Keep it Positive, Sweetie - Giving Back, Building Forward | The Crystal Renee Hayslett Foundation

Episode Date: August 30, 2026

In this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, Crystal sits down with Foundation Director Ari for a deeper look at the heart behind the Crystal Renee Hayslett Foundation. They talk about how the Foundation came together and what it means to build something that creates lasting access, opportunity, and support for others. This conversation is about service, stewardship, community, and building something that can keep making an impact long after the moment has passed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Listen to Skyline Drive How to Live Forever on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I survived nine months in captivity, and I've spent my life exploring how other people survive what should have destroyed them. I'm Elizabeth Smart, and these are the Survivor Files. Every week, I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable, abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced. These are stories about what it takes to make it out of the unthinkable. Live. Listen to the Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman. I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering me a ride on his motorcycle.

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I'm obsessed. Listen to Pro Society on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Calling all my sweeties to the forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazett, and this is the Keep It Posit Sweetie Show. Welcome to Keep It Posit, Sweetie, the place where we heal, grow, and learn together. Today's conversation is a little different because we're talking about something that's deeply personal to me. the Crystal Renee Hazel Foundation. I'm sitting with the foundation director, R.A. Lomax, who has helped bring so much of the vision to life.

We're talking about how the foundation began and why this work matters so much to us. This work is about so much more than giving back. It's about creating access, opportunity, healing, and resources that can change the trajectory of someone's life. So I'm excited to let you into the heart behind all of it. Let's get into it. Kip's family, please give a value.

very warm welcome to my dear friend, the executive director of the Crystal Renee Hazel Foundation, Aria Lomax. Ari, welcome back. Thank you. It's been a while. Yes, it has. We are talking about my living is and my giving and the foundation, which is near and dear to our hearts. We have Shelley with us.

Yes, hello. Hey, Shels. Are you on camera somewhere? Yes, I'm going to be popping in. Popping in and out. All right. So, Shelley is going to be a part of this conversation. We're talking about the foundation and our vision for it and what we have done so far.

Yeah, we're excited. We are too. We are too. Yeah. Okay, let's get into it. So I know you both individually. So I love seeing you together. I think it would just be good for people to know how this came to be.

She's a different of yours, but also a part of something that's so special to you. So how did you guys meet? How did you? Let's get into some. Yes, it was. The year was 2018. Yes, it was. The year was 2018.

We had the same trainer. I'm just not as, she still has the same trainer. I'm just not as consistent as she is with training with Jay. Shout out Jay. I go to Jay when I need the battery put back into my back. But yeah, which is right about now, I need to start going back. We're waiting on you, girls. Yes, I'm coming.

Not at 4.30 in the morning, but I'll be there because R gets up early. But we had the same trainer. We didn't really talk much at the gym because we went at different times. And then one day... I don't remember exactly how, but one day we just... I think you came early or I came late and we crossed paths. And then it was just something and the energy. I really think it was just something.

And we were like, hey. I'm like, hey. We're going to go to dinner. We're leaving out some parts that are not important. But you want to go to dinner. and we went to dinner. They're not important. Okay.

And it was the day before your birthday dinner. We went to what is now Del Bar and Buckhead. Yes. And we just, yeah, shops the Buckhead. It was, what was it called? Was it Del Bar? King and Duke at the time. King and Duke.

I just went to Del Bar for the first time. And it took me forever to remember what it used to be. Girl, the wings sidebar, them wings. Listen, the kebabs. Everything. Everything. My God. This is not a plug for Del Bar.

thinking about it already it's not a deep thing it's not this is not so yes we went to dinner at king and duke and instantly a friendship was birthed from that from that dinner the next day I had all my girlfriends come to Del Frisco's

Yes Del Frisco's the Steakhouse in Dunwoody We had a private remote stairs It was a really really cute dinner And in that moment, it was like, okay, this is my girl. Yay. Yeah. I love that.

Yes. Okay. So that was the beginning. That was the beginning of how we met. Yeah. And then I invited you to support hashtag lunch bag and serving our neighbors without homes. And she came just to volunteer.

And then she was like, I want a sponsor. And I'm like, okay, we love that. And it just became an ongoing commitment and support of everything I was doing in the community from toy drives to feeding the neighbors. to anything. Crystal was always like, what do you need? I'm here. And I'm like, thank you.

Because you don't come across people like that. So that's how you started. Ari, like Ari has a heart of gold, literally salt of the earth. And the way that she gives and she comes up these amazing ideas of how to give back, which I feel is so beautiful and needed in today's society where everyone's always taking, taking, taking.

