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Loud & Clear with Tashara Parker
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The Loud & Clear Show with Tashara Parker amplifies bold voices and powerful stories, offering authentic conversations that inspire you to own your truth and live unapologetically. Hosted by 5X Emmy Award-winning journalist Tashara Parker, this show dives into cultural milestones, personal growth, and breaking barriers with a mission to empower underrepresented voices. Tune in for life lessons, meaningful dialogue, and the tools to step into your power.
Loud & Clear with Tashara Parker
Amber Sims on Challenging Norms, Elevating Marginalized Voices, and Transforming Communities Through Racial Equity and Storytelling
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Get ready for an inspiring conversation! On this episode of Loud & Clear, Tashara Parker sits down with Amber Sims, the founder of Young Leaders Strong City, to discuss her powerful work in racial equity, historical preservation, and youth empowerment. Amber’s innovative approach to education and her dedication to uplifting marginalized voices are making waves in Dallas and beyond.
Amber talks about the transformative power of representation, authentic dialogue, and personalized support in creating lasting change. We dive into how storytelling plays a vital role in preserving untold histories and address the challenges surrounding today’s DEI policies.
In this episode, we cover:
• Community spaces for youth dialogue
• The impact of social movements on personal growth
• Storytelling as a tool for preserving untold histories
• Navigating the changing DEI landscape
• A call to action for individual and community involvement
About Loud & Clear Show with Tashara Parker:
Loud & Clear with Tashara Parker is more than a talk show—it’s a new era of bold storytelling where authenticity, truth, and representation take center stage. Hosted by 5X Emmy-winning journalist Tashara Parker, this groundbreaking show amplifies voices and stories that often go unheard, diving into the real issues that inspire change and drive meaningful conversations.
With her signature warmth and unapologetic approach, Tashara steps into a new role, bringing you raw, unfiltered discussions that challenge norms and elevate perspectives. Whether it's exploring personal triumphs, community advocacy, or pressing societal topics, Loud & Clear creates a space for honest, impactful dialogue.
Tune in each week to join the movement, stay inspired, and celebrate the power of showing up loud and proud.
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Advancing Racial Equity With Amber Sims
Speaker 1How do you keep people with this fire ?
Speaker 2That's cold , that's cold . That's saying , baby , you can't do nothing to me .
Speaker 1I am kept Baby .
Speaker 2I love black people and I'm going to be spending a whole lot more time with my people . What does it mean when the folks in power , which we're experiencing right now ?
Speaker 1Nothing and dang you go Amber Like I love this , I love it . How do you feel like you are advancing racial equity ?
Speaker 2She says this is but a drink of water to what I've already endured .
Speaker 1Ooh , Miss Tashara Parker , you could just be your whole dope . I knew that I wanted to do something to have impact . You actually testified before the Texas Senate . We just want to exist . Representation matters . You can make a difference every single day . Show up authentically , loud and proud , as the person that you truly are . We're still having a conversation . Oh my God , I'm going to get emotional . The internet favorite cousin I appreciate you showing up as your natural self .
Speaker 2This is a good question , Tasha .
Speaker 1Thanks for bringing it up . Nobody ever brings up . You're pretty good at this . We have a lot more coming up . I wanted to see an action .
Speaker 1We're so happy to have you on Loud and Clear . All right , you guys . This next episode is one that I am so excited about , and I say that because Amber is one of my good friends and you're going to be in for a treat listening to Amber . And what I love about Amber is that she's so forthcoming with the knowledge and the history that she provides . She is a history buff , she is all things . She's going to talk a little bit about trusting God , what it means to bet on yourself , which a lot of us are doing these days .
Speaker 1So welcome again to the Loud and Clear Show with Tashara Parker , where we amplify voices that challenge norms , inspire action and reimagine what's possible . Today we are going to be joined by Amber Sims . She is sitting right next to me , okay . She is a trailblazing advocate , historian and leader who has dedicated her life to advancing racial equity and preserving our untold stories yeah , emphasis on our . As the founder of Young Leaders Strong City and a contributing writer for Dallas Free Press , amber's work empowers communities to find their voice and lead systemic change . From leading equity workshops to uncovering the hidden histories of Dallas , she is reshaping the narrative of what it means to build an inclusive inclusive , yeah and just society .
