The Blackness Thread (formerly Still Talking Black)

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This episode is a reintroduction of the show host Richard Dodds, and a brief conversation about the episodes that have been published so far. Happy Holidays everyone!

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Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

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This episode is a round table on Blackness. I am joined by a few friends and we talk about a number of topics including what Blackness means to us, being "neutral" as a minority, the education system, recent school shootings, raising free thinkers, and much more.
 
About the Interviewee:
Jai is an educator raised by an educator. She has been entrenched in her Blackness since she was a little girl. She also attended an HBCU.

Angel is also an educator but spent a lot of time in corporate America. She embraces her Blackness, but still celebrates the other parts of her heritage. 

CoCo grew up and went to school in a primarily Black area, her eyes were opened once she attended a college that was primarily white.  Her father raised her to always be in touch with her Blackness.

Support the show

Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

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This episode is the second and final part of this Black professional conversation. I continue my conversation with a seasoned HR professional, where we talk about ways to survive and thrive in the workplace.

About the Interviewee:
An HR professional with over 8 years of experience.

Spotlight on Melanin:
This episode's spotlight is on Andrea Renee. Andrea is a speaker, stylist, and author. Her first book You Are Favor released in 2020. You can find Andrea on Instagram @DreaUplifts and you can check out her book here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Support the show

Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

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This episode is all about the Black professionals. I talked to an HR professional about thriving and surviving in workplaces that aren't always built for minorities.

About the Interviewee:
An HR professional with over 8 years of experience.

Spotlight on Melanin:
This episode's spotlight is on Jaleesa Pope. Jaleesa helps small businesses expand their reach with digital media solutions. She offers services from web design to social media management and coaching. You can find Jaleesa @JaleesaIsMagic

Support the show

Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Send us Fan Mail

Episode Summary:
This episode is all about trying to understand the view of people that are biracial in America. Later in the episode, I talk to Sabrina Athena as she shares some of her perspectives on the film and modeling industry and talks about some of her experiences growing up biracial in America. Also during this episode, we play a poem from Cassie Poe called "Having Soul." You can find the video of her performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVRr4EHnzWA&t=3s. Cassie now makes handmade jewelry, you can check out her store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/beadmode.

About the Interviewee:
Sabrina Athena is a very talented model, actress, and entrepreneur with roots in Detroit and Brooklyn. You can follow her on Instagram @TheSabrinaAthena.

Spotlight on Melanin:
This episode's spotlight is on Mila Lynn. Mila is an incredible artist with a studio in Lansing Michigan. You can find her on Instagram @MindOfMila, and you can find links to her shop here: MindOfMila.com

References from the Episode:
Interracial marriage:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interracial_marriage#:~:text=Interracial%20marriage%20in%20the%20United,marriage%20at%20much%20earlier%20dates.

Same sex marriage: in the United States:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States#:~:text=On%20June%2026%2C%202015%2C%20the,Hodges.

Support the show

Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

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Episode Summary:
This episode is all about Black creatives. Richard discusses how hip-hop mimics negro spirituals, and how Black people use their art as an expression of their pain and protest. Later in the episode, he talks to Shannon King of The Not Your Enemy Brand: Speak Out Sessions about what it means to be a Black Creative.

About the Interviewee:
Shannon King is a multi-talented creator and podcaster. Shannon, alongside her podcast partner Jared L. White hosts The Not Your Enemy Brand: Speak Out Sessions, where they talk to other creators about issues facing the Black community. You can follow Shannon on Instagram @visionaryccb. You can find the podcast: not-your-enemy-speak-out-sessions.castos.com  and the episode featuring Richard here: not-your-enemy-speak-out-sessions.castos.com/episodes/speak-out-sessions-wrichard

Spotlight on Melanin:
This episode's spotlight is on Creative Bre. Creative Bre is a very talented graphic designer, illustrator, and painter that has a variety of products ranging from stickers to prints, to t-shirts. You can find her on Instagram @CreativeBre, and you can find links to her shop here: CreativeBre.com/Shop

Support the show

Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

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Episode Summary:
This episode is the very first episode of Still Talking Black. This episode is all about how STB originated and the story behind the name. Also in this episode, we hear from Mrs. Shelton, a former educator, principal, and assistant principal. We discuss a middle school exchange program that opened Richard's eyes to how different people's starting points are.

About the Interviewee:
Mrs. Shelton is a retired educator that worked in Detroit Public Schools for 40 years. She was the Assistant Principal of Ludington Middle School when Richard attended.

Spotlight on Melanin:
This episode's spotlight is on Vernon Thompson, a high school assistant principal that made a hip-hop album about issues facing the inner city. You can find him on Instagram @VernonSThompson, and you can find links to his album here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/vernonthompson/the-joe-clark-tape-2

Support the show

Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Send us Fan Mail

One thing we are told as children is not to judge a book by its cover. The thing we consistently do as adults is exactly the opposite. If you look at our blood-stained history you can start to understand why being great for the majority of people doesn’t work when you’re in the minority. In the land of the “free,” home of the brave, where all men are created equal but blacks weren't considered people, and far too often women aren't considered equal. It's time to stop and take a look at things from a different perspective.

Support the show

Show Credits:
Richard Dodds (Host/Producer): @Doddsism
Show Music: @IAmTheDjBlue
Podcast Website: StillTalkingBlack.com

Still Talking Black is a production of Crowned Culture Media LLC. All rights reserved.