Street Genius Radio is a space for entrepreneurs of color to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color; as well as a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production. Street Genius had the opportunity to sit down with Jazmine Budah; who is here to talk about her process and experiences that eventually led to her writing the book “Mothering through Pain, and Suffering through Silence”. 
              Ini knows Jazmine Boudah from her work, and completion, at the Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy.  Both are graduates of the program, which focuses on training designed to meet the cultural, personal, civic and professional development needs of young African-American entrepreneurs. If you want to learn more about the program, be sure to visit http://aalftc.org.
              Other than being a proud author and mother, she also heads a group entitled Black Lotus Mothers, which Jazmine describes on their website as,
“A mindset and a movement. We are breaking the silence and breaking the cycle with us and our children.”  
              Through her difficult journey enduring the ups and downs of her own pregnancy, Jazmine found her passion.  She was sick and tired of seeing woman of color (primarily black woman) disrespected and largely ignored by the medical field, especially when it came to the birthing process.
              She’s been an all-natural birth advocate since she carried her first child, and works as a Doula, which is like a midwife who focuses on preparing the mother for the birthing process and ensuring that’s she is as calm and prepared as possible to bring healthy life into this world, if at all possible, without the use of drugs or an Epidural.
              Three weeks after being diagnosed with Post-partum depression, Jazmine was let go from her position with Teach for America, as their Director of Summer Residency Program. Since then, Ms. Boudah has successfully helped deliver 12 happy babies as a Doula, most of them being all natural, at home births. 
              Ini and Jazmine go on to talk about how society is often quick to assume that black women are capable of tolerating, or accepting, more pain and anguish then the average women.  Often times, these pretenses bleed into the medical field and how so called “medical professionals” talk  to and treat people. 
              Ms. Budah stresses the importance of listening to your body and what it needs, as well as setting aside plenty of time for exercise and healthy eating. Which are both equally important while carrying or when trying to conceive.
              The importance of creating a space where your culture, the birthing process, and your newborn child will be respected is Jasmines’ main focus and passion.  She supports all of her clients whole heartedly, and presses no judgment, should one of them opt or request an Epidural at any point during the pregnancy. Jasmine is currently fundraising to obtain her certification as a doula. This certification will allow low income women to have a doula which is paid for by insurance, rather than out of pocket.
 You can follow Jasmine  on: 
Instagram: @BlackLotusMothers
 http://blacklotusmothers.org/ubuntu-minneapolis/

Street Genius Radio is run by volunteers in a community run station. If you would like to support Street Genius Radio Show, and help us hire more interns to produce our program, you can support us on Patreon.

Street Genius Radio is a space for entrepreneurs of color to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color; as well as a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production. Street Genius had the opportunity to sit down with Andrew McGlory; a career architect who owns his own company entitled Architect McGlory.
              Ini starts off the interview with asking Mr. McGlory about his educational background and what it was like attending a predominantly white university as a black man in the late 60s. As a freshman at the University of Illinois in 1969, Andrew was one of seven African American men at University of Illinois’ architecture program. Of those 7, only 3 graduated, and Mr. McGlory attributes much of his success in school with having ample experience growing up and working in primarily white communities where.  He goes on to talk about some of the professors that he had that either had it out for him or seriously doubted his success.  But that was fine with him, having he had had plenty of experience by that time with being doubted and underestimated.
              Mr. McGlory drew parallels between his experiences during and after college with the popular Ralph Ellison Novel, “Invisible Man”.  Which catalogs the journey of a successful black graduate while he unsuccessfully looks for a position in his field.  To his dismay, the protagonist later learns, thanks to a potential employer, that what he thought was a positive letter of recommendation was in reality a derogatory and racist statement persuading the intended reader not to hire him on account of his race alone.
              We then touched on the close relationship between art, math, and science and how Western societies have the tendency to separate art from the other two for purpose of categorizing as an applied art, where you are designing for people, rather than creating something for the sole purpose of functionality.  Mr. McElroy goes on to mention that he had terrific grades in both math and science but would have appreciated the option to incorporate more art classes into his schooling, which he felt would have helped him, and others, develop into a better architect.  McGlory also spoke in depth about a sociology class that he took as a freshman, which he thoroughly enjoyed until finding out that the majority of his professors were keeping private journals cataloging his successes and failures as a student and a developing human being.
              In this report, He noticed that none of his Science or math professors, the classes he excelled in, had written very much about him; but when it came to his psychology or sociology professors, they couldn’t seem to write enough.  Comments in regards to how his “urban background” affected him negatively and one professor even went as far to call him “ culturally deprived” based on the fact that he was, in the professors’ words, from a “ghetto background”. 
              One of the most interesting and  stories that we heard during our interview was an instance where Mr. McGlory found out through one of his classmates that worked in the office that his sociology professor had been monitoring him specifically throughout the year.  His trusted fellow classmate managed to snag his file before it was disposed of.

