Cocoa Butter and Communion

Black and Political: A Conversation with Mellonie Richardson

Hey Village! This week, I am chatting with Mellonie Richardson about Black women in politics, her role in the Black Women for Political Action (BWOPA) (she is the president, y'all), getting involved, our right to vote, her legacy, and so much more. 
A little about Mellonie, she is the Human Resources Director of Talent Acquisition for California State University, Sacramento, as well as the Principal Consultant of a private Human Resources and Organization Development consulting firm, Bene Consulting Group, supporting the work and efforts of Sacramento Area non-profit organizations.  Mellonie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies, with a concentration in Media Studies from California State University, Sacramento, and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.
She works tirelessly in our community, supporting others and sitting on boards, including the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce. You can catch her supporting organizations such as, Sacramento Sister Circle, Mocha Mommy’s Club Sacramento, Black Women Organized for Political Action #BWOPASac, GirlTrek International Black Women’s Health Movement, Sacramento State University Black Staff and Faculty Association, Sacramento State University Legacy Black Women’s Community of Practice, and so much more. 
Mellonie is currently reading "Black Butterfly" by Addie Ellis and "Get Good with Money" by Tiffany Aliche 
Mellonie refused to pick a song that inspires her because there are so many :). 
The song that inspired me moving through a breakup was "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison and also "O-o-h Child" by the Five Stairsteps (gets me every time) 
Get involved in BWOPA!
Subscribe to the #BWOPASac Newsletter - https://tinyurl.com/BWOPASacNews
Join #BWOPASac FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/BWOPASacramento/ (https://www.facebook.com/BWOPASacramento/) 
Check out Mellonie's consulting group, Bene Consulting www.benecg.com 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion and find us on Facebook! @cocoa.butter.and.communion.podcast 
 

The Military and the Black Woman: A Conversation with Regina McGuire

Hey Village! Happy Black History Month! Happy month of love! This episode, I am chatting with my newest sister girl/colleague/classmate, Regina McGuire. Regina is a retired Navy woman who was running a ship like the bad ass she is. We discuss her life in the military, as a Black woman, the strong Black woman trope, motherhood, and this idea of humbleness. 
In addition to be a retired Navy Veteran, she is a mental health professional that is committed to breaking down the barriers of mental health care in Black and Brown communities. Regina brings a unique combination of military discipline, scholarly insight, and heartfelt dedication to her profession as a therapist. During her service in the United States Navy, Regina distinguished herself through leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her peers and junior Sailors' mental and emotional welfare. During this service period, she honed her communication, teamwork, and crisis management skills, setting a solid foundation for her subsequent career in mental health counseling. Her current studies as a PhD in Clinical Psychology student further sharpens her clinical acumen, enabling her to tackle complex mental health issues with enhancedexpertise.
Regina specializes in working with a diverse clientele, including those with dual diagnoses of mental health and substance abuse, couples facing relationship challenges, children navigating developmental and emotional difficulties, individuals recovering from trauma, and individualsseeking personal growth through individual therapy. Her holistic approach is tailored to address each client's unique needs, drawing from evidence-based therapies and her rich background in sociology and psychology.
Regina is listening to 90s hip hop and R&B because like me, she is stuck in that era, musically. 
Regina is reading "Dust Tracks on a Road" by Zora Neale Hurston 
I am reading "ain't I a woman: Black Women and Feminism" by bell hooks 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
Y'all, we are on Facebook too!  @cocoa.butter.and.communion.podcast
Or send an email to cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com
 

Black Women Sh***: Chi Chi Anyanwu Stops By

Hey Village! We are kicking off Black History Month and what better way to kick off Black History Month with a woman who celebrates her Blackness everyday? I can answer that! There isn't anything better than Chi Chi stopping by the village to drop gems about getting your life together all while parenting amazing children and finding herself throughout. We talk about who she is, at her core, awareness, and parenting our own mothers (it is hard work, y'all). 
Chi Chi is reading "Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin" by John D'Emilo 
I am reading "Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma, and Politicizing Your Practice" by Dr. Jennifer Mullan
The song that represents Chi Chi is "Be Real Black For Me" by Thee Donny Hathaway and Thee Roberta Flack and the song that represents me is "Ms. New Booty" by Bubba Sparxx (you will hear why on the episode). 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion or email cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com 
 
 
 
 
 

Finding Spirituality: A Conversation with Daniel Grevious

Hey Village! I am so lucky to have access to such a brilliant mind, day in and day out. Daniel is back! On this episode, him and I discuss spirituality and religion, the differences, his growth in both and what he wishes he knew. You get to know him a little more, which is always a beautiful thing. 
Dan is reading "Making it So: A Memoir" by Patrick Stewart 
I am reading articles for my classes. 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
If you have any questions, contact the show cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com 

