1 00:00:02,275 --> 00:00:04,765 - Welcome to Balancing Life's Issues, the podcast. 2 00:00:05,105 --> 00:00:07,165 I'm your host, Kai, and today we are kicking 3 00:00:07,265 --> 00:00:08,565 off Black History Month. 4 00:00:08,585 --> 00:00:12,085 And to help me do that, I'm joined by BLI, senior Trainer, 5 00:00:12,195 --> 00:00:15,845 account Manager, and DEIB contributor James Francis. 6 00:00:15,845 --> 00:00:17,845 Welcome to the podcast, James. Thanks, 7 00:00:17,945 --> 00:00:19,205 - Kai. Great to be here. 8 00:00:19,595 --> 00:00:20,965 - Wonderful to have you as always. 9 00:00:21,025 --> 00:00:23,005 And James, you and I have been planning this month 10 00:00:23,005 --> 00:00:24,605 of programming for a while now. 11 00:00:24,745 --> 00:00:26,965 People are really eager about our message this month, 12 00:00:27,305 --> 00:00:29,005 and it's great to finally be at a place 13 00:00:29,005 --> 00:00:30,245 where we're just sharing 14 00:00:30,595 --> 00:00:32,165 what we've been planning, right? ? 15 00:00:32,305 --> 00:00:35,125 - Yes. Love - It. The, the why behind Black History Month. 16 00:00:35,125 --> 00:00:39,165 So, James, please, you know, in as concise a way 17 00:00:39,165 --> 00:00:41,805 as possible, share with us why we should care 18 00:00:41,805 --> 00:00:42,885 about Black History Month. 19 00:00:43,275 --> 00:00:48,245 - Well, first of all, this should be a month of celebration. 20 00:00:48,785 --> 00:00:51,525 You know, really celebrating the accomplishments, 21 00:00:52,465 --> 00:00:55,205 all the various achievements in different areas in this 22 00:00:55,205 --> 00:00:56,645 country and around the world. 23 00:00:57,425 --> 00:01:01,285 And that is really the why of Black History Month. 24 00:01:01,615 --> 00:01:03,045 There are many people, right? 25 00:01:03,045 --> 00:01:05,165 There's slavery and there's MLK, 26 00:01:05,945 --> 00:01:08,005 but there's so many other wonderful things in 27 00:01:08,005 --> 00:01:09,325 between that, right? 28 00:01:09,585 --> 00:01:11,605 So many resilient people who've led us to 29 00:01:11,605 --> 00:01:14,005 where we are today as a country. Yeah, 30 00:01:14,485 --> 00:01:15,485 - Absolutely. 31 00:01:15,485 --> 00:01:17,005 Well said. And I think really kind of circling 32 00:01:17,115 --> 00:01:20,685 that celebration, um, acknowledging right, uh, 33 00:01:20,955 --> 00:01:22,805 what the black community has been 34 00:01:22,805 --> 00:01:23,965 through to get to this point. 35 00:01:24,345 --> 00:01:27,405 And really what you're saying is let's find some folks 36 00:01:27,675 --> 00:01:29,165 that you probably don't know about, 37 00:01:29,465 --> 00:01:30,685 and let's talk about them. 38 00:01:30,685 --> 00:01:33,125 Let's share their story so that you can pass 39 00:01:33,325 --> 00:01:34,365 that information along. 40 00:01:34,785 --> 00:01:35,965 And, uh, later in the podcast 41 00:01:36,095 --> 00:01:37,445 today, we're gonna get into that person. 42 00:01:37,505 --> 00:01:39,045 And that was Carter g Woodson. 43 00:01:39,065 --> 00:01:41,565 So speaking of history and, and education 44 00:01:41,705 --> 00:01:44,685 and justice, like, can, can we talk about the role 45 00:01:44,715 --> 00:01:46,165 that plays in Black History Month? 46 00:01:46,965 --> 00:01:48,885 - Absolutely. In a time, in a space where 47 00:01:51,075 --> 00:01:55,125 factual things that have happened in the black community, 48 00:01:55,125 --> 00:01:57,525 in this country, they're trying to be removed and erased. 