Truth's Table

In this episode of Truth’s Table, Ekemini, Michelle, and Christina talk about who the table is for, how to listen to the table, and they also discuss the importance of affinity spaces. Pull up a chair, grab your teacups and have a seat at the table!

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In this special episode, Celai West, pronounced “sah-LAY”, joins Ekemini at the table. Celai is a quirky ten year old STEMgirl who is making waves in the fashion, runway, vlogging and acting industry, all while proving you can never be too cool for school. She began print modeling when she was five, doing runway shows when she was six, started acting and became the CEO of her own t-shirt line, TheChattyChick.com, at seven, walked in NYFW for the first time at eight, had her first viral video at nine and co-authoring her first book at ten.

Celai has worked with major brands such as Target, Walmart, Amazon, Gap, Disney and Allstate and was the leading lady in Willy Williams’ music video “The Voodoo Song” that has been viewed over 18 million times! She also appeared in “I Am My Own Mother” which was selected to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018. She is looking forward to doing more acting and challenging herself on set.

Celai West has appeared on ten magazine covers, published inside several magazine issues and newspapers and many of her images, as well as videos, been shared on social media in viral numbers. Please be sure to check out her Press page.

Celai currently has two viral runway videos that, to date, have been viewed more than 17 million times collectively. She can regularly be seen walking the runway among an all adult lineup as well as coaching her runway techniques.

After several unpleasant experiences with stylists who were unknowledgeable on how to style her hair while on set, Celai and her mom teamed up to create their own hair tutorials. They expected to help show styling and hair care techniques for ethnic textured hair but were pleasantly surprised to find that their videos were a hit and over 6 have received viral numbers.Celai was recently welcomed to the production team of The Industry Fashion Show “T.I.F.S” as their Runway Coordinator, making her the youngest show producer.

West looks forward to continuing to breaking barriers while working hard in the classroom and prove that models ARE indeed smart too. Please be sure to subscribe to her blog to keep abreast of all the great things she’s up to!

Follow Celai West on social media:

https://www.Instagram.com/celaiwest

https://www.Facebook.com/celaiwest

https://www.Twitter.com/celaiwest

https://www.Tumblr.com/celaiwest

http://www.CelaiWest.com

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The ladies are back at the table y’all! In this episode, Ekemini, Michelle, and Christina talk about their favorite R&B Divas. What makes a diva? Who is and is not a diva? Get ready to cackle along with them and make sure to tweet them your diva picks. Grab your teacup and make sure it’s not too hot because you will spill the tea on yourself! Pull up a chair and have a seat at the table with us!

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In this final episode of the You Okay, Sis? Series, Ekemini and Christina are joined by the one and only, Anowa Adjah to discuss, “You Okay, Sis?: Anowa Adjah, Fix Our Fitness Lives!” Anowa Adjah is the first Nationally Recognized 200-pound Curvy Fit Master Trainer and Group Instructor. Along with her groundbreaking accomplishments in the Health & Wellness realm, she is also the creator of a successful line of Workout DVDs catered to women of all shapes and sizes. Professional, Influencer, Entrepreneur, and mother of twin boys, Anowa has solidified herself as an inspiration to millions around the world. Anowa’s transparency and relentless efforts to motivate and encourage women all over the world has helped her generate a following of over 2 million men and women. Today Adjah continues to advocate self-love, acceptance, and optimal health. Anowa is also a well-respected motivational speaker who continues to encourage her audience to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams. Anowa’s company “Anowa Adjah Works” (formerly known as Powerhouse Physiques) has expanded to include: online training programs, fitness challenges, hosting and more. Anowa is working on a book and a national campaign towards improving positive self-esteem, body perception, and health amongst teens and college-bound girls.

