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Dave chats with Susan MacDonald (Bridging the Gap) and her guest, former Marine and National Guard serviceman John Hashimoto; Wendell P. Williams talks once again about King Week. Jesus Powell discusses the Black Achievement Fund, their mission, goals, and current projects.
Veteran's Affairs Plus discusses the issues that veterans in Las Vegas deal with on a daily basis. Your host, David L. Washington connects listeners with relevant community resources and information that they need to help veterans or themselves.
Kevin Krall 0:00
You're listening to special programming sponsored by making moves life coaching services. The content of Veterans Affairs plus does not reflect the views or opinions of public radio K, u and v, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Unknown Speaker 0:19
Good morning. This is Veterans Affairs. Plus, I'm Dave Washington, your host.
Unknown Speaker 0:44
This show is sponsored by making moves life coaching services. And of course, we're on 91.5 Jazz and more, and certainly want to salute and wish him happy holidays to Kevin Kroll, who was the magnificent producer and director of this show, and he keeps me on track. He be doing the finger thing and I love it because it keeps me on point. So I think it's always important for our community to, for me to express condolences of some of the folks that we have lost. Most recently, last month, the family of Alan holder had his home going Alan was one of the best basketball players to come from our community. Alan was also a veteran, we will sorely miss this young man. Another loss of a dear friend of mine from the Chicago Fire Department Captain Ron Reagan of the Chicago Fire Department. We extend condolences to his wife Cheryl and his daughter Quiana. Ron transition, believe it or not, while on vacation here in Las Vegas, and it is a deep loss to the Carl Holmes executive Development Institute, where Ron was an officer and helped us to do many, many things with that Institute. And then finally, we lost brother Eric Jordan, well known community person. He was a great family man, and a longtime member of the Missionary Baptist Church. And I know that his services are pending. So again, to those founders, we certainly extend condolences. Remember veterans, if you have any issues that are going on? You need to call Tony Marshall at 301-537-9465. Should you have any questions regarding your needs for services, please make contact with Tony Marshall. Congratulations to my wife and her church family over at victory. They just selected a new minister for our preacher for their church. So and I know that was a long arduous process for them. We also know that the 40th annual Martin Luther King parade is upcoming Mr. Winter people you will be one of our guests this morning. And he will give us an update. So please stay tuned.
Unknown Speaker 3:00
You know what I'm always doing, I'm jumping the gun, I have to wait on the engineers and the producers direction. So once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. Today, we have Miss Suzy McDonald as a guest. And we'll have Wendy Williams. And also Hey Soos Powell. At this time, we got Miss Suzy Suzy, please tell our listening audience a little bit about you and your organization. And I know that will at some point introduce your special guests. So with that, believe me.
Unknown Speaker 3:32
My name is Susan McDonald. I am a native of Las Vegas, I actually have a company that's called Bridging the Gap. And this company actually started with me working with seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's, but I also kind of branched out in helping with our veterans. Because these are the three peat three sets of people that have like my heart throb. And I was talking speaking to you, and on your last show that I was on my guest which I'll let him introduce himself and everything. His wife was driving down the street and listening to the show. And she heard what I was saying about the needs being met for our veterans. So she pulled off the street, got the number called me personally. And she introduced me to her husband while at the time and I'll let him give the full details. But at the time, he was only getting 30% of what he needed from leaving the armed forces. And I'll just give you this little bit of a amazing story about your your, your radio station, catching the and helping our bet. They spoke to me and he'll tell the story. He was at 30% Well, I'll tell you what, by December he's now at 100%. Yeah, that is absolutely great news. Go ahead. Yes. Well, the beautiful part of it too is Is that I have a partner that I work with. And his name is Mr. Marvel, who is also retired from the Armed Forces, which I'll put you directly in contact with him. But the way that he did it, we're saying that within a lot of people are actually suffering and not receiving what they should. And they've been doing it for years and years and years. Well, this is to let you know that this took place. And he received I think it was 80%, within six weeks, wow. So by December, which would be the following would have been two months total. He's now at 100%. So I'd like for him to be able to tell you more. But like I said, my company is called Bridging the Gap. The phone number is 702-937-0263. For those vets that need assistance, and getting what it is that you have worked for this, you're fighting for our company, our country, and you what you've taken care of us. But nobody has been responding, which kind of upsets me through our government. But as long as there's one or two of us that are out there running the race, beating on the doors, these are the PDF, this is one person that heard your show that got results in six weeks. Well,
Unknown Speaker 6:17
that's great news, you give me that number, again, is in your organization called Bridging the Gap. Give me the number again, reducing
Unknown Speaker 6:23
the gap like a bridge. Right, right. It's called Bridging the Gap, the phone number 7029370263026.
