Andrew "The First Ladies Man" Och
My name is Andrew Och, and I am the “THE FIRST LADIES MAN." Women have been partners in the development and leadership of our country from the very beginning. American First Ladies are some of the most influential unpaid and unelected women in the world. They have been paying it forward since before "pay it forward" was a catch phrase. They didn't do it because they had to or were expected to. They did it because it was the right thing to do. Much of their efforts and many of their accomplishments have gone unrecognized. The sooner we realize that women are an integral part of the success of our country and the modern world, the sooner we can all move forward together as one and create a better world and future for all of us.
My speaking program highlights what I have learned about these women and how their stories relate to all aspects of life in our modern world. It is a positive message about doing right by other people, and joining together as humans to build a better future. There is a strong message about women's leadership. It is a clear message for both men and women - young and old. As these important figures are associated with so many important events and aspects of our lives throughout the years, my FIRST LADIES MAN program is multifaceted and can adapt and bring value to any company, organization, group or school. It is a message that we all need to hear to come together and move forward.
I was a Producer for the C-SPAN series "First Ladies: Influence and Image." My travels and research have given me the opportunity to learn about every First Lady of the United States from Martha Washington to Dr. Jill Biden. I continue to visit and explore cities, towns, villages, homes, schools, churches, birthplaces, cemeteries, train stations, farms, plantations, libraries, museums, general stores, town centers and cottages that relate to our American First Ladies. Learning everything I can about these amazing women is a lifelong project for me. As I wrote in Volume 1, many of our Presidents married up. Most of these men would not have made it to the White House without the help, influence, and support of their wives. The amazing stories about this unique sorority of women continue in Volume 2. I have travelled tens of thousands of miles in the footsteps of these First Ladies, and here’s what I’ve learned…ALL of these women have been UNUSUAL FOR THEIR TIME.
Historians, archivists, educators and enthusiasts agree - my books, research and FIRST LADIES MAN project put me in a small group of people. In fact, no one has completed the journey I have, seen what I've seen and learned what I have learned. Together with C-SPAN and the White House Historical Association, I have assembled one of the largest archives of interviews, information, material and footage regarding these women that exists in the world.
Ken Sagoes
Ken Sagoes was born in Stockbridge, Georgia and raised in Atlanta. He is a former staff writer with Paramount Television. Ken wrote Disney Channel’s Original Movie of the Week, “On Promised Land,” which received five CableAce nominations, earning him Best Family Screenwriter in addition to being a Humanitas finalist. The film starred Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner, Joan Plowright and was directed by Oscar-nominated (screenwriter-director), Joan Tewkesbury. Sagoes received rave reviews for
his stage plays, “Zora and Paul,” (a fictional conversation between Zora Neal Houston and Paul Robeson) and “Seven Maids from Stockbridge,” for which he was presented a special Commendation from Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia. Recently, Sagoes was contracted by Legacy Entertainment in New York to write The Bessie Coleman Story. His second short film, The McHenry Trial – Don’t Judge a Kid by Their Hoodie, which he wrote and directed, started Loretta Devine. The McHenry Trial is the story of a 14- year-old who passed the bar and defended his father. It received more than 100 awards, including “Best Director and Best Writer.”
Sagoes made his directorial debut in the self-written short film, “A Long Wait Home,” starring Bill Cobbs and the Late Tommy Ford. His second directing piece is entitled, “Between Yesterday and Tomorrow.” It was inspired by the Late Ossie Davis and stars one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actors, Lance Gross, and two-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy nominee, Dick Anthony Williams.
Sagoes became nationally known for the role of ‘Kincaid’ in A Nightmare on Elm Street, III & IV, (Making him the first African-American to survive an international horror film and return for a sequel). He also became wildly known as the lovable ‘Big Baby’ in John Singleton’s “Rosewood.” Some of his other television appearances have been, “Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “‘Til Death,” “The District,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Martin,” and “The Parkers”. He received an NAACP Theatre and Los Angeles Critic Award nomination for Ted Lange’s “George Washington’s Boy,” an ADA Los Angeles Valley Award for his role in “National Pasttime: The Jackie Robinson Story,” and a Los Angeles Theater Award as well as a Maddy Critic Award for his role in “Meet Me at The Oak.”
In 1997, Sagoes founded the Los Angeles based non-profit organization, GBC-Giving Back Corporation. GBC pays homage to living entertainment pioneers and provides ‘Books and Supplies’ scholarships for college-bound students. A few of the pioneers Sagoes has honored are Ruby Dee, Bill Duke, Della Reese, Brock Peters, Marla Gibbs, and Ben Vereen. GBC has supported more than 1000 youth with higher education scholarships across the country, sent youth to summer camp, and helped more than two thousand youth in various classrooms. For every film or television appearance he has made, or writing project he has sold, Sagoes, every year, since 1997, has made sure someone’s child has received help for their educational needs. Sagoes has been acknowledged by Governors in Georgia, New York, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, California, North Carolina, over one hundred members of Congress in various states, as well as Dr. Maya Angelou and former President Bill Clinton for his humanitarian work and giving-back to the communities across the country. Former Governor Gray Davis of California proclaimed the 25th Day of April 1999 as ‘Ken Sagoes’ Day,’ and received the Los Angeles County of
Probation leadership award.
JenniSpurr
As Memphis' first licensed astrologer, JenniSpurr brings a unique blend of celestial wisdom and practical insight to the Bluff City. Passionate about guiding individuals through life's complexities, she practices the ancient art of astrology and mixed with her sweet Southern charm, she empowers her clients to make informed decisions based on their unique cosmic blueprint. With ethical practice and humor , her personalized consultations, fosters a deeper understanding of self and the universe around us.
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