2024

Personal Journeys

Rooted in Baltimore: Navigating Social Injustice with Barre Jones

Barre Jones did not always have an understanding of systemic injustice. In this episode, Barre shares how his moments of activation were sparked during his time in the military, where he felt like he was on the wrong side of the ropes after being sent into Baltimore during the uprising after the murder of Freddie Gray. From his upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland, to his military service and experiences with racial discrimination, Barre’s story emphasizes that while contributions to equity work can vary, they are all valuable.

October 1, 2024
Organizational Histories

Facilitating Change: Education Justice and Unharmonius Organizing with kyle lim

In this episode of Social Justice Origin Stories, Relando talks with kyle lim, a passionate racial justice advocate and community organizer. Originally from Singapore, kyle shares some of his experiences navigating complex racial identities and confronting systemic inequities in the U.S., particularly in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his storytelling about the education justice work at the Urban Core Collective, kyle speaks to the necessity of building community power, addressing systemic flaws, and prioritizing material redistribution for genuine social transformation. His storytelling also honors the critical role of youth in driving meaningful change.

October 1, 2024
Educational Segments

Student Solidarity as Praxis: Popular Education in Action with Tony Nelson

Tony Nelson, explores his development from his rural Michigan upbringing to becoming an active participant in progressive movements and education. Tony revisits the significance of his time as an undergraduate student at Grand Valley State University, recalling how attending a campus presentation by Jane Elliott served as a starting point for his emerging consciousness and involvement as a student on campus.

October 1, 2024
Personal Journeys

Weaving Past, Present, and Future: Healing Timelines with Jouapag Lee

Jouapag Lee, a passionate advocate for social justice, healing, and liberation, shares her personal journey and motivations. She reflects on pivotal experiences that shaped her activism, including a deeply personal incident of racial and gender-based harassment in college that drastically shifted her worldview and led her into organizing.

October 1, 2024
Personal Journeys

Making Race Heard with Surabhi Pandit

Relando sits down with Surabhi Pandit, Macro Social Worker, equity advocate, and personal friend, to discuss the powerful role leveraging her networks in student government to organize dialogues on race and equity at The University of Michigan School of Social Work had on her journey.

October 1, 2024
Personal Journeys

Education as the Practice of Freedom with Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of ‘Social Justice Origin Stories,’ we sit down with Dr. Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury to explore the personal experiences and pivotal moments that shaped her commitment to equity and social justice. As a former Detroit public school teacher and now a professor at Grand Valley State University, Dr. Bailey-Fakhoury delves into the lessons learned from her grandmother, the challenges faced during her early years, and the powerful influence of Black educators in her life.

October 1, 2024
Educational Segments

Resisting Oppression by Building Trust and Connection with Amber Banks

Dr. Amber Banks shares her personal journey into activism and social justice work. She speaks on the complexities of trust, how personal and cultural experiences shape trust, and the intersection of trust with race and power. Dr. Banks discusses the importance of creating spaces where individuals can feel seen and heard and stresses the critical nature of repair in the trust-building process. Her storytelling also touches on the necessity of rest and self-care in sustaining activism and promoting resilience against systemic oppression.

October 1, 2024
Project Updates / Reflections

My Why for Social Justice Origin Stories

I’m a macro social worker, social justice educator, and consultant who uses media and education to advance equity and social justice within people, organizations, and communities. I’ve been reflecting on how oppression thrives in isolation, and how being in community with others offers solutions to many of the problems we face.

October 1, 2024