The Labyrinth of the First Gen

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In the final episode of season two, the host shares about her father's side of the family from the US Virgin Islands, also discussing self-determination initiatives happening there. Dr. Sekou, a well-known professor and activist from the Islands, is interviewed providing historical context about political evolution and self-determination struggles in the region. They discuss the cultural overlap between the US Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, and the mainland US, the influences on political beliefs in the Islands, and the vision for the island to stand autonomous yet productive within or outside the US system in the future. Reference is made to two grants received by Dr. Sekou to elevate public political consciousness, with ongoing efforts despite natural disasters. A new business venture selling handmade jewelry from Latin America and the Caribbean is also introduced.

"So our quest has been trying to get, we must try to get our people to see this constitution as an important step towards decolonization in a small way. It is not the same as a big step towards independence or stakeholder-free association, but it's a, it's a small step towards greater self-governance." Dr. Malik Sekou

To Learn More About Dr. Sekou's work check out this article 

Self-Determination Initiatives in the US Virgin Islands

Episode Resources for the Fireburn Uprising in St. Croix in 1978

Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:12 Exploring Cultural Background and Heritage

00:39 Conversation with Dr. Sekou: Activism and Self-Determination

03:38 Historical Context: Migration and Community Building

06:31 Dr. Sekou's Personal Journey and Ideology

08:34 Political Involvement and Career in Academia

18:51 The Struggle for Self-Determination: Historical Perspective

23:28 Political Status and Self-Determination in Modern Times

27:40 Comparing Political Conversations: US Virgin Islands vs Puerto Rico

29:46 The Future of Self-Determination in the US Virgin Islands

32:02 Closing Remarks and Farewell

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

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This episode features Dorothy Bell Ferrer, a writer, part-time professor at the City University of New York, and a doctoral candidate in Spanish, Latin American, and Caribbean literature at the University of Puerto Rico. Dorothy talks about her journey and experiences as a writer, her approach to identity, and how it influences her writing. She shares her belief in the fluidity of identity and her disinterest in being boxed into specific identities, advocating against reducing one's identity to marketable, narrow brackets. She underscores the importance of viewing and presenting identity as multi-faceted aspects that evolve over time.

"Entonces el sector eh, bel año le digo estas todo artículo de de. 20 afro latinas que tiene que leer 20 negras que tiene que no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. En mi opinión, entiendo. El punto es visibili verdad o o verdad? Dar una, eh, un espacio, pero yo siento que también  escritoras es suficiente para mí, escritora y punto  que no tiene que poner adjetivo" ~Dorothy Ferrer

English translation of Dorothy's quote

You will see magazines that say, here are 20 Afro-Latinas that you have to read or  refer to black people in this way. Dorothy says, no, no, no. In my opinion. I understand, right? The point is visibility, to provide a space in this case, for these people.  However, I also feel.  The description of me as a writer is enough.  A writer period there's no need to put any other adjectives

To learn more and read about Dorothy's work please check out her website here https://lasandungaqueserepite.wordpress.com/

Episode Breakdown

02:26 Introduction to Labyrinth of the First Gen Season 2

02:55 Dorothy's Journey as a Writer

06:52 Dorothy's First Novel and Professional Writing

12:22 Dorothy's Perspective on Identity

25:28 Dorothy's Thoughts on Identity and Capitalism

32:25 Dorothy's Words of Wisdom

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

In this episode of 'Labyrinth of the First Gen, Weyu interviews Rokhaya, a Senegal-born mompreneur  based in Jamaica who moved from Canada with a vision to build her own business and break generational curses. Rokhaya shares her experiences of transitioning from a high-paying corporate job to running her own business, adapting to a new culture, battling obstacles, and building patience. She also talks about making peace with her past to heal her present, and discusses her plans to expand into healing retreats, facilitating the well-being of black women worldwide. In an encouraging and inspiring conversation, Rokhaya encourages the listeners not to see a gap in their CVs as a failure, but as an opportunity to rebuild their lives from scratch in an entirely new environment while redefining success on their terms.

"The success was really when I became a mother is when I saw the success because I was like, wow, I don't have to go back to a job when I'm feeling sick. I never had to call in sick. So. That's where I found my joy that thank God I set up this business beforehand, even though I'm not saying it's paying the bills or anything like that, but to just know that I'm free and that I'm capable and worthy of making that money for myself and breaking, as you said, those path and generational curse" ~Rokhaya, Mompreneur and Founder of Rokhaya Flow. 

Learn more about Rokhaya business called Rokhaya.Flow is a Podcast and Voice Coaching business aimed at helping Black Women and Women of Color wellness coaches amplify their brand voice through proven podcast marketing strategies. You can follow Rokhaya on Instagram at @rokhaya.flow  and onLinkedIn.

