Reimagining Black Relations: Recent Episodes
Dr. Francesca Fajinmi
Reimagining Black Relations Podcast is a chat about solutions for issues relating to the black race. Solutions may relate to business, social, or spiritual. The podcast will help both white and brown races to understand what must be done to solve the racial problems. Likewise, for the black race, the podcast will provide insight to what to expect, comfort from the past experiences, and a promising path forward. The host is Dr. Francesca Fajinmi. Subscribe and please provide some feedback.
In a compelling return to the Reimagining Black Relations podcast, Dr. Rob Eschmann fearlessly delves into the stark realities of growing up under the pervasive influence of racial bias and the constant specter of police violence. He shares the deeply moving experience of having to give his own son "the talk," a heart-wrenching rite of passage in a world where the actions of Black person can carry life-or-death consequences. Dr. Eschmann's educational journey, from a magnet school that starkly contrasted with prison-like institutions, profoundly shaped his understanding of racism. His unyielding commitment to the fight for justice radiates throughout the conversation, as he underscores the transformative potential of storytelling to challenge dehumanizing narratives. Through his thought-provoking film, "Choose Your Own Resistance," he extends an invitation to explore the viewpoints of bystanders and stakeholders in the ongoing battle against racism.
Dr. Eschmann further navigates the intricate terrain of online racism, revealing how virtual experiences can inflict comparable harm to their real-world counterparts. He sheds light on the concerning surge in the use of microaggressions and the alarming emergence of digital rage. As he underscores the pivotal role of moderation in distinguishing between free speech and hate speech, he calls upon us to reevaluate the original purpose of free speech – intended for critiquing the government. This podcast episode serves as a poignant reminder to critically examine the stories we encounter, challenge dominant narratives, and actively seek counter-stories that can reshape the prevailing discourse on racial injustice. It stands as an urgent call to action, encouraging us to reflect on our own experiences, question narratives that perpetuate racist ideologies, and actively participate in the collective effort to build a more just and equitable society.
Dr. Rob Eschmann's profound insights and unwavering dedication make this podcast episode an essential and compelling listen, reaffirming the imperativeness of continued resistance, the fight for racial justice, and the potent impact of individual and collective action.
In a compelling episode of Reimagining Black Relations, we welcome two exceptional guests, Dr. Fayron Epps and Karah Alexander, who are on a mission to enhance the quality of life for Black caregivers. Dr. Epps, with over two decades of experience in nursing and a wealth of knowledge in creating culturally relevant health programs, joins Karah Alexander, a dedicated PhD candidate, to shed light on the unique challenges faced by Black dementia caregivers. Together, they delve deep into the disparities and discriminations that often plague this group, not only within healthcare systems but also in the form of microaggressions from support providers.
Their goal is clear: to bring attention to these distinct challenges and ensure that the larger community understands the experiences of Black caregivers and patients. They emphasized the importance of speaking up, challenging the status quo, and advocating for change. As part of their mission, they offer a caregiving course tailored to the Black community, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to navigate these challenges. To access this valuable resource, simply call or text 678-723-8188. With a focus on systemic change within healthcare, they addressed the need for improved care, citing an experience faced by a Black male caregiver, and explored the historical context that has led to the disparities faced by Black caregivers today. Tune in to this eye-opening conversation and be inspired to make a difference in the lives of Black caregivers.
In a thought-provoking interview, Dr. Rob Eschmann, a multifaceted talent from Chicago, unveils the subtle yet pervasive forms of racism in the 21st century. Rooted in his academic journey that began in Chicago Public Schools and culminated in a PhD from the University of Chicago, Dr. Eschmann sheds light on pressing issues, including educational inequality, community violence, and racism. His scholarly work exposes the intricate barriers to racial and economic equity, emphasizing the courageous efforts of everyday individuals in the resistance against these obstacles.
With a scholar-artist's perspective, Dr. Eschmann's book, "When the Hood Comes Off: Racism and Resistance in the Digital Age," delves deep into how technology is transforming our understanding and response to racism. He shares compelling insights on how anonymity online can embolden explicit racism and challenge long-held beliefs. Through his research, he uncovers the unique experiences of individuals responding to racial micro-aggressions and harnessing technology to empower their voices. Dr. Eschmann's interview calls us to action, urging a change in norms and expectations, fostering open dialogue, and inspiring real-world transformative actions within our local communities.
This captivating interview with Dr. Eschmann uncovers the evolving landscape of racism in the digital age, offering both enlightening observations and a powerful call to confront and address these challenges head-on.
In an eye-opening conversation that transcends the ordinary, Van Williams, the Vice President of Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer for the University of California's sprawling $40+ billion-dollar enterprise, takes us on an inspiring journey through the complexities of being Black in America. From a transformative semester that pushed the boundaries of personal resilience to a deep-seated appreciation for the Bahamas' sense of community, empathy, and kindness, Van's life experiences have uniquely shaped his perspective on leadership, mentorship, and the power of wellness, fearlessness, and resilience.
But this podcast is beyond personal growth—it's a profound exploration of how technology can be wielded as a force for good in the Black community. Van's analogy of AI as a tool, a hammer capable of building or tearing down, challenges us to rethink our approach to racial equity in a digital age. Discover how he envisions AI reducing biases, scanning social networks for truth, and creating buddy systems for success. And as we delve into his vision of co-sponsoring an AI congress, Van reminds us that opportunities in both the private and public sectors are within reach, provided we leverage the unique strengths of Black talent.
Van Williams leaves us with a call to action, including a non-negotiable call for Black youth. This podcast is a testament to the intersection of technology, personal empowerment, and societal change—a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and innovative solutions for a more equitable future.
