In this episode, Bailey Perkins Wright defines why history matters to understanding the present and shaping the future, highlights significant moments in Oklahoma’s history and laws that feed into modern disparities, and unpacks recent legislation that has consequences to progress (specifically HB1775). Listen now to learn what we can do collectively and systemically to move us to progress.
The host is Gulnaz Tabynbayeva - Marketing Assistant at Thick Descriptions, Community Engagement Exchange Fellow, and gender equality advocate. Guest is Bailey Perkins Wright - Womanist, public policy advocate, and adjunct professor at a local community college. As an advocacy and governmental affairs professional, she’s dedicated to shaping state and federal public policy decisions and strengthening civic engagement in Oklahoma.
In this month's episode, we revisit the conversation about cultural anthropology and the power of projecting a "clear and confident voice" with vocal authority and teacher, Rena Cook. Graduate student and budding anthropologist, Veda Pai, gets in depth and personal with Rena about language, projection and techniques. Explore how clear and confident projection enhances interpersonal relationships and cultural understanding.
Rena Cook - a TEDx speaker, author, trainer, coach, and the founder of Vocal Authority, a training consultancy serving corporate clients including attorneys, politicians, teachers, sales teams, and CEOs, who want to use their voice in more commanding and authentic ways. She is a Professor Emerita at the University of Oklahoma School of Drama.
Did you know that over 70% of United States college freshmen require remedial reading? How does this fact prepare college students to complete and compete in higher academia and careers?
Suzette Chang sits down with DesJean Jones, Executive Director of Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County, Inc. to talk about these facts and how adults can level up! Listen to a direct and upfront conversation about the state of adult literacy in the United States, challenges faced by college students with remedial reading needs, and how adults can level up their literacy skills for academic and career success.
"Elephant in the Room - Unboxed" with host Suzette Chang and guest Dr. Jennifer Caldwell dives into the importance of genetic testing, health equity, and community-centered research—especially for melanated communities often overlooked in medical studies.
Dr. Caldwell, a public health geneticist, shares her journey from aspiring doctor to advocating for culturally tailored health education. She discusses:
Barriers in healthcare access and historical distrust in medical systems.
Her groundbreaking projects, like the Genesis AI Project, which co-creates genetic education with communities.
The Linking Gains study, exploring how genetic risk knowledge impacts health behaviors in Black communities.
The urgent need for self-advocacy—from decoding family medical histories to challenging dismissive doctors.
The conversation also tackles cultural myths around food, diabetes, and body image, emphasizing that "knowledge is power" for healthier lives.
Dr. Caldwell is a human geneticist with an interest in combining genetic ancestry analysis and community engaged research strategies. Her research uses interdisciplinary research designs to observe genetic, environmental, and cultural factors that contribute to chronic health disparities. Based on her interest in epigenetics, Dr. Caldwell’s study designs combine observing genetic traits, social determinants of health and behavioral risk factors that impact health disparities.
How can anthropology become a tool for Black liberation and radical education? In this powerful episode of Elephant in the Room – Unboxed, host Suzette Chang sits down with Dr. Brendane Tynes — anthropologist, queer Black feminist scholar, storyteller, and healer—to unpack:
From confronting micro-aggressions in academia to reimagining education beyond "the way it’s always been," this conversation is a call to question, connect, and reclaim power.
🔗 Follow Dr. Tynes: blacklovedandfreepodcast.com | IG: @blacklovedandfree
Brought to you by The Descriptions & the Respect for Diversity Foundation.
The latest episode of "Elephant in the Room - Unboxed" podcast hosted by Suzette Chang, features a thought-provoking conversation with guest Kendra Wesson, a former member of the Oklahoma State Board of Education. In this episode, they delve into the challenges and complexities of modern education, from systemic inefficiencies to the importance of literacy and community involvement.
Kendra shares her personal journey—from growing up in poverty and navigating frequent school changes to becoming a passionate advocate for education reform. She reflects on her time on the State Board, discussing transparency issues, budget disparities between rural and urban schools, and the need for consistent, student-focused policies. The discussion also highlights the cultural and political dynamics within Oklahoma’s education system, including the tension between state-appointed boards and elected officials. Both Suzette and Kendra emphasize the power of grassroots engagement, urging listeners to prioritize children’s needs over bureaucratic inertia.This episode explores:
In this episode, Suzette is joined by guest Kyle Lawson, a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare access. They delve into topics such as the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in rural Oklahoma, the importance of comprehensive education, and the need for strategy, empathy and understanding in addressing systemic issues.
Kyle shares his experiences working with organizations like the Oklahoma Policy Institute and his efforts to improve healthcare access for marginalized communities. The conversation also touches on Kyle's personal journey, including his work as a holistic healer and tarot reader, and the importance of advocating for human rights and equitable healthcare.
