Bright Lights by Lacy Johnson: Recent Episodes
Bright Lights
Lacy Johnson has been a resident of North Minneapolis for over 40 years. He believes the community and its people are among the best in Minnesota. Join him as he talks business, ideas, and family with some of the country's most successful entrepreneurs.
The Lacy Johnson Podcast with special guest AK Kamara
Hello everyone! This is a highly anticipated interview tonight! We have the powerhouse man... AK Kamara. A man of many resources and always doing something great for his community. He goes state to state helping others do great things for their communities as well. Tune in and let me know what you think! Thanks...
TheLacyJohnsonPodcast #MN #Minnesota #Interview #TheLacyMovement #TheLacyCampaign #AKKamara
This is an episode of the Lacy Johnson Podcast with a collage of interviews and thoughts from Andrew Klavan about capitalism.
andrewklavan #lacyjohnson #TheLacyJohnsonPodcast #capitalism #americandream #interview #podcast #minneapolis
The Lacy Johnson Podcast - Does The Black Community Still Have Hope?
blackexcellence #Blackhistorymonth2024 #TheLacyJohnPodcast #newpodcast #Minneapolis
The Lacy Johnson Podcast with words from #ThomasSowell and more!
BlackHistoryMonth #Special
The Lacy Johnson Podcast - Black Conservatives Speak Out
featuring views from #GlenLoury #BobWoodson #IanRowe and #ThomasSowell
Pastor Latasha H. Fields is a 17-year home educator and parental rights advocate. She founded several organizations, including Christian Home Educators Support System, a homeschool co-op and microschool, EPIC Cafe (Empowering Parents Igniting Communities), and Team Illinois, a civic engagement organization located on the Southside of Chicago.
She serves as the Illinois State Coordinator for ParentalRights.org, an organization dedicated to protecting parental rights. She is also recognized as a 1776 Unites Achiever, the 21st Ward Republican Committeewoman, a former candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and the recipient of the Illinois Family Institute 2021 "Voice of Truth" award for her faithfulness and efforts to rescue students from the Apostles of Wokeism in government schools.
Latasha presented her testimony of perseverance to the Congressional House Committee on the Budget during the hearing titled "Poverty in America: Economic Realities of Struggling Families." In her opinion piece titled "God, Parents, and the '1619 Project'" featured in the Wall Street Journal, she provides further insight into her message of personal responsibility and self-autonomy. She has also appeared on Fox and Friends, Newsmax, C-SPAN, and various podcasts and other outlets.
Latasha has been married to Ronald Fields, the pastor of Our Report Ministries & Publications, for 18 years. Together, they have four children, one of whom was homeschooled and graduated from college. They are currently homeschooling their other three children and children from their community. For more information about Latasha, please visit www.epic4change.org.
The Lacy Johnson Podcast ft MN Star Basketball Player Steve Neal
Steve talks about his life growing up in Minnesota and playing basketball for the best high school team that Minnesota has ever seen.
Also, he speaks about his current lifestyle of being married, having children and working in the community to help the youth.
Lacy Johnson sits down with Bishop Dean Nelson to talk about the facts behind Juneteenth, the holiday.
Taylore Woods of Ashtae Products return to the show for another great discussion. This conversation was very informative and motivational. Be sure to check out the video on the Youtube channel.
Just search : The Lacy Johnson Podcast
"The Lacy Johnson Podcast featuring Taylore Woods of Ashtae Products PART 2"
TheLacyJohnsonPodcast
Lacy Johnson talks about his outlook on the #TyreNichols incident and talks about some of his personal experiences with the police.
Thank you for listening to the podcast.
PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
TheLacyJohnsonPodcast
Maricela Gallarzo is a wife, mother, and businesswoman who emigrated from Mexico to Chicago in 1997 to pursue her American dream. There she met and married her husband Cef. The couple and their first child moved to Minnesota in 2000. She became a US Citizen in 2002.
She and Cef currently own and operate the only Planet Smoothie in Minnesota and an office cleaning business.
Government policy in response to the recent riots and pandemic contributed to a drastic loss in her customer base in downtown Minneapolis and created many obstacles to success. It has not been easy.