Unknown Speaker 6:35
Great, wonderful. To our listening audience, please put that number down because he has a program that this is a great story for everyone to hear out there in our listening audience. So introduce your guests.
Unknown Speaker 6:50
What I'll let him do it. I want him to come on and give I'd love to hear military speak. Gotta be perfect. So just bring him on and let him do his thing. I love it.
Unknown Speaker 7:00
What's your name, sir?
Unknown Speaker 7:03
My name is John Hashimoto. Okay, John,
Unknown Speaker 7:05
you got the floor, sir. So to speak? Well,
Unknown Speaker 7:08
first things first, I'd like to I'd like to thank Miss McDonald and yourself for giving me allowing me the privilege of being on your show. And it just the timing couldn't have been more perfect. My wife was actually driving down the road going to work. And she caught a segment of your show. And like Miss McDonald said, she called in and the rest is history. But it's just incredible how how everything worked out. The timing was perfect. I was just coming down off of them. Going through the SSA and my SSDI was just approved. And I figured, okay, well now I can tackle this monster again. As far as the VA, I got out of the Marine Corps in 1998 at 0%. And yeah, I was in San Diego for about 25 years. I've been here in Las Vegas now for 11. I was actually I was originally born and raised in San Francisco. And so after I did 12 and a half years in the Marine Corps, you how your tenure. I got out and went to the National Guard for three years. So again, in 1998, when I was discharged from the Marine Corps, I was at I was at at 0%. And so it took me until 2013 to come to 30% with some injuries that I had, obviously, some injuries I had in the Marine Corps. And so again, I in July, I was just coming I just finished up my SSDI was approved for for situation or and so I said okay, well let me tackle this monster now. And again, that 30% was in 2013. And so I had it was just great, great timing. I had a I sat down with Miss McDonald, my wife. And we talked over the situation that was going on as far as my injuries in the Marine Corps and some other injuries that I never reported. And so pretty much took every all the advice she gave me. I read all the information she gave me, I got to talk to Mr. Mr. Marble, and, you know, we he actually helped me, he set up the paperwork, and I was able to send that in. And I got the paperwork in by August 30. And by October 19 I went to 80% Wow. Yeah, it was just, it was just I've never seen it work and move so
Unknown Speaker 9:15
fast. And how many you serve how many years? I
Unknown Speaker 9:19
served 12 and a half the Marine Corps and three in California National Guard. Okay. All right. Yeah. Wow. And it just it just moves so quickly. And then because of the SSDI situation in it, I guess they call it a back door to 100% and by descent by this month, I went to 100%. So
Unknown Speaker 9:36
an example or give us some further encouraging words about because you you applied initially when
Unknown Speaker 9:45
I actually applied originally in 1998 When I went to 0% and in 2013 I only went to 30%
Unknown Speaker 9:53
Yeah, so it took a number of years but through Mr. MacDonald's and her program you're able to somehow Things were expedited.
Unknown Speaker 10:02
Oh, it was I, it was just incredible. The timing again was perfect. Like I can't, I did everything they advised me to do. And again, it only took from August 30 until October 19, to go to the 80%. And so just I think one of the, one of the obstacles that might be in veterans way, is that there's just so much information out there, that I was a VSO at one point and there was information that I wasn't aware of. And you find you know, you just you just keep digging, I'm I'm, I'm constantly texting Mr. Marvel about, okay, well, what about this? And what about that, the more information I can find, the more I can help as far as with Miss Miss McDonald organization as well. And I think that's one of the greatest obstacles and they just kind of wear you down. I know, I went through like the s when I was going through the SSA kind of the same thing. And my advice is one once you start the process, appeal, if you're not if you're not satisfied with with the outcome, appeal it okay. And a lot of times, yeah, a lot of times we just go to the wayside, because we don't know which direction to go. Right. And at that point, yeah, I definitely recommend that. Veterans, you know, brothers and sisters out there serve, you know, definitely get involved get in touch with in this case, Miss McDonald, you know, she knows the right places the right people to, to direct you to. And that way I know it can be discouraging at times, but just don't give up. Yeah, I mean, I had a corpsman his name was Hunter Larson. And I remember he had mentioned to me so think about it every missile that was shot over our head was a million dollars. Here we are fighting for you're fighting for for things that we've already earned. So you know, my encouragement to other veterans out there is don't give up, just continue to fight. And just add to your circle of people who can help you traverse the VA. We're incredibly obeys incredible bureaucracy. But you know, with the right people, you we can help you traverse through that.
