the Silver Lining series

To say that there’s a lot going on in the world right now is an understatement. For some, it’s just too much. The type of heaviness that we are feeling collectively right now is taking a toll on our bodies. Inside and out. So, I called on the owner of Paradise Is Earth, Jenna Dorcé to talk to us about her teachings and practices.

We discussed holistic health as well as the meaning of Black Ancestral medicine. She shared how she got started and provided pointers on what herbs we should have stocked up in our pantry. If you were ever curious about alternative medicine, this episode is for you.

This episode of Silver Lining is all about BLACKNESS and who better to talk to than President and Co-Founder of African Ancestry, Dr. Gina Paige. We discussed the power of the black dollar, our black identity, the importance of understanding our black stories, tracing your black ancestry, her years of experience in the field of Blackness, and the silver lining of it all.

Father’s Day came and went, and someone brought it to my attention that I didn’t post anything about my father. My excuse was that I couldn’t cause I was up in the mountains and my laptop wouldn’t start and my phone died. It’s a true story, that’s really what happened…but that’s not even a good enough reason why not to post and give praise to my Daddy. So, I decided to take it one step further. I’m going to honor my Pops by talking about the silver lining in fatherhood.

I reached out to one of my favorite fathers, DJ Hard Hittin Harry. We discussed his docufilm, “Dear Father” directed by Richard Louissaint, his relationship with his father, his experience being a father, why it’s so important to share his narrative about fatherhood and the silver lining of it all.

It’s so good to see Corporate America taking this protest seriously and making donations to organizations that are committed to Black Lives. But are these same corporations really committed to Black Lives? Does their marketing team reflect the consumers that they are selling to?  Is their company being led by a diverse group of people?  Do they have any Black voices on their board? Being philanthropic is always great but taking a look at your org chart and making change inside your boardroom walls is even greater.

During this episode of the Silver Lining, I spoke with CEO of DFlash, Laura Mignott to talk about this very thing, are these corporate entities/brands really committed to Black Lives? She explained to me a program that she launched called “Culture Boards,” which is a curated board of directors comprised, of the best from agencies, academia, media & more (it’s genius), the importance of black women in leadership, the magic sauce for great companies and the silver lining of it all.

Juneteenth. The day we celebrate when we became free-ish. This year there are tons of corporations and businesses finally acknowledging that Juneteenth should be a celebrated holiday and that 4thof July never had significance for black people (well except the cookouts and fireworks.)

While businesses are finally recognizing our Emancipation Day, this episode of the Silver Lining focuses on black dollars making sense. I spoke to writer, producer and director Chinisha Scott about Juneteenth Jubilee, a 30-day campaign asking people to patronize black businesses whenever possible. It’s not a hard concept and something that we should already be doing, being conscious about where we spend our money.

I’ve been following all of the protest that’s been happening nationwide and specifically zooming in on Miami, Florida. My hometown where I was raised, is often overlooked when we have a national conversation about social change, peaceful protest and Black Lives Matter. Until I met Dahmeic, an independent organizer through Instagram. I started following him to see video clips of the marches that were happening and to get a sense of who was marching.

I slid in his DMs to invite him to speak on the Silver Lining series. We discussed the power of organizing, the change he’d like to see in result of the protest, our love for Overtown and the silver lining of it all.

Right before George Floyd’s murder kicked off this protest against police brutality, I had a zoom call with singer/songwriter Sy Smith to talk about the time we were living in. At that time, we were just discussing the pandemic. However, when you listen to her talk about not being able to perform, men creating safe spaces for each other, creating new outlets of expression, we the people being roses that have to grow through concrete and the silver lining of it all; you realize she was speaking into our moment right now.

During this moment of protest, I decided to pause the Silver Lining series because there was a LOT going on. Sharing of information, passing around resources, spreading joy, etc. However, today I posted this particular episode because of the message that’s discussed, USING YOUR VOICE.

On this episode, I chat with instructor and musician Sam Ettaro who has a passion for education, schools and community. We discussed how his life has transitioned, activating faith, finding and using your voice and the silver lining of it all.

I want to take a pause in this moment and talk about the one thing that’s been saving me through this time, MUSIC. June is Black Music month and there’s no better person to talk to other than Dr. Guthrie Ramsey, Jr.

Dr. Ramsey is a musicologist, pianist, composer, and the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania.  A widely published author, he's the author of Race Music:  Black Cultures from Bebop to Hip-Hop, The Amazing Bud Powell:  Black Genius, Jazz History and the Challenge of Bebop and African American Music: Grove Music Essentials.

