Inclusive Storytelling

Elizabeth Keckley kicks off the trio of episodes focused on Black women fashion designers. Elizabeth was the personal dressmaker and close confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln. Learn about her incredible story and life in this episode. Be sure to share, like, subscribe, and download this and other episodes! Follow me on Instagram @theinclusivescreenwriterSource: https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/black-designers-fashion-history-virgil-abloh-telfar-clemensSource: Rothberg, Emma. “Elizabeth Keckley” National Women's History Museum, 2021. Date accessed: 5/28/2025.Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elizabeth_Keckley_VWM_Statue.jpgSource: https://timelessmoon.getarchive.net/amp/media/elizabeth-keckley-1861-ee2b4e

Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor born in 1878 was one of the world's first black sports superstar ad an internal cycling champion who never received his accolades because of racism. Sources: https://www.majortaylorassociation.org/who.shtmlWorcester Whirlwind flier

Immigrants in Canada and the United States are rich with history. In this episode, we discuss South Asian immigrants who traveled from British Columbia to Oregon, mainly men. The men lived and worked together in St Johns and Astoria Oregon. They faced racism and prejudice on Oregon, but built a political group aiming at bettering their lives around the world. These men were supported in their efforts by Finnish, Irish, Chinese, and Mexican immigrants.Source: http://www.come2oregon.com/astoria-oldest-settlement-west-of-the-rockies/

Thank you for another amazing season! I am looking forward to sharing more stories of incredible people who deserve their stories to be told. Be sure to follow me on IG. Find me at, The Inclusive Screenwriter.

Merle Oberon and Vivien Leigh were Oscar nominated actresses, and most likely S. Asian. Learn about these amazing women and how Michelle Yeoh may not be the first Asian to be nominated and win the Best Actress Oscar. Major props to Michelle Yeoh and her incredible career, achievements and 2023 Best Actress Academy Award!

In this episode, we learn about Amelia Boynton Robinson was a leading civil rights activist who played a key role in the efforts that led to passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and was the first African American woman in Alabama to run for Congress. Sources: Amelia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ameila_Boynton_Robinson_2.JPG Memorial: https://www.flickr.com/photos/auvet/48913757887 Bridge: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edmund_Pettus_Bridge_-_Historic_Sign_-_Selma,_Alabama_%2827810728191%29.jpg

Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church was a staple for the Black Canadian families in rural Ontario in Canada. Former slaves joined the War of 1812 as loyalists with the promise for land and not returning to slavery at the end of the war . These soldiers were not given the best farm land. The Church is a designated landmark with an unmarked grave.

Pauli Murray was a civil rights activist, advocate, legal scholar and theorist, author and an Episcopal priest. They were an incredible voice for sex and gender rights. Pauli should be a household name!

In this episode, we learn a little about Blind Lemon and LeadBelly who were influential Blues and guitarists in the United States. They were the OG influencers for Blues music.

In this episode, we discuss Barbara Jordan, the first Black, US Congress person! A LGBTQIA and disability advocate.

Nicole Mann is a an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes from what we call Northern California and the first US Indigenous woman astronaut. She may continue her accomplishments in 2025 as a member of the lunar landing team!

In this episode, we learn about the women who are the monarchs/pioneers on Rock & Roll! We start with Bessie Coleman and Memphis Minnie who were born in the late 1800s, and then Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Tharpe is known as the "Godmother of Rock and Roll."

Ann Thomas Callahan, Peepeekisis Cree Nation, was one of the first Indigenous graduates of the Winnipeg General Hospital's nursing school in 1958 in Canada. She was also involved in the creation of the Registered Nurses of Canadian Indian Ancestry, now called the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association.

Thank you for S3 of the podcast! Be sure to like, share, download and subscribe. Follow the podcast and other stories at The Inclusive Screenwriter on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

Who was the first Indigenious prima ballerina? Elizabeth Tailfeather from the Osage Nation. And, Wilma Mankiller was the first woman Cherokee Chief. Learn about how Alcatraz Island and an 18-month occupation led to her activism. Indigenous and First Nations women are incredible and powerful!

