The digital economy loves to talk about innovation. It talks far less about access.

As artificial intelligence accelerates, tech valuations soar, and governments race toward digital transformation, one question sits uncomfortably beneath the headlines: Who is being prepared to participate—and who is being systematically left out?

Hermina Johnny is not interested in incremental change. She is interested in structural correction.

Born in Saint Lucia and shaped by years of living and working across the United States and Europe, Johnny has positioned herself at the intersection of education, economic strategy, and gender equity. As Founder and Executive Director of the Aspire Artemis Foundation, she is working to redesign the pipeline into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)—with a deliberate focus on girls and underrepresented communities.

And she is unapologetic about the stakes.

“Digital transformation without intentional inclusion doesn’t close gaps—it widens them.”

From Global Policy To Ground-Level Access

Johnny’s academic background spans international relations, economics, anthropology, and international law. She earned her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and completed an LL.M. in International Law and International Relations in Brussels, later pursuing research in constitutionalism and fundamental rights.

But rather than remaining in policy circles, she moved toward execution.

Global development frameworks routinely articulate commitments to equity. Yet implementation often stalls at the structural level. Johnny saw that disconnect firsthand.

So she built an institution designed to close it.

Education As Economic Infrastructure

Through the Aspire Artemis Foundation, Johnny develops STEAM-focused leadership programs, global symposia, and digital literacy initiatives that go beyond exposure. The organization integrates arts into STEM disciplines—not as decoration, but as strategic design—training young people to think adaptively in a workforce defined by rapid change.

Her framing is deliberately economic.

STEAM education, she argues, is not a social side project. It is workforce architecture.

“If education isn’t treated as infrastructure, we shouldn’t be surprised when opportunity collapses under pressure.”

Under her leadership, the foundation has convened programming connected to international development discussions and United Nations–related venues, reinforcing a simple but disruptive thesis: innovation ecosystems that exclude women are economically inefficient.

The conversation, she insists, must shift from representation optics to structural preparation.

Encouragement is not a strategy. Infrastructure is.

Small States, Global Systems — And Female Leadership

Johnny’s work also challenges geographic bias in global innovation narratives. Participation in forums linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN General Assembly, and the ECOSOC Science, Technology and Innovation Forum places her within high-level policy discussions.

At the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), debates centered on resilience and connectivity. For Johnny, the message was direct: small island nations cannot diversify their economies without digital capability.

And digital capability does not appear spontaneously. It is built—intentionally.

As a woman leader from a small island state, Johnny’s presence in these arenas disrupts two assumptions at once: that innovation leadership belongs to large economies, and that systems change is driven primarily by traditional power centers.

“Geography should not determine destiny. Neither should gender.”

Strategy Meets Execution

Before founding her nonprofit, Johnny built experience in business strategy and legal advisory work, including corporate and intellectual property matters. That foundation shapes her leadership style—analytical, cross-sector, and systems-focused.

But she refuses to operate solely at altitude.

She continues to teach and develop educational materials, maintaining direct engagement with learners. The result is rare: a leader equally fluent in boardroom strategy and classroom realities.

In conversations about women in technology, she pushes back against surface-level diversity narratives.

Representation without preparation, she argues, sets women up to enter systems that were never designed for them to succeed.

Structured pathways, market-aligned skills, mentorship networks, and institutional accountability are non-negotiable.

The Real Leadership Test

The digital economy disproportionately rewards early exposure and sustained access. Johnny’s work is built around intervening before exclusion calcifies into inevitability.

By positioning STEAM education as both an equity imperative and an economic growth strategy, she reframes inclusion not as charity—but as competitiveness.

In her view, the most dangerous myth in innovation culture is that talent naturally rises.

Talent rises when infrastructure supports it.

“The question isn’t whether women can lead in technology. The question is whether systems are willing to evolve fast enough to make room.”

In the expanding landscape of women in leadership, Hermina Johnny represents a category of leader that is increasingly impossible to ignore: not symbolic, not peripheral—but systemic.

She is not asking to be included in the digital economy.

She is helping decide who gets to build it.

