In the early morning hours of May 6, 1960, Marvin Leonard Williams died in police custody at the former Faulkner County jail in Conway, Arkansas. He was arrested the night before — the same night his parents and siblings lost everything they owned in a tornado. Twenty-five years later, two officers were charged with murder after Marvin’s parents received new information regarding their son’s death. His younger brother, Ronnie Williams, went on a fact-finding mission to seek justice for his brother and get to the bottom of a 25-year cover-up.

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Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Edited and produced by: Katrina Dupins and Prentice Dupins Jr.

Music: Prentice Dupins Jr.

The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

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Talent is there; they just need an opportunity. Executive director and lead maker of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, Chris Jones, Ph.D., talks to hosts Adena and Kara about his life experiences and his passion to help people realize their full potential.

Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode.

Links to what we discussed:

https://arhub.org/

https://www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org/

WHERE TO FIND DR. JONES

Dr. Chris Jones on Twitter

Dr. Jones’ website

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by Ife Opportunity, a organization committed to creating solutions that expand opportunity and promote equity in education, health, and other critical areas. Ife Opportunity has held computer coding, astronomy, and other workshops for children and additional projects are planned. One such project is sheet music for piano. Blackbelt Voices listeners can download “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” the Black National anthem, at http://www.tinyurl.com/liftsing. Enter coupon code BLACKBELT to receive 15% off your purchase of this simplified sheet music.

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Portions of this episode were recorded at the Central Arkansas Library System’s Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History and Art. Katrina Dupins is our editor and producer, and Prentice Dupins Jr. composed the intro and outro music. The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

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It's not just hair. Katrina, Kara, and Adena untangle the cultural significance of Black hair with returning guest Dr. Karama Neal and her 13-year-old daughter, Ayoka. We explore generational shifts in hair styles and hair acceptance.

Links to what we discussed:

Diane's Hair Journey: The Musical (with Jill Scott) - black-ish | ABC on YouTube

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

This episode is sponsored by Ife Opportunity, a organization committed to creating solutions that expand opportunity and promote equity in education, health, and other critical areas. Ife Opportunity has held computer coding, astronomy, and other workshops for children and additional projects are planned. One such project is sheet music for piano. Blackbelt Voices listeners can download “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” the Black National anthem, at http://www.tinyurl.com/liftsing. Enter coupon code BLACKBELT to receive 15% off your purchase of this simplified sheet music.

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks to Black Dude White Dude podcast for allowing us to record this episode at their studio. Katrina Dupins is our editor and producer, and Prentice Dupins Jr. composed the theme music. The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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We continue our conversation with Dr. Brian K. Mitchell, assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Mitchell talks about the importance of sharing family history – both the happy times and the tragedies. We learn more about his background, including how he became interested in days gone by. Adena, Kara, and Katrina reflect on another centennial celebration and their personal transformations over the past decade.

Links to what we discussed:

The Black Belt | Southern Spaces

Panel on the 1919 Elaine, Arkansas, Massacre at the Southern Historical Association’s 2019 annual conference | C-SPAN

Classie Hawkins’ 100th Birthday Celebration

Where to find Dr. Mitchell:

Brian Mitchell, Ph.D. on LinkedIn

Brian Mitchell, Ph.D.'s faculty page at UA Little Rock

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks to Black Dude White Dude podcast for allowing us to record portions of this episode at their studio. Katrina Dupins is our editor and producer, and Prentice Dupins Jr. composed the theme music. The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In October 1919, more than 200 Black sharecroppers were killed in a horrific act of racist violence in Elaine, Arkansas. Dr. Brian K. Mitchell, assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has done extensive research on the Elaine Massacre and joins us to reflect on the attacks 100 years later.

Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode.

