♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Johnson: WELCOME TO "BASIC BLACK."

SOME OF YOU ARE JOINING US ON OUR BROADCAST, AND OTHERS OF YOU ARE JOINING US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

I'M TERRENCE JOHNSON, YOUR HOST THIS EVENING.

CALLIE CROSSLEY HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

TONIGHT-- YOUNG, GIFTED, AND STRESSED: GEN Z AND MILLENNIALS OF COLOR.

WE, LIKE YOU, ARE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, AND ARE TAKING PRECAUTIONS.

WE ARE WORKING WITH LIMITED STAFF, AND OUR GUESTS ARE JOINING US REMOTELY.

YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE REDEFINING HOW THEY WISH TO LIVE THEIR LIVES.

THEY SHOWED UP AND SPOKE OUT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

THEY ARE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS AND TECHNICALLY SAVVY.

BUT STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION ARE A GROWING CONCERN FOR GEN Z AND MILLENNIALS.

STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND LOST WAGES HAVE DELAYED BUILDING WEALTH.

REPORTS OF OLDER MILLENNIALS, WHO TURN 40 THIS YEAR, SUFFER FROM HEALTH ISSUES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY-- ALL DISEASES PREVALENT IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

WHAT DO YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR THINK ABOUT THEIR FUTURE AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH LIFE AND INTO THE WORK WORLD?

JOINING US REMOTELY: RUTBA SHIVANI, A CITY AWAKE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER AND OPERATIONS LEAD AT ACCENTURE INNOVATION HUB BOSTON; OSCAR LOPEZ JR., MEMBER OF THE SPARK COUNCIL-- HE'S ALSO THE LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN HONAN; KATRINA MOORE, DIRECTOR OF THE AFRICANA CENTER AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY; AND THERAPIST, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE, AUTHOR, AND PODCASTER A.K.A., "CELESTE, THE THERAPIST," CELESTE VICIERE.

OTHANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND WELCOME.

I REALLY WANT TO START THIS CONVERSATION, THIS DISCUSSION BY DEFINING THESE GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, RIGHT?

MILLENNIALS ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE BORN BETWEEN 1981 AND 1996, AND GEN Z IS 1997 TO 2015.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK SO MANY PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO IS THE STRESS OF FINANCES, RIGHT?

THE STRESS OF MONEY.

OSCAR, CAN YOU REALLY WALK US THROUGH WHEN YOU REALIZED THAT FINANCES AND YOU KNOW FINANCIAL SECURITY WERE BRINGING ABOUT A DIFFERENT LEGAL OF EMOTIONAL ANXIETY OR STRESS FOR YOU PERSONALLY?

>> HOW MANY TIME DO YOU HAVE?

NO, I MEAN, EVER SINCE I WAS YOUNG, TO BE QUITE HONEST, BOTH MY MOTHER AND MY FATHER ARE BLUE COLLAR JOB WORKERS, FAMILY OF SIX.

PENNY PINCHING IS KIND OF A WAY OF LIFE FOR ME AND EVEN NOW WHEN I THINK ABOUT STARTING MY OWN FAMILY THE BIGGEST THING I THINK OF MOVING FORWARD WOULD I SAY IS HOW DO I PROVIDE AND GIVE THE EDUCATION THAT WAS PROVIDED TO ME, TO HOWEVER MANY KIDS I MAY HAVE IN THE FUTURE, EVEN IF I WANT KIDS, DO I WANT KIDS.

BUT YES, THAT'S ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND.

>> JOHNSON: RIGHT.

YOU KNOW I THINK WHAT YOU'RE MINTING AT OR WHAT YOU'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT HERE IS THIS IDEA OF LIFE EXPECTATIONS AS WELL, RIGHT?

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

AND I THINK A COMPONENT OF THAT THAT MAYBE WE REALIZE BUT NOT REALLY, IS HOW SOCIAL MEDIA REALLY COMPOUNDS ALL OF THOSE EMOTIONS.

AND SO CELESTE, I REALLY WANT YOUR OPINION, YOUR TAKE ON HOW YOU FEEL SOCIAL MEDIA IS REALLY ADDING TO LIFE EXPECTATIONS AND MAYBE UNATTAINABLE WAYS AND HOW PEOPLE ARE REALLY WORKING THROUGH THOSE EMOTIONS.

>> YES, THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

I WANT TO LIKE MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALLOW SOCIAL MEDIA TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON US BECAUSE WE HAVE FREE WILL.