Speaker 1Amber Sims , welcome to the show . Look , I got my friend Amber here . I hit up Amber , I'm going to be fully transparent . Okay , I hit up Amber . I was like Amber , I need you on the show , like we gonna make it happen . Amber responded to that message girl , send me the paperwork . Okay , those aren't her exact words , but she made it happen . So I'm so happy . Miss Amber Sims joining the show today .
Speaker 2How you doing . Hey , I am good . I'm so excited to be here with you , friend , and also so , so proud of you . You do what you say .
Speaker 1I know it's been a journey . You know it's been a journey and you've been there every step of the way . So thank you , thank you , thank you . We got so much to talk about . I first want to start off with Young Leader , Strong City , because that organization I mean you are just doing incredible work . So I first want to tell people what that organization is and about the work that you're already doing in and around .
Speaker 2Dallas Young Leaders Strong City is an organization that I founded with other community members back in 2014 for young people to have space to talk about what was happening to them , especially as it relates to their identity . We're sitting here as two black girls who have real conversations . Quite a bit about what that means , yeah , but if we think back to little Tashara and little Amber and our comfort level and our ability to talk about what was happening to us , right , Like around racism , around sexism , and for you to not feel like it was something wrong with you .
Speaker 2But what we empower students to do is be like , hey , the system was set up this way and this is how you navigate it , but also this is how you find your people , and that finding your people part is so important giving them the tools and the skills . So we have an annual summit that's open to all high school students and DFW helping to grow it , and then we also have a summer camp that will be this year in June and just other events that students can connect and it's open for all students
Empowering Youth Through Education and Activism
Speaker 2. Because we know that the work is all of our work right Around identity and making people feel that they belong , and so people sometimes are like can white kids come ? Sure , right , we want everybody to come , right , can boys come ? Can girls come ? Yes , absolutely , we want everybody there .
Speaker 1Yeah , I absolutely love that and I love the work that you're doing . So you mentioned like Little Amber Obviously , Little Amber , but what else was the push ? Like what were you seeing ? This was in 2014 , when you were like , no , we're going to make this happen , right . What were you guys seeing ? You and other community leaders that needed to have a discussion , Because I know what we're dealing with in 2024 , which is crazy . We're going to get into some of that . So I know what we're dealing with now , but in 2014, . I was just moving back to Texas from Chicago , got my first job on air in 2014 as a journalist . I don't even remember half of the stuff that was happening in 2014 . So what pushed you guys to be like , no , we need to do some work .
Speaker 2Yeah , so there was a national conference it's called the Facing Race Conference that came to Dallas . It was the first time that it was in the South , which is interesting because we know that most black people are in the South , and so when we think about the work and where we're doing the work , we can't forget about the South .
Speaker 2The South has something to things to say and always , and this was supposed to be a one-time thing . All of us had jobs , but what we realized was students were craving a space where they felt like their voices could be heard and used . Um , and so we continued the work . Y'all , I was working , you know , this job , that job .
Speaker 2And when 2020 happened , oh boy you know , it really opened up something to be like as black women . Yes , we do try to do it all , but the doing it all is going to you won't be here in the ground , it's gonna put you in the ground , thank you . No euphemisms needed , right , um , and ? And so really beginning to think about what it looked like to give the the work full time , yeah , and beginning to speak that into existence . I know you were one of the first people you know , um , that I talked to around , can I do this ? And having that community to be like , yes , and got some grants , baby , and just said I'll make up the rest . I know how to make money and so , in 2021 , I went full time , and so you know , I'm going on four years , which is wild .
Speaker 1Baby , you better say that she left corporate America .
Speaker 2Baby , okay , she got up out of here , right , and now I have a , a staff , have a team , you know have been fundraising and I think it's , you know , um , it's been a betting on myself in ways that I hadn't even fully welcomed . Talk about it , right , and I like it's one thing to be working a job . It's another thing to be putting something together every day and touching it and saying , you know , I , I did this and then you know , for it to still be here , you know , and we've faced a lot of adversity and challenges in our work . I mean , right after I quit my job , I said Lord , come on .
