November 2020 (Greensboro, NC/Atlanta, GA) -- November is National Children’s Grief Awareness Month. On this episode of Ukuvusa, I had the privilege of speaking with an old friend from college, Danielle Edwards, who is now a clinical social worker that has a passion for grief and domestic violence work. She’s a wife, mother, and one of the strongest, funniest, wisest women I know. Her passion is fueled by the fact that she tragically lost her mother due to domestic violence. By sharing her story, Danielle explains how children process violent events and environments by giving examples from her own life. Tune in to learn more about her story of childhood trauma, her extraordinary journey of healing her inner child, and how her experience has impacted her relationship with her own children. If you’ve ever BEEN a child, LOVED a child, or RAISED a child... this informative episode is for you!!

GUESTS:
Danielle Edwards -- IG: @neworleansjazzgirl

November 2020 (Greensboro, NC/Atlanta, GA) -- November is National Adoption Month. This week features Mila Konomos (The Empress Han), a South Korean adoptee and artist who was/is one of the realest women I’ve ever known. Mila is a transracial, transnational Korean adoptee who struggled to understand her origin story. We were roommates in Atlanta in our 20s and I’ve seen her struggle with feeling like a foreigner in a distant land... much like myself. Mila eventually found her birth family after 7 years of searching, but she learned so much more after reconnecting with them. Mila discusses colonization and erasure, being raised by a military family, and discovering her true identity. 

GUEST:

Mila Konomos -- IG: @the_empress_han

October 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- Whether single or married, emotions impact all aspects of our relationships with ourselves and with others. Joining us on this episode are Kelly and Ray McKinnon, who have been married for 16 years, and Mike Goodwin, a North Carolina-based artist and self-professed emotionally intelligent Black man! How do we deal with our emotions in a healthy way when our culture teaches both men and women to only explore and express certain aspects? By discussing their life experiences, our guests touch on the importance of listening to our emotions and how to be in control of them. Tune in to learn more about how to awaken! 

GUESTS:

Kelly McKinnon -- IG: @vkmckinnon

Ray Shawn McKinnon -- IG: @raymckinnonclt

Mike Goodwin -- IG: mike_n.o.t.e.s

October 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- On this episode of Ukuvusa, I had the pleasure of speaking with Zantwan Worthy, a Greensboro leader who served 13 years in prison and has already been making positive waves in the community since being released in 2020. In this episode, Zantwan shares his experiences navigating the legal system, and his entrepreneurial and community aspirations. Listen in as we talk about Zantwan’s story of transformation! 

GUEST:

Zantwan Worthy -- IG: @zantwan77

September 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- Ukuvusa welcomes some of the most lovely, most kind, and most magical Black women I’ve ever met. Gwon’head follow these Queens. 👑

Opening track 🎙 : Face to Face (Brandon D ft. ILLPO)
Closing track 🎵 : Won't Let it Stop Me (Vanessa Ferguson)

GUESTS:
Dr. Ayisha Jefferson-Evans -- IG: @ayishazakiabeautifullyf, @beautifauxlocs1, @ourbeautymattersnow
Kasey Hayes -- IG: @the_real_kase, @kase_the_braider
Lisa Eady -- IG: @livingpurposefully2018

September 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- White Jesus, Manifest Destiny, the Thanksgiving lie, the global economic impact of colonization. 👁  This conversation got really deep really quickly. 🤯  I love my podcast guests! Being honest in front of an audience of strangers is not easy for many of us. Much appreciation for your openness + willingness!!

GUESTS:
Reynolds Chapman -- IG: @reynoldschapman
Katelyn Chapman -- IG: @katelynopchapman
Jennifer Hensel -- IG: @jennhippiemama
Matt Stratton -- Website: Raymond James

September 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- We recorded this episode over Labor Day weekend and decided to approach the conversation as a roadmap for awakening 👁 + laboring 👶🏽 to give birth to our healthiest selves!! These women dropped GEMS 💎 and shared some of the most incredible stories of crisis + miraculous recovery. If your health has been on your heart... this is the show for you. 🥗 🍎 🧅 💦

GUESTS:
Stephany McMillan (Rise & Flow) -- IG: @furmamasteph, @@riseandflow_gso
Jamilla Pinder -- IG: @j.d.pinder
Jasmine Beard (AJOY Consulting) -- IG: @joysunshine85

August 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- In 2018, Deftable hosted a Storytime 🎤 & Wine 🍷 event and the topic was healthy masculinity. This episode's guests include Terence Muhammad (activist + community leader), C. Ricardo Briggs (musician + entrepreneur), and Brandon D (co-founder of We the People International + songwriter). These men took the topic to another level as they shared stories of their own awakenings. Suuuuch a powerful conversation!! 🔥 😫

GUESTS:
Terence Muhammad (TC) -- IG: @hiphoptc
Brandon D -- IG: @brandondllc
C. Ricardo Briggs -- IG: @brewsab

August 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- Motherhood, WAP 🤭, and the future of the Black woman. 🔥 This week’s #UkuvusaRadioPodcast is eye opening! My guests, Adrienne Spinner (IG: @mrsspinn), Nikki Davis (IG: @yagirlnikki), and Sharrie McCain (@comedienne_lady_shamar) are all Black wives, mothers, and entrepreneurs trying to navigate the many responsibilities that come with those important roles. Listen in!

August 2020 (Greensboro, NC) -- In this episode, Dr. Z is joined by Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, District 1 Councilwoman, Sharon Hightower, and artist/activist, FreeDopeMajor. We discuss the massive global awakening that has been sparked by George Floyd's murder on May 25,  2020, and the impact that COVID and other factors have had on the Greensboro community.

To watch this full episode on Youtube, click here.

GUESTS:
Mayor Nancy Vaughan -- IG: @mayor.nancy.vaughan
Councilwoman Sharon Hightower -- Facebook: Sharon Melvin Hightower
FreeDopeMajor -- IG: @freedopemajor