BUD BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THIS AND SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THAT.

NOT JUST SOCIAL MEDIA BUT OUR CULTURE IN GENERAL.

THERE IS THIS ADDED PRESSURE THAT WE FEEL.

BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO KIND OF STAY MINDFUL OF OUR CHOICES IN OUR ENVIRONMENT.

SO THAT WE'RE NOT KIND OF ALLOWING THE PRESSURE TO KIND OF LEAD US IN A PATH THAT CREATES MORE STRESS FOR US.

>> JOHNSON: I COMPLETELY HEAR THAT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN WE GO TO COLLEGE, RIGHT, AND BEYOND, THERE'S DEFINITELY ADDED PRESSURE THERE.

THIS IDEA OF HITTING CERTAIN BENCHMARKS.

GETTING CERTAIN INTERNSHIPS.

GETTING CERTAIN FELLOWSHIPS, GRADUATING, GETTING A JOB RIGHT?

ALL OF THESE ADDED PRESSURES.

AND KATRINA, WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU'RE HAVING WITH YOUR STUDENTS YOUR BLACK STUDENTS IN PARTICULAR, HOW ARE YOU NAVIGATING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE?

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THERE'S BEEN AN ADDITIONAL SENSE OF WHAT AM I GOING TO DO.

AND WE ARE REALLY TRYING, THROUGH OUR PROGRAMMING AT THE AFRICAA CENTER, TO HEP THE STUDENTS TO THINK MORE CLEARLY ABOUT THEIR CAREER ASPIRATIONS.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT MORE STUDENTS COMING INTO TUFTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE SCIENCES OR THE STEM FIELDS.

AND THEY HAVE THIS SENSE THAT THEY HAVE TO FIND JOBS THAT ARE GOING TO SUSTAIN NOT ONLY THEM, BUT THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.

AND SO WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO HELP THEM TO DO THE -- TO TAKE THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE HAD, IN ISOLATION, ON THE CAMPUS, TO DO REALLY A LOT OF SELF-REFLECTION.

TO REALLY HONE IN ON WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES ME HAPPY?

AND REALLY, HAVE A FOCUS ON WHAT THEIR PASSIONS ARE, THAT TO HELP GUIDE THEM IN THE CAREER CHOICES THAT THEY ARE MAKING.

>> JOHNSON: THAT MAKES COMPLETE SENSE, I THINK.

YOU KNOW WHEN WE'RE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EDUCATION, AND PROFESSIONAL HE GOALS, HAVING THAT SENSE OF CLARITY IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

RUTBA, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> I AM.

>> JOHNSON: YES, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

WHAT WAS REALLY YOUR REASONING BEHIND WANTING TO CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION?

WERE THERE OUTSIDE PRESSURES OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE BEING COMPETITIVE WITH PEERS OR WAS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED?

ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING HOW SO MANY PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH PAYING FOR COLLEGE AND STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I IT THIS STUDENT PLOAN DEBT AND -- I THINK STUDENT LOAN DEPPED DEBT AND TAKING ON MORE OF IT WAS DEFINITELY SOMETHING I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT WHEN DECIDING TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

FOR ME IT WAS MORE ABOUT MY PASSIONS, KATRINA, TO YOUR POINT, I FOUND SOMETHING THAT I FEEL REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT NOW.

AND I THOUGHT THAT GETTING MORE EDUCATION WAS THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT AND REALLY GET INTO THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK.

I'M GOING BACK TO SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL WORK.

AND A LOT OF IT CAME FROM MY PARENTS.

I THINK PEOPLE OF COLOR CAN RELATE TO THE FACT THAT OUR PARENTS REALLY PRIORITIZE EDUCATION.

THEY -- YOU KNOW, I'M AN ALMOST OLDER MILLENNIAL.

MY PARENTS WERE REALLY SAD I HADN'T GOT BE A GRADUATE DEGREE.

EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO BETTERING OURSELVES THE UPWARD MOBILITY, SO LOTS OF MIXED THINGS GOING INTO IT BUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> JOHNSON: I'M GLAD YOU'RE EXCITED.

I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW HAVING SUPPORT FROM YOUR FAMILY, FROM YOUR MENTORS, IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL BUT JUST THROUGHOUT LIFE IN GENERAL, RIGHT?

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS COMMONLY SAID IS THAT MILLENNIALS AND GEN ZERS ARE ENTITLED AND LAZY AND YOU KNOW WE DON'T WANT TO PUT IN THE WORK, RIGHT?

