Hour of Excellence: Recent Episodes
Studio Presley
A podcast that honors the accomplishments and contributions of dignitaries from the city of Lake City, Florida.
Hour of Excellence: “Mr. Sun”
Join us as we learn all about the mighty sun!
Aired September 13, 2025, on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL
Summary: In this encouraging and eye-opening episode, we explore why making mistakes isn’t something to fear—it’s something to learn from!
Interview with a talented young violinist. Her story will inspire kids to believe in their abilities.
The episode also features an interactive nursery rhyme segment, where everyone can sing along and learn new rhymes.
Aired July 5, 2025 on 107.9 FM WUAF
Join us as we celebrate the birthdays of two beloved community leaders --- Pastors Anthony and Minnie Gomes from The Angel Radio Network, 107.9 FM WUAF in Lake City, FL.
Originally aired June 19, 2025, on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL.
Summary:
In this special Hour of Excellence episode, we celebrate Father’s Day and honor the powerful history behind Juneteenth! Listeners will enjoy fun facts about Father's Day and explore the important role fathers play in our lives.
Juneteenth isthe oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Through age-appropriate stories and songs, kids will learn why June 19th is a day of freedom, pride, and celebration in African American history.
Originally aired June 14, 2025, on 107.9FM WUAF Lake City, FL
In this episode, we explore the wild and wonderful world of weather—just for kids!
Originally aired May 31, 2025, on 107.9FM WUAF Lake City, FL
Historian Dr. Christopher M. Esing discusses Florida Emancipation Day.
Florida Emancipation Day is celebrated annually on May 20, commemorating the proclamation of emancipation in Tallahassee on that date in 1865. This date marks the end of slavery in Florida, eleven days after the Civil War ended and two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
Happy Emancipation Day, Lake City and Columbia County, FL. 2025. Celebrating 160 Years of Freedom.
Many enslaved African Americans in Columbia County, upon being set free, married in mass. Weddings for those who were enslaved were generally only recognized on the plantation and not in the legal system, so 25 couples took the chance to legally become husband and wife. A Justice of the Peace in Gainesville named Fryer offered to wed all freedmen, and a group from Columbia County went to his home. He provided a barrel of free lemonade and refreshments. The newlyweds danced and partied all night long at the judge’s house because of the distance they had to travel.
Their wedding day offered local freedmen their first real taste of freedom. ~ Florida Emancipation Day with Dr. Christopher M. Esing.
Podcast Summary – Hour of Excellence Radio Show for Kids
The Hour of Excellence is a dynamic, engaging educational podcast designed especially for curious and ambitious kids! Each episode delivers a fun mix of knowledge and inspiration, featuring:
These kid-friendly lessons on the stock market and the S&P 500 help young listeners understand money, investing, and the economy.
Exciting Japanese language segments, where kids learn basic vocabulary, fun phrases, and cultural insights.
Fascinating history lessons that bring major events and important figures to life.
Bonus content like trivia, fun facts, and mini-challenges to keep kids thinking and growing.
With a focus on excellence, discovery, and real-world learning, Hour of Excellence is where young leaders start their journey toward greatness.
Linda Hugley is President and Founder of Women of Veteran Affairs (W.O.V.A.)
Website: https://wovainc.org. The Women of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to honoring the dignity and quality of life of all veterans and their families by eliminating barriers to opportunities. Every Veteran and their family will have the opportunity to receive education, available resources, and counseling to enhance their lives.
Originally aired on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL March 26, 2025
Reverend Barbara Thomas, Union Hill AME Church, Wacissa FL
Originally aired on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL on March 19, 2025
Elder Daniels serves at Living Word Outreach Ministries in Lake City, Florida, under the leadership of her husband, Pastor Sammy Daniels. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Theology from Life Christian University in Tampa, Florida. In addition to her ministry work, she is a mentor and serves as the Secretary of the Youth Women of Excellence Organization.
Originally aired on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, Florida March 12, 2025
In the "Health and Wellness for Kids" episode of the Hour of Excellence podcast, listeners are provided practical tips to promote children's well-being. The episode covers easy-to-follow exercise routines, tasty snack ideas, stress-relief techniques, and positive mindset practices, all tailored for kids.
