https://traffic.libsyn.com/downsouth/Adena_White_Full_Episode_Audio.mp3 In this engaging conversation, Stacy Reece and Adena White explore the significance of storytelling, cultural identity, and the importance of sharing Black Southern narratives. Adena shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in Arkansas to becoming a storyteller and podcaster, emphasizing the need for authentic representation of Southern voices. They discuss the challenges of code switching, the impact of family heritage, and the importance of encouraging future generations to embrace their roots while exploring the world around them. Takeaways Adena emphasizes the importance of storytelling in sharing Black Southern experiences. The podcast Black Belt Media was born out of a desire to tell underrepresented stories. Cultural identity and heritage play a significant role in shaping personal narratives. Code switching is a common experience for many, reflecting the complexities of identity. The conversation highlights the need for authentic representation in media. Adena encourages young people to explore their identities and not be afraid to branch out. Family and community roots are essential in shaping who we are. The importance of having open conversations about race and identity is emphasized. Adena reflects on her college experience as a first-generation student. The discussion underscores the value of mentorship and guidance for younger generations. Titles The Power of Storytelling Navigating Code Switching Sound Bites "We need to tell those stories." "You have time, don't rush it." "Be true to yourself." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Connection 02:56 Adena's Background and Family 06:04 Roots and Heritage in Arkansas 09:06 The Birth of Black Belt Media 11:59 Podcast Journey and Challenges 14:55 Cultural Reflections and Racial Reckoning 17:52 The Importance of Storytelling 21:00 Navigating Identity and Code Switching 24:03 Experiences in College and Beyond 27:08 Advice for the Younger Generation 29:59 Hopes for Future Generations Stacy Reece (00:06.304) Adena White, I am so happy to have you on my podcast. And thank you for making time to see us. I was telling you on the phone the other day how I learned about you. And my husband had been on the podcast called Pull Up a Chair with Leo Cummings, the Thoid. And actually I had discovered him and I said, Adena White (00:27.321) Mm -hmm. Yes. Stacy Reece (00:35.028) I have got to get Chuck on Leo's podcast. said, those two will talk each other into little greasy spots. And they did. And then, and the funniest thing is, like, I don't really have a lot of time to listen to podcasts. And so was listening to one and then my podcast player just randomly picked, pull up a chair with you as the guest. And so I thought, okay, I'll just listen to Leo comes to see what he's up to. And, and he started talking about this person and he couldn't remember his name. Adena White (00:55.417) Mm -hmm. cool. Stacy Reece (01:05.044) And I realized it was my husband, you know, from the previous episode, he goes, you gotta meet this guy. And I'm like, I was going, I was yelling in my car in Atlanta traffic. was going, Chuck Reese, Chuck Reese, you know, and he finally figured it out like five minutes later in the, in, in your conversation. But you know, when I was listening to you talk about what you're doing, I thought she's doing exactly what I'm doing. We need to be friends. And so, and so I thought, Adena White (01:13.273) You Adena White (01:18.18) Mm -hmm. Adena White (01:27.535) Yeah. We do! Stacy Reece (01:32.416) what better way to become friends to do a podcast together? So I thought I'm going to get you on here and we've talked a little bit, but I don't know that much about you. I just, I know you, you and I are going to be good friends cause you're good people. And, and, and I want to find out what's going on in Arkansas because, we get a little, you know, like I live right outside of Atlanta. We get a little Atlanta centric, you know, we don't, you sometimes, sometimes it's hard to Adena White (01:44.869) Yes. Adena White (01:58.422) -huh. Stacy Reece (02:00.266) to get out in the South and what you're doing in Arkansas is pretty cool. So I'm gonna start off with my three questions. Who are you? Where are from? And who are your people? Adena White (02:07.459) Thank you. Adena White (02:14.363) Okay, well who am I? am Adena Wise we discussed. I was born and raised in central Arkansas, still live here. I am a middle child, have two sisters and I've been married for, what is it? should know, 17 years to my husband Matthew and we have a new kindergartner, almost six year old and we now have a miniature poodle that we got a month ago. Stacy Reece (02:34.849) Wow. Adena White (02:44.035) So, yes, and so what I, I guess another part of who I am, by trade, I work in PR and communications. So I love, I guess