WE'RE IMPATIENT.

SO OSCAR, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT, KNOWING ALL OF THE PARAMETERS THAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH, RIGHT OR ALL OF THE OBSTACLES AND THINGS THAT ARE REALLY CHALLENGING FOR YOU, ADDING STRESS TO YOUR PLATE?

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT NOTION THAT MILLENNIALS ARE JUST LAZY AND THEY SHOULD JUST SUCK IT UP AND BE PATIENT?

>> JUST THE QUESTION RIGHT?

GOING BACK TO THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT OF IT IS THE IMPOSTOR SYNDROME, A LITTLE BIT OF A HOLE, AM I GOOD ENOUGH, I WORK AT THE STATE HOUSE, A LOT OF MY PEERS AND COLLEAGUES ARE WHITE AND NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE OF COLOR WORKING IN THIS POSITION I'M WORKING AT.

SO IT MAKES ME WORK TWICE AS HARD TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS SET UPON MYs ME IN MY POSITION.

ON TOP OF THAT IT SEEMS KIND OF PRESUMPTUOUS THAT GEN Z, MILLENNIALS IN PARTICULAR, WERE KNOWN AS PARTICIPATION TROPHIES AND WHAT HAVE YOU, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE FELT INCLUDED.

IT'S NOT ABAD THING BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I FEEL LIKE THAT IN ITSELF IS KIND OF CARRIED OVER ABOUT INTO OUR ADULT LIVES, THE OLDER MILLENNIALS AND WHAT HAVE YOU.

IT FEELS LIKE WE ALL HAVE KIND OF A CHIP ON OUR SHOULDERS TO MAKE SURE WE EXCEED EXPECTATIONS.

MOST OF MY FRIENDS ARE GETTING THEIR MASTER'S AND REALLY ACTUALLY JUGGLING BETWEEN THE IMMENSE DEBT THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO AND JUGGLING WHETHER THEY WANT TO START A FAMILY.

AND TO ME THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE LAZY THINKING AT ALL.

IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE ARE BEING VERY UNIMAGINATIVE IN THE OBSTACLES THAT WE AS A GENERATION FACE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH A PANDEMIC, WE'VE GONE THROUGH TWO FINANCIAL CRASHES.

WHEN I BECOME 60 I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL THESE STORIES TO MY GRAND KIDS AND MAICIALG SURE THEY -- AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR GRANDDAD WENT THROUGH.

>> JOHNSON: RIGHT, WE HAVE TO OF COURSE BE AWARE, BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT?

YOU TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING OR BROUGHT UP A POINT THAT I THINK WAS IMPORTANT, THIS IDEA OF IMPOSTOR SYNDROME THAT I THINK SO MANY MILLENNIALS AND GEN ZERS ESPECIALLY WE AS PEOPLE OF COLOR EXPERIENCE IN SO MANY WAYS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY, SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, THESE PLACE WREST WE FEEL WE CAN BE OURSELVES.

KATRINA, I KNOW AT TUFTS IMA G I THINK I'M PRONOUNCING HER NAME CORRECTLY, WAS ELECTED AS THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF SENATE RIGHTS?

SO HOW DOES THAT REPRESENTATION REALLY HELP STUDENTS ALIGN AND SEE THEMSELVES AND REALIZE THAT THEY, TOO, ARE NOT IMPOSTORS IN THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I ALSO WANTED TO ADD TO OSCAR'S POINT THAT, WE ARE SEEING STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ONLY NOT LAZY BUT THEY ARE REALLY BEING VERY INTENTIONAL IN THE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

AND IF THEY CAN'T FIND THOSE, WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES OR THEIR TONE OUTREACH -- OR THEIR OWN OUTREACH.

WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PARTNERED WITH MAJOR CORPORATIONS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND OUTREACH FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND IN THE CASE OF AMA, I MEAN I TALKED TO HER ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AND SHE HAS JUST REALLY, FROM THE DAY THAT SHE STARTED AT TUFTS, HAS REALLY SHOWN HOW LEADERSHIP CAN, IN A STUDENT, CAN FLOURISH.

AND WE ARE JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HER TO STEP INTO THIS HISTORIC ROLE AND TO REALLY HAVE THE REPRESENTATION THAT HAS BEEN LACKING AS FAR AS STUDENTS, BY BLACK STUDENTS ON CAMPUS TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO ELEVATE THEIR VOICE AND THEIR CONCERNS.

