This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect, presented by Vaden Automotive spotlights Richard Shinhoster of Diaspora Marketplace, who shares how trips to Ghana in 1994 and 1996 inspired a culture-focused business at 510 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and a mission rooted in relationships, heritage, and community revitalization; he discusses the Chamber’s Small Business Award recognition, a new bookstore focused on African and Black culture, and tours to Ghana.

The show then features Dr. Julie Olson, honorary wing commander for the 165th Airlift Wing, explaining the expanded Honorary Commander Program connecting community leaders with Guard units, correcting misconceptions about the Guard’s full-time commitments and deployments, and highlighting the co-located but separate missions of the 165th and the Air Dominance Center/Combat Readiness Training Center.

Finally, Visit Savannah’s Angela Westerfield and Lauren Cleland promote Banana Ball Playoff Weekend in Savannah, October 1–4, with a citywide “ballpark” approach, business participation tools, and an Opportunity Summit on September 10.

Bert's Hot Seat:

Dr. Julie Olsen

Meet Dr. Julie Olsen

Workplace Advancement Strategies

Superstar Member Spotlight:

Richard Shinhoster Diaspora Marketplace

Bananas Playoff Weekend:

Visit Sav Marketing Leadership Angela & Lauren

Angela Westerfield – Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Visit Savannah

awesterfield@visitsavannah.com

Lauren Cleland – Vice President, Strategic Marketing Visit Savannah

lcleland@visitsavannah.com

visitsavannah.com

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MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: VADEN IN THE COMMUNITY | Vaden Automotive

SAVANNAH CHAMBER CONNECT IS PROUDLY PRODUCED BY DEE DANIELS MEDIA

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FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Show Intro

00:47 Meet Richard Shinhoster

01:12 Ghana Trip Origins

04:47 Chamber Award Impact

06:00 Reviving MLK Boulevard

11:02 Business Lessons Relationships

14:10 Culture Bookstore Tours

18:49 Dreams And Risk Taking

20:40 Meet Dr Julie Olsen

21:19 Honorary Commander Program

22:49 Guard Mission And Impact

25:02 Training Center Air Dominance

28:22 Change Of Command Stories

30:37 Leadership Training Work

31:49 Honorary Commander Impact

32:44 Program Details and Thanks

34:05 Visit Savannah Guests

34:31 What Is Banana Ball Weekend

37:07 Citywide Business Ideas

38:35 How to Sign Up

40:22 Playoffs and Championship Stakes

42:27 Global Bananas Buzz

43:17 Hotel Demand and Future Events

46:35 Dates Links and Wrap Up

48:11 Sponsor Message and Chamber Close