However, her attitude, work ethic, and tenacity motivate her to work 12-hour days at her smoothie business and afterwards join her husband to help with office cleaning.
According to Maricela, one of her main goals is to teach her three children that they can be anything they want to be in America…if they make good choices, set goals, work hard, and sacrifice.
May's Story...
My family were among the Hmong people that fled the communist rule in Laos during the Vietnam War. After seeking refuge in the Ban Vinai refugee camp in Thailand, we emigrated to America in 1987 to a better life. We did not know what would happen to us, and we were terrified of what the future may hold. We learned about the American Dream and pursued it passionately. While I am proud of my Hmong heritage, I am equally proud to be an American. Our American Dreams are under attack by the Left. In the name of “equity”, they have diminished American values and destroyed businesses. It breaks my heart to see those dreams disappear in front of me. While not perfect, America is the best! We have come a long way in achieving opportunities for all. Everyone has the right and the chance to pursue their American Dream, whatever that dream might be. " I decided to run for Congress as a Republican to protect the dreams of each and every American."
Anthony is the founder and director of the Ngao Foundation. While they valued education, Anthony's parents had 10 children and not even enough money for food. Anthony was able to attend high school by working as a cobbler. At school, he joined Young Christian Students (YCS) becoming YCS President. After high school, Anthony began working with the Xaverian brothers coordinating programs for homeless children while studying to become a teacher. After moving to Kangemi, Anthony continued to work with homeless children and those in need. Having spent 9 years coordinating community programs, Anthony realized that he wanted to start his own organization. This is where the Ngao Foundation really began. Through recruiting like-minded, devoted people, Ngao has grown to be the organization that it is today. Anthony and his team are devoted to the Foundation’s success and work tirelessly with the communities to improve lives through community outreach, education, and empowerment building.
Roth is the founding partner of The Roth Law Firm, PLLC, a New York-based law firm that has built a strong reputation as a premier litigation boutique firm in the metropolitan area. He is regularly featured in all media, from print to television. He has recently appeared on television commenting on cases of national significance including the trials of John Edwards, Mike Tyson, Martha Stewart, and Casey Anthony. He also follows and comments on all celebrities who experience legal troubles, from, among others, Lindsay Lohan to Prince Harry and several other superstars and celebrities. He is featured on CNBC, FOX News, MSNBC, TruTV, CNN, Al Jazeera, Huff Live, The Blaze. In the print media, Mr. Roth is regularly quoted in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the New York Post, the New York Daily News and several other national and local newspapers and magazines. Richard made his Broadway producing debut with Gettin' The Band Back Together. In Spring 2014, he helped finance The Realistic Joneses on Broadway. An attorney in New York City who handles sophisticated entertainment, sports, securities and employment matters, Roth began theater investing in 2013 with the smash hit Kinky Boots (2013 Tony Award for Best Musical) and has continued to do so in other shows.
LaSalle Gabriel is a Grammy & Stellar award-winning music producer, songwriter, & world class guitarist with 18 Top 40 songs & 7 #1 singles on his resume.
As a producer, songwriter, & arranger Gabriel holds chart positions in over 300 issues of Billboard Magazine, including 70 consecutive weeks in the Top 40 on 5 Billboard charts, simultaneously.
Gabriel was the original guitarist of Sounds of Blackness from 1990-1998, on Perspective/A&M Records, & has been featured in the Washington Post, New York Times, L.A. Times, Billboard, Finance & Commerce, Detroit Weekly, Radio & Records, & The Pioneer Press.
Gabriel has worked for Jamie Foxx, Charlie Wilson, Anita Baker, TLC, Barry White, Dallas Austin, Prince, DJ-Quik, The Gap Band, Johnny Gill, Karyn White, Ann Nesby, Sheila-E, Color Me Badd, Vesta Williams, Lo-Key, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Chante’ Moore, Carl Carlton, & Framework. Gabriel is a product endorsee for Gibson, Mesa Boogie, Carvin, & Peavey Guitars & joined the elite circle of B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, & George Benson when AKAI announced the launch of the LaSalle Gabriel Signature Series Guitar in Europe & Asia.