49 00:01:57,585 --> 00:02:00,085 Mm-Hmm. , I feel we must not forget. Right. 50 00:02:00,455 --> 00:02:02,525 These impactful moments in time 51 00:02:03,275 --> 00:02:04,685 lead us to where we are today. 52 00:02:05,015 --> 00:02:09,085 Right? Right. Recalling just the multiple massacre 53 00:02:10,025 --> 00:02:14,325 in this country, directly taking place in black communities 54 00:02:14,585 --> 00:02:19,005 to really undermine generational wealth, right? 55 00:02:19,005 --> 00:02:21,005 Mm-Hmm. , one of the most popular ones is the 56 00:02:21,005 --> 00:02:23,485 Tulsa massacre, but there were others. 57 00:02:24,615 --> 00:02:26,565 There were others in Michigan, 58 00:02:27,905 --> 00:02:30,725 in Mississippi, California 59 00:02:30,915 --> 00:02:32,245 - Most recently in, uh, Buffalo. 60 00:02:32,665 --> 00:02:35,405 - In Buffalo, recently in Wyoming, 61 00:02:36,865 --> 00:02:38,765 in Missouri, in Kentucky. 62 00:02:39,735 --> 00:02:41,525 These are the pieces to the puzzle 63 00:02:42,075 --> 00:02:43,285 that are vastly important. 64 00:02:43,705 --> 00:02:45,005 And these are certain things 65 00:02:45,355 --> 00:02:47,285 that should certainly also be discussed, 66 00:02:48,185 --> 00:02:49,565 why we are celebrating 67 00:02:49,825 --> 00:02:52,405 so strongly Black history month. Mm-Hmm. 68 00:02:52,445 --> 00:02:53,685 - . And so 69 00:02:53,685 --> 00:02:56,405 after saying all that, you know, like your heart starts 70 00:02:56,405 --> 00:02:58,885 to hurt a little bit, but then you end with celebrate. 71 00:02:59,745 --> 00:03:02,485 And I know you and I were talking about this idea of 72 00:03:02,505 --> 00:03:04,365 how negative things happen in our lives, 73 00:03:05,105 --> 00:03:08,605 and when we are resilient, then we can celebrate. 74 00:03:08,665 --> 00:03:10,285 And that's what we're talking about this month. 75 00:03:11,085 --> 00:03:15,445 - Absolutely. And resiliency should be celebrated on all 76 00:03:15,445 --> 00:03:18,485 accounts in the black community in this country. 77 00:03:19,155 --> 00:03:20,525 It's a continuous process. 78 00:03:21,085 --> 00:03:25,325 I feel, even today, even today, I am feeling 79 00:03:25,865 --> 00:03:29,285 the continued sense of resiliency throughout, you know, 80 00:03:29,345 --> 00:03:31,365 my life and specific achievements. 81 00:03:32,325 --> 00:03:36,165 A quick story for you guys, this was just a few years ago, 82 00:03:37,065 --> 00:03:39,365 and my boss simply asked me 83 00:03:39,365 --> 00:03:41,885 to move her vehicle from one parking space to another. 84 00:03:42,105 --> 00:03:45,085 Mm-Hmm. . And, you know, at the time 85 00:03:45,805 --> 00:03:49,165 I gave her, you know, a no, no, thank you. 86 00:03:49,185 --> 00:03:50,565 Or, you know, I'm not comfortable doing that. 87 00:03:51,425 --> 00:03:52,645 She didn't understand why. 88 00:03:53,275 --> 00:03:55,565 - Yeah. What was the why behind that, you know, discomfort. 89 00:03:56,305 --> 00:03:58,365 - Yes. So, full transparency, 90 00:03:58,945 --> 00:04:00,885 it was a beautiful red Mercedes-Benz, 91 00:04:01,825 --> 00:04:06,365 and I'm a father of twin girls, and I thought about my life, 92 00:04:06,575 --> 00:04:07,575 - Right? 93 00:04:08,165 --> 00:04:11,285 - I thought about my life Kai, literally how mm-Hmm. 94 00:04:11,325 --> 00:04:16,125 me moving a car 100 feet can change 95 00:04:16,705 --> 00:04:18,925 my life and my family's life dramatically 96 00:04:20,355 --> 00:04:22,605 just if someone is having a bad day 97 00:04:24,345 --> 00:04:27,645 and I am the one who is taken out on Yeah, 98 00:04:28,325 --> 00:04:29,325 - Absolutely. 