It’s an honor and responsibility to share this Episode #33 of the Mother’s Quest Podcast with Sara Mokuria, co-founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality. It’s the third and final in a series I recorded as part of the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative and it comes to you with a call to action to get involved with this issue today.
This episode was dedicated by Collette Flanagan, the founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality, who turned her grief from the loss of her son, Clinton Allen, into fuel for change.
In her dedication, Collette reminded us of our common humanity as mothers and that an insult to one mother is an insult to all mothers. It is this knowing that caused me to record this series after I saw the heart-breaking video of Diamond Reynolds and her then four year old daughter after they witnessed the killing of Philando Castile. Philando was like a father to this little girl, was unarmed and was complying with the police officer’s requests when he was shot.
Seeing the trauma and heartbreak endured by this four year old girl, who was the same age as my son when I saw this video, became a catalyst to face the epidemic of police brutality in our country, and to begin taking action, however imperfect.
Much like Diamond Reynold’s daughter, Sara also endured trauma and heartbreak when she watched her father get shot and killed by police at her home in Dallas when she was 10 years old.
Fueled by her own experience, Sara joined Collette along with another co-founder, John Fullinwider, in creating Mother’s Against Police Brutality, as a multi-racial, multi-ethnic coalition uniting mothers nationwide to fight for civil rights, police accountability and policy reform.
Sara is a mom herself to a seven year old boy. And, in addition to her work with Mothers Against Police Brutality, she’s a sought after educator, community organizer, project manager, and facilitator, currently working as Associate Director for Leadership Initiatives with The Institute for Urban Policy Research at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has two masters degrees, has taught both high school and college at the University of Texas at Dallas and currently serves on the International Mechanism Coordinating Committee for the US Human Rights Network.
She came to the conversation with an open heart she told me, and I felt her generosity and honesty throughout as she shared how police violence changed her life forever, discussed the trauma of being black in America, how the institution of policing and the prison industrial complex contributes to that trauma, and the ways in which an investment in Mothers Against Police Brutality can change policies and systems to reduce violence and create more accountability.
As compelling was Sara’s exploration of the vision she has for our future... of vibrant communities where we invest in our young people, lean into and value our differences, and where each of us taps into our own unique magic to get us there.
We ended our conversation with a co-created prayer, a wish for ourselves as much as for all of you listening, to move into greater responsibility for this work from wherever we are, to have the courage to go to those difficult and painful places so we can create a freer future, and to take this moment right now to support this cause.
I’m doing that today by making a financial contribution to Mothers Against Police Brutality and putting my resources with the mothers, like Sara and Collette, who are closest to the problem and who can see the solution. I hope you’ll join me.
Visit http://
This episode dedicated by:
Mothers Against Police Brutality founder Collette Flanagan, whose son, Clinton Allen, was shot and killed by the Dallas Police in March of 2013.
Topics discussed in this episode:
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Sara’s joyous childhood which changed forever when her father was killed by Dallas police officers when she was just 10 years old
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How Sara’s mother was her fiercest advocate, even as her mother grappled with the deeply traumatic effects of her husband’s killing and the lack of support as a crime victim.
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Disturbing facts about our current law enforcement policies, lack of accountability, the militarization of police, and budget allocations that favor the prison industrial complex over investments that would build a vibrant community
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The New Jim Crowe and the War on Drugs and how it has played out as a war on people of color
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White privilege and how to move from shame and guilt to responsibility and action
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How Sara teaches her son to understand injustice, the history we don’t learn in our schools, and how tenderness, love and joy can be an act of resistance
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What happened when Sara met with the officer who killed her father years later and how that shifted her perspective about what the problem really is
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How women make up half of the world’s population and how we birthed the other half, therefore we are the world. And, the power of mothers to chart the direction of our families and communities.
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The importance of finding your own unique magic to make a difference and why Sara keeps her heart open to welcome people to this cause when they come to it
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Our prayer and invitation to you the listener
Resources mentioned in this episode:
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The Movie 13th, directed by Ava Duvernay
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The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
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EP31: Brave Spaces and Solidarity with “Rad Women” Author Kate Schatz
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How the Irish Became White by Noel Ignatiev
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Dallas Woman Turns Tragedy Into Conversation About Race, an article where Sara talks about the system and not police officers being the problem
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Stride Toward Justice: 9 Steps to Change Policing in America - policy recommendations from Mothers Against Police Brutality
This Week’s Three-fold Challenge:
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Have courageous conversation about these issues with your families during the holidays.
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Get involved and informed about these issues locally. Become an advocate in your city.
