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Schmooze with Suze
Hi, I’m Suze. Here with your dose of culture, values and global citizenship- and where we tackle those topics others may consider off-limits.
A little about me, I’m a busy GenX mom who, quite frankly, wanted to grow up like the Brady Bunch… But ended up being raised in the shadow of Schindler’s List. So this means I’ve spent a lifetime navigating these mixed messages we get hit with daily. You know those conversations- where we wonder if it’s safe to speak our minds? Can we share our experiences? Voice our fears and concerns, or should we just keep our mouths shut?
Well, too bad. I need to know! But I’m no expert. So, I’m going to schmooze the experts and get their thoughts. Why? So when we engage with our kids, colleagues, or the countless committees we interact with, we can do it with competence, kindness, confidence, and maybe a bit of humor.
If this sounds like your cup of coffee- welcome to Schmooze with Suze!
Schmooze with Suze
What Happens When Ancient Hospitality Meets Modern Education? My Guest: Sel Buyuksarac, Co-Founder River City Science Academy
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What happens when the ancient values of hospitality and community-building meet modern-day education?
Join me, as I explore this with Sel Buyuksarac, co-founder of the River City Science Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Sel's journey from engineering to education brings to life the power of systems, emphasizing kindness and inclusion as powerful spiritual expressions. Discover how Sel’s upbringing in a family of educators ignited his passion for fostering global citizenship and community engagement. Through his personal experiences, Sel sheds light on the often-overlooked value of commitment and personal responsibility that fosters bridges within our communities.
Together, we discuss the potential of engineering principles to transform educational settings into vibrant, supportive communities. Jacksonville serves as our backdrop, an ideal city for community engagement where positive energy fuels motivation and growth. As Sel shares anecdotes from his path, gratitude emerges as a core theme, alongside faith that inspires and guides his commitment to service. This episode is a celebration of education's transformative power and the enduring impact of hospitality in shaping a more connected and compassionate world.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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In Bereshit Genesis we find God talking to Abraham as one does in the Bible . All of a sudden , abraham sees three strangers approaching from afar . He suddenly jumps up to offer them food and drink . Abraham treats the guests royally and serves the finest foods and involves his whole family in to participate in the mitzvah . That's quite an impromptu gala , but did you see how I buried the lead there ? He walked away from God . No , may I be excused or hold up . I just want to see what's going on there , to go and welcome strangers , which leads me to ask when society feels unwelcoming , can you uplift your faith in community instead ? And that's what we're going to tackle today .
Speaker 1Hi , I'm Suze , coming to you with a dose of culture , values and global citizenship and where we might tackle those topics others may consider off-limits . A little about me . I'm a busy Gen X mom who , quite frankly , wanted to grow up like the Brady Bunch . But how could I , being raised in the shadow of Schindler's List ? So this means I've spent a lifetime navigating these mixed messages we get hit with daily . You know those conversations where we wonder if it's safe to speak our minds . Can we share our experiences , voice our fears and concerns , or should we just keep our mouths shut . Well , too bad . I need to know , but I'm no expert , so I'm going to schmooze the experts and get their thoughts . Why so , when we engage with our kids , colleagues or the countless committees we interact with , we can do it with competence , kindness , confidence and maybe a bit of humor . If this sounds like your cup of coffee , welcome to Schmooze with Suze .
Speaker 1On what basis did Abraham prioritize the helping of strangers over talking with God ? Abraham prioritized the helping of strangers over talking with God . The answer is that , even greater than talking to God is to be like God . God is a giver . We are created in the image of God . Thus , giving is our greatest form of spiritual expression . Abraham achieved great spiritual levels because he emulated God by welcoming guests into his home . Welcoming guests is a key value in the Torah and is mentioned 36 times . It is a mitzvah . That involves more than just inviting people in , but also making them feel comfortable , honored and at home . Which leads me to my guest . Today , our city's modern day , abraham Sal opens his home annually for an entire month to share his culture and love , his commitment to community by explaining and engaging , welcoming and including his family each Ramadan . Today , sel is here with me , hi Sel .
Speaker 2Hi Suzy , Thank you for having me . I'm honored . Thank you .
