Launch Episode

Hello Sippers! It's the grand finale! Although we've come to the end of the road and have to announce that our season has come to an end we couldn't have asked for a better year! To wrap up the show we take you on a walk down memory lane, highlighting all of our amazing guests and reminiscing about our favorite topics. We also give you a little taste of what is next on the horizon for your hosts! But wait, there's more For our final guest of the season we are so incredibly honored to bring on Senator Karla May, of Missouri's State Senate District 4. The Senator tells us about her journey into a life of politics and shares some phenominal wisdom about what you can do to serve your community and get involved too. So tune in, get comfy, and get ready to go down memory lane for our season finale episode and THANK YOU for sipping with Blacktea!

Another pot of tea has been brewed and it is hot! In this episode, your hosts take you all the way to DC. We talk about Rep. Cori Bush taking a stand on the steps of the capitol and break down what an eviction moratorium is and what drove her to fight for it. We also talk through the national response to the hurricane in Louisana and its impact on families. On Community Spotlight we have a special treat, another podcast mash-up!! This month we partner with Rise Community Development Executive Director Terrell Carter as guests on HIS podcast Communities Forward. As we talk with him you'll hear a little bit more about our story and how Jami has gotten involved with Rise, while also learning about Terrell's vision as the new ED of the organization. But that's not all! We don't know who needs to hear this but, the music industry has been acting up and we a special sip just for these artists, find out what it is on this episode!

In this month's episode, BlackTea is bringing you a hot performance! Your hosts tap into their acting skills to bring you their own interpretation of some of the city's latest juicy political drama, how the COVID-19 relief dollars be spent? If you've been having trouble keeping track of all of the various conversations and proposals don't worry-we got you!. We'll break it all down for you on this episode! On Community Spotlight we talk with the city's new Executive Director of the Saint Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), Neil Richardson. Neil is a co-founder of Dream Builder's for Equity and an experienced professional in real estate, and community development. As we talk with him we learn about how he cultivated a career in real estate finance, his passions for wanting to give back to St. Louis through his non-profit, and his vision for a more equitable Saint Louis. But that's not all! We all know that the Olympics wrapped up with big wins for the US, but did you know that it brought some big wins for St. Louis, too? And what about the veiled racism that was observed? Find out exactly what we mean! Get your cups ready and get into this tea!

Hello Sippers! Your favorite hosts are back with a recap on what's been going down since our last episode, and it has been ALOT. The city has seen a lot of new changes in leadership. We have a new Mayor, new Treasurer, new Alderpeople, and new Board of Education members. We break down what these changes mean for Saint Louis and talk about some of the new initiatives that are taking place at the city level with an emphasis on items high up on Mayor Tishaura Jones's agenda. We also give you our take on some of the initiatives that we find the most interesting. But that's not all! On Community Spotlight we talk with newly appointed City Treasurer Adam Layne, previous Deputy Cheif of Staff to then Treasurer Jones, and a former Board of Education member. We get to know Treasurer Layne and learn about his journey to public service from college, to the classroom, and ultimately to city hall. Get ready to sip all of the new tea with us in this episode!

In this month's episode, BlackTea is celebrating boss women doing boss work in the community!! Your hosts are back to break down just what else came with your #KamalaCash in the latest COVID relief bill, then they recap the local election cycle and give their takes on our first woman-to-woman general Mayoral Election. On Community Spotlight they talk with community leader and organizer Johnetta Elize, known for her work in the Ferguson movement. We learn how she came into community work and how her time in the movement has inspired her in what she's doing now. But that's not all! In a special hot cup of tea, we celebrate our host Alisha Sonnier in her own first political race for the Saint Louis Board of Education and get a behind-the-scenes look at what it's been like on the campaign trail. Get your cup out and let's get into this tea!

Your favorite hosts are back with your fifth cup of BlackTea and this time it’s being co-brewed with “Relationship-Ish.” Our first collaboration features the Relationship-ish podcast which is founded by two boss women who focus on all things love & relationships. What better time than black history month & the official love month to talk about all things love; self-love, platonic. and romantic. Our special feature guests Phillip and Chavelle Sangokoya are a co-founder couple who run an organization called the Brand of St.Louis that focuses on building and supporting businesses in STL. You'll want to get to know them because they truly embody the power of black love! But that's not all the tea! We have some laughs for you as Relationship.ish join's us in our "I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear this but"segment. Get into it!

Hellllooo Sippers! Your hosts are back to break down all of the highlights of the Biden/Harris inauguration. They recap why Kamala Harris's new role as VP is so historic and talk about all of the things the administration has in store, starting with the executive orders that have been signed so far. On Community Spotlight they talk with Show Me Integrity Executive Director Benjamin Singer, to learn about his organization's new initiative, Reform STL, to bring governmental change to St. Louis. But that's not all! Have you heard about the "spy planes" potentially flying over the city? No? Get your cup out and let's get into this tea!

Your hosts have some HOT TEA for you on defunding the police, but first, they delve into facts and myths about COVID-19 vaccines and address common questions circulating on social media. They unpack how the vaccines were prepared so quickly and how vaccine trials actually work. On the debuting segment HOT TEA they tackle the highly debated topic of police reform versus defund the police. Is the word defund too extreme? or just right? and just what is up with all of these Christmas lights being left up until Valentine's Day? Listen in to find out.

Your hosts join special guest Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, Missouri 78th District State Rep, to get an inside scoop on life as one of St. Louis's youngest politicians. They learn about Rasheen's journey from the streets of the movement to a seat in the Missouri State Capitol and get his take on some new legislation passed during the November election. But that's not all the tea, When will Trump have to leave the white house? What's up with everyone's twitter beef with Lil Wayne? Listen in to find out!

In this episode we discuss......What is the electoral college? Who's up next for the Supreme Court? How can you get active in community development? How to inspire yourself to make a major life transition?