Church podcast earns Gold awards in national marketing competition

The podcast “A Mother’s Perspective” has earned two Gold awards in the national 21st Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards competition. The awards are in the categories of Podcasts and DEI — Diversity Equity Inclusion.

The marketing competition recognizes achievements in the service sector. Of more than 1,000 entries only 177 were recognized. Entries were reviewed based on execution, creativity, message impact, technology application, content innovation and overall breakthrough marketing content.

The limited-episode podcast was co-produced by First Presbyterian Church of Lansing and Prince Solace, in partnership with Vision Success Marketing. Solace was also the host. The goal was to engage the Greater Lansing community and advance DEI within the church. It is available on Spotify at https://bit.ly/MP-P.

“Churches need effective and impactful ways to communicate with their community,” said Solace. “It’s rewarding to know that our communications work in Lansing compares favorably with, and in many cases exceeds, work done at the national level by major corporations.”

Solace is director of congregational life at Lansing First Presbyterian and president of the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan. The League is a not-for-profit, faith-based reparations organization addressing racial wealth inequity in Greater Lansing through support of education, home ownership and entrepreneurship.

The podcast focuses on how mothers’ perspectives on faith, culture, class, race and parenting impact adult children’s interaction with their community. The lesson is people are not that different. All mothers use their passions to help their children have fulfilling lives and to make positive impacts in their communities.

Solis said that the diversity of guests was key. Represented are members and nonmembers of Lansing First Presbyterian, persons with traditional and nontraditional family backgrounds, and individuals of various ethnicities and races. A range of professions were also represented, including a retired entomologist who founded the Justice League, a poet, a social activist, a politician, an author, a retired pastor, a retired educational advisor, several entrepreneurs, an artist and a woman of influence within her church.

Guests were Michigan Sen. Sarah Anthony, Dedria Humphries Barker, Willye Bryan, Siso Dhladhla, AnnaMaria Pasley-Horn and Betty Sanford of Lansing; Greg Botting, Grand Rapids; Alexis Rosado of Holland; Queen Darlene, South Haven; Jean Dietrich of Grand Ledge; and Charlie Herrick of Mason.

The 11 podcast episodes were capped by an in-person roundtable discussion with those featured in the podcast.

For more information about “A Mother’s Perspective,” contact Solace at psolace@lansingfirstpres.org.