TSOB w/ Dr. G--The Sex Ed of Blackfolk

Happy Holidays! Dr. G's been away for a bit, but slid back in before the end of the year by checking in with Dr. Hope Crenshaw and Patrina Williams of Teen Health Mississippi. The three embark on a powerful conversation centered on community, Southern authenticity and the generational healing that can come from honest, "loving accountability".  Plus: Check out Dr. G's new website: https://drtracieg.com, as well as her new book, Black and Sexy: A Framework of Racialized Sexuality, available now at Routledge.com!

So, by now we've talked to sex educators from the South, and sex educators who live IN the South...for our Season Three opener we're upping the ante and talking about sex ed IN the south, with sexual health educator and unapologetic "country girl" Dr. Rena Dixon, Director of Health Services for Fact Forward, out of Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. G & Dr. D get into a candid, lively conversation about representation in sex ed, Dr. Dixon's gift of gab, and what it means to experience progress in more conservative areas like the Southeastern United States. An absolutely PERFECT way to kick off a brand new season! Episode Transcripts are delayed, but will be forthcoming as soon as possible. Guest Bio: Dr. Rena P. Dixon joined the Fact Forward staff in 2010. She oversees training for community partners and all work with health care providers including the Collaborative for Reproductive Education and Wellness. She has extensive experience providing technical assistance to health centers across South Carolina on providing quality reproductive health services for adolescents and young adults. Dr. Dixon hails from the Peach State, growing up in Augusta, Georgia. She graduated with honors and cum laude from Armstrong Atlantic State University, in Savannah, Georgia with a Bachelor's of Science in Health Sciences and a minor in Latin American studies. Dr. Dixon also holds her Master of Public Health from Armstrong and a PhD in Public Health with a focus on Health Promotion and Health Education from Walden University. She has a passion for public speaking, sexual health, and social justice.

T.S.O.B. is still on break for the summer and coming off the heels of a phenomenal live show; in the meantime, Dr. G took the time to chat it up with an indirect sexuality educator of sorts, romance novelist and creative Christina C. Jones. Not a typical educator-to-educator conversation by any means; however, the two had a wonderful discussion about centering Blackness in love stories, combating stigma and biphobia against Black gay men, and the capacity for romance novels to facilitate important discussions about reproductive health, contraceptives, STIs, consent, and much, much more! A lovely listen to hold you over as we move into the Fall--check it out! NOTE: A scene from the Christina's novel "Something Like Love", in which heroine Astrid claps back at two biphobic women during a heated conversation in her love interest's hometown was discussed during this episode; the specific excerpt from that scene can be listened to here: Episode Transcripts are delayed, but will be forthcoming as soon as possible. Guest Bio: Christina C. Jones is a best-selling romance novelist and digital media creator. A timeless storyteller, she is lauded by readers for her ability to seamlessly weave the complexities of modern life into captivating tales of black romance. As an author, Christina's work has been featured in various media outlets such as Oprah Mag and Shondaland.com and she is the winner of numerous community awards. In addition to her full-time writing career, she cofounded Girl, Have You Read – a popular digital platform that amplifies black romance authors and their stories. A former graphic designer, Christina has a passion for making things beautiful and can usually be found crafting and cooking in her spare time. She currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and their two children.  More information about Christina and her work can be found at https://beingmrsjones.com/.

The T.S.O.B. Team has taken off for the summer; however, we're hard at work on our 2nd ever live show, to be held on Wednesday, July 28th on Zoom, at 6PM EST. To give a taste of the conversation to come, we are sharing a recording of the inaugural live event, featuring guests Tanya Bass, Jennifer Driver, Dominique Morgan, Aaryn Lang, and Walter DeShields. For more information about this year's Live (and to purchase tickets), visit https://tsobpodcast.com/events.

