My Mic Sounds Nice: Lipsticks, Libraries, and Liberation

This week, co-hosts Kelli King-Jackson and Dr. Kendra Janelle Ross are back in the group chat: no guests, just real talk. We kick off with beauty faves (hi, Lip Bar!) and hair-care trials (when allergies and menopause enter the chat!), then move into media diets and why we’re reinvesting in Black-owned outlets. The episode winds down with reading lists as resistance, coalition-building, and a simple ask for this season: give peace a chance.

Related Links & References

Beauty & Hair

• The Lip Bar (shades mentioned: Boss Lady, Curl Friend, Ring Leader; liner: Straight Boss; also Prima Donna)
• Cécred (travel kit)
• Pattern Beauty (curl cream)
• Mielle Organics (rosemary oil)

Media, Platforms & Press

• Ezra Klein x Ta-Nehisi Coates interview (re: “both sides,” dehumanization)
• Native Land Podcast (Angela Rye, Andrew Gillum, Tiffany Cross; rebrand adds Bakari Sellers)
• Ashley Allison w/ Michel Martin on NPR (discussing her company Watering Hole Media’s acquisition of The Root, returning it to Black ownership)
• Knubia / Knarrative (Africana community led by Dr. Greg Carr & Karen Hunter) /  “In Class with Carr,” on YouTube
• Spill (Black-owned social app)
• Rev. Cody Deese on The Roland Martin Show / Rev. Deese’s website (White pastor in Georgia fighting against white nationalism in the church)

Faith, Culture & Public Life

• Perfect Neighbor on Netflix (documentary on A.J. Owens with content advisory)
• Eddie Glaude Jr. on Substack  (referenced for prompt: “Where is the art for this moment?”)
• Texas State Rep. James Talarico (referenced for courageous public theology)

Songs

• “Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon 
• “My Mic Sounds Nice” by Salt n Pepa

For the books Kendra and Kelli recommended in this episode, visit our book list here.

Hit our group chat to ask us a question or send us feedback on what you're enjoying about the show!

Kelli King-Jackson is a certified professional coach to Black women leading in white spaces. In addition to coaching, she works with organizations truly committed to justice for Black women by providing philanthropic advising, facilitation, and speaking services. Learn more about Kelli’s work here: https://www.iamkelli.com/

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