Unknown Speaker 12:02
Great. Well, John, we appreciate you coming on and sharing your story. And certainly, Sister friend, Susie, we appreciate this and your organization bridging the gap. Please give the information again for folks, because we're we're gonna wrap up this segment. But Susie, we'll get you back on again, because this is fantastic news for folks. And John, certainly your your encouraging words of most important for people to hear Suzy. Again,
Unknown Speaker 12:26
my company's called Bridging the Gap, the phone number 702-937-0263. And we'll have a follow up because we're working on his wife who also served it did not get taken care of. We're working on her now.
Unknown Speaker 12:41
Great. All right, this is good news to start off. 2022 Thank you both for being on our show today. And we appreciate you and Godspeed as we move through the next the next 12 months. Thanks a lot.
Unknown Speaker 12:55
Absolutely. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker 12:57
All right, bye bye.
Unknown Speaker 13:10
Everything's good. Once again, to our listening audience. This is the Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. Our next guest is former Assemblyman window P. Williams, president of the Martin Luther King committee of Las Vegas, brother winter P, give us an update on what's going on with you and in the organization. Good morning. Good
Unknown Speaker 13:31
morning. It's always good to interact with you by the Washington. You know, we were in the parade season. The last parade I went to two weeks ago was the Veterans Day Parade, which was an outstanding parade. But we're approaching the Martin Luther King parade, the 40th annual Martin Luther King parade. And our theme this year is living the dream setting new standards. But we have we have a host of activities that that we're embarking upon this year. We're starting the week off with the annual Martin Luther King Technology Summit. And that summit is being held at Las Vegas City Hall. And I would encourage or advise any young people between the ages of 18 and 24, to become certified with us and you can get paid the cost to you. But this summit is for high school, junior high school and elementary school students. We have students coming from around the country and as well as virtually throughout the world. But it's a big thing. This Technology Summit is our fourth year doing it and
Unknown Speaker 14:41
where's it going to be held? In Las Vegas City Hall? Oh, cool. Great.
Unknown Speaker 14:45
Yeah, given us the city hall that day, you know, the holiday sort of given us the entire building. We had it formally at Zappos downtown. Yossi Hall, by the way, but we outgrew that so We'll be in Las Vegas City Hall. Great. So that's on the 14th of January, so,
Unknown Speaker 15:05
so windows, so the local people, the local youth that want to be involved in that program, there's some I assume some kind of sign up for them to go through
Unknown Speaker 15:16
the sign up, and we do basically three things. We train them, we certify them, and we employ them the least amount of money that they can make, it's probably 15 to $20 an hour. If they certify in, let's say cyber security, they can make up $67 an hour. Right. And that's, that's how with the partnership with the FDA, but they can become certified in 13 different areas. Wow. So it's up to them to pick and choose and how many they want to do or which ones that they want. Now,
Unknown Speaker 15:48
the summit itself is just to have discussion on this, this type of technology, right? But but some
Unknown Speaker 15:55
of these summit summit brings every technology company that we know of Microsoft, Google, Apple, everybody comes horizon, everybody's there. And they all we all partner with those companies, and they give the students some new goodies, grab some, some low gear and swag and what have you. But the summit is to highlight those things that are that are that are brand new and groundbreaking in technology, so that we direct those students and those schools, to those new innovative ideas. Right.
Unknown Speaker 16:30
So now you mentioned students can get hired. So how does that process work? Is there a school that you guys have set up for a period of time that they have to go through? And how does one get involved in that, if they're interested?
Unknown Speaker 16:44
We do it through an event help desk. Desk is, is a international company, right? He's based here in Las Vegas, owned by a resident of Las Vegas, Mr. Juana Malone, is based and by the way, Harpo company, as Oprah Winfrey's company does our HR for us. But we have students can, can work right from their computer, they can work for a company, let's say in Baltimore, Maryland, Chicago, LA, even out of the country, we hired them to work for these companies, and they work from home and they get paid, if a student is is is pursuing some other interests. With this, let's say college or some other profession that they're trying to get, let's say they're studying for an exam, tell us well, we got to take off, I'm studying for my exam, they don't lose their job. It's all based on their schedule. Excellent. And it's no cost is no cost to the student at all.
Unknown Speaker 17:47
So as far as the training the students, is it they come to a location? Or how's that done? Or do they actually train from from their home computer?
Unknown Speaker 17:58
Yeah, they train for their home computer, but we were all on at the same time. Okay, on Mondays on Mondays, we have open house, so anybody, parents, concerned citizen, anybody can tune in to see how we do it at our open house. But they do it from their computer, but we're all on it with the trainers online.
