Veteran's Affairs Plus W/ David L. Washington

Unknown Speaker 0:00
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Unknown Speaker 0:42
You can see what's going on? What's going on? What's going on? Good morning, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host, once again, pleased to be here with you all this morning. And we have a couple of wonderful guests that are gonna do shortly but certainly want to continue with what I did in the month of March and that was talking about and continue the Women's History Month. Even though there's a couple of people that are males that I want to talk about before I mentioned our guests, and one is a longtime friend. And certainly I know that most of us who are actively involved within community probably have heard that Randall Robinson has passed away at 81 years of age, outstanding brother. In fact, I was a member of along with a brother named Anthony Thomas Faye Daniel, several others, we had what was called the Nevadans against apartheid. And I know that brother Randall Robinson was actively involved in that particular vein of interest with respect to our brothers and sisters over in South Africa. So I just wanted to to acknowledge him and and talk about some of the work that he did. I know that he was a civil rights attorney in Boston from 71 to 75, before he worked for us, Congressman, Bill clay, and while there he also will he left from Congressman clays office and went over to Congressman Charles Diggs, and he was also a fellow of Ford fellow. And when you get into them, fellows, man, it means you really actively involved in doing good things within community. And Brother Roberts was founded the trans African forum in 1977, which, according to his mission mission statement, serves as a major research and educational Organizing Institute for African American community offering constructive analysis concerning US policy as it affects Africa and the African diaspora. Caribbean, Latin America, he served in that capacity of African, trans and trans African president until 92,001. I'm sorry, but yeah, very active. Brother. And I just wanted to certainly make comment about him as he goes from elder now to, to ancestor, and we appreciate the work that he's written a number of books, and I would encourage folks to pick them up. I don't have a list of those, but he's written a number of books that talk about things that America should be doing for its African American citizens and others. So check out brother, Randall Robinson, another dear friend, who passed recently, and in fact, his wife Judy held a dinner for him at a restaurant called Mothers up in Summerlin, which I was was not aware of a Italian restaurant, the owner and his wife usually the owner is an entertainer. The guy has such a dynamic voice, and he is a a tremendous dresser this day and I know you're on the line, so just forgive me for talking about how cool is dude, he dresses you know, it's just really something. My granddaughter wish I would dress as such but not the case. You say I'm too plain as far as my dressing. That's from my granddaughter. A mirror? Look. Michael, he and I were he was the chief of the city's police and I was a chief of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. And light taught me a lot of things going forward because he actually which is unheard of. He was the Department Director for 20 plus years than the average lifespan of a department director, but particularly with his with police, and fire generally is anywhere from three to five, sometimes you get five to seven. I actually did six years myself as as fire chief. And as I mentioned at his memorial the other day I said six years was more than enough for me and it was time for me to get the heck up out of here, as it was just time to go. So once again in Las Vegas, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. On the other side, we will have a discussion with Mrs. Dyer and Paulette, and the young lady Janice Henry, who runs the school for the pilot, so I'll get into that shortly. This is 91.5 Jazz and more. Dave Washington, your host.

Unknown Speaker 5:57
Once again, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host. And as I mentioned, we will continue this month honoring women as we continue Women's History Month. In that vein, I've invited a guest that I'm pleased that she's able to join us Mrs. Diane Pollard. She has done a tremendous job in our community. So I wanted to get her on because she is one of the people certainly is a trailblazer with respect to getting things done in our community as it relates to particularly education. Diane, how are you today?

Unknown Speaker 6:36
Oh, I'm good. Thank you so much for having us. I have Janice Henry also here on the line. From rainbow drains Early Learning Academy.

Unknown Speaker 6:46
Great. Great. I got a couple of questions to get started. How long have you been dark been in the city of Las Vegas?

Unknown Speaker 6:53
You know what we came in 1988 to Las Vegas, and he is a veteran of the United States Navy.

