It's Your Voice

Spencer Bowen, Communications Manager & Policy Analyst for the City of Woodland, CA describes their evolving model project to provide long-term support for people who are unhoused and experiencing homelessness. East Beamer Way Emergency Shelter & Neighborhood Campus is a comprehensive, multi-stage project overseen by a multiple partner collaboration. Partner "Fourth and Hope" runs the shelter itse...

Scott Stephen Bell, a brilliantly engaging high school teacher & VP, explores the topic of teaching history accurately and inclusively. Because he was born and educated in Canada through 12th grade, I asked if his textbooks were like the ones I read in the US: mostly Eurocentric and told from the White dominant victor's Point of View. We chatted about the importance of distinguishing facts from th...

Elisa Stone, Minister of Congregational Care at Davis Community Church, mother and dedicated anti-racist in church and community, upholds a major role in getting food to people who are hungry. She describes a way of feeding large groups together that levels the field far more than standard approaches. A deep listener and tremendous coordinator, her service is exemplified by a unique program she bu...

Trenton Yackzan, entrepreneur, innovator, community supporter, father of awesome twins, through tremendous, steadfast work has revamped Sudwerk, a microbrewery established in 1989 by two German descendents who were determined to share the high quality of true German lagers. In 2013 Trent took over with his team and they've pushed boundaries of traditional lager while brilliantly pioneering the cra...

Dzokerayi Mu, CEO of Tese, an international foundation that mentors girls and fights forced marriage, also founded Women in Leadership Davis & co-owns a superb Zimbabwean catering business. She is the mother of three aspiring entrepreneurs who are, "foodies themselves, having done their own cooking shows!" Dzokerayi casts her vision both locally and far & shares her expertise in constructive activ...

Tovah Skiles, Spanish teacher, White ally & co-advisor of a Black Student Union describes how she began to educate herself through podcasts, books, & articles on becoming an ally. "A key ingredient is being willing to be vulnerable and to learn. That's what builds empathy. White people need to take responsibility for educating ourselves." She enjoys BSU where Black and Brown students can be the ma...

Chief of Police Emeritus Calvin Handy speaks on how to instill police accountability based on 30 years of supervising police at UCBerkeley & UCDavis. "The missing link in America's public safety is based on the lack of consistent, standard training on ethics and principles that every officer needs in order to create allegiance to and their role in being a part of communities they serve." A fundame...

Elementary school counselor, Michelle, discusses supporting young kids through the pandemic and life in general in 2020-2021. Her insights on mental health, grief, parenting, and working are multi-layered as a white woman married to a man of Asian descent, given the recent re-surfacing of anti-Asian sentiment. She keenly notes deep concern for her family and others with the increasing incidents of...

On this show I share how I use neuro-linguistic programming, Core Alignment Coaching, and Emotional Wisdom Training to deeply enhance clients' ability to recognize, choose and create healthier, happier attitudes and behavior. My Diversity, Equity and Inclusion clients are particularly relieved when they begin to integrate methods and strategies that open attitudes, build new neural pathways and tu...

Mali Summer works in an alternative US college and focuses on equity in education. She identifies as a woman of color and a first-generation immigrant. We've collaborated on diversity, equity and inclusion work and Mali enjoyed a series of group & individual coaching sessions I led. Here she shares an empathic message of not being driven by fear or anger, especially in the face of glaring gaps bet...

Ms Siddharth shares her global perspective and expertise on women's rights and poverty in this insightful interview. She is now working on a project to raise awareness of women's unpaid care work, which sustains economies and lives. COVID's impact on economies and health have hurt women more than men, partly due to their greater care burdens. Veena eloquently addresses the overlap of climate issue...

Minquan Sapiel, MS, conducts suicide prevention education for Wabanaki Public Health. Here she shares how prevention and outreach were impacted by COVID19 and how she resourcefully pivoted to stay as connected as possible to clients via Zoom. "Something is better than nothing." A very committed member of the Passamaquoddy Nation, Wabanaki region, Minquan describes the power of cultural activities...

Mayor of Davis, Gloria Partida, has a track record of leading through tough issues. She is a Mother, Grandmother, a Neurobiologist, and an advocate with a long history, starting with disability rights for inclusion districtwide. She founded the Davis Phoenix Coalition, promoting a world where all people are safe, and served on the city's Human Rights Commission. Here Mayor Partida shares how Davis...

Tafari Makinen-Hall is a multi-instrumentalist, an athlete, a former YouTuber, an activist Student, and a member of the Caribbean African Student Association and a Black Student Union at his college. In this conversation he shares his interest in studying psychology, Black owned business development, continuing to play in various bands and his plans to travel far and wide. Ethiopia is on his list...

Camica Edwards, MS, strongly supports students and colleagues as a school counselor despite daily challenges of navigating as a minority in a caring yet White dominant setting. In addition to being a mindful counselor tending to amplified emotional needs during the pandemic, Zoom exhaustion, and addressing students' academic concerns, Ms Edwards also very successfully co-advises a Black Student Un...

Dr. Jerry Wang, a dedicated frontline physician, openly speaks of the stresses of working through the COVID19 pandemic, including the accompanying surfacing of socio-economic/racial inequities. He also warmly shares part of his journey of being brought to America as a child from Taiwan; innumerable invisible barriers he himself encountered; and his determination and deep faith to overcome. When ru...

Artist, activist, teacher Robert Shetterly conveys the significance of his expanding series of "Americans Who Tell the Truth," in challenging times when false narratives attempt to cover truth. From his website AWTT, "portraits and narratives highlight citizens who courageously address issues of social, environmental, and economic reform." Other projects include The Samantha Smith Challenge & Spea...

Dr. Kwabena Asante works with various communities around the world to develop plans that describe ways in which climate change is disrupting their livelihoods and identify what is needed to prevent worsening situations. He also outlines the overlap between environmental racism and climate decline. Kwabena not only helps design real world solutions, he co-founded Green Science Games and gives us ho...

Chair of the Davis Police Accountability Commission, Dillan Horton, shares thoughts on how much more work America has to do to re-envision and re-imagine policing systems and on what allies can do to take the burden off of people of color. “It is sad how much power people give to politicians.” Listen to activists and organizers and back them up. Be squeaky wheels and call your representatives to r...