Let’s Have The Conversation

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit desireebstephens.substack.com Heartfelt Introduction: Today, we leaned into the transformative power of intersectionality, exploring how it can address systemic gaps and foster collective liberation. This conversation is so close to my heart because it highlights the work we’ve been doing—dismantling barriers and centering marginalized...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit desireebstephens.substack.com Today, we navigated an essential and deeply impactful conversation—what it means to truly make room for marginalized voices beyond performative gestures. This is about creating tangible change, not just extending invitations for the sake of appearances. I shared personal experiences and examples of how toke...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit desireebstephens.substack.com Day 19: Unlearning Competition to Foster Collaboration Today, we peeled back the layers of how supremacy culture perpetuates competition and explored the liberation that comes when we embrace collaboration and abundance instead of scarcity. Supremacy culture wants us disconnected, pitted against one another...

Decolonizing allyship is about shifting the narrative away from the self-centered, performative tendencies that many of us have been conditioned to associate with it. Today, we dove deep into what it truly means to center marginalized voices and practice allyship that dismantles power imbalances instead of reinforcing them. Allyship, in its current form, has been co-opted as a feel-good badge of h...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit desireebstephens.substack.com Hello all! Thank you so much for showing up today and every day. Today’s rainy backdrop (Atlanta) fits the depth of our conversation as we dive into a topic that is both heavy and transformative: power sharing . Our lives are filled with hierarchies—at home, work, and in society at large. These systems teac...

Day 10: Liberation Begins With Listening Today marked a significant milestone—Day 10 of 100 Days of Community . As we reached this checkpoint, we explored the profound and often overlooked practice of listening. True listening is not passive—it is transformative. It dismantles supremacy culture, fosters trust, and lays the foundation for community healing. Today’s discussion reminded us that liste...

Today's live took us deeper than expected, but exactly where we needed to go. We didn’t just talk about ancestral wisdom or cultural practices as abstract ideas—we sat with the grief of what has been lost through colonization, whiteness, and assimilation. This grief is not a weakness—it’s an invitation to reclaim what was taken and rebuild what was broken. The grief toll is heavy. Families separat...

Day 8: The Role of Ancestral Wisdom in Building Community Introduction: Today’s session was deeply reflective as we explored The Role of Ancestral Wisdom in Building Community. Ancestral knowledge offers us a guide for liberation, resilience, and co-creation, reminding us that liberation is not about returning to the past but weaving ancient wisdom with modern innovation. Together, we discussed ho...

Day 7: What’s Possible When We Prioritize Collective Care Introduction: Care is often dismissed as "soft" or "optional" in a culture that prizes productivity and individual success above all else. But what if care was the foundation for liberation? In today’s session, we explored how prioritizing collective care challenges supremacy culture, builds trust, and redefines success as something we achi...

Day 6: Naming and Addressing Privilege in Community Privilege is a word that often evokes strong reactions. Some hear it as an accusation, while others see it as an opportunity for accountability. In today’s live session, we explored what privilege means, how it operates within systems of power, and why naming it is an act of liberation rather than blame. This conversation focused on recognizing p...

Day 5: Recognizing Internalized Oppression in Ourselves Today’s session in 100 Days of Community took us deeper into the heart of liberation work as we explored Recognizing Internalized Oppression in Ourselves . Internalized oppression operates as an invisible force, shaping how we see ourselves, how we engage with others, and how we participate in the systems around us. It’s learned, not innate,...

Day 4: Understanding the 15 Pillars of Supremacy Culture Today’s session felt like a powerful step forward in our journey of liberation. Together, we explored Understanding the 15 Pillars of Supremacy Culture , which serve as a framework for identifying the systems that perpetuate harm and control in our lives and communities. Supremacy culture doesn’t just happen—it’s upheld by tools like perfect...

Rebuilding Trust and Dismantling Supremacy Culture Today’s session was transformative. As we continue our 100 Days of Community , I am constantly reminded of the courage and vulnerability it takes to show up for this work. Today, we unpacked How Supremacy Culture Disconnects Us—and How to Rebuild Trust . Supremacy culture thrives on disconnection. It isolates us, teaches us to distrust ourselves a...

