This Conversation Matters

Sheree Curry
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  • Society & Culture

This Conversation Matters is a weekly show about the social issues shaping our communities and our lives — from race and inequality to justice, economic opportunity and overall well-being. Hosted by Sheree R. Curry, each episode features thoughtful conversations with experts and people with lived experience, helping us better understand why these issues matter in our everyday lives.

  1. 5d ago

    How Black Cartoonists Changed America's Comics Pages | Barbara Brandon-Croft

    Black faces weren't always part of the comic strips found in mainstream American newspapers. In this episode speaks with the first Black woman cartoonist to achieve national syndication in the United States, Barbara Brandon-Croft. With This Conversation Matters host Sheree R. Curry, Barbara reflects on the pioneering legacy of her father, Brumsic Brandon Jr., creator of Luther, and her own groundbreaking comic strip, Where I'm Coming From. For video, follow on YouTube @ShereeCurryMedia This Conversation Matters episode also discusses the evolution of Black representation in mainstream newspapers, the power of comics to reflect everyday life, and how a generation of cartoonists helped broaden who readers saw on the comics page. Barbara also shares her journey from fashion journalism and magazine publishing to becoming a syndicated cartoonist whose work centered the voices and experiences of Black women. From Luther to Where I'm Coming From, this conversation explores family legacy, media representation, and the artists who helped draw a more complete picture of America. Guest: Barbara Brandon-Croft Host: Sheree R. Curry #ThisConversationMatters #BarbaraBrandonCroft #ComicStrips #Comics #Journalism #BlackHistory #Representation #Storytelling Chapters 00:00 Pioneering Black Cartoonists07:16 Challenges in the Journalism Industry15:24 Transition to Cartooning and Syndication26:21 Breaking into the Syndicates35:24 Historical Context and Impact47:01 The Book and Retrospective Exhibit53:34 Influence and LegacyBONUS: McCall Vickers "Beyond The Story" interview with Samantha HoangLong

    54 min

  2. May 28 ·  Bonus

    Black Men Teaching: Challenging Unconscious Bias

    What happens when students see Black men as teachers instead of stereotypes? Watch full episode. In this clip, Black Men Teach CEO Markus Flynn explains how representation in classrooms can challenge unconscious bias and reshape how students see leadership, race and themselves. For the full episode, follow on YouTube @ShereeCurryMedia Takeaways Media portrayal of Black menImpact of Black male teachers

    22 sec

  3. May 27

    Why Every Child Benefits From Black Male Teachers

    In this conversation, host Sheree Curry speaks with Markus Flynn, CEO of Black Men Teach, about the urgent need for more Black male teachers in elementary school classrooms and the lasting impact they have on students of all backgrounds. Flynn shares his own unexpected path from studying epidemiology to becoming a classroom teacher and education leader, while reflecting on the power of representation, mentorship and belief in young people. The conversation explores how Black Men Teach is building a pipeline of future educators, supporting current teachers and helping reshape the narrative around who belongs in the classroom. Takeaways Diversity in the ClassroomImpact of Black Male Teachers Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Teaching07:33 Building a Supportive Environment13:00 The Importance of Black Male Teachers34:21 Supporting the Mission of Black Men Teach Visit Black Men Teach on the web at https://www.blackmenteach.org/ Subscribe to This Conversation Matters on YouTube @ShereeCurryMedia or follow where ever you find your podcasts.

    44 min

  4. May 20

    Our Sister Vanished Without a Trace: The Unsolved Story of Athena Joy Curry

    In this conversation, host Sheree Curry speaks with her sister, Aisha Curry Magee, about the disappearance of their younger sister, Athena Curry, who has been missing since 2011. Together, they discuss domestic violence, the lack of attention often given to missing Black women, grief, trauma, and the hope that one day Athena’s unsolved case will finally be resolved. Takeaways Impact of Athena's DisappearanceTrauma of Reliving the StoryDomestic violence warning signsThe emotional impact of unresolved griefRaising King and Athena's LegacyRole of Law EnforcementNeed for Legislative Change Chapters 00:00 Role of Law Enforcement and Legislative Change

    48 min

  5. May 13 ·  Bonus

    Segregation in Alabama Schools in the 1950s

    This short promo conversation with the host's Mother covers the experience Vera Curry-James had when there was segregation in Alabama schools. Hear her full story in Episode 7 "Integration Is Like a Salad: My Mom on Growing Up in the Segregated South." Subscribe where you find your podcasts or follow on YouTube @ShereeCurryMedia Takeaways Segregation in schoolsImpact of civil rights movement

    1 min

  6. May 13

    “Integration Is Like a Salad”: My Mom on Growing Up in the Segregated South

    In this conversation, host Sheree Curry speaks with her mom, Vera Curry James, who reflects on growing up Black in segregated Alabama during the Jim Crow era and later attending an integrated school in Chicago. Vera discusses how those experiences shaped her career as an educator, her life as a mother, and her deep belief in the importance of integration, equality and belonging. Takeaways Diversity in EducationThe Importance of Integration

    42 min

  7. May 10 ·  Bonus

    Gov. Tim Walz on the Appeal of Fishing in Minnesota

    Mother's Day weekend is also the fishing opener weekend in Minnesota. This promo highlights a 2025 conversation, I had with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who discusses the appeal of fishing as a lifetime sport and the investment in outdoor infrastructure in Minnesota. He highlights the high percentage of citizens with fishing licenses and the year-round fishing opportunities available. Additionally, he emphasizes the various fishing opportunities and access, including dock fishing and the importance of investing in outdoor infrastructure for the protection of fish species. Takeaways Fishing as a lifetime sportInvestment in outdoor infrastructure See more conversations @ShereeCurryMedia

    1 min

  8. May 10 ·  Bonus

    Passion and Pride in Farming

    In this promo for the full Farm Life episode, we speak with farmer Erica Sawatzke, who shares her deep connection to the land and the passion she has for passing down this legacy to future generations. She shows pride in owning and maintaining the land, and the responsibility farmers feel in feeding people. Hear the full podcast @ShereeCurryMedia: https://youtu.be/CLw7L763G8w

    1 min
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About

This Conversation Matters is a weekly show about the social issues shaping our communities and our lives — from race and inequality to justice, economic opportunity and overall well-being. Hosted by Sheree R. Curry, each episode features thoughtful conversations with experts and people with lived experience, helping us better understand why these issues matter in our everyday lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Sheree Curry
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sheree Curry