POV: Power Walk (4.24.25)

[00:00:00] Speaker A: O ciao. Happy Thursday, and welcome to the power walk. So yesterday I tried something new, and I clipped my Rodecaster mic on me. And as I'm doing my walk, I am breathing. And I had to edit a lot of the things that I said. One, because it needs to go behind a paywall. Two, the way that I was breathing. So we're gonna go back to how it was. I ain't doing that no more. We good to go? Okay. So this morning, I watched a committee meeting because they had more conversations about Hope Florida, which I just want to play a clip because we're talking about $10 million of Medicaid funds that was grossly misappropriated and no notice or was given. And committee members and lawmakers still don't have answers and receipts. And there are people that are still in position that haven't been accountable, haven't been transparent, and haven't operated with integrity. And in fact, some of these people have actually actively started a disinformation campaign. [00:01:16] Speaker B: Members, I want to thank you all for your engagement and encouragement these past several weeks. As policymakers, it's readily apparent that a culture of neglect, incompetence, and entitlement exists within the halls of the governor's office at this time. The purpose of these meetings has been to obtain the information necessary for us to frame our decisions as the legislature. When the executive exhibits no care or concern for the misuse of taxpayer dollars, we as the legislature have an obligation to everyday Floridians to be even more vigilant. We're not judges or prosecutors. While I'm firmly convinced that James Uthmeyer and Jeff Aaron engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud and that several parties played a role in the misuse of $10 million in Medicaid funds, we as legislators will not be the ones making the ultimate charging decisions. We're here today to hear from two 501c4 groups about their own interactions and I had hoped, learn more facts and details about what occurred. However, after today, regardless of how quickly we conclude this meeting, I believe our work on this topic in this capacity as a subcommittee will be concluded. As you will note, neither Ms. Rosenhausen nor Mr. Wilson are here today. They both, minutes prior to this meeting, declined our invitation. [00:02:32] Speaker A: Governor Ron DeSantis has had different press conferences and when media has been asking about Hope Florida, he calls it a witch hunt and that there's misinformation and the liberal media this and that and wow. Just answer the questions, Bruh. Bruh. As I was on my Walk. I ran into my dad and the doggies. Prince Henry III and Royce Anthony. Yes, indeed. Okay. So after watching that committee meeting, I was like, wow. All right. Block is hot. Getting hotter. Wow. So I'm wondering if President Trump knows about this, because anytime that he can get to throw shade on Ronnie Dion, he gonna do it. And I'm intrigued if President Trump is going to say something about this $10 million and if one of the lawmakers in the chamber is going to snitch and say something, if he doesn't know already, I'm intrigued. So, next matter, Navigator Academy. Okay. I just started this investigation and ever since I said that I was doing this investigation, I feel like there is something that happens every single day. Let me give you a timeline. So for some time now, I've been reached out to about Navigator Academy, thus resulted in me making a Facebook post and saying that I'm doing an investigative report on the climate and culture of Navigator Academy, to which the following business day that Monday, I posted this over the weekend. So that Monday they issued a statement to say that there was misleading and incorrect information that was posted on social media to then one of the commenters on the post receiving a cease and desist from Navigators attorneys, to which I then get tagged that there was a written threat in the bathroom. And when the parent inquired about it with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, none of that was reported. And there are parents that are afraid to send their child to school today because of the written threat yesterday. You have parents that are afraid to send their child to school today because of the way that the written threat was handled yesterday. I also sent the school a letter and I emailed the administration team to request for an interview and to get clarity on the misinformation that is on my page, if any, because I want to have journalistic integrity as I'm going through this process. And if there's anything that is wrong, defamatory, as what's alleged in the cease and desist of one of the commenters of my post, then I need clarity on what exactly that is. Because if that's the case, then that impacts my findings and any information that can be provided is necessary. So I'm waiting to hear back from the school as it relates to my letter. I'm also going to send this letter to them, certified today so that they can get that on teaching for the cultural letterhead with my signature on it, because I have questions and I want answers. And with this charter school, they need to provide it. So interesting. All of this stuff is just popping off and they're sending out cease and desist and saying that there's defamatory statements and that if they don't stop with the defamatory statements that they are going to go after the person civilly. And then in the cease and desist had information in there that's not pertinent to any defamatory statements that they're alleging to happen. And so then I'm like, really confused as to. So now I'm looking at the law office with the side eye because I'm like, so, sir, you. You really sent this out on behalf of Charter Academy. And then it makes me wonder how many other times this has been done. So, yeah, as a result of their actions, I have a lot more questions. And the fact that you have parents that are afraid to send their child to school today because of a threat that was written in the bathroom amplifies this entire matter even more. I just want to give a shout out to school board member Land Gray and school board member Nadia Combs. I sent an email about the issue that took place at Durant High School and they emailed me immediately and wanted to make sure that this process is followed with fidelity. And in that, I tell you, there's a lot that is happening in our schools. And unfortunately, we are seeing the unintended consequences when we have lawmakers that will continue to prioritize funding in other spaces. When a child is moved from a charter school to a public school within that same school year, that money doesn't follow the child. Meaning there are so many children that start at a charter school in which there is a number that's pretty significant and. And it's kind of hard to really check with fidelity. But there is a significant number of children that start out going to a charter school and then end up back at their local public school. And money and the resources for that child doesn't follow that child, thus leaving the public school with a deficit because they are required to provide the high quality and education that that child deserves, although there was no funding attached to it. I pray for the Democratic lawmakers that are in this