At the Welcome Table

Chats with ordinary Southern women who lead extraordinary lives. From the tiny red barn of Down South House & Home, with host Stacy Reece.

Making Her Voice Carry - A Conversation with Adena White - Down South House & Home - At the Welcome Table - Season 2 Episode 3 10/29/2024

Making Her Voice Carry - A Conversation with Adena White - Down South House & Home - At the Welcome Table - Season 2 Episode 3 In this engaging conversation, Stacy Reece and Adena White explore the significance of storytelling, cultural identity, and the importance of sharing Black Southern narratives. Adena shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in Arkansas to becoming a storyteller and podcaster, emphasizing the need for authentic representation of Southern voices. They discuss the challenges of code switching, the impact of family heritage, and the importance of encouraging future generations to embrace their roots while exploring the world around them. Takeaways Adena emphasizes the importance of storytelling in sharing Black Southern experiences. The podcast Black Belt Media was born out of a desire to tell underrepresented stories. Cultural identity and heritage play a significant role in shaping personal narratives. Code switching is a common experience for many, reflecting the complexities of identity. The conversation highlights the need for authentic representation in media. Adena encourages young people to explore their identities and not be afraid to branch out. Family and community roots are essential in shaping who we are. The importance of having open conversations about race and identity is emphasized. Adena reflects on her college experience as a first-generation student. The discussion underscores the value of mentorship and guidance for younger generations. Titles The Power of Storytelling Navigating Code Switching Sound Bites "We need to tell those stories." "You have time, don't rush it." "Be true to yourself." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Connection 02:56 Adena's Background and Family 06:04 Roots and Heritage in Arkansas 09:06 The Birth of Black Belt Media 11:59 Podcast Journey and Challenges 14:55 Cultural Reflections and Racial Reckoning 17:52 The Importance of Storytelling 21:00 Navigating Identity and Code Switching 24:03 Experiences in College and Beyond 27:08 Advice for the Younger Generation 29:59 Hopes for Future Generations Stacy Reece (00:06.304) Adena White, I am so happy to have you on my podcast. And thank you for making time to see us. I was telling you on the phone the other day how I learned about you. And my husband had been on the podcast called Pull Up a Chair with Leo Cummings, the Thoid. And actually I had discovered him and I said, Adena White (00:27.321) Mm -hmm. Yes. Stacy Reece (00:35.028) I have got to get Chuck on Leo's podcast. said, those two will talk each other into little greasy spots. And they did. And then, and the funniest thing is, like, I don't really have a lot of time to listen to podcasts. And so was listening to one and then my podcast player just randomly picked, pull up a chair with you as the guest. And so I thought, okay, I'll just listen to Leo comes to see what he's up to. And, and he started talking about this person and he couldn't remember his name. Adena White (00:55.417) Mm -hmm. cool. Stacy Reece (01:05.044) And I realized it was my husband, you know, from the previous episode, he goes, you gotta meet this guy. And I'm like, I was going, I was yelling in my car in Atlanta traffic. was going, Chuck Reese, Chuck Reese, you know, and he finally figured it out like five minutes later in the, in, in your conversation. But you know, when I was listening to you talk about what you're doing, I thought she's doing exactly what I'm doing. We need to be friends. And so, and so I thought, Adena White (01:13.273) You Adena White (01:18.18) Mm -hmm. Adena White (01:27.535) Yeah. We do! Stacy Reece (01:32.416) what better way to become friends to do a podcast together? So I thought I'm going to get you on here and we've talked a little bit, but I don't know that much about you. I just, I know you, you and I are going to be good friends cause you're good people. And, and, and I want to find out what's going on in Arkansas because, we get a little, you know, like I live right outside of Atlanta. We get a little Atlanta centric, you know, we don't, you sometimes, sometimes it's hard to Adena White (01:44.869) Yes. Adena White (01:58.422) -huh. Stacy Reece (02:00.266) to get out in the South and what you're doing in Arkansas is pretty cool. So I'm gonna start off with my three questions. Who are you? Where are from? And who are your people? Adena White (02:07.459) Thank you. Adena White (02:14.363) Okay, well who am I? am Adena Wise we discussed. I was born and raised in central Arkansas, still live here. I am a middle child, have two sisters and I've been married for, what is it? should know, 17 years to my husband Matthew and we have a new kindergartner, almost six year old and we now have a miniature poodle that we got a month ago. Stacy Reece (02:34.849) Wow. Adena White (02:44.035) So, yes, and so what I, I guess another part of who I am, by trade, I work in PR and communications. So I love, I guess I'm a storyteller. So that's kind of what I do for my work that we'll get into, I'm sure. And also what else? yeah, who are my people? Okay, what was the second one? Was that who are my people? what am I? Stacy Reece (02:44.802) See Stacy Reece (02:53.484) Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (03:04.226) Who are your people? Stacy Reece (03:08.278) Who are you? Where are from? who... Central Arkansas, right? Adena White (03:13.475) Okay, I got those two together. who are my people? Hmm, I think my people are, I like people who are curious, who are thoughtful. And I just named some examples of people. When I think of like, and they're both Southern actually, Brene Brown, I think these are, she's my people. I don't know her, but like just people like her who are thoughtful, authentic, things like that. Stacy Reece (03:32.138) Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Yeah. Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Adena White (03:41.295) You know, by blood, my people have a huge family. My dad's side is pretty scattered because they were in the military, a lot of them. My mom's side is mostly still here in Arkansas. But a huge black southern family. And I already mentioned my family I live with. But yeah, so those are my biological people, but they're also my people people. But just people who fill me up are people who seem to be thoughtful and they think deeply. Stacy Reece (03:45.364) Mm Stacy Reece (03:52.136) Mm -hmm. Yeah. Stacy Reece (04:03.455) -huh. Adena White (04:11.023) They're good listeners. think those are the people that really I like to connect with. And I think you're going to my people too. By the end of this, think you're going to be my people. Yeah. Stacy Reece (04:18.018) I hope so. So you say you come from a big southern family and I came from, I just had a brother, but there were 10 grandchildren and we all had family. And like, I always felt sort of overwhelmed by my family. there were a lot of really big personalities in my family. And it was just sort of, and I guess that's how I learned how to become a good listener is because they were all like, Adena White (04:23.855) Mm -hmm. Adena White (04:35.173) Mm. Adena White (04:44.047) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (04:44.802) you know, they were all vying for attention and I was just trying to stay out of the way. And so, I mean, what was your experience of being in a big family? Adena White (04:49.348) Yes. Adena White (04:54.043) Yeah, in my household, they were just, you know, me and my two sisters and my parents. So we didn't have that bigness. like my dad, he's one of 11 and my mom is one of 11. So like, I can't even count my first cousins. I have no idea how many first cousins I have. And it's so like, but when we when when we get together, you know, it's always just like there's a song's gonna break out. It's gonna be some singing. You like some kind of gospel singing and stuff. And that's always fun. Stacy Reece (05:06.58) Yeah. Stacy Reece (05:21.162) Yeah Adena White (05:24.491) So I think I am pretty introverted, I do like I do like, you know, you know, small gatherings and stuff. But in general, I'm pretty introverted. like, anytime like we can like do some line dances and like sing some gospel songs together, family gatherings, that's always my jam, even though I'm kind of reserved. So, yeah. Stacy Reece (05:32.544) Yeah. Stacy Reece (05:40.638) Mm -hmm. Right. Yeah, I'm introverted too. Yes, like I like, I like people just not all at once. And, and, and, you know, they just kind of wears you out being around all those people, especially like the big personality types. And, you know, so I find it, I find it very troublesome. I can only do large, large gatherings for a short period of time, but we are, my family never did the whole fun line dancing. Adena White (05:48.667) That's it. Adena White (06:04.684) yeah, yeah. Stacy Reece (06:09.792) gospel singing. It was just. It was all just one up in each other and some barbecue, so it was. It's southern. I mean, it's very southern. So is your family been in Arkansas for a long time? Adena White (06:16.189) it's always good though. Murphy, he's always good. Yes. Adena White (06:24.931) Yes, actually my husband does genealogy research. He can tell you exactly when they came. the county where I grew up in Arkansas, some of my ancestors migrated from, I think, Haywood County, Tennessee. He'll probably correct me if he hears this. But Tennessee is where they came from. But this was probably like, you know, late 1800s. And then I think my dad's side, some of came from Mississippi. I have some folks from South Carolina. But it was probably... Stacy Reece (06:38.187) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (06:44.343) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (06:48.147) Mm -hmm. Adena White (06:51.865) I as far as settling down here was probably like in the 1800s I believe. So pretty long