Men cannot change if there are no blueprints for change. Men cannot love if they are not taught the art of loving. Love is vital to maleness, to the spiritual and emotional wellness men seek.
~~bell hooks
Information and Inspiration for Intergenerational Liberation
MOMENTum Conversations
MOMENTum Conversations is a dynamic space led by scholar-activist and minister, Dr. Martina Van Norden, where generations come together to inspire, inform, and ignite action for educational justice.
Born from the powerful moMENtum Study, which amplified the voices and agency of one of the most underserved groups in education—Black men—this platform is committed to closing opportunity gaps and advancing Black male education.
Each conversation explores critical intersections of race, gender, ability, and community-based scholarship, lifting up the work of researchers and educators who are turning theory into activism and policy into purpose.
You’ll hear from some of the most brilliant, courageous antiracist practitioners—those who are reshaping classrooms, schools, and systems to better serve today’s youth.
Episodes in Radical Joy Series
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Mothering The Academy (E1)
Never had it been done before—awarding Black motherhood in a doctoral program. In this powerful opening episode, three generations of Black women come together to explore the sacred bonds of womanhood within the academy. Through heartfelt dialogue, they reflect on what it means to navigate doctoral studies while honoring the realities of motherhood and the presence of mothering spirits in communal learning spaces. This conversation uplifts the identity of Black women scholars and affirms the power of intergenerational support, care, and wisdom in academic spaces that often overlook them.
Positioning: Motherhood & Community
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Prophesying Daughters (E2)
In this soul-stirring episode, two generations of Black women engage in a deep conversation about faith, leadership, and legacy. Together, they unpack what it means to be prophesying daughters—called to lead with vision, voice, and spiritual clarity in educational spaces. The dialogue explores the sacred responsibility of healing girlhood and womanhood while navigating identity as Black women within patriarchal systems. This episode is a testimony to resilience, revelation, and the power of divine calling in the lives of Black women educators.
Positioning: Agency & Voice
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From Pencils to Purpose (E3)
In this episode, two generations of Black women talk about the power of writing and learning. They share how journaling can be used to understand big issues like race and socio-economics in education. The conversation highlights how teachers and leaders can create safe spaces where Black students feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong.
Positioning: Poverty & Pedagogy
One World Consulting Group
IG: @briannamakayla
LinkedIn: Dr. Brianna Nargiso Newton