Episode 36: The Spiritual Roots of Black Women's Activism - Fannie Lou Hamer on Faith & Justice

Fannie Lou Hamer's powerful quote reminds us that faith and justice are inseparable forces in the fight for liberation. In this episode, we explore how spirituality fueled the civil rights movement and ask: How does your faith call you toward justice?

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Who Fannie Lou Hamer was and why her legacy matters today

• How faith sustained activists when the work was dangerous and progress was slow

• The spiritual foundations of the civil rights movement in Black churches

• Hamer's challenge to the 1964 Democratic National Convention

• The tradition of Black women activists who integrated faith and justice work

• Why prayers became protests and hymns became battle cries

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction and today's quote

00:34 - Who was Fannie Lou Hamer

01:03 - What sustains you when the work is dangerous

01:56 - Justice has a spiritual component

02:44 - The civil rights movement and Black churches

03:04 - Fannie Lou Hamer's political courage

03:34 - The tradition: Ella Baker, Septima Clark, Diane Nash

04:08 - Faith without works is dead

04:31 - Reflection question for listeners

04:42 - Closing thoughts

ABOUT FANNIE LOU HAMER:

Fannie Lou Hamer was a sharecropper in Mississippi who became one of the most powerful voices in the civil rights movement. She co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and challenged the all-white delegation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention while quoting scripture and testifying about being beaten in a Winona jail.

KEY QUOTE:

"Nobody's free until everybody's free." - Fannie Lou Hamer

REFLECTION QUESTION:

How does your faith, however you define it, call you toward justice?

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE GUMBO PODCAST:

The Knowledge Gumbo Podcast shares the stories and wisdom of Black women who shaped the world and on whose shoulders we stand. Each week features one quote, a little context, an honest reflection, and a question you can carry with you. Hosted by Alicia Thomas.

Rebecca Cox Jackson was born into slavery, became free, and then became a powerful preacher who founded an all-Black women's Shaker community when the AME church refused to let her lead. Her story asks: What will you walk away from to remain faithful to yourself?

When the institution said no, Rebecca Cox Jackson found another way. Born in 1795, she felt a divine calling to preach that she could not ignore. After the African Methodist Episcopal church denied her the right to lead worship because of her gender, she made a radical choice: she left and founded her own Shaker community in Philadelphia, led entirely by Black women.

IN THIS EPISODE:

The story of Rebecca Cox Jackson, formerly enslaved woman turned revolutionary preacher

Why obedience to truth sometimes costs you belonging in spaces you once called home

The history of Black women preachers as spiritual resistance fighters

How to navigate leaving institutions without falling into bitterness

Building new spaces when existing systems refuse to make room

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction to Knowledge Gumbo Podcast

00:31 - Quote: "I felt a great moving in my soul"

00:43 - Who was Rebecca Cox Jackson?

01:17 - The cost of obedience and walking away

02:28 - Black women preachers as history of resistance

03:24 - Building radical spaces outside broken systems

04:03 - Reflection question: What have you walked away from?

ABOUT REBECCA COX JACKSON:

Born into slavery in 1795, Rebecca Cox Jackson became a Shaker elder and powerful preacher in Philadelphia. She left the AME church when they denied her the right to preach and founded her own community led totally by Black women, creating a radical spiritual space that didn't fit neatly into anyone's categories.

EPISODE 34: Jarena Lee on Building Sacred Space

"If it is wrong for man to hold property in man, it is wrong for woman to hold property in woman." — Jarena Lee

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In 1819, Jarena Lee became the first woman authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Born free in New Jersey in 1783, she traveled thousands of miles on foot, building communities of faith wherever Black people gathered.

This episode explores what it means to build a home—a spiritual dwelling place—when you've been denied one. We reflect on the radical act of creating space without waiting for institutional permission, and how Black women have consistently filled the gaps where traditional structures failed.

