The Melanin Sound Wave

On this week's episode, I sat down with Alexa Jay and talked about what we considered the stages black girls who grow up in white communities go through. Basing this all on our own personal experiences, Alexa and I talked and bonded over the many similarities we had growing up, even though we grew up on opposite sides of the country. Our purpose for this episode is to connect further with other black girls (and boys) who may be going through the same thing we had gone through and to show that

1. You are not alone

2. You are going to get through it

Alexa and I got real about what it was like for the two of us but in that, gave listeners what we thought would be some of the best advice for us all to follow in order to better ourselves or at least have a better understanding of what it is like for other people growing up.

Our favorite piece of advice is as follows:

Follow people on ALL your social media accounts that have a resemblance to you!

- Skin tone, hair texture, size, birthmarks, anything!

Social media can be used in so many ways but one of the best ways is by using it to your advantage! Following and admiring only people who do not look like you is not beneficial for you in the long run!

Our other piece of advice - reach out to us! Alexa and I have experienced a lot of life and we have so much advice to give! If you ever need someone to listen, we are always here!

Here are Alexa's social media's for you to connect with and follow below!

1. Instagram - @alexaaamccoy

2. TikTok - flexylexxxy

We can't wait for you to listen!

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram and TikTok (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when new episodes come out and you can continue to learn! Enjoy listening and learning!*

On this week's episode, Xavier and I sat down with Kassidy King to discuss the trans experience with him and what that looks like, and how he has navigated the world. We talked about definitions of trans, being a trans father and what it is like, experiences and what it is like going to the hospitals or getting medical advice as someone who is trans, and so much more! Our conversation with Kassidy was real, honest, and fun, and a great way for all of us to learn about something not yet discussed on The Melanin Sound Wave in general but on an episode for the pride month series! Xavier and I are so grateful to Kassidy for being vulnerable and extremely open with us on something so personal and important to him. We cannot thank Kassidy enough for educating the two of us and also all of our listeners while on this episode!

Be present, come to listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it!

We cannot wait for you all to listen!

During the episode, Kassidy mentioned a few different resources we should all take a look at to learn more, become better allies and people, and connect with. Here are those resources Kassidy mentioned!

1. Planned Parenthood

2. Jayceon Dido - Instagram: @jayc3on

If you want to follow Kassidy and learn more/connect with him, follow his accounts below!

1. Personal Instagram - @xxkingsworldxx

2. Business Instagram - @king_butta_love

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram and TikTok (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*

On this week's episode, Xavier and I sat down with Asakee Robinson to talk about homophobia and transphobia within the Black household. We talked about what it can look like inside the home, how it hurts and affects the children both inside and outside of the home, struggles faced but also ways to combat it, and so much more. Our conversation with Asakee included personal stories, experiences, and things that happened outside of our lives and in the world. Xavier and I are so grateful to Asakee for being so open and vulnerable with us on something so personal and important to them. We cannot thank Asakee enough for educating the two of us and also all of our listeners while on this episode!

Be present, come to listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it!

We cannot wait for you all to listen!

If you want to follow Asakee and learn more/connect with them, follow their accounts below!

1. Instagram - @kinosaii

2. TikTok - @kinosaii

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram and TikTok (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*

On this week's episode, Xavier and I sat down with Malik Williams to discuss what it was like for him to be a professional dancer and a Black man while growing up and working in a White dominant profession and environment. We also discussed with Malik what a Black body is supposed to look like to fit into the beauty standards in the dance world, queer communities, and communities in general. We talked about what his experience was like navigating himself as a Black and queer person in his professional field, what it was like for him growing up as queer and coming out, what it was like not having the "ideal" body type in his field, and so much more. Our conversation with Malik was fun and lighthearted at times and at other times, there were more serious moments. Xavier and I are so grateful to Malik for his vulnerability and honesty throughout the episode.

Be present, come listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it.

We cannot wait for you all to listen! See you next week!

During the episode, Malik provided us with a few different resources we should all take to learn more, become better allies and people, and connect with. Here are those resources Malik suggested!

