December 15, 2025 • 59 mins
This week on The Black Perspective, Esther Dillard sits down with LaTosha Brown to discuss the We Ain’t Buyin’ It campaign — a movement focused not just on boycotts, but on economic empowerment that uplifts Black businesses and communities.
Vanessa Tyler explores what former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is doing with AI to support schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
BIN’s Morgyn Wood talks with Dr. Marquita Taylor about using her personal journey to highlight why Black women continue to face higher cancer mortality rates than other racial groups.
Ramses Ja, Q Ward, Esther Dillard, and Doug Davis review the week’s biggest news stories.
And Doug Davis returns with a brand-new segment, Let’s Build Wealth, featuring a conversation with Dr. Thela Thatch, founder and Chief Equity Officer of Thela Thatch Consulting, on strategies to strengthen Black business ownership.
Listen now!
Vanessa Tyler explores what former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is doing with AI to support schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
BIN’s Morgyn Wood talks with Dr. Marquita Taylor about using her personal journey to highlight why Black women continue to face higher cancer mortality rates than other racial groups.
Ramses Ja, Q Ward, Esther Dillard, and Doug Davis review the week’s biggest news stories.
And Doug Davis returns with a brand-new segment, Let’s Build Wealth, featuring a conversation with Dr. Thela Thatch, founder and Chief Equity Officer of Thela Thatch Consulting, on strategies to strengthen Black business ownership.
Listen now!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's Sunday, December fourteenth, twenty twenty five, and on today's show,
The Black Information That Works, Ester Dillard talks to Latasha
Brown about that we ain't buying a campaign and how
this isn't just about boycotting, but economic empowerment that supports
black businesses and black people. We hear from Vanessa Tyler
as she sees what former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is
(00:21):
up to and how he is trying to use AI
to help schools in Prince George's County, Maryland. The bi
ns Morgan Wood caught up with doctor Marquita Taylor and
how she is using her own story to shine a
light on why black women are still more likely to
die from cancer than other races. Podcast hosts ramses Jaw
and q Ward review some of the biggest news stories
(00:42):
of the week with Ester Dillard and Doug Davis. And
Doug Davis returns with Your Black Business and his new
segment titled Let's Build Wealth. He talks to doctor the
lay Thatch, founder and chief equity officer of the lay
Thatch Consulting. These stories and more are coming your way
on today's program, Welcome to the Black Perspective.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I'm your host, Mike Island.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Welcome to the Black Perspective, a weekly community affairs program
on the Black Information Network featuring interviews and discussions on
issues important to the Black community.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Good Sunday and Welcome to the Black Perspective The Black
Information That Works. Morgan would caught up with doctor Marquita Taylor,
a pancreatic cancer survivor, Miss Virginia, Black, United States, and
a post a doctoral fellow at Yale University. She's also
a nationally recognized health equity advocate, using her own story
to shine a light on white Black women are still
(01:32):
more likely to die from cancer than white women, even
when diagnosed at the same stage.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
I'm Morgan Wood and joining me on the Black Information
Network is a woman who's redefining what it means to
survive and serve, and I mean that in multiple ways,
from crown to cancer crusader. Doctor Marquisa Taylor is a
pancreatic cancer survivor, Miss Virginia, Black, United States, and a
postdoctoral fellow at Yale University. She's also a nasally recognized
(02:01):
health equity advocate, using her own story to shine light
on why Black women are still more likely to die
from cancer than white women, even when diagnosed at the
same stage. Now, through her research and advocacy and her
partnerships with the CDC and American Cancer Society, doctor Taylor
is working to make sure no Black woman faces cancer alone,
(02:21):
and of course that they have a voice and they're heard. So,
Doctor Marquita Taylor, thank you so much for joining me
on the Black Information Network.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
How are you today?
Speaker 6 (02:29):
I am wonderful.
Speaker 7 (02:30):
How are you doing.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
I'm doing well.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
I'm super excited to have this conversation with you. As
you know, I'm sure you're no stranger to this topic.
It is very very important to us Black women and
just the just overall regarding you know, research and cancer diagnosis.
I mean, I don't know anyone who's not impacted by that.
So I'm just super excited that you're having this conversation
(02:56):
with us. So your story is very powerful, surviving pancreatic
cancer and becoming Miss Virginia Black, United States and a.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Post doctoral fellow at Yale.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I can imagine there's a lot of microaggressions in all
of that. But how did your cancer journey shape the
way that you see your purpose and the work that
you do today?
Speaker 6 (03:18):
Absolutely so I was diagnosed with stage four pan Credit
cancer in twenty fourteen. Since then, I've been on a
quest to determine the why and how and the what.
Growing up, I wanted to be a medical doctor, and
in my mind, those were the people who had all
(03:39):
the answers to all the illnesses and all of the
negative health impacts. But it turned out I was a
little bit wrong. The same year that I was diagnosed
with pan Credit cancer, and this was in my early twenties,
I also was accepted to and started a PhD a program,
(04:03):
and that sort of set me on a trajectory as
a researcher to determine the what and the why and
the how for myself and on my own. So after
I finished up those studies, I did attend the Morehouse
School of Medicine, where I took a deep dive into
(04:25):
the science portion, so really focusing on a community health
and from there I was able to identify that my
cancer was likely caused by something that we refer to
as the social determinants of health, so the fact that education,
(04:46):
access to health care, violence in your neighborhood, and even
what you eat impacts your health. Where I grew up
I'm from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In my neighborhood there was not
easily accessible fresh fruits and vegetables, and that really impacts
(05:08):
your body. So I tied that back to how cancer developed.
And since then it's really been my life's work to
not only educate about the cancer, but encourage a women,
especially black men and women, to pursue a terminal degrees
(05:29):
to continue the type of research that I do and
the impact that I get to have in the cancer world.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Who knows to you and you are to be applauded
for that, and also not just doing the work, but
also bringing the fellow or the next generation along with you.
Speaker 8 (05:44):
I heard that.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
So for listeners who may not fully understand, why can
you break down some of the reasons behind the disparities,
like why a black woman is more likely to die
from cancer compared to a white woman even if they
are diagnosed at the same state age.
Speaker 6 (06:01):
Absolutely so, sometimes or a lot of times, we see
or that we know it's commonly known that that racism
exists in medicine. I often asked a question when I
give talks, and it's what is one of the greatest
disparities that exists and really it's racism. It is impacting
(06:25):
our health, it's impacting our quality of life, and it's
impacting our access to not only care, but to a
timely care. In addition to a racism, I would say
a medical mistrusts and distrust. A lot of black and
brown people have been harmed at the hands of people
(06:46):
that we are supposed to a trust that learn from
and also be healed by.
Speaker 9 (06:55):
We've seen it.
Speaker 6 (06:56):
A lot with our grandparents and our parents, depending on
where you are generationally, and it still impacts people today.
Speaker 10 (07:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Absolutely, that's understandable. If you're just joining us, we're speaking
with doctor Marquita Taylor. Uh Yale, I have to get
that correct, said, I love.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 6 (07:21):
So for the most part my a health career, I
started at Yale, so between the Yale School of Medicine
and the and the Yale School of Public Health. When
I was finishing up my doctoral degree, I spent a
year at Yale focusing on education equity, so how how
(07:47):
how we use education and communities to be a springboard
And from there I went on to three inaugural positions
between the Yales of Medicine and the Yale School of
Public Health, leading health equity initiatives and supporting the establishment
(08:08):
of an Office of Health Equity for Yale Health.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Talk more about that establishing that, I mean, what did
that look like and were there any challenges that you
faced as a black woman in that space.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
Yeah, so, yeah, it was an interesting space. It's one
that I'm absolutely grateful for. A lot of times I
would get mistaken as a student, and you know, oftentimes
I just don't think I look that young. There were
times and situations where I would be on a campus
(08:44):
and I would.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Be completely.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
Ignored or in a meeting and in conversations where they
weren't supportive until they found out my academic dentials for
my role Yale. Overall, Steal was just phenomenal for my career.
I think that it's a stop that had to be
(09:11):
made and it was really a springboard to where I
am and what I get to do now.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Amazing Again, if you're just joining us, we're speaking with
doctor Marquita Taylor, MS, Virginia, Black, United States and a
former excuse me and a pancreatic cancer survivor on a
mission to close the gap in black women's health outcomes. Now,
you've worked with major organizations like the CDC and the
American Cancer Society to improve early detection and access to care. Now,
(09:39):
what have you learned about the systemic barriers that keep
black women from getting these timely diagnosis and effective treatments.
Speaker 6 (09:47):
Yeah, so what I've learned is that education is really
key and that we have to keep the conversations going
with survivors of these deadly diseases, with their families and
also with their friends. So I partner directly with the
(10:10):
American and Cancer Society as an ambassador. The American and
Cancer Cancer Society is leading the largest research campaign and
history has called Voices of Black Women, And essentially, we
want to recruit about a thousand black women from all
(10:32):
over the country to help us answer the questions that
you are asking here that will help us determine the what,
the why, and the how, because we are really on
a mission to help prevent and improve outcomes that come
(10:53):
with late or untimely cancer detection and occurrence.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
And shout out to you for that, Because Voices of
Black Women, that's fair, it's fairly new. But the fact
that I'm hearing you talk about it, and I've been
hearing it in other women's mouths, that means that it's
scaling and it's growing, and it's doing what it's supposed
to be doing.
Speaker 11 (11:14):
So I love it exactly.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
So if you have not had, it's free to join,
and we would love to hear your voice absolutely.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Okay, Now you talk to the gen Zers and you
know the younger generations, young black professionals about taking control
of their health. What are the some of the what
are some of the biggest misconceptions that the younger generation
may have about cancer, risk prevention or care right now?
Speaker 9 (11:41):
Yeah, I would say one.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
Of the biggest misconceptions is that, oh, I eat healthy,
I exercise, I work out, and this cannot happen to me.
Cancer does not have a face. I was young, I
was healthy, my parents had insurance, I was going to
(12:02):
the doctor regularly, and still cancer found me. I do
not have a family history of cancer, which is a large,
large misconception as well a lot of people think, like, well,
I don't have a family history of cancer, so I'm fine.
That is absolutely one hundred percent incorrect, and I am
(12:25):
a living example of that. I think that one thing,
if I had to give a piece of advice or
just a note to the gen zeers, it would be
that there's a lot of misinformation on a social media.
I think a social media is currently used as a
(12:45):
lot of people's news outlets or where they go to
find out things like symptoms or to research different diseases
and treatment options in different drugs. But we have medical
(13:06):
doctors who are trained in these areas, and it's really
important to be seeking care regularly. I would also encourage
not only gen ziers, but everyone to not wait. Some
of the signs and symptoms of a pancreatic cancer mimic
everyday symptoms. So I remember when I was a child
(13:31):
complaining about symptoms that are those that match those of
pancreatic cancer. So I would have the back aches, but
they would be back aches that radiated from my back
to my abdomen, and my mom would take me to
the hospital or I'm sorry to the doctor all the
(13:54):
time and they would say, oh, well, well, you know,
you're just not getting another rest, or you must have
a strain or or you know. And I was a child,
and they would prescribe me moscle relaxers. No one took
(14:14):
the extra step. I would also have a nausea. I
was fatigued because my pancreas was impacted. Oftentimes I would
feel a little dizzy because my blood sugar was dropping
and I didn't know. So not only should you seek
(14:37):
care and not ignore symptoms, you really have to advocate
for yourself. My cancer was found by accident. I was
working for the state, which included me driving. I was
in a car accident. I was an hour or so
(14:58):
I'm away from home. I was in a car accident
and it was a bad car accident, and they had
to transport me from the scene to the local emergency room.
