SCOOP USA COLUMNISTS

The Honorable Reverend Dr. William Lewis Rocky Brown, 3rd, a public servant, preacher, motivationalist, counselor, author and consultant was born and raised in Chester, PA. He has three daughters and two grandchildren.

Dr. Brown graduated from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science.  He also holds a Master’s Degree in Religion from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Jameson Christian College.  He has also pursued graduate studies in the field of Adult Education at Cheyney University, received training in non-violent direct action from the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia and is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Island’s Institute for the Treatment of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction and The F.B.I. Citizens Academy, Philadelphia Division. 

Dr. Brown is President and CEO of Brown and Associates, LTD, which provide Business Community Development and Public Relations.  He is a Certified Anger Management Specialist and State Certified Drug / Alcohol and Gambling Addiction Counselor. He also serves as the Chester Community Charter School Program Director for Anger Management Services. 

A preacher by calling, yet a political activist by choice, Dr. Brown is an ordained Baptist Minister of 38+ years.  He has spent six of these years as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bernardtown in South Coatesville, Pennsylvania. He is presently the Pastor of Youth and Community of the Bethany Baptist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania and an ICPC Master Police Chaplain. Dr. Brown is a prolific writer who has been published in various mediums. He has published his 1stbook entitled: “800 Sayings By Old Folks Who Raised Us”. He also has a weekly religious column that appears in Scoop USA and a daily Blog on his web site: www.yourspiritualmotivation.com. 

In the 80’s and 90’s, he traveled around the country motivating youngsters to stay in school and to say no to drugs and violence.  His motivational assemblies consist of a unique technique of raps, chants and audience participation. Thus, he was affectionately known as the “Rappin Rev.”

As a former member of the City Council of Chester, Pennsylvania, Dr. Brown was a strong voice for the people.  Before being elected to council he spent 16 months in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he served with the Governor’s Drug and Crime Prevention Program as Special Assistant to the Drug Czar.  He was also elected and served two consecutive four-year terms as City Controller of Chester, Pennsylvania.  

Dr. Brown has been actively involved in numerous community and civic organizations over the years.  He is a Prince Hall Past Master and 33 Degree Mason, a Shriner, Past Grand Worthy Patron, a Past Grand Exalted Ruler of I.B.P.O. Elks of W. and a devoted member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc.  

His community work has earned him over 250 awards and commendations. 

Yanina Carter, is known throughout the City of Philadelphia by many because of her long-term years as a journalist.  Often referred to by her friends as “the energizer bunny” – because she “keeps going and going”, Yanina always has her hands full with various projects in the field of mass media.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio but raised most of her life in Philadelphia, Yanina is the youngest of nine children.  She is a graduate of Duquesne University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree while there, with a duo major in Mass Media studies and Theater Arts.  Her initial dream was to be an actress, dancer, and singer but she put those dreams on hold to pursue writing, her hobby.”

Formerly, she worked with State Senator Vincent Hughes for 5 years as his Media Relations Coordinator; Public Relations Marketing and Community Relations Specialist for the 521 Management Group, an entity of The Amoore Group.  Yanina has also worked with BET’s Screen Scene,YSB Magazine and Time Life Books. Under her own direction, she is currently under contract with various companies doing public relations through, “Yanina World Productions.

In addition, Yanina was known for her 16 years of service as the Entertainment Editor for the Philadelphia New Observer;  and as Executive Producer for the Urban League Speaks Radio Show on WDAS, 105.3, a talk show dealing with issues affecting the African American Community for 10 years. She is currently heard on WURD 96.1 with the New World View with David Barnes and co hosts Yanina Carter and Que Rainey on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. She was the  co-host for Magazine Showcase, an entertainment video show that appeared on Urban Cable of Philadelphia on Channel 74, Saturday nights 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for two years and is currently working with Trudy Haynes TV Network and Life and Spirit On Line, Entertainment UTube show.

In 2001, Yanina Carter, founded of the Bobbie Carter Foundation, a non profit organization, in honor of her mother who died from diabetes. The foundation was established to raise awareness about diabetes through radio, television and print media,  as well as community events.  

Yanina is the recipient of the National Newspapers Publishing Association Award for outstanding youth section while working with the Philadelphia Tribune for four consecutive years – 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990.

Over the past five years Yanina has received Volunteer of the Year Awards from the American Diabetes Association for her outstanding commitment to Diabetes.

