Confessions of Melanated Docs

Here, we have candid conversations and open discussions about what it means to be a Melanated Doctor or Doctor of color. The purpose of this podcast is to encourage healthcare professionals to be their true and authentic selves. Additionally, we want to motivate aspiring Melanated Doctors. This podcast will give you the inside scoop on our lives and experiences. We want to divulge the trials and tribulations, the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows and everything in between. We are your melanated docs. Take this journey with us!

Medical Mistrust in the Black Community 11/04/2026

Episode 18: My Child or My Community? The Hardest Choice a Black Parent Makes 10/20/2026

Episode 18: My Child or My Community? The Hardest Choice a Black Parent Makes In 2016, Nikole Hannah-Jones made headlines when she chose to send her daughter to a predominantly Black, under-resourced public school in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Ten years later, she asked a harder question: In fighting for every Black child, did I betray my own? Dr. Trina and Dr. Keisha are joined by Principal Keishan Barconey, a 17-year educator and parent of two, to unpack this debate. Together they explore what really happens inside under-resourced classrooms, how standardized tests leave some kids behind, and why seeing teachers and classmates who look like you matters for a child's sense of belonging. They also discuss the emotional cost of being "the only one" in a predominantly white school. From Ruby Bridges to Brown v. Board, the conversation asks who carries the burden of integration: the child, the family, or the community. The panel doesn't reach a consensus, but they offer practical guidance for parents researching schools and simple ways professionals can give back to local schools. So we're asking you: would you have made the same choice? 🎧 Listen now, and share your thoughts with us Sources & Further Reading Nikole Hannah-Jones, "Choosing a School for My Daughter in a Segregated City," The New York Times Magazine, June 12, 2016. Nikole Hannah-Jones, "In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?," The New York Times Magazine, September 20, 2026. Fresh Air (NPR), "How the Systemic Segregation of Schools Is Maintained by Individual Choices," Terry Gross's interview with Nikole Hannah-Jones about the 2016 essay. Vital City, "Nikole Hannah-Jones' Biggest Blind Spot." This piece responds critically to the 2026 essay. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), the Supreme Court decision referenced in the episode. Ruby Bridges, Through My Eyes (Scholastic, 1999). This is her firsthand account of integrating William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans in 1960. /episode/index/show/melanateddocs/id/43380084

Episode 17: At What Cost? Black Women, Job Loss, and the Price of Resilience 10/06/2026

