Cocoa Butter and Communion

Talking to Sacramento’s Future Mayor, Dr. Flojaune Cofer

Hey Village! It has been a few weeks since the last episode but here we are, in the HEAT of the summer, but staying cool with conversation. This week, I am communing with the future Mayor of Sacramento, Dr. Flojaune Cofer. We talk about the seeds planted for greatness, books, of course, her vision and love for Sacramento and the take over of a kid's podcast (who's kid? My kid). Dr. Flo has been a leader in Sacramento for some time and I am glad she is taking center stage to lead the city into greatness. Dr. Flo's drive and passion is something the community and the village can get behind. You will begin to know that Dr. Flo has been that girl. 
Dr. Flo is an epidemiologist and serves as the Senior Director of Policy for Public HealthAdvocates. She manages a team of staff leading health equity initiatives focused on Californiastate policy and prevention, response and recovery from public health emergencies. From2019 - 2022 her portfolio also included boys and men of color (My Brother's Keeper),community-based 911 response (First Response Transformation), youth trauma prevention incities (All Children Thrive), and Building Healthy Communities: Health Happens in Schoolsinitiative in Boyle Heights. Prior to joining Public Health Advocates, she led the preconception health initiative for the California Department of Public Health, working to ensure vital maternal health andreproductive coverage was included in the Affordable Care Act. She is a proud alumna of Spelman College, where she graduated with two Bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Women's Studies, before going on University of Michigan, School of Public Health where she earned a Master’s in Public Health and Doctorate of Philosophy in Epidemiology. She is an alumna of the California Epidemiologic Investigation Service and the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program. She is deeply committed to civic engagement having served in various capacities on local boards, committees and commissions, including the Active Transportation Commission, Mayors' Commission on Climate Change, Sheriff's Outreach Community Advisory Board,Board of Directors for Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. She served four terms as chair ofthe City of Sacramento Measure U Sales Tax Community Advisory Committee and she is a  member of the People's Budget Sacramento. Dr. Flo helped create the Sacramento Sister Circle Voter Guide in partnership with the Sacramento chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) and she co-hosted the Sacramento political podcast, Voices: River City.
Dr. Flo is listening to Barack Obama's "A Promised Land" and "We are the Land: A History of Native California" by Damon Akins and William Bauer Jr. 
I am reading the Love Songs by W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers 
Y'all might be surprised if you knew Flo has a karaoke playlist and that I dig Garth Brooks, the artists formerly known as The Dixie Chicks (now..The Chicks), Wynona Judd, The Judds, Reba McIntire, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill... and the list goes on and on (but not too far) 
Find out how you can support Flo for Mayor at https://www.floformayor.com/ there are so many ways to help! 

Being You- A Conversation with Olivia and Dallas Brown

We are almost to episode 40 and what is a better way to celebrate than to bring in more of my family? My grandparents had 5 children and 10 grandchildren (I am #5, Olivia is #8 and Dallas is #9). On this episode we discuss us getting to know each other as adults, race and their own identities and how that continues to show up for them; we talk family, the possibilities of establishing connection and what they know to be true about their parents. As a family, we have always connected these two together but they give a glimpse into who they are as sisters, with a shared upbringing but also who they are as individuals. 
Dallas is reading: "How Do We Know We are Doing it Right?: And Other Thoughts on Modern Life" By Pandora Sykes 
Olivia is reading: "Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones" by James Clear
A song that makes Olivia think about our grandfather is a jingle from Ross 
A musician that makes me think about our grandfather is Marvin Gaye 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
Visit the website www.cocoabutterandcommunion.com 
Send a message at cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com 
 

