The Empowerment Zone

Nick Taliaferro: Re-evaluating and Re-imagining the purpose of the Black Church —  The Black Church has always been the center of the African American community, but according to Nick Taliaferro, the role of the Black Church has changed. Listen to Ramona and Nick’s conversation today as Nick explains the societal factors that have influenced this change and what he feels should be the new role of...

Next episode available from Monday, April 3rd with guest Nick Taliaferro What is the role, relevance and future of the Black Church?

Dr. Rebecca Lopez: Advancing DEIA within The National Athletic Trainers’ Association —  Diversity continues to be an important issue in all professions.  Listen to the conversation today as Ramona talks to Dr. Rebecca Lopez about the National Athletic Trainers' Association's (NATA) efforts to improve Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) via their DEIA Task Force.  Through her leadership...

Next episode available from Monday, March 27th with guest Dr. Rebecca Lopez The importance of diversity within the field of athletic training

Dr. Lorena Chambers: The Chicanas Changing History Project —  As we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month, researcher and historian Dr. Lorena Chambers, joins me to talk about the role of history in shaping our future. Listen in as she talks about chance moments, acknowledges those who helped pave the way in her career’s trajectory, and shares what led her to become a historian.  Notab...

Next episode available from Monday, March 20th with guest Dr. Lorena Chambers Why Chicana Historians Matter

Patricia Castillo: Ending abuse through the PEACE Initiative —  This week on the podcast, social worker and domestic violence advocate Patricia Castillo joins me. With more than 35 years of experience under her belt, working to end violence against women and children, Patricia continues to make an impact on what is a world-wide issue. Listen as we discuss how Patricia became an advocate against vi...

Next episode available from Monday, March 13th with guest Patricia Castillo How do you end domestic violence?

Tosca Davis and Cedrick Smith: Exploring the African American experience in the workplace —  Documentary film-makers Tosca Davis and Cedrick Smith join me to talk about working while black and their film “TO BE US: To Work.”  To Be Us Productions creates stories that center black people.  Today we talk about how the experiences of black people at work remains valid, the impact of racism and micro-...

Next episode available from Monday, March 6th with guest Tosca Davis and Cedrick Smith Film documentary: “To Be Us: To Work”

Joe Jennings: A cultural ambassador for African American classical music —  This week on the Empowerment Zone podcast, educator and musical extraordinaire Joe Jennings, joins me. The jazz musician, and former director of the Spelman Jazz Ensemble, contributions include being the founder and director of the Neighborhood Arts Ensemble, a 22-piece big Band in Atlanta, as well as the founder and direc...

Next episode available from Monday, February 27th with guest Joe Jennings Celebrating Atlanta’s Local Black History and Jazz

Jay Bailey: The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs —  Join Ramona as she and Jay Bailey explore local Black History of Atlanta, by expounding upon the impactful life, leadership and legacy of businessman Herman J. Russell, Sr. In fact, Russell’s life continues to inspire a new generation of business owners through the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). In their discussion...

Next episode available from Monday, February 20th with guest Jay Bailey Honoring the legacy and visionary leadership of Herman J, Russell, Sr.

Dr. Sonya Ramsey: Highlighting the Life and legacy of Bertha Maxwell-Roddey —  In this episode, Ramona centers African American women’s history in her discussion with historian Dr. Sonya Ramsey about her new book Bertha Maxwell-Roddey: A Modern-Day Race Woman and the Power of Black Leadership. In her biography of Dr. Maxwell-Roddey, Dr. Ramsey modernizes the nineteenth-century term “race woman” to...

Next episode available from Monday, February 13th with guest Dr. Sonya Ramsey Centering Black Women in Black History

Ramona Houston: The Tragedy of Tyre Nichols — Although “The Empowerment Zone” celebrates Black History all year, Ramona has decided to devote all episodes in February to recognizing Black History Month. Considering the recent tragedies in the US with the police beating and murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Ramona begins this month exploring racialized police violence in the United States. In this...

Next episode available from Monday, February 6th, Ramona Houston's take on the recent tragedies in the US with the police beating and murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis. Wicked Policing: A Reality in All Black Communities throughout America

See you soon!

We return February 6th

Christian McBride: How artists influence people and society through their music and actions —  From James Brown to Winton Marsalis, artists have an incredible amount of influence, impacting all aspects of society and people, including today’s guest Christian McBride. Listen to Ramona’s conversation as Christian talks about the music and the artists who have impacted his life and his development as...

Next episode available from Monday, December 12th with guest Christian McBride The Extraordinary Impact of Artists  

Peter Martin: Get a few real customers and learn from them —  Peter Martin is Ramona’s inspiration for starting her podcast (https://ramonahouston.com/podcast/how-do-you-start-a-podcast/), and today she talks to him about his entrepreneurial journey. Growing from the free “Two Minute Jazz” video podcast to “Open Studio,” an online jazz education platform that currently has over 3000 students from...

Next episode available from Monday, December 5th with guest Peter Martin How do you grow a business?

Donna King: Do what makes you happy —  In today’s episode, Ramona talks to entrepreneur Donna King, Chief Visionary Officer and Head Designer of P. Sherrod & Co., an Atlanta-based leather lifestyle brand founded in 2009. Donna shares her story of how she “took the leap” and persevered through the challenges of entrepreneurship to build her company. If you are temporarily paralyzed by fear, this ep...