"I Was Literally Crawling to Survive" Data science, health equity, and Resilience

"I Was Literally Crawling to Survive" Data science, health equity, and Resilience

In this episode of Black Scholars Speak, host Janelle Gore sits down with Dr. Jaysón Davidson, Clinical Informaticist.Dr. Davidson takes us behind the scenes of computational research, breaking down how electronic health records are reshaping the way we understand treatment access and health disparities. But this conversation goes far beyond the lab. Jaysón opens up about the very human side of the PhD journey — the late nights, the self-doubt, the moments of "I was literally crawling to survive" — and how therapy, movement, and the right mentors helped him come out the other side stronger and sharper than ever.From unpacking the social determinants driving health inequities to making the case for a business mindset in healthcare spaces, Dr. Davidson brings both the data and the heart. He also gets real about navigating the post-PhD job market, why relationships are everything ("It's really about who you know"), and what keeps him motivated to create pathways for the scholars coming up behind him.If you're in a PhD program, dreaming of one, or just passionate about health equity and what it actually takes to translate research into policy change — this episode is for you.In this episode:* How chemistry became a launchpad for computational health research* Why EHRs are one of the most powerful tools in the fight for health equity* The realities of the academic job market no one talks about enough* What resilience actually looks like when the PhD gets hard* The reminder that behind every data set, there's a human storyConnect with Dr. Davidson:Website: https://www.jaysondavidson.com/about [https://www.jaysondavidson.com/about]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysón-davidson-ph-d-931522121/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysón-davidson-ph-d-931522121/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.jayson.m.davidson/ [https://www.instagram.com/dr.jayson.m.davidson/]

"Giving up Isn't an Option": Remaining Authentic While Navigating Identity Erasure

Audio Note: You may notice some brief sound dipping when Janelle is speaking in parts of the episode. We sincerely apologize for the audio inconsistency and appreciate your grace as we continue improving the production quality of the show. In this episode of Black Scholars Speak, Shani Strader, a second-year PhD student at the UAB School of Nursing, unpacks what it truly means to pursue a PhD as a Black queer woman in today’s academic climate. Through her journey of becoming a nurse-scientist, Shani shares the heart behind her decision to pursue a PhD and the notion that "giving up isn't an option" when the light at the end of the tunnel seems non-existent. We explore the realities of applying to graduate school, choosing the right program, securing research funding, and navigating predominantly white academic spaces. We explore the emotional labor of existing at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality especially in a political climate where identity erasure and attacks on diversity, equity, and LGBTQ+ communities are increasingly visible. Shani speaks candidly about what it feels like to have parts of your identity questioned, minimized, or “watered down” in academic and research spaces and how she protects her authenticity despite those pressures. They also discuss the importance of self-advocacy, mentorship, and community support, as well as recognizing when professional mental health support is not just helpful, but necessary. This episode is a powerful reminder that earning a PhD is more than intellectual work; it’s emotional, political, and deeply personal.

“Caring with these small hands” Creating Change Through Film

In this episode of Black Scholars Speak, we sit down with Omarion Calloway who is a senior at NYU majoring in film and is a former young caregiver, for a powerful conversation about his experience being a young Black scholar while also helping provide care for his family members. Omarion shares what it meant to balance caregiving at an young age with school, navigating bullying and racism in educational spaces, and carrying emotional weight most adults are never prepared for. He speaks vulnerably about how caregiving has shaped him into the person he is today and how storytelling through film became his path toward healing and advocacy. We also discuss how he used his experiences to write and be awarded over $1.3 million in scholarship funds! We also discuss his upcoming thesis film, Hands Too Small, which centers on the untold stories of young caregivers and calls for greater systemic support (I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS COME OUT!). Connect with Omarion: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarion-calloway-363514348/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarion-calloway-363514348/] Website: https://www.morethansurvivalguide.com/ [https://www.morethansurvivalguide.com/] Instagram: @omarion.n

The Importance of Good Mentorship and Centering Black Women’s Sexual Health

In this episode of Black Scholars Speak, Dr. Amber Sophus takes us on a bold, affirming journey through academic mentorship and the realities of Black women’s sexual health. She breaks down why mentorship isn’t optional in academia—it’s a survival tool—and shares how building a “mentorship team” can provide the layered support needed to thrive in research, leadership, and advocacy spaces. Together, we explore how lived experience strengthens the way we study and serve communities, why Black women’s voices must be centered in HIV/STI prevention, and how stigma and misinformation continue to shape sexual health outcomes. We also get into the conversations too many people avoid: sexual confidence, boundaries, communication, and the role of self-pleasure in understanding your body and protecting your health. Dr. Sophus reminds us that pleasure and prevention are not opposites—they work together, and honest dialogue can be life-changing. To close, she shares details about her upcoming Pleasure Class workshop on Wednesday, January 28th 12-1:30pm EST, designed to help women increase sexual pleasure while strengthening skills around safety, turn-ons, boundaries, and empowered communication. REGISTER TODAY! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pleasure-class-tickets-1975007321063 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pleasure-class-tickets-1975007321063] Contact Dr. Amber Sophus Instagram: @dr.ambersophus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-sophus-2751ab72/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-sophus-2751ab72/] Email: sophus@uthscsa.edu [sophus@uthscsa.edu]

"Don't Panic Pivot": Exploring the Power of the Pivot.

As we enter into the first week of 2026, this episode couldn’t be more timely. If you’ve ever felt that nudge telling you it was time for a change, or that you needed to get a game plan together in moments of uncertainty, like when the Trump administration cut millions in academic funding—this episode is for you. In this episode of Black Scholars Speak, we speak with Erica Shoemate for a powerful conversation centered on The Power of the Pivot. Erica reflects on her journey from academia to public service, Big Tech, and entrepreneurship, unpacking the lessons learned from navigating complex systems while staying rooted in purpose. Together, they explore resilience, trusting your instincts, leveraging transferable skills across sectors, and the role community plays in sustaining growth. The conversation also dives deeply into how personal experiences like motherhood can spark profound professional pivots and ignite meaningful advocacy. Pivots aren’t failures or detours; they’re strategic, deeply personal shifts that can lead to alignment, impact, and renewed clarity. Contact Erica Shoemate: Instagram: @thepolicygoddess LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericals/ Website: leadwithinstrategy.ai. Website: www.ericalshoemate.com [www.ericalshoemate.com]