Gabriel produced two songs on the #1 Billboard Blues Album from 2018 by Malina Moye "Bad As I Wanna Be" (WCE/ SONY). Gabriel wrote & produced "A Little Rough" which peaked at #29 on the Billboard Singles Chart & the Hendrix remake "Foxy Lady", both tracks were recorded at the historic Capital Records Studios L.A.
In the early 90s, Gabriel released his first single “The Room” on his first record label, Framework. The 12-inch single sold over one million units worldwide, launching Gabriel’s music career overnight.
Gabriel’s 2nd start-up record label Studio Lexicon drew immediate success with Nashville artist Dean Justin whose 6 song EP ‘Carry the Flag’ sold over 200,000 CDs from Gabriel’s modest 1500sf recording studio in the heart of Minneapolis. ‘Carry the Flag’ debuted on the Billboard
Gabriel worked as a songwriter for NBC's ‘Days of our Lives’. His 46 television appearances include The Tonight Show, Soul Train, The Kennedy Center, Arsenio Hall, MTV, & BET.
These are achievements are among many others which Gabriel has achieved in the music, entertainment, and business fields.
Marklyn T. Johnson is a published author, comedian, and motivational speaker. Marklyn was born and raised in central New Jersey and is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He has worked in the production industry for over twenty years speaking everywhere from schools to churches and other live events. Growing up, Marklyn idolized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Michael Jackson, Eddie Murphy, Michael Jordan, and Tupac Shakur. All of these figures inspired Marklyn to follow his dreams, embrace his passions, and speak his mind. Marklyn’s greatest idol, however, was his father, Willie. His first book Lessons from a Sh*t Talker applies the lessons his father taught him as groundwork to achieving one’s dreams. His second book, Facebook Conversations: The Good The Funny The Ugly released on 3/26/2022 is a social media memoir, both introspective and hilarious, based on truthful interactions the author has had over a number of years on Facebook. Here, you will find candid and cringeworthy conversations on the shared human experience.
Cindy Vavra was born and raised on a Southern Minnesota dairy farm, where she acquired a hard work ethic and learned the importance of daily functional movement. Working for over 30 years in the legal industry, she was also a partner in a large corporate farming business. Leaving both behind to pursue her passion in health and wellness, she moved to Minneapolis and immersed herself in the fitness industry, obtaining certifications as a Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, group fitness and yoga Instructor, while simultaneously co-founding and helping to create and build ZeSa. ZeSa is a Minneapolis based start-up that’s developed a progressive line of patented instability training devices used for athletic training, fitness, injury prevention and recovery. Cindy recently proudly became a member of the North Carolina Center for Optimization of Military Performance, a new consortium formed for the purpose of unifying, accelerating, and delivering innovations in military health and performance.
Felton Smith is the Chief Executive officer of Atlanta-based 4 Kings Consulting Services. Former Senior Technical Manager at 3M, Felton enjoys volunteering with 32ndStreetMedia, LLC, a nonprofit digital health company, that developed :30bp app to track and monitor blood pressure for adults struggling to manage high blood pressure.
White led both De LaSalle and Hopkins high schools to state basketball titles. He starred at Iowa State and was taken in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets in 2012. Battling his own anxiety, White became an outspoken mental health advocate. According to White, mental health isn’t just about anxiety, depression or PTSD or OCD or addiction. "It’s about the human condition, and like there’s a huge existential crisis going on, an identity crisis going on, a moral crisis." White believes we need to talk more about mental illness and understand it’s an issue with a lot of people.
KB Balla is a Minnesota firefighter and entrepreneur whose sports bar, Scores, was destroyed and burned down during the riots in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in May 2020. Mr. Balla is still working to reopen his sports bar and on other business ventures.
Local businessman Zack Redmon is the owner of Redmon’s Popcorn, located in New Hope. The nostalgic popcorn shop is truly one-of-a-kind, welcoming, and filled with delicious, gourmet popcorn. The flavors are unique, outstanding, and unforgettable.
"It’s been a dream of mine to have a successful business and serve my community with unique and creative popcorn flavors. My dream brought me all the way to New York to be featured on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert! The attention brought an amazing amount of support, but also revealed some steps that got missed along the way. So, back to the grind! Along with the help of my community, I quickly completed the tasks needed to get my physical shop back up and running!"
