We lost this show 3 times. THREE! Still, we persisted to bring you a conversation that is full of complexities and teeming with love. Ebony & Yonnas are joined by Blake Jackson @_blackson_ for a deep dive into their most recent Black film & community collaboration, "A Love Letter to Black Liberation." The March 2024 red carpet event showcased a night of black indie films, live performance by Yonnas, and the premier of the music video "A Dream Ebony." We discuss what we love, what we're fighting for, what we're avoiding, celebrating and reading on this journey toward liberation.

For more information on Yonnas & Blake's project and to watch the full video for "A Dream Ebony" visit: https://www.alovelettertoblackliberation.com/adreamebony

IG: @alovelettertoblackliberation

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction / Overview

10:57 The Coercion of Patriarchal Systems

39:42 Divesting from Capitalism for Black Liberation

56:38 Envisioning an Anti-racist Society

01:08 Speaking of Beyonce...

01:18 The Need for Ruthless Criticism of Existing Systems

01:45 The Pressure on Beyonce: Expectations and Criticisms

02:04 Navigating Complex Issues Nuanced Discussions and Understanding

02:16 Conclusions and Reflections

02:29 What Are You Reading?

Links: Ebony’s Website - https://www.ebonyisisbooth.com/

Ebony’s Instagram - @coachebonysaid

Yonnas’ Website - https://www.mynameisyonnas.com/

Yonnas’ Instagram - @mynameisyonnas

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Real talk. I think we both had vulnerability hangovers after this conversation. We cover the bases of 20 years of friendship by examining what happens when old ghosts show up to defame and intimidate you out of your truth. Remember, nobody can tell your story better than you. This episode sat in the drafts for 3 months but deserves a deep listen. No time stamps this week. Just vibes and saying the quiet parts out loud.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s episode, Ebony and Yonnas take a step back from rigor and research to check in with each other. Hear about how “My Little Pony” became a therapeutic tool for rest and reflection and the 9 year anniversary of Ebony’s Twitter dragging. The illusion of social media: followers vs. friends, influencers vs. leaders and why we want The Good Wife to sit down somewhere. In the second half of the show, Yonnas highlights the significance of the political consciousness of black people. Ebony goes straight doomsday. Yonnas offers a solution to afro pessimism and we discuss healing as the pathway to Black autonomy. Overall we agree that we want to be in community with people who are healed and healing and discuss the importance and accessibility of therapy for the folks in the movement. 

***Juliana was technically right about the Jim Crow playbook for Germany but we’re still big mad about literally everything else. Here’s a link for clarity and correctness.

Ebony’s Website - https://www.ebonyisisbooth.com/

Ebony’s Instagram - @coachebonysaid

Yonnas’ Website - https://www.mynameisyonnas.com/

Yonnas’ Instagram - @mynameisyonnas

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.