When you consider being Black in the U.S., it's unlike anything we've ever seen before. Our history is shaped by colonialism, colorism, and culture. Unlike the U.K., where Black people were integrated into existing systems, we, in the U.S., had systems defined on our incredibly strong backs. Our unique situation demands equally unique solutions, although we can still draw inspiration from history however AT THIS STAGE, as an innovator or entrepreneur, we hold a greater chance of moving the needle than from the perspectives of sociologists, economists, or psychologists… - Van Williams
Archbishop Isiah Mcoshwa Simelane, the remarkable, visionary founder and overseer of the Evangelical Gospel Church of South Africa, whose wisdom transcends borders and generations, graciously offered his profound insight in this awe-inspiring interview. The Archbishop shared enlightening perspectives on the pivotal role of missionaries in shaping the lives of Black South Africans. As he delves fearlessly into the depths of truth, he unveiled the poignant reality of a profound lack of trust that pervades the Christian community, transcending the constraints of race. Brace yourself for a captivating exploration as Archbishop Simelane unearthed profound insights, challenged prevailing notions, and ignited a compelling dialogue towards authentic unity and profound reconciliation.
"Forty yeas ago, even though we were living in poverty, things were better then, than now" - Archbishop Isiah Mcoshwa Simelane(Interview in isiSwati and English)
Nii Ayikwei Parkes, an acclaimed Ghanaian-British writer, editor, and a prominent voice among black intellectuals in the UK, delivers a powerful message on the persistent challenges encountered by Black writers. Currently engaged in groundbreaking research on "Philosophical connections between Africa and the African Diaspora in the "New World"" at the Hutchins Center at Harvard University. Parkes eloquently exposes the stifling impact of cliches that plague Black writers. With poignant clarity, he emphasizes the pervasive stereotypes faced by Black writers, shedding light on the unsettling reality that Blacks have been conditioned to view literature through the lens of "whiteness". He offered inspiring solutions and strategies for Black writers to carve their path to success, empowering them to challenge the status quo and reclaim their narratives.
"The people I grew up with in Ghana did not have the experience of seeing themselves as Black, because in my language, there is no word for Black... in terms of describing people, you have dark or light." - Nii Ayikwei ParkesNii's latest novel Azúcar, is an atmospheric book, giving so much: music, food, eccentric family legend, the Northern Antilles, West Africa, the scents, and colors of two worlds and the story of a man relocated from one home to another. Azúcar is a new kind of Caribbean novel with a reach beyond the region. Published by Peepal Tree Press.
Fayron Epps, PhD, RN, a nurse with 20+ years’ experience creating culturally relevant programs to reduce health disparities for underserved populations, highlighted significant health findings, negatively impacting the Black community.
Dr. Epps passionately implored patients, their families, caregivers, and spiritual leaders to be engaged, for it is clear the status quo will be insufficient to sustain the community, and the consequences could be dire. The impending threat emphasized the urgency to adapt and collaborate on this new path that ensures the community’s survival and vitality.
“I heard that by 2030, 40% of individuals in America with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia would be Black or Latino – that’s seven years away… This is from a report released by Florida International University and UsAgainstAlzheimer's”. - Fayron Epps, PhD, RN
Dr. Epps can be reached at 678-723-8188 or through email at fepps@emory.edu.
Dr. Debora Kayembe, Lord Rector of the 440 year old, University of Edinburgh, Scotland and the first person of color to occupy the position. She shared the history of her country of origin as the rape capital of the world, where five women were raped every two seconds. Debora's investigation into the killings of Blacks in her country revealed that the aim was not to kill, but to exterminate. Dr. Kayembe provided deeper insight on the strategy to employ for solutions to Black issues.
"I cried two days ago, do you know why I cried? I was informed by my white students that the office I work from everyday, has underneath it, one thousand, seven hundred skulls of human remains that were taken between 1600 to 1920 from colonies all over the world, as trophies" - Dr. Debora Kayembe
Dr. Nomsa Khalfani, Co-CEO of Essential Access Health and founder of Khalfani Strategy Group acknowledged the progress that was made in the past, was for the past; she highlighted the need to revisit and update with relevant current advancements.
"They referred to me as a militant when I went to college, it's like I became this revolutionist... that was when I officially changed my name, how I dressed, the books I read, and how I function in the world..." - Dr. Nomsa Khalfani
Dr. Santos Ramos, an assistant Professor of Integrative Studies at Grand Valley State University is a mixed Mexican-Irish-American. His research and teaching centers on the Intersections of Latin American Studies, Intercultural Competence, and Digital Technology.
He introduced the concept of Sovereignty in his work on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, while emphasizing the research necessary for historical context of policy brutality, prison industrial complex, and current protests.
"I'm definitely light-skinned, but I've never felt white in my whole life... a lot of it is how people treat you, especially with my name.." - Dr. Santos Ramos
Will Jawando is the Montgomery County Councilmember, attorney, activist, and community leader with a lifelong dedication to public service. He discussed the importance of black fatherhood even in the absence of the real father. He cited several examples including his relationship with President Barack Obama.
"I went to five schools before I was in the 8th grade and a lot of the issues were issues of race and profiling. Because I was energetic and wanted to answer questions, they said I needed to be on medication. My mother won’t allow it. And we know for example that black students are over-medicated, over-represented in special education… " - Will Jawando
Speakers include:
Dr. Francesca Fajinmi - Founder, Your Black Matters
"Jackie" Dupont-Walker - President, Ward Economic Development Corporation
Oba Oladepo Towobola - King of Aluti Erin, Dari Erin of Aluti Erin in Yoruba land
Prof. Jacob Gordon - Professor Emeritus, University of Kansas & President, United Nations Association - Gainsville, FL
Derek A. Perkinson, the New York State Field and Crisis Director for the National Action Network (NAN) focused on the responsibilities of Black people in driving solutions to conquer racism. He proffered some do's and don't's for families and communities.