AND SO I WORK WITH STUDENTS ALL THE TIME WHO OARE NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK UP, WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO LOOK FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL ENHANCE THEIR CAREER GOALS.

>> JOHNSON: YES, AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO CONTINUALLY BE VOCAL AND BE HONEST ABOUT YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THE EXPERIENCES THAT WE'RE HAVING BUT ALSO EXPECTATIONS AND HOLDING SYSTEMS ACCOUNTABLE.

WHICH IS SOMETHING WE REALLY SAW IN 2020, RIGHT, TODAY DIFFERENT LEVEL.

SO CELESTE, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, 2020 WAS A KAY OTSIC AND TRAUMATIC -- CHAOTIC AND TRAUMATIC YEAR IN A DIFFERENT SORTS OF WAY BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN WE THINK OF THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL UNREST, RIGHT?

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN PEOPLE OF COLOR, YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR REALLY BE A PART OF THAT MOVEMENT BUT ALSO PROTECT THEMSELVES, RIGHT?

BECASE THEY WERE REALLY LEADING THE CHARGE IN A LOT OF WAYS DURING THAT TIME.

SO HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THOSE TWO THINGS PLAY OUT?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW I THINK 2020 PUT A SPARK IN A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND I -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WERE OUT ON THE FRONT LINES IN FULL FORCE.

I THINK INITIALLY PEOPLE WEREN'T PROTECTING THEIR EMOTIONAL SELVES INITIALLY, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT BURNED OUT EMOTIONALLY.

AND I THINK NOW, PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS MORE SO PEOPLE ARE TAKING BETTER CARE OF THEMSELVES.

BUT ALSO I THINK IN THE WORKPLACE PEOPLE ARE FEELING A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH SPEAKING UP, PARTLY DUE TO THE ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPANIES BEING MORE SELF AWARE.

I MEAN ONE THING THE PANDEMIC ALLOWED WAS A PAUSE AND SO PEOPLE WERE FORCED TO LOOK AT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

SO SOME COMPANIES ARE PROMOTING A WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS FOR PEOPLE TO BE SEEN.

AND SOME MAY NOT HAVE DONE IT.

BUT I THINK PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE JUST FEELING MORE EMPOWERED TO SPEAK UP ABOUT THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON, YOU KNOW, LIKE WITHIN THE WORKPLACE OR WITHIN THESE SYSTEMS THAT KIND OF EXIST HERE IN AMERICA.

>> JOHNSON: RIGHT, YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

IT IS SO PORN THAT WE AS PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE ABLE TO BRING OUR FULL SELVES TO OUR WORK AND WHAT WE DO PROFESSIONALLY, AND NOT JUST BRING OUR TALENTS, RIGHT?

LIKE WE CAN ACTUALLY BE OURSELVES AT WORK.

SO RUTBA I KNOW YOU OAR WOMAN OF COLOR IN THE WORK SPACE, ALSO REENTERING THE EDUCATION SPACE RIGHT, PURSUING ANOTHER DEGREE.

HOW DOES YOUR OWN PERSONAL IDENTITY, MAYBE ADD STRESS OR ANXIETY FOR YOU IN THESE SPACES, RIGHT, LIKE HOW DO YOU MANAGE BEING A WOMAN OF COLOR IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE PROFESSIONALLY, AND ALSO HOW ARE YOU IMAGINING WALKING INTO THAT SPACE EDUCATIONALLY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S A BIG QUESTION FOR ME.

AND CELESTE DOM YOUR POINT, IT STARTED REALLY THINKING ABOUT MYSELF AND MY ROLE ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST YEAR, AND BEING MINDFUL AND REMEMBERING, YOU KNOW, THE BIASES THAT I BRING AND ALSO SOME OF MY WEAKNESSES, THE IMPOSTOR SYNDROME, THE CULTURE THAT I GREW UP IN.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY GIVEN ME AN ABILITY TO EMPATHIZE.

SO IN -- YOU KNOW, AT WORK I AM MINDFUL ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE IN.

I'M MINDFUL ABOUT WHEN I'M HOLDING MYSELF BACK.

AND THEN HOPEFULLY GIVING FOLKS GRACE AS THEY NEED IT.

THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY CHALLENGING TIME FOR EVERYONE, FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

AND I THINK WITH GOING BACK TO SCHOOL I'M HOPING THAT MY IDENTITY AS A WOMAN OF COLOR INFORMS ME TO BECOME A BETTER SOCIAL WORKER, BUT ALSO, I THINK THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK AND MACRO-SOCIAL WORK AND CORPORATE AMERICA.