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A gas station in Los Angeles on March 10. Mike Blake/Reuters

Life at $4 a gallon

	By Claire Brown

Average U.S. gasoline prices hit $3.98 per gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA, on the cusp of a level that was last hit when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The last month has seen the second-largest gas price spike in three decades, with average prices climbing more than 30 percent since the war in Iran effectively shuttered the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that conveys up to a fifth of the world’s oil.

Though there’s no hard and fast rule that dictates exactly what choices consumers make at $4, $5, and $6 per gallon, higher gas prices are already stressing household budgets. At $4 per gallon, more than half of Americans said they’d change their driving behavior, according to a 2022 survey by AAA. More recent data has also shown that Americans are delaying some forms of spending.

The energy shock has hit Asia hardest: The Philippines declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said grounding planes because of a jet fuel shortage was a “distinct possibility.” South Korea is urging citizens to ride bicycles instead of driving.

Transportation, of course, is the single-largest source of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and a big contributor globally. Here’s what we know about how a long period of high gas prices could change how willing people are to drive gas-powered vehicles, both here and abroad.

Driving less, window-shopping

Already, Americans are looking for ways to cut back. In New Orleans, drivers are lining up at gas stations with the best prices. Michele Tafoya, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, encouraged people to take “one less trip to Starbucks.” The state of Georgia has implemented a fuel tax holiday, waiving a 33-cent-per-gallon tax.

When gas prices spike, drivers tend to respond by cutting out unnecessary trips, by car-pooling and using public transportation, according to AAA. Spending on discretionary expenses like plane tickets and restaurant meals has fallen, too, as transportation costs eat up a bigger share of household budgets.

Yet while plenty of people who own electric vehicles have been boasting about their fuel savings on social media over the last few weeks, gas prices would have to stay high for a much longer period of time to trigger a broader shift away from gas-powered vehicles, according to Stephanie Valdez Streaty, research and development director at Cox Automotive, a research firm.

Still, the war in Iran appears to have driven a modest uptick in E.V. curiosity among U.S. drivers, according to the car shopping site Edmunds. If high prices persist, more people may feel the urge to hop off what Jessica Caldwell, the head of insights at Edmunds, called the “gas price roller coaster.”

New E.V.s in the U.S. are still more expensive than gas-powered cars, but the gap is closing for used vehicles. In February, the average listing price for a used E.V. was $34,821, about $1,300 more than a gas-powered car, Valdez Streaty said.

Hundreds of thousands more used E.V.s could enter the market this year as leases expire, Valdez Streaty said. “Consumers are going to have a lot of good options at a lower price point,” she said.

The global E.V. tipping point

If you’re curious about buying whether the economics of buying an E.V. are in your favor, The Times has a calculator that can help. The math looks very different abroad, where gas price shocks have been more intense and E.V.s are often far more affordable than in the U.S.

The scales could tip fastest in countries with access to inexpensive Chinese E.V.s, like Brazil, parts of Asia and soon, Canada, wrote David Brown, the director of energy transition research at Wood McKenzie.

In Vietnam, for example, gas prices have risen by around 30 percent since the start of the conflict. But the increase coincides with a rapid increase in the share of electric cars sold each year as government incentives meet affordable options from local manufacturers.

In December, the Vietnamese E.V. maker VinFast broke records when it reported the highest monthly sales volume ever recorded by any automaker in the country. Its best-selling car last year, the VF 3, hit the market in 2024 at just under $13,000.

VinFast has begun offering discounts of 3 to 5 percent to people switching from gas-powered cars and scooters, Reuters reported.

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Social media is flooded with advertisements for popular obesity medications. But how do adults with obesity looking to lose weight avoid online scams selling knockoff versions that may not be safe and effective?

With the FDA’s recent decision to prohibit mass compounding of some obesity medications, there may be even more confusion about consumers’ options.

Here now to talk about what it means for patients and solutions to access authentic medicines are Dr. Clare Lee and Rhonda Pacheco from Eli Lilly and Company.

#clarelee #rhondapacheco #obesitymedication #weightloss #fda

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Communities of color, especially African-American communities, are deeply suffering as they face violence, injustice, lack of access and inequality. This cannot stand. We must work together to take on and dismantle racism when and where we see it, and work toward more just, united, healthy, and peaceful communities. We all suffer when racism exists.

We applaud the many Philly organizations that are finding ways to create interactive, meaningful programming at this critical time. We welcome collaborators for future programs. Our sincere thanks to all who are helping others out there, even at risk to their own health.

