On this episode of Broke-ish, Erika talks with Dr. Andre Brock about Black people in digital spaces. Dr. Brock helps us to understand some of the history of the internet to help contextualize the current role it and technology play in helping Black people create and curate community in an online world. We talk about everything from ratchetness and respectability, and how Black people reclaim spaces even under the threat of dispossession. Despite all of the reasons to have for defeat, we choose optimism, and hope you will, too.

This payday, Amber and Erika are unpacking the Supreme Court's recent ruling on affirmative action in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. We discuss the significance of the Court holding that race conscious admissions policies violate the 14th Amendment. But more importantly, we walk through how this ruling highlights America's historical dishonesty regarding the enduring impact and present perpetuation of systemic racism. Finally, by revealing who the people and institutions are behind this litigation, we drop the scoop on the far reaching implications of this case and what's coming next. Take a listen to see what we have to say!

On this episode, Amber and Erika are unpacking the insidious ways that White Supremacy infiltrates the American adoption system. Lia, co-host of the podcast "Adoptees Crossing Lines" and an adoptee, walks us through the systemic inequities that often lead to adoption. Through both her personal experience and statistics and data, Lia describes how lack of assistance with job security, housing, and food often disproportionately results in Black and Brown children being removed from otherwise loving families and placed for adoption. Lia also discusses the lack of oversight and transparency in many adoptions, with children being put in families that have financial security but who are otherwise unloving or outright abusive. Lia then provides us with resources and recommendations on alternatives to adoption that help to protect vulnerable children and keep them connected to their families of origin when possible. Tune in to get the scoop!

Season 8 of Broke-ish is officially back! Amber and Erika couldn't wait another minute, so we cut our hiatus short to get back to work. Of course, we had to catch up with the Brokers and let y'all know what we've been up to and the changes life has brought about. We also know that the "broken ish" didn't take a break just because we did, so we recapped some of the notable current events that happened while we were on break. Most importantly, we offered a peak into what you can expect this season and how you can help us select topics and show subjects. It's so good to be back, and we can't wait for another exciting season to unfold!

On this week's episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Algernon Austin, the Director of Race and Economic Justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. We discuss Dr. Austin's latest article, "Black Women's Views on Black Men's High Rate of Joblessness." Dr. Austin helps us unpack some of the systemic reasons why the Black population is the only demographic where there are fewer employed men than women. From both the relational perspective and the communal impacts, Dr. Austin's research clearly demonstrates that Black male employment is an issue that undeniably and deeply affects Black women, too. Finally, we look at potential policy solutions that may help to address this problem and create stronger job opportunities for Black men in the future. Tune in to get the scoop!

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber, and Erika are joined by Tosca Davis and Dr. Cedrick Smith, the co-founders of To Be Us Productions, to discuss their groundbreaking film, "To Be Us: To Work." The documentary film, which won "Best of Film" at the International Black Film Festival, chronicles a cross-section of working Black people sharing their experiences with racism, micro-aggressions, and the accompanying insidious hostility in their respective industries and workplaces. These heartfelt, painful stories are a sobering reminder of how inescapable racism is for all Black Americans and how we must endure it to survive in this world. But in reclaiming our power by sharing our stories and empowering each other, "To Be Us: To Work" is a beautiful reminder that Black people overcome by the words of our testimony. Tune in to listen and learn where you can watch the film!

On this episode, Erika is joined by Fernanda Meier to talk about the similarities between agents of white supremacy in corporations and within police forces. Are they two sides of the same, racist coin? We also discuss the global impacts of colonialism that have so many within our community in a chokehold. We ponder lots of questions in this show: is it possible to join the police force and change it from the inside, how do we hold those who harm us accountable for their misdeeds, are we going to have to leave some people behind? Join us and hear what we think!

This payday, Amber and Erika are joined by Adrienne Fikes, the Soul Power Coach and Founder of the Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria, Virginia. Adrienne helps us unpack the often insidious ways that racism seeps into the pathology of Black people, impacting our family dynamics and parenting choices. It is undeniable that living in a society that denies our full humanity shapes our norms, values, and sense of self - all things that affect how we parent. We examine the increasingly popular trend of "gentle parenting", reflecting on the ways that it fails to account for the realities of parenting amidst systemic injustice. Adrienne arms Black caretakers with practical tools and encouragement to reimagine how we can parent our Black babies and equip them to be whole, happy, and empowered. Press play to get the scoop!

On this week's episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Michael DeLong, Research and Advocacy Associate from the Consumer Research Federation of America, to discuss how racism insidiously and nefariously impacts the American insurance industry. Michael walks us through the factors that are used to calculate the cost of insurance for most people - credit, education, zip code, and job titles, just to name a few. As expected, the racial disparities inherent in those factors naturally spill out into the pricing of insurance and handling of insurance claims. We discuss some real-world examples of insurance discrimination and the impact it has on Black families trying to protect their most valuable assets. And then, we conclude with Michael providing the Brokers some practical tips on how to spot whether they're experiencing discrimination and what steps can be taken if that's true. Tune in and get the scoop!

On this week's episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Fernanda Meier, a photographer, educator, activist, and digital nomad to discuss the unique, subversive ways that Black people - particularly Black women and femmes - have utilized social media to build community and advocate for equity and justice. Fernanda walks us through the value of community in digital spaces and how social media has been a space of togetherness, sharing, and connection. But just like everything built against the backdrop of capitalist greed, Black social media is not immune to the anti-blackness, patriarchy, and phobias that pervade society at large. Through current events, Fernanda helps us identify what we can learn about the need for critical analysis, media literacy, and boundaries in curating thriving digital spaces created for us and by us. Press play to hear the scoop!