CHALLENGING PERCEPTIONS RACISM
“When we start thinking about changing perceptions and challenging perceptions, we have to figure out what those perceptions are. And yes unconscious bias and conscious bias does exist but sometimes there are so many systems that we exist in daily that we have to dismantle it by taking the veil off.”
- Dr. Tomika Ferguson, RCP Season II
Matters of the Heart, Mind and Spirit-Black Women
Youth Voices Matter
Matters of the Heart, Mind and Spirit-Black Men
Wealth, Freedom and Wellness
Series Overview
Racism: Challenging Perceptions is a discussion series on systemic racism that challenges our perceptions on its economic, cultural and social impacts. We invite our audience to continue to engage in dialogue and conversation about how systems have shaped our communities and how Black communities continue to navigate through them. Following each discussion, you will find questions to support you with continuing conversations within your networks.
Adrienne Cole Johnson
Moderator
As a natural mediator, community builder, skilled facilitator, and strategist, Adrienne has been committed to creating intentional impact across various power sectors for 20+ years. Leading in areas such as education, non-profits, politics and entrepreneurship, she understands the power of connection and the importance of relationships.
Upon receiving a Master of Social Work from the George Warren Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Adrienne served as a Chief of Staff in Congress. In addition to presently serving as the Chief of Family and Community Engagement for the 6th largest school division in Virginia, Adrienne serves on local and state level boards across the state. She is the co-founder of the Richmond Night Market, a creativity incubator and makers market, highlighting artist, music and talent from our local area. She also serves as co-owner of “The Len”, an open concept event venue and host of creatively curated social gatherings for the discerning socialite, influencer, and tastemaker.
Whether moderating panels and discussions, or navigating teams through transformational change, Adrienne is committed to resolving the toughest human challenges and ensuring voices are heard through innovative approaches and equitable engagement. Adrienne’s passions center on employee and customer engagement, deep listening, creating and managing organizational culture, advocacy, and community building. In 2023 she began her newest venture as C.E.O. of Build Together ™, a non-profit organization formed with the goal of providing targeted holistic support to Black and marginalized communities across the nation.
Matters of the Black Women Heart, Mind and Spirit
We celebrate the hearts, minds and spirits of Black women in the workplace and beyond. We’re honored to welcome trailblazers who are paving the way for Black women to feel supported, empowered and healthy as they navigate professional and corporate environments.
Courage Coach & Well-Being Educator,
Founder
CEO, Heal with Keonna Keonna Knight, M.Ed
&
Keonna Knight, M.Ed, is not just a courage coach, well-being educator, and speaker; she’s your guide to getting out of your own way and stepping into your power. Through her company, Heal with Keonna, she offers personalized coaching, leadership trainings, and well-being workshops, all aimed at sparking transformation for Black women and change makers. Her journey from being a burnt-out classroom teacher to a vibrant CEO has gifted her with profound insights and tools to teach others how to heal and build BOLD and balanced lives. Keonna founded Heal with Keonna to become a sanctuary for Black women and change makers to gain the tools and space that they need to walk boldly in their calling without burning out. What began as intimate, self-care workshops for colleagues grew into a thriving company that has now helped over 1500 Black women and change makers and over 25 organizations and institutions across the country. Keonna’s warmth and authenticity shine through, guiding others to forge a path of purpose without compromising self-care. With her master’s degree in Counselor Education, yoga teacher certification, and background in elementary education, Keonna blends expertise with empathy, inspiring others to embrace a life of impact while honoring their own needs—a journey she walks alongside them with empathy and authenticity.
“We need to know that we are powerful. And as you
say,
knowing our history and knowing who we are, there are so many spaces that we go into that will try to trick us into questioning ourselves and our value…You need people in the space who are also going to advocate for you.”
- Keonna Knight
Questions to
Shanza Isom, MSW
Associate Director - Engaged Transformational Learning, VCU
Owner, BeWell: Self-Care & Holistic Life Balance, LLC; Mindfulness teacher; Well-being Consultant and Speaker
Shanza A. Isom, MSW is the Associate Director of Engaged Transformative Learning at Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to this role she served for six years as an Assistant Professor and the Director of Field Instruction in the Department of Social Work at James Madison University. She also spent a decade at Virginia Commonwealth University in the School of Social Work. Shanza has substantial experience in higher education, specifically in community engaged learning, program management and development, and training and development. She is an experienced program director and professor, regularly teaching social work courses across the undergraduate and graduate level.
