Reimagining Black Relations

Four of the speakers from the Inaugural Pan-African Youth (PAY) Summit.
Dr. Jasmine L. Blanks-Jones, a dynamic theatre nonprofit leader, award-wining educator, who holds a dual PhD in Education and Africana Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, speaking on Pan-Africanism.
Paulinarh Bolatito Ogunleye is 21 years old. The first female President of the Faculty of Arts Student Union at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and the longest seating president of the same body. She will speak on the Perspectives of Youth in Africa.
Prof. Seth N. Asumah, the State University of New York Distinguished Teaching Professor, Chair, and Professor of Africana Studies, and Professor of Political Science, speaking on Effective Mobilization for Political Success.
Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson QC, former Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs of The Commonwealth of Bahamas, an advocate for people centered justice, diversity, and the rights of women and children and an expert in governance, restructuring and rebranding of organizations, speaking on Ethics and Leadership.

Greg Hendricks, went from the court as a former professional basketball player and coach to becoming a full-time pastor in a mega church - The Rock Church in San Diego, California. Pastor Hendricks speaks about the burden and the calling upon his church and their ministry on the subject of racism, he expands on the commonalities of in-groups and out-groups as a resolution strategy, as he gives out a special invitation.
"We started internally first and we had some really great dialogue. There were some that were uncomfortable, and that's okay. There were some that had issues, and that's okay. There were some that were like - we need to move forward, there were some that were like, I don't want any part of this conversation because it's too much..." Pastor Greg Hendricks

Dian Bourne, J.D., was a high ranking official for the government of Bahamas as head of the legal Unit in the Ministry of Finance. She spoke on the power structures and the residues of slavery in the Caribbean. Dian expanded on the subject of erasure, how to mitigate it, document the truth, and the process of disseminating the truth.
"The narratives they are telling Black people is, we are selling three things: they are either good entertainers, we are good athletes, or we are good criminals. And we know that's not true. What has been erased from that, is all the Black scientists, the Black astronauts, the Black authors, the Black writers. So when you tell that narrative in a certain way, it frames the way people see Black people, perceive Black people, and interact with Black people." - Dian Bourne

In a compelling return to the Reimagining Black Relations podcast, Dr. Rob Eschmann fearlessly delves into the stark realities of growing up under the pervasive influence of racial bias and the constant specter of police violence. He shares the deeply moving experience of having to give his own son "the talk," a heart-wrenching rite of passage in a world where the actions of Black person can carry life-or-death consequences. Dr. Eschmann's educational journey, from a magnet school that starkly contrasted with prison-like institutions, profoundly shaped his understanding of racism. His unyielding commitment to the fight for justice radiates throughout the conversation, as he underscores the transformative potential of storytelling to challenge dehumanizing narratives. Through his thought-provoking film, "Choose Your Own Resistance," he extends an invitation to explore the viewpoints of bystanders and stakeholders in the ongoing battle against racism.

Dr. Eschmann further navigates the intricate terrain of online racism, revealing how virtual experiences can inflict comparable harm to their real-world counterparts. He sheds light on the concerning surge in the use of microaggressions and the alarming emergence of digital rage. As he underscores the pivotal role of moderation in distinguishing between free speech and hate speech, he calls upon us to reevaluate the original purpose of free speech – intended for critiquing the government. This podcast episode serves as a poignant reminder to critically examine the stories we encounter, challenge dominant narratives, and actively seek counter-stories that can reshape the prevailing discourse on racial injustice. It stands as an urgent call to action, encouraging us to reflect on our own experiences, question narratives that perpetuate racist ideologies, and actively participate in the collective effort to build a more just and equitable society.
Dr. Rob Eschmann's profound insights and unwavering dedication make this podcast episode an essential and compelling listen, reaffirming the imperativeness of continued resistance, the fight for racial justice, and the potent impact of individual and collective action.

Brian Levy, a black, Native American Indian executive shared a different dimension to the black phenomenon. He spoke on the intercession of the natives and blacks, approach to navigating the success route, and his strategies to improve the life of the marginalized.
"And so, she's being sheltered from that entire life, I'm really just more happy that she doesn't have to go through what I went through. Where, you know, I had to scrape and crawl through. It was made known to me really early on in my entire life, that I was not equal. Always had to double down, I mean, with 30 certifications, my mentality is always, if you have to make it, you have to prove that you are better than everyone else" - Brian Levy