In this inspiring episode, Nick and Christine sit down with author, educator, and literacy advocate Clianda Florence, the powerhouse behind Let’s Get L.I.T. and Strength 2 Say. From her journey in education and motherhood to her mission to transform literacy in Rochester, Clianda shares powerful insights into resilience, advocacy, and the life-changing power of reading. The conversation touches on her personal story, community impact, and how she’s helping families build home libraries and rewrite their futures—one book at a time.

About Clianda Florence

Email: authorcliandaflorence@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cliandaflorence-52b788299

Instagram: www.instagram.com/cliandaarnee

Facebook Pages: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561478947457

www.facebook.com/strengthtosaysomething

Self-published author, Clianda Florence, is a mother of 3 children: Brianda, Ian, and Malachi. She resides in Rochester, New York, and has been in education since 2004. She is the Founder and CEO of “Strength 2 Say”, where she offers classes, book studies, professional development opportunities, and tutoring services. She is also the Founder & CEO of “Let’s Get L.I.T.” (Liberating Individuals Through Literacy Texts) where she aids the community in restoring joy, hope, and love for children and their parents on their literary journey. The program provides resources, book clubs, and aids families by building home libraries, bridging the gap between home and school, and teaching cursive writing. Clianda is an advocate for education and literacy. She believes literacy is the greatest social justice issue of our generation. Her literacy initiatives have been recognized by New York State Senator, Jeremy Cooney, who awarded her $25,000 to help impact literacy in and throughout Rochester, New York and the New York State Commendation Award. Clianda was also recognized by New York State Senator, Samra G. Brouk, with a Proclamation honoring Let’s Get L.I.T. for Advancing Literacy and Empowering Communities. Within 6 months, she has been able to secure $104, 999 in grants to further the impact where 57% of Rochester residents are reading at a basic proficiency level equivalent to 6th grade students. While partnering with the Rochester Science Museum and a collaboration with the “Take It Down” organization, she assisted with creating a curriculum on anti-racist programming for participants from the 3rd grade to adults. She currently offers classes to empower women to see their beauty and strength and to walk in their boldness. Clianda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Bennett College for Women, a Masters of Education from Nazareth College, and an advanced Master’s Degree of Education Administration from Brockport College. She was recently accepted to the University of Rochester to obtain her Doctorate of Teaching & Curriculum with the focus on literacy. She is a current member of the Church of Christ, the Rochester chapter of the NAACP, serves as a board member for the Feminist Choosing Life NY (FCLNY), and serves as a board member for the Re-Entry & Community Development Center of Rochester, New York. She currently hosts a popular podcast, “Let’s Get Lit” on the WDKX 103.9 FM radio network. “I believe literacy opens doors to wonder and a deeper level of communication,” says Clianda.

More About That Sounds Terrific in the 585 – Hosts Nick Koziol & Christine Green

For more information on That Sounds Terrific in the 585, visit our website at That Sounds Terrific and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you or someone you know is doing something terrific in the 585 area and should be featured on our show, email us at thatsoundsterrific@gmail.com.

Special Thanks To Our Key Supporters

585 Magazine and their team for their support with the That Sounds Terrific in the 585 podcast. Be sure to become a subscriber of this terrific magazine - learn more at https://585mag.com

In this inspiring episode, Nick and Christine sit down with Susan Kavanagh, president of Tech Rochester, to explore the powerful intersection of technology, community, and personal growth. Susan shares her unique journey from the legal field to becoming a tech leader and how she helped shape Tech Rochester into a driving force for workforce development and innovation. The conversation covers everything from the future of AI to the launch of the exciting new “Made in Rock” event series, as well as the ongoing mission to support underserved communities and foster cross-industry collaboration, including Rochester’s vibrant arts scene. If you’re curious about how tech is transforming the 585 and what’s coming next, this episode is a must-listen!

About Susan Kavanagh, Sr. Director, Client Experience at KLDiscovery and President, TechRochester

Email: skavanagh75@hotmail.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susanippolitikavanagh/

Connect and Follow TechRochester:

Website: https://www.techrochester.org/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/techrochester

Instagram: www.instagram.com/techrochester

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TechRochester

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC3dRmg51iHYQ8moj2_al3fw/videos

TechRochester is a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing technology professionals together within the community. We support professional growth on an individual level, in the hopes that together we can encourage the growth of technology within the Rochester region.

More About That Sounds Terrific in the 585 – Hosts Nick Koziol & Christine Green

For more information on That Sounds Terrific in the 585, visit our website at That Sounds Terrific and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you or someone you know is doing something terrific in the 585 area and should be featured on our show, email us at thatsoundsterrific@gmail.com.

Special Thanks To Our Key Supporters

585 Magazine and their team for their support with the That Sounds Terrific in the 585 podcast. Be sure to become a subscriber of this terrific magazine - learn more at https://585mag.com

Thank you to Morgan Brown and Meadow Viscuso, our terrific intern duo from SUNY Fredonia for all their hard work and for lending their voices and music to the Intro and Outro of the That Sounds Terrific in the 585!

In this unique crossover episode, worlds collide as That Sounds Terrific in the 585 teams up with That Sounds Terrifying for a dynamic and thought-provoking conversation. Hosted by the terrific Chris Lindstrom—Co-Founder of the Lunchador Podcast Network and long-time champion of Rochester’s food scene—this episode flips the script as Chris interviews Nick Koziol, Christine Smith, and Jess DeCotis about their experiences as co-hosts, community engagers, story tellers, and podcasting partners.

Then the tables soon turn, and the trio get their chance to ask Chris about his passion for podcasting, his uplifting of small and minority-owned restaurants, his decade-long journey with Food About Town, and how the Lunchador Podcast Network is creating an equitable collective to amplify voices that make Rochester terrific.

It’s real talk, deep laughs, and a whole lot of passion for the 585.

About Chris Lindstrom, Co-Founder - Lunchador Podcast Network, Host - Food About Town Podcast

Email: stromie@gmail.com

www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lindstrom-6b014235

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stromie

Chris Lindstrom is the Co-Founder of the Lunchador Podcast Network and the long-time host of the Food About Town Podcast. He has covered the Rochester food and drink scene for over a decade with a focus on small, minority owned restaurants and places with passion. Chris and his Co-Founder Matt Austin have made LPN into an equitable collective where the people who do the work to make Rochester a better place in their own way can express their dedication to the community.

Follow the Lunchador Podcast Network

www.lunchador.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lunchadorodcasts

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@lunchadorpodcasts

Food About Town Podcast:

www.foodabouttown.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/foodabouttownpodcast

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@foodabouttown

More About That Sounds Terrific - Host Nick Koziol

For more information on our Podcast, That Sounds Terrific visit our website at www.thatsoundsterrific.com and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you or someone you know are doing some terrific things that should be featured by our show then be sure to reach out by emailing us at thatsoundsterrfic@gmail.com.

Special Thanks To Our Key Supporters

585 Magazine and their team for their support with the That Sounds Terrific in the 585 podcast. Be sure to become a subscriber of this terrific magazine - learn more at https://585mag.com

Thank you to Morgan Brown and Meadow Viscuso, our terrific intern duo from SUNY Fredonia for all their hard work and for lending their voices and music to the Intro and Outro of the That Sounds Terrific in the 585!