It's the Season Two Finale, and we couldn't be more excited to share this conversation with our special guest Marla Renee Stewart of Velvet Lips LLC. Marla is a world-renowned sexologist, sex coach, and sex educator who specializes in helping everyday people own their authentic sexual selves. For this episode, Dr. G and Marla chop it up about diversity in Blackness, queerness, and the possibilities of sex ed when imagined in pop culture. A fabulous end to an amazing season! Episode Transcripts are delayed, but will be forthcoming as soon as possible. Guest Bio: Marla Renee Stewart, MA is a professional sexologist, speaker, author and sexual strategist. She is the owner of Velvet Lips, a sexuality education company, as well as Contract Liberation, a company focused on research for non-profit groups. She also is a Lecturer at Clayton State University, teaching Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies. As the Co-Founder of the Sex Down South Conference, Marla aims to bring diverse groups together to learn and share their experiences in the essence of being authentic and fostering sexual liberation across communities. Marla has studied human sexuality for over 20 years, has educated over 30,000 people in over 14 years, given over 500 workshops, and have served over 100 clients in her private practice, all around the world. She has had her influence in the media, as well; she has written over 200 articles, featured in over 30 magazines and books, and has been on over 70 podcasts and independent television shows. She was featured on Netflix's Trigger Warning with Killer Mike and VH1's Love & HipHop Atlanta. In addition, she also sits on the Boards for SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW! and is on the Community Advisory Board of the Diverse Sexualities and Research Education Institute. She co-wrote her first book, The Ultimate Guide to Seduction & Foreplay (2020) with Dr. Jessica O'Reilly and is currently writing a chapter and co-editing An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy, coming in 2021.

Would you like your sex ed scandalous, political, pleasure-based, healing, or something else? Better yet, why not get an educator who can do it all? For this particular episode, Dr. G chats with the wildly popular Raquel Savage, founder of Savage Media and a renowned expert in sexology and sexual healing for all, including and especially those in sex work. Their conversation runs the gamut, covering race and gender, sex work, adolescent sexuality, and how whorephobia intricately connects to the shame we struggle to release as a society. Another phenomenal conversation! Episode Transcripts are delayed, but will be forthcoming as soon as possible. Guest Bio: Raquel Savage was born into a life of bold resistance that she attributes to her grandparents.  Growing up watching her grandfather, a Methodist minister, transgress by fighting issues pertaining to race and gay rights, Raquel grew to have a deep appreciation for social justice and an understanding of the importance of standing behind the righteous thing.  Her grandmother, a rebellious preacher's wife, was an ASSECT-certified sexuality educator who was opinionated and fearless. In many ways, one can say Raquel Savage is carrying on the legacy of her grandmother in her own work; taking it to bolder, more progressive places, but still holding on to that same feminist spirit of sexual agency, education, and body autonomy. For Raquel, liberation is a family tradition. As Raquel got older, she furthered her work in sexual liberation work via education. During her undergrad she created organizations like The Q Group where she created a space for queer students and later earned a board certification in Human Sexuality. Currently, Raquel holds a master's in Counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy.) Ms. Savage is also committed to making her work accessible, substantial and personal. Raquel does Sex & Trauma Coaching and Savage Sex Ed. Raquel facilitates Sex & Trauma Coaching sessions where she is able to personalize her labor and wisdom in an intimate setting. Savage Sex Ed includes interactive workshops which can be held privately or publicly and range from topics like fetishes, ethical non-monogamy, and orgasm. Savage Sex Ed consultations allow people to pick Raquel's brain about a topic of their choice. In all ways, Raquel Savage is committed to educating. Raquel Savage is one of the most progressive and promising brands in media and she shows no signs of slowing down. Her relentless rise is partly because of her education and experience, but also because of her pure passion to erase the shame around sex and sexuality. Raquel Savage isn't just a woman with a brand and passion, she has a mission. And that mission is to turn shamed folks into unapologetic, fearless savages too.

June 19th is Juneteenth in America, the day the last known Africans were notified of their emancipation from American Chattel Slavery. We celebrate Juneteenth on the show this week by speaking to Dr. Clarissa (Serenity) Francis, sexuality educator, researcher, practitioner and founder of the therapeutic initiative Let Freedom C.U.M. Dr. G and Dr. C have a rousing conversation about healing and its relationship to freedom, along with how Black femmes from all walks of life can see their freedom as challenging but readily accessible. Episode Transcripts are delayed, but will be forthcoming as soon as possible. Guest Bio: Clarissa Serenity Francis (The Real Hot Girl Doc) is a Black Sexual Liberation scholar and AASECT certified sexuality educator who focuses on Black women's sexual liberation and pleasure. Dr. Francis has collaborated with colleges, organizations, and community groundbreakers to bring awareness and healing to Black women and youth. She received her bachelor's degree in Africana Studies (minor in Psychology) from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). At BGSU, she held leadership roles in multicultural organizations and became a health peer educator. She worked as a graduate assistant at Clark Atlanta University's Student Health Services while pursuing her master's degree from the illustrious Clark Atlanta University in Africana Women's Studies with a concentration in Black women's sexuality and sexual health peer education. In 2021, she earned her PhD in Human Sexuality at California Institute of Integral Studies. Her dissertation focused on the social history of pleasure activism in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an advocate for Megan Thee Stallion's Hot Girl Summer philosophy and believes that it reflects Black women's movement towards sexual liberation.       Serenity feels called to develop safe spaces for Black women to participate in unrestricted dialogue unpacking and celebrating their bodies and diverse sexualities. She has over 10 years as a sexuality educator and is also trained in massage therapy, reiki healing, and conscious erotic touch. She currently sits on the AASECT's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and the Leadership Collective of Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WoCSHN). She developed the Let Freedom C.U.M. Sexuality Workshop Series to equip Black sexuality professionals, and the aspiring sexually liberated, to recognize and utilize multi-disciplinary approaches to discussing Pleasure Activism as a tool for Black Sexual Liberation. Her goal is to infiltrate multi-oppressive systems to secure safe spaces for Black women to unpack intergenerational trauma, reclaim bodily autonomy, and Say Yes to (their own) Serenity!  Dr. Francis offers workshops, training, and event planning consulting on Black sexual liberation, peer education, pleasure, and various topics concerning the Africana Diaspora & sexualities. She looks forward to collaborating with scholars, practitioners, and activists on future publications, interventions, and advocacy efforts! More information about Dr. Francis's work can be found on her website https://sayyestoserenity.com. 

