Whether collecting, gifting or donating, art has entered the EPIPHANY Inc. space and I’m enjoying sharing the latest creations with all of you. All pieces are available for purchase on Saatchi Art. Visit my page on the gallery. It’s an honor to present the work on a site where a “Make an Offer” option is a real thing! Join the fun and send a photo if you purchase! So grateful! Thank you!
Published! Visit Us at Before You Go!
I’m loving Substack. And thanks to the platform, we have successfully moved our Before You Go storytelling series to a newsletter + publication. Thrilled to say our publication is live—and popular!
Because of you, our BEFORE YOU GO, A Chat with Nicole! regularly receives thousands of views! Thank you!
For those of you who have been around since podcast and email days, I just want to give a brief navigation tour.
First, make sure you follow the pink arrow here and check out the menu items our publication has to offer: Home, The Caregiver Cabana, The Sunday Mystery!, Matches & Glue, While You’re Here, NEXT and more!
You’ll see on the right column our “most popular” articles. Thank you! That’s you and your clicks!
Next, when you select and article to read, watch or listen to (and transcriptions are available for the video posts), you may navigate back to the Home page by clicking on the heading BEFORE YOU GO, A Chat with Nicole! Follow the pink arrow.
At the bottom of the articles, you’ll see more suggestions for your next read:
Stay for a few minutes. Stay for hours! Just drop a comment and let us know you’re here. We appreciate you so much. Visit Before You Go, A Chat with Nicole! on Substack and let us know you’re with us! Thank you.
Need to be CPR-certified? Let’s Go!
I love teaching First Aid/CPR/AED classes! Pretty much everyone leaves on a mission. And it’s great. So why not get one more class in before the holidays?
Let’s do it.
Read “I’ve Worked in Media 35 Years: This Is Why I Now Teach CPR”
On Saturday, Nov. 15 in the Metro Area of St. Louis, Missouri get CPR Certified before the holidays! You may register on this form.
The $85 OSHA compliant class is now discounted to $65 per person through Dec 31. Sign up now and get $5 off when you bring a friend (that’s $60 for you and your friend/friend group). There are limited seats.
For those who live outside of the St. Louis area and who are unable to attend, your referrals of five or more students who register earn a referral reward of a $30 gift certificate (the registrant must mention you’re a Before You Go newsletter free subscriber)!
Take our in-person and affordable First Aid/CPR/AED certification class (American Red Cross) before your next job interview or shift.
This month’s class takes place at 9am on Saturday, Nov. 15.
The two-hour blended course costs $65 per person (or $60/person if it’s you and a friend—families count too!). Register and receive the address of the class location in South City (1.5 miles from Tower Grove Park!).
We’ve got manikins, free CPR supplies and a confidence-building skills session.
Classes fill fast. All are certified within 48 hours. Sign up now on this form.
Let’s go!
Sign up with a friend or group and we’’ll discount the course by $5 per person in the group! Referrals of five or more students earns a referral reward of a $30 gift certificate!
Register with Nicole and get First Aid/CPR/AED certified. Let’s go!
My Birthday with Ella
It’s my birthday month, and I like to celebrate by sharing!
As you may have heard, my Mom and I wrote a children’s picture book titled Ella’s Sunday Song. Six-year-old Ella sings a Spiritual, and while walking through a storm to her choir director’s house to practice, she discovers that the words of her solo hold a secret code!
You may purchase Ella’s Sunday Song from our publishers site at https://klepub.com/nicole-franklin/. And please leave us a review!
We’re thankful for all of the readers who have loved the story and shared their sentiments with us. We are grateful.
Since my November birthday is so close to the holiday season, I would love to give the gift that is Ella’s Sunday Song! Here is our offer for donating the entertaining and educational Ella’s Sunday Song to classrooms and community organizations:
Purchase Ella’s Sunday Song in bulk (10 books or more) at the discounted price of $9.50 per book and shipping is free (annually, third week of October through Nov. 30)!
