January 23, 2006

FLAVIA COLGAN BIO

Flavia Colgan is an editorial board member of the Philadelphia Daily News. After graduating from Harvard with a degree in Religion, Flavia returned to her home state of Pennsylvania. After running several statewide campaigns for Democratic candidates, Flavia was appointed chief of staff to Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor, the first woman and youngest ever to serve in the position. She also served as a member of Governor Ed Rendell's senior staff.

Flavia has been a commentator for Fox News Channel, appearing on shows such as Hannity & Colmes and Fox & Friends. She is currently a commentator for MSNBC and CNBC, appearing on Scarborough Country, the Dennis Miller show, Lester Holt Live, The Situation with Tucker Carlson, and Hardball with Chris Mathews. She has interviewed such notables as Walter Cronkite, Prince Albert of Monaco, and Michael Moore.

Flavia also serves as a special correspondent for the nationally syndicated show Extra, where she explores the impact of celebrity on politics and causes. Her interviews include: Bill Maher, Geena Davis, Jean Smart, Kate Bosworth, Marcia Gay Harden, Daryl Hannah, Larry and Laurie David, Al and Tipper Gore, and Sharon Stone.

She is a frequent guest and guest host on local and national talk radio including Michael Smerconish, the Sirius Satellite show Young Turks, the Alan Colmes Show and NPR's "The Point." She has also served as cohost of a public affairs radio program in the Philadelphia area.

Flavia is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, Politics PA, the Allentown Morning Call and the Daily News. Among others, her work has also appeared in In These Times, Common Dreams, and the Harrisburg Patriot News.


Speeches:


  • Call to Humanitarian Equity
  • Call to action for Democrats





    These are charities and non-profits I serve on the board or committees for. I am so grateful for how much they have enriched my life and hope you check them out.

  • Boys & Girls Club of America. What group helped Bill Clinton, Martin Sheen, Bill Cosby, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt and four million other grateful children in their childhood development? The Boys and Girls Club. For over one hundred yeas, The Boys and Girls club has provided safe recreational facilities and has instilled hope into the lives of countless children. It has allowed children, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential. It offers many different kids of programs in such areas as Character & Leadership, Health & Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. My involvement with this board and group has been very important to me and was inspired by my Great-Step-Grandfather, who was the head of the Germantown Boys and Girls Club.

    A fun way I was able to help the Boys and Girls Club - it was one of the best nights of my life!

  • Best Buddies:
    Growing up, every day for 20 years, Eddie was one of my Pop's many rowing pupils. Eddie was intellectually disabled, a fact that I never knew until my grandfather passed away, and it took Eddie a while to understand what it meant that Pops was dead and would not be around to take his calls. I recall them chatting about the day's activities and what they were up to. My grandfather taught him to row because he felt, regardless of circumstance, that everyone should enjoy the sport that had brought him so much joy. They had a very special bond, and now, thanks to Best Buddies, I have a special friend as well

    As one might expect in 2006 we don't talk on the phone every day, but we e-mail a few times a week and over the last few years I have learned so much from her. I read a lot about mainstreaming, and as a daughter and grandaughter of public school teachers it was conversation at the dinner table on more than one occasion. My best buddy and my pops realtionship with Ediie always left me asking what is mainstream anyway? And maybe it is I who should mainstream into other worlds. Check out the site, get involved and let's see if we can't meet halfway and share our worlds with one another.

  • Big Picture Alliance: Teaches inner city teens filmmaking and media arts.The program engages and educates disadvantaged and under-served teens in developing self-expression and life and job skills through the inspiring and collaborative process of creating films. Teens write, act, produce and take part in post-production processes of broadcast-quality films - narrative, documentary, music video or animated formats.

    I know I will see some of these kids out in Los Angeles soon enough, but better still, is that the confidence, sense of achievement, empowerment in sharing their stories and experiences, and the ability to work with others, all gets brought back into the classroom and communities. Check out the site, volunteer, and treat yourself to watching some of the films, they are great!

  • Children Uniting Nations (CUN): A group dedicated to providing quality mentoring relationships to help improve academic achievement for at-risk kids, predominantly foster children.

    When you look at the studies that show that at-risk kids that have a mentor are far more likely to finish high school/college, maintain gainful employment and become positive productive citizens it's hard not to get involved.

    Mentoring relationships have been so rewarding for me and I am pretty sure that if you check out this organization or others that provide similar mentoring opportunities like Big Brother Big Sister you will discover what I have: those we think we are teaching are really teaching us. Don't be intimidated by the time commitment, all groups that I have worked with have lots of different ways to get involved. There have been times in my life where I could consisitently be an academic mentor which can be a big time commitment and other times where I have gone on a bunch of fun filled days like taking tons of kids to a Dodgers game with CUN. Just remember you get back what you put in!

  • Global Green USA: An environmental organization that works to stem global warming by creating green buildings and cities, eliminate weapons of mass destruction that threaten lives and the environment, and provide clean, safe drinking water for the 2.4 billion people who lack access to clean water.

    I know, sounds like a tall order! Well, they can't do all this great work without the help of many, so check it out and get involved. Added bonus, you can learn so much about these important issues on their site.

    I got involved with this organization because I felt it really had a very unique approach and was tackling three of the most important issues facing our world. I didn't know I would get to meet President Gorbachev, its founder, and that was a real treat. I also managed to interest my teenage sister for the first time in global warming by recounting star sightings of Leo and Orlando Bloom at one of their events, and by interviewing Kate Bosworth at another. Whatever it takes, right?!

  • Andre Sobel River of LIfe Foundation A unique organization that offers help with unrivaled immediacy to single parents of children with life threatening illnesses so that they can care for their children full time without worrying about finances. By caring for the parent you also care for the child. One of my closest friends, Valerie, lost her son Andre to a brain tumor at 17. I have always admired that she took a tragedy and turned it into something that has benefited so many and honors his wonderful spirit. He would be so proud of his mom, I know I am.

    One of my favorite things about the site is that you can "light a candle" and visit a cyber chapel and pray where you are. After all it is our intention that creates Holy Ground.

  • The Jackie Robinson Foundation helps minority teens with the granting of scholarships for higher education. In addition to the scholarship, the recipient becomes a member of the Foundation's Education and Leadership Development Program. This is an expansive mentoring program with workshops and a professional mentor assigned to each recipient. Over a thousand students have received scholarships so far.

  • Are you an LA citizen hunter? Join me on May 11th at the Jackie Robinson Gala.

  • Jackie Robinson Foundation Announces Lineup for 'Stars Pitch for Education' Charity Auction


    One charity I would love to be involved with if I had more time...


  • Project HOME
  • A MEANER, HARSHER AMERICA By MARY SCULLION (1/27)

    Tell me about a charity you think citizen hunters should know about and why.



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