Episodes
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In our Season Three finale episode, meet the wonderful media mogul and talk show host, Ohavia Phillips (Afro-Latina)!
Perrine and Skye discuss a brief history of America's Next Top Model (sometimes in relation to colorism), share the impact of famous Afro-Latin people and have a MILLION laughs.
Ohavia shares how her family's move from Brooklyn to the South impacted her perspective on beauty and colorism and gives insight on how taking a huge leap of faith changed her career path for the better.
Follow Ohavia: @ohaviaphillips
Meet our Latinx Roundtable: Yosh (Puerto-Rican & Nicarguan), Christian (Mexican), Naisla (Colombian) and Martin (Cuban & Salvadoran)!
This episode dives deep into what it means to be a Latinx person in America, breaks down colorism within the community, defines what it means to be Afro-Latina and so much more!
In this bonus episode, meet the wonderful creator of World Lit and Bull City native, Brandi. In a few quick years, Brandi took an Instagram page that promoted cultural experiences and turned it into Charlotte's first-ever street food festival.
Brandi sits down to talk with Perrine in a fun (and explosive) interview about everything ranging from being a culture junkie to the importance of celebrating underrepresented communities in the south.
Check out World Lit on Instagram: @world_lit and www.worldlitstreetfoodfest.com
This episode, meet the amazing creative: Hnin (Montagnard Dega)!
Hnin shares growing up on the Westside of Charlotte, how she eased her Asian parents into accepting her passion for the arts and what it means to be an artist who creates emotion-evoking think pieces.
This also continues our series on the #ComplexitiesofComplexion where we explore colorism and beauty standards in East Asia and the Southeast Asian community.
Check out more of Hnin's art here: www.hninnie.com
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstuffblefield.com
Meet our East/Southeast Asian Roundtable: Steve (American, with South Korean parents), Wei (Chinese-American), Tram (Vietnamese-American) and Celine (Filipino-American)!
This episode analyzes the many layers of Asian culture pertaining to colorism, the beauty industry, the growth of media representation and so much more.
In this special bonus episode, meet Sylvia (Italian-American, mom of a 1stGen, art director + amazing creative) and learn how she fights for true diversity and inclusion within the fashion retail industry.
Sylvia sits down to talk with Perrine in a candid interview about the importance of complexion representation, live from her swank NoDa loft in Charlotte, NC.
In this episode, meet Brian (Haitian-American) as we dive deeper into the #ComplexitiesofComplexion.
We discuss the effects of snap judgments, stereotypes linked with colorism and a deeper meaning behind acceptance.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstuffblefield.com
Meet our West Indian Roundtable: Diana (Haitian-American), Phylecia (Jamaican-American), Angie C. (Panamanian-Jamaican-American) and Akeen (Jamaican-American)!
This episode highlights the epidemic of skin bleaching while diving deep and debunking cultural stereotypes within the West Indies. This group also taps on the Complexities of Complexion within ethnicity and so much more.
Why do you think complexion might factor into attraction consideration and is often referred to within beauty beauty standards? In this episode, we break down the #ComplexitiesofComplexion with our South Asian Roundtable member and co-host of the Carolina Desi podcast, Rashmilli (South Indian-American).
Rashmili discusses the heated parallels between being born in South India and growing up in the American south as a dark-skinned woman, while Skye and Perrine talk about colorism in the dating world and how it impacts societal laws of attraction.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstuffblefield.com
Episode art photo by Arun Sharma on Unsplash
In Season 3 Episode 4, meet our South Asian Roundtable: Rashmili (South Indian-American), Gurtej (Punjabi-American), Ketan (North Indian-American) and Kripa (North Indian-American)!
We discuss a wide variety of topics for our Complexities of Complexion series including how colorism and gender play major roles in Bollywood (and Tollywood), feeling "other," skin bleaching and so much more.
Perrine and Skye start the episode off by discussing colorism in media and cinema.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
Learn more about The Carolina Desi podcast: @thecarolinadesi
Edited by Perrine DeShield
In this bonus episode, hear from Nicole Yembra, a Nigerian trailblazer changing the world of tech.
Nicole shares her experience with colorism and how it impacted her growing up in both America and Nigeria. She also gives insight into how integrated skin bleaching has become within the culture.
During the second episode of season 3, “In This Skin,” meet Kobe, a Ghanian- American (from Canada) who grew and learned from her trauma. Listen as Kobe traces the many layers of beauty within her skin and hear why she believes that healing should be a part of every person’s story.
Skye and Perrine are back to discuss what colorism meant growing up in their multi-shaded families and the episode opens with a clip from Nicole Yembra, a Nigerian-American currently living in Nigeria and shining some light as to what colorism meant to her as a child.
Learn more about Kobe’s business, brand and podcast, The Healing Circle: www.kchealingcircle.com
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In the Season Three premiere of 1stGens, Skye and Perrine launch a new series focused on cross-cultural colorism entitled, “The Complexities of Complexion.”
This series will explore aspects of colorism from the perspectives of various cultures and feature roundtables of different ethnic groups as well as individual journeys.
First up: The African Roundtable. Thank you to our 1stGens guests: Mina (Liberian-Egyptian-American), Biruk (Ethiopian), Betty (Sierra Leonean-British-American) and Emmanuel (Ghanian-Canadian-American)!
BONUS EPISODE: Co-hosts Perrine and Skye completed a campus tour with the first stop at their alma mater: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Put the African in American was a live event and open panel discussion to help close the gap between black Americans and Africans.
UNC-Chapel Hill's Black Student Movement (BSM) and Organization for African Students Interest and Solidarity (OASIS) were partners in this event and had student members as panelists: Diamonde Henderson, Dominque Brodie, Mina Yakubu and Whitney Kouaho.
Thank you so much for all the students who attended and shared their experiences.
*please excuse the fluctuating audio in this episode as it was a live event with microphone inconsistencies.*
In Part One of our Liberian Season Finale, hear from a few young activists inflicting real change throughout Liberia. Skye and Perrine spoke with Royda: an influencer revealing the good, bad and truth throughout the country, Martin: a student at the University of Liberia leading the “Bring Back Our Money” campaign, and Alvin: a high school student pushing for cultural awareness and accountability.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Part Two of our Liberian Season Finale, hear from Christlyn, a Pediatric Resident at the John F. Kennedy hospital in Monrovia. Christlyn shares with Skye and Perrine the hospitals many needs and the state of healthcare in the country.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Part Three of our Liberian Season Finale, hear from Alston, a board member for the YesLiberia organization, which pays for the school fees of underprivileged youth throughout Liberia. Perrine and Skye discuss with Alston how so many of the country’s problems stem from the lack of accessible education, the gender gap between girls and boys education and so much more.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Part Four of our Liberian Season Finale, Royda returns and Skye and Perrine attend a press conference for the More Than Me Academy scandal. Back in 2014, news broke that this American-ran charter school left many of its young girls sexually molested, raped and infected with HIV—all at the hands of one of it’s co-founders. The duo also speaks to a few courageous activists and protestors demanding justice.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Part Five of our Liberian Season Finale, Skye introduces her amazing Aunt Lucia. Lucia’s entire life has been about social justice and activism. She shares with the duo how protests created change in Liberia decades ago and what the current future holds within the realm of education and progression.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In this special two-part episode, we’re giving you more insight on US! Hear Skye’s story, her upbringing and background as she is interviewed by Perrine.
The duo brings everything full circle as to how they got around to creating this podcast together.
Music by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In this special episode, we chat with cast members of a local play rendition of "Eclipsed." Originally written by the talented Danai Gurira, this play is about the Liberian Civil War and the remarkable women who survived it.
Click here for tickets to the Charlotte show (August 22-September 1, 2018): https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/eclipsed
Music by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 13, meet Valerie, a Nigerian-American, plus size influencer and inclusivity advocate as we tackle the topic of media representation.
The Roundtable Crew, Perrine and Skye discuss whats missing in the media and what forms of representation gave them hope.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 12, “Authentic Self,” meet Johnny, a Dominican-Puerto Rican-American who navigated many twists and turns during his coming out journey, yet found peace living his best, authentic life.
Perrine and Skye discuss the authenticity of living on or off of social media and the Roundtable Crew spreads love to all.
In this Special Episode, Skye and Perrine tackle the never-ending news cycle and how it effects the first-generation American community and beyond. The duo defines a few terms featured in current events of summer 2018 and lend resources for listeners to make a difference.
Resources heard in this episode:
-RAICES National Families Stay Together Hotline: (866)-ESTAMOS (866-378-2667)
RAICES is proud to announce our “National Families Together Hotline” to reunite families who have been separated upon entry to the United States. The National Families Together Hotline will be staffed by volunteers from 9am- 5pm CST but callers will be able to call and leave voicemails 24 hours a day.
-Rescind the Muslim Ban with the ACLU: https://action.aclu.org/petition/no-muslim-ban-ever?ms_aff=NAT&initms_aff=NAT&ms=180626_immigrantrights_muslimbanSCOTUS_blog&initms=180626_immigrantrights_muslimbanSCOTUS_blog&ms_chan=web&initms_chan=web
-How to Combat MS-13/Gang Life: https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/former-gang-members-offer-advice-on-how-to-combat-ms-13
Mental Health Resources:
-Crisis Call Center: 1 (800) 273-8255
Text option Text “ANSWER” to 839863
-Lifeline crisis chat: https://www.contact-usa.org/chat.html
-Healthful Chat: P2P w/ mods http://www.healthfulchat.org
-Blah Therapy | P2P unmod, can be a listener or venter: http://blahtherapy.com/
-Traditional Therapy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/
Want clarity on one of the topics discussed on today’s episode? Email the team a question or listener letter and tell us how you feel at 1stgenspodcast@gmail.com .
