Colorblind: Race Across Generations

Author Gail Lukasik is a mystery writer who uncovered a mystery in her own family. As an adult, she discovered that her mother was passing, living her life as a white woman. Her mother's closely guarded secret came to light when Gail began a genealogy search and found her maternal grandfather's race listed as Black in census records in New Orleans. We talk to Gail about her discovery and her book, WHITE LIKE HER. https://www.gaillukasik.com/

In this episode we take a trip through history as we unpack the fascination, the controversy and the hot topic of blackface. Why is it offensive? How is it that in 2019, some people still don't understand why it's offensive, insulting and hurtful. And how do we try to make sure the next generation learns the lesson. Joining us: Dr. Fon Gordon, a historian from The University of Central Florida; Rhetta Hussein, journalist for The Black Press and social activist Jenna Wright.

It started out as a topic for a Master's Thesis. But it's evolved into a television show pilot and a conversation about race in America. Meet Jason Gregory: creator, writer and producer of Waking Up White. And there's a "what would you do" question for everyone to answer.

We take a look at a Florida effort to get people to have what are sometimes uncomfortable conversations about race. But what happens after all the talking? Does it really matter or do any good? The Executive Director of Orlando Together, Nicole Higgins, joins us to talk about the next step. What happens after we make the effort to talk about race.

In 2019, is 11:00 Sunday morning still the most segregated hour of the week? In many Christian churches, the answer is yes. In this episode, we tackle the issue of racial reconciliation in the Christian church. Is it just a buzzword, how does it look and how much effort does it take? Our guests are two Florida Pastors who are actively involved in the issue in their community: Dr. Joel Hunter, who led Northland, a megachurch in Central Florida for more than three decades; Pastor Tim Johnson, Senior Pastor at Orlando World Outreach, with one of the most diverse congregations in the state. And our third guest is Brandon Nightingale, a graduate student at The University of Central Florida, whose thesis focuses on historically black churches and the Civil Rights Movement.

We’re as our friends across the Pond would say, “on holiday”. But we’ll be back strong again in January! In the meantime, this is a perfect time for you to catch up on episodes you may have missed. And in this holiday episode, Host Vanessa Echols and Technical Producers Keith and Ashley are reflecting on our first few months, interesting guests and some controversial topics we tackled. Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and we’ll see ya in January 2019!

It's a one woman show, a play, a performance, stand up comedy and spoken word all rolled into one. It's all about race in America from The Middle Passage to police brutality. And it's from a white woman on a journey to discover how much progress we HAVEN'T made on race in America. Today's guest: Amy Selikoff.

We can barely make it through the day without hearing about a case of racism. But do we really understand what the word means and what situations are actually a case of racism? And does one act of racism make one a racist? We unpack those issues in this episode with a diverse panel featuring Ted Bogert, Creator of the Ted Show; Rhetta Hussein, Journalist for The Black Press; Lauri Lott, Coordinator at The Peace and Justice Institute Academy and Hank Van Putten, Facilitator at The Peace and Justice Institute

Angela King's story is one of racist to redemption. She was once a skinhead and served time in prison for her part in a Florida hate crime. But it was in prison where a chance encounter led to her leave her racist past behind to become now a champion of racial reconciliation and redemption.

Investigative Journalist Jerry Mitchell has spent much of his career digging up the past and coming face -to- face with some of the most notorious killers from the Civil Rights Movement. He joins us to talk about how his reporting on cold cases has led to justice in some decades old Civil Rights murders and what the past can teach us about racial justice and injustice today.

Colorism: Taboo Topic? Is there still discrimination within the races? That's what we're unpacking in this episode with Writer/Social Media Influencer Sili Recio. Diversity Journalist Keka Araujo. And Ilaff Tamli, Grassroots Activist

Microaggression: Just a Buzzword or Is It Real? Your English is perfect. Where are you really from? You're really pretty for an Asian girl. In this episode, we take a deep dive into microaggression. Does it really exist or are people these days just too sensitive. Joining our panel: Hank Van Putten from the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College; Mary Robinson, Study Abroad Coordinator at Rollins College; and Rachel Luce-Hitt, Diversity and Inclusion Facilitator at The University of Central Florida.