She's constantly looking at new ways to give. which is how we ended up getting to the Chris Renee Hazel Foundation. I had already started the foundation, but I didn't have any real structure. I was funding it myself. We didn't have people donating. We hadn't even done any fundraisers. And we went to dinner at Carmel. Yep.

Went to Carmel. I'd be eating. Oh, yeah. If we don't do anything else, we're going to eat. We're going to eat. We're going to look good doing it. We're going to eat. And I had already created the foundation, founded it.

and set everything up, but I didn't have any real infrastructure behind it. And Ari said, hey, I would love to run your foundation. I wanted to talk to you about this. I have some great ideas. And I was like, yes. Right. And I was able to say yes because there's so many times where people that you know, friends, family, they'll want a position, but they don't have the expertise behind it or the heart

behind it. Right. Especially running a foundation. It's serious. It's very serious. And you can go to jail. For sure. If you're not running it properly.

You know, so when she asked, it was a no-brainer for me because I knew this is one, someone who had a heart to help the community because I've seen it years before. Yeah, in the making. Yes, she's been doing this. And then knowing this is someone I also trust, you know, they can go and get the right people in place to help build our board out, to help build out infrastructure, to help raise money and all the things that I needed to really make this successful to make sure that we're doing what we need to do at the highest level for our community. work. Yeah, and I was nervous to ask. I was going to say, well, yeah, because I was going to say, I know you, I mean, I know you, of course, because we're friends, but I also know you in that capacity. I felt with hashtag lunch bag. We partner with other foundations that I helped. So how do you, how did you know

that you had the capacity to do this and this is something that you should take on, especially knowing we know Big Boss Crystal and what the brand is and what this light is? So what gave you the courage to ask her? I had to pray about it. And Crystal and I, we are deep in our faith. Yes. That is my sister in Christ first and foremost. And I was trying to figure out and make sure I'm aligning everything I do with my purpose.

Yeah. And people that know my story, they know. And serving is what got me through, like, one of the hardest times in my life. And so for me, I saw what she was doing. I saw what was happening. And I'm like, okay, I want to make sure that her service is in alignment. and also on the upward trajectory as everything she's doing, like, personally and with business. And I knew, like, one thing about me, I already going to get, it's going GSD.

And I could, you know, I could see it. And I said, you know, I trust me. I know I would never let her down. Right. And so it was one of those things where it's a stretch. I've never started a foundation from grassroots. But I've started companies from grassroots, like I'm in corporate. So why can I do that?

And so once I asked, I did tell her I don't mix business in personal. I don't eat where I, hmm, and I don't where I eat. Come on. And so I told her, I said if we're going to do it, I want to make sure you know I'm going to be professional. Yeah. And we're still going to be friends, but we have to make sure the work is done. Yeah.

So I just, we went to dinner, had a few pep talks with a few people. And then I made the ask. And she, I was like, you want to think about it? She's like, it's a no-brainer. Yeah. I love that. Okay. Yeah. Wonderful. So yeah. And then the Chris Renee Hazley Foundation continued. It was already there. But now it's like now what's next? Yeah. Work begins.

I love that. That's good. Okay. So let's just rewind it back a bit. For you, we know that you have always just had the heart of gold. Even when you're in Martin, Tennessee, right? Let's talk. What about your younger version of yourself? What kind of support or access or opportunity did you wish you had that existed back then, even having your family support? and things like that. When you think about a foundation, period, what are some things you think about in that realm that help inspire what this foundation is? Yeah, something that we did have, but it wasn't consistent, was a really good after-school program,

which is why education is one of our pillars. Our pillars are financial literacy, education, and mental health. But coming from where I'm from a rural small town in Tennessee, we didn't have a consistent after-school program where people were helping us and you can get tutors, but you had to be able to afford a tutor. So a lot of times students couldn't afford that.

So I think that's something that I wish we had that was consistent. And that's something that we literally just talked about this yesterday, yesterday in our meeting about a dream that I have of doing after-school programs and have my own building to really build that out. So that is something that I wish we had and something that I look forward to doing. Where do you think your heart of service comes from? Both of you. Yeah.

Honestly, it comes from, for me, it comes from my upbringing. Both my parents worked very hard. My dad worked two jobs. My mother is a rest ofatory care therapist and did very well. You know, the cost of living in Martin isn't a lot. So to make the type of money they were making, we did very well upper middle class, you know, growing up. So my parents instilled in me, one, take care of everything that you have.

