Category Archives: Authors A-H

Authors listed by last name A-H

ADR Advisors, Authors A-H, Generational, Religious Diversity

Renewing Diversity No. 4: A Sliver of Bone – by Carlos Cortés 

Leave a comment

“Do you have any religious reservations about what kind of bone we put in your mouth?”  That question both startled and pleased me.  As I answered with a simple “no,” I broke into a broad smile.

Some context.  My young periodondist was in the midst of trying to save my 90-year-old mouthful of teeth from the ravages of aging.  To do so she was giving them a thorough laser treatment and selectively rebuilding my dental structure through new bone.   

Continue reading Renewing Diversity No. 4: A Sliver of Bone – by Carlos Cortés  →

Authors A-H, PSK, Race & Ethnicity, Social Issues

Build a Stronger Economy: Focus on Minorities & Opportunity Zones – by Rachel Hooks

3 Comments

Everyone is familiar with Wall Street in New York where stock trades are made, but are you familiar with Black Wall Street, an area in Tulsa, Oklahoma? It’s the place where African Americans built their own economy with grocery stores, schools, homes, churches, hospitals, hotels, and other businesses. By 1921, they owned 35 square blocks of property in this community where they flourished, until one day, there was the Tulsa race massacre where this entire community was burned to the ground.

Unfortunately, this community was never the same again and very few people were able to keep their family homes that were destroyed. In a time of segregation, this type of community was necessary to carry out the law, “separate by equal”. I can recall my grandmother, Jimmie Hooks, born in 1930, before her passing this year at age 93, stating that her grandfather had a business, but could not own a home. She would say, “Ain’t that crazy”. This is no longer the case today, every man is considered equal, or are they?

Continue reading Build a Stronger Economy: Focus on Minorities & Opportunity Zones – by Rachel Hooks →

ADR Advisors, Authors A-H, Politics

Why Biden Deserves Blame for Kamala’s Loss – by David Grinberg

Leave a comment

Open primary would have led
to stronger nominee

As the Trump transition moves forward at a frenetic pace, the knives are out in the Democratic Party over who to blame for Kamala Harris’ stunning loss on Election Day.

Democratic leaders — from Nancy Pelosi to Bernie Sanders — have been publicly backstabbing one another, rather than speaking out about why Vice President Kamala Harris lost so badly to Donald Trump, and how the party plans to resurrect itself going forward.While there’s certainly plenty of blame to go around in Democratic circles, it’s President Biden who should be held the most accountable.

Continue reading Why Biden Deserves Blame for Kamala’s Loss – by David Grinberg →

Authors A-H, PSK

Minding Your Mental – by Ikeko Bass

1 Comment

I am the face of mental health—a survivor of suicide and a testament to the resilience of minding your mental. Did you know that 59.3 million Americans suffer from mental health challenges? Mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It influences how we think, feel, and act, shaping our relationships, our ability to manage stress, and the decisions we make.

My journey took me to the darkest place I’ve ever known. Weighed down by years of mounting stress, grief, and hopelessness, my life is a story of rediscovering strength, purpose, and faith in the aftermath of despair. Through my experience, I’ve learned that while mental health challenges do not discriminate, they can forge connections among us. With time, healing, and courage, those challenges can become a source of strength—empowering us to help others on their own journeys. Through self-care, setting boundaries, staying connected, practicing mindfulness, seeking professional help, and cultivating gratitude, I’ve found the tools to effectively mind my mental and embrace a healthier, more balanced life.

Continue reading Minding Your Mental – by Ikeko Bass →

Authors A-H, PSK, Social Issues

The Hundred-Handed Purpose Connector – by Donley Ferguson

Leave a comment

Cultivating the Path of Purpose

If I were to tell my story—the story I’d share with the world—it would start with echoes of loss, shadows of hope, and a path carved through trials no one could have foreseen.

The only memory I carry of my father, whose name I bear, is of new Hush Puppies on his feet and the soulful loop of Friends of Distinction’s “Going in Circles” reverberating through the night. I watched his silhouette diminish into the darkness, an untouchable fragment of my life that unraveled into a tragic tale—the stories of his empty pockets, hollow eyes, and the lifeless repose on that frayed couch in a den of broken souls. The whisper of overdose. The finality of it.