When you love music as much as we do, one conversation on the matter simply isn't enough! As a bonus episode, Dr. G sits down again with last week's guest Louie Ortiz-Fonseca, along with previous guest and musical artist Dominique Morgan! Rectifying the technical difficulties in their initial conversation attempt, the trio come together to discuss more on their understanding of music's impact on their lives, how it can influence the lives of young people, while answering a few other fun questions about musicians as sex educators, and what opportunities they see for adults to take a more intentional role in facilitating how young people process what they listen to. All-in-all? Another amazing and insightful conversation! PLEASE NOTE: This week's transcript is delayed, yet will be forthcoming as soon as possible.

June is Black Music Month, and as such we're celebrating all the best in sexy Black music, all month long! For this episode Dr. G invites Louie Ortiz-Fonseca to the floor, sexual health educator, major music aficionado and creator of Gran Varones, the digital archive centered on the oral histories of Latino/Latinx queer men. The pair chop it up about growing up as latchkey kids and the importance of oral music history, while Louie shares his thoughts for how music can be an excellent bridgeway towards meaningful conversations with young people about sexuality and sexual health. Definitely a must listen if there ever was one! NOTE: This episode originally featured a special guest; although, unexpected technical issues kept those vocals from being fully captured. As such, please forgive any continuity errors that make it difficult to follow the conversation in total. Click here for the episode transcript. Guest Bio: Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca is an Afro-Boricua queer HIV positive creative born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He is the creator of Gran Varones, a digital project that highlights LGBTQ pop culture history and community storytelling through a Black/Latinx lens. He also works in partnership with young people living with HIV to combat stigma, and hosts a YouTube series for LGBTQ youth, Kikis with Louie. Louie is a father of a 17 year-old son and worships the Patron St. Mariah Carey. More information about Louie & his work can be found at http://granvarones.com/.

Intersectionality is a popular concept, but what does it have to do with sex education? In this episode, Dr. G speaks with Bianca Laureano, a legend in the profession and a pioneer in using sex ed to advance social justice. The pair cover a wide range of topics, including colorism and the complexities of race in Latin American communities, centering and citing Black women, righteous conflict, practicing accountability, and all the ways we can do better around improving our craft. An all-around power-packed conversation for sexuality professionals everywhere. Click here for the episode transcript. Guest Bio: Bianca I Laureano is an award-wining educator, curriculum writer, facilitator, and sexologist. She is a Foundress of the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WOCSHN), The LatiNegrxs Project, ANTE UP! Virtual Freedom Professional Development School for Justice Workers, and hosts LatinoSexuality.com. She has written several curricula that focus on communities of color: What's the REAL DEAL about Love and Solidarity? (2015) and Communication MixTape: Speak On It Vol 1. (2017) and wrote the sexual and reproductive justice discussion guide for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene published in 2018. Bianca has been on the board of CLAGS, the LGBTQ Center at CUNY, The Black Girl Project, and  SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. She resides in Oakland, CA. She is the Lead Educator for the Netflix film Crip Camp (2020) and is leading the efforts to create a curriculum that is rooted in disability justice practice, self-determination, and social-emotional learning competences! She will receive an honorary PhD for her work of justice, equity, and inclusion in the US sexuality field May 2020. More information about Bianca can be found at http://www.biancalaureano.com, or at http://anteuppd.com.

