Broke-ish®

On this episode of Broke-ish, Erika talks with Dr. Andre Brock about Black people in digital spaces. Dr. Brock helps us to understand some of the history of the internet to help contextualize the current role it and technology play in helping Black people create and curate community in an online world. We talk about everything from ratchetness and respectability, and how Black people reclaim spaces even under the threat of dispossession. Despite all of the reasons to have for defeat, we choose optimism, and hope you will, too.

This payday, Amber and Erika are unpacking the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. We discuss the significance of the Court holding that race conscious admissions policies violate the 14th Amendment. But more importantly, we walk through how this ruling highlights America’s historical dishonesty regarding the enduring impact and present perpetuation of systemic racism. Finally, by revealing who the people and institutions are behind this litigation, we drop the scoop on the far reaching implications of this case and what’s coming next. Take a listen to see what we have to say!

On this episode, Amber and Erika are unpacking the insidious ways that White Supremacy infiltrates the American adoption system. Lia, co-host of the podcast “Adoptees Crossing Lines” and an adoptee, walks us through the systemic inequities that often lead to adoption. Through both her personal experience and statistics and data, Lia describes how lack of assistance with job security, housing, and food often disproportionately results in Black and Brown children being removed from otherwise loving families and placed for adoption. Lia also discusses the lack of oversight and transparency in many adoptions, with children being put in families that have financial security but who are otherwise unloving or outright abusive. Lia then provides us with resources and recommendations on alternatives to adoption that help to protect vulnerable children and keep them connected to their families of origin when possible. Tune in to get the scoop!

Season 8 of Broke-ish is officially back! Amber and Erika couldn’t wait another minute, so we cut our hiatus short to get back to work. Of course, we had to catch up with the Brokers and let y’all know what we’ve been up to and the changes life has brought about. We also know that the “broken ish” didn’t take a break just because we did, so we recapped some of the notable current events that happened while we were on break. Most importantly, we offered a peak into what you can expect this season and how you can help us select topics and show subjects. It’s so good to be back, and we can’t wait for another exciting season to unfold!

On this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Algernon Austin, the Director of Race and Economic Justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. We discuss Dr. Austin’s latest article, “Black Women’s Views on Black Men’s High Rate of Joblessness.” Dr. Austin helps us unpack some of the systemic reasons why the Black population is the only demographic where there are fewer employed men than women. From both the relational perspective and the communal impacts, Dr. Austin’s research clearly demonstrates that Black male employment is an issue that undeniably and deeply affects Black women, too. Finally, we look at potential policy solutions that may help to address this problem and create stronger job opportunities for Black men in the future. Tune in to get the scoop!

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber, and Erika are joined by Tosca Davis and Dr. Cedrick Smith, the co-founders of To Be Us Productions, to discuss their groundbreaking film, “To Be Us: To Work.” The documentary film, which won “Best of Film” at the International Black Film Festival, chronicles a cross-section of working Black people sharing their experiences with racism, micro-aggressions, and the accompanying insidious hostility in their respective industries and workplaces. These heartfelt, painful stories are a sobering reminder of how inescapable racism is for all Black Americans and how we must endure it to survive in this world. But in reclaiming our power by sharing our stories and empowering each other, “To Be Us: To Work” is a beautiful reminder that Black people overcome by the words of our testimony. Tune in to listen and learn where you can watch the film!

On this episode, Erika is joined by Fernanda Meier to talk about the similarities between agents of white supremacy in corporations and within police forces. Are they two sides of the same, racist coin? We also discuss the global impacts of colonialism that have so many within our community in a chokehold. We ponder lots of questions in this show: is it possible to join the police force and change it from the inside, how do we hold those who harm us accountable for their misdeeds, are we going to have to leave some people behind? Join us and hear what we think!