“In our community today, we have negative music, and there is no balance to that. Calling ourselves …..….. degrading ourselves, ….. we have to make glorification of killing each other in our music not cool…” - Derek A. Perkinson
Rodney H. Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of Street Legend shared his thoughts on hidden oppositions. He expanded on his childhood understanding of "The System" and why he embraces the mantra of "coming up with something out of nothing" while affirming that the "Wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous".
Chris Ramos, Senior Director of UCLA Student Finance Solutions, shared his perspectives as a mixed-race executive. He believes the conversation extends beyond race, cultural acceptance and a sense of self-worth are natural extensions that have eluded the mainstream. He emphasized the importance of community connections and the power of travel.
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, the founding president of the Ward Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in Los Angeles and an appointee of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as a member of the LA County Metro Board. She shared a compelling story and the influence of King Solomon Dupont.
Albert Edmund Lord III, an Emmy Award-winning creative with a slew of industry awards, and more than 35 years of experience in radio, post production, sound editing, live theater as well as independent film and video production, highlighted his work on the "Exhibits on African American Heritage Month legacy project covering 2006 to 2020".
He shared his story as a mixed race, Black, White, and a Native American from Tracy to San Francisco, South Africa, and Los Angeles.
Dr. Ama S. Wray, Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and a performance architect that innovates across disciplinary lines, leading with dance to enter spaces of dance, jazz music, theatre, academia, medicine, technology and activism. Dr. Wray spotlighted her multi-cultural background from the U.K, to Jamaica, United States, and Cuba as she shares her perspectives on Africans and Africans in Diaspora.
Jacob U’Mofe Gordon, Emeritus Professor, University of Kansas; Kwame Nkrumah Endowed Chair, University of Ghana; Senior Fulbright Scholar, presented the chronology of the Black History Month Celebration in the United States.
Prof. Ayodeji Ogunnaike, an assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Bowdoin College is of Nigerian descent, specifically of the Yoruba tribe. His research and teaching centers around the religious traditions of Africa and the African diaspora including Christianity, Islam, and indigenous African traditions, particularly Yoruba oriṣa worship in Nigeria and Candomblé in Brazil.
He juxtaposed several African religions with the major western religions. He further elaborated on diversified oppression, emphasized how racism is akin to sin if not sin, and the counter-effectiveness of flawed tools being used to overcome racism.
Dr. Marketus Presswood is an Historian with specialization in the socio-cultural interactions of the Chinese, Africans, and Africans in Diaspora. Dr. Presswood juxtaposed China and the U.S. on the subject of racism. He discussed: the role of China and the U.S. on the global order for Africa and Black Diaspora and emphasized the urgency of establishing the "United African States".
"At the same time, I saw friends, and friends of friends, who didn't have the same support system, and they fell by the wayside. For me now, when I think about some of my classmates who were brilliant students - I had one classmate who was a great mathematician - much smarter than me in that regard. I remember a few years back when I was in Chicago, I ran into him on the street. You can tell that he was homeless. And I just thought - what a waste of so much talent and genius. This is the problem - my critique of America is that, how much do we lose because we fail to nurture every segment ..." - Dr. Marketus Presswood
Dr. Irène Y. Kilubi, an Expert Advisor to the European Commission on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Digitalization, spoke to us from Germany. Irene shared her experiences as one of the first Black families to relocate to Germany from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how she transitioned from the status quo to her current trajectory.
"Many were also jealous, other immigrants like people from Russia, from Poland, and from Turkey. So I faced more racism from non-German people than from German people. It's like minorities humiliating other minorities." - Dr. Irène Y. Kilubi
Four speakers from the Inaugural Pan-African Youth (PAY) Summit.
Prof. Babacar Kante - President of the National Political Dialogue Commission in Senegal, former Vice-President of the Constitutional Council/Court of Senegal, and an expert in Constitutional law and political science, will speak on Ethics and Power.
Prof. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith,Senior Associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, President of Fort Valley State University in Georgia, Provost of universities in Virginia and New York and Dean at Florida International University spoke on Security, Political Economy of Drugs, Crime, and its impact on the Sovereignty of a Nation.
Darcy Bourne, a 20-year-old Sophomore with a joint major in Sociology and French at Duke University in North Carolina, spoke on the Perspectives of Youth in Diaspora.
Dr. Alexandria Williams , an Internal Medicine Physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, spoke on Ethics.
Four of the speakers from the Inaugural Pan-African Youth (PAY) Summit.
Dr. Jasmine L. Blanks-Jones, a dynamic theatre nonprofit leader, award-wining educator, who holds a dual PhD in Education and Africana Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, speaking on Pan-Africanism.
Paulinarh Bolatito Ogunleye is 21 years old. The first female President of the Faculty of Arts Student Union at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and the longest seating president of the same body. She will speak on the Perspectives of Youth in Africa.
Prof. Seth N. Asumah, the State University of New York Distinguished Teaching Professor, Chair, and Professor of Africana Studies, and Professor of Political Science, speaking on Effective Mobilization for Political Success.Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson QC, former Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs of The Commonwealth of Bahamas, an advocate for people centered justice, diversity, and the rights of women and children and an expert in governance, restructuring and rebranding of organizations, speaking on Ethics and Leadership.
Rev. Dr. Sharpton, founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), a not-for-profit civil rights organization formed in 1991 with over 100 chapters nationwide, including a Washington, DC Bureau and regional offices across the US, was our Keynote Speakerfor the Inaugural Pan African Youth (PAY) Summit, held on November 13th, 2021.
As one of the nation’s most-renowned civil rights leaders, Rev. Al Sharpton has been praised by President Barack Obama as "the voice of the voiceless and a champion for the downtrodden”. Rev. Al Sharpton also hosts a daily radio show “Keepin’ it Real w/ Rev. Al Sharpton”, a national cable news television show titled “Politics Nation” and he is an established author.
This is the Keynote Address.