Today’s 100 Days of Community live session was full of powerful engagement and deep reflection. We explored Unpacking Individualism: Why We Need Each Other and laid the groundwork for understanding the systems that keep us isolated, disconnected, and powerless. This conversation was rooted in the foundational framework of my work: the 15 Pillars of Supremacy Culture . You can grab a printable info...

Key Takeaways * Liberation is not an individual journey —it’s a collective process. True freedom requires dismantling systems of oppression that thrive on division and isolation. * Community offers accountability , shared resources, and resilience. It is where we practice the world we want to build. * Lived experiences are necessary to witness others' journeys, and collective action and care have...

In a powerful and playful episode of Let’s Have the Conversation , I was joined by Dr. Kimberly to explore the complexities of navigating life in a capitalist world while prioritizing community care and collective liberation. Together, we unpacked the personal and systemic challenges that come with balancing work, family, and financial stability in a society that often forces us to value productiv...

Today on Let's Have the Conversation , Dr. Kimberly Douglass and I dive into the intricate and evolving concept of Black masculinity. We discuss its impact on younger generations, the influence of societal constructs, and the urgent need for redefining what masculinity looks like, especially for Black men who are navigating disability, queerness, and neurodivergence. Together, we explore the impor...

Introduction: In a world where education is increasingly recognized as a battleground for systemic reform, the conversations we hold around it are crucial. Recently, I sat down with Dr. Kimberly Douglass to discuss the challenges we face in navigating an education system that often operates within the carceral confines of reward and punishment, and how it impacts both neurodiverse children and the...

Join Desireé B Stephens and Dr. Kimberly Douglass as they delve into a critical discussion on the decolonization of neuro and the multilayered impact of systemic inequities. Witness a thought-provoking discourse that examines the historical and contemporary implications of societal and governmental structures. - The episode uncovers the erasure of family lines through tragic historical events and...

Join Desireé B Stephens and Chaneé Jackson Kendall in their raw and enlightening first episode of "Me and Chanee." Dive into a candid discussion about non-monogamy, decolonizing relationships, and the nuanced spectrum of love and sexuality. - Chaneé Jackson Kendall shares her journey into non-monogamy and her mission to advocate for its normalcy in black communities. - Unpacking the dist...

Safi and I are discuccing actual activism and how to begin your journey in activism and more importantly, what it takes to stay and support for the long haul Here is the article to support this podcast https://desireebstephens.substack.com/p/so-you-want-to-get-active? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit desireebsteph...

Staying grounded amidst a world full of chaos is a daunting task but a much needed one. On Sundays I like to provide a somatic break to reset your body mind and soul. With social media allowing us 24/7 access to the globe ( which as humans and living beings we have never had ) we are exposed to real time views of extreme chaos, violence and sounds of terrors that is creating an entirely new human...

EVERY MONDAY DEEDEE WEDNESDAY LPC-S AND I GO LIVE TO DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF COLONIZATION ON OUR RELATIONSHIP STYLES. HAVE YOU EVER QUESTIONED IF YOU WANTED TO BE MONOGAMOUS? OR WHY THE NUCLEAR FAMILY IS THE SUPERIOR FAMILY STRUCTURE? WHERE DID YOUR IDEALS AND VALUES COME FROM? JOIN US AS WE DECONSTRUCT ALL AVENUES OF LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS. I AM DESIREE B STEPHENS AND I PATHOLOGIZE WHITENESS AS A S...

I was blessed to have a candid discussion with Tony Nabors of Racial Equity Insights last night live on Tiktok. He wanted to know more about me, my style of speaking, and how I began this work of anti-oppression and liberation. Have a listen and tell me what you think. #desireebstephens #makeshifthappen #letshavetheconversation #diversityequityandinclusion  This is a public episode. If you'd like...

Whew, this month of June in 2022 has been a BINGO card of systemic whiteness and its sheer nonsense. I always enjoy speaking with Rebbeca and Portia. The title speaks for itself. We are not seeking your voice to drown out ours. We need you to sit, pause and do the work of healing. THATS IT! #DEI #desireebstephens #whitewomanwhiperer #portianoir  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss t...