Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Shamim Okolloh. Shamim was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and came to the U.S. at age 19 for college. Unsure about staying or returning home, she moved to Little Rock to attend the Clinton School of Public Service. She fell in love with the state and has found a supportive community in Arkansas, balancing her career in banking and her family life. We hope these conversatio...
Sep 07, 2024•55 min•Ep. 46
Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. In this episode, Dr. Neal talks to Jean Block, the CEO of the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority. We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com.
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 45
Choosing Arkansas with Dr. Karama Neal shares stories of those who chose Arkansas as their home. We want to help you make the Natural State your natural choice. On today's episode, we talk to Samantha Evans about what brought her back to her home state after living away for many years. We hope these conversations inspire you to learn more about professional, educational, social and other opportunities in Arkansas, and soon, choose Arkansas for yourself! Send us feedback at choosingAR@gmail.com...
Jul 04, 2024•46 min•Ep. 44
Dr. Karama Neal, principal of Neal Firm, aspires to help Arkansas achieve its full potential as a place where Black people can thrive. Achieving this potential requires not only the engagement of current Black Arkansans but also the economic, social, and political involvement of Black people with ties to the state — whether it's through kinship, friendship, business, or general interest. Facilitating this engagement and potential relocation involves helping these "potential Arkansans" 1) update ...
Jun 19, 2024•44 min•Ep. 43
This is part two of our dive into urban agriculture. We’re talking about how Black farmers and growers are creating solutions to the lack of healthy food options in their communities. Be sure to listen to Episode 41 with Leroi Emerson, who serves on the board for Urban Patchwork. In this episode, we’re talking to Gabriyel El-Bey, the owner and operator of Turtle Island in Little Rock, Arkansas, which is one of Urban Patchwork’s farm partners. He’s joined by Master Gardener Laverne Davis. Since i...
Jun 05, 2024•18 min•Ep. 42
This two-part episode of the Blackbelt podcast explores how Urban Patchwork, a Little Rock-based nonprofit network of farmers and backyard gardeners, aims to build a sustainable local food economy and promote interdependence among residents. In part one, we hear from LeRoi Emerson, a board member for Urban Patchwork. He joins host Adena White to talk about his passion for farming and the organization's efforts to increase access to fresh food in low-income, low-access neighborhoods. By bringing ...
May 22, 2024•34 min•Ep. 41
We're back in the saddle! In this episode, Adena and Kara discuss the relaunch of Blackbelt Voices as a platform for authentic storytelling. After completing a Social Impact Storytelling program at Georgetown University and a fellowship with Solutions Journalism Network, Adena has come back with fresh ideas of how Blackbelt Voices can emphasize the importance of authenticity, belonging, and connection in storytelling.
May 08, 2024•18 min•Ep. 40
Adena and Kara talk to writer and self-proclaimed Wypipologist Michael Harriot . The South Carolina native is well known for his wit, cultural commentary, and gift of mixing humor and historical context. In this episode, Michael breaks down the discipline of Wypipology, Black humor, and the story behind his coining of the phrase "invited to the cookout." (Yes, he's the one who came up with it.) Michael is the host of the recently launched TheGrio Daily podcast, produced by theGrio Black Podcast ...
Oct 05, 2022•31 min•Ep. 39
La'Twana Scott, the owner of Sweet Mama T's in El Dorado, Arkansas, developed a reputation as a great cook at an early age. The El Dorado native enjoys cooking for people and got her start from helping her mom as a child. Eventually, with the help of Southern Bancorp, Scott found the perfect location for her restaurant. Find out more about Sweet Mama T's by visiting her Facebook page . Season 3 of Blackbelt Voices is brought to you by Southern Bancorp. Southern Bancorp is one of America’s oldest...
Apr 27, 2022•8 min•Ep. 38
On episode 37 of Blackbelt Voices, we continue our conversation about Black food, this time focusing on barbecue. Guest Michael “Mike D” De Los Santos of North Carolina walks us through his journey of becoming an expert on the topic, which eventually led to him creating his own sauces and rubs and selling through his company, Mike D ’s. Mike’s journey to becoming a small business owner has uplifting and heartbreaking turns, including the loss of his infant son Aaron, which he wrote about in a bo...
Mar 09, 2022•26 min•Ep. 37
In episode 36 of Blackbelt Voices, Adena and Kara continue the conversation about Black food culture – this time from an agricultural angle. Our guest, Gerald Harris, along with his partners Derek Beasley and Gabrielle E.W. Carter (who was featured in the Netflix series High on the Hog as well as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal )started Tall Grass Food Box , a community-supported agricultural model (CSA). Gerald told us about a Tuskegee professor named Booker T. Whatley who many c...
Feb 23, 2022•36 min•Ep. 36
We’re starting a new series of episodes about Black Food Culture, which is a very broad topic to tackle. It can be fun, but it is also deep. Ashante Reese, Ph.D. is a writer, teacher, and anthropologist who works at the intersection of critical food studies and Black geographies. Her latest book, “ Black Food Matters: Racial Justice in the Wake of Food Justice , enters two conversations at once: one that concerns the persistent threats to Black life and another that concerns problems produced by...
Feb 11, 2022•42 min•Ep. 35
Jennifer Williams of Cleveland, Mississippi, always knew she wanted to be a teacher. When she was a girl, her favorite game was playing school. Williams is teaching future teachers at the Cleveland Career Development and Technology Center. Once a week, her students get to serve as teacher's assistants, giving them a realistic feel of what it could be like to run a classroom. The center offers a practical learning environment designed to prepare students for employment or future study in various ...
