Thandeka "Thandi" Tutu-Gxashe, Eldest daughter of Archbishop Desmond and Leah Tutu. Thandi is the Director, Stakeholder Relations, of the Desmond Tutu, "Tutudesk Campaign 2020".

Thandi discusses the "Tutudesk Campaign 2020”.  This campaign seeks to address the 95 million desk shortages in sub-Saharan Africa by providing 20  million of these portable Tutudesks to children by 2020. This will impact literacy, by allowing African children to uplift themselves, their communities and their continent by becoming more competitive through education. 

She shares her passionate about public health especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the advancement in the protocols being used in South Africa. 

She sheds light on life after Mandela in South Africa.  Thandi gives her thoughts on food insecurity and why she joined the Board of Heifer International South Africa. 

For those who are interested in assisting in the effort of "Tutudesk Campaign 2020" please contact them at www.tutudesk.org. Also for those who are interested in further information about Heifer International please contact them at www.heifer.org.

To listen to my interview with Thandi Tutu Gxashe, please click below.

John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation Hope. He serves for President Obama as Chairman of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability

John is also the author of "How The Poor Can Save Capitalism, Rebuilding The Path To The Middle Class."

Social Entrepreneur John Hope Bryant explores why raising our voices in protest when we disagree with our leaders makes us a stronger nation.  But, raising our hands in violent retribution only causes additional suffering.  In Ferguson, destruction of small businesses means that a community that had few jobs, now has significantly less.

Unfortunately, protestors are hurting businesses that have nothing to do with the injustices of Ferguson's criminal justice system.  By destroying these businesses it has caused huge economic losses for no only the business owners, but the employees of these businesses, which can deflect from the tragedy of the loss of Michael Brown.

• John discusses his thoughts about Ferguson.
• What are the underline factors  of the civil unrest in Ferguson.
• Are there parallels with Rodney King, Trevon Martin, and Michael Brown.
• How economics and education and ownership are the keys.

We would like to thank John and Berrett-Koehler Publishers for providing a few copies of his book.  For those listeners who would like to receive a complimentary copy of "How The Poor Can Save Capitalism", please email you name and address to theminacollinsshow@gmail.com

To listen to my interview with John Hope Bryant, please click below.

Peter Zeihan, "The Accidental Superpower" The Next Generation of American Preeminence and the Coming Global Disorder

International Strategist Peter Zeihan examines how the hard rules of geography are eroding the American commitment to free trade; how much of the planet is aging into mass retirement that will enervate markets and capital supplies; and how, against all odds, it is the ever ravenous American economy alone along the developed nations  that is rapidly approaching energy independence.  The Accidental Superpower also explores shale oil and its surprising key role in America's move towards energy independence and how it will shape (and is already shaping) American life for the next fifty years.

Peter addresses the following issues:

• Why China will never challenge U.S. economic dominance.
• How our internal waterways will save us from financial collapse.
• Why the Strait of Hormuz, once a position of leverage that Iran could use against the world, is still a pressure point--not just Iran's.
• How the Shale Oil boom will provide economic stability in a increasingly unstable world.
• What are the economic outcomes of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

To listen to my interview with Peter Zeihan, please click below.

Dr. James Appel, M.D., Director of Abugudam Adventist Hospital

Dr. Appel will discuss the Ebola Virus from an up close and very personal view. Dr. Appel will define what the Ebola Virus is and how it can be transmitted. He will inform us on whether the Ebola Virus as contagious as we are being told. We will also ascertain the precautions we need to take to protect ourselves and our families.  

Dr. Appel will convey his opinion on how the patient who travelled from Liberia transmitted the Ebola Virus to the two Nurses in Dallas.  He will delineate the protocols needed to minimize the risk of transmission from patients to health care professionals. 

And, he will clarify why there are differentiation in the protocols used when it comes to quarantining an individual or individuals than a  health care professional who has been exposed to someone who has been infected with the Ebola Virus.

To listen to my interview with Dr. Appel, please click below.

MIchael A. Ross, Author of "The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case."