In this episode, we discuss Bessie Coleman who was the first Black woman pilot, and Kalpana Chowla who was an incredible astronaut. Tragically, both women died doing what they loved. Lastly, we learn about Sir Palmer OBE who overcame injustice and became Scotland's first Black professor.

In this episode, we explore the Tawaifs who were cultured and revered S. Asian women prior to colonialism, the tragedy of Vaishno Bagai and the triumphs of Kala, his wife, in the United States, and how Rais Bhuiyan turned an act of hate into an act of love

In this episode, we celebrate Olivia Poole who was an Ojibwe Canadian invention who patented the Jolly Jumper. We also learn about Shakuntala Devi who held a Guiness World Record when she calculated two 13-digit numbers in her head with the correct answer!

Content Warning: Execution and Genocide In this episode, we discuss the worst mass execution in the United States, and one of the largest in the world, the 38 Santee Sioux/Dakota who were executed in 1862. The White Rose was a German resistance movement focused on anti-Nazi action during WWII. The founders were a professor and students at the University of Munich, and three of them were tried and executed.

In this episode, we learn about Agnes Keleti who is the most successful Jewish female athlete in Olympic history and 102 years young. Also, Zheng He who was a commander and set sail on his first voyage in 1405, commanding some 27,800 people.

In this episode, we learn about Myrtle Gonzalez who was the first influencer and amazing actress from the early 1900s. Angela Alvaraz who won a Latin Grammy at 95 years young. And, Sorjuana Ines de la Cruz who was a 17th century feminist nun.

In this episode we learn about Zelda Wynn Valdes who was a Black fashion designer to the stars and had the first Black-owned business on Broadway in New York City. Jean Augustine is first Black woman to be appointed to Canada's federal Cabinet. Suzanne LaFlesche was the first Indigenous physician in the US.

In this episode, we discuss the Fultz Quads who were surviving Black quadruplets. Charlotte Ray who was the first Black woman lawyer in the United States, and Black tennis star and phenomena Aletha Gibson.

Get to know the stars from Kim's Convenience, Wayson Choy who as a SE Asian, Canadian celebrated writer, Larry Kwong who was a trailblazing hockey player, and the Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan!

In this episode, I highlight a few of the accomplishments of James Hong from Everything Everywhere All At Once, Ming-Na Wen from Mulan and the Book of Boba Fett, Giancarlo Esposito from Better Call Saul, Rick Worthy from Supernatural and Angela Basset from Black Panther!

Season 3 of the Inclusive Storytelling Podcast is here! This season will focus on shorts about amazing people who deserve to be household names.

Thank you for two seasons of the Inclusive Storytelling podcast! Stay tuned for Season 3.

In the final episode of the, “Inclusive Storytelling,” podcast Season 2, we take a look at the iconic band Redbone. Their chart topping hit, “Come And Get Your Love,” is how we are introduced to Peter Quill in, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and on repeat by Officer Big in Reservation Dogs played by another icon, Zahn McClarnon. All band members were US or Mexican Indigenous when they started making music decades ago. Their cultures took center stage in their eclectic sound, album art, stage clothes and music. Please leave a review, download and share this and other episodes.

Jason A. Coombs (Mr. Robot, Grave Mysteries, Two Grown) is an accomplished actor, writer, director, Artistic Director of the Bridgeport Film Festival and, “Survival Jobs,” podcast host joins us to speak about Eartha Kitt. Eartha Kitt was an US American singer, actress, comedian, dancer and activist. Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the world". Listen to this incredible episode that scratches the surface of the amazing Eartha Kitt and how her speaking truth to power led to a CIA file being created, and how President Johnson and his wife ostracized her from US entertainment for seven years. She definitely deserves a mini-series about her!

Vandana Shiva (born 5 November 1952) is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, ecofeminist and anti-globalization author.[2] Based in Delhi, Shiva has written more than 20 books.[3] She is often referred to as "Gandhi of grain" for her activism associated with the anti-GMO movement.[4] GMO is a genetically modified organism. Take a listen about why Shiva deserves to be a household name!

