The Kira Banks Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Finding Your Resilience Amidst the Pandemic Mar 29, 2020

Show notes

We are forever changed by the pause this pandemic has caused. In this episode of Raising Equity, Nkem Ndefo creator of The Resilience Toolkit and founder of Lumos Transforms, a non-profit in LA, shares her thoughts about this time.

Ndefo highlights the importance of honoring the wisdom in our responses rather than focusing on trying to change them.

Check out her free webinar, Anchoring Resilience in Turbulent Times:
https://bit.ly/3bCTdW2

#RaisingEquity #REPodcast #NkemNdefo #DrKira #LumosTransforms #COVID19 #Podcasts

Podcasting Amidst the Pandemic Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

The pandemic has pushed us to revaluate how we do life from work to school to play. It’s shown us that we can make drastic changes– when we want to– and yet, so often we are told that change must be incremental. As we settle into this new rhythm, what are you learning? What do you want to remember? Raising Equity’s producer and my partner, Aaron Banks, joins me for some casual conversation.
#StayAtHome #CoronaVirus #COVID #COVID19 #DrKira #ABanks #RaisingEquity #WineAndPrayer #FlattenTheCurve

A Primary Care Doctor Fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic Mar 22, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Raising Equity, Dr. Jaqui Jones shares how primary care is important before, during and after pandemics. How are the health disparities that existed before being exacerbated? What are we learning now that can help us in the future? Dr. Jones also shares her story of becoming a doctor. As Black woman from Chicago who had a full ride playing basketball at the University of Alabama, it was a winding but formative road.
#StayAtHome #CoronaVirus #COVID #COVID19 #DrKira #DrJaqui #RaisingEquity #WineAndPrayer #FlattenTheCurve

A Special Veterans Day Episode Nov 11, 2019

Show notes

Veterans Day is tomorrow, and I am a strong believer in honoring those who serve. We can be critical lovers of our country—loving it enough to work to make it better, highlighting the stories of veterans whose experiences aren’t like the idyllic stories in the movies, and ensuring they have the services they need. Dr. Marva Robinson, a psychologist who has extensive experience working with veterans, joins us on this episode to talk about the stressors she sees impacting this population.
I dedicate this episode to all those who have served, but most specifically to my Grandfather-in-love, Y.Z. Johnson Jr. who served in the Army, our Uncle Lee Earnest Cummings Jr. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) who served in the Army, and my Uncle Richard Scott who served in the Air Force. And Uncle Clifford Banks (Army), too.
#VeteransDay #ThankaVeteran #REpodcast #DrKira #YayYayee #RaisingEquity #Veterans #military #MarvaRobinson #DrMarva #YZJohnson #RichScott #UncleLee #Thesamtr #UncleCliffordDay

One Young Woman’s Journey Towards Activism Nov 08, 2019

Show notes

Ever meet a young person and know they will make a mark? Young people are consistently the force behind social movements. It’s intriguing to me, then, that we don’t understand how they come to understand the need for activism.
When I met Zahva Naeem, I was impressed by her commitment to being an ally at such a young age. I asked about where her conviction came from and how it developed. I was reminded how important it is that we listen to youth to be of support and more importantly, learn.
#RaisingEquity #REPodcast #ZahvaNaeem #DrKira

https://youtu.be/AUXv8a672CQ

How a University is Publicly Taking Responsibility for its Role in Slavery Nov 01, 2019

Show notes

Institutions across the country are digging into their history to understand how they were complicit in slavery. Spoiler Alert: they all were. It was the slavery-driven economic system that fueled the growth of our nation and was not discrete based on institutional boundaries. But what does it mean to be accountable? What does reconciliation look like? What about reparations? Saint Louis University in Missouri has engaged in a multi-year archival research process to bring to life the 6 enslaved individuals who the Jesuits brought to St. Louis in 1823. Dr. Jonathan Smith, Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, shares about the project and some of the lessons learned.
#SLU #SluHistory #NeverForget #EnslavedNotSlaves #DrKira #RaisingEquity #REPodcast #JonathanSmith #Reparations #The1870Wall

What coping with Racial Incidents Looks Like in Adults and Kids Oct 25, 2019

Show notes

When people experience or witness racially traumatic events, they can have a variety of responses. Even watching videos can impact your mental health. How do you cope with the ongoing incidents of racial injustice? Do you know what to look out for in yourself and the kids in your life? In this episode, I talk with a psychologist who has experience supporting people in their mental health journey. We discuss “who gets to angry?” “Who is rushed to forgive?” And we provide suggestions for how you might talk to kids and take care of yourself.
#selfcare #drjameca #drkira #raisingequity #REpodcast #racebasedtrauma #resilience #joyinsidemytears

https://youtu.be/s3oK_UXx6Ws

Revolutionary Art Oct 18, 2019

Show notes

Art can be revolutionary, as a way to capture what is and what can be. Cbabi Bayoc’s work has pushed the boundaries of how we see Black fathers, captured the spirit of the Ferguson Uprising, and graced the walls of countless schools. Raising Equity requires that kids are exposed to images that reflect themselves and others in their full humanity as opposed to narrow stereotypes, and this St. Louis based artist’s work does just that.
#Cbabi #CbabiBayoc #muralist #artist #muralartist #365DaysWithDad #artasrevolution #revolutionaryart #raisingequity #REpodcast #drkira

https://youtu.be/tvAaqBOmi7c

There is Life After Suicide Attempts Oct 10, 2019

Show notes

Talking about suicide doesn’t make people commit suicide. Too often when people are suicidal, they are told to be “happy for what you have” rather than asked to “tell me more about why you feel this way?” Sometimes we ignore the attempt once it has passed in hopes of moving forward rather than learning from the ideation. In this episode, I sit down with a young adult who has attempted suicide twice, is glad the attempts failed, and is adamant about being open about her mental health journey. I learned a lot and appreciate her willingness to share. #mentalhealthmatters #worldmentalhealthday #drkira #raisingequity #mentalhealth

Protecting Queer Youth Starts with YOU Oct 04, 2019

Show notes

The second season of Raising Equity is here just in time for Fall!!
Queer youth are often seen as the problem when in reality it’s the environment we have created and sanctioned as adults that is toxic and harmful to queer youths’ mental health. Dr. Katie Heiden-Rootes is therapist who works with families as they do their work to create supportive spaces for queer youth to grow. She also conducts research on how family, relationships, and context affect the well-being of queer youth. I learned a lot, and I trust you will too!
#RaisingEquity #REPodcast

https://youtu.be/i2dcZyZGibA

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