Theme song by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 10, "Broken Clocks," Skye and Perrine challenge the deadlines society places on our lives for "success."
Diana, a Haitian-American, shares her story of finding happiness, while living by her own standards.
The Round Table Crew shares how their gender has effected their careers.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
Part One of our mini series on puberty and sex: In Episode 8, “Puberty Struggles,” Perrine and Skye discuss the awkward years, including developing early and the world of pads, tampons, menstrual cycles and what your parents don’t tell you.
The amazing Miss Betty Foh is back to discuss everything from puberty, sexual education and the importance of sexual health and knowledge.
The Round Table Crew kicks it off with their puberty struggles and how they pushed through.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
![In Episode 7, “The [Un]Likely Feminist,” meet Gizelle (Brazilian-American) as she navigates through her sexuality at an early age, as well as what it means to be a feminist in America.The Round Table crew shares their views, plus Skye and Perrine cl…](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5871401437c5811e54c5f480/1526186086277-0U0LLEU43CD8GQOFQLWK/1.png)
In Episode 7, “The [Un]Likely Feminist,” meet Gizelle (Brazilian-American) as she navigates through her sexuality at an early age, as well as what it means to be a feminist in America.
The Round Table crew shares their views, plus Skye and Perrine clear up gender misconceptions and more.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
Episode art by: Photo by T. Chick McClure on Unsplash
In this Special Episode, Skye and Perrine have a candid roundtable discussion about feminism with Jan Anderson, President and Founder of the Charlotte Women’s March and Ally Korony, Philanthropy Manager of the YWCA of the Central Carolinas.
Charlotte Women's March: charlottewomensmarch.org
YWCA of Central Carolinas: ywcacentralcarolinas.org
Music by Nick Stubblefied: www.nickstubblefield.com
Episode art by: Nicole Adams via www.unsplash.com
In Episode 5, "Boys Don't, Girls Don't," meet Emmanuel (Ghanian-American) one-on-one as he shares what it means to be a man as he raises a son.
The Round Table Crew shares their views on masculinity and femininity, while Skye and Perrine dig deep within their feminine childhoods.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 4, "To Raise a Child," meet Patrice, a Jamaican-American, who navigates raising her two daughters alongside her husband, all while coming to grips with the complexities of her own, unique identity.
The Round Table crew shows how parenting and sacrifice shapes them, plus Perrine and Skye share tales of being raised by their Liberian parents.
For more information on Patrice's upcoming book: www.patricegopo.com
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
This episode contains sensitive subject matter. Please advise.
1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (RAINN).
In Episode 3, “Grace Beyond Grief,” meet Genie, a Fillipino-American, and hear her encouraging story of finding strength through trauma and grief.
In this Bonus Episode, Perrine and Skye sit down with two fellow African 1stGens (Betty, Sierra-Leonean American & Emmanuel, Ghanian-American) with a bottle of wine and a bottle of whiskey to discuss the various themes and think-pieces of Marvel's Black Panther. This unique roundtable discussion taps on everything from the gap between Black Americans and Africans, to the symbolism the people of Wakanda share with Africans of different regions.
We're BACK! In the Season Two premiere of 1stGens, meet our new Roundtable Crew: Jorge, Diana, Genie and Emmanuel. This go-round, we'll explore the theme of gender and in this first episode, gender roles.
Hear how Perrine and Skye's Liberian parents shaped their perspectives and get to know Jorge, a Cuban-American unifying the Queen City.
In this special, bonus episode, we hear a powerful poem by Herrison Chicas and the amazing story of a Dreamer, Manny Sandchez.
You can learn more about Golden Door Scholars (Manny is one) for DACA recipients here: www.goldendoorscholars.org
In this special, bonus episode, we discuss DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program with some amazing leaders in the Charlotte area with remarkable resources.
Hear from:
Oliver, Comunidad Colectiva
Allison & Sherrod, Queen City Immigration Law
Sam, International House
In the SEASON ONE FINALE, Episode 13, “Uprooted: Part 2,” Lelai Givens shares her perspective on present day Liberia and we bring Sam’s story full circle and share how he’s impacting the Charlotte community as well as his plans for Liberia.
We hear from Earlene and Selena as Skye and Perrine look forward to their Liberian journey for Season Two.
