The Power We Hold Podcast S01 Ep06: Trevor and Vanessa in conversation with Heather McGhee about her book The Sum of Us

Thank you for joining me, your host and visual artist Vanessa Albury, on my journey to becoming a better ally to people of all diversities (bipoc, LGBTQAI2S+, non-normative brained and embodied especially) and steward of the environment in podcast form as The Power We Hold! My co-host is Caleb Williams who is the painter that I collaborate with on Between the Windows. She is 21 years my junior and makes art about her experience as a Black woman in America. We have in-depth conversation about difficult topics full of love and healing.

In episode 6, we reair the conversation Trevor Bayack and Vanessa Albury had with Heather McGhee about her groundbreaking book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, covering how racism hurts the privileged class. Heather McGhee is a writer, an activist and a regular guest on all the political shows such as CNN, Tedx, MSNBC, C-Span, Face the Nation among countless others . When Trevor and I read Heather's book, we were both mind-blown.  We became aware of a subversive problem little discussed about racism and a new way to approach defeating it. A meager foot up is not worthy of holding EVERYONE back, right?! Heather McGhee's language is reminiscent of Joan Didion and her research opens the door to a new age of social change.  As Ibram X. Kendi said, "This Is The Book I’ve Been Waiting For.” The Sum of Us is a must read for every American!

Originally recorded March 19, 2021 in Brooklyn, NY and aired on March 28, 2021.

Show Notes:
The Power We Hold Podcast IG, website

If you enjoy The Power We Hold podcast, please consider supporting us in covering the costs to create it on Patreon via Coral Projects.

Host Vanessa Albury IG, website
Co-host Caleb Williams IG, website (She's got great swag for sale!)

Coral Projects IG, website, creating underwater, eco-contemporary art to re-wild the ocean with oysters and corals.
Make a tax-deductible donation to Coral Projects and NY Oyster Reefs

Between the Windows IG, public art collaboration with Caleb

Music by Wael Elhalaby IG, Soundcloud
This is a clip from his song Clear Skys.

Audio Editor, and my cousin, making magic from my home recordings, Bryan Klausing of the Rain Junkies website, LinkedIn


Trevor's details:
Freedom Market, freedommarketnbk IG - Shop products made by BIPOC-owned businesses, many are eco-friendly. And you'll find Caleb's t-shirts with her brand Urban Jungle now on the FM!

Heather McGhee's details:
Her book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
Do buy it from your local bookstore, bipoc owned if have one in your city.  My favorite NYC bipoc-owned bookstore is also feminist, called Cafe Con Libros does ship!
H