Episode Breakdown

00:36 Introducing the Guest: Rokhaya

02:34 Rokhaya's Journey and Identity

08:11 Rokhaya's Business Journey

15:12 Rokhaya's Cultural Challenges and Adaptations

23:34 Rokhaya's Decision to Move to Jamaica

31:18 Advice for Mompreneurs and Future Plans

37:01 Conclusion and Farewell

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Schedule 30 minutes to chat with me during my open office hours 

In this episode of Labyrinth of the First Gen, we delve deeper into the foundations, challenges, and future visions of the organization, One L.U.V working tirelessly to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. Through the narratives of One L.U.V board members, Jamal, Jae, and Bobby, we explore topics like generational differences within the community, facing fears, challenges, and the idea of creating safe spaces. The episode advocates for respect, diversity in opinions, and coexistence, highlighting the need for resources and community support for the LGBTQ+ population now and in the future.

"I feel that if there were organizations like this, when I was growing up and I was still trying for what in the world is going on with me, that maybe I would have felt more comfortable  , in expressing myself much earlier. Then I came to figure this out" ~Jamal A. Potter, Social Media Manager, One L.U.V

For More Information on One L.U.V follow the One Luz Facebook page here

Part 2 Show Breakdown

01:50 Challenges in Starting One Love

02:48 First Experience of Pride Parade

05:41 Overcoming Personal Challenges

09:02 Generational Differences in the LGBT Community

20:34 Personal Missions and Visions

28:24 Conclusion and Appreciation

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

Follow the Labyrinth of the First Gen on Instagram

Sign Up for the Quarterly Labyrinth of the First Gen Newsletter on the bottom of our website

In this episode, we have a conversation with Jae  (he, him; they, them), Bobby(he, him, his), and Jamal (he, him, his) who are the president, social media manager, and board members of One L.U.V (which stands for Love, Unity, and Victory). One L.U.V is an organization focusing on activism, visibility, and allyship education for the black LGBTQ+ community based in St Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean. Through their work, One L.U.V challenges perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community as foreign to the Caribbean culture while acknowledging the complexity of their U.S. territory status. The organization also conducts community activities with a focus on a black and brown LGBTQ+ audience, including educational panels and family-friendly events to foster inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Despite facing barriers, Jamal, Bobby, and Jae highlight that many steps have been made to foster acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQ+ population in the Caribbean, however, the work must continue.

"We decided that we needed to be a part of not only the parade but the movement that was growing in the Virgin Islands so that we can represent our people and show that We have always been here. We were born here. We're raised here.  We give back to our community, not just in tax dollars, but, you know,  in brain power, you know, we contribute to the development of the Virgin Islands. So that's our reason for being to for existing and being here and serving our population and doing the work that we do. " ~ Jae, One L.U.V's President

For More Information on One L.U.V follow the One Luz Facebook page here

00:00 Introduction to One L.U.V Team

02:58 Origins of One L.U.V: The Founding Story

06:35 Challenges and Controversies: The First Parade

09:32 Confronting Perceptions: Being Gay in the Caribbean

12:06 The Intersection of Race and Queerness

21:35 Community Activities and Education Initiatives

28:25 Conclusion: The Impact and Future of One L.U.V

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

Follow the Labyrinth of the First Gen on Instagram

Sign Up for the Quarterly Labyrinth of the First Gen Newsletter at the bottom of our website

Labyrinth of the First Gen continues the conversation with Collective Ilé, an anti-racism organization working in Puerto Rico. Kimberly and Mayra their work on organizing black identity on census data, how the Black Lives Matter movement and tumultuous events of 2020 influenced their approach, and the Puerto Rican community's changing self-perception on race. 

Kimberly and Mayra delve into challenges faced, like addressing racism in a society that denies its existence, and the necessity to talk about race, acknowledging it as a socially constructed concept that still impacts lives. The role of community building and relationship reinforcement within movements in Puerto Rico and the intergenerational nature of their efforts are emphasized. Personal dreams, including creating a safe and fulfilling future for the next generation and finding genuine happiness and rest amidst ongoing efforts, close the conversation.

"I think that's my,  my calling here. And also because I recognize that the things that I'm doing today are going to have an impact seven generations after. And  that's an understanding that we also have  as a practice, as an anti-racist racist practice. I think that's,  that's a gift that we can receive, but also that's a gift that we can give to the future generations."

~Kimberly, Programmatic Director at Colectivo Ilé.

For more information about Colectivo  Ilé  check out their website at https://www.colectivoile.org/

Listen to the Coletivo  Ilé  podcast called Negras here 

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:58 Meet Maya: Programmatic Director at Collectivo ELA

02:00 The Impact of 2020 Events on Puerto Rico

03:04 The Role of Census in Puerto Rico

04:34 The Success of the Census Campaign

07:59 Challenges in Anti-Racist Work

12:58 Intermission and Invitation to Join the Discussion

14:55 Generational Differences and Impact

21:06 The Importance of Building Community

22:57 Dreams and Aspirations

25:20 Conclusion and Contact Information

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

Follow the Labyrinth of the First Gen on Instagram

Sign Up for the Quarterly Labyrinth of the First Gen Newsletter at the bottom of our website

Myra and Kimberly are Puerto Rican women from Colectivo Ilé, an organization that has been campaigning against racism in Puerto Rico for the past 25 years. The focus in this part is on their understanding of race in the context of Puerto Rico, both historically and politically, and how this influences their work. They also discuss the impact of Hurricane Maria, and how it acted as a catalyst for change and a heightened understanding of their Afro-Descendant identity, particularly within a US framework. The episode concludes with a discussion about their involvement in the US-based Census and how they used it as a political tool to emphasize their unique racial identity.

