• • All God Needs is Our Yes
  • There's No Shortcuts to Prayer
  • The Spirit of Racism

Guest Bio

Dr. David Childs is a Professor of Social Studies, History and Education and Director of the Black Studies Program at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). He earned two Masters' degrees and a Ph.D. from Miami University of Ohio. He received a Doctorate of Divinity from Temple Bible College and Seminary in Cincinnati. Rev. Dr. Childs is also an ordained minister and speaks throughout the US and the world. He is Senior Pastor at the historic Antioch Baptist Church and Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ in Cincinnati. He is president of Cultural Diversity Consultants (CDC), an educational consultant organization that focuses on history, Black studies, diversity, educational leadership, theology and social studies curriculum. He also runs Cultural Diversity Studios, a subsidiary of CDC that focuses on multicultural arts, media, animation and film. He has affiliations with National Geographic, National Public Radio, National Black Press USA, PBS, the Smithsonian Institute and many other renowned organizations.

Dr. Childs is an international scholar, having worked in Mexico, Canada, France, England and Liberia, Africa. He has published over 200 academic articles and book chapters. He is also a novelist and has published a historical fiction novel on slavery and freedom for young adults. Dr. Childs produced a documentary film with NKU colleagues Dr. Brian Hackett and Professor John Gibson for Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and PBS featuring his research on the underground railroad in Kentucky and Ohio. The initial film screening will be at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center April 25, 2025. The work is a collaboration with George Clooney and his father Nick Clooney. He also serves on the board of Directors at Sweet Blackberry Foundation, an organization founded by Karyn Parsons (Hillary Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) that focuses on teaching Black history through literature and film. Dr. Childs loves nothing more than spending time with his wife Alundra, and his children.

Dr. David has an upcoming film release coming up this week on April 25, 2025. This is a free viewing but registration is required. Sign up today!

Film Screening: Freedom Stories Along the Borderlands

Friday, April 25 at 6 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Location: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

https://nku.eventsair.com/blackstudiesprogram/2025/Site/Register

Connect with Dr. David and the Work He’s Doing!

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjchildsphd/

Escaping from Home: A Novel about Slavery and Freedom: https://www.amazon.com/Escaping-Home-Novel-SlaveryFreedom/dp/1071848143/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

A thrilling new historical fiction novel about how true friendship can overcome racial barriers, even on a slave plantation.

Please see my weekly articles on US history and civics here:
Democracy and Me Project (Cincinnati Public Radio)

• Teaching Children the Word of God
• God's Word Will Come to Pass

Guest Bio

A devoted woman of God who grew up in a Bible-believing home in Philadelphia, PA. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and has continued to live out her faith with grace and purpose. She has been joyfully married for over 42 years to a veteran U.S. Air Force officer, whom she met while attending Pennsylvania State University. Together, they have raised two adult children—a son and a daughter—who also love and serve the Lord.

During her career as a federal government employee at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Blondezena embraced opportunities to share her faith and be a light in her workplace. Her commitment to ministry extends deeply into her local church, where she has faithfully served in various roles including administrative assistant, Children’s Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible study teacher, missions chairperson, praise team member, and more—always willing to step in where needed.

Previously, she served as the director of her church's Inreach/Outreach Ministry, overseeing efforts such as the nursery, academic tutoring (K–12), a food pantry, holiday food basket distributions, local and overseas missions, and the benevolence department.

Blondezena has a special passion for sharing the Gospel with children. She and her husband volunteer together in an international children’s ministry, continuing to sow seeds of faith across generations. She also writes devotional reflections for the Christian women’s book club, True Vine.

In her spare time, Blondezena enjoys playing board games, bowling, and a few classic arcade games. With a heart for giving, she lovingly crochets blankets for Hospice of Dayton and The Linus Project.

She wholeheartedly believes in the God of many blessings—blessings none of us deserve but receive because of our Heavenly Father's love. Blondezena seeks to never take these blessings for granted, using them to glorify God and leave a lasting legacy of faith and service.

https://truevinewomen.com

• A Season of Hearing from God
• Gratitude
• The Ministry of Reconciliation

Guest Bio:

Dawnette Banks is Founder and CEO of Dreamcast Educational Consulting, which promotes and actualizes equity in PreK-20 educational programs, policies, and services through research, evaluation, training, development, and empowerment. As an equity strategist and independent educational consultant, Dr. Banks is keenly focused on illuminating and providing equitable, high quality educational opportunities and resources for marginalized communities.

Dawnette has garnered extensive academic training in education research, policy analysis, and evaluation, having received a Ph.D. from Florida State University in Education Policy and Evaluation. Her academic training is supplemented by a master's degree in public administration; a bachelor's degree in management information systems; and over 18 years of experience coordinating K-20 educational programs in state government and higher education institutions for diverse learners and disadvantaged students.

Dr. Banks has served on several non-profit boards and serves as an international guest lecturer for Kongju National University in Gongju, South Korea.

Dawnette has devoted her life work to uplifting vulnerable populations through vehicles of educational advocacy, creative inspiration, and spiritual empowerment. She currently resides in the D.C. area (Laurel, MD) and in her spare time enjoyssinging, creative writing, journaling, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Connect with Dr. Dawnette:

www.dreamcastedu.com