Cheryl Contee, Chief Innovation Officer at The Impact Seat expressed the reality that your ideal career might not exist today. While she described how you can create the vision of the "new you", she provided scores of investors with interests in minority founders.
"They found that they were able to really get people all the way through their systems except when it comes to writing the check. They told me that it takes them on average, seven introductions to angel investors to get a white female founder funded. It takes 50 on average, five zero, introductions to get a Black female founder funded." - Cheryl Contee
Percy Hintzen Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley and currently Professor of Global and Sociocultural Studies in the School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University shared his experiences and expertise of White and Black relations from the Caribbeans to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the rest of Americas. He highlighted the problems faced by indigenous Black countries, the advent of Europeanized Africans, correlation between language and power, and the solution to the global colonized world.
"We consider them as foreigners, but at the same time, they were the ones who exercised control over every aspect of our lives. And it was very violent. They had the privilege of power and they exercised authority over us in a very violent way" - Percy Hintzen Ph.D.,
Ja'Net Adams, CEO of EMACK understood the power of financial freedom as a means of bridging the wealth gap. She believes you can have whatever you want, as long as you are still breathing, emphasizing the power of money, the power of social media, and the power of saying "no".
"I see... what would I have like to have done differently? Probably would have learned more about my culture, even more than I did growing up because I was just all over the place... you need to know where you've come from...." - Ja'Net Adams
Roger Griffith, a Black British Social Entrepreneur and faculty member at the University of West England spoke to us from Britain. He shared the dichotomy of being Black and being called "British Boy". Roger expressed frustration about the unhealthy obsession towards Black men, yet he conveyed his optimism as he salutes the Windrush generation with a well articulated poem.
"I've always knew there is good and bad in every race, and that's pretty much how I've judged my life. One of the books that changed my life was the work of Malcolm X, and he referred to white people as devils and the like. I had to go through some kind of reckoning because I just couldn't see that as possible. My friends weren't devils...." - Roger Griffith
Russell Davis, Chief of Human Resources, Equity, and Engagement at the Hammer Museum of UCLA discussed his approach to combat emotional shutdown, and how he developed the appropriate emotional responses when his physical, emotional, and spiritual skin fell off. He proposed strategies for individuals, human resources and employees, and leaders of organizations.
"When we moved out of Philadelphia to the suburbs, we were the only people of color, we were the only African American family, the only Black family in this community - Bryn Mawr in Radnor Pennsylvania. And it was a very interesting discovery because they had never , literally they would say they had never seen Black people in real life before. And they were 20 minutes outside the city of Philadelphia." - Russell Davis
Licy Do Canto, Managing Director for the Washington, DC headquarters of APCO Worldwide. Licy discussed his personal and professional journey to drive change and lift up disadvantaged communities in the U.S. and abroad. A son of Cape Verdean immigrants, raised in Greater Boston, has made diversity, equity, and inclusion his life journey companions. From APCO’s racial equity initiative, “Accelerate What’s Right,” to his perspective on the important difference between equality and equity, Licy shared his deeply personal experiences and beliefs that support his mission to being a catalyst for change both within and outside of APCO.
"It has really shaped who I am today. And growing up, I walked in this two worlds - one that is the culture and history of my parents and my ancestors, and the other of course is here in the U.S. And both have provided both a rewarding and ...." - Licy Do Canto
MJ Fievre, an Haitian writer, author, and publisher who currently resides in the United States, shared the Black experience in Haiti and her objections to anti-whiteness. She emphasized the need for community introspection, communal dialogue without passion, and the social and personal responsibilities of Black people.
"The Black experience in Haiti has a lot to do with colorism. So it's the idea that if you're lighter skinned, you are more beautiful, you are probably more educated, or you have more money. Which used to be true in not so very distant past because when you think about the ramifications of slavery and occupation, even in the United States, people who were considered mixed - maybe the colonizer was one of the parent..." - MJ Fievre
Caroline Manyapye, a South African executive based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, juxtaposed the benefits of colonization with the innate abilities and excellence of Black people, while she shared her personal stories layered with pain and resilience.
"I've got this view and this perception, that we are the most oppressed, simply because we are so powerful and simply because they know our power. They know our power even if sometimes we don't see our power, they see it and they know it. Why would you just oppress something that you are not threatened by? - Caroline Manyapye
Daniel L. Hollar, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Science at Bethune-Cookman University and CEO of Daninger Solutions Inc., expounded on the impact of adopting main stream values while rejecting indigenous cultural values. He proffered solutions that can protect citizens from negative images of dominant cultures. He touched on various topics including traumas in the Black communities, benefits of building culturally competent officers, and the need to address mental health and suicides in the community. For immediate help, call 800-273-TALK (2755). Dr. Hollar can be reached at HollarD@cookman.edu
"Racism, white supremacy is a criminal enterprise that's organized against Black people. And that kind of surmises it. So, no matter where you go in the world, the system is the dominant system that we are all operating under currently" - Daniel L. Hollar, Ph.D.
Babatunde Ogunnaike, Ph.D., an award winning American Chemical Engineer of Nigerian descent, currently the William L. Friend Chaired Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bio-molecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, spoke on the intersectionality of engineering-sociology-humanity-and cultural anthropology. He affirmed the true story of one woman and the automobile airbag was not a box to be checked, just as the Black race are humans of significant worth.
"Not having women in engineering, not having Black people in engineering, literally it's like going through life with one eye closed. And I typically tell people sitting in the audience - I tell them to close one eye and look at the world and tell me what the world looks like to you. You lose depth of perception. And so when half of your team is sitting on the side lines, and you are only playing with five people on the field..." - Prof. Babatunde Ogunnaike
Darryl Mobley, prior corporate executive of Procter and Gamble, the world #1 Coach, and the CEO of Catapult Leaders spoke as a father, a husband, and a professional. He shared his reasons why he considers negativity as a drug, the reason why people want you to hate yourself, what you can do to change, and why fighting may not be bad.