Caleb Truax (born September 14, 1983) is an American professional boxer. He held the IBF super middleweight title from 2017 to 2018 and challenged once for the WBA (Regular) middleweight title in 2015.
Truax played football at Virginia State University for one year before a knee injury ended his gridiron career. He returned home in 2003 to attend the University of Minnesota, and it was there at the age of 19 that Truax entered a local Toughman contest. He lost his first fight, but soon became consumed by boxing—altering his diet and training as he pursued an amateur career.
Truax graduated from the University of Minnesota majoring in Sociology, minoring in both African American studies and Political Science.
Caleb Truax debuted as a professional fighter in April 2007 with a 2nd-round knockout of Ray Walker. As of March 2015, Truax has a professional record of 25 wins, one loss, and two draws. Truax has defeated Ossie Duran, Matt Vanda, Andy Kolle, Phil Williams, Jonathan Reid, Antwun Echols, Durrell Richardson, and James Crayton. His professional loss came to former undisputed middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor (Truax knocked Taylor down in the 9th round.)
Truax drew Ossie Duran in a 10-round non-title bout at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The bout was part of an eight-fight card promoted by Mike Tyson's new company, Iron Mike Productions. Mike Tyson was in attendance at the event, and said of Truax, "I hear he is exciting and he is something that we need for boxing, he is a breath of fresh air because boxing is in the doldrums right now. I'm looking forward to seeing him and if he is as much as everyone has told me."
Mark Blaxill is the father of a daughter diagnosed with autism, Chairman and co-founder of the Canary Party, Editor-at-Large for Age of Autism, a former director of SafeMinds and a frequent speaker at autism conferences. He writes often on autism and has published a number of articles, letters and commentaries on autism in journals such as Public Health Reports, the International Journal of Toxicology, the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Neurotoxicology and Medical Hypotheses. His groundbreaking book The Age of Autism: Mercury, Medicine, and a Man-Made Epidemic explores how mankind has unwittingly poisoned itself for half a millennium. Mark received a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. In his professional career, he spent 25 years at The Boston Consulting Group, where he was a Senior Vice President. Recently, he co-founded 3LP Advisors, an advisory firm focused on intellectual property transactions, where he is a Managing Partner. Mark has authored 6 books.
White led both De LaSalle and Hopkins high schools to state basketball titles. He starred at Iowa State and was taken in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets in 2012. Battling his own anxiety, White became an outspoken mental health advocate. According to White, mental health isn’t just about anxiety, depression or PTSD or OCD or addiction. "It’s about the human condition, and like there’s a huge existential crisis going on, an identity crisis going on, a moral crisis." White believes we need to talk more about mental illness and understand it’s an issue with a lot of people.
Jonathan Mason is an experienced business owner with 10 years of experience in technology and community activism. Jonathan’s expertise focuses on project management, change management, and relationship management. He is a thoughtful and diplomatic problem solver, effective communicator, and a responsible executor.
Jonathan went to the University of Wisconsin-Stout and majored in Criminal Justice.
He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and five children. Outside of work Jonathan enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending his children’s athletic events, and volunteering for the twin cities community.
Fredrick is a VP Sales and President of UpNet CSG group, a leader in enabling businesses to effectively utilize technology. Founded in 1996, UpNet Technologies is an experienced integration and data transformation service provider delivering innovative B2B collaboration, next generation EDI technology and comprehensive supply/demand chain solutions. UpNet’s cost predictable SaaS solutions increase technical capabilities and flexibilities, providing the ability to better manage risk.
Sia Lo is a former Deputy City Attorney head of the prosecution division later promoted to Senior Policy Advisor for the City of St. Paul where he led the Mayor’s delegation to Thailand. Currently, he is in private practice and has his own law firm located in St. Paul, Minnesota that focuses on serving the legal needs of the Hmong and American Community. He is well known for his role as General Counsel for the Hmong Council of 18 and handling high profile Hmong cases. He was voted national chairman of the Lo & Pha families in the U.S. He is currently a cultural mediator trainer with Mitchell Hamline University School Law and Minnesota Mediation Center. He is also the interim director for the Hmong American National Chairman Association in the U.S. In 2020, he became the first Hmong American to run for Congress.
