Defending Black Girlhood

Join host, Lilada Gee – a warrior, healer, community mother, (but certainly not a singer) - in gripping conversations committed to highlighting the experiences and stories of Black girls and women. As an unapologetic voice in defense of Black girls, meet her at the frontlines each week discussing topics that most impact our girls in their homes, schools, and communities. You will not want to miss one single, fearless conversation! Subscribe to lilada.org to stay updated! And to help support our work, visit patreon.com/Lilada. Host - Lilada Gee Producer - Alexandra Gee Lewis Creative Director/Sound Engineer - Cassandra Marzette Sound Engineer - Patrick Stockland Music Composition - Zachary Moncrieff Recorded at WORT 89.9 FM in Madison, WI Theme Music - “Limitless” beat made and produced by MGJ Beats - https://mgjproduction.com/ Transition Music - “Moon” beat made and produced by Chuki Beats - http://www.youtube.com/user/CHUKImusic

What Are Things I Wished My Mama Told Me?

Is there something you wish your Mama told you? In our final throwback episode from her days at WORT 89.9 FM, Lilada Gee asks: What is some of the best advice your mama ever gave you?, What should Black mamas teach their Black daughters?, and more! For more information about Lilada Gee and her work, visit Lilada.org and subscribe to her mailing list! Featuring special guests Alexandra Gee-Lewis, Lenora Rodin, and Jillian Stacey.

04-25
50:34

Who Was Fannie Lou Hamer and Other Black Women of the Civil Rights Movement?

In our next "throwback" episode, Lilada takes a look at her top ten heroines of the Civil Rights movements in honor of Black History Month. Featuring long-time Madison resident and activist, Brandi Grayson. Brandi is the co-founder of Young, Gifted and Black and founder of Urban Triage in Madison, WI.  Originally recorded with WORT in Madison, WI February 2017.  For more information about Lilada Gee and her work, visit Lilada.org and subscribe to her mailing list! 

04-11
53:12

Why Do We Need Black Woman Heal Day? Back to Ground Zero

As we prep for Season 3, we thought it important to not only remember where we started, but how this continues to be relevant today. In "Ground Zero," Lilada Gee passionately advocates for the importance of healing ourselves and how, when we heal the Black girl inside of us, we can better defend Black girlhood to come.  In honor of Black Woman Heal Day - April 1st - what can we do today and beyond to heal and honor ourselves? How can we advocate for our stories? What can we do to defend Black girlhood?  Visit Lilada.org to subscribe to our mailing list and stay up-to-date on current conversations surrounding Lilada's work and DBG.  We'd love your support! Visit patreon.com/Lilada to learn more! 

04-01
11:51

What is Black Woman Heal Day?

Black Woman Heal Day (April 1st) was founded by Lilada Gee with a mission to increase prevention, awareness, and healing efforts of sexual abuse throughout the African Diaspora. This throwback episode begins with Lilada's testimony in surviving childhood sexual abuse and why she started Black Woman Heal Day. Featuring Dr. Alice Belcher, Commissioner for the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and a member of the Milwaukee Domestic Violence Homicide Review Commission. Subscribe to Lilada.org, for up-to-date information on Defending Black Girlhood.

03-28
44:33

How Has Faith Shaped Civil Rights? with Rev. Dr. Alexander Gee

We're not quite back yet, but as we continue to build Season 3, tune into this oldie, but goodie! In this special segment from Lilada Gee's tenure on WORT's  89.9FM "A Public Affair" (2019), she is joined by Reverend Dr. Alexander Gee. Tune in as they discuss the history of Civil Rights in the Black church. Dr. Gee is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, founder and Executive Director of The Nehemiah Center of Urban Leadership and Justified Anger, as well as a self-proclaimed angry Black man. Learn more about Lilada Gee and subscribe to our mailing list at Lilada.org! We'd love your support! Check out patreon.com/Lilada  

03-21
45:41

What Do You Mean Season 2 Is Over?!