"And I am resolute about this stuff. I don't care about your politics. I don't care about what you call yourself. I don't care about the party you belong to - it's a bunch of crap. What matters is what you do, because it was easy back then, and anybody who went into history can look and say "about when was that time period" Daryl? Who was running that era? Who were the judges? Who were the mayors? Who were the people punishing this kids, and giving kids - a kid might steal a pack of gum and get a year in a Black juvenile home. For a similar crime, a white kid will get a probation" - Darryl Mobley
Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, Ph.D., Senior Associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Fellow with the Caribbean Policy Consortium, both in Washington, DC, provides vignettes on the end-to-end process of the drug business, which includes production, trans-shipment, consumption, and money laundering. He elaborated on the impact in the Black community, why "just say no" did not work, and why "the war on drugs" was unhelpful. The recommendations of this two-time university president and author of several books based on 3 F's--Faith, Family, and Friends--are profound.
"In an effort to control drug sale, possession, and use in New York city, they began to confiscate vehicles of people found with drugs. The first four months of confiscation, most of the vehicles confiscated for people using drugs were not from New York city. They were the rich white kids from New Jersey who were driving into the Black communities to purchase the drugs. So you've got to ask the question "is what you are seeing in the Black community of the Black community"? - Prof. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith
Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs Foundation and Working Party Chair of eCommerce Forum Africa, spoke from Lagos in Nigeria. The Nigerian-Senegalese expounded on the excitement and the reality of being a Black youth on the continent. She highlighted the uniqueness of the environment, the people, culture, and solution adaptation, while identifying the most appropriate stakeholders to define and solve the Black problems. (Since the recording of the podcast, Anna has joined a Nigerian political party, the Youth Party).
"I know that there is still that savior mentality that says Black people haven't figured it out, we don't know what to do, we don't know how to do it. So we need to come and be supported. While I recognize that there are a lot of challenges that we still face around healthcare for example, or the education sector, and all of this, our infrastructures are not there yet, people are still financially excluded and don't have access to clean and affordable energy, yes, all those challenges are there but then that mentality of Black people can't figure it out and we need to come and help them because they can't think by themselves is not ...." - Anna Ekeledo
Scott Law, a trusted colleague and friend of mine, shared his thoughts and fears about the current generation, and his hope and aspirations for the next, while discussing the inherent need for all people to value each other and coexist equitably as one human family.
"We never thought about things in that way, and I wasn't raised to think about things in that way. We learn about people, we didn't learn about or be taught that there was this difference between a Hispanic person and a Black person, the Chinese person and so on. It was really about whether the person was good or they weren't. You get to the core of who you are and get rid of all this superfluous details that at the end of the day, shouldn't matter" - Scott Law
Dr. Norman Munroe, a U.S State department Fulbright Scholar and a full professor at Florida International University in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering department. Dr. Munroe described how he was re-educated as a Guyanese-American Black man in Tanzania. He spoke about his visit to one of the wonders of the world, his Christmas experience at Mount Kilimanjaro, his face to face meeting with President Julius Nyeyere, and his escapade in Uganda a week before Idi Amin's coup.
"I was able to appreciate Black beauty because you know, coming from a British colony, we were kind of brainwashed into Eurocentric mindset of what beauty looks like. That's why I said I was very glad I went to Africa first because I learnt to appreciate blackness and to admire it, and respect it, and love it, and to embrace the culture, to learn the language..."Dr. Norman Munroe
Greg Hendricks, went from the court as a former professional basketball player and coach to becoming a full-time pastor in a mega church - The Rock Church in San Diego, California. Pastor Hendricks speaks about the burden and the calling upon his church and their ministry on the subject of racism, he expands on the commonalities of in-groups and out-groups as a resolution strategy, as he gives out a special invitation.
"We started internally first and we had some really great dialogue. There were some that were uncomfortable, and that's okay. There were some that had issues, and that's okay. There were some that were like - we need to move forward, there were some that were like, I don't want any part of this conversation because it's too much..." Pastor Greg Hendricks
Shawn Kennedy, a retired sworn member of the Chicago Police Department for 29 years, currently serving as the Information Officer for the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers spoke about the Black police experience as an officer and a citizen. He highlighted, why Black officers are not speaking up enough, the impacts when they speak up, and why Black men are a primary target. He provided specific call to action for Black officers and citizens.
"People say, "are they trying to put us back in Jim Crow"? Please don't think that it's something impossible. If you are asleep, things can happen when you're sleeping, so you need to be conscious about certain things and pay attention. Things are done deliberately for very specific reasons. You may not know what the reason is, but you should question anything that comes across...." - Shawn Kennedy
Qazi Fakhir Jamil, President of MQ Technologies spoke from Toronto in Canada. A native of Pakistan, previously the CEO of Converge Technologies, the largest digital media and content company in Pakistan, now resides in Canada.
The Tech mogul juxtaposed awareness and exposure with massive data manipulation as a means of changing negative perceptions of Blacks. He highlighted several untapped opportunities in the Technology world and challenged Blacks to leverage the power of e-commerce to elevate the Black race.
"So last year, with everything going on and the unfortunate incident and everything, there's always a silver lining to something that happens. The silver lining was that, it was a priority #10, it now moved to priority #1, which otherwise might have taken 10 years. That was the silver lining that happened. But, with this silver lining, we have to ensure that it stays as #1, till the problem is solved" - Qazi Fakhir Jamil
James Lafferty, CEO of Fine Hygienic Holdings spoke from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. A Cincinnati native, previously division CEO for P&G, Coca-Cola, British American Tobacco and many world class companies, now resides in Dubai.
Jim, also a feminist, described his voting record from '84 to now, his interpretation of mental disarmament from Nelson Mandela's story, his feelings about white privilege, thought about Klans, perception of minority progressions and how to win their votes and trust, and the importance of unifiers as he claimed "if America gets unified, we'd be unstoppable".