In this episode, Lacy revisits important conversations with diverse community leaders featuring investment manager and CEO of Hercules investments James McDonald, architect and founder of Mobilize Design & Architecture Jamil Ford, Reverend McAfee, Executive director for the Center for Sales Leadership and Education at the University of Minnesota Todd Williams, community leader and founder of A Mother's Love nonprofit Lisa Clemmons, and coach author and educator Larry McKenzie.
Lacy Johnson is an American entrepreneur and host of Bright Lights, an interview format podcast focused on business innovation, compelling ideas, and family insights and inspiration. He has been a mainstay of the North Minneapolis community for decades coming to the University of Minnesota from Mississippi after public high school. After a technology career at leading American companies including Lockheed Martin, Delta and Xcel Energy, Lacy started UBX Capital, an opportunity zone investment fund placing capital into growth businesses in emerging communities.
Coach, author, and educator Larry McKenzie is the first coach to win four straight state titles in the 100-year history of the Minnesota State Boys Basketball. In 2017, Coach McKenzie became the first Coach in Minnesota High School Basketball History to lead two separate schools to multiple titles, both Minneapolis Patrick Henry and Minneapolis North. Larry is a long-time community and youth advocate with 20 plus years of experience working with urban youth. His service to young people has earned him numerous awards and recognition including KARE 11’s Eleven Who Care, KTCA’s Everyday Hero, the Minneapolis Park Board’s Volunteer of the Year, and Positive Image Father of the Year.
Lisa Clemons is a well-known community leader and former Minneapolis police officer who founded a non-profit called A Mother’s Love—a brigade of people in bright pink t-shirts trying to bring back the metaphorical village they say it takes to raise a child. Clemons dreamed of being a cop since she was young but left the department 20 years ago for a broader advocacy.
Todd is Executive Director of the Center for Sales Leadership and Education at the University of Minnesota, which helps better prepare students for a variety of sales and marketing careers from positions in Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial startups and international organizations. Prior to his current role, Todd served as Director of Target Corporation’s Diversity and Inclusion team, as well as, the Director of Multicultural Market Segmentation where he led initiatives to cater products and merchandising to Urban, Asian, African American, Hispanic, and LGBT consumer segments. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the Carlson School of Management at the U of M and a Master's in Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas.
Mark Bishofsky is respiratory therapist, a grassroots community organizer, and founder of Stop the Mandate MN (stopthemandatemn.org). Stop the Mandate MN is committed to supporting Minnesotans' freedom of choice in regards to medical mandates.
Mr. Eibensteiner has been President of Wyncrest Capital, Inc., an investment company for early-stage technology companies in the area of telecommunications, medical devices and software since 1993. He has served on the Board of Directors for Miromatrix since 2010. Mr. Eibensteiner’s past investment activities include: co-founder of Diametrics Medical, Inc., a manufacturer of blood gas diagnostic systems; a principal investor and Board member of OnHealth Network Company, a web-based publisher of health and wellness information which was later merged with WebMD; principal investor and Board member of BigCharts, Inc., a provider of financial internet content, until its sale to Dow Jones/MarketWatch in June 1999; Chairman of the Board of Prodea Software Corporation, a data-warehousing software company, until its sale to Platinum Technology, Inc.; and principal investor and Board of Director member of Travanti Pharma Inc, a specialty drug delivery firm, until its sale to Teikoku Pharmaceutical in May of 2009. Mr. Eibensteiner also served as a member of the Board of Stellant Software (Nasdaq: STEL) from 1996 until 2001. In 1983, he co-founded Arden Medical Systems and served as its Chief Financial Officer until its sale to Johnson & Johnson in 1987. Mr. Eibensteiner currently serves as Chairman of the Center of the American Experiment, a public policy group in Minnesota dedicated to solving some of our nation’s most pressing issues and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Minnesota. He also serves on the Board of TakeCharge Minnesota, an organization that empowers people to take charge of their lives and not to depend on a group, agency, or government for their well-being. TakeCharge Minnesota strives to unite Americans regardless of background toward a shared history and common set of beliefs and celebrates the successes of all who have achieved the American dream while encouraging people still working to achieve it.
