In this Black-Liberation.Tech episode, we kick off Lesson D1.1—A Conversation for the Future—with a series of stories about women across product, UX, marketing, grassroots organizing, and software engineering. Together we unpack the everyday digital literacies that move projects forward: adapting to new tools, trying boldly, and implementing what you learn. You’ll hear how “publish-pivot-analyze” becomes a practical loop for blogs, campaigns, and apps; why code + creation fuels agency; and how research + leverage open doors for girls and their mothers. Bring a notebook—there are prompts you can act on today, and we’ll continue the lesson in Part 2.

Show notes

What we cover

• The mindset: adapt → try → implement
• The loop: publish → pivot → analyze for content and campaigns
• Code & creation as tools for voice, brand, and community
• Research & leverage: finding info, people, and platforms that lift you

Real-world tools mentioned

• Publishing & web: WordPress, YouTube
• Analytics: Google Analytics / platform insights
• Design & content: Canva, Adobe Express
• Coding & prototyping: Scratch, freeCodeCamp, Codecademy, Repl.it, Glitch
• UX & collaboration: UserTesting, Maze, Mural

Try-it-today mini-actions

1. Publish one piece (micro-blog, Reel, or post) on a topic you care about.
2. Pivot once: change format, timing, or platform.
3. Analyze one metric (views, retention, click-through) and write a 2-sentence takeaway.
4. mplement one improvement in your next post.

Who this is for: Latinas, Afro-Latinas, and Black women and girls (and moms) building digital confidence for school, work, and entrepreneurship.

Reflective questions for listeners

1. Where in your current project do you need to adapt—a tool, a workflow, or your timeline?
2. What is one safe, small experiment you can run this week (format, platform, or audience)?
3. When have you implemented something you learned online and seen a result? What removed friction?
4. If you applied publish → pivot → analyze to your next two posts, what would you measure and why?
5. Which creation tool (Canva, WordPress, Replit, etc.) best matches your next milestone, and what will you ship with it?
6. List three research moves (keywords, people, organizations) that could unlock your goal this month.
7. Who can you leverage (mentor, peer, or community) to test your idea and give feedback within 7 days?

🎙️ Digital literacies aren’t just skills — they’re tools of liberation, and today I’ll show you how.

📖 Show Notes In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée Jordan takes listeners inside a lesson on digital literacies, reflecting on five that shape her journey as a researcher, strategist, and community builder: design research, discovery, evaluation, sharing, and writing. Through stories from Jordan Nuance LLC and Black-Liberation.Tech, she explores how these literacies empower her leadership and open doors for others. This episode blends reflection, storytelling, and practical insights — with an invitation for listeners to join the conversation.

🔑 Key Points • Why design research is at the heart of equity-centered R&D.

• The role of discovery in keeping work innovative and future-focused.
• How evaluation becomes a tool for accountability and storytelling.
• Sharing as a practice of generosity and democratization of knowledge.
• Writing as the thread that connects research, reflection, and action.
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT to extend digital literacy practices.

💡 Challenge / Call to Action for Listeners Take a moment to reflect on your own digital literacies. Choose one skill you’d like to strengthen this year — whether it’s discovering new tools, sharing your knowledge, or writing with more clarity. Then, drop your reflections in the comments or share them with your own community.

🏷️ Keywords Digital literacy, design research, qualitative research, evaluation, discovery, sharing knowledge, writing, equity in tech, open educational resources, Black women in tech, Afrocentricity, Ubuntu, podcast reflection, Black-Liberation.Tech, Jordan Nuance LLC

Digital literacies aren’t just skills — they’re tools of liberation, and today I’ll show you how.

📖 Show Notes

In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée Jordan takes listeners inside a lesson on digital literacies, reflecting on five that shape her journey as a researcher, strategist, and community builder: design research, discovery, evaluation, sharing, and writing. Through stories from Jordan Nuance LLC and Black-Liberation.Tech, she explores how these literacies empower her leadership and open doors for others. This episode blends reflection, storytelling, and practical insights — with an invitation for listeners to join the conversation.