Don't ask for more if you're not taking care of what you have. They always taught us to be grateful for what we had and to honor and take care of it. But the part of giving truly was instilled in me through tithing. And once I really understood beyond just this is what the Bible says, do. This is what mom and dad said do. And I started to see the fruit of it for myself. I was like, wow, this is a big part. of it and then during Christmas time our church did an angel tree and the angel tree you they would

put families that were less fortunate up on the tree and then the families who could help they would go grab names off the tree for the families that they wanted to support for that Christmas and we would go shopping for those families and we would hand deliver the gifts to the families and I remember getting in the car this is from elementary school probably no junior high school, we probably started junior high school through high school, so for about eight years we did this. And I remember getting in the car on Christmas Eve crying because it was in that moment that I realized, one, how good I have it, but to see how happy they were with far less than what I had. I think in that moment, I realized this is bigger than me, you know, and making

sure that we're giving hands up, you know, instead of just hands out. to people who are not doing as well as, or whatever the case in me as you are, it's so important. And I feel like it's not only important, but it's also biblical that we're supposed to help others when we see them in need, you know, not be a crutch to people, like, but actually helping people. And it was the children just seeing them and seeing their faces. And I just got in the car and I just cried because it was something about the joy.

And to this day, like, if I see somebody, I can watch something on Instagram. them. I'll be in the bed just crying. Like, boo-hoeing. Just happy for them. They get to steal that feeling. Yeah. So I think that is where it came from and it's just something that always stayed with me. What about you, Ari?

Similar. We grew up with I have divorced parents, so our families came to help out a lot. So it wasn't necessarily external, it's more internal. But I think when I came to Atlanta, I treat people how I want to be treated. And I think I think of others,

more than I think of myself. So I'm always thinking of how can I help? How can I help? And I also recognize the privilege I have of having such a long, deep family and then friends. And 2020 was that year. And I got to see, like, in action, people showing up for me and supporting me. And I'm like, people don't have that. People don't have people thinking about them on a random Tuesday and checking on them.

And so for me, I just always want to be or fill in the gaps that people. people don't have because I'm just so blessed. I have no complaints, not a one. And I know people do. And so as much as I can fill that gap, I try my best too. And that's just, that's where my service comes from everything. I tell people, treat people how you want to be treated. How does you want someone to treat you or show up for you?

Just the goal of them. Make it really simple like that. You know, it gets a little bit easier to do for others. I mean, you bring those two together. You have a great foundation. For sure. Literally. Foundation, foundation, foundation.

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Will the pasto survive the first bite? Will the lunchbox come home empty, half full, or come home at all? And will you finish episode 8 before you're done slicing the cucumbers? Get Bell Pure Fiber Internet with Craved Netflix and Disney Plus from $94 a month. Price guaranteed for two years on Internet with a two-year term and auto pay credit. Visit bell.za for details and to check availability. Bell, connection is everything. I'm Mungeshit Together and I'm back with a new season of the podcast Skyline Drive. This time I'm diving into a rabbit hole of peptides, organoids, blood boys, blue zones and brain replacement

to try to understand what this longevity obsession is all about and what it really means to live forever for all of us. I learned about some rad science. I can make a brain for you. And then we can test what draw is the best for your brain, as opposed to his brain. Here are some hard truths. I would expect Indians to age faster, but I did not expect it to be almost a four to five-year acceleration. And get myself into a world of trouble. I'd say probably start bones smashing.

That doesn't work. Make it look more defined. They say it works. I don't know. Listen to Skyline Drive, How to Live Forever on the IHeart Radio app. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. If your bookshelf and your for-you page are equally important to your personality, welcome home. This is Prose Society, the weekly podcast that's part book club, part group chat for thought daughters, pop culture obsesives, and anyone who thinks pride and prejudice and love island deserve the same level of discourse.

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Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. See you between the pages. When I was 14 years old, I was kidnapped and held captive for nine months. I survived and I've spent my life exploring how other people survive what should have destroyed them. I'm Elizabeth Smart and these are the Survivor Files. I just remember this low, taunting voice next to my ear saying, shut up, don't say anything. Every week I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable. I knew if he woke up, without a doubt, he was going to hurt me.

I started feeling that there was someone at the end of my bed, and I just started screaming. They are abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced. But these aren't stories about what's taken from them. There's stories about what it takes to make it out alive. Listen to the Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. So let's get into the inaugural summer sororay. It was a beautiful night. It was so much fun.

We had a good time. We had a good time. Why was it important for that to be the foundation's first major event? Because I think a lot of times we were talking off camera, if people don't see it being blasted or cameras or the highlight rails, you think that people are. aren't doing things. And you would be surprised to know people that do have foundations that are doing the work and writing off on their taxes, doing it on the back end, but not always exemplifying that. And I will say from the video, I was like, oh, they out here.

Like, they out here doing it. So tell me what made this moment and this event the one that was like, let's pop out like this. Well, we needed to raise money. We had to, there were so many ideas and things that we wanted to do for the community, but it costs to do those things. And I had to stop her. Yeah, because a lot of times, like, I literally was pulling money out of my own account to fund the foundation.

