In a compelling return to the Reimagining Black Relations podcast, Dr. Rob Eschmann fearlessly delves into the stark realities of growing up under the pervasive influence of racial bias and the constant specter of police violence. He shares the deeply moving experience of having to give his own son "the talk," a heart-wrenching rite of passage in a world where the actions of Black person can carry life-or-death consequences. Dr. Eschmann's educational journey, from a magnet school that starkly c...
Dec 15, 2023•28 min•Season 9Ep. 76
In a compelling episode of Reimagining Black Relations, we welcome two exceptional guests, Dr. Fayron Epps and Karah Alexander , who are on a mission to enhance the quality of life for Black caregivers. Dr. Epps, with over two decades of experience in nursing and a wealth of knowledge in creating culturally relevant health programs, joins Karah Alexander, a dedicated PhD candidate, to shed light on the unique challenges faced by Black dementia caregivers. Together, they delve deep into the dispa...
Dec 08, 2023•31 min•Season 9Ep. 75
In a thought-provoking interview, Dr. Rob Eschmann , a multifaceted talent from Chicago, unveils the subtle yet pervasive forms of racism in the 21st century. Rooted in his academic journey that began in Chicago Public Schools and culminated in a PhD from the University of Chicago, Dr. Eschmann sheds light on pressing issues, including educational inequality, community violence, and racism. His scholarly work exposes the intricate barriers to racial and economic equity, emphasizing the courageou...
Dec 01, 2023•31 min•Season 9Ep. 74
In an eye-opening conversation that transcends the ordinary, Van Williams , the Vice President of Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer for the University of California's sprawling $40+ billion-dollar enterprise, takes us on an inspiring journey through the complexities of being Black in America. From a transformative semester that pushed the boundaries of personal resilience to a deep-seated appreciation for the Bahamas' sense of community, empathy, and kindness, Van's l...
Nov 24, 2023•53 min•Season 9Ep. 73
Archbishop Isiah Mcoshwa Simelane, the remarkable, visionary founder and overseer of the Evangelical Gospel Church of South Africa, whose wisdom transcends borders and generations, graciously offered his profound insight in this awe-inspiring interview. The Archbishop shared enlightening perspectives on the pivotal role of missionaries in shaping the lives of Black South Africans. As he delves fearlessly into the depths of truth, he unveiled the poignant reality of a profound lack of trust that ...
Jun 23, 2023•31 min•Season 8Ep. 72
Nii Ayikwei Parkes, an acclaimed Ghanaian-British writer, editor, and a prominent voice among black intellectuals in the UK, delivers a powerful message on the persistent challenges encountered by Black writers. Currently engaged in groundbreaking research on "Philosophical connections between Africa and the African Diaspora in the "New World"" at the Hutchins Center at Harvard University. Parkes eloquently exposes the stifling impact of cliches that plague Black writers. With poignant clarity, ...
Jun 17, 2023•40 min•Season 8Ep. 71
Fayron Epps, PhD, RN, a nurse with 20+ years’ experience creating culturally relevant programs to reduce health disparities for underserved populations, highlighted significant health findings, negatively impacting the Black community. Dr. Epps passionately implored patients, their families, caregivers, and spiritual leaders to be engaged, for it is clear the status quo will be insufficient to sustain the community, and the consequences could be dire. The impending threat emphasized the urgency ...
Jun 09, 2023•49 min•Season 7Ep. 70
Dr. Debora Kayembe, Lord Rector of the 440 year old, University of Edinburgh, Scotland and the first person of color to occupy the position. She shared the history of her country of origin as the rape capital of the world, where five women were raped every two seconds. Debora's investigation into the killings of Blacks in her country revealed that the aim was not to kill, but to exterminate. Dr. Kayembe provided deeper insight on the strategy to employ for solutions to Black issues. "I cried two...
Apr 29, 2023•28 min•Season 7Ep. 69
Dr. Nomsa Khalfani, Co-CEO of Essential Access Health and founder of Khalfani Strategy Group acknowledged the progress that was made in the past, was for the past; she highlighted the need to revisit and update with relevant current advancements. "They referred to me as a militant when I went to college, it's like I became this revolutionist... that was when I officially changed my name, how I dressed, the books I read, and how I function in the world..." - Dr. Nomsa Khalfani...