And once they cut off all my clothes and they
did the scans, they were like, hey, you have some
(15:19):
cysts on your pancreas, but it's likely nothing because you're
so young. So I was only twenty three or twenty
four at the time. I remember it vividly because it
was Halloween Day, twenty thirteen, and they were like, yeah,
you know, we sure, we are sure it's nothing. So
(15:43):
they encouraged me to follow up with my doctor once
I arrived back home. When I arrived back home, I
did see a doctor and I will never forget him
or his name. He wrote me off in me. I'm
not sure if it was because I was young, and
(16:04):
or because I was black, or because maybe he had
a lot of a lot of patients that day and
did not care. But he originally said, oh, that's nothing,
it's just gas. So to me, did you look at
the scans or not? Because sis on the pancreas does
(16:24):
not lend itself to it being gas. So of course
my intuition kicked in and I was like, you know,
this just isn't right. Just so happened that that same
day a world where now a pancreatic surgeon was there
and decided to also look at my scans, and he
(16:48):
was like, well, this is of concern. We hope that
it's nothing because you're young, but I think that we
should pursue seed with caution and take all the necessary steps.
What if I had not ran into that doctor, I
am certain that I probably would not be here today
(17:12):
if I had not. Within the week's time, I was
having surgery. All the surgeons that went into it did
not imagine that I would have cancer, and cancer at
the stage that it is now, So they resected what
(17:33):
they could and they left what they could not get.
I was in the hospital for about two or three
weeks when I was released after the initial cancer resection.
Within about twenty four hours, I developed an infection and
had to go go back into the hospital. And I
(17:56):
tell this story often, and I think it's one of
forgiveness in that when I was readmitted for the affection,
the only doctor available to perform a surgery on me
was the one who had misdiagnosed me the first time.
And I almost did not let him perform the surgery,
(18:20):
but I was so much pain and my mother had
to convince me to let him do it, And in
that moment, I was able to articulate to him what
he'd done and disappointment, and he apologized to me in
(18:41):
that moment, and with that apology, I also hoped, that
hope that he learned from his mistake and that no
other black women were misdiagnosed or were left on treat
it because of his failure to provide proper care.
Speaker 4 (19:05):
Absolutely, absolutely thank you for sharing that. I mean, that's
that is deep and the deeply personal, but it does,
to an extent give cancer a face and a voice.
That you are in this moment amplifying, and you know,
I'm sure many other cancer survivors and even probably those
(19:27):
who are not with us can thank you for this work.
Doctor Marquita Taylor, you do, in fact wear many crowns Scholar, survivor, advocate,
pagn't title holder. I mean the list goes on because yes,
looking ahead, what do you think could be next for you?
And also as we wrap up, how can we continue
(19:50):
to stay in touch with you and follow the work
that you do?
Speaker 6 (19:54):
Absolutely? So what's ahead? I just released a book, The
Beauty of a Doctoral Degree, Crowned with a Doctor, and
the book features stories of triumph, wins, trials, but also encouragement.
(20:15):
I want women everywhere but also everyone to consider pursuing
a terminal degrees because we need more black women, black
men and the sciences and in research. I think that
we have to start advocating for that much much sooner.
(20:38):
I knew early on as a child that I was
going to go all the way, that there was a
degree to behead, that I was going to obtain it.
But a lot of people don't know that there are
careers outside of being a nurse or a medical doctor
that are equally as impactful. And as a scientist I
(21:00):
get to be extremely impactful outside of the book. I
do a significant amount of advocacy work, but also research.
I hope to publish research soon around the experiences and
outcomes of women with cancer, sort of where they started
(21:24):
and where they are now. Some initial findings of that
research is that it wasn't the cancer that almost took
a number of these women out. It was the fact
that a lot of times with black women, there's their
(21:45):
spouse is left or they had to determine how to
continue to sustain themselves because they couldn't work. Some of
the other things that they emerged was that their care
was just not inclusive, so the people taking care of
(22:07):
them were not a black or brown none of their
oncology team. Other things that emerge, primarily from women with
breast cancer is that yes, they had a double mastectomy,
but the prosthetic breasts were all white, so they didn't
(22:28):
make them skin tone to match their skin. So I'm
excited to produce those findings and publish though soon. Other
things that will continue for me is just supporting all
(22:49):
women with cancer. I do have a nonprofit, The Woman Doctor,
where we provide support packages for worker for women with cancer,
and also scholarships for women pursuing terminal degrees. That is,
the Woman doctor dot com and on Instagram as well.
(23:15):
And I can be found across across social media platforms
at doctor Markita Taylor, that's on LinkedIn, that's on Instagram,
that is also on TikTok as well, because the people
like TikTok.
Speaker 4 (23:30):
That's amazing you out there, you doing the work amazing
and you are to be applauded. As as previously mentioned,
now doctor Marquita Taylor survivors scholar advocate reminding us all
that health equity isn't just a goal, it's a fight
worth showing up for. Thank you so much for your
insights today. I hope this is not the last time
we speak. I'm Morgan would on the Black Information Network,
(23:53):
your home for Black News.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
First, thank you Morgan and doctor Marquisa Taylor. As we
move closer to the end of the year, there are
grassroots organizations this holiday season who are reminding Black folks
about the power of economic protest. Since Thanksgiving, a group
has formed something called the we Ain't Buying It campaign,
and one of the spokespersons and organizers explained to the
(24:15):
Black Information That Works as to Dillard, this isn't just
about boycotting, but economic empowerment that supports black businesses and
black people.
Speaker 12 (24:23):
Black people control one point seven trillion dollars annually and
just consumer spending, and what we're saying is we got
to start being much more counchy interest about our spending choices.
Speaker 9 (24:34):
In this edition of The Color Between the Lines, I'm
speaking with someone whose voice sits at the center of
the national economic movement, Black Voters Matter co founder Latasha Brown.
You've seen the headlines about the we Ain't Buying A campaign,
But behind the headlines, there's a deeper strategy, one grounded
in economic power, community protection, and the legacy of black organizing.
(24:54):
She spoke with me from Montgomery, Alabama, where she was
attending the seventieth anniversary of the Montgomery bus boycot, and
boy did she leave a message about this moment, this movement,
and our power as consumers. It's really something you need
to hear. Tell me first, I know that this we
Ain't Buying It campaign has been ongoing, starting for Thanksgiving.
(25:17):
But it's past Thanksgiving now is this still going on?
And what is the focus that you really want people
to understand about this campaign?
Speaker 7 (25:26):
So thank you, we Ain't Buying A campaign?
Speaker 12 (25:28):
Was the economic action that we really focused on for
five days. It started on Thursday of Thanksgiving and ending on.
Technically that phase of it ended on on Monday, Cyber Monday,
but folks wanted to keep going. Why because we ain't
buying it. So as a result, as an organic movement's happened,
they continue to happen. We still ain't buying it, y'all.
That ultimately, what this movement is about is three things. One,
(25:50):
we want to reclaim our power as consumers. Black people
control one point seven trillion dollars annually, and just consumer spending.
And what we're saying is we got to are being
much more concientious about our spending choices. We've got to
support companies that support us. And if those companies can't
stand and support us right, then why are we continuing
to give them our dollars?
Speaker 7 (26:09):
And so, if.
Speaker 12 (26:10):
Nothing else, we wanted people to really understand how important
our dollars are and how important our economic actions can
make a difference. So as a result, what we were
able to do is over two hundred and twenty eight
organizations actually joined the campaign Your Partner, everything from labor unions,
specific engagement groups to civil rights groups to grassroom organizations
(26:32):
to guard globs. Right, we had such a spread over
forty million social media engagements. We had people that spread,
There were content creators and other folks who actually just
it was an organic movement that really wanted to send
a message. And so I want folks to know, just
like we're not buying what they're selling now, don't buy
the lies that it did not make a difference. Not
only did it make a difference, but three, when you
(26:54):
look at foot traffic all across the nation, three point
seven percent that was down. Even if you go back
and look at the that there were, they came in
five hundred million less than what they thought on Black
Friday alone. So we're going to We're gonna see the
full picture when it comes in January. In January, but
I want people to understand the economic actions work. That
is why we're seeing so much propaganda to say other
(27:16):
to say otherwise to keep us believing that this economy good.
And now I don't really think this economy is good
when we're seeing I'm looking at eggs and milk and.
Speaker 7 (27:26):
Groceries even when I was going shopping.
Speaker 12 (27:30):
Just to feed my family, that ultimately we're seeing prices rise.
We know that almost a million Black women have been
pushed out of the job market. When we see three
hundred thousand black women who work at federal jobs work
three hundred in counting three hundred thousand in county, I'm
saying that that our community is under attack.
Speaker 7 (27:48):
And so part of what.
Speaker 12 (27:49):
We're doing is organizing ourselves, not just the season, but
we continue. We wanted folks just to understand, like you know,
one of the organizations of mass blackout says.
Speaker 7 (27:58):
This was just a warning shot. This was a warning
shot for.
Speaker 12 (28:01):
Those five days and let people understand, to let those
companies know that we ain't buying it. We will not
continue to go on and support businesses that don't support
and stand with us.
Speaker 7 (28:10):
Now.
Speaker 12 (28:11):
Part of our campaign, it wasn't the we ain't buying
a campaign, It was not a boycott. It was a
series of actions, economic actions. And one of those actions
that has continued to go we want people to continue
to support it has been the Target boycott. The Target
boycott is being led by black folks. Doctor Jamal Brin.
I just did a panel with him in Montgomery because
(28:31):
we're celebrating today, we're celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the
Montgomery bus boycott.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
This was a boycott that was supposed to.
Speaker 12 (28:38):
Be one day that wound up lasting for three hundred
and eighty one days. Like initially with the boycott, it
was not so that you could actually get.
Speaker 7 (28:47):
The people black folks.
Speaker 12 (28:49):
All they said they wanted was to be treated with
dignity and respect, And as a result, as the movement
continued to grow, they were able to ask for some
specific demands that literally led to the integration public transportation
all around the country.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
So I'm saying that because I want people to understand.
Speaker 12 (29:04):
That those five days, as those of you that participated,
thank you y'all.
Speaker 7 (29:09):
They mad we win it, right.
Speaker 12 (29:11):
We've got to build on our success. But mighty rivers
are field dropped by drop. This was just a first start.
We will build on that. We will continue to build
on that, because what's really important is not just not
spending our money, but it's really how we spend our
money and who we spend our money with.
Speaker 9 (29:26):
You let on, you led me to the next question
because Target was just one of the few businesses I
know there's a list. Can you talk a little bit
about what that list includes?
Speaker 12 (29:37):
So we wanted people There were three businesses on that
particular action that we highlighted and sorry it was target,
it was home depot because what we've been seeing them
in terms of how they have been aligning themselves with
this administration, have been sending surveillance. We lifted up Amazon.
Why Amazon, because Amazon has also competulated. They've spent millions
(29:57):
of dollars. You've spent money in the inauguration and the
support so you can get a tax break at the
expense of what it is doing the hurtful and harmful policies.
So no, we are not continuing as we continue, but
we also wanted people to take ownership of this campaign.
And you know who the bad actors are in your community.
Y'all know the companies that have actually come out and
(30:18):
say that they're not supporting DEI. We have to be
much more disciplined at spenders that we want we reclaim
our power say we're not buying it. But what's really
important that I think was the biggest part of our
campaign and what we want people to understand, was around
the redirecting. We were reclaiming, but when we redirecting our dollars.
Speaker 7 (30:36):
What does that mean?
Speaker 12 (30:37):
We were encouraging people to buy from black businesses, to
small local owned businesses, to women businesses. One of the
businesses I just can give two examples. One example is
a there's a business called the Little Blue Cart that
is an online shopping business. They saw a four hundred
percent increase in sales on Black Friday. In addition to that,
there's an app called black b lapp and if that
(31:00):
app as geo tracking where you can actually locate where
there are black local businesses that they saw an increase
in downloading on that weekend. We have to understand that
we are doing work, but we're in protracted struggle. We're
going to hear all kinds of spens, but I can
guarantee you that at the end of the day, when
people come together, we really make a difference.
Speaker 7 (31:21):
And that's what happened in that campaign.
Speaker 12 (31:22):
If anything, we wanted people to become more constryentious of
our economic choices that we're just out of convenience. We're
actually supporting the very people who are taking money from
our tables. So it's not just when we saw the.
