April 18, 2025 • 23 mins
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Black America is standing at a crossroads.
The echoes of our past arelouder than ever, but so is the
call of our future.
From rising Black billionairesto the relentless gentrification
pushing families out ofhistoric neighborhoods, from
tech innovation in our hands toprison bars still closing in on
too many of our sons anddaughters, what direction are we
really heading in?
(00:20):
Are we building power or justsurviving the storm?
And, more importantly, who'swriting the blueprint for the
next generation of Blackexcellence?
This isn't just a conversation.
It's a movement, a reckoningand a wake-up call.
The future of Black America isnot promised, but it is possible
, and today we're going to talkabout what's next, what's real
(00:42):
and what we must do now, beforeit's too late.
To talk about what's next,what's real and what we must do
now, before it's too late.
Before we dive into thismuch-needed conversation, take a
second to support this movementof healing, truth and elevation
.
Subscribe to Life Points withRhonda on YouTube, follow the
podcast on your favoritestreaming platform and share
this episode with someone inyour circle who's ready to be
part of the change.
And share this episode withsomeone in your circle who's
(01:03):
ready to be part of the change.
You can also join theconversation with me on Facebook
, instagram and TikTok, allunder the handle Life Points
with Rhonda, for exclusivecontent behind the scenes and
one-on-one consultations.
Head over to Life Points withRhondacom.
If you believe in Black power,black unity and Black futures,
(01:26):
tap in, stay locked and let'sbuild together.
Welcome back, beautiful souls,to another episode of Life
Points with Rhonda, the podcastwhere we dig deep into all
things life, love, money,wellness and the truth that
lives in between.
I'm your host, rhonda, and, asalways, I want to thank you for
(01:47):
sharing this sacred space withme, whether you're on your
morning walk, on your grind orjust needing some real talk to
fuel your spirit today.
Now, you already know we don'tdo surface here.
We keep it real, we keep itrooted and we keep it rooted and
we keep it focused on elevation.
Today's episode is one that I'vebeen holding in my heart for a
(02:09):
while, because the state of ourpeople, the future of Black
America, is not just a trendingtopic.
It's personal, it'sgenerational and it's urgent.
We're going to explore where westand as a community, what
we're facing from systemicoppression to cultural
breakthroughs and what we mustdo as individuals, as families
(02:30):
and as a collective to shape thefuture we deserve.
This is not about blame.
This is about blueprint, it'sabout legacy, it's about action.
So if you're ready to go deep,stay with me, because what comes
next depends on what we doright now.
The state of Black America todaylet's begin with a raw, honest
(02:51):
look at where we are right now,because before we can talk about
the future, we have to confrontthe reality of the present.
Black America is a paradox.
On one hand, we're witnessingmore visibility, more cultural
influence and more Blackexcellence than ever before.
We're leading industries, we'relaunching businesses, we're
redefining what it means to besuccessful on our own terms.
(03:14):
Black women are the fastestgrowing group of entrepreneurs.
Black men and women are makingpowerful strides in politics,
entertainment, tech, health andeducation.
We are no longer waiting forseats at tables.
We are building the damn tablesourselves.
But on the other hand, we'restill bleeding in ways that have
(03:35):
become all too familiar.
The wealth gap is still gaping,home ownership is still
slipping out of reach for toomany of us.
Black communities are stillbeing displaced in waves through
gentrification, our publicschools are underfunded, our
health disparities are killingus too young and the prison
system Still disproportionatelyfilled with our sons, our
(03:58):
daughters, our futures.
The trauma.
It's still in our bloodline,passed down, inherited and
carried quietly like aninvisible scar.
We are a people rich in soul,spirit and survival, but too
often we are forced to operatein survival mode instead of
(04:19):
thriving.
Our brilliance is undeniable,but so are the systems built to
dim our light.
And then there's the mentaltoll.
We don't talk about that enoughGenerational PTSD, the
exhaustion of constantly havingto prove our worth in spaces
that weren't built for us, theanxiety of being the only one in
the room, the pressure to carryculture on our backs while
(04:41):
still being expected toassimilate.
These things weigh heavy.
And even when we appear to bewinning, sometimes we're
silently breaking.
But here's the truth we are notbroken.
We are awakening, we areremembering, we are rising.
This is the moment to evaluateour reality without fear or
shame, to sit with thecontradictions, to face the
(05:04):
beauty and the brokenness at thesame time, because both exist
and both matter.
This is where we are, but it'snot where we have to stay.
What's working?
Our wins and rising power.
Let's shift the lens nowbecause, while we've got
struggles, we've also gotmomentum, and it's time we start
acknowledging, amplifying andbuilding on our wins, because
(05:27):
there's real power inrecognizing our progress, not as
a distraction, but as areminder that we are evolving.