99 00:04:29,325 --> 00:04:30,285 'cause 'cause that, that has happened, you know, 100 00:04:30,285 --> 00:04:33,965 that is part of black history is, uh, you know, the, 101 00:04:33,965 --> 00:04:35,765 the issues with policing and, 102 00:04:35,865 --> 00:04:37,965 and things that, that that community has dealt with. 103 00:04:38,065 --> 00:04:40,885 And to me, what I'm hearing out of that is, well, what's, 104 00:04:40,885 --> 00:04:42,245 what's the role out of an employer 105 00:04:42,945 --> 00:04:47,005 or a CEO to be aware of a a, you know, 106 00:04:47,205 --> 00:04:51,405 a a a community's history so that you can be more empathetic 107 00:04:51,945 --> 00:04:56,605 and less quick to judge in a moment where, you know, 108 00:04:56,705 --> 00:04:58,045 an employee could be uncomfortable 109 00:04:58,045 --> 00:04:59,325 based off of type of request. 110 00:04:59,915 --> 00:05:03,765 - Well, to me, it's the ability and willingness to listen. 111 00:05:04,325 --> 00:05:08,885 Hmm. Right. My boss, she, she heard me out. 112 00:05:09,465 --> 00:05:10,565 She really listened to me. 113 00:05:10,585 --> 00:05:13,325 And it grew into a sense of empathy 114 00:05:13,745 --> 00:05:15,725 and understanding on both parts. 115 00:05:16,465 --> 00:05:19,685 We, as human beings, Kai, we only know what we know. Right. 116 00:05:19,905 --> 00:05:23,445 So that open-ended conversation that continues today 117 00:05:23,445 --> 00:05:27,085 between us, that moment really sparked these conversations. 118 00:05:27,675 --> 00:05:29,085 - Yeah. And you said, listen. 119 00:05:29,425 --> 00:05:31,165 And what it reminded me of was, was 120 00:05:31,165 --> 00:05:33,965 after the murder of George Floyd, I learned how to listen. 121 00:05:34,685 --> 00:05:38,765 I, I found myself screaming into a social media void about, 122 00:05:38,825 --> 00:05:41,325 you know, what had occurred and the atrocities, 123 00:05:41,625 --> 00:05:43,365 and I learned how to listen. 124 00:05:43,665 --> 00:05:45,925 And to me, that's, that's what this month is about. 125 00:05:45,925 --> 00:05:47,685 Like, let's celebrate black history. 126 00:05:48,145 --> 00:05:49,965 And for those of us who don't know much about it, 127 00:05:50,345 --> 00:05:52,085 or even if you are part of the black community 128 00:05:52,085 --> 00:05:54,045 and you don't know much about it, like this is a time 129 00:05:54,065 --> 00:05:56,525 to listen and educate ourselves so 130 00:05:56,525 --> 00:05:59,485 that we can celebrate American history together. 131 00:05:59,945 --> 00:06:01,565 - Yes. And it's a wonderful time. 132 00:06:02,205 --> 00:06:04,365 'cause even myself as a black male, 133 00:06:05,085 --> 00:06:08,445 I am continuously learning about other 134 00:06:09,165 --> 00:06:11,205 contributions within our culture 135 00:06:11,265 --> 00:06:13,565 and our country by other black people. 136 00:06:13,955 --> 00:06:15,005 It's a wonderful thing. Yeah, 137 00:06:15,635 --> 00:06:16,635 - Yeah, yeah. 138 00:06:16,635 --> 00:06:19,005 And you know, I I just, just to put it out there 139 00:06:19,005 --> 00:06:20,645 as something that kind of hit me, you 140 00:06:20,645 --> 00:06:22,725 and I were chatting the other day, um, getting ready 141 00:06:22,725 --> 00:06:24,965 for this and you know, I just kind of brought up the fact 142 00:06:24,965 --> 00:06:28,245 that the Voting Rights Act was, um, passed in 1965, 143 00:06:28,465 --> 00:06:30,685 and then I kind of asked you what year were you were born, 144 00:06:31,425 --> 00:06:32,725 uh, what year were you born? 145 00:06:33,245 --> 00:06:35,605 - 1975. Kai. Thank you. 146 00:06:36,325 --> 00:06:37,325 - . 