Introducing Design Decisions | Social Justice Origin Stories

Stop Believing In Things That Don’t Believe In You: On Asymmetrical Vulnerability with Kwesi A. Robertson

Kwesi A. Robertson shares about his journey through corporate America, pop culture, and the experiences that shaped his awareness of social justice. He describes the patterns that led him to recognize why access to vulnerability isn't a level playing field, noting how popular self-help and success narratives often hide an "underbelly" that ignores systemic barriers while blaming individuals for the negative outcomes they experience. Kwesi defines social justice as a form of love and a foundational lens for understanding reality, urging listeners to seek connection, shared language that actually acknowledges the complexity of our experiences, and shared responsibility to build spaces where everyone can fully show up. 🔔 If you haven't already...SUBSCRIBE to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@socialjusticeoriginstories?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@socialjusticeoriginstories?sub_confirmation=1] ❤️ SUPPORT THE PROJECT Support this work by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories] 🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOW Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com [https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991] Wherever You Get Your Podcasts: https://pod.link/1771268991 [https://pod.link/1771268991] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/ [https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-justice-origin-stories/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-justice-origin-stories/] LinkedIn (Relando): https://www.linkedin.com/in/relandothompkinsjones/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/relandothompkinsjones/] LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ [https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ] ---------------------------------------- Social Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones. Timestamps: 00:00 Packing Up the Persona 00:53 Rage at Vulnerability 01:26 Who Gets to Be Seen 02:28 Not Written for Me 03:28 Questioning the Boundaries 04:22 Self Help Underbelly 05:51 Justice Beneath Anger 07:00 Show Intro and Mission 08:11 Meet the Guest Kwesi 15:31 Activated by the Book 21:41 Body Cost of Success 25:55 Family Roots and Unlearning 31:27 Weighted Vest at Work 37:45 Writing Finds Community 42:30 Pop Culture as Justice Lens 48:27 Learning Black History Playbook 52:08 Choosing Justice Forward 53:56 Advice With Conditions 55:51 Pop Culture Empowerment 58:05 Leaving The Corporate Arena 01:00:56 Building Community Tables 01:03:23 Ego Death And Accountability 01:07:22 Ubuntu And Shared Wealth 01:15:01 From Fear To Action 01:19:25 Defining True Social Justice 01:27:41 Fireflies And Love Signals 01:32:44 Future Generations Green Book 01:38:04 Closing And Ways To Connect

A Guide To Everything On The Social Justice Origin Stories YouTube Channel (So Far) | Design Decisions

Social Justice Origin Stories started off as a podcast, but is growing into something more. This is your guided tour of everything available on Social Justice Origin Stories' YouTube channel (so far). In this episode of Design Decisions, you'll learn about the categories, special series, and the playlists that are available, so you'll know where to explore and what you'll find when you get here. 00:00 Channel Tour Intro 01:18 Project Pillars Overview 01:30 Personal Journeys 04:02 Organizational Histories 05:58 Educational Segments 08:52 Community Voices 10:55 Weaving Our Voices 13:45 Annual In Community Series 14:19 Playlists And Themes 23:10 Design Decisions Series 24:11 Wrap Up And Invitation Support the podcast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories] Visit the Social Justice Origin Stories Project Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com [https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com] Subscribe to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf [https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/ [https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social] Like Social Justice Origin Stories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653] LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ [https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ] ---------------------------------------- Social Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones.

For Those Who'll Come After Vol. 3 | Social Justice Origin Stories

This is Volume 3 of “For Those Who'll Come After“, a special series from Social Justice Origin Stories. In this series, storytellers reach across time, sharing messages and reflections for future generations, sharing what they want them to know, remember, and carry forward in the ongoing pursuit of social justice. 00:00 Series Purpose 00:44 Bloom Where You're Planted 01:21 Plant Seeds Anyway 02:39 Hope as a Practice 03:08 Defining Critical Hope 04:18 Minneapolis Reality Check 06:54 Follow Your Innate Sense of Justice 07:37 Use Fear as Fuel 08:52 Challenge Old Rules 10:05 Keep Talking Across Differences 11:15 Gather Many Skills for Life 13:23 Legacy and Love 14:15 Closing Reflection 15:58 Subscribe and Support Support the podcast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories] Visit the Social Justice Origin Stories Project Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com [https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com] Subscribe to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf [https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/ [https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social] Like Social Justice Origin Stories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653] LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ [https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ] ---------------------------------------- Social Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones.

Wherever You Are In The Hard Things, These Stories Are For You, Too | Design Decisions

Realizing social justice is not a simple or linear process, and the weight of the work can wear us down. Whether you are actively engaged on the front lines of your work, taking time to rest, or simply trying to survive the everyday realities of living within oppressive systems, we need you. Social Justice Origin Stories is here to remind you that wherever you are in the struggle, these stories are for you. 00:00 These Stories Are For You 02:05 Why Social Justice Origin Stories Exists 02:43 For When You Cannot Speak 04:24 Healthy Community Spaces 04:59 Honoring Rest And Limits 06:18 When I Get Tired Too 07:27 Storytelling Reconnects Us 08:44 You Matter. Take Breaks When You Can 09:34 Final Reminder And Gratitude Support the podcast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories] Visit the Social Justice Origin Stories Project Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com [https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com] Subscribe to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf [https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/ [https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social] Like Social Justice Origin Stories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653] LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ [https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ] ---------------------------------------- Social Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones.

The Justice We Imagine Vol. 4 | Social Justice Origin Stories

This is Volume 4 of The Justice We Imagine, a special series from Social Justice Origin Stories. This series focuses on storytellers' responses to three essential questions:   When is true social justice possible? What shapes our approach to the work? And why does understanding and sharing our social justice origin stories matter? As you listen to their responses, reflect on what your answers might be. 00:00 Series Introduction 00:28 When True Social Justice Is Possible 02:39 Mutual Accountability 03:40 Inclusion And Wholeness 05:01 Power And Decision Making 05:39 Love And Humanity 06:52 Ancestors And History 10:43 Pain Into Purpose 11:47 Why Sharing Our Social Justice Origin Stories Matter 13:52 Preserving Oral Histories 17:07 Stories Build Community 19:58 Closing And Call To Action Support the podcast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories] Visit the Social Justice Origin Stories Project Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com [https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com] Subscribe to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories [https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991] Listen to Social Justice Origin Stories on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf [https://open.spotify.com/show/5iBn70HzO4lFxk7sN3gwAf] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/ [https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/] Follow Social Justice Origin Stories on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social] Like Social Justice Origin Stories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653] LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ [https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ] ---------------------------------------- Social Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones.