This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Book Nation of Dreamers' Dream Smith joins the latest episode of the Difference Makers podcast to discuss combatting illiteracy in West Savannah with her organization's lending libraries, the hurdles parents and kids have with reading books, a few upcoming events to help cultivate the community in her neighborhood again and the role of the parent in getting kids reading again.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Emmaus House director Ariana Berksteiner joins the latest episode of the Difference Makers podcast to discuss getting into the nonprofit world, learning the nuances of homelessness, how the Emmaus House works to help homeless individuals in Chatham County daily along with drives and fundraisers and how a livable wage could solve many issues in the county.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Seimitsu IT & Fiber Broadband provider president Sam Cook joins the latest episode of the Difference Makers podcast to discuss his company and the future of fiber internet in the Savannah-area, what to know about cyber security, how he started his business and growing up in America after coming over from Japan.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Savannah State president Kimberly Ballard-Washington joins the latest episode of the Difference Makers podcast to discuss her decision to take on the permanent role at SSU after working as the interim president, what she hopes to accomplish while at the institution, enrollment at SSU and the future of HBCUs in general. 

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Chatham Emergency Management Agency's hurricane preparedness champion, Chelsea Sawyer, breaks down evacuation protocol and reminisces about her days as a competitive cheerleader in the latest episode of the Difference Makers podcast.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Savannah Police Chief Roy Minter is the latest Difference Maker. He talks about growing up in Detroit, what led him to enter law enforcement, what sparked his interest in coming to Savannah, some of the community initiatives the Savannah Police Department are doing and addresses calls for police reform and race and policing around the country.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

The MPC's executive director, Melanie Wilson, shares how playing in the school band shaper her life and local development plans from the Historic District to New Hampstead.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Bishop Stephen Parkes addresses his faith journey, the 'blight' of the priest sexual abuse scandal on the Catholic church on this week's episode.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

If there is one spot that people even outside of Savannah will recognize from pictures, it's the oaks along Wormsloe State Historic Site. The drive has become an iconic part of many Savannah visits and has a long line of history to go with it.

Craig Barrow III, a descendant of Wormsloe founder and one of Savannah's original settlers, Noble Jones, is this week's Difference Maker. He talks about the history of the land, what his family has done to preserve the grounds, his dealing with Jimmy Carter and the Supreme Court and how they hope to preserve the oaks.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

From it's Olympic roots, the Savannah Sailing Center has been working to get locals on the water for decades. Spearheaded by the iconic Mr. Mac, the center is now entering a new stage in its existence as a new grant could expand their facilities and programs and change the landscape of the sailing community for Coastal Georgia.

Savannah Sailing Center treasurer Debbie Tillman and secretary Carrie Rohde are this week's Difference Makers and talk about the past, present and future of the center.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.

This episode is brought to you by the Savannah Economic Development Authority

Now more than ever, parents are understanding what it takes to keep kids educated and a lot of the limitations in place to make that happen. The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for so many, but it has also brought to light a lot of ways we could improve the systems we have.

At the forefront of that for education locally is Parent University's Michael O'Neal. He is our latest Savannah Difference Maker.

Podcast listeners: Get digital SMN subscription by clicking here for a special offer

Make sure to follow The Commute podcast for daily news briefs from Adam.