Black Gems Dive In Podcast

Backlash & Resilience: Dr. Janice Gassam Asare on the Future of Equity Work

Kua and Kendra sit down with Dr. Janice Gassam Asare—organizational psychologist, consultant, and LinkedIn’s #1 Top Voice in Racial Equity—to discuss the alarming job losses facing Black women and the broader backlash against DEI. Drawing from her recent writing, Dr. Gassam Asare connects today’s challenges to a long history of resistance that follows progress, and offers insights on how we can build workplaces and communities where Black women and other marginalized groups can thrive. Lastly, she shares her gem of the day and insights on her new book; "Rise and Resist" How to Reclaim Workplace Equity and Justice".

Jobs, Justice, and Gerrymandering: The Cost of Power

In this episode of Black Gems Dive In, Kua and Kendra tackle the latest headlines and hard truths impacting our communities. They begin with the sharp rise in unemployment among Black women—over 320,000 jobs lost since April under the new administration—before turning to the BBC’s report on U.S. immigration raids in Los Angeles, where lifted limits give ICE a green light for racial profiling. For the Deep Dive, they break down The Hill’s coverage of gerrymandering madness spreading to Missouri and what it means for democracy. As always, they close with their Gem of the Day to leave listeners with something real and reflective.

From Layoffs to Leadership: The Urgency of Now

In this episode of Black Gems Dive In, we explore the latest headlines impacting Black women in the workforce and leadership. We unpack the Justice Department’s investigation into Chicago’s hiring practices following Mayor Brandon Johnson’s celebration of Black hires, and dig into troubling new data showing that Black women experienced the steepest job losses in April—shedding 106,000 jobs. We also preview the upcoming Women of Color Summit happening June 4–5 in Niagara Falls, NY, with virtual sessions in July. Guests Karen King and Sara Taylor join us to discuss this year’s theme, A C.A.L.L. to Action: Commit, Assemble, Leverage, Lead, and what the summit means for collective empowerment.

Target’s in Trouble, 100 Days of Drama, and We’re Tired

In this episode of Black Gems Dive In, Kendra and Kua explore the cultural and political whirlwind of the moment. Our Diversity Dispatch covers the ongoing Target consumer boycott—what sparked it, how it’s evolving, and what it says about corporate accountability. For our Hot Topic, we revisit the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency and reflect on how those early decisions still shape the chaos we’re navigating today. Then, we take a Deep Dive into the weight of being the “first” or “only,” centering Shedeur Sanders and the disrespect he faced during the NFL Draft. We wrap, as always, with our Gem of the Day to leave you with something real and reflective.

MAGA Appointees, Student Loan Tax Shifts & A SCOTUS Clapback

In this episode of Black Gems Dive In, we unpack the appointment of a man fearful of Black pilots to the U.S. Air Force advisory board and examine how Trump continues to stack military boards with MAGA loyalists like Michael Flynn and Charlie Kirk. We then explore the potential impact of major tax changes that could devastate student loan borrowers, particularly in marginalized communities. Our Deep Dive focuses on Chief Justice John Roberts publicly rebuking Trump after calls for a judge’s impeachment. We wrap up with our Gem of the Day—an uplifting moment to carry you through.