Sometimes you can have a conversation that you intend to take in one direction, but as luck would have it you venture off and end up going somewhere else entirely. In this conversation, Dr. G speaks with the phenomenal Dominique Morgan, activist, music artist and executive director of Black & Pink, one of the largest prison abolition organizations in the nation. The two literally discuss "all the things"--a must-listen conversation sprinkled with hilarity, vernacular (are you having "sushi sex"?), real talk and insights for a lifetime. Click here for the episode transcript. Guest Bio: Dominique Morgan (She/Her) is an award-winning artist, activist, and TEDx speaker. As the Executive Director of Black and Pink, she works daily to dismantle the systems that perpetuate violence on LGBTQ/GNC people and individuals who are living with HIV/AIDS. Partnering her lived experience of being impacted by mass incarceration, with a decade of change-making artistry, advocacy, and background in public health, she continues to work in spaces of sex education, radical self-care, and transformative youth development with intentions of dismantling the prison industrial complex and its impact on our communities. More information about Dominique and her work can be found at http://www.dominiquemorgan.com.

What can good sex ed look like when it isn't centering cisgender, heterosexual people? For this episode, Dr. G invites sexuality educator Nefertari Sloan to the show for a hilarious yet insightful and poignant conversation about what it can look like, and how doing so can benefit us all. Click here for the episode transcript. Guest Bio: Sloan is a nonbinary sex educator who has been facilitating classroom conversations about sexuality since 2016. They have facilitated over 800 LGBTQ inclusive workshops for youth aged 13-24 and their writing has appeared in Scarleteen, Racebaitr, and Upspoken, as well as a Cosmo docuseries on the need for LGBTQ inclusive sex education. They consider themselves a spiritual being having a physical experience and is intentional about incorporating a holistic lens in the work that they do. Their hobbies include offering hugs, giving compliments, and dancing in grocery aisles.  More information about Nefertari can be found at http://nefertarisloan.com. Nefertari is also the Training & Prevention Coordinator at MISSSEY (Motivating, Inspiring, Serving, and Supporting Sexually Exploited Youth). To support the work of MISSSEY visit http://www.misssey.org. References Halliday, A. S. (2019). The black girlhood studies collection. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars. Johnson, E.P. (2005) ‘‘Quare'' Studies, or (Almost) Everything I Know about Queer Studies I Learned from My Grandmother". Black Queer Studies, edited by E. Patrick Johnson and Mae G. Henderson, New York, USA: Duke University Press, 2005, pp. 124-158. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780822387220-009  

It's a new season of T.S.O.B., and we're kicking in the door with an equally powerful guest! Dr. Lexx Brown-James of the Institute for Sexuality & Intimacy joins Dr. G for a rousing potpourri-style conversation about intimacy, sex, masculinity, parenting, and the like. Dr. Lexx shares her personal brand of #ShameFreeSexEd, along with her thoughts about how Black femmes can heal from the sexual experiences of their past. Definitely a great way to begin the season (Content Warning: This interview makes mention of racialized sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.)! Click here for episode transcript. Guest Bio: Dr. Lexx Brown-James {She|Her|Dr} is an Amazon Best Selling Author, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and sexologist. Dr. Lexx loves LOVE and is especially fond of ensuring Black Love lasts. As the #CouplesClinician, she works ensure folks build and maintain fulfilling intimate relationship. At The Institute, Dr. Lexx believes Healing Does Happen and works to take care the relationship between lovers versus the ego of lovers. She also merges education and therapy using her skillset training professionals within and outside human sexuality. In professional development, Dr. Lexx works to support organizations in de-centralizing harmful oppressive practices with their clientele. In classrooms and trainings, Dr. Lexx utilizes experiential pedagogy coupled with affective based learning to challenge attitudes and support learners in being able to apply knowledge and skills.  