This payday, Amber and Erika are joined by Adrienne Fikes, the Soul Power Coach and Founder of the Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria, Virginia. Adrienne helps us unpack the often insidious ways that racism seeps into the pathology of Black people, impacting our family dynamics and parenting choices. It is undeniable that living in a society that denies our full humanity shapes our norms, values, and sense of self - all things that affect how we parent. We examine the increasingly popular trend of “gentle parenting”, reflecting on the ways that it fails to account for the realities of parenting amidst systemic injustice. Adrienne arms Black caretakers with practical tools and encouragement to reimagine how we can parent our Black babies and equip them to be whole, happy, and empowered. Press play to get the scoop!

On this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Michael DeLong, Research and Advocacy Associate from the Consumer Research Federation of America, to discuss how racism insidiously and nefariously impacts the American insurance industry. Michael walks us through the factors that are used to calculate the cost of insurance for most people - credit, education, zip code, and job titles, just to name a few. As expected, the racial disparities inherent in those factors naturally spill out into the pricing of insurance and handling of insurance claims. We discuss some real-world examples of insurance discrimination and the impact it has on Black families trying to protect their most valuable assets. And then, we conclude with Michael providing the Brokers some practical tips on how to spot whether they’re experiencing discrimination and what steps can be taken if that’s true. Tune in and get the scoop!

On this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Fernanda Meier, a photographer, educator, activist, and digital nomad to discuss the unique, subversive ways that Black people - particularly Black women and femmes - have utilized social media to build community and advocate for equity and justice. Fernanda walks us through the value of community in digital spaces and how social media has been a space of togetherness, sharing, and connection. But just like everything built against the backdrop of capitalist greed, Black social media is not immune to the anti-blackness, patriarchy, and phobias that pervade society at large. Through current events, Fernanda helps us identify what we can learn about the need for critical analysis, media literacy, and boundaries in curating thriving digital spaces created for us and by us. Press play to hear the scoop!

On this episode - the last of 2022 - Amber and Erika are looking back at one of the most eventful years in recent history. From Amir Locke’s untimely death by police at the top of the year, to Brittney Griner’s release near the end, we look back over the notable events of 2022. But most importantly, we’re discussing lessons that we can all learn about the broken “ish” that forms the backdrop of our lives. Although there is much to despair, we’ve come too far to give up in our fight for liberation and justice. We’re using the lessons from 2022 to make 2023 a better year for all of us. Take a listen and join us!

On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Broke-ish all-star, Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, to discuss the economic impact of the Great Migration on Black Americans. Post-Reconstruction and against the backdrop of Jim Crow, many Black people fled the South for the North and Midwest in hopes of less oppression and more economic opportunity. But new research on the long-term success of the Great Migration actually casts doubt on whether Black families proved to fare better as a result of the move. Dedrick walks us through both the history and the data to demonstrate how rising costs of living, inflation, and racist economic policies have made it difficult for Black Americans to thrive regardless of geographic location. He helps us gain insight on the influx of Blacks returning to the South and what really needs to happen for us to accumulate wealth and obtain financial liberation. Click the link to listen!

This episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Michelle Williams of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Michelle, an activist, and abolitionist, shares with us the story of Kevin Johnson, a Black man sentenced to death for taking the life of a police officer at 19 years old after witnessing the sudden death of his younger brother. Michelle details the trauma, neglect, and abuse that filled Kevin’s life prior to his conviction. Next, we discuss how the consistent disregard for Kevin’s traumatic past highlights the inequities that necessitate a reimagined societal framework and criminal justice system. We walk through what it means to be an abolitionist and how liberated, safe, and justice-oriented communities can be created outside of the carceral context. Tune in to hear what we’ve got to say!

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are jumping head first into current events by discussing Kanye West’s disastrous interview on the Drink Champs Podcast. We start by breaking down the anti-semitism, misogyny/misogynoir, pro-capitalist delusions, and racist tropes that pervaded the interview. Next, we outline what Kanye’s vapid comments teach us about the ways that Black people can be invested in upholding White Supremacy and oppressive capitalism. Kanye’s statements about Jews and women also demonstrate how oppressive systems are thrive off of pitting marginalized people against each other. Capitalism won’t save us and neither will proximity to power nor the pursuit of White affirmation. Tune in to listen to us unpack the madness!