Speaker 7 (31:35):
Forty two million people who actually needs.
Speaker 12 (31:38):
Not benefits, that we saw how they were treated in
this moment and how we were treated in this moment.
But in addition to that, I don't know folks know
that there were black businesses that had contracts with the
federal government that have lost those contracts, not because they
weren't doing a good job, but quite frankly because this
racist trope that is happening right now. They've lost those contracts,
and then we're told that there's certainifications of where they
(32:01):
put their time, money, and energy and resources in that
those certifications onn'count anymore, that they're going to have to
get recertified, and haven't even really been given adequate information
around how to get recertified. The bottom line is they
are coming for our checks. They've been coming for our bodies,
they've been coming for our political power.
Speaker 7 (32:18):
And what do we need to do. We need to
leverage every single bit of power that.
Speaker 12 (32:23):
We have, our political capital, our cultural power, and also
our economic power. We can no longer like have be
in control of over a trillion dollars almost two trillion
dollars in consumers spending and not hold folks to a
standard of who's going to stand and support our communities
And if they're not support our communities, then.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
We ain't buying it. So that's part of what.
Speaker 12 (32:45):
The campaign was. I'm hoping that a planet seeds. We
know that there were you know, we had a pledge
that over forty thousand people actually signed a pledge to
commit to being more conscientious consumers going forward, and so
we believe mighty rivers and drill drop by drop.
Speaker 9 (33:01):
That powerful reminder is just the beginning. To learn more
about the campaign, go to we Ain't Buying It dot
com to get more information and to hear the rest
of our conversation, including what she believes doctor King would
say about this moment. Listen to the full interview on
the Color Between the Lines podcast on iHeartRadio, on the
Color Between the Lines YouTube channel, or wherever you get
your podcasts. I'm Esther Dillard.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Thanks Esther and Latasha Brown. Each week, members of the
Black Information Network news team sitting down with podcast hosts
Rams's jaw and q Ward for a roundtable discussion on
the week's biggest news headlines. Here's this week's conversation with
Esther Dillard and Doug Davis.
Speaker 10 (33:40):
All Right, Esther and Doug, welcome back to the show.
We had a little small talk. I know how the
weather is. Tell me about something else. Exciting Esther.
Speaker 9 (33:47):
You first, well, nothing special going on. I'm enjoying the
coming up for the holidays. Can't wait to take a
little bit of break with family and friends.
Speaker 3 (33:57):
I love that, Doug Man talk to me like wise man,
just chilling like Matt Dylan. If I can take it
back to the day for a minute, you know what
I'm saying, Just again, enjoying the holiday season, enjoying all
that it brings with family and love. You know, sometimes
some tough memories right from some people we may have
lost that we remember during the season, but you know
(34:18):
all as well, Man, happy to be here and alive.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
I love that. All right, Well, let's get to the
news then.
Speaker 10 (34:23):
First up, one of the biggest stories from the past
week involves the state of Texas and an excite announcement
from one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party, Esther.
Let's start today's show off with you tell us more
about the story and than Doug and Q. We'll get
your thoughts next.
Speaker 9 (34:35):
Yeah, it's pretty exciting big political news out of Texas.
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is officially jumping into the US Senate race,
and timing is really interesting because she announced right up
against the state's filing deadline. She's aiming to take on
Senator John Cornyn, and remember he's already dealing with a
multiple primary challengers on the Republican side. Colin Allread, also
(35:01):
a black politician on the Democratic side, told CNN's Dana
Bash that after a politically or i should say, professionally
friendly conversation with Crockett, he chose to pursue another stint
in the House instead of running for Senate, avoiding you know,
more of a conflict with her. So Crockett is framing
this as a needing a bigger voice, especially after her
(35:24):
Dallas area House district was heavily reshapen in the GOP
redistricting effort. And honestly, she comes in with name recognition.
She's been one of the most outspoken Democratic critics of
Trump and Republicans in Congress. But even when she threw
her hat in the ring, attacks started immediately. John Cornyan
put out a statement calling her radical and ineffective. Ken
(35:48):
Paxon called her crazy, and Republicans are already resurfacing some
of her more controversial past comments, and Cornyan even joked
that you know she was, you know, like his dance
partner Speaker Mike Johnson, he kind of tongue in cheeks,
said he encouraged her to run, saying that she had
no chance to win in Texas because of conservativism. But
Crockett says her internal polling shows that she's competitive in
(36:11):
both the primary and general. But Democrats haven't won a
statewide race in Texas in more than thirty years, so
she has a lot to go up against.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
Yeah, well, I think her run terrifies both Democrats and Republicans,
if I can say that for the left, I mean,
let's be honest. You know, there's never been, nor will
there ever be, a voice like Jasmine Crockett in Congress,
whether in the House or Senate. You know, her tongue
shoots rounds like a three D with the glock switch. Man,
she's not playing, and she scared Democrats. I believe you
(36:44):
aren't really in it to win it. You know, there
are some that are social climbers per se, right, And
if I can be Frank Crockett, she's not up with
that nonsense.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (36:52):
She's about putting in that work, you know, putting in
for some real solutions for real people, not just band
aids that you know, some Democrats feel that, you know,
our solutions for the country's biggest issues, and you know,
let's not forget that she is a sister, you know.
And I put an a on that how many Democrats
were quietly opposing Kamala Harris throughout her vice presidency and
(37:14):
her one for the Oval office.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
So let's keep it one hundred.
Speaker 3 (37:16):
So yeah, some Democrats, I feel, are not too thrill
that if she makes it into the Senate chambers, how
things will code and how Republicans feel she'll never make
it in because of her as a call it, combative
style or her progressive ideas, you know. But they also
said that about Mondani, you know, to a degree, and
look what happened. So Republicans labeling her as radical, in
(37:37):
my opinion, is code for her civil rights background, you know,
her advocacy for BLM and her outspokenness on racial justice,
you know, and they feel she fits a pattern where
black progressives are labeled extreme rally white conservatives.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
So I think it's just a rallying cry for them.
Speaker 3 (37:54):
So I'm sure, you know, they'll try to bury her
at the end of the day, like you I just
mentioned esther, But you know, she's running and I believe
for a multi racial coalition. Well, surprise some folks. You know,
Texas ain't the Texas the state used to be, you know.
But with the new congressional line staying in place, I
know it's going to be an uphill battle for Crockett.
Speaker 2 (38:12):
Sure cue, bring us South.
Speaker 8 (38:14):
Doug is spitting today, like I want to just give
Doug my Michael. Let him talk for both of us.
Jasmine Crockett is a super nova. I'd argue she's one
of the reasons why they so aggressively wanted to redistrict
in Texas so that someone like her could never win
in that state. Like Doug said, I think she scares
all of the establishment because they seem to be aligned
(38:38):
on far more than they oppose. And she's coming with
the new voice and a new perspective, and like clockwork,
a rising black woman has a chance to make history
and do something incredible, and everyone comes for her.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
And by everyone, I mean everyone.
Speaker 8 (38:54):
I'm watching young black creators from the Contrarian Party jump
onto their social platforms and create content trying to nitpick
every flaw, every mistake, every thing that she's ever done,
ignoring the fact that the Republican she'd most likely run
a run against. In the generals is anti everything, progressive,
(39:16):
anti everything we stand for, anti civil rights, anti voting rights,
anti LGBTQ, anti black, anti Hispanic, anti immigrant, anti everything,
not heterosexual Christian white rich Man. So another rising star
black woman being nitpicked by everyone is sadly not a surprise.
(39:38):
But if she figures out a way to pull it off,
I think she can continue to shake things up in
DC in a way that's welcomed by all of us.
Moving on, twenty twenty five saw the creation the Department
of Government Efficiency with Tesla owner Elon Musk at the Helm. Now,
as the year comes to a close, Musk took a
moment to share his honest thoughts on impact of DOGE
(40:01):
and whether he'd be willing to involve himself again if
he had to do it all over. Doug for a
final story, share some details on Elon's comments regarding DOGE,
Ester and Ramses will come to you guys to close
us out.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
Elon Musk went on a podcast recently had admitted that
his time running DOGE was only quote somewhat successful. He
claimed that he stopped a huge amount of wasteful government
spending what he called zombie payments, blocking up to two
hundred billion dollars in payments just by making some simple
fixes like requiring payment codes.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
He also said that he would never do it again
and that.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
Doge was not the revolution he once hypened it up
to be. You know, we all remember seeing Musk at
Seapack on stage with that chainsaw, looking like some kind
of rock star that was branding at its loudest right there.
But he also said something important. He said that if
he had known Tesla's name and reputation would get torched
in the process, he would have never gone through with
(40:58):
running Doge.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
And the funny part came.
Speaker 3 (41:01):
Per see, when things between Musk and Trump turned into
open warfare as many predicted, you know, Tesla started getting
hammered in the headlines, you know, and in the pocketbook.
You know, you could see where it was going. So
by May it was pretty much over. Musk bailed out,
you know, likely saved Tesla's brand, you know, and Doge's
brand went into memory.
Speaker 2 (41:23):
Gone, but not necessarily.
Speaker 3 (41:25):
The people whose lives were shattered by the mass layoffs
are not gone. They're still here and they're still trying
to pick up pieces to what used to be you know, stable,
happy lives.
Speaker 9 (41:38):
I think that Doug is really going well this today
because he's gotten a lot of my points. But I
will reiterate that that listeners really just need to keep
in mind when they when they hear him talk that
Dose laid off thousands of federal workers but never actually
produced the big federal savings that he promised. Musk talks
about stopping zombie payments, but there's no dependent data backing
(42:01):
the huge numbers that he throws out, and the entire
project happened because he had political influence at the time.
He was a major Trump backer, So Doge wasn't a
traditional federal reform effort. It was actually a politically driven
experiment run by a private billionaire inside the government. And finally,
(42:22):
Musk says he wouldn't do it again, which is interesting
because Doge sparked protests, backlash, and vandalism at Teslo dealerships,
and that part matters when he frames the initiative was
mostly positive, so yes, he's calling it somewhat successful, but
listeners should really hear his comments with the critical ear.
The outcomes were mixed, the oversight was thin, and the
(42:45):
bigger political context shaped everything that happened.
Speaker 10 (42:50):
I think he kind of alluded to it. But the
reason that he wouldn't do this doge thing again, if
yeah the opportunity is one, the government was far more
efficient than he made it out to be.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
He had to keep walking back his promises.
Speaker 10 (43:07):
And two, there were consequences or the chainsaw type approach
that he took to these government agencies. Now, I want
to say this part out loud too. I think I'm
not the only one, but I believe that Elon Musk
dipped his toe into politics so that he could have
a more favorable relationship with the United States government, so
(43:29):
that he could get government contracts for SpaceX, so that
he could seem like the.
Speaker 2 (43:34):
Hero or the anti hero.
Speaker 10 (43:36):
But I do know that, you know, he benefited fiscally
from this current administration. Meanwhile, I don't know if you've
seen those Chinese evs, but China's kind of crushing Tesla
these days, and at a way cheaper price, and so,
you know, diverting his focus away from his core competencies.
In all, it just probably wasn't the best look for
(43:59):
Elon Musk in suit of his trillion dollars to go
and do government work to try to make the government
more efficient, and not knowing fully what he was getting
himself into. So my thoughts anyway, Thank you both very
much for your time and your insight. Once again, today's
guest are bi In News anchors Esther Dillard and Doug Davis.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Thanks Esther, Doug, Ramses and Q. Be sure to stick
around for more from Doug. He's coming up later in
today's program. Colin Kaepernick was headlined news almost every day
as the world watched him kneel and protests for the
way black people were being abused even killed by police.
So what is he up to now? The Black Information
That Works. Vanessa Tyler finds out.
Speaker 13 (44:38):
What Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem advocating for
black lives meant not ever playing in the NFL again,
but he is quarterbacking the direction of black lives in
the arena of education.
