We're Not OK: A Community of Healing

Hosts Justin Stewart and Dr. Antija Allen are joined by Dr. June Parks. June Parks, Ph.D.⁠ is a licensed clinical psychologist, higher education consultant, speaker, lecturer, and youth empowerment specialist who shows young people, and the professionals who provide services to them, how to obtain mental wellness and resilience.

Key Episode Topics:

Unpacking Resiliency

Play Therapy

The Bullying of Dr. Claudine Gay

Hosts Justin Stewart and Dr. Antija Allen are joined by Tasha Cole--the inaugural Deputy Executive Director and Chief Diversity Officer for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Through her vast experience working on presidential campaigns, political conventions, statewide ballot initiatives and as deputy campaign manager for a U.S. Senate campaign in Florida, they unpack topics including her participation in this year’s Power Rising Summit, anti-DEI legislation, the need for safe spaces, and the 2024 election.

Tasha Cole is a transformational leader when it comes to the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Democratic politics. Her distinct professional pedigree is informed by a dynamic career as a journalist, campaign operative, senior advisor and chief of staff to members of Congress, fundraiser, and organization leader. She’s a graduate of the famed HBCU, Florida A&M University, and a member of the historic Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Taken together, her life’s experience means she is particularly adept at solving intractable problems, bringing people together, and leading with empathy.

As the DCCC’s Deputy Executive Director for Stakeholder Engagement and Chief Diversity Officer, the first person in the committee's history to hold the role, she’s brought her prolific experiences to bear. Her leadership has been acknowledged in the expansion of work including managing the Committee’s involvement with some of its most critical stakeholders that support and guide the Committee’s work including Members of Congress and Partners and Allies.

Cole understands the value of increasing cultural competency and has worked to inform how it is applied across the organization, such as polling and analytics to engage distinct voter audiences. She and her team have developed training for the workforce on issues ranging from racial justice to mitigating bias in the workplace. Under her leadership the creation of new accountability mechanisms have been implemented allowing the committee to track its progress and be held to account for its performance going forward.

Her successful leadership means the committee spent more than $30 million with people of color owned and led firms during the 2020 and 2022 cycle – up from $700,000 in 2014. The committee achieved nearly 50% people of color and more than 50% women identifying staff at the committee. It’s also expanded its data tracking mechanisms to include additional identities, such as LGBTQ+ and the disability community.

Cole’s leadership has been celebrated in national media outlets, led to new partnerships with third-party allies and new vendor relationships. The DCCC’s approach to DEI is being adopted and replicated by other Democratic party structures and progressive organizations in the Democratic ecosystem. Her transformational leadership means House Democrats are building, training, and investing in diverse professionals, systems and organizations – shaping the face of politics for the next generation.

Hosts Justin Stewart and Dr. Antija Allen are joined by Dr. Tyrone Howard--President of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and professor of education in the School of Education and Information Studies (SEIS) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Key Episode Topics:

• AERA's Annual Meeting
• Black Male Institute
• College Enrollment of Black Males
• Recommendations for promoting inclusion for students.

Tyrone Howard is president of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and professor of education in the School of Education and Information Studies (SEIS) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
In addition to being the Pritzker Family Endowed Chair at SEIS, Howard is the director of the UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families and director of the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. A former elementary and high school teacher, Howard translates research into practice in his professional learning work with thousands of P–12 educators across the United States and several other countries each year. His research focuses on the sociology of schools, teacher education, the education of Black boys, urban education, and educational equity.
Howard has published several books including Why Race and Culture Matter in Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap in America’s Classrooms and Expanding College Access for Urban Youth: What Schools and Colleges Can Do. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and other academic publications, included in publications such as Review of Research in Education, Journal of Teacher Education, Teachers College Record, and Journal of Higher Education. He has been featured or quoted by the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, Education Week, and more.

Most recent books:

All Students Must Thrive: Transforming Schools to Combat Toxic Stressors and Cultivate Critical Wellness (2019). Rexford, NY: International Center For Leadership in Education.

No More Teaching Without Positive Relationships (2020). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Why Race and Culture Matter in Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap in America's Classrooms (2nd Edition).(2020). New York: Teachers College Press

Hosts Justin Stewart and Dr. Antija Allen are joined by Dr. Howard Stevenson--a professor, researcher, activist, and top university-based scholar.

Key Episode Topics:

• The Racial Empowerment Collaborative
• Confrontation not retaliation
• Trauma
• 
  
• Racial literacy-based interventions
• Helping children, families, and professionals confront microaggressions and heal from racial hate.