space that want to help the community and want to do the best that they can. And because of how the structure of the House and the Senate is set up, it truly limits them on the progress that they want to see. There are some bills that are filed by are Republican lawmakers that you should have a lot of questions about, because why and also in some of the details that they want to change for Example, why do you desire to change the teacher certification process when you see that the staggering numbers of educators not entering into that workforce? I mean, would you look at this? A student jumping an educator. This happens all over. The violence in our schools is wild. I just talked about what happened at Leon county schools yesterday and what happened in Hillsborough county schools where you have children that are fighting and bringing weapons. It's all over. And things that are happening right here. Again, Leon County, Tallahassee. Then you have the governor and the first lady that's allegedly committed Medicaid fraud by routing money that was supposed to be a reimbursement. And y'all route 10 million to charity, and then y'all disperse it to help with ballot initiatives. No wonder why Governor Ron DeSantis was able to get all of that pressed as it relates to Amendment 3. And the Attorney general that was just appointed was the chief of staff and was heavily involved. And some of these lawmakers still don't have answers. So I'm gonna play this clip here. [00:10:31] Speaker B: To any member of the Florida Chamber of Commerce that it does appear from everything indicated by Mr. Wilson, they were complicit and had full knowledge of what they were doing in the misuse of these Medicaid funds. I would be extremely concerned as the Florida Chamber of Commerce members. Before we conclude. I'll open it up for comments, if anyone has a comment or a question. [00:10:59] Speaker A: It's really sad what is happening in our political world, and I'm breaking it down to you because I continue to uplift and emphasize and will continue to. You cannot afford to not pay attention to what's happening in politics. You can't. I'm sorry. This policy impacts you, it impacts me, it impacts our children. It's important. It's important. And we have to be able to say the thing and hold people accountable. And I'll say again, there are some people that do not like the way that I shed light on things, and that's okay. Questions that I always have people to reflect on is one thing, did I lie? Because you might not like the delivery, you might not like that. I'm talking about so and so. But the question is, did I lie? And then if the answer to that is no, then follow up question is, well, if I did not lie, why is it that you take issue with what is said? And what I found in some of the cases where people have slid in my inbox to say, well, if you so healed and you have peace, why do you keep talking about such and such? And so I wonder why did they feel that they needed to come to me about that? Particularly answering the first question, did I lie? And as I've been dedicated to being consistent and publishing content on social media and turning the mic on and using my voice, there are certain things that I'm passionate about. I'm passionate about social media safety, been passionate about that for a very long time. And as an educator, I've highlighted some of those issues that exist in the classroom and beyond due to persistent cell phone use and children having unlimited and unchecked access to the Internet and social spaces. When it's about sharing my story and what I've been through, I'm going to continue to share that I'm a survivor and I'm an overcomer. I'm. I'm going to continue to uplift that. I'm going to continue to say the things. And unfortunately, there are some people that want to protect people that are out here causing harm. And I won't sit for it, nor stand for it. Like I said, I won't sit, nor stand for no foolishness. I've had women reach out to me saying, oh my gosh, you've been able to restart your life after getting divorced and finding love again. And I'm going to be very unapologetic about sharing my story in that if you don't want to be talked about in a way, then maybe should have been more intentional with your actions and repeated actions, too, because this ain't the first time. And I've had to be responsible for my own karma and how I've shown up. And also I'm not going to be silenced for anybody. So I do wish people the best. There's no hate in my heart, but I'm going to speak the truth. So all in all, you have bills that are being pushed through the legislature that is changing education so much so for the public sector. And while there's lawmakers that say charter schools is public schools by statute, they are not treated the same. And that's unfortunate and that's sad. And this is why I'm asking for parents and caregivers to be intentional about your child's education. This is why I'm asking educators to be aware of your teacher's contract and what are your responsibilities and what are things that are beyond your control. This is why I'm asking students to show up to school being their best self. And this concludes the power walk as I'm on the slings. And the affirmation today is that I am not losing myself by keeping broken systems or people together, protect your peace, speak your truth, live unapologetically. And if they take issue with it, that's their problem, not yours. Because God has you on an assignment. So I thank you for watching and tuning into my power walks and even engaging with me, whether that's liking, commenting or sliding in my DMs or sending me an email. It is greatly appreciated. And I just want folks to understand that this health scare changed so much for me and the fire is lit up under me in a way that I can't shake it or control it. I'm telling you that a lot of these messages that God gives me is for me that then I share with others because I know that there's others that are sitting on their gifts and sitting on the things that make them happy and sitting on the things that they know can change the world and sitting on things that can help others and because they are afraid to get started or maybe they don't know how to get started. Or maybe there's grim gremlins that are inside of their head and their mind and their mindset of being like, I can't do this because insert X, Y and Z lies that are being said. Don't listen to those gremlins and some of those thoughts no one else can hear but you. And I'm telling you this because as someone that has gone through imposter syndrome and has gone through the process of having gremlin speak to them, God has given something powerful to you. You have a voice. You are here. And I thank God that I'm still here. I thank God that my battery that is connected to my heart is still ticking, is still moving and that is not moving at a rapid pace that I thought it was. I thank God that I'm here to spread the message, to spread the news that you are worthy, that you are one of a kind, that you can achieve all things that you set your mind to, that you are overcomer. You are here on purpose, with purpose, with intention, built one of a kind, by God, by design. And you matter. Our children matter and they also deserve better. So with that being said, I love you. Make today amazing by.