In this insightful episode, host Ama-Robin and special guest Roxanne Worden, a dedicated mindfulness coach, discuss how building a diverse support network can lead to personal growth and empowerment within the Black community. Ama-Robin highlights the importance of professionals like doctors, dentists, and mindfulness coaches, while Roxanne delves deeply into the transformative power of mindfulness.

Roxanne shares her journey to becoming a mindfulness coach and explains how mindfulness can help you break free from survival mode, reduce stress, and foster a more present, empowered mindset. By listening to this episode, you'll gain practical tips on developing healthy habits, understanding thought patterns, and cultivating self-compassion.

Discover how mindfulness can combat systemic pressures, address internalized oppression, and help you treat yourself with compassion. Learn the benefits of building a "mindfulness muscle" and how to create a supportive village that prioritizes self-care and holistic well-being.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Roxanne on achieving Black empowerment and personal growth. This episode will equip you with the tools to envision a liberated, empowered future, helping you thrive in every aspect of your life. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical advice and personal experiences that will inspire and uplift you.

Resources:

Cloud Walk Coaching. Explore the benefits of mindfulness with Roxanne Worden.

In this powerful and defiant episode, host Ama-Robin confronts the painful contradictions of celebrating Independence Day as a Black American. Drawing inspiration from Frederick Douglass's iconic speech, "What to the Slave is Your Fourth of July?" Ama-Robin exposes the hypocrisies of a nation that celebrates freedom while denying it to millions. The episode delves into the ongoing struggles for equal protection, voting rights, and justice, highlighting the contributions and resilience of Black Americans who have fought tirelessly to shape this country.

Listeners are encouraged to take bold, fearless actions to continue the fight for true liberation, including boycotts, direct action, and community defense. Allies are also given specific steps to support Black Americans and expose the hypocrisy of Independence Day. The episode honors "The New Founders"—Black Americans who have risked their lives to push the nation towards its ideals of liberty and justice for all.

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the myths of Independence Day and calls for a renewed commitment to justice and equality. Plus, participate in the "New Founders Challenge," a call to identify and celebrate individuals who should be considered "New Founders" for their inspiring fight for justice and dedication to the nation's true founding ideals.

Join Ama-Robin on Espresso Talk Today as we celebrate Black spaces—vibrant havens of safety and empowerment that defy the chaos of predominantly white spaces.

Discover the resilience and creativity flourishing in Black-owned restaurants, boutiques, and cultural centers. But Black spaces are so much more. Black spaces are Black history, Black art, Black music, and Black spirituality. They are Black healing circles, Brotha and Sistah groups, and Black families.

Explore why Black spaces are crucial for reclaiming our narratives, fostering community, and resisting systemic inequalities.

Learn how they stand as sanctuaries against the threats of white supremacy and privilege, offering refuge where Black voices thrive and liberation becomes reality.

Tune in for a powerful journey of empowerment and solidarity!"

In this powerful and radical episode, host Ama-Robin dives into the deeper significance of Juneteenth, the day that marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

Juneteenth is not just a celebration—it's an ongoing movement for reparations and liberation.

Ama-Robin explores the historical roots of Juneteenth, the enduring struggles faced by freed people, and the unfinished work of Black liberation. She calls on us to honor our courageous ancestors by continuing their fight for true equality and demanding reparations.

Tune in to understand why Juneteenth is more than a day—it's a call to action for reparations and liberation.

Organizations working for Reparations:

1. National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA)

   • Educates and mobilizes the community to support reparations and engages in legislative advocacy.

2. Reparations United

   • A coalition of organizations and individuals supporting reparations initiatives at local, state, and federal levels.

3. American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS)

   • Seeks to secure reparations for American descendants of enslaved Africans through raising awareness and legislative action.

4. The National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC)

   • Develops strategies and proposals for reparations, including economic, social, and educational components.

5. Reparations 4 Slavery

   • Organizes events, provides resources, and supports legislative efforts aimed at achieving reparations.

6. African American Redress Network

   • Connects scholars, activists, and policymakers to support reparative justice efforts.

In this electrifying episode of Espresso Talk Today, host Ama-Robin demands Black liberation and discusses dismantling the existing white supremacist structures that force us to "make a way out of no way." We explore the true cost of resilience and the necessity of envisioning a world where Black people thrive, not just survive.