"I got 3,500 employees, 3,400+ are muslims and they the best people in the world. And some the finest people I know are muslims. People talk about Nigeria in a very negative sense, and its scams and this and that, honestly, some the greatest people I know are in Nigeria, and the most dynamic, most incredible people. Yes, there can be scams but there are scams everywhere..." - James Lafferty.
Dr. Eve Hudson, Founder and Chief Strategist of Evingerlean Worldwide and Professor of Higher Education at Bellarmine University focused on the main social mobilizer for Black people. She touched on the opportunity available to everyone regardless of the color of their skin or socioeconomic background.
"People were people. Even through my high school, I didn't recognize I was going to a predominantly Black institution, predominantly Black school even, because I was going to school with friends. But even with friends, depending on where I was, they were folks from South Eastern Asian descent, people from Mexico, just from all over the world. And so I had a different concept about people, loving and accepting people, and seeing people for people. And it wasn't really until I had gone to an HBCU that I had thought much about being Black. But then, when I moved to the deep south, I really thought about being Black..." - Dr. Eve Hudson
http://www.evehudsonphd.com/
Julie Kefer, Senior Director of Operations at UCLA was resonate about the need for an equitable society as she acknowledged that racism was always there but it is easy to pretend that it was not. She recognized the enormity of the work can be overwhelming, but she insisted that the outcome must be the motivation.
"I feel very sort of overwhelmed by the challenge and the enormity of what we're all realizing especially as a white person, phew... we're not where we thought we were at all. How do we talk together, how do we get better.." - Julie Kefer
Paul Wilson, a founding member of Black Police Association and former superintendent with London’s Metropolitan Police with 31 years of public service expounded on why changing policing is almost insurmountable. He described the Police Occupational Cultures, vulnerabilities within the police services, and the birth of policing in the U.S and U.K. Paul expressed that the greatest pandemic in London is the loss of young Black men because regardless of your location in England and Wales, Black people are being disproportionately stopped and searched by the police.
"But at that time, they had something called the "sus" law. Suspected persons? And it was a law that was prevalently used if you'd like to control young Black people. Suspected persons member - police officer, could stop any Black person or indeed anyone, and without a victim, and without or little corroboration to arrest that person for being suspected of about to commit an offense" - Paul Wilson
Leah Turner J.D., Professor at Maryland University and a licensed Acupuncturist shared her experiences as a biracial person. She shared her observations on biracial privileges and moving through white spaces, her perspectives on blackness, and the power of the heart.
"She raised me to be racially ambiguous. She didn't hid any of my blackness, she didn't try to deny it. I interacted with my father's side of the family, in fact, That was the only side of the family I knew. My mother's side, the white side of the family actually disinherited and disowned her. So I had no relationship with the white people in my bloodline" - Leah Turner J.D.
Dian Bourne, J.D., was a high ranking official for the government of Bahamas as head of the legal Unit in the Ministry of Finance. She spoke on the power structures and the residues of slavery in the Caribbean. Dian expanded on the subject of erasure, how to mitigate it, document the truth, and the process of disseminating the truth.
"The narratives they are telling Black people is, we are selling three things: they are either good entertainers, we are good athletes, or we are good criminals. And we know that's not true. What has been erased from that, is all the Black scientists, the Black astronauts, the Black authors, the Black writers. So when you tell that narrative in a certain way, it frames the way people see Black people, perceive Black people, and interact with Black people." - Dian Bourne
Femi Omere, Managing Director of Hosted in Africa Group Limited and Barrister at Law at the Bar of England and Wales, applauded African Americans for their roles in the African movement. He invited all Africans in diaspora to join hands with Africa to regenerate the greatness of all Africans. "Reparation" is a must for atonement and the dignity of Black people.
"And what I want to say to that, because as I've gotten older and I hope wiser, you begin to understand that, hold on a minute, The Americas, Europe, you name it, who built that place? Where were the resources from? This is mine as anybody else's. And once you make that kind of mental leap, you begin to see London in a different light. You begin to see the architectural wonders in a different light. You begin to understand the agricultural might of The Americas in a different light.." - Femi Omere
Jeremiah Bourgeois (J.J.), Criminal Legal System Consultant and Director of Beyond the Blindfold of Justice Project, described his childhood journey from private and boarding schools, to the streets, to life in prison without parole at age 14, and now a legal consultant and a J.D candidate shaping the policies influencing the legal systems.
"At least with respect to shaping the African American experience, we grew up in a world where the educational system taught us about equality and liberty and upward mobility but a lot of our reality is something completely different. And it is that conflict between what we were told when we were children with what we're experiencing as adults that leads to that frustration" - Jeremiah (J.J.) Bourgeois
O.T. Wells II J.D., the Chief Procurement Officer for UCLA affirmed the resilience of Black people. His family knows the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quite well, and he shared some insider stories about the Reverend. O.T. sees pockets of bright spots, and he shared the secret ingredient every Black person in America needs: to be cheered among their peers, to meet Black legends face to face, and to learn about their real history.
"Black Lives Matter is a statement. And the movement was just to show that Black lives do matter, because if you look at what's happening, it doesn't seem like they do. Stark contrast, 14,000 people had been arrested through Black Lives Matter, only 108 had been arrested for the Capitol protest. If that was a Black Lives Matter protest, I think most of those people would not be alive today." - O.T. Wells II J.D.
Olajide N. Bamishigbin Jr. Ph.D., an Assistant Professor at California State University, Long Beach discussed the state of affairs of Black men in the United States. He focused on their health, socioeconomic status, and education, while delineating the impact on boys from men.