Speaker 1The honor is truly mine . I have been an admirer of yours for a long time . My background when I moved to Jacksonville was actually in education . I did early childhood education and I was in an early intervention training and I remember you were a speaker at an event I was at and I said who is that guy ? Who is this guy that talks to us like we are all equals , even though he clearly has decades of experience , and I felt connected . So Sel , if you don't know , is one of the co-founders of the River City Science Academy in Jacksonville , florida , an institution that has been at the forefront , providing quality education but , most importantly , fostering values of global citizenship and community engagement . River City Science Academy has become a beacon for students and families , committed not only to academic excellence but also to building a better , more connected world . Thank you , sel , for coming on today .
Speaker 2Thank you . Thank you , as I said , the honor is mine and thank you for having me here .
Speaker 1So can you tell us a little bit about your journey that led you to start the school ? What was a key inspiration behind you and a collective feeling it was the right time to make the right impact .
Speaker 2It's a long story . Maybe you hear or not , but I will try to make as much as possible shorter and brief , my education passion actually actually start home because my mother and father's retired teachers .
Speaker 2they serve rural areas and they like it . They were like so young age actually 19 and 20 years old when they have a give me birth , they start the teaching and the that think about the 1970s , their teaching and without like any support anything and literally nobody to take care of me . I literally grew up inside the schools . The school was my bed , like a daycare . School is my , like a background playground , everything .
Speaker 1Isn't that interesting . My mother taught preschool for a little bit and I remember the same thing . When there was school vacations for me , she would take me with her and I would become almost like a assistant . I would follow around and see where I could help and absorb more information on how to educate , not just how to learn . Does that make sense ?
Speaker 2of course , definitely that . Maybe I didn't realize how come they're so passionate , because when you're a child and you're growing , your first teacher is your mother , your first principal is your father and you're thinking that why they both of them is teachers . Because I am sure you also feel that the education is not valued enough . I agree , wherever you go even United States , right , I mean the educators doesn't make enough and they get very low salary and that time is the same things . And my friends and the other people , maybe they can afford the toys and the better food , better like a travel , some vacation times , but my parents couldn't do it and I was feeling a little bit upset why . But I understand . When I grew up and I chose not the education first my first degree was engineering- Wow , yes , so you have a math and science background , which makes sense .
Speaker 2I love engineering because I love math and science and the engineering because you can be logical . For engineers or the , whoever loves them , there is no , no answer . There is an answer for me a , b , c , d or the old alphabet .
Speaker 2If not , I can do a , a , b , b like , but there is no solution , there is no solution , no giving up , and you will find it one day , because I mean , you try , you will find it . If you don't try , you will fail it , right , yeah , so that's why I love my education , even though I'm not doing civil engineering now , but I learned a lot . It was so difficult my university years .
Speaker 1Where did you grow up , can I ?
Speaker 2ask yes , of course you can see , you can hear oh , do you have an accent ?
Speaker 1Yes , of course People say I have an accent also .
Speaker 2No , you have a very sweet voice actually If you compare to mine and yours . Like I don't know if the listeners will understand me , I don't know my mother's from Israel you sound exactly like everyone that I grew up with , everyone from Israel and Jordan and Lebanon and Syria .
Speaker 1So where are you from ?
Speaker 2I'm from Turkey , oh wonderful . I was born and raised and grew up until 1986 in Turkey .
Speaker 2Okay 1986 , I left the country and I haven't been leave there . I visited several times . Of course , my whole family's parents and the other relatives live in Turkey . Yes , I grew up there and the difficult timing you know , you can imagine , it is like a dead part of the world is always challenging . So many complications , so many things going on . My life saved by education because I hear from the some like a mentors , and some people influence me and they guide me to focus my education . That focusing education couldn't make me like anything else and just focusing my education and finishing my education and do best for my country or my areas , whatever your community . But that focus saved me . Some other people go to like different areas and they lost in the structural way you know . So I understand . Education is great . Education is not just a structural like a learning from the books or learning about whatever the curriculum . Education is the lifestyle .
Speaker 1So it's more than just word knowledge , it's world knowledge .
Speaker 2Yes , I mean , somebody can be so much IQ or so much knowledge if they don't use it . I don't know if there is a saying in your place , but a very common saying they look like donkey carrying the gold right , right .
Speaker 1They have all the possibility .
