Voices in Equity

Episode 13: The Lasting Impact of the Aaron Young Scholars Summer Research Institute

What makes the Hank & Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Summer Research Institute so impactful for students? In this episode, Ms. Kennedy Ruff, a proud graduate of the Institute, interviews Ms. Carissa Dixon, a Duke School of Medicine employee, about her son Sam’s transformative experience in the program. Through the program’s focus on writing, research, and presentation skills, Sam gained a deeper understanding of the economic, social, and political forces that shape inequality. Listen as Ms. Dixon reflects on how the Institute empowered Sam and other students of color, equipping them with the confidence and tools to navigate their futures, and as she shares the vital role of parental involvement, career exploration, and networking in preparing the next generation for success. Tune in to hear more about how this program is shaping future leaders and why it’s an invaluable resource for students and parents alike. Voices in Equity is edited and produced by Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/]. We invite you to check out the new Cook Center website at socialequity.duke.edu [http://socialequity.duke.edu/] to learn more about the Cook center’s research, programming, multimedia, and educational activities.

Episode 12: Shaping Tomorrow: The Vision Behind the Aaron Young Scholars Summer Research Institute

In the latest episode of Voices in Equity, Dr. William A. "Sandy" Darity, Jr. is joined by Dr. Iwinosa Idahor, Dr. Daniel Kelvin Bullock, Dr. Gwen Wright, and Ms. Kennedy Ruff for a discussion on the transformative impact of the Hank & Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars Summer Research Institute. Through their insights, we gain a deeper understanding of how the program empowers high school students to engage with issues of equity and justice, providing a platform for impactful advocacy and policy-making as well as some of the professional opportunities the program provides to public school teachers. Listen to find out how the institute's focus on equitable education, partnership, program growth, and essential skills development all contribute to preparing students to be advocates for social equity and justice. Voices in Equity is edited and produced by Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/]. We invite you to check out the new Cook Center website at socialequity.duke.edu [http://socialequity.duke.edu/] to learn more about the Cook center’s research, programming, multimedia, and educational activities.

Episode 11: Empowering Black Entrepreneurs after the COVID-19 Pandemic

How exactly can we support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship in Durham, North Carolina, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic? In this episode of Voices in Equity, the official podcast of the Samuel Dubois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, Dr. William “Sandy” Darity hosts a critical discussion on the state of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship in Durham, North Carolina. The conversation delves into the historical and contemporary challenges these businesses face, particularly in a post-pandemic economy. Join distinguished experts Mayor Leonardo Williams, Bertha Winbush, Kevin Dick, and Victoria Samayoa as we explore collaborative efforts between local government, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and the business community to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for Black entrepreneurs. Voices in Equity is edited and produced by Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/]. We invite you to check out the new Cook Center website at socialequity.duke.edu [http://socialequity.duke.edu/] to learn more about the Cook center’s research, programming, multimedia, and educational activities.

Episode 10: Behind the Scenes at The Pandemic Divide Conference

In October 2022, hundreds of attendees from throughout the country came together at the Washington Duke Inn to hear speakers from Duke University faculty and other scholars, practitioners, philanthropists, and journalists. The Pandemic Divide Conference [https://sites.duke.edu/thepandemicdivide/] included topics on the impact of COVID-19 on wealth, entrepreneurship, health, housing, employment and education, with an emphasis on determination of steps that could have been taken to mitigate the full impact of a pandemic and offer concrete public policy solutions that would allow the nation to effectively respond to future crises. We know we can’t prevent future pandemics, but we can certainly learn from what happened the past few years. Today we’re going to give you a taste of the conference, as our production team at Earfluence interviewed several of the attendees, asking them why they attended the conference, what impact the pandemic has had on them, their work, and their communities, and what “aha” moments they had. Voices in Equity is the official podcast of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University [https://socialequity.duke.edu/]. The Cook Center is named after Samuel DuBois Cook, the first tenured Black professor at Duke University who exemplified the pursuit of social justice and equality. With research focuses including social mobility, education, health, wealth, and policy, the Cook Center aims to develop a deep understanding of the causes and consequences of inequality, and develop remedies for these disparities and their adverse effects. The aim of this podcast is to expand upon the work of the Cook Center through continuing crucial conversations that further our research and programming. On our first podcast series, we’re focusing on The Pandemic Divide: How COVID Increased Inequality in America [https://socialequity.duke.edu/portfolio-item/the-pandemic-divide/]. It’s a collaborative book from faculty - many here at Duke - who are committed to shining a light on inequities and truly making a difference. Voices in Equity is hosted by Maddie Braksick and is produced by Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/]. We invite you to check out the new Cook Center website at socialequity.duke.edu [http://socialequity.duke.edu/] to learn more about the Cook center’s research, programming, multimedia, and educational activities.