time. Yeah. The roots in those other places. huh. Stacy Reece (06:55.468) Yeah! Yeah. Yeah, that's a really long time. Lots of roots. I mean, there's, there's a lot of people who don't have, you know, that, that kind of sense of place, you know, you know, and it's like, you that that's where you, you know, you, you feel, you know, like Georgia is where I feel myself. My family, you know, my family's we're eighth generation. I'm eighth generation Georgian. You know, it's like my family's been here and I was like, I, I am Georgia. Adena White (07:07.388) right, right. Adena White (07:15.972) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (07:24.256) you know, and you probably feel the same way, like I am Arkansas. And you know, know, I mean, just like, like there's just no other place like that, especially when you got it like in your DNA, you know, and, and so you have got this, tell me, tell me about this new project that you are not, not new project, but this project you're working on that you are developing. Adena White (07:24.815) Yes. Adena White (07:28.505) I do, yeah. Adena White (07:37.561) Yes. Adena White (07:49.3) It's called the company's called black belt media and we produce a podcast. Stacy Reece (07:52.938) Mm -hmm. And the cutest it has the cutest logo it is Is a bowl we will it is a cotton ball but it's it's it's the African Hair or afro. Yeah, and so I just think it is genius and and it really it just says you all over it Adena White (07:56.76) yes, I have my little cup right here if you can see it. I don't know if you can see it. Adena White (08:04.367) huh. Adena White (08:08.559) Yes, yes. Yeah, it was a talented designer I've worked with for years when I first had the idea I went to her and I said First we just drew up a quick logo for something else But then for like when it just gonna be a blog But when we decided to like get more serious making a podcast I said I want an afro and a cotton ball mixed together and she just or bowl house I think I said wrong. Anyway, she she's whipped that up. It was perfect and we Stacy Reece (08:36.417) Yeah. Adena White (08:40.891) when it's in color, like more like earth tones and stuff. Lots of browns and tans and you know, earth tones. the project, it was 2017 when the idea came about. And the reason why was because as you know, in 2016, we had a big election. And during the election season, I was getting pretty frustrated by the way people would talk about black folks, which every election season you're gonna have something come up. But that one in particular, Stacy Reece (08:43.564) Yeah. huh. huh. Stacy Reece (08:53.751) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (09:06.209) Mm -hmm. Adena White (09:10.927) Whenever issues about black people came up, know, the candidate on the right would talk about Chicago. That will always be where he would go to talk about race, Chicago. And after the election, personally, it didn't go the way I wanted, but I was frustrated with people who were supposed to be on my team, you know, who were bad -mouthing the South, you know, talking about the South voted for Donald Trump and, know. Stacy Reece (09:20.46) Mm -hmm. Adena White (09:36.441) Let's throw the whole South away. Just a bunch of backwards people. And that was frustrating because just like all black people don't live in Chicago, the South has black people there. Like actually most black Americans live in the South, the majority of black Americans. So I was getting frustrated because I felt like black Southern stories weren't really being told. Our experiences weren't being told. We weren't part of the narrative about what it means to be black or Southern. So... Stacy Reece (09:48.279) Mm Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (09:57.484) Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Adena White (10:03.491) I wanted to tell those stories as someone with a background in storytelling. I wanted to do more to share those stories. So I started off as a writer. You know, I was going to make a blog about it. So I interviewed someone that I met for my job when I used to work for a Chamber of Commerce. She actually worked for a Chamber of Commerce in Tennessee. And in the Chamber where you do a lot of benchmarking trips, so like one Chamber will go to another Chamber, you'll learn from each other. So she and I were paired up as this communications people. And so I began following her. Stacy Reece (10:12.268) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (10:19.36) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (10:26.107) huh. huh. Adena White (10:31.995) But after the election, she had kind of the same drive I did. She basically started a nonprofit to deal with voter disenfranchisement in Nashville, Tennessee. And so I was inspired by her, like, using the election outcome to kind of do more, kind of like a Stacey Abrams type, but just in Nashville. So anyway, I went to talk to her. So we spoke over the phone, and I was going to write an article about her. And then she was talking. She was like, this is great presentation. Stacy Reece (10:40.73) huh. Stacy