THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH DOMINIQUE GWALTNEY

Welcome to FunTimes Exchange, where we tackle one of the most pressing but often overlooked health crises facing Philadelphia's Black communities, diabetes. 
Today, we're joined by Dominique Gwaltney, MBA, Development Manager with the American Diabetes Association's Greater Philadelphia chapter. She's not just an administrator, she's a community advocate, storyteller, and often the first lifeline for families seeking help or looking to make a difference.
Dominique and her team are working tirelessly to bridge the education gap, bringing diabetes prevention and management resources directly into the neighborhoods that need them most. From the annual Step Out Walk at the Philadelphia Navy Yard to workplace wellness programs and faith-based community partnerships, they're meeting people where they are, because they understand that real change happens at the grassroots level.
Join us for a conversation that could literally save lives, because when it comes to diabetes, knowledge isn't just power, it's prevention.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH IMAM MOHAMED JOMANDY

Welcome to FunTimes Exchange, the podcast where every voice matters. We explore the topics that shape our world, exchanging ideas and challenging perspectives.
From war-torn Liberia to Saudi Arabian universities, and now to a masjid on Grays Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, our guest embodies leadership through service and principle. Imam Jomandy didn't seek leadership, it found him when his community needed a voice. As leader of Masjid Ahl Sunnah, he's spent over two decades uniting Southwest Philadelphia's diverse Muslim community, bringing together African immigrants, African Americans, and Muslims from Arab and South Asian backgrounds.
As a member of Philadelphia's Islamic Engagement Commission under Mayor Cherelle Parker, he ensures underserved Muslim communities access city services. Today, we'll explore his leadership philosophy and his call for young leaders to step forward when communities need fresh voices.
Join us with Imam Mohamed Jomandy, a man who understands that true leadership is about responsibility, and that the strongest communities are built because of their diversity.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH DR. MONICA TAYLOR

Welcome to FunTimes Exchange, the podcast where every voice matters! Today we're exploring how one woman's unexpected journey into public service is transforming an entire county."If you'd asked me 10 years ago if I'd be in politics, I would've said 'No.' My goal was to be a dean by 40." Those are the words of Dr. Monica Taylor, the first African American Chair of Delaware County Council in Pennsylvania.
From professional basketball player in Europe to leading over 575,000 residents, her path combines athletic discipline, academic rigor, and maternal wisdom. Today, we'll explore how she's reimagining inclusive governance, establishing Pennsylvania's first new county health department in decades, tackling housing crises, and addressing maternal health disparities.
This is about leadership that prioritizes listening and the profound impact one person can have when they lead with both heart and data. Join us for an inspiring conversation about community-centered governance on this edition of FunTimes Exchange.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH RENEE STERLING

Welcome to FunTimes Exchange, the podcast where every voice matters. Today,  we're exploring the remarkable of Renee Sterling, a powerful figure in global finance who currently serves as the Executive Director and EMEA Regulatory Controller and International Data Controller at Wells Fargo in London. With Jamaican heritage and Miami roots, Renee has navigated nearly two decades in London's banking world, beginning with a yearlong City fellowship at Goldman Sachs in 2008.
We'll unpack her insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the financial sector, her passionate advocacy for mental health awareness, her work building generational wealth in the African diaspora community, and the leadership principles that have guided her success. From chairing the International Finance DEI Council at Wells Fargo to co-hosting her "Race2Rise" podcast, Renee's story offers valuable lessons about authentic leadership, community service, and creating lasting impact.
So whether you're interested in international finance, DEI initiatives that actually work, or how to balance professional excellence with meaningful community engagement, this episode has something valuable for you.Let's get into it.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH TIFFANY SPRAGGINS-PAYNE

Welcome to Funtimes Exchange, the podcast where every voice matters.Today, we're tackling a crucial topic for entrepreneurs everywhere: what truly holds small businesses back from growth? Drawing from exclusive interviews conducted by Tiffany Spraggins-Payne with business owners seeking support, we've identified three critical roadblocks that appear time and again in the entrepreneurial journey.
Whether you're currently running a business, dreaming of starting one, or simply interested in understanding the economic backbone of our communities, this episode offers valuable insights straight from the trenches. We'll examine why a staggering 80% of businesses struggle with marketing effectiveness, the persistent challenges of accessing capital, and the very real personal toll of the owner-operator lifestyle.
So grab your notebook and coffee, you might want to take notes on this one as we unpack not just the problems, but the potential solutions that could transform the small businesses.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH MALIK MAJEED