Episode 9: Casteism in India vs Racism in the US: a Comparative Approach

Episode Summary: Continuing conversations in his own research and events such as Annihilation of Caste [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqWNeoItpIc], Dr. William “Sandy” Darity hosts three guests to compare and contrast Casteism in India, and Racism in the United States.  Dr. Nico Slate, head of the History Department at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, joined by his PhD student Arko Dasgupta and Dr. Amit Thorat of Jawaharlal Nehru University [https://www.jnu.ac.in/main/] explore the experiences of disadvantaged groups of people in catastrophes throughout history. It is noted that typically, those who have been disadvantaged historically (such as Black Americans in the United States and Dalits and Tribals in India) have fared worse than others. The importance of coming together and forming coalitions is discussed in order to fight against the oppression and exclusion that leads to immense inequality in the world. In the conversation, the speakers discuss the similarities and differences between casteism and racism. The commentators discuss the relationship between caste and race, and whether or not Wilkerson’s thesis [https://www.amazon.com/Caste-Origins-Discontents-Isabel-Wilkerson/dp/0593230256/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1752AZ9V2T4V7&keywords=caste+isabel+wilkerson&qid=1671639036&sprefix=caste+isable+wilkerson%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-1)]  about the superiority of caste as a concept for understanding intergroup disparities is accurate. They note that both systems are based on beliefs about specific groups of people, and that both systems have resulted in discrimination and violence against those groups. However, they also note that there are some key differences between the two systems. The conversation touches on the difficulties of marrying across castes, the concept of “purity”, as well as prominent figures in the U.S. civil rights movement and those whom who in protest of the caste system in India.  For more information on relevant terms and figures mentioned in this episode, we encourage you to visit the reference links below. Topics/Resources Discussed in this Episode: * The caste system in India [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35650616]  * Dalits (Untouchables) and tribals [https://books.openedition.org/ifp/9938?lang=en#:~:text=While%20Dalits%20form%20an%20inextricable,to%20the%20dominant%20Hindu%20society.]  * Mahatma Gandhi, fasting and communal roles [https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gandhi-begins-fast-in-protest-of-caste-separation]  * Mahatma Gandhi and Dalits [https://eberly.wvu.edu/news-events/events/092619gandhi-and-dalits#:~:text=Gandhi%20is%20known%20both%20as,challenged%20by%20Dalits%20like%20B.R.] * Bhimrao Rami (B.R.) Ambedkar  [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bhimrao-Ramji-Ambedkar] * BR Ambedkar’s letter to W.E.B. Du Bois [https://www.saada.org/tides/article/ambedkar-du-bois] * Dr. Martin Luter King Jr. visits India [https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/india-trip#:~:text=To%20King%2C%20%E2%80%9CIndia%20is%20the,visit%20to%20the%20United%20States.]  * Caste by Isabel Wilkerson  [https://www.amazon.com/Caste-Origins-Discontents-Isabel-Wilkerson/dp/0593230256/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1752AZ9V2T4V7&keywords=caste+isabel+wilkerson&qid=1671639036&sprefix=caste+isable+wilkerson%2Caps%2C64&sr=8-1] * Wilkerson’s commentary on America’s ‘caste’ system  [https://www.npr.org/2020/08/04/898574852/its-more-than-racism-isabel-wilkerson-explains-america-s-caste-system] Episode transcript: Full episode transcript can be found here [https://socialequity.duke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ViE-Nico-Slate.docx] Voices in Equity is the official podcast of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University [https://socialequity.duke.edu/]. The Cook Center is named after Samuel DuBois Cook, the first tenured Black professor at Duke University who exemplified the pursuit of social justice and equality. With research focuses including social mobility, education, health, wealth, and policy, the Cook Center aims to develop a deep understanding of the causes and consequences of inequality, and develop remedies for these disparities and their adverse effects. The aim of this podcast is to expand upon the work of the Cook Center through continuing crucial conversations that further our research and programming. On our first podcast series, we’re focusing on The Pandemic Divide: How COVID Increased Inequality in America [https://socialequity.duke.edu/portfolio-item/the-pandemic-divide/]. It’s a collaborative book from faculty - many here at Duke - who are committed to shining a light on inequities and truly making a difference. Voices in Equity is hosted by Maddie Braksick and is produced by Earfluence [https://www.earfluence.com/]. We invite you to check out the new Cook Center website at socialequity.duke.edu [http://socialequity.duke.edu/] to learn more about the Cook center’s research, programming, multimedia, and educational activities.