Across The Mic with Julio Taku

Amaru Jones - Being a Community Leader & Activist

This episode, I'm joined by Amaru Jones, a community, activist, Cortland University alumnus and one of the founders of Leaders of the New School; a community organization aimed at providing empowerment & programs to enhance underserved youth. We discuss the importance and accessibility of local politics and how to enhance your community. Amaru's Instagram: https://instagram.com/theleadersofthenewschool_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= The Leaders of the New School: https://instagram.com/theleadersofthenewschool_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Milette Millington - Being Disabled in an Ableist Society isn't Easy

This episode, I'm joined by Milette Millington, a journalist, disability activist and alumnus of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. We discuss the invisibility with which the Disabled community is treated, the struggles they face on an infrastructural level and how to combat these issues. * Milette’s Capstone: Capstone | Portfolio [https://milettem98.wixsite.com/portfolio/capstone] * Milette’s Website: Newsgathering | Milette Millington's Journalism Portfolio [https://milettem98.wixsite.com/portfolio] * Milette’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/MiletteMillington [https://linktr.ee/MiletteMillington]

Don't Let Stoicism Kill You.

You ever seen a swan gliding across a lake? Beautiful. Elegant. Noble even. They're paddling their little webbed feet for their lives to stay afloat. Churning up more water than Michael Phelps in the 200m freestyle. That was my life for a while. Grace above the surface and utter chaos underneath to maintain it. In the time since my last episode (over a year ago), I've been through three jobs, survived Covid, worked on a music video shoot, purchased my first car, found love, therapy, my beard connects better now, got a family dog, academic setbacks and had more growth as a man than I've ever before. In between moments of grief and joy I've had plenty of time to look introspectively. I learned that I can be stoic to a fault. It's one thing to be faced with adversity and have the gumption and resilience to face it head on and make it; it’s another to do so at your own expense and disregard your support system. Few if any of us are “self-made” in a world that relies on collaboration. Accept assistance when offered and let it be known when you need it. You’re no less because of it. I promise you. Life has come and gone so fast that it spins my head to imagine what we've all been through individually and as a global population. I know it's been a while since you last heard from me. I hope you haven't forgotten the sound of my voice.

Perla Ruby Bernardez - Being a Black Woman is to Fight Erasure

This episode, I'm joined by Perla Ruby Bernardez, owner of The Narrative and PBA&L. We discuss the intersectionality, the major roles Black women play in the civil rights movement and the erasure they undergo.   The Narrative Instagram: https://instagram.com/_selten_?igshid=3nad9zb8xm60  The Narrative Website: http://www.thenarrative.online/ *This was recorded during the week of the 2020 presidential election.*

Tracey Edwards - Being a Leader is Knowing When to Pass the Torch

This episode, I'm joined by Tracey Edwards, Regional Director of the NAACP, mother of three/grandmother of three, breast cancer survivor and activist. We discuss the importance of engaging in local politics, her transition from parent to administrator and her time in public service. *This was recorded during the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election.*