McGlory spoke at length about the difficulties in founding, and funding, The Association of Black Architectural Student Association (BASA), & it’s scholarship fund.  He was closely involved with Project 500, which is a program that facilitated 500 black youth for a hands on experience at a college or university.  During his time with the organization, Mr. McGlory was denied funding for the University itself and was forced to look elsewhere.  Through networking over the years he found a friend in the famous African-American premier architect John Batousie who generously donated enough to cover the cost.  Further proving that if you want something done, you have to go out and get it for yourself through hard work and sometimes pulling on the resources around you and your community at large.
 
Street Genius Radio is run by volunteers in a community run station. If you would like to support Street Genius Radio Show, and help us hire more interns to produce our program, you can support us on Patreon.

Street Genius Radio is a space for entrepreneurs of color to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color; as well as a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production. Street Genius had the opportunity to sit down with Anne Hendrickson, who is the founder of Work It Co-working , one of the first ever co-working space that features a healthy alternative to the traditional office environment.  Anne brought her two sons, Jonah and Gabe to the show, and at least one of them was happy to be there.
              We started off the show by thanking the 30+ donors who helped us reach 8,000 dollar, zero interest, loan through Kiva. This loan is going to go towards reaching out and training women of color in the technology field.  So a big thanks again to everyone who donated or showed support for the cause.
              A good friend of Ini’’, and former Public Allies (Americorps) alumni, Tasha Cox also joined us to discuss her experiences with traditional work place settings and how it affected her as a mother.
              Anne talked about the importance of good blood circulation when it comes to thinking and working efficiently, not just at work but also in the home.  She compared long periods of sitting as the new smoking. More and more studies have been coming out that identify relationships of long periods of sitting with having negative impacts on an individuals’ sleep schedule, posture, and even mental health.   
              Anne spoke about a former work colleague who was dealing with weight and health problems, and in an attempt to be healthier and lose weight, he would limit himself to a mere 1200 calories.  Most of the health issues he was facing could have been directly attributed to sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day and the poor eating habits that tend to come with working in a high-stress office setting.  
              Who knows what kind of shape he could have be in today had he had access to a healthier working environment his whole life, not just a diet, but also a more positive lifestyle all around.  Finding the time in an 8 hour work day to be active or eat healthy can not only be inconvenient depending on where you work, but also expensive.  Especially for women, who traditionally make less money doing the same work, which leaves them with fewer resources?
              Being a female owned business, Anne encourages everyone to bring their children, no matter how old, to WorkIt and to feel free to breast feed where they like and of course according to their comfort level. Just another unique benefit of renting a co-working space owned by a local mother!
              Tasha spoke on her personal struggle with breast-feeding both of her daughters while being employed full-time.  She spoke of a time where she was employed at a bank and was forced (asked) to “pump” next to the furnace in a back room of the bank.  Needless to say, no one will be forced to feed in a back room at Miss Hendrickson’s Co-WorkIt.
              WorkIt Co-working offers walking desks, standing desks, biking desks, exercise balls, ample free parking, full kitchen, and a fitness area, with various equipment, as well as enclosed spaces out of the way if you require privacy.  WorkIt Co-working is located in the St. Paul midway neighborhood; just off the Green line at 635 Fairview Ave N. 55104. 
Our program is run by volunteers in a community run station. If you would like to support Street Genius Radio Show, and help us hire more interns to produce our program, you can support us on Patreon.