KEY INSIGHTS

1. Jarena Lee didn't wait for the church to catch up to what she knew about herself and God
2. The AME Church was founded after Black worshippers were pulled from their knees during prayer at a white Methodist church in Philadelphia
3. Black women created sacred spaces—Sunday schools, missionary societies, kitchen table Bible studies—while still fighting to stand behind the pulpit
4. Building your own table requires trusting the value of what you have to share
5. The goal isn't just personal liberation—it's creating rooms where others can be whole

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

00:37 – Quote: Jarena Lee

00:51 – Who Was Jarena Lee?

01:20 – Building Home When Denied One

01:50 – Not Waiting for Permission

02:31 – The Founding of the AME Church

03:07 – Black Women Creating Sacred Spaces

03:49 – Reflection Question

04:05 – Closing

REFLECTION QUESTION

Where have you built a spiritual or communal space when doors were closed to you?

FEATURED FIGURE

Jarena Lee (1783-1864) – First woman authorized to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church

CONNECT WITH KNOWLEDGE GUMBO

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aliciatsays

Newsletter: https://tremendous-painter-642.kit.com/305737ceb5

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciatsays/

SHARE THE WISDOM

If this quote stirs something for you, like great gumbo, let it simmer and choose to share it with love to another Black woman.

Until next time, take great care of your mind, your body, and your soul.

This short episode introduces the current tone and direction of The Knowledge Gumbo Podcast.

Knowledge Gumbo is a reflective podcast centered on the stories and wisdom of Black women who shaped the world we’re still trying to build. Each episode begins with a quote, followed by brief context, an honest reflection, and one question to carry.

This is not a podcast about advice or instruction. It is a thinking space for listeners who value history, culture, and lived experience, and who don’t need to be told what to think.

Episodes are intentionally short and released weekly.

If you’re new here, this episode will help you understand what to expect. If you’ve been listening for a while, it marks a quieter, more reflective chapter of the show.

EPISODE SUMMARY

This episode challenges listeners to examine whether they're truly living with purpose or just going through the motions. Through the inspiring story of Barbara Hillary - the first African-American woman to reach both the North and South Poles in her 70s - we explore what it means to live without excuses and pursue meaningful work.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• The workplace reality check that sparked a life-changing realization
• Barbara Hillary's incredible journey from career woman to polar explorer
• How she overcame cancer twice and physical limitations to achieve her dreams
• Why age and circumstances don't have to define your limitations
• Questions to help you evaluate if you're living with passion or just surviving

TIMESTAMPS

01:00 - Opening thoughts on truly living vs. existing

01:52 - The heart attack that changed everything

03:18 - Barbara Hillary's remarkable transformation

04:14 - Overcoming cancer and breathing limitations

05:09 - Finding joy and purpose in daily life

05:30 - Call to action and reflection

FEATURED QUOTE

"Wouldn't it be better to die doing something interesting than to drop dead in an office and the last thing you see is someone you don't like?" - Barbara Hillary

BARBARA HILLARY ACHIEVEMENTS

• First African-American woman to reach the North Pole (age 75)
• First African-American woman to reach the South Pole (age 79)
• Breast cancer survivor (20s)
• Lung cancer survivor (60s, lost 25% breathing capacity)
• Self-funded her polar expeditions
• Worked fulfilling career for over 50 years before becoming explorer
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REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR LISTENERS

1. Are you doing work that inspires you or just work that pays well?
2. What limitations have you accepted that might be negotiable?
3. How can you add more joy and meaning to your routine?
4. What would you regret not trying?

EPISODE CHALLENGE

Take time this week to analyze your daily routine. Are you living with passion or just going through motions? Share your insights with the Knowledge Gumbo community.

📱 CONNECT WITH ALICIA:

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aliciatsays

Substack: https://aliciatsays.link/gcsub

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciatsays/ 

Tip Jar: https://aliciatsays.link/tipjar 

Feeling trapped in the constant urgency of daily life? This episode explores a transformative quote from pioneering playwright Lorraine Hansberry and reveals how the radical act of pausing can revolutionize your productivity and creativity.

