In this episode, we kick off our Safety First series by diving into the first three lessons of the Black-Liberation.Tech OER—centered on protecting yourself and others in digital spaces.

Join Dr. Renée Jordan as she reads the stories of Jazmin, Ebony, and Njoki—three women navigating online safety with intention, community, and clarity. Through conversations with girls, moms, and mentors, we explore how personal information can be misused, the difference between posting and oversharing, and how to build safe digital environments that protect both ourselves and those around us.

Whether you're a student, educator, or community member, this episode will leave you reflecting on your digital choices and inspired to lead with care in online spaces.

✍🏽 Reflective Questions

1. What types of personal information do you share online—intentionally or unintentionally?
2. How do your social media habits support or challenge your own safety?
3. Has there ever been a time when you felt vulnerable or exposed online? What would you do differently now?
4. What does it mean to create a safe online space for others? What can you do to contribute to that?
5. How can you teach someone younger than you to stay safe in digital communities?

In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée reflects on childhood friendships, neighborhood connections, and the art of building community—from knocking on doors to asking the right questions. As the only girl in a house of brothers, she had to learn how to build her own circle of sisterhood.

She also dives into how books—especially those by Terry McMillan, Maya Angelou, Zora Neale Hurston, and Cicely Tyson—shaped her understanding of relationships, emotional labor, and self-worth. Through stories and observations, this episode invites you to consider how you and your daughters build friendships, navigate social cues, and learn how to be in relationship with others—on purpose.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Community-building is intentional. Teaching girls how to introduce themselves, ask questions, and initiate friendships lays a foundation for strong social skills and confidence.
• Books shape our relational intelligence. Stories by Black women authors help us understand the complexity of relationships, resilience, and personal growth.
• Friendship is a practice. Just like reading or riding a bike, kids must learn—and practice—how to interact, listen, and communicate clearly.
• Observation is a teacher. Whether through real-life examples or fictional characters, we learn how to engage others by watching how people handle love, loss, conflict, and joy.

🪞Reflective Questions

1. How are your daughters (or nieces/students) learning to make friends? Are they the ones initiating connection?
2. What books helped you understand yourself or others better? What did they teach you about love, boundaries, or resilience?
3. Do your children know how to recognize when a friendship isn’t working—and do they feel empowered to speak up?
4. How are you modeling community-building and friendship for the young people in your life?
5. How do you help young girls notice social cues, navigate discomfort, and create space for honest conversations?

In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Jordan reflects on a transformative 7-year mentorship with a Social Policy professor—how it began, how it grew, and the impact it continues to have. She also shares a surprising twist: receiving letters of recommendation from two unexpected sources—an adjunct professor and a former faculty member who had already left the institution. Tune in to hear how meaningful connections can come from both the expected and the unexpected, and why nurturing authentic relationships matters more than you think.

🎧 Reflective Questions:

1. How have your long-term mentoring relationships shaped your academic or professional path?

2. Have you ever underestimated the impact you made on someone—only to later receive unexpected support from them?

3. What does this episode teach you about the value of maintaining genuine connections, even when circumstances change?

In this powerful episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée Jordan outlines the top reasons to tune in and stay connected. Whether you're curious about AI, navigating academia, exploring career shifts, or building digital skills, this episode offers something for everyone. With real talk, relatable stories, and a roadmap rooted in persistence and purpose, Dr. Jordan shares how Black-Liberation.Tech helps listeners use AI tools like ChatGPT, identify career interests, and develop strategies for thriving in tech and beyond. You’ll hear how tech becomes more than a tool—it becomes a bridge to your goals.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Use AI for career exploration, productivity, and creativity
• Navigate academic decisions from high school to PhD
• Identify career pathways that blend tech with your passion
• Avoid being overwhelmed by breaking big goals into smaller steps
• Build your digital literacies and critical thinking
• Lean on mentorship and community as a source of strength
• Reflect on your experiences and personalize your learning journey
• Access free resources and structured lessons via the Black-Liberation.Tech platform

This episode is your invitation to explore what’s possible when technology meets lived experience, and when learning is rooted in liberation.