Follow Anowa Adjah on Social Media:

www.AnowaAdjah.com

www.instagram.com/AnowaAdjah

www.facebook.com/Anowa

www.twitter.com/AnowaAdjah

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In this episode of “You Okay, Sis?: But Them Loans Tho! with Sonia Lewis, ‘The Student Loan Doctor.’” Ekemini and Christina are joined by Sonia Lewis. Sonia Lewis, is CEO of an award-winning business, The Student Loan Doctor LLC. Sonia is considered the people’s expert for all matters related to student loan debt repayment. She has over 9 years of practical higher education and financial aid experience.

The Student Loan Doctor LLC has been recognized as the first African American and woman owned student loan repayment company in the country. The business has also received a citation by the City of Philadelphia because of the business’s impact within the Philadelphia community.

The company was designed to educate others about their student loan debt and provide assistance in making a tangible plan for repayment. The social impact goal of the business is to help a generation of borrowers become free of debt to promote social mobility and wealth building. Sonia is an expert speaker across all audiences regardless of age. She has been invited to share her expertise at different platforms such as: The White House Briefing on Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color, Black Enterprise, Money Magazine, contributor and featured in Essence Magazine, Forbes, KYW News Radio 1060 AM, Fox 29, The BET Network, RT America, and a host of educational workshops across the nation. Sonia is also a 3-time self-published author.

Pull up a chair and have a seat at the table with us!

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In this episode of Truth’s Table, Morgan takes a seat at the table with Christina and Ekemini. Morgan Harper Nichols is a writer, artist, and musician who makes her work around people and their stories. In 2017, Morgan started a project where she invites people to submit their stories to her website. From there, she creates art inspired by what they send her, and then, sends them the art, for free. As an artist, Morgan has collaborated with publications and brands including Coach, Darling Magazine, Esquire Singapore, Jungalow, and more. Originally from Atlanta, Ga. and she and her husband Patrick currently reside just a little south of Los Angeles in Orange County, California. Pull up a chair and have a seat at the table with us.

Follow Morgan Harper Nichols on Social Media:

Instagram: instagram.com/morganharpernichols

Twitter: twitter.com/morganhnichols

Pinterest: pinterest.com/morganharpernichols

Website: morganharpernichols.com

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In this episode, You Okay, Sis?: Misogynoir & Mental Health with Jeremiah Hopes. Ekemini and Christina are joined by Jeremiah Hopes M.S., LPC, LCAS, CAADC is a solution-focused thinker, professional counselor, speaker, and author. Jeremiah holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and he is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. In 2005 he founded, The Center of Hopes,™ a counseling, speaking, and training organization. In 2015 he co-authored Facing Our Future: Building Strong Black Men in the 21st Century. Jeremiah provides counseling services to individuals and families and provides professional training to groups and organizations. Jeremiah is a powerful speaker and an engaging storyteller and his trainings are both interactive and informative. Jeremiah has consulted with the award-winning GAP program and has provided services to a variety of groups and organizations including: the School Nurse Association of North Carolina, the Virginia Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control Board, and the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission.

Purchase Jeremiah Hopes’ Book, Facing Our Future: Building Strong Black Men in the 21st Century here: http://www.centerofhopes.com/product/facing-our-future-book

Follow Jeremiah on Instagram and Facebook:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jeremiahhopes/?hl=en

FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecenterofhopes/

Website: www.centerofhopes.com

Articles referenced in this episode:

Explanation of Misogynoir by Trudy http://www.gradientlair.com/post/84107309247/define-misogynoir-anti-black-misogyny-moya-bailey-coined

Police Violence Against Black Women and Girls is State-Sanctioned Rape Culture by Ekemini Uwan

https://racebaitr.com/2018/09/10/police-violence-is-rape-culture/#

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Trigger Warning: Due to sensitive and upsetting information shared in this episode.

In this episode, You Okay, Sis?: Black Midwives & Mamas Matter with Cessilye R. Smith, Christina and Ekemini are joined by Cessilye R. Smith. Cessilye is a racial and maternal justice activist committed to tearing down walls of oppression and division to build bridges that lead to solution-based practices. Her journey began with her struggle with infertility and lack of awareness of her own body and then the eventual healthy, safe and beautiful births of her own children.