Speaker 14 (44:55):
How's everyone doing today? Very excited be here today?
Speaker 13 (45:01):
Kaepernick at Largo High School in PG County, Maryland, introducing
Loomy's Story, an artificial intelligence power design tool. It's creative
technology to help children write, create, tell their own stories.
Speaker 14 (45:15):
We want to make sure that they have the best tools,
the best resources, and the best research back products in
front of them. So as we think about AI, as
we think about how we're advancing literacy, as we make
sure that our students are accomplishing our girls with our
state standards in our curriculums, we are also building with
(45:36):
the foremost experts in the space. So as we think
about what is being put in front of our students,
we want to make sure that they are prepared for
the future. But we also know that future is now.
Speaker 13 (45:48):
A powerful statement from the six foot four athlete with
his signature big round afro a commanding presence with his
message on theme black lives continue to matter and preparing
our children is key. PG County executive I yous your
brave boy, says with this collaboration, her students will be prepared.
The Black County leader says, they will make their mark
(46:10):
in this AI generated world. Thanks to the visionary Colin Kaepernick.
Speaker 15 (46:15):
I had an opportunity to meet a young, brilliant, dynamic
man who's whose intellect, whose commitment his innovation is really
changing lives. We first met where I first came to
(46:36):
know Colin Kaepernick as a quarterback, someone who was outstanding
on the field, but very soon not just myself, but
the world learned about who he is as a man.
This is a man of conviction, a man of immense
(46:59):
talents in many areas, and a man who's willing to
stand by what is right. And so he stood by
what was right on that field, and now he's standing.
Speaker 7 (47:12):
By what's right in this community.
Speaker 15 (47:14):
And that's to ensure that every child has the ability
to learn.
Speaker 13 (47:18):
Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivy also in attendance, reminding students many
too young to even know the sacrifice Kaepernick made in
his career.
Speaker 16 (47:26):
Owing you empowered athletes not just in the NFL, but
across the board to use their voices and their power
to make a difference in their communities and the ripple
effects I just met, I just signed in the paper today.
FBI agents who took a knee in solidarity are now
being forced out of their jobs by the Trump administration.
All this many years later.
Speaker 13 (47:45):
Educators like PG County School Superintendent doctor Seawan Joseph, who
was also black, says the Loomy tool embraces a technology
in a world that will not leave black students behind.
He too, could not thank Kaepernick enough for the partnership.
Speaker 5 (48:00):
More than an entertainer, he's more than an athlete. He's
a truth teller and an innovator whose journey reminds us
that advocacy is a form of love at every turn.
He's chosen the harder path, centering blackness with dignity, challenging
systems with moral clarity, and pushing our nation to imagine
(48:22):
a world rooted injustice.
Speaker 13 (48:23):
As for the students like Naima, they can't wait to
tell stories and make their voices heard.
Speaker 17 (48:29):
I really knew enjoy it honestly is helping me personally
with storytelling.
Speaker 13 (48:33):
The technology puts flesh on Niima's stories, getting issues she
cares about, maximum impact.
Speaker 17 (48:40):
And I realize that everyone needs to hear the story
of at least one homeless person because I feel like
a lot of people in America are one or two
paychecks away from being homeless as well. So it's really
going to get that story out there and fix the system.
Speaker 13 (48:51):
Change this system, just like the activists who created the
tool to make it happen. Colin Kaepernick, I'm Vanessa Tail
are on the Black Information Network Today.
Speaker 1 (49:01):
Doug Davis returns with Your Black Business and his new
segment titled Let's Build Wealth. His four part series inside
the segment is called Insurance Makes You Rich with Doctor
the Lay Thatch, Doug, take it away.
Speaker 2 (49:13):
Thanks Mike.
Speaker 3 (49:14):
Today on The Black Perspective, we shine a spotlight on
black entrepreneurship and financial empowerment with our segment titled Your
Black Business.
Speaker 2 (49:22):
I am honored to introduce a.
Speaker 3 (49:24):
New four part series hosted in conjunction with doctor Fela Thatch,
titled Let's Build Wealth Insurance Makes You Rich. Our first
episode hits home doctor Thatch a financial expert. We'll share
why it's so critical for us to get our quote
unquote house in order. Too many black folks overlook insurance,
but it's a key tool for protecting wealth and building
(49:47):
a secure future. Doctor Thatch will break it down for us.
So get your pen and paper out, Doctor Thatch, welcome
to The Black Perspective.
Speaker 11 (49:54):
Thank you so much for having.
Speaker 10 (49:55):
Me, Doug.
Speaker 3 (49:56):
Likewise, so many in our community, we often view insurance
with fear or mistrusts, you know, sometimes seeing it as
you know, somewhat of a last resort or something connected
with loss. How can Black Americans begin to reframe their
mindset and understand that insurance, particularly life insurance, is actually
a powerful tool for long term wealth creation rather than
(50:20):
just protection against loss.
Speaker 11 (50:21):
You know, reframing starts with understanding that insurance is not
about death, It's about legacy. And if we can just
focus on the legacy, focus on starting with what did
our grandparents? What did our ancestors leave us? And some
of us were very fortunate, we had very rich parents.
(50:42):
That wasn't me. But for those of us who knew that, wow,
what if my parents left me money and I want
to be different for my children, that could be the motivation.
Start with legacy and understanding that insurance is one of
the most popular vehicles to build wealth.
Speaker 3 (51:01):
Now, the idea that wealth begins, you know, like we said,
with an attitude, which is central to you know, changing
how we think about money. Can you explain what this
wealth mindset kind of looks like in practice when it
comes to insurance and how that shift in thinking can
open doors and building economic independence.
Speaker 7 (51:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (51:20):
So one of the things that I think about all
the time is what am I going to leave my family?
Am I going to leave them debt? What is my
legacy going to be? And doctor Dennis Kimbroll a quote
that I often revisit is wealth is not about what
you earn, It's about what you keep, grow and pass on.
So daily, yes, we're going to run into issues, we're
(51:43):
going to have debt, We're not going to get it
right all of the time, but making sure that we
are planning for the unexpected. No one likes to talk
about death, no one likes to talk about accidents. But however,
those things are going to happen, and what happens when
they do happen. Wouldn't it be better to leave your
family safe and secure so they don't have to worry
(52:06):
about how they will pay the health node or how
they will pay for your funeral. There's a very strategic plan.
And when you shift your attitude around the choices that
you make and you stop thinking in a fear based mindset,
but you align your goals. The insurance is just one
of many vehicles that can be a game changer for
(52:28):
your entire family.
Speaker 2 (52:29):
Yeah, yeah, powerful.
Speaker 3 (52:30):
You know there's a lot of confusion around different types
of insurance policies, you know, term whole, universal, etc. From
your experience, what are the essential elements that black family
should really know when choosing insurance? That can serve as
a strategic financial asset rather than just a safety net.
Speaker 11 (52:48):
So some of the basics around insurance, there's some key principles. Basically,
when the younger you are, the cheaper. It is so
Black families hear me loud and clear, when that baby
is born, or when that God do orter God's son
is born, or niece or nephew. One of the best
gifts you can give them is help their parents get
(53:09):
an insurance policy. I mean, it can be the difference
between like five dollars a month, then as they get
older where it might cost fifty dollars a month, right,
So get it while you're young. I also would say
that to anyone listening, it's never too late because guess what,
Tomorrow you're going to be older and tomorrow. For each
day you wait, insurance is going to cost more money
(53:30):
because it is based on typically driven by your age
and your health. So if you hear me, say nothing
else today, start now. Make sure you get insurance for
your children, Get it while it's super super affordable, and
then just be consistent. Pay those policies, don't let them lapse.
And if you're talking about a whole life or term life.
Here's the number one thing you need to know. Whole
(53:52):
life typically has cash value in it, and term life
ends' is great protection, but it doesn't create long term
wealth because just like your word term, it terminates eventually.
So I have a term life policy and that policy
is going to end in twenty years and then I
won't have a policy anymore. So just thinking about term
(54:12):
is just for a specific short time. And so last
thing I'll say is you need to evaluate your policies.
But not having a policy is not optional.
Speaker 7 (54:23):
You have to have something in.
Speaker 2 (54:25):
Place, right.
Speaker 3 (54:26):
You know, a lot of us have seen television commercials
where these companies are saying, hey, you can cash in
your policy now, you know, and it seems like it's
aimed at older Americans, and you know, given the historic
mistrust of financial institutions in our communities, you know, due
to systemic equalities. What kind of advice do you have
(54:47):
for our listeners on how to find trustworthy, culturally competent
insurance advisors who can guide us in leveraging insurance for
wealth building.
Speaker 11 (54:56):
The best advice I can give is to educate yourself.
You know. The first step is getting rid of the
fear of the unknown. So you give yourself permission to
learn at your own pace. Start with the basics. Right now,
we have chat, GPT, we have Google. Look into what
are the types of insurance? What can you actually do?
And then I would always say reach out to family
(55:17):
and friends and say, hey, do you have an insurance policy?
Just remember that insurance is regulated, so there are lots
of laws and regulations to make sure that your money
is safe and your money is protected.
Speaker 3 (55:29):
You often speak about the intersection of financial wellness, mental health,
and stability in our community. How does insurance function as
part of that holistic foundation, particularly in you know, black
families seeking long term economic security.
Speaker 11 (55:43):
Well, you know what, I'll speak for myself first, I'm
an entrepreneur. I love taking risk, and so I made
sure that I had a very large policy. I have
a million dollar term policy. And that million dollar term
policy has given me some comfort knowing that if I
die today, with all of the different balls I have
(56:05):
up in the air and things I'm doing in my business,
my family would get a million dollars if I die today,
And that how does that SD I mean, does that
sound good?
Speaker 2 (56:15):
I mean right?
Speaker 11 (56:16):
I feel like I did my part and nothing else
And then I have another policy set aside for the
cost of my burial that's like thirty thousand dollars, right,
And so I'm actually worth more dead than alive. And
I'll be honest with you, most wealthy people are because
they don't have a ton of money in their bank account.
They have assets, they have insurance, and they have equity.
Speaker 3 (56:40):
And finally, you teach leaders and organizations how to leverage
AI for strategy, decision making and economic growth. How can
everyday people begin using AI tools to better understand insurance,
evaluate policies, and you know, make more confident financial decisions.
Speaker 11 (56:57):
I have a product called missus HR and a com
and inside of that product we look at different benefits
options and so AI. What has happened with AI that
has been a game changer is it helps you get
information into your fingertips quickly and so understanding terminology in
(57:20):
your policy. You can literally upload your policy into AI,
you know, remove all the confidential pieces and ask it
to break it down into like three main points or
ask it, you know, what are the risks in this
policy that I should be aware of? Ask questions around
making sure that you understand the policy better, making sure
(57:41):
you it's competitive. So I've worked in diversity, equity and
inclusion and justice for the past ten years, and we're
out of time right now where we're able to have
the same equity because we have the same access to
certain technology.
Speaker 2 (57:56):
That's right, very true. All right.
Speaker 3 (57:58):
So this is the first of our four parts called
Let's Build Wealth Insurance makes you rich? Uh, Doctor Thela Thatch,
thank you so much for taking part in our first
again of four conversations. Next we will talk about it
the HR perspective and how employees can benefit off of
company insurance. And for one case, doctor, that's how can
(58:21):
people reach you?
Speaker 11 (58:22):
You can please reach me on YouTube at LA that
just put in th h e l A Thatch. You
can go to my website dla Thatch dot com and
please check me out on Instagram at ask ask missus
HR and you get to see me flying around in
my red Cape coming to save the day.
Speaker 2 (58:41):
I love that.
Speaker 11 (58:42):
Like that or ask missus HR so great? Just google me.
Oh guess what, Doug. You can chat gp my name
T put in who is t h e l A
right all right, and chat GPT will tell you how
to find that.
Speaker 2 (58:57):
That's right, quicker than Google. I appreciate that this is Davis.
Speaker 3 (59:01):
You're listening to your black business on the Black Perspective
on the Black Information Network a great one.
