.

Dani is also a member of Our Hope, Our Future, Giving Circle, a collective of Black Professionals in the Cleveland area that strives to impact our community through philanthropy works. “Each year, we identify a non-profit organization that we wish to support. We give priority to Black-led nonprofit organizations serving the Greater Cleveland community in the focus areas of education, social justice, environment, and health and human services.”

While she has put in a lot of hard work, Dani concedes that she couldn't have achieved this success level without the support of family members and colleagues. Deeply indebted to her grandmother, Ms. Kitty, and her impact on her, she said, “My granny taught me and exposed me to what it means to have a giving heart and purse while expecting nothing in return. To reach back and elevate the next women and generation arriving after you. She

gave of herself until she no longer had the capacity to decide to give. Philanthropy, that's what she gave me.”

Professionally, she cited three key mentors who shaped who she is today. First is Laurie Melville, Senior Associate Vice President for Finance, University of Richmond. She said of her, “my years working for Laurie brought awareness to the challenges women faced in the finance and accounting industry, the competitiveness. Laurie always presented herself with grace and honor, no matter the situation. She taught me not to underestimate my capabilitiesand integrity”

Jack George, may he rest in peace, Director of Enterprise Resource Planning at CWRU “inspired me to dive into, engage and serve as the liaison connecting people, processes, and technology. He also encouraged me to stretch my legs, be instrumental to the community I serve, get comfortable with being the “go-to person”, and come from behind the desk.”

“Richard (Duke) E. Jankura, retired, CFO, Sr. Partner, Finance at JumpStart Inc., has been instrumental over the last twelve years while at JumpStart. “When I was hired, Duke and Joe Minadeo, retired Controller, supported my efforts for improved accounting policies and processes, conducting group training and increasing the organization's systems for compliance and audit purposes.” She continued, “He's had a positive effect and impact on past and current JumpStart team members. He was vital to my professional development, which allowed me to be my authentic self at work. He set the tone for my experience with the organization while always focusing on growing the economy and making a difference.”

With such a busy life, self-care is essential, and some of the ways Dani includes this practice is through regular workouts, bike rides, walks in the park, being near a body of water, playing in the snow, and spending time with fourlegged fur babies. She said, “I enjoy traveling once a quarter, spending time with my sister girls, and sometimes just being still. That last one came with age and experience of learning that you can't be all things to everyone and leaving nothing for yourself Sitting still, to remain motionless, keeps me grounded.”

When asked about upcoming plans, Dani said, “Stay true to who I am, continue to reach back, aid in creating exposure and experiences for those I encounter, and most importantly, share my knowledge and lessons learned with the youth and those aspiring to break bad habits, the decisions family and others have made on them. Those negative impressions can have a lifetime effect. My words are often your zip/area code does not define you and certainly not your future.”

Closing out the interview and extending messages to girls and young women, “Take the leap and go to school out of state if you have the opportunity, add a little distance, grow, and gain independence. Home will always be here. Also, manage your finances appropriately. Financial literacy is equally important; learn what a credit score (FICO) is, how to obtain your credit report, the importance of saving, how to balance a checkbook and the value of money for the future.” Dani said. “Last, know that it's okay to change your mind. Change is growth and creates expansion for a new experience. All of the above are rooted in the love and truths shared with me as I honor my Father and Granny Kitty.” <

CLEVELAND NATIVE PETTY OFFICER

2ND CLASS WINS ANNA DANSER

USS IWO JIMA SAILOR OF THE QUARTER

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caitlin E. Mazzola

NORFOLK – Petty Officer 2nd Class Anna Danser, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, was named Sailor of the Quarter aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, July 13.

The Navy’s Sailor of the Quarter program recognizes sailors for outstanding character, dedication and going above and beyond duties.

“Receiving this recognition was unexpected,” said Danser. “I’m proud to represent my family, Dental Department leadership and sailors. I hope to be a good role model for people who are joining or looking to join the Navy.”

Danser has served in the Navy for five years and is a 2011 graduate of Phoebus High School. Today Danser serves as a hospital corspman.

Amphibious assault ships, such as USS Iwo Jima, project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group and Expeditionary Strike Group.

Amphibious Readiness Groups provide the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter in addition to movement bylanding craft.

USS Iwo Jima has supported major humanitarian assistance and combat operations in which the United States has been involved.

USS Iwo Jima is named for the battle of Iwo Jima fought in 1945, in which three divisions of U.S Marines took control of a tiny island from more than 20,000 enemy defenders.