147 00:06:37,325 --> 00:06:38,525 But you're the youngest of siblings. 148 00:06:38,665 --> 00:06:41,885 So my point was you had siblings who were born in a time 149 00:06:41,885 --> 00:06:43,205 where they wouldn't have been able to vote. 150 00:06:43,205 --> 00:06:45,885 That's correct. It's just a profound way to think about 151 00:06:46,345 --> 00:06:49,845 how close this history still is to us today. 152 00:06:50,625 --> 00:06:52,085 - And I, and I completely agree, 153 00:06:52,365 --> 00:06:56,685 and sometimes even myself, I may not view that lens 154 00:06:56,685 --> 00:06:58,605 and that perspective, but it's absolutely correct. 155 00:06:58,795 --> 00:07:00,965 I've had brothers who were born in a time where 156 00:07:01,665 --> 00:07:02,725 our parents couldn't vote. 157 00:07:03,265 --> 00:07:05,045 Mm-Hmm. , our aunts, uncles, 158 00:07:05,615 --> 00:07:08,005 Kevin forbid grandparents, you know, 159 00:07:08,105 --> 00:07:09,645 my mother specifically was born 160 00:07:09,645 --> 00:07:11,085 and raised in the rural south 161 00:07:11,505 --> 00:07:13,365 before moving up north to New York City. 162 00:07:13,465 --> 00:07:14,965 Mm. And I remember the stories. 163 00:07:15,435 --> 00:07:16,965 Yeah, I remember the stories. 164 00:07:17,725 --> 00:07:20,245 - Absolutely. Right. So I maybe let's take that energy, 165 00:07:20,245 --> 00:07:24,245 right, the stories that maybe your, um, your family shared 166 00:07:24,245 --> 00:07:25,445 with you from a time. 167 00:07:25,655 --> 00:07:28,765 Right. And let's, let's, like, let's continue that sharing 168 00:07:29,465 --> 00:07:31,525 of, of stories and, and information 169 00:07:31,545 --> 00:07:35,525 and celebration, um, of black history, um, as we kind of 170 00:07:36,165 --> 00:07:38,765 seamlessly segue, uh, into, uh, 171 00:07:38,785 --> 00:07:40,285 the person we wanna talk about today. 172 00:07:40,305 --> 00:07:42,285 That's Carter g Woodson, by the way. 173 00:07:42,285 --> 00:07:46,125 This is all taken from, uh, Smithsonian is a great resource 174 00:07:46,125 --> 00:07:47,165 for Black History Month, 175 00:07:47,165 --> 00:07:49,205 but Carter g Woodson is widely considered 176 00:07:49,205 --> 00:07:50,605 to be the father of black history. 177 00:07:50,665 --> 00:07:53,365 And it's interesting. Why do you happen to know why? I 178 00:07:53,645 --> 00:07:54,565 - Honestly do not. So 179 00:07:54,865 --> 00:07:56,765 - Carter was a son of former slaves 180 00:07:56,765 --> 00:07:59,125 and he taught himself English fundamentals at 19. 181 00:07:59,665 --> 00:08:01,805 Um, and he earned a four year high high 182 00:08:01,805 --> 00:08:02,885 school degree in two years. 183 00:08:03,075 --> 00:08:05,405 Okay. So we're, we're off to an impressive start. Right? 184 00:08:06,045 --> 00:08:08,485 - Absolutely. - Went on to get a master's in history from 185 00:08:08,485 --> 00:08:10,045 the University of Chicago and later 186 00:08:10,205 --> 00:08:11,285 a doctorate from Harvard. 187 00:08:11,545 --> 00:08:13,605 Uh, so this is someone who immersed 188 00:08:13,885 --> 00:08:15,525 themself, um, in history. 