For the past twenty-five years Haru Sen Haru has been developing and mastering an impressive and highly visionary array of leadership skill sets for transforming neighborhood base organizations into high performing agents for social and community change.

Haru is the President of Anu Trust, an enterprise focus on helping businesses, families, and organizations to better position themselves as high performing change agents. 

Haru’s visionary approach towards community economic development can be found in his book  “When Destiny Calls”, under the name Nathaniel J. Bracey.

Haru’s visionary approach to education and schooling can be found in his book “Love Is The Right Education for New Beings” under the name Nathaniel J. Bracey.

Haru’s visionary approach to love and relationships can be found in his book, “Black  Man, For the Lover In You (not the Romantic)” under the name Nathaniel J. Bracey.

Haru, the professor, lectures on Global Intercultural Communications, African American Culture and History, Community Based Business Models, Fiscal and Organizational Management, and Renewable Energy Technologies as core practices for businesses. 

Haru earned his B. A. degree from the University of Connecticut, his M.A. degree from the University at Albany. 

Haru, the family man is the father of three sons, Naim, Nadif, and Nuri and daughter Nymaat.

Thera Martin first came to the SCOOP USA Community Newspaper in 1980 after having just graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was seeking to write articles for the SCOOP. After being urged by Bruce Webb, longtime friend and confidant of Sonny Driver, the owner and founder of the SCOOP, and the lead photographer for the SCOOP, Bruce Webb is to be credited with insisting that Thera come meet this man, “Sonny Driver.” It was an introduction that Thera says she will never forget, and from that day, until Sonny Driver passed in 2018, Thera considered herself a diehard part of the SCOOP USA Community Newspaper Family. She often says she considered Sonny Driver as if “He were a sometimes father figure, big brother, uncle, and boss to her”. 

Thera began her radio broadcast career at WDAS AM/FM radio stations where she started in 1979, as a non-paid intern. She worked her way up, over a 26 year period, to Special Assistant to the General Manager, and Director of Community Relations. She loves covering news stories and sharing that news with the world. After working 26 years at WDAS AM/FM, Thera spread her wings and moved on to work for U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah for a few years, but at the same time, continued broadcasting at WDAS on the weekends. She was then called to work at 1340/AM WHAT radio station as program director, which she did for three years, not only being a senior manager at the station, but a 5 day a week, on the air talk show host. 

Her next stop along the way of her career in communications landed her in the John F. Street Administration as a part of the Mayors’ Office of Community Services, (MOCS) public Affairs/Community Outreach team. There for one year, when 911 struck, and terrorist flew planes into the World Trade Center, Thera followed her heart and went back into radio broadcasting full time, back at WDAS.  Opportunity struck again about three years later and Thera was called back to 1340/AM WHAT as a full time talk show host. She answered that call.

Loving her gig at WHAT as a talk show host, minus the pressures of being in management, Thera said her plan was to stay at WHAT as long as she could. Once again however, God had another plan and she suddenly found herself in corporate America, working for Dr. Walter P. Lomax at his company called Healthcare Management Alternatives, (HMA). 

Working at HMA Health plan was exciting. It was fun. It was hard work. But it wasn’t broadcast radio. So when another call came, and an offer, to become the Program Director at WURD Radio station, (also owned by Dr. Walter P. Lomax), Thera accepted and walked away from her “corporate America” job.

Through all her moves and opportunities in broadcast communications over the years, The SCOOP USA Community Newspaper has always a constant. No matter what else was going on, no matter where else she may have worked, Thera hung in there with the SCOOP and with its publisher, Sonny Driver, until the day he made transition.

Now under the leadership of the new owner and publisher of the SCOOP, Thera has made a commitment to stick and stay, as long as Sherri Darden will have her. Her motto is, “Long live the SCOOP USA Community Newspaper.”

Michael Robinson, M.S. is an award winning business leader and in-demand keynote speaker.  Robinson is the recipient of Philadelphia's Industry Icon Award, 2017; award nominee for the Delaware Valley's Human Resources Person of the Year Award, 2016; recipient of the Internship Provider of the Year Award, Fox School of Business/Temple University, 2015; Board member, Philadelphia Baptist Association; Board member, Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association; City Commissioner, Mayor's Commission on African American Males; FBI and U.S. Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration's Citizens Academy alumnus; freelance journalist; and he serves as Senior Pastor of Greater Enon Missionary Baptist Church, 1854 North 22nd Street, Philadelphia PA 19121.  For all inquiries/comments:  revmikerobinson@gmail.com

As the Acting Assistant Regional Commissioner, for Processing Center Operations, I serves as a member of the Regional Commissioner’s Executive Staff.  Daily I coach and provide leadership in identifying problem areas, developing corrective measures to manage difficulties in operations and overseeing execution of remedial plans.  

