Join Roots of the Spirit podcast host, Spirit Tawfiq as she reflects on her experience creating and building Roots of the Spirit - a platform to uproot racism through storytelling, education and the arts. She also also touches on lessons learned and wisdom gained as she crosses into her 40th decade on the planet!
Roots of the Spirit Podcast welcomes Golf Curator & Founder of IN-18, LaToya Finney!
LaToya Finney is the founder of IN-18, an experiential golf platform created to increase young professionals’ participation in golf and teach inclusion through structured workshops paired with course activities.
LaToya was exposed to golf in college and realized early on that the game was not easily accessible to everyone - that women and people of color were missing. This experience led LaToya to co-found the Black Jewels Ladies Golf Association in New York.
As a former Technology Project Manager and Senior Business Analyst with companies like Goldman Sachs, Barclays and Apollo Global Management, LaToya brings a wealth of experience to the golf course by providing corporate training, group workshops, panels and on-course seminars.
LaToya volunteers with America Needs You, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and travels the world playing and writing about golf. She’s received several awards, including being inducted into the Network Journal’s 2017’s “40 under 40” class.
A passion for golf led LaToya to play on amazing courses in Malaysia, Scotland, Ireland, Barbados, Zihuatanejo, Spain and Dubai. These experiences left a real impression on her and after 20-years of building a career, she decided that is was time for a change.
Website: www.IN-18.com
IG: @msLadyLovesGolf
Listen to Minnijean Brown Trickey (Little Rock Nine), truth connoisseur drop gems on the topic of "race," racism and social justice.
Jane Elliott is an internationally known teacher who became famous after creating the "Blue-Eyes/Brown-Eyes Exercise" in her 3rd grade classroom in the late sixties. She is a lecturer, diversity trainer, antiracism advocate and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education. She exposes prejudice and bigotry as an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors. Her mission… ONE RACE.
“I created a microcosm of society in my third-grade classroom on April 5, 1968,” Jane said, speaking of the iconic day, the day after the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, when she was inspired to create what would become known as her famed “Blue-Eyes/Brown-Eyes Exercise.” Her life’s work landed her on Oprah five times, inspired more than a handful of documentaries and has been credited as the impetus for the “diversity training” that many corporations and educational institutions still host for their employees today. Derived from Chandra Thomas Whitfield for NBCNews.com
website: www.janeelliott.com
Where can I buy her fabulous shirt!?
https://janeelliott.com/video-store/sweatshirt
National Geographic "The Race Issue" Spirit and Jane refer to in the show: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/04/#close
Naomi Gracechild is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician, educator, entrepreneur, social justice activist and worshipper of nature! As the founder of Euphony Works, Naomi brings her cross-sector experience in both urban and rural communities to help clients gain a deeper understanding of socio-political dynamics in order to effectively address issues of inequity.
Throughout her professional career she has had the honour of developing and leading creative initiatives with organizations such as The National Music Centre, BC Alliance for Arts & Culture, Selkirk College and BC Touring Council.
Naomi is a working musician and music educator and continues to be an active advocate for community building and empowerment through the arts. She is currently working on a collaborative art and music show that will exhibit during Black History Month 2020 and performs regularly singing with her band, Naomi Grace.
Her emerging side-side-side-side-hustle-in-progress, Melanin Rising, is a line of apparel and an online community supporting racialized musicians and arousing allyship/accompliceship. These shirts and website will be a platform to unite people of colour and allies through fashion and art.
The shirts are printed in partnership with Trapline Designs, an Indigenous-run community print shop in Vancouver's downtown east side. The models profiled on website and social media will be Canadian musicians of colour who embody personal philosophies of anti-racism and collective liberation.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/euphonyworks/
Brad Marsden (Gitsegukla Reserve within the Gitksan Nation in Northern British Columbia) is a Life Coach, Residential School Counselor and Facilitator. He graduated from a Wellness Counselor Program in 2008 and has been trained in SafeTalk as well as Suicide Intervention at the Crisis Center of British Columbia. He provides interactive workshops called, "Impacts of Residential School & Colonization Workshop" for non-native service providers so they can have a better understanding of Native people.
