The Unwanted Sorority

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The Unwanted Sorority explores the personal and collective experiences of Black women, femmes, and gender expansive folks impacted by sexual violence.. Through survivor stories, cultural analysis, and historical context, host Dr. Leatra Tate breaks down the barriers Black women face in seeking justice, healing, and systemic change. With empathy, honesty, and a focus on advocacy, The Unwanted Sorority creates a space for listeners to witness, learn, and take action toward building a safer, more equitable future.

  1. 09/18/2025

    Shattering the Silence on Sexual Violence Across Africa with Rachel Markham

    On the season finale of The Unwanted Sorority, we are giving flowers to Lupita Nyong'o for her global commitment to elevating the voices and messages of Black women across the diaspora through her art and her activism. Rachel Markham, our Roll Call guest also joins us to share her testimony of healing from sexual assault. A writer, DJ, and sexual assault survivor, Rachel shares her journey through the work raising awareness about sexual assault in Ghana with her organization Sexual Assault Africa and The Transformation Foundation. This episode is a full celebration of our strength and support across the diaspora. Let's get into it! Until next time, listeners... Resources & Mentions Lupita Nyong'o's excerpts from her New York Times op-ed as cited from Mike Miller's article in People Magazine titled "Lupita Nyong'o Says Harvey Weinstein Asked Her for a Massage" Errin Haines Whack's article "Why so few women of color in the wave of accusers? ‘Stakes higher’'  for WHYY Lawretta Egba's article "Lupita Nyong’o Speaks up for “Broken” Women; Calls for “Healing” at Variety Power of Women Luncheon" for Face2Face Africa  Rachel Markham's book Transformation Rachel's Nonprofit Recommendations: The Boring Talkative, a Ghanian NGO focused on equality, consent, sexual and gender-based violence The Brotar Foundation, a Ghanian NGO focused on on mental health awareness Power to Girls, a Greater Toronto Area and Ghana-based nonprofit focused on Black and marginalized girls with programming and support in personal development, mentorship, mental health and wellness. Follow them on IG here: @power2girlsgh About the Spotlight Initiative Florence Keya's organization Together for Girls Wangu Kanja Foundation  Women's Media Center-'s “#AmINext: South African women push back” in honor of Uyinene Mrwetyana The New Humanitarian's article about the rise of violence against women in Sudan Mukwege Foundation- Survivor network in Nigeria press release  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 6m

  2. 09/11/2025

    The Hum of Rage: Healing Through Gullah Igala Roots and Self-Discovery with Lori Johnson

    On this episode of The Unwanted Sorority, we are honoring the groundbreaking legacy of Ida B. Wells-Barnett, whose investigative journalism exposed the ties between racial terror and sexual violence in the South, laying a foundation for future generations of survivor-advocates. Our Roll Call guest, Lori Johnson, shares her own story of survival and healing. Growing up in NYC and moving to the South, Lori experienced family instability and within the strict teachings of the Jehovah’s Witness faith, Lori carried shame and trauma for years. Today, she traces her healing journey back to her Gullah Igala cultural and ancestral roots, where spirituality, community, and history become sources of strength. If you’ve ever felt unseen in your story, this episode reminds you: your survival is sacred, your healing is valid, and you are not alone. Resources & Mentions Ida B. Wells-Barnett's Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All its Phases - Oct. 5, 1892, from the archives of The New York Public Library The Bill of Rights Institute's curriculum assignment Ida B. Wells and the Campaign against Lynching Mary E. Triece's book, Radical Advocate: Ida B. Wells and the Road to Race and Gender Justice, featured on The University of Alabama Press's website Amb Ayegba Abdullahi Adojoh's article "A Study of the Cultural Relationship between Igala (Igula) Kingdom of Nigeria and Gullah People of North America" in the International Journal of Trend in Research and Development, Volume 9(5), ISSN: 2394-9333 RAINN (800-656-HOPE) Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 29m

  3. 09/04/2025

    Being a Survivor, It's Not the Biggest Thing About Us with Dom

    In this episode of The Unwanted Sorority, Leatra honors Rosa Parks’s lesser-known role as an NAACP sexual assault investigator and her advocacy for Recy Taylor, tying their courage to today’s movement and this episode's Roll Call guest. She also speaks with Dom, who shares how therapy, storytelling, and community have been central to reclaiming power after trauma. In Unpacking the Ritual, Leatra names patterns many Black women and femme survivors will recognize: the adultification of Black girls, stonewalling, and dissociation. Inspired by Dom's interview, Leatra works to reframe self-care as accountability, love, and liberation. Join the conversation: @theunwantedsorority on IG/TikTok. Resources and Mentions Ryan Mattimore's article for History.com "Before the Bus, Rosa Parks Was a Sexual Assault Investigator: Why has History Left Out This Piece of Rosa Parks' Story?" Laura L. Rogers (Deputy Director for Office of Violence Against Women): National African American History Month: Remembering Rosa Parks’ Work to Address Sexual Assault Tell Me More (Podcast on NPR): Hidden Pattern Of Rape Helped Stir Civil Rights Movement "The Black Girlhood Studies Collection" by Aria S. Halliday Ellie Lisitsa's article for Gottman.com "The Four Horsemen: Stonewalling" Tonjie Reese's blog post for California Partnership to End Domestic Violence "The War Against Black Girls: Addressing the adultification bias" RAINN (800-656-HOPE) DoD Safe Helpline (877-995-5247) Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 17m

  4. 08/28/2025

    Honoring Vanessa Guillen, Denisha Montgomery, and LaVena Johnson: On Military Sexual Trauma

    In this week's bonus episode, we cover a brief introduction to military sexual violence and military sexual trauma, and highlight a few notable cases that have either set a precedent for progress in terms of the military's response to individual cases or reinforced the instinct of silence for others. In doing so, we honor the stories of Vanessa Guillen and he family's fight for justice, as well as Denisha Montgomery and LaVena Johnson, whose families are still seeking answers today. Resources and Mentions  President Biden's Executive Order, 2022 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial [link found using the Wayback Machine, as the original link has been deactivated on WhiteHouse.Gov; original link last accessible January 20, 2025 at 16:35:32] FedWeek's article "Court Says Military Members Can Sue Others in Uniform" Liz Jassin's article about Denisha Montgomery "Family believes woman was murdered during deployment" Combat Sexual Assault  Marielle Pdilla on the Feres Doctrine "The 19th Explains: How a recent court opinion could clear the way for military sexual assault survivors to find justice" U.S. Department of Defense, "DOD, Services Moving Ahead on Recommendations to Combat Sexual Assault" Fort Hood Independent Review- Timeline Stanford University Library- Say Their Names exhibit: LaVena Johnson Team Ebony of EBONY Magazine's article "The Sexual Trauma of Black Female Veterans" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min

  5. 08/21/2025

    Stepping In to Change Rape Culture with Dr. Taylor Waits

    Join us on a journey in this episode as we get ready to head back-to-school all across the United States, as Dr. Leatra Tate pays tribute to the groundbreaking work of The Combahee River Collective. The episode also features a compelling conversation with Dr. Taylor Waits, co-founder of #ChangeRapeCulture, who shares her journey in advocating for survivors of sexual violence-- particularly those who are queer, Black, and marginalized-- and describes her organization's impactful work. Tune in to hear their efforts to continue the legacy of activism inspired by the Combahee River Collective. Resources and Mentions The Combahee River Collective Statement Maddie Khaw's Boston Globe article "We Were Building Tables: Demita Frazier Reflects on Influential Black Feminist Collective" The Combahee River Collective's pamphlet titled, "Eleven Black Women Why Did They Die?" Dr. Mariana Brandman's Massachusetts Women's History Center article "The Combahee River Collective: Pioneers of Intersectional Feminism"  Dr. Taylor Waits and Kimiya Factory- #ChangeRapeCulture website #ChangeRapeCulture- Instagram archive Jon Marcus' NPR article "While Women Outnumber Men on Campus, Their Later Earnings Remain Stuck" Women's Sports Foundation's article "Title IX and the Rise of Female Athletes in America" American Association of University Women's (AAUW) article "AAUW Condemns Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education" The NAACP's Legal Defense Fund article "The Trump Administration's Attack on the Department of Education, Explained: What Students and Parents Need to Know" The Clery Center's explanation of the Violence Against Women Act Advocates for Youth's Know Your IX program- including a Title IX advocacy toolkit U.S. Department of Education- Office for Civil Rights, File a Complaint (general information page) RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 48m

  6. 08/14/2025

    Tending the Garden: Understanding the Life Work of Healing with Jimanekia Eborn, Part II