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1stGens can’t make Season 2 without you! Perrine and Skye are going to Liberia! The team looks forward to telling stories of young people in Liberia and really hopes you can help achieve that. To contribute towards our flights, equipment and the full production of next season’s content, you can donate at www.gofundme.com/1stgens. ANY amount is appreciated.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 12, “Uprooted: Part I,” we begin Sam’s two-part story leading up to the Season 1 Finale. Listen to how he and his family escaped Liberia before the Civil War and their journey to America. Earlene DeShield (Perrine’s mom) and Selena Wilson (Skye’s mom) open this episode and share coming full circle from Liberia to America.
1stGens can’t make Season 2 without you! Perrine and Skye are going to Liberia! The team looks forward to telling stories of young people in Liberia and really hopes you can help achieve that. To contribute towards our flights, equipment and the full production of next season’s content, you can donate at www.gofundme.com/1stgens. ANY amount is appreciated.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 11, “Finding Home,” meet Caleb, a Japanese-American, who literally calls two different worlds home. Hear about the roundtable crew's first visits back to their native lands and stay tuned at the end for a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT leading up to the two part Season 1 Finale.
Make sure to leave comments and interact with us on social media! We’re @1stgens on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 10, “Bridging the Gap,” meet Brigitte, a Colombian-American, and hear how she, the roundtable crew and co-hosts all work through their family's generational differences.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 9, let's “Free Your Mind” and debunk a few stereotypes. This special episode features short stories from co-hosts Skye (dialing in) and Perrine as well as the entire roundtable crew: Betty, Elvira, Chelsea and Shaun, as well as previously featured 1st Gens: Martin and Rufai.
Make sure to leave comments and interact with us on social media and debunk a stereotype of your own! We’re @1stgens on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 8, “Breaking Beauty Barriers,” meet the reigning 2016-2017 Miss Liberia in the U.S., Gboea Flumo and hear about her quest to self-love and empowerment. Co-hosts Skye and Perrine also share their struggles with beauty and self acceptance.
Make sure to leave comments and interact with us on social media! We’re @1stgens on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
For Vogue Magazine's 125th Anniversary, they featured an article entitled, "Miss America," showcasing America's need for beauty pageants in immigrant communities. This is how we at 1st Gens discovered the reigning Miss Liberia in the U.S., Gboea Flumo, who was featured FIRST in this amazing article. We love everything these diverse queens showcase and what they represent within their culture. Read the full article here.
In Episode 7, “Do What You Love,” meet Diana, an Armenian-Russian-American who followed her passion down an unexpected career path in comparison to her parents. Co-hosts Skye and Perrine also share their career journey and the round table crew (plus Rufai) chimes in on post-education.
The true stories of the rise and grind.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
Features “Enigmatic” by www.bensound.com
In Episode 6, “Schoolin’ Life,” Perrine, Skye and the roundtable crew discuss the importance of education and their parents’ influence at an early age. Elvira shares her Bosnian-American journey of becoming a doctor; both meeting and defying expectations.
Full musical composition by Nick Stubblefield: www.nickstubblefield.com
In Episode 5, let’s play “The Name Game.” This special episode features short stories from co-hosts Perrine and Skye as well as the entire roundtable crew: Betty, Elvira, Chelsea and Shaun. Listen to how the names of these 1stGens shape their identity.
Make sure to leave comments and interact with us on social media! We’re @1stgens on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Music from this episode:
www.freemusicarchive.org
www.freesound.org
In Episode 4, “Keeping Your Culture,” meet Martin, a Cuban/Salvadorian-American father and husband who is fighting assimilation. Listen to how he integrates his heritage back into the community, while educating his daughter to be proud of their roots. Plus, Perrine, Skye and the whole round-table crew share a few of their own assimilation experiences & fears.
Music:
www.freemusicarchive.com piano songs by Julie Maxwell
In Episode 3 of 1stGens, meet Rufai, a southern bred, black, Muslim, Nigerian-American man. Elvira, Shaun, Skye and Perrine also discuss what faith means to them. This episode is entitled, "Freedom of Religion."
Music:
Shady Dave: https://www.freesound.org/people/ShadyDave/sounds/325611/
Imaginary Band—story of struggle: www.freesound.org
Dating can literally be a struggle--especially when you have to meet parents and introduce your significant other to your immigrant family. Listen to how Skye & Perrine dealt with their love life early on, PLUS hear Betty's amazing story of dating while Sierra Leonean-American.
Music from: bensound.com, purple-planet.com, sound-click.com and freemusicarchive.org
Get to know co-hosts, Perrine and Skye as they share their early struggles of being Liberian-American. Also, hear Chelsea's story of how she navigated being multi-racial and multi-cultural.
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