Reproductive and Birth Justice with Aresha Auzenne

Heeeyyyy, I am back! It has been a long time. Happy New Year Village! I hope your holiday season allowed rest. This week's episode can be triggering due to the content of talking about Black maternal deaths, the prevention, and the sharing of birth stories that can be traumatic for our listeners. Take breaks when you need or fast forward. Do what you need. We talk about being a doula, the history of doulas in Black communities, the maternal death crisis, and we even give some insight into our birthing stories. 
This week's guest is Aresha Auzenne is a San Francisco native, specializing in trauma informed birth work, placenta medicine, breastfeeding, and donor milk education. Having worked in the death care industry for several years, moving into the sacred space of birth work was a natural transition. Aresha is a full spectrum holistic doula and a mother to a vibrant 4 year old boy. She is most passionate about empowering women and mothers of color, building supportive maternal communities and fostering spaces of healing through motherhood. She credits her work, her passion, and h er healing to the many powerful women who held her and her son, during her own transition into the depths of motherhood-learning to crawl, to walk, to talk, to exist as a brand-new being. Aresha is currently working as a community researcher, investigating Black maternal health and birth outcomes amongst women and mothers of color. 
Aresha is reading "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself" by Michael A. Singer and "The Fantasy Bond: Structure of Psychological Defenses" by Robert W. Firestone. 
Chioko is reading "A General Theory of Love" by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon

Black Women in Academia: A Conversation with Johndalyn Armstrong

Heeeyyy village! Another episode of Cocoa Butter and Communion is back on the podcast airwaves. This week, I am discussing Black women in academia with my classmate, Johndalyn Armstrong. We talk about school, not separating our Blackness from our education and our experiences, her new fondness of Janelle Monae, among other stuff. She is absolutely lovely and she has an impeccable taste in fashion (you see her frames). Johndalyn currently volunteers for the UNHCR’s sub organization, LuquLuqu, as they offer life services to refugees on the continent of Africa. 
 

A Conversation about Everything with Malikka Rogers

Hey Village! I am joined today by my dearest, Malikka Rogers. We discuss A LOT on this episode from Bruce Willis dating rumors to ridiculousness in music to spirituality. As always, I love my conversations with her and I hope you do too. Spend some time with us on this cold November day, it should get you through your workday, your clean up day, your shopping day... its a long one :).
Follow Malikka on Facebook (Tackling Tomfoolery), IG (@tacklingtomfool) and the Twitter (@MalikkaRodgers)
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
 
 

Band of Brothers: A Conversation with Ray

I was curious and when I am curious, a podcast episode usually happens :). I talk about building sisterhood a lot on this podcast but this episode, I wanted to chat about building brotherhood and the expression of vulnerability. I chatted with Ray, who provided me with some insight into the work he does. 
Ray is of Afro-Caribbean ancestry hailing from the little country with the big reggae sound, Jamaica. He was raised between Kingston, Jamaica and the greater New York Metropolitan area. 
 
He is a Silicon Valley business leader within the financial technology sector. He serves as a wellness coach to young men in the California, Oakland - Bay Area as a leader for Create the Space (https://www.cr8thespace.com). 
Ray is a fitness enthusiast. He practices  Yoga weekly with his yogi brethren of  Barbershop Yoga-(https://rondyoga.com).He is a 2X marathon finisher and will soon be completing his 3rd triumph of 26.2 miles on the island of Japan, this upcoming March 2024 in Tokyo. He is also an avid reader and is never without his Kindle Oasis. 
 
Ray credits his sense of community and care for others to his upbringing. His father and mother embedded the principal of L.O.U.D (Lift others up Daily) from a very young age. Whether it was donating toys or time to others he was always encouraged to live in service of his fellow men and women.
 
When he is not serving as a business leader, coach, running or reading he can also be found behind the lens clicking portraits and corporate events as an aspiring photographer. 
 
Contact him at 
Foodnmvmt@gmail.com and view his work on Instagram. 
https://instagram.com/foodnmvmt_photos?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion (I need to do a better job at keeping this page up lol) 

Understanding Mom: A Conversation with my Own Mother, Venetia Brown

Heeeyyy Village! Today's episode is a conversation with my mom, Venetia Brown. On this episode, she shares the history behind her own name and she clears up how she came up with mine. We talk about the things that connect us and the things that have kept us at a distance. She shares about her journey into motherhood and being a grandmother and the influence of her parents and grandparents. 
Mom is reading "Truly Blessed" by Teddy Pendergrass, again. That is because, like most Black women in their 60s, she loves her some Teddy P. I am reading "The Monsters We Defy" by Leslye Penelope. My mom and I talk about our love for Aretha Franklin (I listened to her probably every day for 18 years). 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
Send us an email at cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com 

Resonated Lessons with Brandon Johnson

Hey village! I have another great episode with my friend, by way of my brother, Brandon Johnson. I met Brandon Johnson YEARS ago and I am glad I did. Y'all will see why when you listen to this episode. We chat about music (we even sing a few duets), family, marriage, kids, and Berkeley hippies (I am that). This is the bio he provided for me: 
Brandon Johnson , Aka Mr P. H. D pretty handsome, Dan Juan.  a proud resident of Vallejo and a devoted family man. Married with five wonderful kids, Brandon's love for his family is unparalleled. He thrives in social settings, cherishing engaging conversations with others. With his warm and personable nature, Brandon effortlessly creates connections and fosters meaningful relationships. Alongside his wife, Tiffany, and his friend, Doc IJ, Brandon co-hosted the popular podcast called "2 Dudes and a Chick". Together, they brought their unique perspectives and lively banter, making each episode a delightful experience. Tune in to hear Brandon's insightful perspectives, captivating stories, and vibrant chemistry that will leave you entertained.
Brandon is reading hella books (we have always connected over reading). A few that he is reading: 
"Instant Millionaire" by Marc André Poissant "The Light We Carry" by THEE Michelle Obama and "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron 
He provides a playlist that reminds him of his marriage (it is a variety of things)
Follow his podcast Two Dudes and Chick wherever you can find podcasts.