Blackbelt Voices
29 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★ - 380 ratingsThe Blackbelt Voices podcast propagates the richness of Black Southern culture by telling the stories of Black folks down South. Through first-person narratives and in-depth conversations, hosts Adena J. White, Kara Wilkins, and Katrina Dupins share the experiences of Black Southerners living in, loving, and reconciling with the region we call home.
Music: Prentice Dupins Jr.
Logo Design: Kara Darling Creative
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Episodes
Addressing Racism in the Newsroom
November 25, 2020 12:15 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBAdena 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. ...
Storytelling for Social Change
November 11, 2020 09:00 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBAdena 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. CONNE...
Voting and Civic Engagement
October 21, 2020 07:17 - 30 minutes - 28 MBAdena and Kara talk to the founder of a nonprofit that works to build political power among Black voters and end voter suppression. In 2016, Charlane Oliver and a group of friends sat in a Chili’s and pitched in a few hundred dollars and a lot of time to form The Equity Alliance, which is now a million-dollar organization in Nashville that has helped thousands. In this episode's Turn to Your Neighbor Segment, Lynn Norment talks about her storied career and love for writing. She ...
Social Justice in the South
October 07, 2020 09:04 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBOn this episode of Blackbelt Voices, we’re exploring the facets of public policy and how it affects societal norms with Tamika Edwards. Plus, Gennie Hirschy shows real-life connections that may serve as motivation to stay informed and engaged in local politics. And this week’s Turn to Your Neighbor segment features Dazzmin Murry, a young woman from Little Rock whose creativity is multifaceted. Follow Tamika Edwards and Gennie Hirschy on Twitter. Other websites mentioned: For AR...
BONUS: Register to Vote
October 03, 2020 10:55 - 6 minutes - 6.12 MBThe election is one month away. Please make sure you're registered. If your plan is in place, send this as a reminder to your friends. Deadlines are approaching quickly. Here are a few resources that will get you started. https://votesaveamerica.com/be-a-voter/ https://govotear.org/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Register to Vote
October 03, 2020 10:55 - 6 minutes - 6.12 MBThe election is one month away. Please make sure you're registered. If your plan is in place, send this as a reminder to your friends. Deadlines are approaching quickly. Here are a few resources that will get you started. https://votesaveamerica.com/be-a-voter/ https://govotear.org/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Four Days Left: GET COUNTED!
September 26, 2020 11:32 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBAdena and Kara want to remind you to not underestimate the importance of the census. There’s a lot riding on those numbers and we don’t get another chance until 2030. There are only four days left to fill out the 2020 census, but there are still ways to help make sure we get as many people counted as we can. Spread the word! Help those who are not as internet savvy fill out the form. You can do it anywhere as long as you know the person’s address and who lives in the home. See acast.co...
BONUS: Get Counted!
September 26, 2020 11:32 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBAdena and Kara want to remind you to not underestimate the importance of the census. There’s a lot riding on those numbers and we don’t get another chance until 2030. There are only four days left to fill out the 2020 census, but there are still ways to help make sure we get as many people counted as we can. Spread the word! Help those who are not as internet savvy fill out the form. You can do it anywhere as long as you know the person’s address and who lives in the home. See...
Four Days Left: GET COUNTED! (Census Bonus Episode)
September 26, 2020 11:32 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBAdena and Kara want to remind you to not underestimate the importance of the census. There’s a lot riding on those numbers and we don’t get another chance until 2030. There are only four days left to fill out the 2020 census, but there are still ways to help make sure we get as many people counted as we can. Spread the word! Help those who are not as internet savvy fill out the form. You can do it anywhere as long as you know the person’s address and who lives in the home. See acast.co...
Fighting for the South
September 23, 2020 10:28 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBPolitical organizers Tristan Wilkerson and DeJuana L. Thompson talk about what led them to start Think Rubix, a social innovation consultancy with branches across the country. They work with nonprofits businesses and government to create equitable solutions. Tristan and Dejuana give their predictions for Election Day. Dejuana also founded Woke Vote to encourage organization through long-term engagement. It is a program of Think Social Impact, an organization managed by Think Rubi...