Shanza is the founder and owner of her own company, BeWell: Self-Care & Holistic Life Balance, LLC, specializing in fostering balanced living through a holistic approach to self-care and overall wellbeing. She works with individuals and groups of people to cultivate and maintain individualized self-care practices as they aim to live a life of wellness, happiness, and flourishing. She serves as a well-being consultant and speaker for private and nonprofit organizations, groups, and companies.
“ I’ve learned how to prioritize me, and what that means for me, and recognizing that that looks different for all of us, and I can’t expect well-being and self-care to look the same for everybody. But what I can do is show up for folks and help them reflect on that, and figure that out for themselves.”
- Shanza Isom
i. How do the combined impacts of racism and sexism impact Black women in the workplace? How does this also impact the mental well-being of Black women?
ii. How do implicit and explicit expectations for Black to women to work harder or prove their competence impact their experiences in the workplace?
iii. How do you believe traditional expectations of strength and resilience impact how Black women approach their own mental well-being?
iv. What are some ways that Black women can seek and locate supportive spaces in the workplace?
v. What steps can we take to undo the implicit biases around the expectations of Black women’s resilience and how can we continue to prioritize understanding Black women’s mental health?
Youth Voices Matter
In this segment, we address the critical issue of the mental well-being of Black youth. Our guests bring enlightenment to the experiences, challenges and triumphs that Black youth face as they navigate systems in our communities.
Angela Patton
CEO, Girls For A Change
Angela Patton is a serial innovator and fearless advocate for “at-promise” girls. She serves as the CEO of Girls For A Change, a nonprofit organization that prepares Black girls for the world, and the world for Black girls. Her impactful TED talk, showcasing a father-daughter dance for incarcerated dads and their “at-promise” daughters, has garnered over 1 million views and propelled her work into the spotlight, earning features on ABC World News, Inside Edition, and NPR, as well as invitations to speak at corporations, conferences, and educational institutions across the country. Recognized by President Obama as a White House Champion of Change, Angela has received accolades including the Nonprofit Partner of the Year from the Metropolitan Business League twice and the Richmond Times-Dispatch 2019 Person of the Year Honoree. In 2022, she was honored by The International Alliance for Women as a World of Difference Award winner in the Non-Profit/NGO Awardees category. Additionally, Angela co-authored the book “Finding Her Voice: How Black Girls in White Spaces Can Speak Up & Live Their Truth” with Faye Z. Belgrave, PhD, and Ivy Belgrave. As a Co-Director and Executive Producer of the 2024 Sundance Festival Favorite and Audience Favorite “DAUGHTERS: A Documentary,” Angela continues to elevate Black girls’ voices and stories with a global presence. Despite her numerous accomplishments, Angela remains committed to family, serving on boards, volunteering, consulting, and training, embodying her dedication to creating a more just and equitable world.
Daughters on Netflix
“ What I’m often telling my parents is that we cannot just speak about a
village,
we have to act upon the
village,
meaning that it’s very easy for us, but when you get just caught up, you try to do it all alone. And so I highly recommend finding support systems which are programs, making sure that you seek therapy for your children, because it works and it’s necessary and it is a tool that can save your life.”
- Angela Patton
Watch
Brennan Johnson
High School Student
Brennan Johnson is a dedicated and high-achieving student-athlete at Highland Springs High School. He excels both on the field and in the classroom, maintaining an impressive 3.8 GPA in the Advanced College Academy for Business. Upon completing his coursework, Brennan will earn an Associate’s Degree in Business.
In recognition of his exceptional performance on the football field, Brennan was selected as the Virginia High School League 5A Defensive Player of The Year in 2022 and the Division 6 Defensive Player of The Year in 2023. His talents have garnered over 20 scholarship offers from prestigious colleges, including Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, Holy Cross, William & Mary, Liberty University, Duke University, and many more. Beyond his academic and athletic pursuits, Brennan is an active member of the Becoming Kings Male Mentor Group. This organization focuses on developing self-advocacy, engaging in community service projects, and fostering peer relationships among African American males with similar interests. Brennan’s interests extend beyond football and academics. He enjoys thrifting, listening to music, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends. His diverse interests and commitment to excellence make him a well-rounded individual and a valuable member of his community.
“I’m just gonna prove you wrong. You know, that’s really my mentality…it becomes a bit of self-advocacy that you naturally catapult into. Because as you’re caring for yourself, you’re also kind of trying to stand up to systems, institutions, organizations, sometimes in schools.”
