Celebrating Us

As we navigate throughout our lives, especially as young people it's important to find a community that best supports us on our paths and helps define our identity. Though there are many struggles within ourselves these communities build us up as we withstand these individual hardships. Traycee joins us as we talk about the importance of this as well as other subtopics within our identity. Enjoy!

Being recognized for our talents and efforts is something many Black women rarely get to experience. In this episode, we talk about this and also touch on embracing your natural self as a Black woman. Enjoy!Women Talk About On This Episode: Zora Neale HurstonAuthor One of the leaders of the Harlem renaissance Used her work to make others aware of issues within the Black community Learn MoreKathleen Cleaver Activist, educator, lawyer, and writer First female member of Black Panther Part Centra CommitteeOrganizerspokesperson for the Black Panther PartyLearn More

The Black experience is enriched with so much culture and there's just not one way of enduring this experience. Mariah discusses with us how her experience being Black has been and the importance of this month. Enjoy!! 

This month is for Black people to be their authentic selves without worries. This is exactly what this episode entails. Join Makayla and I as we discuss authenticity, self-love, and all the dope things that come with being Black. Enjoy!!

In this episode, we explore more in-depth how the older generation affects Black youth activism. There have been many times where youth are underestimated and belittled. This can put out the fire for activism especially if something is said by someone within our own community. Kharisma joins us and talks about the harms that backlash from older folks can have and why youth should never let that affect their fire. Enjoy! 

In this episode, we dive deep into what youth activism is and its importance of it. We are creating new methods to change and have a lot of impact on the world, yet there are still some issues when it comes to the older generations downplaying us. Enjoy!

To close off this series we're touching on Black trauma. Many don't realize what falls under the spectrum of this and how it can directly affect them. Our generation is more open to talking about the mental toll that racial injustice can have on us and it's important we educate the older generation. In this episode, Julian joins us to talk about why these conversations are important and how we can use them to build resilience. Enjoy!!

In the second episode of this series, we look more into what the Black Liberation movement is. It's more than just freeing Black minds from the bondage of oppression, it is about making those against us realize how much power we hold. In the past, we've seen movements take strides towards a more free country for their predecessors. Now it's up to our generation to continue can carry on the torch, but we're doing it in our own way. Listen to Linnea's views about how our generation is handling this pressure. Enjoy!

To kick off this series we have Amya Turner. She explained her perspective on the difference between Black Liberation and Black Trauma. They both hold a lot of meaning and it's hard to pick one over the other. She also connects both ideas to the Black community's struggle with mental health. Listen and hear more about what she had to say. Enjoy !!

The actions of many professional sports organizations have shown that all they care about is making money off the backs of their players. They don't care about their players' well-being as long as they're making them millions. Black athletes have gotten penalized for no longer conforming to that shut up and play mentality and that upsets them. In this episode, I sat down with Kay to talk about why this particular system is so scared of Black voices. Enjoy!

To kick off the new series we're discussing a little about the history behind Black activism in sports. Many athletes in the past have taken huge risks just to make sure their voice was heard. Whether that may have resulted in hardcore consequences or not they still took a stand. Joining us on this episode is Joshua Baker to talk about what this means to him as a young Black student-athlete. 

The last spotlight for the 'Don't Let The Kids Go Broke' series is set on Kickz4Legends. Kickz4Legends is a sneaker plug business based in Arizona. The owner, Teto, discusses on this episode why supplying people with sneakers has been a great outlet for him, why it's a better route than the traditional ways, and how you can get started if it's something you want to pursue. Enjoy! 

This week we're putting the spotlight on TouchedbyFlore. The C.E.O Flore discusses European beauty standards, goes over what her business is all about, and some valuable tips if you're looking to start a business of your own. I'll also be giving you some more reasons why you should support, support, and support! Especially our youth. I hope you enjoy it!

Our first small business spotlight is on Davina's Boutique. In this episode she discusses her inspiration behind her business, why she started it, and even some tips to get you going as well. We'll also be discussing a few reasons why it's important to buy from small black businesses such as Davina's. If you don't listen to anything else a key takeaway from this should be that you shouldn't let your fears get in the way of what you want to do. Hopefully you get a little bit inspired. Enjoy! 