In this episode, host Suzette Chang sits down with Erika Hall Johnson, an educator and advocate for liberatory education, to explore the transformative power of learning beyond traditional models.
Tune in as they discuss:
Erika also shares her vision for a tiny house village that integrates community and education, redefining the way we support students and families.
Listen now for an insightful conversation on reimagining education and embracing new possibilities!
Join host Suzette Chang in a thought-provoking conversation with Michael Korenblit, co-creator of the Respect Diversity Foundation and best-selling author of Until We Meet Again, a true story of love and survival during the Holocaust.
In this powerful episode, Michael shares his lifelong dedication to teaching how the Holocaust connects to today’s issues and why respect for human life remains crucial in our world. With a perspective shaped by his parents’ harrowing experiences as Holocaust survivors and his upbringing as a Jew in Oklahoma, Michael dives deep into:
Michael’s heartfelt stories and insights will leave you inspired to reflect on how history informs the present and motivates us to create a more inclusive future.
Join Suzette Chang, CEO of Thick Descriptions, in conversation with Angela Z. Monson, trailblazing Oklahoma politician and the first African American woman assistant majority floor leader. Angela shares her experiences in legislation, insights on addressing systemic issues like voter suppression and education inequity, and the importance of trust and community building. Listen now for a powerful discussion on shaping change and strengthening communities.
Many experiences within Oklahoma's educational system such as dilapidated school buildings and limited school resources are not new. Although this is our history, there is also a time when a collective understanding to instill trust, time and expectations in youth was the staple. Join Suzette Chang as she talks with Dr. Judith Coker, aka Dr. C, as we discuss and reflect upon a time when specific values and characteristics was the staple for Oklahoma education.
Born and raised in Eastside Oklahoma City, Jabee Williams knew resilience comes from being adaptable, and it provides hope for the long haul. As an award-winning national hip-hop artist, community investor, and promoter of cultural engagement in the local arts scene, Jabee ses the language of poetry, song lyrics, and public art and disrupts the historical legacy and lack of opportunity in his city and beyond. Listen to his inspiring interview with Dr. Noel Jacobs, Executive Director of Respect Diversity Foundation to learn more.
Learn more about Thick Descriptions at thickdescriptions.org and the Respect Diversity Foundation at respectdiversity.org
Too often humans suspend history as a space in time so long ago yet history is from the beginning of time to one second ago :). Nerd out with us as we talk about overlooked histories, culture and storytelling with Jorge and Veda. Learn how public history/archeology and anthropology intersect.
Special thanks to our partners, Respect Diversity and the Golden Group.
Listen to this powerful conversation between Sarah Adams, co-creator of Matriarch, an organization that serves indigenous women in central and Northeastern Oklahoma. Learn how Sarah, a powerful human being, is making change in Oklahoma and unpacks a meaning of two spirits.
Listen to this conversation between Founder/CEO of Thick Descriptions, Suzette Chang, and Executive Director of Respect Diversity Foundation, Dr. Noel Jacobs, as they flesh-out why these two organizations do this work meaning discussing, understanding and offering solutions for what it means to be a human being, to have human experiences and how humans can have quality lives in Oklahoma and around the world.
The natural beauty of New Zealand and the rich cultural traditions of its more than 300 Maori communities can sometimes cause one to forget or overlook the history of colonization and harm to those communities, similar to many Native American tribes in the United States. Providing listeners unique perspectives and points of view, Maori business and nonprofit leader Breviss Wolfgramm describes models of cultural engagement and forward growth of the Maori people and country as a whole, as well as highlighting the cultural connections between Native Americans and Maori people and how we can learn from each other for "enduring gains."
Listen to a direct and upfront conversation about adult literacy. Did you know that over 70% of United States college freshmen require remedial reading? Further more, how does this fact prepare college students to complete and compete in higher academia and careers? Founder/CEO of Thick Descriptions, Suzette Chang and DesJean Jones, Executive Director of OIC talk about these facts, and so much more, specifically how adults can level up!
Suzette and Suzann sit down and have a great conversation about critical thinking for youth and how to "help people open themselves and their organizations to new ways of processing their challenges to bring about breakthrough thinking. Every setback is an opportunity to learn new ways of thinking. Every new challenge brims with the possibility of rising to the next level". Suzann is the Founder/CEO of Wade Innovation.
In this month Elephant in the Room- Unboxed, Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Anderson discuss a history of gender fluidity from a language, literary, clinical and health perspectives. Listeners are reminded that everyone is a "unique and precious human being deserving of compassion, honest counsel and guidance" regardless of sexuality, gender and sex.
In this month's episode, listeners will learn and understand the power of projecting a "clear and confident voice" with Rena Cook, vocal authority and teacher. Graduate student/budding anthropologist, Veda Pai, gets in depth and personal with Rena about language, projection, techniques and passion.