S2:E5 EbonyJanice: All The Black Girls Are Activists

Abolitionist Sanctuary

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Join us as we welcome the extraordinary Ebony Janice, a luminary in the realms of authorship and activism, hailing from the rural landscapes of Ohio and North Carolina to the vibrant streets of Harlem. Listen as she recounts her journey and the essence of her impactful work with the Free People Project and the Ebony Janice Project. Discover how she champions Black women's healing and pleasure, and how her parents and ancestors have profoundly influenced her mission. Explore the cultural significance of her visual presence, and dive into her reflections on spiritual and romantic pursuits that drive her activism.
Experience Harlem through Ebony Janice's eyes as we uncover the community's unique challenges with environmental noise and the concept of "hood wellness." Hear firsthand accounts of the persistent noise pollution that affects mental well-being and the role gentrification plays in altering the cultural fabric of marginalized neighborhoods. We discuss the essential need for tranquil spaces where Black women and femmes can reconnect with their bodies and find peace amidst chaos. The dialogue extends to her transformative spiritual journey, navigating beyond a Christocentric identity to Yoruba priestess after an enlightening mission trip to Kenya, and the complex intersections of Christianity, Black identity, and slavery.
Throughout our conversation, we celebrate the wisdom of Black women elders, honoring figures such as Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou, whose contributions have paved the way for future generations. We delve into the intersectional challenges of race, gender, and state violence, emphasizing the resilience and joy that Black women cultivate in the face of adversity. Envisioning a future rooted in community safety and well-being, we discuss an abolitionist approach that prioritizes the protection and cherishing of Black lives.
This episode discusses the sharp contrasts among the attack, ascension, and activism of Black womanhood reflected in the murder of Sonya Massey by the police, the presumptive presidential nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris, and Black women leading organizing actions to redeem our democracy.
Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that honors Black womanhood, spirituality, and activism, offering both a reflective and forward-looking abolitionist perspective on these critical issues.

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Bab

1. Faith, Abolition, and Black Motherhood (00:00:00)

2. Harlem, Noise, and Black Wellness (00:16:19)

3. Evolution of Spiritual Identity Beyond Christianity (00:25:01)

4. Intersections of Family and Womanism (00:38:10)

5. Black Women, Spirituality, and Wellness (00:48:11)

6. Survival, Theory, and Presidential Elections (01:01:31)

7. Black Women and Elder Wisdom (01:13:17)

8. Black Women, State Violence, and Love (01:19:15)

9. Sacredness, Pleasure, and Community Safety (01:25:49)