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(upbeat music) - Hello, hola, aloha, welcome.

I'm Rameca Vincent Leary, and this edition of Pensacola State Today, is going to take on an international flair.

That's right, on April 15th, the college will host it's inaugural International Festival.

And, during this broadcast, we'll give you everything you need to get involved.

For this momentous occasion, I'm happy to welcome Dr. Ed Meadows, President of Pensacola State College.

He's joined by two, beautiful ladies, who serve as co-chairs for the festival.

Kathy Van Dyke, Assistant Department Head for Humanities and Social Sciences.

And, Juanita Scott, Director of Staff and Professional Development.

Welcome to all of you.

- [Together] Thank you.

- Dr. Meadows, these are definitely exciting times an inaugural event, so we're going to take the viewers back, paint a little picture about the story.

So, a wonderful lady by the name of Dr. Marjan Mazza, approached you regarding this idea?

- Yes, Dr. Mazza has been a strong supporter of the college for many, many years and has an endowed scholarship in our Business Department, and our Bachelor Degree is actually named in her honor.

She comes to us from the Miami Community, moved here a number of years ago and became heavily involved in Pensacola State College, because she believes in what we do, in terms of the workforce, and providing the University Transfer.

This was her brain child.

She was involved in an International Festival at Miami Dade College, and has brought the idea to us.

We've been under many flags, historically, in Pensacola.

- We have!

- So, we have a very diverse community and a very diverse student population, as well as faculty and staff.

So, they appeal to us from several view points.

One, we're an Educational Institution and this will be a great opportunity to educate not only our students, faculty and staff, but also involve the community in this educational and fond experience.

I have these two.. - [Rameca] We sure do!

- Wonderful ladies here, to thank for agreeing to take this on as a project for the college and it's going to be a wonderful event for our college and our community.

- We'll get back to you in just a moment, Dr. Meadows.

Kathy, so let's get the ball rolling.

We have a special webpage, at the college, that outlines specific parameters and how people can get involved.

First, I want you to tell us a little bit more about what you do for Pensacola State College.

- Well, I am the Assistant Department Head for the Humanity and Social Sciences Department.

I have been in that position since 2017, but I also have a background in teaching English as a second language, and have quite a bit of experience with International Students and also have experience, living in other countries so I'm really excited to be part of this wonderful inaugural International Festival.

- So, let's get to this.

Let's talk about sponsorships.

Please, explain because we have a webpage, and then there are various links that take people to certain areas.

So, give us an idea of what we will see when we get to that page.

- So, we do have a sponsor page as part of the International Festival Website, and it contains a lot of information.

Specifically, there are information about the benefits of becoming a sponsor at certain levels.

- [Rameca] Tiers?

- Tiers, but we also are happy to accept donations and sponsors of any amount.

So, the person can decide how much they want to sponsor and there's a very simple and easy process for the application process.

- But, I do believe we actually have a couple of takers already and If you would like to mention who they are, that's fine.

- We have two sponsors that were very proud and happy to present.

Phil Hall, P.A and also, the Montessori School of Pensacola.

- Alrighty, we'll hear a little bit more about Phil Hall.

- [Together] A little bit later - So, Jaunita.

Lovely Jaunita, let us find out about your position and what you do for the college.

- [Jaunita] Well, I am Director for Professional Development here at Pensacola State College.

That is one of the best jobs on campus, let me tell you why.

- [Rameca] Okay.

- Because, we're an Institute of higher education and higher learning, so we pride ourselves on the most quality education that there is to offer in this area.

One of my rolls and responsibilities, is making certain that we have professional development opportunities for our faculty and our staff, to help them stay relevant, current, just on top of trends and higher education and all those things that will help our students to grow and reach their academic goals.

- Ladies, you do such an exceptional job at the college.

- [Rameca] Now Jaunita, we have vendors but we have a couple of fascists, so why don't you explain there's a specific link on the webpage for that as well.

- [Jaunita] There is a link on the webpage for vendors.

Let me just tell you, I'm so excited about this particular event.

Pensacola, I'm going to ask you a question.

- [Rameca] Okay - Pensacola is such a great community.

We are known for bringing in family friendly events.

We do such a great job at it.

This one is unique, in that it almost combines those events into one space.

