START WITH GRATITUDE

FELLOWSHIP DEFINED

As the inaugural Reginald L. Jones Senior Fellow, I am committed to the people as a namesake. This column will unfurl issues and concerns of the Black community while at the same time illuminating the brilliance of Black People. Over the next weeks, the contributions to the Indianapolis Recorder will be in the areas of Health/Wellness, Education, Music, and Culture. I am grateful for the opportunity and ask that you read and share.

IN THE BEGINNING, aLPHA. (W2)

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This week, I had the privilege of interviewing Alpha Blackburn about her life, work, and, most importantly, ownership of her freed self. It is the latter because of society's continual fight with women, knowingly or unknowingly, and Alpha's remarkable exuded ability to see as God's Masterpiece missioned for our community.

TALL VOWELS!(W3)

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This week, I celebrated Black Music and our (Black People's) place in musical history - like Opera. I talked with Indianapolis Diamond, the world-renowned Soprano, Angela Brown. She shared, "Opera is the most diverse genre; the audience is the antithesis," Selah. The piece asks us, as Black people, to expand our musical taste by checking out "Opera, from a Sistah's Point of View"

WORK IN PROGRESS (W4)

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As the country celebrates independence, I examine the American Galleries at Newfields. I delineate how they define "disrupt" and try to determine if the American Galleries at Newfields are moving forward with diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Come along as I speak with Natalya Herndon, Newfields' Public Relations Manager, on this week's podcast. After you listen, read the article and determine if the American Galleries at Newfields are moving forward with diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

BE NIMBLE! (W5)

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Have you ever wanted or a little help getting your ideas off the ground or access to new opportunities, then you have to tune in this week to hear the mission and vision of Be Nimble Foundation. Join me as I speak with Be Nimble's co-founder Jeff Williams. For this one, you will need something to write with; he dropped plenty of nuggets. Be sure to read the article in this week's Indianapolis Recorder.

tHERE wILL bE nO DIMMED LIGHTS, WE COMFORTABLE! (w6)

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This week in the Indianapolis Recorder, I address the ability to shine bright regardless of circumstance, and how the fellowship continues to illuminate the Black community's brilliance.

TILL (W7)

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This week I had the opportunity to meet Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley's story anew, and to reflect on how their courage still shapes the fight for justice today.

Effective TodayLearing w/Marrisa Miller (W8)

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This week join me as I reflect on learning from the brilliant Marrisa Miller and what it means to be effective, today, in the work we do for our community.

Books & Libraries(W9)

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This week's column celebrates books and libraries as spaces of liberation, and the fellows and scholars who keep them alive in our community.

Happy Birthday, Hip-Hop! (W10)

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This week I celebrate Hip-Hop's birthday and its role as a cultural self-object for a generation raised on its rhythm and truth.

Looking at the past to determine the future (w11)

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This week on the podcast, I have Dr. Khalilah A. Shabazz (Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) join me to look at the past to determine the future of our community.

After the funeral good grief(W12)

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This is the final week as the Reginald L. Jones Senior fellow, and I reflect on grief, gratitude, and what comes after.