As Haitian Heritage month comes to a close, I wanted to find out how Haitian businesses were doing during this pandemic and most importantly, what can I do?

Saurel Quettan is the Founder and CEO of exeQfit, President of the Georgia Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (GAHCCI) based in Atlanta, GA and the most recent guest on the Silver Lining series. During this episode we talk about exeQfit, how entrepreneurs are doing in Haiti, what can we as Haitian Diasporas do to assist in the economic development of Haiti and the Silver Lining of it all.

Fred Beasley who we all know as “Doc”, is the New York chapter leader of Hip Hop is Green. In this episode of Silver Lining, we are talking about food. During the unedited version he shares the meaning of Hip Hop is Green and the 10th element of Hip Hop, children not having access to healthy foods, considering food as a preventive measure for this virus and illnesses overall, some solid advice on adopting a healthy lifestyle and the silver lining of it all. Shout out to Mrs. Beasley for coming all the way through!

Part 2 - The conversation continues with NYC Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr. On this episode of the Silver Lining series, we discuss his thoughts on opening up Brooklyn, the inequalities for Minority and Women Owned Businesses, his run for Brooklyn Borough President, the power of voting and the census as well as the silver lining of it all.

In this episode of the Silver Lining series, I spoke to Robert E. Cornegy, Jr, the NYC Council Member for the 36th District, representing the people of Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights in Brooklyn. We covered so many topics that I had to make it a two-part series.

During Part 1 of our talk, we discussed his experience being diagnosed with COVID-19 and how he overcame the virus. We also talk about how this virus is exposing disparities in our community, his gratitude for his team and the immediate needs for his area of Brooklyn.

Have you ever been curious about reiki? What does it do? How does it heal? Still looking for pointers on how to deal with anxiety? Well, look no further!

In this episode of Silver Lining, Life Coach and Reiki Master, Courtney Bell in Chicago, IL talks about reiki and reimagining her practice after Chicago opens up, direction on how to operate in the unknown, finding your formula and the silver lining of it all.

Doctor Sumeet Bahl is an Interventional Radiologist at Brooklyn Hospital Center and working on the front lines treating COVID-19 patients in the epicenter, New York City. Since some cities and states are preparing to open up, I wanted to hear first-hand what was happening in the hospitals.

In this episode of the Silver Lining series, Dr. Bahl explains his role at the hospital and how it’s changed since COVID, what updated symptoms we should look for and when to seek medical care, the lessons he learned and the silver lining in all of this.

Entrepreneurs, influencers, brand directors, this Silver Lining episode is for you!

In this episode, I speak to Co-founder and CEO of WhtWrks, Martin Ekechukwu.

We were all business. He shared his secret sauce for being busy while other marketing agencies are barely making it during these times, the reason he founded Donate1post while explaining the power and value of influencers. And yes, there’s even a silver lining for entrepreneurs.

We talk more in depth on the full episode that can be found on jodinedorce.com.

May is Mental Health Awareness month and a great time for us to do a check-in on our mental health. During this episode of the “Silver Lining” series, I talk to Shanti Das. The Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization, “Silence the Shame” whose mission is to empower and educate communities on mental health and wellness.

I couldn’t think of a better time to chat with Shanti about my nervous breakdown near a COVID-19 testing site, what we as a community need to do for our mental health during these times and the silver lining.

Have you lost your job because of this pandemic or been furloughed? Are you trying to figure out if this is a good time to send out your resume? Need some career motivation? Then this episode is for you!

In this episode of the #SilverLining series, career counselor and author, Dr. Michelle Tullier of Tullier Consulting coaches us through the anxiety of job loss and job searching, networking tips and pointers, staying inspired to return back to work and the silver lining around work and our careers. We talk more in depth on the full episode that can be found on jodinedorce.com.

Every time I hop on a call with CEO of Good Peoples and Cultural Architect Katie Longmyer, I have to take out my notepad. She’s going to tell me about a product that I’m going to end up loving, give me advice on how to handle something in my life and provide suggestions on how to give back.

She did that very thing on this episode of Silver Lining. She shares how she’s supporting the hospitality industry, the benefits of cacao, the power of community and the silver lining in all of this.

Is this a good time to date? Can I get to know someone on hinge, tinder, bumble and all the other dating apps? How do I manage being in the same space with my partner all day long?

Life and Love coach Francesca Hogi shares her view on dating during the pandemic (virtual dates are a thing), tips if you’re currently living with your partner, corona weddings and the silver lining in all of this.

Is our culture doomed because of this pandemic? Or is it saving us from this pandemic?