The Melanin Sound Wave Ayanna

On this week's episode, I sat down with Alexa Jay and talked about what we considered the stages black girls who grow up in white communities go through. Basing this all on our own personal experiences, Alexa and I talked and bonded over the many similarities we had growing up, even though we grew up on opposite sides of the country. Our purpose for this episode is to connect further with other black girls (and boys) who may be going through the same thing we had gone through and to show that

1. You are not alone

2. You are going to get through it

Alexa and I got real about what it was like for the two of us but in that, gave listeners what we thought would be some of the best advice for us all to follow in order to better ourselves or at least have a better understanding of what it is like for other people growing up.



Our favorite piece of advice is as follows:

Follow people on ALL your social media accounts that have a resemblance to you!

- Skin tone, hair texture, size, birthmarks, anything!

Social media can be used in so many ways but one of the best ways is by using it to your advantage! Following and admiring only people who do not look like you is not beneficial for you in the long run!



Our other piece of advice - reach out to us! Alexa and I have experienced a lot of life and we have so much advice to give! If you ever need someone to listen, we are always here!



Here are Alexa's social media's for you to connect with and follow below!

1. Instagram - @alexaaamccoy

2. TikTok - flexylexxxy



We can't wait for you to listen!

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram and TikTok (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when new episodes come out and you can continue to learn! Enjoy listening and learning!*


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-melanin-sound-wave/message

On this week's episode, Xavier and I sat down with Kassidy King to discuss the trans experience with him and what that looks like, and how he has navigated the world. We talked about definitions of trans, being a trans father and what it is like, experiences and what it is like going to the hospitals or getting medical advice as someone who is trans, and so much more! Our conversation with Kassidy was real, honest, and fun, and a great way for all of us to learn about something not yet discussed on The Melanin Sound Wave in general but on an episode for the pride month series! Xavier and I are so grateful to Kassidy for being vulnerable and extremely open with us on something so personal and important to him. We cannot thank Kassidy enough for educating the two of us and also all of our listeners while on this episode!



Be present, come to listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it!



We cannot wait for you all to listen!



During the episode, Kassidy mentioned a few different resources we should all take a look at to learn more, become better allies and people, and connect with. Here are those resources Kassidy mentioned!

1. Planned Parenthood

2. Jayceon Dido - Instagram: @jayc3on



If you want to follow Kassidy and learn more/connect with him, follow his accounts below!

1. Personal Instagram - @xxkingsworldxx

2. Business Instagram - @king_butta_love

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram and TikTok (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-melanin-sound-wave/message

On this week's episode, Xavier and I sat down with Asakee Robinson to talk about homophobia and transphobia within the Black household. We talked about what it can look like inside the home, how it hurts and affects the children both inside and outside of the home, struggles faced but also ways to combat it, and so much more. Our conversation with Asakee included personal stories, experiences, and things that happened outside of our lives and in the world. Xavier and I are so grateful to Asakee for being so open and vulnerable with us on something so personal and important to them. We cannot thank Asakee enough for educating the two of us and also all of our listeners while on this episode!



Be present, come to listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it!



We cannot wait for you all to listen!



If you want to follow Asakee and learn more/connect with them, follow their accounts below!

1. Instagram - @kinosaii

2. TikTok - @kinosaii

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram and TikTok (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-melanin-sound-wave/message

On this week's episode, Xavier and I sat down with Jetta Strayhorn to discuss black womanhood and how Jetta navigates being a Black woman and also nonbinary. We also discussed how nonbinaryism plays a role in Black womanhood, educating friends and family, what it feels like educating others, what it means to Jetta to be nonbinary and so much more! Our conversation with Jetta was fun and informational for us to learn about something we have yet to discuss on this podcast but also have not heard much about in our everyday lives. Xavier and I are so grateful to Jetta for their vulnerability and honesty throughout the episode while educating not only the two of us but also all of our listeners on this.



Be present, come listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it!



We cannot wait for you all to listen!



During the episode, Jetta mentioned a few different resources we should all take a look at to learn more, become better allies and people, and connect with. Here are those resources Jetta mentioned!

1. Advice - Get on the right side of TikTok! - Look at some of the people you are following and look at who they are following to find other resources and more people to listen to!

2. Go to your favorite political creator and see who they’re following


3. The Lemonade Syllabus - https://diversity.tamu.edu/Diversity/media/diversity/PDF/lemonade-syllabus.pdf

4. Jetta herself!



If you want to follow Jetta and learn more/connect from them, follow their accounts below!

1. Instagram - @jetthejem

2. TikTok - @jetthejem

*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram and TikTok (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*



---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-melanin-sound-wave/message

On this week's episode, Xavier and I sat down with Malik Williams to discuss what it was like for him to be a professional dancer and a Black man while growing up and working in a White dominant profession and environment. We also discussed with Malik what a Black body is supposed to look like to fit into the beauty standards in the dance world, queer communities, and communities in general. We talked about what his experience was like navigating himself as a Black and queer person in his professional field, what it was like for him growing up as queer and coming out, what it was like not having the "ideal" body type in his field, and so much more. Our conversation with Malik was fun and lighthearted at times and at other times, there were more serious moments. Xavier and I are so grateful to Malik for his vulnerability and honesty throughout the episode.



Be present, come listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it.



We cannot wait for you all to listen! See you next week!



During the episode, Malik provided us with a few different resources we should all take to learn more, become better allies and people, and connect with. Here are those resources Malik suggested!

1. MoveNYC - Dance Program

2. Saturday Church - Movie

3. Moonlight - Movie

4. White Fragility - Book

5. POSE - TV Show



If you want to follow Malik. and learn more/connect with him, follow his accounts below!

1. Instagram - @malikizhere

2. TikTok - @malikamaquisha



*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-melanin-sound-wave/message

On this week's episode, and The Melanin Pride Wave's first guest, Xavier and I sat down with Obio Jones to discuss masculinity, queer visibility, what it is like presenting as a heterosexual man while queer, and so much more. We talked about if masculinity is overvalued in the Black community, if the Black community is more prejudiced towards homosexuality or more prejudiced towards those who express femininity but are not cis women, how the Black community can better nurture Black queer children and people, and much more. Our conversation with Obio was fun and lighthearted at times and at others, there were more serious moments and discussions being had.



Like Xavier said in the last podcast episode, be present, come listen with an open mind, and don't forget your pencil/pen and piece of paper because you are going to want to write all of this down and remember it. 



We cannot wait for you all to listen! See you next week!



During the episode, Obio provided us with a few different resources we should all take a look at to learn more, become better allies and people, and connect with. Here are those resources Obio suggested!

1. Let's Talk Bruh - Podcast - https://letstalkbruh.libsyn.com/

2. The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs - https://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Rage-Overcoming-Growing-Straight/dp/1611746450

3. For the Boys - YouTube series - (episode 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q90tiuQEGCw

4. Obio Jones - YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/omalara3



If you want to follow Obio and learn more/connect with him, follow his accounts below!

1. Instagram - @obioojones

2. TikTok - @obioojones

3. YouTube Channel - Obio Jones



*As always, make sure you follow The Melanin Sound Wave on Instagram (@themelaninsoundwave) and on all podcasting platforms so you know when episodes come out and you can further educate yourself! Enjoy listening and learning!*


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-melanin-sound-wave/message