Sponsor the Ella’s Sunday Song booth at a future book fair and secure the donation of 50 books to young readers
Purchase THREE books at full price and get a FOURTH BOOK for free (free shipping not included in this offer)
All specials continue to November 30, 2024.
Sign up to be a DONATION PARTNER on this form. Or send me a note at Nicole@BeforeYouGo.TV or text “Ella” to 212-665-4418 and let us know your preference—your gift.
Birthday months are the best! Thanks for your donation!
Ella's Sunday Song's Black Friday Bulk Bonanza!
We’re just getting started with sales of our children’s picture book, Ella’s Sunday Song, a story where six-year-old Ella figures out the code behind the Spiritual she is practicing to sing for her Sunday solo. Just in time for our readers, the holidays are upon us! In the United States we have a day called Black Friday, also known as a shopper’s delight. We want readers of Ella’s story to have their discount too!
For those who wish to purchase 10 books or more, have we got a deal for you: $9.50 per book and FREE shipping!
Wholesalers, please email author Nicole@BeforeYouGo.TV for very affordable packages, discount shipping and more!
Fundraising for a cause? Let’s set you up for success! Contact Nicole Franklin with your interest and we’ll take care of the rest!
A portion of the authors Nicole and Irene Franklin’s net profits from sales that come through our publisher site benefit a different children’s charity every month. Ella is a special gift for all.
Join our Black Friday Bulk Bonanza! Visit our information page for prices, packages and our loyalty program.
Enjoy Ella’s Sunday Song and stay in touch!
Ella's Sunday Song is a Gift!
The children’s picture book, Ella’s Sunday Song, is available for your loved ones, book club or community organization. The story follows six-year-old Ella who learns how to figure out the code for the Spiritual she is scheduled to sing for her Sunday solo.
Authors Irene and Nicole Franklin are the mother/daughter team behind the narrative. A portion of the sales are donated to a different children’s charity every month.
A Children's Book for Childrens' Charities!
Thrilled to announce that children, communities and families everywhere can purchase our children’s book Ella’s Sunday Song. What is Ella’s Sunday Song? It’s our children’s picture book where six-year-old Ella figures out the code behind the Spiritual she will be singing at her Church as her Sunday solo. Read more about Ella’s Sunday Song and get your copy or purchase as a gift! Go, Ella!
With each purchase of Ella’s Sunday Song, a portion of the profits benefits a different children’s charity or event every month. Do you want your charity or event to be on the list? Let us know here.
Our first charity to benefit from our presales and book sales through November 30, 2024 is the Good Vibes Only mental wellness, anti-bullying and child safety conference hosted by the Social Justice Committee of the St. Louis Archdiocese. This FREE conference for middle-school aged youth will take place in St. Louis, Mo. on September 28, 2024. Special guest performance: Gentlemen of Vision.
If you know of middle-school aged children in the St. Louis area who could use this afternoon of interactive learning, care and free lunch, please visit the registration page. Spaces are limited!
To keep this conference free for attendees, the team behind Ella’s Sunday Song invites you to purchase our book and support the conference that shares strategies for mental wellness and self-defense.
For now, thank you for supporting this free conference and future children’s charities and events during the upcoming months and sales of Ella’s Sunday Song.
Ella brings out the curious and gracious nature in all of us. Thank you, Ella. Thank you to all who want to assist children through literature and love. We appreciate you!
My Mom and I Wrote a Children's Book
Excited to share that Ella’s Sunday Song is the latest EPIPHANY Inc. venture and a huge part of making it happen was co-authoring a book with musician Irene Franklin (my Mom) about a young girl who learns the meaning of the Spiritual.
Here is the official synopsis: Six-year-old Ella is this Sunday’s soloist at her Church. During the short trip from her Grandmother’s lap to her choir director’s piano, she realizes that she has to figure out a secret code in order to hit all of the right notes.
Ella’s Sunday Song is a children’s picture book introducing the Spiritual, a musical art form that emerged from centuries of enslavement in the United States.
Our book is currently in pre-sales, with copies to be shipped on or before September 15, 2024!
