Welcome to a special summer episode of Six Degrees of Segregation. (And a special shout to Danny Rojas and Ted Lasso for this week's episode title.)

Today, we're talking with national champion gymnast and six-time All-American, Morgan Dennis Morris. Essence.com names her as one of the 13 Black Women Who Changed the Face of Gymnastics (https://www.essence.com/celebrity/13-black-women-who-changed-face-gymnastics/). So of course, we're talking 2020 Olympics, Simone Biles, mental health and the Twisties. 

We get into so much more than that as conversation shifts to the NCAA Name and Likeness ruling, raising kids to show up as their full selves, and finally to the 2022 launch of her kids' clothing line, Scribble. 

Morgan is a former elite-level athlete, entrepreneur, wife, mom of twins and recently welcomed baby #3. She and her husband Tim recently moved to Utah, where he serves as Assistant Men's Basketball Coach.

Connect with Morgan: Instagram: @wearscribble Twitter: https://twitter.com/morgandmorris

*** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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We close out season 1 with Leah Stone McDaniel - Leah is a dynamic Brand Marketing professional focused on emerging marketing mediums. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Leah attended The Ohio State University, graduating with a dual degree in Marketing and International Business and obtained an M.B.A. from Regis University.

Throughout her Brand Management career, Leah has worked with industry leaders like Procter & Gamble and Kao USA Inc. for iconic brands such as Duracell® and Bioré®. Leah values the evolution of marketing and spreading knowledge through journalism. She has been a frequent contributor to Atlanta Tribune The Magazine and other publications, as well as being a published author.

Leah is a huge ally and supporter for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Several people in her family, including her mother and sister-in-love are MS Warriors and she proudly serves on the Ohio Board with a clear desire to see a cure for this disease in her lifetime. 

Outside of her marketing career, Leah is a published author and enjoys freelance writing on a variety of topics from business to creative to Prince (yes the artist formerly known as). She’s a travel enthusiast and once it’s safe to do so, you’re liable to find her in any pocket of the world at any time. Leah has also had a love of mixology for several years and took the plunge to become a licensed bartender a few years ago. During the pandemic, she took our “stay at home” as time to enhance her skills and love to create new libations. You can check out and follow along with Leah and all her varied passions on her website eclectikgirl.com 

**All views stated within are Leah's own and not connected to any company that she works with or provides service for.**

Connect with Leah: Instagram: @eclectikgirl LinkedIn: linkedin.com/leahstonemcdaniel

*** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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Latoya White, a Sales Manager from Richmond Texas, and I talk about George Floyd, the natural hair movement, diversity training, representation, colorism and so much more. Latoya's genetic makeup sparked her interest in biology and her pre-med focus in school. She’s a huge supporter for Diversity & Inclusion efforts and exercises them daily in her personal and professional life.  

At the end of the day, Toya is hopeful that we will get to a place of fair and equal treatment...  not better than...  just fair and equal.  That includes: pay, treatment by the police and business owners, neighbors, co-workers, politicians, people in other countries...  the list goes on.  Fair and equal treatment and opportunities as a starting point would be a great start.

Connect with LaToya: Instagram: RAM2AKA Facebook: LaToya Ramsey White

*** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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In this week’s episode we’re talking with Cincinnati mover and shaker, Tamia Stinson. (If you chime in on Instagram @SixDegreesofSegregation, give her a shout because she just got married! Congrats and best wishes!)

Tamia is a Marketing Strategist who helps creative entrepreneurs build stylish brands through her company, The Style Sample. Often called upon as a producer and influencer for marketing and branding campaigns, Stinson has worked with small businesses, non-profits, and multinational brands on a diverse portfolio of projects.                                                                                                                                  

In 2017, she won a $100,000 Haile Fellowship Grant to create Tether, a network of creative image-makers. And in 2021, was awarded a grant for Main Street Ventures to make upgrades to tethercincy.com and continue its mission.She also sits on the board of several organizations, is a frequent collaborator on creative and civic projects, and has long held the title of Slumber Party Dance-off Champion. – which for some wild reason we did NOT get to during our talk. Tamia I need a follow up!

What we did get to though, covers off on finding yourself and who and where you are the most you. How fashion is a tool for self expression. The expectations to look and act a certain way – esp as a black woman. And again – this was recorded in Aug 2020, we talked about Juneteenth, critical race theory and many other topics that could have easily been recorded today…

 

Give Tamia a follow

online: thestylesample.com

Twitter: @thestylesample

IG: thestylesample

Tether online:

tethercincinnati.com

Instagram: @tethercincy

Twitter: @tethercincy

Facebook: Tether Cincy

*** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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This week's guest is Dr. Marcus, L. Matthews from Memphis, Tenn., who a self-proclaimed "doctor from the hood."

