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Everyday Conversations on Race

Everyday Conversations on Race

By: simma Lieberman
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Everyday Conversations on Race brings people together across race and culture for open comfortable conversations about race in a casual setting to bring race to the people. Our mission is to disrupt the way race is talked about, break racial silos and have a global impact on how people see each other.Copyright by 2018-2024 by Simma Lieberman Economics Social Sciences
Episodes
  • What Happens When a White Neighbor Writes a Black Woman's Story?

    What Happens When a White Neighbor Writes a Black Woman's Story?
    Mar 8 2026
    What happens when two neighbors—one Black, one white—move beyond small talk and start sharing their real stories? In this episode, Simma talks with Sandra Eggleston and Bill Byrne, whose unlikely friendship led to the book MLK to Brother Ray: A Woman's Adventure of Social Transformation, Political Revolution, and Personal Affirmation. Sandra spent four decades as a United Airlines flight attendant during a time when the U.S. was being reshaped by the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Movement. Along the way she met cultural icons, witnessed historic events, and navigated racism and sexism in ways many younger Americans have never heard about firsthand. Bill, her white neighbor in Virginia, started hearing Sandra's stories around neighborhood gatherings. The more he listened, the more he realized these weren't just personal memories—they were living history. What began as curiosity turned into a book and a friendship that changed how he sees the world. Their conversation with Simma explores how stories build understanding, why personal relationships matter in conversations about race, and how history still shapes our lives today. PS- I did not want this conversation to end, and neither will you. Key Moments 00:00 – Simma introduces the show and the guests 03:00 – How Sandra and Bill became neighbors and friends 05:30 – Why Bill decided to write a book about Sandra 09:00 – Sandra's connection to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 13:30 – Growing up during segregation and the Civil Rights era 17:30 – Sandra's early experience as a Black flight attendant in the South 24:00 – How writing the book changed Bill's understanding of race and history 29:30 – Why personal stories matter more than statistics 34:30 – What meaningful cross-race friendships can teach us 40:30 – Books, music, and stories that help people understand each other 47:00 – Final reflections on relationships, history, and change About the Guests Biography of book's subject: Sandra Eggleston MLK to Brother Ray, A woman's adventure of social transformation, political revolution and personal affirmation, tells the story of Sandra Eggleston. "Sandee" came of age during a time of revolution. Regardless of the challenge, she found her way forward, often guiding those close to her along the way. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Godmother. Colleague. A platoon sergeant on the front lines of both the civil rights and women's liberation movements. Her journey took her to international jazz festivals, Caribbean beaches, and across the country in an MGB convertible. Sandee met political power brokers, sports superstars and music legends. She survived plane crashes, murder trials, and cancer, experiencing the full spectrum of life's joys and sorrows, from weddings and Christenings to divorce. Sandee's life experiences combined with the author's research into their historical context challenge the reader to move beyond a superficial debate of today's controversies. Stories from her home and workplace bring an intimate and compelling perspective to the social and political upheaval of the 1960s and 70s. The struggles and the victories. The heartbreaks, and the healing power of family, friendship, and faith. About the Author: Bill Byrne MLK to Brother Ray is the author's third and most recent writing project. Previous books include the science fiction thriller Total Immersion and the memoir, How Long Does It Take to Catch a Fish? Four lifelong friends find themselves trapped in a high-tech, virtual reality adventure of life and death in Total Immersion. How Long Does It Take to Catch a Fish is a collection of stories about fathers and sons and sons and fathers. It explores how dads and their male offspring can be understood as two sides of the same coin, - unique yet intertwined, shaping one another across generations. The author is a career switcher from technology marketing to education. He resides with his wife (also a teacher!) in Northern Virginia. They travel often to visit their children's growing families in Brooklyn and Florida. When not writing, he enjoys running and playing the fiddle. More information can be found at MLKtoBrotherRay.com Book Mentioned MLK to Brother Ray: A Woman's Adventure of Social Transformation, Political Revolution, and Personal Affirmation by Bill Byrne Available on Amazon More information: MLKtoBrotherRay.com Why This Conversation Matters Many people today know the Civil Rights Movement only through textbooks and headlines. Sandra lived it. Bill discovered it through listening. Their friendship shows what can happen when people take the time to hear each other's stories—something Simma has been encouraging through her work and this podcast for years. Connect with Simma Lieberman Need a speaker, facilitator, or dialogue leader who helps people talk with each other—not past each other? Contact Simma: simma@simmalieberman.com Learn more and ...
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    47 mins
  • Do We Still Need to Talk About Race?

