7: Marc Morial on Growing Up in Segregated New Orleans and Fighting for Change

7: Marc Morial on Growing Up in Segregated New Orleans and Fighting for Change

In this episode of Who’s Your Ma Honey?, Teri Williams and Suzan McDowell sit down with Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League [https://nul.org/], to unpack identity, expectation, and the pressure of navigating spaces that challenge who you are. Marc shares what it was like growing up in environments where he was often one of the only Black students, facing moments where his presence was questioned and his potential underestimated. From early experiences of being doubted to stepping into leadership, his journey reveals how external perception can shape identity if you let it. Tune in as they explore what it means to carry expectation, define your own path, and build power in spaces.  KEY POINTS:  * Walking into spaces where you’re questioned * Growing up as one of the only Black students * Early experiences of being doubted and underestimated * The pressure to prove you belong * How identity is shaped by environment * Choosing your own path despite expectations * Leadership and redefining belonging * Turning pressure into purpose * Building power in spaces not built for you QUOTES: “I was born in segregation… in a segregated hospital in a segregated city.” – Marc Morial “It fueled my ambition to fight for a more just society.”  – Marc Morial “The more someone told me I couldn’t… the more determined I became.”  – Marc Morial “No matter where you begin in life, the question is how far you go.”  – Marc Morial Marc Morial  Website | nul.org/our-team [https://nul.org/our-team]  Instagram | @marcmorial [https://www.instagram.com/marcmorial/] Explore more from OneUnited Bank: 🏦 Learn more: oneunited.com [https://www.oneunited.com/] 💡 Build smarter with WiseOne: oneunited.com/wiseone [https://www.oneunited.com/wiseone/] 💳 Get the Card: oneunited.com/apply [https://www.oneunited.com/apply/] Who's Your Ma' Honey?  is produced by EPYC Media Network (visit at epyc.co [https://www.epyc.co/])

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson's Lesson on Courage, Leadership & Doing What's Right

In this episode of Who’s Your Ma Honey?, Teri Williams and Suzan McDowell sit down with Congresswoman Frederica Wilson to unpack identity, resilience, and the early moments that shaped her bold, unapologetic leadership. From being teased as a child and made to feel like an outsider to becoming a lifelong advocate for the voiceless, Congresswoman Wilson shares how those experiences didn’t break her; they built her. She reflects on the influence of her grandmother, the lessons she absorbed growing up, and how those moments shaped her instinct to protect others, stand up for what’s right, and lead without fear. Their conversation is about more than politics, emphasizing on the importance of identity, courage, and the decision to not let the world define you. KEY POINTS:  * Congresswoman Frederica Wilson on being teased as a child * Reframing what “different” really means * Using her experience to protect and uplift others * The moment she chose to stand up and not back down * Building boldness and leadership from early experiences * Turning adversity into lifelong purpose QUOTES: “Children used to call us Nassaus, that was to make us feel different.” – Frederica Wilson “If I knew that I was doing the right thing, I was going to make it right.” – Frederica Wilson “That never bothered me, whether people liked me or not.” – Frederica Wilson Frederica Wilson Website: wilson.house.gov [https://wilson.house.gov/] Explore more from OneUnited Bank: 🏦 Learn more: oneunited.com [https://www.oneunited.com/] 💡 Build smarter with WiseOne: oneunited.com/wiseone [https://www.oneunited.com/wiseone/] 💳 Get the Card: oneunited.com/apply [https://www.oneunited.com/apply/] Who's Your Ma' Honey?  is produced by EPYC Media Network (visit at epyc.co [https://www.epyc.co/])

6: From Being Called "Nassau” to Leading in Congress | Congresswoman Frederica Wilson

