Unbreakable Bonds: Ancestry, Melanin, and "Just Being Me"

Soil, Shadow, and Spirit

In this episode of Soil, Shadow, and Spirit, Nikki Silvestri welcomes Dr. Janice Mackey and Dr. Marléna Gaspar to explore the connections between Black motherhood, community, and the land. The conversation reveals how these women are navigating the balance between nurturing their families, leading communities, and finding personal healing through deep connections to land and spirit.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. The role of community in providing a safe space for Black women to express and validate their needs.
2. How grounding practices and land stewardship are part of the journey toward self-discovery and growth.
3. Personal stories from Dr. Mackey and Dr. Gaspar on how they hold space for their families and communities during turbulent times.
4. Reflections on the intergenerational impact of Black women leaders who transform communities through shared love and resilience.

Listen in as we celebrate the unbreakable bonds of community, family, and land that sustain Black women leaders.

Links of Note:

• Soil, Shadow, and Spirit Retreat Series
• Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism

Series Executive Producers: Kalliopeia Foundation and Soil and Shadow

Sound Engineering: Sonya Harris

Music: Galen Silvestri

Host: Nikki Silvestri

Special Thanks: Dr. Janice Mackey, Dr. Marléna Gaspar, Noni Limar