Speaker 1 (59:06):
Thank you, Doug and doctor Thatch. That's our program for
this week. For more on these stories, listen to the
Black Information Network on the free iHeartRadio app or log
onto bionnews dot com for all of the latest news
impacting the black community. We would love to hear from
you about the Black Perspective. Simply log onto the Bion's
Talkback Live feature on the iHeartRadio app to share your feedback.
(59:28):
Be sure to follow us on social media at Black
Information Network and on x and blue Sky at black
Info Net, and make the Black Information Network first on
your car radio and iHeartRadio app presets. I'm Mike Island.
Have a great Sunday. We'll see you next week right
here on the Black Information Network.
It's Sunday, December fourteenth, twenty twenty five, and on today's show,
The Black Information That Works, Ester Dillard talks to Latasha
Brown about that we ain't buying a campaign and how
this isn't just about boycotting, but economic empowerment that supports
black businesses and black people. We hear from Vanessa Tyler
as she sees what former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is
(00:21):
up to and how he is trying to use AI
to help schools in Prince George's County, Maryland. The bi
ns Morgan Wood caught up with doctor Marquita Taylor and
how she is using her own story to shine a
light on why black women are still more likely to
die from cancer than other races. Podcast hosts ramses Jaw
and q Ward review some of the biggest news stories
(00:42):
of the week with Ester Dillard and Doug Davis. And
Doug Davis returns with Your Black Business and his new
segment titled Let's Build Wealth. He talks to doctor the
lay Thatch, founder and chief equity officer of the lay
Thatch Consulting. These stories and more are coming your way
on today's program, Welcome to the Black Perspective.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I'm your host, Mike Island.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Welcome to the Black Perspective, a weekly community affairs program
on the Black Information Network featuring interviews and discussions on
issues important to the Black community.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Good Sunday and Welcome to the Black Perspective The Black
Information That Works. Morgan would caught up with doctor Marquita Taylor,
a pancreatic cancer survivor, Miss Virginia, Black, United States, and
a post a doctoral fellow at Yale University. She's also
a nationally recognized health equity advocate, using her own story
to shine a light on white Black women are still
(01:32):
more likely to die from cancer than white women, even
when diagnosed at the same stage.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
I'm Morgan Wood and joining me on the Black Information
Network is a woman who's redefining what it means to
survive and serve, and I mean that in multiple ways,
from crown to cancer crusader. Doctor Marquisa Taylor is a
pancreatic cancer survivor, Miss Virginia, Black, United States, and a
postdoctoral fellow at Yale University. She's also a nasally recognized
(02:01):
health equity advocate, using her own story to shine light
on why Black women are still more likely to die
from cancer than white women, even when diagnosed at the
same stage. Now, through her research and advocacy and her
partnerships with the CDC and American Cancer Society, doctor Taylor
is working to make sure no Black woman faces cancer alone,
(02:21):
and of course that they have a voice and they're heard. So,
Doctor Marquita Taylor, thank you so much for joining me
on the Black Information Network.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
How are you today?
Speaker 6 (02:29):
I am wonderful.
Speaker 7 (02:30):
How are you doing.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
I'm doing well.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
I'm super excited to have this conversation with you. As
you know, I'm sure you're no stranger to this topic.
It is very very important to us Black women and
just the just overall regarding you know, research and cancer diagnosis.
I mean, I don't know anyone who's not impacted by that.
So I'm just super excited that you're having this conversation
(02:56):
with us. So your story is very powerful, surviving pancreatic
cancer and becoming Miss Virginia Black, United States and a.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Post doctoral fellow at Yale.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
I can imagine there's a lot of microaggressions in all
of that. But how did your cancer journey shape the
way that you see your purpose and the work that
you do today?
Speaker 6 (03:18):
Absolutely so I was diagnosed with stage four pan Credit
cancer in twenty fourteen. Since then, I've been on a
quest to determine the why and how and the what.
Growing up, I wanted to be a medical doctor, and
in my mind, those were the people who had all
(03:39):
the answers to all the illnesses and all of the
negative health impacts. But it turned out I was a
little bit wrong. The same year that I was diagnosed
with pan Credit cancer, and this was in my early twenties,
I also was accepted to and started a PhD a program,
(04:03):
and that sort of set me on a trajectory as
a researcher to determine the what and the why and
the how for myself and on my own. So after
I finished up those studies, I did attend the Morehouse
School of Medicine, where I took a deep dive into
(04:25):
the science portion, so really focusing on a community health
and from there I was able to identify that my
cancer was likely caused by something that we refer to
as the social determinants of health, so the fact that education,
(04:46):
access to health care, violence in your neighborhood, and even
what you eat impacts your health. Where I grew up
I'm from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In my neighborhood there was not
easily accessible fresh fruits and vegetables, and that really impacts
(05:08):
your body. So I tied that back to how cancer developed.
And since then it's really been my life's work to
not only educate about the cancer, but encourage a women,
especially black men and women, to pursue a terminal degrees
(05:29):
to continue the type of research that I do and
the impact that I get to have in the cancer world.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Who knows to you and you are to be applauded
for that, and also not just doing the work, but
also bringing the fellow or the next generation along with you.
Speaker 8 (05:44):
I heard that.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
So for listeners who may not fully understand, why can
you break down some of the reasons behind the disparities,
like why a black woman is more likely to die
from cancer compared to a white woman even if they
are diagnosed at the same state age.
Speaker 6 (06:01):
Absolutely so, sometimes or a lot of times, we see
or that we know it's commonly known that that racism
exists in medicine. I often asked a question when I
give talks, and it's what is one of the greatest
disparities that exists and really it's racism. It is impacting
(06:25):
our health, it's impacting our quality of life, and it's
impacting our access to not only care, but to a
timely care. In addition to a racism, I would say
a medical mistrusts and distrust. A lot of black and
brown people have been harmed at the hands of people
(06:46):
that we are supposed to a trust that learn from
and also be healed by.
Speaker 9 (06:55):
We've seen it.
Speaker 6 (06:56):
A lot with our grandparents and our parents, depending on
where you are generationally, and it still impacts people today.
Speaker 10 (07:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Absolutely, that's understandable. If you're just joining us, we're speaking
with doctor Marquita Taylor. Uh Yale, I have to get
that correct, said, I love.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 6 (07:21):
So for the most part my a health career, I
started at Yale, so between the Yale School of Medicine
and the and the Yale School of Public Health. When
I was finishing up my doctoral degree, I spent a
year at Yale focusing on education equity, so how how
(07:47):
how we use education and communities to be a springboard
And from there I went on to three inaugural positions
between the Yales of Medicine and the Yale School of
Public Health, leading health equity initiatives and supporting the establishment
(08:08):
of an Office of Health Equity for Yale Health.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Talk more about that establishing that, I mean, what did
that look like and were there any challenges that you
faced as a black woman in that space.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
Yeah, so, yeah, it was an interesting space. It's one
that I'm absolutely grateful for. A lot of times I
would get mistaken as a student, and you know, oftentimes
I just don't think I look that young. There were
times and situations where I would be on a campus
(08:44):
and I would.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Be completely.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
Ignored or in a meeting and in conversations where they
weren't supportive until they found out my academic dentials for
my role Yale. Overall, Steal was just phenomenal for my career.
I think that it's a stop that had to be
(09:11):
made and it was really a springboard to where I
am and what I get to do now.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Amazing Again, if you're just joining us, we're speaking with
doctor Marquita Taylor, MS, Virginia, Black, United States and a
former excuse me and a pancreatic cancer survivor on a
mission to close the gap in black women's health outcomes. Now,
you've worked with major organizations like the CDC and the
American Cancer Society to improve early detection and access to care. Now,
(09:39):
what have you learned about the systemic barriers that keep
black women from getting these timely diagnosis and effective treatments.
Speaker 6 (09:47):
Yeah, so what I've learned is that education is really
key and that we have to keep the conversations going
with survivors of these deadly diseases, with their families and
also with their friends. So I partner directly with the
(10:10):
American and Cancer Society as an ambassador. The American and
Cancer Cancer Society is leading the largest research campaign and
history has called Voices of Black Women, And essentially, we
want to recruit about a thousand black women from all
(10:32):
over the country to help us answer the questions that
you are asking here that will help us determine the what,
the why, and the how, because we are really on
a mission to help prevent and improve outcomes that come
(10:53):
with late or untimely cancer detection and occurrence.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
And shout out to you for that, Because Voices of
Black Women, that's fair, it's fairly new. But the fact
that I'm hearing you talk about it, and I've been
hearing it in other women's mouths, that means that it's
scaling and it's growing, and it's doing what it's supposed
to be doing.
Speaker 11 (11:14):
So I love it exactly.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
So if you have not had, it's free to join,
and we would love to hear your voice absolutely.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Okay, Now you talk to the gen Zers and you
know the younger generations, young black professionals about taking control
of their health. What are the some of the what
are some of the biggest misconceptions that the younger generation
may have about cancer, risk prevention or care right now?
Speaker 9 (11:41):
Yeah, I would say one.
Speaker 6 (11:42):
Of the biggest misconceptions is that, oh, I eat healthy,
I exercise, I work out, and this cannot happen to me.
Cancer does not have a face. I was young, I
was healthy, my parents had insurance, I was going to
(12:02):
the doctor regularly, and still cancer found me. I do
not have a family history of cancer, which is a large,
large misconception as well a lot of people think, like, well,
I don't have a family history of cancer, so I'm fine.
That is absolutely one hundred percent incorrect, and I am
(12:25):
a living example of that. I think that one thing,
if I had to give a piece of advice or
just a note to the gen zeers, it would be
that there's a lot of misinformation on a social media.
I think a social media is currently used as a
(12:45):
lot of people's news outlets or where they go to
find out things like symptoms or to research different diseases
and treatment options in different drugs. But we have medical
(13:06):
doctors who are trained in these areas, and it's really
important to be seeking care regularly. I would also encourage
not only gen ziers, but everyone to not wait. Some
of the signs and symptoms of a pancreatic cancer mimic
everyday symptoms. So I remember when I was a child
(13:31):
complaining about symptoms that are those that match those of
pancreatic cancer. So I would have the back aches, but
they would be back aches that radiated from my back
to my abdomen, and my mom would take me to
the hospital or I'm sorry to the doctor all the
(13:54):
time and they would say, oh, well, well, you know,
you're just not getting another rest, or you must have
a strain or or you know. And I was a child,
and they would prescribe me moscle relaxers. No one took
(14:14):
the extra step. I would also have a nausea. I
was fatigued because my pancreas was impacted. Oftentimes I would
feel a little dizzy because my blood sugar was dropping
and I didn't know. So not only should you seek
(14:37):
care and not ignore symptoms, you really have to advocate
for yourself. My cancer was found by accident. I was
working for the state, which included me driving. I was
in a car accident. I was an hour or so
(14:58):
I'm away from home. I was in a car accident
and it was a bad car accident, and they had
to transport me from the scene to the local emergency room.
And once they cut off all my clothes and they
did the scans, they were like, hey, you have some
(15:19):
cysts on your pancreas, but it's likely nothing because you're
so young. So I was only twenty three or twenty
four at the time. I remember it vividly because it
was Halloween Day, twenty thirteen, and they were like, yeah,
you know, we sure, we are sure it's nothing. So
(15:43):
they encouraged me to follow up with my doctor once
I arrived back home. When I arrived back home, I
did see a doctor and I will never forget him
or his name. He wrote me off in me. I'm
not sure if it was because I was young, and
(16:04):
or because I was black, or because maybe he had
a lot of a lot of patients that day and
did not care. But he originally said, oh, that's nothing,
it's just gas. So to me, did you look at
the scans or not? Because sis on the pancreas does
(16:24):
not lend itself to it being gas. So of course
my intuition kicked in and I was like, you know,
this just isn't right. Just so happened that that same
day a world where now a pancreatic surgeon was there
and decided to also look at my scans, and he
(16:48):
was like, well, this is of concern. We hope that
it's nothing because you're young, but I think that we
should pursue seed with caution and take all the necessary steps.
