The Counter-Narrative Show

 In this heartfelt episode of My Black is Beautiful and My Melanin is Poppin: Beauty Blab , the host and her guests Corey Singletary and Arlene Blake dive into the complexities of Black motherhood, with a special focus on mother-daughter relationships. They explore nurturing, fostering individuality, open communication, generational parenting shifts, emotional support, and the impact of cultural a...

The discussion on healing Black families from the inside out featured Dr. Sharonda Davis, Donna Godfrey, Chasity Chandler, and Carl Laurie. Dr. Davis emphasized the importance of African American women owning their stories and destigmatizing therapy. Donna Godfrey highlighted the generational impact of violence and the need for open dialog. Chasity Chandler discussed the stigma around mental healt...

In a discussion on "Black Men Vote: Trump & Hillary," two black men with differing political views shared their perspectives. Derek, a Hillary supporter, expressed growing disillusionment with the political process, citing the system's limitations and the showmanship of candidates like Trump. OJ, a Trump supporter, emphasized the importance of economic opportunity and criticized the outsourcin...

Rasheem and Candace discuss the role of racialized social workers in policy development. Candace, a recent MSW graduate, emphasizes the importance of social workers' frontline experience in addressing institutional and structural racism. She highlights the disjuncture between Canadian social work education's focus on direct practice and the need for broader policy engagement. Candace shares her re...

The Counter-Narrative show discussed misconceptions about polyamory, emphasizing that it's not just about sex but involves deep emotional connections and communication. Participants shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of clear communication, setting boundaries, and managing jealousy. They discussed the challenges of coming out as polyamorous, especially within black and queer com...

The Counter-Narrative show explored the lack of diversity in the cannabis industry. Key statistics include 12% of Americans as active marijuana users, a 67% increase in cannabis sales in 2020, and a $61 billion US industry. Denise Vito, a cannabis epidemiologist, emphasized the health benefits of cannabis, particularly for HIV patients, and the need for better education. Tyrone Russell highlighted...

The Counter-Narrative show featured Natoya and Joy, two black women entrepreneurs, discussing their businesses and challenges. Natoya's brand, Amazing Sophistication, is a footwear line inspired by her children's initials and her background in mental health. Joy's HR consulting firm, HR for the Culture, focuses on supporting black female entrepreneurs, highlighting the struggles of black-owned bus...

Rasheem hosts a discussion with Ali Hassan and Forus about their experiences as brown and foreign individuals in the U.S. Ali, originally from Rockville, Maryland, with roots in Hyderabad, India, discusses the challenges of assimilating into a predominantly white area and the importance of cultural appreciation. Forus, born in Lahore, Pakistan, shares his cultural shock upon moving to the U.S. and...

The discussion on race, politics, and social justice featured Vicky J, a beauty YouTuber and social justice advocate, and Carl, a minister and PhD student. They discussed Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protest, praising his strength and the widespread support he received. They also highlighted Beyoncé's album "Lemonade" as a significant cultural and social commentary. The conversation touched...

Brooklyn Taylor, a dating coach and matchmaker, discussed compatibility and choosing the right mate on the "Hers, Mine and Yours" show. He emphasized that compatibility is about finding a partner who complements you, not just sharing similar interests or backgrounds. He highlighted the importance of chemistry and the ability to handle situations together, such as dealing with family conflicts. Tay...

Rasheem hosts Davon Love, Director of Public Policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS), to discuss the transition from protests to policy. Davon, co-founder of LBS, traces his journey from policy debate to advocacy, emphasizing the need for African American leadership in policy-making. He highlights the insular nature of policy debates and the importance of community engagement. Davon criti...

Rasheem hosts a discussion on race, gender, and incarceration, featuring three black women with personal experiences of incarceration. They discuss the challenges of transitioning back into society, including employment, housing, and mental health support. Elizabeth, a drug and alcohol counselor, highlights the lack of mental health services and the need for comprehensive reentry programs. Tia, a...