Sarah Alma Angelle, award winning actress (Family Law, Umbrella Academy and The Handmaid's Tale), producer, and founder of Alma Matters production joins us so we can learn about Aida Keykhaii. Aida is an accomplished creative in Iran, and in 2015 she moved to Canada with her husband, Mohammad Yaghoubi. Aida is the co-founder of NOWADAYS THEATRE in Toronto, OR Canada. Aida's life and accomplishments are an inspiration and her name deserves to be a household name.

In this episode, we highlight incredible Black, Canadian women. We begin with Anne Clare Cools who was the first Black Senator in Canada and in North America. Michaelle Jean was the first Black Governor General of Canada. Rosemary Brown was the first Black women elected to a Canadian legislature. Viola Desmond defiance sparked the modern-day civil rights movement in Canada, and she was the first Canadian women to appear on a Canadian banknote. We end with Violet King who was the first Black woman lawyer in Canada.

In this episode, Corus Entertainment's AM 980 News radio anchor discuss Dr. Oronhyatekha who was Canada's second First Nations doctor from the Six Nations. Dr. O, as he was affectionally named, overcame great odds, an Indigenous Residential School and racism to become a doctor. He gave back to his community in so many ways, and it is estimated that 10,000 people came to pay their last respects as he lay in state in Massey Hall in Toronto, ON Canada. Dr. O's story is highlighted in the book, “Dr. Oronhyatekha: Security, Justice and Equality,” by Michelle A. Hamilton and Keith Jamieson.

In this episode, we learn about Canadian academic, scientist broadcaster and environmental activist David Suzuki, and his impressive wife Tara Cullis. Both Suzuki and Cullis are co-founders of the David Suzuki Foundation and committed their lives to environmental protection and criticizing governments for not doing enough when it comes to global warming. 

Marie Gettel-Gilmartin who is the, “Fertile Grounds Podcast,” host joins us to share about Marlee Matlin. Marlee is deaf and won an Oscar for her role in, “Children of a Lesser God.” Marie shares insights about Marlee's life, her career and recently her work in the award-winning movie, “Coda.” Join us in this wonderful conversation about Marlee and how deaf and hard of hearing representation in entertainment should be a thriving and represented group!

Sandra Oh is a Canadian and US American actress. She has an incredible life and an amazing career which deserves a movie or mini-series (with her permission). Take a listen into a small glimpse of Oh's incredible life.

Content Warning: Suicide Norah Jones is a lover of languages and cultures for their joy and power to give identity and hope to individuals and communities. In this episode, Norah shares insights about her grandparents, aunt and family whose ancestry goes back to modern-day Croatian by heritage. In this episode, Norah shares her grandfather's suicide even though he was developing a library for his community, her amazing and over the top aunt, and how her grandmother made the difficult decision to let her teenage son travel from modern-day Croatia to New York City, NY and then to Biloxi, Mississippi. Norah's family demonstrates how one amazing and real human stories come in many forms around the world. And, how legacies are built and sustained in families. You don't want to miss this episode!

Bayard Rustin was a gay civil rights activist and non-violent resistance practitioner. He was an influential team member of the Martin Luther King Jr. cohort, and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. His sexuality led to him being less celebrated than his counterparts and not as known even though he was very deserving of many accolades. Rustin deserves so much recognition for his work towards equity and justice. Netflix is supposed to distribute a biopic about his life. I will be tuning in!

Harris Eddie Hill is a best-selling author, speaker and alignment coach. Harris talks to us about Dolores Cannon who was a scientist and author in hypnotherapy. Dolores focused on understanding the ancient understanding of hypnotherapy that is not highlighted in the field due to colonization. Dolores' works is aligned with the continuing acceptance of healing outside of westernized medicine.   Harris' story about Dolores is aligned with Harris' work as an NLP Practitioner and trauma survivor, Harris advocates for a holistic, spiritual, and emotionally informed approach to life, healing, and coaching, especially for those of us who are considered sensitive and unconventional.

The West in North America is filled with many historical figures who did not, and still do not, receive recognition for their contributions in the 1800s and early 1900s to Canadian and US American history. This episode highlights Black cowhands and women who were notorious robbers to the amazing Stagecoach Mary who was a Black woman.