First, let's talk economics.
The number of Black-ownedbusinesses has skyrocketed in
the past decade.
We're seeing more Blackentrepreneurs build generational
wealth, more families starttrusts, more young people
(05:49):
learning financial literacy,cryptocurrency, real estate and
group economics From beautybrands to tech startups, from
plant-based soul food to luxurytravel agencies.
We are no longer just consumers.
We're creators, investors andowners In media and pop culture.
We are not just talent, we arenow the decision makers.
We are writing, producing,directing and funding our own
(06:13):
narratives.
Shows, podcasts and films withauthentic Black voices are
dominating the charts, and itmatters, because when we control
the story, we control the image, and when we control the image,
we control the impact.
We're also witnessing abeautiful renaissance in
wellness and spiritualsovereignty.
(06:35):
More Black people are going totherapy, more are returning to
ancestral practices, learningabout chakras, ifa meditation,
root work and Africanspirituality.
We're healing out loud, settingboundaries, learning about
trauma and refusing to pass iton to the next generation.
That's revolutionary.
(06:56):
Let's not forget politics.
We're holding elected officialsaccountable and running for
office ourselves.
We're organizing at thegrassroots level.
We're accountable and runningfor office ourselves.
We're organizing at thegrassroots level.
We're turning activism intopolicy change, voter education
and real power at the polls.
The energy of the streets hasturned into the power of the pen
, and that's how movementsbecome legacies.
And finally, our youth Don'tbelieve the lie that they're
(07:19):
lost.
These babies are brilliant.
They're tech-savvy, creative,outspoken and unapologetically
black.
They're starting clothing linesat 16.
They're speaking truth onTikTok with more clarity than
some political leaders.
They are questioning thesystems we were taught to accept
and they're dreaming in color,full spectrum, full power.
(07:42):
This is the part of the storythat often gets drowned out by
pain, but we need to see it, toname it, to lean into it,
because these wins, they're notrandom.
They are proof that when weinvest in ourselves, spiritually
, economically, emotionally andculturally, we shift the entire
(08:03):
trajectory.
The seeds have been planted,the soil is rich and the harvest
is beginning to show what'sholding us back the internal and
external battles.
Now let's get into theuncomfortable but necessary part
of this conversation, becauseas much as we're rising, we're
also being pulled back by bothoutside forces and internal
(08:23):
wounds, wounds we haven't fullyhealed and if we don't face them
, they'll keep robbing us of ourfuture.
Externally, the grip ofsystemic oppression is still
real.
Redlining may be illegal onpaper, but the effects are still
alive in our communities.
Black students are still morelikely to be suspended,
underfunded or mislabeled inschool systems.
(08:43):
We still face hiringdiscrimination.
We still see our communitiesover-policed and underserved.
The prison industrial complexdidn't disappear, it just
rebranded.
And digital racism?
It's alive in algorithms,shadow bans and surveillance.
But what about the chains weplace on ourselves?
Let's talk internal.
(09:04):
There's still too much ego andtoo little unity, too much
competition and not enoughcollaboration.
Sometimes we're so conditionedto struggle that we reject
abundance.
We question each other'ssuccess, we drag each other
online, we turn pain into jokesand trauma into memes.
We've been taught to see eachother as threats instead of
(09:24):
allies, and that mindset iskilling our collective power.
Colorism still divides us.
Respectability politics stillhaunt us.
Gender wars within ourcommunity are growing louder and
they're tearing us apart fromthe inside.
The sacred bond between Blackmen and women has been bruised
and instead of healing it, weoften weaponize the pain.
(09:45):
Our sisters are crying out forprotection, our brothers are
starving for respect, andsomewhere in the middle we've
lost trust in each other.
And then there's the silence,the hush culture.
We still struggle to talkopenly about mental health,
molestation, generational abuse,addiction and family
dysfunction.
Too often we protect predators,we suppress survivors.
(10:09):
We sweep pain under the rug inthe name of tradition or image.
But silence doesn't protect itperpetuates.
We've also got a healing crisiswhen it comes to our
relationship with money.
Too many of us were raised withlack, so we either hoard,
(10:31):
overspend or shame each otherfor not knowing better.
Financial literacy should betaught at the kitchen table, but
most of us never had thatluxury, and now we're learning
the hard way, while still beingjudged for our mistakes.
The truth is not all the woundsare our fault, but healing is
our responsibility.
We can't outspend our trauma,we can't outdress our insecurity
and we can't build a future onfoundations that are cracking
(10:52):
beneath us.
We've got to be willing to dothe work, to unlearn, to forgive
, to call each other in insteadof calling each other out,
because the moment we stopfighting each other, we become
unstoppable.
