In this episode of Say It Proud, titled “UnLearning Silence: How Black Daughters Break Cycles of Trauma,” we explore the theme “Resilience Beyond Survival.” This conversation centers on what it means to move past simply enduring hardship and instead step into healing, growth, and transformation across generations.

 Featuring Trish Marcano, a St. Louis native, advocate, and Senior Subcontractor CCIP Compliance Manager at Clayco, alongside her daughter, Aliyah Marcano, founder of Layers of Luxury and an architecture student at Ranken Technical College, this episode offers a powerful look into the dynamics of motherhood and daughterhood.

Together, they reflect on inherited silence, evolving relationships, and the ways resilience shows up not only in struggle, but in love, vulnerability, and intentional change.

This episode invites listeners to consider how cycles are passed down, how they can be challenged, and what it truly means to break them.

In this episode, we’re talking culture, the kind that comes from our communities and changes the world. From slang and style to sound and soul, Black and Brown creatives have always set the standard. But what happens when that culture gets taken, copied, or watered down? Joining me is EL-TRA!N, a 17-year-old R&B/pop artist from St. Louis who’s making waves with smooth vocals, bold choreography, and an unapologetically original sound. He’s opened for Gwen Stefani, headlined his show, and he’s just getting started. We talk about growing up singing in church, mixing old-school influences with a fresh Gen Z vibe, and why protecting our culture is about more than just ownership; it’s about pride. Press play to hear how EL-TRA!N is keeping it real, keeping it soulful, and keeping it OURS.✨ Available now on Spotify, iHeart Radio, Beats District Radio, and wherever you stream.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Grace Ford, a leader, artist, advocate, and future aerospace engineer who’s breaking barriers and using her voice to uplift her community. From launching her apparel line to making space for Black women in aviation, Grace reminds us what it looks like to lead with purpose and pride.