DURHAM, N.C. – Team Brand Newz wants to send a token of congratulations to students, teachers, Principal Dietrich A.M. Danner and Healthy Start Academy (HSA), for their 10th year of existence in the field of education. Also we want to send another BNz thanks to HSA parent, Michelle Gonzales who took the time to talk and recap with Principal Danner and special guest speaker Stedman Graham about the evening and the past year.

Michelle Gonzales continues her interview with Mr. Stedman Graham about his work and the relationships he has with schools like Healthy Start Academy. For over 10 years HSA has continued to make a positive difference in and around the African-American community using everything from hip hop, to inspirational speakers like Oprahs business power-house companion Stedman Graham.
Graham has a strong lifelong commitment to the youth and community. Graham is chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates (SGA), a management and marketing consulting company that specializes in the corporate and educational markets. As a businessman and educator, and author Graham lectures and conducts seminars for businesses and organizations around the country. Some of S. Graham & Associates clients have included Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, CVS Pharmacy, Georgia Pacific, PRO-LINE International, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Manpower, CNN and GlaxoSmithKline among many others.

As an inspirational speaker Graham delivers his powerful message throughout the country and abroad to corporations, government and civic organizations, colleges and universities, community groups and professional associations. Graham’s normal audiences include world leaders, corporate and business professionals and diverse organizations and most recently a room full of grade school kids. Graham has shown a natural mastery in both business and education mastering both the corporate board room to the classroom.

In 1985, he founded AAD Education, Health and Sports (formerly, Athletes Against Drugs), a nonprofit organization with over 500 professional athletes and civic leaders committed to developing leadership in underserved youth. Since 1985, AAD has awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships since its founding. Graham’s non-profit organization AAD has served over 15,000 students through scholarships and education. m is also actively involved Graham received his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hardin-Simmons University and he received his master’s degree in Education from Ball State University. When you thought that was enough education for one guy Graham, earned an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Coker College.

Healthy Start Academy became North Carolina’s first charter school in 1997. Since opening its doors in 1997, Healthy Start Academy has served the Research Triangle community (Durham/Raleigh) as a leader in public school choice education. But they did not stop there immediately; Danner began to make a huge impact not only in the Durham community but also throughout the state of North Carolina.

Graham has been acknowledged and awarded on several occasions including: Franklin Covey Humanitarian Service Award, National Urban League Community Service Award, Drum Major for Justice Award, American Advertising Federation Industry Influential and the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Award of Relevance.

For more information log on to www.healthystartacademy.com or at www.stedmangraham.com