Speaker 2You know the book banning started . You know the anti-CRT stuff happened and it was just like , but you know , god told me that he's going to keep me and even in 2024 , he has told me that he's gonna keep me and even in 2024 he has told me that he's going to keep me . So I believe that , but I'm like , okay , the control part of me . You know the Capricorn . You know we coming up on our season is like the how , but I've also had to let go of that , you know , wanting to know exactly how it's going to be not done , but knowing that , like , I'm here to do it .
Speaker 1I mean , we talk about having faith and , baby , let me tell you something until you step out on that faith , you can't talk to me about having no faith , baby , because a lot of people want to talk about it , but when it's time to be about it , you're an example , okay , of leaning on the faith that we know god has for us . I want to talk about the organization a little bit more , because we know the work that you've done to get here , but I also want to talk about the impact that the organization has had thus far . Look , I'm putting you in one of them investor meetings , them grant meetings , okay when you got to tell the people what have you done over the last several years . So tell me about the impact that the organization has had thus far .
Speaker 2Since 2014, . We've served over 7,700 , 7,500 students .
Speaker 1Yeah , I need a little ding . You know what ? Maybe I'm going gonna incorporate that . I'm like ding . Or you know how the DJs be like boom , boom , boom , boom . Yeah , I think I need to incorporate that . Maybe I'll do that in some After Effects or something . Yeah , we just had our last summit .
Speaker 2Nice and we had , let me see , 50 different schools represented 16 different school districts from across DFW . You know , we're based in Dallas proper , but students come from , you know , wilmer Hutchins , they come from Plano , frisco , denton , and so it's also a testimony to say what , what space is needed for young people , right , and I can say , like I went to Mesquite high school and we had a bus of students I've been trying to do this for I don't know how long come , you know , from my high school . That was really , really special , uh , because I had been trying um for years . But also it was special to be able to create something that students that were um , you know , that walked the halls that I , that I did um , have done . And then the last thing that I'll say in terms of a huge accomplishment is youth have always been in the forefront of movement work , you know my family and we'll talk some more about this as we talk about you know , how do you know that you can do this Right ?
Speaker 2And that comes from who we are rooted in and our you know , our ancestral way of knowing . So my family is from Birmingham and you know , going back and looking at the children's march , that happened . You know , mlk wouldn't have had that without young people . Come on , but also realizing , you know , in our own city , like in Dallas , fort Worth , it has been young people that have pushed us , you know , and said y'all , plan it safe . And so two girls , beth and Naomi , came to our summit in 2017 after some racist memes went viral in their school district and one of the things that they said was we need this summit at our school . And they said no , no , no , our district . They said the district has all of these resources . They wrote the superintendent , they wrote the superintendent and in 2018 , we hosted our first YLC summit for a school district and that went on to serve over 600 students .
Speaker 2Right Equity coalitions were created and those two over 600 students right , Uh , equity coalitions were created and those two girls are grown , right , they're working in all of these things . But they created that and they created our expansion plan , and so I'm trying to , you know , get my successor in play you know cause , you know , I , I , you know we don't talk about it , yeah .
Speaker 2But you know , um , I have other things that I want to do , but I knew that it was my part of my life's work to steward this work , yeah , and to make it happen and to make it something that is accessible to students for a long time , and stewarding this work is exactly what you're doing .
Speaker 1You mentioned your family , and obviously one of the reasons that I wanted to have you on is what it means to be a protector of our history , and you also mentioned this . You know , black women we can't be , we can't do it . All right , we need some support , okay , and we need some other people lifting us as we're lifting others as well , and so I do want to talk about how do you balance activism being an advocate as well along with storytelling , because I'll never forget when me and one of our other friends , candace , came to watch you present at the African American Museum and I was so blown away with the wealth of knowledge that I knew you had , but to see you get on stage and to provide that knowledge in front of a group of people , I was just like dang , you go , amber . Like I love this , I love it . And so I want to talk about how you balance all three of those advocacy , activism and storytelling Because , as a journalist , I know how important all three are and and they need to coexist
Exploring Hidden History in Dallas
Speaker 1.