The question is are we ready togrow beyond the pain, building
a new blueprint what the futurecould look like?
Imagine a future where BlackAmerica isn't just surviving,
(11:14):
we're thriving, not justresponding to crisis, but
writing the script of ourcollective destiny with
intention, unity and power.
This is the part of theconversation that moves us from
reaction to strategy, from painto purpose, from legacy trauma
to legacy building.
So what does that future looklike?
(11:34):
It starts with education, butnot just in schools, in homes,
in community spaces, inbarbershops and beauty salons.
It's financial literacy coursesfor our youth before they touch
a paycheck.
It's healing circles where wetalk about grief, identity and
self-worth.
It's reintroducing our childrento the truth of our history,
(11:55):
beyond slavery, from Timbuktu toTulsa to technological
innovation.
It's understanding thatliberation is not a chapter in a
book.
It's a lifestyle we choose tolive daily.
A future for Black America alsomeans creating systems we own
Credit unions, schools, farms,grocery stores, tech hubs.
(12:17):
Not just participating incapitalism but reclaiming it for
collective good.
It means leveraging ourtrillions in spending power to
support Black businessesconsistently, not just during
Black History Month.
It's co-ops and community landtrusts.
It's group economics becomingthe new norm, not just a hashtag
(12:38):
.
Spiritually, the future meansreturning to our roots, honoring
our ancestors not assuperstition, but as science,
energy, lineage and memory.
It means embracing spiritualityas wellness, reconnecting with
IFA, houdou, kemetic teachingsand Christian practices that
uplift rather than shame.
(12:58):
It's about choosing practicesthat feed our soul without fear,
because our spiritual power isour protection.
And let's not forget our menand women, the divine
partnership that will anchorthis vision.
The future means restoringsacred connection between Black
men and women.
It means raising sons who knowhow to love without controlling,
(13:19):
and daughters who know they aremore than their beauty.
It's the end of gender wars andthe rebirth of balance.
It's building homes not justhouses where love is not
conditional and protection isnot performative.
The future also looks likeembracing our mental health like
we do our fashion, where goingto therapy is just as normal as
(13:40):
getting a shape up or a silkpress.
Where checking on your strongfriends isn't a tweet, it's a
habit.
Where healing becomes a trendwe never cancel.
And finally, leadership.
We need leaders who are notchasing clout but building
coalitions.
Elders who pass down knowledgewithout ego.
Influencers who use theirplatform to elevate, not exploit
(14:03):
, youth who are not just seenbut heard.
Leaders rooted in service,vision and integrity.
That's the future.
This new blueprint.
It's not fiction.
It's already unfolding inpockets across the country
Community Gardens in Detroit,black homeschool collectives in
Atlanta, healing festivals inOakland, tech startups in DC and
(14:25):
Charlotte.
We're already building thefuture.
We just need to connect thedots, and that future begins
with belief, then intention,then action.
So the question we have to askourselves isn't, can we it's?
Will we?
The role of media, music andmessaging?
If you want to know where aculture is headed, pay attention
to its music, its music andmessaging.
(14:45):
If you want to know where aculture is headed, pay attention
to its music, its movies, itsmemes.
Because, whether we like it ornot, media is more than
entertainment.
It's indoctrination.
It tells us who we are, whatwe're worth and what's possible.
And for Black America, mediahas been both a mirror and a
manipulator.
We've come a long way from thedays when we were invisible or
(15:06):
only seen as caricatures.
Today, black creators aretelling our stories on our own
terms, from the streets ofPhilly to Hollywood sound stages
.
But we also have to call itlike it is.
Not every story being told iselevating us.
Some are doing the exactopposite.
Music is power.
It can heal or harm, it canactivate or anesthetize, and
(15:27):
right now, too much of ourmainstream sound is saturated
with death, disloyalty,degradation and designer labels.
Our airwaves are full ofvibrations that glorify trauma,
dismiss healing and silencevulnerability, and that's not by
accident, because the peopleconstantly at war with
(15:47):
themselves are easier to control.
That doesn't mean we throw thewhole culture away.
It means we elevate it, protectit, demand more from it.
We need more artists unafraidto tell the truth, not just
about struggle, but abouthealing, joy, intimacy and
liberation.
We need more music that upliftsBlack love, celebrates realness
(16:09):
without toxicity and reminds usthat softness is not weakness.
We also have to stop allowingsocial media algorithms to
become our educators.
Too many of us are forming lifephilosophies from memes and
viral clips.
We confuse viral with valid andin that chaos, the wisdom of
our elders, scholars, spiritualleaders and visionaries gets
(16:32):
drowned out by sensationalismand clout chasing.
Let's be real.