189 00:08:15,905 --> 00:08:19,205 And it was through his studies, uh, where he discovered 190 00:08:19,205 --> 00:08:20,205 that black history was, 191 00:08:20,305 --> 00:08:22,125 was mostly being left out of textbooks. 192 00:08:22,225 --> 00:08:23,285 He took it upon himself 193 00:08:23,285 --> 00:08:26,445 to write Black Americans into na into the nation's history 194 00:08:26,475 --> 00:08:29,445 with the founding of the Association for the Study 195 00:08:29,505 --> 00:08:30,805 of Negro Life and history. 196 00:08:31,185 --> 00:08:34,045 And through that, he developed a Negro Week in 1926 197 00:08:34,115 --> 00:08:35,725 celebrating black history, 198 00:08:35,725 --> 00:08:39,405 which expanded into Black History Month, um, in 1976. 199 00:08:39,405 --> 00:08:40,845 Just a year after you were born. That's 200 00:08:40,845 --> 00:08:41,845 - Right. 201 00:08:41,845 --> 00:08:42,565 Great times. Yeah. 202 00:08:42,745 --> 00:08:43,805 - So why February? 203 00:08:44,155 --> 00:08:46,405 Well, to Carter, it celebrates the birthdays 204 00:08:46,405 --> 00:08:48,885 of two great Americans that helped change the trajectory 205 00:08:49,465 --> 00:08:51,045 of the Black American population. 206 00:08:51,385 --> 00:08:54,085 Uh, the abolitionist Frederick Douglass on February 14th 207 00:08:54,345 --> 00:08:57,205 and President Abraham Lincoln on February 12th. 208 00:08:57,865 --> 00:09:00,005 We wanted to choose him, uh, for two reasons. 209 00:09:00,305 --> 00:09:02,565 One, you may or may not know about him, 210 00:09:02,945 --> 00:09:07,045 but two, uh, we are seeing a foundational shift in 211 00:09:07,045 --> 00:09:08,965 how black history is taught in our schools today. 212 00:09:08,965 --> 00:09:10,325 And you touched on this a little bit earlier. 213 00:09:10,495 --> 00:09:13,685 There are organizations out there who are trying 214 00:09:13,705 --> 00:09:18,205 to water down the negative parts of our history, um, to kind 215 00:09:18,205 --> 00:09:20,925 of soften the blow of lessening the impact 216 00:09:20,925 --> 00:09:23,365 of systematic issues that black Americans have today. 217 00:09:23,675 --> 00:09:27,365 - Correct. And Kai, I think that's really the overall goal 218 00:09:28,145 --> 00:09:30,965 of, you know, these certain things that are happening, 219 00:09:31,225 --> 00:09:32,885 you know, in the state of Florida currently. 220 00:09:33,425 --> 00:09:37,885 So, you know, to me, the conversation should stem 221 00:09:39,275 --> 00:09:42,565 from the racism, stem from the oppression Mm-Hmm. 222 00:09:42,605 --> 00:09:45,205 . And explain the resiliency in a people 223 00:09:45,305 --> 00:09:48,405 and where we are today versus, oh, that didn't happen. 224 00:09:48,825 --> 00:09:50,165 Or the way that things happen 225 00:09:50,705 --> 00:09:52,245 can be explained in a different light. 226 00:09:52,675 --> 00:09:56,125 It's so interesting. Rosa Parks was not the first black 227 00:09:56,125 --> 00:09:59,005 woman not to move on the bus. 228 00:09:59,305 --> 00:10:02,885 Mm. It became extremely popular as she was a part 229 00:10:02,885 --> 00:10:05,045 of the movement with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 230 00:10:05,345 --> 00:10:07,445 Oh, wow. She was not the first. Yes. I didn't 231 00:10:07,445 --> 00:10:08,445 - Know that. 232 00:10:08,445 --> 00:10:10,605 - So, you know, things like that deeper 233 00:10:11,195 --> 00:10:12,565 into our history books 234 00:10:12,625 --> 00:10:16,205 or our lessons of African American history in this country 235 00:10:16,545 --> 00:10:17,645 to even know that part. 236 00:10:18,225 --> 00:10:21,285 So just imagine in 50, 60 years, 237 00:10:21,605 --> 00:10:22,685 'cause this was not that long ago. 238 00:10:23,025 --> 00:10:26,005 Mm-Hmm. Imagine a textbook being written 239 00:10:26,825 --> 00:10:30,125 and speaking about the first black president in this country 240 00:10:30,705 --> 00:10:32,325 and not mentioning that he was black. 