Speaker 2And they are not making actions or they're not using it .
Speaker 1Okay . So let me ask you this I'm looking at the landscape of education and I don't want to be too judgmental because I like to highlight the helpers right . I grew up with Mr Rogers and so , even to this day , I see the situation in the schools and I feel sad that teachers are not held up to the same standard that when I was growing up , I remember my parents saying to me you respect teachers . In fact , the Talmud , the Torah , tells us that parents and teachers are equal , and so I don't remember the first time I probably was in university the first time I saw somebody behave disrespectfully to a professor and it was a shock to me , right , and I understand that .
Speaker 1Now we're adults , but as an adult , you were choosing not to act with respect or civility in an educational setting , and somewhere along the way I thought to myself wait a minute . Is the educational environment , are schools designed just for books , or is that a model behavior system ? Are we putting into place ways ? Like someone who's deeply involved in both education and community development , like you , how do you balance the often competing demands of running an educational institute , having your commitment to service , giving back to the community and having families , students , teachers , employees and community members see that as a model and example for how it is possible to do all of those things coming from a place of yes , you don't have too many wrinkles under your eyes , you don't seem like you're so tired , but I know you , like me , are always giving back , giving back , giving back .
Speaker 1And when you're done giving back , what does he do ? He gives back some more . So , tell me , tell me , what's the secret ? Or is there no secret ? We just do what we have to do because we know it's going to invest and plant seeds . Talk to me .
Speaker 2You ask a lot and I'm going to digest . It's a long question and it is a long topic too . First of all , let's start with the respect . Yes , I remember the how respectful people . I remember when my father walk on the city , everybody's like a stand up and they greet him . Yes , he was the principal of the school and the day . If there is a seat needed , they stand up and they give the seat to my mother and my father . Everybody was so respectful because they give importance to education . That time I think we are losing as a world because we can't access too much like information from the internet and other places . So our school is not necessary , but it's not . They are . You're not learning just information in the schools . You're learning the lifestyle , how to be like having a real human , real citizen , and how can be great person and how can be great citizen and I can make my community better .
Speaker 1That's it , the community and the citizenship . Let's go back to that and character education .
Speaker 2We should not forget about the character education because , uh , I mean , this is a very big topic . Also , think about it . Many people right now single parents and they're working one or two jobs , not wealthy enough enough , right ? Yes , many , many people . Some people have good parents and the good like a home education , but the many kids actually , they don't have that access . Who's going to teach them how to be dignity , how to be honest , yeah , how to be like a stand up and the helping other , encouragement and all like you can call this is the all universal values , yeah , universal values . Whatever your religion , whatever your background , whatever , whatever your race , everybody believes in these universal values , right ? Yes , so who's going to teach them if the parents are so busy and they're just single parents and they keep on going , they're surviving ? They are going to give the time to teach them or they are going to bring the table to the foot .
Speaker 1Let me ask you a question . I grew up as the first generation . My parents are immigrants to this country . Everyone on my block was an immigrant to this country . All of us were the first children and English was none of our first language . Okay , I spoke everything before English and I learned English where here On General Hospital , exactly Watching soap operas . But what happened was that we had this expression Maybe you've heard of it . It takes a village , of course .
Speaker 2Ah , because I remember there were single parents then also , our schools is involved with the community . Talk to me , yes .
Speaker 1Talk to me about what River City Science Academy provides in support . And here's what my engineer friends I'm going to ask you , because what engineers are great at is systems . They like to find systems and they like to find Venn diagrams and see how they overlap to fit to solve problems . Is that true ? Yes , and so my friend who's in education but secretly he's an engineer , he's trying to engineer the perfect community . He , like me , knows Sel , knows that Jacksonville has the potential to be the perfect pilot city . We're just big enough , but we're just small enough . We have all of these opportunities to be engaged and have our finger on the pulse and to , one-on-one , bring people with us to something like Sel's Ramadan right , and to learn and grow and build capacity and community and learn how we can help to be the village . So tell me , my engineer , what did you do with a regular school ?
Speaker 2Okay , so I started with a school . You're lucky .
Speaker 1Yeah , I go all over the place .