This episode, we're going there, talking about Black women and their hair. We take a deep dive into the cultural history, changing attitudes about natural hair in corporate America and hair discrimination. Yes it exists for both women and men of color. It's hair, but it's not a superficial subject for many Americans of color. If you're familiar with the subject, you'll probably hear your thoughts expressed. If you're not, listen and learn. Guests Tonya Collins, Owner of Natural Tresses Salon & Spa; Erica DeSaussure, organizer of a natural hair Meet Up; and Marina Parries, Founder of the Facebook group Natural Hair Really Rocks join our Podcast Producer Ashley Long and host Vanessa Echols for this discussion.

In this episode, we're playing the race card. But hold on, it's probably not what you think This is the Race Card Project, started by award winning journalist Michele Norris. It began with a simple idea. People were invited to send in a postcard with their thoughts, experiences or observations about race. BUT they can only use six words. The response to the idea may surprise you. https://theracecardproject.com/

Coming to America: All of our guests for this episode immigrated to the United States. We discuss whether their perceptions about race and race in the United States changed when they moved here. They represent several continents and several countries. On the panel: Immigration Attorney Henry Lim, Independent Journalist Ingrid Cotto and Digital Media Specialist Amy Sugaski

Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Racists: This is our take on the old Willie Nelson classic, “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” Our panel talks about how to raise children who aren’t racist, who recognize race, embrace it but aren’t weighed down by it. Joining us are: William Jefferson from the Peace and Justice Institute, Christina Martinez, Diversity Coordinator Park Maitland School and The Owner and Operator of a daycare who is also Producer Keith’s mom!

In this special episode of COLORBLIND, we sit down with renowned Human and Civil Rights Activist Dr. Richard Lapchick to discuss an issue that’s deeply personal to him: sports as a vehicle for social change and justice. We talk about everything from the National Anthem controversy in the NFL to a report card on hiring diversity in professional and college sports.

Seems as if you can’t turn on the tv, search the internet, listen to the radio or read the newspaper without seeing a story that illustrates why we began this podcast. From Starbucks’ Racial Bias Training Day to BBQuing While Black, our panelists take on some of the recent news events where race has played a central role. Our diverse panel of young professionals to the retired includes Florida Television Journalist Christopher Heath; Former Miss America Ericka Dunlap; and Hank Van Putten, a Facilitator with the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the issue of trans-racial adoption, people who adopt children of another race. What are the challenges in trying to teach children about their birth culture, when you haven’t experienced it yourself? Or does that even matter? What is it like for a child to grow up in a family and an environment where no one else looks like him or her? Joining us for the panel are: Mary Robinson, adjunct professor at Valencia College, who has studied trans-racial and transnational adoption extensively. She is also a trans-racial and transnational adoptee; Marah Beltz, Alumni Affairs Director at Bethune Cookman University, who is a bi-racial adoptee who has white parents; and Child Advocate Penny Jones, who has adopted trans-racially.

In this episode we talk to a diverse group of professional comedians about whether it's possible to mix in comedy and humor when discussing race. Is it racist? Can some comics get away with what others can't when it comes to including comedy in their acts? Where's the line, better yet is there a line? Join us for a lively discussion. GUESTS Lauren Morris, Founder/Director Adlib Theater Company, The improv Teachers Podcast ; Exec Producer Central Fl Improv Festival. Emily Fontano, Improv Actor; Comedic Actress, host of Amanda and Emily We Have A Podcast; Rod Z Comedian, Actor, Writer . Rod Z Comedian, Actor, Writer, The Z-Files On Youtube.