Colorblind: Race Across Generations

The record-breaking Netflix series, "Bridgerton," is applauded for its diversity and leading roles for people of color. Season 2 has featured Indian actresses in major roles, which is certainly not the norm. Social media manager Banu Jothimalarr wrote a compelling social media post calling out the Indian movie industry and explaining why the portrayals in this season's of "Bridgerton" had such a profound impact on her life. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Banu Jothimalarr Producer: Ashley Long

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson could make history as the first Black female Justice on the US Supreme Court. And with that history comes plenty of critics and controversy. We speak with four dynamic attorneys to examine all of it. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Professor Patricia Broussard from FAMU College of Law; Nakia Ruffin from the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association; Attorney Jessica D. Thomas; Frachele Scott, Managing Director of The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice Producer: Ashley Long

2020 brought a summer of protests, unrest and calls for social justice and police reform. Our panel for this episode reflects on what was accomplished and what still needs to be done to see real change. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Hank Van Putten from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College; Rhetta Hussein from The Black Press; Dr. Fon Gordon from the History Department at UCF; Reverend Katrina Jenkins, Dean of Religious Life at Rollins College Producer: Ashley Long

Add it to the long list of "while Black" activities. But this case we're talking about from Minnesota resulted in a legal settlement. Investigative Journalist Eric Rasmussen from KSTP and Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights attorney and founder of The Racial Justice Network join us to talk about the case. To see Eric's report: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/banking-while-black-police-video-shows-how-cashing-a-paycheck-led-to-handcuffs/ Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Eric Rasmussen and Nekima Levy Armstrong Producer: Ashley Long

Our topic: Jews of Color. Yes, they do exist and they're growing in number. Our guests are Maayan Zik, a New York based Social Justice Activist; Ilana Kaufman, Executive Director of Jews of Color Initiative; and Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein, Public Affairs Advisor at Jewish Federations of North America. We're talking about the intersectionality of race and faith. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Maayan Zik; Illana Kaufman; Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein Producer: Ashley Long

Yes, that's how this episode's guest felt growing up. Comedian Kyndra Crump, who is Black, talks about why growing up, she wanted to be a little white girl and how that's shaped her attitude about race as an adult and how she's used comedy to deal with all of it. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Kyndra Crump Producer: Ashley Long

We're talking to Ashley M. Jones, who recently made history as Alabama's 1st Black Poet Laureate. She talks about her new book of poetry: Reparations Now! She's using her poetic voice and words to shine a light on race, social justice, injustice and how reparations is more than just writing a check. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Ashley M. Jones Producer: Ashley Long

Two friends, one black and one white, have known each other for decades but never had a real conversation about race. Can you relate? They have written a book about the conversation that's had a profound impact on their lives and their friendship. They're doing exactly what this podcast is all about. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Reggie Dabbs and John Driver Producer: Ashley Long

It's been an issue since the Emancipation Proclamation. The nation's Black farmers are still fighting discrimination and fighting for justice from the USDA. We talk with the lead attorney in a record breaking BILLION dollar settlement for Black farmers fighting for justice for decades. He's chronicled the fight in his new book, JUST HARVEST. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Greg Francis Producer: Ashley Long

We're tackling the intersection of race in American and mental health. Why is seeking professional health still stigmatized in communities of color, particularly for African Americans and what can be done about it? Joining our panel of experts are: Therapists DeWone Bennett, Cherlette McCullough and Dr. Yacob Tekie; along with Kari Cobham from The Carter Center and Caren Howard from Mental Health America.

Missing Persons Cases. 40% of them are people of color, but that's not what we usually see represented in media coverage of the missing. Natalie Wilson and Derrica Wilson, Co-Founders of the Black and Missing Foundation are working to change that, to make sure people of color who are missing are not also overlooked and forgotten.

We're digging into the newest research about how where you live as a person of color impacts your economic future, advancement in life and health. It's not as simple as you probably think. But we're also looking at solutions, including a major project in Orlando, FL. Joining us are Eddy Moratin, President of Lift Orlando and Dr. Kelli Tice, Medical Director/Medical Affairs at Florida Blue.