Fighting for the South
September 23, 2020 10:28 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBPolitical organizers Tristan Wilkerson and DeJuana L. Thompson talk about what led them to start Think Rubix, a social innovation consultancy with branches across the country. They work with nonprofits businesses and government to create equitable solutions. Tristan and Dejuana give their predictions for Election Day. Dejuana also founded Woke Vote to encourage organization through long-term engagement. It is a program of Think Social Impact, an organization managed by Think Rubix. This...
A movement we should sustain
June 11, 2020 10:59 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBFor the past 16 days, protesters in every state and around the world are demanding change and speaking out against systemic racism and police brutality that disproportionately affects Black Americans. As the protests have become mainstream, many major businesses and institutions have issued their own statements of proclamations — acknowledging the need for change and that Black Lives Matter. On this episode, Adena and Kara outline what changes the movement is hoping for in our comm...
Rioting in American History
June 04, 2020 10:26 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBAs the U.S. begins to slowly reopen the economy and gain some sense of normalcy during a pandemic, we find ourselves in familiar territory – a police officer has killed a Black man, leading to protests in the streets. We are hurting, and we are tired. On this special bonus episode of Blackbelt Voices, we take a look back at America’s long history of racial violence. Professor Brian Mitchell from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock returns to weigh in with a historical perspec...
The truth always comes out (Part II)
March 04, 2020 06:01 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBIn the early morning hours of May 6, 1960, Marvin Leonard Williams died in police custody at the former Faulkner County jail in Conway, Arkansas. He was arrested the night before — the same night his parents and siblings lost everything they owned in a tornado. Twenty-five years later, two officers were charged with murder after Marvin’s parents received new information regarding their son’s death. His younger brother, Ronnie Williams, went on a fact-finding mission to seek justice ...
The truth always comes out (Part II)
March 04, 2020 06:01 - 18 minutes - 34.4 MBIn the early morning hours of May 6, 1960, Marvin Leonard Williams died in police custody at the former Faulkner County jail in Conway, Arkansas. He was arrested the night before — the same night his parents and siblings lost everything they owned in a tornado. Twenty-five years later, two officers were charged with murder after Marvin’s parents received new information regarding their son’s death. His younger brother, Ronnie Williams, went on a fact-finding mission to seek justice for his b...
No, your brother was murdered (Part I)
February 26, 2020 06:01 - 9 minutes - 8.93 MBIn the early morning hours of May 6, 1960, Marvin Leonard Williams died in police custody at the former Faulkner County jail in Conway, Arkansas. He was arrested the night before — the same night his parents and siblings lost everything they owned in a tornado. Twenty-five years later, two officers were charged with murder after Marvin’s parents received new information regarding their son’s death. His younger brother, Ronnie Williams, went on a fact-finding mission to seek justice ...
Talent needs opportunity
February 19, 2020 06:01 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MBTalent is there; they just need an opportunity. Executive director and lead maker of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, Chris Jones, Ph.D., talks to hosts Adena and Kara about his life experiences and his passion to help people realize their full potential. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: https://arhub.org/ https://www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org/ WHERE TO FIND DR. JONES Dr. Chris Jones on Twitter Dr. Jones...
(Natural) heads held high
January 17, 2020 07:25 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBIt's not just hair. Katrina, Kara, and Adena untangle the cultural significance of Black hair with returning guest Dr. Karama Neal and her 13-year-old daughter, Ayoka. We explore generational shifts in hair styles and hair acceptance. Links to what we discussed: Diane's Hair Journey: The Musical (with Jill Scott) - black-ish | ABC on YouTube THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Ife Opportunity, a organization committed to creating solutions that expand opportunity ...
Pique your interest in the past
December 31, 2019 04:10 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBWe continue our conversation with Dr. Brian K. Mitchell, assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Mitchell talks about the importance of sharing family history – both the happy times and the tragedies. We learn more about his background, including how he became interested in days gone by. Adena, Kara, and Katrina reflect on another centennial celebration and their personal transformations over the past decade. Links to what we discussed: The...
Hundreds of white men carrying guns
December 12, 2019 13:35 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBIn October 1919, more than 200 Black sharecroppers were killed in a horrific act of racist violence in Elaine, Arkansas. Dr. Brian K. Mitchell, assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has done extensive research on the Elaine Massacre and joins us to reflect on the attacks 100 years later. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: The Elaine Massacre “Arkansas Residents Make a Case for Reparatio...