Content Warning: Violence to Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island (United States) In this episode, Randall Jahsson joins us who wrote the story for the 1997 hit, “Mask of Zorro,” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas. Yellowbird, or John Rollin Ridge, was part Cherokee and is probably the first US Indigenous author. In 1854, Yellowbird published, “The Life and Adventures of Joaquinn Murieta.” Murieta is considered to be the inspiration for Zorro. Talk a listen!

Joseph Phillippe Lemercier Laroche, Julliette Laroche, and their children, Simonne, Louise, and Joseph Jr. were on the Titanic and the only Black family onboard.  Ah Lam, Fang Lang, Len Lam, Cheong Foo, Chang Chip, Ling Hee, Lee Bing and Lee Ling. These are the names of the 8 Chinese nationals onboard the Titanic.  Learn the forgotten stories of these non-white passengers aboard the Titanic and watch, "The Six," documentary about the six Chinese Nationals that survived the Titanic sinking.

In this episode, we speak with Bill Taub who was a writer on Hills Street Blues, Barney Miller, Magnum P.I. (original) and In the Heat of the Night alum to name a few of his credits. Bill speaks about his good friend Jamie Masada who built the Laugh Factory franchise. Jamie has built careers such as Tiffany Haddish and his clubs host Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook and George Carlin to name a few. Enjoy this episode learning about the wonderful Jamie Masada!

Alice Guy Blache is considered one of the first filmmakers to make a narrative fiction film and the first woman to direct a film. It is said that from 1896 to 1906, she was the only female filmmaker in the world.  Her first movie was La Fee aux Choux (The Fairy of the Cabbages) which has a 60 second run time and  was released in 1896. She really wanted to incorporate fictional story-telling elements into movies.  There is a documentary, Be Natural, that is narrated by Jodie Foster that is out about her life. Pamela B. Green is developing a biopic about Alice and I would like to see this movie reach a wide audience so people can know about Alice's incredible life and her contributions to movies!

Serena Rasoul is a Muslim Southwest Asian and North African actress and writer. She recently founded Muslim American Casting--a casting agency that casts and advocates for Muslim and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA aka SWANA) talent in the TV/Film and Commercial industries.  In this episode, Serena is speaking about Fatima al-Fihri. Fatima was the founder of the oldest, continuously running university, The University of Al Quaraouiyine. The University is also the oldest university in the world, founded in 859 ACE, and currently located in present day Fes, Morocco.  Take a listen about Fatima from the incredible research Serena has done about her. Fatima deserves a movie made about her life and contributions. 

For educational purposes. In this episode, we briefly discuss Thich Nhat Hanh's incredible legacy as a Buddhist monk. I would love a movie or mini-series to be made about this fascinating leader and monk. Be sure to like, downlead, subscribe and share this and other, “Inclusive Storytelling,” podcast episodes!

Strong Asian Lead founder Founder and Artistic Director joins me in this episode to talk about Noriyuki Morita, or Pat Morita. Many know Pat as Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid movies. Mas notes Pat's life, his struggles, his career, and why a movie about Pat's life would be great for any storyteller. 

In this episode we discuss two Hollywood legends, Cicely Tyson and Betty White who deserve a movie or mini-series to be made about their lives.

For Season 2, we are going to focus on those who deserve to have a movie or a mini-series made about them. Think Hidden Figures. My guests will speak about someone they feel deserve to have a movie or a mini-series made about them including shorts about people. I hope you enjoy this season!  In addition, I am an anti-racist and anti-oppression educator as well as a screenwriter and an author. If I can support making our media more inclusive please reach out at theinclusivescreenwriter.com or on IG and Twitter at, “the inclusive screenwriter.” Thank you for being here, please leave a review, download, comment and share these episodes.

Join Inclusive Storytelling podcast host, Ashwini Prasad, and podcast producer Chaz Volk from Mr. Thrive Media review the inaugural podcast season, and their personal highlights from each episode. Season 2 comes January 2022!

The Wampanoag tribe has had their history erased even though they are integral to the celebrated US Thanksgiving and colonizer survival. Canada has its own Thanksgiving in October to emulate the US holiday. In this episode, we begin to learn the true history of the holiday and why the fourth Thursday in November is a National Day of Mourning for the Wampanoags.