Every time we repost a fightvideo, we're reinforcing
stereotypes.
Every time we elevate toxicinfluencers who profit off
division between Black men andwomen, we're feeding the beast.
We're either building our imageor breaking it.
There's no in-between the goodnews.
We do have power.
(16:53):
We can choose to consume andpromote media that reflects the
future we want, not the pastwe're trying to escape.
That means supporting Blackfilmmakers, buying books by
Black authors, listening topodcasts like this one that
(17:16):
spark healing and action.
Thank you, and in the future ofBlack America.
Our stories will not justentertain, they will liberate
Healing, legacy and collectiveresponsibility.
We cannot talk about the futureof Black America without
talking about healing.
Not just physical healing, notjust mental healing, but deep,
(17:38):
spiritual, ancestral,heart-centered healing, the kind
that repairs what centuriestried to erase.
Because you can't build afuture with unhealed people and
you can't pass down power if allyou carry is pain.
Healing begins with truth, thetruth about what happened to us,
the truth about what we'veinternalized, the truth about
(18:01):
what we've normalized.
We have to face the abuse thathappened in families, the
betrayals that happened inrelationships, the pain that
happened in silence.
Healing means pulling thepoison out of the wound, not to
blame but to break the cycle.
Legacy isn't just about money orland.
It's about what we leave behindin the hearts and minds of
(18:23):
those who come after us.
Are we passing down fear orfaith, scarcity or strategy,
silence or strength?
What are our childreninheriting from our actions, our
relationships, our beliefs?
Every time we choose to heal,every time we choose to love,
every time we choose to show upwith accountability and grace,
(18:44):
we're writing a new chapter inour lineage.
And this is where collectiveresponsibility comes in, because
the healing of Black America isnot one person's job.
It's not just up to politicians, not just up to celebrities,
not just up to mamas, pastors orscholars.
It's all of us the auntiesmentoring girls on the block,
(19:06):
the brothers starting barbershopdialogues, the healers holding
space for grief, the teacherswho see potential in every child
even when they're acting out,the podcasters, the poets, the
parents, the protesters, thebuilders, the believers.
Everyone has a role.
You might not be able to changethe whole world, but you can
(19:28):
change your home, your block,your family, your platform.
You can plant seeds of love,truth and resilience wherever
you go, because the future wewant won't be gifted to us.
We have to build it brick bybrick, heart by heart.
And yes, we'll get tired, yes,we'll make mistakes, yes,
there'll be days when the weightfeels too heavy.
(19:49):
But we are the descendants ofwarriors, of queens and kings,
of freedom fighters and dreamerswho built nations in bondage.
We carry their prayers in ourbreath.
We carry their strength in ourbones.
We carry their strength in ourbones.
We are their future, and nowit's our turn to become someone
(20:11):
else's ancestor.
So what will they say about us?
Did we heal?
Did we rise, did we build?
Because the legacy starts nowConclusion, relationship tie-in
and final call to action.
So let's bring this full circle.
The future of Black Americaisn't just about policies,
programs or economics.
(20:32):
It's also about relationshipsthe way we love each other,
support each other, hold spacefor one another and show up in
our families and communities.
Our healing as a people beginsin how we relate to one another.
Healthy relationships are thecornerstone of strong
communities.
That means partnerships builton respect, not power plays,
(20:54):
parenting rooted in presence,not control, friendships that
speak life, not gossip, elderswho guide with wisdom not guilt,
youth who are nurtured, notdismissed.
The same emotional intelligencewe talk about in romantic
relationships applies to theentire community.
Can we communicate withouttearing each other down?
(21:15):
Can we hold each otheraccountable without canceling
each other out?
Can we give love withoutconditions?
Can we heal our wounds beforepassing them on to the next
person we try to love?
Because, at the end of the day,building a better Black America
starts at home.
It starts with how we talk toour children, how we care for
(21:38):
our partners, how we support ourneighbors, how we forgive our
family members and how we showup for ourselves.
And if you're listening rightnow.
Know this you are part of thatshift.
Whether you're a teacher, aparent, an entrepreneur, a
healer or simply someone tryingto figure it all out, you matter
.
Your story matters, yourhealing matters, your love
(22:00):
matters.
The future is not some far-offidea.
It's already being written inhow we love each other today.
So what's next for BlackAmerica?
Whatever we decide, if thisepisode stirred something in
your spirit, don't keep it toyourself.
Share it.
Let's keep this conversationalive across households,
barbershops, classrooms andtimelines.
(22:21):
Subscribe to Life Points withRhonda on YouTube and your
favorite podcast platform, visitLife Points.
Bye TikTok and Patreon underLife Points with Rhonda.
(22:43):
Let's build, let's heal andlet's lead together.