Speaker 2I I balance , um , you know , in in interesting ways . I know that the history component and the research and the storytelling is something that , uh , I , I have to do , and so then I started making the space to be able to to that . But it's hard , right , and I'm starting to feel the tension . But I'm also like naming the tension like , okay , you a CEO and you trying to do X , what are some things that you're putting down ? And so really leaning on my staff , who is really really great on bringing in volunteers into our work and also speaking very clearly . You know , I have people that are around me that are like okay , so when are you going to write that book , sis ? Oh , yeah , right , you know , when are you going to go on that sabbatical ? You know ?
Speaker 2do the things that you like want to do . Yeah , and I believe very intently and I say this a lot is you have different purposes and different seasons . Absolutely , and really leaning into the fact that , like I wasn't and using the platform that I have and so , but also like with our history , I'm making sure to give that back to students to ensure that students in Dallas know about the local history . Right , they know that the civil rights movement didn't just happen in Birmingham , it happened in Dallas .
Speaker 1Barely , though we need to talk about that Well and right .
Speaker 2You know creating different narratives around that and what you know resistance looks like . And you know resistance looks like , um , and you know that there have been people in the city doing this work , but what does it mean when the folks in power , which we're experiencing right now so bad , don't want you to have ?
Speaker 1nothing , and not when the uh person leading the city gonna flip-flop real quick .
Speaker 2But okay , talk about it right you know and and so you know creating those stories so that young people see themselves in the history and also see , like the skills that it takes right , you know it takes resistance , um , you know it takes community , it takes , you know , fortitude and it takes resilience to to be able to create change , uh . But then also , sometimes you got to go sit down , yeah , and that's also part of my methodology is sometimes I just go sit down , yeah , come also , sometimes you got to go sit down , yeah , and that's also part of my methodology is sometimes I just go sit down , yeah .
Speaker 1Come on , sometimes you just got to listen . I hear people clapping Okay . So what are some of the untold stories , amber , that you've uncovered that have had the biggest impact on you ? I mentioned earlier hearing you in person on stage telling stories . I believe this woman was an educator and you knew her story , but you went and dug deep into this story . That's one that we can dig a little bit into , but just overall stuff that people may not know about the city , so I didn't really understand the whole why . So , yes , civil rights happened down our way and in parts of Dallas , but it also skipped over us in a lot of ways , because when certain leaders would try to come here during the civil rights era , some pastors , you know , were part of not wanting them to disrupt what we had happening in Dallas , and so we can talk about that , maybe a little bit . But I also really want you to talk about if there are any other stories that you've uncovered in your work that people need to know about .
Speaker 2Yes , that part around one history is important and it's also very real and sometimes it can get glamorified glamorized . But we also have to be honest about what happened .
Preserving History Through Community Engagement
Speaker 2And so here in Dallas like Dallas is a big city and a lot of folks say that you know Dallas had something you know called an accommodation , where you know black leaders in the city and white leaders had agreements around . You know how many people would be on school board in terms of representation , that there wouldn't be . You know how many people would be on school board in terms of representation , that there wouldn't be . You know big protests and you know kind of march outs and all of these things . One of the things that I did find interesting is I am researching in a neighborhood in East Dallas called Frazier Mill City , which was founded by a black man who wanted to create a black-owned mill and did , and so Mill City you know this neighborhood is created for , and he wanted to create jobs and opportunities for black people and his name was Mr Wiley , but there were also like all of these things in the way , because he was a black man in the late 1800s , early 1900s who was trying to do this work , but there was a fairgrounds that black people had in Dallas . That's near where Booker T Washington is , where his original , his first mill was , is near where Booker T Washington was , and then it moved over to Mill City and I just found it like so incredible that this existed . You know that he used his resources and that the community had it , but also , like as early as the early 1900s , there were black people who were suing to live in a neighboring area that was really close to white people and were moving in , and so in the early 1900s , black families were suing and the case ended up going to the Supreme Court . And I want to say that it was like from 1915 to 1940 , right that this legislation was going on .
