In this final episode of Season 1, Jen talks with Dr. Enkeshi El-Amin, a sociologist of race and place teaching at the University of Tennessee. Enkeshi is the founder of The Bottom, a community event space that includes a Black book shop, a community podcast studio, and Sew It Sell It, a program that teaches sewing and entrepreneurial skills to children between the ages of 12 and 16. Enkeshi is also the co-host and producer of the Black in Appalachia podcast. Originally from Guyana, Enkeshi talks about her journey from South America to Atlanta to New York and what brought her to Tennessee. She shares about how her experiences of feeling out of place in Knoxville combined with her doctoral research inspired her to create The Bottom. Most history classes in mainstream, public education teach a white-washed version of history, which leaves out the experiences and perspectives of marginalized people groups. Enkeshi talks about learning this white version of American history growing up in Atlanta and then learning another version, centered in Black experience, in college and grad school. She shares her hope that the Black in Appalachia podcast can provide some of this education to young Black folks in our region. Also a mom to an almost three-year-old, Enkeshi describes the ways her husband and her community have supported her in her endeavors and how that sense of community is essential to finding ways to thrive despite the systemic racism that plagues our country. Support The Bottom. Buy Books at The Bottom. Learn more and connect at insisterhoodpod.com. Become a Patron and join the conversation! Support Insisterhood at patreon.com/insisterhood.

Jade Adams is the owner of Oglewood Ave, a modern houseplant boutique which combines the art of interior design with the science of plants. As the owner of Jade Adams Photography, she specializes in capturing milestones and experiences as a wedding photographer. Since weddings and events got cancelled, postponed, or scaled back due to COVID, Jade found herself selling some of her houseplants and Oglewood Ave was born. Jade talks about the tragic accident that inspired her to shoot for her dreams, how her Instagram account exploded with nearly 8,000 followers in just five months, preparing for her shop’s grand opening, and what it’s like being plant mom to 300 houseplants. A self-described wild child who just can’t sit still, Jade shares how taking care of her plants actually helps her take care of herself. Oglewood Ave is located at 3524 North Broadway in Knoxville. Learn more and connect at insisterhoodpod.com. Become a Patron and join the conversation! Support Insisterhood at patreon.com/insisterhood.

Ashley Dawn Addair is a visual artist with a deep well of questions and a hunger for clarity. She describes her work as a “primal coping response” and her process of creating as an embodied improvisation. After her first art show sold out, she abandoned her pragmatic goal of becoming a teacher to travel with her partner and turn her hobby of painting into a source of income. In this conversation, Ashley explores the cognitive dissonance she holds between freedom and groundedness and between owning a business and wondering if we really need any more stuff in this world. She also talks about homeschooling her three young kids, being a partner, and applying for grad school. She shares about her struggles with imposter syndrome and how she’s working to set clear boundaries while dismantling those that are outmoded or not useful. Ashley knows it’s time to reimagine our world and she shares what really matters—love and relationships.

Insisterhood Season 1 is winding down. Only two more episodes left before we press pause until 2021. Learn more and connect at insisterhoodpod.com.