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Grand Finale of the Evolution of AHG

By: Stephanie Kalota 
Founder, Veteran Legislative Voice & AHG Correspondent

In the grand finale of the relaunch of America’s Heroes Group, it is important to include all those that made this amazing program just that much more amazing.
Being in the military or as a veteran can feel isolated, confusing, and bleak. But that is what America Heroes Group does every day to prevent this from happening. They do that by introducing them to wholesome, considerate, and decent humans. These introductions can be on radio shows and podcasts that humanize the VA, which can reduce the negative opinions of the VA.

To be successful in this venture, America’s Heroes Group is assisted by the best advisory board that any organization can ask for. The members of the advisory board are Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, Congressman Danny K. Davis, Congresswoman Shelia L. Jackson Lee, Chris Kennedy, and James Compton. Lt. General Russel L. Honoré is a decorated 37-year army veteran whose missions include: commanding the military relief effort in post-hurricane Katrina New Orleans or conducting a security review of the Capitol’s security infrastructure following the attacks on January 6, 2021. Congressman Danny K. Davis is the U.S. House Representative for the 7 th district of Illinois and have been since November 5, 1996. Congresswoman Shelia L. Jackson Lee is the U.S. House Representative for the 18 th district of Texas and the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip. Christopher Kennedy is chair of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, nephew of late President John F. Kennedy, and son of the late New York Senator and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. James Compton is the former president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League.

More distinguished guests are: The Jesse Brown VA, the Chicago Regional Office of the Veteran Benefits Administration, Christopher Deutsch of All Rise, Lindsey Church, Danitza James, Rochelle Crump, Gigi Brookshire, Stephanie Gattas, Coalition of Veterans Organizations, Steven J. Seidman of Seidman, Margulis, Fairman, LLP, Jared Evans of Chase Bank Community Outreach Manager, Nancy Espinosa, National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Annaliese Cothron of American Institute of Dental Public Health, Darren Jeffrey of Rick Herrema Foundation Rick’s Place, Bob Carnagey of Indiana Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17, Liza Lieberman and Josh Protas of MAZON, Kathryn Monet and Ralph Cooper of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, Troy J. Brossard of AARP, James D. Rodriguez, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor, Trabue Bland, the board of directors of the RHF, Keisha L. Jackson, a family caregiver advocate, Richard Brookshire of Black Veterans Project, Jennifer-Ruth Green of Battle-Proven Leadership, Hines VA Women Healthcare, KFF Health News, Jeopardy, Suzanne Gordon of VHPI and Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, the former Under Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, DC Office.

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The Evolution of America’s Heroes Group

By: Stephanie Kalota 
Founder, Veteran Legislative Voice & AHG Correspondent

n 2016, America’s Heroes Group (AHG) started as a modest weekly one-hour radio show on AM 1690 WVON in Chicago, Illinois; founded by Clifford P. Kelley and Glenda R. Smith on October 30, 2015. Then it was known as America’s Fireside Chat Radio Talk Show. Since then, AHG has become a game changer that allows voices to be heard, celebrated, and honored.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit, AHG leverages radio and digital media and delivers vital information on benefits, resources, and referrals to military service members, veterans, and their families. The show’s host, Clifford P. Kelley, a Vietnam veteran and former city council member, lends his decades-long expertise. Co-host, COL Dr. Damon Arnold provides his medical and military knowledge to the show. Co-host, Debra Denhart shares her unique perspective as a military spouse and a community leader. Co-host, Sean Claiborne, also a former Army National Guardsman, brings his background in communications and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the military and veteran community.

The show’s notable guests include the Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, former Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Press Secretary, Terrence Hayes. The following organizations participated in this show: Partner National Nurses United (NNU), Military Women’s Memorial, Repatriate Our Patriots, National Women Veterans United, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Military Families Matter, Military & Veteran Women’s Coalition, Combat Sexual Assault, Minority Veterans of America, Veteran Legislative Voice, League of United Latin American Citizens, the Pink Berets, and the Red Cross.
In 2020, AHG began distributing its material as a podcast, and since then has accumulated more than 5.7 million downloads. Almost 1 million of them have been downloaded in the last 90 days! The majority of the downloads are within the United States, with top downloads in San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, Austin, Chicago, Miami, and Jacksonville.