We have reached the end of Season 2! In this episode, our host recaps some of the favorite conversations had this season, introduces our new team member and producer - Carla Williams - and previews the exciting conversations to come in Season 3! Also featuring Creative Director, Cassandra Marzette.  Subscribe to our newsletter! - Lilada.org We'd love to have your support! - patreon.com/Lilada Find us on IG: @LiladaGee

03-07
29:00

Can I Love Again After Being Hurt?, Part 2

In part two, Lilada Gee questions the status quo of what it means to function in a relationship - How are we killing ourselves in a "ride-or-die" dynamic? How does historical trauma creep into our relationships? How can we love again after our hurt? - and more. Featuring the powerful testimonies of Paquita Purnell and Adanze Okoronta and professional insight from guest Monique Minkens - Director of Coalition Programs @ End Abuse Wisconsin). Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Subscribe to our newsletter! - Lilada.org Support our work by becoming a patreon! - Patreon.com/Lilada IG: @LiladaGee

02-28
48:40

Can I Love Again After Being Hurt?, Part 1

More often than not, those in abusive relationships often teeter on the line of shame and secrecy. Yet, if we've learned anything from the DBG podcast: there's power in your testimony. This week, we hear from two incredible women - Paquita Purnell and Adanze Okoronta - who decided that they'd not only had enough but that they were enough. Also featuring valuable professional insight from guest Monique Minkens - Director of Coalition Programs with End Abuse Wisconsin).  If you or someone needs help and not sure where to start, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or chat with someone at https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/#. Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram: @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood / Original music by Zachary Moncrieff

02-21
58:18

Love the Sh*t Out of Yourself!

As we celebrate Valentine's Day with our loved ones, there is often one person we forget to show the most love to - ourselves! Self-love, or lack thereof, is often the root of the mess created in our lives and is important to master as we work to defend Black girls. This important - and hilarious - conversation with guests Alexandra Gee Lewis, Tamara Brown, and Tiana Smith will truly warm your hearts and feed your spirit as you move through your own self-love journey!  Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram: @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

02-14
50:29

Does Madison Love Black Girls?

As we enter into primary season in Madison, Wisconsin, our local elections have drawn in a historical number of Black women running for office. This week, join our conversation with 3 powerful candidates for Madison City Council - Jael Currie (District 16), Ayomi Obuseh, (District 8), and Nikki Lee Conklin (District 9) - to learn how their Black girlhood experience fueled their desire to run for office, why Black women's voices matter, and their responses to, "Does Madison Love Black Girls?"  Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram: @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

02-07
01:24:03

What is the Next Step?: Moving Forward with Cassy Marzette, part 3

As we move into part 3 of our "life coach" series with our Creative Director, Cassy Marzette, we are reminded that our mission to defend Black girls often means that we need to defend the little Black girl inside of us - that little girl who has somehow not healed, been traumatized, neglected, etc. and stop us in our adulthood from moving forward. As our host, Lilada Gee, remarks, "Just because things have happened, they are not your truth." Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram:  @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood @cassy.marzette Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

01-31
23:16

What is the Next Step?: Moving Forward with Cassy Marzette, part 2

This week we speak with our very own creative director, Cassy Marzette in part 2 of the conversation, "What is the Next Step?"  We take the time to explore her creative undertakings as we learn more about the underlying forces she is working to heal and undo.  Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram:  @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood @cassy.marzette Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

01-24
34:27

Can Black Girls Be Successful in School?

The mission to defend Black girls is becoming more realized as Black women make history in their run for a seat at the table. This local election season for Dane County, WI boasts more than a dozen Black women running for political office - from school board to judge! Learn how representation and the "Black Mama" persona is imperative in defending Black girlhood as we connect with Yanna Williams, Maia Pearson, and Loreen Gage - all of whom are running for school board in Dane County. Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram: @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

01-17
01:34:15

Can We Defend Black Girlhoods in This America?