Unknown Speaker 7:06
Great. Yeah, as I mentioned to you, he being a veteran, and this is a veterans affairs show. I've been trying to get doctors to come on when I go and do my annual physical with him. He go Yeah, and he just kind of chuckles it all. But anyway, I'll get it. I'll get him at some point. And I know you have two wonderful daughters as well as a couple grandchildren. How are they doing?

Unknown Speaker 7:29
Oh, the children are fine. And my grandchildren are just marvelous. I'm here in Texas with them now.

Unknown Speaker 7:36
Oh, great. Great. Great. All right. Let's talk a little bit about the school. Give me the proper name as well is. When did you start it?

Unknown Speaker 7:47
Oh, okay. I am going to refer to Miss Henry. As soon as I say it, we are rainbow dreams Early Learning Academy. Rainbow dreams Academy started in 2007. Mrs. Henry, are you on the line? Yes, I am Miss Pollard. And I am super excited to discuss our new model. And it's around bugs during early learning academy. And we started this new model and 2020. And it is our middle university that we refer to and it's for pre K and kinder. And it serves for ages three through five. And we serve a full day pre K and kinder Academy.

Unknown Speaker 8:42
So that, you know, I served a number of years on United Way board of directors and one of the committees that I love serving on was what was called early childhood development. And just listening to those the ages it seems to fit in that category.

Unknown Speaker 8:59
Softly those are the ages. And that is exactly what we serve.

Unknown Speaker 9:04
Oh, excellent. You know, there's been stated and there's been all kinds of studies, as we know, that says that young folks that they get started early to have a better opportunity for success in their in their education environment. So this is a this is great. So you are getting the word out in terms of the new format or mission that you guys have and what are the general requirements to attend?

Unknown Speaker 9:33
Well, the general requirements to attend is that number one, they have to be we often say first thing they have to be is potty trained because I think that oftentimes people tend to think, well is this daycare and it's really not. The academy is on a full curriculum dates. And so our children that start school with us at the age of three are actually in a full day curriculum day. So they have to be able to take care of themselves, and be able to actually be in class beyond the curriculum, and stay with us from 730 all the way till three o'clock. Oh, it's a full day curriculum that they are experiencing. We have Spanish, we have dance, and we have social and emotional. And so they're with us, we have a before and after school program. We have free uniforms, free breakfast, free lunch, and after school snack. So everything is right here, like a one stop shop for three year olds, four year olds, and then we have a kinder program. So

Unknown Speaker 10:45
the age requirements again, is three to five or six, something like that.

Unknown Speaker 10:49
Yes. So we have a pre k three class a four, have a kinder program.

Unknown Speaker 10:55
Okay, excellent. Excellent. So how do folks get involved or make contact with you guys to consider to be considered, I would think in terms of their child, or children being students, there

Unknown Speaker 11:13
are pre k three program, we do have an assessment where they have to come in, we have an application process, so they can go online. And they can download the application by going to www rainbow drange academy.org. Or they can call the school at 702-638-0222. Or they can come directly into the campus. And our address is 950, West Lake Mead Boulevard. And they can come in and pick up an application. And they can speak to someone directly. If they have questions. They can even ask to speak with me, the principal, and we can answer any questions that they might have.

Unknown Speaker 12:06
That's great. Okay. Very good. Well, we're going to swing and thank you. Miss Henry, for that information. I trust that members of our listening audience, those who have children, grandchildren, they can pass that along because I think it's a it's an excellent program. And again, what little I do know about early childhood development, more times than not from statistics, they say that they will be successful in their education. Process. Yes. So thank you so much.

Unknown Speaker 12:37
Thank you for the opportunity, Miss Diane, Paula.

Unknown Speaker 12:41
We're gonna roll now into if you will, to talking about the work that you've done you and your husband with regards to Juneteenth. Yeah, when did you guys start that? And what what was the what was the inspiration, if you will, to have you to think that that needed to be done in our community?