1. MoveNYC - Dance Program

2. Saturday Church - Movie

3. Moonlight - Movie

4. White Fragility - Book

5. POSE - TV Show

If you want to follow Malik. and learn more/connect with him, follow his accounts below!

1. Instagram - @malikizhere

2. TikTok - @malikamaquisha

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*

On this week's episode, I sat down with Kamryn Davis to talk about people of color representation in kids' movies and t.v. shows, talking about what we have seen in movies and the portrayal and most importantly why it is so important for the representation to happen. We talk throughout the episode about how important it is not just for people of color to see themselves in a positive light but also for people who are not minorities to see us in a positive light on the screen so that they have a more positive idea of who it is that we are and do not associate us with negativity always. This episode had the two of us really thinking about what it is that we saw growing up, what it is we wished we had seen, and what it is people of younger generations (and even older) need to be seeing today. The opportunities are there and we need to continue pushing for positive representation to be on the screen.

During the episode, Kamryn mentioned a couple of resources we can all look into to deepen our knowledge on this subject and to also expose ourselves to the representation that is needed! Here they are below:

1. The Colored Cartoon: Black Presentation in American Animated Short Films, 1907 - 1954 by Christopher P. Lehman

2. How to BLACK: An Analysis of Black Cartoon by Toonrific Tariq - YouTube

Here are a few shows Kamryn recommends that have positive Black and People of Color Representation!

1. Proud Family - Disney+

2. Craig of the Creek - Cartoon Network

3. Filmore

4. Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child - HBOMax

5. Spider-Man into the Spiderverse - Hulu

6. Hair Love (Short Film)

Of course, another resource for all listeners is Kamryn herself!

1. Instagram - @therealkamryne

2. TikTok - @therealkamryne

3. Twitter - @therealkamryne

As always, make sure you are following The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and can further educate yourselves! Enjoy listening and learning!

On this week's episode, I sat down with Catherine Volcy to talk about colorism, taking personal experiences, viewpoints, and examples of where we have seen it to have this conversation. Throughout the episode, Catherine and I talked about the root of colorism and where it stemmed from, why and in what ways has the black community enabled colorism to continue and become such a large issue, where we see colorism in media and entertainment, and so much more. In one part of the episode, we talked about a phrase that has been going around recently, "Light skins only experience racism, dark skins experience both racism and colorism”, and we talked about the truth that holds and the ways it also has a few flaws. What do you think about this phrase? Head over to The Melanin Sound Wave Instagram and let us know your opinion!

Catherine gave us a resource we should all look into to learn more about the topic!

1. Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King

If you want to find and connect with Catherine, you can find her at:

1. Instagram - @catherineevolcy

2. TikTok - @catvolcy

3. Website - catvolcy.com

4. Podcast - Chat With Kat

As always, make sure you are following The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and can further educate yourselves! Enjoy listening and learning!

On this episode, I sat down with Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs to talk about the over-sexualization of black girls and black women that are seen in society and in media - being the entertainment industry or just the news. Throughout the episode, Cheyenne and I talked about how hairstyle and clothing are turned into something sexual and asked the question of who sexualized these things that should be seen as what they are which is just a hairstyle and just clothing. We also talked about how damaging this is to be hypersexualized at young ages, how black girls get labeled as young women when in reality they are only a child, examples of women in the music industry who have been shamed for being confident in themselves and why that is seen as such an issue and so much more! You do not want to skip one second of this episode because there are so much sharing and learning being done here!

There are conversations and discussions about sexual assault and rape throughout the episode, so please listen to yourself and know your limits if this is something that may trigger you.

During the episode, Cheyenne mentioned a few different resources for us all to take a look at to better educate ourselves on this topic!

1. Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

2. On The Record directed by Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick

3. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Joy DeGruy

4. End Rape On Campus Instagram - @endrapeoncampus

5. Survivors of Color Instagram - @survivorsofcolor

6. Open Path Collective Instagram - @openpathpsychotherapy

7. Black Female Therapists Instagram - @blackfemaletherapists

8. Therapy for Black Girls Instagram - @therapyforblackgirls

If you want to find and connect with Cheyenne, you can find her at:

1. She Will Speak Instagram - @shewillspeak

2. She Will Speak Series Instagram - @shewillspeakseries

3. She Will Speak TikTok - @shewillspeak

4. She Will Speak Website - shewillspeak.com

As always, make sure you are following The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and can further educate yourselves! Enjoy listening! 