- Brennan Johnson
consider…. Questions to
i. Let’s think about intentional space-making. How can communities support Black youth in finding culturally relevant and safe spaces where they can express themselves freely without fear of judgement or discrimination?
ii. How can communities advocate for policies that address systemic inequalities and improve access to mental health resources for Black youth?
iii. As we consider how influential schools and educators are on our young people; how can schools find collaborative opportunities with community members, family members and others that support mental well-being for Black youth?
iv. How can education that resonates with Black youth and provides cultural reflection positively impact mental health?
v. What topics are vital to ensure that the mental well-being of Black youth is prioritized in our communities?
Matters of the Black Men Heart, Mind and Spirit
In this segment, we are addressing a pressing issue: the often-overlooked aspects of Black men’s health -- both physical and mental. We’ll be delving deep into the unique challenges Black men encounter as well as uncovering valuable insights and solutions for promoting their overall well-being.
Daryl Fraser
African-Centered Community Healer Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
Daryl Fraser is an African-Centered community healer and licensed mental health practitioner with training in clinical social work practice. He has over 20 years of experience working in the Richmond metro area as a social worker, community advocate, professor, and mentor. However, his most prized and coveted role is being a loving husband to his beautiful wife, April; and proud father to his four children: Kayla, Zayd, Nadia, and Saafir.
The focus of Daryl’s work is dedicated to the liberation and empowerment of the Black community. He has been a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) since 2003 and has held a variety of leadership positions locally and nationally that included: President of the VCU ABSW (2004-2007); National Student Coordinator (2006-2007); President of the Richmond ABSW (2017-2020), and currently the National Member-at-Large. As a former associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work (2012-2022), Daryl co-founded and co-facilitated programs geared towards educating students, faculty, and staff about anti-Black racism and social justice.
Daryl is the proud owner and founder of Fraser & Associates Complete Therapeutic Services, which is a mental health and wellness practice composed of a collective of healers who are licensed and professionally trained in various modalities of counseling and healing sciences. The practice offers dynamic and culturally relevant mental health and wellness services designed to meet the needs of families with the intention to help individuals heal, function at their highest level, and ultimately thrive within their communities.
Students explore Richmond’s struggles with race, injustice
VCU social work students tour Richmond to explore ‘school-to-prison pipeline’
social work students get a close look at Richmond’s history of housing and racial injustice
‘Richmond [Re]Visited’ shows social work students racial disparities in life and death
“[So] I’m really sensitive about who I who I take on and how I even engage them into services. Because I recognize that if I botch it up, they may not go back, right? So that’s important to me.”
- Daryl Fraser
Dr. Phillip Duncan
Associate Professor of Cardiology, VCU
Dr. Phillip Duncan is an associate professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University Pauley Heart Center and medical director at The Cardiac Connection. His primary focus is improving cardiovascular health for the individual and the community. Dr. Duncan has always been committed to the health and education of all communities, but particularly to those at the highest risk for adverse health outcomes. Born in Harlem, NYC to Jamaican immigrant parents, Dr. Duncan grew up in Manhattan and The Bronx. After graduation from the prestigious public school, Bronx High School of Science, he spent two years as a Bio-Med/Bio-engineering major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. After two years RPI, Dr. Duncan was invited to attend Howard University Medical College, where he received his M.D. degree with the class of 1978.
Dr. Duncan received Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the UC Irvine affiliated Long Beach VAMC program. He was the lead cardiologist in establishing the Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at HCACJW in Richmond. He has been actively involved in the cardiology training program at MCVH-VCU since 2016 and holds an associate professorship at VCU School of Medicine in their internal Medicine/ Cardiology department. Dr. Duncan has interest in heart failure, cardiometabolic disease, cardiac amyloidosis, small vessel coronary artery disease, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. He is currently a patient-centered cardiologist in the Richmond and Tri-cities area and has practiced for almost 40 years.
TIME USE IN CLINICAL ENCOUNTERS: ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN PATIENTS TREATED DIFFERENTLY? The Effects of Race and Racial Concordance on PatientPhysician Communication
“As a Black man in society…we do not have the luxury of mediocrity…so we have not just the feeling that if we’re not a superstar, then we’re somehow lacking. We also have the added responsibility of...doing this for community outside of ourselves, and often doing it without the adequate support, or even acknowledgement of what that means.”