The Counter-Narrative Show discussed white supremacy in nonprofit environments with Devon Love, Director of Public Policy at Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Love highlighted the pathologizing of black people, the marginalization of black methodologies, and the lack of black leadership in nonprofits. He criticized the dependency on white-led institutions and the performative allyship in anti-racis...

The Counter-Narrative show discussed black pathology and the nonprofit sector with Dayvon Love, Director of Public Policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Love critiqued the nonprofit industrial complex, emphasizing the need for black autonomy and the marginalization of black-led methodologies. He highlighted the Moynihan Report's influence on policies like welfare work requirements and the pr...

The Counter-Narrative show discussed urban farming and food justice in Baltimore with experts including Mama Saray, Franco Mueller Paz, Ms. Harris, and Brother Lee Jordan. Key points included the definition of food sovereignty as controlling one's food system, combating food apartheid, and the importance of local urban farming. Mama Saray emphasized teaching cooking skills and organizing food give...

The Counter-Narrative Show explored the Strong Black Woman through a wellness lens, featuring Dr. Jeanette Wade, Dr. Parker, Dr. Alexander, and Dr. Giscombe. Dr. Wade discussed the Superwoman schema, highlighting its impact on diet and exercise trends. Dr. Parker emphasized the emotional toll on incarcerated women. Dr. Alexander focused on childhood obesity and the need for culturally tailored int...

The Counter-Narrative Show featured a discussion on the significance of Black artists, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of various artists. Marquette Shaw, a master instructor in West African dance, emphasized the importance of integrating art into education. Ty Coleman, a black queer gender performer, discussed the need for inclusive spaces for Black queer and trans folk. As...

The Counter-Narrative Show episode "Black Women Write" featured a panel of black women authors discussing their journeys and the significance of their work. Teresa Stovall shared her experiences with "Love Addicted" and "Why Did He Break Up with Me?" Deborah M. Ricks emphasized the importance of black women telling their own stories and the impact of her memoir "World Girl." Brianna highlighted th...

The Counter-Narrative show discussed grassroots community organizing with experts Namdi Lumumba, Dr. Kevin Daniels, and Dr. Johnny Bailey. Namdi Lumumba highlighted his work with the Ujima People's Progress Party and mutual aid efforts during COVID-19. Dr. Daniels emphasized the importance of faith leaders understanding and addressing community needs, citing historical figures like Richard Allen a...

The Counter-Narrative show discussed social determinants of health among marginalized populations with Dr. Jeanette Wade, a black feminist medical sociologist. Dr. Wade highlighted the impact of social determinants on health outcomes, citing examples like fast food density and income disparities. She emphasized the importance of centering race and gender in health studies, noting that black women...

The Counter-Narrative show discussed efforts to close the digital divide in Baltimore. Franca highlighted the inequities in internet connectivity, noting that only 50% of Black and Latino students have broadband access, compared to 70% of whites. Adam's organization, Wave, aims to provide free internet to 1000 families by next July. Zeke emphasized the need for Comcast to offer free internet and h...

Omari Jackson discusses the importance of focusing on the black middle class in educational attainment. He highlights the lack of programs for middle-class black children, despite their financial stability. Jackson emphasizes the need for better support and resources for middle-class students, noting that many lack social and cultural capital. He also addresses the stigma around proprietary instit...

Rasheem hosts a discussion on "Being Brown and Healthy" with guests Michelle Antoinette Nelson and Lynette Caban. Michelle, founder of Brown and Healthy, shares her journey from track athlete to health advocate, motivated by family losses. Lynette, director of wellness at Brown and Healthy and founder of La Fuerza Fitness, discusses her battle with lupus and the importance of fitness and nutrition...

In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Rasheem and guests reflect on academia, Black identity, navigating institutional politics, and community advocacy. They explore the challenges of pursuing PhDs, the complexities of working within HBCUs versus predominantly white institutions, and the impact of capitalism on career choices. The dialogue also touches on power dynamics, the politics of re...

 Rasheem and Kiana Rodriguez discuss the “Angry Black Woman” stereotype and share how they find happiness and joy as Black women despite societal pressures. They explore the origins of this trope and offer personal insights on embracing positivity and emotional well-being.