Colorblind: Race Across Generations

The record-breaking Netflix series, "Bridgerton," is applauded for its diversity and leading roles for people of color. Season 2 has featured Indian actresses in major roles, which is certainly not the norm. Social media manager Banu Jothimalarr wrote a compelling social media post calling out the Indian movie industry and explaining why the portrayals in this season's of "Bridgerton" had such a profound impact on her life. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Banu Jothimalarr Producer: Ashley Long

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson could make history as the first Black female Justice on the US Supreme Court. And with that history comes plenty of critics and controversy. We speak with four dynamic attorneys to examine all of it. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Professor Patricia Broussard from FAMU College of Law; Nakia Ruffin from the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association; Attorney Jessica D. Thomas; Frachele Scott, Managing Director of The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice Producer: Ashley Long

2020 brought a summer of protests, unrest and calls for social justice and police reform. Our panel for this episode reflects on what was accomplished and what still needs to be done to see real change. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Hank Van Putten from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College; Rhetta Hussein from The Black Press; Dr. Fon Gordon from the History Department at UCF; Reverend Katrina Jenkins, Dean of Religious Life at Rollins College Producer: Ashley Long

Add it to the long list of "while Black" activities. But this case we're talking about from Minnesota resulted in a legal settlement. Investigative Journalist Eric Rasmussen from KSTP and Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights attorney and founder of The Racial Justice Network join us to talk about the case. To see Eric's report: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/banking-while-black-police-video-shows-how-cashing-a-paycheck-led-to-handcuffs/ Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Eric Rasmussen and Nekima Levy Armstrong Producer: Ashley Long

Our topic: Jews of Color. Yes, they do exist and they're growing in number. Our guests are Maayan Zik, a New York based Social Justice Activist; Ilana Kaufman, Executive Director of Jews of Color Initiative; and Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein, Public Affairs Advisor at Jewish Federations of North America. We're talking about the intersectionality of race and faith. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Maayan Zik; Illana Kaufman; Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein Producer: Ashley Long

Yes, that's how this episode's guest felt growing up. Comedian Kyndra Crump, who is Black, talks about why growing up, she wanted to be a little white girl and how that's shaped her attitude about race as an adult and how she's used comedy to deal with all of it. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Kyndra Crump Producer: Ashley Long

We're talking to Ashley M. Jones, who recently made history as Alabama's 1st Black Poet Laureate. She talks about her new book of poetry: Reparations Now! She's using her poetic voice and words to shine a light on race, social justice, injustice and how reparations is more than just writing a check. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Ashley M. Jones Producer: Ashley Long

Two friends, one black and one white, have known each other for decades but never had a real conversation about race. Can you relate? They have written a book about the conversation that's had a profound impact on their lives and their friendship. They're doing exactly what this podcast is all about. Host: Vanessa Echols Guests: Reggie Dabbs and John Driver Producer: Ashley Long

It's been an issue since the Emancipation Proclamation. The nation's Black farmers are still fighting discrimination and fighting for justice from the USDA. We talk with the lead attorney in a record breaking BILLION dollar settlement for Black farmers fighting for justice for decades. He's chronicled the fight in his new book, JUST HARVEST. Host: Vanessa Echols Guest: Greg Francis

We're tackling the intersection of race in America and mental health. Why is seeking professional health still stigmatized in communities of color, particularly for African Americans and what can be done about it? Joining our panel of experts are: Therapists DeWone Bennett, Cherlette McCullough and Dr. Yacob Tekie; along with Kari Cobham from The Carter Center and Caren Howard from Mental Health America.

Missing Persons Cases. 40% of them are people of color, but that's not what we usually see represented in media coverage of the missing. Natalie Wilson and Derrica Wilson, Co-Founders of the Black and Missing Foundation are working to change that, to make sure people of color who are missing are not also overlooked and forgotten.

We're digging into the newest research about how where you live as a person of color impacts your economic future, advancement in life and health. It's not as simple as you probably think. But we're also looking at solutions, including a major project in Orlando, FL. Joining us are Eddy Moratin, President of Lift Orlando and Dr. Kelli Tice, Medical Director/Medical Affairs at Florida Blue.

It's controversial, it's become political, everyone's talking about it, but few people actually know what it really is. We will explain it with the facts and without the noise. Joining us are Professor Leroy Pernell from Florida A&M College of Law and Hank Van Putten and Rudy Darden from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College.

You're not really Black. You speak Spanish? What are you? Those are just some of the things our panel of guests deal with being both Hispanic/Latinx and Black. They're joining us to talk about racism, colorism and the difficulty in having those uncomfortable conversations within their own community. Journalists Lillian Hernández Caraballo, Edmy Angélica Ayala Rosado, Boris Q'va and Maya Brown join the panel for an honest and sometimes surprising conversation.

Black women diagnosed with breast cancer are 42% more likely to die than their white counterparts. We take a deep dive into the racial disparity in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Joining us: Karen Jackson, CEO/Founder of Sisters Network; Yolanda Murphy, PA State Leader for The Young Survivor Coalition and Monisha Parker, Founder of Purpose Painted Pink.

Leah Salgado from the group IllumiNative joins us to talk about how Native Americans are speaking up and speaking out about the controversy over sports teams "mascots", the firestorm over Rick Santorum's comments about the founding of America and fighting the stereotypes of Native Americans.

Haitian Americans say their numbers are growing, so they want to make sure their voices are being heard. May is Haitian American Heritage Month, so we'll take a look at how the Haitian community is becoming more vocal culturally, socially and politically. Florida has the largest Haitian population in the US, so joining us are Dr. Idler Bonhomme and Marlyn Bonzil-Juste, from the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce in Orlando, FL.

We're going there, talking about reparations. Specifically, we're looking at a reparations proposal passed in Evanston, Illinois. We're talking with the lone council member who voted against it, Cecily Fleming. And we're joined by Economist Dr. William Darity from Duke University, who has studied the issue extensively and Writer and Lecturer Kirsten Mullen.

Students at the University of Central Florida and WUCF have produced a compelling digital project about the first martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement, Harry T and Harriette V Moore. Their story and major contributions have long been overlooked. The students and their professor hope to change that. We are joined by Professor Rick Brunson, Executive Producer Julianne Amaya, Reporter Aidari Riera Herrera, Lillian Hernandez Caraballo, the digital producer for WUCF; and Sonya Mallard, Cultural Center Coordinator at the Harry T and Harriette V Moore Cultural Center and Museum. Here's a link to the project: https://www.wucf.org/community/themooreproject/

We're taking an in-depth look at the racial wealth gap in this country. How did we get here and how do we dig our way out. Joining us for an informative and lively conversation are: Kimberly Stewart, Founder and CEO of KRS Wealth Management; Tanisha Nunn Gary, President of the African American Chamber of Commerce Central Florida; and Realtor Cheryl Zachery of The Zackery Group, Centric Realty Services, LLC.