On this episode of The Parley in All Blue, Mark is joined by Dr. Nicole Truesdell who is an anthropologist, an abolitionist scholar and teacher who is dedicated to knowledge without borders. Dr. Truesdell has been in some of the top and most respected spaces in the United States. Beloit college, LSU, Brown, Michigan State, the Smithsonian, and more. She joins us for a  discussion on how memory, our history, our creativity and our culture can serve to understand, deconstruct and abolish oppressive systems and institutions.

Highlights from the episode:

• What's an abolitionist scholar and teacher? How does anthropology help you achieve that goal? (3:15)
• What's the first step in abolitionist work? (8:05)
• What's your definition of "memory?" How do we use it to free us? (23:28)
• How does music/drumming play into memory and abolition? (39:39)
• What are your thoughts on the Supreme Court weighing Affirmative Action and higher ed admissions? (1:06:16)

Connect with Dr. Nicole Truesdell

LinkedIn: @drnicoletruesdell

Website: https://www.drnicoletruesdell.com/

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

On this episode of The Parley in All Blue, Mark is joined by Jayme Beasley, an instructor at Clark Atlanta to talk about the water crisis in Jackson Mississippi. Jayme is working on her dissertation in water distribution and clean water access. She's been to Morocco, Ghana looking at this issue but she's been acutely aware and focused on the water in Jackson Mississippi. This water crisis won't be resolved without federal, state, and a local, political solution. Today's discussion will go in depth into what can be done and who can fix this issue. 

Highlights from the episode:

• How Jayme became interested in water and clean water access (8:05)
• What are some of the global and national issues around water? (18:32)
• Does Jackson Mississippi take advantage of upgrading their water system in the 1970s? (31:23)
• The difference between Flint Michigan's water and Jackson Mississippi's water (37:43)
• Who's responsible for fixing the water system in Jackson Mississippi? (42:51)
• Has Jackson Mississippi presented a plan yet to fix the water? (1:11:24)

Connect with Jayme Beasley

LinkedIn: @jayme-beasley-mpa

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

On this episode of The Parley in All Blue, Mark is joined by historian Dr. Brian Mitchell. He is the director of research and interpretation at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential library and museum where he focuses on reconstruction. Previously, he was a professor at the University of Arkansas Little Rock and he's also written the book; Blood in Their Eyes: The Elaine massacre of 1919, as well as the graphic novel Monumental: Oscar Don and his radical fight and Reconstruction of Louisiana. Today's discussion is all about Reconstruction, an intentionally ignored topic in American history. Now, there's no way a podcast or documentary can take the place of good old fashion studying (especially on a subject as vital as Reconstruction) but Mark and Dr. Mitchell will shed some much needed light on the subject and its importance in not only black American history, but American history as a whole. 

Highlights from the episode:

• What is Reconstruction and why is it important? (03:43)
• Before Lincoln's assassination, had reconstruction already begun? (9:20)
• What was happening with black America culturally during this time? (25:02)
• Black power during reconstruction (35:52)
• The Ku Klux Klan (59:28)

Resources:

Blood in their Eyes and Monumental

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

On this episode of The Parley in All Blue, Mark sits down with Keith Boykin, author of the book Quitting: Why I left my job for a life of freedom. Keith is a double ivy league graduate who quit what many would deem a "dream job" working at the White House.  Keith is no stranger to quitting jobs to pursue experiences that are important to him and leaving places of employment that are no longer serving him. By doing so, Keith has also authored 6 books, hosted his own talk show, become a noted political commentator, been a producer of TV and film, and traveled the world. Keith's book speaks on the good and bad of quitting your job and place of employment.

Highlights from the episode:

• Keith explains why he wasn't surprised by "The Great Resignation" (7:55)
• Keith talks about his time in the White House and when he realized it was time for him to leave/quit/resign. (14:48)
• Keith talks about his first quitting experience and what he learned. (17:38)
• You can quit BUT the bills do not! (20:04)
• Keith shares what he learned from his parents as far as guidance, truthfulness, and entrepreneurship when in comes to quitting. (21:40)

Resources:

Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom by: Keith Boykin

Connect with Keith Boykin

Instagram: @keithboykin

Website: https://www.keithboykin.com/

Twitter: @keithboykin

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

On this episode of The Parley in All Blue, Mark is joined by Journalist, editor, educator and author, Linda Villarosa. Linda has delivered a critically important book that is a must read! The title is Under The Skin: The Hidden toll of racism on American lives and on the health of our nation. In this book, Linda describes how and why black Americans live sicker and die quicker and it's not because of race or class, but because of racism. Linda, through numerous amounts of data and the stories of people, lays out in detail how this came to be and some ways forward. As a former writer for Essence and now a writer for the New York times magazine she has reported on many issues and the health of black Americans. Whether it be HIV/AIDS, environmental racism and its effects on health, eugenics, diet Covid, she's been at the forefront of writing and reporting our story in the healthcare system. 