What we've done, we've given that opportunity for the community to come out and participate in a way that showcase their culture through vendors.

It might be a food truck vendor, or might be an exhibitor and I'm telling you we have some food truck vendors that will make.. - [Rameca] Okay Talk about it, talk about it - [Jaunita] Your mouth water.

When you think about an international flavor, an international cuisine, what do you think about?

You think about your Mexican Cuisine.

You think about your Italian Cuisine.

We're going to tempt you with Greek Cuisine, German Cuisine, Puerto Rican Cuisine.

All of those are individuals, in individual type food trucks, who will be participating in our inaugural event.

I'm so ready for it.

- [Rameca] Oh, me too!

You're making me hungry.

So let's split the script, the other side in relation to vendors, because we may have organizations, right, African Apparel and art, possibly?

- [Jaunita] One of the exhibitors that come to mind initially, is the Kukua Institute.

- Yes - They are an organization right here in Pensacola that showcase African American History in such a way that combines technology in ways that we're just not accustomed too.

The Kukua Institute will be there on site.

- That's amazing.

- They will be ready to provide opportunities for engagement, where you can actually touch and feel some of the exhibits that they will be providing for that particular event.

- [Rameca] Wow, that's amazing!

Dr. Meadows, I'm listening to what these ladies are saying.

Everybody, come on out, April 15th, at Pensacola Campus.

Dr. Meadows, back to you.

So there are various cultural aspects.

One of the things that we'll be doing will have a passport, so it looks like a travel passport.

People will venture through various Continents and they will be learning so many things as they go, with the Kukua Institute, great example of that.

So, from a cultural perspective, Dr. Meadows, that's yet another great reason for this festival and what we're doing, right?

- [Dr. Meadows] Well, as Jaunita said not only will we have food vendors but we'll have crafts.

- [Rameca] Yes.

- [Dr. Meadows] Music, art.

We have actual live performances.

- [Rameca] We sure will.

- It's going to be a fun time.

A fun time to showcase the different representatives from across the nation that have come to live in the Pensacola Area.

I think that our grounds, we're going to be on the West Side of our campus because we're currently under construction for a major facility in the middle of the campus.

- [Dr. Meadows] There'll be ample parking.

There will be restrooms available.

There will be definitive entry ways so that you know where to go.

You can get your passport online, I believe as well.

If you can't we will make that available, so that you can buy it.

The people that become involved in it, we hope will see the value and be able to do this on an annual, or semi-annual basis.

- [Rameca] Oh, yes.

- There are many kinds of festivals in Pensacola.

I think, as Jaunita said, this is bringing together several different nuances of all the festivals that occur in Pensacola so that we can enjoy them on our campus.

- [Rameca] Speaking of enjoyment, Kathy, let's talk a little bit about the performers.

There's a link on the webpage for that area as well.

- Yes.

We have a great line up of performers.

Although we are recruiting other performers, so if you are interested in performing, please contact us through the website.

So far, we've got performances from different areas of the world.

Including, the far east, in the form of Japanese Drumming and Dancing.

We've got also a performance from Europe.

Traditional Italian Dancing and those performers are willing to teach the crowd, in addition.

[All Laugh] - [Kathy] So that we can all participate.

We also have some performers who come from Pensacola State College.

- Lot's of surprises, but I will say this.

- [Kathy] Lot's of surprises and lot's of good entertainment.

- Our headliners from this area will hear more about him in the next segment.

So Jaunita, let's talk about exhibitors and volunteers.

- Certainly, of course you know nothing can happen without the work of some really dedicated volunteers.

There are tremendous volunteer opportunities.

As you know, the festival will be on a Saturday.

There are volunteer opportunities for a Friday, as well as Saturday.

Anyone who's interested in learning more about cultures, who just want to be in the mix of this inaugural event.

This is gonna be a really significant event.

To say that you were there, is going to be awesome.

- The place to be, right?

- [Jaunita] The place to be.

In terms of exhibits, we also have an exhibit by - I'm going to have to ask Kathy to help me pronounce the name.

I don't want to get it wrong.

Pierre Coffe?

- Yes, Pierre Coffe.

Who was actually a former adjoin to the colleges.

One of Pensacola's Bonsai Masters.

- [Rameca] Ooh.