Reece (10:48.718) huh. huh. Adena White (11:01.977) She started getting emotional on one part and I was like, man, I really want to convey these feelings that she's having. This will be great audio, but don't talk. I'm introvert. I don't, I don't want to do a podcast. so anyway, kind of put down the back burner and then, my sister Katrina, she's a former TV producer and she also works in PR. she, she was going to help out with the blog and write as needed and stuff. she was all, she was all in. And then I had another friend and Kara Wilkins who also was all in to help with the blog. Kara and I were having coffee and then I was talking we were just talking about something and she's just very extroverted she was talking about like the cultural relevance of Beyonce and Jay -Z and she gets she just she's fun and she's she just she's a fun person so as we were talking I was like hey you know that black bit idea it's just like yeah and I said I'm thinking this should be a podcast would you be a co -host and then she said yeah I will so then Katrina and I were talking on the phone and we always talk about like hopes and dreams for our careers and personal development and stuff and she said I'm just a producer looking for show because she kind of even though she didn't miss TV news she kind of missed producing a show and I said by the way black belt is now gonna be a podcast instead of a vlog do you want to help out? She yeah sure and so I told you about the logo how that came together Katrina my sister's husband my brother -in -law is a talented musician I told him I kind of want it like Stacy Reece (12:20.567) Good. Adena White (12:27.515) lift every voice and sing with some trap music as part of song. So he whipped that up. And then our podcast launched in September of 2019. And so that was a long time between like the initial idea to the launch of the podcast. But like, it was an idea that was brewing and then finally we got it out there and you can stop me whenever you need and I'm gonna keep going for it. So then we released a few episodes in January. I was listening to a different podcast I like called Side hustle. Stacy Reece (12:48.032) No, no, no, I love it, yeah. Stacy Reece (12:55.906) January of 2020. Okay, right. Okay. All right. Adena White (12:57.243) 2020 right before COVID. Yes. Okay. So I was, was listening to a podcast I like called side hustle pro and she helps people, you know, start side hustles and you know, she was her side hustle was a podcast and she was talking about how she was upset that Apple didn't mention her in like the best entrepreneurial podcast. And she made a point to say, well, I didn't ask. And I was like, I can ask Apple for stuff. then, so I emailed, I found the email address online. And I just requested that we be in like the Black History section for Black History Month. And so I forgot about the email. I can't remember if I got a response or not. But one day me and Katrina, my sister and Kara, were meeting on MLK Day actually to talk about the podcast. And then I pulled up my phone to look something up like when our last episode was released. And I saw our logo on the new and noteworthy section. And I kept staring at it. I was like, Stacy Reece (13:28.994) Ohhhh. Adena White (13:53.167) Why is this here? I couldn't make sense of it. And then I realized, my gosh, we're new noteworthy. Cuz I made them all check their phones to see if it was tripping. it was actually, Stacy Reece (14:01.804) We need to ask. know, like southern women are never taught to ask. We're supposed to be awarded. We're supposed to be observed and awarded when it's our time. Adena White (14:04.727) yeah, yeah. That's a good point, yes. Right. Adena White (14:14.907) And they gave me beyond what I even thought to ask for. Like I didn't ask to be new and noteworthy. I just wanted to be in the black section, you know. But they, and I think a woman who I connected with, her name maybe, maybe is Stacey too. But she, I think she just probably, think she was a Southerner. So I think she kind of like, it's kind of like what she saw. And then I think she helped elevate it. So that was really cool. And then as you know, the rest of 2020 got a little crazy. Just a little bit. And I'll, I'll. Stacy Reece (14:21.122) Yeah! Stacy Reece (14:32.268) Mm Mm Adena White (14:43.811) In the summer of that year, we remember George Floyd was murdered and we also had Breonna Taylor was killed and the Mount Aubrey was killed. And so there was, you know, we had that racial reckoning that was going on. So at this time it was on fire. So many ways. Yes. And then so we were on hiatus. We did our season from like September through February and we took a break. then so Apple reached back out that contact I had and she asked, Stacy Reece (14:48.556) Mm -hmm. Yep. Stacy Reece (14:55.308) The world was on fire. Adena White (15:11.769) If y can release any new episodes, would like to do a regional, we like to do the regional perspective about what's going on. And then I say, yes, we already have one we're working on. So we released that episode and Apple elevated us... /episode/index/show/downsouth/id/33667712