I direct the activities of approximately 1500 to 1575 employees in a range of grade levels from clerical support to executive/supervisory level.  I ensure special attention is given to management of backlogs, processing of sensitive cases, handling of critical case inquiries and other problem areas.  Assures that lower level managers in accordance with the requirements of the Agency performance management system take all appropriate actions. I plans, directs and coordinates the activities of the operating components in three states Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the three  National Tele-Service Centers under the  Assistant Regional Commissioner, for Processing Center Operations jurisdiction.  

Junious Ricardo Stanton was born in Philadelphia on February 18, 1948. He attended Philadelphia public schools, matriculated to Cheyney State College in 1965  earning a BA in Liberal Arts English in 1969 and after Cheyney attended the University of Pennsylvania earning a Masters Degree in City Planning in 1971.

            Junious worked as a Philadelphia Juvenile Probation Officer for thirty years. Always an avid fan of radio and seeing its potential as a social change agent he brokered time on WHAT 1340 AM in 1990 producing a half hour talk program called Positively Black. To promote the show he started writing a weekly column of the same name for SCOOP USA a popular community newspaper. That column eventually was syndicated to over 200 African-American newspapers by the National Newspaper Publishers Association from 1996-2002.

            In 2000 Junious became a pioneer in Internet talk radio producing a program on The Black World Today's talk channel which he helped start. When TBWT closed he migrated to New Black City hosting a live interview program called The Digital Underground. Junious continues to produce The Digital Underground on www.Harambeeradio.com. Junious also produced and hosted The Cyberspace Sanctuary which was heard on the Blake Radio Network's Rainbow Soul http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blakeradio for many years.  Currently Junious produces and hosts The Digital Underground on the Harambee radio and television network, Akoben on Soundcloud.com https://soundcloud.com/junious-ricardo-stanton and  https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/jrswriter/episodes and writes a blog From The Ramparts http://fromtheramparts.blogspot.com.

            Junious has been married to the former Sonjia Harmon for forty-eight years.

I still don’t know whether Ki Ki Loves Drake or if she’s riding but I do know this, I am writing and sometimes I get all in my feelings!  

Most bio’s tell you a lot of about what we did, do, or done to achieve this thing, called success.  And I have that,  but how about hearing more about me!  Who is Shelly Shell Williams #PhillysOprah?  I’m unapologetically me and I am the me that God fearfully and wonderfully made, to create, prosper, love and live for him.  Along this gift called life, I’ve been blessed with the opportunities to be the Executive Producer of Urban X-pressions, the longest running video show in Philadelphia broadcast history as well as Produce Single On A Saturday Night, Relationship Talk Show.  But what does that mean to you?  Could mean a little or could mean a lot, however, what’s really important is that I’m a contributing columnist for the Scoop USA Newspaper. Each week I give you the Word on the Street. I do have a formal bio (because I’ve done a lot things interviewed a ton of celebrities and even founded a non-profit, X-pressions, Inc.) that you are more than welcome to review on my site shellyshellwilliams.com. 

I am here to serve the Lord and help others, want to see more, visit my website ShellyShellWilliams.com.  In the meantime, thank you for reading Scoop USA Newspaper – it is fundamental!  

Shelly Shell Williams @Shellyshelllux

 (Daris Howard, award-winning, syndicated columnist, playwright, and author, can be contacted at daris@darishoward.com; or visit his website at http://www.darishoward.com, to buy his books.)

Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment and pop culture journalist, and author of the book, Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on the record. Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugeland visitAllisonKugel.com. 

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children's Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org.

To Be Equal is a syndicated weekly column by National Urban League President Marc H. Morial, which is distributed to more than 400 newspapers and websites nationwide. Each week's topic focuses on issues affecting both African American's and the nation as a whole. Started in 1963 by CEO Whitney M. Young, Jr., as "The Voice of Black America," the column was immediately picked up by major newspapers and radio stations across the country. Today, the To Be Equal column continues to present a unique insight on national and international issues.