This Week in Edutainment | February 2 - February 6
We connect students around the world to primary source experts from a wide variety of topics and subjects. For more information, visit edutainmentlearning.com.
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Avis Brown-Riley is a golf trailblazer who shows kids that big dreams and hard work can change lives.
Avis made history as the first and only African American to win the San Diego City Women’s Amateur Championship. She also became one of only a small number of African American women to earn an LPGA Class A Golf Professional certification—one of the highest honors in golf.
Born in San Diego, California, on March 29, 1964, Avis picked up her first golf clubs when she was just seven years old. By age eight, she had already won her first tournament. When she turned ten, she became a Junior World Champion and went on to win more than 50 junior golf championships, a record that still stands today.
Avis earned a college golf scholarship and competed at a Division I university, where she was named Rookie of the Year and ranked among the top golfers in the nation. She later played professional golf and competed in major tournaments, becoming one of only five African Americans to play in the U.S. Women’s Open and the only African American to compete in the U.S. Women’s Senior Open.
In 2009, Avis followed another dream and became an author. Her book, Building of a Champion, teaches kids that being a champion isn’t just about winning—it’s about courage, faith, and never giving up. When Avis faced breast cancer, she fought through it with strength and determination, proving that champions are made in life, not just on the golf course.
Today, Avis is a golf teacher, motivational speaker, and mentor who inspires kids—especially girls—to believe in themselves, dream big, and keep going no matter what.
Her message is simple and powerful:
“Dreams can come true. Do not give up. Never give up.”
Samantha Juan is a U.S. Army veteran, artist, writer, and storyteller who uses her life experience to help young people understand courage, identity, and being true to themselves. Born in Bahrain and raised in the United States, Sam served in Army special operations as a cultural support team leader before building a career in communications for the Department of Defense.
Today, she speaks about resilience, creativity, and what it means to show up as your authentic self—even when life feels challenging. Her upcoming book, Everything Happens For You, shares her personal journey of growth, healing, and the rediscovery of her voice.
Sam is known for her honesty, creativity, and for helping people connect with their own inner strength and stories.
Dr. Greer joined the University on June 1, 2020 with the goal of establishing an innovative mid-21st Century, Las Vegas-based medical school that will align students, educators, and community in designing and delivering an inclusive and collaborate environment for learning, healthcare and research. Previously, Dr. Greer served as Professor of Medicine, Founding Chair of Humanities, Health, and Society; and Associate Dean for Community Engagement at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, Florida.
Working with various FIU colleges, Dr. Greer spearheaded the nationally recognized Green Family Foundation Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program (NeighborhoodHELP). This program prepares medical students and other health professions students to address the social determinants of health through a hands-on longitudinal experience caring for underserved households in Miami-Dade County. Better known as “Joe,” Dr. Greer has been an advocate for health equity by engaging communities to create effective health and social policies and accessible health care systems.
He established Camillus Health Concern, Inc. and Saint John Bosco, health centers for underserved populations in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He has received numerous recognitions, including: one of the 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in Life Sciences listed on the Florida Trend 2019; June 2019 AMA Foundation Pride in Profession Award; Bob Graham Center for Public Service 2017 Citizen of the Year; 2014 National Jefferson Award in the category of Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged; 2013 Great Floridian Award; the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom; and in 1993, was honored as a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” Fellow. He has published more than 30 articles and book chapters and wrote Waking Up in America, a book about his life experiences, including caring for homeless individuals and advising Presidents Bush Sr. and Clinton on health care policy. Dr. Greer is currently a Trustee at the RAND Corporation (America’s oldest and largest think tank) and is the Chair of the Pardee RAND Graduate School Board of Governors. He served as Chair for the Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation from 2002 to 2012, and is an independent board member of American Funds 2016 to present.
He completed his medical studies at La Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic. ]He trained in Internal Medicine, served as Chief Resident, and completed two post-doctoral fellowships (Hepatology and Gastroenterology) at the VA/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. Before joining FIU, Dr. Greer ran a successful private practice and was Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mercy Hospital in Miami.
Edutainment Podcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Edutainment Learning? Edutainment Learning is an online educational platform that connects students and teachers to primary sources of learning from a wide variety of subjects. Our goal is to provide students access to in-person conversations with industry leaders, historical figures, athletes, musicians, and more.
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