86: Bridging The Gap Between Racial Boundaries

This week we discuss how we will be refocusing our podcast and business endeavors. Take a quick jog with us down memory lane and hear how we came to the decision to refine our offerings based on the need and current social climate. Stay tuned as we transition to this next journey in our lives, business, and podcast as we "Bridge the Racial Boundaries Gap" in our nation.

85: Refocus Your Energy

Y'all...we're tired. But, we're pushing through because the work that needs to happen now in our lives and society is important. Find out how to push through and continue working on the things that matter, how to conserve your energy, and how to step back when needed. 

Resource mentioned:

Rest, Relax, & Recharge: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/25abfea5/relax-rest-and-recharge

Scene on Radio podcast series: https://www.sceneonradio.org/

84: Keep Your Foot On The Gas - The Fight Against Racism In America

Do you inspire people?  Are you a disrupter?  Are you an educator?  Whatever your role in pushing society forward from here on out, this episode is to encourage you to KEEP GOING!  Even when it feels rough.  Even when you may feel exhausted.  Even when you aren't sure how to modify your role to fit into your sphere of influence.  give up because in the middle of a social revolution, you need to be doing important and necessary work.

Resource mentioned:

Black Voices Amplified Series (top of page): https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes

Scene on Radio, Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

83: Black Voices Amplified - Moving Forward

We are wrapping up our Black Voices Amplified series (for now!) with a final episode highlighting our respondents' answers to the question "What does the world look like for you after this?".  We end with discussions about next steps and moving forward.

"I continue to do the work to impact those I can and they do the same...I think of ripples on the water where I am the stone."

"My perfect world is where black people and other minorities are treated equally and given the same benefit of the doubt that white people are given."

"My world is one in which talent and performance always wins. One where my intellect, passion, and ability is no longer seen as a threat."

Resource mentioned:

Scene on Radio, Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

82: Black Voices Amplified - No Filter

This is the no-holds-barred episode. No filter, just real answers. Better grab a drink and settle in.

"You love Black culture, Black innovation, and Black music, but you hate the thought of us fighting for our liberation from oppression because it makes you uncomfortable. So all I ask is for you (white people/fake allies/non-Black folks who bear witness without intervention) is to saying you care about Black people when all of your actions say otherwise. Just clear the air and say you love what we create but you hate us."

"...Recognize your privilege because it is powerful. Acknowledge that white supremacy and patriarchy is baked into our social structure and it causes harm to people of color on every continent. I would ask them to see my humanity before my skin color. Then I would ask, what are you fully committed to do to change a society that has always benefited you?"

"Don't give me any platitudes about your embrace of diversity and inclusion when your administration, your cabinet, and leadership fails to have someone that looks like me. You allow Black and Brown people to leave in droves, but make ways for White colleagues to realize promotions. Until there is change, real change, in hiring and promotion, and salary equity, there will never be real embrace of diversity and you will never realize inclusion."

This week, we reached out to black family, friends, and colleagues so that we could tell their stories.  In part 3, we amplify Black voices with no filter in the wake of the widely-broadcast murder of George Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. 

Resource mentioned:

Scene on Radio, Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

81: Black Voices Amplified - The Coping Process

"I wish people knew there are different forms of protest and healing is part of that. My healing is sometimes disengaging from news and social media for my own mental health."

"I try to unplug from media sources just enough so that the trauma/rage I'm coping with doesn't envelop me, while still remaining informed. I wish people knew my super power was stealthfully dealing with thousands of racially-motivated micro-aggressions inflicted upon me my entire life and not reacting negatively to them."

"I wish people knew how exhausting this coping process is and how long it takes to recover from the highs and low associated with the emotions I feel. I wish people recognized that their attempts to be helpful are often centered around their own need to feel absolved. They need to engage in their own self-discovery and not rely on a Black friend to be their guide or do it for them."

This week, we reached out to black family, friends, and colleagues so that we could tell their stories.  In part 2, we amplify the coping processes used in the wake of the widely-broadcast murder of George Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. 

Resource mentioned:

The Meeting After the Meeting: Black Google: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dzlNmqFturMiSXgBFXAdp?si=VgqkYp8cS8iDBEVXv7-6-w

Success in Black and White: Codeswitch Episodes
1: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/4b850ce6/54-codeswitch-real-talk-part-1-of-2
2: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/4c66b37f/55-codeswitch-real-talk-part-2-of-2

80: Black Voices Amplified - The Hard Truths Of Racism

"The hardest part in the aftermath has been determining how to raise my voice and protest. I find that my emotive side is ready to scream at the world while my internal deliberative voice is telling me to "mind my manners" or "remember you still need your job."

" That no matter what in 2020, we’re still treated as less than animals. That when I take off my military uniform I am George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery."

" We are so easily killed and our lives have no value."

This week, we reached out to black family, friends, and colleagues so that we could tell their stories.  In part 1, we amplify the hard truths that have emerged since the widely-broadcast murder of George Floyd as well as Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. 

Resource mentioned:

Scene on Radio: Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

79: The Aftermath - Racism In America

Today, we were short on groceries. No veggies left. No fruit. My vegan husband does not live well on pasta alone. So I put the kids down for a nap and went out back where Darryl was working on installing more pavers into our already fabulously-transformed backyard. 

"Im heading to Publix."

"Ok," he said. "I'll check in on the kids."

Just then, we heard a loud POP POP POP POP POP ricochet throughout our neighborhood. Probably the neighbors shooting off their firecrackers, I thought, but my heart still shot up into my throat. I shook it off and pulled out of the driveway, onto our main drive. As I was going 25mph down our neighborhood drag, a cop flew into the neighborhood going probably 75mph, lights and siren on. 

I panicked. I felt sick. I fought the urge to turn around and follow the cop. I didn't want my husband to think I was being melodramatic. I called him, he didn't answer. My mind raced. What if they see him, sweaty, in his workout gear on the side of the house from cutting pavers all day? What if they don't give him a chance to tell his story? What if I'm not there to vouch for him like the times I've had to in the past? What if the kids wake up and their dad is in the back of a cop car, or worse? 

I couldn't help it. I made my way to the store and started shopping, reassuring myself with the name of Jesus for an hour and a half (but silently freaking out and trying to keep it all together)...

Hear more about today's incident from both of our perspectives and more about the aftermath of racism in America in this episode. 

Episodes mentioned:

Being an Interracial Couple (episodes 1 through 4 on the top of our episodes page): https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes

Scene on Radio: Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

78: A Conversation About Motivation

What motivates you? We talk about how we get motivated and stay motivated, including the times we aren't excited to finish a project or commitment. 

Episodes mentioned:

How Perfectionism is Affecting Your Life: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/4191f7b4/60-how-perfectionism-is-affecting-your-life

Get Over the Bullshift: https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/37c3ac7b/53-get-over-the-bull-shift

Let It Go:  https://www.successinblackandwhite.com/episodes/episode/be18ee5e/63-let-it-go-letting-the-past-go

77: Don’t Get Taken Advantage Of

Ooooooo, we've got a juicy one today! We call out the people on social media (and maybe even in your life!) who use emotional manipulation to take advantage of you during this time.  If you've gotten hit up to buy products,  take an online course, or even donate to a charity or else you're a "bad person" or "wasting your life", we're talkin' to you today.

If you prefer to watch rather than just listen, subscribe to our YouTube channel NOW! We started recording full episodes and you'll be able to watch us interact with each other and with you! Closed Captioning available. You can subscribe here: YouTube Channel - Success In Black and White.