Black mental health is a topic that needs to be brought up more in the community. We as a whole have boatloads of intergenerational trauma and pain that can't be avoided forever. In this episode, social activist, Kari, talks to us about self-awareness, healing, and breaks down the stigma that mental health is only for the weak. Hope you enjoy and have a great summer everyone!!! 

We all know that young boys experience a different type of pressure growing up in the hood. Under the influence of gangs and struggling to not fit into the stereotype that gets placed on them.  It's hard to sometimes stay out of the mix because you have to survive somehow. Trying to reach your goals without getting caught in the crossfire of gang violence. Willie shares with us how he feels about this and why it's important to try your hardest to stay out of it. Enjoy!!

Living in the hood brings out different things from people. In East Oakland, it tends to bring out what we call the 'hard body' side. People associate being from East Oakland as giving you a certain social status, but that's not what it is for people that are actually from there. We appreciate the culture and the community. Though there are some downsides to having such a close-knit community we all appreciate it. It makes us want to push harder and create better lives for ourselves. Listen to Jada Bland's perspective on living in East Oakland and maybe it'll make you think about how you perceive the community a little differently. Enjoy!! 

Strength doesn't always come from one's ability not to get scarred, but it comes from being able to get scarred and still push through. Black women are pushed into methods of survival that would get them judged off of first look and some of their stories wouldn't be deemed as 'acceptable' by society. From being hypersexualized to sexual abuse they face all of these hardships and wake up the next morning with even more strength than before. Stay tuned to the 12-minute mark to hear Naomi tell her story about her experience with sexual abuse.

Black women today are more resilient and fierce than ever. They are not afraid to speak up when something is not right and they teach the younger generation that it's ok to sometimes be called the "The Angry Black Girl", that just means you don't stand for getting put down. They are no longer being silenced and definitely won't let the Black men take credit. From changing the norm of how a black woman should act to doing groundbreaking things for the community Black women continue to make their voice heard. Listen as we talk about modern black women with Ade Mason. Enjoy!!

Women have always been the backbone and we often get overlooked. We must notice all the pioneers that have come before us and give us the motivation every day to do better. In this episode, we talk about some women in the past who have maybe been forgotten and also appreciate some young girls we have right now that are making a difference for the culture. Enjoy!

Black tv shows and movies play a huge part in the culture. It's through tv shows like The Parkers, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, Black Panther Love& Basketball, ATL, and so much more that empowers the community without us even thinking about it. Not only do they give us a sense of pride seeing people that look like us on the screens it also spreads awareness. Movies like Friday and Don't be a menace to society while drinking your juice in the hood are underrated. They may show us as the stereotypical black person but it shows other people outside the race what drug pollution, poverty, gun violence, and gentrification have done to our communities. Join us as we talk about how movies and tv shows like this make an impact on the Black community.

In 2020 a new generation of activists emerged, using social media platforms to raise awareness for the unjust treatment that the Black community has been forced to endure by this country. In our efforts to make our current movements more amplified and powerful we have to look into the past and see how our ancestors were able to be so resilient fighting against the same battles we face today. Join us as we appreciate our history while moving forward with our fights for justice.

Through colonialism, slavery, segregation, police brutality, and all that the Black community has been through we can always rely on one thing to get us through. Expression. Whether it's through music, poetry, writing, fashion, or dance Black people have always used art as a way to convey emotions through their craft. A prominent example of this would be the Harlem Renaissance which was the golden age for Black creativity. Join us as we discuss how art is so important to the movement. Enjoy!!

For the first episode of the Black History Month Series, I sat down with Deniah Carter, a sophomore at CCPA, to discuss the power we black people hold and the beauty in our community. Not just that but the connection we have to one another. She also talks a little bit about her small business (@deniah_kreations on Instagram). Enjoy!!

This episode consists of different ideas and strategies to help members of the LGBTQ+ not only feel comfortable in their own skin but to also prevent an issue that has been within the community for years. Join us as members of RAWR bring awareness to the battle of HIV/Aids in queer communities and engage us in ways in which we can educate others. Enjoy!!

