Parenting Decolonized

I’m back, y’all, and boy do I have some things to say… In this solo episode of Parenting Decolonized, I reflect on the much needed break I took over the last month along with the things I did (and didn’t do) to rest and restore my well-being.

Parenting Decolonized is hosting the Rona, Racism, and Radical Parenting Conference on September 23rd-25th, 2022! With 25+ speakers from various backgrounds and experiences, this conference is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical advice you need to help you manage your triggers, yell less, connect more, and raise liberated, emotionally-well children.

Get your early bird tickets and get $40 off: https://parentingdecolonized.lpages.co/tickets

Thank you for your support and kind messages during this time, they’ve made me feel so loved and cared for.

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of Parenting Decolonized Podcast on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/parentingdecolonized and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/prntgdcolonized!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: https://parentingdecolonized.com/im-back-in-action-lets-reflect-a-solo-episode-with-yolanda

The weekend of May 20th-22nd, 2022 was supposed to be the Parenting Decolonized Conference, but the conference has been postponed and rescheduled for September 23rd-25th, 2022. In this solo episode of Parenting Decolonized, I share my candid thoughts and feelings behind this decision and what you can expect from Parenting Decolonized moving forward in 2022. You’ll also hear a bit about my journey in building an intentional community in Georgia with other single, Black moms. 

I hope to see you at the Parenting Decolonized Conference on September 23rd-25th, 2022!

Until then… Pause. Seek rest. Choose joy.

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of Parenting Decolonized Podcast on Facebook and Instagram!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: link

We need new educational curriculums, we need to unpack our ableism and check out privilege, and we need to do it now. In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Heather Clarke, a Black Afro Caribbean educational disability advocate, professor of special education and child development, and neurodivergent mother of two. Listen in as Heather and I have a powerful discussion about how to create real change in your child’s school system and why it’s important to unpack your own ableism and privilege (even if you’re Black and neurodivergent).

In this episode, we talk about…

How to better show up for your community’s education and advocate for your child.
Should parents be in charge of their children’s educational curriculum?
Anti-Blackness and ableism in the parenting space.
How to unpack your ableism and your privilege as a parent.
….and more!
Are you ready to lead with acceptance, dismantle ableism, and see real change in your child’s education? 

Tune into this discussion to learn more! Then, join us in the Conscious Parenting for Social Justice Collective, our Black-led, multiracial collective of parents, working together to simultaneously transform ourselves, our families, and our communities by decolonizing our minds! Can’t wait to see you there!

P.S. Heather is hosting a workshop for parents on navigating the IEP process with a culturally responsive lens during the Parenting Decolonized Conference (May 20th-22nd, 2022). Don’t miss it!


Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Heather:
Visit her website: www.learning-advocate.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/learning_advocate
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/learnadvocate

What can our ancestral history teach us about parenting, liberation, and revolution? A lot. Let’s get into it. In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Dr. Crystal Menzies, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of EmancipatED, an organization that centers stories of joy and resistance within the African Diaspora through the creation of educational resources and curricula. Listen in to learn about how liberation work and conscious parenting are rooted in our ancestral practices and how we can reclaim these colonized practices to revolutionize our future.

In this episode, we talk about…

The history of Maroon communities and why they’re significant to us today.
How white people have colonized and rebranded tribal parenting methods.
How to intentionally build a supportive community to help nurture your conscious parenting and liberation work.
The EmancipatED Experience: A brand new community education resource that supports the enrichment of Black families and our larger kinship communities.
….and more!
Looking for a community that will support you on your parenting decolonization journey?

Listen in to this discussion to learn more and consider joining the Conscious Parenting for Social Justice Collective, our Black-led, multiracial collective of parents, working together to simultaneously transform ourselves, our families, and our communities by decolonizing our minds and healing racial traumas! Hope to see you there!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Dr. Crystal & EmancipatED:
Visit EmancipatED’s website: www.emancipatededucation.com
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/emancipate_ed

In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Ira X Armstrong, a mixed Black trans parent, Freedom Fighter, Social Entrepreneur and Educator who is working to create climate sustainability through social permaculture. Listen in to gain insight into Ira’s decolonization journey and learn how you can begin to shift your mindset, reprogram yourself, and become the decolonized parent you want to be.


In this episode, we talk about…

Defining social permaculture through the lens of decolonization.
Overcoming depression and exhaustion as an activist and decolonizer.
The impacts of enslavement and colonization on African-Americans & The traumatic effects of experiencing houselessness.
How colonization harms everyone, including white people & Why decolonization is harm reduction.
4 ways to start decolonizing your life.
….and more!
Curious to know more about what it means to decolonize parenthood? 

Need a community that will support you on your decolonization journey?

Tune in to this powerful discussion to learn more and consider joining the Conscious Parenting for Social Justice Collective, a Black-led, multiracial collective of parents, working together to simultaneously transform ourselves, our families, and our communities by decolonizing our minds and healing racial traumas caused by white supremacist/capitalist power structures. Hope to see you there!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Ira & PEACE Out Loud:
Visit Ira’s website: www.iraxarmstrong.com
Follow them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/fraggle94 
Visit PEACE Out Loud’s website: www.peaceoutloud.org
Connect with them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/polberkeley
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/peace_out_loud

So, your child just received an Autism diagnosis… Now what? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Maria Davis-Pierre, the Founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc., an organization that aims to bring awareness to Autism and reduce the stigma associated with the diagnosis in the Black community. Tune in to gain insight into what it’s like to be the parent of a Black Autistic child and how to best support yourself and your child throughout this journey.