"This is a labor of love and it takes all of us  to have that anti-racist future. It takes all of us. White, Black,  young kids, older people. It's all of us. So we have some, we are almost obsessed about talking about dreams because that's a way to manifest that future, that anti-racist future." ~ Myra, Colectivo  Ilé Administrative Director 

For more information about Colectivo  Ilé  check out their website at https://www.colectivoile.org/

Listen to the Coletivo  Ilé  podcast called Negras here 

Show Themes

00:00 Introduction to Colectivo  Ilé  

03:05 The Mission of Colectivo  Ilé  

08:08 The Impact of Colonialism on Puerto Rico

09:18 Embracing Black Identity in Puerto Rico

14:01 The Aftermath of Hurricane Maria

18:52 The Importance of Community and Home

25:46 The Impact of the U.S. Census on Puerto Rico

33:09 Conclusion and Contact Information

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

Subscribe to the Labyrinth of the First Gen quarterly newsletter on our website

Follow the Labyrinth of the First Gen on Instagram

This episode features an in-depth interview with Ingrid Gamboa, activist, and founder of Iseri Ibagari, a public health center for the Garifuna population in Livingston, Guatemala. She discusses her commitment to various health initiatives and the founding of Isiri Ibagri. She shares her experiences during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the similarities of widespread fear during COVID-19, and her constant fight against systemic racism. Gamboa's efforts in setting up an HIV/AIDS public health center in Guatemala, with the help of Doctors Without Borders, saved numerous lives. She also emphasizes the importance of addressing the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS patients, even after available treatments. Her role as an activist also touches on the struggle against systemic racism experienced by the Garifuna people in Guatemala.

"Yo tengo algo. Yo no soy indiferente a los problemas. Si algo no está  bien, vengo, voy, camino, pero  yo  quiero resolverlo. Yo soy así verdad sobre como se trata de mi comunidad."  Ingrid Gambao

English Translation 

"If something is not right, I will come. I'm on my way. I want to resolve it. I'm just like that, and especially with the way that they treat my community." Ingrid Gamboa

For more information on Ingrid Gambao and to support Iseri Ibagari in Livingston Guatemala visit 

http://iseriibagari.info/quienes-somos.html

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

Subscribe to the Labyrinth of the First Gen quarterly newsletter on our website

Join the conversation after you listen to this episode on our Facebook group here

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In this episode, Gloria Jean Rowe, an Afro-Guatemalan teacher, writer, and advocate recounts her journey of creating awareness about the Afro-Jamaican population in Guatemala by writing the book 'Guiou, Los Otros Negros, (The Other Blacks)'. The book highlights the contributions of Afro-Jamaicans to Guatemalan history and culture, an aspect often overlooked. Over a series of powerful anecdotes, Gloria emphasizes the importance of recognizing and preserving Jamaican traditions and the Afro-Jamaican identity. She explains her methods of research, her inspirations, and the impact her book had on bringing socio-political changes in Guatemala.

"I realized that they had lost their identity and their culture. And our traditions were going as well. So I wrote the first book for my family and community, and I self-published 50 copies and I sent it to them. And that's how this whole thing started because I wanted them to know who they were. It was important to me." ~ Gloria Rowe

This episode is a fascinating and informative look at the history and culture of Afro-Guatemalans. It is also a moving and personal story of one writer's journey to find their place in the world.

Episode Resources Used 

Alejandra Batres, The Experience of the Guatemalan United Fruit Company Workers,1944-1954: Why Did They Fail? 

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/

Subscribe to the Labyrinth of the First Gen quarterly newsletter on our website

Join the conversation after you listen to this episode on our Facebook group here

Follow the Labyrinth of the First Gen on Instagram

Diana talks about her journey to becoming a restaurant owner of Las Tres Garifunas, a well-known food staple for Garifuna (Afro-Amerindian) culture in Livingston, Guatemala. We discuss how she uses her platform to promote Garifuna/Black culture and activism around the world. She also shares her thoughts on the importance of Garifuna women owning their own businesses and furthering efforts to revive traditional Garifuna practices for youth in her community.

"Yo quiero dar a conocer mi cultura al mundo y esa gastronomía es importante. Sí, es entonces, aprendemos haciendo." ~Diana Martinez De Franzua. 

I want to make my culture known to the world and the cuisine is important and we learn by doing. (English translation) 

This episode is perfect for anyone who is interested in learning more about Black Garifuna culture and activism in Central America.  Learn more about Diana's Restaurant Las Tres Garifunas on her Facebook page here

The Labyrinth of the First Gen yearly survey to get your feedback on Season 1 and Season 2 is here

Special Thanks to the Podcast Edits episodes 1-5 from Bear Beat Productions 

https://www.bearbeatproductions.com/