    Aaaaand we're back with part two of our two-episode tribute to Professor Anita Hill. In this episode we dive more into her continued legacy and the significance of Kimberlé Crenshaw in the intersectional fight against sexual violence Leatra also shares Jimanekia Eborn's Grad Chapter Corner, catching up on how she's been over the past two years since they recorded her interview. Resources & Mentions Meet Anita Hill Aamna Mohdin’s article from The Guardian- Kimberlé Crenshaw: The Woman Who Revolutionised Feminism – and Landed at the Heart of the Culture Wars DeNeen L. Brown’s article from The Washington Post- The Scathing Ad 1,600 Black Women Bought to Oppose Clarence Thomas Twitter post from author Tayari Jones, a Black woman who donated to the ad The Shirley Chisholm Project’s article celebrating Anita Hill’s documentary release Anita Hill's books, Speaking Truth to Power (1998), Reimagining Equality: Stories of Gender, Race, and Finding Home (2012), and Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence (2022) Jimanekia Eborn's nonprofit, Tending the Garden. Looking to join the survivor space? Check it out here Catch Jimanekia hosting the following upcoming events: 1. CINTIMA's first annual Flicker Festival, a first-of-its-kind curated international festival celebrating intimate storytelling in film, learn more here and 2. Link to Tending the Garden's programming, created to help you "explore a safe, supportive space offering tools, workshops, and connections to help you thrive."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min

  7. 08/07/2025

    Anita Hill Wasn’t Alone: Honoring Black Survivors, Then and Now with Jimanekia Eborn, Part I

    On this week's episode of The Unwanted Sorority, host Dr. Leatra Tate, kicks off a two-part tribute to Professor Anita Hill, unpacking her life before the infamous hearings and situating her story within the broader movement to end sexual violence against Black women. Leatra is also joined by Jimanekia Eborn, known to many as The Trauma Queen—a nationally recognized Sexual Assault & Trauma Expert, Trauma Media Consultant, and Comprehensive Sex Educator. Together, they dig deep into the emotional labor of "the work" (whatever that actually means), why grief work is part of survivor work, and the responsibility of showing up for yourself and taking care of yourself. Tune in for part one of this essential series— and come back next week as we return to Anita Hill's story and catch up with Jimanekia, two years after her original appearance on the show.  Resources & Mentions Scott Neuman and Lexie Schapitl’s NPR article- Congress rolls back $9 billion in public media funding and foreign aid Cory Turner on NPR’s article- How Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Will Be Remembered Meet Anita Hill Jimanekia Eborn's nonprofit, Tending the Garden. Looking to join the survivor space? Check it out here Catch Jimanekia hosting the following upcoming events: 1. "Tell Me What You Like" book talk with author Katie Simon at Pleasure Chest Los Angeles (August 8th), 2. "Grief as a Survivor" virtual class with SheBop (August 12th), 3. CINTIMA's first annual Flicker Festival, a first-of-its-kind curated international festival celebrating intimate storytelling in film, learn more here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 14m

  8. 07/31/2025 · BONUS

    The History They Don’t Teach: Black Organizing Against Sexual Assault

    This bonus episode of The Unwanted Sorority traces the rich but often overlooked history of Black American resistance to sexual violence, beyond the headlines and hashtags. Host, Dr. Leatra Tate guides listeners through more than a century of organizing, from post-Emancipation community protection practices and the anti-lynching work of the early 1900s to the radical abolitionist frameworks of the 2000s. We explore how Black survivors and organizers redefined safety in the face of state neglect and criminalization, building power through mutual aid, political education, and healing justice. We’ll also touch on the rise of digital movements like #MeToo and #MuteRKelly to reinforce why today’s advocacy demands more than carceral solutions. Featuring a brief historical analysis and cultural commentary, this episode is a reminder that we’ve been building this road to liberation for generations. Let’s take this introduction as an invitation to keep moving forward. Resources & Mentions The Sojourner Truth We Know is a Lie Fannie Lou Hamer- "Nobody's Free Until Everybody's Free" Tulane University’s All In Program- Timeline of the History of Sexual Violence in the U.S. "1866 to 2020: Black Women Have Always Led the Sexual Assault Awareness Movement" Article on the Free Joan Little Campaign Article & Artifact- African American Women in Defense of Ourselves Profiles- Nkenge Touré and Loretta Ross Kenyette Tisha Barnes and Oronike Odeleye, #MuteRKelly movement co-founders me too. Healing Resource Library RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
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The Unwanted Sorority explores the personal and collective experiences of Black women, femmes, and gender expansive folks impacted by sexual violence.. Through survivor stories, cultural analysis, and historical context, host Dr. Leatra Tate breaks down the barriers Black women face in seeking justice, healing, and systemic change. With empathy, honesty, and a focus on advocacy, The Unwanted Sorority creates a space for listeners to witness, learn, and take action toward building a safer, more equitable future.

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  • Years Active
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  • Episodes
    15
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    The Unwanted Sorority