In continuing the theme of Loving Day, this week Edye is joined by her good friends Brian Bouwens and wife Julianne Howe-Bouwens. They sat down to talk about how sometimes the best love for us is the kind that challenges us to step outside of the box that the world often tries to force us to stay in. Listen to this "Loving" couple's meet-cute and how their love has flourished over the years. 

This week Edye is joined by Rob Schuitema, Director of Public Programs and Dr. Stephanie Ogren, VP of Science & Education both of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. In exploring the newly formed partnership between Ebony Road Players and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the tree discuss how beautiful it can be when themes overlap and bring forward new connections. 

Think about this...
The content may not be easy to be a part of but when these conversations are had in a safe space and in an intentional way, it provides the opportunity to learn and understand one another. This understanding bridges the gap of divisiveness. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode.

This week, Edye is joined by Randy Goble, Director of Engagement for Kent District Library. As Ebony Road Players prepares to present "Alabama Story" by Kenneth Jones, Edye and Randy explore how libraries are the first target in all attempts at censorship. 

You may not know all the fights our librarians and library administrators encounter but you should know that their efforts to keep the libraries representative of the communities they serve never ends.

We hope you enjoy the episode and it moves you to take a visit to your local library soon!

The Ebony Road Players Podcast is back for Season 2! We're starting the season off by diving deep into some 'Loving' issues as we gear us to celebrate Loving Day on June 12.

This week Edye is joined by a new friend, Reaiah True. Listen as they talk candidly about the sense of belonging or lack thereof when your identity doesn't fit into the box your environment tries to put you in. How relatable is the feeling of being claimed nowhere but belonging everywhere?

Art helps us identify with one another and expands our notion of "we" from local to global- Anonymous

This week Edye is joined by Michelle Covington, Vice President of Advancement at ICCF Community Homes, moving people from homelessness to home ownership and every step in between. Join us as the ladies take us on a journey of their own personal experiences with what it means to own your own path and how art is often the beacon we need to bridge the gap between every next step. 

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world" -Harriet Tubman

This week, Edye sits down with longtime friend, Lisa Knight, Executive Director of Girls Choral Academy, actress, director, singer, entrepreneur and the first Black woman to serve as Grand Rapids City Commissioner for the 2nd Ward. The ladies take you on a journey guided by the power of dreaming.  

This week Edye is joined by Dr. Amy Dunham Strand, Director of the Jane Hibbard Idema Women's Studies Center and Associate Professor of Women's Studies at Acquinas College. 

Their conversation reflects on this quote from Former First Lady Michelle Obama, "But don't ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own."

As you listen, consider how your hope and courage have inspired others throughout your life.

This week we've turned the table and we have our lovely host, Edye Evans Hyde in the hot seat. She and our guest host, Quianna Babb are taking you on a journey, winding through experiences as Black women, artists and navigating the world of community theatre with Ebony Road Players. 

From beginning to end, this episode is full of insights, reflections and hope for the future. We're so happy you could join us.

This week, Edye is joined by Jevon Willis, Director for the Center of Diversity & Inclusion at Hope College and they're talking about what equitable education looks like and how diversity and inclusion has to be equitable in order for it to be successful.

"I believe that education is the civil rights issue of our generation. And if you care about promoting opportunity and reducing inequality, the classroom is the place to start. Great teaching is about so much more than education, it is a daily fight for social justice." - Arne Duncan

Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page @ Ebony Road Players.

Have you ever privately wondered why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is such a hot-button issue in so many spaces? Well this episode is for you.  This week Edye is joined by Latoya Booker, Executive Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Davenport University and Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at University of Michigan Health West, (no relation) and they're breaking it down for you. From education, to healthcare, to libraries, the ladies are discussing how DEI plays a part in it all.