Speaker 2Overwhelming . First of all , thank you . You think that I am doing engineering , but , just as a person , I am trying to do my responsibility . I'm not saying that I do something or do . I think I am lucky to and thankful to enough to serving the community . We're thankful as well . I am that way because I I mean you've mentioned about the Bible and the Old Testament , also in the Quran also be believing , so many prophets , and Moses is like , so thankful to God asking give me opportunity to serve .
Speaker 1Yes , give me an opportunity to serve .
Speaker 2Every time he has opportunity , thanking God , thank you giving me opportunity to serve , because that is the way I can be better , I can serve you , I can be like a right person , right human to you . That's why every time there is opportunity , if somebody asks , I will not no and to try to serve if it is my capacity exactly you ask me , how do you find the time you need to have a balance ?
Speaker 2we have , all of us have a 24 hours , but if you waste your time different things , of course , you will not have enough time and also , most important things , your energy . If you stay positive , you will not have enough time and also , most important things , your energy . If you stay positive , you will have always good energy , good vibe , and so you can continue working .
Speaker 1I agree with you . I agree that if you also surround yourself with people who have positive energy , they will help to refill and refuel you .
Speaker 2Yes , and I talked to my wife . She's 100% supporting me , angie . Yes , and I talked to my wife . She's a hundred percent supporting me , angie .
Speaker 1Yes , angie , she's like . Without her help I couldn't do it . If you ever saw Angie , you'll notice that she has wings , because she's an angel . You don't see them all the time . She hides them . She puts them in the closet , sometimes when she invites 400 people to her home for Ramadan every year . But Angie is exceptional and , as a team , I think the two of you have shown and expressed how many different ways of service bring us closer to God , which is essentially what we're looking to do is bring down that divine spirit onto this earth that we're all called to share together . Right , and so when we have a chance to find a solution or to look for a problem , you're a solution finder . In fact , sell . When you find a problem , you find a solution and a contingency plan . He says I need a backup , because what did he tell me when he came here ? He says I'm just a janitor . I'm just the janitor . He says he is . He's the janitor of community here because he's unclogging places where we're stuck .
Speaker 2Yeah , because if you're a real , real , true leader , if you love what to do , if you really , from the heart , you want to serve the community , you don't care who get the credit and you don't need a title , your janitor like , if there is a , if you really love your community . Sometimes you pick up the trash , sometimes you fix something , sometimes you mentor the kids , sometimes you do something else , but you don't care who get the credits and the who doesn't . Nobody need to see as well . To no ego , yes , no ego . True leaders is the if people see the problem and they try to solve sometimes misunderstanding .
Speaker 2Leader is like a leader is not the boss or the giving an order and they do this one , do this one . No , you lead with the people , with the love . I always tell in the also Ramadan dinners mentioned love is between you and everything . Bridge like a love is bridge , you and everything , yes , so build a bridge with everything , with the love . If the people wants to follow , if the people wants to do the same things like you . Be the hearts leader , not the like people scared from you because of your position or because you're the boss and they do these things . That's not going to work . And so in the world it's not going to work .
Speaker 2Just only true leaders is the whoever they can not get the credit doesn't matter who get the credit , and they just focus on doing good .
Speaker 1It's true , leadership is somebody who inspires other people to shine brighter than they do . They almost like to highlight it .
Speaker 2I'm remembering your question and why we focus on the community in the school . Yes , because many schools don't do like that . First of all , I'm not responsible with other schools . Only we can focus and change and do better , whatever our responsibility , which is our schools . How many schools do you have now ? We have six , wow , and we start with the one small one , 2007 . We will go back to story like that later after I explain this one . If you serve the community , if you care about your community , kids learn to take care of your community and why I am trying to be in the front .
Speaker 2They need to be seen as a sample . They cannot say that , oh okay , go do the service project . No , they will ask me how about you ? Did you do that ? That's why I need to do 10 times more so they can even do one right ? Yes , if you don't teach the kids giving , they cannot learn how to take care of each other and take care of each other . Some of our kids is really financially challenging kids , but over like the last five years , we like donated different organization over 200 000 dollars . Wow , some of the corporates give like a 500 check and then they make a big deal , but our students raise different fundraising , different things , like I did it , and from the breast cancer awareness to like a blue cross bullshit or whatever I mean sorry , a red cross and whatever you call . They try to help . If you learn giving , that is the time you carry whoever is behind you , beside you or whoever neighbor you are , so you can serve them too .