In this episode, we talk about…
How difficult is it to get an Autism diagnosis for my child?
What to do after your child gets diagnosed.
The problem with Autism “support groups” & Dealing with racism and ableism inside and outside of your community.
Defining ableism in the context of anti-blackness.
The two most important things you can do for your Autistic child.
Advice for parents struggling to self-regulate during stressful parenting moments.
What is masking? Why is masking harmful for disabled kids?
….and more!

Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Maria & Autism in Black:
Visit Autism Black’s website: www.autisminblack.org
Connect with them on Facebook: www.facebook.co/autisminblk
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/autisminblack

What can we do to nurture not only our own mental health, but the mental health of our children? How can we raise children to be more conscious? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Olaolu Ogunyemi, a husband, father of three, teen mentor, U.S. Marine Officer, and author of the best-selling children’s book, Crow From the Shadow. Tune in to learn how to combat harmful mental health norms while raising conscious children.

In this episode, we talk about…
The importance of discussing mental health/illness in the black community.
Advice for parents who are struggling with mental illness & parents whose children are struggling with mental illness.
Raising mentally tough boys - Is it necessary?
How patriarchy and “masculinity” are actually harming men.
How to change unhealthy behavior patterns to become a more conscious parent.
Helping children build resilience in the face of racism and the pressures of life.
Why Olaolu started writing children’s books & The meaning behind Crow From the Shadow.
….and more!

Ready to combat harmful mental health norms? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Olaolu:
Visit Parent-Child-Connect: https://parent-child-connect.com
Connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/olaolu.ogunyemi
Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/captainono06

Do you ever wonder: What is going on with my kids at school? Are they truly thriving or just scraping by? Is homeschooling the best option for us? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Jae Williams, a former teacher turned BlackDad YouTuber and relaxed homeschooler for his two young kids. Tune in to learn about the flaws of the traditional education system and how unschooling attempts to counter those flaws, along with tips for black dads on being a conscious parent.

In this episode, we talk about…
• Why Jae left his teaching job to unschool his children at home.
• How he reacts to stigmas and misconceptions of homeschooling, particularly from family/in-laws.
• Advice for parents whose children are struggling in school.
• Advice for parents who want to pursue unschooling/homeschooling.
• Jae’s biggest fears as a black dad and unschooler & How he parents from love instead of fear.
• Capitalism, societal constructs, & raising happy, liberated children.
• Trying to be a good father after growing up without a father.
• ….and more!

Ready to start unschooling yourself and child(ren)? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Jae:
Subscribe to his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/blackdad
Follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlackDadJourney

Watch the Happy movie: https://thehappymovie.square.site
Join Conscious Parenting for the Culture Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/CPTime

Does low self-worth impact the parent/child dynamic? Can we raise liberated children by cultivating our unconditional self-worth? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Dr. Adia Gooden, a licensed clinical psychologist, speaker, and host of the Unconditionally Worthy Podcast. Tune in to learn why it’s crucial to center your self-worth in your parenting journey.

In this episode, we talk about…
Ways that low self-worth can impact you and your children’s lives.
How to recognize underlying triggers that stem from low self-worth and respond appropriately.
Why it’s important to detach your worthiness from your child’s worthiness.
How to cultivate unconditional self-worth in your children.
….and more!

Ready to start cultivating your unconditional self-worth? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Adia:
Visit her website: www.dradiagooden.com
Listen to her podcast: www.dradiagooden.com/podcast
Connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dradiagooden
Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/draidagooden

Is it possible to decolonize parenting by “fighting the system”? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Sundiata Soon-Jahta, an Unschooler, Systems Thinker, Authentic Dialogue Facilitator, Entrepreneur, and Anti-Oppression Educator, Content Creator, & Organizer. Tune in to learn how systems thinking can help us understand the root cause of colonization and how to dismantle systems of oppression.

In this episode, we talk about…
Defining systems thinking, specifically in the context of decolonization.
Why we shouldn’t be “fighting the system” & What you should do instead.
How various systems, like patriarchy and white supremacy, were created & How they continue to evolve and feed one another.
Conscious parenting and unschooling as an act of social justice and decolonization.
Resources for learning more about systems thinking.
….and more!


Ready to start reimagining the future using systems thinking? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!


Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Sundiata:
Visit his website: drsundiata.com
Listen to his podcast: www.liveindivisible.com
Connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/iGoToGrow
Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dr.sundiata

More Resources:
Theory of Indivisibility Framework: https://bit.ly/33FXqK5
Systems Thinking Resource - The Unschool of Disruptive Design: www.unschools.co
Systems Thinking Resource (free) - thwink.org
Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows: https://amzn.to/3rn17ws
“My Violent Youth And The Systems That Made Me” by Sundiata Soon-Jahta: https://bit.ly/3fCZl4I
“After The Protest…Organize. A Radical Guide For Creating Sustainable Change” by Sundiata Soon-Jahta: https://bit.ly/3nBAOSf