Speaker 2You know that these lawsuits to have equal housing , and that started here in Dallas , and so the ways in which you know the resistance stories , people have been fighting , but also you know when you're fighting and when you're trying to get something there's there's a lesson in when you're winning , folks try to take it back right . The power doesn't want you to have even that . And so it helped me to think about , like how I think about victory or winning Right , and even on the other side of it is . It is not denying that it happened , but it's also deny . It's also acknowledging the power that is at play to make sure that it didn't happen or that it gets taken back . Right , that resistance , and so that's what we're . We're in the afterlife of doing a bunch of dope , transformational things across the country . The afterlife right of that is people saying no , we don't want you to have that right , that's what's happening right now .
Speaker 1Yes , 20 , 2024 yeah , so when you're a young person , right , you , you are surrounded by a lot of young people in the work that you do . But , um , we can focus on young people , but I also want to focus on people who may be jaded , who are of a certain age , maybe a little bit more seasoned in life , right , how do you keep those people equipped with the tools that they need to continue ? I've heard a lot of conversations surrounding rest . Y'all need y'all to rest . They like rest , and then we're going to come back in January , february and figure this out . But , um , how do you keep young people but also how do you keep just people in general with the fire and desire ? What's his name ? What's his name if Rick giant ? Is that fire ? Whatever ?
Speaker 2anyways , yeah , um , is that the one ? You know that one ?
Speaker 1yeah how do you keep people with this fire to keep going ?
Speaker 2yeah , uh , I you know I find extreme encouragement stories Right , and so that's why I look into the past . My grandmother passed away at the beginning of this year , actually in Birmingham , and she lived , you know , a long life . She was 95 . And you know , something that I think about is like her fortitude , but also like , ooh , how did she make it 95 years in Birmingham , alabama .
Speaker 2And then before that , you know , in the outskirts of , you know in the country of Alabama , and there's a quote that I heard from an author , and you know , there's a black woman who is about to be burnt at the stake and they ask her does she have any final words ? And she says this is but a drink of water to what I've already endured and she about to burn that lot .
Speaker 1Burned a lot , but what is a drink of water ?
Speaker 2this is but a drink of water . But what if we come from that right , right , and then we think about , you know , not in terms of like to , but that our ancestors have had so much else , and so the things that we are enduring right now are but a drink of water ? But also in their stories are the stories of how we are to overcome , right , and how we are to not tire . But also , if you think that this is but a drink of water , that's cold . That's cold , that's saying , baby , you can't do nothing to me , I am kept .
Speaker 2And so then I tried to , you know , find those stories about . What does that mean and how do I live that ? And so it doesn't mean that we don't rest and we don't , you know , reset , but it also means that we come from a stock of people who have given us roadmaps , and so you know my work in terms of believing is , you know , the roadmap , and so a couple of things that I brought y'all is like I live in South Oak Cliff in a house , and I can be kind of indecisive , but I was looking for houses , and when I tell you that I , I , you know , put , I probably looked at maybe 10 houses and I put an offer in on one house and I walked in the house and I knew it was mine . And then I went to the back . There was a little house in the back and there was all of this history stuff and I was like , oh God , this is my house , yeah , right .
Speaker 2And so a few things that I found , you know , are this Baptist hymnal that dates back to , let me see , the year 1921 . That's crazy , okay , and you know . Then you know , if you know James Cleveland , you know who is an icon in gospel music , you know , and so this is Sister Ware and this is from 19, . You know the 1960s as well .
Speaker 1Does that say a dollar ? How much yeah ?
Speaker 2Like , okay , but first of all , one , one dollar singular right , and so this is from 1961 . And I just think about how , if we just take time to slow down , right , and see what's you know within us , but also you know this idea of preservation , yes , because my aunts and uncles and you know my dad they're from Birmingham . My aunts are the same age as the four girls that were killed in the Birmingham bombing , right , but they are here , and so many of the people you know in our families that survived the civil rights movement are here , yeah , right , and so I think part of our inspiration comes from , like , having those conversations with them and taking away like the oh OK , we don't talk about that no more , yeah , but also letting them know that , like I couldn't do what you did , but I thank you for what you did . And what am I here to do ? Correct , sitting at their feet and learning , learning like the resistance , but also like the , the steps that we have already created for us , the paths .