- [Kathy] He is very excited to come and have an exhibit with Bonsai.

He'll be happy to talk to anyone, who's interested about Bonsai.

- [Rameca] I may have to acquire one on that date.

Dr. Meadows, some closing words.

Just really some thoughts about what you would want our viewing audience to remember, as they go to the webpage and they parous?

- [Dr. Meadows] Well, we certainly want to exceed expectations.

When do we open our doors?

What time?

- [Together] Starts at 11:00.

- Starts at 11:00 and goes until?

- [Together] 6:00 PM.

- Until six, okay.

I think the audience needs to, they need to know that.

- [Rameca] Oh, they'll see that.

They'll see that for sure.

- What I would love to see, is a temporary long wait line to get in.

[Laughter] - But we're hoping that we'll be able to process people through the entry ways, so that there isn't a lot of standing and waiting.

I think the excitement that this generates in our community, to let all of the different international communities that reside in the Pensacola area and Northwest Florida know that Pensacola State appreciates them, we appreciate what they bring.

The diversity that they bring to our community.

The willingness to share, different aspects of their cultures.

- [Rameca] Right.

- Is so much appreciated from the academic standpoint because as we look at our shrinking world, due to technology, there's nothing that can replace the face to face interaction between cultures.

I know so much about our world now is handheld and computerized so this is a way to get away from that part of our daily lives and actually see things in the real world.

We didn't talk about the balloon deal.

[Laughter] - [Dr. Meadows] The color that comes with.

- [Rameca] Yes, the color.

- [Dr. Meadows] With the international flavor is going to be amazing I think.

- [Rameca] It will.

I must say thank you so much, to all of you for being in this segment.

I know I'm psyched.

I'll be there as well.

I know a lot of you will.

So folks, as we head to break, we want to share some additional details for the upcoming Pensacola State College, International Festival.

Plus, we have a little preview of upcoming entertainment for the event.

Stay tuned, we'll be back right after this.

[You Got It Girl By Larry Watson] [Intro Music] - Hello, everyone.

You just heard a snippet of a song from our International Festival Headliner, Larry Watson Jr.

He's Pastor of Inglewood Missionary Baptist Church, and trust me, he comes from a family of great singers.

Next, I'm happy to welcome Jeff Weeks, Executive Producer and Host of two shows at WSRE.

He'll also be CO-Mc'ing the International Festival with me.

Okay, all right, if you have a hankering for BBQ, Bill Davis with Texan B's BBQ, is your man.

Just take a look at the delectable food he's brought on set.

Wrapping up the segment it's an honor to welcome Pam Martinez Hall, Office Manager with Phil Hall, P.A .

A Sponsor of this wonderful event.

So glad to have all of you.

Pastor Watson, let's start with you.

We just heard a snippet of 'You got it Girl' and it's dedicated to your wife Kathryn.

Why don't you talk about that and something else you have on the horizon with your new single.

[Laughter] - Yeah, that song, I guess the subject matter was very easy, being that I wrote it for my wife.

After her hearing it and some other ears, hey man, you need to do something with that song.

It's really progressed and we're doing the best that we can do now, to get it to bigger platforms and It's kind of taken off.

So, the new song is.. - [Rameca] What's the name of it?

- Got to have your love.

- [Rameca] Okay!

- So this whole album, that will be on the horizon, is kind of dedicated towards her.

- [Rameca] That's good.

- But really, music for love.

Music for love, and lovers like so.

If you can relate to that, you can relate to this music.

- I must say, your interest in being our headliner for the International Festival, really touches our hearts here at Pensacola State College.

So when you first found out about the festival, I know you were pretty excited weren't you?

- [Pastor Watson] Oh man, the International Festival at Pensacola State.

I mean that's two big- [Laughter] - [Pastor Watson] Subject matters and so I was honored to be asked and can't wait to experience this great event.

- [Rameca] On the big stage.

All right my brother, Jeff Weeks.

[Laughter] - We go far back don't we, since 2015.

- [Jeff] That's right, that's right.

I just want to say, I really am excited about seeing him perform live.

We were in the green room and we heard a couple tracks of the new song and it's good stuff.

- [Rameca] Talk about the two shows that you host here on WSRE.

