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172

172

By 40 Years Since

In 172, we interview 172 inspiring POC to commemorate the 172 reported black lives lost police brutality. We explore the themes of systemic racism and how it’s embedded within our culture. These galvanizing stories ground the audience in the realities many American minorities encounter. These same stories uplift our audience; they remind the audience that, despite the mechanisms of social norms squeezing them into an unnatural mold, human potential prevails. Their human potential reflects resilience. Their triumphs show how we can embody our own identities and attain our aspirations.
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Raven Eason for Breonna Taylor

172Jul 11, 2020

00:00
27:22
Asiyah Martin for Michael Brown

Asiyah Martin for Michael Brown

While the future of TikTok remains in question, Asiyah Martin shares insight on her experience as a TikTok videographer influencer. Over the last few months, Martin's TikTok following exponentially surged once she recentered her passions and disregarded her 9 to 5 routine. While Asiyah currently uses TikTok to explore new videographer techniques, her artistic drive originates from her experience as Captain of a drill team. While Martin admits the drill team allowed her to cultivate authenticity, she confesses that TikTok transcends the racial barriers that impeded her creative drive on the drill team. Today, Asiyah and Gaby discuss the intersectionality of her creative outlets and how her presence as a woman of color was perceived differently in both fields .

Sep 18, 202019:43
Sabreen Ali for Laquan McDonald

Sabreen Ali for Laquan McDonald

We're back from a short hiatus and with us today is none other than Sabreen Ali, a self-published author, host or ‘Moms Who Art’ podcast and founder of Lyrical Plight Press. Today's episode centers around Sabreen's travels through childhood trauma to social isolation --all the ups and downs that led her to discover her identity as a writer. Sabreen and Gaby also acknowledge the lessons Sabreen's learned as a mother and what we must reprimand in our lives to perpetuate Black excellence. 

Aug 30, 202027:17
Mika Ware for Stephon Clark

Mika Ware for Stephon Clark

Mika Ware, originally born in Japan but now residing in California, opens up about the struggles that come with being of two ethnicities. Through her journey as an artist, she challenges American assimilation and hopes to eradicate limiting stereotypes. In today's episode, Mika and Gaby discuss the origins of cultural assimilation and how it resonates within her artistic identity. 

Aug 14, 202018:35
Olivia & Taylor Wells for Ahmaud Arbery and Atatiana Jefferson

Olivia & Taylor Wells for Ahmaud Arbery and Atatiana Jefferson

With the rise of the BLM movement, many wonder how schools will address racism going forward. Today, we hear from two students who attend one of Jacksonville's highly regarded institutions, Episcopal School of Jacksonville. Olivia and Taylor give insight to their racist encounters with administration and students, how they believe the school can better serve Black and Brown students, and also what changes they anticipate for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Aug 07, 202029:41
Jenae Ailia for Eric Garner

Jenae Ailia for Eric Garner

Jenae Ailia, a Sacramento-native musician, speaks on the importance of implementing diversity within the arts in today's episode. While navigating her path towards her present career, she mentions how diverse representation displays degrees of possibility for future generations. Her experience offers insight to not only the need for reform but the immense obstacles she overcame to find her creative identity.  

Jul 31, 202023:06
Michelle Singleton for George Floyd

Michelle Singleton for George Floyd

Elected president of HER PLACE IS IN, a creative director, featured in National Geographic --the list goes on; After working in a corporate environment and enduring the sexist and micro-aggressive culture, Michelle set out to start her own entity --HER PLACE IS IN-- as a safe place that uses art to promote social action. Michelle Singleton shares not only her successes but the adversities which led her to the road she currently walks. Throughout her journey, Singleton emphasizes the importance of listening to your inner consciousness despite the uncertainties of the outside world.

Jul 30, 202032:37
Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson for Elijah McClain

Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson for Elijah McClain

Often times we internally reflect to change our outwardly perspective; and with theater, it's no different. In today's episode, Joshua dissects the theater community as a means to pinpoint its eyesore flaws with diversity but also emphasize the progressive direction we can start to see on stage. Joshua offers immense insight from his experience and reveals the necessary grit his journey required in order for him to stand where he does today. While his talents are abundant, he does not let his achievements take away from the pressing issues preventing the theater community from moving forward in an inclusive manner. 

