Black people have always valued knowledge—through books, through songs, through music, and even through memory. In this fireside reflection, Ama-Robin explores why reading has always been a form of resistance and an expression of joy, why storytelling matters, the importance of music, drumming, dance, and other forms of communication and repositories of knowledge. Most importantly, she discusses how we can reclaim literacy without centering whiteness.

In this powerful fireside chat, Ama-Robin reflects on the deep connection between Black identity and literacy—from surviving enslavement to resisting erasure in today’s classrooms.

✨ Featuring reflections on:

• Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

• The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton

• The Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson

• “Grandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers

• Ancient African knowledge systems, oral traditions, and storytelling

• The continued power of Black bookstores and community wisdom

🎧 Topics include:

• Why Black literacy is liberation

• Why storytelling has always been a valid, powerful form of knowledge

• How we preserve memory in books, music, rhythm, and ritual

• How we can reclaim literacy without centering whiteness

📍 Recorded in honor of our beloved ancestors—and Doug Lofton, whose spirit lives in every story shared.

🖤 Stay curious. Stay rooted. Stay free.

In this story, we will step inside a Black-owned bookstore. Feel the warmth. Hear the conversations. Smell the books and the spice of chai in the air. This isn’t just a shop—it’s a sanctuary, a meeting place, a revolution in the making. In this story-driven episode, I take you inside a Black bookstore where knowledge is resistance, elders share wisdom, and a single quote can change everything.

Let’s explore what makes Black bookstores more than bookstores—they are home.

Hujambo community, and welcome to Espresso Talk today.

Today I'll be guiding you through a heartfelt reflection as we close out Black History Month. We'll start by grounding ourselves in the wisdom of our ancestors and celebrating the lessons, stories, and triumphs we've explored this month. Dr. Carter G. Woodson's vision for Black History Month serves as a reminder of the power in knowing our history.

Asante sana for being on this journey with me.

Let’s continue to honor, celebrate, and make Black history every day 🌍🕯️.

#blackempowerment #podcast #blackculture #corevalues #blackvalues #blackhistory #espressochatswithamarobin #espressotalktoday #shorts #youtubeshorts #dreammeanings #dreaminterpretation #reels #blackexperience

In this Espresso Talk Today episode, we step into the rich, vibrant world of Black food spaces with the story A Taste of Home. This story is more than a sensory experience—it’s an exploration of how food connects us to our history, our culture, and our sense of belonging.

Through the bustling African-Caribbean marketplace, the aroma of smoked paprika, the warmth of Big Mama’s kitchen, and the lively spirit of a small barbecue shack, A Taste of Home reminds us that food is more than nourishment. It is history, resilience, and love—passed down from generation to generation.

But this episode also takes us Beyond the Story. We reflect on the deeper truths about Black food spaces—how they are often underfunded, over-policed, and dismissed by mainstream narratives. While Black markets, restaurants, and community kitchens are places of safety, joy, and cultural continuity, they are also spaces that white society has historically overlooked, devalued, or deemed “unsafe.”

This is why we must protect and uplift Black food spaces. They are more than places to eat—they are cultural sanctuaries. They are where our elders are respected, where our children can feel at home, and where our history is alive in every spice, every dish, every gathering.

As you listen to this episode, I invite you to reflect:

• What foods make you feel at home?
• What Black food spaces in your community need your support?
• How can we ensure that these spaces remain vibrant and thriving for future generations?

This episode is a love letter to Black food, the Black community, and Black history.

Because Black food is Black history. And Black history must always be honored, protected, and celebrated.

🔥 Listen now and celebrate the history, flavors, and power of Black food culture.

Hujambo fam and Akwaaba (welcome!). Join me as I take you on a journey into my dream where I sit with great Black figures like Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, and Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Together, we discuss the significance of Black history, and the importance of reclaiming our narratives and lighting the way for future generations. ✨💡

In this episode, you’ll experience a historical roundtable discussion, a traditional libation ceremony, and a moment of reflection.

We will also go "beyond the story" to the deeper story of Black History Month and how we can use it as a tool for Black empowerment.

Tune in and discover how honoring our past can empower our present and shape our future. 🌍🕯️

#BlackHistory #Legacy #Inspiration #BlackCulture #DreamMeanings #Dreams

What connects you to your history? For Ama-Robin, it was a wooden map of Africa that hung in my childhood home—a powerful symbol of identity, pride, and resilience.

In this episode, Ama-Robin shares a deeply personal story about how this map, despite being ridiculed, became a source of strength and a reminder of the greatness of Black history.

We’ll reflect on the power of symbols, the lessons of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and the importance of reclaiming our stories.

Join me for storytelling, a cultural cleansing ritual, and a moment of quiet reflection to honor our connection to Black history—not just this month, but every day.

Tune in to feel empowered and supported—no one goes it alone here 🌍🕯️.

Take a deep breath… and let’s begin.

Actionable Steps:

Reflect on the symbols in your life that connect you to your history, participate in our cleansing ritual, and share this episode with someone who might need it.✨

Western society glorifies rugged individualism, but in the Black community, we know the truth—our power has always been collective. From Black Wall Street to the Black Panther Party, from HBCUs to our multigenerational families, we have built, protected, and uplifted each other through shared core values like unity, self-determination, and collective responsibility.

Yet, these values have been ignored—or worse, attacked—by a society that fears our strength.

In this episode, we confront this erasure and celebrate the Black collectives that have shaped our past, empowered our present, and will define our future.

Join me, Ama-Robin, as we uncover how collective core values fuel Black empowerment and liberation—and why we should honor, support, and defend them now more than ever. ✊🏾🔥

🎧 Listen now and tap into the power of your community. #BlackEmpowerment #CollectiveStrength #CoreValues

What are core values? Why should I care about them?

Core values aren’t just a “white thing”—they’re the foundation of Black empowerment.

In this episode, Black empowerment educator Ama-Robin explores how our core values are challenged and undermined in a world that often questions our humanity. She's talking directly to the skeptics, showing how core values ground us, guide us, and help us live authentically and unapologetically. Plus, we break down 4 essential steps to defining and living by your values.

This isn’t about resolutions or goals—it’s about building a life rooted in truth, strength, and liberation.

Tune in and discover why core values are your most powerful tool for empowerment.

How to Start the Core Values Work

1. Reflect: Spend some quiet time thinking about what matters most to you. What principles do you want to live by? Write them down.
2. Test Them: Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did your values guide you—or not? What would you do differently?
3. Live Them: Start aligning your daily actions with your values. This is a practice, not a one-time thing.
4. Revisit Often: Your values might evolve as you grow. That’s okay. Check in regularly to make sure they still fit.