Conversation Series: Black Women Thought Leaders - The Intersection of Politics, Social Justice, and Faith - Part 1

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary put together this conversation series.

During the final interview of the series, Mary talks with Keri Gray of the Keri Gray Group and the NAMED Advocates.

The two discuss the gap between social justice and Disability Justice, how to close the gap, Black Disabled Lives Matter, and what it's like to live at the intersection of being Black and disabled.

Keri Gray is a cancer survivor, entrepreneur, speaker, and facilitator. She is the CEO of the Keri Gray Consulting Group, LLC, where they strive to create professional communities of understanding through disability and racial justice education. She is also founder of the National Alliance of Melanin Disabled Advocates, which creates spaces for disabled leaders of color and BIPOC allies to gather, learn, connect, and grow around racial and disability justice. Keri’s work has been featured in Teen Vogue, the New York Times, People Magazine, Time Magazine, PBS NewsHour, Madamenoire, and the Diet Coke campaign #Unlabeled. 

You can follow Keri on social media here and NAMED Advocates here.

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In this episode, Mary sits down with drag performer and Drag Queen of the Year pageant contestant, Charles Galin.

The two discuss Charles' pageant experience, virtual drag, why they choose to continue to mask in public spaces, lack of general accessibility in the world, and more.

You can follow Charles on social media here.

Production note: Mary's microphone was glitching at some points and she was unaware. Please refer to the transcript, if need be or if it meets your access need(s).

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

Mary continues her conversation Season 5, All Stars 2 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race, Detox for The Politics of Disability Pride series.

The two discuss continue their discussion on what it will take to bridge the gap between the LGBTQIA+ community and the disabled/chronically ill community, the rise, fall, and possible revival of virtual drag shows, building community during the pandemic, and more.

Episode content warnings: Mentions of ableism, adult language

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In part one of the second interview for The Politics of Disability Pride series, Mary sits down with Season 5, All Stars 2 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race, Detox.

The two discuss what it will take to bridge the gap between the LGBTQIA+ community and the disabled/chronically ill community, advocacy, anti-trans legislation, and more.

Episode content warning: Mentions of ableism, mild adult language

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

Mary continues her conversation with Season 12 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race and the national co-chair of Drag Out The Vote, Brita Filter for The Politics of Disability Pride series.

The two discuss anti-LGBGTQIA+ legislation, voting, lack of access to voting, lack of accessible social media, and more.

Drag Out The Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that works with drag performers to promote participation in democracy. You can learn more about it here.

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In part one of the initial interview for The Politics of Disability Pride series, Mary sits down with Season 12 contestant of RuPaul's Drag Race and the national co-chair of Drag Out The Vote, Brita Filter.

The two discuss mental health, advocacy, voting, voting rights, Pride, the lack of accessibility when it comes to Pride events, and more.

Drag Out The Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that works with drag performers to promote participation in democracy. You can learn more about it here.

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary put together this conversation series.

During the second interview of the series, Mary continues her conversation with Stacey Abrams' former press secretary, Jaylen Black. The two discuss advocacy, voting rights, lack of access to basic needs such as food and shelter, the intersection of faith and politics and Jaylen's new podcast.

Jaylen Black is a communications professional who has spoken on behalf of some of the most powerful individuals in Georgia. Her previous roles include Director of Surrogate Communications for Reverend Warnock’s runoff election, Press Secretary and Spokesperson for Stacey Abrams for Governor 2022 race, and Georgia Press Secretary for Senator Reverend Warnock’s federal office. She has experience handling crisis Communications and plethora of political issues. 

You can follow Jaylen on social media here and here.

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary put together this conversation series.

During the second interview of the series, Mary talks with Stacey Abrams' former press secretary, Jaylen Black. The two discuss how disability is viewed in the Black community, intersectionality, the disconnect between social and Disability Justice, and faith.

Jaylen Black is a communications professional who has spoken on behalf of some of the most powerful individuals in Georgia. Her previous roles include Director of Surrogate Communications for Reverend Warnock’s runoff election, Press Secretary and Spokesperson for Stacey Abrams for Governor 2022 race, and Georgia Press Secretary for Senator Reverend Warnock’s federal office. She has experience handling crisis Communications and plethora of political issues. 

You can follow Jaylen on social media here and here.

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary has put together this conversation series.

She continues her conversation with Alison  Mariella Désir in part two of this compelling interview. They discuss what it means to be multi-marginalized in the Black community, how disability is viewed in the Black community, the pandemic, and more.

Alison Mariella Désir is multi-talented: a founder, a doer, an activist, a connector, and an unapologetically straightforward communicator with a passion for community health. Alison came to running organically, following a period of depression, when a Black friend and role model trained for and completed a marathon.

Alison is the author of Running While Black, the tv host and producer of Out & Back w/ Alison Mariella Désir (now streaming) and the host of Out & Back’s companion podcast; listen here.

Alison is the founder of Harlem Run, an NYC-based running movement, and Run 4 All Women, which has raised over $150,000 for Planned Parenthood and $270,000 for Black Voters Matter.

Alison is co-founder and former chair of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, a nonprofit that unites the running industry to provide resources, measure progress, and hold the industry accountable to equitable employment, leadership, and ownership positions and improve inclusion, visibility, and access for Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Alison holds her BA in History, MA in Latin American and Caribbean Regional Studies, and EdM in Counseling Psychology, all from Columbia University.

Alison sits on the advisory boards for Strava and &Mother and is an Athlete Ambassador for Athlete Ally.

You can follow Alison on social media here.

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.

In celebration of both Black History Month in February and Women's History Month in March, Mary has put together this conversation series.

She sits down with Alison Mariella Désir in part one of their conversation to discuss her book, Running While Black, the thought behind it, what running while Black means to her, the implications the book has had and the disconnect between social justice and Disability Justice.

Alison Mariella Désir is multi-talented: a founder, a doer, an activist, a connector, and an unapologetically straightforward communicator with a passion for community health. Alison came to running organically, following a period of depression, when a Black friend and role model trained for and completed a marathon.

Alison is the author of Running While Black, the tv host and producer of Out & Back w/ Alison Mariella Désir (now streaming) and the host of Out & Back’s companion podcast; listen here.

Alison is the founder of Harlem Run, an NYC-based running movement, and Run 4 All Women, which has raised over $150,000 for Planned Parenthood and $270,000 for Black Voters Matter.

Alison is co-founder and former chair of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition, a nonprofit that unites the running industry to provide resources, measure progress, and hold the industry accountable to equitable employment, leadership, and ownership positions and improve inclusion, visibility, and access for Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Alison holds her BA in History, MA in Latin American and Caribbean Regional Studies, and EdM in Counseling Psychology, all from Columbia University.

Alison sits on the advisory boards for Strava and &Mother and is an Athlete Ambassador for Athlete Ally.

You can follow Alison on social media here.

The Politics of Disability was named Best Interview Podcast at the Astoria Film Festival in both October 2022 and again in June 2023.