When White Gloves Split Atoms - The Origin Story of the Poet Jacqueline Allen Trimble - Season 2 Episode 2 10/15/2024

When White Gloves Split Atoms - The Origin Story of the Poet Jacqueline Allen Trimble - Season 2 Episode 2 Jacqueline Allen Trimble shares her personal story of being adopted and raised by multiple mothers. She discusses her family's history of owning land in Tuskegee, Alabama, and the influence of strong women in her life. Trimble also talks about the importance of education and the role of Tuskegee Institute in empowering black people. She reflects on the strategies black people used to navigate oppressive spaces and the expectation of being exceptional. Trimble shares her experience as the only black student in a predominantly white school and the support she received from her classmates. She concludes by discussing the racial dynamics that changed in her neighborhood and the challenges she faced at a different school. The conversation explores the topic of racism and prejudice in the South, highlighting the need for honest conversations and self-reflection. It discusses the myths and misconceptions surrounding slavery and the Civil War, emphasizing the importance of teaching accurate history. The conversation also touches on the unique aspects of Southern hospitality and the sense of community that exists in the South. It concludes with a discussion on the complexities of racism and the need for ongoing self-awareness and growth. In this conversation, Jacqueline Allen Trimble discusses the impact of racism on her personal life and the broader economic system. She shares examples of systemic racism, such as the appraisal of her daughter's house and the illegal search of her husband's vehicle. Trimble emphasizes the importance of differentiating between individual prejudices and racism as a systemic issue. She also discusses the power of poetry as a tool for revolution and truth-telling. Trimble believes that poetry compresses the truth and can be a powerful way to connect with others and challenge societal norms. Keywords - adoption, family history, land ownership, strong women, education, Tuskegee Institute, navigating oppression, exceptionalism, racial dynamics, racism, prejudice, South, slavery, Civil War, accurate history, Southern hospitality, community, racism, systemic racism, economic system, individual prejudices, poetry, revolution, truth-telling takeaways The story of Jacqueline Allen Trimble's adoption and the influence of multiple mothers in her life The significance of land ownership in Tuskegee, Alabama, and the role of strong women in her family The strategies black people used to navigate oppressive spaces and the expectation of being exceptional Trimble's experience as the only black student in a predominantly white school and the support she received from her classmates The racial dynamics that changed in her neighborhood and the challenges she faced at a different school Racism and prejudice are prevalent issues that need to be addressed honestly and openly. Teaching accurate history, including the realities of slavery and the Civil War, is crucial for understanding the past. Southern hospitality is rooted in a history of cheap labor and communal living. The South is not the sole source of racism; it exists throughout the country. Acknowledging personal biases and working towards growth and self-awareness is essential in combating racism. Racism is a systemic issue that affects individuals economically and in various other ways. It is important to differentiate between individual prejudices and racism as a systemic issue. Poetry is a powerful tool for revolution and truth-telling, as it compresses the truth and connects people on a deeper level. Sound Bites "Who are your people?" "That's some real love right there." "Tuskegee University is a producer of black middle class and upper class people still to this day." "That's not true. That's a myth." "They were singing because they were trying to stay alive." "That's kind of been the thing for 400 years." "The appraiser's coming over. Go take down all the black art and pictures." "Last week, my husband, 66 years old, was pulled over by some cops... engaged in an illegal search of his vehicle." "It's important for us to differentiate between our prejudices and bias and racism, which is a system, an economic system." Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 05:40Family History and Land Ownership 08:56Navigating Oppression and Expectations 17:40Being the Only Black Student in a Predominantly White School 26:32Changing Racial Dynamics and Challenges 28:37Unveiling the Myths: Slavery and the Civil War 32:19Southern Hospitality: A Legacy of Cheap Labor 36:50Embracing Growth and Self-Awareness in the Fight Against Racism 51:16The Impact of Racism on Personal Life and the Economic System 53:23The Power of Poetry for Revolution and Truth-Telling /episode/index/show/downsouth/id/33080417

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At the Welcome Table

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