Episode Highlights:

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• Breaking free from the urgent/important quadrant trap
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• Rediscovering the power of morning walks and quiet reflection
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• How Lorraine Hansberry's stillness inspired Broadway history
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• Practical tips for incorporating meaningful pauses into busy schedules
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• Why quiet minds are the most creative minds
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Key Quote:

"Never be afraid to sit a while and think" - Lorraine Hansberry

Timestamps:

00:00 - Opening thoughts on living in urgency

01:28 - Unpacking Lorraine Hansberry's wisdom

01:50 - Meditation alternatives that actually work

02:38 - Morning walks as creative fuel

03:42 - The problem-solving power of stillness

04:42 - How "A Raisin in the Sun" came from quiet reflection

05:55 - Conquering the fear of silence

06:42 - Bringing your best self through stillness

About Lorraine Hansberry:

First Black woman to have a play performed on Broadway. Her masterpiece "A Raisin in the Sun" was inspired by her family's experience facing discrimination when they moved into a white neighborhood during her teens.

Takeaway:

Stillness isn't wasted time - it's essential for mental clarity, stress reduction, and unlocking your creative potential. Start small: try a quiet morning walk or five minutes of undistracted thinking.

📱 CONNECT WITH US:

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aliciatsays

Substack: https://aliciatsays.link/gcsub

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciatsays/ 

Tip Jar: https://aliciatsays.link/tipjar 

🎯 Episode 30: Stop Carrying Everything Alone - This Mindset Will Change Your Life

What if the secret to overcoming life's challenges isn't about being stronger, but about being smarter in how you carry them?

This week, host Alicia Thomas unpacks Lena Horne's profound insight: "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it." From Hollywood's first African-American studio contract holder to civil rights activist, Lena Horne's life offers a masterclass in carrying heavy burdens with grace.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Chronic stress drives 75% of U.S. doctor visits - but it doesn't have to
• The "Superwoman narrative" hurts more than it helps
• Community support isn't optional - it's essential
• Temporary struggles don't have to become permanent burdens
• Sometimes helping others helps solve your own problems

⏰ Episode Highlights:

01:23 - The myth of "hard for hard's sake"

02:39 - Breaking the Superwoman complex

04:50 - Lena Horne's Hollywood racism experience

08:07 - Weekly challenge: What can you let go?

11:35 - The "Pinky" movie controversy

🎬 Lena Horne's Legacy:

First African-American woman with an MGM contract (1940s), yet faced scenes being cut from Southern movie showings. Her response? Grace, continued activism, and using her platform for civil rights fundraising.

💡 This Week's Challenge:

What's one burden you can delegate or let go of this week to lighten your mental or emotional load?

🌟 Remember: You don't need all the answers. Sometimes people just need to be seen and heard.

📱 Connect with Knowledge Gumbo:

YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@aliciatsays

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciatsays/ 

Tip Jar: https://aliciatsays.link/tipjar

Subscribe to The Gumbo Collective on Substack for blog versions, pondering posts, and "The Fifth Quarter" sports & culture content. https://aliciatsays.link/gcsub

💭 Reflection: Are you carrying something that was meant to be temporary? It's time to put it down.

Episode 29: The Empathy Challenge - What Would You Have Done?

Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor and renowned psychiatrist, left us with a challenging question: "No man should judge unless he asks himself in absolute honesty whether in a similar situation he might not have done the same."

In our culture of instant judgment and cancel culture, this wisdom feels more relevant than ever.

Episode Highlights:

The Danger of Certainty (01:38)

We're so self-assured, saying "that would never be me" - but do we really know what we'd do under different circumstances?

Small Steps, Big Consequences (03:06)

How good people end up in bad situations through incremental decisions and compromises

Active Listening Masterclass (05:42)

• Listen without planning your response
• Ask "tell me more" and "help me understand"
• Notice emotions (or lack thereof) as people speak

The Standard Problem (09:10)

Why it's unfair to judge people by standards they never agreed to live by

Finding Meaning in Suffering (12:31)

How Viktor Frankl, who lost everything in concentration camps, chose empathy over bitterness

Ida B. Wells: The "Troublemaker" Truth-Teller (14:06)

How the pioneering journalist was judged for exposing systematic murder disguised as justice

This Week's Challenge: Go one day without judging anyone. Journal your thoughts at the end of the day.