And we've had some, like the Swedies have been amazing supporters. One of our top supporters is Tiffany. Yep, Tiffany. She actually got invited because she was one of our top sponsors and donors for the foundation. But in the beginning, it was just me, like just donating my own money to really foot the bigger bills that we needed to pull off the things we wanted to pull off. And I was like, we got to raise some money. Right.

So I was like, all right, well, what are you thinking? And we went through a few different ideas. We did. What was it? And so, well, we went through a few different ideas of like bowling. I think we said a gala. And I said, but here's the thing. People are not going to support what they don't understand.

Absolutely. And so the intention behind how we curated that evening was the why. Yeah. The heart behind the foundation, not the people, but the heart behind it, the why behind our mission and our vision. And so we picked people that were experts in those areas. So mental health, people that had experience in supporting, we focused mostly on mental health that evening.

And people that also had stories of resilience and getting through those moments. And so we wanted to make sure that beyond the money that was raised, because that's the goal. Right. But we want to make sure we touch the heart. and we make sure that the mission and the vision land and we create this desire to continue working with us. When you take that and then you mix me with it,

it has to be an experience. It has to be. So I want people to come not only to understand what we're doing but also to feel, seem, have a moment to get beautiful, have a moment to have fun and meet new people, connect, eat good, fellowship vibe, but then also get poured into. So it was so many different elements to that.

And if anybody knows and they know, like, I do everything at the highest level. When it comes to my parties, any type of event dinner, I don't care what it is. I'm not cutting any corners. Yeah. Because I want exposure is important to me, especially in the black community, exposing them to know like, oh, I can do this too. Oh, this is how it should be done this. And it starts to be how it should be. How it should be done.

Yeah. And shout at the Tyler. Tyler Perry is one who taught me how to do it. So they were like, man, Chris, you know how to throw a party, but somebody had to teach me how to do that. You know, so it's so many layers to what we're doing. And it was just a beautiful night. When people left them, like, I had, one had so much fun,

but I was also giving back to the community. I found new purpose. The DJ said, you encouraged me to start my foundation. Oh, my gosh. You know, so I love it. I think it's so many ways to do it, to skin, let's say more than one way to skin a cat. Yeah, and I feel like we did that.

on so many levels from giving back to sharing our purpose and our mission, but also reminding people to look within to see what theirs is. Yes. You know, so I think we accomplished a lot. We reached our goal. We did. We exceeded our goal. Yes.

That's great. Yes, thank you so much. But also left and it was just a beautiful night. Yeah. We got a lot of interest in partnerships. And again, I do wonder, we were talking about this earlier. I understand the need to showcase. See it.

But a lot of the things that she has done, I don't think she gives herself enough credit. But there are things that we don't need to highlight. Like, you know, we just don't. Right. Bigot many purposes, yeah. Yeah, it's, you know. Integrity. Integrity purposes, right.

But I do think it's the genuineness of Crystal's heart that went into that evening. Absolutely. And she was fully involved from every single decision in a good way. Like, it wasn't overwhelming. It's just, you know, some people just, oh, that's my foundation. You heard it was. It wasn't overwhelming. It wasn't overwhelming.

You all have a great time. We don't care of the way. Listen. But some people are not engaged in the foundation. And that's the one thing that we asked her. Meet myself and Christina, our board member. How engaged do you want to be? Because you can just say, hey, y'all handle it.

Or you can really be here. And she has been there. Late nights, early mornings. We on FaceTime, like, girl, we're tired. She had to come to the house. We spent like three hours going over. Yeah, we had to catch her advice. Yeah, I was like, listen, you got to sit me down.

I know myself. I'm doing a million things. If we got to get this done, I'm like a kid, you got to come and sit me down. And then you got me. I'm locked in with you. Just sit me down for that.

For sure. And Herman made sure we had the schedule. He's like, you're on at five. I said, got it. I'll be there. Not a minute late because we got a time. Listen.

Yeah. I love it. So we talk about the intentional of the programming. You had Michelle Williams, which was so amazing, not even just her story, but how it landed on that date.

And I'm sure when y'all chose that date, you had no idea. No idea. Celebration of her recovery. And I just thought that was like, you couldn't have told a better story. That was nothing but God. That was God. That was God. Nothing but God.

Then you had Dr. Jasmine, who I thought her speech was, one, I love that she is someone that, again, was just in a community doing it. It may not be who you're seeing featured on these reality shows and stuff, but this is someone in a community and what her purpose was about. Yes. And then you also had community leaders that you honor. and we heard directly, like I said, us hearing from the students and seeing the footage of Crystal out in the, you know, you guys buying these things and doing all these things. It was very, very great.