It's controversial, it's become political, everyone's talking about it, but few people actually know what it really is. We will explain it with the facts and without the noise. Joining us are Professor Leroy Pernell from Florida A&M College of Law and Hank Van Putten and Rudy Darden from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College.

You're not really Black. You speak Spanish? What are you? Those are just some of the things our panel of guests deal with being both Hispanic/Latinx and Black. They're joining us to talk about racism, colorism and the difficulty in having those uncomfortable conversations within their own community. Journalists Lillian Hernández Caraballo, Edmy Angélica Ayala Rosado, Boris Q'va and Maya Brown join the panel for an honest and sometimes surprising conversation.

Black women diagnosed with breast cancer are 42% more likely to die than their white counterparts. We take a deep dive into the racial disparity in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Joining us: Karen Jackson, CEO/Founder of Sisters Network; Yolanda Murphy, PA State Leader for The Young Survivor Coalition and Monisha Parker, Founder of Purpose Painted Pink.

Leah Salgado from the group IllumiNative joins us to talk about how Native Americans are speaking up and speaking out about the controversy over sports teams "mascots", the firestorm over Rick Santorum's comments about the founding of America and fighting the stereotypes of Native Americans.

Haitian Americans say their numbers are growing, so they want to make sure their voices are being heard. May is Haitian American Heritage Month, so we'll take a look at how the Haitian community is becoming more vocal culturally, socially and politically. Florida has the largest Haitian population in the US, so joining us are Dr. Idler Bonhomme and Marlyn Bonzil-Juste, from the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce in Orlando, FL.

We're going there, talking about reparations. Specifically, we're looking at a reparations proposal passed in Evanston, Illinois. We're talking with the lone council member who voted against it, Cecily Fleming. And we're joined by Economist Dr. William Darity from Duke University, who has studied the issue extensively and Writer and Lecturer Kirsten Mullen.

Students at the University of Central Florida and WUCF have produced a compelling digital project about the first martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement, Harry T and Harriette V Moore. Their story and major contributions have long been overlooked. The students and their professor hope to change that. We are joined by Professor Rick Brunson, Executive Producer Julianne Amaya, Reporter Aidari Riera Herrera, Lillian Hernandez Caraballo, the digital producer for WUCF; and Sonya Mallard, Cultural Center Coordinator at the Harry T and Harriette V Moore Cultural Center and Museum. Here's a link to the project: https://www.wucf.org/community/themooreproject/

We're taking an in-depth look at the racial wealth gap in this country. How did we get here and how do we dig our way out. Joining us for an informative and lively conversation are: Kimberly Stewart, Founder and CEO of KRS Wealth Management; Tanisha Nunn Gary, President of the African American Chamber of Commerce Central Florida; and Realtor Cheryl Zachery of The Zackery Group, Centric Realty Services, LLC.

In this episode, we are exploring the dramatic increase in attacks on Asian Americans and how we could be and should be allies in the struggle. Joining us for a frank and honest conversation are: Jerry Won, founder and CEO of Just Like Media and Founder of the Asian Podcast Network; and Jiamin Liang, Marketing Director in China for the Lim Law group.

Our panel says you're biased and you may not even know it. We're talking about unconscious bias, what is it, how it affects you and those around you and how to work through it. We're joined by Stacey Gordon, author of UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias At Work; Dr. Stephanie Sarkis, author of GASLIGHTING; and Tekoa Pouerie, Certified Implicit/Explicit Bias Trainer

We're following up on a previous episode about the impact of Covid-19 on Black and Brown communities. This time we're taking a deep dive into the racial disparity in who has access to the Covid-19 vaccine, the reasons for it and what this says about racial disparity in health care in general. Joining us are Dr. Kiersten Kennedy from UAB Hospital, Dr. Candice Jones, Board Certified Pediatrician and Dr. Michael Howell, Board Certified Internist.

