The Equity Matters Podcast

Every day, gun violence takes lives from communities all across the country in the form of suicides, unintentional shootings and interpersonal conflicts that become fatal due to easy access to guns. It is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem that requires evidence-based, multifaceted solutions. Today we join Dr. UniQue C. Starks, Jarrell Daniels, and Shakira Bolden, JD, to discuss the myths behind "black on black crime" as a form of gun violence, and how they are using grassroot organizing to change policies and laws in New York.   Keep in Touch and Connect with our Speakers   Collective Social Media: Citizens Against Capitalism Dr. UniQue Starks Instagram: @UniQueCStarks Dr. UniQue Starks LinkedIn: UniQue C. Starks Kira Bolden Instagram: @Kira__Bee Kira Bolden LinkedIn: Kira B. The Columbia Center for Justice can be found here.   Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine

About 100,000 American have sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited disorder marked by sickle-shaped blood cells that can lump together, causing blockages of blood vessels, strokes, anemia, and early death. As a group, people with sickle cell disease experience worse health outcomes compared to other diseases and have access to fewer health resources. Today, we join André Marcel Harris, sickle cell disease advocate to discuss the current standard of care for SCD, and some of the structural barriers that interfere with access and treatment.   Keep in Touch and Connect with André   Facebook: André Marcel Harris Twitter: @Andreharris89 Instagram: @AndreMarcelHarris LinkedIn: André Marcel Harris   Join Black Men in Social Work or Black Men in Public Health on Facebook.   To learn more about Sickle Cell Disease please visit Sickle Cell Disease Association of America website here.   Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine

Regardless of what type of social work you practice, we all have opinions and all have an opportunity to contribute to the public discourse. This doesn’t always have to be public speaking, and in many cases an opinion editorial is more than enough. Today, we join Algeria Wilson, the Director of Public Policy at the National Association of Social Workers Michigan Chapter to discuss how she has adopted a firm position on Black lives, managing the criticism that comes with her work, and how policy can be a tool for improving outcomes in society.   Twitter: @AlgeriaWilson  NASW Michigan Instagram: @NASWMI NASW Michigan Twitter: @NASWMI   Algeria’s On Black Death Article can be found here.   Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine

Continuing education is an opportunity for lifelong learning that expands your thinking, strengthens your practice, and helps to shape social work and related professions to meet the needs of the 21st century. Today we join Gina Tremonti Gembel, Director of Continuing Education at Michigan State University to discuss her role in continuing education that includes advancing social justice, engaging university partners and her vision for the future of the profession.   Keep In Touch and Connect with our Speaker:   LinkedIn: Gina Tremonti Gembel, MSW MSU School of Social Work    Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine

Many men have not been told/taught how to process and talk about their emotional experiences, furthering a sense of isolation, anger, and resentment. In this episode, we bring together three Black therapists to share their thoughts and experiences with regard to mental health. This episode represents their voices - uncensored and unscripted. What they have to say is honest, heartfelt, and at times, unsettling. Perhaps most important - their voices are ones that taken together are incredibly strong and courageous. Today we join Dr. William Coombs, Christopher Scott, MSW and returning guest Trey Taylor, LCSW to discuss the systemic issues that underlie the mental health problems faced by African American men today.   The Ben Gordon Players Tribune article referenced can be found here.   Keep in Touch and Connect with our Speakers   Trey’s Twitter: @Retro_GT Trey’s Instagram: @Retro_GT Trey’s Podcast: Everybody Relax Christopher’s Twitter: @HHSocialWork Christopher’s Instagram: @HipHopSocialWorker Christopher’s Podcast: The Hip Hop Social Worker  Dr. Will Coombs Twitter: @WCoombsDSW

For social workers, field learning plays a leading role in social work education and social work educators and field instructors need to know how their students learn and develop during the field experience. This process of learning is critical for students to help them acquire, practice, and improve the values, skills and knowledge needed for the profession. Today, we join Malikah Marrus, DSW-C to discuss the importance of field education and some of the behind the scene discussions that take place to maximize field placements.   Keep in Touch and Connect with our Speaker! Twitter: MDMarrus Instagram: mdmarrus   Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine

Therapists tend to think in patterns not people. This has been a tremendous asset in understanding how systems interact, and how conditions are created that would render individuals suicidal. But we know that suicide is totally preventable. Today, we join Janel Cubbage, MS, LCPC to discuss her work as the Chair for the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention in Maryland. Janel offers us insights on what it means to be a Black woman, navigating government, pursuing innovation and handling the skeptics.   Keep in Touch and Connect with our Speakers   Twitter:@JanelCubbage Instagram: @TheTattoedCounselor TikTok: @TheTattooedCounselor   Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine

A fundamental goal for all of us in service professions is to integrate research and practice in ways that improve the outcomes of those being served. Evidence-based practices have long been a tool to bridge clinical expertise and the science. Unfortunately, these tools do not consistently support equitable implementation and outcomes. Today we join Dr. Juliette McClendon, Brandon J. Johnson, MHS, and Déjà Clement, M.S to learn more on how institutions can employ strategies and build structures that elevate equity through evidence-based practices.   Keep in Touch and Connect with our Speakers   Déjà Twitter:@ClementDeja  Brandon Twitter: @BranJJohnson1 Brandon YouTube: The Black Mental Wellness Lounge Dr. Juliette McClendon Twitter: @DrJulietteM    Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine

All college students are encouraged to engage in self-exploration in order to develop a clear sense of self, commitment, and direction. Playing a sport can either complement or impede this process and much depends on the supports in place for student athletes. Today, we join Marques R. Dexter, MS to discuss healthy development of the student athlete identity while balancing athletic and academic endeavors.  LinkedIn: Marques Dexter, MS Twitter: @MarquesDexter Instagram:@MarquesRDexter Visit Marques’ website here.

Basic needs security among students enrolled in postsecondary education is critical for ensuring strong academic performance, persistence and graduation, and students’ wellbeing. Today, we join Bezil Taylor, MSW to discuss how academic institutions can commit to addressing student basic needs in a holistic manner to ensure that all students have the opportunities to be successful.  LinkedIn: Bezil Taylor, MSW Twitter: @BeezMSW Instagram: @BeezMSW  To learn more about Texas Southern University’s Center for Justice Reform, please visit their website here. To learn more about the Michigan State University Racial and Justice Collaborative, follow them on Twitter here. Listen & Subscribe to Equity Matters Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and Spotify  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe to the Equity Matters E-Zine