How did you decide what voices and stories needed to be represented that night? Like I know you said the main thing was mental health that night, but you have three pillars. So how did you decide like this is the one we need to focus on? Honestly, I feel like just the times we're in. We're living one in very dark times, but I've seen a common thing. thread of depression, you know, and people just not being happy or not being their best during this season and so much going on that trickles down from the government to how that affects the actual morale of our community. And I think it just kind of naturally just gravitated

to that one focal point, which was mental health. And when it came to choosing, you all chose Michelle. And I was like, absolutely, because Michelle, that's my girl. But I had no idea what she had been literally. It was nothing but God. Nothing but God. And then Da Vinci, I know personally, that's my little bro, and I've seen what he's done in the community, how he goes to visit these high schools

and speaks to the students about mental health, how he opened up about his struggles with mental health. So that was one that said, I definitely want to honor DaVinci for this. But Michelle, when she came into the room, or to the venue that night, she looked at me and she said, you have no idea what this means to me on this day.

And I'll explain later. And I said, okay, I had no idea what she was talking about. When she got up there and gave her speech. Her testimony. My Lord. Yeah. She rocked. Everybody was floored.

Yeah. Like literally the whole room left impacted by what she shared that night. And to see someone of her stature who's reached the heights that she has reached to open up and be vulnerable about. checking herself into a clinic you know like yeah you don't hear that often you know like a lot of times it's exposed by TMZ or somebody right right you don't tell your own story they don't get to tell it you know so for her to share that with us um not only was beautiful but i felt honored that she felt safe enough to open up about that and for that to have been the date that it landed on was nothing

but i was crazy i talked to her a sunday at church and she said girl i am still impacted by that night And I was like, wow. That's the reason. That's it. That's it. Yeah. And I think anyone hearing her story and understanding that she went and got to help herself can lean in also to realize it, it's okay. It's okay to not be okay.

It's also okay to use the resources that are around you. And it's okay to ask for help. We want to help as many people as we can. We do. You know, we really, really do. And we mean that when we say that. So it was so impactful. She made the evening.

She did. I was like, I didn't expect this. I didn't either. I'm thankful. I was, I would think I was eating and drinking my eye bass. And I said, hold on. No, it's where she's, the mic. I said, oh, I asked where you're going to speak.

Yeah. She said, no. I'm going to look at a little of a movie. It came over her. I'm glad that she took the, took what he said, took her yes. She answered her yes in that moment. And I know that we all were like, what? Like, it was definitely.

So that was one of those aha moments in there. Is there any other moment, whether that was the, the dancing or the, just the good laughs or what was another moment that hit you where you were like this is what we did this for this is it it was me as the therapist um was speaking my friend texting me saying i need her like hearing my pastor go oof mhm hearing jasmine sitting there can you repeat that again so many people were agreeing and it was resonating what she was saying um so beautiful her voice lord the woman needs to do bedtime stories her voice she has her she has voice with everything.

It's so sweet. I'm like, can I just lay on your couch? Yeah. And you just talk. Okay, that alone would regulate my nervous system. But to get the messages that I was getting in real time was another moment where I was reminded this is why we do what we do.

Yeah. I think it was everyone showing up. Yeah, they pulled up. They pulled up. Yes. Okay. That right there is what support looks like. Yeah.

And seeing them pull up for this and like, okay, they'll pull up for other things. Right. If we tap on them for this initiative or this dinner or mentor, they might tap in with us to pull up. So I think the actual support is what just that made the evening so much better on top of how great everybody looked because y'all follow up the style guy. Yeah, it did, baby. What to tell you? Perfectly. It was perfect.

It was perfect. It was great. It was good. It was so good. It was good. Because I cannot stand a theme. Don't start. Don't put me no box.

Yes. But also, don't come up in jeans. Yeah, just give me what the guidelines are. Yeah, just tell me what you need. Because I like to express myself through my fashions. But it was like, it was like, it was perfect. It was so, everybody looked so good. I was like, we should have taken a group picture.

It was, we tried. We did. People were. She said, we tried. We was trying to dance. Dancing. Yeah, it was a lot. Shout out DJ executive.

But you can serve, you can, you can fundraise, you can have a good time with people. And I think that's, you can. We did that. Things can exist in one time. Exactly. Great job. Yes, that was good. Great job.

So now that the summer sorry is completed, what did that night confirm for you about what the foundation has become? I think in that moment, we always knew it was bigger than us, but I feel like that night made it evident that we have community. You know, because it did feel like it was just us, you know, pulling it together, leaning on our team. West Ashana, Herman Goshay, people that we knew, Christina. Like the foundation, we were just leaning on everybody that was in our inner circle. Now we feel like we have a real tribe

of people founding members that are coming in and saying, hey, we believe in what you're doing and we got you. And I think that's what I left with at night knowing that, okay, people believe in this. Same, no. They believe in us.

