Voices of REC

To uplift Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we interviewDale Krueger (he/him) MYSHARE Co-Facilitator and Jarred Daniels (he/him) SHARE Implementation Specialist at Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health(MOASH). We discuss misconceptions, digital literacy and the importance of community.

Here are links to some resources shared:

The misinformation and stigma around HIV are still anissue in the year 2025 oddly enough. From the lack of knowledge about PrEP to thinking it only effects Black gay men, there is a WHOLE lot to debunk and demystify. We interview two folks living with HIV to hear and share theirstories while bringing the truth to you about HIV.

Reading Room Book of the Month sponsored by The Ford Fund: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

When it comes to LGBTQIA+ community some relationships are more “accepted” than not. This episode we cover Lesbian love and how it is received differently from the rest of the community.  

 Reading Room Book of the Month: The Color Purple by Alice Walker 

Happy New Year! This episode we discuss queer in educationwith our producer Patrick who not only produces our podcast but teaches too!

We also reveal our new segment called the Reading Room!

 Reading Room Book of the Month: Cemetery Boys by Aidan Thomas

Our Director of Development & Advancement Nazarina Mwakasege is BACK honey! This bonus episode discusses DEI through a global manufacturing lens with Global Director of Diversity & Inclusion Lamar Thomas of MAGNA International. 

As the saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water "but the true quote is consistently misused. The real saying is, “Blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb” meaning, those you choose to “shed blood with” have a stronger relationship than those you are born from. In this episode, we bring our good friend JM (They/He) the Education & Facilitation Manager at the Ruth Ellis Institute BACK to discuss chosen family and its significance through history.  

I'Sha and Krystina conduct and in-depth conversation with Joyya Pettus, Assoicate Housing Director and Manny, a young person at Ruth Ellis Center.

These conversations address why the Ruth Ellis Center is so important to the community we serve. Thank you for listening and don't forget to leave your episode suggestions in the comments or on our social media.

We want to highlight the talented

Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.

I'Sha and Krystina Discuss Pride 2024

We highlight the amazing support we received this year during Pride and uplift those who have been supporting our efforts to make the world a better place for LGBTQ + young people.

We attended many Pride events from Motor city to Royal oak. We also had the pleasure of hosting an amazing Catfight for the Crown with a huge that you to our sponsors 6th Degree Production, Ford, Rocket Companies, Display Group, 4 Wall Entertainment, Fleur Detroit, Motor City Pride, Stonewall Sports, L Tantay, Three Cats, Eaze, Broadway in Detroit, Pingk, and Detroit Parasol. We also want to thank all the in-kind supporters and volunteers for their amazing support.

Hey y'all, missed us? We've missed you too, but we're back honey!!! This time with an engaging conversation about Faith and resiliency with one of our colleagues JM and some insight on where we will be and what we will be doing this Pride Month. It's juicy, heart grabbing and interesting!

Happy Women’s HERstory Month!

We’d like to close this month of celebrating Women by highlighting two powerhouse women in our organization.

Kathie Griffin, Associate Director of Health Equity and Outreach/CLQ Program Manager of Kofi House

Harmony Harris, Health Equity Manager of the Drop-in Center.

Women Who Inspire Us:

Holiday Season is a BUSY one for Ruth Ellis Center. All of the staff are running around and organizing things to make sure the young people we serve have a holiday season of joy, needs met, and space for their chosen families. That being said, sorry for our tardy on this episode. Krystina and I'Sha discuss the importance of safe queer spaces, have conversations with staff and a young person about what that means to them AND reveal a little surprise collaboration with the folks over at Sepia Coffee @scpdetroit-instagram www.sepiacoffeeproject.com and Pottluckery Ceramics @pottluckery-instagram pottluckery.com.

*Warning, host are using and speaking about some words that may be considered offensive or explicit. *

This is a long one ya’ll, but rightfully so. I’Sha and Krystina discuss masking, but not the masking you may assume, they discuss the use of queer lingo and colloquial phrases by non-queer folks and the origination of the phrases and terms. They discussed the queer persona and how it relates to Black Women and Black Southern culture. As well as discuss the hypocrisy from both sides and how it’s being used by mainstream culture.

This month's special guest is Detroit City Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero of District 6. The councilmember discusses intersectionality and celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month and Latinx Heritage Month.

These are the resources mentioned in the podcast:

Krystina and I’Sha discuss AI and the challenges it presents for LGBTQIA+ folks and their identity intersections. They spoke with tech expert Oliver Haminson, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, to find out how LGBTQIA+ folks can be seen and heard in this race of AI integration. We also have a special message from a familiar voice.

These are a few articles mentioned in the podcast:

Let's just say that Autumn has been an incredible month for interviews for us and we are particularly excited for this one. Giving Tuesday is such an incredibly important day for nonprofits like ours and we decided this year we would share a beautiful origin story with you that began right in the heart of Detroit, much like us. Your support comes full circle in this beautiful narrative that we are so excited to have had the great fortune to share with you all. 

You're going to meet Kwaku Osei-Bonsu, and learn just some of the ways he might be one of the most dynamic people you've encountered. 

Here's why: 

Folks, this episode is jam-packed! We begin with our normal chat, which segues into conversations with some incredible individuals. We first meet Elaine Montilla, Founder of 5x Minority, and Assistant Vice President and CIO for Information Technology at The Graduate Center, CUNY, a Forbes Technology Council member and contributor, a TEDx Speaker, and an AMA Women’s Leadership Center presenter AND a place on Yahoo Finance's 2021 OUTstanding 100 LGBT+ Executives list. The list showcases leaders who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces. A pioneer by any other word, much like our beloved Ruthie. How did we even find this amazing human, you ask? Much like this episode and interview, she was brought to us by the wonderful folks of @Cadillac and their #AudacityofMe Campaign (video link below).

Then Elysia has some insightful conversations with three Ruth Ellis Center family/staff members to reflect on #TransAwarenessWeek // #TransDayofRemeberance - on this mini-episode Voices of REC. While Nazarina shares some history on the day and why it is such a critical period for us as an organization, Elysia talks to our future and learns what they are doing to ensure transgender young people feel safe and supported no matter where they go.

Our abundant gratitude to Latrice Ward, Harmony Harris, and Elijah Earnest for sharing their time, energy, and experience with you and for all their diligent work in and for the community. Special thanks to @TransSistasofColorProject & @NuiiWaavBrotherhood for creating affirming spaces and families for our trans siblings here at REC, in Detroit/Highland Park, and beyond. Many thanks to @PFLAG and Gwendolyn Ann Smith for co-founding this important event.