Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee and Conversations with Lya and Dana

Beloved Black actress Nia Long recently decried using the terms "Black Movies" and "BlackFamous," which she told BuzzFeed "hold us back." Lya & Dana, co-hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations discuss movies, HBCUs, Black media and why they are unapologetically Black and proud. #2blackpodcast #blackgirlfollowtrain  #blackgirlmagic #blackisbeautiful #tuesdaythoughts #affirmingblackness #bla...

Giving birth is sacred, says Clem the Doula. And, it can be difficult and deadly for Black women who must navigate Iowa's predominantly white health care systems, where Blacks are six times more likely than whites to die during or after childbirth, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Doulas wrap mothers in support and education, which can help minimize complications and help save lives. Clem the Doula tol...

During the holidays and in everyday life, Black women are the glue. They prioritize taking care of their children, families and communities with too little thought to taking care of themselves. They push through work while they're tired and underpaid. Then, they overwork at home and in their communities. Often, their public personas don't align with their private pain, and the stress of it all can harm their health. Lya & Dana,...

People ask Waverly Zhao,  Johnston High School student, why she's so interested in politics. Zhao has already run for public office and won — representing students on the Johnston School board. Next, she'll serve as Legislative Page in the Iowa Legislature. Zhao tells Lya & Dana, hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations how and why she uses her voice to push for change. #youth #futureleaders #2blkpod...

Seeta Lee, an educator, writer and self-care coach, learned something revolutionary about herself: She's "A Whole Damn Woman." Lee is CEO of Whole Damn Woman, a feminist self-care education company. Self-care is about "more than massages" Lee told Lya, co-host of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations. Lee coaches people to rid themselves of "BS" societal pressures and learn to live on their own terms. Find out...

Waterloo, Iowa Mayor Quentin Hart, in his fourth term, told the hosts of Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations he "made it into office" by working for people — in whatever capacity he could. Now, he's helping to spearhead citywide transformation —with an emphasis on equity — in the town of about 68,000 people, of whom 18% are Black. What will that look like? Listen to the conversation with hosts Lya & Dana...

A group of concerned Black educators and parents have developed an interest group for a Des Moines chapter of the National Black Child Development Institute. Anita Fleming-Rife, a retired educator, hopes to rally people around Black students' math and reading proficiency and implement programs and advocacy initiatives. She decried the test scores and told Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations: "We've got to get the...

Americans go to the polls today, Nov. 8, 2022, to vote in the midterm elections. On Being Heard: 2 Black Women, Coffee & Conversations, hosts Lya and Dana urge Black Americans to think about those high grocery and utility bills, how they had to keep pushing during the coronavirus pandemic and run, not walk, to the polls. #2blkpodcast #midterms #elections

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