The ship’s motto is a quote from Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz: “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

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CHANGING THE FACE OF THE GAMING INDUSTRY IN CLEVELAND

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty, and there is strength.”Maya Angelou

PHOTOS:

Tia McKnight: The Blush Gallery

BY SHELLEY SHOCKLEY PWM MANAGING EDITOR

With a communal foundation as a child and a wealth of experience in collaborative leadership, Kathryn M. Hall, the VP of Diversity & Inclusion for JACK Entertainment is working to change the face of gaming by focusing on the community.

Community has been central in Hall's life since birth. She was raised in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood on a tight-knit street where her neighbors helped shape the values, she has woven throughout her career path.

With the ringing bells and chimes of the JACK in the background, Hall recently sat down with Phenomenal Woman to discuss her role as a leader in Cleveland and her role with JACKEntertainment.

At the core of who she is, and representative of her business success are people, she describes a community that embraced everyone. She said, “I grew up in a time when the street was your family. My mom was a working mom, we always felt safe on our street because all the neighbors looked out after us,” this strong sense of a village helped as her parents divorced when she and her siblings were teenagers. The split was amicable, which was another plus in her life. Speaking of their relationship she recalls, “we were very fortunate because they stayed friends and they were very active in our lives. I think that because they were, it made us who we are, it didn't inflict upon us the worry that it could have. I couldn't imagine having to choose if I'm going to be with my mom or my dad. On all holidays after they got divorced, we spent every holiday together We were truly fortunate to continue to be a family.”

This stability and sense of community served Kathryn well as she matriculated through John Hay High School before heading to Baldwin Wallace (BW) College (now University). When Hall chose BW, her dad an alum, was apprehensive. He reflected on his challenges with racism, and had concerns that his daughter would have a similar experience. His concerns were short-lived. Ironically Dr Alfred Bonds, president of the College when her dad attended BW was still at the helm when the younger Hall arrived on campus.

Hall said of her tenure at BW, “I helped create a new experience there. I was active in Black Student Leadership Council and had a great relationship with the president, Dr. Bonds, we made a pact I would go and tell him when somebody was in trouble. He appreciated this because when the leadership came to him about it, he had already thought about it and had a plan. I always thought that was funny that I was able to have that relationship with the administrators, so they didn't come down so hard on the students. Once he realized my dad had gone there, we struck up a friendship He was a very caring person.”

Hall describes herself as a “people person,” and that attribute has opened many doors for her Developing a friendship with the College President was the biggest at the school, but she would also develop a lifelong relationship with the parents of legendary collegiate

football coach Jim Tressel. Of these relationships she said, “I've been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time making good lasting friendships.”

As a college student, Hall had visions of a career as a defense attorney, because she loved reading about the law and criminology, and she excelled in those classes. An internship with the Adult Parole Authority offered the insight she needed to know this was not the right career path. She recalls, “I had to write pre-sentence reports. I was interviewing people that had been found guilty of a crime, and part of that interview included them telling me what they did and being honest about it.” Listening to the stories, she said, “reality dawned on me these folks would be your clients, you would be visiting them in jail, and you're not jail material.”

Hall's tenure at the Parole Authority was a lifelong lesson she shares with young people. She said, “What I learned out of that experience is I would recommend any student thinking about a career, to do an internship in that career because it gives you first-hand knowledge of what will be expected of you, what that job is really like and not just what you think it is or what you have read about it. Imagine if I had continued down that path and then found out at the end that it wasn't for me. That's the beauty of internships exposing young people to careers and different experiences. Even in high school if you can do a shadow experience,I think that's a great opportunity.”

Armed with a passion for the law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Hall went to work for the Ohio Civil Rights Commission where she received a birds-eye view of many local companies. As part of the investigative process, Hall and her colleagues visited work sites to receive first-hand views of the working conditions. The most memorable site she said was the Salt Mines. She described the visit in detail, “We get on this elevator and it's dark, and you're going down in the elevator for five minutes and then we are in the salt mines under Lake Erie. They put me on a cart, and they ride me around, the purpose of that is to see the workspace. I remember riding around on this cart and somebody called my name, and I looked around and it was my neighbor”

Continued on next page ...