Strength Like a Mother: A Conversation with Courtney Johnson

My husband tells me that I make friends wherever I go. I think he may be on to something because on one of our latest trips to Atlanta, at a family gathering (not even my biological family), I met one of the sweetest people and she is on the podcast today to talk about parenting children with special needs and homeschooling them; advocating for her babies during COVID, and how she cares for herself. Her and I have so much in common and it is fascinating. 
Future Jeopardy Champion (you'll here about this on the episode), Courtney Johnson MA, LPC, CPCS has been working in the mental field for close to 20 years. She has experience working in a variety of levels in the mental health field from locked residential psychiatric facilities to owning her own private practice. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) enabling her to provide direction and training to new professional counselors working towards becoming licensed. Courtney has experience treating a variety of mental health issues; however, she specializes in trauma. With extensive training and experience in the treatment of trauma, she brings with her a wealth of knowledge on how it is manifested and how to treat it. She has successfully treated many individuals dealing with trauma over the span of her career. Courtney has been featured as a mental health expert on the, “Trust & Believe” podcast with fitness guru Shaun T and on the podcast, “This Life with V3” hosted by gospel artists V3. She has participated on a panel with other mental health professionals to discuss myths and truth around seeking mental health as a Christian. Courtney has given presentations to graduate level classes on the importance of choosing, utilizing, and following a counseling theory as a mental health therapist.
Courtney is reading, "Not a Happy Family" by Shari Lapena 
Her favorite cookout song is "Summertime" By DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince 
My favorite cookout song is "Da Butt" by E.U. (I turn into a whole new person when that beat drops) 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion or send your questions to cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com 

Conversations about Intimate Partner Violence, Consent, and Culture with Timiza Wash

Hey Village! Today is the first day of summer and what better way than to kick it off with my dear friend, Timiza Wash. Timiza's works passionately to communicate to the community about domestic violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and teaching our boys about consent. Timiza is a boss and I would expect nothing more but it is an honor to be in the presence of her and others who are diligently making change in the community and willing to have difficult conversations. 
Timiza Wash, M.Ed. has been providing direct services in various capacities for more than 20 years with a passion for equity, community building, and systems change. She holds a Masters in Higher Education with an emphasis in Leadership from Sacramento State. She is the Chief Equity & Transformational Change Officer and has led WEAVE’s DEIB efforts and reimagine outcomes for disenfranchised communities. Timiza is a board member and chair of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce; serves as the Vice Chair for the Sacramento County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls; serves as Secretary for non-profit, Borne to Create and serves on the Reduction of African American Child Deaths Steering Committee and Black Health Racial Equity Committee. 
Timiza is waiting to read "Rest is Resistance" by Tricia Hersey 
I am reading "Sensual Faith: The Art of Coming Home to Your Body" by Lyvonne Briggs 
A song that reminds Timiza of her family is "All My People" by Kindred the Family Soul 
A song that reminds me of one of my ancestors, my aunt Doris, is "Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles. 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion or send an email to cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com 

Talking More Tomfoolery with Malikka Rogers

Sheeee's back... Our friend of the village, Malikka Rogers is back on the show! On the last show she visited, we left on a cliffhanger and I promised she would come back. Luckily, she did! Malikka shared her insight and provided her wisdom on topics like spirituality, her crush on Stanley Tucci and his love of food, and trauma related to attending PWIs. I also publicly shared who my odd celebrity crush is (Don't judge me y'all). 
Malikka is reading "Unfollow Me" By Jill Bugsy 
Trust me, I am reading hella books and articles. 
Follow Malikka on Facebook (Tackling Tomfoolery), IG (@tacklingtomfool) and the Twitter (@MalikkaRodgers)
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
 
 