Speaker 1So let me ask you is that built into the model of how the school was first created ? Did you always know that as part of the curriculum , while most schools are focusing on standardized tests and traditional metrics of success , how do you measure success at River City Science Academy ? What do you look for in your students and how do you celebrate their growth behind beyond the academic achievement ? Since you're highlighting all these different ways that someone can be a superstar , you don't have to be a math superstar . You could be a community leader superstar . You don't necessarily have to be the science superstar . Because me , I failed math and science . I don't know if you'll still be my friend , but I failed math and science so many times that I was a sociology major because it did not have as math and science requirements . But you've highlighted and exemplified students whose community commitment and their fundraising and philanthropy opportunities are more impressive than some adults I know .
Speaker 2So was that always the plan ? That is the style I saw from my parents and also the different places I serve , education and my lifestyle also . Whatever I have a character , good characters change my life and make it always positively . So that is the one implement later on Be honestly , that was just giving back the community to the school . We moved here with my wife in 2002 . We didn't know anybody . We did all kinds of labor cleaning the bathrooms , moving the house , dry cleaning , all kinds of things , all kinds of things you can make to survive .
Speaker 2But I always had a dream to have a school , because after Turkey I went to Philippines and the reason I went to Philippines I want to give gap year . My engineering school was so difficult , I didn't have much life , I was just focusing in the school . So I want to have something meaningful before I start the life . So I said maybe I can go to international , go to somewhere I can serve and I work in the education in the philippines too , like that was my assignment and at the same time I was taking my master degree . The place talk about 1996 there is was no internet , nothing like that , okay , and they assigned me someplace .
Speaker 2I don't know if you know about the Philippines , mindanao , like the south part of the Philippines , and the people , like , have a conflict and they're killing each other , fighting each other . So many things happening . They are same people , they're all Filipinos , but different backgrounds , different things , and they are just fighting and it is an ugly place . We are planning to open a school there and I was sent to help them . I said , oh my God , what is this ? You can imagine you're finding yourself somewhere in the war zone , literally .
Speaker 2But after school opened , everything like magically changed Because people find that school the value and they start sending their kids . But the A group , b group , whatever you want to call , they're enemies , right ? They're sending kids and you cannot separate the classrooms . They're in the same classroom , sometimes same desk , and they're learning education . The kids doesn't have a hate . They always feel like they don't care about the color , they don't care about your background , religion , faith or all the conflict . They just know whatever they can be , you know , and they are pure , they didn't have a hate and they become a good friend . When they become a good friend , what do you think ? The parents will still going to fight or kill each other ?
Speaker 1Well , now the parents have to think do I care more about my children's future or do I care more about being right ? Do I care more about being right or do I care more about happiness ? Yes , and so that becomes the great , great equalizer , and I wonder that brings us to right today . Right , this is exactly how I look at society . When I think about who we are , I , I hope that we can all come together and think well , what are our core values that we wish to see for the next generation ? And those are the seeds that we have to plant together . Exactly what you just described . You were able to implement in the most difficult circumstances , something that you were able to witness in real time transform community .
Speaker 2Yeah , that changed my whole mindset .
Speaker 1I said oh my God .
Speaker 2So I was supposed to stay two years to finish my master in the Philippines , but I stayed five years and tried to help that organization and I was about to leave . I met with my wife , angel ng , and she wants to start the new life somewhere else , and I want to start the new life . So she said , okay , let's go to united states . And this is 2001 . Okay , 2001 . And we met July , june , july that time .
Speaker 1And what happened in 2001 ? 9-11 . Yes , yes , I was there . We decided to come to the United States but all our plans changed .
Speaker 2We waited 2002 . Okay , and finally we came here Straight to Jacksonville . Straight to Jacksonville because her sister lives here and we thought that she could be helpful . But our marriage was also a little bit challenging too , because she's Filipino , I'm Turkish . She has a different background , different faith and everything and everybody else . We love each other . We tried to make it happen . Everybody was trying to separate us . Oh yes , including her sister too . I mean , if she's hearing that , uh , we forgive her I hope I'm gonna send her this .
