On this episode of The Sidebar by NYABJ, DR. YOLANDA "YO-YO" WHITAKER joins host LISA DURDEN for a wide-ranging conversation celebrating Black Music Month and the enduring impact of hip-hop culture. A pioneering rapper, actress, entrepreneur, and educator, Yo-Yo reflects on her path from emerging artist to hip-hop icon, sharing lessons from a career that has spanned decades. She discusses her creative process, memorable collaborations, the significance of earning her doctorate, and why it's important to honor the artists and innovators who helped shape the culture. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

Men and women have been traveling into space since the Space Race began in the sixties under President John F. Kennedy. The recent Artemis II deep space operations mission that will catapult astronauts beyond low Earth orbit around the moon has fanned the flames of humankind’s thrill of encountering the cosmos. While we marvel at mankind’s ingenuity to embark on “final frontier” voyages, how often do we think about the “fashion” that allows astronauts to endure the journey? Modern “Hidden Figure” maven SHARON CAPLES MCDOUGLE, NASA’s first African American woman Space Shuttle Crew Escape Equipment Manager, talks to The Sidebar's SONJA D. GRACY about these specialized pressure suits. The retired spacesuit technician for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shares her exciting life’s work journey and her current exploits as a "Suit Up with Shay" author and speaker who encourages young people to pursue careers in aeronautics. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, The Sidebar's LISA DURDEN had an informative discussion with therapist DR. LASHAWN PAUL (“The Social Work Diva”) and psychiatrist DR. TOLU OLUPONA about mental health in the Black community and addressing the racial and gender disparities in mental health care, access, and treatment. In this episode, Dr. Paul and Dr. Olupona discuss the importance of maintaining good mental health, early intervention, and prevention. They also explore several critical topics, from unpacking the cultural stigma surrounding mental health to finding a culturally competent mental health clinician. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In this episode of The Sidebar, hosted by SHAMEIKA RHYMES, the focus is on women's health, particularly menopause and its impact on women's lives. Guest DARLENE THOMAS, a health and wellness consultant (Maven Clinic, Respin), shares her expertise on menopause, discussing its stages, symptoms, and how it affects women both physically and emotionally. She emphasizes the importance of understanding menopause as a transition rather than a decline, advocating for lifestyle changes, community support, and self-care to manage symptoms. The conversation also notes the challenges women face in balancing careers, caregiving, and personal health, and stress during this stage of life. Darlene encourages women to track their symptoms, seek supportive communities, and focus on one lifestyle change at a time to improve their well-being. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In this episode of The Sidebar, we revisit February’s Layoff Lounge panel, a timely and candid conversation centered on navigating the realities of today’s shifting media landscape. Moderated by NYABJ Vice President-Print FONDA SANDERS, , the panel brought together TORRENCE S. TRAYNHAM, Founder & CTO of D9 Resume Exchange and KAMIKA DILLARD, Tech Strategist and Founder of Fail Forward Coaching. Together, they offer practical guidance and forward-looking strategies for media professionals facing layoffs or preparing for potential career pivots. As journalism organizations across the country and around the world continue to undergo staff reductions, this discussion serves as both a resource and a rallying point. Panelists share insights on staying competitive in the job market, leveraging networks, reframing career narratives, and building resilience in uncertain times. (Note: This episode was recorded on February 10th, 2026. The intro mistakenly noted that this was recorded in January. An updated version of the episode with a corrected intro will be uploaded.) --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with GLORIA ANDERSON, a New Jersey-based Speech- Language Pathologist and Augmentative Communication Specialist whose work is transforming lives. As an ASHA-certified clinician with experience at specialized institutions like Kohler Academy, Gloria brings a unique perspective shaped by her multifaceted journey as an entrepreneur, mother, and dedicated speech pathologist. Join us as we explore her career path, the challenges and triumphs of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, and her passion for giving voice to those who need it most. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

The New York Association of Black Journalists’ First Take Class of 2026 has taken over the mic to produce an entire episode of The Sidebar. First Take is NYABJ’s annual multi-weekend workshop and mentorship program, providing NYC-area high schoolers with an interactive experience in the world of journalism. In this episode, our "First Takers" deliver fresh perspectives on the year’s top headlines in news, politics, sports, and music. Tune in to hear the future of media as they tackle the topics shaping their world with professionalism and style. For more information on First Take and opportunities to support the next generation of journalists, visit www.nyabj.org. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In this episode of The Sidebar, DAWN KELLY sits down with host JEWEL BENTON for a compelling conversation about member-organizations like NABJ and its local chapters, entrepreneurship, careers, community, and more. The Nourish Spot co-founder reflects on how growing up during the civil rights movement shaped her path, shares insights from her wide-ranging work in public relations, and offers life lessons on relationships, courage, resilience, and trusting yourself as an entrepreneur. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In this episode of The Sidebar, media pioneer ALLISON DAVIS sits down with hosts JEWEL BENTON and LISA DURDEN for a compelling conversation about news, media, and community. She shares how she found herself at the center of multiple turning points in American journalism, her stint in the Black Panther Party, what it meant to be “unmanageable” as a young Black woman producer, the growing crisis of trust in news, and her advice for the next generation of journalists trying to tell our stories and survive in 2026 and beyond. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

In this episode of The Sidebar by NYABJ, host MICHAEL RAY sits down for a energetic conversation with multi-faceted media maker (and fellow Sidebar contributor) LISA DURDEN. Her journey began at Seton Hall University and in the grassroots world of local access television, but her sharp wit and uncompromising perspective quickly propelled her to one level after another over the years. This interview explores her incredible resilience, her accomplishments as an award-winning producer and documentarian, and illustrates how she uses her platform to challenge the status quo and amplify marginalized voices while remaining unapologetically authentic. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.