Kristin Fulwylie of Equal Ground joins us for a post Inaugural Day episode to talk about the power of the vote for communities of color. What did we learn from 202O, what will it mean going forward and just how influential was the Black women vote?

In our first episode of 2021, we're focusing on the riots at the Capitol, that have captured the attention of the world. How does race play into the police action (or inaction), the public reaction and even the words used to describe what happened. Joining us, three Colorblind veteran panelists: Rudy Darden and Hank VanPutten from the Peace and Justice Institute and Dr. Fon Gordon, Professor of African American History at The University of Central Florida

Our guests are Carol Cox and Diane Diaz of Speaking Your Brand, two white women, challenging other white woman to do the work to becoming anti-racists. But they're not just talking. They've come up with some action steps to make it happen.

Black and Brown people are bearing a disproportionate number of Covid-19 cases. And the racial disparity in health care means they're dying at a disproportionate rate as well. We take a deep dive into this medical crisis and look for solutions with a panel of doctors: Dr. Tralonda Triplett, Epidemiologist/Global Public Health Consultant at The Institute for Successful Leadership, Dr. Kiersten Kennedy, Chief of Hospital Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham Medical School and Dr. Candice Jones, Board Certified Pediatrician.

Diversity and Inclusion Expert Deloria Nelson joins us to break down what D & I really means for employers and employees in light of this recent social justice movement and racial reckoning. Who really benefits from it and how to do more than use D & I as "window dressing".

It's been 4 years since NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick set off a national debate about the Star Spangled Banner. In the years since, we've seen many reflect on what he was saying, was he right? Was he unpatriotic? Should we have been listening? In this episode, panelist Hank Van Putten reflects on the workshop he developed on the subject and what it all means in the broader context of social injustice, race in America and the current racial reckoning in America.

In this episode, what happens when you speak out about social justice issues and it costs you your relationships with friends and even family members. Rudy Darden from the Peace and Justice Institute, Voice Actor Sara Carroll Jiminez and Jenna Settles, Librarian/Fact Checker/Researcher join us for a frank conversation about what happens when you and friends and family don't see eye to eye on this important issue.

Some call it a public correction, some call it a public shaming. In this episode, we unpack the issues surrounding cancel culture. Does it work, has it gone too for and is there a better name for it? Joining us are Chevalier Lovett from Organize Florida and Brandon Wolf from Equality Florida.

Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden has chosen Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. So in this episode we've gathered a diverse panel to talk about the issue of race in the 2020 Presidential Election, with a woman of color on the ticket. We are joined by Journalist Rhetta Hussein of the Black Press, Author and Blogger Maria Padilla and Yog Melwani, an Indian-American businessman and community activist.

Being an ally is a long term commitment, not a one time thing. That's what our guest Mary Choi Robinson says. She joins us to talk about her article in MS Magazine, calling on Asian Americans to be allies for Black people during this latest social justice movement.

In a recent survey of almost 10,000 Asian Americans, 31% of them say they've been subjected to racial slurs or jokes during the Pandemic. In addition to discriminatory language like the Chinese virus or Kung Flu, some have even been the victims of physical attacks. Journalist Nydia Han of ABC6 in Philadelphia has written about her experiences as an Asian American and as a reporter covering the story. And she joins us for a candid and though provoking conversation about what for some Americans, is a virus of hate.

Uncomfortable conversations. We've heard those words a lot lately. But how do you actually have those conversations when it comes to race? Conflict Resolution Expert and Attorney Elizabeth Goueti gives some practical steps to start the conversation, what to say, how to say AND what NOT to say!

The killings. The injustice. The protests. It has been an overwhelming few months for people across the country, who are dealing with feelings ranging from anger to sadness during this most recent social justice movement. But how do you deal with all those feelings in a healthy way? Dr. Carleah East, a Psychologist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor joins us to talk about the trauma associated with watching George Floyd being killed, other cases of racial injustice and the movement that's followed.