Brad is an Inter-generational Survivor of the Residential School, raised by his grandparents who went there. Although he never attended the school himself, he describes being raised by the same beliefs, attitudes and behaviors’ that his primary caregivers and community experienced in Residential Schools. All of his important early childhood development was greatly influenced by their experience in those schools.
"It is my goal to help my people move forward in their lives by helping them and society become more accurately aware of the history of the Residential School and the effects that it had and still has on our communities today, and more importantly our children," said Brad.
Brad Marsden Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-marsden-394b086a/
Please note: Canada and the U.S. had a parallel system of Residential Schools, but they are more commonly known as Boarding Schools in the U.S.
Residential schools for Aboriginal people in Canada date back to the 1870s. Over 130 residential schools were located across the country, and the last school closed in 1996. These government-funded, church-run schools were set up to eliminate parental involvement in the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual development of Aboriginal children.
During this era, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were placed in these schools often against their parents' wishes. Many were forbidden to speak their language and practice their own culture. While there is an estimated 80,000 former students living today, the ongoing impact of residential schools has been felt throughout generations and has contributed to social problems that continue to exist.
On June 11, 2008, the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government of Canada, delivered a formal apology in the House of Commons to former students, their families, and communities for Canada's role in the operation of the residential schools.
Learn MORE - Residential / Boarding Schools in Canada & U.S.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
http://www.trc.ca/about-us.html
The Residential School System (UBC Indigenous Foundations)
https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_residential_school_system/
National Museum of the American Indian
https://americanindian.si.edu/education/codetalkers/html/index.html
Educational Curriculum - Facing History & Ourselves
Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools
https://www.facinghistory.org/stolen-lives-indigenous-peoples-canada-and-indian-residential-schools
Documentary:
Unseen Tears: The Native American Boarding School Experience in Western New York
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioAzggmes8c
Mark Stoddart has been a Visual Communicator for over 30 years! He combines his passion for music and sports with a spirit of social activism and a commitment to educate & unite as a brand designer, visual artist, and founder of the clothing company L.I.W.I.68 (Live It, Wear It) brand.
Under that brand, he works with Dr. John Carlos, an advocate for human rights and the 1968 Olympic sprinter who silently protested with his raised fist on the podium in Mexico City.
Mark's conceptual ideas reflect his personal commitment to celebrate the passion, struggle and accomplishments of Black artists and athletes who broke color barriers and came to stand as symbols of North American culture.
Earning a passion for storytelling by "speaking truth to power" at a young age, Mark’s artwork has been exhibited in several galleries and private events around Toronto in recent years.
Mark enjoys a residency where he leads a group of intermediate students in a large-scale social justice and wellbeing inspired art piece integrating personal and universal scripts.
Website: www.liwi68.com
Facebook: Mark Liwi Stoddart
Instagram: mstoddart68
Monica O. Montgomery is an arts and culture innovator using creativity and narrative as a means of bridging the gap between people and movements. She is the newly minted, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center, A Home for Black Excellence.
Monica advocates globally for social justice, at the intersection of art, activism and culture. As a curator, thought leader and public speaker, she has curated exhibits on #BlackLivesMatter, African American Resistance Histories, Climate Change, Social Activism, Freedom from Slavery, Feminism and more.
She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Broadcast Communication from Temple University and Masters of Arts in Corporate Communication from LaSalle University. She taught at Harvard University, Pratt Institute, and NYU.
Monica holds leadership advisory positions in OfByFor All Change Network, Leading Changemakers and is cofounder + strategic director of Museum Hue a multicultural organization advancing Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion initiatives, centering people of color in arts, culture, museums and creative economy.
Monica O. Montgomery
Facebook: Monica Montgomery Nyathi
Linkedin: Monica O. Montgomery
Museum Hue:
Website: www.MuseumHue.com
Facebook: Museum Hue
Check out this deeply inspiring episode featuring Liberian-born fashion designer and stylist, Korto Momolu (First Runner Up, Project Runway Season 5) who has overcome many challenges to blaze her own path in the fashion industry - stamping her global brand on fashion-forward women’s wear and accessories that celebrate the essence of her rich heritage through the use of traditional and luxury fabrics.