- [Jeff] We have a program called 'Conversations with Jeff Weeks' which is primarily a one on one interview type show, and we've been doing that- I guess since 2009.

Wow, I mean we've had so many interesting guests from the national stage as well as so many local people and it's an opportunity just really to get to know people and as I've said over the years, kind of the tagline on the program is, some of our guests are names you know and some of the guests are names you want to get to know.

So, it's really an opportunity through WSRE and Pensacola State to have a program that we can sit down and really get to know individuals on a one on one basis and what they're all about and how they've built their lives, careers, et cetera.

- [Rameca] In Studio - [Jeff] In addition to that, correct, The In Studio Program, which is a little bit more, kind of a round table and I think about it a little more, kind of like a local type spin on it if you will.

You know we try to do our year end review show each year and we- - [Rameca] Very Popular.

- [Jeff] Yep.

Journalists from around the area, talk about big events that have occurred throughout the year in North West, Florida.

- [Rameca] And you and I CO-MC'ing this event on the big stage, folks.

We're going to have so much fun up there, aren't we?

- [Jeff] Absolutely, absolutely.

What a great, awesome event and you know we were talking in the green room about how the growth in North West, Florida and Pensacola and the diversity.

So it's really exciting to have the International Festival and it's gonna be at a great time of year.

If you think about it, April, ya know, the weather should be perfect.

Knock on wood, hopefully.

- [Rameca] Knock on wood, everybody.

Right?

[Knocking] [Laughter] - Knock on wood.

- [Jeff] What a great thing to bring to North West, Florida.

- [Rameca] It is.

Speaking of wood and wood fire.

[Laughter] - Bill Davis, listen.

You are a Pensacola State College Graduate.

Tell us about your journey here at the school.

- [Bill] I retired from being a plumber and when I got tired of doing honey do's around the house [Laughter] - [Bill] I said, ya know what, I've been cooking all my life so I'm gonna start a food truck.

So I decided to go to school instead of doing honey do's around the house.

- [Rameca] And here you are.

- [Bill] I really enjoyed the culinaries.

- [Rameca] So let's talk about some of the food that you have brought on this beautiful table.

We all smell it, too bad we can't eat it right now but everyone out there, if you could just be where we are right now.

So tell us, give us an overview of what we're seeing here.

- [Bill] On the front tray here, in the back left corner, we have gator sausage.

The baked potato, is called a 'meal in a peel'.

Right in front of it is a loaded baked potato with gator sausage and BBQ sauce on it.

Right in the center of the tray is our loaded nachos, which have pulled pork, cheese and BBQ sauce.

The 'meal in a peel' on the right front has brisket on it and again it's loaded.

Butter, sour cream, cheese, chives.

Over in the corner we have Mexican Street Corn.

It's one of our more popular items.

It's grilled corn and it's slathered in mayonnaise, with cojita hot cheese.

- [Rameca] All right.

- [Bill] It's really, really good.

Most people can't eat just one.

- They have to eat more than one, right?

We'll get back to you in just a moment, Bill.

So Pam, give us a little bit of background about you and your husband, Phil Hall.

- [Pam] So tell you about Phil, my husband, first?

- [Rameca] Yeah.

- [Pam] He is from Pensacola, and he actually attended PJC.

- [Rameca] Back in the day.

- [Pam] Back in the day.

So, he is one of the few Native Pensacolans.

He has a soft spot for this campus, so that of course attracted us to the International Festival, and I'm a Military Brat.

- [Rameca] Oh, well a lot of us are.

I know I am.

- [Pam] I have been to Okinawa, Japan and Venezuela.

I was also attracted to this festival.

- [Rameca] To this area, but let me tell you a little something that Phil wrote.

He wrote the nicest email, really touched my heart.

He was actually the first person in his family to graduate high school.

Several kids in the family, his journey led him to PJC at the time, right?

Now, Pensacola State College.

Went to Law School.

Here's something interesting that he told me in this email, basically mapping out that even after he graduated, and when you had children, the children would come swim in the pool, they would play tennis and do other things.

He is really connected whole heartily to the college, isn't he?

- [Pam] Absolutely, I think he is an example of the slogan.

Go here, get there.

He started here, went to UWF, then went to University of Florida to get his law degree.

So it started here, at this campus.

- And, he really does a lot in the community.