Black femme folk have ALWAYS been part of the sex ed profession, even when their work wasn't exactly recognized as such. For this inaugural season finale of TSOB, Dr. G sits down with Mariotta Gary-Smith (she/they), sexuality educator and Co-Foundress of WoCSHN, the Women of Color Sexual Health Network. Together they unpack what sex ed & pleasure look like for burgeoning Gen-Xers, while Mariotta provides continuing evidence of how amazing things happen when Black people gather together. Click here for episode transcript. Episode Question to Ponder: Who are your favorite Black femme sexuality educators? Homework: Reflection Exercise! Guest Bio: Mariotta Gary-Smith (she/her/they) is a 2nd generation Oregonian (Portland) & a 3rd generation social justice agitator. While her family history seeded her interest in social justice, she added public health & human sexuality to it – and it came together smoothly for her in high school. During that time, Mariotta was an active youth health advocate and peer educator, and served on several local youth councils, including the Planned Parenthood Teen Council (in Portland, OR.), and as a National Board Youth Representative for NARAL (now NARAL Pro-Choice America). After graduating, Mariotta completed degrees from Agnes Scott College (BA), and the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University (MPH), respectively. In the fall of 2008, she was one of 5 nationally selected scholars for the 2008-2009 Inaugural Class at the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health (CESH) Scholars Fellowship Program at Morehouse School of Medicine (in Atlanta, GA.). In 2009, Mariotta co-founded the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WoCSHN; pronounced ‘wok-shyn') – which is an online-based, collective organization for women/femme-identifying/gender expansive sexuality professionals of color. She's an AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educator, Counselors & Therapists) Certified Sexuality Educator, past AASECT Annual Conference Co-Chair (2016-2017), and a past Associate Editor for the American Journal of Sexuality Education (AJSE). In 2012, Mariotta was asked to be a member of the Founding Advisory Committee of the We Are BRAVE! Project, a project housed at Western States Center (Portland, OR.). This WOC (Women of Color) collective laid the groundwork for the innovative We Are BRAVE! cohort program and model for individual leaders and organizations who committed to implement an RJ (reproductive justice) lens and framework as a part of their active engagement and coalition building. This important work was - and remains - a core piece of the local political movement that resulted in Oregon passing the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) in 2017 – the most progressive reproductive health law in the United States. Mariotta has a well-earned reputation for informative, thoughtful, challenging and honest presentations, workshops and trainings about racial justice and equity, sexuality and social critique; and provides collaborative consultation with national organizations about racial justice in sexuality education and the field of Sexuality. With over 20 years of experience working in collaboration with people/organizations across various identities & perspectives, Mariotta remains deeply committed to curating, facilitating & sustaining spaces that support clear & accountable learning on the intersections of social justice, sexual health, equity and “actionable agitation”. She's fully invested in her ‘passion work' – to focus on Black folks/Black sexuality and move their experience from the margins to the center.  References (content) Momodu, S. (2018, January 25) A Different World (1987-1993). Retrieved from https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/different-world-1987-1993/ Wilkerson, I. (2011). The warmth of other suns : The epic story of America's great migration. New York: Vintage Books. References (People) Bass, T. The Southern Sexologist. https://www.tanyambass.com/ Thompson, C. Cashawn Thompson, Mother of #BlackGirlMagic. http://cashawn.com/ Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WoCSHN). http://www.wocshn.org/

In this episode, Dr. G. chats it up with sexuality educator and founder of Sex-Positive Families, David Wraith. The two start with a discussion of his origins in HIV activism and social services, moving from there into a potpourri of topics all related to sex-positivity, and the various ways that lack of emotional vulnerability can make it difficult for some folks to experience it. A quick & dirty conversation with great laughs all around!  **Content Warning**: Does contain brief discussions of community silence related to experiences of sexual abuse at around the 32:40 mark. (Click here for episode transcript.) Episode Question to Ponder: What would you ask of your sex life if you weren't afraid? Homework: Continue your Dream Journal (see Episode .06--The Sex Ed of Our Dreams)...but make it spicy! Guest Bio: David Wraith is a writer, activist, sex educator, and co-founder of Sex Positive St. Louis. More info about David can be found at https://davidwraith.com. Episode References: BitLove (2021). FetLife. https://fetlife.com/ Corinna, H. (2021). Scarleteen.com: Sex education for the real world. https://www.scarleteen.com/