"Black men are a very disadvantaged group. They tend to have some of the worst health in the country, physical health, with regards to cardiovascular diseases, mortality from cancer, things like that, Black men tends not to do very well. Black men have low socioeconomic standards with regards to income and education relative to other groups. Black men, as we know, there is a mass incarceration and Black men have been the primary victims in this country. It's a group that is very disadvantaged in a lot of ways. And I want to make sure that I point out that, it's not due to the failures of Black men" - Olajide N. Bamishigbin Jr. Ph.D.
George Critchlow, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, practitioner, and author addressed the subjects of law enforcement, defunding the police, and why America is leading the world in incarceration, ahead of China and Russia. He expounded on what a Fear-based society is and the painful process of transformation.
"You do not have any kind of relationship between the representation of African Americans in prison and the nature of the criminal problem in the United States. I don't know how people can look at those statistics and reach the conclusion that the problem of crime in the United States comes out of Black communities. It's just almost unconscionable that we have got a situation in the prison that is not at all reflective of the situation in our communities. - George Critchlow, Ph.D.,
Norma Hollis, founder of Authenticity Programs contended on the irrelevance of guilt, necessity of taking one step at a time, and the shift from autopilot.
"But my parent's vision and what I realized about two decades ago, was that, one reason my parent lacked vision was because they couldn't vote until they were in their 40s. So, how can you have vision if you can't even envision yourself voting? So, that's one. And then I just realized that, my father bought a house in 1954, and that's where we moved the family to. And it was in 1954 that Blacks were then allowed to have mortgages" - Norma Hollis
Jacob U'Mofe Gordon, Ph.D., LLD (Hon), the first black Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas, and current President & CEO of American Health Coalition discussed the root cause of racism, black brainwash, history of America, current colonies, education, a working solution in Florida, and the way forward.
"Now, you got to remember now, that the same group of people who colonized Africa, who enslaved Africans, also developed educational system for them. The educational systems were designed to brainwash them, to teach them about their inferiority" - Prof. Jacob Gordon
Tokiwa Smith, a black female Chemical Engineer, Social Entrepreneur, and the founder of a STEM Education firm discussed the double-edge challenges faced by young black students. She introduced the systemic complexities working against black students, and proposed a solution pathway, both from home and school.
"The education field is very much a white woman's profession, right. And that whole culture fits within education even in districts that has majority teachers of color. And so with that, there are always biases against black children - from higher suspension rates to more in special ed, to determining this kids can't do anything...." - Tokiwa Smith
Join me as we recap all 2020 episodes with the memorable soundbites. I'll introduce the episode number, title, description, and you can listen to the soundbite. A great way to quickly scan through all the episodes.
Thank you for your support - I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2021. We'll be back on Jan. 9th, 2021.
Sola Bamis is a black female actress, writer, performance artist, producer, and film-maker in Hollywood. She discussed the inner workings of Hollywood, the challenges and opportunities, and the big "ask" from the power players of Hollywood.
"There is also a very very predictable Hollywood systems, you know, a Hollywood caste system, that makes it, so that, you know, the younger you are, the whiter you are, the thinner you are, the bluer your eyes, the blonder your hair, that is what affords you the privilege as a performer or just as a person.." - Sola Bamis
Ken Bentley, black male executive and CEO of APGA Tour, and previously a Vice President at Nestle USA spoke about his childhood experience as a black inner city kid from Los Angeles. He cited a number of black role models that many are unaware of, and he discussed his path to the top at Nestle, the significance of "Amen corner", and bridging the opportunity gap.
"Then my mother showed up, she had been parking the car. She shows up and she said, "I'm going to have the NAACP investigate this. This is racism." And here, my mother was 5ft tall. And here is this woman, 5 ft tall, standing up for her son, and standing up to this white establishment, which were all men. I was so impressed with my mom because that was an " - Ken Bentley
Brian Levy, a black, Native American Indian executive shared a different dimension to the black phenomenon. He spoke on the intercession of the natives and blacks, approach to navigating the success route, and his strategies to improve the life of the marginalized.
"And so, she's being sheltered from that entire life, I'm really just more happy that she doesn't have to go through what I went through. Where, you know, I had to scrape and crawl through. It was made known to me really early on in my entire life, that I was not equal. Always had to double down, I mean, with 30 certifications, my mentality is always, if you have to make it, you have to prove that you are better than everyone else" - Brian Levy
Sue Subocz PhD - a white female executive, is the Provost of Walden University. She shared her experience as a Coast Guard Captain, and provided the specifics on the importance of higher education in driving the conversation forward. She emphasized the importance of critical listening, vulnerability, and skepticism.
"More a series of events, where you say to yourself, some kind of inequity or disparate treatment because of confluence of events or systems that influence decision-making " - Sue Subocz
Tolu Bamishigbin PhD/JD, a Nigerian-American female, shared her experience in the legal profession before she switched paths. She expanded on issues faced by black women in academia, the intellectual fear faced by black business leaders, and self-internalized racism among blacks.
"A white man with a criminal record has a greater chance of getting a job, than a black man with no criminal record and a college degree" - Tolu Bamishigbin
Dwight Coates, Chief Information Officer for Cydcor, expressed dismay about what America is experiencing in 2020 regarding racism. He shared his repertoire of actions, personally and professionally to effect the change we need for the reimagined black relations.
"When I look back, could I have done more, absolutely could have done more. To think this terrible situation with George Floyd has just really awaken a lot of us to have conversations that we should have been having twenty thirty years ago. I mean, the fact that black women couldn't vote until the mid 60s, I just learnt that. That was shocking to me, and I was born in the 70s, and to think that wasn't there ten years ago? You're thinking in your mind, maybe this was there two hundred years ago, or a hundred years ago." - Dwight Coates
Jennifer Randolph, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) executive at ThinqShift, shared a personal experience on finding allies in interesting places, and professionally, how DEI works to benefit all stakeholders.