Talking Body Liberation with Chrissy King

Hey Village! On today's episode y'all get to hear me become a fangirl. Books and stories are so powerful and when I had the opportunity to chat with today's guest, I almost lost it. She is definitely one of my favorite modern authors. While I was reading her book, I thought "yep, this is my spirit twin and imaginary homie." My younger self mirrored hers.
I am such a huge fan of my guest, Chrissy King, author of "The Body Liberation Project: How Understanding Racism and Diet Culture Helps Cultivate Joy and Build Collective Freedom". This book is a must have for anyone who has not felt good enough or worthy enough because of their body, their shape, the way they look, etc. This book is for anyone who wants to discover freedom by knowing that you are not your body and that we are so much more than that. This book has changed my perspective and is opening up space for me to be address my own struggles with my body and to be compassionate to the younger Chioko Juliette and to remain compassionate to myself now. 
Chrissy King writer, speaker, educator, and former strength coach with a passion for creating a diverse and inclusive wellness industry. She is also the author of The Body Liberation Project. Through her work, Chrissy empowers individuals to stop shrinking, start taking up space, and use their energy to create their specific magic in the world. With degrees in social justice and sociology from Marquette University, Chrissy merges her passion for social justice with her passion for wellness to inspire members of the fitness industry to create spaces that allow individuals from all backgrounds to feel seen, welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.
Chrissy's book, "The Body Liberation Project" is available where books are sold. 
You can follow her on all social media @iamchrissyking and check out her website www.chrissyking.com 

The Star of Your Own Show

Hey y'all. I am back! Back from vacation, back from my birthday celebration...I am just back. I have missed y'all.
I love the questions, comments, or curiosities that you send to me through email, website, and some of y'all slide in my DMs (cute, cute). So...this episode, I wanted to respond to the messages, publicly. I decided to allow Dan to ask me some questions of yours and he added some questions of his own. This episode, you learn a little bit about me; what brings me joy, what I am proud of, my passions, and of course...Tupac (Dan really wanted to know). 
Dan and I are both reading "The City We Became" by N.K. Jemisen. 
I am listening to Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" (I wore that album out in the 8th grade) and Raheem DeVaughn's "Love Behind the Melody" 
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
 

For the Culture: A Conversation with Malikka Rogers

My lovely guest, Malikka is back and we are talking about some things that give us joy but also makes us ponder, blackness (of course), my son's choice for an influential Black American, and Jonathan Majors' ridiculousness. 
Of course, we talk music but more specifically, Malikka lists her favorite music videos of all time and I do too. 
Follow Malikka on Facebook (Tackling Tomfoolery), IG (@tacklingtomfool) and the Twitter (@MalikkaRodgers)
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion
Check out the blog, The Moisturizer on www.cocoabutterandcommunion.com 

Mothers and Daughters: The Journey to Healing For Self

Hey Village! This week, my cousin, Yolanda Hughes, is up. I am glad she is here to talk about a conversation that has been slowly unfolding for years, the relationship with her mother. This conversation was healing for me and I hope that it was for her too. I am reminded of the stories that are in our spirit to release and how some of us never do. These stories can be painful but the sharing may be incredibly important. 
In this episode, her and I talk about losing the relationship with her mother at an early age, her relationship with our great grandmother (I didn't know they were close), how she is like our grandmother, our relationship with each other and some road blocks we hit, as well as the fun we had. 
Follow the Cocoa Butter and Communion IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
Send an email to cocoabutterandcommunion@gmail.com
 
 

Taking A Seat at the Table: A Conversation with Emily Autenrieth

Happy May! Or as N Sync says, "It's gonna be Maaaayyy". This week, I am conversing with Emily Autenrieth, the owner of A Seat at the Table Books. Her and I talk about the importance of indie bookstores, more than ever, decentering whiteness and how she got into the work she is in. Y'all know I love a good bookstore and this is one of the best in the area. 
Emily Autenrieth was born and raised in Alaska and earned BA in Theology from Seattle Pacific and her MA in English from University of Alaska. After working as a technical writer and freelance editor, Emily settled in Elk Grove and founded A Seat at the Table Books, a bookstore, cafe, and community hub that offers a diverse selection of books and gifts for all ages, locally roasted eco-friendly coffee, and community events. When not at work, Emily enjoys reading, watching Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and spending time with her spouse, two children, dog, two cats, and two bunnies.
Check out the bookstore at 9257 Laguna Springs Dr, Suite 130, Elk Grove, CA 95758
Visit their website https://aseatatthetablebooks.org/
Follow the show on IG @cocoabutterandcommunion 
Visit our website at www.cocoabutterandcommunion.org