They believe in our mission and our vision without even having to actually have been at anything. And then the mayor, He confirmed it for me. Thank you. Yeah. Man, shout out of our mayor. Shout out of my mayor.

Thank you. Yeah. So the foundation is sending around education, mental health, and financial literacy. You kind of touched on it, but why were those three areas important enough to just be like the foundation's work? Honestly, when I was going through

what I wanted to focus on and what the pillars should be for the foundation, I looked at statistically the areas in our black community. that we're struggling the most. One, mentally, and mental, I feel like mental affects everything, right? It affects the finance. It affects the kids going to school, the education.

Education affects your future, you know, knowing is power, you know. And then third, financial literacy, I wanted to teach our people the importance of generational wealth and how to grow it no matter where you are. something that I try to talk to my family about, especially my brother who feels like he's like really good at stocks and trading and things like that. But I also try to instill in him like, you need to be doing this and setting this up for your son. These are things you should be doing because a lot of times people feel like, oh, if I'm not a millionaire or if I'm not making all this money, then I can't do that. No, start where you are. And trying to hone in on that,

pull the right people in that can really teach them how to start where you are and not looking at like, oh, I got to be here to start doing that. No, you can be working at McDonald's. I know people that work at McDonald's that actually have ownership in McDonald's, I mean, work at Walmart and have ownership because they have stocks. Right. There are different programs where you can buy into it, but you have to be smart enough and have the knowledge and not have a scarcity mindset. So when I was looking at the areas that we really struggle in as a community, those are the three that one are close to me that I was like, okay, I want to hone in on these three.

Yeah, I think when we talked, it's education creates opportunity. Well, mental health helps you take care of yourself and everything around you. And financial literacy, it creates stability and it allows you to plan for your future. Absolutely. And that's why those pillars are.

They all together. When you think about the people you're serving, what does success look like beyond participation in the program or receiving the resource? post, what are you hoping that is planning? To me, success is the fruit of what we see and the people we're helping, how they take that and turn it around, utilize the, whether it's the therapy sessions

or utilize the financial resource sessions or if we're paying for books or tuition, whatever it is that we're doing, to see them use that and turn it around for the better to go on and teach someone else, that for me is success. Yes, what do you think? Absolutely. I think specifically, I want to graduate in college from a scholar.

You have one of our scholarships. I think it's you taking your therapies and applying it and you're going from, I'm not traveling. I'm in this dark place. So now I can see you thriving. I can see it. It doesn't, I don't have to know all the things. But to see you smiling when I saw you after I saw you cry, that success. To see in the future that, oh, someone looking back and saying, I learned this with my financial

advisor from the Christian A. Hazen Foundation, now I have generational wealth for my family, or my mom passed this down to me, and she was such a fan of hers, and she, you know, participated in these, you know, foundation events. That's going to be success, and that's going to be over time. It's measured over time. It's not going to be measured tomorrow necessarily, but, you know, that's what successful look like. Eating well shouldn't be complicated, but somehow it turns into recipes, prep, cleanup, and half your Sunday gone. Factors solves all that.

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And will you finish episode 8 before you're done slicing the cucumbers? Get Bell Pure Fiber Internet with craved Netflix and Disney Plus from $94 a month. Price guaranteed for two years on internet with a two-year term and auto pay credit. Visit bell.orgia for details and to check availability. Bell, connection is everything. I'm Munga Shat Together and I'm back with a new season of the podcast, Skyline Drive. This time I'm diving into a rabbit. whole of peptides, organoids, blood boys, blue zones, and brain replacement to try to

understand what this longevity obsession is all about and what it really means to live forever for all of us. I learned about some rad science. I can make a brain for you and then we can test what draw is the best for your brain, as opposed to his brain. Here are some hard truths. I would expect Indians to age faster, but I did not expect it to be almost a four to five year acceleration. And get myself into a world of trouble. I'd say probably start bone smashing. That doesn't work. To make it look more defined.

They say it works. I don't know. Listen to Skyline Drive, How to Live Forever on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When I was 14 years old, I was kidnapped and held captive for nine. months. I survived and I've spent my life exploring how other people survive what should have destroyed them. I'm Elizabeth Smart and these are the survivor files. I just remember this low, taunting voice next to my ear saying shut up. Don't say anything. Every week, I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable. I knew if he woke up, without a doubt, he was going to hurt me.