Episode 17: At What Cost? Black Women, Job Loss, and the Price of Resilience Melanated Docs Episode 17: "At What Cost?" Black Women, Job Loss, and the Price of Resilience Black women are often celebrated for their strength, but who pays when that strength is expected to absorb every blow? In 2025, Black women lost a net 113,000 jobs. At one point they accounted for more than half of all job losses among women, despite making up just 14% of the female workforce. In September 2026, Black unemployment jumped to 7%, nearly double the rate for white workers. In this episode, Dr. Trina and Dr. Keisha unpack the numbers behind these losses: federal layoffs, the rollback of DEI programs, and the surprising finding that college-educated Black women were hit hardest. As doctors, they also look at what this means for health care, both for Black women working in the field and for the patients and communities who depend on them. Resilience has a price. This episode asks who's been paying it. In this episode: • Dr. Peggy Carr's dismissal and what it symbolizes for Black women in public service • The latest labor data, and why the Office of Personnel Management's pause on workforce demographic reporting matters • How DEI rollbacks disproportionately removed roles held by highly qualified Black women • Economist William Spriggs's "canary in the coal mine" warning: rising Black unemployment signals risk for the whole labor market • Why the Institute for Women's Policy Research expects healthcare, education, and social work to be affected • Lost benefits, extended-family households, and the multi-person ripple of a single layoff • Entrepreneurship as a lifeline, and its hidden costs (no benefits, inconsistent revenue) • Federal cuts to safety-net clinics, medication nonadherence, and chronic disease risk • The toll on professional identity and mental health after years of overperformance • Pushing back on the "lazy" stereotype: this is structural, and it crosses income levels Practical takeaways: 1 Keep an up-to-date record of your accomplishments, credentials, and performance reviews. 2 Know your COBRA and marketplace insurance enrollment deadlines before you need them. 3 Tap Black-focused job boards, group chats, and professional networks. 4 Diversify your income streams, and keep watching for opportunities even while employed. 5 Lean on community. Sharing your story reduces isolation. 6 Make your mental health a priority, not an afterthought. Resources mentioned: • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: • Institute for Women's Policy Research: • Health insurance marketplace: • COBRA information: • Therapy for Black Girls directory: • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The Employment Situation — September 2026" (Oct. 2, 2026): Institute for Women's Policy Research, "Black Women Disproportionately Sidelined in Year One of Trump's Second Term" (Feb. 10, 2026): Economic Policy Institute, "Black women suffered large employment losses in 2025—particularly among college graduates and public-sector workers" (Feb. 10, 2026): The New York Times, "Black Unemployment Rose Sharply in September, Jobs Report Shows" (Oct. 2, 2026) The New York Times, "In Trump's Federal Work Force Cuts, Black Women Among the Hardest Hit" (Aug. 31, 2025): Join the conversation: Has a layoff affected you or someone you love? Share your story or suggest a future topic in the comments. New episodes drop every two week. Subscribe so you don't miss what's next. Check out our episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Stay Connected on Social Media: Instagram: @melanateddocs Facebook: Melanated Docs The hashtag for this podcast is #melanateddocs X: @melanated_docs Our Production Team: Dr. Keisha Butler, Dr. Catrina Johnson, @gaspargomez, @parallelplaypopup /episode/index/show/melanateddocs/id/43189788

Episode 16: Hot Flash, Cold Shoulder: Why Black Women Get Dismissed in Menopause Care 09/22/2026

Episode 16: Hot Flash, Cold Shoulder: Why Black Women Get Dismissed in Menopause Care Hot flashes are just the beginning. On this episode of Melanated Docs, Dr. Trina and Dr. Keisha sit down with Dr. Megan Thomas for a candid conversation about menopause and perimenopause in Black women — from the symptoms nobody warned you about (brain fog, tinnitus, itchy skin, sudden weight gain) to the diagnostic dismissals so many women face in primary care. Dr. Thomas shares her own journey to diagnosis, breaks down what real hormone therapy looks like and gets honest about the cultural silence around menopause in Black families. If you've ever been told "it's probably just stress" — this episode is for you. Dr. Trina, Dr. Keisha, and guest Dr. Megan Thomas dig into how menopause and perimenopause actually show up for Black women — and why so many symptoms go unrecognized until they've been disrupting daily life for months. Topics covered: The symptom list nobody gives you — beyond hot flashes: brain fog, insomnia, itchy/dry skin, midsection weight gain, urinary changes, hair thinning, and tinnitus. Dr. Megan shares her own experience of brain fog for 3–6 months before getting a diagnosis. Getting dismissed in primary care — why so many women are sent home with a pregnancy test instead of real answers, and what comprehensive labs (hormones, vitamin D, inflammation markers, lipids) should actually look like. Treatment, demystified — systemic hormone replacement (pellets vs. pills), testosterone, vaginal estrogen cream, and how providers use labs and symptom surveys to fine-tune a regimen over time. The mental health connection — how menopause can unmask or worsen anxiety and depression, and why psychiatric and hormonal care need to be coordinated, not siloed. Lifestyle and self-advocacy — symptom journaling, building a trusted support network, supplements (vitamin D, fish oil, ashwagandha, black cohosh), and adjusting exercise for bone and metabolic health. The generational silence — why so many Black women were never taught to talk about menstruation or menopause, and what it takes to break that cycle. Key Takeaways 1. Symptoms vary widely and can start earlier than expected — don't wait for hot flashes to start asking questions. 2. Diagnosis takes real labs and, often, a specialist — primary care alone may not catch it. 3. Self-advocacy and community are treatment tools too — track your symptoms, find your people, and don't settle for a provider who won't dig deeper. Dr. Megan's Recommendations Keep a daily symptom journal (sleep, mood, hot flashes, cognition) Talk to other women — build a trusted network for shared experience and referrals Find a clinician experienced in HRT, and be willing to repeat labs and surveys Prioritize sleep, rest, and joy alongside any medical treatment. Please email questions or comments to: [email protected] Check out our episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Stay Connected on Social Media: Instagram: @melanateddocs Facebook: Melanated Docs The hashtag for this podcast is #melanateddocs X: @melanated_docs Our Production Team: Dr. Keisha Butler, Dr. Catrina Johnson, @gaspargomez, @parallelplaypopup /episode/index/show/melanateddocs/id/42951958

