Blackbelt Voices

On Episode 22 of Blackbelt Voices, Adena and Kara have a conversation with Candice Barnes. Ed. D. , an associate professor and distinguished equity fellow at the University of Central Arkansas College of Education.  They talked about moving closer to diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion in education and what steps educational systems, teachers, and future teachers can take to move toward th...

Three people, from three backgrounds and generations, take a road trip using The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. Adena and Kara have a conversation with Alvin Hall and Janée Woods Weber about their living history podcast called Driving the Green Book. They talk about their podcast, their journey, life lessons, and behind-the-scenes adventures.  In this episode's Turn to Your Neighbor seg...

Happy Black History Month. February 1 marks the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln signing a resolution that would later become the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. On this episode, Adena and Kara address some eyebrow-raising legislation aimed at restricting teaching on social justice and diversity. We ask Stacey McAdoo, longtime educator and 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, to wei...

Blackbelt Voices wraps up 2020 with tips on setting goals, job hunting, and protecting your peace.  Kara and Adena talked to Leigh Oliver, a talent acquisition coordinator in Nashville who gave us a glimpse into the mind of a job recruiter.  Have questions about your resume or need job recruiting tips? Our guest today said she would be happy to help. Email Leigh Oliver. This episode’s Turn to Your...

COVID-19 ‌has‌ ‌dominated‌ ‌headlines‌ ‌nearly‌ ‌the‌ ‌entire‌ ‌year‌ ‌–‌ ‌and‌ has ‌affected‌ ‌life‌ ‌for‌ ‌every‌ ‌single‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌us.‌ ‌ ‌And‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌first‌ ‌images‌ ‌of‌ ‌people‌ ‌receiving‌ much-anticipated‌ ‌vaccinations‌ ‌last‌ ‌week,‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌glimmer‌ ‌of‌ ‌hope‌ ‌for‌ ‌some‌ ‌return‌ ‌to‌ ‌some‌ ‌sort‌ ‌of‌ ‌normalcy‌ – ‌though‌ ‌we‌ ‌still‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌while.‌ ‌In‌ ‌...

Adena and Kara talk to broadcast journalists Brittany Noble and Lisa Benson, who share their experiences with racism in the newsroom. This episode's Turn to Your Neighbor segment features newspaper reporter Stephen Simpson.  This summer, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Wesley Lowery wrote an article called a "Reckoning Over Objectivity, Led by Black Journalists." His reflections were poignant —...

Adena and Kara talk about media and storytelling with Cierra Hinton, executive director of Scalawag and director of network-building and strategy at Press On Media. You will also finally hear the story of how Blackbelt Voices came to be.  The Turn to Your Neighbor segment features filmmaker and teacher Prentice Dupins Sr. Watch Last Stop on Vimeo on Demand by visiting 1410 Media Group's website. F...

Adena and Kara talk to the founder of a nonprofit that works to build political power among Black voters and end voter suppression. In 2016, Charlane Oliver and a group of friends sat in a Chili’s and pitched in a few hundred dollars and a lot of time to form The Equity Alliance , which is now a million-dollar organization in Nashville that has helped thousands. In this episode's Turn to Your Neig...

On this episode of Blackbelt Voices, we’re exploring the facets of public policy and how it affects societal norms with Tamika Edwards. Plus, Gennie Hirschy shows real-life connections that may serve as motivation to stay informed and engaged in local politics. And this week’s Turn to Your Neighbor segment features Dazzmin Murry , a young woman from Little Rock whose creativity is multifaceted. Fo...

The election is one month away. Please make sure you're registered. If your plan is in place, send this as a reminder to your friends. Deadlines are approaching quickly. Here are a few resources that will get you started. https://votesaveamerica.com/be-a-voter/ https://govotear.org/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz...

Adena and Kara want to remind you to not underestimate the importance of the census. There’s a lot riding on those numbers and we don’t get another chance until 2030. There are only four days left to fill out the 2020 census, but there are still ways to help make sure we get as many people counted as we can. Spread the word! Help those who are not as internet savvy fill out the form. You can do it...