​Street Genius Radio is a space for entrepreneurs of color to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color; as well as a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production. Street Genius had the opportunity to sit down with Sagirah Shahid, African American Muslim poet and creative spirit. In this episode, we explored the business of being a writer, and the intentionality of occupying space as a black female writer. 
Sagirah is the 2015-2016 winner of the Loft Literary Center's Mentor Series award in poetry, a 2016 winner of the Minnesota Center for Book Arts Mentorship award. In 2017, she was the recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant. Her poetry has been published widely, in publications including: Mizna, Paper Darts, The Fem, The Qu, Bluestem, For Harriet and Blue Minaret Literary Journal.
When Street Genius Radio first asked to interview Sagirah, she was hesitant because she didn’t see herself as an entrepreneur. Sagirah admitted she has a funny relationship with that word, because she comes from a family of entrepreneurs. Ironically, though she tries to shy away from entrepreneurship, everything she does seems to tie back to it. Her Grandma used to sell all kinds of stuff. As a kid, her first job as a five year old was being her cashier for a small business on West Broadway.
Fast forward to adult-hood; Sagirah was first introduced to the world of adult creative writing at the Loft Literary Center. She was awarded money to participate in the mentorship program there, which is she we got connected with the project How Dare We! Write. During one of her workshops at the Loft Literary Center, one of the mentors expressed to the class that she wished there was a creative writing textbook specifically for people of color. Everyone in the workshop enthusiastically responded “we should it, we should do it!” Eventually the teacher capitulated, and began to work on the project of a creative writing textbook specifically for people of color.
Street Genius Radio had the opportunity to hear Sagirah read an excerpt from How Dare We! Write.  The section Sagirah shared focused on the idea of identity, & the inability to sever the connection between identity and the creative process. Human have as well as the complexity of identity,  often inhabiting several different existences at the same time. Sagirah shared some of her multiple identities: Muslim, Woman, Black. People have so many layers, which is reflected in the layered meanings of literature. The complexity of human beings is exemplified through Sagirah’s spoken word. Admittedly she self-identifies as quite shy, and awkward but when she performs she becomes a different person. Coming from a tradition of spoken word, she worked very hard to cultivate this outward facing personality to perform. Performing produces a different intimacy, a different vulnerability you can’t control it, just raw human energy. She spoke to the dichotomy of human existence where you may shy away from that raw vulnerability, but at the same time also crave it.  
Towards the end of our time with Sagirah we circled back to where art meets entrepreneurship. What’s the business of being a writer? How does one exist as a writer? How do you pay the bills? Sagirah shared multiple strategies to pay the bills while remaining an artist. One way is a 9-5 job, which she often does. There are also grants you can apply for to get funding for your writing. Sagirah stressed the importance of valuing yourself and what you bring to the table. She advises writers not to undervalue their work, & giving yourself permission to apply for more grant money. Be comfortable stipulating organizations or companies pay for you to perform at events. Hopeful authors may not become rich as a writer or a poet, but can make enough to live a comfortable life. .  
 

Street genius radio is a space for entrepreneurs of color to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color. In the same spirit, Street Genius is a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production.
Kevin Williams, co-founder of the Take a Knee Foundation, came to KRSM Radio Southside Media Project to talk about the upcoming National Take A Knee Conference: Race, Police, & the Right to Protest. On the weekend of the Super Bowl, not to mention the start of Black History Month, they are hosting a conference, followed by a protest and rally on Sunday February 4.

