In this episode of Raising Joyful and Resilient Black Children, Dr. Valerie Adams-Bass speaks with Ore Bailey from BEBASHI-Black Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues, an organization dedicated to educating the Black community about sexual health. They discuss the history of Babashi, its expansion of services beyond HIV prevention, and the importance of engaging with Black families and youth. The conversation highlights the unique challenges faced by adolescents in understanding sexual health, the barriers within the Black community, and the resources available for LGBTQ youth. The episode emphasizes the need for education and support for parents to facilitate conversations about sexual health with their children. In this conversation, Ore Bailey and Valerie Adams-Bass discuss the alarming rise of HIV cases among adolescents, emphasizing the importance of open conversations about sexual health. They explore the role of parents and caregivers in educating young people, the resources available for sexual health education, and the positive impact of Babashi's programs in the community. The discussion also covers the significance of consent, integrated care for long-term health outcomes, and the importance of nutrition in maintaining health. They highlight the sobering statistics regarding HIV in the Black community and encourage listeners to seek out community resources for education. Finally, they provide advice for parents on how to approach discussions about sexual health with their children in a comfortable and engaging manner.

Learn more about Bebashi:

https://www.bebashi.org/

Instagram: @philly.bebashi

Resources:

• HIV in Children and Teens
• For Teens: How to Make Healthy Decisions About Sex

This episode is brought to you by What is Black

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook:

@joyfulreslientblackchildren

In this episode of Raising Joyful and Resilient Black Children, co-hosts Dr. Sharita Butler-Barnes and Dr. Valerie Adams-Bass sit down with Desiree Tucker, a dynamic community leader and founder of Women Solve, to explore the power of culturally affirming wellness practices.

Together, they delve into Desiree’s work with Get Fit Frederick, an initiative aimed at reducing health disparities by centering Black women and families in wellness programming. Desiree shares strategies for building inclusive, joyful spaces that promote movement, mindfulness, and nutrition, especially for Black children.

The conversation unpacks:

• How cultural traditions can support holistic health
• The importance of designing wellness programs with community input
• Challenges and successes in engaging Black families
• Why joyful connection and open dialogue are essential for long-term well-being

Stay connected with Desiree Tucker

Website: https://womensolve.org/

Instagram: @womensolve

This episode is brought to you by What is Black

Follow us:

@joyfulresilientblackchildren on Instagram/Facebook

In this episode of Raising Joyful and Resilient Black Children, hosts Drs. Valerie Adams-Bass and Sheretta Butler-Barnes welcome Brad Edwards, Director of Community Engagement & Program Strategy at Dear Fathers, a national media platform dedicated to Black fatherhood.

They explore how Brad and the Dear Fathers team empower Black fathers through storytelling, community support, and culturally informed programming. Brad shares his journey into fatherhood and discusses impactful initiatives like Dads to Doulas and Fearless Fathers 101, which support Black dads in navigating fatherhood, improving mental health outcomes, and reducing infant mortality rates.

Tune in to hear how intentional community engagement, vulnerability, and joy are reshaping narratives around Black fatherhood—and learn practical tools for supporting and celebrating the dads in our lives.

Stay Connected with Brad Edwards
Website: https://dearfathers.com
Instagram: @brad.m.edwards, @dear.fathers

This episode is brought to you by What is Black
Follow us: @joyfulresilientblackchildren on Instagram & Facebook

In this episode, Dr. Brittany Friedman—sociologist and author of the book Carceral Apartheid: How Lies and White Supremacists Run Our Prisons—joins hosts Dr. Valerie Adams-Bass and Dr. Sheretta Butler-Barnes to discuss how mass incarceration impacts Black children and families. Known for exposing how institutions hide harmful truths, Dr. Friedman unpacks the deep connections between state violence, misinformation, and systemic control. The conversation explores storytelling as a tool for resistance, truth-telling, and healing, while offering tangible ways communities can support affected families.

Stay connected with Dr. Brittany Friedman

Website: https://www.brittanyfriedman.com/

Instagram: @curlyprofessor

This episode is brought to you by What is Black

Website: whatisblack.co

Instagram/Facebook: @joyfulresilientblackchildren

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, hosts Dr. Valerie Adams-Bass and Dr. Sheretta Butler-Barnes are joined by licensed dietitian nutritionist Tasha Manigo-Bizzell to explore Black families' cultural and nutritional needs. Together, they unpack the role of food in cultural heritage, the misconceptions about soul food, and the importance of using real, whole ingredients in everyday meals.

Tasha offers practical strategies for nourishing the body and soul — from preparing meals with children to reframing physical activity as joyful movement. This episode celebrates the deep connections between food, family, and health while providing tools to help listeners build culturally rooted wellness practices.

Stay Connected with Tasha:
  Website: https://www.musewellness.com/
  Instagram: @musewellness

This episode is brought to you by What is Black
Website: whatisblack.co
Instagram/Facebook: @joyfulresilientblackchildren

In this powerful episode, Dr. Valerie Adams-Bass and Dr. Sheretta Butler-Barnes are joined by Khari Arnold, founder of Library Dads, a growing fatherhood and literacy movement rooted in community, connection, and cultural pride.

From Saturday "library linkups" in Atlanta to dad-only events and community field trips, Khari shares how Library Dads is changing the narrative around Black fatherhood—one book, one hug, and one library visit at a time.

 What You’ll Learn:

• The three pillars of Library Dads: Bonding, Books, and Brotherhood—and why bonding comes first.
• How literacy becomes a foundation for emotional connection, academic success, and joy.
• Why community-building among Black fathers is crucial to healing and empowerment.
• Tips for dads who feel unsure or anxious about reading with their children—and how to start.
• Creative, low-cost (or free 99) ways to engage kids beyond screens.

Stay Connected:

Follow Library Dads:

• Instagram & TikTok: @thelibrarydads
• Website: www.librarydads.org

Brought to you by What is Black
Website: whatisblack.co
Instagram & Facebook: @joyfulresilientblackchildren

Welcome to today's episode, where we're delving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us the experiences of Black children in our educational systems.

Hosts Dr. Valerie Adams-Bass (Valerie) and Dr. Sheretta Butler-Barnes (Sheretta) are joined by a special guest, Desiree Tucker, a valued member of their parent joy circle who brought this important topic.

As parents, caregivers, and educators, it's crucial to understand the challenges Black children face in schools, including the often subtle but impactful microaggressions they encounter.

In this episode, they explore:

• Defining microaggressions and understanding how they differ from more overt forms of racism or discrimination.
• Examining the everyday reality for Black children in schools and how microaggressions affect their academics and overall well-being.
• Sharing personal experiences and stories to shed light on how Black children encounter these subtle forms of prejudice in educational settings.
• Discussing steps educators and school administrators can take to address and minimize the effects of microaggressions on Black students.
• Exploring ways to challenge and dismantle harmful societal attitudes and stereotypes to create safer spaces for Black children in schools.
• Providing guidance for parents and caregivers on how to support their Black children facing microaggressions at school and advocate effectively within the education system.
• Generating solutions for schools to create more inclusive and supportive environments where Black students can thrive academically and socially despite facing microaggressions.

Join us as we navigate this crucial conversation, offering insights, personal experiences, and actionable strategies to create a more equitable educational experience for Black children.