Bert Johnson Unchained - Where Politics and Real Life Intersect

"People have forgotten that there’s no position in the country like citizen activism. I don’t have the power, you do. " - Senator Bert Johnson 

Senator Bert Johnson shares his story about how he went from being convicted of a crime and doing time, to being convicted to contribute to his community.

Additional topics that Senator Johnson addresses include: the school to prison pipeline, how to support young men of color, his journey to manhood and how he found his purpose. 

Bert Johnson is a progressive State Senator from Michigan’s 2nd District which includes Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointe communities.

This is the recording of the live and candid conversation with Senator Johnson that took place on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at The Jungle Juice Bar in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. 

For More information about Senator Bert Johnson visit www.Facebook.com/SenBertJohnson 

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Numbers Never Lie

Feelings and emotions might be fuzzy, but numbers are cut and dry. We often let our feelings and emotions lead us. We react to life even when times are great. But what if we took a moment to measure our true well-being by the numbers in our lives? 

Last week, I took my own advice and practiced self-care by slowing down and making space. While there, I finally had the room, time and clarity to make a shocking discovery. My weight was at an all-time high and my credit score was at an all-time low. Based on that data, I realized that it was due time to get back to ME. 

What do your numbers look like? For you, it might not be weight or credit score, but it might be your blood pressure, cholesterol level, blood sugar, hours reading, hours watching television, hours of work versus hours of play, hours of sleep, or time spent with family and your loved ones that matter to you most. One thing that I’ve learned in the business world is that when in doubt, check the numbers, because numbers never lie. Now I’ve come to learn that numbers also matter in your personal life as well, particularly when it comes to health, personal finances and even your relationships. 

This week I challenge you to identify which numbers in your life are out of balance. Once you do that, make the necessary adjustments to get back on track and back to you. Here are a few of the things that I did to give you some ideas… 

• Joined Curves for Women (again) with my Mom as my workout buddy for fitness and quality family time. 

• Today I’m going to buy a bicycle so I can go riding regularly with my best friend.

• I unsubscribed from several of the email lists that were filling up my inbox that I never had time to read. 

• I paid off some small debts that I had no other reason not to pay off other than just being too darn busy to sit down and do it. 

• I went on a grocery shopping spree and purchased enough fresh and healthy items to last me all week.

• I could go on and on, but those are just a few ideas to get you started. 

What will you do? 

Even when you are lying to yourself about the quality of your life, your numbers will tell you the truth.

Cornell Batie on The Detroit Jazz Festival

"For anything that you're going after, anything that you want to be part of your circle, take a look at yourself and say, 'Have I deposited these things into who I am?', because if you have not, then how can you expect for it to come back to you?" - Cornell Batie

In addition to being the Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer of the Detroit Jazz Festival Cornell Batie is also a Lifestyle Coach, Ballroom Instructor and Fitness Trainer

The Detroit Jazz Festival is a major cultural institution, providing year-round concerts and educational programming that culminates in one of the world’s premier jazz festivals on Labor Day Weekend.

Now in its 34th year, the festival takes place over several city blocks in downtown Detroit – from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius – with five stages and 100 acts over four days. It also offers educational activities for adults and children, fireworks, late-night jam sessions, rare opportunities to meet the artists and much more. And it’s all FREE.

The Detroit Jazz Fest's mission is to:

Foster the history and nurture the development of jazz

Perpetuate Detroit’s significant jazz legacy through educational and collaborative opportunities accessible to all and to present a world-class signature event that makes Detroit a tourist destination

For more information about the Detroit Jazz Festival visit www.DetroitJazzFest.com

For more information about Cornell Batie visit www.CornellBatie.com

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