Voices of Ruth Ellis Center

Our Director of Development & Advancement Nazarina Mwakasege is BACK honey! This bonus episode discusses DEI through a global manufacturing lens with Global Director of Diversity & Inclusion Lamar Thomas of MAGNA International.  If you’re moved to give during #GivingTuesday⁠⁠, please click here to donate⁠⁠.    We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos 

As the saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water "but the true quote is consistently misused. The real saying is, “Blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb” meaning, those you choose to “shed blood with” have a stronger relationship than those you are born from. In this episode, we bring our good friend JM (They/He) the Education & Facilitation Manager at the Ruth Ellis Institute BACK to discuss chosen family and its significance through history.   If you’re moved to give during this time⁠⁠, please click here to donate⁠⁠.    We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos 

It’s Primary election season and time to get out to vote, but what if you don’t know how? Yes, that may sound shocking to some but many of those we serve don't know their rights around voting, how to vote or even if they can vote. On this episode we talk about voter education with Emme Zanotti, Director of Advocacy & Civic Engagement at Equality Michigan and talk to the community about voting!   Here are some resources to help you make an informed decision when voting:  www.vote.org  www.mvic.sos.state.mi.us  www.hatewont.win  www.isidewith.com  We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.    Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

Being a teenager is a journey in itself, add being a trans teen in states that dont support you and we add a whole other level of adversity. In this episode Krystina and I'Sha interview Nico Lang (They/Them) journalist and author of the book American Teenager an unprecedented book chronicling the lived experiences of seven diverse families of trans youth in seven different states. As a longtime, award-winning LGBTQ+ reporter who has contributed to outlets such as Rolling Stone, HuffPost, BuzzFeed News, Them, and The Daily Beast, Nico knows that telling the stories of trans kids, especially from their own point of view, could not be more critical in our current climate. The book officially releases October 8th everywhere books are sold. We encourage you to read it, buy it from your local bookstores or request it at your public library, if all else fails Amazon is an option. If you are in the Metro Detroit area you can request this book at a few of our favorite bookstores such as Source Booksellers on Cass a local black owned bookstore John K. King Books North on Woodward in Ferndale or John K. King Books on Lafayette in Detroit Love &Other books on E. 9 mile in Ferndale.   As always, we want to highlight the amazing work of our Volunteer Executive Producer Patrick Harris Jr. and thank our guest Nico Lang.

We didn't mean to stay away for so long, but we return bearing gifts and a bit of time warp if you will. In this episode, you'll learn a bit of PRIDE history, both personal and the origins of the movement itself. We'll talk about all the awesomeness that took place during PRIDE, which if you missed, never fear, we will have you mark your calendars so you don't miss a beat with the Center, and thankfully there's even more of which to look forward.  You'll also meet our awesome new BH Director, Elizabeth Carr, as she discusses Child Abuse Awareness Month (April), how LGBTQ+ youth are impacted, and what you can do to help. There will be some adult themes discussed, so please protect young ears, but as always LGBTQ+ affirming. We don't want to give too much away, so buckle up because this time around we had a lot to learn and A LOT to say. 

We've been away too long! We've missed you and we've got a surprise in store. We're going to be talking to an awesome woman, learn about her journey, and her personal history with the Ruth Ellis Center. There will be lots of laughs, love, and an unabashed podcast love letter to all the beautiful women who support us. No frills, just a quick, meaty conversation. Stay tuned, we're back in 2022!

I'Sha and Krystina conduct and in-depth conversation with Joyya Pettus, Assoicate Housing Director and Manny, a young person at Ruth Ellis Center. These conversations address why the Ruth Ellis Center is so important to the community we serve. Thank you for listening and don't forget to leave your episode suggestions in the comments or on our social media. We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

I'Sha and Krystina Discuss Pride 2024 We highlight the amazing support we received this year during Pride and uplift those who have been supporting our efforts to make the world a better place for LGBTQ + young people. We attended many Pride events from Motor city to Royal oak. We also had the pleasure of hosting an amazing Catfight for the Crown with a huge that you to our sponsors 6th Degree Production, Ford, Rocket Companies, Display Group, 4 Wall Entertainment, Fleur Detroit, Motor City Pride, Stonewall Sports, L Tantay, Three Cats, Eaze, Broadway in Detroit, Pingk, and Detroit Parasol. We also want to thank all the in-kind supporters and volunteers for their amazing support. We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