🔑 Key Points

• Why design research is at the heart of equity-centered R&D.
• The role of discovery in keeping work innovative and future-focused.
• How evaluation becomes a tool for accountability and storytelling.
• Sharing as a practice of generosity and democratization of knowledge.
• Writing as the thread that connects research, reflection, and action.
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT to extend digital literacy practices.

💡 Challenge / Call to Action for Listeners

Take a moment to reflect on your own digital literacies. Choose one skill you’d like to strengthen this year — whether it’s discovering new tools, sharing your knowledge, or writing with more clarity. Then, drop your reflections in the comments or share them with your own community.

🏷️ Keywords

Digital literacy, design research, qualitative research, evaluation, discovery, sharing knowledge, writing, equity in tech, open educational resources, Black women in tech, Afrocentricity, Ubuntu, podcast reflection, Black-Liberation.Tech, Jordan Nuance LLC

🎙️ Asking Questions Based on Your Circumstances

📋 Show Notes

In this episode, Dr. Renée Jordan shares a deeply personal story about declaring herself financially independent after her first year of undergrad. FAFSA said her parents could pay—but the reality was different. Growing up in a Black middle-class family in Prince George’s County, Maryland, she had to find her own way through college with discipline, resilience, and creativity.

From navigating a temp agency in downtown D.C. to learning hard lessons about professionalism (and humility) on the job, Dr. Jordan reflects on how asking the right questions based on her real circumstances opened doors to financial resources, growth, and independence.

This episode isn’t about a blueprint that applies to everyone—it’s about the courage to align your decisions with your reality. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or simply navigating your own path, you’ll walk away encouraged to tell the truth about what’s possible and move accordingly.

❓ Reflective Questions for Listeners

1. What financial or life realities are you currently navigating that the “standard advice” doesn’t reflect?

2. How can you align your work, studies, or hustle with your actual circumstances instead of following what others are doing?

3. What recent mistake could become a powerful lesson if you stopped to ask, “What is this trying to teach me?”

4. What honest conversations about money, time, or energy do you need to have—with yourself, your family, or your community?

5. What small financial or practical decision today could create long-term stability for your future?

📖 Episode Description

In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, we explore what it means to set digital boundaries and truly own your online space. Guided by the story of Nicole, a Puerto Rican UX researcher, and a group of mothers and daughters, we unpack the idea of “protected access”—not just being online, but being safe, intentional, and in control. From cookies and trackers to posting art and poetry, we ask: how do we create boundaries that let us thrive online while protecting what matters most?

📝 Show Notes

In this episode, Dr. Renée Jordan tells the story of the Owning Your Digital Space workshop where teenage girls and their mothers dive into conversations about privacy, safety, and empowerment in digital life. Listeners will hear how setting online boundaries is an act of self-care and self-determination, especially for Black, Afro-Latino and Latino communities navigating a digital world that often takes more than it gives.

Key themes include:

• Protected access vs. open access
• How to manage cookies, trackers, and app permissions
• Balancing creativity and safety when sharing online
• Family-centered strategies for guarding digital space
• Why setting boundaries is a tool of liberation in tech

✨ Highlights

• “Protected access is about more than passwords—it’s about choice and control.”
• “We can love tech, but tech doesn’t always love us back.”
• “Before you post, ask yourself: Do I control where this goes? Do I trust who’s on the other side?”
• “It’s not about saying no, it’s about saying yes… but safely.”
• “The internet is an ocean—boundaries are your lifeguard, map, and life jacket.”

💭 Reflective Questions for Listeners

1. What “digital doors” are you opening without realizing it when you accept cookies or app permissions?
2. How do you feel about devices that are “always on” with cameras and microphones?
3. What boundaries do you want to set around your online creativity, whether that’s writing, art, or posting personal updates?
4. What’s one “Guard Your Space” rule you and your family or friends could practice together?
5. How does setting digital boundaries connect to protecting your peace and identity offline?

