Still Talking Black

There was a moment of surprise and, yes, discomfort, when my guess Kendra attended a Black festival with her white fiancé. But why should love come with a label? My guest Kendra, an Afrocentric woman engaged to a white man, joined me, to break down the nuances and challenges of being pro-Black while in an interracial relationship. Together, we lift the veil on how love, race, and identity coexist, and how maintaining a commitment to one's racial identity isn't diminished in the face of love.

Kendra's Afrocentric journey doesn't stop with her engagement but continues to be a vital part of her identity. Her story unravels the tricky balance of advocating for blackness while loving someone outside her race. We addressed misconceptions and stereotypes around interracial dating and discussed the complexities of cultural understanding within the relationship. Especially interesting is our exploration of the unique burdens and racial experiences, especially as they relate to Black women, that often go unexpressed, or worse, misunderstood.

Experience, they say, is the best teacher. Drawing from our personal experiences, we offer an intimate view of the challenges of interracial couples, particularly those with Black children, in the backdrop of racial injustices. We questioned the too-often-made assumption of love being blind and discussed the painful reality of racial fetishization. It's a frank, candid, and necessary conversation for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of interracial relationships and the importance of supporting blackness within these contexts. What we've discovered is that love, indeed, knows no color.

Imagine a world where all children, no matter their background, see themselves represented positively in the books they read. That's the world our guest, Dawn-Maria France , is working tirelessly to create. From the UK, Dawn-Maria uses her talent and platform to diversify the narrative of children's literature, ensuring that children from marginalized communities find their voices in the characters they encounter. She passionately shares her journey and underlines the significance of representation in shaping young minds.

Journalism, a tool that gives voice to the voiceless and holds power to account, is also a topic we delve into with Dawn-Maria. Her perspective as a Black journalist in the UK sheds light on the unique challenges and rewards that come with this noble profession. We traverse the landscape of free speech and its manifestation in social media, particularly in the wake of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter. As we grapple with the balance between free speech and censorship, Dawn-Maria's insights lead us to understand how each of us can responsibly use these platforms to initiate positive change.

We also scrutinize the media's biased coverage of Meghan Markle and the racist backlash she faced from the public and her own family. This conversation unveils the hidden layers of racism prevalent in society and stresses the need for critical thinking in the information age. From analyzing the perception of racism in the US from an outside perspective to emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and care, my conversation with Dawn-Maria is an enlightening deep dive into poignant societal issues. 

Imagine entering a new phase of life, one marked by hormonal change, transition, and growth, yet feeling completely unprepared to navigate the journey. This was the reality for Dana Lawson, a certified health coach, who faced her menopausal transition head-on. Dana joined us to share her personal experiences and insights, shedding light on the often misunderstood subject of menopause and its effects on women's bodies, with special emphasis on women of color.

Navigating menopause need not feel like wading through a dense fog. With the right knowledge, support, and resources, it can be a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. For the men in our audience, this episode provides invaluable insights on how you can support your female family members through this significant life transition.

Diving deeper into the episode, Dana emphasizes the significance of holistic care, touching on essential aspects such as nutrition, stress management, exercise, and quality sleep. This episode is not just about managing menopause - it's about thriving through it. Listen in to access Dana's wealth of knowledge and resources, empowering yourself or the women in your life to navigate this major life stage with grace and confidence.

About Dana Lawson:
Dana Lawson is a Certified Health Coach and Menopause Expert. She spent 15 years in the health and wellness industry and understood the importance of maintaining optimal health. However, when she reached menopause at age 51, she was faced with crushing fatigue, debilitating hot flashes, lack of sleep, weight gain, and depression. She tried everything she knew and activities that had worked for her in the past. This time, however, nothing seemed to work. Dana used the feelings of confusion and frustration to inspire her to seek answers for herself. But she didn't stop there. Dana sought mentorship from a Menopause Expert and Certified Hormone Specialist in Canada. Dana's mission is to help all women especially women of color, to understand what's happening to their hormones during the menopause transition and why. She then teaches them how to get rid of symptoms and improve overall health with high-quality nutrition, prioritizing sleep, stress management, and intentional exercise. Dana also helps these women create mindset shifts in order to develop a positive relationship with their bodies so that they can confidently embrace midlife and be the happiest, healthiest version of themselves during the menopausal transition and beyond.