Intersectionality in the American South

Dr. Kameelah Martin, a Professor of African American Studies, reveals how platforms like Instagram and TikTok can bridge diaspora cultures, enhancing student engagement with folklore through visual storytelling. Dr. Karen Jackson-Weaver, a global higher-education leader, discusses the importance of digital ethics in AI adoption, advocating for responsible use among faculty and students. Both guests highlight the dual role of technology in education: as a tool for advancement and a potential source of challenges, particularly for BIPOC communities.

Sig Giordano, an Associate Professor at Kennesaw State University and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, shares compelling experiences from their time in the West Bank. They discuss the annual olive harvest, exploring its symbolism in Palestinian resistance. Giordano reflects on their multicultural identity and the complexities of Jewish and Palestinian solidarity. The conversation emphasizes international activism, community support, and the profound resilience of Palestinian voices amidst ongoing challenges. This insightful dialogue sheds light on the necessity of hope and self-care in activism.

In this episode of Intersectionality in the American South, host Dr. Katie Acosta highlights reflections on the Gullah Geechee Immersive Field School taken by students from Georgia State University and the College of Charleston. Students share their thoughts and feelings about visiting historic sites like McLeod Plantation and Sullivan's Island, meeting Gullah Geechee elders, and learning about the harsh realities of slavery. The episode features insights from two students, Tiara Mbonisi and Zaree Ross, as they reflect on their family histories and the personal growth they experienced during the trip.To see pictures and videos taken by the students, visit the Students digital archive on instagram @ fieldschool_gullahgeecheeFollow us on instagram @intersectsouth or visit our website at https://sites.gsu.edu/intersectsouth/

On this episode of Intersectionality in the American South, guest Dr. Jessica Berry shares a bit on the significance of the Gullah Geechee language for her personally and professionally. She shares experiences about her upbringing, the unspoken rule of code-switching inside and outside the Gullah community, and the challenges she faced in a predominantly white high school.  Dr. Jessica Berry goes on to discuss her professional and community efforts to preserve and promote the Gullah Geechee culture and language, particularly through the Okra Soup Foundation.  Listen now to hear about the transformative impact Dr. Berry's work has had on youth and her vision for preserving Gullah Geechee language and culture in South Carolina schools.Dr. Jessica Berry is an accomplished and highly respected educator and researcher from Huger, South Carolina. With her B.A. and M.A. in speech-language pathology & audiology from Winthrop University and South Carolina State University, respectively, and her doctoral studies at Louisiana State University in communication disorders with a minor in linguistics, she is an expert in her field. Dr. Berry is a nationally certified and state-licensed speech-language pathologist who has dedicated her career to sharing knowledge about the Gullah Geechee language, culture, and history. As a dedicated higher education professional and the owner of Garden City Gymnastics, LLC in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Dr. Berry is a driven and successful entrepreneur, educator, and researcher. She founded The O.K.R.A. Soup Foundation, a 501c3 organization that empowers Gullah Geechee youth through the We Been Ya: Geechee Girls Rock Program, reflecting her passion for creating equitable spaces for children who speak non-mainstream varieties of English to succeed. Dr. Berry is a wife and mother of two girls, and in her spare time, she enjoys leading praise and worship, recording new music, and reading. With her impressive accomplishments and unwavering determination to continue her work as an educator and researcher, Dr. Berry is an inspiration to all who know her.Follow us on instagram @intersectsouth or visit our website at https://sites.gsu.edu/intersectsouth/

In July 2024, the Intersectionality in the American South Collective had the privilege of visiting the McLeod Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina. In this episode, Dr. Katie Acosta speaks with one of the site's preservationists, Reverend Toby Smith, about McLeod's history, the opening of this historic site to the general public, and the intentional efforts to make McLeod a space where the history of slavery is told from the perspective of the enslaved. Follow us on instagram @intersectsouth or visit our website at https://sites.gsu.edu/intersectsouth/

Did you know that there are 6 Detention facilities in the state of Georgia used to house undocumented migrants and asylees?  On this episode of Intersectionality in the American South,  we hear from Mr. Amilcar Valencia Executive Director of El Refugio a non profit organization that advocates on the behalf of the detained and their families.  Interested in learning more about this amazing organization? Check out their website at elrefugiostewart.org Learn more about becoming a volunteer with el Refugio here.  Follow us on instagram @intersectsouth or visit our website at https://sites.gsu.edu/intersectsouth/

Dr. Raeda Anderson is a dedicated research scientist and lead statistician at the Shepherd Center, focusing on disability advocacy. She shares her journey from accounting to activism, ignited by a personal tragedy. The discussion dives deep into the critical link between housing, accessibility, and health for disabled individuals. Dr. Anderson challenges societal norms, advocating for policies that foster thriving environments rather than mere survival. She emphasizes the urgent need for systemic change to ensure all individuals have safe, inclusive, and supportive living conditions.

Stephanie Diaz and Dana Lloyd discuss advocating for disabled individuals in Georgia, highlighting the failures of existing systems, their diverse advocacy approaches, and the need for value and visibility for the disabled. They share insights on individual legal advocacy, systematic litigation, and the importance of self-care in marginalized communities.

Emile YX? is a Hip Hop activist who reclaims the power of Hip Hop to help the next generation rethink their identity, purpose, and place in their respective communities. A pioneer of beat breaking in his South African cultural context, an educator through his Heal the Hood project, and a survivor of apartheid, Emile YX? channels his experiences to rewrite narratives for the marginalized and recenter Africa for uplift. In the process, he helps us rethink Hip Hop culture as a tool of power through this podcast.Follow us on instagram @intersectsouth or visit our website at https://sites.gsu.edu/intersectsouth/

Emile YX? is a Hip Hop activist who reclaims the power of Hip Hop to help the next generation rethink their identity, purpose, and place in their respective communities. A pioneer of beat breaking in his South African cultural context, an educator through his Heal the Hood project, and a survivor of apartheid, Emile YX? channels his experiences to rewrite narratives for the marginalized and recenter Africa for uplift. In the process, he helps us rethink Hip Hop culture as a tool of power through this podcast. Support Heal the Hood Project's new initiative through Emile YX? Gofund me page: www.gofundme.com/f/preorder-my-book-reconnect-the-stringFollow us on instagram @intersectsouth or visit our website at https://sites.gsu.edu/intersectsouth/