Care Coordination Business Aims to
Improve Access, Organization, and Health Outcomes
in Underserved Communities
Shakea Miller, the first African American woman to found a privately owned, degree-granting college in the state of Alabama, 1 on 1 Technical & Theological College, has announced a major institutional expansion with the launch of a high school division specifically designed to serve students with learning differences and those underserved by traditional education models.
The new high school division will host its first day of classes on January 5, addressing a long-standing gap Miller identified while operating the college.
“Over the years, we had to turn away far too many people who wanted to enroll in our trade and degree programs but did not have a GED or high school diploma,” Miller explained. “I knew there had to be a better solution.”
That solution became the creation of a high school pathway housed within the college itself, one that serves students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences, as well as students who struggle with the traditional seven-hour school day.
Nielsen: Two-Thirds of Black Consumers Pay More Attention to Ads That Reflect Their Culture
The Majority of Those Surveyed Prefer to Buy Brands Who Advertise in Content That Reflect Their CultureWhat if the key to a more joyful, fulfilled, and compassionate life begins with how you treat yourself?
In I Fix Me, a transformative and deeply personal new book, Dr. Keith L. Somerville challenges readers to shift their focus inward—embracing self-kindness as the first and most essential step toward healing relationships, discovering purpose, and living abundantly. With warmth, honesty, and spiritual depth, I Fix Me reminds readers that when you learn to care for yourself, you create space to care for others more fully.
Prea Epps, Founder and CEO of Reframed Financial Coaching, proudly announces the inaugural Arise & Align Conference: Reclaiming Your Holistic Wealth, a transformative one-day experience designed for high-achieving professional women of color who are ready to move beyond burnout and step into aligned, sustainable prosperity.
Hosted at the Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Arise & Align brings together nationally respected experts in mental health, finance, spirituality, and strategic planning to address a growing yet often unspoken challenge: the silent burnout experienced by successful women who feel pressured to maintain a façade of control while carrying immense professional and personal responsibility.
TEDx speaker and former U.S. Army Sergeant Shanell Pharr-Williams has announced the launch of EMPAXIS, a Black-owned consulting firm designed to help organizations strengthen employee communication, reduce customer escalations, and improve performance by integrating empathy into the core of their leadership and service models.
Recognized as a national authority on empathy in customer service and workplace leadership, Pharr-Williams brings more than 30 years of military and corporate experience to her work. EMPAXIS equips leaders with the human-centered tools needed to outperform competitors in an era dominated by automation and AI-driven customer interactions.
Nationally respected leader, author, and visionary Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. announces the launch of his groundbreaking and timely new show, Say Yes When Life Says No — a powerful, truth-telling series amplifying real stories of transformation, adversity, and triumph.
At a moment when people across the country are confronting unprecedented personal and collective challenges, Say Yes When Life Says No offers a bold and necessary roadmap for overcoming obstacles, reclaiming mission, and choosing possibility—even in the face of life’s most unforgiving “no.”
Hosted by Dr. Soaries, the series features intimate, in-depth conversations with voices whose lived experiences and leadership define this moment, offering viewers lessons in resilience, clarity, and personal reinvention. Some confirmed guests for the premiere episodes include:
• Dr. Randal Pinkett — Business powerhouse, author, and winner of The Apprentice, who shares insights on excellence, discipline, and staying the course despite doubt or adversity.
• Donna Hylton — Criminal justice reform advocate and author whose powerful story of survival and healing continues to inspire millions.
• Jack Morris — Visionary developer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, offering reflections on leadership, risk-taking, and building legacy from the ground up.
“We created Say Yes as more than a show — it’s an invitation,” said Dr. Soaries. “For years I’ve watched people wrestle with doubt, disappointment, and the feeling that life has said ‘no’ to them. I’ve had my own share of ‘no’s,’ especially with my cancer diagnosis. But I realized I had to move through that ‘no’ and find my ‘yes.’ This platform gives us a chance to remind people that mission is possible, healing is possible, and hope is possible. Say Yes is about helping people unlock the strength, clarity, and faith they already possess.”
ST and Tonya Sirleaf are proof that love guided by faith can weather any storm. Their story isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing God in the midst of life’s challenges, turning hardships into stepping stones for growth, connection, and purpose.
Where others seek quick fixes, ST and Tonya embrace surrender. Where many wait for change, they invite God to begin transformation from within. Their simple yet profound message resonates with anyone seeking meaning and connection in today’s fast-paced world: