Reclaiming our narrative

We're back with a bonus episode live from the 2023 Black Researchers Thought Summit at Hatch 41 in Bronzeville on the South Side of Chicago. The Live Experience features photographer and social justice artist, Tonika Lewis Johnson, and researcher, Amber Hendley. From the Folded Map Project and Inequity for Sale to Tonika and Amber's latest collaboration, Unblocked, we're discussing the relationship between art and research and how they've activated both simultaneously to strengthen Chicago communities. Check out the Black Researchers Collective's YouTube channel for the full episode visual. Recorded: December 9, 2023 Published: December 22, 2023

We've reached the end of Season 1. In our final episode, we're recapping our journey and closing out with lessons learned both from the Collective and the streets. Featuring Melissa Brown-Sims, Founding Board Member, Black Researchers Collective. Recorded: December 6, 2022 Published: October 5, 2023

We're talking about the role of education, the implications of the work that Black women are leading on policy, and how people are determining wins as they make progress along the way. Featuring Anita Andrews-Hutchinson (It Takes A Village Family of Schools), Karen Freeman-Wilson (Chicago Urban League), Deborah Harrington (Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy + more), Ciera Mckissick (AMFM), Val Free (Neighborhood Network Alliance), and Dr. Carol Adams. Recorded: November 29, 2022 Published: September 28, 2023

We’re sharing experiences about the importance of community activation, the various ways that community-level engagement operates to build, strengthen, and stabilize grassroots movements, and common strategies that Black women are leveraging across multiple Chicago communities accordingly. Featuring Britney Robbins (Gray Matter Experience), Katanya Raby (The Raby Foundation), and Dr. Carol Adams (South Shore Works + more). Recorded: November 16, 2022 Published: September 21, 2023

We're talking about using data to dispel disinformation, the unproductivity of cancel culture, and bridging the gap from government to the community. Featuring the City of Chicago's first Chief Equity Officer, Candace Moore. Recorded: November 8, 2022 Published: September 14, 2023

We're talking about how Black women understand and express Black liberation, and the characteristics, attributes, and values that collectively serve as the heartbeat or north star of their work. Featuring Helen Muhisani (Black Researchers Collective), Tonika Lewis Johnson (Folded Map Project), Dr. Pascale "Ife" Williams (Spiritual Scholar), Martine Caverl (Ujimaa Medics), Katelyn Johnson (Blackroots Alliance), and Chandra Christmas Rouse (Maplibs). Recorded: October 28, 2022 Published: September 7, 2023

We're talking about Black women and the role our journey plays in our shared experiences of how we show up in the work. Featuring Melody Spann-Cooper (Midway Broadcasting Corporation/WVON), Tanya Woods (Westside Justice Center), Camesha Jones (Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness), Dr. Chrissy Brown (Black Researchers Collective), Dr. Tiffany McDowell (Black Researchers Collective), and Melissa Brown-Sims (Black Researchers Collective). Recorded: October 18, 2022 Published: August 31, 2023

We're talking about repurposing data for Black liberation; essentially how we can leverage data to help us get free. We’re talking about how we can leverage research as a strategy for racial equity and healing. Recorded: September 27, 2022 Published: August 24, 2023

We're talking about using what you got to get what you need...regarding data, of course Recorded: September 20, 2022 Published: August 17, 2023

We're talking about taking control of our narrative through the ownership of our data Recorded: September 14, 2022 Published: August 10, 2023