Marcus is the Executive Director of the Matthews-Fayne Foundation; a Professor at American College of Mental Health Education (ACMHE), and Assistant Principal at Nicholas Hobbs Academy.    He's also the author of three books: "I Am Not the Father: Narratives of Men Falsely Accused of Paternity," "Runners," and "Urban ACEs: How to Reach and Teach Students Traumatized by Adverse Childhood Experiences."   Follow @SixDegreesofSegregation and @drmarcuslmatthews on instagram for a chance to win his latest book: Urban ACEs: How to Reach and Teach Students Traumatized by Adverse Childhood Experiences   To him, being black in America means that you bear the burden of every American citizen – black, white, asian, hispanic, straight, gay, male, female, and all others. He feels that the treatment of black people in America serves as the barometer for the treatment of every other person in this country. Black people built America centuries ago and still fight for the freedoms that many other Americans enjoy with little to no struggle.

You can follow Marcus on social: 

YouTube: Dr. Marcus Matthews  Facebook: Author ML Matthews LinkedIn: Dr. Marcus Matthews Instagram: @drmarcuslmatthews

*** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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Today my guest is Gerald Cadogan. Gerald was a HS football phenom from PM, OH who went on to letter and start at Penn State under Joe Paterno. In 2008, he was a candidate for college football's prestigious Draddy Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top college football student-athlete.

During his senior season he was named a consensus first team All-Big Ten selection and was awarded the conference's Sportsmanship Award and named an Academic All-American for a second time.  

After much success in college including Orange, Rose, Outback and Alamo bowl appearances, he was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine where his split time in the 40 ranked him fifth among offensive linemen at the combine. This began his professional football career,  where he was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals’, Carolina Panthers’, Indianapolis Colts’, Philadelphia Eagles’, and San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers’ practice squads before finishing his football career in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts, whom Cadogan won a Grey Cup with in 2012.

Besides all these athletic accolades, Gerald is kind. He is generous. He is motivated to make a positive impact on the world. As such, coming full-circle, Gerald has returned to Portsmouth and is a teacher and coach in the halls he once walked as a student. He’s also very much involved in his community.

“I wanted to come back to Portsmouth to make an impact on the community in a positive way,” Cadogan said. “That’s why I came back and have stayed. I want to empower the next generation to continue to grow this community in all facets.”

Cadogan has also held a youth sports camp in Portsmouth, bringing his former college teammates as well as current NFL players to be guest coaches, as part of his involvement in the community. He feels that “It is important to stay involved and help other young people realize their potential and achieve their goals.”

And instructs them “Take advantage of every opportunity to help someone else, because that someone in need one day could be you.”

Advice we could all take… *** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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Air Force veteran, creativity expert and change agent Duane Wilson takes us on a journey through his life and around the world as he shares with us his experience with racism and racial bias and the powerful concept of standing out of line.  *** Follow Duane on online. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duane-wilson-783ab535/  Website: soarconsultingservices.com  *** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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Tracing one's ancestry as a Black person in America can often be a short endeavor. But for Latise Hairston, she was able to go all the way back to West Africa. As a member of one of the largest families in America, the Hairston "property" ledger connected some dots and ancestry.com did the rest (#NotAnAd).  From a Ghanaian name giving ceremony to family ties rooted in slavery, and a bout with COVID-19 to workplace and police discrimination, Latise covers it all in our hour together.  *** Follow Latise on social. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hopeconsulting  Twitter: @hope_harvesting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latise-hairston-ph-d/ Website: www.hopeharvesting.com  For more coverage on the Hairston Family: The book is the story of the large Hairston family, whose ancestors included both slaveowners and enslaved people, incorporating the experiences of both. Book CBS News (1999) C-Span (1999) 60 Minutes (1999) *** Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected] *** Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

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Christina Wilson is an army veteran, mom, wife and currently works as a federal employee. We share a high school but not necessarily a high school experience. As classmates, teammates and friends, I didn't realize how vastly different our experiences were in the town we grew up in, or the classrooms we shared, until this conversation. 

Tina and I talk about what it's like to be part of a diverse family, in a less-than-diverse town. About raising children to love who they are. About education and the importance of knowing our full American history. And about why seeing color isn't bad – but how you see it could be.  Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected]

Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

Follow us on social @SixDegreesofSegregation on Instagram and @6DsofSegregation on Twitter. 

Tiffany and I are second degree connections turn fast-friends. She's a do-it-all kind of woman who puts her whole heart into everything she touches.

As a Marketing + Communications Professional, Certified Mystic and Trauma-Informed Yoga & Meditation Teacher, the conversations we have hit on multiple levels.

We talk what it's like to be in interracial relationships, to raise children and Tiffany shares her experience of being a Black woman, living in the south, who's cautioned against flying a Black Lives Matter flag at her own home.  Follow Tiffany on social: Instagram: @1standRoots Have a question? Something you'd like to discuss? Or would you like to share your story? Email: [email protected]

Join our closed community for continued conversation, episode break downs, exclusive content and more when you support our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sixdegreesofsegregation 

Follow us on social @SixDegreesofSegregation on Instagram and @6DsofSegregation on Twitter.