*Note from Ayanna - In one part of the episode, I mistakenly said the wrong name for an event that occurred. I said that Jackie Robinson after a game had scratched at his skin, wanting it to be white because of the way he was treated. It was not Jackie Robinson but another baseball player (not named) who was coached by the same person who had brought on Jackie Robinson. I apologize for that misinformation but the statement and significance still hold true. Here is writing describing the events which took place and the person who had done this. - http://digital.lib.lehigh.edu/trial/reels/films/list/0_83_8_7347 *

On this episode, I sat down with Maya Echols to discuss what dating is like in today's society as black women and also the fetishization of mixed-race children. Throughout the episode, Maya and I had a range of conversations, sometimes moving away from the main topics at hand, such as talking about the differences in how society views things such as hairstyles, clothing, and accessories on black women as ratchet and ghetto but on women of other races as aesthetically pleasing. We talked about the comments made by black men towards black women at young ages and now, how black women are portrayed in T.V. shows and movies and how it plays a role in how people in society view black women, and much much more.

This is a very honest conversation and one, similar to how normal conversations go, brings in experiences, observances, and stories from a range of topics to tie them into what is at the center of the conversation! I hope you enjoy it!

If you want to follow Maya and look at the work she is doing and the educational information she is providing, you can follow her on:

1. Instagram - @mayaechols

2. TikTok - @mayaechols

3. YouTube - @mayaechols

and you can also follow her clothing brand, made for tall women:

1. Instagram - @shop45six

As always, make sure you are following The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and can further educate yourselves! Enjoy listening!

*To all the black girls who are listening to this episode, remember that those who are saying negative things about your skin, your hair, how you look is only a reflection of themselves and their insecurities and nothing to do with who you are. You are beautiful, you are deserving of love and care, and while it may not seem like it now and is hard to understand, you are more than worthy and deserving of everything you want. Don't want to change and wish to be someone else because you think it will be easier or you will get more attention. You will get the attention and love you deserve, so for now, focus on yourself, building yourself, and loving yourself. We are all here to cheer you on!*

On this week's episode, we sat down with Alliyah Edwards to discuss what exactly is felony disenfranchisement and in what ways does it affect people who get labeled as a felon. We talked about what felons are no longer able to do in today's society (especially focusing on voting), how high of a percentage of African Americans are disenfranchised compared to non-African Americans, why that is, and why it is so important for us to look at these cases where we see the lasting effects of felony disenfranchisement on members of society.

Using personal opinion and facts and statistics, we are able to have a great conversation and we hope that you agree!

Throughout the episode, Alliyah mentioned a few different resources we should all take a look at! You can see them listed below!

1. Alliyah Edwards - On TikTok @alliyahhedwardss

2. Alliyah Edwards Personal Instagram - @alliyahhedwardss

3. Alliyah Edwards Social Justice Page - On Instagram @2g_weriseup

4. Alliyah Edwards Inspirational Blog - www.dimpledbeauty.com

5. "Locked Out 2020: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction" - https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/locked-out-2020-estimates-of-people-denied-voting-rights-due-to-a-felony-conviction/#:~:text=Our%20key%20findings%20include%20the,policies%20to%20curtail%20this%20practice.

6. Now Simplified - On Instagram @nowsimplified

As always, make sure you follow @themelaninsoundwave on Instagram to learn more about Alliyah and to further educate yourselves on other topics! If you have a topic you want to talk about, send us an email at melaninsoundwave@gmail.com! 

On this week's episode, we sat down with Xavier Khalil to discuss how we have seen white supremacy create certain attitudes towards misogyny and homophobia in the black community. Within this episode, we discussed a range of topics, highlighting things such as Christianity, colonization, buck breaking, what we see today from members of the black community and how they treat black queer people, and more. This episode took personal stories and experiences, the realities and hardships of slavery, and hopefully provides our listeners with another understanding of the subject discussed.