Speaker 2Those people are here and they created those , and so I'm really interested in not losing those stories , right , because my answer , you know , in their mid-70s right now , uh , but that is like what gives me hope is is like go talk to people right and find out what the experiences are , but those think were the glimmers of hope that will help chart our way forward are right here , right , and so what can we do right now is , I think , just like being in community . I think these moments will require greater community of us , and so , while these times are hard , I'm super optimistic because I was like baby I love black people and I'm gonna be spending a whole lot more time with my people Right and we got to preserve history too , which ?
Speaker 1is why I absolutely love the work that you're doing all around , because I think when we look at and I think I know I see we all see when we look at what they're doing with books and taking books out of school and not allowing certain books to be read in schools .
Speaker 1It's on us to try to preserve history , and part of preserving that history is making sure that we're telling stories , not just telling stories , that we're documenting stories . So your friends and all of us who are telling you to write this book , yes , write that book , because it's going to be on us to make sure that our stories are documented properly when you are turning slavery and enslaved , enslaved people into what they called it indentured servants like be for real are you for real ?
Speaker 1so the kids are not even learning about how terrible these injustices were . Right , yeah , and still are right , because we still ain't got no reparations . But y'all some of my reparations for other folks . Yes , girl , good day , okay . Um , I do have to ask you this , especially since we're talking in line with preserving history when it comes to education um , how do you feel like you are advancing racial equity by way of education ?
Speaker 2yes , to me equity looks like being able to see yourselves in history , and I know we can go back . Is is like not learning about people that looked like me . I didn't read like a real , you know , I was in AP classes in high school , but a book by a black woman , by happenstance , because of an , you know , an extension community program that I was in um , and it was their eyes were watching God by Zora Neale Hurston , and how much like that changed my life . But you know , getting different sources , I say our citational practices matter , yes , and so when I say citational practices , I mean who we , who we cite and who we give credit to Come on , and so you know it's like oh , I heard X Y Z from Tashara on Tashara's show .
Speaker 2I heard this you know , I make sure you know that the people that I'm citing , that I'm giving my money to , that I'm presenting as subject matter experts are , you know , women , are women of color , especially like our black women .
Speaker 2Uh , that we're giving , you know , our money , you know , to to these places . You know that we're buying the books , that we're listening to the podcast , that we're going to the stores because those things matter and also , what does it mean you know when you are calling Black women's names in spaces , right , you know . And so I'm very intentional and I know my friends don't play about me either around speaking our names and spaces and making sure that , like when I have access , that I am ensuring , right , that people know , like , where I stand and that they are talking about black women . And you would be surprised how often you know when you are thinking about like a , not even like a research paper , but you know if you're doing something at work , like a presentation , how many times you know we're not diversifying who the people that we say we get information from oh , absolutely , and I just have to inject this quickly .
Speaker 1That is why the Loud and Clear show exists , baby , and the reason being is because I always wanted to make sure that when we're bringing in subject matter experts , it's funny how we have to be intentional to say , well , did we think about black woman for this ?
Speaker 1Or Latino , or Latin , you know , did we think about those communities when we decided to bring in a person of color , as opposed to just doing Black History Month or just doing , you know , if we want to talk about breast cancer awareness and we want to focus on black women , like no , this same black woman expert can be the historian that you bring in to talk about one , two , three , four , five issues that may or may not impact her . However , she can bring a different perspective and the knowledge and scholarship that you need right to be able to still talk about that . And so when we talk about SMEs or subject matter experts and bringing them in and making them the expert on , they're already the expert , but , excuse me , highlighting their expertise on the shows that we are a part of . I think that is so important and that's one of
Uncovering and Preserving Black History
Speaker 1the things that I aim to do too .
Speaker 2You know , people think that we don't have , you know , agency and it feels and it is true , right , A lot of things are being taken away . And yet there are a lot of ways , like in our everyday choices that we make , that we still have a lot of autonomy and power .
Speaker 2And just sitting down and being like , Ooh , I can invite you , know I we're having some presentation on something at work , Let me find , right , you know a black woman to do X , y and Z , and so it just requires something different of us , um , but it requires us to be intentional , um , and I know that . You see , you know , when I listened to NPR , I'm like is that , how many people of color do y'all have , you know , for these interviews and you know these things . But , like , once you begin to you know question and even going to your job , you know a thing that I talk about a lot is vendors .
