BE A BALLER -"Building a lifelong legacy"

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John Gregory, CEO of the National Center for Urban Solutions our esteemed guest, shifted his sights from corporate ambitions to the heart of urban revival. He and Kenny Hampton, President of the African American Wellness Agency, share how the center's initiatives, including the groundbreaking African American Wellness Walk, have become pillars of hope and practical change. Our guest inform the audience the narrative behind the National Center for Urban Solutions and its relentless drive to uplift communities from economic hardship. T
As the conversation deepens, we traverse the life-affirming paths of the African-American Wellness Walk, casting light on its evolution into Black Men's Wellness Day. Kenny Hampton walks us through the event's origin, rooted in the spirit of brotherhood, and its blossoming into a national movement dedicated to dismantling health inequities. The day's far-reaching impact is felt through fatherhood programs, financial advice, and mental health resources, underlining the pivotal role community networks play. This tapestry of support, interwoven with free services and trust, is an emblem of the transformation we're witnessing.
Our conversation centers around mentorship and personal development as linchpins for community enrichment, echoing our mantra, "We do what we say we do." The episode culminates in a contemplation of legacy and the imperative to act, to be the living embodiment of service, motivated by spirit rather than wealth. This powerful dialogue is a tribute to those who have paved our way and a rally cry for listeners to forge their own legacies of integrity and leadership.

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Harvey Hook is a visionary, connector, collaborator, community advocate, and builder. His purpose in life is to create opportunities for people and communities to thrive. These qualities contribute to his success as a catalytic leader in founding several leading-edge nonprofit entities and successful programs which remain vibrant today.
Harvey is the Chief Engagement Officer for Vista Village, Inc., an innovative nonprofit in Columbus, Ohio, which serves homeless individuals in a tiny home community setting. Vista Village works with community partners and volunteers, to provide comprehensive wraparound services for men and women, as they transition from homelessness to help, wholeness, employment, and then to independent living in the broader community.
Prior to joining Vista Village, Harvey co-founded Convene Columbus, a collaborative entity of multi-ethnic leaders, to address issues of racial injustice. In 2015, he launched Rela Leadership to equip next generation leaders with best practice servant leadership principles. In 1988, he founded The Gathering/Columbus to offer guidance to business, professional, and government leaders, on moral, spiritual, and leadership decisions, which impact the community. In 1981, following four years as Chaplain of Denver Juvenile Hall, Harvey moved to Columbus as one of three founding members of Central Ohio Youth for Christ, which maintains a vital role in assisting youth in poor and underserved neighborhoods.
Beyond his nonprofit roles, Harvey was the inaugural Chair of the Central Ohio BBB Integrity Awards Selection Committee; Member, Mayor Michael Coleman’s Interfaith Religious Advisory Committee; Founder, Columbus Leadership Forum; Founder, Columbus Leadership Prayer Breakfast; Chair, Invitation Committee, Greater Columbus Billy Graham Crusade; Convener, “Poverty, Race, and Urban Renewal” with Dr. John Perkins, Dr. Tony Evans, and Dr. Myles Munroe; Convener, “Poverty and Community Development” with St. Stephen’s Community Center, Urban Concern, and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; and Co-Convener, Ex-Offender Reentry Roundtable with Gov. George Voinovich, Reginald Wilkinson, Dir., Ohio Dept. of Corrections, and Charles Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship.
Born in Lincoln, Maine, the youngest of three boys, sons of a lumberjack and seamstress, he has lived in New York, Colorado, and Ohio. Harvey has a degree in Psychology, from the State University of New York at Albany, a master’s degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary, has spent seven months of his life loving and being loved by children in the Dominican Republic, and is author of the book, “The Power of an Ordinary Life.” He is married to his wife Rita and together they have two beautiful married daughters, and five awesome grandchildren!

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Rick Hogan is a proud lifelong resident of Toledo, Ohio and an Ohio University Graduate School of Business Marketing Major.

Rick Hogan is a 26 year experienced General Manager with Fleming Street Communication, WJUC 107.3.The Juice is the first African American owned and operated station in Toledo beginning broadcasting in 1997. The vision of station Charles “Charlie Chuck” Welch a former DJ.

In addition, to his General Manager role Rick hosts a weekly Saturday morning radio show that focuses on community concerns, local and national news, events and initiatives that serve the community’s interest.

He heads various community projects such as the Annual Turkey Give, Annual Christmas Family Adoption, African American Legacy Project, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build, Caring for Caregivers Expo and the Annual Back to School Supply Giveaway

Prior to joining WJUC Hogan served was a Activities Therapist for 13 years with the Ohio Department of Youth Services where he developed and implemented programs in art, music, sports and education. Hogan specialized in working with youth who were incarcerated as well as youth with substance abuse.

When not working Hogan enjoys spending time with his family, (especially his Dad), travelling, bowling, golfing, volunteering with the city of Toledo, OH and watching his daughter compete in golf.

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Jennifer Griffith. Regional President, First Merchants Bank , has been serving the Central Ohio banking community for over twenty years. Under Jennifer’s leadership, First Merchants has consistently been recognized as one of the Best Employers in Ohio. Her commitment to providing an exceptional work environment is the foundation of building a local team that excels in our marketplace.
Jennifer Griffith has been dedicated to the growth of First Merchants since 1996, when it was then known as Commerce National Bank. She began her career in the commercial credit department, led the commercial sales team and accepted her current role in 2008. Jennifer Griffith demonstrates her advocacy by aligning with the mission of the Ohio Bankers League, and has served on its board of directors.
She, along with the Ohio team, actively engage with local leaders, including The Conway Family Business Center, of which she is a board member, the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, The Salvation Army of Central Ohio, and the Upper Arlington Community Foundation, of which she is a member of its board of trustees.
She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.

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Ray Miller is the President & Publisher of The Columbus & Dayton African American news journal and a former Ohio State Senator. Mr. Miller is a Life Member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the NAACP. In addition, he is an active member of Second Baptist Church located in Columbus, Ohio.
In January of 2011, Mr. Miller founded The Columbus African American news journal. The publication has quickly grown to become the largest, most broadly circulated minority focused print medium in Columbus and Central Ohio. Due to its success, in August of 2017, Miller expanded the news journal to include the city of Dayton, Ohio. The journal is well known for its substantive content and excellent contributing writers who are clearly focused on their mission, which is to educate, inform, and empower the community.
Totally committed to developing the next generation of young leaders, Mr. Miller created the Ray Miller Institute for Change and Leadership at The Ohio State University Department of African American and African Studies and The Progressive Leadership Academy to insure the knowledge and wisdom of selected leaders is passed on to those who will soon succeed them. Admission to the Leadership Academy is in great demand and the curriculum consists of high level presentations, readings, team projects and community service. Collectively, there are 390 graduates of the program.
For 24 years, Miller served as a member of the Ohio General Assembly--16 years in the House of Representatives and eight years as a State Senator. He was a prolific legislator and is well known for being the chief sponsor of legislation which established the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, The Institute for Urban Education at Central State University, the Mental Health Reform Act, first-time State funding for Head Start in the State of Ohio and many other public policy and systemic change initiatives.
During his extensive professional career, Miller has served at the executive level within organized labor, business, higher education and the Federal Government, as a Deputy Special Assistant on the White House Staff of President Jimmy Carter.
A highly requested public speaker, Mr. Miller has delivered countless keynote addresses throughout the State of Ohio and the nation. He is blessed to have received more than 600 local, state and national awards for his legislative accomplishments and community service.
Miller previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Central State University. Mr. Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from The Ohio State University. He and his wife Marty have one son, Ray Miller III.

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