Purchase Ella’s Sunday Song direct from KLE Publishing here.
Join our rewards program The Timeless Tales Society and receive points for purchasing from our publisher’s site here.
Earn commission from those who use your referral link to purchase Ella’s Sunday Song by emailing Nicole@BeforeYouGo.TV for a referral code.
Teachers who would like the Ella’s Sunday Song Discussion Guide, please send a note to Nicole@BeforeYouGo.TV and we’ll send the materials over for free!
One more thing: 10% of the author profits of sales from our books listed with KLE Publishing goes toward a different children’s charity ever month. Let’s make magic happen!
My Mom and I have been eager for this very exciting debut! Enjoy Ella’s Sunday Song! And please tell friends!
Conversation starters: 107 open-ended Questions for seniors
Ever have a conversation with a senior who is willing to tell it all if asked the right questions? I have. And I’m sharing those questions—all 107 of them!
I’ve named this guide 100 Years Three Gunshots and Five Husbands. Who wouldn’t want to hear that story? It all starts with a question.
It’s so fun to engage in conversation with those who have lived full and complicated lives. As I learned when producing Before You Go, most people have incredible life advice that comes from deep dark places. It helps so many to unburden themselves by sharing these secrets. That has been my experience as an interviewer. Maybe it can be yours!
And hey, if you’re the one ready to share your life story, start here. Writing a fictional character for a novel or screenplay? Ask what would {character} do with these simple questions.
These is a suggested price of $10 per manual, but there’s an even better offer: Download these 107 open-ended questions and Pay What You Wish! When you pay what you wish, you’ll be added to the free Timeless Tales Society where you are issued a referral link to earn 30% on selected products. It’s been a fun journey all of these years as a storyteller. Time to hear some wisdom, leave some wisdom, and reward the community. Let’s go!
Volume 36 of our FREE BYG Newsletter
…has just been published! Are you on our BeforeYouGo.TV subscriber list? It’s free! And we have an exciting new venture: Sign up to become a BYG Citizen Archivist!
Learn about this opportunity, read/listen to our remembrance of our dear friend Terry Carter and share our news! VISIT THIS LINK for our latest edition. Thank you so much for spending time with us!
Thank you for your Donations!
Throughout the 25 years EPIPHANY Inc. has been in independent storytelling bliss, the company would truly not exist without the love of our audience, supporters, gracious crew members, family and friends. Donations have come in many shapes and sizes. We are grateful for all.
We have snacks and seasonal items on our fundraising page. Have a big party coming up? Are people coming over to watch the big game? Grab some snacks from our fundraising site for food that’s just as tasty (if not more) and support a great cause! Also, check out the seasonal items of our fundraising site. Here you can spruce up your garden or holiday giving! Yep, we have all the basis covered. Just visit our fundraiser here.
For those who prefer the click of a button and a tax write-off, please visit our fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas to make a tax-deductible donation. You’ll see a company description under the banner An EPIPHANY Conversation. Trust that we could not have this conversation without you!
For those who love a quick Cash App transaction, you may find us here: $BeforeYouGoTV. Thank you so much!
Whenever you wish, please sign up for our Before You Go Newsletter. Spending a few minutes with us here is free! Contributing words of wisdom from elders in your world benefits us all. We will not put a price on that.
Thank you for your generosity! Here’s to the next 25!
Discover Black Boy Joy in the Classroom
First Impressions and the African American Male: A Guide to Experiencing the Truth about Little Brother
Are you an educator or mentor with middle-school age Black boys under your care? Read and share this guide with colleagues for cultural context and classroom activities:
The topic is love. The lessons are many.
First Impressions and the African American Male: A Guide to Experiencing the Truth about Little Brother, the curriculum companion to the award-winning Little Brother film series, opens the discussion into life as a Black boy in the United States. Contributions from educators include classroom and group exercises for both teachers and students.
Little Brother is a documentary series filmed in chapters, produced by Nicole Franklin and J. Tiggett. Each 15-minute chapter gives voice to African American males ages nine through 13 who reside in different regions of the United States.