Speaker 1Who is ?
Speaker 2our company , giving our money to and I know it's a matter of convenience sometimes but also taking ourselves out of the convenience and being like you know I'm not going to use DoorDash or Uber Eats today , right , like I am going to source black women owned companies , and I know somebody I'm sure one of your listeners got a list , but you know I'm going to find those lists .
Speaker 2And so when we , you know , have food events , or when you know we need someone on a panel , I'm going to intentionally seek that out . Right , is so important . And then , you know , in terms of history , the thing that I say cause everybody got a granny , uncle , you know , a great granny who has things in their homes , and the reason why I brought my books is because I wanted to show that these things are valuable , absolutely , you know , and taking the time , you know , as our family members are transitioning , to actually go through their things and not be in a rush and see what is there , is so important , you all . Um , as someone who does research , a thing that I'll say is black people are missing from the archives , but we're not missing from history , right , and so things that we can do every day are filling those gaps and so , before you know , oh , my grandma was a pack rat . I don't feel like go go through this yeah , my grandma had photo albums for decades go through and people always like oh , she always got that camera .
Speaker 1I'm like now y'all need pictures of so-and-so from 40 years ago .
Speaker 2Who you going to yeah , and she's an archivist , right , she's a history teller . And how do we continue , like , on that work for those of us that are coming behind them ? Because when I go to the libraries and , you know , do research , I am looking for black stories , but some of them are missing and a lot of them are missing because they in our garage , right , we just haven't taken the time . And so , you know , when my grandmother passed , I wanted to be really intentional , you know , about having my , you know having my family going through photo albums and seeing what was there . I mean , even like the old funeral programs . Those are archives , you know .
Speaker 2And then there are collections , you know , like the Dallas Public Library or the library in your town , because I know you have a national , you know , base around people that are listening but really taking the time to be like these things are valuable . And if I think that they're valuable , and I know that they're valuable , how do I treat that ? Yeah , right , and that's the same with each of us in our stories . It's like if I really , you know , believe in black people and if I'm rooting for everything black , how how do I show that ? Right , what does that path look like ?
Speaker 1And that is really how we are going to keep each other , as we , you know , go into 2025 . What does true equity look like to you and how do you suppose we can get ?
Speaker 2there , equity is simply everybody having what they need , and we all need different things . Yeah Right , you know . Know , if you brought me them shoes , I'd be like oh well , you know , they might not fit my feet , yeah , but like what ? Do I , you know what do I need , what does Tashara need ?
Evolving Storytelling in Shifting Cultural Landscape
Speaker 2And recognizing because we need different things , does it mean that you're getting something that I'm not ?
Speaker 2it means that you're getting what you need correct and so many of us are based on know , I think it is the death of comparison , right , you know , and really looking at the individual and taking time to understand that there are different paths for each of us , but if we all have what we need , based on where we are right , and that's so different from equality , because equality is everyone getting the same thing Except for we don't all need the same thing , because we don't .
Speaker 2Is everyone getting the same thing except for we don't all need the same thing because we don't all start in the same places , right , and so you know you might have a hearing impairment or you might be differently . Uh , you know different access needs , right , and and so you know , I think , like just taking the time to be considerate , but then also , um , equity , like when you think about what it would mean to have what you need . That's a feeling too . What does it mean to like , hold on to that feeling and to know that and and then to strive , you know , in our relationships , how can I help you get what you need ?
Speaker 1yeah , I want to ask you this , especially as we are entering a new era Okay , we'll leave it at that and DEI policies being phased out of many companies .
Speaker 1You don't have to go down the list of the companies . Y'all can do your own research on Google . They out there , okay , so watch where you're shopping at . But when you see these policies and you know , sometimes I even hate to say DEI because I feel like now it's a trigger phrase , right , and if we can keep it above , can we keep it all the way above , please ? Ok , all right . So organizations are having to reshape how they do DEI , especially when it comes to if they want to get this funding from them . People with the money to get this funding from them . People with the money say it oh , okay , um .