Michael discusses how his book "The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case" is a first in-depth account of this historical event, chronicling the crime from time it was committed, to a very public investigation, all the way up to the sensational trial.  He gives us a snapshot of the Reconstruction-era South will all of its political, social, and racial nuances.  He hints at the perfect storm that made the Mollie Digby kidnapping front-page news across the nation.  Michael describes the two women accused of this crime as Afro-Creole, extraordinarily polished, beautiful, and stylish.

Michael will be lecturing at the Clinton School of Public Service, Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:00 p.m. Followed by a book signing.

We would like to thank Michael and Oxford Press for providing a few copies of his book.  For those listeners who would like to receive a complimentary copy of "The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case", please email your name and address to theminacollinsshow@gmail.com.

To listen to my interview with Michael Ross, please click below.

   

Fall 2014 Author Tour

Raleigh, NC                                        Quail Ridge                                   October 23rd

Nashville, TN                                      Parnassus Books                             October 28th

Baton Rouge, LA                                 Louisiana Book Festival                   November 1st

Huntington, NY                                   Book Revue                                   November 6th

Janis Kearney, Author, Founder-Publisher of Writing Our World Press and Elliott Jones, Grandson of the Late and Great Dr. Maya Angelou. Elliott is a Project Manage of Ashoka's Youth Venture, and Start Empathy.

Janis discusses the Celebrate Maya!, Project.  This event is to celebrate and honor the Life of Dr. Maya Angelou, on Saturday, October 18th starting at 11:00 a.m. - 1p.m. in Stamps, Arkansas at the Lafayette County High School.  For more information about this event, check out the Celebrate Maya Facebook page.

Elliott shares with us his personal thoughts and stories about his Grandma, Dr. Maya Angelou.  He discusses how her legacy is living on through him and the family foundation, the Cage Bird Legacy, Continuing The Life Work of Maya Angelou.  Dr. Angelou's latest book is called "Rainbow in the Cloud", The Wisdom and Spirit of Maya Angelou. It will be available October 28, 2014 and "Maya Angelou", The Complete Poetry. It will be available March 31, 2015. For more information about Dr. Maya Angelou the web address is MayaAngelou.com.

To listen to my interview with Janis Kearney and Elliott Jones, please click below.

Shoes

by

Mina Collins

When we have people in our lives who have lived a larger-than-life legacy, we are often told, "You have some big shoes to fill." I have always found this statement to be quite fascinating. While these words have built up many people's lives, they have  destroyed even more. 

This is, I believe,  one of the most misunderstood statements in the English language. Yes, we all have have big shoes to fill, whether we have a larger-than-life person in our lives or not. When we were created, however, we came with a set of our own shoes that are by nature, too big for us. We spend a lifetime working on our assignment to fill our own shoes, not someone else's. 

Our icons' shoes stand as a testament of possibilities. To be studied, to be admired, and to be reflected on. However, never to be worn. Let's wear our own shoes. They are the best fit we will ever find. Even though we will never totally fill them, no matter how long we live, no matter how many lives we touch, or no matter how much we accomplish.

Dr. Michael Mandel, Chief Economic Stategist of Progressive Policy Institute

Dr. Michael Mandel discusses the Progressive Policy Institute's recent report, U.S. Investment Heroes of 2014:  Investing at Home in a Connected World.  Dr. Mandel gives his views on job creation, manufacturing, and how these expenditures effect the U.S. economy. 

To download a complimentary copy of this report, go to www.progressivepolicy.org. 

To listen to my interview with Dr. Mandel, please click below.

U.S. Senator John Boozman (AR)

U.S. Senator John Boozman discusses his views on:

ISIL and whether he would support boots on the ground

The true meaning of the low Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rates for African Americans and youth  

The new changes within the Veteran's Administration 

The rise in the Stock Market

The Federal Reserve  

Constituency Services

To listen to my interview with Senator Booaman, please click below.

The Smithsonian Online Magazine is celebrating it's 10th Annual Museum Day on Saturday, September 27th.  There are over 1600 museums across the country that will be participating.  To find a museum in your area and to get your complimentary tickets go to Smithsonianmag.org.

The link to the interview is

https://soundcloud.com/mina101-1/smithsonian-online-magazine-day