Former Washington, D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt was born on January 30, 1944 in Washington, D.C. Pratt is the daughter of Mildred Petticord and Carlisle Edward Pratt. Pratt graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961 and earned her B.S. degree in political science in 1965 from Howard University. Pratt attended Howard University Law School where she earned her J.D. degree in 1968.

Pratt served as in-house counsel for the Joint Center for Political Studies from 1970 to 1971. From 1971 to 1976, she worked as an associate for the law firm Pratt & Queen PC. In 1972, Pratt became a law professor at the Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C., and worked there until 1976 when she became the Associate General Counsel for the Potomac Electric Power Company, known as PEPCO. In 1982, Pratt directed the failed mayoral campaign for Patricia Robert Harris. That same year, Pratt married Arrington Dixon, a Democratic Washington, D.C. City Councilman. Pratt was promoted to the Director of Consumer Affairs for the Potomac Electric Power Company in 1979 and then later to Vice President of Consumer Affairs in 1983. In 1988, Pratt announced that she would challenge Mayor Marion Barry in the 1990 mayoral election in Washington, D.C. Pratt was elected Mayor of Washington D.C., the first African American female to hold this position. In 1994, she lost her bid for re-election as mayor to Marion Barry. From 1997 to 2001, Pratt served as the President of @ The Center, a start-up electrical marketplace for Africa. In 2002, Pratt began Pratt Consulting, working with companies and governments developing Homeland Security/Emergency Management Plans. She is also the Executive Vice President for BI Solutions.

Pratt’s past and present board memberships include: the Center For Creative Leadership, the Democratic National Convention, Society for PSP, Emmitsburg St. Mary’s College Board, Opportunity Funding Corporation and a trustee at Howard University. Pratt is also the recipient of the Presidential Award from the NAACP, Glamour magazine’s Woman of the Year Award, the Congressional Black Caucus’ Mary McCleod Bethune-W.E. Dubois Award and the Clean Cities Award.

The Executive Office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the University of the District of Columbia are launching an Institute of Politics Policy and History. The Founding Director of IPPH will be former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt. MISSION Rediscovering District of Columbia history – and its consequential role in determining contemporary politics and policy.VISION IPPH, housed at the University of the District of Columbia, will encourage constructive, spirited dialogue about tough issues of the day; illuminating these conversations with insights from our city and our nation’s history. The Institute of Politics Policy and History, housed at the University of the District of Columbia, one of the country's oldest HBCUs, will encourage constructive, spirited dialogue around the issues of the day – illuminating these conversations with insights from our city and nation’s history. http://ipph.org/

Pratt is divorced, has two children, Aimee A. Dixon and Drew Willliams, and is also a grandmother.

Pratt was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on July 26, 2007.

Today I’m speaking with AKURA, a channel medium since childhood. Since childhood she could see various entities, most of all ETs. Akura made her first astral journey when she was 4 years old and through this experience understood that we are not our bodies. Sandra, AKA Akura, grew up in a strict catholic family where "spirituality" was classified as "occultism." At the age of 18 she had a suicide attempt and went through the dark night of the soul. She understood that it is her job to work as a "channel medium." Today Akura helps other starseeds around the world. 

Karen received her Masters’ Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and has worked in the areas of family therapy, eldercare and PTSD.

Acclaimed talk show host of Spouting Off

As a performer, she has toured the country in musical comedies, entertained on cruise ships and appeared in television and film. Her broadcast experience includes turns as a classical music radio announcer, news-caster, voice-over artist and of course, talk radio host. She lends her operatic voice to a variety of fundraisers and community events and has sung the National Anthem and God Bless America in numerous venues from State Legislatures to the New Jersey Nets.

Karen has trained people of all ages in public speaking, voice and diction, assertiveness and interpersonal communication. She taught communications at a Manhattan corporate training firm, the New School for Social Research, Parsons School of Design in New York, New Jersey’s Montclair State College, and Fairleigh Dickenson University, among others.

In politics, Karen has written numerous editorials and run for public office. She is passionate about freedom, equal justice and personal responsibility. You might have trouble pigeonholing her.