During this episode, there are conversations around rape, lynching, and others that may be slight triggers for people so please listen with caution if this is something that may trigger you. We want to provide this warning not to scare you but to try and help you while you listen. 

Throughout the episode, Xavier provided us all with multiple different types of resources for us all to look into to further educate ourselves on the topic. Below is his list and we hope you take the time to follow these people, listen to their stories, read the articles, and work to become better allies.

Resources

Accounts to Follow:

1. Xavier Khalil TikTok - @_xavierkhalil

2. Xavier Khalil Instagram - @_xavierkhalil

3. Adea Danielle TikTok - @adee.ah

4. Adea Danielle Instagram - @adeadanielle

5. Veondre Mitchell TikTok - @veondre

6. Veondre Mitchell Instagram - @veondremitchell

7. Zaya TikTok and Instagram - @zayaperysian

8. Selyna Brillare TikTok - @thetrapselyna

9. Selyna Brillare Instagram - @trapselyna

Articles:

1. "Buck Breaking: The Use of Sexual Violence Against Enslaved Men as Punishment for Wrongdoing" - https://medium.com/history-of-yesterday/buck-breaking-the-use-of-sexual-violence-against-enslaved-men-as-punishment-for-wrongdoing-897647489732

2. "Matriarchal Studies" - https://matriarchalstudies.com/i-studies-of-recent-and-extant-matriarchal-societies/africa/

3. "5 horrifying ways enslaved African men were sexually exploited and abused by their white masters" - https://face2faceafrica.com/article/5-horrifying-ways-enslaved-african-men-were-sexually-exploited-and-abused-by-their-white-masters/3

4. "Black Women Often Ignored by Social Justice Movements" - https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/07/black-women-social-justice

Make sure you are following @themelaninsoundwave on Instagram where you can click on our Linktree to learn more and follow our platform to further educate yourself!

On this week's episode and our first episode for Black History Month, we sat down with Adrian, Wanda, and Milan Lewis who are all in different parts of the entertainment industry. From singing, photography, modeling, and videography, the Lewis children were able to provide us with their opinions and insight on what they have seen in the industry. We discussed a range of topics connecting them with personal experiences and viewpoints with their relationship to the black experience and impact on the entertainment industry. We talked about how we have seen the entertainment industry change with their attitudes to black men and women, black men and women who impacted them in monumental ways, and some issues we have seen today. Make sure you listen to hear some great opinions on what we are seeing today in the entertainment industry and our first episode of Black History Month!

For resources this week, use them! They have so much experience in the industry as it is and they also have some amazing pages highlighting their work! (There are their Instagram handles)

1. Adrian Lewis - @iamtheage

- Photography - @ihaveperceived

Check out his music! You can find it on Spotify - "The Age" is the artist's name!

2. Wanda Lewis - @wandaelizabeth_

- Writing - @wandering_wood_ny

- Video Marketing - @lew.sisters.co

3. Milan Lewis - @katanamamas

- Modeling - @alexandramilanco 

- Video Marketing - @lew.sisters.co

Make sure you are following @themelaninsoundwave on Instagram where you can see some video clips from the episode and continue to educate yourselves!

On this week’s episode, we sat down with Dr. Ayoka Wiles, who has spent over 20 years organizing and doing program development for the arts, culture, education, youth development, and social justice organizations. Most recently, she is focusing on Black women and women of color voices in the nonprofit sector. We discussed what the resilient movement is, Black women as leaders, their roles as leaders in history and so much more while bringing in personal experiences and history.

During the episode, Ayoka mentioned a few different resources we should all take a look at to expand and grow our thinking while looking at leaders and movements. Here are the resources Ayoka Wiles suggested!

1. My Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
2. Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
3. Brenee Brown - Check her out on Instagram @brenebrown

Make sure you follow @themelaninsoundwave on Instagram! Listen to the episode and let me know what you think!