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Make a monetary contribution to support the mothers who are closest to the solution at Mothers Against Police Brutality.
Announcements:
Giving Tuesday
Visit http://
Women Podcasters in Solidarity
I’m honored to have shared three episodes in this series of conversations for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. I created the Initiative to build awareness and raise dollars for Anti-Racism and the Movement for Black Lives.
Coming soon: visit www.
Help Us Celebrate Mother’s Quest’s First Birthday
A year ago on December 1st, I launched the Mother’s Quest Podcast as a birthday present to myself. It’s hard to believe that another personal birthday and the first birthday of the podcast is almost here.
I’d love to celebrate by highlighting your stories and how the podcast or Mother’s Quest Community has helped you to live your E.P.I.C. life. Go tomothersquest.com and use the speakpipe tool to leave me a 1-2 minute message for a chance to be featured in this season’s finale.
Everyone who submits will also be entered into a drawing for a free signature coaching session from me and some other prizes from other amazing moms in the Mother’s Quest Community. Can’t wait to hear your stories and celebrate with you.
Virtual Mother’s Quest Circle Pilot
You’re a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you’re raising them is your highest priority. You’re also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.
If the description above sounds like you, the Virtual Mother’s Quest Circle Pilot, may be right for you.
This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate virtual reflective sessions over 3-4 months.
Click http://mothersquest.com/
Visit the Website
If you haven’t yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.comto explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new “Mothers on a Quest” features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.
Acknowledgements:
A big THANK YOU to our “patrons” for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:
- Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality
- Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
- Carly Magnus Hurt
- Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
- Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
- Mara Berns Langer
- Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
- Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
- Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
- Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
- Genese Harris
- Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
- Liane Louie-Badua
- Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
- Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
- Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
- Erik Newton of The Together Show
- Claire Fry
- Divya Silbermann
- Rachel Winter
- Caren and Debbie Lieberman
- Cameron Miranda
- Fran and David Lieberman
- Debbie and Alan Goore
- Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast
I’m honored to share this episode #32 of the podcast with Chandra Brooks, who has become a friend and a generous thought partner for me in recent months.
Chandra is a wife, mother of four, a grandmother, author, entrepreneur and the Northern California Staff Director for SEIU-United Service Workers West. Born and raised in San Jose, CA, she’s passionate about civil rights, social justice, and improving voter outcomes and civic engagement in communities of color.
She’s also an appointed commissioner for Santa Clara County’s Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, Chair of the Justice and Advocacy Committee and elected Delegate for The California Democratic Party.
In 2017 Chandra launched The SocialPreneur, a purpose driven business that prepares potential candidates to run for political office and mentors women to own their power and leadership within their company, business, and/or community.
I reached out to Chandra because I wanted to talk with her the week that she released her new book, “Black, Brown & Political: Get Informed, Get Empowered and Change the Game” which provides easy to navigate tips and inspiration to help women of color get involved in local politics.
In this episode, we got to dive deep into the influences which drove Chandra to own her voice and reach her fullest potential. She shares how her mother led her by example to stand up for herself as a woman at a young age and how her uncle unknowingly sparked her to strive for greatness after he doubted her future success when she became pregnant as a teenager. And, we uncover how Chandra’s ambition, value for education, and commitment to political leadership helps her inspire generations today, from her 12 year old son to the women she mentors, to sit at the table and own their power.
I didn’t realize when I scheduled the interview with Chandra that we would be talking the day before the November 2017 elections. The conversation couldn’t have come at a better time, and her challenge inspired me to go out and do another round of precinct walking with my 5 year old that afternoon. It was thrilling to wake up the next day to news that so many women of color, including one woman my son and I had supported the day before, had been elected.
Chandra, with her new book as a resource, is a powerful force to fuel this growing movement of women stepping into more leadership. I hope this conversation will inspire you, as it has me, to be part of this movement and to more fully own our power to make a difference.
This episode dedicated by:
- Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise in honor of her mother, Dr. Gloria Bromell Tinubu
Topics discussed in this episode:
- How Chandra intended to release her book a year after the 2016 elections to encourage people to reflect on the decisions they made the year before and realize the importance of being politically involved
- Chandra’s strong, opinionated, and independent mother and how she set an example for Chandra to not be subservient to men
- How Chandra intentionally teaches her children about social justice issues and about their heritage
- The lack of access Chandra witnessed to vocational training and education for women in a local prison, compared to the men, and how she’s using her leverage as Commissioner to change that.
- What happened when Chandra’s uncle told her “Your life is over, you might as well prepare to be on welfare” after she announced she was pregnant as a teenager.