Featured Wisdom:

"No man should judge unless he asks himself in absolute honesty whether in a similar situation he might not have done the same." - Viktor E. Frankl

Connect with Knowledge Gumbo:

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aliciatsays

Gumbo Collective Substack: https://aliciatsays.link/gcsub

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciatsays/ 

Tip Jar: https://aliciatsays.link/tipjar 

Our stories matter. Our voices matter. You're always welcome in this gumbo kitchen. 🍲

Book Recommendation:

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Episode 028: The Windshield vs Rearview Mirror: Why Forward Thinking Beats Dwelling on the Past

What if the secret to a successful future lies in where you choose to focus today?

In this episode, we explore a powerful lesson from Jackie Joyner-Kersee, named by Sports Illustrated as the greatest female athlete of the 20th century. Her quote about preparation over regret offers timeless wisdom for anyone ready to level up their life.

🎯 Episode Highlights:

• The windshield vs rearview mirror philosophy
• Why dwelling on past achievements keeps you stuck
• Jackie's journey from East St. Louis to Olympic greatness
• Overcoming severe asthma through strategic preparation
• How to work backwards from your future goals
• The art of letting go to level up

⏰ Key Timestamps:

01:00 - The car analogy that changes everything

05:02 - Working backwards from your future self

06:22 - Jackie's incredible story begins

10:03 - The 5-10 minute crying rule

11:37 - This week's challenge revealed

13:41 - Jackie's post-athletic legacy

💡 This Week's Challenge:

Based on your goals, what ONE thing has to change today to become that person or accomplish that goal in the future? Host Alicia Thomas shares her own writing journey as an example.

🔥 Why This Matters:

Jackie's heptathlon world record from 1988 still stands today - proof that proper preparation creates lasting impact. Her story reminds us that greatness lives within us, and we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before.

📚 Resources:

• Knowledge Gumbo Newsletter: https://aliciatsays.link/gcsub
• Ecamm Live (Recording Platform): https://aliciatsays.link/ecamm

About Knowledge Gumbo:

We mix together timeless wisdom and thought-provoking stories using quotes, sayings, proverbs, and book passages, primarily by Black women. Because our stories and voices matter.

💬 Connect:

Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Like and subscribe on YouTube. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it - there's always room for one more at the table.

Episode 27: From Marvel Comics to Life Mastery: The 3 Words That Rewrote Success

What does it take to truly excel while staying true to yourself? This episode explores the transformative power of Roxane Gay's wisdom on ambition, resilience, and authentic success.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Host Alicia Thomas challenges conventional thinking about resilience and ambition, revealing how true strength comes from within and how you can achieve excellence without compromising your values.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Redefining resilience as innate strength, not just survival
• The historical context of Black women's resilience
• How small actions create massive ripple effects
• Aligning ambitions with core values
• The inspiring story of fashion designer Ann Lowe

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

00:01 - Introduction and episode overview

00:57 - Roxane Gay's groundbreaking work with Marvel Comics

02:14 - Resilience as revealed inner strength

03:19 - Historical perspective on Black women's resilience

04:23 - Your obligation to be your best self

05:34 - The ripple effect of positive impact

06:06 - Being relentless in character development

07:20 - Excellence in everyday actions

08:31 - Success without moral compromise

09:31 - Ann Lowe's story of unrecognized excellence

12:01 - Weekly challenge: Values alignment check

WEEKLY CHALLENGE:

Reflect on your core values and ask yourself: Do your ambitions align with your values? Compare yourself to your past self, not to others.

FEATURED INSPIRATION:

Ann Lowe - The Black fashion designer who created Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress but received no public credit due to segregation. Despite discrimination and being underpaid, she remained committed to excellence in her craft.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

"Hunger: A Memoir of My Body" by Roxane Gay - A powerful memoir about accepting oneself and pursuing excellence while overcoming personal trauma and societal expectations.

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE GUMBO PODCAST:

Where timeless wisdom meets thought-provoking stories, featuring quotes and passages primarily by Black women. Hosted by Alicia Thomas, each episode serves up nourishing insights for mind and soul.

CONNECT WITH US:

Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform

Subscribe on YouTube for video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@aliciatsays

Share with friends - there's always room for more at our gumbo table