“ People are confused that diversity only means race. That’s only one small facet of diversity. It’s your gender, your nationality, your ancestry, your age everything that makes every individual who they are. Our definition of diversity here is the whole person. “

Working for the Commission she said was informative, but “it was also heartbreaking to be a black woman and to hear about discrimination day in and day out.” She was quickly promoted to supervisor taking her out of the field performing investigations, but she said, “I still had to read and approve the cases that the investigators investigated. I spent a couple of years investigating complaints, but I knew after ten years I could not do this as a career for the rest of my life.”

While the work with the Commission was often disheartening, Hall recalls a case that illustrated the importance of the work and left her with a sense of joy. She said, “One of my proud moments was one case that I investigated at the Civil Rights Commission that became state law.” The case involved a man who had a problem with drugs and alcohol, but he was what many describe as a functioning addict. He came to work, and performed his job duties well, until one day he didn't. Realizing he needed help, he sought a leave of absence from his job with a local car dealership Management refused his request and fired him.

Hall recalls, “He went to treatment and came back, and his job was still there, and their argument was we couldn't do without him, but they had done without him, and they really weren't aware. It made state law in terms of alcoholism being a disability.” She was proud of the work explaining, “we weren't saying it was okay for you to come to work and be high on alcohol or drugs addict, but if you needed treatment for it, you should be allowed to go away for treatment, and it clearly didn't cause a hardship to the workplace because they had done without him for the 30 days.”

Putting herself first, Hall left the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and joined the staff at Cleveland State University (CSU) as the Assistant Affirmative Action Officer. She started her new post in the middle of studentled protests surrounding a contract dispute with the University and the vice president of minority affairs, Raymond Winbush.

As a new employee without an allegiance to either group, Hall used her neutrality to look out for the interests of the student protesters. “I had no side to take, so I decided to take care of the students. That was an interesting experience to be part of the administration and try and manage the situation with a level head.” In her capacity of the neutral administrator, Hall called on her connections in government to keep the students safe. As an example, the students stormed the president's office on a Friday and anticipating arrests, she reached out to a friend in the prosecutor's office, Mark McClain, asking him to hold staff over so the students wouldn't have to spend the weekend in jail because they were going to be arrested.

Although she chose not to take sides, she also looked out for the administration advising on how to be proactive about the activities. She said, “you know they're going to say you put hands on them, so we had our videographers tape the whole thing.” This advice she explained comes from her practice of thinking outside the box, “A lot of times my bosses have asked why are we thinking so far out of the box? Let's look at the what are you going to do and the 'what ifs,' so you're prepared even if you don't need those extra steps.”

After her initial “baptism by fire,” Hall worked with a team to develop college-wide affirmative action and EEO program and tracked the progress of the EEO program relating to contract recruitment. Additionally, she drafted, edited and published brochures, newsletters, other written training materials for college-wide use, and also investigated and resolved internal complaints of discrimination.

After two years at CSU, Hall said she gained the experience she would need to take the helm as the Director of Diversity for Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), a position she says was one of the best opportunities of her career A key factor in that belief was working for Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton, who would become a mentor and friend. Of her former boss she said, “She hired me six months after she came, and she put me in spaces

where I never would have found myself because she came to trust my abilities.”

Utilizing the skillset developed at CSU with EEO and contract recruitment, Hall stepped in and propelled Tri-C's supplier diversity program from, “doing one percent business with the diverse populations to being the standard in how you could be inclusive in business.” This work was accomplished by developing strategic plans and partnerships to enhance the utilization of minority and female businesses.

After more than a decade at Tri-C, Kathryn took her talents to Case Western Reserve University as the Assistant Vice President Diversity and Equity and built on her knowledge of supplier diversity programs to significantly increase the percentage of female and minority owned businesses afforded an opportunityto secure work at the University.

Recognizing the success that she garnered in developing and overseeing diversity and inclusion programs for institutions, Hall founded The Essence Group, a diversity consulting practice focused on issues of hiring and retention, diversity, supplier diversity and economic inclusion.

While working at Case, Hall's dad became ill prompting her to leave her position to care for him, and The Essence Group offered a soft landing to continue the work she loved, but on a part-time basis. During this time, she had the opportunity to consult with The Evergreen Cooperative Companies, and the Natural History Museum, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) as well as build her civic engagement experience serving on the City of Cleveland Community Relations Board, and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland's Advisory Committee.

