x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Social Justice Origin Stories

Relando Thompkins-Jones

Social Justice Origin Stories is a storytelling project that highlights personal stories and defining moments that have inspired individuals and organizations to labor for equity and social justice. Through truth-telling: the honest sharing of their experiences, storytellers teach us about themselves, enabling us to learn about ourselves and our world through their stories. By reconnecting with pivotal moments of activation in their lives, they invite us to do the same. At Social Justice Origin

society & culture self improvement

All Episodes

60:26

Build What You Dream: The Rockstar Woman Movement...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2025/02/19

In sharing the Social Justice Origin Story of the global Rockstar Woman™ Movement, founder Shannon Cohen recalls how manifesting her dream of establishing truly inclusive professional networks and affinity spaces for women was born from a mix of inspiration, observation, and agitation, with a particular desire to create spaces that were markedly different from the exclusionary, predominantly white spaces she experienced as a Black Woman in her early days as a professional. Drawing on the legacy of

en

57:09

A Lighthouse and A Refuge: The Firehouse Community...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2025/02/05

Pastor Phil Jackson shares the social justice origin story of the Firehouse Community Arts Center in Chicago, essential leadership lessons he has learned from his role as founder and CEO, and the ways the Firehouse lives out its mission to interrupt the cycle of violence among youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts and faith. His storytelling affirms the transformative impact of the arts, establishing and maintaining authentic relationships with your community, and

en

76:43

Using Power to Bring More Power to People: Education...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2025/01/20

Mia Henry connects common threads between her training as an educator, the 29 Civil Rights tours she organized and led over the past 10 years, and her current work developing educational curriculum on resistance and social justice as the founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, which offers justice-centered leadership development through online learning, training, and facilitation. The social justice origin story of Freedom Lifted emphasizes the importance of understanding power as an abundant resource,

en

56:39

Unlearning to Relearn with Yusef Bunchy Shakur

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2025/01/09

In sharing his story of redemption and transformation, Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur names his experiences navigating systemic oppression, his time in prison for a crime he didn't commit, and the people who invested in him in his life as pivotal moments that activated his commitment to social justice. His storytelling affirms the power of vulnerability, self-forgiveness, and the critical role of education and community in personal and collective healing.Dr. Shakur also highlights the importance of

en

61:33

Shifting Organizational Culture: Trauma-Informed,...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/12/10

Chelsea Pratt, a scholar and practitioner in higher education focusing on inclusive and sustainable organizational cultures, workplace well-being, and addressing workplace trauma, discusses the profound impact of trauma and identity in the workplace. She speaks on the traumatic effects of ignoring harmful identity-based incidents both inside and outside our workplaces, especially for people who live at the intersection of multiple forms of oppression. In her storytelling, Chelsea highlights the

en

128:28

Unpacking the Box of Shame with Arc Telos Saint Amour

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/11/26

*This episode comes with a content warning for discussions about sexual and physical violence which may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, it’s not your fault. You are not alone. If you need support, Help is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE and https://hotline.rainn.org/online. The Trevor Project’s trained counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 via chat

en

70:54

Holding Space: The Transformative Power of Being...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/11/12

From her early experiences watching the women in her family to discovering the writings of James Baldwin through his book 'Another Country' and the awakening that followed and the emotional impact of hearing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Mountaintop speech, Leticia Peguero shares significant moments and influences that shaped her journey into social justice work. Her storytelling of how she "fell into coaching" connects her personal experiences, her career in philanthropy, and her passion for

en

66:55

Visibility, Power, and Centering Queer Black Stories...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/10/30

Dr. Monique Alicia Gamble, a Southerner, a Black queer woman, a digital storyteller, and an assistant professor of political science at a public HBCU in Washington, D.C., shares the significance of storytelling in her academic and creative work, focusing on elevating the stories of people who exist on the margins, particularly those of Black queer women. Reflecting on pivotal moments in her development, such as the 2016 presidential election and the 2022 midterm election, she emphasizes the

en

84:50

Working in Cooperation and Opposition for the Greater...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/10/17

DEI Practitioner, Health Equity advocate, Educator, and lover of STEM Courtney Holland shares how her experiences spending Saturdays at a union hall for auto workers with her father in Detroit and her academic and cultural awakening after taking an Introduction to African American Studies as an undergraduate student laid the foundation for her current understanding of equity issues and her commitment to social justice. She speaks on the essential role of culturally relevant education, the power of

en

134:27

The Experiences of Black Chief Diversity Officers at...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/10/03

