Personal Journeys

Interviews with individuals sharing their personal experiences and defining moments on their journey to work for social justice in the ways that they do. Sharing can include stories about people or experiences that were influential in forming their current social/political analysis and activism/solidarity at the individual, interpersonal, or macro level, as well as work/community accomplishments that were transformative for them on their journey. Interviews for episodes from this perspective can also include stories about how they’ve worked to interrupt and resist the impacts of internalized oppression to move toward liberation in consideration of their marginalized identities and/or how they have, from their places of privilege, sought to betray the systems that grant those privileges and work for liberation as well.

Personal Journeys

Education as an Act of Faith with Keith Edwards

Personal Journeys

Bloom Where You’re Planted with Claire Downing

2025

Personal Journeys

Phoenix Rising: “You’re a Part of Public Health, You Just Don’t Know it Yet” with Bryan O. Buckley

Dr. Bryan O. Buckley tells the story of how his Caribbean upbringing and the lessons he learned from watching his grandparent’s activism shaped his approach to leading for equity in public health. He reflects on pivotal moments in his life and career, the game-changing impact of mentoring and sponsorship, and how his superpower as a connector enables him to build relationships with people closest to the problems to facilitate change in communities and systems. Dr. Buckley affirms that we are all a part of public health and share a collective responsibility in making the world a better place. He encourages listeners to reflect on what their superpowers are, so they can use their unique gifts to make an impact in their own ways.

March 5, 2025

2024

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Personal Journeys

Unpacking the Box of Shame with Arc Telos Saint Amour

Arc Telos “Tay” Saint Amour (they/them) shares the roots of their social justice origin story, discussing experiences including the impact of childhood abuse, violence, abandonment, and systemic oppression on them as a trans, queer, and neurodivergent person. In connecting how their earlier experiences informed their approach to activism for social justice, Tay also explores the role of shame in preventing social progress and growth at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. Tay calls for us all to engage in the work of being honest with ourselves, critical of ourselves and our systems; highlighting the importance of storytelling in driving social justice and the importance of introspection and openness in creating a more equitable world. They also urge listeners to truthfully engage with their own stories and to consider future generations in their actions.

November 26, 2024
Personal Journeys

Holding Space: The Transformative Power of Being Witnessed and Supported with Leticia Peguero

From her early experiences watching the women in her family to discovering the writings of James Baldwin through his book ‘Another Country’ and the awakening that followed, and the emotional impact of hearing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Mountaintop speech, Leticia Peguero shares significant moments and influences that shaped her journey into social justice work.

Her storytelling of how she “fell into coaching” connects her personal experiences, her career in philanthropy, and her passion for and transformative work with coaching women of color. She talks about the work of depersonalizing internalized oppression by asking important questions like: “How much of this is personal, and how much is systemic? What is mine to hold? and What belongs to the system?”

November 12, 2024
Personal Journeys

Working in Cooperation and Opposition for the Greater Good with Courtney Holland

DEI Practitioner, Health Equity advocate, Educator, and lover of STEM Courtney Holland shares how her experiences spending Saturdays at a union hall for auto workers with her father in Detroit and her academic and cultural awakening after taking an Introduction to African American Studies as an undergraduate student laid the foundation for her current understanding of equity issues and her commitment to social justice.

She speaks on the essential role of culturally relevant education, the power of sharing our collective narratives, the complexities of doing DEI work within a capitalistic framework, and the journey of sitting with anger in social justice work.

October 17, 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
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
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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