What if I had not ran into that doctor, I
am certain that I probably would not be here today
(17:12):
if I had not. Within the week's time, I was
having surgery. All the surgeons that went into it did
not imagine that I would have cancer, and cancer at
the stage that it is now, So they resected what
(17:33):
they could and they left what they could not get.
I was in the hospital for about two or three
weeks when I was released after the initial cancer resection.
Within about twenty four hours, I developed an infection and
had to go go back into the hospital. And I
(17:56):
tell this story often, and I think it's one of
forgiveness in that when I was readmitted for the affection,
the only doctor available to perform a surgery on me
was the one who had misdiagnosed me the first time.
And I almost did not let him perform the surgery,
(18:20):
but I was so much pain and my mother had
to convince me to let him do it, And in
that moment, I was able to articulate to him what
he'd done and disappointment, and he apologized to me in
(18:41):
that moment, and with that apology, I also hoped, that
hope that he learned from his mistake and that no
other black women were misdiagnosed or were left on treat
it because of his failure to provide proper care.
Speaker 4 (19:05):
Absolutely, absolutely thank you for sharing that. I mean, that's
that is deep and the deeply personal, but it does,
to an extent give cancer a face and a voice.
That you are in this moment amplifying, and you know,
I'm sure many other cancer survivors and even probably those
(19:27):
who are not with us can thank you for this work.
Doctor Marquita Taylor, you do, in fact wear many crowns Scholar, survivor, advocate,
pagn't title holder. I mean the list goes on because yes,
looking ahead, what do you think could be next for you?
And also as we wrap up, how can we continue
(19:50):
to stay in touch with you and follow the work
that you do?
Speaker 6 (19:54):
Absolutely? So what's ahead? I just released a book, The
Beauty of a Doctoral Degree, Crowned with a Doctor, and
the book features stories of triumph, wins, trials, but also encouragement.
(20:15):
I want women everywhere but also everyone to consider pursuing
a terminal degrees because we need more black women, black
men and the sciences and in research. I think that
we have to start advocating for that much much sooner.
(20:38):
I knew early on as a child that I was
going to go all the way, that there was a
degree to behead, that I was going to obtain it.
But a lot of people don't know that there are
careers outside of being a nurse or a medical doctor
that are equally as impactful. And as a scientist I
(21:00):
get to be extremely impactful outside of the book. I
do a significant amount of advocacy work, but also research.
I hope to publish research soon around the experiences and
outcomes of women with cancer, sort of where they started
(21:24):
and where they are now. Some initial findings of that
research is that it wasn't the cancer that almost took
a number of these women out. It was the fact
that a lot of times with black women, there's their
(21:45):
spouse is left or they had to determine how to
continue to sustain themselves because they couldn't work. Some of
the other things that they emerged was that their care
was just not inclusive, so the people taking care of
(22:07):
them were not a black or brown none of their
oncology team. Other things that emerge, primarily from women with
breast cancer is that yes, they had a double mastectomy,
but the prosthetic breasts were all white, so they didn't
(22:28):
make them skin tone to match their skin. So I'm
excited to produce those findings and publish though soon. Other
things that will continue for me is just supporting all
(22:49):
women with cancer. I do have a nonprofit, The Woman Doctor,
where we provide support packages for worker for women with cancer,
and also scholarships for women pursuing terminal degrees. That is,
the Woman doctor dot com and on Instagram as well.
(23:15):
And I can be found across across social media platforms
at doctor Markita Taylor, that's on LinkedIn, that's on Instagram,
that is also on TikTok as well, because the people
like TikTok.
Speaker 4 (23:30):
That's amazing you out there, you doing the work amazing
and you are to be applauded. As as previously mentioned,
now doctor Marquita Taylor survivors scholar advocate reminding us all
that health equity isn't just a goal, it's a fight
worth showing up for. Thank you so much for your
insights today. I hope this is not the last time
we speak. I'm Morgan would on the Black Information Network,
(23:53):
your home for Black News.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
First, thank you Morgan and doctor Marquisa Taylor. As we
move closer to the end of the year, there are
grassroots organizations this holiday season who are reminding Black folks
about the power of economic protest. Since Thanksgiving, a group
has formed something called the we Ain't Buying It campaign,
and one of the spokespersons and organizers explained to the
(24:15):
Black Information That Works as to Dillard, this isn't just
about boycotting, but economic empowerment that supports black businesses and
black people.
Speaker 12 (24:23):
Black people control one point seven trillion dollars annually and
just consumer spending, and what we're saying is we got
to start being much more counchy interest about our spending choices.
Speaker 9 (24:34):
In this edition of The Color Between the Lines, I'm
speaking with someone whose voice sits at the center of
the national economic movement, Black Voters Matter co founder Latasha Brown.
You've seen the headlines about the we Ain't Buying A campaign,
But behind the headlines, there's a deeper strategy, one grounded
in economic power, community protection, and the legacy of black organizing.
(24:54):
She spoke with me from Montgomery, Alabama, where she was
attending the seventieth anniversary of the Montgomery bus boycot, and
boy did she leave a message about this moment, this movement,
and our power as consumers. It's really something you need
to hear. Tell me first, I know that this we
Ain't Buying It campaign has been ongoing, starting for Thanksgiving.
(25:17):
But it's past Thanksgiving now is this still going on?
And what is the focus that you really want people
to understand about this campaign?
Speaker 7 (25:26):
So thank you, we Ain't Buying A campaign?
Speaker 12 (25:28):
Was the economic action that we really focused on for
five days. It started on Thursday of Thanksgiving and ending on.
Technically that phase of it ended on on Monday, Cyber Monday,
but folks wanted to keep going. Why because we ain't
buying it. So as a result, as an organic movement's happened,
they continue to happen. We still ain't buying it, y'all.
That ultimately, what this movement is about is three things. One,
(25:50):
we want to reclaim our power as consumers. Black people
control one point seven trillion dollars annually, and just consumer spending.
And what we're saying is we got to are being
much more concientious about our spending choices. We've got to
support companies that support us. And if those companies can't
stand and support us right, then why are we continuing
to give them our dollars?
Speaker 7 (26:09):
And so, if.
Speaker 12 (26:10):
Nothing else, we wanted people to really understand how important
our dollars are and how important our economic actions can
make a difference. So as a result, what we were
able to do is over two hundred and twenty eight
organizations actually joined the campaign Your Partner, everything from labor unions,
specific engagement groups to civil rights groups to grassroom organizations
(26:32):
to guard globs. Right, we had such a spread over
forty million social media engagements. We had people that spread,
There were content creators and other folks who actually just
it was an organic movement that really wanted to send
a message. And so I want folks to know, just
like we're not buying what they're selling now, don't buy
the lies that it did not make a difference. Not
only did it make a difference, but three, when you
(26:54):
look at foot traffic all across the nation, three point
seven percent that was down. Even if you go back
and look at the that there were, they came in
five hundred million less than what they thought on Black
Friday alone. So we're going to We're gonna see the
full picture when it comes in January. In January, but
I want people to understand the economic actions work. That
is why we're seeing so much propaganda to say other
(27:16):
to say otherwise to keep us believing that this economy good.
And now I don't really think this economy is good
when we're seeing I'm looking at eggs and milk and.
Speaker 7 (27:26):
Groceries even when I was going shopping.
Speaker 12 (27:30):
Just to feed my family, that ultimately we're seeing prices rise.
We know that almost a million Black women have been
pushed out of the job market. When we see three
hundred thousand black women who work at federal jobs work
three hundred in counting three hundred thousand in county, I'm
saying that that our community is under attack.
Speaker 7 (27:48):
And so part of what.
Speaker 12 (27:49):
We're doing is organizing ourselves, not just the season, but
we continue. We wanted folks just to understand, like you know,
one of the organizations of mass blackout says.
Speaker 7 (27:58):
This was just a warning shot. This was a warning
shot for.
Speaker 12 (28:01):
Those five days and let people understand, to let those
companies know that we ain't buying it. We will not
continue to go on and support businesses that don't support
and stand with us.
Speaker 7 (28:10):
Now.
Speaker 12 (28:11):
Part of our campaign, it wasn't the we ain't buying
a campaign, It was not a boycott. It was a
series of actions, economic actions. And one of those actions
that has continued to go we want people to continue
to support it has been the Target boycott. The Target
boycott is being led by black folks. Doctor Jamal Brin.
I just did a panel with him in Montgomery because
(28:31):
we're celebrating today, we're celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the
Montgomery bus boycott.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
This was a boycott that was supposed to.
Speaker 12 (28:38):
Be one day that wound up lasting for three hundred
and eighty one days. Like initially with the boycott, it
was not so that you could actually get.
Speaker 7 (28:47):
The people black folks.
Speaker 12 (28:49):
All they said they wanted was to be treated with
dignity and respect, And as a result, as the movement
continued to grow, they were able to ask for some
specific demands that literally led to the integration public transportation
all around the country.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
So I'm saying that because I want people to understand.
Speaker 12 (29:04):
That those five days, as those of you that participated,
thank you y'all.
Speaker 7 (29:09):
They mad we win it, right.
Speaker 12 (29:11):
We've got to build on our success. But mighty rivers
are field dropped by drop. This was just a first start.
We will build on that. We will continue to build
on that, because what's really important is not just not
spending our money, but it's really how we spend our
money and who we spend our money with.
Speaker 9 (29:26):
You let on, you led me to the next question
because Target was just one of the few businesses I
know there's a list. Can you talk a little bit
about what that list includes?
Speaker 12 (29:37):
So we wanted people There were three businesses on that
particular action that we highlighted and sorry it was target,
it was home depot because what we've been seeing them
in terms of how they have been aligning themselves with
this administration, have been sending surveillance. We lifted up Amazon.
Why Amazon, because Amazon has also competulated. They've spent millions
(29:57):
of dollars. You've spent money in the inauguration and the
support so you can get a tax break at the
expense of what it is doing the hurtful and harmful policies.
So no, we are not continuing as we continue, but
we also wanted people to take ownership of this campaign.
And you know who the bad actors are in your community.
Y'all know the companies that have actually come out and
(30:18):
say that they're not supporting DEI. We have to be
much more disciplined at spenders that we want we reclaim
our power say we're not buying it. But what's really
important that I think was the biggest part of our
campaign and what we want people to understand, was around
the redirecting. We were reclaiming, but when we redirecting our dollars.
Speaker 7 (30:36):
What does that mean?
Speaker 12 (30:37):
We were encouraging people to buy from black businesses, to
small local owned businesses, to women businesses. One of the
businesses I just can give two examples. One example is
a there's a business called the Little Blue Cart that
is an online shopping business. They saw a four hundred
percent increase in sales on Black Friday. In addition to that,
there's an app called black b lapp and if that
(31:00):
app as geo tracking where you can actually locate where
there are black local businesses that they saw an increase
in downloading on that weekend. We have to understand that
we are doing work, but we're in protracted struggle. We're
going to hear all kinds of spens, but I can
guarantee you that at the end of the day, when
people come together, we really make a difference.
Speaker 7 (31:21):
And that's what happened in that campaign.
Speaker 12 (31:22):
If anything, we wanted people to become more constryentious of
our economic choices that we're just out of convenience. We're
actually supporting the very people who are taking money from
our tables. So it's not just when we saw the.
Speaker 7 (31:35):
Forty two million people who actually needs.
Speaker 12 (31:38):
Not benefits, that we saw how they were treated in
this moment and how we were treated in this moment.
But in addition to that, I don't know folks know
that there were black businesses that had contracts with the
federal government that have lost those contracts, not because they
weren't doing a good job, but quite frankly because this
racist trope that is happening right now. They've lost those contracts,
and then we're told that there's certainifications of where they
(32:01):
put their time, money, and energy and resources in that
those certifications onn'count anymore, that they're going to have to
get recertified, and haven't even really been given adequate information
around how to get recertified. The bottom line is they
are coming for our checks. They've been coming for our bodies,
they've been coming for our political power.
