United Voice Oklahoma Podcast

After 68 episodes, the United Voice Oklahoma podcast has reached it's end! On this final episode, Wayland & Taylor look back at the podcast, and interview Mark Nehrenz, Executive Director of OKC GOOD, who has produced every episode of the podcast. He talks about his journey into storytelling, and what led him to what he does today.

We end the episode with a special message from Dr. Clarence Hill, founder of our hosting organization Stronger Together. Clarence invites listeners interested in the unity conversation to subscribe to the newly launched Dream Together Podcast

On our second to last EVER episode of the podcast, we are joined by Dr. Quintin Hughes Sr. He wears many hats in our city, and Wayland & Taylor talk to him about his experience in OKC predominately related to his work founding and directing Northeast OKC Renaissance Inc. , and organization that has played a massive role in stewarding the renaissance of NE OKC. He and his teammates are working to develop the community on the terms of longtime residents and stakeholders, to make sure equity and the needs of the community are at the forefront.

This week we are joined by Mr. James Shaw Sr. for a conversation about Oklahoma's historic all black towns. Mr. Shaw wrote a book entitled "Boley : Oklahoma's Famous Black Town", and he joins us to talk about growing up in Boley, as well as the history of the town and the other all black towns in Oklahoma

Denyvetta Davis is the President of the Northeast OKC Neighborhood Coalition and has been the longtime leader of NE OKC’s JFK neighborhood. Ms. Davis joined us to talk about her decades of experience building up neighborhoods on the Eastside of OKC, and specifically some specific issues related to environmental justice in the areas where she lives and serves. 

Join us for the final of four "Loom Sessions" of the podcast, where Taylor is joined by Scotia Moore and four other guests to discuss topics specifically related to Scotia's project, The Loom. For these Loom episodes, we invite you to join us for a deep dive on issues related to race and relational dynamics between funders and practitioners in the nonprofit community.

Our fourth guest in this series is Ashley Dickson Oso. Ashley is currently the Programs and Communications Director for the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma. She’s also an entrepreneur, community leader ,volunteer , advocate and a mother. She and her husband have a son and daughter. This young professional is a true connector who serves our city, and she KNOWS HER STUFF about our community. Today we talk with Ashley about the value of Community Voice.

If you want to hear more from Ashley, listen back to our interview with her in 2019 about Race, Neighborhoods, Resources, & Community Development in OKC

Join us for the third of four "Loom Sessions" of the podcast, where Taylor is joined by Scotia Moore and four other guests to discuss topics specifically related to Scotia's project, The Loom. For these Loom episodes, we invite you to join us for a deep dive on issues related to race and relational dynamics between funders and practitioners in the nonprofit community.

Our third guest in this series is Kim Bandy. Kim Bandy is the Co-Founder of the Spero Project with her husband Brad, and they have done incredible work for nearly 13 years with our new neighbors in OKC who have come to Oklahoma on refugee or asylum journeys. She also works with Flourish OKC in pioneering new ways to fund and support those who are helping make our city a place of flourishing for all. This conversation challenges us all to re-think how the idea and need for rest is talked about and practiced in the nonprofit and giving professions.  

For more on Kim's perspective on Rest, watch her video with Greg Jones on Volume II of the Loom at loom-woven.com.

Join us for the second of four "Loom Sessions" of the podcast, where Taylor is joined by Scotia Moore and four other guests to discuss topics specifically related to Scotia's project, The Loom. For these Loom episodes, we invite you to join us for a deep dive on issues related to race and relational dynamics between funders and practitioners in the nonprofit community.

Our second guest in this series is Gerald Scott, a nonprofit and ministry practitioner who wears many hats and has served our community for decades. Gerald is the Title IX Coordinator at Metro Technology Centers, the Executive Director of the STAAR Foundation, a minister, mentor, husband and father. He joins us today on the podcast to talk about the differences between volunteers, professionals and practitioners, and how important it is that nonprofit leaders are truly cared for by their resource partners in the communities they serve.

For more on Gerald's story,  read his article in the Loom Digital journal entitled " Faithful Vitality". You can read on Volume II of the Loom at loom-woven.com.

Join us for 4 episodes of the podcast where Taylor is joined by Scotia Moore and four other guests to discuss topics specifically related to Scotia's project, "The Loom". For these Loom episodes, we invite you to join us for a deep dive on issues related to race and relational dynamics between funders and practitioners in the nonprofit community.

Our first guest in this series is Vernon Deas, an entrepreneur and creative leader with a passion to influence and empower others to accomplish their best life. He is also the co-founder of Urban Bridge, a non-profit that empowers urban entrepreneurs and is home to The Bridge Impact Youth Center here in OKC, an inner-city youth center in OKC led by Marcus Jackson. Vernon shares some of his experiences in developing relationships that go beyond typical dynamics of giving and receiving, with a focus on mutuality. 

This week we are joined by Kori Hall, the City Engagement Director with Frontline Church in Downtown OKC. This wide-ranging conversation drills down on the fact that impactful engagement in the city has to start with relationships with those whose experiences and circumstances are different from yours. Kori brings hope, encouragement and wisdom into her work, has a lot to share on this episode on how to walk in humility as a way to develop mutually beneficial relationships with people from ALL walks of life in our city. You will leave this episode encouraged and ready to go meet someone new in your community!

How did you get to where you are today? What would happen to you if something traumatic or incredibly disruptive occurred in your life? We talk about these questions and much more in this episode with Justin Brown, Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services, and former Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (He was director of DHS when we recorded this episode).  Secretary Brown graciously welcomed us to his podcast studio to have this important discussion around poverty, opportunity, race, our social safety nets, and how it all is kind of like a game of Chutes and Ladders. Dive into the analogy with us right now, it might just reframe how you look at poverty, opportunities, and how our community can continue to unite around making this a place where all can flourish.