You Ain't Imagining This!

The truth is out: racism damages the health of Black people.  Racism damages our mental health and well-being. Racism damages our physical health. The Espresso Talk Team is joined by Professor Sherman James, an epidemiologist who has studied the effect of racism--and high effort coping behavior to deal with racism--on Black bodies. The result?  Chronic, illness, acute disease, or even early death. Professor James discusses how this happens, how we can identify it, and how we can prevent it. Join us for this uncommon conversation. Learn how to protect your health!

Adultification is a form of stereotype in which adults view and treat Black children as more adult-like than their white peers.  Adultification causes trauma to children. Black children are held to "adult-like" standards and given harsher treatment than white children. This form of bias robs Black children of their childhood.  In this episode, the Espresso Talk Today team will identify Adultification in the treatment of Black children. We will also examine examples of Adultification and the similarities and differences in how Black boys and Black girls are “adultified.” We will end with a discussion of solutions for parents, schools, and other authority figures. 

Black actors have been fighting for racial justice and social change for decades.  Eartha Kitt. Jesse Williams. Danny Glover. Cecile Tyson--and many more used their fame and fortune to make a change in society.  They risked a lot. Some were “blackballed” from the entertainment industry. Others were ostracized. Some lost everything for their beliefs and work in creating a better society.  In this podcast show, we will discuss the controversial role of Black actor-activists who used (and continue to use) their “influence” to fight for racial and social justice. We will ask whether it is appropriate for celebrities to take controversial positions and use their fame as a forum for social change. We discuss who the actors were that took these courageous steps. This show will discuss these issues and tell the story of these brave actor-activists. We will end with a short “quiz” about the actors and their roles in social change.

Storytellers have always been held important roles in Black communities--from Africa to Detroit. Storytelling connects us with our roots in Africa where the oral tradition was used to remember family history, acknowledge special events, and teach societal rules.  The Espresso Talk Today is pleased to have Edith Armstrong, aka Mama Edie, on the show to discuss the importance of storytelling. Mama Edie will also present a folktale from West Africa.  You don't want to miss this uncommon episode!

So you want to start a business? Great! You have a great idea. You think that it will be a great product or service. Don't know how to start? No worries! This podcast show will discuss what you need to know to get started. Join us in the Lawyers' Corner for this informative and fun discussion! 

The fastest-growing demographic segment worldwide is the senior population. People are living longer and more are staying healthy as they age. Yet age-related illnesses like dementia, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes are realities for some senior citizens and their families. With this growing population has arisen an area of law that is dedicated to protecting and empowering older adults. This is Elder Law. Through advanced planning, older adults can prepare for these illnesses, which can leave them both physically and mentally incapacitated. African Americans have a disproportionate risk of these illnesses.  Yet they do not have access to the health care treatment, early diagnosis, or long-term health and financial tools to help them and their caregivers manage this situation with dignity. As a practicing Elder Law attorney, Doug discusses practical ways that senior citizens and their families can prepare for medical difficulties, protect their financial assets and make decisions that allow them to live their lives in dignity.  This is especially important to African American seniors and their families who have struggled to build wealth through the generations. You won't want to miss this uncommon meeting with an Elder Law attorney! 

Storytellers have always been held important roles in Black communities--from Africa to Detroit. Storytelling connects us with our roots in Africa where the oral tradition was used to remember family history, acknowledge special events, and teach societal rules. Elders were often revered storytellers, which also acknowledged their important position in the community. This oral tradition allowed storytellers to adapt the story, message, and performance of the story to the audience for maximum impact and enjoyment.  The Espresso Talk Today is pleased to have Mitch Capel, aka Gran'daddy Junebug, on the show to discuss the importance of storytelling. He will also present some of his most popular stories.  You don't want to miss this uncommon episode!

The Espresso Talk Today team continues the interview with Kimberly Slaughter, Chief Executive Officer of Systra USA. (We encourage you to hear the first part of this interview!) Kimberly Slaughter will discuss her professional journey and obstacles that she met and overcame within corporate America. Kimberly will also discuss her typical day as a chief executive officer and how she supports her mental and physical health and well-being in her high-stress, demanding work environment.  

“Many college-educated Black Americans are entering corporate America with dreams, ready to do great things, but they're confronted with an unwelcoming culture." The Black community has always focused on education as a way of obtaining financial security, political power, and even upward mobility on a personal level. The Espresso Talk Today team is joined by Kimberly Slaughter, Chief Executive Officer of Systra USA. She will discuss her personal and educational journey to this powerful position as well as her experiences as a Black woman professional, executive, and corporate leader. She will also discuss the importance of getting the" right" education, defining the "right" education, and how this is just the first step along the journey to the C-suite. This interview will conclude in the next episode with Kim Slaughter discussing her professional journey and obstacles that she met and overcame along the way. 

Simone Biles. Naomi Osaka. Nicole Hannah-Jones. Meghan Markle. Rosa Parks. What do these women share? Besides excelling in their professions, they are also working in an environment that exposes them to mental or physical harm. Most importantly, they all refused to allow themselves to suffer harm in their toxic professional environments. They all simply refused. In academia, elite sports, and beyond, Black women are facing pressure and criticism in their quest to excel in their professions. We are simply expected to endure harsh criticism, excessive stress, and punishment within their professions and from society at large. The Espresso Talk Today team is focusing on the impact of professional stress on one’s mental and physical health—and how to manage and control it.  In this episode, we will discuss the courageous women who have taken extraordinary steps to protect their mental health. They all began by saying, “no” to the dangerous and destructive expectations of a society that does not value them. We will discuss the power of saying no and other ways that we can protect our mental health.