241 00:10:33,315 --> 00:10:37,405 - Yeah. - That's the direction I feel we are 242 00:10:37,405 --> 00:10:38,445 going unfortunately. 243 00:10:38,945 --> 00:10:43,165 And this is why we continue to celebrate Black History Month 244 00:10:43,225 --> 00:10:45,845 and black history achievements throughout this country. 245 00:10:46,275 --> 00:10:47,275 This is why. 246 00:10:48,485 --> 00:10:50,165 - Absolutely. Well said. And, you know, I, 247 00:10:50,245 --> 00:10:51,645 I think we gotta end it on that note. 248 00:10:51,645 --> 00:10:53,605 Couldn't say it any better. So, um, 249 00:10:54,245 --> 00:10:57,205 everyone out there look forward, uh, to a weekly podcast, 250 00:10:57,585 --> 00:10:59,765 uh, celebrating, uh, black History Month. 251 00:11:00,265 --> 00:11:03,565 Um, and, you know, take it upon yourself, uh, to, 252 00:11:03,785 --> 00:11:06,365 to go do some research on some 253 00:11:06,365 --> 00:11:08,405 of those sites I mentioned earlier, like the Smithsonian, 254 00:11:08,745 --> 00:11:11,805 and just pick someone, you know, if you're a parent, uh, 255 00:11:12,075 --> 00:11:15,045 pick someone together and kind of share, share together 256 00:11:15,045 --> 00:11:18,165 and discover together, um, this important American history. 257 00:11:18,185 --> 00:11:20,485 And, and of course, James, I gotta throw it out there. 258 00:11:20,585 --> 00:11:22,125 On Friday, February 23rd, 259 00:11:22,585 --> 00:11:25,845 you are delivering a free live webinar titled DEIB, 260 00:11:26,015 --> 00:11:27,805 navigating the Difficult Conversation. 261 00:11:28,265 --> 00:11:29,605 Um, I'll be on that to host. 262 00:11:29,745 --> 00:11:31,085 Is there anything you wanted to say about 263 00:11:31,085 --> 00:11:32,485 that presentation at the end of the month? 264 00:11:33,315 --> 00:11:35,365 - Just please, please join me. 265 00:11:35,975 --> 00:11:38,925 These are the typical exciting conversations we will have 266 00:11:39,785 --> 00:11:42,165 and come away with resources 267 00:11:42,705 --> 00:11:46,125 and really tools to navigate these difficult conversations. 268 00:11:46,685 --> 00:11:48,525 - Absolutely. I love it. And registration info is 269 00:11:48,525 --> 00:11:51,925 available@bliinfo.com slash free webinars. 270 00:11:52,175 --> 00:11:54,405 James, thank you so much for joining me today. 271 00:11:54,685 --> 00:11:57,645 I really appreciate your time. Thanks so much, Kai. Yeah. 272 00:11:57,645 --> 00:11:59,005 Until next time, everyone, take care. 273 00:12:10,465 --> 00:12:13,035 This has been a production of Balancing Life's Issues 274 00:12:13,065 --> 00:12:14,755 with your hosts, Kai Sorenson 275 00:12:14,755 --> 00:12:18,075 and Wendy Wallner, produced by me Kai Rate. 276 00:12:18,085 --> 00:12:20,035 Leave a review and subscribe to the podcast 277 00:12:20,635 --> 00:12:22,355 wherever you listen so you can get brand new 278 00:12:22,355 --> 00:12:23,555 episodes as they drop. 279 00:12:23,975 --> 00:12:24,995 Got an idea for the show. 280 00:12:25,405 --> 00:12:28,475 Email me, KI at balancing life's issues.com. 281 00:12:29,395 --> 00:12:29,995 Anything to add? Miles.