This episode is part of the "STEM at Home" series, which aims to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into daily family activities. The series encourages families to explore educational and enjoyable practices at home by combining health and wellness topics with STEM concepts.
Originally aired March 8, 2025, on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL
Pastor Ava D. Curry is an ordained itinerant elder in the Mount Tabor African Methodist Episcopal Church, committed to her faith and community. She pursued theological studies at Payne Theological Seminary. Pastor Curry is married to the late Rev. Rickey Lamar Curry Sr., who served in Bellville, Florida. She has a passion for helping others and enjoys engaging with her community.
In her upcoming podcast episode, Pastor Curry will delve into women’s history, sharing insights and stories that highlight the significant contributions of women throughout time.
Alonzo “AJ” Brinson is a dedicated servant-leader and scholar hailing from Lake City, Florida. Currently, he is a sophomore majoring in Religion at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. At Morehouse, Alonzo holds the esteemed position of Student Government Association Chaplain, where he provides spiritual guidance to the student body. He also serves as the Outreach & Evangelism Chair for the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Assistance Program, reflecting his commitment to community engagement and spiritual development. Additionally, he is on the Executive Board for the Student Government Association, serving as the Chaplain of Student Safety, where he works to ensure the well-being of his peers.
Alonzo’s leadership journey began at Columbia High School, where he was elected Class President for all four years. During his high school tenure, he was inducted into the National Honor Society and served as Vice President of the National Achievers Society, underscoring his academic excellence and leadership capabilities.
Beyond his academic and leadership roles, Alonzo has gained valuable ministerial experience through internships at prominent churches. He served as an intern at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church under the mentorship of Rev. Dr. William E. Flippin and at The House of Hope Atlanta under Rev. Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr. These experiences have enriched his pastoral skills and deepened his commitment to faith-based community service.
His voice has reached far beyond the church walls, as he has been invited to speak at significant events and organizations. He was honored to speak at the 15th Annual MLK Praise and Worship Service in Lake City, Florida, in January 2024. Additionally, his impact was recognized by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Atlanta, where he was invited to share his message of faith, justice, and empowerment.
Through his work in ministry, leadership, and community engagement, Alonzo Brinson continues to inspire and uplift those my around the him, embodying the values of Morehouse College.
107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL
In this engaging and educational episode of The Hour of Excellence Radio, young listeners are introduced to Black Heritage. The episode combines storytelling, music, and activities to educate and inspire.
Episode Title: Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Part 2)
Original Air Date: January 11, 2025
107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL
In this engaging and educational episode of The Hour of Excellence Radio, young listeners are introduced to the life, legacy, and values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Designed with kids in mind, the program combines storytelling, music, activities, and powerful excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches to inspire and educate.
Episode Title: Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Part 1)
Original Air Date: January 11, 2025
107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL
In this engaging and educational episode of The Hour of Excellence Radio, young listeners are introduced to the life, legacy, and values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Designed with kids in mind, the program combines storytelling, music, activities, and powerful excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches to inspire and educate.
"Holiday Spotlight: A Christmas Chat with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
In this special holiday episode, we bring the magic of Christmas to life with a special guest—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
Aired: December 7, 2024, on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL
Surge365 is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company that sells travel services, including discounts on flights, cruises, hotels, and rentals. The company is based in Wood River, Illinois.
Presley EXCEL and Scholars Program, Inc., Presley Learning Center, Inc., Miracle Tabernacle Girls of Distinction, and Excel Boys Group present "It's About Our Children" motivational series.
Today's speaker is Chief Gerald Butler, Chief of Police in Lake City, Florida.
Mr. Rosenthal previously worked for Pasco County, FL (population 553,947), for six years, and spent five of them as the Assistant County Administrator. He served as the Buildings Director for Atlanta, GA (population 448,901), for four years, and the Building and Safety Manager for Reno, NV (population 225,221), for three years.
Mr. Rosenthal has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Military Science from Loyola University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Regis University. He is an ICMA-credentialed manager and a Certified Public Manager.
Email: CityManagement@lcfla.com
Phone Number: (386) 719-5784
Health and Wellness tips for kids. Easy-to-follow exercise routines and tasty snack ideas to stress-relief techniques and positive mindset practices, we cover a wide range of topics designed to empower kids to take charge of their health and well-being.