I started feeling that there was someone at the end of my bed, and I just started screaming. They are abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced. But these aren't stories about what's taken from them. There's stories about what it takes to make it out alive. Listen to the Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If your bookshelf and your for you page are equally important, to your personality, welcome home.

This is Prose Society, the weekly podcast that's part book club, part group chat for thought daughters, pop culture obsessives, and anyone who thinks Pride and Prejudice and Love Island deserve the same level of discourse. I'm Eli Rallo, and every week we're connecting the dots between books, the internet, and the conversations everyone can't stop having. I'm going to have to look up this story. I'm obsessed. I'm obsessed.

From bestselling authors and your favorite book talk creators to the latest pop culture. moments, nothing is off the table. It's like if you can hide some real messages inside compelling characters, then that is a Trojan horse. Whether you're looking for literary deep dives, smart pop culture conversations, or a community of readers who love to think a little too much, you're in the right place. Listen to pro society on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See you between the pages. Okay, so you both continue building this. what are you learning about what the community actually needs versus what you may have assumed they needed based off statistics or things? Because we know that sometimes these numbers may be inflated or they may be lower just to meet these demands and what they kind of want to brainwash us with.

But you guys are actually in the community you're having to tend to these people. What are you saying that you may not have assumed at first? I think one of them was back to school and I was like, I want to do back to school. and as we started to call for sponsors and see who we could partner with, I already learned that everybody's already doing back to school, but nobody's thinking about January when the kids have ran through all their supplies

and now they got to go back to school in January, they don't have any supplies for that and we're like, ah, so we're learning as we're like, we think of things, like, let's do this, and they're like, no, the people will tell us, like, think about this, yeah, and things that we hadn't thought of. I think it's looking at often.

set times of year. People pile on November for Thanksgiving, Christmas, that, back to school, August, but they don't think about, there's a year round need. What about after? Especially back to school. Thanksgiving, they're like, hey, what about like a fall festival? Like things like that that people just don't think about because I think we just, again, we back in all our giving and all our support when it's 365 days of a year.

We've got four seasons, like winter, like all these things. But I think also education is the most important thing. We can give all the money in the world. And it will not change people if they're not re-educating themselves on how they should spend it, how they should invest it. They don't change their relationship with money. And so I think educating is very, very important and also recognizing when you got to kind of step back. Because we can, again, give and give and give. But a circumstance may not change.

and we have to know and we have to shift and maybe get that person some additional support in a different way that doesn't just look like resources. So yeah, that's what I'm learning about the community and that they want help. They just may not be able to know how to ask. So we have to put ourselves in the rooms where we know that there is a need.

I think my sister's house was a great example. We did an event there a couple years ago. They have therapy available. They're not using it. And we're like, oh, wow, okay. So Crystal came in, brought the whole set, and she normalized it to where they're like, oh, if she can ask for help, so can I. And it's available to me. So again, it's educating.

It's creating some normalcy within the need and what's happening. Yeah. No, that was good. I love actually hearing about the therapy portion just because, like you said, even people in their darkest time and things, they still don't want, or they're, don't know how to ask the help or what do you guys think that is just they have the resources they're there but the mindset what do you think is that disconnect with that with just our community period honestly I believe that it goes way way back um it is something that has been indoctrinated and ingrained in us that you push through you suck it up suppress yeah don't talk about it you know

you think about most black homes is what happens in this house stays in this house. We've been programmed not to talk about the things that hurt us. Right. You know, so when you're at your lowest and take my sister's house, for example, these are women who are at a very low place where they're not even in their own home. They're in a shelter. The last thing they're probably thinking about, they're in survival mode. They're not thinking about talking to somebody.

That seems like a luxury to them. Like what? I don't have time to go sit on somebody's couch and talk about what I'm going through. You need to find a job. I need to go work on my resume. I got kids. Yeah. There's so many other things that they're thinking about. So I think it goes back to that. And I feel since I always go back to 2020, because that was the moment the world sat down. Right. Where we had to see ourselves. I believe that there was a shift still so far to go. But there was a shift in that moment that allowed us to see ourselves and to, to realize, wait a minute, I have been running this rat race of life, going to work every day. I have been focusing on everything else but myself. We had a moment to see ourselves and to see our flaws

and to see the things we need to work on. And things that have been suppressed for years finally had a time to rise up to the top where we could actually sit with it, you know? And I think in that moment, it became okay to ask for help. Our black men felt safe to ask for help. You know, but it's still something where a lot of people are struggling with that, you know, because they don't want to bother anybody. They don't want to feel like they're burdening someone.

