Author Rashod's autobiography about his father's imprisonment is eerily similar to one most of us might already be familiar with from Bryan Stevenson's book, "Just Mercy." It's heartbreaking, unfair, and cruel...but imagine being the child who had to live through it. This is Rashod's story... Rashod has such a tender heart for helping people. He also brings a unique perspective….that of an African American police officer. He sees and can speak to both sides of the equation with knowledge, compas...
Mar 22, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 9
My guest today has a long list of credits to her name: author, creative, educator, podcaster (her books and podcast are linked in the show notes), and public speaker just to name a few. Rabhin has taught in the Long Beach, CA Unified School District for over twenty years. She’s worked a total of 30 years in education at various levels—K-12, community college and university. She earned her BA in Sociology from Stanford University and J.D. at UCLA School of Law. Oh ya, and she does all that while ...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 8
LaQuanta's mom made the hard choice of leaving her home and family in Tulsa to give a better life with more opportunity to her kids by moving to Seattle. She was given the chance to grow up in a beautiful neighborhood with successful professionals as parents and all the privilege that comes with it. I found her admission fascinating that privilege sheltered her exposure to racist actions even though she saw glimpses in how those around her were treated. I can understand how it took her awhile to...
Mar 08, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Today I am so happy to introduce you to my new friend Ralph Monroe III. He is a modern day renaissance man. He is a poet, father, husband, podcaster, graduate student, preacher, audio and video producer, graphic artist, and business owner. But I knew he was my new best friend when I read in his bio that bookstores are like candy stores for him. We are kindred spirits. Unfortunately, you don't have the benefit of seeing him while he is talking. If you did, you would see a man who never stops smil...
Mar 01, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 6
I can't wait to introduce you to my dear friend, Crystal. In this episode, you might feel a bit like a fly on the wall overhearing two friends sitting at the kitchen table just talking about life. Crystal is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified School Counselor, and Musician. She began her professional experiences as a middle school and high school orchestra director. Crystal has 19 years of educational experience and 7 years as a School Counselor. She is also the mom of two incredible h...
Feb 22, 2021•44 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Precious has a contagious optimism and a gift of expressing herself with eloquence and grace. In today's episode, we discuss what it means to be a strong black woman, what passive aggressive comments look and feel like, as well as what it's like growing up biracial in the United States. I want to give a huge shout out to Precious' parents for raising such a self-aware, well-adjusted, conscientious young lady who knows who she is and where she stands. She tackles tough problems with action, asser...
Feb 15, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Today I am in conversation with Mr. Bobby Washington. He is a pastor at the multicultural East Denver Church of God. He is also a successful businessman owning and operating two nationwide businesses. Bobby has a Chinese mother and African American father and lived abroad during his childhood. His life experiences give him a unique point of view about racism in the U.S . I was captivated by his story, his gentle manner in conveying the truth, his honest perspective about racism, and the kindness...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 3
I first learned of Myriama through a mutual friend who sent me her article, "Seeing Color." . In it, Myriama says, "Now is the right time to educate yourself on the reality of black lives and how you can become an effective advocate for racial justice. You can start by seeing color." She is a thoughtful, kind, expressive young woman and thanks to her incredible parents, she is especially wise beyond her years. I commend her for taking the time to share her heart, fears, and experiences with us. ...
Feb 01, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Saja Butler is first and foremost a musician. Music can't help but flow out of her. She owns her own company called Urban Monk Studio where she has taught and continues to teach thousands of music lovers how to sing and play a variety of instruments. She is passionate about the power of music in life. Saja sees music as a bridge that joins people together. It is with that same contagious joy and passion that she welcomes and loves everyone in her life. I met Saja at her home in Old Town Fort Col...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this season we learn how to be an ally to our Black co-workers, neighbors, and friends. We learn how to ask relevant questions. We learn how to listen. We learn how to say, "I see you. I hear you. I am with you." Articles on Racism: What is systemic racism? Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable topic of race. Anti-racism: A practice in being uncomfortable. The Myth of a Post Racial America Post Racial Society ACLU videos: Los Angeles, 1992 - 100 Years of Racism in Policing Detroit, 1967...
Jan 18, 2021•8 min
The top 7 reasons for displacement : 1) Persecution, be it racial, religious, political, or social. 2) War, as we've witnessed in the news from places like Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq 3) Climate Change - the UNHCR estimates that in 2018, 16.1 million people were displaced by weather related disasters and hazards precipitated by climate change. 4) Violation of Human Rights - this most often occurs when the wealthy and powerful elite become corrupt government agents who then stop support...
Oct 19, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Frank is just a regular guy with an admittedly not-so-perfect track record, who found where he belonged. It just so happened that where he belonged was with immigrants and refugees. It was as much of a surprise to him as anybody. His love for "the other" drove him and his wife Carolyn to create a beautiful community in Denver called Project Worthmore . Even after 10 years of creating positive change in the community, it just keeps growing and including more and more people. Project Worthmore tru...
Oct 12, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition is a statewide, membership-based coalition founded in 2002. It encompasses all types of organizations from immigrant to business and faith to labor, basically any organization that wants to ally itself with their mission. Their goal is to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees by making Colorado a more welcoming, immigrant-friendly state. Thank you CIRC! They actively achieve this mission through non-partisan civic engagement, public education, as well a...