Join us as we celebrate Autism Awareness Month by raising awareness, promoting acceptance, and advocating for a more inclusive world for individuals with autism. Together, let's shine a light and embrace the richness of neurodiversity.
Jerry Daniels is a master barber in Buffalo, New York. He has won many awards. He also has a barber ministry, performing haircuts in the hospital and provides other barber for them.
Mr. and Mrs. Presley discuss Lake City, Florida Black History.
Glynnell and Bernice Presley are models of excellence. For over 60 years they served Columbia County Florida as educators, humanitarians and civil rights activists. They are responsible for numerous after-school programs, and tutorial programs for the youth of Columbia County.
Black History | Historical Time Traveling Project.
Travel through time with outstanding dignitaries Frederic Douglas, Rakeem Amerson, Travis George and Aersino Perry.
Chestnut Funeral Home
18 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville,FL
352-372-2537
chestnutfh.com
For one hundred years or more, Chestnut Funeral Home, Inc., has been serving the Gainesville, Alachua County, and North Central Florida areas. They stand on the principal of Charles S. Chestnut, Sr.; who believed in the “Code of Good Funeral Practice”.
https://www.votecolumbia.com/
MAIN OFFICE
971 W. Duval St., Ste 102, Lake City, FL 32055-3728
PHONE: (386) 758-1026 | HOURS: Mon-Fri., 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
BRANCH OFFICE
17579 SW SR 47, Ft. White, FL 32038
PHONE: (386) 497-1293 | HOURS: Tues, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Summary
Contact information:
phone:386-758-1083 fax: 386-758 2131
email: contact@ccpafl.com Mail: Columbia County Property Appraiser
135 NE Hernando Ave.
Suite 238
Lake City, Florida 32055 Website: https://columbia.floridapa.com
Kyle Keen, Tax Collector
Columbia County Florida
135 NE Hernando Ave #125. Lake City FL 32055
columbiataxcollector.com
In this episode, we make learning about AI fun and accessible for kids, exploring how technology can support those with ADHD in a creative and engaging way.
"Discovering Nursery Rhymes: Dive into the stories behind classic tunes in this insightful podcast episode."
"Discover the extraordinary impact of simple acts of kindness in this inspiring podcast episode."
Black History | Historical Time Traveling Project.
Travel through time with outstanding dignitaries Frederic Douglas, Rakeem Amerson, Travis George and Aersino Perry.
"Join us in this special back-to-school podcast episode as we delve into expert insights on navigating the new academic year with confidence. Discover valuable tips for effective study routines, time management, and staying motivated, ensuring a successful and fulfilling return to the world of learning."
A three-part series on how to handle temptation by staying connected with Jesus.
Music - "Never Lost" by CeCe Winans
The civil rights foot soldiers were the grassroots activists and ordinary individuals who played a crucial role in the American civil rights movement during the 1950 and 1960. They were the backbone of the movement, actively participating in protests, demonstrations, marches, sit-ins and other nonviolent actions to advocate for racial equality and social justice.
A three-part series on how to handle temptation by staying connected with Jesus.
Music - "Never Lost" by CeCe Winans
Uncover the fascinating stories behind beloved nursery rhymes and celebrate their joyful melodies in this enchanting podcast episode. Join us as we explore the importance of these timeless tunes in childhood development and enjoy delightful performances by talented musicians.
Dr. Omair Tahir is a pulmonologist in Atlantic Beach, Florida and is affiliated with Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville. He received his medical degree from Army Medical College Quaid-e-Azam Univ in 2012.
Dr. Omair Tahir, MD
Pulmonology
General Pulmonary Medicine
Critical Care Medicine
Mayo Clinic Florida
4500 San Pablo Rd S Jacksonville, FL 32224
Don Williams, Sr. is a Retired Educator, Guidance Counselor, Adjunct Professor, United States Air Force Veteran who believes that all students can learn and achieve.
This episode contains information about the hurricanes and hurricane season, along with a tribute to Sharyn Presley for her birthday!
In this podcast, we will talk about an important topic that affects many children and young people: mental health. Mental health is all about how we think, feel, and behave. It is just as important as physical health and can affect every aspect of our lives.