S1 Ep. 4: A place to call home
November 21, 2019 03:29 - 27 minutes - 25 MBIn this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Karama Neal. Karama is goals. She is president of Southern Bancorp Community Partners and has also launched independent projects that promote equity of opportunity for all people. We discussed a few of her projects: The Arkansas Heir Property Act 2015, which helps families protect their land and ensure their descendants always have a place to call home; Ife Opportunity, her educational initiative; and So What Can I Do, a blog and e-book that promotes ...
A place to call home
November 21, 2019 03:29 - 27 minutes - 25 MBDr. Karama Neal is goals. She is president of Southern Bancorp Community Partners and has also launched independent projects that promote equity of opportunity for all people. We discussed a few of her projects: The Arkansas Heir Property Act 2015, which helps families protect their land and ensure their descendants always have a place to call home; Ife Opportunity, her educational initiative; and So What Can I Do, a blog and e-book that promotes ethics in action. Visit blackbel...
Finding color in design
October 23, 2019 05:52 - 34 minutes - 32 MBCarmeon Hamilton is a Memphis-based interior designer and social media influencer. As owner of Nubi Interiors, Carmeon provides design services and plant consulting to clients. In this episode, she offers practical design tips and shares how she centers her Black identity in her work. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: Nubi’s Plant Parenting Guide Carmeon's feature in Real Simple magazine Where to find Carmeon: carmeonhami...
S1 Ep. 3: Finding color in design
October 23, 2019 05:52 - 34 minutes - 63.8 MBCarmeon Hamilton is a Memphis-based interior designer and social media influencer. As owner of Nubi Interiors, Carmeon provides design services and plant consulting to clients. In this episode, she offers practical design tips and shares how she centers her Black identity in her work. Subscribe via RSS feed: https://feed.pippa.io/public/shows/blackbelt-voices What we discussed: Nubi’s Plant Parenting Guide Carmeon Hamilton’s website Carmeon's feature in Real Simple magazine Find us on...
S1 Ep. 2: Know your status.
October 09, 2019 05:01 - 17 minutes - 23.8 MBWhen Latunja Sockwell was diagnosed with HIV in January 1997, there weren’t a lot of treatment and resource options. Today, she’s using her experience and compassion to help pave an easier path for others. For a full summary of this episode, visit https://blackbeltvoices.com/2019/10/08/researcher-receives-grant-for-hiv-education/. Subscribe via RSS feed: https://feed.pippa.io/public/shows/blackbelt-voices What we discussed: “On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of “Straight” Black M...
Know your status
October 09, 2019 05:01 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBWhen Latunja Sockwell was diagnosed with HIV in January 1997, there weren’t a lot of treatment and resource options. Today, she’s using her experience and compassion to help pave an easier path for others. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: “On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of “Straight” Black Men Who Sleep with Men” by. J. L. King and Karen Hunter (Foreward by E. Lynn Harris) The Center for HIV Law and Policy CONN...
S1 Ep. 1: Are you in that number?
September 25, 2019 07:30 - 33 minutes - 63 MBThe 2020 Census is approaching, and Blackbelt Voices co-host Kara Wilkins is schooling us on why it’s a big deal. Listen to learn why Black communities are particularly vulnerable to being undercounted and what we can do to help make sure no one is left out. For a full summary of this episode, visit http://blackbeltvoices.com/2019/09/24/stand-up-and-be-counted/. Subscribe via RSS feed: https://feed.pippa.io/public/shows/blackbelt-voices What we discussed: Arkansas Counts Color of Chang...
Are you in that number?
September 25, 2019 07:30 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBThe 2020 Census is approaching, and Blackbelt Voices co-host Kara Wilkins is schooling us on why it’s a big deal. Listen to learn why Black communities are particularly vulnerable to being undercounted and what we can do to help make sure no one is left out. Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode. Links to what we discussed: Arkansas Counts Color of Change U.S. Census Bureau Equal Justice Initiative’s The National Memorial for Peace and Justice “Black M...
Blackbelt Voices Trailer
August 28, 2019 11:42 - 2 minutes - 1.84 MBThe Blackbelt Voices podcast propagates the richness of Black Southern culture by telling the stories of Black folks down South. Through first-person narratives and in-depth conversations, hosts Adena J. White, Kara Wilkins, and Katrina Dupins share the experiences of Black Southerners living in, loving, and reconciling with the region we call home. Music: Prentice Dupins Jr. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.