Drawing on the powerful words of Audre Lorde and the transformative work of Angela Davis, Kali Akuno, and Bryan Stevenson, Ama-Robin calls for the dismantling of oppressive systems and the creation of new ones founded on justice, equity, and liberation. Through radical rest, cultural healing, and community empowerment, we reimagine a society where Black lives truly matter.

Tune in for an inspiring journey of collective action, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to a liberated future.

Bonus Content: 6 Steps Toward Achieving Black Liberation

1. Educate Ourselves: Take the time to learn about the history and mechanisms of oppression, including systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination. Understanding the roots of these systems is essential for challenging them effectively.

2. Imagine Alternatives: Engage in speculative thinking and imagine alternative futures where oppressive systems have been dismantled. Afro-futurist literature and art can provide valuable inspiration for envisioning new possibilities beyond the constraints of the present.

3. Challenge Assumptions: Question the assumptions and norms that underpin existing systems of oppression. Challenge stereotypes, biases, and hierarchies that perpetuate inequality and limit individual potential.

4. Build Solidarity: Foster connections and build alliances with individuals and communities that share a commitment to social justice and liberation. Collective action is essential for challenging entrenched power structures and effecting meaningful change.

5. Take Action: Take concrete steps to challenge oppression and advocate for justice in your community and beyond. This can include participating in protests, supporting grassroots organizations, advocating for policy changes, and engaging in acts of solidarity and resistance.

6. Practice Self-Reflection: Reflect on your privileges and biases, and commit to ongoing self-education and personal growth. Recognize how you may unknowingly perpetuate systems of oppression, and strive to be an ally and accomplice in the fight for liberation.

Resources:

Blackpast: The Prison Abolition Movement

Cooperation Jackson

Equal Justice Initiative

Join host Ama-Robin as she dives deep into the relentless chaos of living Black in predominantly white spaces.

In this episode, we explore the challenges faced by Black people, from microaggressions and tokenism to racial profiling and economic exploitation. We also confront the emotional labor of constantly educating others about racism and the toll it takes on our well-being.

Through powerful storytelling and insightful commentary, Ama-Robin sheds light on the pervasive assault on our humanity. Tune in as we confront the complexities of race, power, and identity, and reclaim our voices in the face of adversity.

Join this uncommon conversation about this hidden chaos.

In this episode of Espresso Talk Today, host Ama-Robin dives into the often undiscussed aspect of "Making a Way out of No Way." While resilience, resourcefulness, and determination have driven the Black community to achieve remarkable successes, these traits have also taken a significant toll on our health.

Ama-Robin explores the phenomenon of John Henryism, highlighting the chronic stress, early mortality, and mental health struggles that result from the constant pressure to work twice as hard in a system stacked against us.

This episode emphasizes the urgent need for self-care and self-love to combat these hidden costs and ensure holistic well-being.

Join us as we unpack the importance of balancing determination with self-care in our journey toward empowerment and success.

Bonus Content:

Five radical ways of preventing the effects of John Henryism:

1. Cultural Healing Practices: Engage in traditional African and African American healing practices, such as drumming circles, dance, and spiritual rituals. These cultural expressions can be powerful tools for emotional release, community bonding, and holistic healing.

2. Radical Rest: Embrace the concept of radical rest as an act of resistance. Challenge the societal norms that equate productivity with worth by intentionally prioritizing rest and downtime. This might include regular "rest days" where no work is done, embracing napping, and creating restful spaces in your home.

3. Community Care Networks: Form or join community care networks where members actively support each other's well-being. This could involve collective childcare, shared meal prep, community gardening, or mutual aid groups that provide financial and emotional support.

4. Creative Expression as Therapy: Utilize creative outlets such as art, poetry, music, dance, or theater to process and express emotions. Organize or participate in community art projects that reflect shared experiences and foster a sense of collective healing and empowerment.

5. Decolonizing Wellness: Explore wellness practices that challenge Western norms and incorporate indigenous and diasporic knowledge systems. This could involve herbal medicine, acupuncture, or alternative therapies that focus on holistic health and community-based care.

You can find more suggestions at espressotalktoday.com.

Other Resources:

Association of Black Psychologists

The Center for Black Health & Equity

"Making a Way out of No Way."

Join host Ama-Robin as she explores the resilience, resourcefulness, and determination in the Black community. From historical figures who defied the odds to contemporary history makers like Misty Copeland and Barack Obama, she dives deep into the theme of "Making a Way out of No Way." Get ready for inspiring stories, insightful discussions, and practical tips for navigating life's challenges with strength and determination.

Tune in and join the movement of empowerment and liberation.