Unknown Speaker 18:16
You know what this is so interesting when I'm not to cut you off, but I can't help it bed. I'm sitting over here looking at Kevin, Kevin is an instructor here at UNLV. And man, the way technology is going, you doing this, and I can imagine that the growth and the numbers of students that you can actually have is almost endless. I mean, you gotta have a certain number to to make me maintain a level of control, and understanding etc, etc. But man to not to have to come to the place is really good. In the change of the world today.
Unknown Speaker 18:52
Yeah, we signed up 60 students in Puerto Rico last week. Wow. And we signed them up from all over the world. In this because technology is changes so much. It is probably the only profession now where they do have your guaranteed employment you guaranteed to work, right? Don't get phased out. The jobs that are phasing out are the jobs that technology. So technology is a status is a state of the art.
Unknown Speaker 19:24
This is so good man. And you know, we only have so much time. We got about two more minutes and I want you to go back and tell us about what's coming up again. So people will have a clearer understanding what's going to be going on for the model with King week that you guys got set up very,
Unknown Speaker 19:40
very quickly on the 15th is eating on the 15th we have our annual scholarship banquet at the Orleans hotel on the 17th which is the the holiday we have the 40th annual Martin Luther King parade on January 25. We have the young DREAMers which is outstanding program, but I would advise anyone to go to our website can't wait las vegas.com kincraig Las Vegas is all together.com. And you can, you can get information on all of the events that we have, and I don't have time to talk about all of them now. If you look on the website, you'll see the events using give me a call 498 5888. That's 702-498-5888 My number is also listed on the website.
Unknown Speaker 20:29
And who are the grand marshals this this year? Well, we have to use grand
Unknown Speaker 20:33
marshals here. We have a freshman, attending UNLV His name is Nigel Murray, he's in your neighborhood, Mr. Washington. This this young man graduated high school last year with a 4.3 average. He has he got his AAA degree at the same time. He has had a company business for the last four years since he was 15 or 14, where he gives clothes to needy people and their brand new clothes that he gives he gives to families. We have a young lady, Jalen Starr who, whose father was the Las Vegas metropolitan police officer who was killed in the line of duty in a car accident. She dedicated her life to a nonprofit as well in honor of a father where she helps people with blankets and water and things like that she gives to families. She started this when she was seven years old. She's now a junior at Jackson State. How long you've been in the business? Sean Dale Newsom, and Juana Malone, the tech Queen of the technology company I just talked about, okay, great,
Unknown Speaker 21:41
man, we appreciate you, brother and you are going to be one of them standing you know sometimes shows that people who are always welcome where you certainly are. Because what you do with this program, man, for the students is phenomenal. And I greatly appreciate it. I wish you the best. One
Unknown Speaker 21:57
thing I want to say at the end, you know, we have we got a grant from the Department of Labor to do this nationwide. Right. And we started in my hometown, which is Barry rule. rural Louisiana, we got several students coming to the Technology Summit here in Las Vegas. And thanks to people like you who donated to help bring those kids here we know. We love it to death and we love you to death. All right, appreciate
Unknown Speaker 22:19
it. All right, man, the best in 2022. That's when op Williams, president of the Las Vegas, Martin Luther King committee. All right, well, thanks. Thank you. Once again, good morning, all this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I mentioned early on that we have another guest, Mr. Hayes, who's Powell of the black achievement fund, please give us a quick background on your organization. And then talk to us a little bit about I know you got 12 different departments, but you know, just cover as many as you can in a short period of time that we have together. And I'm certainly glad that she was able to get on the show.
Unknown Speaker 23:01
Great. And first of all, let me say thank you so much to mr. Washington. And, you know, for having me on the show, he's a proud member of the Black achievement fund. And I'm just happy that he gave us the opportunity to speak about the organization. So the black achievement fund, officially was launched about three years ago, although the founder, archy, Hodges and myself, we actually went to college together at the University of Virginia. And you know, we came up with the idea there, establish, you know, the idea actually came out flush the idea of had our own office, and so on. Right, I know, we are limited in time. So the actual idea was born almost 25 years ago. But of course, we were 18 and 18 and 19 years old, and our mentors told us probably not a good idea for you guys to jump out right away with it. And so the black achievement fund is founded on the premise that we African Americans and Africans, the world over have the ability to create freedom for ourselves and not be dependent on others, or act when others really, to do something that we are fully capable of doing ourselves. Our goal is to get 10 million people to donate $9 a month, all towards the fun to read excited to revitalize black communities across the United States first, and then across the world. Second, right. But that's the goal. We need to have a fun, right. And so the whole premise was based on you know, what to call, you know, obviously, we were not immigrants, we were brought here by force, right? But what other immigrant communities do when they land somewhere and start a community to start a community and they fund they pull their resources in order to build the things they need to be successful? In a in a society? We were not afforded that, right. So essentially, you know, it's time for us to do it now.
