Educational Debt Cancellation Foundation

Dr. Jennoa Graham

We have all seen the news recently with the government trying to figure out how to help struggling college graduates to pay their student loans. Part of the issue has been the ease with which students can obtain loans, sometimes totaling tens of thousands of dollars – or more!

The belief is they will be able to find a great job with a degree and pay it off. But in many cases, that is not the case.

Loans need to be repaid. If not, your credit ratings will suffer – and that just adds to the burden graduates face as they are trying to establish their lives after college.

Adding to the burdensome brew are predatory lenders and universities that are disingenuous with students and their ability to repay student loans. Moreover, politicians continually make promises to relieve the burden of educational indebtedness. They have not.

Single parents are especially vulnerable. Whether their circumstances result from divided families, death, a growing hope for the future, or the lack of a clear plan, the burden is a barometer and is usually a sign of serious storms ahead. Yet, there are things that single parents can do.

That is where our guest today comes in. Praise God!

Dr. Jennoa Graham is a professor with the University System of Georgia, teaching leadership, organizational behavior, HR Management and other business courses. But life was not always all “sunshine and roses” for her…

She struggled as a single parent who made the decision to improve her life by attending college. As most students will, she took out student loans to do so. I’ll let her tell her story…

But after what she experienced, she decided to help others out so they would not have to struggle as much as she did.

She founded the “Educational Debt Cancellation Fund,” which is an IRS approved 501-c-3 formed specifically to reduce the accumulated student loan debt of over $1.5 TRILLION!

It is the vision of Dr. Graham to heighten awareness of student loan debt and eliminate Economic Disaster in all communities by “Breaking the bondage of educational debt.” The mission of the EDCF has started by helping single mothers who are struggling to repay education debt while providing for their children.

Dr. Graham is also an active community leader, speaking domestically and internationally on a variety of topics for Academic Conferences, Business Conferences, Financial Workshops, Christian Radio, and online Podcasts.

She is also an author of a great book, “Cyanidation: The Refinement of My Life.” It is her memoir and is available on Amazon.

To give us more information on all of this, help me welcome to the program, Dr. Jennoa Graham! Dr. Graham, it is a blessing to have you join us today. I do appreciate your time.

First question I always start with is this. Other than that brief information I just shared, can you tell us in your own words, “Who is Jennoa Graham?

Let’s go back to the beginning. You’re a single mom trying to “make it” in the world. But one morning, in the winter, you made a decision of “No more frozen tears.” Can you explain that situation for us?

What made you decide to start this non-profit and try to tackle a $1.5 TRILLION dollar debt?

How do you go about raising the funds for this project?

How has your organization helped struggling students thus far?

What is one of the most important counseling pieces of advice you give prospective students BEFORE they start college?

After graduation, how long does your average client wait before they seek out your services? Are they already falling behind on their student loan payments?

Let me ask you this, do you believe the higher institutions of learning (colleges and universities) have a responsibility in this mess? They are the ones who are charging these outrageous fees, etc.?

Should the government or the colleges make it a little harder for students to obtain student loans?

You want your clients to “persevere” through these issues. How do you encourage them to do that?

You are raising funds for your project from a variety of places. Give us a few ideas on how someone listening to us can help and become involved in bringing help to someone in need like this…

You also have an organization called, “Utilitarian Financial Consulting.” Share with us some of the work this organization does…

What kind of success stories are your receiving?

Dr. Graham, this is so interesting. As I said in the beginning, it is so needful as well. If someone wanted to get more information, ask a question or possibly do an interview such as this, how can they do that? How can someone get in touch with you?

And you also do speaking at events, churches, etc., correct?

Tell us about your book, “Cyanidation: The Refinement of My Life.” Why did you write this book and what are you hoping to accomplish through the book?

It’s available on Amazon, correct?

Before we close, tell us about your other name: Dr. GNP. What does it mean?

I’ll put links to all of this in the show notes below.

Folks, as we said, student debt is a NATIONAL problem. It is something that has no easy solutions. It is something that is going to plague individuals for decades to come. SOMETHING has to be done.

Dr. Jennoa Graham (or Dr. GNP!) is just taking the first steps to helping bring a solution to this crisis. You can help, as you heard her describe a moment ago. I urge you to drop down into the show notes and click the links right there. Reach out to her. Reach out and become involved.

If you or someone you know, perhaps a son, daughter, grand-child, neighbor, co-worker, etc., is struggling with student loan debt, reach out as well and see what services you can find that may help you. Amen!

Be sure to click the link and purchase a copy of her book, “Cyanidation: The Refinement of My Life” Amen! This book is not just another memoir or overcomer story. This book describes the pivotal role of religion and relationships play in your life. Through self-discovery, building self-confidence and trust. Understanding all of this is valuable to your future. You need to order this book today! Amen!

Dr. Graham, I do appreciate your time today in sharing all about this great work you are doing. Thank you for coming on the program.

Folks, that is all the time we have for today. For Dr. Jennoa Graham and myself, this is Pastor Bob reminding you TO BE BLESSED IN ALL THAT YOU DO!