Happy Women’s HERstory Month! We’d like to close this month of celebrating Women by highlighting two powerhouse women in our organization. Kathie Griffin, Associate Director of Health Equity and Outreach/CLQ Program Manager of Kofi House Harmony Harris, Health Equity Manager of the Drop-in Center. Women Who Inspire Us: I’Sha Schultz-Spradlin- Mama Shu’s Avalon Village ( HOME | The Avalon Village) Krystina Edwards- Ruth Charlotte Ellis (ruthelliscenter.org) Harmony Harris- Ts Madison (Ts Madison™️©️ (@tsmadison) • Instagram photos and videos) Kathie Griffin- Dr. Sheryl Simmons Youth for Global Health (Y4GH Homepage) We have an exclusive collaboration with the folks over at Sepia Coffee @scpdetroit-instagram www.sepiacoffeeproject.com and Pottluckery Ceramics @pottluckery-instagram - pottluckery.com. If you’re moved to give during this time⁠⁠, please click here to donate⁠⁠.  We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

Holiday Season is a BUSY one for Ruth Ellis Center. All of the staff are running around and organizing things to make sure the young people we serve have a holiday season of joy, needs met, and space for their chosen families. That being said, sorry for our tardy on this episode. Krystina and I'Sha discuss the importance of safe queer spaces, have conversations with staff and a young person about what that means to them AND reveal a little surprise collaboration with the folks over at Sepia Coffee @scpdetroit-instagram www.sepiacoffeeproject.com and Pottluckery Ceramics @pottluckery-instagram pottluckery.com. If you’re moved to give during this time⁠, please click here to donate⁠.   We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

'Tis the season of gratitude and giving and I’Sha and Krystina discuss just what that giving from supporters like you looks like for the agency and share our gratitude. #GivingTuesday is right around the corner on November 28th, be sure to use the hashtag to show your support for the REC.  If you’re moved to give during this time, please click here to donate. If you are interested in doing a clothing or food drive for the Center and would like to coordinate with us please contact us at development@ruthelliscenter.org and (313) 365-3325. Thank you in advance for your support!   We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

*Warning, host are using and speaking about some words that may be considered offensive or explicit. * This is a long one ya’ll, but rightfully so. I’Sha and Krystina discuss masking, but not the masking you may assume, they discuss the use of queer lingo and colloquial phrases by non-queer folks and the origination of the phrases and terms. They discussed the queer persona and how it relates to Black Women and Black Southern culture. As well as discuss the hypocrisy from both sides and how it’s being used by mainstream culture. This month's special guest is Detroit City Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero of District 6. The councilmember discusses intersectionality and celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month and Latinx Heritage Month. These are the resources mentioned in the podcast: The Queens’ English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of lingo and colloquial phrases by Chloe O. Davis Paris is Burning- Documentary Film Pose- FX TV Show Legendary-Reality Ballroom Competiton show on HBO Special thank you to the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out the producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

Krystina and I’Sha discuss AI and the challenges it presents for LGBTQIA+ folks and their identity intersections. They spoke with tech expert Oliver Haminson, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, to find out how LGBTQIA+ folks can be seen and heard in this race of AI integration. We also have a special message from a familiar voice. These are a few articles mentioned in the podcast: Queer Eye for AI: Risks and limitations of artificial intelligence for the sexual and gender diverse community These Women Warned To Warn Us About AI Computers are binary, people are not: how AI systems undermine LGBTQ identity We also want to give a special thank you to everyone who assisted in our back-to-school drive, it was such a success. We passed out more than 50 backpacks to young people starting classes. We also want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

I'Sha and Krystina speak about gender affirming care, expose false statements about the practice, and share the facts backed by data. The Ruth Ellis Center Voice of the Month is Celina, Education and Facilitation Specialist at the Ruth Ellis Institute. The Ruth Ellis Institute is the training and evaluation arm of the Ruth Ellis Center, for providers to be more informed and educated. Celina speaks about gender affirming care from their lens as a trainer and a non-binary person.

We've lots to be thankful for this holiday season, mostly because of all of you. Yes, YOU! Our listeners/supporters/community are integral to the work we have the great privilege of doing for LGBTQ+ young people, and this episode really details the impact you have had throughout the year and what we have been able to accomplish because you believe in us. Our fearless leader, Mark Erwin, the Director of Development and Advancement joins us to share what was, what is and what will be in as the New year rapidly approaches. Curl up by the fire, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and join us for an episode of some Christmas Carol remixes and some very special thank yous and more.