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.

Black birthing people in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts. In New York City, that number is a staggering 9.4 times higher. Why is this happening in modern American medicine, and what can be done to protect Black mothers?

In this powerful and essential episode, Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross is joined by Dr. Ashanda Saint Jean, a board-certified OB/GYN with over 25 years of experience on the frontlines of the Black maternal health crisis. Dr. St. Jean breaks down how medical racism, historical trauma, and systemic blind spots have created a deadly "two-tiered system" of care.

Drawing from her professional expertise, her lived experience as a Black woman in medicine, and the stories of her patients, Dr. St. Jean provides a searing look at the problem and a powerful toolkit for advocacy, empowerment, and reclaiming the joy in motherhood.

Welcome to the Inclusive Minds Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross is joined by Tiffany Benford, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a co-author of "Antiblackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism."

Tiffany, an expert in trauma-informed care with 20 years of personal experience in self-healing from Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), dedicates her 15-year clinical career to understanding resilience and the lasting impact of trauma on the body and mind. Her work deeply explores how identity, intersectionality, and social factors shape our human experiences.

In this episode, you'll gain powerful insights as we discuss:

• A Mother's Journey and Trauma: Dive into Tiffany's mother's harrowing experience during the Cuban Revolution, including separation from family, time in detention camps, and the challenges of forced resettlement, revealing the roots of their intergenerational trauma.
• The Weight of Mixed Messages: Explore the implicit and explicit messages passed down through generations—from the pressure to assimilate and conform to specific beauty standards (like hair and skin color in Latinx and other communities of color) to the suppression of emotions and the impact of parental emotional dysregulation.
• Breaking the Cycle: Discover practical strategies and Tiffany's unique approach to helping clients break the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Learn about her "three grounding questions" to reconnect with the body, the power of somatic therapy in addressing trauma in the body, and the importance of challenging negative narratives through an abundance mindset.

In this episode of the Inclusive Minds Podcast, Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross is joined by two remarkable authors, Dr. Janie Victoria Ward and Dr. Becky Thompson. They've co-authored a poignant chapter in the book "Anti-Blackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies: Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism," which Dr. Ross proudly co-edited.

Janie and Becky delve into their unique, decades-long cross-racial friendship and professional collaboration. They share the profound insights gained from co-teaching a groundbreaking course at Simmons University, where their openness about racial experiences became the most impactful lesson for their students.

• The Origins of a Deep Friendship: Discover how a moment of shared vulnerability during a campus incident became the catalyst for Janie and Becky's profound connection, transforming a professional acquaintance into a deep bond.
• The "Cost" of True Allyship: Becky sheds light on the often-unseen sacrifices and challenges White allies may face when truly committing to anti-racism work, and why choosing this path ultimately leads to a richer life.
• Understanding Trust and Accountability: Learn what it genuinely means to "have each other's backs" in an interracial friendship, and how identifying and confronting difficult truths—like homophobia or racism—strengthens the bond.

Dr. Delbert Wigfall, a retired pediatric nephrologist, joins Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross to discuss the profound impact of systemic racism on healthcare access and outcomes. Drawing from his extensive career and co-authorship of "Anti-Blackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies," Dr. Wigfall shares powerful insights and real-life examples of the disparities faced by underrepresented minorities in both mental and physical healthcare, including organ transplantation.

This crucial conversation explores the historical roots of these inequities, the importance of advocacy and understanding, and the complexities of achieving true diversity and inclusion in medicine.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding how systemic racism creates barriers to quality healthcare for marginalized communities.
• The significance of lived experiences in fostering empathy and challenging biases.
• The underrepresentation of Black men in medicine and its impact.
• The need for a nuanced understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts.

Welcome to The Inclusive Minds Podcast! Today, we are joined by the insightful Rev. Kris Watson, Esq. one of the authors of the powerful chapter "The Maniacal Imagination and Moral Ineptitude of the Church: The Construction and Sustainment of White Skin Supremacy" from the book "Anti-Blackness and the Stories of Authentic Allies Lived Experiences in the Fight Against Institutionalized Racism."

Rev. Watson, a visionary leader and founder of Nurturing Justice, Inc., brings her unique perspective as a former Assistant District Attorney, certified mediator, skilled facilitator, and Reverend to this crucial conversation.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Rev. Dr. Watson's personal journey and the experiences that led her to this work.
• A deep dive into the historical role of the church in the creation and maintenance of white skin supremacy, as explored in her compelling chapter.
• Reflections on the complexities of dismantling racism within religious institutions.
• The mission and vision of Nurturing Justice, Inc., in fostering education and community building for racial justice.
• Insights into the pervasive nature of systemic racism and the importance of understanding its historical roots.

Prepare for an eye-opening and thought-provoking discussion that challenges conventional narratives and encourages a deeper understanding of the historical and ongoing impact of white skin supremacy.