- How Chandra’s fascination and observation of people in leadership planted seeds for her becoming an entrepreneur
- The importance of seeking out mentors and coaches and not being afraid to reach out and ask for help
- Chandra’s call to action for us to get more engaged in our local community politics
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Chandra Brook’s Mother on a Quest Feature
- Chandra’s purpose-driven company The SocialPreneur
- Women Podcasters in Solidarity
- Black, Brown & Political: Get Informed, Get Empowered and Change the Game!
- National School Board Association
- Commission on the Status of Women – the County of Santa Clara
This Week’s Challenge:
Get involved as a leader in your local community.. Join a school board, commission, or neighborhood association. Use your influence and privilege to support communities in need and leaders of color.
Announcements:
A year ago on December 1st, I launched the Mother’s Quest Podcast as a birthday present to myself. It’s hard to believe that another personal birthday and the first birthday of the podcast is almost here.
I’d love to celebrate by highlighting your stories and how the podcast or Mother’s Quest Community has helped you to live your E.P.I.C. life. Go to mothersquest.com and use the speakpipe tool to leave me a 1-2 minute message for a chance to be featured in this season’s finale.
Everyone who submits will also be entered into a drawing for a free signature coaching session from me and some other prizes from other amazing moms in the Mother’s Quest Community. Can’t wait to hear your stories and celebrate with you.
Women Podcasters in Solidarity
I’m honored to have shared two episodes in a series of conversations for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. I created the Initiative to build awareness and raise dollars for Anti-Racism and the Movement for Black Lives. My plans for the Initiative culminate the last week of November, with a final episode and a personal contribution and invitation to you to support this cause financially on Giving Tuesday. If you want to make sure you stay informed, take a moment now to get connected, whether that’s through subscribing to the podcast, joining the Mother’s Quest Facebook Group or signing up for the email list at mothersquest.com. I look forward to sharing more.
Virtual Mother’s Quest Circle Pilot
You’re a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you’re raising them is your highest priority. You’re also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.
If the description above sounds like you, the Virtual Mother’s Quest Circle Pilot, may be right for you. This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate virtual reflective sessions over 3-4 months.
Click http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircle/ to learn and apply. The group will start as soon as I have a committed number of participants so don’t delay if you’re interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com
If you haven’t yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new “Mothers on a Quest” features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.
Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session
I’m rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you’ve had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I’d love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.
I’ve been there, I’m still on the journey myself, and I’d love to bring all I’ve learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com if you’re interested in learning more.
Acknowledgements:
A big THANK YOU to our “patrons” for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:
- Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
- Carly Magnus Hurt
- Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
- Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
- Mara Berns Langer
- Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
- Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
- Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
- Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
- Genese Harris
- Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
- Liane Louie-Badua
- Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
- Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
- Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
- Erik Newton of The Together Show
- Claire Fry
- Divya Silbermann
- Rachel Winter
- Caren and Debbie Lieberman
- Cameron Miranda
- Fran and David Lieberman
- Debbie and Alan Goore
- Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast
Support the Podcast
If you’d like to make a contribution to Mother’s Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/
If you would like to “dedicate” an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com
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Mother’s Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.
Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).
Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/
I’m honored to share this Episode #31 of the Mother’s Quest Podcast with Kate Schatz, and the second I’m bringing to you this fall 2017 as part of the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative.
Kate is an activist, educator, public speaker, and Bay Area-born-and-bred feminist mama. She’s also a New York Times-bestselling author well known for Rad American Women A-Z and Rad Women Worldwide among others. And, she’s the former Chair of the School of Literary Arts at Oakland School for the Arts, where she taught fiction, poetry, and journalism to 9th-12th graders for many years.
Kate’s also a fierce advocate for social justice who isn’t afraid to use her gift for communication to speak out against racism. In ninth grade, she wrote her first letter to the editor calling out coded racism she recognized in questions parents directed to her during a parent info night. In college, she learned about the intersections of race, class and gender in her Women’s Studies Courses at UC Santa Cruz. And in 2016, she co-founded and now organizes Solidarity Sundays, an intersectional nationwide network of feminist activist groups.
She also wasn’t afraid to say “yes” to me when I asked if she’d step into brave space on the podcast to honestly explore her personal journey to solidarity and to break down concepts like white privilege, white guilt vs. responsibility, white fragility and centering, and how being an “ally” is not something we proclaim we are but ongoing action we take.
Because Kate is a mother, an author, and a teacher, she also gave me and those of you who say “yes” too, a challenge to read (with our children if they are older than 12) the young adult book “The Hate U Give,” and to seek out podcasts, television shows, and other media with black voices for us to listen to and learn from. She shared her favorites which we link to in the show notes as a place to start.
