Let Us Not Forget

Brenda Simons

Level Up: Life Restoration Edition is a faith-based, action-driven journey created to help you rebuild and restore your life from the inside out. It’s about more than reflection and prayer; it’s about thinking victorious thoughts, taking courageous action, and walking boldly in God’s promises.

  1. Oct 6

    "Say it Loud, You're Making Us Proud" Kendra Brooks

    Say It Loud, You're Making Us Proud: Councilmember Kendra Brooks This episode spotlights Councilmember Kendra Brooks and why her work matters for everyday families in Philadelphia. Ms. V frames the conversation around public service, neighborhood access, and what it looks like when elected officials deliver concrete results for children, families, and communities.The focus is on two major issues: library access and public space investment. Ms. V explains how Brooks’ lived experience shaped her advocacy, then walks through the funding wins and community benefits that followed. Key topics Ms. V introduces the special series "Say It Loud, You're Making Us Proud" and its purpose: recognizing elected officials whose work strengthens Black communities.The episode centers on Councilmember Kendra Brooks, a mother from Nicetown who entered City Council after challenging Philadelphia’s long-standing two-party political structure.Ms. V uses the example of a mother walking her children to a closed library branch to show how staff shortages and underfunding limit access for working-class families.Brooks’ early activism is tied to that lived reality, especially the need for reliable neighborhood libraries as safe spaces, cooling centers, and places for homework and community support.Ms. V highlights Brooks organizing with library advocates, workers, and fellow council members to demand more staffing and funding.The episode notes that the city directed tens of millions of dollars toward the free library system, expanding six-day-a-week service across all 55 branches.Brooks also pushed beyond libraries, advocating for parks and recreation funding to return to pre-pandemic levels.Ms. V emphasizes that parks, recreation centers, and playing fields support trauma counseling, after-school sports, summer programming, and youth jobs.Brooks’ co-sponsorship of the city’s youth-powered anti-violence agenda is presented as part of a broader strategy to treat public space as essential community infrastructure.The episode closes by framing neighborhood investment as a right, not a handout, and thanking Brooks for her service.Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to Let Us Not Forget and the mission behind the show 00:31 - Why this series honors elected officials doing real community work 00:59 - Not a campaign ad - a look at public service and results 01:28 - The real cost of a closed neighborhood library for working families 01:58 - Philadelphia’s library underfunding and limited branch hours 02:27 - How one mother became a grassroots activist 02:56 - Kendra Brooks breaks Philadelphia’s two-party political pattern 03:25 - From a mile-and-a-half library walk to the City Council floor 03:54 - Why libraries matter as safe havens and community anchors 04:23 - Demanding more funding for staff and system-wide access 04:52 - Tens of millions added and six-day service restored citywide 05:21 - Expanding the focus to parks, recreation centers, and playing fields 05:48 - Youth programming, counseling, and jobs as public safety tools 06:16 - Public investment as a basic right, not a luxury 06:45 - Closing praise for Councilmember Kendra Brooks and the episode sign-off Notable quote Copy "When a neighborhood library or recreation center close, the community loses more than just a building." Notable quote Copy "Investing in our neighborhoods is not a handout. It's a fundamental right."

  2. Sep 10

    A Dream For Black America

    I Have a Dream for Black AmericaMs V, The Voice of Reason, shares a personal and faith-centered vision for the future of Black America. Drawing from her father’s story of building wealth, opportunity, and legacy despite limited formal education, she lays out a call for stronger families, safer neighborhoods, better schools, thriving Black businesses, and deeper community responsibility.This episode is a reflection on generational vision, entrepreneurship, education, and the role of faith in community restoration. It is both a personal testimony and a rallying cry for parents, churches, schools, and neighbors to help plant what future generations will grow. Key topicsMs V explains her dream for Black America: strong, safe, vibrant Black communities with strong families, excellent schools, thriving businesses, and people returning to God.She tells the story of her father, who could not read or write at first but still envisioned owning a building on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia and later owned two.She highlights how her parents, with limited formal education and many disadvantages, raised five children who all graduated from high school, with some going on to college.She emphasizes that vision matters before visible results, saying people often have to see something before they can build it.She argues that protecting Black children starts with the family, with parents prioritizing learning, advocacy, and presence in school life.She calls for quality schools, after-school programs, and safe spaces for children when the school day ends and parents are still working.She stresses that communities, churches, nonprofits, businesses, and schools must work together rather than expecting any one group to solve the problem alone.She urges parents and neighbors to show up at school meetings, school board meetings, city council meetings, PTA events, and children’s activities.She makes a case for community centers as more than buildings, focusing on what happens inside them: mentors, coaches, tutors, arts, recreation, and leadership development.She expands the dream to include entrepreneurship, trades, and career and technical education, challenging the idea that college is the only path to success.Notable quotes“Sometimes you have to see something before you can build it.” “Maybe my assignment is to plant it.” “Dreams become visions. Visions become plans. Plans become action.”

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Level Up: Life Restoration Edition is a faith-based, action-driven journey created to help you rebuild and restore your life from the inside out. It’s about more than reflection and prayer; it’s about thinking victorious thoughts, taking courageous action, and walking boldly in God’s promises.