She enjoys encouraging people to think for themselves and to question everything.

Karen is the author of the awarding winning memoir, FATLASH! Food Police & the Fear of Thin, a memoir about her "stage mother on steroids" and her participation in child beauty pageants.

Marlene Wallach is the founder of Gleem Beauty. She was also the president of Wilhelmina Creative Model Management for nearly two decades. Nationally recognized as the arbiter of all things beauty, an author, and an empowering educator. Marlene brings together a career of knowledge from within the beauty industry and works tirelessly with models and their skin concerns.

With Marlene's beauty background and a long-time advocate of clean beauty, she explains how Gleem Beauty got its start: "During my decades with Wilhelmina Creative Model Management, models often came to me for skincare recommendations saying that nothing was helping their skin. The simple answer was – to develop products that I could certify! From that moment on, I was driven to learn more about dermatology, skincare products, and ingredients; what was most effective to achieve healthy, radiant skin with GLEEM.”

My first step was to get certifications in esthetics, acne-care, and LED Light Therapy. I then spent time working in a MedSpa to learn first-hand about the (skin) care process. Simultaneously I was researching the most up-to-date skincare science and formulations along with seasoned medical professionals. Next, Gleem Beauty was born! At Gleem Beauty, we believe whether you are strutting down the runway or walking down the street, feeling the Gleem is what life is all about. That is the philosophy that is at the core of Gleem Beauty.

“Male and female, different ages, different problems – we all have skin in the game. With Gleem Beauty, everyone has a chance to shine through and through" says Marlene.

 Marlene’s former models say: 

From a practical view - now a biomedical engineer, one model says back in the day at Wilhelmina Models, “Marlene always preached to her models how important it is to take good care of your skin, so it was no surprise when she released Gleem Beauty”. 

From a philosophical view - a familiar face on recent streaming series “A proponent of self-care and self-beauty, Marlene was an early leader in the industry, promoting self-esteem and beauty from within to her community of models”.

Marrying the practical and the philosophical, Gleem Beauty has created clean beauty products for women and men of all races and ages who want to take their skincare to the next level and feel the Gleem.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlene-wallach/

Rick Bava is part of the leadership team at Today's Senior Magazine. He celebrates 11 years, with Today's Senior Magazine, the leading #publication serving #babyboomers and #seniors. In addition to his Business leadership, he has maintained the celebrated column, The Baby Boomer Corner- Today's Senior Magazine.

Rick Bava is considered a Baby Boomer thought leader- and is the Author of-- the celebrated book--" In Search of the Baby Boomer Generation."

Today's Senior Magazine -Established in 2004-- serving #babyboomers and #seniors - www.todayssr.com

Suzanne’s journey started during her time at Slippery Rock University, where she pursued her Bachelors of Science Degree, going on to complete her Masters of Science Degree at Western Illinois University. She began her sports and fitness career at the University of Illinois at Chicago coaching several teams including Track and Field, Cross Country and Cheerleading. During this time Suzanne placed 4th in the women’s divi-sion of the Chicago Marathon and became a member of the NBA cheerleading team the Chicago Luvabulls.

Following her coaching and competition career, Suzanne went on to work for the Chicago public schools, where she created a fitness program for Jose Clemente Orozco Academy, “The Magnificent Workout for Kids” was named one of Illinois’ best school fitness programs by the Chairman of the President’s Council on Fitness Arnold Schwarzenegger.

She created Right Fit because she wanted a facility that CARED more, was able to educate and train people in the power of movement, and give all members of the population a chance to experience the power of strength and exercise. 

Suzanne remains the majority owner of Right Fit, and works daily to advocate the importance of movement and exercise in daily life, works within the community on fitness and wellness initiatives, is the Head of the Run the Ridge 5k/1k Run Walk and Kid’s Dash, continues to present and educate on fitness and wellness initiatives, and speaks and shares her world recognized fitness program for youth with Autism, Raise the Bar©. Suzanne is Right Fit’s #1 ambassador, and will never stop her pursuit of trying to bring Right Fit to people around the world. 

Right Fit Sport Fitness Wellness is located in Willowbrook and LaGrange, Illinois.

