BLACK in One Piece™

BLACK in One Piece™ Family Reunion | 2024-25 Montage

In the Black community, reunions and gatherings are sacred spaces where we can breathe, feel free, and be ourselves without apology. In that spirit, on this episode, Dr. Tasha invited past guests, friends, and fam to share in good company, good food, fond memories, and laughter: Black joy. This montage captures that energy. It’s an opportunity to look back on conversations and moments that shaped the show. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or you’re just catching up, enjoy this reflection from the BLACK in One Piece™ 2024–25 Family Reunion.

"BLACK Entrepreneurs"

This episode of BLACK in One Piece™ sees us back at the Advanced Learning Library for part three of the Amplify 365 Series, a community conversation on Black entrepreneurship, legacy, and wellness filmed during National Black Business Month. While filmed during Black Business Month, also known as Black August, it’s only right we’re releasing the episode during November in recognition of National Entrepreneurship Month.Dr. Tasha sits with Wichita business leaders Tasha Hayes (The Blackprint ICT), Toni Jones (The Bizy Shop), and Kori DaCosta (Biio, Sun and Prairie Studios) to talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts.From challenges like lack of funding, visibility, and burnout to what it means to be Black-owned, not Black-only, and how they’re reimagining wellbeing, sustainability, legacy, and leadership in Wichita’s business ecosystem, you don’t want to miss this episode.

"BLACK Entrepreneurs"

This episode of BLACK in One Piece™ sees us back at the Advanced Learning Library for part three of the Amplify 365 Series, a community conversation on Black entrepreneurship, legacy, and wellness filmed during National Black Business Month. While filmed during Black Business Month, also known as Black August, it’s only right we’re releasing the episode during November in recognition of National Entrepreneurship Month. Dr. Tasha sits with Wichita business leaders Tasha Hayes (The Blackprint ICT), Toni Jones (The Bizy Shop), and Kori DaCosta (Biio, Sun and Prairie Studios) to talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts. From challenges like lack of funding, visibility, and burnout to what it means to be Black-owned, not Black-only, and how these entrepreneurs are reimagining wellbeing, sustainability, legacy, and leadership in Wichita’s business ecosystem, you don’t want to miss this episode. #BLACKinOnePiece #TMBPMedia #Amplify365 #BlackBusinessMonth #BlackAugust #BlackEntrepreneurs #LeftOnRead #TheMillennialBlackProfessor #WichitaBlackBusiness #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth

"Aware. Reach. Teach."

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month recently came to a close, and Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct 5–11) and World Mental Health Day (Oct 10) are around the corner. With this in mind, our latest episode of BLACK in One Piece™ features a powerful conversation with Shawnta Smith, LMSW, QMHP, recorded at the Advanced Learning Library as part of the AMPLIFY 365™ series. Shawnta, founder of The ART Project and owner of Be Kind Therapy, reflects on turning personal loss into community advocacy while we discuss Black identity, therapy, parenting, boundaries, and breaking the stigma around mental health. Click here [https://bekindtherapy.health/] to learn more about The A.R.T. Project and Be Kind Therapy.

"The Way to Work"

Dr. Tasha: “What helps you feel confident and proud of who you are?”  Sherrye: “Just me being me.”  We’re closing out our celebration of Black Business Month with a conversation featuring Sherrye McDowell, Left on Read’s very first part-time employee through The Way to Work program.   In June, you met Sherrye on her first day of work. 10 weeks later, on her last day of work, she joined Dr. Tasha to reflect on the experience, what she learned, and what being BLACK in One Piece™ means to her as she begins high school. Book References Great Black Hope [https://bookshop.org/p/books/great-black-hope-rob-franklin/21930322?ean=9781668077436&next=t], by Rob Franklin Historically Black Phrases [https://bookshop.org/p/books/historically-black-phrases-from-who-all-gon-be-there-to-i-ain-t-one-of-your-lil-friends-tre-vell-anderson/19457284?ean=9781984861719&next=t], by jarrett hill and Tre'vell Anderson The Black Joy Project [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-black-joy-project-kleaver-cruz/20031077?ean=9780358588757&next=t], by Kleaver Cruz To find these and more, visit https://bookshop.org/shop/leftonread [https://bookshop.org/shop/leftonread] for physical and e-books and https://libro.fm/leftonreadbooks/ [https://libro.fm/leftonreadbooks/ ] for audiobooks. Interested in The Way to Work? Visit https://www.wichita.gov/339/The-Way-to-Work-TWTW [https://www.wichita.gov/339/The-Way-to-Work-TWTW].