In this episode, Relando is joined by longtime friend, Dr. O'Juan Edwards, who, in describing his journey to complete his Ph.D, shares a heartfelt memory of how a chance meeting with Coretta Scott King profoundly influenced his social justice journey. In his storytelling, Dr. Edwards weaves connections to how her life and the legacy of the King family continue to inspire and inform his approach to equity leadership, including the creation of his new business, The Outstanding One Solutions, LLC. He

en

65:34

Rooted in Baltimore: Navigating Social Injustice with...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/10/01

Barre Jones did not always have an understanding of systemic injustice. In this episode, Barre shares how his moments of activation were sparked during his time in the military, where he felt like he was on the wrong side of the ropes after being sent into Baltimore during the uprising after the murder of Freddie Gray. From his upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland, to his military service and experiences with racial discrimination, Barre's story emphasizes that while contributions to equity work can

en

56:40

From Isolation to Advocacy: Confronting Color...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/10/01

Dr. JaeRan Kim, associate professor of Social Work and Criminal Justice at the University of Washington, talks about the origins of her non-linear path to Social Work and her dedication to social justice, shaped by her personal experiences as a transracial and transnational adoptee from Korea. She describes how becoming a parent herself, meeting other Korean adoptees, traveling to Korea, and starting her BSW program with all BIPOC instructors and mentors were transformative experiences that helped

en

65:05

Facilitating Change: Education Justice and...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/10/01

In this episode of Social Justice Origin Stories, Relando talks with kyle lim, a passionate racial justice advocate and community organizer. Originally from Singapore, kyle shares some of his experiences navigating complex racial identities and confronting systemic inequities in the U.S., particularly in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his storytelling about the education justice work at the Urban Core Collective, kyle speaks to the necessity of building community power, addressing systemic flaws, and

en

56:18

Weaving Past, Present, and Future: Healing Timelines...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/09/30

Jouapag Lee, a passionate advocate for social justice, healing, and liberation, shares her personal journey and motivations. She reflects on pivotal experiences that shaped her activism, including a deeply personal incident of racial and gender-based harassment in college that drastically shifted her worldview and led her into activism and organizing for better campus conditions for marginalized students. Through her Healing Timelines Project, a platform aimed at providing trauma-informed healing

en

60:11

Student Solidarity as Praxis: Popular Education in...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/09/30

In this episode of Social Justice Origin Stories, Relando is joined by Tony Nelson, who explores his development from his rural Michigan upbringing to becoming an active participant in progressive movements and education. Tony revisits the significance of his time as an undergraduate student at Grand Valley State University, recalling how attending a campus presentation by Jane Elliott served as a starting point for his emerging consciousness and involvement as a student on campus. Tony also

en

85:18

Making Race Heard with Surabhi Pandit

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/09/30

Relando sits down with Surabhi Pandit, Macro Social Worker, equity advocate, and personal friend, to discuss the powerful role leveraging her networks in student government to organize dialogues on race and equity at The University of Michigan School of Social Work had on her journey. They reflect on their shared experiences in grad school, including the catalytic moments that led to the creation of the ‘Making Race Heard’ Monthly series and the culminating summit at the University of Michigan

en

59:39

Redefining Design for Social Change with Kyahdric Moses

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/09/30

This episode of Social Justice Origin Stories features Kyahdric Moses. Moses, a design activist who identifies as a citizen designer, shares his personal journey toward understanding his intersecting identities and his commitment to social good through design. Kyahdric discusses the power of storytelling, intersecting identities, and the significance of design in addressing social inequities. He shares his journey of political awakening in 2016, and the impact of mentors like architectural designer

en

62:14

Education as the Practice of Freedom: with Chasity...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/09/30

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of 'Social Justice Origin Stories,' Dr. Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury explores the personal experiences and pivotal moments that shaped her commitment to equity and social justice. As a former Detroit public school teacher and now a professor at Grand Valley State University, Dr. Bailey-Fakhoury remembers the lessons learned from her grandmother, the challenges faced during her early years, and the powerful influence of Black educators in her life. She highlights

en

61:53

Resisting Oppression by Building Trust and Connection...

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/09/30

Dr. Amber Banks shares her personal journey into activism and social justice work. She speaks on the complexities of trust, how personal and cultural experiences shape trust, and the intersection of trust with race and power. Dr. Banks discusses the importance of creating spaces where individuals can feel seen and heard and stresses the critical nature of repair in the trust-building process. Her storytelling also touches on the necessity of rest and self-care in sustaining activism and promoting

en

23:31

Founding Beliefs, Assumptions, and Aspirations

Social Justice Origin Stories ·

2024/09/30

Learn more about Relando's founding beliefs, assumptions, and aspirations that inform his work with Social Justice Origin Stories. Relando also explains the project structure in more detail including the storytelling perspectives of personal journeys, organizational histories, educational segments, and community voices. Consider this an orientation to get acclimated, as well as an invitation to consider your own story and contributions. What you'll learn in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to

en

41 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger