Melissa “Meli” Machado shares her inspiring journey from corporate career to cultural storyteller, creating immersive Afro-Panamanian experiences that foster pride, education, and transnational connections. Discover her insights on history, culture, and the role of community engagement in Afro-Latinx visibility.

Video episodes available on YouTube @DialoguesinAfrolatinidad and michelereidvazquez.com.

Explore the fascinating journey of Dr. Anju Reejhsinghani as she discusses her work on Latin American, Latinx, and Asian American studies, with a focus on race, gender, diaspora, and sport. Discover how her research on Cuba, boxing, and Afro-Latinx communities sheds light on sport as a form of resistance and cultural expression.

Video episodes available on YouTube @DialoguesinAfrolatinidad and michelereidvazquez.com.

Regina Mills, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, shares her journey from Guatemalan-American roots to becoming a prominent scholar in Afro-Latinx Studies. She discusses her research on visibility, media representation, and the importance of interdisciplinary and transnational approaches to understanding Afro-Latinx communities.

Video episodes available on YouTube @DialoguesinAfrolatinidad and michelereidvazquez.com.

Dr. Uli Moreno-Tabarez, an interdisciplinary geographer, explores how migration, history, and personal stories shape understandings of Blackness across borders. He reflects on his travel, personal, and academic curiosities, and dives into spectral geographies, Afro-Latinx identity, and the significance of Blackness and invisibility in Latin American history and geography.

Video episodes available on YouTube @DialoguesinAfrolatinidad and michelereidvazquez.com.

In this conversation, Professor Gladys Mitchell-Walthour reflects on her pursuit of Afro-Brazilian studies, experiences growing up in North Carolina, and commitment to bridging the gap between activism and scholarship. She emphasizes the importance of understanding transnational issues affecting Afro-Brazilian communities, including political representation, education, and grassroots mobilization.

Video episodes available on YouTube @DialoguesinAfrolatinidad and michelereidvazquez.com.

Dr. Beau Gaitors, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, shares his journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming a scholar of Afro-Latin American studies. He highlights pivotal moments that shaped his academic career and led him to explore the connections between African descendants in Latin America and their historical narratives, particularly in Mexico.

Janel Martinez, a writer and communication specialist, discusses her journey from growing up in the Bronx to becoming a prominent voice for Afro-Latinx communities through her blog, Ain't I Latina? She shares her experiences with Garifuna identity, storytelling, and the importance of representation in media.

Season 5, Episode 3: The Careers Segment is designed to help demystify the academic job search, especially for interdisciplinary scholars. In Part 2, our expert panelists share their experiences and offer advice on how to prepare for virtual and on campus interviews.

Watch the Episode Video on Youtube or the Podcast Website!