Speaker 7 (32:18):
And what do we need to do. We need to
leverage every single bit of power that.
Speaker 12 (32:23):
We have, our political capital, our cultural power, and also
our economic power. We can no longer like have be
in control of over a trillion dollars almost two trillion
dollars in consumers spending and not hold folks to a
standard of who's going to stand and support our communities
And if they're not support our communities, then.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
We ain't buying it. So that's part of what.
Speaker 12 (32:45):
The campaign was. I'm hoping that a planet seeds. We
know that there were you know, we had a pledge
that over forty thousand people actually signed a pledge to
commit to being more conscientious consumers going forward, and so
we believe mighty rivers and drill drop by drop.
Speaker 9 (33:01):
That powerful reminder is just the beginning. To learn more
about the campaign, go to we Ain't Buying It dot
com to get more information and to hear the rest
of our conversation, including what she believes doctor King would
say about this moment. Listen to the full interview on
the Color Between the Lines podcast on iHeartRadio, on the
Color Between the Lines YouTube channel, or wherever you get
your podcasts. I'm Esther Dillard.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Thanks Esther and Latasha Brown. Each week, members of the
Black Information Network news team sitting down with podcast hosts
Rams's jaw and q Ward for a roundtable discussion on
the week's biggest news headlines. Here's this week's conversation with
Esther Dillard and Doug Davis.
Speaker 10 (33:40):
All Right, Esther and Doug, welcome back to the show.
We had a little small talk. I know how the
weather is. Tell me about something else. Exciting Esther.
Speaker 9 (33:47):
You first, well, nothing special going on. I'm enjoying the
coming up for the holidays. Can't wait to take a
little bit of break with family and friends.
Speaker 3 (33:57):
I love that, Doug Man talk to me like wise man,
just chilling like Matt Dylan. If I can take it
back to the day for a minute, you know what
I'm saying, Just again, enjoying the holiday season, enjoying all
that it brings with family and love. You know, sometimes
some tough memories right from some people we may have
lost that we remember during the season, but you know
(34:18):
all as well, Man, happy to be here and alive.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
I love that. All right, Well, let's get to the
news then.
Speaker 10 (34:23):
First up, one of the biggest stories from the past
week involves the state of Texas and an excite announcement
from one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party, Esther.
Let's start today's show off with you tell us more
about the story and than Doug and Q. We'll get
your thoughts next.
Speaker 9 (34:35):
Yeah, it's pretty exciting big political news out of Texas.
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is officially jumping into the US Senate race,
and timing is really interesting because she announced right up
against the state's filing deadline. She's aiming to take on
Senator John Cornyn, and remember he's already dealing with a
multiple primary challengers on the Republican side. Colin Allread, also
(35:01):
a black politician on the Democratic side, told CNN's Dana
Bash that after a politically or i should say, professionally
friendly conversation with Crockett, he chose to pursue another stint
in the House instead of running for Senate, avoiding you know,
more of a conflict with her. So Crockett is framing
this as a needing a bigger voice, especially after her
(35:24):
Dallas area House district was heavily reshapen in the GOP
redistricting effort. And honestly, she comes in with name recognition.
She's been one of the most outspoken Democratic critics of
Trump and Republicans in Congress. But even when she threw
her hat in the ring, attacks started immediately. John Cornyan
put out a statement calling her radical and ineffective. Ken
(35:48):
Paxon called her crazy, and Republicans are already resurfacing some
of her more controversial past comments, and Cornyan even joked
that you know she was, you know, like his dance
partner Speaker Mike Johnson, he kind of tongue in cheeks,
said he encouraged her to run, saying that she had
no chance to win in Texas because of conservativism. But
Crockett says her internal polling shows that she's competitive in
(36:11):
both the primary and general. But Democrats haven't won a
statewide race in Texas in more than thirty years, so
she has a lot to go up against.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
Yeah, well, I think her run terrifies both Democrats and Republicans,
if I can say that for the left, I mean,
let's be honest. You know, there's never been, nor will
there ever be, a voice like Jasmine Crockett in Congress,
whether in the House or Senate. You know, her tongue
shoots rounds like a three D with the glock switch. Man,
she's not playing, and she scared Democrats. I believe you
(36:44):
aren't really in it to win it. You know, there
are some that are social climbers per se, right, And
if I can be Frank Crockett, she's not up with
that nonsense.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (36:52):
She's about putting in that work, you know, putting in
for some real solutions for real people, not just band
aids that you know, some Democrats feel that, you know,
our solutions for the country's biggest issues, and you know,
let's not forget that she is a sister, you know.
And I put an a on that how many Democrats
were quietly opposing Kamala Harris throughout her vice presidency and
(37:14):
her one for the Oval office.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
So let's keep it one hundred.
Speaker 3 (37:16):
So yeah, some Democrats, I feel, are not too thrill
that if she makes it into the Senate chambers, how
things will code and how Republicans feel she'll never make
it in because of her as a call it, combative
style or her progressive ideas, you know. But they also
said that about Mondani, you know, to a degree, and
look what happened. So Republicans labeling her as radical, in
(37:37):
my opinion, is code for her civil rights background, you know,
her advocacy for BLM and her outspokenness on racial justice,
you know, and they feel she fits a pattern where
black progressives are labeled extreme rally white conservatives.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
So I think it's just a rallying cry for them.
Speaker 3 (37:54):
So I'm sure, you know, they'll try to bury her
at the end of the day, like you I just
mentioned esther, But you know, she's running and I believe
for a multi racial coalition. Well, surprise some folks. You know,
Texas ain't the Texas the state used to be, you know.
But with the new congressional line staying in place, I
know it's going to be an uphill battle for Crockett.
Speaker 2 (38:12):
Sure cue, bring us South.
Speaker 8 (38:14):
Doug is spitting today, like I want to just give
Doug my Michael. Let him talk for both of us.
Jasmine Crockett is a super nova. I'd argue she's one
of the reasons why they so aggressively wanted to redistrict
in Texas so that someone like her could never win
in that state. Like Doug said, I think she scares
all of the establishment because they seem to be aligned
(38:38):
on far more than they oppose. And she's coming with
the new voice and a new perspective, and like clockwork,
a rising black woman has a chance to make history
and do something incredible, and everyone comes for her.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
And by everyone, I mean everyone.
Speaker 8 (38:54):
I'm watching young black creators from the Contrarian Party jump
onto their social platforms and create content trying to nitpick
every flaw, every mistake, every thing that she's ever done,
ignoring the fact that the Republican she'd most likely run
a run against. In the generals is anti everything, progressive,
(39:16):
anti everything we stand for, anti civil rights, anti voting rights,
anti LGBTQ, anti black, anti Hispanic, anti immigrant, anti everything,
not heterosexual Christian white rich Man. So another rising star
black woman being nitpicked by everyone is sadly not a surprise.
(39:38):
But if she figures out a way to pull it off,
I think she can continue to shake things up in
DC in a way that's welcomed by all of us.
Moving on, twenty twenty five saw the creation the Department
of Government Efficiency with Tesla owner Elon Musk at the Helm. Now,
as the year comes to a close, Musk took a
moment to share his honest thoughts on impact of DOGE
(40:01):
and whether he'd be willing to involve himself again if
he had to do it all over. Doug for a
final story, share some details on Elon's comments regarding DOGE,
Ester and Ramses will come to you guys to close
us out.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
Elon Musk went on a podcast recently had admitted that
his time running DOGE was only quote somewhat successful. He
claimed that he stopped a huge amount of wasteful government
spending what he called zombie payments, blocking up to two
hundred billion dollars in payments just by making some simple
fixes like requiring payment codes.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
He also said that he would never do it again
and that.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
Doge was not the revolution he once hypened it up
to be. You know, we all remember seeing Musk at
Seapack on stage with that chainsaw, looking like some kind
of rock star that was branding at its loudest right there.
But he also said something important. He said that if
he had known Tesla's name and reputation would get torched
in the process, he would have never gone through with
(40:58):
running Doge.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
And the funny part came.
Speaker 3 (41:01):
Per see, when things between Musk and Trump turned into
open warfare as many predicted, you know, Tesla started getting
hammered in the headlines, you know, and in the pocketbook.
You know, you could see where it was going. So
by May it was pretty much over. Musk bailed out,
you know, likely saved Tesla's brand, you know, and Doge's
brand went into memory.
Speaker 2 (41:23):
Gone, but not necessarily.
Speaker 3 (41:25):
The people whose lives were shattered by the mass layoffs
are not gone. They're still here and they're still trying
to pick up pieces to what used to be you know, stable,
happy lives.
Speaker 9 (41:38):
I think that Doug is really going well this today
because he's gotten a lot of my points. But I
will reiterate that that listeners really just need to keep
in mind when they when they hear him talk that
Dose laid off thousands of federal workers but never actually
produced the big federal savings that he promised. Musk talks
about stopping zombie payments, but there's no dependent data backing
(42:01):
the huge numbers that he throws out, and the entire
project happened because he had political influence at the time.
He was a major Trump backer, So Doge wasn't a
traditional federal reform effort. It was actually a politically driven
experiment run by a private billionaire inside the government. And finally,
(42:22):
Musk says he wouldn't do it again, which is interesting
because Doge sparked protests, backlash, and vandalism at Teslo dealerships,
and that part matters when he frames the initiative was
mostly positive, so yes, he's calling it somewhat successful, but
listeners should really hear his comments with the critical ear.
The outcomes were mixed, the oversight was thin, and the
(42:45):
bigger political context shaped everything that happened.
Speaker 10 (42:50):
I think he kind of alluded to it. But the
reason that he wouldn't do this doge thing again, if
yeah the opportunity is one, the government was far more
efficient than he made it out to be.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
He had to keep walking back his promises.
Speaker 10 (43:07):
And two, there were consequences or the chainsaw type approach
that he took to these government agencies. Now, I want
to say this part out loud too. I think I'm
not the only one, but I believe that Elon Musk
dipped his toe into politics so that he could have
a more favorable relationship with the United States government, so
(43:29):
that he could get government contracts for SpaceX, so that
he could seem like the.
Speaker 2 (43:34):
Hero or the anti hero.
Speaker 10 (43:36):
But I do know that, you know, he benefited fiscally
from this current administration. Meanwhile, I don't know if you've
seen those Chinese evs, but China's kind of crushing Tesla
these days, and at a way cheaper price, and so,
you know, diverting his focus away from his core competencies.
In all, it just probably wasn't the best look for
(43:59):
Elon Musk in suit of his trillion dollars to go
and do government work to try to make the government
more efficient, and not knowing fully what he was getting
himself into. So my thoughts anyway, Thank you both very
much for your time and your insight. Once again, today's
guest are bi In News anchors Esther Dillard and Doug Davis.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Thanks Esther, Doug, Ramses and Q. Be sure to stick
around for more from Doug. He's coming up later in
today's program. Colin Kaepernick was headlined news almost every day
as the world watched him kneel and protests for the
way black people were being abused even killed by police.
So what is he up to now? The Black Information
That Works. Vanessa Tyler finds out.
Speaker 13 (44:38):
What Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem advocating for
black lives meant not ever playing in the NFL again,
but he is quarterbacking the direction of black lives in
the arena of education.
Speaker 14 (44:55):
How's everyone doing today? Very excited be here today?
Speaker 13 (45:01):
Kaepernick at Largo High School in PG County, Maryland, introducing
Loomy's Story, an artificial intelligence power design tool. It's creative
technology to help children write, create, tell their own stories.
Speaker 14 (45:15):
We want to make sure that they have the best tools,
the best resources, and the best research back products in
front of them. So as we think about AI, as
we think about how we're advancing literacy, as we make
sure that our students are accomplishing our girls with our
state standards in our curriculums, we are also building with
(45:36):
the foremost experts in the space. So as we think
about what is being put in front of our students,
we want to make sure that they are prepared for
the future. But we also know that future is now.
