Voices of REC

I'Sha and Krystina conduct and in-depth conversation with Joyya Pettus, Assoicate Housing Director and Manny, a young person at Ruth Ellis Center.

These conversations address why the Ruth Ellis Center is so important to the community we serve. Thank you for listening and don't forget to leave your episode suggestions in the comments or on our social media.

We want to highlight the talented

Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.

Check out our producer Patrick and his work at

I'Sha and Krystina Discuss Pride 2024

We highlight the amazing support we received this year during Pride and uplift those who have been supporting our efforts to make the world a better place for LGBTQ + young people.

We attended many Pride events from Motor city to Royal oak. We also had the pleasure of hosting an amazing Catfight for the Crown with a huge that you to our sponsors 6th Degree Production, Ford, Rocket Companies, Display Group, 4 Wall Entertainment, Fleur Detroit, Motor City Pride, Stonewall Sports, L Tantay, Three Cats, Eaze, Broadway in Detroit, Pingk, and Detroit Parasol.

We want to highlight the talented

Hey y'all, missed us? We've missed you too, but we're back honey!!! This time with an engaging conversation about Faith and resiliency with one of our colleagues JM and some insight on where we will be and what we will be doing this Pride Month. It's juicy, heart grabbing and interesting!

Catfight For The Crown- June 14th, Tickets available

Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey: A Methodist pastor and queer womanist theologian.

Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas: An Episcopal priest and Canon theologian, Dr. Douglas is a leading voice on sexuality and the Black church.

Dr. Phillip Butler: A scholar of Black transliberation theology, Dr. Butler explores artificial intelligence and biological technology to enhance somatic healing. Octavia Butler: A renowned science fiction writer, Octavia Butler's works often explore themes of identity, community, and survival. Her speculative fiction provides a unique lens through which to consider questions of faith, transformation, and resilience. James Baldwin: An influential writer and social critic, Baldwin's essays and novels delve into the complexities of race, sexuality, and religion.  James Cone: Known as the father of Black Liberation Theology, Cone's work emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus through the lens of the Black experience. His theology is rooted in the struggle for justice and affirming Black identity and dignity. Resmaa Menakem: A therapist and author, Menakem's work focuses on healing racial trauma. His book "My Grandmother's Hands" addresses how racial trauma is stored in the body and offers practices for healing and resilience.

Rev. Dr. Thomas Brandon Crowley: An academic who explores the queering of the Black church, Dr. Crowley's research examines how Black queer identities navigate and transform traditional religious spaces.
Bishop Yvette Flunder: Founder of the City of Refuge, a radically inclusive church, Bishop Flunder is a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the faith community.
Unity Fellowship Church Movement: Founded by the late Archbishop Carl Bean. (In the 1970s, Motown producers approached Bean to sing a song they'd been working on. It was called "I Was Born This Way.",) this movement provides a spiritual home for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly people of color.
Sr. Bishop Jacquelyn D. Holland: A theologian, activist, teacher, mother, and lesbian, Bishop Holland has dedicated her life to the intersection of faith and sexuality.
I Know What Heaven Looks Like: A Modern Day Coming of Age Story By: Lawrence Tanner Richardson

We also want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. 

Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos 

Happy Women’s HERstory Month!

We’d like to close this month of celebrating Women by highlighting two powerhouse women in our organization.

Harmony Harris, Health Equity Manager of the Drop-in Center.

Women Who Inspire Us:

I’Sha Schultz-Spradlin- Mama Shu’s

Krystina Edwards- Ruth Charlotte Ellis (ruthelliscenter.org)

Harmony Harris- Ts Madison (Ts Madison™️©️ (@tsmadison) • Instagram photos and videos)

Kathie Griffin- Dr. Sheryl Simmons Youth for Global Health

We have an exclusive collaboration with the

If you’re moved to give during this time⁠⁠,

We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.

Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat)

Holiday Season is a BUSY one for Ruth Ellis Center. All of the staff are running around and organizing things to make sure the young people we serve have a holiday season of joy, needs met, and space for their chosen families. That being said, sorry for our tardy on this episode. Krystina and I'Sha discuss the importance of safe queer spaces, have conversations with staff and a young person about what that means to them AND reveal a little surprise collaboration with the folks over at Sepia Coffee @scpdetroit-instagram www.sepiacoffeeproject.com and Pottluckery Ceramics @pottluckery-instagram pottluckery.com.

If you’re moved to give during this time⁠, please click here to donate⁠.

We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

'Tis the season of gratitude and giving and I’Sha and Krystina discuss just what that giving from supporters like you looks like for the agency and share our gratitude. #GivingTuesday is right around the corner on November 28th, be sure to use the hashtag to show your support for the REC.  If you’re moved to give during this time, please click here to donate.

If you are interested in doing a clothing or food drive for

We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

*Warning, host are using and speaking about some words that may be considered offensive or explicit. *

This is a long one ya’ll, but rightfully so. I’Sha and Krystina discuss masking, but not the masking you may assume, they discuss the use of queer lingo and colloquial phrases by non-queer folks and the origination of the phrases and terms. They discussed the queer persona and how it relates to Black Women and Black Southern culture. As well as discuss the hypocrisy from both sides and how it’s being used by

This month's special guest is Detroit City Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero of District 6. The councilmember discusses intersectionality and celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month and Latinx Heritage Month.

These are the resources mentioned in the podcast:

The Queens’ English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of lingo and colloquial phrases by Chloe O. Davis

Paris is Burning- Documentary Film

Pose- FX TV Show

Legendary-Reality Ballroom Competiton show on HBO

Special thank you to the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.

Check out the producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris

Krystina and I’Sha discuss AI and the challenges it presents for LGBTQIA+ folks and their identity intersections. They spoke with tech expert Oliver Haminson, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, to find out how LGBTQIA+ folks can be seen and heard in this race of AI integration. We also have a special message from a familiar voice.

These are a few articles mentioned in the podcast:

Queer Eye for AI: Risks and limitations of artificial intelligence for the sexual and gender diverse community

These Women Warned To Warn Us About AI

Computers are binary, people are not: how AI systems undermine LGBTQ identity

We also want to give a special thank you to everyone who assisted in our back-to-school drive, it was such a success. We passed out more than 50 backpacks to young people starting classes.

We also want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.

Check out Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

I'Sha and Krystina speak about gender affirming care, expose false statements about the practice, and share the facts backed by data.

The Ruth Ellis Center Voice of the Month is Celina, Education and Facilitation Specialist at the Ruth Ellis Institute. The Ruth Ellis Institute is the training and evaluation arm of the Ruth Ellis Center, for providers to be more informed and educated. Celina speaks about gender affirming care from their lens as a trainer and a non-binary person.

We didn't mean to stay away for so long, but we return bearing gifts and a bit of time warp if you will. In this episode, you'll learn a bit of PRIDE history, both personal and the origins of the movement itself. We'll talk about all the awesomeness that took place during PRIDE, which if you missed, never fear, we will have you mark your calendars so you don't miss a beat with the Center, and thankfully there's even more of which to look forward. 

You'll also meet our awesome new BH Director, Elizabeth Carr, as she discusses Child Abuse Awareness Month (April), how LGBTQ+ youth are impacted, and what you can do to help.

There will be some adult themes discussed, so please protect young ears, but as always LGBTQ+ affirming.

We don't want to give too much away, so buckle up because this time around we had a lot to learn and A LOT to say.