This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" features the founder of Mixed Up Clothing, Sonia Smith-Kang, for a deep dive into honoring our cultural narratives in our life's work, parenting, and communities. Ms. Smith-Kang's insights about the possibilities noticed in herself and our communities, through the pandemic experience, speak to the power of maximizing our gifts in service of others and our own growth. Ms. Smith-Kang is also the co-founder of Culturas, and Vice President, Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC). #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #diversityandinclusion #culturalnarratives #artivism

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" features artist, educator, author, and activist David Heredia for a deep dive into honoring our cultural narratives in our life's work, parenting, and communities. Mr. Heredia's insights about the possibilities noticed in himself and our communities, through the pandemic experience, speak to creating beauty out of chaos. #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #diversityandinclusion #culturalnarratives #artivism

"The Shift in Mental Health Within Communities of Color" was a layered conversation about the power of deepening exploration of our history with the support of mentors, teachers, and healing communities. We highlighted the value of contextualizing pain and honoring healing traditions to build bridges of trust. We focused on the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health prompted by an interdisciplinary approach to historical trauma---including its impact on clinicians of these same communities. Thanks to Dr. Makisha Lawrence for such an insightful experience of identifying ways to thrive individually and collectively.

What an insightful conversation with Benny Blades! Benny is a counselor and dedicated mentor within Santa Monica College and is alma mater, UCLA. Among many forms of community service, he serves as a dynamic Board Director in the International Society of Black Latinos. All of this and his avid study of world history adds to our conversation about transitioning into post-pandemic life in our work and academic environments. In the process, we focused on the opportunities to shift our mindset in the interest of healing ourselves and cherished communities. Empathy remained at the center of all reflections. Thanks, Benny! #TransitioningIntoANewWorld #PostPandemicGrowth #TheShift #ImaginingtheWorldontheOtherSideofthePandemic #healingourcommunities #healingourselves

What an inspiring conversation with Ligia Grenald! Ligia is an an industrial engineer, entrepreneur and professor, which richly adds to our conversation about transitioning into post-pandemic life in our work and academic environments. In the process, we highlight how healing individually and in community promotes the shift into new ways of functioning in our workplaces--as employees, employers, entrepreneurs---and modified school experiences. Most importantly, this conversation focused on how relevant cultural sensitivity is in the healing of collective trauma such as the pandemic.

What an inspiring conversation with Ebony Williams! Ebony is an artist, psychotherapist, and professor, which all informs a rich conversation about envisioning post-pandemic life. In the process, we highlight how healing individually and in community allows us to access each other's wisdom to start anew with greater consciousness about history and ways to thrive. Most importantly, this conversation focused on how relevant cultural sensitivity is in the healing of collective trauma such as the pandemic.

#PostPandemicGrowth #ImaginingtheWorldontheOtherSideofthePandemic #healingourcommunities #healingourselves

A thousand thanks to all the beautiful people who participated in the Transforming the World through Reflections journey. Today we commemorate our anniversary of conversations that took place in the pandemic. The focus has been to explore intersections between the pandemic and social injustices. We have shared experiences, examined ways to create new experiences at the end of the pandemic and heal the pain that has plagued our communities for generations. Onward.  Today we gather to remember the podcast experience with  All of them excellent representatives of the dynamism of so many professionals who contributed their ideas to the podcast. A hug to all. #TransformingtheWorldthroughReflections

Thanks to:

Anaida Colón-Muñiz

Blain L. Watson

Ligia M. Grenald R.

Juanita Palacios-Sims

Maritza Collins

Eugenia Rodríguez, PsyD, LMFT

José M Blackman, Jr.

Adeela "Docta Dee" Whittaker

Makisha Lawrence, PsyD

Loretta Brazil

Carla Michelle

Nygil Palmer

Sheri Johnson

Dayren Santamaría

Pastor Kelvin Sauls

Pastor Edward Nelson

Pastor Najuma Smith-Pollard

D. Channsin Berry

Sheree Johnson

T. Faye Griffin

Brigette Dunn-Korpela

Kimiko Warner-Turner

Claudia Bautista-Nicholas

William Haddad

Susan Lowe

Bree Cook, PsyD

Valaira Sa-Ra

Tamiyka White

Kay Benjamin

Zuri

Naoe

Sonia Smith-Kang

Valentino Dixon

Jake Ross

Ashley Asberry

"Transforming the World through Reflections: Art and Thriving" What a great conversation with amazing artist, entrepreneur, and educator José M Blackman, Jr.! We went from the experience of immigrating from Panama and launching life in the United States to using our gifts for healing...So good! This talented bassist will guide us in noticing opportunities to create space and resources for individual and community healing through this global crisis.

#Healing

#ArtandThriving

What a rich conversation about healing in "Transforming the World through Reflections: Burnout in Pandemic Times"! Thank you, Dr. Bree Cook, Psychotherapist Ebony Williams, Registered Nurse Ashley Asberry, and Administrator and District Director within the Department of Public Social Services Jake Ross for your words of wisdom. This reflection process highlighted the value of re-connecting with our bodies to improve self-care; building community of mutual support; and creating a recovery plan from this pandemic experience.

#BurnoutInPandemicTimes

#Healing

#FromBurnouttoBliss

Over the years it's been an honor and privilege to gather with amazing women to celebrate International Women's Day at home, enjoying music, food, and each other. We have built a sense of community and strengthened bonds through sharing important narratives about our lives, ancestry, dreams, passions, and ways to bring them to life! Given the pandemic and in honor of safety, this year's reunion had to be met creatively with virtual platforms. Below is a montage of messages that would have been shared in person, but became a short video to precede our conversation. It's a blessing to be in the presence of these women. Enjoy and be inspired! I LOVE THESE WOMEN!

#InternationalWomensDay2021

#RichLegacyofWomen

#WomenHealingtheWorld