Peace Day Philly will continue to stand against racism and for greater safety, justice and peace in Philadelphia communities and beyond.

Peace Day Philly promotes and collaborates on programming related to personal, local and/or global peace, on and around the United Nations International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”), SEPTEMBER 21.

Peace Day Philly was founded in 2011 by a small group of individuals and organizational representatives, including the UN Association of Greater Philadelphia, as a grassroots initiative. PDP became a formal non-profit in 2013. As of 2018, Peace Day Philly became a non-governmental organization (NGO) affiliated with the United Nations.

In 2011, Peace Day Philly hosted 3 free, diverse peace programs in Philadelphia. By 2013, there were well over 20 peace programs taking place annually during the week in which Peace Day falls, offered by a wide range of organizations and groups. In past years, children and youth have participated in peace activities in schools and libraries across the region, and the Philadelphia Police Department has offered numerous additional youth and community building programs in Philly neighborhoods.

Peace Day Philly offers and collaborates on programs, but many of the activities that make up each year’s activities are offered by Philly-region organizations based on their work as it relates to peace and justice. 20-60 Organizations are involved each year.

PEACE DAY PHILLY WORKS TO:
– ENCOURAGE a broad-base of organizations to use the platform of the United Nations International Day of Peace (observed worldwide on and around September 21) to offer and/or engage in an activity related to peace that is in keeping with their mission/goals.
– COLLABORATE with other organizations and groups to develop and present high-quality, content rich programs on a wide range of topics related to personal, local and/or global peace.
– PROVIDE a wide range of resources and links via our website and social media for organizations, groups and individuals to engage in Peace Day.
– ENGAGE civic offices, city Departments and leaders to use Peace Day Philly to forward ongoing safety enhancement and community resiliency work taking place year round.
– PROMOTE peace programs and activities – both local and global – throughout the year through community partnerships.
– SUSTAIN efforts and initiatives sparked by the International Day of Peace whenever possible.

To learn more about how you can get involved in Peace Day Philly, go to the “What Can You Do” section of this website, or e-mail us at contact@peacedayphilly.org.

Peace Day Philly’s 2012 PSA:

#peacedayinphilly #missionempoweringpeople #founder #lisaparker #violence #injustice #lackofaccess #inequality #encourage #collaborate #provide #engage #promote #sustain

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Lessons from Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Help Keep Kids and Teens Engaged in Learning as Social Distancing Continues

Learning loss is a real issue every summer, but in the unprecedented era of COVID-19, many students already began the summer at an educational disadvantage. As schools closed their doors weeks ahead of time, students completed the school year at home, relying on virtual classrooms and take-home work.

The digital divide made it a lot harder for some children to complete school work, especially those from low-income and minority households, who may not have reliable internet access. In homes where parents did not have the choice of tele-work, older children may have needed to care for their younger siblings so parents could work, making it even harder to do school work under already challenging circumstances.

Now there’s concern over how to keep kids engaged in learning this summer. Research finds children typically fall behind academically each summer, losing about two months’ worth of math skills during the summer. Low-income youth lose more than two months’ worth of reading skills, while their middle-class peers make slight gains.[1] Unchecked, summer learning losses can cause disadvantaged kids to fall behind and possibly jeopardize their chances of graduating from high school.

Public schools and some afterschool programs like Boys & Girls Clubs may remain closed this summer to prevent the spread of the virus, and that means students have lost an important lifeline – a place to connect with friends and teachers, work on their social and emotional skills (which help kids achieve success in areas like academics, arts, leadership and service) and access a typical learning experience. In this segment, parents can take some valuable cues and gain advice to help their kids from a youth development expert from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

July 6 -11 has been designated as national Summer Learning Week, the perfect time to hear from Chrissy Chen, the Senior Director of Youth Development Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She’ll discuss how parents can learn some important tips to keep kids and teens learning during summer, especially due to the changes that happened during this recent school year due to COVID-19. She’ll also explain what the important tools are to make sure young people don’t experience summer learning loss while also building their social and emotional skills so they can prepare for the new school year — and life beyond the pandemic.

www.bgca.org
www.myfuture.net

Interview is courtesy: Boys & Girls Clubs of America

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Now an Innovative 4-H Program Is Changing That for Millions

The “American Dream” is built on the idea that with hard work, upward mobility and success are possible. In our ever evolving and technology dependent society, digital skills and broadband access are necessary tools for achievement.