Part-time shifted when the Natural History Museum contracted with Hall to coordinate their exhibit, RACE: Are We So Different? Recalling this experience, the smile and excitement in her voice demonstrated how important this opportunity was. She said, “They had created this exhibit on the history of race in America, and the museum wanted to hire someone to tell them how to promote the exhibit and encourage to come to the Museum. How to get people involved, to design learning opportunities, and to structure community opportunities that facilitated social networking.”

To achieve their goals, she utilized her distinct leadership style of thinking outside the box which she explained “I think about collaborations, what non-traditional collaborations can work to get multiple things done. Who can I partner with internally and externally to accomplish what I'm trying to do.” This forward thinking helped her raise $200,000 to make all of the activities free, to ensure the cost of admission wasn't an obstacle to people seeing the exhibit.

Also understanding the uniqueness of such an exhibit, she developed training sessions and workshops to prepare the staff and communityfor what was to come.

Continued on next page ...

The exhibit was a huge success, “In 90 days we got 92,000 people in the museum to see that exhibit. We saw corporate groups, blended families, multicultural families, young people, older citizens, White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and every other at the exhibit. It was absolutely incredible.” This success led to an offer from the museum to join the staff as the Associate Director of Leadership Giving where she helped secure major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations to support the museum's operations. The funds that were raised then are contributing to the museum transformation that is taking place currently.

After leaving the museum, Hall consulted with the NEORSD as an internal management consultant on the District's strategic priorities in identifying and developing talent, performance management and coaching, organizational learning, and change management in support of becoming a workplace of choice for top talent.

With a success in the consultancy role under her belt, she was promoted to another opportunity, as the District's Manager of Diversity Explaining her objective with each career change she said, “Wherever I move is a better opportunity than I had before,” and with the Sewer District she said, “I got to learn about the water industry That's what keeps this diversity work exciting for me is getting to do what I do in a whole new industry” The diversity position was new at the District and building on the consultant work she helped expand their community outreach and communication efforts She explained, “They were doing major construction works and working in concert with my colleagues, we reached out to the various communitieswhere we were doing that work.”

Her greatest asset was her connections in the community because the key she said to communicating well, is knowing who to communicate to, and “By me being connected to community I'm able to make a call and people will answer or make a call and a door will open to start the dialogue.”

In the heart of the global pandemic a new opportunity presented itself, and Hall said yes to take on the role of VP of Diversity & Inclusion for JACK Entertainment, operators of JACKCasino and JACKThistledown Racino.

With a background working in higher education and governmental agencies, and as a Christian woman many, including a close friend wondered how Hall could work in the gaming industry. She said of her move, “The gaming industry has lots of lucrative careers that most people aren't aware exist. One of them is our Dealer Academy, a six week training opportunity where we bring you in with a high school diploma or GED and for six weeks we teach you how to deal cards, after you pass that class we give you a job which is really a career that nobody has and you can make $40-60,000a year dealing cards.”

In the almost three years she has worked at the casino, Hall has seen the impact these jobs have on individuals. She recalled a situation with a young mother, living out of her car with a five-year-old child, struggling to make things work while working to go through the academy. In

her position, with her connections Hall was able to offer assistance to this woman. Having first-hand impact is what brings joy to Hall. Praising the work she said, “Where else can you find a job with a GED that can change your life in just six to eight weeks. We're going to always need dealers.” JACK Entertainment she said is a great employer committed to the city of Cleveland and its team members. Elaborating Hall noted, “We're very good to our employees, are we perfect no, but we strive everyday to get better”

The company is philanthropic and has created a culture of philanthropy within the organization. In her position, Hall decides where those dollars go within the community, as well as seeks out opportunities to collaborate with others to support their efforts.

As the only gaming operation headquartered in Cleveland their motto is, “Born Here, Raised Here,” a mindset grounded in all aspects of their work. She explained, “it's important to us to be representative of our customers in our giving. We have a wide array of different people that gamble here, so we support those differences in our giving. Our team members represent our guests, so when our guests come to JACK,they see themselves here.”

This commitment to authentic diversity is part of what makes this a job Hall says she loves. She also has the ability to look at diversity in its totality She explained, “People are confused that diversity only means race. That's only one small facet of diversity. It's your gender, your nationality, your ancestry, your age, and everything that makes every individual who they are. Our definition of diversityhere is the whole person.”

To ensure that it is a priority, part of Hall's job is planning engagements with team members. She said, “One of the ways we inform and educate team members is through engagements. Those engagements generally celebrate and teach them about different cultures. I'm always planning what different engagement I can come up with to enhance our team members experience and celebrate who they are.”