It's one thing to speak of what isn't working our lives--to point out and extricate the factors that make sexuality an adverse experience for us. What does life look like, however, once those destructive factors are removed? You may know what you DON'T want...from there though, the opportunity emerges for you to determine and connect with what you do! In this episode of the show, Dr. G chats with educator and self-proclaimed dreamer Dalychia Saah, co-founder of the wildly-popular sex ed resource Afrosexology. Dalychia shares how her dreams have gotten her closer to self-love and liberation, and provides tips on how emancipatory principles in sex ed can be applied to all areas our lives, including those outside of the bedroom. Click here for episode transcript. Episode Question to Ponder: What's your post-liberation fantasy? Homework: Start a Fantasy Journal! Instructions: Find a notebook or other book for writing that you use to keep up with your fantasies and desires--whether sexual or otherwise! Get detailed in your descriptions, and check in with yourself about how they make you feel; if you're feeling brave, you may even choose a person you trust who can support you in bringing your fantasies to life after you share! Guest Bio: Dalychia Saah (she/her) is a sexuality educator, professor, writer, and speaker. Through her words and work, Dalychia facilitates space for people to connect deeper with their desires for their body, relationships, life, and our world. She is passionate about people unlearning oppressive norms that are externalized, inter-personalized, and internalized that keep us from moving towards a more liberated way of being. Dalychia believes that systematic forms of oppression can be overthrown by a reclamation of intra- and interpersonal power. Dalychia is the co-founder of Afrosexology, a pleasure based sex education platform that creates educational content and workshops to center the pleasure, empowerment, and liberation of Black people.  Afrosexology's work covers topics such as masturbation, self love, enhancing communication in relationships, radical twerking, racialized sexual oppression, body agency and much more. Through Afrosexology, she has created space for tens of thousands of people of color to reclaim their sexuality and body agency. Dalychia is a lecturer professor at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, where she teaches graduate level courses in social theory, social justice, and sexuality education. She is also a sought after facilitator and keynote speaker for conferences and events related to social justice and/or sexuality. More info about Dalychia and her work can be found at http://dalychiasaah.com/.  

Racism has been firmly established by many in the discipline to be  public health crisis. What our guest on this episode reminds us is that it is also a crisis in sexuality as well. In this episode, Dr. G chats with "Southern Sexologist" Tanya M. Bass, about the ways that race and racism have informed public health-based sex ed. Tanya shares her journey to sex ed through the path of public health, what it's like teaching these topics at a Historically Black College (HBCU), and how Blackfolk can best excel at achieving the pleasure and freedom they so richly deserve! NOTE: This episode includes an advertisement for a special Black History Month event coming up on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Info & tickets for the event can be found here. (Click here to download the episode transcript.) Episode Question to Ponder: What are you willing to do to be free? Homework: No downloads; conduct an internet search on The Negro Project (start here to begin your reading)  Guest Bio: Tanya M. Bass (the #SouthernSexologist™) is a national award winning sexuality educator and a subject matter expert in health equity and sexual health. She is the Founder of the North Carolina Sexual Health Conference (NCSEXCON) which draws sexual health professionals from around the state to share best practices in sexual health across the lifespan. Tanya is the lead instructor for Human Sexuality at North Carolina Central University in the Department of Public Health Education. She is also a TedX and keynote speaker, highly-requested trainer, and facilitator.  Much of her work has been in collaboration with community-based organizations, churches, academic institutions, and state and national conferences. Tanya is an Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapist (AASECT) certified sexuality educator and a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). She is a past co-chair for the 2014 National Sex Ed Conference and the 2020 AASECT Conference.   She serves on the editorial board for the American Journal of Sexuality Education. Tanya is completing her doctorate in Education within the Center for Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University. More information about Tanya and her work can be found at http://www.TanyaMBass.com. Episode References (Content): Almanzar, B. & Pete, M. (2020). "W.A.P. (Wet Ass Pussy)". Album Name TBA. 7 August 2020. Perf. Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion. Atlantic Records, 2020. MP3. L.J. (2004). Examining sexual health discourses in a racial/ethnic context. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 33, 223-234. (Available for abstract review and purchase/download here.) Roberts, D. (1997). Killing the black body: Race, reproduction, and the meaning of liberty. New York: Pantheon Books. References (People): Dr. June Dobbs Butts. (obituary) Javontae L. Williams (academic bio) Professor H. Sharif Williams (academic bio) Goody Howard (bio) Melissa Carnagey (bio)