One of the advantages of hosting a rally/conference during the Superbowl weekend is partially due to the high visibility of the event. Another reason is that because of the Superbowl issues intersecting race and poverty become more noticeable. For example on the day of the Superbowl there will be restricted access to public transportation…. pretty sure that public transportation is paid for using taxpayers dollars’. Generally speaking people take the bus because they cannot afford a car; and we all know that black bodies have been systematically economically stymied due to the legacy of racism in this country. Now they’re making public transportation only a space for the privileged? What is that about?
Kevin Williams said that Take a Knee Nation was in some respects started because of Colin Kaepernick’s decision sit on the bench during the national anthem to protest police brutality. However Kevin was very intentional about saying that the movement isn’t about Kaepernick because athletes have been protesting for decades. A movement can’t be based off of one person but off of a collective. The conference that will take place is about building community power, a movement doesn’t end and stop with one person.  
The purpose of the conference is to bring together everyone across the country who has protested police brutality, especially those who have taken a knee to protest police violence and the families of victims particularly those who have remained on the front lines in this struggle. The Conference is designed to deepen our understanding of the issues of police violence, racism and our right to protest. It’s also an opportunity to meet and be in community and fellowship with others in this struggle for justice. It’s a chance to work together to come up with ways we can continue to put pressure on this government to end this scourge on our society.
Ini Augustine and Kevin Williams also talked about how do we direct the conversation back to black women and how they are affected by police brutality? Usually the conversation focuses on how black men are affected by police brutality. Major changes and/or progress that have happened in this country have been made possible because of the emotional and physical labor of black women. But when it comes time to congratulate, black women conveniently are forgotten. If you want to attend the upcoming conference and rally register at the link listed below.
www.takeakneenation.com/
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Street genius radio is a space for entrepreneurs of color to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color; as well as a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production. 
Street Genius asked Anahita (Ahrar) Champion to chime in on the conversations about models & women in the entertainment industry and their safety, in the age of Weinstein. She is the producer and host of her YouTube series, HitaTalk, where she highlights creative entrepreneurs and artists throughout the Twin Cities. Anahita is also an award-winning event correspondent where she shines on camera and on stage with her charisma and wit whether she is emceeing, red carpet hosting and event promoting.
Anahita (Ahrar) Champion shared some of her experiences working as a  spokesmodel and in the entertainment industry at large. For example models/actresses/clients can often be taken advantage of by agents/agencies especially when the woman looking for employment is unaware of typical protocol when working with an agent. Anahita told us about a  model branding workshop that she held a few years ago where they discussed important topics like  agency rapport,  conduct that is and is not okay with makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, and photographers. When the talent knows what to expect they can take precautions to avoid unethical behavior.

According to Anahita, women looking for work through an agency should never pay an agency to get work. Typically an agency should take about 15-20% commission off of whatever jobs they book for you. No money is worth your safety. If an agent is asking for money up front then that means they are getting paid for work that they haven’t even done yet. Their job is to find you work. Therefore the commission off of the jobs they book you for is their incentive to find you gigs. An agency is supposed to screen jobs for you to try and protect you from potentially dangerous situations. However there is only so much screening an agency can do, and issues can arise with photographers, wardrobe stylists, directors, etc. Unfortunately we live in a society where men can get away with certain inappropriate behavior, so Anahita advises that you have to follow your gut. If something feels off, if you don’t feel comfortable, simply walk off the set. No money or amount of exposure is worth your personal safety. There was a story circulating about a photographer right here in the Twin Cities who was behaving inappropriately with freelance models. He would text them or send them e-mails to invite them out to happy hour to “get to know each other” before the shoot. Thankfully several women were brave enough to share their experiences working with him, and he was blocked from a group that would give him access to these women. There was another situation where a model from the Twin Cities was booked for a job in Mexico and the producer invited her up to have a “private conversation” in his hotel room”. She called her Mom to tell her about it, she didn’t feel comfortable, and booked a flight back to the United States right away. Even though Anahita is a seasoned professional, she still hears and sees behavior that puts women’s safety on the back burner. Hopefully after talking with Anahita on Street Genius women feel more empowered to not feel scared to say “I don’t feel safe.” and walk away. Check out Anahita as the new host of Candy Fresh’s upcoming season. ​

Street genius radio is a space for black entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges that are unique to people of color; as well as a space for low-income people of color to get on the job training in radio and video production. Street Genius spoke with Susan Campion, co- founder of the Giant Steps conference. Susan shared what it means to "Be completely, unabashedly, yourself.” Susan Campion is the founder of Camponovo Consulting, where she works with leaders to crystallize, scope, and execute emerging business strategies. She combines strong analytical skills and creative capabilities to help your team re-frame problems, identify new opportunities, and design new ways of working. She has spent her career working across cultures, industries, and sectors–fostering innovative and “unlikely” collaborations and constructively blurring boundaries between business and art.
Susan grew up in an extremely corporate family, where job and financial security were highly valued. The first twelve years of her career she worked for 3M, seven of those years were spent overseas. Even though she was raised to “work a regular job” she knew she didn’t want to work at 3M for forever. A couple of Susan’s friends had managed to leave their corporate jobs to start new ventures, and somehow managed to survive. Even though Susan had no idea what she was going to do, she decided to leave her good paying job to find a space where she could “Be completely, unabashedly, herself.”
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