Speaker 13 (45:48):
A powerful statement from the six foot four athlete with
his signature big round afro a commanding presence with his
message on theme black lives continue to matter and preparing
our children is key. PG County executive I yous your
brave boy, says with this collaboration, her students will be prepared.
The Black County leader says, they will make their mark
(46:10):
in this AI generated world. Thanks to the visionary Colin Kaepernick.
Speaker 15 (46:15):
I had an opportunity to meet a young, brilliant, dynamic
man who's whose intellect, whose commitment his innovation is really
changing lives. We first met where I first came to
(46:36):
know Colin Kaepernick as a quarterback, someone who was outstanding
on the field, but very soon not just myself, but
the world learned about who he is as a man.
This is a man of conviction, a man of immense
(46:59):
talents in many areas, and a man who's willing to
stand by what is right. And so he stood by
what was right on that field, and now he's standing.
Speaker 7 (47:12):
By what's right in this community.
Speaker 15 (47:14):
And that's to ensure that every child has the ability
to learn.
Speaker 13 (47:18):
Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivy also in attendance, reminding students many
too young to even know the sacrifice Kaepernick made in
his career.
Speaker 16 (47:26):
Owing you empowered athletes not just in the NFL, but
across the board to use their voices and their power
to make a difference in their communities and the ripple
effects I just met, I just signed in the paper today.
FBI agents who took a knee in solidarity are now
being forced out of their jobs by the Trump administration.
All this many years later.
Speaker 13 (47:45):
Educators like PG County School Superintendent doctor Seawan Joseph, who
was also black, says the Loomy tool embraces a technology
in a world that will not leave black students behind.
He too, could not thank Kaepernick enough for the partnership.
Speaker 5 (48:00):
More than an entertainer, he's more than an athlete. He's
a truth teller and an innovator whose journey reminds us
that advocacy is a form of love at every turn.
He's chosen the harder path, centering blackness with dignity, challenging
systems with moral clarity, and pushing our nation to imagine
(48:22):
a world rooted injustice.
Speaker 13 (48:23):
As for the students like Naima, they can't wait to
tell stories and make their voices heard.
Speaker 17 (48:29):
I really knew enjoy it honestly is helping me personally
with storytelling.
Speaker 13 (48:33):
The technology puts flesh on Niima's stories, getting issues she
cares about, maximum impact.
Speaker 17 (48:40):
And I realize that everyone needs to hear the story
of at least one homeless person because I feel like
a lot of people in America are one or two
paychecks away from being homeless as well. So it's really
going to get that story out there and fix the system.
Speaker 13 (48:51):
Change this system, just like the activists who created the
tool to make it happen. Colin Kaepernick, I'm Vanessa Tail
are on the Black Information Network Today.
Speaker 1 (49:01):
Doug Davis returns with Your Black Business and his new
segment titled Let's Build Wealth. His four part series inside
the segment is called Insurance Makes You Rich with Doctor
the Lay Thatch, Doug, take it away.
Speaker 2 (49:13):
Thanks Mike.
Speaker 3 (49:14):
Today on The Black Perspective, we shine a spotlight on
black entrepreneurship and financial empowerment with our segment titled Your
Black Business.
Speaker 2 (49:22):
I am honored to introduce a.
Speaker 3 (49:24):
New four part series hosted in conjunction with doctor Fela Thatch,
titled Let's Build Wealth Insurance Makes You Rich. Our first
episode hits home doctor Thatch a financial expert. We'll share
why it's so critical for us to get our quote
unquote house in order. Too many black folks overlook insurance,
but it's a key tool for protecting wealth and building
(49:47):
a secure future. Doctor Thatch will break it down for us.
So get your pen and paper out, Doctor Thatch, welcome
to The Black Perspective.
Speaker 11 (49:54):
Thank you so much for having.
Speaker 10 (49:55):
Me, Doug.
Speaker 3 (49:56):
Likewise, so many in our community, we often view insurance
with fear or mistrusts, you know, sometimes seeing it as
you know, somewhat of a last resort or something connected
with loss. How can Black Americans begin to reframe their
mindset and understand that insurance, particularly life insurance, is actually
a powerful tool for long term wealth creation rather than
(50:20):
just protection against loss.
Speaker 11 (50:21):
You know, reframing starts with understanding that insurance is not
about death, It's about legacy. And if we can just
focus on the legacy, focus on starting with what did
our grandparents? What did our ancestors leave us? And some
of us were very fortunate, we had very rich parents.
(50:42):
That wasn't me. But for those of us who knew that, wow,
what if my parents left me money and I want
to be different for my children, that could be the motivation.
Start with legacy and understanding that insurance is one of
the most popular vehicles to build wealth.
Speaker 3 (51:01):
Now, the idea that wealth begins, you know, like we said,
with an attitude, which is central to you know, changing
how we think about money. Can you explain what this
wealth mindset kind of looks like in practice when it
comes to insurance and how that shift in thinking can
open doors and building economic independence.
Speaker 7 (51:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (51:20):
So one of the things that I think about all
the time is what am I going to leave my family?
Am I going to leave them debt? What is my
legacy going to be? And doctor Dennis Kimbroll a quote
that I often revisit is wealth is not about what
you earn, It's about what you keep, grow and pass on.
So daily, yes, we're going to run into issues, we're
(51:43):
going to have debt, We're not going to get it
right all of the time, but making sure that we
are planning for the unexpected. No one likes to talk
about death, no one likes to talk about accidents. But however,
those things are going to happen, and what happens when
they do happen. Wouldn't it be better to leave your
family safe and secure so they don't have to worry
(52:06):
about how they will pay the health node or how
they will pay for your funeral. There's a very strategic plan.
And when you shift your attitude around the choices that
you make and you stop thinking in a fear based mindset,
but you align your goals. The insurance is just one
of many vehicles that can be a game changer for
(52:28):
your entire family.
Speaker 2 (52:29):
Yeah, yeah, powerful.
Speaker 3 (52:30):
You know there's a lot of confusion around different types
of insurance policies, you know, term whole, universal, etc. From
your experience, what are the essential elements that black family
should really know when choosing insurance? That can serve as
a strategic financial asset rather than just a safety net.
Speaker 11 (52:48):
So some of the basics around insurance, there's some key principles. Basically,
when the younger you are, the cheaper. It is so
Black families hear me loud and clear, when that baby
is born, or when that God do orter God's son
is born, or niece or nephew. One of the best
gifts you can give them is help their parents get
(53:09):
an insurance policy. I mean, it can be the difference
between like five dollars a month, then as they get
older where it might cost fifty dollars a month, right,
So get it while you're young. I also would say
that to anyone listening, it's never too late because guess what,
Tomorrow you're going to be older and tomorrow. For each
day you wait, insurance is going to cost more money
(53:30):
because it is based on typically driven by your age
and your health. So if you hear me, say nothing
else today, start now. Make sure you get insurance for
your children, Get it while it's super super affordable, and
then just be consistent. Pay those policies, don't let them lapse.
And if you're talking about a whole life or term life.
Here's the number one thing you need to know. Whole
(53:52):
life typically has cash value in it, and term life
ends' is great protection, but it doesn't create long term
wealth because just like your word term, it terminates eventually.
So I have a term life policy and that policy
is going to end in twenty years and then I
won't have a policy anymore. So just thinking about term
(54:12):
is just for a specific short time. And so last
thing I'll say is you need to evaluate your policies.
But not having a policy is not optional.
Speaker 7 (54:23):
You have to have something in.
Speaker 2 (54:25):
Place, right.
Speaker 3 (54:26):
You know, a lot of us have seen television commercials
where these companies are saying, hey, you can cash in
your policy now, you know, and it seems like it's
aimed at older Americans, and you know, given the historic
mistrust of financial institutions in our communities, you know, due
to systemic equalities. What kind of advice do you have
(54:47):
for our listeners on how to find trustworthy, culturally competent
insurance advisors who can guide us in leveraging insurance for
wealth building.
Speaker 11 (54:56):
The best advice I can give is to educate yourself.
You know. The first step is getting rid of the
fear of the unknown. So you give yourself permission to
learn at your own pace. Start with the basics. Right now,
we have chat, GPT, we have Google. Look into what
are the types of insurance? What can you actually do?
And then I would always say reach out to family
(55:17):
and friends and say, hey, do you have an insurance policy?
Just remember that insurance is regulated, so there are lots
of laws and regulations to make sure that your money
is safe and your money is protected.
Speaker 3 (55:29):
You often speak about the intersection of financial wellness, mental health,
and stability in our community. How does insurance function as
part of that holistic foundation, particularly in you know, black
families seeking long term economic security.
Speaker 11 (55:43):
Well, you know what, I'll speak for myself first, I'm
an entrepreneur. I love taking risk, and so I made
sure that I had a very large policy. I have
a million dollar term policy. And that million dollar term
policy has given me some comfort knowing that if I
die today, with all of the different balls I have
(56:05):
up in the air and things I'm doing in my business,
my family would get a million dollars if I die today,
And that how does that SD I mean, does that
sound good?
Speaker 2 (56:15):
I mean right?
Speaker 11 (56:16):
I feel like I did my part and nothing else
And then I have another policy set aside for the
cost of my burial that's like thirty thousand dollars, right,
And so I'm actually worth more dead than alive. And
I'll be honest with you, most wealthy people are because
they don't have a ton of money in their bank account.
They have assets, they have insurance, and they have equity.
Speaker 3 (56:40):
And finally, you teach leaders and organizations how to leverage
AI for strategy, decision making and economic growth. How can
everyday people begin using AI tools to better understand insurance,
evaluate policies, and you know, make more confident financial decisions.
Speaker 11 (56:57):
I have a product called missus HR and a com
and inside of that product we look at different benefits
options and so AI. What has happened with AI that
has been a game changer is it helps you get
information into your fingertips quickly and so understanding terminology in
(57:20):
your policy. You can literally upload your policy into AI,
you know, remove all the confidential pieces and ask it
to break it down into like three main points or
ask it, you know, what are the risks in this
policy that I should be aware of? Ask questions around
making sure that you understand the policy better, making sure
(57:41):
you it's competitive. So I've worked in diversity, equity and
inclusion and justice for the past ten years, and we're
out of time right now where we're able to have
the same equity because we have the same access to
certain technology.
Speaker 2 (57:56):
That's right, very true. All right.
Speaker 3 (57:58):
So this is the first of our four parts called
Let's Build Wealth Insurance makes you rich? Uh, Doctor Thela Thatch,
thank you so much for taking part in our first
again of four conversations. Next we will talk about it
the HR perspective and how employees can benefit off of
company insurance. And for one case, doctor, that's how can
(58:21):
people reach you?
Speaker 11 (58:22):
You can please reach me on YouTube at LA that
just put in th h e l A Thatch. You
can go to my website dla Thatch dot com and
please check me out on Instagram at ask ask missus
HR and you get to see me flying around in
my red Cape coming to save the day.
Speaker 2 (58:41):
I love that.
Speaker 11 (58:42):
Like that or ask missus HR so great? Just google me.
Oh guess what, Doug. You can chat gp my name
T put in who is t h e l A
right all right, and chat GPT will tell you how
to find that.
Speaker 2 (58:57):
That's right, quicker than Google. I appreciate that this is Davis.
Speaker 3 (59:01):
You're listening to your black business on the Black Perspective
on the Black Information Network a great one.
Speaker 1 (59:06):
Thank you, Doug and doctor Thatch. That's our program for
this week. For more on these stories, listen to the
Black Information Network on the free iHeartRadio app or log
onto bionnews dot com for all of the latest news
impacting the black community. We would love to hear from
you about the Black Perspective. Simply log onto the Bion's
Talkback Live feature on the iHeartRadio app to share your feedback.
(59:28):
Be sure to follow us on social media at Black
Information Network and on x and blue Sky at black
Info Net, and make the Black Information Network first on
your car radio and iHeartRadio app presets. I'm Mike Island.
Have a great Sunday. We'll see you next week right
here on the Black Information Network.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.