Political organizers Tristan Wilkerson and DeJuana L. Thompson talk about what led them to start Think Rubix , a social innovation consultancy with branches across the country. They work with nonprofits businesses and government to create equitable solutions. Tristan and Dejuana give their predictions for Election Day. Dejuana also founded Woke Vote to encourage organization through long-term enga...

For the past 16 days, protesters in every state and around the world are demanding change and speaking out against systemic racism and police brutality that disproportionately affects Black Americans. As the protests have become mainstream, many major businesses and institutions have issued their own statements of proclamations — acknowledging the need for change and that Black Lives Matter. On th...

As the U.S. begins to slowly reopen the economy and gain some sense of normalcy during a pandemic, we find ourselves in familiar territory – a police officer has killed a Black man, leading to protests in the streets. We are hurting, and we are tired. On this special bonus episode of Blackbelt Voices, we take a look back at America’s long history of racial violence. Professor Brian Mitchell from t...

In the early morning hours of May 6, 1960, Marvin Leonard Williams died in police custody at the former Faulkner County jail in Conway, Arkansas. He was arrested the night before — the same night his parents and siblings lost everything they owned in a tornado. Twenty-five years later, two officers were charged with murder after Marvin’s parents received new information regarding their son’s death...

In the early morning hours of May 6, 1960, Marvin Leonard Williams died in police custody at the former Faulkner County jail in Conway, Arkansas. He was arrested the night before — the same night his parents and siblings lost everything they owned in a tornado. Twenty-five years later, two officers were charged with murder after Marvin’s parents received new information regarding their son’s death...

Talent is there; they just need an opportunity. Executive director and lead maker of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, Chris Jones, Ph. D., talks to hosts Adena and Kara about his life experiences and his passion to help people realize their full potential. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: https://arhub.org/ https://www.presidentialleade...

It's not just hair. Katrina, Kara, and Adena untangle the cultural significance of Black hair with returning guest Dr. Karama Neal and her 13-year-old daughter, Ayoka. We explore generational shifts in hair styles and hair acceptance. Links to what we discussed: Diane's Hair Journey: The Musical (with Jill Scott) - black-ish | ABC on YouTube THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Ife O...

We continue our conversation with Dr. Brian K. Mitchell, assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Mitchell talks about the importance of sharing family history – both the happy times and the tragedies. We learn more about his background, including how he became interested in days gone by. Adena, Kara, and Katrina reflect on another centennial celebration and...

In October 1919, more than 200 Black sharecroppers were killed in a horrific act of racist violence in Elaine, Arkansas. Dr. Brian K. Mitchell, assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has done extensive research on the Elaine Massacre and joins us to reflect on the attacks 100 years later. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to w...

Dr. Karama Neal is goals. She is president of Southern Bancorp Community Partners and has also launched independent projects that promote equity of opportunity for all people. We discussed a few of her projects: The Arkansas Heir Property Act 2015​, which helps families protect their land and ensure their descendants always have a place to call home; Ife Opportunity​, her educational initiative; a...

Carmeon Hamilton is a Memphis-based interior designer and social media influencer. As owner of Nubi Interiors, Carmeon provides design services and plant consulting to clients. In this episode, she offers practical design tips and shares how she centers her Black identity in her work. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: Nubi’s Plant Parenting G...

When Latunja Sockwell was diagnosed with HIV in January 1997, there weren’t a lot of treatment and resource options. Today, she’s using her experience and compassion to help pave an easier path for others. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: “On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of “Straight” Black Men Who Sleep with Men” by. J. L. King an...

The 2020 Census is approaching, and Blackbelt Voices co-host Kara Wilkins is schooling us on why it’s a big deal. Listen to learn why Black communities are particularly vulnerable to being undercounted and what we can do to help make sure no one is left out. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: Arkansas Counts Color of Change U.S. Census Bureau...

The Blackbelt Voices podcast propagates the richness of Black Southern culture by telling the stories of Black folks down South. Through first-person narratives and in-depth conversations, hosts Adena J. White, Kara Wilkins, and Katrina Dupins share the experiences of Black Southerners living in, loving, and reconciling with the region we call home. Music: Prentice Dupins Jr. See acast.com/privacy...