This week we interrupt our normal defense of Black girls to address the act of domestic terrorist insurrection at our Nation's Capitol. It is clear, now more than ever before, that the violent upsurge of white supremacy only fuels the need for the defense of our Black girls. Tune in as our host challenges, "Can we defend Black girlhoods in this America?"  Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  *All media clips used in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine and purely for educational purposes.* Clips Used: ABCTheView. “Cops Handling of Mob Vs. BLM Protesters? | The View.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg2h7DUyI-Q&ab_channel=TheView. CBSThisMorning. “Four Dead as Pro-Trump Mob Storms Capitol in Bid to Make Congress Reject Biden Election.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef1vdArOwSg&ab_channel=CBSThisMorning. msnbcleanforward. “How Would Police Respond If Black Lives Matter Stormed The Capitol? | The 11th Hour | MSNBC.” YouTube, YouTube, 6 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=urZb52tn0jo&ab_channel=MSNBC.    

01-10
38:18

What is the Next Step?: Moving Forward with Cassy Marzette, part 1

So we’ve started our healing journey, began to embrace, accept, and share our story, but now what? When we feel stuck for so long, it’s often difficult to figure out what’s our next best foot forward. Throughout several weeks, we will begin to explore how our Creative Director, Cassy Marzette, works to become “unstuck” and discovers strategies to begin moving forward in her own healing journey.  Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram:  @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood @cassy.marzette Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

01-03
33:52

How Can Sharing My Story Save Another?

  Time and time again, we stress the importance of sharing our story - especially the stories of Black girls and women. This is the case for Megan Brown, who reached out after feeling compelled to share her remarkable rise through her trauma, abuse, and sexual assault. Though a difficult conversation, her testimony enforces the importance of our work to defend Black girlhood. Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram:  @LiladaGee @DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

12-27
44:22

How Can White Men Help Black Women Heal?

In defending Black girlhood, it is crucial to understand that Black girls thrive when those with privilege choose to be at the defense of Black girls, too. In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Jesse Maupin - a local white doctor - details his gut-wrenching response to our “Ground Zero” episode and how learning about the experience of Black girls can better enhance his own work and practice.  Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter We would love your support: Patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram: @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

12-20
44:31

How Do I Know When I Have Healed?

When we go through our own personal healing journey,  it is inevitable that we encounter the question, “How do I know when I have healed?” For this week’s guest (who will remain anonymous), the question came when she received an unexpected text from her estranged father of over 10 years.  Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter We would love your support: Patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram: @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood  

12-13
01:00:00

What Do Black Women Talk About When They Get Together?: A Conversation with Lilada & Antonette

Join in on this week's conversation with Lilada Gee and her good friend, Antonette Crosby, as they discuss the host's work in male prisons, their theory of male energy, and many other topics. They will argue, they will banter, but mostly, they will laugh - can you tell that they forget the mics are even on? Website: Lilada.org — subscribe to our newsletter  We would love your support: Patreon.com/Lilada  Instagram: @LiladaGee@DefendingBlackGirlhood Facebook: @DefendingBlackGirlhood

11-29
01:01:08

Holiday Special: Trauma, Drama, and Yo' Momma!

Who could have imagined that an interview from 4 years ago would still be so timely? In this holiday special, host Lilada Gee reintroduces an oldie, but a goodie as she and her guests speak on family drama, trauma, and the difficulties of family dynamics. Featuring guests Cassandra Marzette (then her assistant), Myra McNair - owner and founder of Anesis Family Therapy in Madison, WI, and friend, Laurie Burgos.  To learn more about Myra Renee McNair and her work, visit http://anesistherapycenter.com/. Website: Lilada.org We would love your support: Patreon.com/Lilada 

11-25
56:31

Julie Salamon Greene

Thanks for the insightful podcast. So true that there is more to the healing process than forgiveness. We are often so hard on ourselves, we need to remember to forgive ourselves as well. I look forward to the next installment. Thanks for helping us to all learn and grow. Julie

04-09 Reply

JP Olson

Enjoyed listening Lilada to your episode of Defending Black Girlhood. Thank you for unleashing this message to help black girls heal from their pain of sexual abuse with support through your podcast.

04-02 Reply

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