Featuring Appearances by

Erica Bryant

Erica Bryant is the Pay It Forward columnist at the Democrat and Chronicle. She is married with three children.

Patrick Flanigan is the Interactive Media Editor and a speech writer for the City of Rochester, where he maintains the content on the City website and social media platforms and provides public relations services for the City Administration. Prior to joining the City, he was a newspaper reporter for 15 years, including almost nine years at the Democrat and Chronicle. Patrick lives in the Rochesterâ€™s Upper Monroe Neighborhood with his wife Robin, daughter Annalie and dog Mojo.

Shaquana Divers

Shaquana Patrice Divers, MHA is a healthcare executive at Excellus BCBS. She is very active in the Rochester NY community championing wellness, the arts and education. A poet, spoken word artist and rapper in her younger years, Shaquana worked with Yo MTV Raps Producer T Money and The Peopleâ€™s Republic of Sound on Hip-Hop projects. Shaquana loves sharing stories through the arts and is the proud mother of Tai, Kary and Daja.

Ryan Lane

Ryan Lane is senior editor for the national nonprofit American Student Assistance. He lives in Brighton with his wife and two children.

Erica Walther Schlaefer

Erica Walther Schlaefer is a wife and mother of 3, born, raised and living in Irondequoit. She is a third generation realtor, aspiring writer and the founder of the non-profit, Parenthood for Me, Inc.