I'm a storyteller. So that's kind of what I do for my work that we'll get into, I'm sure. And also what else? yeah, who are my people? Okay, what was the second one? Was that who are my people? what am I? Stacy Reece (02:44.802) See Stacy Reece (02:53.484) Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (03:04.226) Who are your people? Stacy Reece (03:08.278) Who are you? Where are from? who... Central Arkansas, right? Adena White (03:13.475) Okay, I got those two together. who are my people? Hmm, I think my people are, I like people who are curious, who are thoughtful. And I just named some examples of people. When I think of like, and they're both Southern actually, Brene Brown, I think these are, she's my people. I don't know her, but like just people like her who are thoughtful, authentic, things like that. Stacy Reece (03:32.138) Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Yeah. Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Adena White (03:41.295) You know, by blood, my people have a huge family. My dad's side is pretty scattered because they were in the military, a lot of them. My mom's side is mostly still here in Arkansas. But a huge black southern family. And I already mentioned my family I live with. But yeah, so those are my biological people, but they're also my people people. But just people who fill me up are people who seem to be thoughtful and they think deeply. Stacy Reece (03:45.364) Mm Stacy Reece (03:52.136) Mm -hmm. Yeah. Stacy Reece (04:03.455) -huh. Adena White (04:11.023) They're good listeners. think those are the people that really I like to connect with. And I think you're going to my people too. By the end of this, think you're going to be my people. Yeah. Stacy Reece (04:18.018) I hope so. So you say you come from a big southern family and I came from, I just had a brother, but there were 10 grandchildren and we all had family. And like, I always felt sort of overwhelmed by my family. there were a lot of really big personalities in my family. And it was just sort of, and I guess that's how I learned how to become a good listener is because they were all like, Adena White (04:23.855) Mm -hmm. Adena White (04:35.173) Mm. Adena White (04:44.047) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (04:44.802) you know, they were all vying for attention and I was just trying to stay out of the way. And so, I mean, what was your experience of being in a big family? Adena White (04:49.348) Yes. Adena White (04:54.043) Yeah, in my household, they were just, you know, me and my two sisters and my parents. So we didn't have that bigness. like my dad, he's one of 11 and my mom is one of 11. So like, I can't even count my first cousins. I have no idea how many first cousins I have. And it's so like, but when we when when we get together, you know, it's always just like there's a song's gonna break out. It's gonna be some singing. You like some kind of gospel singing and stuff. And that's always fun. Stacy Reece (05:06.58) Yeah. Stacy Reece (05:21.162) Yeah Adena White (05:24.491) So I think I am pretty introverted, I do like I do like, you know, you know, small gatherings and stuff. But in general, I'm pretty introverted. like, anytime like we can like do some line dances and like sing some gospel songs together, family gatherings, that's always my jam, even though I'm kind of reserved. So, yeah. Stacy Reece (05:32.544) Yeah. Stacy Reece (05:40.638) Mm -hmm. Right. Yeah, I'm introverted too. Yes, like I like, I like people just not all at once. And, and, and, you know, they just kind of wears you out being around all those people, especially like the big personality types. And, you know, so I find it, I find it very troublesome. I can only do large, large gatherings for a short period of time, but we are, my family never did the whole fun line dancing. Adena White (05:48.667) That's it. Adena White (06:04.684) yeah, yeah. Stacy Reece (06:09.792) gospel singing. It was just. It was all just one up in each other and some barbecue, so it was. It's southern. I mean, it's very southern. So is your family been in Arkansas for a long time? Adena White (06:16.189) it's always good though. Murphy, he's always good. Yes. Adena White (06:24.931) Yes, actually my husband does genealogy research. He can tell you exactly when they came. the county where I grew up in Arkansas, some of my ancestors migrated from, I think, Haywood County, Tennessee. He'll probably correct me if he hears this. But Tennessee is where they came from. But this was probably like, you know, late 1800s. And then I think my dad's side, some of came from Mississippi. I have some folks from South Carolina. But it was probably... Stacy Reece (06:38.187) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (06:44.343) Mm -hmm. Stacy Reece (06:48.147) Mm -hmm. Adena White (06:51.865) I as far as settling down here was probably like in the 1800s I believe. So