Until next time, thank you you.
Black America is standing at a crossroads.
The echoes of our past arelouder than ever, but so is the
call of our future.
From rising Black billionairesto the relentless gentrification
pushing families out ofhistoric neighborhoods, from
tech innovation in our hands toprison bars still closing in on
too many of our sons anddaughters, what direction are we
really heading in?
(00:20):
Are we building power or justsurviving the storm?
And, more importantly, who'swriting the blueprint for the
next generation of Blackexcellence?
This isn't just a conversation.
It's a movement, a reckoningand a wake-up call.
The future of Black America isnot promised, but it is possible
, and today we're going to talkabout what's next, what's real
(00:42):
and what we must do now, beforeit's too late.
To talk about what's next,what's real and what we must do
now, before it's too late.
Before we dive into thismuch-needed conversation, take a
second to support this movementof healing, truth and elevation
.
Subscribe to Life Points withRhonda on YouTube, follow the
podcast on your favoritestreaming platform and share
this episode with someone inyour circle who's ready to be
part of the change.
And share this episode withsomeone in your circle who's
(01:03):
ready to be part of the change.
You can also join theconversation with me on Facebook
, instagram and TikTok, allunder the handle Life Points
with Rhonda, for exclusivecontent behind the scenes and
one-on-one consultations.
Head over to Life Points withRhondacom.
If you believe in Black power,black unity and Black futures,
(01:26):
tap in, stay locked and let'sbuild together.
Welcome back, beautiful souls,to another episode of Life
Points with Rhonda, the podcastwhere we dig deep into all
things life, love, money,wellness and the truth that
lives in between.
I'm your host, rhonda, and, asalways, I want to thank you for
(01:47):
sharing this sacred space withme, whether you're on your
morning walk, on your grind orjust needing some real talk to
fuel your spirit today.
Now, you already know we don'tdo surface here.
We keep it real, we keep itrooted and we keep it rooted and
we keep it focused on elevation.
Today's episode is one that I'vebeen holding in my heart for a
(02:09):
while, because the state of ourpeople, the future of Black
America, is not just a trendingtopic.
It's personal, it'sgenerational and it's urgent.
We're going to explore where westand as a community, what
we're facing from systemicoppression to cultural
breakthroughs and what we mustdo as individuals, as families
(02:30):
and as a collective to shape thefuture we deserve.
This is not about blame.
This is about blueprint, it'sabout legacy, it's about action.
So if you're ready to go deep,stay with me, because what comes
next depends on what we doright now.
The state of Black America todaylet's begin with a raw, honest
(02:51):
look at where we are right now,because before we can talk about
the future, we have to confrontthe reality of the present.
Black America is a paradox.
On one hand, we're witnessingmore visibility, more cultural
influence and more Blackexcellence than ever before.
We're leading industries, we'relaunching businesses, we're
redefining what it means to besuccessful on our own terms.
(03:14):
Black women are the fastestgrowing group of entrepreneurs.
Black men and women are makingpowerful strides in politics,
entertainment, tech, health andeducation.
We are no longer waiting forseats at tables.
We are building the damn tablesourselves.
But on the other hand, we'restill bleeding in ways that have
(03:35):
become all too familiar.
The wealth gap is still gaping,home ownership is still
slipping out of reach for toomany of us.
Black communities are stillbeing displaced in waves through
gentrification, our publicschools are underfunded, our
health disparities are killingus too young and the prison
system Still disproportionatelyfilled with our sons, our
(03:58):
daughters, our futures.
The trauma.
It's still in our bloodline,passed down, inherited and
carried quietly like aninvisible scar.
We are a people rich in soul,spirit and survival, but too
often we are forced to operatein survival mode instead of
(04:19):
thriving.
Our brilliance is undeniable,but so are the systems built to
dim our light.
And then there's the mentaltoll.
We don't talk about that enoughGenerational PTSD, the
exhaustion of constantly havingto prove our worth in spaces
that weren't built for us, theanxiety of being the only one in
the room, the pressure to carryculture on our backs while
(04:41):
still being expected toassimilate.
These things weigh heavy.
And even when we appear to bewinning, sometimes we're
silently breaking.
But here's the truth we are notbroken.
We are awakening, we areremembering, we are rising.
This is the moment to evaluateour reality without fear or
shame, to sit with thecontradictions, to face the
(05:04):
beauty and the brokenness at thesame time, because both exist
and both matter.
This is where we are, but it'snot where we have to stay.
What's working?
Our wins and rising power.
Let's shift the lens nowbecause, while we've got
struggles, we've also gotmomentum, and it's time we start
acknowledging, amplifying andbuilding on our wins, because
(05:27):
there's real power inrecognizing our progress, not as
a distraction, but as areminder that we are evolving.