Music on this link: Christian Simmons
#DiningWithTheDivas
Just back from an annual afternoon treat: #DiningWithTheDivas at The Apollo! This Valentine’s tradition supports The Apollo education program for School Day Live and brings out hundreds of women in their Diva best to network, uplift and toast the cultural moment we are so blessed to experience.
These women came to impress. More than $450,000 had been raised before lunch was served!
All the flowers were given this year to the incredible Carolyn “Cookie” Minick Mason (pictured right), event co-chair along with Joan Haffenreffer (pictured left). Cookie puts on a stellar production that always tops the previous year. And this year we honored her commitment to the cause. Bravo!
I’m honored to be at the table with friends who also do their work behind-the-scenes to uplift the youngest of New Yorkers in a very special way. Citibank also shows its diva spirit in full force—setting a strong example! Thank you to my friend, Diana, and the circle of sisters with whom I get to share this time. I raise several glasses to how much being in a room full of these divas throughout the years inspires my creative projects and assures the audacity to dream.
To donate to the youth education programs of The Apollo and introduce neighborhood children to all areas of the arts, please click here. Thanks so much!
Here we come, 2024!
First Impressions...Our Love of Black Boys
Having a ball writing on the weekends. Until my next release, I thought, why not release my master's thesis in the meantime on my Amazon Author Page? I read it through recently and it still stands--the joy, the pain (and personal pain) and the inevitable. For those who want to connect more with Black male youth in your classrooms or environments, please give this guide a read and a share--especially, if like me, you love James Baldwin. Thank you, Drs. Raymond Winbush and Jeff Menzies for the forward. Thank you, J. Tiggett for the #film journey! And to all of the Little Brothers who made these chapters (and beyond) possible, you are truly, truly loved. Please click the link to "Follow" my Amazon Author Page, choose First Impressions and the African American Male: A Guide to Experiencing the Truth about Little Brother and read on #Kindle for FREE! #BlackBoys #AfricanAmericanMales #AfricanAmerican #Author #ThisIsAmerica #LittleBrother amazon.com/author/nicolefranklin
New Gig! Let's go!
Week one down. Grateful for the opportunity to work for an institution that serves so many. Honored that Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has entrusted me with the Director of Communications role. Let's go, Team. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here! Go, Cougars! #SIUE
#UrbanWarriors for #STL
Even though I've moved on from City Hall, I'm really proud of the Mayor's Youth Cabinet my colleagues and I formed this past summer under the direction of Vernon Mitchell. Lakesha Robinson, Nashad Carrington and an impressive roster of guest speakers really brought their A game to some very impressive teens. These bright #UrbanWarriors (they came up with the cool name!) really wowed Mayor Tishaura Jones today. Well done, All! I'm thrilled to continue volunteering with this pilot program. We're building an information network where Civics is the focus--teen to teen. #STL #UrbanConservation
Forks, Spoons and A Revolution?
You read that correctly. LISTEN to our audio drama, The Forks, by writer/director Myra Sito Velasquez and enjoy a unique take on table manners—from the utensils themselves! It’s wild…it’s kooky…it’s political…and fun! Kudos to the actors who had a ball on the mic. And a big shoutout to our engineers, editor and composer. We recorded The Forks right out of COVID and had the best feeling when we wrapped: This one is a winner. We indeed have won one award and look forward to more! Check us out on Spotify by clicking here. Great job, Team! #ProudProducer
Photo by Daryl Tillman
An Unboxing....My First!
Yay! My Dino Roaaaarrrrr! journal is here! I'm so excited!
Thank you YouTube.com/@DinosaurTech for running my FREE #crypto courses. Why not pick up this cool journal to take notes with your free classes? Please follow at amazon.com/author/nicolefranklin for this handy notebook and even more books (even children's books!) to come! Thanks, All!
A Dino for your Thoughts?
A Dino for your thoughts? Add this journal with the really cool cover to your collection and share with your favorite dinosaur enthusiasts! Click this link to join the fun! #MyDinosaur
