We are at the end of Minority Mental Health Month, and what a wonderful way to end this important month and topic on a high note! Mental Talk podcast (Host: Adrienne McCue) sat down with Dr. Antija Allen and Justin T. Stewart, editors and contributing authors of We’re Not OK: Black Faculty Experiences and Higher Education Strategies on the topics surrounding black and BIPOC experiences. We touched on the issues, and many times mental health stressors dealing with belonging in a mostly white institution or work environment. The conversation touched on a range of complex topics such as being seen as competent in the eyes of staff, and students, “code-switching,” racial justice, being the “only one” and a host of strategies needed to move up from Adjunct to a seat at the table where you deservedly belong. If you are in the field of higher education or a professional in tech, law, or any area where diversity isn’t the norm — this is the podcast for you to jot down some tips and learn from others’ experiences who stepped in your shoes. This might not be a comfortable conversation, but, it’s a needed one.
Mental Talk Podcast:
Mental Talk is run by Step Up For Mental Health® and hosted by Adrienne McCue. It’s all about mental health topics of the day, and trying to wake up consciousness that affects families and our society as a whole; everyday families, caregivers, and persons who are living with a mental health disorder. The podcast will be between 15–45 minutes long.
Where to Listen: Google Podcasts
About Dr. Antija Allen
Dr. Antija Allen is the Director of the Pellissippi Academic Center for Excellence (PACE) and a tenured Assistant Professor of Psychology at Pellissippi State Community College with two decades of experience as an educator. She was the 2021-2022 recipient of the Roger Crowe Excellence in Teaching award and is certified in both DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and online teaching. Antija championed Pellissippi Academy’s Emotional Intelligence cohort successfully for 2 years and served as the 2019-2021 PACE Faculty Fellow for First Year Experience where she led faculty development around Open Educational Resources for the purpose of eliminating the financial and academic challenges not having access to course materials poses. Antija was selected by the Tennessee Board of Regents to be a 2021-2022 Maxine Smith leadership fellow; her cohort developed a toolkit of best practices for Black male: student success, faculty recruitment and faculty retention in public higher education. Dr. Allen is the Owner of Allen Ivy Prep Consulting (www.AllenIvyPrep.org), which specializes in career coaching and professional development. Antija’s recent publications include a chapter on Academic Freedom in Classroom Discussions and a bestselling edited collection entitled, We’re Not OK: Black Faculty Experiences and Higher Education Strategies. This Cambridge University Press publication discusses promoting mental health, diversity recruitment, faculty retention, and fostering an inclusive environment for Black faculty. It was book of the month for the society of diversity and recommended by the Journal of Blacks in higher education, Diverse: Issues in higher education, Teaching in higher ed, and several DEI experts. In the past, Antija functioned as senior project staff and primary curriculum designer on adult education training teams that supported New York Human Resource Administration policy initiatives. Dr. Allen has a rich history of developing and delivering numerous engaging professional development workshops/trainings both virtually and face to face at numerous institutions and conferences. In addition, she has led and conducted research on several topics at NYU, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Teachers College Columbia University. Dr. Allen earned her BA in Psychology from Neumann University and MA in Psychology from Pepperdine University. Most recently, Antija has returned to Columbia University Teachers College where she earned her EdD in Adult Learning & Leadership to teach as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in their Summer Principals Academy, educating aspiring school leaders.
About Justin T. Stewart:
Justin T. Stewart is a Risk Management analyst in corporate banking, a faculty career coach at Allen Ivy Prep Consulting, and former entertainment journalist. Justin has worked in multiple industries including higher education, career services and corporate banking. These experiences, including being a member of minority networks such as BOLD (Black Organizers, Leaders, and Doers) has exposed him to diverse individuals, cultures and perspectives, enabling him to share the stories of those he has encountered. Since his days as an adolescent, Justin has gravitated towards literature, transforming into a passion to become a storyteller. Alongside his colleague Dr. Allen, We’re Not OK is an opportunity to shine a light on racial disparities and continue conversations that can lead to a meaningful and progressive shift in diversity, equity and inclusion. Justin earned his B.A. in Journalism from Clark Atlanta University.
