On this installment of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, Daralyse Lyons and Zack James explore the themes and takeaways from the three-episode Black Voices series. Joined by Temple University's Dr. Jonathan Howe, this Q&A episode is a powerful discussion of dynamics of power and of pain. In this interview, Dr. Howe expounds upon the lessons learned in the Black Voices series, and also speaks directly to how the Black community continues to be impacted by the ongoing amplification of whiteness. The conversation touches on the series' central focus of facing pain as a means of embracing identity and cultivating joy.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The role that pain has in shaping the experience of both a person and a group of people as a whole, and how the willingness to face that pain can make the difference in overcoming it.

• The importance of storytelling, in cultivating individual and shared identity, as well as in eliminating erasure.

• The power that love holds in transcending barriers and differences in creating unity, equity and belonging.

• The role that sports can play in creating social change, and why they can't be solely relied upon to do so.

• The harmful effects of lowered expectations on the Black community, and their far-reaching effects.

More on our guest this episode:

Dr. Jonathan Howe - Dr. Howe's research centers broadly on the intersection of race, sport, and education. Within these intersections, Dr. Howe focuses on Black male college athletes, as well as Black coaches and athletic administrators. His research with Black male college athletes centers on race along with identity development, and self-presentation.

Related to Black athletic coaches and administrators, Dr. Howe examines their racialized experiences as they operate in predominantly historically white spaces. Dr. Howe has presented his work at national and international conferences and his work has been published in numerous academic journals. Dr. Howe earned his PhD in Educational Studies with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs from the Ohio State University.

He obtained his Master's of Science degree in Sports Management and Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently teaches and conducts research from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Click here for a full transcript of this episode.