Links to what we discussed:

The Elaine Massacre

“Arkansas Residents Make a Case for Reparations 100 Years After the Elaine Massacre” | The American Prospect

Where to find Dr. Mitchell:

Brian Mitchell, Ph.D. on LinkedIn

Brian Mitchell, Ph.D.'s faculty page at UA Little Rock

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks to Black Dude White Dude podcast for allowing us to record portions of this episode at their studio. Katrina Dupins is our editor and producer, and Prentice Dupins Jr. composed the theme music. The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Karama Neal is goals. She is president of Southern Bancorp Community Partners and has also launched independent projects that promote equity of opportunity for all people. We discussed a few of her projects: The Arkansas Heir Property Act 2015​, which helps families protect their land and ensure their descendants always have a place to call home; Ife Opportunity​, her educational initiative; and So What Can I Do​, a blog and e-book that promotes ethics in action.

Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode.

Links to what we discussed:

Heirs of Arkansas: Arkansas Heir Property Act

Ife Opportunity educational initiative

The Best of So What Can I Do 10th anniversary e-book

Where to find Dr. Neal:

karamaneal.com

@karamaneal (Twitter)

@ARHPAct (Arkansas Heir Property Act on Twitter)

@IfeOpp (Ife Opportunity on Twitter)

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

Portions of this episode were recorded at the Central Arkansas Library System’s Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History and Art. Katrina Dupins is our editor and producer, and Prentice Dupins Jr. composed the intro and outro music. The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carmeon Hamilton is a Memphis-based interior designer and social media influencer. As owner of Nubi Interiors, Carmeon provides design services and plant consulting to clients. In this episode, she offers practical design tips and shares how she centers her Black identity in her work.

Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode.

Links to what we discussed:

Nubi’s Plant Parenting Guide

Carmeon's feature in Real Simple magazine

Where to find Carmeon:

carmeonhamilton.com

@carmeon.hamilton on Instagram

@nubiinteriors on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

This episode was edited and produced by Katrina Dupins. Special thanks to Prentice Dupins Jr. for composing our music and Black Dude White Dude podcast for the use of their recording studio. The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Latunja Sockwell was diagnosed with HIV in January 1997, there weren’t a lot of treatment and resource options. Today, she’s using her experience and compassion to help pave an easier path for others.

Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode.

Links to what we discussed:

“On the Down Low: A Journey into the Lives of “Straight” Black Men Who Sleep with Men” by. J. L. King and Karen Hunter (Foreward by E. Lynn Harris)

The Center for HIV Law and Policy

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

This episode was edited and produced by Katrina Dupins. Special thanks to Prentice Dupins Jr. for composing our music and Black Dude White Dude podcast for the use of their recording studio. The Blackbelt Voices podcast is a production of Blackbelt Media LLC.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2020 Census is approaching, and Blackbelt Voices co-host Kara Wilkins is schooling us on why it’s a big deal. Listen to learn why Black communities are particularly vulnerable to being undercounted and what we can do to help make sure no one is left out.

Visit blackbeltvoices.com for a full summary of this episode.

Links to what we discussed:

Arkansas Counts

Color of Change

U.S. Census Bureau

Equal Justice Initiative’s The National Memorial for Peace and Justice

“Black Moms Be Like” Part 1 and Part 2

Where to find Kara:

@kannewilkins (Twitter)

Kara Wilkins on LinkedIn

CONNECT WITH BLACKBELT VOICES

Follow @BlackbeltVoices on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your thoughts about this episode and all things Black + Southern on social media using the hashtag #BlackbeltVoices.

CREDITS AND SPECIAL THANKS

This episode was edited and produced by Katrina Dupins. Special thanks to Prentice Dupins Jr. for composing our theme music and Black Dude White Dude podcast for the use of their recording studio.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Blackbelt Voices podcast propagates the richness of Black Southern culture by telling the stories of Black folks down South. Through first-person narratives and in-depth conversations, hosts Adena J. White, Kara Wilkins, and Katrina Dupins share the experiences of Black Southerners living in, loving, and reconciling with the region we call home.

Music: Prentice Dupins Jr.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.