Unknown Speaker 13:01
Well, I am originally from Oklahoma, where we do celebrate Juneteenth, I'm from Tulsa, and we were looking for a fundraiser that we could use to help raise money for the Academy, and also give scholarships to children. We're in our 23rd year we did during COVID. We did not do to tape but we're in our 23rd year and we'll be celebrating the 22nd Las Vegas Juneteenth festival, Saturday, June the 17th, from four to 9pm at the Expo at the World Market Center.

Unknown Speaker 13:46
So indoors, the sounds and

Unknown Speaker 13:49
doors we have grown, I want you to know, we started out on the west side in the community with a small gathering of people a few 100 and historic West Las Vegas, and to just bring the awareness to the people of Las Vegas. And now we have built it to where people are noticing us and we got the opportunity tunity to move to the World Market Center. And we jumped on that with a partnership that we have with the City of Las Vegas Ward five Councilman career and is powered by Xapo. Our signature sponsor, so we are excited about that. And it's a good family of that. There's local vendors there I may be going more answering more questions than you're asking me but you know, I'm really excited about it. No, just

Unknown Speaker 14:55
keep rolling. That's That's good. That's good for the listening audience because I want Within, have a clear understanding about why you have it. And you talked about scholarships for young people. And Julie, for me and my wife, we always contribute to anything that deals with, with young people in their further furthering of their education. So, no, you're doing great.

Unknown Speaker 15:18
Okay, and we want to thank you guys for being sponsor, you're in March, every year and we appreciate that. We are, again, we talked about the scholarships with the partnership from Zappos and HBCU promise we're we're award finances, scholarships, and mentor African American men that attend historical black colleges and universities. We also do three awards to our grand prize packages for local black fathers. And this program is being sponsored by Cleveland Clinic. We have live music, so DJ Kelly, and not a boy. DJ will be there. We have food trucks. We'd like to think of the Small Business individuals that come we make it affordable for them to come out with there were wares and food. We have top of bands from Las Vegas community leaders in the course. guest this year, I want you all to know our headliner is going to be Las Vegas, his old r&b Singers, thinking group 2702702

Unknown Speaker 16:40
Yeah, I've heard of them.

Unknown Speaker 16:43
Yeah, 702. They're, they're reviving their group. And they're going to make a stop here in Las Vegas. So between them and Larry White and friends and next movement and kiss kiss, and Vic three visionary choir. Along with our students from Rainbow dreams, Early Learning Academy, we are excited about our lineup. And we're just excited. I

Unknown Speaker 17:14
can hear the excitement in your voice. And that's great. In fact, I know you mentioned to favorites of my wife, Marsha, and next month, and we've seen him several times at your function. And we love them. We follow them all over the place. And another one is certainly the choir from victory Baptist Church where we're morshed 10. So thank you for that. Oh,

Unknown Speaker 17:35
yes, we they opened up with the national anthem, and then we go from there. I've wanted to say that if people want information about ju t, they can go to our website at www. June ju N E. One nine lz.com. Are you can call Mr. Haywood at 702-981-1326. Right. Yes. Well, as

Unknown Speaker 18:04
we segue into closing this session, Miss Henry, and in closing remarks from you and then to you, Diane, please. Does she leave? Oh,

Unknown Speaker 18:16
I'm not for sure. But I'll I'll take up her time. And I just want to say up there any parents out there that value education, it is the key. I know you've heard that. And that sounds like a you know, just teachers that say it and being a teacher educator myself for over 30 years. I it's just a small word. But it makes a big impact. And in and IT risk community which we are in your children, if we can catch them in just one genre where they is reading science, math, arts and crafts, band Spanish dance, we can hook them in for life. And that's the that's the way we think it right. So feel free to call and my last thing for two things is just to let everyone know that they're invited. I would like to just thank Councilman career mirror, Pam Goins Brown, the Commissioner McCurdy, the second, and Craig Knight, and Jason Haywood, of course, and the board of directors of rainbow dreams. Educational Foundation for their support, and I thank you for thinking about it.