Speaker 1You forgive her , we forgive her . You lost . They're doing great . Thank you , I cannot forget . Yeah , of course not . It's a tough time .
Speaker 2This tough situation makes us stronger . We had still challenging sometimes , but this is a life right . Yeah . So we came here , luckily , but as I said earlier , I couldn't find any job because everybody's scared from the foreigners and they like that but survive . But the community it was so supportive . Wherever we go , someone else doesn't know , like a stranger trying to help , trying to give . We get homeless because her sister kicked us from her house . We stay in the car one night in the public parking area thinking that what can we do ? And the next day somebody , even we don't know , she , give us an apartment to rent without think about it , without social , without credit card , without checking the your history of the rental or anything else .
Speaker 1they trust and they give it takes a village and where we live , it takes a ville . Yes , maybe they find the aura , maybe that's what it is . There's something about this energy , and maybe it's because we're right by the river and we're near an ocean and somewhere something different in the Jacksonville every time people come here .
Speaker 2First maybe they have a shock , but later on they fallen and we falling love in Jacksonville to . We stay because of the . I think the community and the , that connection between us , the , it is the one bringing people together and our school success also same too , because we try to implement in our school . We are all families . Yeah , if you are Riverside Science Academy , rcsa , even your teachers , student , parent , whoever you are , staff or community partners , you are one big family .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2Even you go , or separated different ways , you will be still family .
Speaker 1You're an extended family . That's why keep us stronger .
Speaker 2The connections and that relationship between us make us stronger .
Speaker 1I agree . So you've spoken before about the importance of leadership in education and how every student has the potential to be a leader . Can you share some examples of students or alumni from RCSA who have gone on to make a positive impact in their communities or even globally ?
Speaker 2their communities or even globally . Thousands of examples , because we have thousands already , and most of them find the service jobs too , even though they finished the STEM high school but they went to like a serving in the JSO , like a medical field serving in the JSO , serving in the medical field . I don't have their permission to share the names and everything , but everywhere they go , try to be helpful . One of our alumni is still coming to our school . I mean , many of them are coming and they're trying to mentor our students . That's amazing .
Speaker 2And they talk to them like one of them is like going to do in the women conference in the UNF something . So many like samples and whatever they learn from each other . First of all , they got all kind of like a connection because , as you mentioned , we have a diverse student population and they learn from each other because we try to teach the kids .
Speaker 1also , there is no label right cultural awareness , that it's what makes each one of us special and we should celebrate that . It's not something that makes us different or divides . It's a new way . I mean , I loved it . I think when I came , I brought brisket to your ramadan . Yeah , I brought brisket because I didn't know what else to bring . I shaped a school but also deeply impacted the broader Jacksonville community . Some of the organizations that you are involved with , I understand , are Rotary .
Speaker 2Rotary Human Rights Commission .
Speaker 1Yes , onejax .
Speaker 2OneJax , GlobalJax and the Jax Chamber . Many , many others . Before . I was like art and culture commissioner . I am a soil and water commissioner , now elective official , and many others .
Speaker 1Yes . So what advice do you have for other educators and leaders looking to create meaningful change in their communities , whether in education , business or nonprofits ? What advice do you have for other educators who say I don't know how do I even start . Where should I even attend a meeting or look up information ?
Speaker 2involving community is not just for community , for us to make us live , and when you're giving back to community , helping others , it makes you a better person . If you're a better person your life will be better . I believe in that way . You know , I think everybody should be involved this week , whatever they can do whatever they love to do .
Speaker 2They can be part of what they , what they are doing doesn't need to be like a serving . You don't need to be famous or the elective of which or do some commission . You can just go to different events and the whatever they doing like a community events you can attend . But we should be connected . We understand , like it four years ago when the pandemic came , how we are weak if we stay alone right , we need each other .
Speaker 1Yes , need each other . Belonging is even higher on maslow's hierarchy of needs than food , shelter and security . If you have even food , even shelter , even security , but you do not have a sense of belonging , that leads to a very scary community environment .
Speaker 2And also I talked about earlier educators is a knowledge . They know how to lead , so they are true leaders . They can be true leaders . They should not underestimate what they can do , like in 2007, . We started our Ramadan dinners . We saw that there is some gap between the communities and they're dividing each other , and we started like one or two people at home and they bring people together . It was not just the celebration of the holy month , it is bringing people together To understand each other to ask questions of each other .