"And that was really my first experience of having a white male ally in the work place. And I will say, in the first 30 days of our working together and developing a rapport, he knew I was ready. And the education he gave me about what I needed to do to raise my visibility and to show my skills to this managers, so that I can get to the next level, was an education that I have never forgotten" - Jennifer Randolph
Stephen Hill, a black male executive, most recently the President of programming at BET, shared his thoughts on pre- and post-crack relationships with law enforcement, the importance of supporting your own, and the criticality of making it home alive.
""I'm Officer Friendly, Friendly Officer". And his whole thing is like, when you see me, come up and shake my hand. Let's talk. And so, that was my interaction with police when I was very young, because of the way the D.C policing system was set up." - Stephen Hill
Vicki Shillington is a white, female, South African born executive. She introduced us to white life in South Africa during "apartheid". While describing the subtleties of white privileges in our everyday life, she also provided insight at the C-suite.
"And it's inconceivable to me that, that's what you live through, and it's embarrassing to me, to not even know that was going on, and I've never even thought to ask - and this are my friends, and I had no idea this was ...(sigh of emotional pain) - Vicki Shillington
Valerie Sheppard, a black female executive took us on her journey to the top. Her struggles for acceptance among whites, and not being black enough for blacks. Her call to action were profound.
"I have been acculturated white in a black body. It was always instilled in me that black people have to work twice as hard to get half as much. Like, that was just a given....Outwardly, it's obvious I'm black, I don't pass for something not black, I am black or of black descent but inside..." Valerie Sheppard
Matt Smith was a Vice President at RGP. He shared his thoughts about: the genesis of the gangs, challenging socio-economic systemic issues, and proffered top down solutions to meet the energy from the ongoing bottom up engagement.
"I think when it's tangential, when it doesn't really touch you at home, it's a concept, and then as kids or young adults, you start to look for reasons why, why was there a Watts riot, why the uproar about Rodney King. It must make logical sense, there must be some justifications to that. There is something going on in that world that they are doing wrong." Matt Smith
Renowned Anthropologist Dr. Eric Montgomery walked us from the beginning of time through now. He shared critical facts such as Out of Africa (OOA) and introduced us to the concept of "decolonization of minds". He mentioned key points, including - people are afraid of black people; blacks enslaved other blacks; the inaccuracy of the history of the world's first millionaire; and proffered solutions for blacks, whites, racists, and African nations.
"But the most important elephant in the room is, this is about class. By having poor white people or working class white people believe they are not Mexicans, they are not black, they are not that bad, that's the game. And the truth is, the same system oppressing those white people.... just like the hood girl, they are poor. By making them believe this black people are sucking dry the system..." Eric Montgomery
Duane Filey, Chief of Staff at Walmart, spoke about his experience as a black man, his keys to success and the shortcomings in corporate.
"For me, I've been in such a white world, I'm the only brother most of the time, that I've code-shifted so much, that I don't even know how to go back. I just do it 24/7 because..." Duane Filey
Vips Kapadia, a brown British executive and Chief Executive Officer of ThinqShift, spoke about his experience as an Indian Brit, and his perception on racism towards black people. He affirmed that nothing will help other than a more equitable distribution of wealth within a capitalist structure.
"Certainly when I was in my late teens, I did often find physically imposing black people frightening. Just viscerally, oh my God, I could be, I could be in trouble here" - Vips Kapadia
Dr. George Fraser, a global award winner with over 350 awards and citations around the world became a recipient of Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under President Barack Obama in 2016. Dr. Fraser is the Chief Executive Officer of FraserNet Inc.
He called the black race to order, expressing their need to understand their roots as descendants of kings, queens, and warriors. He reminded them that the 400 years of slavery was just a blip, the history before the 400 years must be modeled, rekindled, and reported on, and seen by their children.
Dr. Fraser affirmed the need for blacks to demonstrate to the world who they really are - mothers and fathers of humankind who civilized the world. He asserted that, Blacks have a moral and spiritual obligation to live to this expectation, and cannot be less than excellence.
"Only white people can be mediocre and average. Black people cannot be mediocre and average in America. How do we know this? Donald Trump vs. Barack Hussein Obama...mediocrity personified" - Dr. George Fraser
Dr. Ward Ulmer, President of Walden University is confident our generation can make a positive change that will be felt by future generations. He believes that each and every person is a product of their upbringing, and considering we all came from the same place, it is not okay to be racist.
He asserted that, while he cannot control his white privilege, he can control whether he is racist or not. With the Walden community, he is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and open forum for people of all backgrounds.
"I think what makes this so raw, and so real, is, we saw a human being, being killed. We saw George Floyd killed" - Dr. Ward Ulmer
Belinda Kendall, Chief Executive Officer of Promise Media Group shared her insights from both spiritual and social perspectives. She expressed the uniqueness of law enforcement officers' relationship between blacks and whites, and shared her understanding of the historical significance of the badge.
Ms. Kendall reminded us to consider the impact of this racial discourse to both adults and children, particularly when they return to work and school. She is particularly concerned about the misunderstanding between "black lives matter" and "white lives matter".
"The number 1 selling car is either black or white, every dignitary has a black car, every young girl has a black dress, high class dinner are referred to as a black tie affair. There is nothing wrong with black until it gets on the skin" - Belinda Kendall
Allison Baird-James, Associate Vice Chancellor at UCLA Corporate Financial Services spoke about her multiracial family structure and some of their challenges. She shared her perspective on white privileges, and her vision of advancing a united human race.
Allison is a white female executive, married to a black man, and they both raised three black men. She hopes to visit Africa one day.
"It's not about white being treated less well, it's about blacks being treated equally well" - Allison Baird-James
We've experienced it all. We've heard it all. So what do we do now? Both black and white, and brown are in a state of bind - they are all in agreement that things cannot continue as it is, but how do we go forward? This is the purpose of Reimagining Black Relations. At the end of every episode, there will be next steps and talking points that can be implemented. The launch date is August 1 - subscribe now, to be ahead of the game. Talk to you soon.