Michelle Benson is a State Senator in her fourth term representing portions of Anoka, Isanti, and Sherburne counties. She serves as the Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. At the Senate, she has stood up for Minnesota families against state bureaucrats and led the fight against waste, fraud, and abuse in government. She holds the highest lifetime conservative rating of any sitting Minnesota state senator and has earned the respect of her colleagues across the aisle as a consistent fighter. Michelle was raised on a farm near Murdock, MN and currently resides in Ham Lake with her husband Craig and their three children.
Special Episode!! Tune in to catch some of the best moments so far! linktr.ee/LacyJohnsonMN
Featuring: Catrin Wigfall, Policy Fellow, Center of the American Experiment and Director of Educated Teachers MN and Employee Freedom MN
Rev Dean Nelson, Founder, Frederick Douglas Foundation
Kendall Qualls, Founder, Take Charge
Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Neil Shah is a husband, father, physician, business owner, and son of immigrants. Dr. Shah is a board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of Clarus Dermatology. Prior to establishing Clarus Dermatology, Dr. Shah started the dermatology department for HealthEast Clinics. Dr. Shah teaches family medicine residents from the North Memorial Hospital and remains active with educating his peers in practice management and cutaneous surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Medical Association, a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Shah is a 2007 graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Shah completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. with an internship in internal medicine. Before medical school, he graduated magna cum laude from Ursinus College with departmental honors in Biology. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society, and the Sigma Xi research honor society. A former director of the Twin Cities Medical Society, he also served as a member of the Policy Council for the Minnesota Medical Association. He is past president of the Minnesota Dermatological Society as well as president of Doctors for the Practice of Safe and Ethical Aesthetic Medicine.
Mike spent six years working in law enforcement and left the profession due to an injury. Mike is a longtime small business owner for the last 16 years in the printing and shipping industry. In 2016 Mike ran for city council and was elected as a write-in candidate. In October 2019, the office of the Mayor became vacant in Lexington, and Mike stepped in to do the job. As the Mayor of Lexington, he fights the radical liberal governments in St. Paul and DC with one hand and builds his community with the other. This past year alone, his city has passed an anti-riot act, a ban on tyrannical executive powers, a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary declaration, and decreased taxes.
Gubernatorial candidate, senator Paul Gazelka was born in St. Paul and grew up on the Iron Range. After graduating with a business degree from Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, he started his business career in Madison, a small town in western Minnesota. For the last 24 years, Paul and his wife Maralee have lived in the Brainerd Lakes area. Paul has always been active in the communities in which he has lived, serving as local Chamber of Commerce president, Kiwanis president, and a local Christian school board leader. As a senate majority leader, Paul has negotiated the last three two-year budgets. All three budgets were negotiated with Democratic governors who wanted to raise taxes, but were able to actually lower taxes each time. Paul defends the sanctity of life and protects Second Amendment rights.
Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen has practiced family medicine in Carver County, Minnesota for 35 years. This is where he and his wife, Mary, a small animal veterinarian, raised their three children – Cristy, anesthesiologist, Matt, an estate attorney, and Jackie, a family doctor. Dr. Jensen served in the Minnesota Senate (2017-2021) and was vice-chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. He has served many organizations as a board member or chair including Waconia School Board, numerous Rotary and Lions clubs, several Chambers of Commerce, and bank boards. He is an avid pilot and writer, publishing his first book in 2015, “Relationship Matters.” In 2001 he founded Catalyst Medical Clinic which now has offices located in Watertown and Chaska.
A lifelong North Minneapolis resident, Jamil Ford's pervading mission in life is to make his home community a better place. Founder of Mobilize Design & Architecture with David Witt, Jamil's work is focused on the Northside of Minneapolis. Highlights of its projects include The Commons at Penn Avenue, a 45-unit affordable housing complex on the north side, and the North Minneapolis Hennepin County human services hub. His favorite part of the job is building relationships; designing buildings that inspire people in the community and the people that occupy the interior space within.
Mark Globus is running for mayor of Minneapolis. Mark graduated from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), where he was active in student government as an activist and was elected as a Student Senator. Founder of Global One Commercial, Mark is a commercial real estate developer.