Episode 15: New Chapter: Motherhood 05/17/2024

Episode 14: Eating Right with a Registered Dietician 05/03/2024

Episode 13: Get A Passport and Use It 12/07/2023

Episode 12: Being More Than A Melanated Doc While Nurturing The Black Family Unit 10/24/2023

Episode 11: Sex, Dating and Being in the Cookie Jar 03/31/2023

Episode 10. Being A Boss, Melanated Motherhood And The Evolving Family Structure 02/20/2023

Episode 9. Social Media + Mental Health + Being In Our Feelings 09/20/2022

Episode 8. Honestly... Dr. Aniika Jackson-Smith 08/09/2022

Episode 8. Honestly... Dr. Aniika Jackson-Smith “Honestly...” is a new segment of our podcast “Confessions of Melanated Docs”. Here we talk with other Melanated Docs about life, work, wellness, current events and more. This week our Melanated Docs Spotlight is on Dr. Aniika Jackson-Smith. Dr. Aniika Jackson-Smith is a native of New Orleans, LA. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1999. In the years following graduation, she taught 7th grade science at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in New Orleans. In the fall of 2002 Dr. Jackson matriculated at Creighton University Medical Center School of Dentistry in Omaha, NE. She completed her studies at Creighton in 2006 earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. Upon graduation, she entered into a General Practice Residency at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. Dr. Jackson was among some of the first healthcare providers to return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Thus, providing a much needed service to the citizens returning to rebuild the city. In 2008 Dr. Jackson-Smith relocated to Kansas City. She enjoys treating patients and doing community outreach. She is committed to providing quality care to underserved, underinsured and uninsured individuals. As such, the majority of her 15 year career has been spent working in Federally Qualified Health Centers or similar institutions. Over the years, she has mentored countless aspiring dental and medical professionals. You are also very likely to find her in school classrooms introducing students students to the dental profession and promoting HBCU’s. She loves talking to youth about her profession and her beloved XU! She currently serves at Deputy Dental Director at one of the largest health centers in Missouri. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who is passionate about improving the health outcomes of African-American infants and moms through breastfeeding advocacy and support. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters, crafting and online “window” shopping. She is the owner of Nia Rae’s Fine New Orleans Pecan Candy. She gets home to New Orleans as often as she can! Check out our conversation on our podcast in “Honestly…”! /episode/index/show/melanateddocs/id/24000246

Episode 7. Work. Life. Balance. Periodt. 07/26/2022

Episode 6- Woes of Melanated Docs 02/04/2022

Episode 5- New Year New You in 2022! Lol 01/24/2022

Episode 4- Dating a Melanated Doc 08/27/2021

Episode 3- Being a Melanated Professional in these Streets 07/20/2021

Episode 2- Navigating Professional School 07/01/2021

Episode 1- Introducing the Doctors 06/30/2021

Confessions of Melanated Docs

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