Living A Blacknificent Life!

THE SOUL OUTSIDE: A NATURE RENEWAL PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR,

with founder Melody McKinley

SUMMARY

· The power of nature to promote health, healing, and happiness in Black communities.

· [9:16] What is "soul tripping" and how can it empower your life?

AWAKENING AND ACTIVATING YOUR INNER GODDESS,

with author Wendi Cherry

SUMMARY

• You ALWAYS have the power to change how you experience life.

KEY MOMENTS

COMMON TRAITS OF 3 HIGH ACHIEVING / SELF-ACTUALIZING HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICANS:

with psychologist Dr. William James Jones

EPISODE #007

SUMMARY

A revealing conversation with psychologist Dr. William James Jones explores research findings relating to common characteristics that cultivated high achievement / self-actualization among three historic African Americans. He examined the lives of Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and W. E. B.

TAKEAWAYS

4) Resilience

OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION AND WHY "CP TIME" IS NOT OK,

with author Eric M. Twiggs

SUMMARY

Dr. Mwangaza Michael-Bandele interviews award winning speaker and author Eric M. Twiggs, who wrote The Discipline of Now. Mr. Twigg specializes in procrastination prevention and is host of "The 30-minute Hour" podcast. This lively discussion offers tips and strategies for preventing procrastination, and weighs in on the efficacy "CP Time" a concept of time well-known in Black communities.

TAKEAWAYS

• Procrastination CAUSES stress.

BARBARA SPENCER-DUNN'S ASALH INSPIRED JOURNEY TO CENTER BLACK TEENS IN THEIR VIBRANT HISTORY - Part 2

with Barbara Spencer-Dunn

Episode 005

In this episode of the Blacknificent Life! Podcast, we continue our conversation from the previous episode with Barbara Spencer-Dunn. She is an executive council member for the Association for The Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This is an association founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson who is also the founder of Black History week that evolved into Black History Month.

Barbara Spencer-Dunn tells us a bit about Dr. Carter G. Woodson's background as the "father of the study of African American history." She also talks about ASALH and its commitment to spreading knowledge about African American history, including its African origins.

“There’s nothing more important than knowing the truth about yourself, your family, and the history of your people.” Barbara Spencer-Dunn

Takeaways

• Get to know a bit about Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the man who gave the world Black History Month.

Key Moments

[4:48] Who is Dr. Carter G. Woodson? What is the purpose of ASALH and its value to the Black community and world?

[13:44] Spencer-Dunn talks about how and why the partnership between ASALH and the Kiamsha youth organization began. She also explains how Dr. Woodson's work paved the way for other heritage holidays that we have today.

[18:02] Spencer-Dunn explains the history of the Niagara movement and its development into the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

[22:24] The purpose of Black History Month’s research themes, and why they require support, is explained. The 2020 research theme focuses on Black migration.

[27:41] Why you should sign-up as a member of ASALH and attend the annual February luncheons and fall conference meetings is detailed. 

[30:34] Spencer-Dunn describes how Kiamasha youth programs convey positive self-reflections to Black teens.

[31:20] Spencer-Dunn explains how interested parents and teachers can't get teens enrolled in Kiamsha programs.

[36:23] Ways in which you should include ASALH in your life as a component for creating a Blacknificent Life!

[38:00] What Mary McLeod Bethune--noted educator, stateswoman, activist and first female president of ASALH--thought about Dr. Woodson

[39:23] The importance of historic truth to personal knowledge and self-development.

References

ASALH Website: https://asalh.org/

BARBARA SPENCER-DUNN'S ASALH INSPIRED JOURNEY TO CENTER BLACK TEENS IN THEIR VIBRANT HISTORY - Part 1

with Barbara Spencer-Dunn

Episode 004

Meet Barbara Spencer-Dunn, an executive council member for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). It is an association founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Week that evolved into Black History Month.

In this episode of the Blacknificent Life! Podcast, SisterDoc Mwangaza Michael-Bandele sits with Barbara Spencer-Dunn as she shares how she was inspired as a child to write the book Before and Beyond the Niagara Movement: As the Youth See It.

Spencer-Dunn explains the importance of having parents and a community influenced by the work of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Listen in to learn the value of understanding African history in order to accurately understand African American history as a grounding for raising healthy Black children.

“I wrote ‘Before and Beyond’ because of my upbringing. All that I learned as a child taught me how critically important it was for people to know their history.” Barbara Spencer-Dunn [6:10]

Takeaways

• How to inspire young Black teens to achieve better academically

Key Moments 

[3:54] Barbara Spencer-Dunn describes growing up in the 1950s in a sheltered home and  community that was adamant about teaching Black self-regard. 

[6:08] The importance of learning and understanding the history of America.

[8:30] Barbara Spencer-Dunn talks about the contents of her book Before and Beyond the Niagara Movement

[10:17] Spencer-Dunn gives an example of relational history that connects events and encourages a fuller understanding of African American history. 

[12:36] Spencer-Dunn talks about an element of character development that is covered in her book, that encourages people to appreciate their current status in life, as they grow and learn.