Speaker 2Ask and learn from each other . That's educating too . You know , when you come to our home , you feel comfortable , you feel free , you feel not judgmental and share your story to others , and you learn from the others , right .
Speaker 1Like Abraham in the Bible . It's more than making them feel comfortable . It's making them feel honored and at home .
Speaker 2Yes .
Speaker 1Not out of place . I didn't feel out of place . I felt like I was welcome and I was asked to share my experiences .
Speaker 2Everybody is welcome to share and understand , learning from each other . Sometimes we put the labels or the judge each other , but when we learn more about each other , we can be more connected and the more love we can spread . So , as I said , 2007 we started with the small . Now we're coming to 2024 . After how many years later , 17 years later ? Uh , we hosted like over 4 000 along the years . You know , and sometimes people doesn't even know us like we invite the community leaders because we can start with the leaders to spread the world right and they bring people together . So don't underestimate yourself . You do some , some action . When you do action , there will be . Solution will come today or later .
Speaker 1It sounds to me like your biggest takeaway . The biggest piece of advice that Cell has is just show up . If you're in the room , you will hear what other people are saying , you will be able to ask questions and you will also be part of community . Because what did we learn ?
Speaker 2it takes a ville , it takes jacksonville I mean also , we should do whatever we can do to give back . You cannot just complain or oh , this is not happening , this is not happening and define is not happening and find the excuse If you are truly a leader person .
Speaker 1Do some action and try to make it better . Yeah , yeah , sal , this conversation has been so inspiring . Your dedication to creating an environment where students are not just taught but are truly shaped as leaders for the future is incredible , and I'm sure our listeners will take away a lot from your insights today . Thank you for all the work that you're doing and for joining me today on Schmooze with Suze .
Speaker 2Thank you for having me . Again , I don't do everything . I mean I cannot get the credit . There is a lot of people in the community and the schools everywhere doing a lot and I appreciate everybody's effort and I'm just trying to do whatever we can do , and with my wife we are just two person .
Speaker 1We appreciate you as a community , and I want to just say one quick thing . Sel mentions about how or it's noticeable how little Sel cares about ego , and to me ego is something that's very dangerous and I want to share . Ego is the acronym that I use for edging God out . When you keep God first , your ego is somewhere in the back . So thank you for reminding us again . And now it's time for our honorable mention . Mench is the Yiddish word for a person of integrity who does the right thing even when nobody is looking . This week's honorable mention is Haley Wright .
Speaker 1Tinkle as an accomplished and visionary event planner whose strategic approach and boundless creativity have transformed the landscape of Jacksonville's vibrant downtown scene transformed the landscape of Jacksonville's vibrant downtown scene . She has the timeless talent of Abraham , sarah and Sel to make everyone feel welcome just as they are . Along with her team at Downtown Vision Inc . Haley has earned a reputation as a dynamic force in the world of event planning and community activation , as she has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill in crafting experiences that bring people together , elevate local culture and enhance the downtown area's reputation as a destination for both residents and visitors . Haley's ability to seamlessly blend logistics with creativity has made her a sought-after partner for a wide range of initiatives , from large-scale festivals and cultural celebrations to intimate networking events and high-profile fundraisers . With placemaking , jax Haley has helped turn Jacksonville's public spaces into lively , interactive hubs that reflect the community spirit and engage diverse audiences . Her deep commitment to community is evident in every project she undertakes . Through her tireless dedication to the growth and vibrancy of Jacksonville , haley Wright Tinkle has proven herself to be an invaluable asset to both downtown vision , placemaking Jackson , an influential force in the city's ongoing evolution .
Speaker 1If you know of someone who is the kind of mensch who should get an honorable mention , send me a note at schmoozewithsuesorg or drop me a line on Instagram . That's going to do it for us today . Thanks for sticking around . Make sure to subscribe to Schmooze with Suze on YouTube and follow me on Instagram to get your daily dose of chutzpah . I'm Suze , your well-informed smartass who's not afraid to stand up and speak out . Because what's an envelope if not for pushing ? Hey , stay inspired and inspiring Inspiring .