Hall says working with JACK Entertainment has placed her in the most diverse organization of her career. As an example, she said, “Age is not a factor, we have people who work here in their 70s and 80s. We have every gender representation you can think of, and we just embrace our team members.”

When asked about challenges, Hall said she hasn't encountered them, and with each position she developed the programs she oversaw as she worked. With JACK she said the biggest challenge they face is similar to other service-oriented businesses - finding team members. The management team at the JACK has been receptive to her ideas, and gives her the freedom to be creative.

Kathryn M. Hall

Continued from page 20

Speaking of the management team she said, “When I talk to my executive peers, one of the things we're aspiring to do here at JACK is change the gaming industry A lot of other casinos are affiliated with Vegas, so they have a different mindset versus a casino that is headquartered here, we're about community Gaming is what we do, and we make money but it's not just to make money, it is to build up this community. I came here to change the casino industry and because they are a local casino, we have the abilityto do that.”

Examples of their commitment to community include providing lunches for the Warrensville Heights football team every Friday and allowing guests to donate change on kiosks The collected funds are donated in the communitiesthey serve.

In December 2020, the JACK Entertainment management team, who have been with the company since its inception and led by Matt Cullen and Mark Dunkeson, completed the purchase of controlling interest in the company, removing all affiliation with Dan Gilbert's family of companies. Matt Cullen serves as Chairman of the Board, and Mark Dunkeson serves as Chief Executive Officer. The change in ownership also saw JACK relocate its home office team to be headquartered in Cleveland, making JACK the only Ohio-based gaming operator across the state's 11 gaming properties.

Reviewing the wealth of experience, she has gained in her career and what role if any mentoring has played in her growth, she cited Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton and many colleagues including Jacklyn Chisholm and Tony Kinslow. On mentoring she said, “You can be mentored everyday if you work and collaborate with people. It's really who have you worked with and done some great things with. Some younger people have also been some great mentors.”

Hall is passionate about including young people in her circle and advises those beginning out on the career path to “explore everything. One of the reasons I'm successful is that I'm very much intergenerational. I have friends that are young people, that intergenerational piece is strong. Spend some time talking to various people of various generations, and if there is something you're curious about let someone know so they can expose you to that or they can tell you about that - don't be afraid, there is always someone out there that wants to help you. Your challengeis getting to that person.”

When Kathryn isn't working on creating the best community for the JACK, she's with the unit that started it all, her family. Her mother, who is 98 years young is a frequent companion along with her brother and his family. Her mom who lives on her own, is insistent on things remaining that way, but Kathryn is trying to convince her otherwise.

Hall is also an avid sports fan and if you follow her Facebook feed, you know that she attends Cleveland

Cavaliers games regularly and is a huge fan of the Cleveland Browns. You'll also see her in “The Shoe,” cheering for her nephew, an Ohio State football player entering his senior year. She also enjoys spending time with her adult nephew and his family, including his 8-yearold son. Although she has no biological children, Kathryn counts it a blessing to have an extended family of Godchildren and adopted nieces and nephews that mean the world to her

A key piece of information she has learned from young people is the need for the elders to pass the baton, and the lack of making space and preparing others to lead after them is why many young people leave this area. She advises seasoned professionals to “Pass the wisdom on to the next generation. I think it will be a win-win for everybody. Advice to retired professionals sitting at home with nothing to do, get to know these young whippersnappers, it will keep you young and keep you engaged. People need to know what you know, and we can all teach each other something.”

To keep herself grounded and healthy, she is a member of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, practices meditation, receives regular massages and practices Reiki.

The life story of Kathryn Hall, a proud Clevelander, is a testament to hard work, dedication, self-discipline, and self-belief. With such exemplary accomplishments, it is safe to say that this Phenomenal Woman has made a positive difference by even the most objective standards n

Phenomenal Facts on next page...

KATHRYN M. HALL PHENOMENAL FACTS:

B.A. Political Science and Sociology

Baldwin Wallace University

M.A. Psychology and Diversity Management

Cleveland State University

CDP Diversity Management

Cleveland State University

Executive Coaching Certification. Coaching Weatherhead

School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Serves as Member Board of Directors United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland

Serves as Board Chair Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland

Serves as Member Services Committee

The Commission on Economic Inclusion

Served as Board Member

Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival

Serves as Board Member Urban League of Greater Cleveland

Serves as Board Member

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

2021 Career Woman of Achievement

YWCA of Greater Cleveland

2017 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Award for Community Service

Woman of Color Foundation

With hectic day-to-day schedules and varying dietary needs,

many families face the dreaded daily question: “What sounds good for dinner?” In contrast, millions struggle to put food on the table each night, impacting about 1 in 8 children, according to Feeding America.

