Modern Minorities

Latest Episodes:

ASHLYN GENTRY believes in (re)redefining labels Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

Ashlyn Gentry is a renegade academic / political wonk turned business strategist...who has a PhD. As the Co-Founder / Managing Partner of Attention Capital, she’s cultivated a reputation for moving fast and getting results. Ashlyn’s held senior roles @ Palantir’s, Hill+Knowlton Strategies (WPP), AND is a mentor to rising female and minority entrepreneurs. Basically, Ashlyn’s a BOSS. Constantly navigating the still-not-nonexistent “boys club” of business - a feat made trickier as a queer woman - Ashlyn candidly shares how the over-sexualization that sometimes comes with how you look (and what people learn about you) is anything but cool. We also talk about the expectations on women that men simply don’t have - and how these small things add up...every day

ABOUT ASHLYN

Twitter @AshlynGentry,

LinkedIn.com/in/ashlyngentry

thepitchacademy.com

skysthelimit.org

MENTIONS

TV: “The Politician” (Netflix): imdb.com/title/tt7971476

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POST-POST ELECTION (+Rajiv): We won. Now what? Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

It’s been a LONG week, but it seems to be finally over...almost. Joe Biden & Kamala Harris won. So now what?

Given the good news, our pal (+comedian) Rajiv Satyal re-joined us for a post-post election chat, this one a bit more cheery, but only cautiously optimistic. This is a fun, but serious one. Buckle your seat belts and empty your peach baskets, because we’ve got (a lot) more work to do.

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LAN PHAN Believes in Community (of Seven) Oct 29, 2020

Show notes

Lan Phan may or may not have once driven a getaway car, founded her own music agency, and/or had a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio - all before she was 30. Today she’s left her BigCo business cards behind, and is now the founder of COMMUNITY OF SEVEN - which brings together big brands and non-profits - to solve big business and societal problems - through content, events and loyalty programs. Not bad for a girl who grew up rough-and-tumble in Englewood (the not-so-nice part of LA). Hear Lan share her thoughts on (Vietnamese) refugee parents, (Jamasian) parenting, how strength comes from adversity, and finding yourself in crowds where you don’t always fit in.

LEARN ABOUT LAN

twitter.com/lanphancan
communityofseven.com

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KENYATTE NELSON is a (sharp-dressed) family man Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

What does it even mean to “talk white” or “act black”? Kenyatte Nelson might live in Liverpool, but his life and career have spanned Charleston (SC), Tallahassee (FL), Cincinnati (OH), Geneva (CH), and Manchester (UK). Once declared Esquire’s best dressed man (2008), this tall, dark, and handsome (brand) man shares his thoughts on the importance of empathy, kindness, and names - despite being often misunderstood, misinterpreted, or feared (even in a suit). As a Black man, Kenyatte thinks about the bias in his own mind, and what burdens he’s passing on (or protecting from) his son. Hear our discussion on what we don’t want ANY of our children to feel and how different the world would (could?) be if we were all more comfortable owning up to our mistakes.

ABOUT KENYATTE

instagram.com/beautifulnoun
twitter.com/beautifulnoun

MENTIONS

SONG: Fugees Song - https://spoti.fi/3ojWi4P
TV: Fleabag - imdb.com/title/tt5687612
BOOK: “The Art of Possibility” (Rosamund Stone Zander) - goodreads.com/book/show/85697.The_Art_of_Possibility

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SEIF (HAMID) and Sound as a NY Arab Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

While Seif Hamid was born and raised near Cleveland, and feels deep roots in Egypt - he’s most at home in NYC. And his dad may or may not have a British accent. This recovering DJ may or may not have led one of the first arab-american hip hop groups (the Desert Crew), incorporated his own record label (Music Without Borders), and released two albums (2009’s “Hindustani Gangster” gained him coverage in GQ India). But as so many of us do, Seif (pronounced “safe” - which means “sword” in Egyptian) has since traded his turntables for a bowtie, fashion line (Soof), and even fatherhood. In a conversation reflecting on our senses of culture, belonging, and maturity - Seif shares how he continues to evolve his look, outlook and outwardness.

LEARN ABOUT SEIF

@seifaldin
Seif’s music: https://spoti.fi/2HmgBxw
Seif’s apparel: soofnyc.com | @soofnyc

MENTIONS

FILM: the Godfather Trilogy - imdb.com/list/ls068557785
ARTIST: Umm Kulthum - wikipedia.org/wiki/Umm_Kulthum
ARTIST: Bob Marley- wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley

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Dr. Nzinga Harrison is (helping those) In Recovery Oct 18, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Nzinga Harrison hosts “In Recovery” - a podcast about understanding addictions (all of them) as a medical illness. Nzinga’s a physician board-certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine. As an educator and vocal advocate - she asks and answers the “why’s” about our perceptions (and laws) - and how they often shift dramatically around addiction. Nzinga’s ALSO the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Eleanor Health, who believes in a comprehensive, compassionate approach to treating addiction. In our ranging conversation, we talk (and learn) about how addiction relates to race, oppression, and...of course drug policy - which often paints those suffering most not as sick people, but criminals.