Unknown Speaker 19:42
Absolutely. Well, we'll say it and we appreciate your time and effort and we'll get you back down, not back down, but get you on the show again sometime in the future because I think it's excellent work that you and doc in your board of directors and your staff over at the school are doing. So thank you, Diane, take care.

Unknown Speaker 19:58
Okay. Thank you bye bye

Unknown Speaker 20:11
Good morning. Once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus, on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host. And as we continue to honor women and women's history month, which was actually in March, but I fold it over into April as well because I think it's important. That being said, a dear friend and former colleague of my wife and her husband and I used to be out there on the circuit when I was doing recruiting for the fire department. Mr. Brian, big time, Sergeant. Anyway, we got our leaf, the Stevens. She's also the sister of a good friend of mine. Were trying to serve on one of his boards, Mr. Frank Hawkins. Mr. Lita, how are you?

Unknown Speaker 20:59
Hi, Dave. I'm good. How are you doing? Oh,

Unknown Speaker 21:02
I'm doing well and so pleased that you were able to, to join us. Where are you? Where are you from? Are Lisa.

Unknown Speaker 21:12
actually born in St. Louis, Missouri. My family moved. I was about three years old. So I'm supposed to get without paying. I said, my family moved here when I was three years old. So I was a native as I can get, I guess without being born here.

Unknown Speaker 21:38
Right, right. Yeah. Honestly, because in fact, I came here when I was three and a half, and been here ever since. So how many siblings do you have?

Unknown Speaker 21:48
Well, there were four of us. Unfortunately, one of my sisters passed away a couple years ago. So I was the eldest of four, three girls and one boy, as you mentioned, Frank,

Unknown Speaker 22:03
and your wonderful mom educated for many years around here. In fact, I used to interact with her a lot when I was involved with the payback program as a member of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, she would have us to come out to her schools and, you know, talk to the students there, click the one of the things that I certainly wanted to make sure that we cover to some extent today. And that is you are a local business woman.

Unknown Speaker 22:30
Yes, I am actually in the travel industry. I'm an independent travel agent here in town. It's an online business I've been doing it about 10 years or so started out just trying to book travel for you know, family and some close friends. And it's now beginning to to blossom because now that our world has opened back up, people love to travel, and I love them create memories doing that

Unknown Speaker 23:03
create memories. So I would imagine you send folks all over the world wherever they may want to want to go and you just assist them with getting set up with airline tickets, etc.

Unknown Speaker 23:15
Correct. Even though I'm an independent travel agents, I have a host agency which is Archer and evolution travel, so they are new. When we got into this space. We were newbies, so we wanted to partner with someone that had the credentials already in place. So that was Archer travel right now they recently celebrated 70 years and the business and evolution travel we are seven years and so we have over 20,000 agents at this time both in the US and Australia and Mexico. So for me, I I tried to assist people reach out and wherever they are interested in going I do my best to make that happen for them, whether it's just a staycation here in our lovely city of Vegas, or if they want to go internationally, do cruises I have at my disposal probably over 130 vendors and suppliers and the travel business. Wow.

Unknown Speaker 24:32
So you say you do staycations as well.

Unknown Speaker 24:37
Correct? Correct. You know, I

Unknown Speaker 24:39
never thought about a travel agency handling that kind of business as well. But so you do cruises as well as hotels etc, etc. Cruises.

Unknown Speaker 24:48
package deals which would include say if you want to do a hotel if you need to rent a car, if you want it to go to Paris, just wherever, you know, I have all of that at my fingertips and a lot of people now being so computer literate, they say, I'll just do it myself. But if you travel agent, you don't have to worry about that because it can become time consuming. Researching the various areas, sometimes I spend hours, sometimes days looking up information for the client just to try to give them the best experience possible.