In 2020 alone, nearly 70,000 lives were lost to overdoses, a reminder that the pain of addiction reverberates through countless families. My father’s story is one of many, yet it marks the beginning of my journey—a path paved with loss but leading to the discovery of purpose.

Continue reading The Hundred-Handed Purpose Connector – by Donley Ferguson →

Academic Articles, Authors A-H

Global Human Rights in Focus – by Dean Bordode

Leave a comment

Current Challenges and Pathways
to Progress

Introduction

The global state of human rights in the 21st century continues to evolve, with notable advances in areas such as LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, alongside persistent challenges like systemic discrimination, conflict-induced displacement, and the rise of authoritarian regimes. Despite progress, marginalized communities remain vulnerable, and civil liberties are under constant threat.

This report explores the current human rights landscape, drawing on contributions to various advocacy initiatives, including my work supporting Jewish groups and activists, amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ communities, and addressing key global challenges. With decades of experience in human rights advocacy, I’ve supported efforts by Jewish rapporteurs in the U.S. and Canada, as well as contributed to reports on LGBTQ+ rights through submissions to bodies like the ILGA, the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, and the UN Human Rights Committee via SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) submissions. These efforts emphasize the need for a collective, coordinated approach to addressing the pressing issues we face today.

Continue reading Global Human Rights in Focus – by Dean Bordode →

ADR Advisors, Authors A-H, Politics

Are we better than this? Well, obviously not – by Terry Howard

Leave a comment

Call it stealing shamelessly, opportunism or laziness, or whatever you choose to accuse me of after reading this narrative. Okay, I plead guilty.

You see, when the unexpected results from the recent election settled into our imaginations, reactions were immediate, passionate and all over the place. 

Now like the opportunist you may accuse me of, like the hungry grizzly bear wading into the cold Alaskan waters with her pick from hundreds of spawning salmon, as a writer I got to pick and choose kernels from an assortment of writers who poured out their heartfelt reactions to the results.

Continue reading Are we better than this? Well, obviously not – by Terry Howard →

ADR Advisors, Authors A-H

Renewing Diversity #3: We Failed George Floyd – by Carlos Cortés 

Leave a comment

In 1999, Malcolm Gladwell weighed in with his praised and criticized bestseller, The Tipping Point, a provocative exploration of the process of social change.   A quarter century later, in 2024, Gladwell revisited the topic via Revenge of the Tipping Point, a meditation on where he had been right and where he had gone wrong with his broad thesis.  Musing about his personal journey, Gladwell observed: “Maybe it would be a good idea for anyone who writes a book that tries to make sense of the world to be forced every 25 years to go back and revisit the original thesis.”

Continue reading Renewing Diversity #3: We Failed George Floyd – by Carlos Cortés  →

ADR Advisors, Authors A-H, Politics

What to do if your candidate wins or loses – by Terry Howard, Elwood Watson

Leave a comment

An email I received from a fellow named “Pedro” led to this co-authored piece, an exchange between Elwood Watson, PhD and yours truly. 

“Pedro”  wrote: “I read, reread – and will read again – your piece, “ Bad boys. Bad boys. Whatcha gonna do when they (Project 2025) come for you?,” the context of which if Trump returns to office. Hard as I tried, I just couldn’t shake the thought of the project’s plan to cut Social Security benefits given that my retired parents depend on their Social Security checks as their sole source of income. My hope is that you’ll consider publishing something on what actions folks can take if their preferred candidate loses the election.”

Continue reading What to do if your candidate wins or loses – by Terry Howard, Elwood Watson →

ADR Advisors, Authors A-H

Notes from a Native Son – Mound Bayou (Part 2) – by Terry Howard

Leave a comment

 

pastedGraphic.png

In PART 1, “Near Medgar’s Desk – Mound Bayou,” we chronicled the little- known history of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, the first all-Black town in America founded by ex-slaves. The person who arranged to get us there was Bernard Strong who was born and raised in Mound Bayou. In PART 2, Mr. Strong shares more about our recent trip along with his innermost thoughts about growing up in Mound Bayou.

As a native of Mound Bayou, what were a few thoughts that ran through your mind as we approached, spent time in and left Mound Bayou?

Continue reading Notes from a Native Son – Mound Bayou (Part 2) – by Terry Howard →