Tiffini Flynn Forslund is a cultural liaison and social justice activist. She is a board member for Kids At Risk Action which advocates for change within the child protection system that has a direct effect on families of racial and economic disparities. Tiffini is a board member for Gender Justice, a nonprofit that has landmark legislation and court cases eliminating bias, injustice, and inequities that exist due to lack of equality. She is a member of the Minneapolis and St. Paul chapter of the NAACP and is part of the Back Lives Matter.
Victor Martinez is a City Council candidate and Pastor of New Generation Church, running against Jeremiah Ellison. He has an education from Bethel University where he received Ministry credentials with the Assemblies of God. He wants to improve the relationship between cops and the community, while also supporting early intervention systems to weed out poorly performing cops from the workforce.
Frank Torchia President at Torch Entertainment. Frank is a Hollywood producer and has produced such hits as Wishman as well as many TV shows Frank grew up in an Italian family in NY. A former a college football player Frank went on to work on Wall St. After leaving Wall St Frank started College Prospects a national organization helping high school athletes obtain athletic scholarships Frank has always had a passion for helping others Today Frank is still involved in high school sports when he is not producing a TV show or feature film
Ace is an expert political with a focus on the 3rd world. 21 years ago, Ace moved to the US from Oromia, a nation who is fighting for independence from Ethiopia
Douglas G. Wardlow (born July 3, 1978) is an American attorney and politician who served as a Minnesota state representative from District 38B. Wardlow ran for 2018 against Keith Ellison for Attorney General for Minnesota
Father McAfee was born December 13, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan. He attended St. David Elementary School and Sacred Heart High School, both in Detroit. He graduated from Catholic University in Washington in 1966. He attended the Gregorian Institute of America in the summer of 1962 and Catholic University's graduate school from 1966-67. He earned a master's degree in Religious Studies from St. Thomas Aquinas University in Rome. He went on to attend the Theological College at Catholic University for graduate studies in Philosophy and Theology from 1967-71.
BOSCHWITZ, RUDOLPH ELI (RUDY), a Senator from Minnesota; born in Berlin, Germany, November 7, 1930; attended the public schools in New Rochelle, N.Y., and The Pennington School in Pennington, N.J.; attended Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., 1947-1949; graduated, New York University School of Commerce, New York City, 1950, and New York University Law School 1953; admitted to the New York bar in 1954 and the Wisconsin bar in 1959, and commenced practice in New York City in 1956; served in the United States Army Signal Corps 1954-1955; founder, in October 1963, and chairman of Plywood Minnesota, Inc. (renamed Home Valu Interiors, Inc., 1994) 1963-; Republican National Committeeman from Minnesota 1971-1978; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in November 1978 for the term commencing January 3, 1979; subsequently appointed on December 30, 1978, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Wendell B. Anderson for the term ending January 3, 1979; reelected in 1984 for the term ending January 3, 1991; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1990 and in 1996; chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee (One Hundredth Congress); continued civic activities and membership on various advisory boards, including state chair of the American Cancer Society Crusade, Upper Midwest Kidney Foundation, campaign chairman for Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service; received Citizen's Medal in 1991 for efforts in Ethiopia as President George H.W. Bush's emissary; finance chair in Minnesota for President George W. Bush 2000, 2004; is a resident of Minneapolis, Minn.
Lynne Torgerson, Esq., has been practicing law in excess of 26 years. Ms. Torgerson has degrees in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She graduated from William Mitchell College of Law, with Honors. While at William Mitchell, she was a Member of Law Review and a participant of The Honorable Rosalie Wahl Moot Court. She was also a Judicial Intern for The Honorable Henry W. McCarr, of the Hennepin County District Court. After law school, Ms. Torgerson was a Law Clerk for the Honorable Ralph J. Geffen, United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, California. Ms. Torgerson has had her own successful practice since 1995. In 2010, Ms. Torgerson was awarded an Attorney of the Year. This followed winning a case at the United States Supreme Court in 2009, via a denial of certiorari, a feat accomplished by a very select few lawyers. Ms. Torgerson has also been awarded Attorney for the New Millenium. Ms. Torgerson is a lawyer of excellence. Lynne Torgerson has been helping people in trouble, your loved ones, for approximately 27 years. She has both experience and ability. She handles all types of criminal charges throughout the State of Minnesota. These include assault, domestic assault, drug charges, sex crimes, DWI/DUI, gun charges, any criminal charge. She is also expert at getting gun rights restored, Second Amendment litigation, as well as obtaining expungements.