Hosts, Dr. Antija Allen @antijaallen and Justin Stewart @justwrite_stewart87 are joined by psychologist, educator, and advocate--Dr. Wendi Williams @drwendiwilliams.

Key Episode Takeaways

• Black Women's Liberatory Leadership (BWeLL) Praxis
• Her podcast, She (Been) Ready
• Black Women at Work
• Solidarity and Leadership Among Women
• How Institutions Utilize Women in the Workplace

In the 3rd episode of Season 2 @notokbookproject, Antija Allen @antijaallen & Justin Stewart @justwrite_stewart87 take a step outside of higher education and have a joyful and lively conversation with acclaimed poet, actress, and viral sensation--Jaylene Clark Owens. Among many other topics, they unpack identity, authenticity, code switching, the CROWN act, and Harlem, NY. The discussion also centers around her groundbreaking poems, "My Voice, My Choice," and "A Black Girl and her Hair-EP." 

Jaylene Clark Owens is a vibrant and imaginative soul hailing from Harlem, NY and currently finding her creative groove in the Greater Philadelphia Region. She is an AUDELCO and Barrymore Award winning actress, as well as a highly acclaimed poet. Jaylene's magnetic presence has graced the stage, film, and television. She is the recipient of the 2019 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist. Currently, you can catch Jaylene in the role of Rosie, on the new PBS Kids TV show, "Albie's Elevator." Jaylene is the visionary behind the viral sensation, "A Black Girl and Her Braids," a captivating poetic celebration of Black Women. You can find more of her poetry in her debut book of poetry, "AfroPoetic.” Jaylene also co-hosts the joy-forward Arts & Culture podcast, #PoppaPank. For more information visit JayleneClarkOwens.com.

Hosts @notokbookproject, Dr. Antija Allen @antijaallen and Justin Stewart @justwrite_stewart87 have a lively conversation with Dr. Ed Garnes. They discuss Black psychology, healing, From Afros to Shelltoes, Reclamation Point Black Men & Mental Health Podcast that he hosts with Moetown Lee, and so much more. You won't want to miss this episode that's filled with lessons and laughter. HOME — https://dredgarnes.com/

“Here is the significance of my dear brother Ed Garnes, Jr. and From Afros To Shelltoes’ Sweet Tea Ethics. There is no other group in Atlanta that can bring together such engaged, high quality, and substantial dialogue about the crucial issues facing not just the black community, but also American society. He writes well, works hard and revels in the life of the mind. Thank God for brother Ed Garnes, Jr”—Dr. Cornel West

Dr. Ed Garnes, founder of From Afros To Shelltoes, is one of America’s most dynamic therapists, educators, and life consultants. He works with clients of all levels, including global activists, Hollywood celebrities, best-selling writers, collegiate and professional athletes, and corporate leaders. With a scholar’s take on wellness, Garnes brings a quarter century of experience in creating life strategies for healing and success, as well as an uncanny ability to meet diverse clients wherever they are in their life span. 

A doctoral internship trainee of Cal Berkeley, he holds a PhD (University of Tennessee), M.A. in Counseling (Michigan State University), M.A. in Psychology (University of Tennessee) and B.A. in English Writing (DePauw University). Garnes has worked extensively with diverse individuals and groups. He curates interventions keenly aware of the impact race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic background, and disability status have on values, interests, and skills that directly impact academic, career, and psychosocial development. Intergenerational supporters champion his ability to channel his grandmother’s southern wisdom, observational humor, and sobering life lessons as an activist into practical strategies for personal development.

A respected educator, counselor, commentator, consultant, and activist in the areas of hip hop, Black identity, manhood, and popular culture, for his work with his community-based agency From Afros To Shelltoes, Garnes has appeared on the cover of Young Black Entrepreneur Magazine and on/in Black Enterprise Magazine, CNN’s Headline News, Sirius Radio, CBS Radio, and allhiphop.com. Garnes currently stars in the internationally acclaimed documentary film series Elementary Genocide, directed by Rahiem Shabazz. His national tour Sweet Tea Ethics has featured famed brothers Dr. Cornel West and Clifton West. Garnes also appears in BET’s acclaimed documentary Killer Curves, examining pop culture influences on Black women’s body image.

