
The Parity Project Podcast
By Ronald McCants

The Parity Project Podcast Nov 17, 2020

Black Autistic Lives Matter
In this episode we speak with Diane J. Wright, the founder of Autastic.com. Home to the world’s largest online community of late-identified autistic adults, two of the only spaces dedicated to people of color with autism, and the only community of its size for people with autism that’s founded by a woman of color.

WE aren't done. Don't get too comfortable yet: Election 2020
A week after the historic election of the first woman to the office of the U.S. Vice President. We sit down with Political Strategist, Journalist and Public Advocate Jasmyne Cannick. Jasmyne also sits on the Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s County Central Committee. We chat about Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the need to educate and inspire our fellow citizens to stay engaged and understand that local elections are equal if not more important than national elections to their livelihood.
Show Notes: http://iamjasmyne.com/ Twitter: @jasmyne Instagram: @hellojasmyne

Cleared for Takeoff
This week we explore parity and equity in the context of Air Traffic Controllers. Our guest is Kevin McCants, an Air Traffic Control Supervisor at the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Center, one of the 500 Black male FAA controllers. We discuss Kevin's journey and path to becoming an Air Traffic Controller as well as some of the barriers for black folks trying to get into the career. Lastly, we explore some ways in which we can create opportunities to expose young Black kids to this amazing field.
If you have a son, daughter, niece or nephew, make sure you do your part and share this episode with them.

Trans-Forming Politics
On this episode the Parity Project visits what re-imagining public safety in the time of #BlackLivesMatter and #TransLivesMatter looks like with the first openly Transmale elected to public office; City Councilman Phillipe Cunningham of Minneapolis. With the election right around the corner, Phillipe breaks down whats at stake with the coming election and why it is so important to get out and vote!
SHOW NOTES:
Councilman Phillipe Cunningham
City of Minneapolis
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/
Brookings Institution - Black Vote Disenfranchisement
Current U.S. Census Facts ( Nationwide )
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045219
Register to Vote
Where to Vote

Educated Segregation & America's Desire for a Permanent Second Class
In this episode, the crew takes up the U.S. education system. We identify issues and float potential solutions to create equity in funding and access to opportunities that may lead to better outcomes for historically under-resourced communities. Later on, we breakup with another prominent celebrity which raises issues surrounding cancel culture. Tune in to join the discussion.

Composing While Black
This week the guys sit down with Charles Dickerson, Earl Wooten, and Wilfred Farquarhson of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. We get the much needed scoop about the state of Black affairs in the classical music world. Our guests share with us the importance of both creating space and maintaining authentic Black excellence in a field not necessarily known for its diversity. Also we find out why DISNEY and the ICYO are going to the movies.
SHOW NOTES:
links :
https://icyola.org/ Inner City Youth Orchestra L.A.
Social Media:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/icyola
Twitter https://twitter.com/icyola_
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/icyola_/
You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu_NWnEGqCTZsmAJEqh6Qxg?app=desktop
https://sscyo.org/ South Side Youth Orchestra Chicago
Social Media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sscyouthorchestra/

Lessons From The Blackest City in America: Get Your Booty to the Poll!
The guys sit down with Councilman Khalid Kamau from the City of South Fulton (near Atlanta). The first #BlackLivesMatter activist elected to office tells us how he shifted his perspective and those of other #BLM members to not only have a voice in the streets but also claim space in the hallowed halls of government where the laws and rules are made. We talk about the importance of voting, economic empowerment and smart usage of citizens' tax dollars. Khalid shares his coming out story and his constituents' reaction. He also tells us why he is running for mayor of the Blackest City in America that's only three years old.

Black Hair in Hollywood: Just Throw a Wig On It.
This week the gang sits down with prominent Black Hollywood Hair and Makeup Stylists: Emmy Award Winner Charlene Belmond (Fosse/Verdon, Pose), Dennis Bailey (City on a Hill, Blindspot) and T.J. Romeland (The Rookie, All Rise). We dive deep into how their paths to becoming Hollywood hair and makeup stylists as well as their suggestions for breaking into the field. Additionally, we discuss whether racism is prevalent in their workplace, and they offer suggestions on how to increase racial parity in the world of hair and makeup.
- Show notes and links :
- The Black Fashion Beauty Collective
- Beauty Luxe School of Cosmetology https://www.beautifulluxeschool.com/
- Naeemah Lafond creator of Amika ( How brands and industry decision makers can support black hairstylist ) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8nWiAnFHY/
- The Texpert Collective, a platform that hinges on textured hairstyling as a standard, not a speciality http://www.thetexpertcollective.com/
- Local 798 https://www.local798.org/
- Local 706 https://local706.org/
- Charlene Belmond https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8410231/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
- Dennis Bailey https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3283818/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2
- TJ Romeland https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7700654/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-tj-romeland-tj-romeland-hollywood/

You Got My Back?
All hands on deck. This week we are joined by filmmaker and Emmy Award Winner Cayman Grant and Terrell Jones, a former NFL Coach and Minnesota Police Officer, they host and produce ‘White Speak’ podcast, respectively. We have a candid conversation about just what exactly solidarity and allyship mean in the era of #BlackLivesMatter, Barbeque Becky’s, and the hyper policing of black and brown folks in America.

Running the Show
This week, the gang sits down with creator and showrunner Felischa Marye of the Television show BIGGER on BET+. Felischa shares with us her winding path and the keys to success that ultimately put her into position to become a showrunner. Along the way we touch on issues of Blackness, womanhood and the importance of having the power to shape our own narratives.

3 Peas in a Pod
In this pilot episode, we get to know our co-hosts Ron, Chris and Kareem. Three Black men from different backgrounds - a Film/Television writer, a Lawyer and an Airplane Pilot.
They are raising awareness about the insufficient economic, social and political equity and racial parity for Black people in America. They aim to break the systems of oppression and help carve a brighter future for our country by causing trouble, sparking dialogue and exploring all aspects of life that have currently and historically robbed melanated people of the American dream.
Start the journey with us and hear their stories.