Sports comedian AMarie Castillo, the original Part Time Bro, is based out of New York City. For over ten years, AMarie has been crafting combining her love of sports and standup comedy by producing live standup comedy sports shows, sports roasts “Two Minute Warning”, "Asked and Answered Podcast" with hosts Erin Henderson and Jamarca Sanford, and her podcast “Never Met a Stranger”. She has worked with The Howard Stern show as an opening act on Ronnie’s Block Party on Howard TV. She has hosted for stars Rachel Feinstein, Louis CK, and other headliners across the country. You also have seen or heard her as a guest on The Bernie and Sid Show, Barstool Radio, Compound Media, and NPR’s Only a game.
Rich Stanek is a Minnesota Republican. He became the 27th Hennepin County Sheriff on January 1, 2007. Stanek served from 1986 to 2006 as a police officer in Minneapolis (became the 27th Hennepin County Sheriff on January 1, 2007), served from 1995 to 2003 in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and served from 2003 to 2004 as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety under Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. In 2018, he lost his bid for re-election as Hennepin County sheriff to newcomer Dave P. Hutchinson.
Karin Housley is a Minnesota politician, businesswoman, and member of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, she represents Forest Lake, Stillwater, and the surrounding St. Croix Valley.
Greg Urban is a business owner and and city council member in Vadnais Heights. His restaurant, Wild Greg's, has locations in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas. He also owns and operates Urban Companies, which primarily operates in the Landscape Services business / industry within the Agricultural Services sector
Catrin Wigfall is a Policy Fellow at Center of the American Experiment. She is also the director of Educated Teachers MN and Employee Freedom MN.
Catrin’s experience in education and policy research began during her time with the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. Her interest in education policy led her to spend two years teaching 5th grade general education and 6th grade Latin in Arizona as a Teach for America corps member. She then used her classroom experience to transition back into education policy work at the California Policy Center before joining American Experiment in February 2017.
Catrin graduated summa cum laude from Azusa Pacific University in California, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Rev Dean Nelson is the founder of the Frederick Douglas foundation. The Frederick Douglass Foundation is a public policy and educational organization which brings the sanctity of free market and limited government ideas to bear on the hardest problems facing our nation. The organization is a collection of pro-active individuals committed to developing innovative and new approaches to today’s problems.
Ron Waliczek is an experienced sales and marketing professional with a background in the financial services industry focused on FX, customer relationship management, derivative product education and business development. Skilled in market education, mentoring, closing deals and presenting on topics such as FX, interest rate risk management and global market trends.
Andy Noble's experience is vast and diverse, with responsibilities ranging from CEO, Team Leader, Cultural Entrepreneur, Wealth Strategist & Professional Business Coach. He is currently the CEO / Team Leader of Fast-Growing Market Center at Keller Williams.
Felipe is the Former Senior Legislative and Policy Director for the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, and is currently a Tax Policy Advisor. Felipe also obtained an MS in Business Management from the School for International Training.
Kendall Qualls went from serving in as an Officer in the US Army during the Korean War, to now having over 25 years of health care experience. With an MBA from the University of Michigan with an emphasis in strategy, a MA in Communications from the University of Oklahoma, and a BA in Political Science from Cameron University. After a congress run in Minnesota, he now is the president of TakeCharge, which aims to inspire minority communities to take charge of their own lives, and reject the notion of America being a racist country.
Tracy Schmidt is a professional clinical counselor, and owner of Southbridge Counseling Associates. Southbridge Counseling Associates is a certified Dialectic Behavioral Clinic in Savage MN.
Lacy sits down with James McDonald. James McDonald is the CEO of Hercules Investments. Hercules Investments is an alternative investment manager specializing in systemic investment strategies, and winner of the 2020 wealthmanagement.com Alternative Manager of the Year award. The Hercules investment team features investment professionals averaging over 20+ years of experience.
Lacy sits down with Martha Njolomole, economist at the Center of the American Experiment. Her work is focused extensively on advocating for less government regulation, taxes, and spending.
Kicking off our Bright Lights Podcast, Lacy interviews Emergency Room Doctor, Chris Callahan.