Over the years she has witnessed time and time again the devastating impact systemic failures in healthcare, housing and economics have had on the human condition. Constantly bearing witness to the impact of structural racism and the violence of our collective inaction, while also being active in activism and faith circles has given her the ability to see the overlap in these structures and the drive to pursue justice in an unconventional way. She is passionate about finding commonalities and creating unlikely allies within her work, as Cessilye believes we are stronger when we can find the symmetry in our differences.

Cessilye's passion for black women and for her community is what compelled her to co-found Abide Women's Health Services, an organization that exists to improve birth outcomes in communities with the lowest quality of care. Executive Director, activist, reconciler, speaker and educator are just a few of the many hats she wears. Cessilye resides with her husband and best friend Ramon and their three (one on the way) remarkable, world-changing children in Dallas, TX. Pull up a chair, grab your teacup, and join us at the table!

Article referenced in this episode: Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving's Story Explains Why https://www.npr.org/2017/12/07/568948782/black-mothers-keep-dying-after-giving-birth-shalon-irvings-story-explains-why

Follow Cessilye R. Smith on social media:

Instagram & Twitter: @CessilyerSmith

Instagram & Twitter for Abide: @Abide_Women

Website: www.abidewomen.org

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In this episode, You Okay, Sis?: Infertility & Infant Loss with Erica M. McAfee, Ekemini and Michelle are seated at the table with Erica M. McAfee. Erica M. McAfee is the founder of Sisters in Loss, LLC, a Faith based Grief and Pregnancy Loss coaching company that helps black women turn their pain into their purpose after loss. Sisters in Loss provides birth and bereavement doula services, infertility and grief coaching services to help women step beyond anxiety and fear and into trust and peace after loss.

Sisters in Loss goal through courses, retreats, and conferences is to help women Minimize regrets, Maximize memories, and Manage their path forward after loss. It’s self titled podcast spotlights faith filled black women who share miscarriage, infant loss, and infertility stories and testimonies to heal, gain clarity and peace, find hope, and an empowering path forward after loss. Launched in August 2017 the podcast has a community of 10,000+ sisters in loss.

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In this episode, Natasha joins Ekemini and Christina at the table. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is an international speaker, leadership consultant, diversity and mentoring coach with nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the military, federal government, church, seminary, and nonprofit sectors. She is the author of A Sojourner’s Truth: Choosing Freedom and Courage in a Divided World, Mentor for Life and its accompanying leader’s training manual, and the Hope for Us: Knowing God through the Nicene Creed Bible study. She is the Visionary Founder and Chairperson of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Leadership LINKS, Inc. Natasha is a doctoral student at North Park Theological Seminary, and a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Charlotte (cum laude, M.A. Christian Leadership) and the U.S. Naval Academy. She has served as a Marine Corps officer and employee at the Department of Homeland Security. Natasha is also the host of A Sojourner’s Truth: Conversations for a Changing Culture podcast. Pull up a chair, grab your teacup and have a seat at Truth’s Table!

Connect with Natasha:

Website: http://www.natashasrobinson.com/

Blog: https://asistasjourney.com/

Podcast: http://www.natashasrobinson.com/a-sojourners-truth-podcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatashaSistrunkRobinson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASISTASJOURNEY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asistasjourney/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NatashaSistrunkRobinson

Hosts:

Michelle Higgins (twitter.com/AfroRising)

Christina Edmondson (twitter.com/DrCEdmondson)

Ekemini Uwan (twitter.com/sista_theology)

Producer:

Joshua Heath (twitter.com/J_DotMusic4)

Executive Producer:

Beau York (twitter.com/TheRealBeauYork)

Special Thanks To:

The Witness: A Black Christian Collective - www.TheWitnessBCC.com (twitter.com/TheWitnessBCC)

Podastery - www.podastery.com (twitter.com/Podastery)

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