Jan 26, 2022•7 min•Ep. 34
On episode 33 of the Blackbelt Voices podcast, we are continuing our discussion on the Cost of Racism. This week we’re focused on building community wealth with Tim Lampkin , the CEO and founder of Higher Purpose Co. , a 501(c)(3) economic justice nonprofit that supports and encourages ownership of financial, cultural, and political power in Black communities. Tim Lampkin, for about as long as he could remember, always had a passion for helping others and being a part of something bigger than hi...
Jan 12, 2022•23 min•Ep. 33
Cheryl Hampton grew up on a farm in Marianna on the same property where her great-great-grandfather lived. He grew lots of vegetables in his garden including sweet potatoes, greens, and okra. Cheryl still lives and gardens on the property today. When her nieces and nephews come to visit she shows them everything she knows, and they’re always excited to learn. https://blackbeltvoices.com/2021/12/28/turn-to-your-neighbor-cheryl-hampton Season 3 of Blackbelt Voices is brought to you by Southern Ban...
Dec 29, 2021•7 min•Ep. 32
Episode 31 of the Blackbelt Voices podcast begins a new series of episodes called the Cost of Racism. During the next month, we’ll dive into the ideas of economic equity and building wealth for Black communities. Today’s guest is Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp. Williams, who studied law and practiced as a lawyer for many years, wanted to help people understand money, climb out of poverty and bridge the racial wealth gap. Season 3 of Blackbelt Voices is brought to you by Southern Bancor...
Dec 15, 2021•28 min•Ep. 31
This Turn to Your Neighbor segment features Amanda Hunter, a registered nurse who lives in Central Arkansas. Amanda is very interested in exploring her family tree. She wanted to see how far she could go back into her family’s history and found through her journey a valuable perspective she applies directly to her own life. Season 3 of Blackbelt Voices is brought to you by Southern Bancorp. Southern Bancorp is one of America’s oldest and largest community development financial institutions, foun...
Dec 01, 2021•4 min•Ep. 30
Happy Thanksgiving, Blackbelt Voices fam. In this week’s episode we’re talking about genealogy. It is part of the “Preserving our History” series. For Nicka Sewell-Smith , learning about her family history is much more than a hobby. Nicka has more than 20 years of experience as a genealogist and has learned so much about not only her own family, but also American History. We think you’ll enjoy listening to our conversation with Nicka, and when you’re done check out her web series, BlackProGen LI...
Nov 24, 2021•55 min•Ep. 29
The Ozark Foothills African-American History Museum would not have been possible without the work of Albessie Thompson, the subject of this Turn to Your Neighbor segment. Born and raised in Twin Groves, Arkansas, Thompson has worked tirelessly for the past 30 years to preserve the history of her hometown. We continue the "Preserving Our History" series with a closer look at this museum in Twin Groves, Arkansas. Find out more by visiting the Ozark Foothills African-American History Museum’s Faceb...
Nov 10, 2021•7 min•Ep. 28
Blackbelt Voices continues its focus on “Preserving our History” with a closer look at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center , a 35,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art museum on 9th Street in Little Rock. The museum, which is a part of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, became accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in April 2020. Quantia Fletcher was recently named director of the museum. She told us how she found her passion for telling stories of our ancestors and her role in creating th...
Oct 27, 2021•35 min•Ep. 27
American Reckoning is a component of PBS FRONTLINE's Un(re)solved multi-platform initiative investigating unsolved murders that happened in the Civil Rights Era. We sat down with filmmakers Yoruba Richen and Brad Lichtenstein who are working on a documentary about the events surrounding the 1967 murder of Wharlest Jackson Sr. in Natchez, Mississippi. Jackson is one of 150 cold case killings brought to light because of Congressman John Lewis’ Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act. The film ...
Oct 13, 2021•27 min•Ep. 26
Blackbelt Voices is coming back for our third season in mid-October. We can’t wait for you to hear from our fantastic guests. They’re telling stories from and about Black folks down South that honor our history; celebrate our culture; and shape our future. Look for new episodes beginning next week. If you haven’t already, be sure to follow or subscribe to the Blackbelt Voices podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. You can also connect with us online ...
Oct 06, 2021•54 sec
In this episode, Adena and Kara talk to Kristy Carter, author and principal investigator of a newly released study about women of color business owners and entrepreneurs in Arkansas. The research was conducted by the University of Central Arkansas and the report commissioned by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. Women of color open businesses at extraordinary rates. The qualitative study explores why. This episode’s Turn to Your Neighbor feature is Shunqetta Cunningham, the CEO and Lead Grant S...
Feb 24, 2021•36 min•Ep. 25
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 that goal. They discussed the importance of having Black teachers in classrooms and a group of Black men...
Feb 17, 2021•42 min•Ep. 24
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 segment, WellBrewed Coffee Co. founders plan to serve coffee with consciousness by driving resources and...
Feb 10, 2021•40 min•Ep. 23
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 weigh in. You can find out more about Stacey by visiting her website or following her on Twitter . CONN...
Feb 01, 2021•36 min•Ep. 22
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 Neighbor segment features Tenethrea Buffington , a licensed professional counselor in Georgia. You ca...
Dec 31, 2020•56 min•Ep. 21
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 this episode, Adena and Kara talk to Jerrilyn Jones, M.D., MPH. She's the medical di...
Dec 23, 2020•41 min•Ep. 20
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 — that media organizations do not reflect the diversity of the communities they cover. And that all bec...
Nov 25, 2020•34 min•Ep. 19
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. Follow Cierra Hinton on Twitter and learn more about Press On and Scalawag. CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOI...
Nov 11, 2020•39 min•Ep. 18