Unknown Speaker 25:27
Sure. So what suggestion would you give someone thinking about going into this type of business or just business in general, any particular thoughts, you'd like to share?

Unknown Speaker 25:38
Sure, business in general, find something that you're really passionate about. But I think kind of paraphrase and Warren Buffett, he say, even though you may be passionate about it, find something that people will want a service that they will need. So as I said, travel, we call it recess, we still recess, you know, so and it is, gosh, a multibillion dollar business at this time. But yes, find something you're passionate about, make sure there's a need for it. And then you have to just work as hard at it as you did when you worked for someone else. And that's a thing, it requires the dedication, you know, there were many days, we went to our jobs, and we didn't want to go but we went because it fit the family. So what I have learned along the way, sometimes you have to set business hours, even though it's yourself and you're sitting, you may be sitting in your PJs, but if I calendar it and say from eight to 10, today, I'm going to devote to my business, then I have to make sure I do that. And sometimes you get calls, you know, in the middle of the night or someone say, hey, you know, we want to take a trip right away. Sometimes you can accommodate sometimes not because we work, we do the best we can, but we can't work miracles, sometimes they have, you know, something is full is just full, you know, and we do have other contacts being agents, little things behind the scenes. So most people go to Expedia? Well, as an agent, I may go to Expedia tab. So I can see some things that maybe you cannot see, or you have this error American Airlines vacation, I may be able to pull a package that you can't pull. So like I said, it's just letting me do the leg work for you. And you sit back and relax. Just tell me what you want. And I tried to make it happen for you. So

Unknown Speaker 27:46
to some extent, you can kind of go through the back door of where we can't, as regular citizens get through because you are an agent, you can find some things under as you mentioned, Priceline and those others.

Unknown Speaker 28:00
Right, and then I can pick up the phone to one of the companies or vendors. And there's a certain number on our website for an agent that you may not see as you know, a regular private individual.

Unknown Speaker 28:16
Okay, so you know, something that I think about from time to time, and then I violated but one thing that I believe is very important to the listening audience, those who are thinking about going into business or have a business and that is, you said even though you work for yourself, you certain set certain timeframe in which you're going to do the work, versus just letting people just bombard you, even though you did say sometimes you'll accept a call after hours that you have set for yourself. That's very, very interesting.

Unknown Speaker 28:51
Yes, and because sometimes, you know, as well as we plan, not all plans come together and happen, life happens, you know, it may be an emergency and someone needs to get out of town or something. So if I can help I can, if I can also say hey, you might look, you know, might have better chance, looking that up yourself. You know, I don't string on I do what I can do. Gotta be very honest and forthright. So then next time, maybe it's a leisure activity they'll want and they will remember so you know, she was straightforward with me. So I'm gonna give her try for this vacation. I want to plan six months or a year in advance.

Unknown Speaker 29:32
Right. Any closing remarks, and I certainly appreciate your time today. So any any closing remarks you'd like to share with our listening audience?

Unknown Speaker 29:43
I just think whether it's getting into business or whatever, you know, we have to learn to follow our dreams and travel agent was something I've always wanted to do, you know, back in the day and then when this opportunity came along, I said you know why not? At so just be passionate about it. Be honest with people, be respectful of your clients not only because they're spending money with you, they can spend it anywhere. So no matter what the business is always treat your clients with respect the same way you would expect if you went into an establishment or I made a call, say hey Dave, this is our lease I'm in need of whatever your service may be. Just remember and it goes to the Golden Rule treat others as you would have them treat you

Unknown Speaker 30:33
all right, Mr. Stevens, thank you for your time and effort and to your husband I said hey, thank you so much. The

Unknown Speaker 30:41
same said Marcia, thank you for having me. Have a good rest

Unknown Speaker 30:44
All right, bye.

Unknown Speaker 31:21
Hey, what's up

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