The Korto Momolu brand has over the years expanded to include creating an accessory line for Dillard’s Incorporated department stores; producing an eco-friendly jewelry line for the Smithsonian museum stores; designing the uniforms for the Walton Family Museum (Crystal Bridges); serving as the Cheerios’ ambassador for the Shoprite Partners in Caring “Knock Out Hunger” campaign; and contributing her time and talents to countless charitable and philanthropic endeavors.
Highlighted in the ‘Top 5 Designers to Watch’ at her debut season at New York fashion week SS2009 season, Korto has been featured in many international and national publications and has appeared on numerous television shows, including two seasons of Project Runway AllStars. She presently makes her home with her husband and children in Little Rock, Arkansas.
COMING UP!
High Fashion Meets the World of Cannabis: Korto Momolu for Women Grow SS20 Collection
High Fashion meets the world of Cannabis for the first time at New York Fashion Week. Renowned fashion designer, Korto Momolu, known for her bold fashion-forward designs on Project Runway, has joined forces with Women Grow, the largest network of women in the cannabis and hemp industries whose mission is not to cultivate cannabis but women leaders in cannabis. LINK below for TICKET INFO.
"If you're out there dreaming, quit dreaming and start speaking it...get out there and make your dream happen and live it out loud. It is possible, it's doable. I'm a testament of that." ~ Korto Momolu
Korto's Website: www.kortomomolu.com
Korto Social Media: @kortomomolu
High Fashion Meets the World of Cannabis: https://kortomomoluforwomengrow.eventbrite.com
Korto Momolu | My Chapter and Verse | BET
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LzHaXeefFc&feature=youtu.be
Roots of the Spirit Website: www.rootsofthespirit.com
Social Media: @rootsofthespirit
Roots of the Spirit founder and host, Spirit Tawfiq speaks openly about her own personal journey as she marks the 10th episode of the podcast!
George Moses, Executive Director of North East Area Development in Rochester, NY is an experienced community-based activist, researcher and executive who understands the need to balance scholarly research with the practical application needed for positive transformation in challenged communities. He is the key liaison for the establishment of the 1st Western New York Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools and a spokesperson for the Children’s Defense Fund “Dismantling the Cradle to Prison Pipeline” initiative.
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Robert Moses, Director of Economic Development for North East Area Development embraces the principles of cooperative economics and self-determination as he studies and constructs pathways to entrepreneurship and employment for local youth and adults. Rob has collaborated for seven years as a community-university activist, co-researcher, co-implementer and co-author on multiple community-based participatory research projects.
More information: www.neadrochester.org
Welcome Namel Norris and Rick Velasquez, talented "hip-hop artists and motivational speakers in wheelchairs as a result of gun violence" to the Roots of the Spirit podcast! Namel and Rick founded 4 Wheel City to create more opportunities for people with disabilities and inspire people not to give up in life. In addition, show the world that people with disabilities can still have talents, dreams, and deserve to be treated equal.
Roots of the Spirit welcomes filmmaker, Melissa Lowery to the podcast!
Black Girl In Suburbia is Melissa's first feature documentary based off of her own experiences growing up as one of very few African Americans in a predominately White suburb in Oregon.
Black Girl In Suburbia is a feature documentary that looks into the experiences of black girls growing up in predominately White communities. This is a different look into suburbia from the perspective of women of color. This film explores through professional and personal interviews the conflict and issues black girls have relating to both white and black communities.
There are many girls out there who have stories to tell about struggle and triumph, but have never had an outlet to share. That’s why this film is so important!
Black Girl In Suburbia intends to spark an open dialogue about race, identity, and perspective among all people. In hopes that these discussions will allow us to look at perceptions of ourselves, others and the community we live in as a whole.
Black Girl In Suburbia is distributed by Women Make Movies!
Trailer for Black Girl in Suburbia
Keep up with the film
Roots of the Spirit welcomes Jaimie Milner, photographer, artist and founder of Gifted: A Creative Movement Celebrating the Beauty and Genius of Black Men.
"Gifted is an innovative platform focused on expanding a positive image of black men throughout culture. Often times we’re surrounded by so many negative images of black men: ones that devalue, degrade and fail to represent their power and the magnitude of who they are. This is a platform for the image and voice of black men today. One that challenges the current climate and reminds them of who they are...Gifted!"
