This is a must to listen to.

***This was recorded about two to three years ago***

THANKS FOR BEING ON THIS JOURNEY!!! Follow me on IG: @melaninishuman ... .... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... The final episode of Season One of Melanin is Human:  LIVING LEGENDS: WHEN CIVIL RIGHTS IS GENETIC. When I heard John Crossman speak for the first time at my alma mater,  Southern Adventist University, I knew it. I knew he a gift of transparency, of honesty.  John M. Crossman is a nationally recognized writer and speaker to college students  with regard to careers and success. In addition, he is a mentor and a passionate  advocate for young professionals. John is President of Crossman & Company, a regional  commercial real estate company based in Orlando. At the very bottom is his contact info. In this season finale, John Crossman maintains extremely authentic while providing astronomical value. Every aspect of life is covered; from parenting, politics, faith, philosophy, socio-economics, science, food, education, business, etc. By the end of this episode, I won't be the only one thankful of having heard it twice.! 

https://www.crossmancb.com/

[email protected]  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcrossman/ 

https://www.facebook.com/crossman123

IG: @john.crossman 

Twitter: @johncrossman1

Come listen to this conversation with this living legend. It was not enough to face challenges based on skin color. She also had mountains to overcome in the workplace as a woman. As a living legend, she lives with vivid memories of those who oppressed her and was "very mean". However, she has nothing but love and forgiveness for them. Listen in to find out who this legend is and also how she managed to come through and stay full of peace, hope, and forgiving.

Again thanks so much for listening. I would love to hear your thoughts and for us to connect via my IG: @melaninishuman.

Jared, also known as Swayyvo, is as chill as the art he produces. Glad Chattanooga gets to indulge in such a creative.

We were able to quickly cast a broad stroke of Swayyvo's childhood, sources of inspiration, and a bit into subjects of diversity and inclusion. This conversation is definitely worth every  second.

His art is multidisciplinary in the same way you will find his opinions and views. But remember, this is just an intro.

Follow Swayyvo @swayyvo, @swayyvo1

This has to have been one of my most engaging and energy filled conversation yet. Wow. And still, it has been my most distant one which is quite telling. At one point of our time together on Zoom, it not only felt we were arms length away but that we met before. Crazy how sometimes distance is irrelevant.

Why you should give Ayiiti's story a listen is really up to you.  I invite you into culture complexities of growing up being mixed in a world where that makes you in the minority. Immerse yourself in a small portion of Haitian politics. Engage with the idea of having selective hearing for certain accents, and etc. 

But I think the idea of exposing ourselves to experiences so different from ours, creates an opportunity to see the false conclusions our differences have led us to. This episode is definitely worth your time. I promise.

I challenge you to listen and not find that her story is one that is not only so close to you, but that has some familiarity to it. Maybe it might be your story. 

Who knows?

We first crossed paths at a CoLab event in Chattanooga. He was on the panel with other local business startups. We exchanged instagram handles and kept up from time to time.

Then Covid happened and one of his businesses, The Local Juicery, was affected like many others around the world. Luis presented his thoughts via a video about the situation and how he was responding/adapting to it. The title was something to the effect of Being Vulnerable. THat truly gripped my heart. I was both challenged and changed from that moment.

I knew I had to hear his story.

The story of Luis Contreras is one that is full of adventure, surprises, and upsets but the most amazing part of it all is you will definitely resonate with it and find solace and encouragement.

Follow him at the @localjuice and let him know what you think about his story. And if you're local in Chatt, stop by and give his juices a try! Lol. Much love fam.

Orel Smith joins me and shares a conversation over some breaking Fourth of July news: Kanye Omari West running for president of the United States of America. Being a figure of even more controversy than our current president, we explore a bit of the West story to see if there is something we normal citizens can relate with. 

Orel stands behind him as the missing link in turning things around in America. While I do hope the best for America, and though I do admire Kanye West, I think he is better served being apolitical.  

What do you think?

Local, native Chattanoogan C-Grimey, an artist, activist, and educator, shares a moment with me to talk.

He is one of the leaders of the peaceful protests in town.

Some details are shared about behind the scenes of leading the protests as well as some interesting facts about Chattanooga.

Listen and share this moment with us.

Thanks and as always, #melaninishuman

Where we are facing the melanin and are embracing being human.

Wait for part two, where we dive into the tangents a bit deeper. But for now, enjoy the breadth of topics and enjoy the humor and the virgin Rose.

This conversation was held on Juneteenth.

Thankful for such a patient soul, @Rivercitystreetpoet, for enduring my questions. There is a ton here about how growing may sometimes come at the cost of staying connected to one's roots. It is an actual painful process not just to grow but to remain grounded from where you came. And that pain is good pain. It can serve as a source of inspiration, offering new perspectives to love and realize our commonality.