Book Drives, helping with pets and one thing I would really like to mention, he supports the Emerald Coast Sports Association.

- [Pam] He does.

Youth sports and youth programs is something that the firm supports.

We also support educators and that is a huge focus for our firm.

We also, of course, support animal rescues.

- [Rameca] Yes.

- [Pam] We do all kinds of outreach at the firm.

- My heart is definitely full, Pam.

Okay Pastor Watson, back to you.

Inglewood Missionary Baptist Church, you do so much in the community.

Why don't you tell us a little bit about that.

- Being where we're located, just in the city itself, we have a heart for different needs in the community.

From feeding people, to housing people, housing initiatives even looking forward to a possible school coming, very soon.

Just have to deal with the educational component.

But we're right there, 1100 West Scott Street, right in the heart of the city, serving in whatever capacity that we can.

- Speaking of serving, I know food is being offered up at the church.

Why don't you tell us about that aspect.

[Laughter] - So my dad had a vision back in '08, to start a kitchen, which only started on two days, Friday and Saturday.

It has evolved to six days a week.

One of the most popular would be like soul food.

Black eyed peas, fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, stuff like that.

- Yes, all the good stuff.

[Laughter] - Yeah, so you can get it right there six days a week if you're hungry for lunch, we're open from 11-5, you can come by.

[Laughter] - All right.

So Jeff, here I am laughing right, because you and I host several shows right here on WSRE and so for the viewing audience what Jeff and I are going to be doing, Preceding April 15th, the big day, we're going to be cross promoting.

Just getting the word out there and even more so.

Jeff, you have a lot of energy, I have a lot of energy.

[Laughter] Just, what else can you add to the table because there's so many other things that you do, right?

- [Jeff] Well, you know I think going to Pam's point, talking about her husband, think about, he came to Pensacola State, went on, pursued post graduate degree and became an attorney.

How powerful is that?

I mean, to be able to come here, to establish that base, think about the compound effect that has occurred.

So you talk about all of the things that you are doing in the community, and how that's just compounded over time.

You know, Pensacola State, formally Pensacola Junior College, is just such a woven into the fabric of this community.

I think people need to remember how important an education can be, and whether that's somebody that goes on and gets post graduate, masters degree and law degree, et cetera.

Or if it's somebody that specializing in the trades, how important is that.

You talked about being a plumber, or air conditioning, or whatever.

This is institution, this is educational institution is just so important to this community.

So if it's a situation where a person can come out and not only have a great time on a Saturday Afternoon- [Laughter] but also know that, that input is going to help further our community and people outside of the community, I think that's a powerful combination.

- [Rameca] Well said, Jeff.

Bill, back to you.

I know people are going to be clamoring towards your food truck on April 15th, but from an educational standpoint, speaking to Jeff's point, what kind of encouragement, maybe a word of encouragement would you give to someone out there, who's thinking about pursuing a college education?

- I would say, absolutely, just take the first step, walk through the front door.

That's all it takes.

I guess it's a lot of people are nervous about going to college because maybe they didn't do so good in high school, or whatever but, once you get in there, all the support that you have at this college, all over campus, there's support for every degree that you want to go to.

It's unbelievable how much support and how much drive that they give you.

All you have to do is take the first step.

- [Rameca] That's right, and Pam closing out this segment, some words of encouragement that you can provide.

You and your husband do so much in the community, right?

So, please address that.

- [Pam] This festival, is a win/win because it raises money for students, and it highlights the diversity in this community.

So if you can go to a family friendly festival, help support students and sample cuisines from all over the world, then it's a no brainer.

I received a scholarship to go to college.

I'm sure my parents are very grateful for that as well- [Laughter] but I received the Chape James teaching scholarship and because of that scholarship, I could go to college.

It made a huge difference in my life and I think that events like this, that support students, it will impact students and make a huge difference in their lives.

- Absolutely.

What a pleasure to have all of you on this show.

Everyone, this has been such a rewarding time and I want to thank all of you our guests for joining us, once again.

As a reminder, log onto the webpage on your screen to find out more about the Pensacola State College International Festival.

I'm Rameca Vincent Leary.

Thanks for watching, and remember to keep it locked in right here, on WSRE- PBS for the Gulf Coast.

[Music]