Mar 23, 2023•39 min•Ep. 68
Dr. Santos Ramos, an assistant Professor of Integrative Studies at Grand Valley State University is a mixed Mexican-Irish-American. His research and teaching centers on the Intersections of Latin American Studies, Intercultural Competence, and Digital Technology. He introduced the concept of Sovereignty in his work on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, while emphasizing the research necessary for historical context of policy brutality, prison industrial complex, and current protests. " I'm defini...
Dec 30, 2022•33 min•Season 7Ep. 67
Will Jawando is the Montgomery County Councilmember, attorney, activist, and community leader with a lifelong dedication to public service. He discussed the importance of black fatherhood even in the absence of the real father. He cited several examples including his relationship with President Barack Obama. "I went to five schools before I was in the 8th grade and a lot of the issues were issues of race and profiling. Because I was energetic and wanted to answer questions, they said I needed to...
Jul 22, 2022•45 min•Season 6Ep. 66
Speakers include: Dr. Francesca Fajinmi - Founder, Your Black Matters "Jackie" Dupont-Walker - President, Ward Economic Development Corporation Oba Oladepo Towobola - King of Aluti Erin, Dari Erin of Aluti Erin in Yoruba land Prof. Jacob Gordon - Professor Emeritus, University of Kansas & President, United Nations Association - Gainsville, FL
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 54 min•Season 6Ep. 65
Derek A. Perkinson, the New York State Field and Crisis Director for the National Action Network (NAN) focused on the responsibilities of Black people in driving solutions to conquer racism. He proffered some do's and don't's for families and communities. “In our community today, we have negative music, and there is no balance to that. Calling ourselves …..….. degrading ourselves, ….. we have to make glorification of killing each other in our music not cool…” - Derek A. Perkinson...
May 13, 2022•26 min•Season 6Ep. 64
Rodney H. Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of Street Legend shared his thoughts on hidden oppositions. He expanded on his childhood understanding of "The System" and why he embraces the mantra of "coming up with something out of nothing" while affirming that the "Wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous".
Apr 29, 2022•46 min•Season 6Ep. 63
Chris Ramos, Senior Director of UCLA Student Finance Solutions, shared his perspectives as a mixed-race executive. He believes the conversation extends beyond race, cultural acceptance and a sense of self-worth are natural extensions that have eluded the mainstream. He emphasized the importance of community connections and the power of travel.
Apr 15, 2022•35 min•Season 6Ep. 62
Jacob U’Mofe Gordon, Emeritus Professor, University of Kansas; Kwame Nkrumah Endowed Chair, University of Ghana; Senior Fulbright Scholar, presented the chronology of the Black History Month Celebration in the United States.
Feb 26, 2022•37 min•Season 6Ep. 61
Albert Edmund Lord III, an Emmy Award-winning creative with a slew of industry awards, and more than 35 years of experience in radio, post production, sound editing, live theater as well as independent film and video production, highlighted his work on the "Exhibits on African American Heritage Month legacy project covering 2006 to 2020". He shared his story as a mixed race, Black, White, and a Native American from Tracy to San Francisco, South Africa, and Los Angeles....
Feb 26, 2022•42 min•Season 6Ep. 60
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, the founding president of the Ward Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in Los Angeles and an appointee of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as a member of the LA County Metro Board. She shared a compelling story and the influence of King Solomon Dupont.
Feb 26, 2022•30 min•Season 5Ep. 59
Dr. Ama S. Wray, Professor at the University of California, Irvine, and a performance architect that innovates across disciplinary lines, leading with dance to enter spaces of dance, jazz music, theatre, academia, medicine, technology and activism. Dr. Wray spotlighted her multi-cultural background from the U.K, to Jamaica, United States, and Cuba as she shares her perspectives on Africans and Africans in Diaspora.
Feb 26, 2022•22 min•Season 5Ep. 58
Prof. Ayodeji Ogunnaike, an assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Bowdoin College is of Nigerian descent, specifically of the Yoruba tribe. His research and teaching centers around the religious traditions of Africa and the African diaspora including Christianity, Islam, and indigenous African traditions, particularly Yoruba oriṣa worship in Nigeria and Candomblé in Brazil. He juxtaposed several African religions with the major western religions. He further elaborated on diversified oppress...