Tales of a Two-Sided Coin: Navigating the Opportunities and Threats of Technology

Technology is powerful—it can open doors, amplify voices, and connect communities. But it can also expose us to risks we don’t always see coming. In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Jordan tells a story of how Jazmin sits down with mothers and daughters in a cozy after-school center to unpack both sides of the digital coin. From sharing art online to guarding personal privacy, we explore how to identify opportunities, recognize threats, and use tech with wisdom. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder: the internet is a gift, but it requires care.

Show Notes

In today's story, Jazmin leads an open and honest discussion about the double-edged nature of technology. Speaking with mothers and their daughters, she covers:

• The benefits and risks of posting online
• How to set boundaries without shutting down opportunities
• Practical safety rules for navigating the internet
• Building trust and understanding between parents and teens around technology use
• Tools and strategies for spotting online threats before they escalate

Listeners will walk away with real-life examples, decision-making frameworks, and conversation starters to use at home.

Featured Activities from the Lesson:

• Reflect & Write prompts for personal journaling
• Spot the Opportunity or Threat? interactive scenario game
• Search Smart, Think Twice AI literacy and safety checklist activity

Reflective Questions for Listeners

1. What is one opportunity technology has given you recently?
2. What’s one online threat or risk you’ve personally noticed?
3. If something you posted reached unexpected people, how could that impact you?
4. How do you decide what is safe to share online?
5. What is one personal “online safety rule” you want to follow moving forward?
6. How can you explain your favorite app, game, or online hobby to someone who doesn’t use it?
7. What’s one sentence from this episode that you want to remember?

In this Black-Liberation.Tech episode, Dr. Renée Jordan tells the story of Ebony, Nadine, Nicole Bakula, Sharlene, and a powerful group of girls and their mothers to unpack the truth behind social media’s highlight reels. Together, they explore what’s real, what’s curated, and how to guard your digital space while protecting your peace. This conversation dives into boundaries, intentional posting, and reclaiming self-worth beyond likes and filters—empowering young girls and their families to thrive online and offline.

📝 Show Notes

• Part of the Safety First Series on digital literacy and tech empowerment
• A candid, intergenerational discussion on social media pressure, curated content, and digital well-being
• Bonus activity: “Digital Detectives: Is It Real or Just for the 'Gram?” for girls and mothers to practice spotting curated vs. authentic online content

✨ Episode Highlights

• “Likes ≠ Worth” – Ebony reminds us that social media attention doesn’t define our value.
• Behind the Filters – Nadine and Sharlene reveal how much is hidden behind polished posts.
• Permission to Unplug – Nicole Bakula shares why boundaries matter more than trends.
• Real Life Happens Offline – A collective reminder that connection and self-worth exist beyond the scroll.
• Digital Detective Activity – A self-guided tool for families to investigate social media critically.

💭 Reflective Questions for Listeners

1. Have you ever felt pressure to post something just for likes or validation?
2. What’s one personal boundary you could set around your social media use?
3. If someone only saw your posts, would they truly know who you are as a person?
4. How can you remind yourself daily that your worth is not measured online?
5. What would “posting with intention” look like for you?

In this powerful and honest episode of the Black-Liberation.Tech podcast, Dr. Renée Jordan uses storytelling to unpack one of the most important digital safety topics of our time: catfishing and online predators. Guided by Nicole’s personal story and professional insight as a UX researcher, this episode explores how to recognize red flags, set boundaries, and protect your mental, emotional, and physical safety online. Listeners will learn how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to build their own digital safety toolkit—one that empowers them to make safer and smarter choices online.

📌 Show Notes:

In this episode:

• Nicole shares her early experiences navigating the internet alone
• The group explores what it means to be “catfished” and how to spot a fake profile
• Mothers and daughters discuss how to protect personal information and recognize red flags
• Nicole shares safety checklists and real-life scenarios for identifying online predators
• AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are used to simulate safety drills and draft personal response strategies
• Girls and their guardians co-create a “Social Media Shield” to display at home

🛡 Key Takeaway: You are not powerless online. With knowledge, critical thinking, and open communication, you can stay safe, build boundaries, and support others in doing the same.

