39 episodes

Host Kayla Stokes explores the lives and stories of all the Black women she wants to know more about. By exploring the past and present, she hopes to imagine our future.

Bias Bender Kayla Stokes

    • History
    • 5.0 • 14 Ratings

Host Kayla Stokes explores the lives and stories of all the Black women she wants to know more about. By exploring the past and present, she hopes to imagine our future.

    39 - Happy Birthday, Bias Bender!

    39 - Happy Birthday, Bias Bender!

    It's been one year of Bias Bender! Can you believe it? I'm still pinching myself... Join me as we reflect on the hopes and dreams of the past year of Bias Bender.

    I can't thank you enough for listening along with me this past year. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    Cover art by Michelle Li. (https://michellejli.com/)
    Original music by Adam Westerman. (Font Leroy Spotify Page)

    This podcast is supported in part by a 4Culture Arc Artist Fellowship.

    • 24 min
    38 - MacNolia Cox and The National Spelling Bee

    38 - MacNolia Cox and The National Spelling Bee

    Hi everyone! I'm back! Yay!

    This week's episode is about MacNolia Cox and her spelling bee career. I so enjoyed getting to learn more about her story and giving her the honor she earned early on in her life.  I hope you enjoy listening!

    I'd love to hear what you think of this episode. Please feel free to reach out to the podcast email at biasbender@gmail.com. Or if social media is more your speed, you can find the podcast on instagram and facebook both @biasbender. 

    Cover art by Michelle Li. (https://michellejli.com/)
    Original music by Adam Westerman. (Font Leroy Spotify Page)

    This podcast is supported, in part, by a 4Culture Arc Artist Fellowship. 

    • 14 min
    37 - Hattie McDaniel and Playing the Role

    37 - Hattie McDaniel and Playing the Role

    This week we are talking about Hattie McDaniel and her famous, complicated acting career.

    If you have any thoughts about this episode or the podcast in general, I'm all ears. You can reach me at the podcast email, biasbender@gmail.com, or on instagram or facebook, which are both @biasbender. I'm always curious to hear what your thoughts are!

    Please feel free to rate, review and subscribe this podcast wherever you are listening!

    Cover art by Michelle Li. (https://michellejli.com/)
    Original music by Adam Westerman. (Font Leroy Spotify Page)

    This podcast is supported, in part, by a 4Culture Arc Artist Fellowship. 

    • 22 min
    36 - Eliza Ann Gardner And Knowing What's Right

    36 - Eliza Ann Gardner And Knowing What's Right

    This week we are chatting about what it means to retell history. In doing so, we'll cover the story of Eliza Ann Gardner, a community leader and activist from Boston!

    I would love to know what you think about this week's episode. Please feel free to reach out via the podcast email, biasbender@gmail.com, or through instagram and facebook which are both @biasbender. I really do appreciate your thoughts!

    If you are enjoying the podcast a few ways to help are to subscribe, rate, review and tell a friend about this corner of the internet!

    Cover art by Michelle Li. (https://michellejli.com/)
    Original Music by Adam Westerman. (Font Leroy Spotify Page)

    This podcast is supported, in part, by an Arc Artist Fellowship. 

    • 15 min
    35 - Naquasia Pollard and Her Journey from Incarceration to Mentorship

    35 - Naquasia Pollard and Her Journey from Incarceration to Mentorship

    Welcome to a very special episode of Bias Bender! This episode was created in partnership with Broadway Advocacy Coalition (https://www.bwayadvocacycoalition.org/) as a part of my Artivism Fellowship with them!

    We are joined by Naquasia Pollard, an activist and mentor who was previously incarcerated for 15 years to talk about her experiences. This one is a real gift, ya'll! Naquasia is the Executive Director of Pure Legacee (https://www.purelegacee.org/), an organization that aims to mentor young girls and women who are directly impacted by the prison justice system. Please check them out and support the incredible work they are doing. 

    Cover Art by Michelle Li. (https://michellejli.com/)
    New Original Music by Adam Westerman. (Font Leroy Spotify Page)


    This podcast is supported, in part, by a 4Culture Arc Artist Fellowship. 

    • 28 min
    34 - Christia Adair and Securing Our Vote

    34 - Christia Adair and Securing Our Vote

    This week we are talking about the life and work of Christia Adair. She was a powerhouse who is responsible for a lot of progress, including securing a particular, very important part of our election system. Her story is not one to miss!

    Voting Resources:

    https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page
    https://www.vote.org/

    Cover art by Michelle Li. (https://michellejli.com/)
    Original music by Adam Westerman. (Font Leroy Spotify Page)

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
14 Ratings

14 Ratings

andamb ,

MUST LISTEN!

You’ll feel inspired, empowered, and more knowledgeable after each listen. Kayla is an incredible storyteller and I can’t wait for more!

khorlin ,

Sat morning coffee with Kayla

Each week when there is a new episode, I curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee and listed to Kayla educate and inspire me with stories of black women from the past and the present. It grounds me and has become the best way to kick off my weekend.

asutliff ,

Hearing it first here!

Today I heard a special on Democracy Now! about the influence and work of Pauli Murray. While I should have known about their work much sooner as a history major, I can say I heard it first on the Bias Bender podcast! Keep up the great work here. I look forward to every episode.

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