The Equity Matters Podcast

A wide range of disciplines address the historic and ongoing manifestations of racial inequality and injustice in the curriculum. Many educators are working to equip students to analyze, understand, and intervene systems of oppression in order to advance #equity. Despite the commitment of many to bring a critical analysis of racial injustice many still encounter challenges in teaching this content...

The United States health care delivery system has historically engaged in the systematic segregation and discrimination of patients based on race and ethnicity, the effects of which persist to this day. This issue has resulted in inequities in access to and quality of health care and are major contributors to racial and ethnic health disparities. Today we join Dr. Magdala Chery, Dr. Sabrina Gard,...

Even with the best healthcare in top-notch clinical facilities, accidents, infections and other unwanted outcomes sometimes happen. According to the World Health Organization, globally as many as 4 out of 10 patients experience safety issues in primary and ambulatory care settings. Today we join Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, Program Director at the MedStar Institute for Quality and Safety, to discuss disp...

Every day, gun violence takes lives from communities all across the country in the form of suicides, unintentional shootings and interpersonal conflicts that become fatal due to easy access to guns. It is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem that requires evidence-based, multifaceted solutions. Today we join Dr. UniQue C. Starks, Jarrell Daniels, and Shakira Bolden, JD, to discuss the myth...

About 100,000 American have sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited disorder marked by sickle-shaped blood cells that can lump together, causing blockages of blood vessels, strokes, anemia, and early death. As a group, people with sickle cell disease experience worse health outcomes compared to other diseases and have access to fewer health resources. Today, we join André Marcel Harris, sickle cel...

Regardless of what type of social work you practice, we all have opinions and all have an opportunity to contribute to the public discourse. This doesn’t always have to be public speaking, and in many cases an opinion editorial is more than enough. Today, we join Algeria Wilson, the Director of Public Policy at the National Association of Social Workers Michigan Chapter to discuss how she has adop...

Continuing education is an opportunity for lifelong learning that expands your thinking, strengthens your practice, and helps to shape social work and related professions to meet the needs of the 21st century. Today we join Gina Tremonti Gembel, Director of Continuing Education at Michigan State University to discuss her role in continuing education that includes advancing social justice, engaging...

Many men have not been told/taught how to process and talk about their emotional experiences, furthering a sense of isolation, anger, and resentment. In this episode, we bring together three Black therapists to share their thoughts and experiences with regard to mental health. This episode represents their voices - uncensored and unscripted. What they have to say is honest, heartfelt, and at times...

For social workers, field learning plays a leading role in social work education and social work educators and field instructors need to know how their students learn and develop during the field experience. This process of learning is critical for students to help them acquire, practice, and improve the values, skills and knowledge needed for the profession. Today, we join Malikah Marrus, DSW-C t...

Therapists tend to think in patterns not people. This has been a tremendous asset in understanding how systems interact, and how conditions are created that would render individuals suicidal. But we know that suicide is totally preventable. Today, we join Janel Cubbage, MS, LCPC to discuss her work as the Chair for the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention in Maryland. Janel offers us insigh...

A fundamental goal for all of us in service professions is to integrate research and practice in ways that improve the outcomes of those being served. Evidence-based practices have long been a tool to bridge clinical expertise and the science. Unfortunately, these tools do not consistently support equitable implementation and outcomes. Today we join Dr. Juliette McClendon, Brandon J. Johnson, MHS,...

All college students are encouraged to engage in self-exploration in order to develop a clear sense of self, commitment, and direction. Playing a sport can either complement or impede this process and much depends on the supports in place for student athletes. Today, we join Marques R. Dexter, MS to discuss healthy development of the student athlete identity while balancing athletic and academic e...

Basic needs security among students enrolled in postsecondary education is critical for ensuring strong academic performance, persistence and graduation, and students’ wellbeing. Today, we join Bezil Taylor, MSW to discuss how academic institutions can commit to addressing student basic needs in a holistic manner to ensure that all students have the opportunities to be successful.  LinkedIn: Bezil...

When students leave their homes and go off to college, there are enough distractions without having to worry about financial troubles. Today we join Dr. Michael Couch II, Chief Financial Officer of Martin University to discuss how the history of higher educational institutions have led to many of the financial inequities we see presently, the importance of financial literacy in receiving aid and h...

Coming up on the end of year and approaching a year of coexisting with COVID-19, I found it only appropriate to reflect on the opportunities we have with the new normal.  On this week's episode I dive into what it takes to reimagine our current existence and begin planning for equity and social justice. Be sure to listen to the end for some very important updates for the Equity Matters Podcast! Li...

Public spaces have the opportunity to reflect and shape the communities they serve. Unfortunately many underserved communities have been systematically excluded from the prosperity and vibrancy that their cities generate for the wealthy. We connect with Mónica Gutiérrez to discuss her experience engaging communities in South Phoenix, her research on #Placemaking and how to be an academic hustler w...

Vision and mission have a fundamental role in shaping an organization or a company. It reminds employees, stakeholders, and potential partners what it is exactly that you focus on. We connected with Dr. Ryan Warner as he shares his experience working with organizations to curate mission and vision while adopting an equity lens.  Keep up with Dr. Warner here: Twitter: @DrRyanCWarner LinkedIn: Ryan...

DEI Consulting is big business. Companies are more and more aware of their role in perpetuating the -isms and re looking to resolve power imbalances. This is great news for individuals who can help define and address these challenges. This is great news for individuals who have expertise in these areas. This week we connected with Maaso Kalema, Founder of the AYA Consulting Firm who shares her exp...

Confederate statues and monuments memorialize and glorify white supremacy and racism. With the recent murder of George Floyd, we saw widespread protest and efforts to remove these artifacts. This week, we connected with Trey Taylor to discuss grassroots organizing to do this work, Black men in social work, and learning wisdom from the ancestors. 

Social work is often divided into macro or micro practice, and it's limiting to consider this dichotomous view. We connected with micro practitioner Reggie Jackson to discuss his role in advancing equity at all levels and how his skillset cuts through all practice areas.

I'm sure you could list offhand a few of the social determinants of health. But how are you considering the -isms that shape those factors? We connected with Lonias Gilmore to give an in-depth analysis of social determinants and she offers her perspective on how to frame social justice work for effective change.

Promoting a culture of diversity is essential for all professions but it is especially lacking in the legal field. We connected with Armin Salek to discuss the Youth Justice Alliance and their work to close the racialized gaps in the legal profession.

Students in the United States use technology daily, and access to it is essential to education success. We connected with TJ McCray to discuss the pitfalls caused by the digital divide and how virtual learning and technology can be used to facilitate equity. 

Voting sends the signal or dissent for policies that will shape our access and opportunities. We connected with Ja'Bree Harris to discuss the equity implications of this upcoming election and how social workers can play a pivotal role in transforming the political landscape.

Veterinary medicine is one of the top three whitest professions in America and just like any other problem, we can't address it until we acknowledge it. We had an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Valerie Marcano and Dr. Seth Andrews to discuss their non-profit Pawsibilities and how they are working to improve representation in veterinary medicine.