Oct 05, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Christian Karen are a persecuted minority and driven from their homeland.. Many of the ethnic cultures from Myanmar refer to their country as Burma. The US Dept of State uses Myanmar and Burma interchangeably. Htee's story is tragic and beautiful all at the same time. During our conversation, I took a cautious path asking Htee about her experiences in the camp. You have to be sensitive to tread lightly and follow the interviewee's lead. Most camp residents have experienced horrors too heavy to b...
Sep 28, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Not only has Karin taught English as a Second Language in elementary, middle and high school, as well as university settings, she has also taught and lived in several countries throughout the world. I am thankful I got to know Karin during the last 3 years while teaching at The Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado. Obviously, Karin has a huge, tender heart towards the people to whom she devotes her life. She is constantly wanting to adapt and adjust her lessons to the needs of her c...
Sep 21, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 12
What a powerful story of tenacity, courage, and love. Her father took incredible risks because of love - what father wouldn't? Laura overcame great odds as a person without status to achieve her dream of higher education. But most importantly, she learned perseverance through her struggles and came out stronger because of them. Of course she gives back to her community in such palpable ways. Of course she seeks to help others, it's who her father encouraged her to be through his own life example...
Sep 14, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 11
I honestly had no idea that immigrants paid taxes, in fact, I never really thought about it.. It was also news to me how much revenue those taxes generate. Equally surprising is the relatively small amount of social welfare consumed by immigrants. It is incredible the amount of power the media has to negatively or positively affect our opinion of an issue based on how they spin it. It's on us to research and find out if what we hear is true or not, especially in today's society of "alternative f...
Sep 07, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Today's episode is the first in a two part series on immigration law. I had the pleasure of interviewing Autumn Nelson, Rocio Rivera and Carla Crapster - the incredible trio from the law firm: The Lawyer Lady in Longmont, CO . They were so gracious to sit down with me and explain in very practical terms what the general public needs to know when it comes to better understanding immigration in the United States. This interview is full of incredibly useful information that can help us respond to t...
Sep 07, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Although Idriss is from Kenya, his roots are Somali. Through the course of research for this episode, I learned that Somali people occupy all of Somalia, Somaliland, the northern part of Djibouti, north-western Kenya, and the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Somalis practice Islam which has been an integral part of society for 14 centuries. It is a major influence in their daily lives as you will hear from Idriss' story. I love how I never know where my conversations will go with each of my guests. Al...
Aug 31, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Our boys became best friends in elementary school ushering in lasting family bonds. Since those early years, my family has moved to two different states. Yet our friendship remains strong. Our boys have celebrated high school graduations with each other. Our families have vacationed together. I think you get the picture. This is my friend. I value this gift in my life. I have learned so much from Rama and his wife. And I'm thrilled he's here with us today to share his story. Before we begin, I'd...
Aug 24, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Change-making looks different for every person. It takes the work of an entire community to welcome our refugee friends; from the people donating furniture and setting up apartments to those who meet them at the airport and those walk alongside the refugees helping them adapt to their new environment during those crucial first few months. Alex, and all those working at Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, remind us that the refugees they serve are people who just want a fresh start in life....
Aug 17, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Mohamed's story starts with his parents' story, as most of ours do. Over a million Somalis have lost their homes and been forced to flee because of a decades long civil war. Many flee to neighboring countries such as Ethiopia, Djibouti, Yemen, and Kenya. The Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya is where Mohamed's family fled to and where he was born 24 years ago. It is the world's largest refugee complex. As of January 2020, the UN estimates 217,532 Somali refugees and asylum seekers are living among it...
Aug 10, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Mary is doing an incredibly courageous thing by sharing her story with us. She wants people to know what it's like being an undocumented immigrant in the United States. This interview was hard for her. I could see in her eyes the memories she was reliving. I have the utmost respect for Mary. Eleanor Roosevelt says, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face." Mary has done this. The story that made the deepest impact on me happened a...
Aug 03, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Lisa is the Executive Director of IRCNOCO. Prior, Lisa had been the Executive Director of Right to Read of Weld County. In her capacity as Executive Director, Lisa manages all major grants, partnerships, staff, and daily operations. Lisa additionally sits on a variety of boards across Weld County to help further the mission of IRCNOCO as well as to raise the profile of their clients. Lisa's Quote: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To learn more...
Jul 27, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3
The Congo comprises two countries, The Republic of Congo where Reche is from, which is on the western side of the Congo River. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly known as Zaire) is east of the river. The Congolese Civil War in Reche's home country occurred from 1993-1994 as well as from 1997-1999. This is the civil war Reche references that her parents were fleeing from. Reche's Favorite Quote: If you can think it, you can do it. The Congo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo The Con...
Jul 20, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 2
My guest today is Shukur Manaf. He is a 23 year old Rohingya refugee who's family is originally from Myanmar but who fled to Malaysia before Shukur was born. He is an incredible human being. He inspired me from the moment we sat down to talk. He is overwhelmingly optimistic, is so happy to be living in the US, and is thrilled to be able to help others. The history of Myanmar is very complex but is important to understand because of the current Rohingya refugee crisis .The following is an abbrevi...
Jul 13, 2020•57 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Introducing gramercy, a podcast about those living and working on the margins of society.
Jun 05, 2020•5 min