Speaker 1So I am asking you , how do you see storytelling evolving as you're watching in real time ? Companies separate themselves from just saying that we want to have equality and equity in our hiring practices . Right , I watched Texas A&M University have to do away with their DEI departments . It was funny , not funny . I went to . I couldn't believe it happened .
Speaker 1I went to a gala not too long ago at the university , one that I had been honored at the year prior , but I went this time in support and I saw one of my old professors there and I talked to him and he was telling me oh , I had to move over to one department because this particular department was phased out and I was like , wait for real . He's like , yeah , like my title had to go under something else just so that I can still have my job . Have a job . And so , when it comes to storytelling and making sure that we're still in fight to tell our stories in a day and age where so many institutions and , by the way , texas A&M wasn't the only one , and this was a statewide initiative , maybe UNT ?
Speaker 2yeah , yeah , talk about it .
Speaker 1So I say them because that's my alma mater . Love them to death , but it is what it is , that's what went down . No , I say them because that's my alma mater . Love them to death , but it is what it is , that's what went down . And so how do we continue to make sure that we're telling our stories ? Because , bottom line , you need funding to continue doing what you're doing and we have to be able to get that funding by way of still fighting for what we believe in . But also , how do you change that narrative to make sure that the message is still being out there ?
Speaker 2Yeah , all really amazing points . When we look at college admissions right now , black , you know , middle class , non first generational students are actually stand to lose the most . And so , you know , I , neither of us have kids , but as people that are college educated , what that means is that there are less opportunities for , you know , our kids to get into some of these more selective universities in college . But that narrative is also talking about a particular type , because you know we're not talking about the hbcus and you know things like that , and so what does it mean to invest ? And I did not go to an hbcu , you know my parents did , uh , but I also think about , you know , like those narratives and that legacy but we support them wholeheartedly , wholeheartedly .
Speaker 1You can make it happen .
Speaker 2Yes , okay jarvis christian college . You know my family went to alabama state , alabama , a&kegee . You know , stillman and I . You know I see the value more and more , and so what this moment is going to require of us is , you know , donating and giving our time and our resources and , you know , our greatest assets , which are our children , right into these organizations and , you know , and ensuring that they are healthy . It's going to look like the institutions that we have . We know we've named the African-American Museum . Dr Robinson here in Dallas has just retired . You know , after 50 years of building an institution yeah , 50 years , you know . And I think the thing is is like how can we ensure that this place remains right ? And it's with our time , it's with our dollars .
Speaker 2You know , it's an expertise , you know , volunteering ,
Building Community for Movement and Hope
Speaker 2um . And then the other thing you know that I am thinking about is back to history , hearkening upon the fact that , like we have seen times such as this , this is , but you know , a drink of water , and what does that really mean ? Um , but it's also going to be , you know , they in the civil rights movements and before but , have something called house meetings , right , and salon dinners . You know where we would , you know , be in each other's homes and share meals and break bread and read books and have this community and so like , with space and being together . It's that togetherness that also fostered movement , right , and resistance and so like .
Speaker 2During this time , we get to build , but we get to build in community and that just creates a sense of hopefulness , right , because you're one of those people that I get to build with . Right , the people that are listening to this podcast are part of the network of people that we get to build with , and we have to know that it is possible and dream what that looks like and feels like , right , and prepare , you know , for the haters , but also prepare that right .
Speaker 2You know and prepare for the fact that this is happening , because there was so much done . You know so much significant work .
Speaker 1Amber , where can people find ?
Speaker 2you , yes , y'all . So , speaking of donating and finding folks , you can find Young Leaders , strong City . You can just Google Young Leaders , strong City or YLSCmovementcom and then , for my work , you can find me at Dallas Free Press . I have written a series of articles about the history of black schools in Dallas and they are all there and it'll take you to the feature in the Dallas Morning News . And just you know , so excited to be here and continue to tell stories , because our stories matter , right , and giving value to us . And so thank you for seeing us , tashara and creating space . Right , because that's also what these movements require is for us to imagine what is possible and what doesn't exist here yet that part .
Speaker 1Thank you , Amber .
Speaker 2Thank you , Thank you Fran , Thank you Fran .
