A Woman's Legacy Of Grace & Strength

— "Never settle for less than you deserve. Never diminish your value so others can afford you."

Valeria Teles interviews Laurie Jean — the author of "Crave: Sojourn of a Hungry Soul."

Raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, Laurie Jean has continuously worked to give voice to the voiceless. Laurie Jean writes, teaches, and lives with a ferocity that inspires others to do the same. From the projects of Virginia to the classrooms of Hampton University, she has established herself as an effective leader, an engaging writer, and an inspiring professor.

Despite the difficulties associated with being a single parent and providing for her family, Laurie Jean began a new journey in her life: she enrolled at Austin Peay State University and set in motion her pursuit for higher education. Working part-time jobs and financially surviving on her G.I. Bill, Laurie Jean received her Bachelor of Arts degree in two years of study, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Laurie Jean has ardently served Lock Haven University and its surrounding communities. As a professor of English at Lock Haven University, she established Lyrically Speaking, a spoken word group, which encourages students to discuss, craft, and perform original poetry that captures the essence of their realities. She served as faculty advisor to several groups on campus, including the Distinguished Gentlemen, a male minority group focused on encouraging leadership and Diamonds in the Ruff, a multicultural dance group.

Having served as Chair of the APSCUF Minority Retention Committee, Laurie Jean also showed her dedication to students at the university level. She and colleagues, Ramona Broomer and Kenneth Hall, established the Miriam B. Harris Celebration of Excellence Awards Dinner, where students of color are honored for accolades received at Lock Haven University. She served on the advisory board for Lock Haven University's women's center, Haven Outreach Program for Advocacy (H.O.P.E), and she served on the President's Commission on the Status of Women.

To learn more about Laurie Jean and her work, please visit: https://www.lauriejeancannady.net/

— This podcast is a quest for well-being, a quest for a meaningful life through the exploration of fundamental truths, enlightening ideas, insights on physical, mental, and spiritual health. The inspiration is Love. The aspiration is to awaken new ways of thinking that can lead us to a new way of being, being well.