When you think of sex education (particularly at the K12 level), how often do you think of the policies and practices that inform how that education gets doled out? For this particular episode, Dr. G interviews Jennifer Driver, an award-winning advocacy expert and the founder of Take Root Strategies, a consulting firm that assists communities in accessing strategic guidance on reproductive health care policy. In this conversation Jennifer helps us understand why policy matters in sex ed, and explains how and why Black people must take active steps to become more involved in enacting sexuality-related policy. (Click to download the episode transcript.) Episode Question to Ponder: What kind of sex ed should be standard in the U.S.? Homework: Research Activity Guest Bio:  Jennifer Driver is an award-winning reproductive health, rights, and justice policy and advocacy leader with nearly 15 years in the field. Her work centers on addressing systems that add burdens or barriers to accessing full reproductive health information and services— paying particular attention to communities of color, immigrants, system involved youth, and LGBTQ communities. Jennifer currently serves as the Senior Director of Reproductive Rights with the State Innovation Exchange (SiX). Prior to joining SiX, Jennifer served as the Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships with SIECUS (the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States), where she provided leadership to drive the organization's federal and state policy and advocacy efforts. Prior to joining the team at SIECUS, Jennifer worked for Welcoming America where her work focused on the intersection of immigration, racism, education, health, and policy. Her previous experience also includes working for Power to Decide and the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential. She is the Founder of Take Root Strategies LLC, a consulting firm providing strategic guidance on reproductive health care policy. Jennifer serves on the board of the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy Leadership Council. A dynamic trainer, presenter, and spokesperson on reproductive health, rights, and justice, Jennifer has been featured and quoted in national media, including The Washington Post, Vogue, The New York Times, Rewire, The Hill, CNN, The Harvard Political Review, MSNBC, and Politico. She was also recognized in 2019 as one of 50 impactful creators, artists, and activists by B*TCH Media. Learn more about Jennifer Driver at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-driver-ba44a170/. References (Content) Wilkerson, I. (2011). The warmth of other suns : The epic story of America's great migration. New York: Vintage Books. References (People) Bass, T. The Southern Sexologist. https://www.tanyambass.com/

Ever wonder what happened to the girl you went to high school with, who knew all the good info about sex and sexual health--the go-to peer for information and insight? If that girl was Goody Howard, then you already know she's doing AMAZING, sweetie! For this episode of the podcast, Dr. G chats with Goody about her work as a trainer and facilitator in Dallas, Texas, the superpowers she lovingly refer to as "science and hoe shit", and all the other bits of her brilliance that help explain why "Ask Goody" isn't just a brand, but a way of life! (NOTE: This episode does include some cursing and advanced sexual references, which may not be safe for work or appropriate for small children) (Click here to download the episode transcript) Episode Question To Ponder: What if sexual precocity was valued as much as other types? Homework: Reflection Exercise! Guest Bio: Goody Howard is an intimacy consultant, sexuality educator and HIV activist!  She's been an adult industry insider for over 10 years and she informs, educates and empowers her clients with the knowledge that sexual pleasure IS sexual health. Goody hosts and sex-positive workshops around the country that are focused on intimacy & empowerment. She layers her focus on pleasure and education with her energetic and engaging presentation style. Goody's oral sex series LICK! and Lip Service! are her most popular classes, but she's been teaching comprehensive sexuality education and healthy relationships for campuses, companies, and communities for over 12 years! Goody Howard has dedicated her life to “Empowering through sexual exploration, education, and awareness.” Goody's mantra is “Be Good or Be Good At It!”, and she is determined to normalize sex-positive conversations as a way to ease stigma and improve sexual responsibility. More info about Goody & her work can be found at @askgoody and at askgoody.com. Episode Reference (Content): Brown-James, L. (2018). These are my eyes, this is my nose, this is my vulva, these are my toes. Self-published. (Click here to purchase) Carnagey, M. (2020) Sex positive talks to have with kids. Self-published. (Click here to purchase) Mase III, J. & Edidi, D. F. (Eds.) (2020) The black trans prayer book. Self-published. (click here to purchase) Sex-Positive Families Instagram Feed: https://www.instagram.com/sexpositive_families/ Episode Reference (People): Dr. Lexx Brown-James--Owner, The Institute for Sexuality & Intimacy (bio)

In this particular episode of the podcast Dr. G chats with Melissa Carnagey, a licensed social worker, educator and founder of the wildly-popular sex ed parenting resource Sex-Positive Families. Dr. G & Melissa dive deep to discuss issues related to being a sex-positive parent, including but not limited to unchecked trauma related to racial and other identity experiences. Towards the end of the conversation, Melissa invites listeners to imagine what liberated sexual health looks like, not just for themselves but for the young people they may come in contact throughout their lives. The two also discuss Melissa's new book, Sex Positive Talks to Have With Kids, which they self-published towards the end of last year. (Click to download the episode transcript) Episode Question to Ponder: If you could re-parent yourself for the purposes of fostering your sexual empowerment, what would you do differently than those who raised you? Homework: Reflection & Interview Exercise! Guest Bio: Melissa Pintor Carnagey (she/they) is a Black and Latinx Austin, Texas based sexuality educator, and licensed social worker who believes that all children deserve holistic, comprehensive, and shame-free sexuality education so they can live informed, empowered, and safer lives. Melissa is confident that the work starts in homes with families and caregivers. Her professional experience spans just shy of 15 years in the field of sexual health, having taught comprehensive sexuality education in schools, authored curricula, trained youth-serving professionals, and worked within HIV/AIDS case management and prevention at both nonprofit and state government levels. Melissa's most relevant experience comes from being a sex positive parent to three young people ages 21, 11, and 7. They are the constant inspiration for the work.  More info about Melissa & their work can be found at SexPositiveFamilies.com. Episode References (Content): Carnagey, M. (2020) Sex positive talks to have with kids. Self-published. (Click here to purchase) Episode References (People): Brittany Broaddus--Owner, The Intimacy Firm (bio) Dr. Lexx Brown-James--Owner, The Institute for Sexuality & Intimacy (bio)