Welcome to FunTimes Exchange, the podcast where every voice matters. Today we will explore the amazing journey of Malik Majeed, CEO and General Counsel of PRWT Services, one of the largest minority-owned firms in Philadelphia. Malik's journey from a night shift security officer, while in college, to leading a company with contracts with the Supreme Court and the Army Corps of Engineers is a masterclass in tenacity, planning and purpose-driven leadership. 
As we talk, you will learn how he worked his way up the corporate ladder against all odds, how it felt to navigate White spaces as a Black executive and how he wants to open doors for underrepresented communities. You will hear how PRWT collaborates with local academic institutions to build talent pipelines. You will learn that far from competing, they partner with other minority-owned businesses. 
So, whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, corporate professional, or someone who enjoys stories of determination and vision, you will be sure to learn something from Malik, a leader who aims at the sun, and wants to take everyone along for the ride.
Stay with us as we unpack the wisdom of a man who didn't inherit leadership—he earned it, with purpose and precision.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH DR. PAMELA KENNEBREW

Welcome to FunTimes Exchange, the podcast where every voice counts.  
In today we’ll take a deep dive into the conversation Dr. Pamela Kennebrew, and her very interesting journey from wanting to be a physician, to a human services administrator.  We will have a number of fascinating reflections on issues of economic inequality, concerning adult learning, and the lens of Black communities when discussing the subject of menopause.  
Dr. Kennebrew’s life is shaped by her experience of growing up in Newark (New Jersey), having a mother who was in the Black Women's Army Corps and working in a free clinic in DC where her entire career perspective turned around.  She has spent decades researching economic insecurity among older African-American women which gives us a wonderful lens in terms of looking at systemic barriers that persist despite working hard.
So, grab your favourite drink, find a comfy spot, and let's reflect on how structural inequalities shape our society, or the strange paradox that education is both an opportunity and a unending value, and how we should be reframing life changes as a opportunity for wisdom and growth.
This is FunTimes Exchange, where we discuss topics that shape our world! Let's exchange some information, and open some perspectives, and more importantly, grow. 

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH HON. OLIVER ST. CLAIR FRANKLIN

The FunTimes Exchange podcast is pleased to feature an enlightening discussion with the Honorable Oliver St. Clair Franklin, CBE, who served for 28 years as Honorary British Consul in Philadelphia and had a truly remarkable career engaging in diplomacy, business, cultural advocacy, and engagement worldwide. In the episode, we discuss Franklin's multi-dimensional role in international relations, and his unique take on how African diplomats, and their individual roles for their countries, had a substantial impact on the American Civil Rights movement - an important but often under-acknowledged component of Black freedom history.  
Franklin details how the diplomats sought to use their international status to counter segregated laws, thereby creating diplomatic pressure to spur civil rights progress, an aspect largely ignored in scholarship. Franklin also reflects on being a founding member of the National Black Film Festival, his efforts to preserve African-American literature through a donation of material now at Brown University, and the City Fellows Program that provided opportunities for Black professionals to enter the global finance industry.
Franklin shares personal stories, accumulated knowledge, and wisdom from a life of service, to develop a vision of cultural resilience, global action, and strategic thinking that provides meaningful and authoritative evidence and understanding, and useful inspiration.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH REVEREND CAVANESS

Rev. Carolyn Cavaness is making history as the first female pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church, but her mission goes far beyond the title. In this podcast, we explore her remarkable journey, from her deep roots in ministry to her vision for faith-driven community action. Through storytelling and insightful discussion, we unpack how she is bridging history and progress, fostering social change, and redefining leadership in one of Philadelphia’s most historic churches.
Join us as we reflect on her impact, her challenges, and what her leadership means for the future of Mother Bethel AME and beyond.

THE FUNTIMES EXCHANGE WITH JOS DUNCAN

Jos Duncan-Asé believes in the power of storytelling, not just to inform, but to heal, empower, and create change. As the founder and CEO of Love Now Media, she is reshaping the media landscape by centering love, resilience, and justice in journalism.
From her roots in oral storytelling to leading an organization that challenges harmful narratives, Jos’s work focuses on amplifying voices that are often overlooked. She advocates for media as a tool for power and justice, blending traditional storytelling with emerging technology while ensuring that human connection remains at the heart of every story.
This episode explores her journey, the evolution of Love Now Media, and the impact of telling stories that move beyond trauma to inspire action.