Have communities of color worked together to advance social change?

Dr. Eddie Bonilla: Exploring the impactful history of the League of Revolutionary Struggle — 
Ramona discusses activism among communities of color with Dr. Eddie Bonilla. In this episode, Dr. Bonilla explores the far-reaching influence of activists from a multiracial organization known as the League of Revolutionary Struggle, which existed from 1978-1990. The organization was led primarily by Asian American women but was attuned to the struggles of local Latina/o, African American, and Asian American struggles particularly in labor, education, and electoral politics. As Eddie discusses, these activists utilized Marxism as a common political language to create solidarities against neoliberalism and Reaganism. Many are still on the frontlines battling injustices today. Dr. Eddie Bonilla is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Latinx Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from South Gate, California, Dr. Bonilla currently makes Pittsburgh his home.
To learn more about Dr. Eddie Bonilla, visit http://www.history.pitt.edu/people/eddie-bonilla.

How do you start a podcast?

Ramona Houston: “Just Jump In!” — 
I started my podcast with limited knowledge and technology. All I possessed was the idea. A friend and podcaster encouraged me, “Just jump in! You will figure it out as you go.” That is just what I did. Listen to this episode today as I talk about my journey to starting a podcast and how I use my experience as a tool to encourage others to “Just jump in.”

Family Matters

The Houston Sisters: On Sisterhood, Unconditional Love and Family — 
Join Ramona as she engages in an interesting conversation with her sisters Rhonda and Rhesa about their upbringing, relationship and philosophy on family. They attribute their loving, supportive and affirming relationship to great parenting and learning to respect one another. Enjoy childhood stories and more serious subjects on how these sisters work through their challenges and disagreements in order to build and sustain healthy relationships with one another.

Are History PhDs only valuable in the classroom?

Ramona Houston: Encouraging History PhDs to Explore the Professional Frontier — 
There are so many careers that individuals with a Ph.D. in history can pursue. Historians possess a myriad of valuable skills and abilities needed in every sector of society. Listen to this episode where Ramona reads her compelling essay “Casting a Wider Net: History PhDs Change Your Perspective!” published in “Perspective on History, The Newsmagazine of the American Historical Association.” In the article Ramona highlights the range of skills that historians possess and contends that historians should expand and explore the vast amount of professional possibilities before them.

Is being resilient a strength or a weakness?

Shajmil Smith: Rethinking Resilience — 
Join Ramona as she talks to Shajmil Smith about Black Women and resilience. According to Shajmil, resilience is more than just pushing through. Jamil argues that women must rethink resilience to ensure that it strategically and personally serves their interests. Shajmil also discusses her upcoming conference Rethinking Resilience to be held on May 22, 2021. Shajmil is founder of Front Door Leadership and lives in the Washington DC Metro area.
For more information about Shajmil Smith, visit https://www.frontdoorleadership.com/.

Can dance be performative and transformative?

Danyelle Givens: Healing through the Performing Arts — 
The performing arts, dance and healing go hand in hand in the experience of Abundance Dance Company. Abundance comes to create a space of healing for the dancer and audience through emotionally transparent, authentic, and innovative dance experiences. Listen to this episode as Ramona and Danyelle explore how dance serves as an invaluable tool for healing. Danyelle also discusses her upcoming performance “The Soul Therapy Project” to be held on May 23, 2021. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Danyelle is founder of Abundance Dance Company and lives in Atlanta.
For more information about Danyelle and Abundance Dance Company, visit www.abundancedancecompany.com.

Latino Justice, transforming society through litigation

Atty Francisca Fajana: a driving force for economic justice — 
Latino Justice, formerly the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, uses litigation, advocacy and education to transform the American society. Their work primarily focuses on four issues: voting rights, criminal justice, economic justice, and immigrant rights. Join this impactful conversation today as Ramona talks to Atty. Francisca Fajana, who discusses her work in the area of economic justice. As Atty. Fajana explains, her work in economic justice focuses on three pillars: employment, education and housing. Originally from Nigeria, Atty. Fajana is Senior Council at Latino Justice and lives in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information about Atty.
Franicisca Fajana and Latino Justice, visit https://www.latinojustice.org/en/latino-justice-team/francisca-d-fajana.

Do you need a little motivation to help you reach your health goals?

Melvin Louis Houston: Inspiring others to live healthy lives — 
At 81 years old, Melvin Louis Houston is a living testimony of health and wellness. A devoted educator, he passionately continues his 51-year coaching career. Listen to Ramona’s conversation with her Uncle Lou as they discuss his philosophy of creating a healthy lifestyle. Interestingly, during his interview you will also learn some Texas history. Uncle Lou discusses his life experiences as a child of desegregation, including being a member of the first African American college track team (Texas Southern University) to run in the Texas Relays in 1962. A native of Brownwood, Texas, Uncle Lou retired in 2002 from coaching at Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas. Uncle Lou continues to live in Lubbock, currently serving as an assistant coach of girls cross country and track at Estacada High School.
For more information about Melvin Louis Houston, visit https://bit.ly/3aONs9M, https://bit.ly/3u7JFvW, and https://bit.ly/3eDxDUJ.

Does faith have a role in addressing social issues?

Rev. Tyrone McGowan: Harnessing faith as a tool to advance social justice — 
Racial and social justice are in the forefront in American society. Notably, millennials are leading the way in addressing many social challenges through the power of faith. Listen to Ramona’s interview with Rev. Tyrone McGowan today to learn how faith can be used as an act of resistance in the fight against two pandemics: COVID-19 and COVID-1619 (racism and white supremacy). A social justice oriented millennial faith leader, Rev. Tyrone McGowan is the Senior Pastor of the historic Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and the Associate Pastor of Teens and Campus Ministry at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois.
For more information about Rev. Tyrone McGowan, visit https://www.trinitychicago.org/pastoral-staff/ and https://www.goodshepherdlutheranchurchofrobbinsil.org/our-pastor.html.