Highlights from the episode:

• Linda talks about her journey to understanding how racism and health intersect (5:20)
• Are black bodies different? Do we have physiological/biological differences that create different health disparities? (10:45)
• The Relf Sisters and their story (14:30)
• The story of Simone landrum in New Orleans and how unequal treatment in healthcare can really have some some bad outcomes for black folks in particularly for black women (18:35)
• Where does the profession of Doula stand? More information about Doulas and Latona Giwa (23:09)

Resources:

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation

Connect with Linda Villarosa

LinkedIn: @linda-villarosa

Website: https://www.lindavillarosa.com/

Twitter: @lindavillarosa

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

Highlights from the episode:

• Midterm Elections (3:04)
• What’s at stake during the elections (7:04)
• Thoughts on student loan forgiveness(21:33)
• Political Sophistication (26:03)
• The importance of voting (33:31)

Connect with Dr. Tammy Greer

LinkedIn: @tammy-greer-ph-d

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

We are back for another season of The Parley in All Blue and we are  joined by John Moye. John is the Senior director, policy legislative affairs, and Civic engagement of the Urban League of greater Atlanta. We will be discussing the midterms, how some people feel about voting for the lesser of two evils or voting at all, and the whole idea that there's no difference between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. We also break down what was on the line then, like the three Supreme Court seats, the passing of the George Floyd police act, the January 6th insurrection at our nation's capital, the racist rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia and the responses by different sides, kids in cages, the onslaught of restricting voting measures that has passed in over 30 states and women's reproductive rights. All of these issues were on the line during the election. We also have the midterms coming, so what's at stake? Do you believe everyone should have clean and reliable drinking water? Do you like student loan forgiveness? Do you think that the 1619 project should be a part of schools curriculum or should it be banned? 

Highlights from the episode:

• What is The State of Black America report? (5:37)
• John’s role with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta? (26:13)
• Key things that have come through legislation that the Urban League has advocated for that has affected people (33:30)
• The water crisis in Mississippi? (40:07)
• Governor Kemp vs Stacey Abrams? (53:53)

Resources:

You can go to the The National Urban League website where you'll see a report of the State of Black America at:  www.nul.org

Also, for additional information, go to www.Stateofblackamerica.com

Connect with John Moye

LinkedIn: @john-h-moye

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

On the season finale of  The Parley in All Blue, Mark is joined by Dr. Stephen Finley who is the inaugural chair of African and African American studies at LSU. Dr. Finely is an associate professor of religious studies at LSU, as well. He's gonna walk us through how religion, the religion of "whiteness" fuels attacks, or the religion of white nationalism and white supremacy fuels attacks like that in Buffalo at Tops grocery store or at the Tree of Life Senegal in Pittsburgh or at the Walmart in El Paso Texas where the mass shooter in that case was specifically looking for Mexicans or Mexican immigrants. Dr. Finley will also discuss what religious studies mean and how it comes into play in today's society. 

Highlights from the episode:

• Teaching Religious Studies 
• Defining Whiteness 
• Religion and the Current State of Society 
• Critical Race Theory and the School System 
• The Mission of Turning Point USA 

Connect with Dr. Stephen Finley

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

On this episode of The Parley in All Blue, Mark is joined by Abad Leyva to shine some light on the history and culture of Afro Mexicans, i.e Africans in Mexico during and after Slavery. The Port of Veracruz brought in more enslaved people from Africa through their port than the port of Charleston and Savannah combined. Abad Leyva will speak on his experiences and also the African impact on Mexico during slavery. Abad will also discuss the first time he came to America and what early life was like for him as an Afro Mexican in America. 

Highlights from the episode:

• Enslaved Africans in Mexico
• African Culture in Mexico
• Gaspar Yanga
• Abad’s journey from Mexico to the U.S.
• Cimarrones

Connect with Abad Leyva

TikTok: @tecoanapa

Instagram: @AbadTecoanapa

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson

On this episode of The Parley in All Blue, Mark is joined by Nancy Flake Johnson, The CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. She has partnerships with civil rights organizations, corporations, activists, educators, and elected officials. Simply put,  Nancy is a bridge builder. Nancy joins us to talk about her work and the work of the Urban League. We'll also discuss her journey and the unique challenges that we face in today's environment and more. 

Highlights from the episode:

• The National Urban League
• The Workforce in Atlanta
• Civil Rights Organization
• Nancy’s Journey 
• Your Vote Matters  

Connect with Nancy Flake Johnson

Urban League of Greater Atlanta

LinkedIn: @nancy-flake-johnson

Connect with Mark Dawson:

Instagram: @iammarkdawson

LinkedIN: @mark-a-dawson

Website: www.bentonmuse.com

Twitter: @Iammarkdawson