Most of us have had some difficult conversations over the last few weeks after the murder of George Floyd and the protests that followed. And those conversations are uniquely difficult for those in interracial marriages. So in this episode, we are talking about how to have those conversations when you are a black woman married to a white man.

Whew, that's a lot. But one social media post eloquently touched on all of that and captured our attention. In this episode, Betsey Bell a white woman whose husband is black, talks about navigating through this new social movement in a multiracial family.

People around the country and world are feeling outrage, sadness and disappointment over the murder of George Floyd. There have been protests and conversations about how we got to this point. In this episode we are moving the conversation forward. What can we do with what we're feeling, how we can really make change and bring about justice to make sure things in these cases don't go back to normal. We are joined by three guests from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College: Rudy Darden, Rachel Allen and Hank VanPutten

Two and a half months after he was killed, there’s now national outrage about the Ahmaud Arbery case. An unarmed young Black man. Two armed white men now accused of murder. Our panelists talk about the many issues of race in the murder, how the investigation was and was not handled and what this means in the fight for justice beyond this case. We are joined by Rudy Darden from the Peace and Justice Institute; Shiloh Karshima from Oasis Church in Winter Garden FL and Attorney Natalie Jackson, who was one of the attorneys representing Trayvon Martin’s family.

In this episode we’re taking a look at a Florida effort to get out the vote and make sure those eligible are allowed to vote this election year. The focus is on two pivotal historical incidents and what they mean for 2020. We’re joined by two leaders in the effort: Jennifer Tomlinson and Dr. Heather Bryson

That motto of the U.S., meaning "out of many, one" is the title of a project and organization founded by Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu that looks at race, equity and opportunity in the U.S. The team has traveled across the South, talking to a cross section of people in a real, honest way about race. We're talking to Mayor Landrieu about the project and what's next.

How will the issue of race impact the political races of 2020, particularly the race for President? We delve into that with our panel of guests. Joining us, Dr. Fon Gordon, History and Africana Studies Professor at The University of Central Florida; Dr. Don Davison, Political Science Professor at Rollins College; and Journalist/Author/Blogger Maria Padilla

Sounds like a weird title for one of our Podcast episodes, huh? But that's the title of a book from educator and author Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy. She tells the story of being the 1st Black student to graduate from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, FL. And it's a children's book! Her real life story behind the book is compelling.

In our 1st episode of 2020, we take a look at a massive voting rights report from 9 leading racial justice organizations in the U.S. Judith Dianis, Executive Director of the multi-racial civil rights organization, Advancement Project National Office, joins us to talk about laws, practices and proposals around the country that try to erode the Voting Rights Act and make it harder for people of color to cast their ballots. And we talk about what citizens can do to protect their Constitutional right to vote.

In this episode, we are talking to the younger generation. We sit down with a diverse group of young people from teenagers to 20-somethings for a candid conversation about how race plays a part in their lives.

The statistic is sobering. Black women are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth or shortly thereafter than women of other races. We talk with internationally renowned midwife and maternal care expert Jennie Joseph about that disparity.

Investigative Reporter and Author Mark Pinsky joins us for a fascinating discussion about racial apologies. He's written extensively about newspapers, particularly those in the Deep South.

Two states have passed a law called The Crown Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their hair. Yes in 2019, hair discrimination is real. This is a follow up to our episode last year, "I Am Not My Hair". We talk to ABC News Anchor Janai Norman who started her own natural hair movement when she appeared on the anchor desk wearing what she says is: "The hair that grows out of my head."

We've mentioned the Peace and Justice Institute in Orlando, FL in several episodes. Now hear what they do and hear the Institute's Director Rachel Allen, reveal how she has dealt with her own racism. Yes, someone whose life work is about social justice talking about her own racism.

A church in Winter Garden, FL has embarked on an ambitious project to have a year long community conversation about race. What are they talking about? What have they accomplished and how will they measure success? Pastors William and Shiloh Karshima and Rudy Darden from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College join us to tell us why this is an important conversation for everyone to have.