LEARN ABOUT NZINGA

PODCAST: “In Recovery” - lemonadamedia.com/show/in-recovery
WORK: eleanorhealth.com/team
@naharrisonmd

MENTIONS

PODCAST: “Last Day” - lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day
VIDEO: “Jay Z: 'The War on Drugs Is an Epic Fail’ “ - https://nyti.ms/317ibKK
BOOK: “Kite Runner” (Khaled Hosseini): goodreads.com/book/show/77203.The_Kite_Runner
PERSON: Sasha Obama: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_of_Barack_Obama#Malia_Obama_and_Sasha_Obama

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JIEUN KIRTLEY’s kids learn (Taekwondo) Korean Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Jieun Kim Kirtley was born in Korea, raised in Barcelona, grew up in New Jersey, and lives in Ohio. But when she arrived to this U.S. - it felt like a different planet. The daughter of a Taekwondo instructor, she of course has a her black belt, but was never going to take over the family business - she had degrees to get in - Mechanical Engineering (Cornell) and Technology Policy (MIT). In a warm, fun, and deep conversation amongst old friends - we come to grips with the feelings of being a bridge between two generations - the ones that brought us here, and the ones that keep us here. And while Jieun’s not quite teaching her (half white) boys to speak Korean, she has found that Taekwondo classes might just be the easiest way for them to learn a little.

MENTIONS

MOVIE: “All About My Mother” (Pedro Almodovar, 1999) - imdb.com/title/tt0185125
PERSON: Bill Murray - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Murray

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BUCK ROCKER believes in (Truth &) Justice Oct 11, 2020

Show notes

Buck Rocker is just a kid from Ohatchee, Alabama (now living in Arizona), who happens to be half Black, half Vietnamese, and ALL federal attorney. Having worked as a juvenile public defender, and with the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Buck’s now Assistant Chief Counsel at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement...yep ICE.

By hearing some hard conversations between old friends (Buck & Raman attended the same “Hogwarts for nerds” boarding school), you’ll understand the importance of having someone who believes in doing right by our system, even while participating in a tenuous and controversial administration. In doing his job the only way he knows how, Buck wants the people in the courtroom to feel like they've had the opportunity to be heard, to tell their story, and to be treated with respect and dignity. He also gives killer manicures, just ask his wife and daughters :)

MENTIONS

FILM: “Da 5 Bloods” (Spike Lee, 2020, Netflix) - imdb.com/title/tt9777644
PERSON: Tony Stark - https://bit.ly/2GJWIAp

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CAROL TONGE MACK won’t keep (polite) silence Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

Carol left the island of Antigua when she was 13 - for the bright lights of NYC. After growing up in Bronx, Carol studied at Middlebury college, and soon found her becoming a young mother. Now an Assistant Dean at the University of Cincinnati, Carol is an educator, Black feminist, student advocate, and proud mother - who’s in the business of changing lives, and making sure her kids make it home to her safely. She’s the author of “Being Bernadette: From Polite Silence to Finding the Black Girl Magic Within.” - and an advocate for challenging the norms of polite silence, which hurts us all. You’ll love hearing Carol’s stories, told with a unique mix of love, humor, wisdom - and most of all endurance. Hers is not just the story of a Black woman, but a uniquely American one.

LEARN ABOUT CAROL

BOOK: “Being Bernadette...” goodreads.com/book/show/36995927-being-bernadette
Instagram: @careebbeanqueen, @tongemackenterprises
Twitter: @deanmack91
erasingtheisms.org

MENTIONS

AUTHOR: Michael Eric Dyson michaelericdyson.com
TV: “The Jeffersons” (1975) - imdb.com/title/tt0072519
MUSIC: “Brenda’s Got A Baby” (2Pac) - youtu.be/NRWUs0KtB-I
MUSIC: “Keep your head up” (2Pac) - youtu.be/XW--IGAfeas
MUSIC: Michael Bolton
TV: “The Incredible Hulk” (1977) - imdb.com/title/tt0077031

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JON POLLOCK says (Ciao) Andiamo Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

JON POLLOCK says (Ciao) Andiamo

Jon Pollock is the Founder & CEO of Ciao Andiamo - providing authentic, insider journeys of Italy. In a candid conversation among old friends, Jon shares his experiences growing up in Long Island - and coming to terms with being gay. We learned more about how our society should challenge our assumptions beyond Will & Grace, Rupaul, and/or even Mayor Pete. Like anyone, it’s just a part of who they are.

After years studying and working in Italy, becoming a Harvard grad and brand manager - Jon found himself daydreaming of past Italian adventures. He yearned to share more of the food, wine, and culture that had brought him so much joy - so quit his job, took the leap, and started a company. Now a husband and father (to a Welsh terrier), Jon leads teams in NY + Italy dedicated to sharing authentic Italian experiences. Even amidst the pandemic, Ciao Andiamo is bringing Italy to friends, family and teammates - now through virtual classes - bringing home the passion that Jon discovered long ago.

LEARN ABOUT JON

CiaoAndiamo.com
CiaoClass.com

MENTIONS

BOOK: “The Great Believers” (Rebecca Makkai) - goodreads.com/book/show/45304101-the-great-believers
PERSON: Amy Sedaris - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Sedaris
TV: “Strangers with Candy” (1999) - imdb.com/title/tt0194624

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