Black. Girl. Iowa.

In this podcast episode, Latoya Lewis, the founder and CEO of Mahogany Doula Services, shares her inspiring journey from Illinois to Iowa, where she sought a safer and more stable environment for her family. Initially planning to leave Iowa, she fell in love with its affordable living, tranquility, and educational opportunities for her daughter. Balancing motherhood, Latoya pursued

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Destinee Woodris and Emili explore the significance of self-care, community, and the importance of building supportive relationships. They discuss the creation of Dr. Woodris's podcast, 'Porch Tea with Destinee’ as a platform for storytelling and connection, emphasizing the need for individuals to pursue their passions and embrace their unique i

In this episode of the Black Girl Iowa podcast, host Emili shares her personal healing journey, discussing the challenges of navigating depression, life changes, and the importance of self-care. She reflects on her experiences with insomnia, the significance of art and journaling in her healing process, and the necessity of sleep and routine. Emili emphasizes the importance of over

In this podcast episode, Betty C. Andrews, the president and CEO of Betty Andrews Media and executive director of Iowa’s African American Festival, shares insights into the impactful history of “I’ll Make Me A World in Iowa,” which has become the state’s largest African American festival since its inception in 1998. Originally a national call to action, the festival has e

Audrey Kennis, the Human Services and Inclusion Director for the City of West Des Moines, shares her journey from Denver, Colorado to Iowa and her experiences at Clarke University. She discusses the culture shock she experienced in Iowa and the microaggressions she faced as a Black woman. Audrey's story highlights the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion in all aspects

In this reflective episode, Emili discusses her experiences and accomplishments throughout 2024, a year she describes as challenging yet transformative. She shares her proudest moments, including graduating from grad school, starting a new teaching career, and leaving a toxic relationship. Emili emphasizes the importance of self-celebration, personal growth, and the power of stor

In this episode of the Black Girl Iowa podcast, host Emili and guests Dr. Wanakee Carr and Erika Bailey discuss the aftermath of the recent presidential election in the United States. They reflect on their personal feelings about the election results, the significance of Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign, and the impact of demographics on voting patterns. The conversation al

In this conversation, Emili and Clementé Love have a dynamic conversation that focuses on the importance of advocacy and empathy in addressing racial issues on campus and in society. It highlights the need for individuals to care about and support marginalized communities, even if they don't personally know someone from that community. They highlight the need for black women to

In this episode of the Black. Girl. Iowa. podcast, host Emili shares a personal check-in, discussing her recent life transitions, including a job change, returning to therapy, and completing her graduate program. She emphasizes the importance of mental health and self-care, particularly in light of the challenging social and political climate. Emili also introduces her upcoming re

Dr. Jasmine Ross is a licensed psychologist, and owner of Essence Psychological Health Services in Houston, Texas. In this episode, she shares her experience growing up in the Bronx and the unique aspects of being a New Yorker. She discusses the impact of her annual visits from her cousins in Iowa and how it challenged her to think about life outside of New York. Dr. Ross also tal