Born and raised in Southern California, Jaimie Milner discovered photography at a young age and later attended the University of Southern California where she received her Bachelors in Communication. In her studies at USC, she learned about the power of representation and how it could have a direct influence on how people saw themselves and each other. Milner combined this new found knowledge and her love of photography to capture the essence and stories of people. She uses photographic portraiture as her primary medium by which she aspires to capture, empower and inspire the human spirit.
To learn more about Gifted: A Creative Movement Celebrating the Beauty and Genius of Black Men - www.thegiftedproject.org or @thegiftedblkmen on instagram.
#RootsoftheSpirit Podcast is excited to introduce you to Destiny Mabry!!! Educator, motivational speaker, activist, rapper and comedian actress from #Bronx, #NewYork. She has been featured on #MTV News, #BET, #NationalPublicRadio and #NYCMedia. Destiny is passionate about facing social issues head on. She feels it’s important for everyone, especially the youth, to know they have the #power to be a #catalyst for #change within their communities, and themselves. She currently works as a Community #Educator, facilitating workshops to youth throughout the city. In addition, she performs comedy and rap throughout the TriState.
Take a listen to this inspiring conversation in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month - Available now on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud!
Check out Destiny on Instagram @ Destiny.Mabry. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
RootsoftheSpirit #applepodcast #newpodcast #soundcloud #identity #race #racism #socialjustice #socialjusticewarrior #littlerocknine #legacy #growth #intergenerational #honesty #truth #passionista #change #changemaker #activist #courageousconversations #authenticity #authenticityhaslongevity #passion #courage #bethechange #keepingitreal #authenticspirit
My very special guest on today’s podcast is my older sister, Morning Star Trickey. When thinking of guests to honor for Women’s History Month, Morning Star came to mind right away. I have looked up to her and admired her since day 1. When I was coming of age and she was entering her 20’s, I worshiped her like no other. Morning Star has been singing as long as I can remember. My little sister, Leila and I would beg to hang out in her room with her friends, listen to music and watch them rehearse. Her voice is magical and stops me in my tracks every time I hear her sing. I remember being mesmerized when I watched her outstanding performance in the musical Hair when I was only 10 years old. She is my favorite singer of all time.
Besides being a charming older sister and gifted singer, Morning Star is a phenomenal women in many other ways. I’m most grateful and proud that she has chosen to share her journey with the Roots of the Spirit community...of growing up experiencing racism, her drive to become a singer and surviving a near fatal car accident which resulted in her becoming an amputee, and subsequently a disability rights advocate. Most notably, Morning Star is the fabulous mother of my beautiful, bright and charismatic nephew, Thelonious.
Morning Star is currently a member of the City Soul Choir, a secular Vancouver community choir led by music director Brian Tate.
Extending immense gratitude to award-winning composer, musician, choir director, and educator, Brian Tate for granting me permission to use his stunning song, Hold On, Don’t Let Go featuring soloist, Morning Star Trickey on the podcast.
The content and discussion in this podcast will necessarily engage with racism, ableism and experiences of emotional and physical trauma. My intention is to provide a platform from which we can engage bravely, empathetically and thoughtfully with difficult content.
Roots and Love,
Spirit
Roots of the Spirit welcomes 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Stacey McAdoo and her vivacious 17-year-old daughter, Jamee McAdoo – senior at Central High School and 2019 Miss Heritage’s Outstanding Teen.
This beautiful mother / daughter duo graced the Roots of the Spirit podcast by sharing their respective experiences of being a teacher and student at Little Rock Central High School, in addition to their life’s work and passion as community leaders, activists, artists, and trailblazers.
Take a listen to this inspiring intergenerational conversation in honor of Women’s History Month!
Check out Stacey McAdoo's Blog.
Roots of the Spirit Podcast welcomes Dr. Todd Allen, Special Assistant to the President & Provost for Diversity Affairs/Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Allen is the founder of The Common Ground Project, a community based non-profit dedicated to promoting an understanding of the Civil Rights Movement, and over the past 18 years, has led one of the longest operating Civil Rights Movement tours in the nation, “Returning to the Roots of Civil Rights."
**Please note that the N-word is used once in this episode in a historical context**
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