I'M EXCITED TO EXPLORE THAT GAP.

AND I THINK BEING A WOMAN OF COLOR IS ONLY GOING TO ENHANCE THAT.

BUT I LIKE TO THINK THAT I'M USING IT AS FUEL TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE AROUND ME.

AND HELP INSIGHTFUL GROW.

>> JOHNSON: YES, I HEAR THAT.

AND I -- YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO LEVERAGE YOUR TIME AND YOUR ENERGY FOR OTHER PEOPLE I THINK IS ALWAYS COMMENDABLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER WAS THIS IDEA OF MINDFULNESS RIGHT?

WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO BEING AT PEACE WITH ONE SELF.

AND BEING SECURE IN THAT, RIGHT?

SO I WANT CELESTE ALSO KNOWN AS CELESTE THE THERAPIST TO REALLY TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT MINDFULNESS IS AND MAYBE GIVE US SOME TIPS ON HOW WE CAN PRACTICE MINDFULNESS.

>> YES, THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

EVERY TIME I SPEAK THAT'S THE ONE THING I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY.

I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SO MUCH UNDERUTILIZED POWER WITHIN, THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS CULTURE IN AMERICA DOESN'T PROMOTE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT THE CULTURE PROMOTES IT IS A VALIDATES BASED ON HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE MAKING WHAT WE DO HOW MUCH WE HAVE.

EVEN IN THIS ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES THIS, I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO CHANGE IN MY LIFETIME, I CAN'T DO THE THINGS I NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT GOING AT THE PACE OF SOCIETY.

AND I THINK WHEN WE REALLY STOP AND THINK ABOUT SOCIETY IS REALLY CHAOTIC SO WHO WOULD WANT TO GO AT THE PACE OF SOCIETY?

PEOPLE LISTENING AND THINKING DEEPLY ABOUT THIS, MINDFULNESS IS WHAT YOU ARE.

IF I START MY DAY WITH MY PHONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT'S HOW I'M CHOOSING TO START MY DAY WITH ALL THE CAPITALISTIC THINGS AND YOU KNOW THEY WANT US TO BE INSECURE SO WE CAN BUY AND BUY.

AND SO WHEN WE'RE FINDING OURSELVES STRUGGLING WE HAVE TO START TO ASK OURSELVES WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH OUR TIME?

AND WHEN WE REALLY ARE HONEST WITH OURSELVES A LOT OF US ARE NOT SPENDING IT MINDFULLY.

WE ARE GOING ON THE TRAIN AND GETTING TO A STOP AND NOT REALIZING LIKE WE'RE HERE ALREADY BECAUSE THERE'S THESE GAPS BECAUSE WE'RE JUST ON AUTO-PILOT.

WE START IN THE SHOWER, WE TAKE A SHOWER EVERY DAY.

WE GET IN THE SHOWER AND USE OUR FIVE SENSES AND JUST KIND OF GET GROUNDED IN THE MOMENT.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT BEING IN THE MOMENT AND THE MORE TIME WE'RE SPENDING IN THE MOMENT THE LESS TIME WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUR FUTURE OR DWELL ON THE PAST.

RIGHT?

IF WE ARE WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE, DWELLING IN THE PAST WE'RE MISSING OUT ON THE MOMENT.

IF WE LEARN HOW TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT WE'LL FIND OURSELVES FINDING PEACE BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY THING WE HAVE CONTROL OVER RIGHT NOW.

>> JOHNSON: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT, THAT RESONATING FOR ME PERSONALLY.

OSCAR, I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICE IS MINDFULNESS AND IF SO WHAT DOES THAT LOOK FOR YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

>> I'M SO SORRY I WORK IN POLITICS, THE FIRST THING I DO IS PICK UP MY PHONE.

>> YOU SHOULD -- >> I LISTENED TO YOUR PODCAST THE OTHER DAY WITH DR. CARY ANN WILLIAMS, IT HIT A CHORD FOR ME.

BRINGING YOUR POINT ABOUT MINDFULNESS, A LOT OF, CHILD THERAPIST AND TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRANT CHILDREN AND MIGRANTS AND BEING FIRST GENERATION HERE AND I THINK MY MINDFULNESS REALLY STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT IT GOES BACK TO THAT IMPOSTOR STROAM, I FEEL LIKE A DUCK ON THE WATER SOMETIMES.