In this episode of Who’s Your Ma Honey?, Teri Williams and Suzan McDowell sit down with Congresswoman Frederica Wilson to unpack identity, resilience, and the early moments that shaped her bold, unapologetic leadership. From being teased as a child and made to feel like an outsider to becoming a lifelong advocate for the voiceless, Congresswoman Wilson shares how those experiences didn’t break her; they built her. She reflects on the influence of her grandmother, the lessons she absorbed growing up, and how those moments shaped her instinct to protect others, stand up for what’s right, and lead without fear. Their conversation is about more than politics, emphasizing on the importance of identity, courage, and the decision to not let the world define you. KEY POINTS:  * Congresswoman Frederica Wilson on being teased as a child * Reframing what “different” really means * Using her experience to protect and uplift others * The moment she chose to stand up and not back down * Building boldness and leadership from early experiences * Turning adversity into lifelong purpose QUOTES: “Children used to call us Nassaus, that was to make us feel different.” – Frederica Wilson “If I knew that I was doing the right thing, I was going to make it right.” – Frederica Wilson “That never bothered me, whether people liked me or not.” – Frederica Wilson Frederica Wilson Website: wilson.house.gov [https://wilson.house.gov/] Explore more from OneUnited Bank: 🏦 Learn more: oneunited.com [https://www.oneunited.com/] 💡 Build smarter with WiseOne: oneunited.com/wiseone [https://www.oneunited.com/wiseone/] 💳 Get the Card: oneunited.com/apply [https://www.oneunited.com/apply/] Who's Your Ma' Honey?  is produced by EPYC Media Network (visit at epyc.co [https://www.epyc.co/])

Sybrina Fulton on the Strength It Took to Speak for Trayvon Martin

In this segment, Sybrina Fulton reflects on the strength it took to speak publicly after Trayvon Martin’s death, the moment she packed her bags to speak on his behalf, and why she refuses to give haters the reaction they want. She opens up about being guided by her mother, her pastor’s words that “trials and tribulations don’t build character, it reveals it,” and the generations of women who shaped her into the mother and advocate she is today. RESOURCES: Sybrina Fulton Instagram | @sybrinafulton [https://www.instagram.com/sybrinafulton/] Explore more from OneUnited Bank: 🏦 Learn more: oneunited.com [https://www.oneunited.com/] 💡 Build smarter with WiseOne: oneunited.com/wiseone [https://www.oneunited.com/wiseone/] 💳 Get the Card: oneunited.com/apply [https://www.oneunited.com/apply/] Who's Your Ma' Honey?  is produced by EPYC Media Network (visit at epyc.co [https://www.epyc.co/])

5: Sybrina Fulton on Trayvon Martin’s Legacy and Turning Grief Into Purpose

In this episode of Who’s Your Ma Honey?, Teri Williams and Suzan McDowell sit down with Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, to unpack grief, public perception, and protecting her son’s legacy. Sybrina shares what it was like to navigate loss while watching the media reshape her son’s narrative and place blame where it didn’t belong. In the face of unimaginable pain, she chose not to retreat, but to rise. Their conversation goes beyond tragedy, emphasizing on reclaiming truth, finding purpose through pain, and using your voice to create change. Sybrina also reveals how her journey led her to advocacy, leadership, and building a legacy that continues to impact communities around the world. Listen in.  Trigger warning: Mention of gun violence & death.  KEY POINTS:  * The moment everything changed * Navigating grief in the public eye * How the media shaped the wrong narrative * The weight of carrying someone else’s story * Turning pain into purpose * Finding strength through advocacy * Reclaiming truth and voice * Building a legacy beyond tragedy QUOTES: “I’m doing this so no other family has to go through what I went through.” – Sybrina Fulton “I didn’t choose this, but I chose what I was going to do with it.” – Sybrina Fulton “I had to find strength in a moment where I didn’t think I had any.” – Sybrina Fulton Sybrina Fulton Instagram | @sybrinafulton [https://www.instagram.com/sybrinafulton/] Explore more from OneUnited Bank: 🏦 Learn more: oneunited.com [https://www.oneunited.com/] 💡 Build smarter with WiseOne: oneunited.com/wiseone [https://www.oneunited.com/wiseone/] 💳 Get the Card: oneunited.com/apply [https://www.oneunited.com/apply/] Who's Your Ma' Honey?  is produced by EPYC Media Network (visit at epyc.co [https://www.epyc.co/])