First, let's talk economics.
The number of Black-ownedbusinesses has skyrocketed in
the past decade.
We're seeing more Blackentrepreneurs build generational
wealth, more families starttrusts, more young people
(05:49):
learning financial literacy,cryptocurrency, real estate and
group economics From beautybrands to tech startups, from
plant-based soul food to luxurytravel agencies.
We are no longer just consumers.
We're creators, investors andowners In media and pop culture.
We are not just talent, we arenow the decision makers.
We are writing, producing,directing and funding our own
(06:13):
narratives.
Shows, podcasts and films withauthentic Black voices are
dominating the charts, and itmatters, because when we control
the story, we control the image, and when we control the image,
we control the impact.
We're also witnessing abeautiful renaissance in
wellness and spiritualsovereignty.
(06:35):
More Black people are going totherapy, more are returning to
ancestral practices, learningabout chakras, ifa meditation,
root work and Africanspirituality.
We're healing out loud, settingboundaries, learning about
trauma and refusing to pass iton to the next generation.
That's revolutionary.
(06:56):
Let's not forget politics.
We're holding elected officialsaccountable and running for
office ourselves.
We're organizing at thegrassroots level.
We're accountable and runningfor office ourselves.
We're organizing at thegrassroots level.
We're turning activism intopolicy change, voter education
and real power at the polls.
The energy of the streets hasturned into the power of the pen
, and that's how movementsbecome legacies.
And finally, our youth Don'tbelieve the lie that they're
(07:19):
lost.
These babies are brilliant.
They're tech-savvy, creative,outspoken and unapologetically
black.
They're starting clothing linesat 16.
They're speaking truth onTikTok with more clarity than
some political leaders.
They are questioning thesystems we were taught to accept
and they're dreaming in color,full spectrum, full power.
(07:42):
This is the part of the storythat often gets drowned out by
pain, but we need to see it, toname it, to lean into it,
because these wins, they're notrandom.
They are proof that when weinvest in ourselves, spiritually
, economically, emotionally andculturally, we shift the entire
(08:03):
trajectory.
The seeds have been planted,the soil is rich and the harvest
is beginning to show what'sholding us back the internal and
external battles.
Now let's get into theuncomfortable but necessary part
of this conversation, becauseas much as we're rising, we're
also being pulled back by bothoutside forces and internal
(08:23):
wounds, wounds we haven't fullyhealed and if we don't face them
, they'll keep robbing us of ourfuture.
Externally, the grip ofsystemic oppression is still
real.
Redlining may be illegal onpaper, but the effects are still
alive in our communities.
Black students are still morelikely to be suspended,
underfunded or mislabeled inschool systems.
(08:43):
We still face hiringdiscrimination.
We still see our communitiesover-policed and underserved.
The prison industrial complexdidn't disappear, it just
rebranded.
And digital racism?
It's alive in algorithms,shadow bans and surveillance.
But what about the chains weplace on ourselves?
Let's talk internal.
(09:04):
There's still too much ego andtoo little unity, too much
competition and not enoughcollaboration.
Sometimes we're so conditionedto struggle that we reject
abundance.
We question each other'ssuccess, we drag each other
online, we turn pain into jokesand trauma into memes.
We've been taught to see eachother as threats instead of
(09:24):
allies, and that mindset iskilling our collective power.
Colorism still divides us.
Respectability politics stillhaunt us.
Gender wars within ourcommunity are growing louder and
they're tearing us apart fromthe inside.
The sacred bond between Blackmen and women has been bruised
and instead of healing it, weoften weaponize the pain.
(09:45):
Our sisters are crying out forprotection, our brothers are
starving for respect, andsomewhere in the middle we've
lost trust in each other.
And then there's the silence,the hush culture.
We still struggle to talkopenly about mental health,
molestation, generational abuse,addiction and family
dysfunction.
Too often we protect predators,we suppress survivors.
(10:09):
We sweep pain under the rug inthe name of tradition or image.
But silence doesn't protect itperpetuates.
We've also got a healing crisiswhen it comes to our
relationship with money.
Too many of us were raised withlack, so we either hoard,
(10:31):
overspend or shame each otherfor not knowing better.
Financial literacy should betaught at the kitchen table, but
most of us never had thatluxury, and now we're learning
the hard way, while still beingjudged for our mistakes.
The truth is not all the woundsare our fault, but healing is
our responsibility.
We can't outspend our trauma,we can't outdress our insecurity
and we can't build a future onfoundations that are cracking
(10:52):
beneath us.
We've got to be willing to dothe work, to unlearn, to forgive
, to call each other in insteadof calling each other out,
because the moment we stopfighting each other, we become
unstoppable.