MOST OF THE TIME IT IS JUST BECAUSE I HAVE TO REPRESENT MY FAMILY, YOU KNOW?

MY MOTHER, MY FATHER CAME HERE FOR A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND IT WAS TO GIVE ME AND MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS A BETTER SHOT THAN THEY HAD.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE MINDFULNESS I TRY THE PRACTICE, I TRY NOT TO BE AS HARD ON MYSELF AS I AM.

MOST OF THE TIME.

BUT YOU KNOW MOST OF THE TIME I'M MUTTERING TO MYSELF, WHY DID I DO THIS, WHY DID I DO THAT?

I'M TRYING TO PRACTICE MORE SELF LOVE IN THAT SENSE.

BUT IT'S HARD.

IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE, TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> JOHNSON: YEAH, YOU KNOW WANTING TO NOT ONLY EXCEED EXPECTATIONS BUT REALLY REPRESENT WELL, IT REALLY ADDS TO SO MANY THINGS THAT WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT CONSTANTLY.

SO GIVING YOURSELF THAT SELF LOVE AND THAT GRACE IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

CREENTS, I KNOW -- CREENTS I KATRINA, I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD MANY EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD TO FIND PEACE AND MINDFULNESS.

WHAT HAVE YOU SHARED WITH YOUR STUDENTS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR TO HEP RECENTER THEMSELVES?

>> WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE LIAISONS IN OUR COUNSELING CENTER AND DR. DAMON PRYOR AND DR. CANDACE AUGUST BURKE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A WELLNESS GUIDE, AND SO IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THIS ONE PLACE AND FIND LOTS OF RESOURCES, LOTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF RESOURCES, TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR -- IN THE SENSE OF WELL-BEING AND THEIR MINDFULNESS.

AND I USE THAT -- THAT SITE ALL THE TIME TO FIND VARIOUS WAYS THAT I CAN MANAGE SOME OF THE STRESS THAT I DEAL WITH ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AND I KNOW THAT OUR STUDENTS THIS YEAR WHY, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE -- THIS YEAR, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE HAD A REAL FOCUS ON WELL-BEING.

THE LIMITED TIMES WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TOGETHER IN SOCIALLY DISTANCED GATHERINGS WE HAVE HAD A FOCUS ON WELL-BEING AND DOING STRETCHES TOGETHER AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GOING DEEPER INTO NOT JUST HOW ARE YOU DOING, BUT HOW ARE YOU REALLY DOING?

AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP NOT JUST YOU, BUT YOUR FRIENDS OR YOUR CLASSMATES.

AND SO I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE EXTRA OUTREACH THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO TO FOCUS ON OUR STUDENTS' WELL-BEING BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN IN A VERY UNUSUAL MODE THIS YEAR AND SPENDING A LOT MORE TIME SEPARATED FROM THEIR FRIENDS AND THEIR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

WHICH IS REALLY CAUSED THEM TO NEED THAT KIND OF FOCUS.

>> JOHNSON: RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT KATRINA.

RUTBA I WANT TO GO TO YOU BEFORE WE HAVE TO WRAP THINGS UP.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT YOU ALSO PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND KEEP YOURSELF ALIGNED ON THE DAY-TO-DAY?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I'M A BIG HIKER SO I'M ORIGINALLY FROM METRO ATLANTA.

AND IT'S BEEN AMAZING LIVING HERE IN NEW ENGLAND.

YOU'VE GOT SO MANY MOUNTAINS.

SO I HIKE, I USUALLY GET OUT ALONE.

IT'S REALLY GREATS FOR ME JUST TO BE IN NATURE AND WITH MYSELF.

I LISTEN TO POD POD CASTS.

I READ.

FOR ME IT'S SPENDING TIME WITH MY THOUGHTS, ALLOWING ME TO GROUND MYSELF, REALLY GET PRESENT INSTEAD OF DWELLING OR THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE.

SO THOSE OF SOME OF THE THINGS I DO.

>> JOHNSON: YES, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING WAYS TO STAY MINDFUL, STAY ALIGNED AND STAY CENTERED.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I PERSONALLY TRY TO PRACTICE AS WELL, YOU KNOW.

IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE LIKE WE'VE ALL TALKED ABOUT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO AND SO MANY SO SO MANY EXPECTATIONS THAT WE HAVE FOUR OURSELVES.

MINDFULNESS IS SO IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

THAT IS THE END OF OUR BROADCAST AND THE END OF OUR SHOW.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

STAY WITH US AS WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

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