Black Gaze

Dr. Bertrand & Dr. Porcher honor the work of Dr. April Baker-Bell's article, "Toward an Anti-Racist Language & Literacy Education," and her use of Black Language to discuss Black folx perspectives of the current events in the U.S. We share the conversations that Black Folx have had about the behavior of non-melanted folx since the inception of this country. Grab your tea, and get into this! Let's get free! 

Dr. Porcher & Dr. Bertand co-host with J'Nay Reckard & Tamisha Ponder, to discuss the importance of Black Mental Health & Self Care. J'Nay is a licensed mental health counselor in both Florida and New York. Tamisha Ponder is a doctoral candidate and owner of both the Sankofa Yoga & Wellness Center and Sankofa Health Express & Primary Care. Our dope co-host provide practical strategies that we can engage in to take care our physical, mental and spiritual health. For more information about our co-host, follow them at: 

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Dr. Bertrand & Dr. Porcher co-host with the dope owners of the Double Scoop Ice Cream in Georgia, Janay Boucan & Evonne Bazemore. We discuss the importance of buying Black and Black wealth! We also discuss how these two Black women bought the ice cream shop that they worked at as teens, and is now franchising the company. You do not want to miss this episode! You will learn some new things and apply what you learn! 

Dr. Porcher & Dr. Bertrand co-host with amazing Black youth: Reniya and Ariana. We discuss their personal experiences as Black youth in schools and classrooms. Our co-hosts provide the #blackprint of how teachers can demonstrate that Black Lives matter, in action in schools! Not just talk about it, but make shifts in relationships, curriculum and activism to teach Black children. This episode is for every educator and student! 

Dr. Bertrand & Dr. Porcher co-host with some amazing Black Educators: Mrs. Nita Creekmore (@loveteachbless), Dr. Kristopher Childs (@drkchilds) and Mrs. Crystal Watson (@_CrystalMWatson)! We discuss the importance of Black educators in K-12 schools. Furthermore, we discuss the history of Black excellence and genius (Muhammad, 2020). As Black educators, we offer next steps for Black children and educators to be free (physically, spiritually and educationally) in schools. 

Dr. Porcher and Dr. Bertrand breakdown the Black agendas of each presidential candidate. We share our personal experiences of voting in presidential elections. Furthermore, we unpack the strengths and challenges of each presidential candidate's Black agenda, and provide feedback about how the agendas can be improved to impact the most marginalized Black communities. This is not an election that you can sit out! We have to hold elected officials accountable for Black Lives Matter, in Action! The presidential election will not dismantle anti-Blackness; however, with a Black agenda, we can begin the process and demand that the lives of Black people are positively impacted personally and systemically. For more information about the both presidential candidates Black agendas,  visit: 

Dr. Bertrand and Dr. Porcher discuss the barriers and voter suppression that occurs in the hood. We share our own personal experiences of experiencing voter suppression aka "trickery" in our own hoods growing up. We provide preaching points of how we can combat voter suppression and ensure that the policies that are in place, trickle down and support our most marginalized Black folx.  

In this episode, Dr. Porcher and Dr. Bertrand discuss the importance and need to Protect Black Womxn. Malcolm X said: “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” We share our own personal stories about neglect and disrespect we have received as Black Womxn. We also provide concrete steps that can be enacted by all, to ensure that we are protecting ALL Black Womxn. 

Dr. Porcher and Dr. Bertrand invite their husbands Maurice Porcher and Andy Bertrand to this final episode "Married to the Game" to discuss their experiences being married to a woman in academia. The gloves are off in this discussion, and you will experience our healing in real time and out loud. Learn about the joys and challenges of marriage, along with our ongoing steps to create balance and center our families over our careers. 

Dr. Bertrand and Dr. Porcher invite Mrs. Tasha Austin and Ms. Brittany Marshall to this episode to not only talk about Sankofa as a verb--action, but to demonstrate it. In this episode, Tasha and Brittany discuss their experiences as Black doctoral students. With full transparency and respect, we make requests of our Black O.G.'s. Furthermore, we all make commitments to healing intergenerational relationships.