Get on Track Health and Wellness (GOT) is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Lombard, Illinois. GOT offers services and programs to empower youth and adolescents to prioritize health and spend less time on technology. These programs are customized to each individual and will focus on six key areas: movement, nutrition, mental wellness, strength and conditioning, coaching, and education. 

The COVID-19 pandemic closed businesses, retail stores, schools, and churches around the country. For two years, children were forced to turn to technology for all education, social, and entertainment needs. GOT's inspiration is to create greater balance around this reliance on technology. The organization wants all youth and adolescents to have the guidance, tools, and confidence to adopt healthier lifestyle choices 

GOT will draw from its 35 years in the Fitness and Wellness industry (working with youth and adults of all populations) to more effectively match our clients with the appropriate treatment and plan. Our commitment is between the youth/teen and the family.

GOT"s target market is technology-addicted, sedentary youth and adolescents. The end customer will be children, adolescents, and young adults ranging from age 18 to 35 who are addicted or have a mental preoccupation with technology. GOT will rely on the family (parents, grandparents, relatives, etc.) to identify their loved ones as exhibiting technology-addicted behavior. GOT will market its services to teachers and school districts who can help identify and refer students to GOT's programs and services. 

FLORENCE ANN ROMANO

Florence Ann Romano is a personal growth strategist, author, philanthropist, and businesswoman with a sparkling personality. With an eye for marketing, Romano flourishes as both an advisor for and the vice president of business strategy for Yakkety Yak. Florence is a proud member of the board of directors at the Children’s Research Fund as well as Female Strong. She is also a founding member of Sesame Street’s Leadership Council. After spending more than fifteen years as a childcare provider, during which she was known as the Windy City Nanny, Romano is the authority on childcare and family support in this new millennium and has more than five hundred media appearances discussing these topics. Born and raised just outside of Chicago, Romano wants to show people that not only is the saying “It takes a village” true, but also how important the need for community is.

She is the author of Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life (Beyond Words, February 2023).

Short Book Synopsis

Build Your Village by Florence Ann Romano Everyone has heard the phrase, “It takes a village,” but how exactly do we find our village? Who is in it and what does it look like? Rethinking the relationships in your life, you may realize that even if you have a calendar filled with social plans, you still might not have your “village.” In Build Your Village, philanthropist and businesswoman Florence Ann Romano answers these questions and more, helping you to build lasting relationships with those in your life, dispel isolation, and improve your overall happiness and health. Each chapter helps you to foster the villager qualities within yourself and to find others who display these qualities. From identifying the six types of villagers needed to complete a fully functional village to what to do when you’ve lost your community, this book serves as a step-by step guide complete with quizzes, gutcheck questions, and action steps as you learn the importance of support systems as well as how to nurture them and find meaningful connections. Your village is waiting. Now it’s time to go and find it.   Available on Amazon

For more information about Florence Ann Romano and, “Build Your Village,” at: www.FlorenceAnnRomano.com

Social Media Links:

 • Instagram: http://instagram.com/florenceann.romano 

 • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceARomano/ 

 • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/florenceannromano/

 • Milkshake Link In Bio: http://msha.ke/florenceannromano 

SEYJE

Seyje is a global artist, a multi instrumentalist guitar and piano based singer songwriter and instrumental new age pianist. From an early age he grew up listening to Indian popular music, including the melodic and classically minded music of Bollywood. Coupled with growing up in the US Midwest, and being an avid fan of rock music, his musical output reflects the strong influences of these two cultures.

Through his project, The Quiet Space, he composes improvisational piano which is inspirational and draws from life’s emotions and passions.  His music is heart filled and reflects the hopes and aspirations for achieving life’s affections.  His work is inspired by nature, and it takes the listener through an improvisation based sound experience, through elevated moods and emotions, helping to realize greater states and freedom and peace.  Career highlights include the 2020 release of The Quiet Space debut album “In Love”.  The debut single, which is the title track of the same name, highlights the poignancy, lightness, and intensity of his work.

He has recently returned to Los Angeles after living in Tulum Mexico  much of the past year, where he was performing instrumental piano concerts.