You can help support those in need through Safeway and Albertsons' “Fight Hunger, Serve Hope” cause program – an initiative to fight hunger in local communities during summer months when households with school-aged children face higher rates of food insecurity The company's private label will donate one meal for ® every O Organics product purchased, up to $7 million and the equivalent of 28 million meals. Donations will be made to Nourishing Neighbors, a program of Albertsons Companies Foundation, to fund grants dedicated to providing healthy meals for at-risk youth throughout the summer.

“While summertime sparks excitement for countless students, it also marks the unfortunate reality that millions of children face when they lose access to school cafeteria lunches and breakfasts they depend on throughout the school year,” said Jennifer Saenz, EVP and chief merchandising officer at Albertsons Companies. “As a company, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of children in need. For the first time, we are making it easier than ever for our customers to support this mission by connecting each purchase of our O Organics brand to hunger relief efforts in the communities we serve. ”

Following the campaign period, families looking to help in their communities can give back in a variety of ways.

Donate Canned Goods

Once school is in session, many classrooms participate in canned food drives for a variety of causes while serving a dual purpose: feeding those in need and teaching children the importance of giving back. Sending your students to school with canned goods can show them the value of helping others and instill a sense of responsibility

Volunteer at a Food Pantry

Sharing valuable resources like canned goods helps make a difference in communities, but local food pantries also need willing volunteers to sort and distribute food, among other duties. It can provide a unique sense of perspective as you meet other volunteers, improve the lives of people in your community and gain new skills.

Promote the Power of Family Meals

Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner or all three, sharing a meal with neighbors can be a powerful moment. It provides an opportunity to connect while enjoying easy-to-make recipes like Ribeye Steak, Grape Tomato and Mushroom Kebabs; Grilled Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese, Fresh Raspberries and Pecans; and Mixed Berry-Lime Smoothie Bowl with Banana and Granola.

Find more meal ideas by visiting Safeway.com and Albertsons.com.

Ribeye Steak, Grape Tomato and Mushroom Kebabs

Recipe courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons

Total time: 30 minutes

2 cloves garlic

1/2 small bunch Italian (flat-leaf) parsley

1/4 cup O Organics extra-virgin olive oil

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons O Organics

Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 pound O Organics ribeye steak

1/2 pint O Organics grape tomatoes

1/4 pound O Organics white mushrooms

green pepper, sliced (optional)

1/2 medium red onion, 6 skewers

Peel and mince garlic Wash and dry parsley Shave leaves off stems; discard stems and mince leaves.

In large bowl, whisk minced garlic, half the minced parsley (reserve remainder for garnish), olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper

Cut steak into cubes; transfer to marinade bowl and toss to coat

Wash tomatoes, mushrooms and green pepper Halve mushrooms. Add tomatoes, mushrooms and green pepper to marinade. Peel onion and cut into chunks; add to marinade. Toss beef and vegetables until well coated.

Heat grill pan, outdoor grill or skillet to medium-high heat.

Thread steak and vegetables onto six skewers.

Cook kebabs in batches until steak is browned and vegetables are tender, 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining kebabs.

To serve, plate kebabs and sprinkle with remaining minced parsley

Grilled Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese, Fresh Blueberries and Pecans

Recipe courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons

Total time: 20 minutes

3/4 pound boneless, skinless O

Organics chicken breasts

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons O Organics

extra-virgin olive oil

1 package (5 ounces) O Organics

spring mix

1 package (6 ounces) O Organics blueberries (or desired berry)

1/4 cup O Organics pecan halves

3 tablespoons O Organics olive oil

1 tablespoon O Organics

balsamic vinegar

1/2 log (4 ounces) O Organics

goat cheese

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and place on cutting board. Cut chicken in half horizontally to form thin cutlets. Season with salt and pepper on both sides.

Preheat grill pan, outdoor grill or skillet to medium-high heat

Once pan is hot, coat with oil. Add chicken to pan and grill, turning once, until cooked through, 3-4 minutes per side.

Wash and dry spring mix. Place in medium bowl.

Wash and dry blueberries. Add to bowl with mixed greens. Using clean cutting board, roughly chop pecans. Add to bowl.

Transfer cooked chicken to cutting board and cut into thin strips.

In bowl, mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar to create dressing.

Add chicken and dressing to salad bowl; toss to combine.

To serve, divide salad between plates or bowls and crumble goat cheese over top.

Mixed Berry-Lime Smoothie Bowl with Banana and Granola

Recipe courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons

Total time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 cups

1 banana, 1/2 lime

1/2 package (6 ounces) O Organics

blackberries

2 cups O Organics frozen mixed berries

1 cup plain O Organics Greek yogurt

4 fluid ounces O Organics

whole milk

1/8 cup O Organics honey

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2/3 cup O Organics granola of choice

Wash and dry banana and blackberries. Peel and thinly slice banana; set aside.

Zest and juice lime into blender Add frozen mixed berries, yogurt, milk, honey and cinnamon. Blend on high speed until smooth, 1-2 minutes.

To serve, divide smoothie between bowls and top with banana, blackberries and granola.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (kebabs)

Betw een morning r outines, da y s spent in the classr oom,

e xtr acurriculars and homew ork, it ma y seem lik e ther e 's ne v er enoug h time in the da y during the school y ear How e v er , making time f or tasty meals and snack s doesn 't ha v e t o be another bur den on jam-pack ed schedules.

These quick r ecipes f or a fla v orful twist on a br eakf ast f a v orit e, eas y-t o-mak e sliders f eaturing kid-friendl y fla v ors and delig htful tr eats t o enjo y at the end of the da y can help k eep little learners (and older f amil y members, t oo) fueled up and r ead y t o tackle all the school y ear thr ow s their w a y

Find mor e r ecipes t o get y ou thr oug h bus y back-t o-school season at C ulinary .net

Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Recipe adapted from MilkMeansMore.org

1 package slider rolls

1/2 cup pizza sauce

1/2 cup mini pepperoni

1 1/2 cups shredded, low-moisture, partskim mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese nonstick cooking spray

Heat oven to 350 F

Keeping rolls connected, cut sheet of rolls horizontally, separating tops from bottoms. Place bottom halves of rolls in baking dish.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over bottom halves. Sprinkle pepperoni over sauce Sprinkle mozzarella over pepperoni and cover with top halves of rolls.

Mix melted butter with parsley flakes, dried oregano, garlic powder and shredded Parmesan cheese. Spoon evenly over sliders.

Cover baking dish with aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to keep cheese from sticking.

Bake 20 minutes.

Remove foil and bake additional 5-10 minutes, or until Parmesan is melted and golden brown.

Cut sliders and serve immediately.

A Fresh-Baked After-School Sweet

After a long day of learning or a tough homework assignment, many kids love a warm, chocolatey homemade cookie. Once your kiddos pack away the calculators and put their pencils down, serve up an ooey-gooey delight as a reward for all that hard work.

These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are ready in just 30 minutes and made with high-quality ingredients you can count on like

C&H Dark Brown Sugar for that familiar homemade flavor

Find more sweet after-school desserts at chsugar.com.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Yield: 18 cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups C&H Dark Brown Sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and cook until foaming and golden brown. Remove from heat and transfer to heatproof bowl. Place in refrigerator until solidified, about 45 minutes.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt Set aside.

Once butter has solidified, remove from refrigerator. In bowl of electric stand mixer, using paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium speed 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Mix until combined. Scrape sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed, add flour mixture and beat to combine. Add pecans and chocolate chips; mix at low speed until combined. Place dough in refrigerator and rest 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Using 2-ounce ice cream scoop, portion out dough on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 3 inches apart. Gently flatten dough balls using palm.

Bake 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets 10 minutes then transfer to wire rack. Serve warm.

A Traditional Breakfast with a Twist

The same bowl of cereal can get boring after eating it for breakfast day in and day out You may find yourself looking for something new and exciting to start school day mornings on the right foot

Kids can be picky when it comes to breakfast foods, but this recipe for Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups is a quick and easy way to fill their bellies with a taste of several flavors they may already love. A sizzling sausage link wrapped with French toast, it combines a favorite breakfast protein and traditional deliciousness in one roll.

Sausage French Toast Roll-Ups

Servings: 12

12 sausage links

2 eggs

2/3 cup milk

3 teaspoons almond extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6 bread slices, crust removed, cut in half

3 tablespoons butter syrup

In skillet, cook sausage links according to package directions. Set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, almond extract and cinnamon.