Feb 12, 2022•43 min•Season 6Ep. 57
Dr. Marketus Presswood is an Historian with specialization in the socio-cultural interactions of the Chinese, Africans, and Africans in Diaspora. Dr. Presswood juxtaposed China and the U.S. on the subject of racism. He discussed: the role of China and the U.S. on the global order for Africa and Black Diaspora and emphasized the urgency of establishing the "United African States". "At the same time, I saw friends, and friends of friends, who didn't have the same support system, and they fell by t...
Jan 29, 2022•41 min•Season 6Ep. 56
Dr. Irène Y. Kilubi, an Expert Advisor to the European Commission on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Digitalization, spoke to us from Germany. Irene shared her experiences as one of the first Black families to relocate to Germany from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how she transitioned from the status quo to her current trajectory. "Many were also jealous, other immigrants like people from Russia, from Poland, and from Turkey. So I faced more racism from non-German people than from Germ...
Jan 15, 2022•33 min•Season 6Ep. 55
Four speakers from the Inaugural Pan-African Youth (PAY) Summit. Prof. Babacar Kante - President of the National Political Dialogue Commission in Senegal, former Vice-President of the Constitutional Council/Court of Senegal, and an expert in Constitutional law and political science, will speak on Ethics and Power. Prof. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, Senior Associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, President o...
Dec 21, 2021•29 min•Season 6Ep. 54
Four of the speakers from the Inaugural Pan-African Youth (PAY) Summit. Dr. Jasmine L. Blanks-Jones, a dynamic theatre nonprofit leader, award-wining educator, who holds a dual PhD in Education and Africana Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, speaking on Pan-Africanism . Paulinarh Bolatito Ogunleye is 21 years old. The first female President of the Faculty of Arts Student Union at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and the longest seating president of the same body. She will speak on the...
Nov 30, 2021•27 min•Season 6Ep. 53
Rev. Dr. Sharpton , founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), a not-for-profit civil rights organization formed in 1991 with over 100 chapters nationwide, including a Washington, DC Bureau and regional offices across the US, was our Keynote Speaker for the Inaugural Pan African Youth (PAY) Summit, held on November 13th, 2021. As one of the nation’s most-renowned civil rights leaders, Rev. Al Sharpton has been praised by President Barack Obama as "the voice of the voiceless and ...
Nov 20, 2021•14 min•Season 6Ep. 52
Cheryl Contee, Chief Innovation Officer at The Impact Seat expressed the reality that your ideal career might not exist today. While she described how you can create the vision of the "new you", she provided scores of investors with interests in minority founders. "They found that they were able to really get people all the way through their systems except when it comes to writing the check. They told me that it takes them on average, seven introductions to angel investors to get a white female ...
Oct 29, 2021•35 min•Season 6Ep. 51
Percy Hintzen Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley and currently Professor of Global and Sociocultural Studies in the School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University shared his experiences and expertise of White and Black relations from the Caribbeans to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the rest of Americas. He highlighted the problems faced by indigenous Black countries, the advent of Europeanized Africans, correlation between language and power, and the solution to ...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 50
Ja'Net Adams, CEO of EMACK understood the power of financial freedom as a means of bridging the wealth gap. She believes you can have whatever you want, as long as you are still breathing, emphasizing the power of money, the power of social media, and the power of saying "no". "I see... what would I have like to have done differently? Probably would have learned more about my culture, even more than I did growing up because I was just all over the place... you need to know where you've come from...
Oct 01, 2021•23 min•Season 5Ep. 49
Roger Griffith, a Black British Social Entrepreneur and faculty member at the University of West England spoke to us from Britain. He shared the dichotomy of being Black and being called "British Boy". Roger expressed frustration about the unhealthy obsession towards Black men, yet he conveyed his optimism as he salutes the Windrush generation with a well articulated poem. "I've always knew there is good and bad in every race, and that's pretty much how I've judged my life. One of the books that...
Sep 17, 2021•34 min•Season 5Ep. 48
Russell Davis, Chief of Human Resources, Equity, and Engagement at the Hammer Museum of UCLA discussed his approach to combat emotional shutdown, and how he developed the appropriate emotional responses when his physical, emotional, and spiritual skin fell off. He proposed strategies for individuals, human resources and employees, and leaders of organizations. "When we moved out of Philadelphia to the suburbs, we were the only people of color, we were the only African American family, the only B...
Sep 03, 2021•42 min•Season 5Ep. 47