📝 Reflective Questions:

1. What does catfishing mean, and why is it so dangerous?
2. What’s one sign that someone online might be pretending to be someone else?
3. How do you protect your personal information online? What could you do better?
4. How can you tell if an online friend is trustworthy?
5. What would you do if someone online made you feel weird, pressured, or scared?
6. What are your “non-negotiables” when it comes to internet safety?
7. How can you talk to a trusted adult if something uncomfortable happens online?
8. If you had to teach a younger cousin about online safety, what would you say?
9. What rule or phrase would you keep in your “Catfish Defense Kit”?
10. What’s one commitment you’ll make to protect your online peace?

🎙️ What happens when your real-life friendships don’t match your online connections? In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, we dive into the complexities of setting boundaries on social media. Join Njoki and her friends as they explore how to protect their peace, curate uplifting online spaces, and navigate awkward moments like unfollowing a friend. Whether it’s muting a timeline, managing your mental health, or advising your younger cousin on who to follow, this conversation offers wisdom, humor, and tools for reclaiming your digital well-being.

📓 Show Notes

Episode Highlights:

• Noel opens up about the emotional tension of being friends offline but not online.
• Njoki and others share why they choose not to follow everyone—even friends—on social media.
• Discussion on curating online spaces to protect mental health.
• Exploration of deeper digital literacy themes: trolling, bots, fake accounts, and “finstas.”
• A practical “Clean Up Your Feed” activity to reset and reclaim your digital timeline.

Mentions in the Episode:

• Mental health and content fatigue
• Setting personal boundaries in online friendships
• Difference between real-life relationships and digital engagement
• The pressure to follow or perform online
• The importance of prioritizing joy, peace, and authenticity

✨ Reflective Questions

1. How does your online space make you feel right now—uplifted or drained?
2. Have you ever followed someone out of obligation? What did you learn from that experience?
3. What kinds of content make you feel safe, inspired, or affirmed?
4. What’s one boundary you could set today to protect your peace online?
5. How would you explain to a friend why you muted or unfollowed them?
6. How do you handle seeing violent or distressing content online?
7. What advice would you give your younger self about managing your digital circle?
8. When do you feel the most pressure to engage or post online?
9. How do you balance honesty and privacy when sharing online?
10. What does a healthy digital environment look like to you?

📝 The Digital Footprint: Your Past, Your Posts, Your Power: In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, we follow Ebony, Maria, and Mia as they discuss a powerful lesson on how your online choices shape your future. Through Ebony’s story about a lost NASA internship, we unpack what it means to have a digital footprint and why every post, comment, and message matters. Whether you are thinking about college, career, or one day running for office—this conversation will help you understand how to protect your online image and build a reputation of which you can be proud.

📌 Show Notes:

• Real-life story: How a tweet cost Naomi a NASA internship
• What is a digital footprint and why does it matter?
• How deleted posts can still be found
• Ebony’s advice for future leaders
• Tips for cleaning up your online image
• Reflection prompts to spark discussion with family or friends
• Search & Discover activity included!

📍 Key Points:

• Employers, schools, and future opportunities often check your online presence.
• Even deleted posts can be recovered through screenshots or archives.
• A strong digital footprint is intentional, respectful, and forward-thinking.
• Everyone has the power to shape their online story—starting today.

🧠 Reflective Questions:

1. Why do you think Naomi lost her opportunity at NASA because of a tweet?
2. What does your digital footprint say about you today?
3. What would you want people to find if they searched your name in 5 years?
4. Have you ever regretted something you posted, commented on, or shared?
5. How can you protect your reputation online while still being yourself?
6. What advice would you give someone who just started using social media?
7. What does it mean to have good “cyber hygiene”?