The question is are we ready togrow beyond the pain, building
a new blueprint what the futurecould look like?
Imagine a future where BlackAmerica isn't just surviving,
(11:14):
we're thriving, not justresponding to crisis, but
writing the script of ourcollective destiny with
intention, unity and power.
This is the part of theconversation that moves us from
reaction to strategy, from painto purpose, from legacy trauma
to legacy building.
So what does that future looklike?
(11:34):
It starts with education, butnot just in schools, in homes,
in community spaces, inbarbershops and beauty salons.
It's financial literacy coursesfor our youth before they touch
a paycheck.
It's healing circles where wetalk about grief, identity and
self-worth.
It's reintroducing our childrento the truth of our history,
(11:55):
beyond slavery, from Timbuktu toTulsa to technological
innovation.
It's understanding thatliberation is not a chapter in a
book.
It's a lifestyle we choose tolive daily.
A future for Black America alsomeans creating systems we own
Credit unions, schools, farms,grocery stores, tech hubs.
(12:17):
Not just participating incapitalism but reclaiming it for
collective good.
It means leveraging ourtrillions in spending power to
support Black businessesconsistently, not just during
Black History Month.
It's co-ops and community landtrusts.
It's group economics becomingthe new norm, not just a hashtag
(12:38):
.
Spiritually, the future meansreturning to our roots, honoring
our ancestors not assuperstition, but as science,
energy, lineage and memory.
It means embracing spiritualityas wellness, reconnecting with
IFA, houdou, kemetic teachingsand Christian practices that
uplift rather than shame.
(12:58):
It's about choosing practicesthat feed our soul without fear,
because our spiritual power isour protection.
And let's not forget our menand women, the divine
partnership that will anchorthis vision.
The future means restoringsacred connection between Black
men and women.
It means raising sons who knowhow to love without controlling,
(13:19):
and daughters who know they aremore than their beauty.
It's the end of gender wars andthe rebirth of balance.
It's building homes not justhouses where love is not
conditional and protection isnot performative.
The future also looks likeembracing our mental health like
we do our fashion, where goingto therapy is just as normal as
(13:40):
getting a shape up or a silkpress.
Where checking on your strongfriends isn't a tweet, it's a
habit.
Where healing becomes a trendwe never cancel.
And finally, leadership.
We need leaders who are notchasing clout but building
coalitions.
Elders who pass down knowledgewithout ego.
Influencers who use theirplatform to elevate, not exploit
(14:03):
, youth who are not just seenbut heard.
Leaders rooted in service,vision and integrity.
That's the future.
This new blueprint.
It's not fiction.
It's already unfolding inpockets across the country
Community Gardens in Detroit,black homeschool collectives in
Atlanta, healing festivals inOakland, tech startups in DC and
(14:25):
Charlotte.
We're already building thefuture.
We just need to connect thedots, and that future begins
with belief, then intention,then action.
So the question we have to askourselves isn't, can we it's?
Will we?
The role of media, music andmessaging?
If you want to know where aculture is headed, pay attention
to its music, its music andmessaging.
(14:45):
If you want to know where aculture is headed, pay attention
to its music, its movies, itsmemes.
Because, whether we like it ornot, media is more than
entertainment.
It's indoctrination.
It tells us who we are, whatwe're worth and what's possible.
And for Black America, mediahas been both a mirror and a
manipulator.
We've come a long way from thedays when we were invisible or
(15:06):
only seen as caricatures.
Today, black creators aretelling our stories on our own
terms, from the streets ofPhilly to Hollywood sound stages
.
But we also have to call itlike it is.
Not every story being told iselevating us.
Some are doing the exactopposite.
Music is power.
It can heal or harm, it canactivate or anesthetize, and
(15:27):
right now, too much of ourmainstream sound is saturated
with death, disloyalty,degradation and designer labels.
Our airwaves are full ofvibrations that glorify trauma,
dismiss healing and silencevulnerability, and that's not by
accident, because the peopleconstantly at war with
(15:47):
themselves are easier to control.
That doesn't mean we throw thewhole culture away.
It means we elevate it, protectit, demand more from it.
We need more artists unafraidto tell the truth, not just
about struggle, but abouthealing, joy, intimacy and
liberation.
We need more music that upliftsBlack love, celebrates realness
(16:09):
without toxicity and reminds usthat softness is not weakness.
We also have to stop allowingsocial media algorithms to
become our educators.
Too many of us are forming lifephilosophies from memes and
viral clips.
We confuse viral with valid andin that chaos, the wisdom of
our elders, scholars, spiritualleaders and visionaries gets
(16:32):
drowned out by sensationalismand clout chasing.
Let's be real.
Every time we repost a fightvideo, we're reinforcing
stereotypes.
