Listening to Black Voices

Longtime Educator Dr. Caryl J. Sheffield on the Power of Culturally Sensitive Teaching

Sheffield, a retired professor, also shares the story of her paternal grandfather, Caesar Sheffield, who was lynched in the early 1900s, and how his death resonated in her family.

05/09/2023 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

David Wilkins on Reconstruction, Reparation and Black Excellence

“Some people don’t want that history to be taught. It challenges the myth they like to maintain."

04/10/2023 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Longtime Human Resources Executive Mirian Graddick-Weir on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The daughter of a former nun and NASA's director of education, Graddick-Weir was most recently executive vice-president of HR at Merck.

03/13/2023 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Dr. Janjay Gehndyu on Emotional Intelligence and the Power of Education

Gehndyu is the former principal of Visible Men Academy.

02/06/2023 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Tomeika Hunter-Koski on Serving in the Army, Education and Her Charitable Work in Africa

“For decades, Black people have been told to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps when too many of us don’t have boots—and the powers that be continue to systemically keep the boots out of reach."  

01/11/2023 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Rev. Larry Green Sr. on the Church's Role in the Black Community and the Hope in Helping Others

"Allowing people to express their anger, frustration and/or sadness can help them find comfort and strength."

12/19/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Charlayne Hunter-Gault on Her New Book and 50 Years of Reporting on Black Life

"We must learn to talk to people who don’t agree with us, which is a challenge these days. Communication is the essence of our existence. In so many ways, this is how we will open doors.”

11/07/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Malushua Griffith on Growing Up in St. Croix, Entrepreneurship and Black Maternal Health

"When it comes to doctors, Black women need them not to see our color—we need them to listen and act."

10/11/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Jetson Grimes on Sarasota's Black History and the Importance of Community Activism

"I believe in bringing people together. Everyone is human."

09/13/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Melanie Thomas on Succeeding in the Entertainment Industry and Empowering Young People

"Why can’t we accept each other for the purpose to unify, not to destroy? In unity, there is strength."

08/09/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Media Executive George Miles on Career Pivots, Doo-wop and the Need for Black People in the Newsroom

"This country needs a dialogue, not a monologue."

07/11/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Dr. Janet Taylor on Generational Trauma and How Racism Affects Mental Health

"Silence and inaction are damaging. We are not in a position within America and within our communities to be inactive or inattentive."

06/13/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Entrepreneur Lillian Lambert on Being the First Black Woman to Graduate from Harvard Business School

"In my class of about 800 students, 18 were women and six were Black: five men and me."

05/10/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Former J&J Executive Marilyn Thompson on Diversity, Inclusion and Corporate Culture

Marilyn Thompson also weighs in on the Will Smith/Chris Rock altercation and its broader implications for the Black Community.

04/12/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Neirda Thompson-Pemberton on Diversity in Engineering and Inspiring Kids Through S.T.E.A.M.

"Diversity and inclusion aren’t about an afterthought. They're about intent, from the beginning."

03/16/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Attorney E. Keith DuBose on Why Sarasota Needs More Black Lawyers

"As a nation, we have become so polarized that it seems the goal is to make others wrong instead of realizing what’s right. We need common voices right now."

02/08/2022 By Heather Dunhill

First Person

'Listening to Black Voices' Shares Stories of Black Life in Sarasota-Manatee

The series reveals the obstacles and triumphs of navigating a nation that continues to struggle with racism and inequality.

01/14/2022

Listening to Black Voices

Dr. Lisa Merritt on Epigenetics, Access and Equity in Health Care

"Be purposeful, tell the truth, and elucidate what the issues are—and, at the same time, come ready with solutions and strategies."

01/11/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Information Engineer Derik Perry on Artificial Intelligence, Algothrimic Bias and Social Media

"We have to be aware that social media has the potential to do harm and that, purely by the use of it, people are exposed to an algorithmic bias."

12/14/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Talent Agent and Attorney Nurisha Harvey on Activism, Implicit Bias, and Equity vs. Equality

Harvey, who grew up with major civil rights activists, talks about where we are today in the struggle for equality.

11/10/2021 By Heather Dunhill