However, more than 24 million people living in the U.S., including 19 million in rural communities, do not have access to broadband, also known as high speed internet. That leaves a large portion of today’s teens locked out when it comes to high speed internet. This essential service in today’s economy impacts everything from children’s education to their future economic mobility.

Recent research shows that overall, teens without broadband access feel less equipped online with it comes to connecting, creating and learning. The research also shows:

 Almost half of teens surveyed said they’ve struggled to complete homework due to slow internet connections
 Teens without broadband are less optimistic about their social mobility for higher education & careers
 43% of rural teens surveyed plan to leave their hometowns and 34% of those teens cite poor internet connectivity as the reason; which means these towns are losing talent and future innovation.

As leaders in positive youth development, National 4-H Council partnered with Microsoft on the 4-H Tech Changemakers program. The initiative is aimed at closing the connectivity gap in rural areas by empowering teens to bring technology and digital skills to their communities. The program works to position digital skills as a valuable life skill that’s necessary for improving non-urban communities’ path towards economic mobility.

The 4-H Tech Changemakers are working with broadband service providers throughout the U.S., along with community members and civic leaders to help teens gain the digital skills needed to benefit from technology and high-speed connectivity, which includes everything from online safety to computer basics and device training.

On Friday, April 24, join members of the 4-H Tech Changemakers to learn more about the programs being implemented, how they’re helping to bridge this technological gap and make sure that all community members across the country have the tools and skills they need to achieve the American dream.

#jennifer #sirangelo #4h #4-h #american #dream #elusive #teenagers #high #speed #internet #changing #millions #built #hard #work #mobility #success #possible #evolving #tech #technology #society #digital #skills #broadband #achievements #economic #communities #access #service #connecting #creating #learning #homework #connections #higher #education #careers #teens #future #innovation #youth #development #change #makers #empowering

The post Jennifer Sirangelo, ACHIEVING THE “AMERICAN DREAM” MAY SEEM ELUSIVE FOR TEENAGERS WHO DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET? appeared first on Good News!.

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ADVOCACY: How to Get Access to Life-Saving Stroke Treatments
Wednesday, May 3, Dr. Schwamm

Timing is of the essence when treating stroke – for every minute that a patient isnâ€t treated, millions of brain cells die. Dr. Lee Schwamm will discuss advancements in stroke treatment technology, the importance of getting immediate care, and share ways listeners can advocate for cutting-edge stroke care in their communities. Dr. Schwamm will also share an easy way to remember and identify the warning signs of stroke.

Suggested Questions:
• Why is timing so important when treating stroke?
• How does “telemedicine†work and how does it improve stroke care?
• What can you do to ensure your community has this type of life-saving treatment?
• Whatâ€s an easy way to identify the warning signs of stroke?
• Where can listeners go for more information?

About the Talent:
Dr. Lee Schwamm is Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Executive Vice Chairman of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is the Director of Stroke Services. He also acts as Director of the Partners TeleStroke Network, a network which currently provides acute stroke consultation services to 27 rural and community hospitals in Massachusetts and Northern New England and was the first major TeleStroke network in the US.
He plays a pivotal role in the development and leadership of the American Heart Association’s National Get With the Guidelines-Stroke program, is chair of the clinical workgroup and co-chair of Mission: Lifeline Stroke. His clinical interests are stroke and cerebrovascular disease, stroke in the young, primary and secondary stroke prevention, cryptogenic stroke and unusual causes of stroke. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1991. He completed his neurology residency in 1995 and NeuroCritical Care Fellowship in 1996, both at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is board certified in neurology, Neurocritical care and vascular neurology.

The post ADVOCACY: How to Get Access to Life-Saving Stroke Treatments… appeared first on Good News!.

Harold Hudson Channer is a talk-show host on public-access television cable TV network Manhattan Neighborhood Network, or MNN. He is the longest-running producer for the network, having done over 2,200 interviews over 40 years. He is the host of Conversations with Harold Hudson Channer.

Background and education

Harold Channer was a professor of geography at SUNY New Paltz from 1968-1971.

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