The Empowerment Zone

What is the role, relevance and future of the Black Church?

Nick Taliaferro: Re-evaluating and Re-imagining the purpose of the Black Church — 
The Black Church has always been the center of the African American community, but according to Nick Taliaferro, the role of the Black Church has changed. Listen to Ramona and Nick’s conversation today as Nick explains the societal factors that have influenced this change and what he feels should be the new role of this powerful institution. Nick Taliaferro is a program host at WURD Radio, minister, vocalist and journalist, based in Philadelphia. He also serves as a Contributing Editor to Message Magazine, the nation’s oldest continuously published Black religious periodical.
Highlights from our conversation:
History and role of the Black Church
Societal changes that have influenced changes within the Black Church
Identity and liberation theology within the Black Church
Aspiration and prosperity theology within the Black Church
How the Black Church can support current social change
Why the Black Church should reevaluate its purpose
Strategies for college success
ResourcesWURD Radio
Connect with me!Ramona Houston 

Trailer! Nick Taliaferro: Re-evaluating and Re-imagining the purpose of the Black Church

Next episode available from Monday, April 3rd with guest Nick Taliaferro
What is the role, relevance and future of the Black Church?

The importance of diversity within the field of athletic training

Dr. Rebecca Lopez: Advancing DEIA within The National Athletic Trainers’ Association — 
Diversity continues to be an important issue in all professions.  Listen to the conversation today as Ramona talks to Dr. Rebecca Lopez about the National Athletic Trainers' Association's (NATA) efforts to improve Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) via their DEIA Task Force.  Through her leadership as a Co-Chair of this task force, NATA has been working to ensure the profession of athletic training continues to grow as health care providers by embracing diversity, cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment, and reducing the health and health care disparities of underrepresented groups. Dr. Rebecca M. Lopez is a Professor in the Athletic Training Program at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine and a Fellow of NATA. Dr. Lopez is currently serving as an Assistant School Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences at USF. She also serves as Co-Chair of NATA’s DEIA Task Force.
Highlights from our conversation:
Women in sports
Precautions to take to prevent athletic injuries and heat illnesses
Entry points into the field of athletic training
The importance of having athletic trainers on location at all athletic events
National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)
DEIA in NATA
Why everyone benefits from diversity
Transgender health care
The value of cultural competency and empathy in all health professions
Strategies for college success
Resources:Rebecca Lopez NATA
Connect with me!Ramona Houston

Trailer! Dr. Rebecca Lopez: Advancing DEIA within The National Athletic Trainers’ Association

Next episode available from Monday, March 27th with guest Dr. Rebecca Lopez
The importance of diversity within the field of athletic training

Why Chicana Historians Matter

Dr. Lorena Chambers: The Chicanas Changing History Project — 
As we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month, researcher and historian Dr. Lorena Chambers, joins me to talk about the role of history in shaping our future. Listen in as she talks about chance moments, acknowledges those who helped pave the way in her career’s trajectory, and shares what led her to become a historian.  Notably, Dr. Chambers also talks about her current work:  the Chicanas Changing History Project.  This initiative documents how, over the last 50 years, Chicana historians have transformed the way we do and understand history, as well as who is included in U.S. history. Through oral histories, data collection, exhibitions, and public programs, this project honors these contributions.  Originally from California, Dr. Chambers is a post-doctoral research fellow in History and American Culture at the University of Michigan.
Highlights from our conversation:
-What’s in a name?
-Being the first
-A life-changing moment
-Generational expectations 
-Others holding you accountable
-The 100 mark
-The Chicanas Changing History Project
-Lasting legacies
-Shaping US history
-Strategies for college success
 
Resources:
Dr.Lorena Chambers
Chicanas Changing History
 
Connect with me!
Ramona Houston

Trailer! Dr. Lorena Chambers: The Chicanas Changing History Project

Next episode available from Monday, March 20th with guest Dr. Lorena Chambers
Why Chicana Historians Matter

How do you end domestic violence?

Patricia Castillo: Ending abuse through the PEACE Initiative — 
This week on the podcast, social worker and domestic violence advocate Patricia Castillo joins me. With more than 35 years of experience under her belt, working to end violence against women and children, Patricia continues to make an impact on what is a world-wide issue. Listen as we discuss how Patricia became an advocate against violence, the role of the P. E. A. C.E (Putting an End to Abuse through Community Efforts) Initiative, and why domestic violence victims are often mistrustful of law enforcement. Patricia is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and continues to make the city her home.
 
Highlights from our conversation:
 
-Patricia shares her story
-A rude awakening
-How Patricia got started
-The mission of the P. E. A. C. E Initiative
-The role of law enforcement
-Community engagement
-When we hear abuse
-Don't judge the victims
-How this question helps victims
-Strategies for college success
 
Resources:
The P.E.A.C.E Initiative 
 
Connect with me!
Ramona Houston

Trailer! Patricia Castillo: Ending abuse through the PEACE Initiative

Next episode available from Monday, March 13th with guest Patricia Castillo
How do you end domestic violence?

Film documentary: “To Be Us: To Work”

Tosca Davis and Cedrick Smith: Exploring the African American experience in the workplace — 
Documentary film-makers Tosca Davis and Cedrick Smith join me to talk about working while black and their film “TO BE US: To Work.”  To Be Us Productions creates stories that center black people. Today we talk about how the experiences of black people at work remains valid, the impact of racism and micro-aggressions, and universality of this issue for employed black people. We also talk about why challenging issues are often not openly addressed and using one’s imagination to foster change.
Highlights of our conversation include:
-Tosca shares her story-Cedrick shares his story-Why the documentary was created-Working together as coproducers -The black experience -What we don’t tell our kids-Tosca’s working while black story-Why you should watch this documentary-Affirming black folks-Goals for the film-Strategies for college success
RESOURCES:
Website: https://www.tobeusproductions.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TO_BE_US_Pro Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TOBEUSPRODUCTIONS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/to.be.us.productions/ 
Connect with me!
Ramona Houston

Trailer! Tosca Davis and Cedrick Smith: Exploring the African American experience in the workplace

Next episode available from Monday, March 6th with guest Tosca Davis and Cedrick Smith
Film documentary: “To Be Us: To Work”