On this week's episode, we sat down with Ú-Leea Santos, who is the COO and Co-Founder of My LÚA. Her company focuses on working to decrease postpartum depression and mortality while looking at racial disparities in maternal health care. We discussed on this weeks episode, her company and goals for it, discussed if there is truth behind the phrase "Doctors are to Black Women what Cops are to Black Men", ways to decrease maternal mortality and the racial disparities when it comes to maternal health using facts and personal stories/experiences. 

We hope this episode opens your eyes to a serious issue in the United States and one which requires our attention in order to fix the issue.

Throughout the episode, a few resources were mentioned. Here are a few of those and some links to find out more and where to find My LÚA! Make sure you check these out!

1. This is the article where the statistic comes from: "How we fail black patients in pain" - https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain 

2. My LÚA website - https://www.mylua.com/our-mission

3. My LÚA Instagram - my_lua_

On this week's episode, we sat down with Adrina Fanore from Audio Sessions Podcast. We discussed personal experiences and personal stories that connected directly with this week's episode topic. Our conversation focused on this week's episode topic, allyship, looking at what it means to be a good ally, what to do and what not to do, and what conversations allies need to be present at in order to be a good ally, and so much more! 

We hope this episode provides allies a better insight on what is needed from them in a world that is looking to hinder and quiet so many voices. This episode is honest and hopefully makes you think about your own actions and how to better them! Enjoy!

You can find Adrina Fanore on Instagram along with her podcast below!

@adrina_fanore - Which has all of her other social media accounts in her bio!

@audiosessionspodcast - This is her podcast's Instagram to make it easier for you!

On this week's episode, we sat down with Aria Collins from Colored Lens Podcast and Lifestyle. We discussed and asked her a range of topics varying from personal experiences and stories faced in the professional world to what needs to be tackled in the corporate world in order to create a better space and environment for women of color. Our conversation spanned from what Aria has noticed as a woman of color in the corporate world, what advice she has for women of color entering into this world, the biggest struggle women of color face when entering into the corporate world, and so much more! This is another great episode so make sure you tune in!

Aria provided a couple of different resources throughout the episode we wanted to share with you! Make sure you check them out!

1. The Memo - Minda Harts - https://www.amazon.com/Memo-Women-Color-Secure-Table-ebook/dp/B07L2WRVSW

2. Aria Collins herself! - @coloredlenspod or @arii_ambitious

Make sure you are following @themelaninsoundwave on Instagram where you can click on our Linktree and access these links easier and quickly!

On this week's episode, we sat down with Deonna Smith who is an educator in California. We discussed a range of topics and personal experiences we have gone through in the United States education system. We talked about what we believe is missing in the education system, what needs to be fixed, what teachers need to do to be better educators to their students of color and also their white students, and so much more! This is an amazing episode where you will learn so much so make sure you tune in! 

Throughout the episode, Deonna mentioned a few different resources we should all take a look at! Here are those resources Deonna Smith suggested and we should definitely check out! 

1. Educational Justice Working Group - https://www.patreon.com/EdJG

2. Pushback by Selena Rezvani - https://www.amazon.com/Pushback-Smart-Women-Ask_and-Up_for/dp/1501264311

3. Deonna Smith Instagram - @deonnasmith

Make sure you are following @themelaninsoundwave on Instagram where you can click on our Linktree and access these links easier and quickly!

Hi guys! In today's episode, we are going to be answering a bunch of the questions you guys had asked us! We are ranging from our experiences growing up in the neighborhoods we did to what our most positive experience in quarantine has been! We are so excited for you to not only hear this episode but for you all to know us better and have a better understanding of our backgrounds and why we are the way that we are! Make sure you give it a listen and follow @themelaninsoundwave on Instagram! Enjoy!

In this episode, Ayanna and Brianna sit down with a current senior at Siena College, Tati, and discuss some of the conversations she has had with her peers and her professors. These conversations ranged from the 2020 Presidential election to current events such as what happened with Brionna Taylor and George Floyd, and finally what Siena College has done as an institution for their students. 

We hope you enjoy and can relate to some of these conversations we had with each other!