Jul 17, 202039:07
Raven Eason for Breonna Taylor

Raven Eason for Breonna Taylor

Raven, a photographer and beauty content creator based out of Wilmington, DE, gives insight on her experience growing a following on Instagram and TikTok. Throughout this episode, Raven and Gaby discuss toxic algorithms, body positivity, and the truth behind brand diversity. While Raven mentions the racial stereotypes she encounters as a growing content creator, her bubbly personality and positivity evidently aid her in maintaining authenticity.

Jul 11, 202027:22
Jade Villegas for Antwon Rose II

Jade Villegas for Antwon Rose II

Throughout her senior year, Jade was admitted into nine of the most prestigious institutions in the country. With the current state of our country, she has decided to take initiative and offer college admissions advice in exchange for donations towards the Black Lives Matter movement. While depicting what motivated her to attain her aspirations, Jade also emphasizes several details the American education system must reform in order to see more people like herself in these same institutions. 

Jul 03, 202019:45
Mikem Nahmir for Tamir Rice

Mikem Nahmir for Tamir Rice

Mikem and Gaby discuss the hardships Mikem encounters as a  multi-artist. We dissect how musicians often struggle to persevere in a racially charged industry; however, we also acknowledge his personal traumas that impacted his career --losing his girlfriend, unstable mental health, lacking the inspiration to pursue a career in an environment that doesn't want to see you succeed. Despite these internal and external dispositions, Mikem emphasizes senses of community and authenticity as focal points for resilience. As we analyze the racial barriers in the music industry, Mikem believes it's extremely important to stay humble and remain true to your craft. Today is also Mikem's birthday, so listen to this episode in celebration of him! Happy Birthday, Mikem!

Jun 26, 202033:23
Johanna Moise for Janet Wilson

Johanna Moise for Janet Wilson

Johanna Moise, a native Floridian, spent 17 years dancing and ultimately moved to New York City to follow a career in the arts. Throughout the episode, Johanna and I discuss the tug of war she finds not only between the arts and sciences but the battle between her aspirations and the expectations of a systemically oppressed society. While the American Dream lends credibility to a decadent life, Johanna reveals how she uses her identity to reinvent what the American Dream means to her.  Johanna stands where she does today due to the immense perseverance she embodies as a Black woman succeeding in the arts industry.

Jun 17, 202030:41
Khalil Osborne for Jordan Davis

Khalil Osborne for Jordan Davis

Today's episode features Khalil Osborne, a Jacksonville native photographer and graphic designer. From working in a photography studio to curating his own art, Khalil divulges the realities of being the one behind the lens --the many encounters with microaggressions, finding the motivation to keep exploring his artistic narrative. While his artistic exploration maintains personal upheavals, he claims his passion for art keeps him driven.  A key point of emphasis Khalil reiterates is research; in a history ridden city, he truly belives our artistic journeys can alter their directions if we only invested more time to familiarize ourselves with the world we live in and how it came to be. Listen to today's episode as Khalil reveals the many beauties of Jacksonville our whitewashed perception often conceals. 

Jun 15, 202018:41
T'ni Welch for Maya Hill

T'ni Welch for Maya Hill

Listen to today’s episode as T’ni Welch reveals the truths behind being a mixed POC in the L.A. modeling industry. We dissect the philosophy behind our internal demands and systemic demands that stray us farther from our identity. T’ni’s story encases ample truth in regards to the systemic racism embedded within the modeling industry, but her narrative also displays the beauty in her resilience towards self-discovery.

Jun 12, 202027:55
Kayla Turner for Sandra Bland

Kayla Turner for Sandra Bland

Today on 172, we are speaking with the incredible Ms. Kayla Turner! Kayla is a 17-year-old Jamaican-American writer, activist, and student from the South Shore of Massachusetts. Many of the highlights of her career thus far has been spreading awareness and advocating for racial justice through Speech and Debate. As she enters her freshman year at Syracuse University, Kayla is committed to continuing fighting for justice, hope, and the voiceless. Along with her activism, Kayla is also the founder of Roses For Redemption, a nonprofit organization for young girls of color to learn how to properly advocate for their mental health with the intention to break cycles of generational trauma. She plans to use the power of her voice to shed light on human rights injustices and empathize with as many people as possible.

Jun 09, 202028:12