[15:44] Spencer-Dunn explains how her book relates to all people regardless of their religion even though biblical references are included

[19:45] She mentions the schools and programs where her book has been adopted as formal curriculum.

[21:42] She talks about the Kiamsha youth empowerment organization and how it uses history to empower youths to be better people in society. 

[24:16] Spencer-Dunn explains how the Kiamsha organization incorporated Before and Beyond into their curriculum.

References

Barbara Spencer-Dunn via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-spencer-dunn-565ab439/

Before and Beyond the Niagara Movement: As the Youth See It , Barbara Spencer-Dunn

Amazon Link : https://www.amazon.com/Before-Beyond-Niagara-Movement-Youth/dp/0983515700

PRODUCING A REALITY SHOW FEATURING BRILLIANT BLACK TEENS

Episode 003

Takeaways

• How to inspire Black youth to achieve better academically

Key Moments

[7:31] Ateya Ball-Lacy explains how the project offers a way to recognize high achieving Blackstudents by celebrating those who have done exceptionally well

[11:15] Ateya Ball-Lacy tells a story about young Black men who exposed their real desires to achieve highly when they were in a nurturing environment.

[16:18] The importance of having platforms that teach children history that helps them understand present-day occurrences and encourages them in a positive direction

[18:04] An explanation of reality show highlights and why Ball-Lacy chose to use a media platform

[20:13] The process by which the reality show was created and produced is explained, with updates about its current status.

[23:36] Why Ball-Lacy involved elders in the project as a way to teach intergenerational respect and cultural values

[26:25] Ball-Lacy describes the success of the first pop-up event.

References

HoodSmart Urban STEMulus Project Website: http://hoodsmarttv.com/

COMMON TIES THAT BIND PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

with historian Dr. Kim Butler

Episode 002

One commonality shared throughout the African Diaspora is the history of Maroon communities—those societies developed and sustained by self-emancipating people of African descent who refused to be enslaved. One of the greatest Maroon communities was Quilombos dos Palmares in Brazil. When we know and study what made Palmares a free and flourishing society for more than 90 years, we can gain insights about building autonomous communities today. Achievement leaves foot prints.

"When we are facing downturns, my knowledge of our history tells me we will make it through." Kim Butler

• There are advantages to recognizing people of African descent throughout the world as one people.

Key Moments

[7:10] People of African descent, located in varied parts of the world, are in many ways different AND substantively, very much alike.

[9:40] Black people were dispersed throughout the world by varied means, including as a result of conquering, trading, exploring, and being enslaved.

[11:00] What are the advantages of recognizing African people as one people

[13:50] It is not common knowledge that enslaved Africans in Haiti fought for and secured their national freedom after defeating France.

[16:30] Acknowledging Maroon societies—those free communities of self-emancipated people of African descent—in the African Diaspora, with particular focus on Maroon communities in Brazil. Maroon communities in Brazil were called Quilombos.

[20:56] Quilombos dos Palmares, the most celebrated Quilombo (Maroon community) in Brazil, flourished and developed into an astutely governed country of 11,000 self-emancipated Africans for over 90 years.

[29:40] Acknowledging Zumbi, the great Palmares warrior leader who refused to comply with Portugal's demand to stop giving access to growing numbers of self-emancipated Africans.

[39:00] Surinam, Palenque, and other Maroon communities in the African Diaspora

[46:10] The critical role of adults in shaping the achievement mindset that oriented Dr. Butler to achieve highly.

[49:40] What is the connection between history and Black self-perception?

[57: 12] Black history can inform strategies for achieving social justice.

Dr. Kim Butler, Associate Professor Rutgers University

WELCOME TO THE BLACKNIFICENT LIFE! PODCAST SERIES

with host Mwangaza Michael-Bandele

Episode 001

Mwangaza Michael-Bandele [7:33]

Takeaways

• The value of this podcast in teaching African Diaspora history as a source of Black self-regard

Key Moments

[1:39] Meet Sister/ Doctor Mwangaza Michael-Bandele, the host of this podcast. Learn what kinds of topics will be featured and the intention of the discussions she will facilitate.

[3:58] How the Blacknificent Life! Podcast can increase Black self-regard

[5:47] Our commitment to provide Black achievement information as a launching pad for achieving more in life.

[6:58] Understanding how life experiences are often manifestations of the stories you tell yourself. Examples of actions that support manifesting desired outcomes are provided.

[9:16] Get to know a little about your host, Mwangaza Michael-Bandele, her childhood, and early experiences that shaped her formal educational training and career path.

[12:16] How reading Your Erroneous Zones, by Wayne Dyer at a young age helped Michael-Bandele understand who she was as co-creator of her life.

[15:04] Descriptions of other Blacknificent Life! products and services, accessible at our website.

[16:49] Examples of the topics that we will be covering in the coming episodes

[23:23] The need to train, and thereby empower Black children to love reading, above all.

[25:35] The importance and value of melanin to healthy physiology.

References

Blacknificent Life! Education and Digital Media Complex website: https://blacknificentlife.com/