Before we pressed record, Kate and I talked about the pros and cons of having conversations as white women about racism. We discussed that sometimes the labor and burden of explaining these concepts needs to rest on the shoulders of white women but that we also can’t fall into the trap of having conversations only amongst ourselves.
The answer we came to is that there need to be more brave conversations, white women on our own, with women of color, and sometimes we as white women need not to talk at all, but to listen to women of color. I’m honored that other women podcasters have signed onto the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative to create more conversations on this subject and I’ll share links to the full collection of those episodes in December.
Until then, I hope my previous conversation with Nicole Lee, and this one with Kate Schatz, will help us realize that fighting against racism is our responsibility, that with a growth mindset we can step into brave spaces to do this work, and that the time to take steps, wherever you are on the activism spectrum, is now.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Kate’s Takeaways from Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee
- Stepping into a brave space vs. staying in a place of comfort to discuss race
- Kate’s upbringing in a stable, loving home and how her parents provided a foundation for her early dive into activism
- Kate’s quest to use her power, her voice, and her privilege to tell stories, like those in the Rad Women series, that the world needs to hear
- How smart children are and how interested they are in complex topics like politics
- Kate’s exploration of feminism and intersectionality as a Women’s Studies major at UC Santa Cruz
- An exploration of the E.P.I.C. Guideposts through the lens of Anti-Racism and Kate’s personal journey into understanding and unpacking white privilege, white guilt, white centering and white fragility
- Solidarity Sundays, the reason why the group name was changed from Suffragette Sundays and how the story of that change stands as an example of how to listen to concerns of women of color without getting defensive
- If people do not know where you stand, in some level, it does not matter what you stand for and how you can use your gifts and profession to make impact and engage in culture shifts
- Activism is a spectrum and the importance of getting in where you can
- Diversifying our literature, podcasts, and television shows to better understand black perspectives and experiences
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee
- Diversity is an Asset 101
- Solidarity Sundays
- Angels in America by Tony Kushner
- Jen Jenkins Dohner Resistance Art
- Radical Hope: Letters of Love and Dissent in Dangerous Times
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Bettina Aptheker, Akasha (Gloria T.) Hull, and Marge Franz
This Week’s Challenge:
Kate and I landed on three challenges related to our conversation 1) Make your opinions and beliefs visible in some way. Even a social media post, simple sign, or wearing buttons will ripple in a powerful way. 2) Read developmentally appropriate newspaper articles with your children and, if he/she is 12 or older, the book The Hate U Give about police brutality 3) Expand your understanding of black perspectives and experiences through podcasts and shows. You can get started with a few of Kate’s favorites:
Podcasts:
Television:
Announcements
Kate Schatz in the Mother’s Quest Facebook Group
Join us for a check-in on the challenges from this episode and a Q & A with Kate during a live conversation in the Mother’s Quest Facebook Group on Giving Tuesday, November 28th at 11 am PST.
Women Podcasters in Solidarity
I’m honored to share this second episode in a series of conversations for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. I created the Initiative to build awareness and raise dollars for Anti-Racism and the Movement for Black Lives. My plans for the Initiative culminate the last week of November, with a final episode and a personal contribution and invitation to you to support this cause financially on Giving Tuesday. If you want to make sure you stay informed, take a moment now to get connected, whether that’s through subscribing to the podcast, joining the Mother’s Quest Facebook Group or signing up for the email list at mothersquest.com. I look forward to sharing more.
Virtual Mother’s Quest Circle Pilot
You’re a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you’re raising them is your highest priority. You’re also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.
If the description above sounds like you, the Virtual Mother’s Quest Circle Pilot, may be right for you. This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate virtual reflective sessions over 3-4 months.
Click http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircle/ to learn and apply. The group will start as soon as I have a committed number of participants so don’t delay if you’re interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com
Visit the Website
If you haven’t yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new “Mothers on a Quest” features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.
Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session
I’m rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you’ve had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I’d love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.
I’ve been there, I’m still on the journey myself, and I’d love to bring all I’ve learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com if you’re interested in learning more.
Acknowledgements
A big THANK YOU to our “patrons” for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:
- Carly Magnus Hurt
- Lizzy Russinko, of This (Un)Scripted Life
- Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
- Mara Berns Langer
- Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
- Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
- Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
- Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
- Genese Harris
- Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
- Liane Louie-Badua
- Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
- Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
- Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
- Erik Newton of The Together Show
- Claire Fry
- Divya Silbermann
- Rachel Winter
- Caren and Debbie Lieberman
- Cameron Miranda
- Fran and David Lieberman
- Debbie and Alan Goore
- Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast