In this episode, your host, Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross, sits down with Dr. Dietra Hawkins to discuss the transformative power of equity dinners. Dr. Hawkins, a renowned clinical psychologist and CEO of Both And Partners, shares her passion for these unique gatherings that use storytelling and food to spark meaningful dialogue and build community.

Dr. Hawkins explains that the purpose of the dinners is to foster dialogue, not debate. By encouraging individuals to share their stories without fear of judgment, the dinners help break down barriers and build empathy. We discuss how these shared meals can lead to powerful outcomes, from personal growth and healing to real-world policy changes within communities. Dr. Hawkins shares inspiring examples of how these dinners have moved people beyond anger and into a place of genuine connection and understanding.

• Equity dinners use art and trained facilitators to guide conversations about race, trauma, and social justice.
• The focus is on dialogue, allowing people to share their lived experiences without being challenged or debated.
• These gatherings can lead to profound personal and systemic changes, moving people from passive observation to active engagement.

In this episode, we expose the shocking realities of environmental racism and its devastating impact on public health. Toxicologist Dr. Shannon Z. Jones joins us to discuss how pollution from industries and landfills disproportionately harms marginalized communities. From the notorious "Cancer Alley" in Louisiana to the clean water crisis in Flint, Michigan, learn how systemic issues create health disparities. Dr. Jones shares her powerful journey from growing up near a polluted paper mill to empowering students and communities to fight for environmental justice. This conversation is a crucial look at toxicology, community activism, and the fight for basic human rights.

In this episode we cover:

• What is Environmental Racism? A clear definition and its connection to institutional racism, health disparities, and social justice.
• Toxicology in Real Life: Dr. Jones shares her personal story of growing up with polluted water containing sulfur and heavy metals, and how it led to chronic illness in her family.
• Superfund Sites Explained: Learn how to use the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) to identify the most toxic sites in the United States and investigate pollution levels in your own community.

Shannon Jones’ Links:

Instagram: @szj7484

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.z.jones

Dr Carolyn's Links

www.CarolynRossMD.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-coker-ross-md-mph-ceds-c-7b81176/

TEDxPleasantGrove talk: https://youtu.be/ljdFLCc3RtM

To buy “Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies” - bit.ly/3ZuSp1T

Join Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross on the Inclusive Minds Podcast as she welcomes special guest Dr. Matthew Oware, a leading expert on race and culture. In this insightful episode, we delve into the complex topic of "reverse passing," exploring cases of white individuals who identify and pass as Black. Drawing from his chapter "How Not to Be an Ally: Critical Race Theory, Afro-Pessimism, and White Who Pass as Black" from the book Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies, Dr. Oware unpacks how these phenomena relate to Critical Race Theory and the notion of race as a social construct.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Unnpacking "Reverse Passing": Dr. Matthew Oware defines and discusses "reverse passing," where white individuals identify and perform as Black, examining how this phenomenon, exemplified by Rachel Dolezal, relates to Critical Race Theory and the social construction of race.
• Allyship vs. Appropriation: The episode explores why such acts are considered cultural appropriation and racist, highlighting how individuals gain financial and personal benefits by performing Blackness, contrasting this with authentic allyship in the fight against institutionalized racism.
• Rap as a Cultural Lens: Dr. Oware also delves into his work on millennial rap music, showcasing how artists like Kendrick Lamar address themes of vulnerability and intergenerational trauma, providing a powerful window into contemporary American society and facilitating deeper conversations about race, gender, and social consciousness.