On this episode, Amber and Erika discuss Child Protective Services (CPS) and its often overlooked role as a powerful ally and agent of law enforcement. Along with our guest, Amanda Wallace of Stop CPS, a former CPS investigator in North Carolina with over a decade of experience, we are diving into how CPS is often biased against Black families and disproportionately exercises its power to the detriment of Black children. Amanda walks us through the history of CPS, revealing its racially discriminatory roots, and then shares with us first-hand accounts of how policies and procedures can mix with systemic racism to harm Black people. Amanda also offers practical tips that families can employ if they are ever under CPS investigation and alternatives to CPS that are more beneficial and responsive to vulnerable families. Take a listen to get the inside scoop!

On this week’s episode, Amber and Erika are joined by activist and artist, Leroy Moore, to discuss the often ignored world of Black disabled people. Leroy is a Grammy award-winning poet, speaker, and the founder of Krip Hop Nation, a collective of disabled artists and musicians. Through his own personal experiences combined with his advocacy and activism, Leroy sheds light on how ableism joins with racism to especially impact disabled Black people. He also opens up about the sad reality that Black justice movements like Black Lives Matter and the NAACP often fail to be inclusive of and sensitive to the unique struggles of Black disabled people. Listen up to get Leroy’s insight about how we can create more inclusive Black movements and advocate for an equitable society for all Black people.

Welcome to Civics 101! Amber and Erika are taking the Brokers back to school with this episode. So many of us have been propagandized in school and through media to believe that our nation is a democracy founded by the people for the people, and that voting and political participation were intended to keep government directly accountable to the people. However, through detailing the circumstances under which our nation was founded and the great distrust that many Founders harbored towards common people, it is clear that this nation never intended for everyday people to wield political power or exert significant influence. By debunking myths about the power of voting and highlighting the role that racism and slavery played in the formation of this country, we lay out why it is so important to understand how the American political system really works and who it was designed to benefit. Take a listen to get the scoop!

Here we go again, Brokers! Amber and Erika are back for the Season 6 opening episode. Not only do we catch up, but we discuss all the new things coming this season. From audio and visual episodes (we fancy now!) to our new membership in the Black Power Media Network and our expanded platform - we are giving you the scoop on everything you can expect in the upcoming episodes. We can’t wait for y’all to join us in our new adventures as we try to expand our reach and dive deeper into the broken “ish” that’s always trying to keep us down and out. Take a listen because we are back!!

Can you believe another season of Broke-ish has come to an end?! In this episode, Amber and Erika are running back all the season’s episodes and guests, discussing the highlights of Season 6. Through recapping the takeaways from each episode, we remind the Brokers why we took a broadened approach to discussing the broken ish in America beyond finances and money. Racism is entrenched into every aspect of American life, corrupting all of its systems and institutions. Our goal this season was to use each episode to provide an expanded lens into more of the ways that racism conspires to break us and leave us broken. Tune in to see if we accomplished our mission!

This episode Amber and Erika are discussing the leak of Dobbs, et. al. v. Jackson, et. al., the Supreme Court case which allegedly overturns the landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade protecting the right to access abortion as healthcare. First, we outline the history of Roe and then discuss the potential significance of its holding in other areas of life, including marriage, sexual freedom, and access to contraceptives. Through an intersectional analysis, we also highlight why the debate over abortion is especially nuanced for Black birthing people. Carceral injustice, lack of access to care, skyrocketing costs, wage discrimination, and affordable housing are all part of the equation in family planning for many people. Because these societal ills disproportionately affect Black people, it highlights the necessity of abortion being part of comprehensive medical care. Take a listen to get the facts and our point of view!