I think that a lot of times it goes back to our history and our heritage that we are still breaking to this day. Yeah, I just wanted to make sure I ask that. So the audience that's watching this that may need help, that may know someone that needs help, they understand why the resources are here and what it looks like to have that mindship, although we aren't asking you to, you know, break it so quickly that you should consider the resources out here for you. And that's why Crystal Haysl Foundation, Renee Foundation is out, is to help, you know. And I think that going into this shelter, setting that up, it's not a luxury. It's kind of a necessity for you to make it out and continue.

So I just kind of wanted to share that. So people continue to shift their mindset of what it looks like to ask for help. Because it can sometimes be embarrassing, quote-on-quote, or things like that. but them knowing that the genuineness of it and that it's out here. And most foundations are looking to use the resources. A lot of foundations end up not even being able to meet their numbers and things because people aren't accepting it and things like that, you know? No, that's 100% true.

Yeah. So every season we choose one word to guide our conversations and this season's word is purpose, which I feel like is just our life's word over here. But what part of this foundation feels less like something you chose to be? and more like something you are entrusted to carry. All of it. You know, I think no matter how small or big your platform is, we have a duty to help and to give at whatever level and capacity that we have to do.

And I think that once I got to where I was where I could actually start a foundation, I knew that everything that God has entrusted in me, I had to make sure I stood over it. And this foundation is just another extension of stewardship for me and how I can continue to give back to more people than I may not have been able to reach just by myself. Absolutely. I think it goes back to 2020

and it was something happened that forced me into this service piece of my life. But it also aligned with when she was ready for her foundation to start extending and moving and growing. And I feel like my purpose is service. and my purpose is to help as many of my family, friends, community to get their foundations up and running and to serve more and more people. So the entire everything from the emails to the phone calls, to the foundation dinners, to anything and everything is aligned to my purpose as the executive director.

And I just want to make sure that we continue the work and we just don't do it to say we did it, but we absolutely even impact. And so I think it's our purpose. The foundation's our purpose. It is. Everything about it. I love that. This was good.

So I'm sure after watching this, people want to get involved. People also want to know how to receive the resources. Tell us more, whether you have planned and people. Tell us everything that we need to know. Yes. So you can sign up for our newsletter at the CRH Foundation.org. If you need any support, you can email us. Foundation at chris renay hazelot com as well as throughout the form on our website we are looking for

partners we will be posting some board member options and available options and we have some financial literacy workshops coming up and like like crystal said the end goal is a christopher christopher rene hazlett foundation facility and that's what we're working towards so stay tuned we got some things coming and we would love for you to be a part of it yes it's happening oh good good Sweeties, I hope today's conversation gave you a deeper look into not only what Chris Renee Hayza Foundation does, but why we do it. And for me, this work is a reminder that purpose isn't only about what God allows you to accomplish for yourself. Sometimes it's about what he places in your hands to help make it possible for somebody else. All right, thank you so

much for believing in this vision, for helping us build it with intention and for continuing to serve alongside me. I really appreciate it. And to every person who has supported the foundation, attended an event, volunteered, partnered with us, donated, or simply shared the mission, thank you. If you like to learn more about the Crystal Renegh Hazelette Foundation and how to support the mission, visit the CRHFoundation.com. Until next time, Keeve Positas, CD. I'm Mangishatikula and I'm back with a new season of my podcast, Skyline Drive. This time I talk to scientists, biopunks, kermudgins, blues owners, super seniors, and Goa's top cryotherapy lab to try to understand this obsession with living forever and what it means for all of us.

And I get into a bit of trouble along the way. I'd say probably start bone smashing. That doesn't work. To make it look more defined. They say it works. I don't know. Listen to Skyline Drive, How to Live Forever on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hey, this is Hayes Davenport. And Sean Clements. We host the podcast. Hollywood Handbook. Each week we talk to someone in show business and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. Everyone has a good time and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show. We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman, Adam Scott, Danny McBride, Ben Stillard, and a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I survived nine months in captivity and I've spent my life exploring how other people survive.

what should have destroyed them. I'm Elizabeth Smart, and these are the Survivor Files. Every week, I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable, abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced. These are stories about what it takes to make it out alive. Listen to The Survivor Files with Elizabeth Smart on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of track. I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering me a ride on his motorcycle. I chose option B.

I'm Julie Pinero and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first. I'm on a mission to reclaim the word Solita, trading the pity for possibility. Listen to Solita on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If your bookshelf and your for-you page are equally important to your personality, welcome home. Pro Society is a weekly podcast that's part book club, part group chat for anyone who thinks pride and prejudice and love island to serve the same level of discourse. Each week we're connecting the dots between books, the internet, and pop culture with your favorite writers, book talk creators, and plenty of overthought opinions. Yeah, I'm obsessed. I'm obsessed. Listen to pro society on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you.

you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.