This episode moves beyond the "binary" of accessibility to explore the lived reality of disability advocacy. Hosts Lachandra and Brian are joined by Jenna Odenberg—Bush Fellow, author of Within My Spokes, and founder of Above and Beyond with U.

Jena shares her journey from navigating rural Minnesota in a manual wheelchair to a 20-year career as a music educator. From the "fixed mindset" of teachers who said she couldn't play trumpet left-handed to the vital "A" in DEIA, Jena illustrates why inclusion must be a commitment, not just a checklist. The trio dives into why we must design with people, not just for them—and even settles the "over vs. under" toilet paper debate with a perspective on accessibility you’ve likely never considered.

Above & Beyond With U

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Within My Spokes

In this episode of Everything’s Not Black and White, Lachandra sits down with Dr. Eugene Manley Jr., a biomedical scientist and CEO of the STEMM and Cancer Health Equity Foundation, to discuss the life-saving necessity of measurable equity. Dr. Manley shares his harrowing personal experiences with medical racism—from witnessing his mother’s mistreatment to navigating a recent surgical recovery where his pain and expertise were ignored by hospital staff. Together, they explore how to turn empathy into a performance metric, the importance of diversifying funding for social impact, and practical frameworks for patients to advocate for themselves within fragmented systems. It is a raw, insightful conversation about shifting from mere survival to true thriving in the face of systemic challenges.

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SCHEQ

Hosts Lala and Brian welcome Daniel Stoffel, a beloved family member, successful young businessman, and owner of West Oak Salon. Daniel shares his lifelong passion for the beauty industry—from styling Barbie heads to opening his own salon—and the profound impact his LGBTQIA+ identity had on building his business with the very "audacity to be me." He discusses the unique challenges and immense rewards of running a family business and offers insights on mentorship and leadership. Finally, Daniel addresses the current economic volatility affecting beauty supplies and his commitment to uncompromised quality and customer experience in the face of rising costs and societal challenges.

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