Dip bread slice in egg mixture. Wrap bread slice around cooked sausage link, pressing seam to keep from unrolling Repeat with remaining bread slices and sausage links.

In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Place roll-ups in skillet, seam-sides down, and cook until all sides are browned, approximately 10 minutes.

Drizzle with syrup.

SUSTAINABILITY IN SCHOOLS

As the center of many communities, schools

can play an important role in promoting sustainable behaviors. Teaching earthfriendly behaviors is one aspect, but schools can also take steps to facilitate sustainable practices within the school system and the community.

Beyond protecting the climate and environment, sustainable practices offer multiple benefits, including improving student health and enhancing the community. These green changes can make a meaningfuland lasting impact.

StartaRecyclingClub

For communities without a city-wide recycling program, a student-run operation can be highly successful. Engaging students in the planning and oversight of a social service project equips them with leadership experience while showing them firsthand the impact a small group can make.

LookatPropaneBuses

Diesel school buses are not only expensive to operate, but they pose a risk to children's health and the environment. According to the Propane Education & Research Council, with propane school buses, the classic cloud of black smoke emitted from the tailpipe is nonexistent. Propane school buses also provide a quieter ride than diesel buses, which means it's a safer ride. What's more, propane reduces harmful emissions that cause asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses by up to 94% compared to diesel.

There are two practical energy choices for clean student transportation: propane and electric. However, a propane bus costs one-third the price of an electric bus, allowing school districts to replace their aging diesel fleets three times faster than with electric. In addition, propane has a range of 400 miles, meaning even sizable vehicles, like buses, can go the distance to provide a reliableride.

7 ideas for engaging students, communities in green initiatives

CleanwithNaturalProducts

Especially in the wake of a global pandemic, cleaning standards in most schools are exceptionally high. However, many of the heavy-duty disinfectants and other cleaning agents used in schools and other public areas can be filled with chemicals that negatively affect air quality and further harm the environment when they wash into surrounding areas, including streams and rivers.

PlantaSchoolGarden

Locally sourced produce offers numerous benefits, from providing an affordable food source for families in the area to minimizing costs associated with food production, including transportation and packaging. Beyond the social and environmental perks, gardening is a valuable life skill that can also be easily woven into academic lessons such as science, math, social studies and even art.

TakeAdvantageofNaturalLight

In many cases, classrooms that are well-illuminated by natural light filtering through windows don't need to run overhead lights throughout the day. Leveraging the warmth of the sun's rays can also be helpful in providing natural heat during colder months.

ReplaceLightBulbs

In areas where the school does rely on energy-based lighting, environmentally friendly bulbs make a lot of

sense. Not only do eco-friendly bulbs align with a school's commitment to sustainability, but they're also generally more cost-efficient to operate, which means the district can save money on energy expenses.

CelebrateEnvironmentalHolidays

Engaging students and capturing their interest can also mean tapping into the delight that comes with classroom parties and special events that offer a break from the regular school routine. Hosting assemblies or organizing special events in honor of environmental holidays can pique students' interest and inspire them to take a greater interest in adopting sustainable habits.

A Program Geared for Sustainability

In an effort to provide school districts with more environmentally friendly transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program is providing $5 billion over five years (20222026) to replace existing school buses with zeroemission and low-emission models.

The program prioritizes high-need, low-income, rural and tribal school districts. As an affordable, available energy source that provides fleets with a range of up to 400 miles on a single refuel, propane autogas is a viable option for each of these prioritized demographics.

In 2022, the EPA solicited rebate applications for $1 billion for zero-emission and low-emission school bus rebates as the first funding opportunity. The $1 billion paid for 2,350 electric school buses. The funding also awarded 109 low-emissions propane buses.

However, the same amount of money distributed for electric buses could have helped fund as many as 29,000 propane buses, assuming each bus received the $30,000 incentive from the program.

The 2,350 diesel buses the grant replaced with electric will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 665 metric tons per year and carbon dioxide emissions by 36,870 metric tons. If the funds went toward the 29,000 propane buses to replace diesel, it would have reduced nearly 10 times the amount of nitrogen oxide emissions and three times the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

This year, parents can start the conversation with their school transportation officials about clean propane buses so they'll be ready to apply when the time comes. Learn more about how parents can start the conversation at BetterOurBuses.com.