Wise Black Nanas

Wise Black Nanas takes a light hearted look at looking back to past times, a slice of their past life, a few of their favorite memories from the Good Ole Days. Joanne and Dr Sharla think a little humor is just the ticket for our current time. When things seem negative, Wise Black Nanas look for the positive. Hear what they think is great and not so great about looking back and how might looking back help us today?

What happens when cancer is the diagnosis? How does this affect Wise Black Nanas? Listen in to hear about this intensely personal account describing how Joanne reacts when she hears those words, directed at her. How does it impact her life? What does she think was most helpful to her, how does she navigate through it? What are her thoughts, how is she doing now, what words of experience and advice does she share? Listen in as Wise Black Nanas talk about keeping this chapter together or maybe not.

Wise Black Nanas are shining the light on one of their favorite literary s/heroes, Dr. Maya Angelou. Powerful and positive in her approach to the realities of life, Dr. Maya has been an inspiration and motivational source for decades. Discovered by both Nanas early in life, they talk about how her award winning work and inspiring being has been a constant in their work and lives. Dr. Sharla shares an intense and raw story that illustrates the connection with one of Dr. Angelou’s most well known award winning works, “And Still I Rise.” The Nanas illustrate how connecting with literature keeps us sane, grounds us, while providing the motivation we need to keep going, even in the darkest of times.

“Make Your Mark” can mean a host of things. It’s an old saying and even older practice. What does it really mean in today’s world? Hear Wise Black Nanas talk about Making Your Mark while taking a closer look and relating the phrase to current times. Joanne opens up more about growing up in the segregated South when “Making Your Mark” was a necessity and a common practice for many people. Wise Black Nanas share loving memories of elderly relatives during a very different time, or is it? How will you Make Your Mark?

The Nanas are back after a brief break, back amid their own challenges, Dr Sharla is getting stronger each day, all while the country is greatly polarized in the political arena. The Nanas have a lively discussion about how they will move forward, the hard tough conversations, life and family roles, everyday issues, and most critically their labor of love, Wise Black Nanas.

Wise Black Nanas welcome Dr. Sharla back from her period of recuperation! With grace and gratitude, Dr. Sharla discusses some of her experiences, what got her through, and what she learned about resilience along the way. Wise Black Nanas talk about key issues, documents, family roles as only they can. In hindsight, what situations caused Dr. Sharla to re-look at plans she thought were in place, and sufficient. Were they? Learn, be encouraged, be inspired, just in case you need a resilience check-up.

Wise Black Nanas looks closer at the newly proclaimed Federal Holiday Juneteenth. Is this just another day off or what is the real significance of June 19? Enjoy Joanne’s part history lesson and part personal commentary espousing how the Black Community has kept Juneteenth near and dear, current, alive and growing through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, Civil Rights Movement, Black Lives Matter and Me Too. Joanne shares her love of history with you as she talks about how and why Juneteenth is more than a Holiday to so many people, and has so much potential. Go with her from Texas to Central Florida to Oakland to Washington DC, what happened there and what they mean to the narrative. Hear about well known historical figures and learn about a few new ones. Be inspired to make Juneteenth everyday.