Unknown Speaker 24:53
Excellent. Well, again, you know, we got at least 12 departments give us some background At least a couple of those. Oh, absolutely.
Unknown Speaker 25:01
And so there are a couple, some of the more popular, you know, departments we have are, the big one right now is real estate. So real estate development is really the big one on the table. Now, we also have education. You know, we have education, real estate, which are the two big ones that we are kind of doing a lot of work with right now, right there, which that's kind of the one I wanted to focus on on today's show. Real Estate one, because we're actually we're pushing our little Kemet project, right, currently, and that's something that we're doing a lot with right now. Also wanted to push the education department because that's something our key Hodges is he, he hosts education. So we have a free online curriculum to all of our black achievement by members in order to teach our people our actual history, right? Our 2x Accept oppression when you know where we actually came from. So we felt like a huge aspect of the black achievement fund is we educated on people who are interested in being re educated, right? And our true history because our history didn't start when we got here we are the first human beings, right. So we have to start history from there. And when we start our history, from there, we see how inclusive and how pivotal, our people are in human history. We are human history, three fourths of human history is African history. Right? So we start from that premise, as opposed to our history starting at slavery, right. So that's the, you know, that's a huge aspect that we want to put out there. As far as our education. Our education is based on a different perspective than what current education systems are based on. But I don't want to get too much into that, because I'm really excited about the little Kemet project that we're currently working on. And so for those who may or may not know, Kim, it is the African name for Egypt, right. And so essentially, what we're working on right now is, we partner A while back, probably half of the first year, we came out with an organization called Freedom Georgia, which many of our listeners may be aware of, they purchased plots of land in Atlanta in order to not in Atlanta, I'm sorry, in Georgia, in order to help create a municipality, that was all a ball black municipality, right. So they came out with that concept a while ago, and the black achievement fund has been supporting those efforts, or I would say more partnering in those efforts. And we bought, you know, land there in order to establish and support that those efforts. So currently, the black achievement fund, that's fundraising, and has bought plots they already so we already have acreage, and freedom, Georgia, however, we're seeking to develop to develop that acreage and actually develop a place for black achievement fund members to go and vacation there and check out the land and see and encourage them invest in, in buying land in freedom, Georgia as well. Essentially, our ultimate goal in our partnership with freedom Georgia, is to fully develop, purchase and develop and create an all black municipality where blacks can go and have control over what happens in their community. Right. So that's the other thing because, you know, ultimately, our goal is to create black municipalities all over the country, where we govern what happens to us, right? We control what happens to us. And it you know, it only makes sense, right? It only makes sense. So this is one of our practices, our first pioneering efforts towards those goals. But that's something that we're really excited about. And again, it's called The Little Kemet project, you'll see that when you go to our website, www.va dot solutions, and we're also partnered with the organization, Freedom Georgia initiative, right. So you know, the thing that we're really, really excited about right now.
Unknown Speaker 29:00
Well, you guys, you guys heard it before I could even ask him you all to to give us an indication of how our audience can learn more about the group. He gave it to me give that information again, brother haces.
Unknown Speaker 29:11
Yes, sir, is WWW dot bas dot solutions. BF of course, is for black achievement funds. So it's www.bf dot solutions, no calm. no.com no.org is dot solutions, because we're all about solutions. Right? So that's our website. And currently, we have about 2200 members across the United States, in different countries, including Canada, the UK, we have members in Africa. So we have members worldwide. We have to about 2200 members.
Unknown Speaker 29:44
Right? Well, we appreciate your time today. And I was glad with your travels going on and we wish you safe travels as you visit the city of Tampa and the state of Florida. So enjoy and we'll be in touch for sure. Thank you for your time.
Unknown Speaker 29:58
All right. All right. Thank you so much. It always a pleasure to speak to Mr. Wash.
Unknown Speaker 30:01
All right, thanks now, as we close out all right now as we as we close out the show, let's all be thankful that God has blessed each of us to enter in the new year 2022. Happy New Year to all and to my engineer, Producer Director. Keep me on point, Kevin, I appreciate you man. So I look forward to working with you in 2022. And to all of the listening audience, thank you and stay safe
Transcribed by https://otter.ai