We will discuss some common mental health challenges that children and young people may face.
We will also talk about some ways to cope with these challenges and how to seek help if needed.
It is important to remember that seeking help for mental health challenges is not a sign of weakness, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. There are many people who can help, such as parents, teachers, school counselors, and mental health professionals.
In this podcast episode, we explore Autism Acceptance Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and promoting acceptance of autism in society.
We will delve into the misconceptions and stigma surrounding autism and discuss the importance of understanding and embracing neurodiversity. Our guest will share inspiring stories of people with autism who have achieved great success and contributed to society in significant ways.
We will also discuss the role of education, research, and advocacy in creating a more inclusive and accepting world for people with autism. The episode will conclude with practical advice for individuals and organizations looking to support the autism community.
This program is a tribute to Mr. Glynnell Presley, wishing him a Happy Birthday, on April 6th, 2023.
In this podcast episode, we explore the importance of incorporating music and story time into early childhood development. The benefits of music and storytelling for children's cognitive, emotional, and social development are overwhelming.
We feature examples of songs that are popular with young children because we believe storytelling can help children develop empathy, emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills.
In the final segment of the episode, we dive into the life and legacy of Joseph Bologne, also known as Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Bologna was born in the French colony of Guadeloupe in 1745, the son of a wealthy plantation owner and his enslaved mistress. Despite facing discrimination due to his mixed race, Bologne excelled as a musician and became a renowned composer, violinist and conductor in 18th-century Europe.
We explore Bologne’s early years in Guadeloupe, his education in France and his rise to fame as a musical prodigy. We also delve into Bologne’s role as a cultural figure in pre-revolutionary France, where he was a favorite of Queen Marie Antoinette and a prominent member of the Parisian social scene. Despite facing racism and discrimination throughout his life, Bologna preserved and broke down barriers in the classical music world, paving the way for future generations of Black musicians.
Sources:
The Extraordinary Life of Joseph Bologne -- The VITA Chevalier Project
Gracie’s Corner
In this podcast, the host and guest discuss the intersection of black history and mathematics education.
Throughout the discussion, the guest emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to mathematics education, one that recognizes the diversity of perspectives and experiences that students bring to the classroom. They argue that by integrating black history and culture into the curriculum, educators can create a more meaningful and impactful learning experience for all students, while also promoting greater social justice and equity in education.
Join Bernice Presley as she discusses Women's History and the season of Spring on this new episode of Hour of Excellence.
George Construction Company was established in 1976 by his brother Anthony George The company is located in Lake City, FL. They provide exterior remodeling, home addition and other services. Inquiries contact 386-755-8550.
In this podcast episode, Lucius George will be discussing some key strategies for construction company owners to succeed in the industry.
Mary Hightower is a historian who has a deep knowledge and passion for the history of Lake City, Florida. Whether you're a lifelong resident or a newcomer to the area, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the history and culture of this fascinating region of Florida.
First Student to Integrate Lake City Junior College and Forest Ranger School in 1964.
Former Secretary of the Moderators Auxiliary of the Florida General Baptist Convention, Retired Baptist Pastor, the first student to integrate Lake City Jr College (LCCC) and Forest Ranger School in 1964.
Outstanding Dignitary from Lake City, FL
Suwana Jean Janvier, Esq. was reared in Lake City, Florida, by her mother Thelma Jean and father Napoleon Jean, a Haitian immigrant, Suwana graduated from Columbia High School and matriculated to the “highest of seven hills”, Florida A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
She earned a Juris Doctor, Law from Florida A&M University in 2022. Her activities and societies included Student Bar Association (SBA) President 2021-2022, Student Bar Association (SBA) 2L Representative and Secretary 2020-2021, National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) National Parliamentarian 2021-2022, Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Chapter Vice-President, 2020-2021, If/When/How Reproductive Justice Treasurer, 2020-2021, Office of Admissions and Recruitment Student Ambassador.
Alonzo Brinson is the senior class president from Columbia High School in Lake City, FL. In this episode Mr. Brinson shares his accomplishments, goals, and perspective as a Gen Z student, highlighting the necessity of love and respect in today's world.