- Dr. Phillip Duncan
consider…. Questions to
i. Let’s think about historical and traditional issues and biases. How do factors like societal expectations, socioeconomic disparities and racial discrimination play into heart health and mental health for Black men?
ii. How does mistrust of the healthcare system impact Black men’s experience with healthcare and mental healthcare professionals?
iii. What are some actions that the healthcare industry can take to build trust within this community?
iv. Throughout RCP, we have often discussed economic disparities in Black communities. How do you believe these disparities impact health outcomes for Black men?
v. How can mental health practitioners incorporate the importance of spirituality for Black men when providing services?
vi. How do we continue to prioritize the importance of addressing barriers to physical and mental health among Black men?
Wealth, Freedom and Wellness
Throughout this discussion we explore the journey toward wealth, freedom and wellness in Black communities. We are joined by advocates who are dedicated to dismantling barriers and creating space for economic investment. From financial literacy to investing and entrepreneurship, our guests are leading the way toward economic liberation.
Chandra Hurst
VP Senior Business Consultant, Chase Bank
Chandra Hurst is a Community Impact Leader, advocate, strategist and Vice President, Senior Business Consultant for Chase Bank in Richmond, VA. Chandra has over 31 years of experienced in financial services. As a Senior Business Consultant, Chandra cultivates relationships from diverse business owners to help them grow their business through access to comprehensive and customized education, one-on-one coaching, access to community resources and banking solutions tailored to their specific financial needs. Prior to joining Chase, Chandra was the Vice President and Economic Equity Small Business Loan Officer with Locus, formerly Virginia Community Capital (VCC) based in Richmond, VA. Chandra was responsible for providing small business owners who are women and/or Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) access to capital and financing solutions including term loans, owner-occupied real estate loans and refinances. Chandra also served as Vice President and Central/Eastern Virginia Community Relations Consultant at Wells Fargo Bank, where she was responsible for the Community Relations Initiatives ensuring Wells Fargo met its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements as well as managing relationships with key government, community, non-profit and business stakeholders.
“It’s all about education and
exposure.
You know, if you can expose someone to something that they didn’t have a clue as to get there, they’re gonna say, ‘Hmm, I can do that too.’ But giving them the steps and the tools and exposure to get there, I think that is the differentiator.”
- Chandra Hurst
Questions to
The House of Photography
Cedric Welch-Muhammad
CEO, The Hip-Hoppreneur
Cedric Welch-Muhammad is a Portfolio Manager operating out of New York City. He’s also the former general manager of the Wu-Tang Clan and CEO of Hip-Hoppreneur - a leadership development firm advising entertainers (most notable past client: Pusha T). Born to a Harlem-born, 28-year veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and a mother born in Panama and raised in Jamaica, Cedric lived on 3 continents by the time he was 12 years old. It was in Europe that his appreciation for economics, dialogue, and debate was kindled - watching, along with his big brother, as his father bargained with vendors on the streets of Italy. He is most proud of being named to the African Union’s First Congress of African Economists in 2009. Cedric attended Rutgers University and grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey (home of Carl Lewis and a First Amendment-housing discrimination Supreme Court Case, Linmark Associates, Inc. v. Township of Willingboro). He is married with two daughters with a home in South Carolina, where his ancestors on his father’s side are from and where his passion for botany and astronomy is watered each day.
“I think, while education is portable wealth, sometimes it’s a debt burden that we can’t carry. And so increasingly, I think we’re having great conversations about going into debt to pay for various degrees. And we’re looking at skills and tools and knowledge, things you can get through mentorships and professional networks that you would never get necessarily in a formal academic setting, as being just as valuable, if not more valuable.”
- Cedric Welch-Muhammad
i. How can Black entrepreneurs be supported with building networks that can support their professional endeavors? How do prioritize education network-building for young professionals?
ii. How can access to financial literacy be intentionally tailored to Black entrepreneurs?
iii. In what ways has Hip-Hop culture encouraged increased education and awareness of financial literacy and opportunities in the Black community? What Hip-Hop artists do you see currently at the helm of this education?
iv. Let’s think about collective financial systems in Black communities. How can systems that allow connected individuals to save and distribute money collectively support financial freedom and entrepreneurship?
v. What are some spaces that can provide support in continuing the conversation of financial freedom in Black communities?
RCP CONNECT WITH
Thank you for engaging with RCP. RCP is designed to support community members to continue conversations about systemic racism within our own networks. We would love to know how you have used or intend to use RCP as a tool for conversation and increased understanding. As audience members, we welcome your feedback and thoughts. Please feel free to share your thoughts and stories about how you can see this content motivating you to continue discussions among your own networks.
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publication design by kal bracey
photography courtesy of Monica Pedynkowski