    Do We Still Need to Talk About Race?
    Feb 19 2026
    In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, host Simma Lieberman welcomes Verna Williams, CEO of Equal Justice Works, former law professor, and former dean, for a powerful conversation about race, justice, and access to legal representation in America. Verna explains why race remains a necessary topic—not to assign personal blame, but to understand how systems shaped by slavery and segregation continue to influence opportunity and social hierarchy today. She reflects on growing up in the Washington, DC and Maryland area, attending both predominantly white and predominantly Black schools. Those experiences sharpened her awareness of being "different" and highlighted how segregated many of our lives still are. Even today, she encounters moments when someone tells her she is the first Black person they've had a meaningful conversation with—evidence of how separation persists. As CEO of Equal Justice Works—the nation's largest postgraduate public-interest legal fellowship program—Verna works to address a staggering reality: 92% of low-income people's civil legal needs go unmet. She explains how civil legal problems such as eviction, wage garnishment, loss of benefits, and family instability create economic insecurity and can even lead to involvement in the criminal legal system. Unlike criminal cases, there is no guaranteed right to counsel in high-stakes civil matters, leaving millions to navigate life-altering situations alone. Verna describes how Equal Justice Works partners with law firms, corporations, and foundations to fund fellowships that send lawyers into underserved communities. She highlights the organization's Disaster Resilience Program, created after Hurricane Katrina, which helps communities navigate FEMA claims, insurance issues, document replacement, and preparedness planning. She also shares her personal journey—from broadcast journalism to law—motivated by fairness and shaped by the civil rights and women's rights movements. Her career has included work on voting rights, women's rights, veterans' benefits, and debt collection reform. She also argued—and won—a 5–4 U.S. Supreme Court case establishing that schools must address known student-on-student sexual harassment under Title IX. The conversation explores immigration representation, reports of ICE detentions at court hearings, and practical ways non-lawyers can help—through translation, court accompaniment, and local volunteer efforts. Verna encourages listeners to stay informed through reputable sources, vote, and engage locally in school boards and city councils. She also shares personal reflections on music and film—and clarifies her role as Michelle Obama's oral historian during the early White House years, after the two were law school classmates. This episode connects race, law, and economic justice—and offers clear examples of how everyday engagement can strengthen democracy. Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome to Race Convo: Why These Conversations Matter 00:58 Meet Verna Williams + The Big Question: Do We Still Need to Talk About Race? 02:16 Race as a Social Hierarchy: How History Still Shapes Today 03:54 Growing Up Integrated: Verna's Schools, Identity, and Feeling 'Different' 05:15 Segregation in Real Life: 'First Black Person I've Talked To' + Why the Podcast Exists 08:04 What Equal Justice Works Does: Closing the Civil Legal Help Gap 09:52 Why Verna Chose Justice Work: Early Racism, Fairness, and Civil Rights Roots 12:29 Civil vs. Criminal: The Hidden Crisis of No Right to Counsel 17:50 How Equal Justice Works Operates: Fellowships, Funding, and Disaster Resilience 21:00 Verna's Career Path + Arguing a Landmark Title IX Case at the Supreme Court 25:42 Keeping Progress Moving Forward: Training the Next Generation of Public Interest Leaders 26:30 Making Public Interest Careers Possible: Loan Forgiveness & Funding Support 27:31 Why This Work Matters: Building Leaders Through Equal Justice Works 28:46 Training for Empathy: Community-Led Lawyering & Fellow Learning Networks 30:16 Immigrant Justice on the Front Lines: Asylum, ICE at Court & Finding Hope 32:28 How Non-Lawyers Can Help: Volunteering, Translating & Getting Involved 34:11 Where to Plug In: EJW, Legal Services Corp & Other Advocacy Orgs 37:11 Staying Hopeful: History, Collective Action & Cross-Political Coalitions 43:51 Michelle Obama Connection: Serving as Her Oral Historian 45:26 Rapid-Fire Fun: Playlists, Oscar Movies & What to Watch Next 47:43 Final Call to Action: Get Informed, Vote Local & Show Up Guest Bio Verna L. Williams (she/her) is the CEO of Equal Justice Works. In her role as CEO, Verna has continued to advance the mission of Equal Justice Works to create opportunities for leaders to transform their passion for equal justice into a lifelong commitment to public service. Verna brings with her an extensive background of experience teaching and practicing law, as well as researching civil and women's rights. Verna previously served ...
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    50 mins
  • Can Women of Color and White Women Be Friends?

