The Empowerment Zone

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.

The Persistence of Slavery: An Economic History of Child Trafficking in Nigeria

Dr. Robin Chapdelaine: How children have been used as economic vehicles — 
In this episode Ramona talks to Dr. Robin Chapdelaine about her recently published book The Persistence of Slavery: An Economic History of Child Trafficking in Nigeria (Jan 2021). During this enlightening conversation, Dr. Chapdelaine discusses the historical intersection of economics, trade and labor to explain how and why children have been used for economic purposes. This book and conversation can be particularly valuable to activists who are addressing current social issues focused on women and children. During their conversation Dr. Chapdelaine also discusses her new book project “(When) Will the Joy Come: Black Women in the Ivory Tower.” An edited volume currently in production, the collection of essays explores the experiences of African American women in the academy. Dr. Chapdelaine is an assistant professor in the history department at Duquesne University. Originally from San Jose, California, Dr. Chapdelaine currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
For more information about Dr. Robin Chapdelaine, visit http://www.robinchapdelaine.com/. For more information about her book, visit https://www.umasspress.com.

How COVID-19 has impacted community colleges

Michael Neal: Exploring current challenges and opportunities for community colleges — 
Community colleges play an important role in educating unique populations in our society: first-generation, non-traditional, African American, Latino American, and working-class students. Due to COVID-19, enrollment at community colleges has significantly decreased for a variety of reasons. Listen to this interview with Ramona and Michael today to learn more about the value of community colleges as well as the challenges and opportunities that exist for these essential entities in higher education. Michael Neal is the newly appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Johnson County Community College. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Brownwood, Texas, Michael is on his way to making Johnson County, Kansas, his new home.
For more information about Michael Neal, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-neal-03a93a2/.

You can become an impactful activist in your community

Blanca Vargas: Leading with purpose, passion and compassion — 
Helping others is what community activism is all about. Blanca Vargas exemplifies this standard. A passionate leader in the metro-Chicago area and a long-serving member of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), Blanca has served in various leadership capacities throughout her life. Join Ramona and Blanca today as they discuss Blanca’s philosophy on community activism: to help others. Blanca serves as the Hispanic Liaison to Larry Dominick, the President of the Town of Cicerco. Originally from Durango, Mexico, Blanca lives in Cicero, Illinois.
For more information about Blanca Vargas, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanca-vargas-7033809/.

Lessons and inspiration from “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

Robert Jackson: Encouraging others to lead with heart, love and compassion — 
With the rise of hate and violence and the surge of voter suppression laws across America, our country needs individuals, organizations and leaders who will join the movement against hatred and divisiveness. Listen to this powerful discussion today as Ramona and Robert discuss the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (1963). Robert Jackson is the Senior Director of Development at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Originally from Milpitas, California, Robert currently makes Atlanta his home.
For more information about Robert Jackson, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertljackson/. For more information about the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, visit https://thekingcenter.org.