The Kira Banks Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Trans Women are Women May 24, 2019

Show notes

Wriply Marie Bennet is the truth. From her artwork to activism, Wriply centers the experiences of queer folx of color. Coming up on the anniversary of what became known as Black Pride 4, Wriply talks about the action and the aftermath. What started as a peaceful disruption to call attention to violence against trans folx and police violence, became violent when the police physically assaulted peaceful protesters while parade goers cheered and spit.

From her start with the Trans Women of Color Collective to her recently unveiled project Transfuturism, Wriply’s talent is clear. Listen in on some of this #BlackGirlMagic Let’s celebrate Black trans folx in life, not just mourn folx in death.

#Transfuturism #CelebrateTransPeople #BlackPride4 #ProtectTransPeople #TransRightsareHumanRights # MuhlaysiaBooker

Yes to Abortion Rights, and It’s Much Bigger Than That May 19, 2019

Show notes

Abortion rights are getting all the press- rightfully so given the bans across the country but the issue is bigger than rights and bigger than access.

Reproductive justice activists and organizations have been working for decades to ensure people have the information and access they need to make decisions for their lives. Pamela Merritt, co-founder and co-director of Reproaction, shares her wisdom and insights to help us see the bigger picture.

Watch to get informed about what you can do and how you can get engaged.

Give at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/reproaction
-and/or-
https://nnaf.formstack.com/forms/donate
https://www.gwaf.org/donate

#DrKira #RaisingEquity #REPodcast #Reproaction #PamelaMerritt #Abortion #AbortionRights #AbortionFunds #NNAF #StopTheBans

https://youtu.be/biZI_L10tMk

It Takes a Village – Uzazi Village May 17, 2019

Show notes

Given the recent bill up for a vote in Missouri that would ban abortions as early as 8 weeks and the Alabama decision, centering the needs and care of Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by such bills, is even more pressing.

Hakima Tafunzi Payne (“Mama Hakima”) does just that. She birthed Uzazi Village as a place dedicated to health before, during and after pregnancy to address disparities in health. Mama Hakima has stepped up and stepped out for Black babies, mothers, and the broader community through the education and resources provided by the Village. Listen in on what’s going on inside and outside of Uzazi Village as a testament to how one person’s vision really can change the world.

#BlackGirlMagic #BlackExcellence #ItTakesaVillage #UzaziVillage #DrKira #RaisingEquity #REPodcast #MamaHakima

#BlackGirlMagic Personified May 10, 2019

Show notes

Black Girl Magic! I sat down with the uber-talented Brittany Ferrell to talk about her latest projects, being a Black woman, and the ways we get lost in the margins and the ways we persist and thrive in spite of it all.
DrKira #RaisingEquity #REPodcast #BrittanyFerrell #BlackGirlMagic #BlackExcellence #YouLuckyYouGotaMama

Use Your Privilege to Highlight Inequity. It’s a Thing: #LeverageYourPrivilege May 03, 2019

Show notes

In this throwback interview from November 2018, I revisit the actions of four women in Memphis, Tennessee who used their white privilege to highlight how racism, profiling, and discrimination show up in dress codes and physical appearance. These four women made their way to a local Memphis area mall where black men had recently been arrested merely for wearing hoodies. These white women go into the mall wearing hoodies just like the black men and surprise, surprise! They don’t get arrested! A great example of #WhiteFolkWork.
How are you leveraging your privilege? What action can you take that’s comfortable for you but might draw attention to how others are treated unfairly? #DrKira #RaisingEquity #REPodcast

*BONUS* See another interview I did with the Hoodie Moms on the same subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ1yw2yENGE

Leveraging Your White Privilege and Becoming an Ally Apr 26, 2019

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how White allies become allies? It doesn’t happen over night, and it’s not a final destination. Christie Huck, a founding parent of City Garden Montessori Charter School, shares stories from growing up to making friends as an adult that have shaped her awareness of her White privilege and shaped her identity

#RaisingEquity #WhiteFolkWork #ChristieHuck #DrKira #WhitePrivilege #REPod #podcast #LeverageYourPrivilege

Understanding “White Kids” with Maggie Hagerman Apr 19, 2019

Show notes

How do we make sure that White kids grow up to White adults who are anti-racist? We understand how they make sense of race. We engage them in conversation. We help them learn the historical and present role of racism. We are intentional and don’t leave it to chance.

Maggie Hagerman was in town recently, and we sat down to talk about her book, White Kids, which follows dozens of White families and kids to understand their ideas about race. #whitekids #raisingequity #offthesidelines #MaggieHagerman #WhiteFolkWork

Debtors Prisons: Close the Workhouse Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

DID YOU KNOW that some people accused of crimes in St. Louis, Missouri’s “Workhouse” jail spend almost 300 days in jail, only to have their charges dropped?! Debtors prisons, or jailing people simply for the crime of being poor, is still a problem in the U.S. Can it be reformed? Abolished? I speak with activist, nurse, and public health student Brittany Ferrell about ‘Close the Workhouse’ — a campaign to not only close St. Louis’ Medium Security Institution, but to create a vision of community investment and solutions that keep others from falling prey to a criminal (in)justice system.
#RaisingEquity #CloseTheWorkhouse #STLouis

https://youtu.be/ZiR3H2gQ5aM

White Folk Work is a Family Affair Apr 12, 2019

Show notes

White folk work requires reflection and action. In this episode, I talk to a mother and daughter pair that do just that. Adelaide Lancaster, co-founder of We Stories, and her daughter Eloise spoke out when they felt their community leadership made a hiring mis-step. When asked what advice she would give to other kids who want to speak out she said, “Believe in yourself and just say what you want to say.” *preach!*
#RaisingEquity #DrKira #whitefolkwork #likemotherlikedaughter #WeStories

Homophobia: Helping Kids Make Sense of it All Apr 05, 2019

Show notes

My 12 year old and I reflect on the homophobia and heterosexism series. The episodes have been a gift. We talk about the different stories we have heard but also the structures that are in place that make the stories of tension and struggle sound similar. Avery and I are grateful for our community and their willingness to share!

https://youtu.be/OAsu7VH2D-Y

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