This inaugural episode of T.S.O.B. w/ Dr. G introduces you to Dr. Tracie Q. Gilbert, podcast host and sexuality educator. She breaks down a bit of her background, inspirations and rationale for the show, and provides a brief overview of what can be expected from future episodes. (Click to download the episode transcript) Episode Question to Ponder: What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Host Bio: Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD (she/her/Thembi) is an educator, writer,  and consultant who uses conversation to help achieve sexual wellness and healing for Black people, along with racial justice in sex ed spaces. Using lectures, interactive workshops and conversation series, Dr. Gilbert works to help Black communities unpack the mental, historical, and cultural barriers that keep them from having honest, productive conversations about sex and sexuality. Dr. Gilbert has nearly 25 years experience teaching urban youth, young adults, and their advocates. She received her Masters of Science in Education at the University of Pennsylvania, and her doctorate from the Center for Human Sexuality Studies at Widener University. More info about Dr. G can be found at ThembiAnaiya.com. EPISODE REFERENCES DuBois, W. E. B. (1903). The souls of black folk. (Click here to Purchase) Gamble, K. & Huff, L. (1975) The sound of Philadelphia [Recorded by MFSB ft. The Three Degrees]. On Love is the Message [Album]. Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia International Records. (Click to Listen; Also, here are 10 Black-Owned Vinyl Record Stores to Support) Gilbert, T. Q. (in press) Black & sexy: A framework of racialized sexuality. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Press. (Click here to sign up for the wait list!) Don't forget to subscribe!

For this episode, Dr. G speaks with renowned sexuality educator, podcaster, model, cancer survivor and activist Ericka Hart (she/they) about the experience of existing in Black femme bodies, and the various systems (capitalism, fatphobia, transphobia, Western medicine, colorism, antiBlackness) impacting that lived experience.  (Click to download the episode transcript) Episode Question to Ponder: What is your relationship to the Black Femme body? Guest Bio: A kinky, poly, cancer-warrior, activist and sexuality educator with a Master's of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University, Ericka Hart has taught sexuality education for elementary aged youth to adults across New York City for over 10 years, including serving as a Peace Corps HIV/AIDS volunteer in Ethiopia from 2008-2010. Diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in May 2014 at the age of 28, she realized that neither her identity as a queer black femme, nor her sex life as a survivor, was featured prominently in her treatment. She decided to do something about it: going topless (and viral) in public, bearing her double mastectomy scars to end the lack of black, brown LGBTQIA+ representations and visibility in breast cancer awareness. Dismantling the ways that systemic patriarchy and anti-black standards of beauty affect our everyday lives, Ericka is shifting ingrained cultural modes and attitudes on chronic illness and posits visibility as vital to any radically inclusive movement toward equity. But it is her work on the medical industrial complex that forces us to see our institutions and systems of care as complicit in the perpetuation of illness in marginalized communities; unabashedly centering and sentient such that queer, trans black, brown and femme voices aren't lost among the drone of scholarly research less skilled than Hart in bringing academia to the places it refuses to go. Audiences around the world admire Ericka for her ability to challenge anti-blackness everywhere it rears its head–from the front pages of magazines, fashion week runways to the lectern. She is committed to empowering students to make a difference in the world and with each other, opening up robust discourse that connects sexual health and wellness to the systemic issues at the root of social injustice, helping students at over 20 colleges and universities across the country this past year alone discover actionable steps to confront those issues powerfully. More information about Ericka and their work can be found at iHartEricka.com. Episode References: Philly Women Rally (2017, Oct 18). Ericka Hart @ The Women's March on Philadelphia [Video]. YouTube.com  (click here to watch) Ziyad, H. (2017) My gender is black. Afropunk.com  (click here to read)