    Can Women of Color and White Women Be Friends?
    Jan 29 2026
    From Fear to Friendship: The 30-Year Journey of an Interracial Women's Circle What does it really take for women across race, identity, and experience to move from awkward conversations to real friendship? In this episode, I talk with two people I deeply respect—Julie O'Mara and Dr. Sid Reel—about a women's circle I'm part of that's been meeting for nearly 30 years. What started as a conference breakout session turned into something far more rare: a space where white women and women of color stayed in relationship through grief, anger, mistakes, growth, and joy. We talk about confidentiality and why it matters. About staying at the table when things get uncomfortable. About what happens when people don't feel alone anymore. And about the difference between talking about race and actually knowing people whose lives are shaped by it. This isn't theory. It's lived experience. And it's a reminder that real connection doesn't come from slogans or training slides—it comes from time, trust, and being willing to keep showing up. We share raw, transformative experiences that took us from initial fear and distrust to deep, meaningful friendships. The episode explores the group's origins, the critical role of confidentiality, and the hard truths they've confronted about race, privilege, and solidarity. You'll learn the challenges and rewards of having tough conversations about race and how these led to profound support and solidarity during life's toughest moments. Timestamps & Key Segments: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 01:10 Meet the Guests: Julie O'Mara and Dr. Sid Real 04:45 The Women's Circle: Origins and Purpose 12:38 Confidentiality and Trust Building 20:02 Personal Stories and Experiences 27:54 Challenges and Learnings in DEI 35:50 Standing Up and Women's Circle Support 36:57 Building Comfort and Social Connections 38:26 Shared Experiences and Mutual Support 41:33 Assumptions and Learning Moments 54:00 Starting and Sustaining a Circle 01:01:12 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Guest Bio:Julie O'Mara is coauthor of the free Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB): Standards for Organizations Around the world along with Alan Richter, PhD, and Nene Molefi. It is available in English, French and Spanish and it and several free User Tools and other resources may be downloaded for free at www.GlobalDEIBenchmarks.org Dr. Sidalia (Sid) Reel recently retired as Director of Staff Diversity Initiatives in Berkeley's Equity & Inclusion Division. Charged with implementing programs and policies to foster an inclusive and welcoming work environment, she co-founded the Next Opportunity at Work Conference; managed the campus-wide Multicultural Education Program; and consulted with departments and teams on equity and inclusion topics. She is a recipient of both an individual and a team Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Award for these efforts. Prior to UC Berkeley, she spent over 20 years leading corporate global diversity and inclusion organizations. A Berkeley native, she earned an EdD at USC, an EdM at Harvard, and a BA in Sociology at Scripps. Click here to DONATE and support our podcast All donations are tax deductible through Fractured Atlas. Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. Simma is the creator and host of the podcast, Everyday Conversations on Race. Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com to get more information, book her as a speaker for your next event, help you become a more inclusive leader, or facilitate dialogues across differences. Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition) Connect with me: Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Tiktok Website Previous Episodes What Was DEI Actually Meant to Do—and Why Did It Go Off Track? Curiosity, Not Cancellation: Real Talk with Dr. Julie Pham Voices of Triumph: Stories of African Women Immigrants in America Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating
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    54 mins
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