In this week’s episode, we welcome Dr. Alfred Degrafinreid II, President and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, for a STEMulating conversation on the critical role of relationship building in effective leadership. Alfred discusses how bringing leaders together,especially when tackling tough issues, requires trust, empathy, and connection.

A proud alumnus of Tennessee State University followed by a law degree and a doctorate, Alfred shares how a visit to the State Capitol as an undergraduate SGA leader sparked his passion for civic engagement and leadership at a statewide level. He recounts a powerful moment when one of the most successful businessmen in the country told him, “You have the most important job in Tennessee—you can do what even governors can’t.” That conversation continues to fuel his mission.

As President and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, Alfred is committed to making the state #1 in every metric that matters. His passion is clear as he talks about the daily fulfillment he finds in working alongside diverse, dynamic leaders from across Tennessee.

Tune in to hear how leadership, when grounded in relationships, can truly transform a state.

This bonus conversation with Keith Conerly,is a testament to strength, vulnerability and an unwavering faith in God. He shares the heartbreaking yet heartfelt story of the sudden passing of his beloved wife of 32 years. He opens up about the loss, the grief, and the journey of navigating life without his lifelong partner.

Keith reflects on the difficult questions that follow such a profound loss: How do you lead when your world has changed forever? When do you go back to work? How do you establish a new normal? Through his experience, he offers wisdom on resilience, the power of support systems, therapy, and the delicate balance of personal healing while carrying the weight of leadership.

In this episode, we have a STEMulating Conversaion with Keith Conerly, a Sr. Vice President at Compass Group USA . A chemist by training, he shares how his time at Jackson State University, an HBCU in Mississippi, and his volunteer and mentoring roles in NOBCChE shaped his leadership principles. Keith reflects on the invaluable lessons he learned during his college years—lessons that continue to guide his approach to leadership today.

A firm believer in meeting people where they are, Keith emphasizes the importance of embracing the whole person in the workplace. He discusses how true leadership goes beyond professional skills, focusing on empathy, understanding, and personal growth. His leadership and mentoring philosophy is simple yet profound: If one person touches one other person, then everyone is eventually touched.

Liisten in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, mentorship, and the power of human connection in driving success.

Who are Keith's Chaotic Connections? Former President Barak Obama and NBA Legend Steph Curry.

Season 6 of STEMulating Conversations with Dr. Q

A parent recently asked me to give his sons advice and words of encouragement for the beginning of their college career. What I shared with them inspired this episode's message.

1. Do Your Best
2. Get Some Rest
3. Leave the Nest

What does it mean to be a "cheerchemist"? Are you a cheerleader? Are you a chemist? The answer to both question is YES. This week's guest, Natalie LaFranzo, PhD, has used her talents for inspiring others since her college days of cheering sports events at Bradley Univesrity.

She began to transfer her skill of cheering into championing after receiveing her PhD and became more active in the American Chemical Society. She has held a range of leadership roles at all levels and is passionate about ensuring the chemical enterprse exeplifies the ACS core value of diversity,equity, inclusion, and respect. Her most recent accomplishment of being elected to the Society's Board of Directors will empower her to be an even greater Champion of Chemistry for ALL!

Follow Natalie on Twitter: @CheerChemist

Connect on LinkedIn: Natalie LaFranzo

Representative Rev. Harold M. Love, Jr., PhD is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University (TSU), the only public Historically Black College or University in Tennessee. In this episode we discuss his experiences attending an HBCU and the impact that it had on his personal and professional paths.

In a full circle moment of giving back to his alma mater and continuing the legacy of his father, Rep. Love championed efforts that showed the State of Tennessee may have underfunded TSU by as much as $544 million in matching payments. As a result, the university will receive $318 million in one-time capital funding for the 2023 fiscal year.

From painful losses to historic memorable moments, Rep. Love fondly describes his HBCU as a nurturing environment that enabled him to 'dream big dreams' and establish lifelong friendships.

To learn more about the Tennessee State University, an 1890 landgrant instituion visit the website

To learn more about the underfunding of HBCUS over that past 30+ years, a Bloomberg produced the docustory Short Changed Black Colleges Fight for Equal Funding and Forbes wrote an article entitled For HBCUs Cheated Out of Billions, Bomb Threats Are The Latest Indignity

This is a 31 day journey of topics to invoke STEMulating conversations on what it takes to turn your intent into results.