Broke-ish®

On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Maggie Parker, the founder and CEO of Innovan Neighborhoods to discuss a new, more equitable way of creating affordable housing: through community development. Maggie walks us through the process, which includes putting the voices of community members at the forefront of the development conversation, empowering marginalized developers committed to equity, and using the right funding partner. We also discuss the historical and present systemic barriers that have made access to housing difficult of Black people. Maggie highlights how equitable development often takes much longer than the traditional process and introduces the importance of using "patient capital," which are funding partners willing to allow more time before expecting a return on investment. Tune in to learn more!

On this episode, Amber and Erika discuss the current war between Israel and Palestine, diving into the complexities on both sides. We explore the creation of modern Israel against the backdrop of historical atrocities committed against the Jews and the Palestinian resistance to apartheid and for self-determination. Like most of the broken "ish" around us, this crisis has everything to do with propping up white supremacy, western influence, and settler colonialism in the Middle East. Looking at examples of American racism and other global resistance movements, we note that this is the same playbook used throughout the world to oppress marginalized people and hoard power. Listen in and get the scoop!

This week Amber and Erika have a personal and heartfelt conversation about how we as Black people have to navigate our relationships with each other against the backdrop of a system that actively conspires to break us down. While we are all in this struggle to varying degrees, some of us are more broken than others - by generational trauma, financial insecurity, mental illness, and all the ish that we confront. How do we do our own work while holding space for our siblings who are more broken? How do we offer support while acknowledging the role of choices and personal responsibility? In what ways can we show up for those who are resistant to help? Although we don't have all the answers, come have this discussion with us as we love and support each other in healing and liberation.

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!