Welcome to the Loveworks dreamers and doers Podcast # 99. At Loveworks we believe you are NEVER too young to be a dreamer and NEVER too old to do your dream.

If this is your first time, thank you for joining us and giving us the thing that means the most to you – your time. If you’re returning, welcome back! We know you have lots of options out there in the Podcast universe.

Our hope with Dreamers & Doers podcast is that each week’s special guests will connect with you wherever you find yourself today and inspire you to become the best version of yourself for tomorrow.

Personal Growth with Michael and Carolyn

At Loveworks, we believe that one of the ways that you can become one of the best versions of yourself is to focus on personal growth. We love curating things like books, music, organizations, blogs, or resources that have encouraged your personal growth. 

Today we are going to talk about a few organizations out there that are making a huge impact.

Character Lab: Character Lab is a nonprofit organization that connects researchers with educators to create greater knowledge about the conditions that lead to social, emotional, academic, and physical well-being for young people throughout the country.

Embrace OKC: EmbraceOKC is a comprehensive approach to providing a school-based system of support for OKCPS students and families that involves, community partnerships, high-quality tiered academic and behavioral strategies, and mental health services that range from prevention to treatment.

Kim Henry: Executive Director of Sarkeys Foundation

Kim spent ten years in the classroom teaching Oklahoma History, Economics, Government, and AP American History.  In 1999-2000 she was awarded the Close-Up Foundation’s Linda Myers Chozen Award for Teaching Excellence in Civic Education.  Only five other educators across the nation received the honor that year.  In 2002 her husband, Brad, was elected Governor of the State of Oklahoma and Kim spent the next 8 years as first lady working to make Oklahoma number one in the nation in Early Childhood Education.

Kim’s civic awards include the Award of Distinction from the OU College of Education, the Bill Lowry Library Champion Award, the Jasmine Award for her dedication to Oklahoma’s children, the National Guard Youth Champion Award, and she was a three-time honoree for the Journal Record’s 50 Most Distinguished Women. 

Kim has also received the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s Champion of Children’s Award and their Public Servant Award, the Honorary Young Mother of the Year Award, the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, Outstanding Woman Leader of the Year, and received the Oklahoma Teachers of the Year  Vision Award for her work in education reform, and was a Festival of Hope honoree for outstanding community leadership and improving the quality of life in Oklahoma.  Kim was inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame in 2009.  Kim has also received the NAACP Civil Rights Award and the John F Kennedy Community  Service Award.  She is on the board of directors for the Bank of Oklahoma.

Kim currently serves as the Executive Director of Sarkeys Foundation, a private, charitable foundation dedicated to providing support through gifts and grants to Oklahoma’s non-profit organizations.  She is married to former Governor Brad Henry.  They have three daughters and a son-in-law and two adorable granddaughters.

Kim’s ADVICE –

Personal responsibility is so important. When I was in high school there was a girl who was bullied by my friends. She wasn’t pushed physically but she would come in and sit in the chair beside some of my friends they would roll their eyes or move to the other side of the classroom or laugh when she would come in, that kind of bullying. I never did that but I didn’t do anything to stop it and I wonder if that’s just as bad as being part of the problem. I have thought about this girl for the last 40 years and absolutely bothers me that I did not stand up for her. I don’t know what she was facing at home, what kind of environment it was but by her mannerisms, I believe it wasn’t very good. I had the power and the ability to be kind, but I didn’t stand up for her. I still think about her and I wonder where she is and what happened to her and her story. So take responsibility and stand up and do what’s right no matter what.

Key Takeaways:

• One person can make a big difference
• Leading others through positive influence
• Don’t lose your passion, stick with it and you will change the world

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