In our new series, Rainbow In The Community, we're basing our conversations around intersectionality. Why is it that some people feel like they have to choose between being in their blackness and being proud of their sexuality? Arnetta states some of her thinking behind the tension between straight and queer members in the Black community. Enjoy!

To end off this series I'm going to be sitting down with Jaylan Martinez, a 9th grader at CCPA. He's going to tell us about how the experience is different with mixed males than females. Not all stories are the same and I'm happy we're getting more male voices on the show. Enjoy! Check out the previous episode from this series: Young & Mixed ft. Kayleaa Moore

In the second episode of the 'Being Bi-racial' series, I sat down with Kayleaa Moore. She is a 9th grager at Coliseum College Prep Academy and the junior treasure for CCPA's BSU. I was able to ask her questions that would allow listeners deeper into the mixed experience. Being young she was able to offer up her perspective growing up in today's society being bi-racial. Enjoy!

In our new series, we're exclusively focusing on the mixed experience. I interviewed Ali King a teacher at CCPA. She's mixed with Black and White and she talked to me about growing up not knowing where to fit in. In fact, it wasn't until college that she truly felt confident in who she was. Tune into the first episode of this month's series to learn more.

For the last episode of the #PrayforAfrica series, we're sitting down with Marie-Flore Some to discuss some action students can take to bring awareness to the fight for justice in Africa but also talking about how celebrities should get more involved. The fire has been dying down for the fight in Africa and we're speaking about why that's not okay. More so there will be talks about the division between the African and Black community. Enjoy! Nigeria- Donate Fundraiser by Nigerian Diasporans Against Sars: Diasporans Against SARS Congo - Petition Petition · Tell the Congo to Stop Using Child Labor in the Gold Mining Industry · Change.org - Donate Donate to UNHCR and support people in the DRC today Liberia - Petition Petition · President of Liberia: Liberia: Demand the Liberian President to declare Rape as a National Emergency · Change.org - Donation Months After Its Rape Scandal, an American Charity in Liberia Has Yet to Publish Its Reports — ProPublica

In this episode join me for an interview with Leona Siaplay. She is an 8th grader and treasurer of CCPA's BSU. Instead of concentrating on the hardships Africans have had to endure for the past centuries we're fixing our gaze on the good of the continent. Specifically speaking on the small west African country, Liberia. Enjoy !!

This new series of Celebrating Us we're taking you back to our roots with the cry for justice in #PrayforAfrica. Many countries on the continent have been struggling with threats to their nation and threats to themselves as humans. Though we are exclusively focusing on #EndSARS in Nigeria, #CongoIsBleeding in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the #RAPENationalEmergency in Liberia I want you guys to look more into more countries. Links will be down below. Nambia : Namibia: Anti-femicide protesters call for a state of emergency - CNN Cameroon: Cameroon: Civilians Killed in Anglophone Regions | Human Rights Watch Kenya: Kenyan Police Teargas Anti-Corruption Protesters in Nairobi | World News | US News Look for the "#PrayforAfrica" post to learn more about Liberia , Nigeria, and Congo.

In this episode of Celebrating Us we're focusing on student action and what we can do right now as youth to fight for Breonna Taylor. We are joined by Sarai Parker a sophomore at CCPA and a member of the BSU for some ideas on how we as a student body can use our voices for change.

In this episode of Celebrating Us we're focusing on the empowering steps our community and country has taken to raise awareness about the Breonna Taylor case. The goal for this show is to mostly give you, our listeners, hope and seeing all that people are doing to try their hardest to get justice for Breonna. #SAYHERNAME We will be interviewing Michael Jenkins, teacher at CCPA, as well as Koryeon Vance, a sophomore at CCPA.

In the first episode of Celebrating Us we're focusing on the youth's perspective on the Breonna Taylor case, and how we as black girls are tired of going unnoticed. The goal for this episode is to mostly give you, our listeners, an insight about what's going on with the Breonna case. Hopefully you'll see the situation from a new point of view. #SAYHERNAME Guest : Dajsah Carter