Dr. Garnes’ research and clinical interests include gendered racism towards Black men, racial perceptions of protest, career development among athletes, multicultural and social justice issues, mental health promotion and community outreach, and racial and ethnic identity development. His current dissertation research seeks to determine the impact of negative racial experiences on college satisfaction, resilience, assimilation, and mental health of Black men (athletes & non-athletes) at predominantly white institutions.

dredgarnes | Facebook | Linktree

In the Season 2 opener, hosts @notokbookproject, Dr. Antija Allen @antijaallen & Justin T. Stewart @justwrite_stewart87, have a powerful conversation with Dr. Sydney Freeman, Jr. Inspired by Dr. Freeman’s 2022 article, “I’m Scared that I Have Mentored My People into a Burning House | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education (diverseeducation.com),”they take a deeper dive into his experiences in Higher Education, some of the challenges as a Black faculty member, and how he questions if he is leading the new generation of educators on the right path.

Dr. Sydney Freeman, Jr. is a full professor within the Leadership and Counseling Department at the University of Idaho. Dr. Freeman is the first Black (American Descendant of Slaves) man
promoted to the rank of full professor at the University of Idaho. He is a prolific author with nearly 100 publications to his credit and has lectured and presented at institutions such as
Harvard University, Oxford University (UK), Jerusalem College of Technology (Israel), and RMIT University Vietnam, Saigon. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his scholarship in multiple areas including Education, History, Black studies, and Religion.

Dr. Freeman was honored as one of the Accomplished Under 40 award recipients for 2020 by the Idaho Business Review. In 2021, Dr. Freeman gave and received the Barbara Townsend Lecture
and Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). He is the founding director of the university’s Black History Research Lab and the recipient of the 2022 Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Exemplary Scholarship, awarded by the Multicultural/Multiethnic Education: Theory, Research and Practice group within the American Educational Research
Association (AERA). This past April, he was named one of the "Stellar 40 under 40” alumni of Oakwood University. In June, he received both the 2023 McInness/Ryan Mid-Career Leadership
award from the American Association of University Administrators and the Esto Perpetua Award from the Idaho State Historical Society for his scholarship related to preserving Black History. On September 8th, he will receive the 2023 American Association for State and Local History’s Excellence in Leadership in History award on behalf of the University of Idaho Black History Research Lab. He recently earned the distinguished title of Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS) from the United Kingdom’s foremost professional association of historians and history. Under his leadership as the founder and director of the University of Idaho’s Black History Research Lab, the lab has received letters of commendation from the US Senate and the Governor of the State of Idaho. Dr. Freeman also received the Moscow, Idaho Sheikh Community Unity Award for 2023 which will include receiving a personal award from the mayor, his name will be engraved on the Award plaque in City Hall and on the rock in East City Park.

Home - Dr. Sydney Freeman Jr. (drsydneyfreemanjr.com)

In this final episode of season 1, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin T. Stewart, answer your questions, discuss their book We're Not OK, tell you what to expect from Season 2, and share their goals for 2024.

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @notokbookproject  @notokbookproject @antijaallen @justwrite_stewart87

Email: allenivyprep@gmail.com 

For bookings: info@greylocagency.com

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In this episode @notokbookproject, hosts Dr. Antija Allen @antijaallen and Justin T. Stewart @justwrite_stewart87, sit down with Dr. Nicholas D. Hartlep to discuss his book," Racial Battle Fatigue in Faculty: Perspectives and Lessons from Higher Education (Diverse Faculty in the Academy)," the publishing process itself, his exciting upcoming projects, and other topics you won't want to miss.​

Nicholas D. Hartlep (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee) (He/Him/His) holds the Robert Charles Billings Endowed Chair in Education at Berea College, where he chairs the Education Studies Department. His research includes examinations of the model minority stereotype of Asian Americans, higher education leadership, teaching and transformation in urban educational settings, and the impact of neoliberalism on public P–20 education. He has published 24 books in the field of education over the course of his academic career, two of which were named Outstanding Books by the Society of Professors of Education.

In this episode @notokbookproject, hosts Dr. Antija Allen @antijaallen and Justin T. Stewart @justwrite_stewart87, sit down with Dr. Steven Hoffler for an in-depth discussion on Black Tax and its ties to burnout for Black faculty. Dr. Steven Hoffler is an Associate Professor and currently serves as the Assistant Chairperson in the Department of Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University, where he teaches in the undergraduate and graduate programs. At Southern, he served as the Co-Chairperson of the university’s inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council and as an advisor to BROSE, aka, the Brotherhood of Scholarship and Excellence, in which he was awarded Advisor of the Year in 2019 for his service and outreach to young men of color pursuing higher education.

For the past few years, Dr. Hoffler has elevated his advocacy and consultation to addressing mental health issues and systemic racism in the criminal justice, child welfare, educational and healthcare systems and instituting restorative justice practices in these various
settings.