Every time we elevate toxicinfluencers who profit off
division between Black men andwomen, we're feeding the beast.
We're either building our imageor breaking it.
There's no in-between the goodnews.
We do have power.
(16:53):
We can choose to consume andpromote media that reflects the
future we want, not the pastwe're trying to escape.
That means supporting Blackfilmmakers, buying books by
Black authors, listening topodcasts like this one that
(17:16):
spark healing and action.
Thank you, and in the future ofBlack America.
Our stories will not justentertain, they will liberate
Healing, legacy and collectiveresponsibility.
We cannot talk about the futureof Black America without
talking about healing.
Not just physical healing, notjust mental healing, but deep,
(17:38):
spiritual, ancestral,heart-centered healing, the kind
that repairs what centuriestried to erase.
Because you can't build afuture with unhealed people and
you can't pass down power if allyou carry is pain.
Healing begins with truth, thetruth about what happened to us,
the truth about what we'veinternalized, the truth about
(18:01):
what we've normalized.
We have to face the abuse thathappened in families, the
betrayals that happened inrelationships, the pain that
happened in silence.
Healing means pulling thepoison out of the wound, not to
blame but to break the cycle.
Legacy isn't just about money orland.
It's about what we leave behindin the hearts and minds of
(18:23):
those who come after us.
Are we passing down fear orfaith, scarcity or strategy,
silence or strength?
What are our childreninheriting from our actions, our
relationships, our beliefs?
Every time we choose to heal,every time we choose to love,
every time we choose to show upwith accountability and grace,
(18:44):
we're writing a new chapter inour lineage.
And this is where collectiveresponsibility comes in, because
the healing of Black America isnot one person's job.
It's not just up to politicians, not just up to celebrities,
not just up to mamas, pastors orscholars.
It's all of us the auntiesmentoring girls on the block,
(19:06):
the brothers starting barbershopdialogues, the healers holding
space for grief, the teacherswho see potential in every child
even when they're acting out,the podcasters, the poets, the
parents, the protesters, thebuilders, the believers.
Everyone has a role.
You might not be able to changethe whole world, but you can
(19:28):
change your home, your block,your family, your platform.
You can plant seeds of love,truth and resilience wherever
you go, because the future wewant won't be gifted to us.
We have to build it brick bybrick, heart by heart.
And yes, we'll get tired, yes,we'll make mistakes, yes,
there'll be days when the weightfeels too heavy.
(19:49):
But we are the descendants ofwarriors, of queens and kings,
of freedom fighters and dreamerswho built nations in bondage.
We carry their prayers in ourbreath.
We carry their strength in ourbones.
We carry their strength in ourbones.
We are their future, and nowit's our turn to become someone
(20:11):
else's ancestor.
So what will they say about us?
Did we heal?
Did we rise, did we build?
Because the legacy starts nowConclusion, relationship tie-in
and final call to action.
So let's bring this full circle.
The future of Black Americaisn't just about policies,
programs or economics.
(20:32):
It's also about relationshipsthe way we love each other,
support each other, hold spacefor one another and show up in
our families and communities.
Our healing as a people beginsin how we relate to one another.
Healthy relationships are thecornerstone of strong
communities.
That means partnerships builton respect, not power plays,
(20:54):
parenting rooted in presence,not control, friendships that
speak life, not gossip, elderswho guide with wisdom not guilt,
youth who are nurtured, notdismissed.
The same emotional intelligencewe talk about in romantic
relationships applies to theentire community.
Can we communicate withouttearing each other down?
(21:15):
Can we hold each otheraccountable without canceling
each other out?
Can we give love withoutconditions?
Can we heal our wounds beforepassing them on to the next
person we try to love?
Because, at the end of the day,building a better Black America
starts at home.
It starts with how we talk toour children, how we care for
(21:38):
our partners, how we support ourneighbors, how we forgive our
family members and how we showup for ourselves.
And if you're listening rightnow.
Know this you are part of thatshift.
Whether you're a teacher, aparent, an entrepreneur, a
healer or simply someone tryingto figure it all out, you matter
.
Your story matters, yourhealing matters, your love
(22:00):
matters.
The future is not some far-offidea.
It's already being written inhow we love each other today.
So what's next for BlackAmerica?
Whatever we decide, if thisepisode stirred something in
your spirit, don't keep it toyourself.
Share it.
Let's keep this conversationalive across households,
barbershops, classrooms andtimelines.
(22:21):
Subscribe to Life Points withRhonda on YouTube and your
favorite podcast platform, visitLife Points.
Bye TikTok and Patreon underLife Points with Rhonda.
(22:43):
Let's build, let's heal andlet's lead together.
Until next time, thank you you.
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