❓ Reflective Questions:

1. In what ways can I begin using AI tools (like ChatGPT) to support my academic, professional, or creative goals—even if I’m just starting out?
2. What communities, mentors, or resources do I currently rely on—or need to seek out—to help me stay grounded and motivated in my learning or career journey?
3. What does persistence look like in my life right now, and how can I break down a big goal into smaller, achievable actions?

Episode Notes: In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée Jordan shares an insightful look into her dissertation journey in April 2021, right after she passed her prospectus defense. She reflects on navigating the complex process of balancing dissertation tasks, everyday responsibilities, and self-care—while maintaining a commitment to flexibility.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Balancing Multiple Priorities: Dr. Jordan discusses managing several tasks at once—working on the IRB application, improving readability in consent forms, creating a study website, and making time for exercise and self-care.
• Setting Realistic Expectations: The episode emphasizes the importance of adjusting expectations and knowing when to embrace “good enough” progress, rather than striving for perfection. For example, the readability goal for her consent form was slightly reduced to make it more accessible to a wider audience, showing how small wins can still drive progress.
• Being Flexible in Research: Dr. Jordan explains how working on the IRB proposal and study website simultaneously allowed her to move forward without waiting for one task to be completed before starting the next. Flexibility is key in managing a dissertation project without feeling stuck.
• Managing Feedback: Embracing feedback is essential for success. Dr. Jordan talks about how she used feedback from workshops and mentors to refine her research process and submit a strong IRB proposal.
• Self-Care: Beyond research, Dr. Jordan discusses the importance of self-care in the dissertation process—whether it’s meal prepping, exercise, or maintaining relationships with family. Balancing your mental and physical well-being with your academic work is crucial to long-term success.

This episode is a reminder that progress isn't always linear. Dr. Jordan encourages PhD candidates and anyone working on a project to recognize and appreciate the small wins, stay flexible, and adjust their goals when needed.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you measure progress in your personal or professional life, and what unexpected ways have you moved forward even when things didn’t go as planned?
2. What’s one small win you can acknowledge today, even if it wasn’t part of your original plan?
3. How can you balance your academic goals with your everyday responsibilities and self-care?

Tune in to hear Dr. Renée Jordan's tips on managing the dissertation process, adjusting your expectations, and embracing progress in multiple areas of your life.

In this special episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée Jordan shares a throwback video from her dissertation journey, recorded right after she passed her prospectus in April 2021. The video takes us through her process of making adjustments to her dissertation, evolving her research questions, and navigating feedback, all while staying true to her vision.

Dr. Jordan discusses the challenges of handling committee feedback, the decision to not adopt a more homogeneous sample, and her commitment to diversity in her research. In the video, she reflects on how navigating feedback and adapting her methodology helped her refine her dissertation, while also reinforcing the importance of staying true to one’s core values and purpose.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Adjusting Research Questions: Dr. Jordan demonstrates how small tweaks, like shifting research questions, can make a big difference in your dissertation process.
• Staying True to Your Vision: Even when external pressures suggest making changes, it's important to stand firm on the aspects of your research that align with your values.
• Flexibility in Methodology: Dr. Jordan emphasizes the need to adapt and pivot when necessary, especially when faced with unexpected challenges like those brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Navigating Feedback and Change: The episode explores how feedback from advisors and committee members can shape your work, but it’s important to find a balance between flexibility and maintaining your research integrity.

As you listen, think about your own dissertation or project journey: What do you need to let go of in order to move forward? What aspects of your work are non-negotiable, and where can you afford to adjust?

This episode is packed with valuable insights on how to maintain flexibility while staying true to your academic goals, values, and vision.

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some things that you need to yield to in order to move on up? Is there a methodology or perspective you need to adjust?
2. What are the non-negotiables in your work or life? What principles or values are you unwilling to compromise, no matter the feedback or challenges?
3. How do you balance the need for flexibility with staying true to your original vision or purpose? In moments of uncertainty, how do you determine when it’s time to adjust and when it’s time to stand firm?

Follow Us: If this episode resonated with you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share. Join the conversation and reflect on these questions with the community on our social media platforms.

In the last episode of the Flexibility in Research & Life series, Dr. Renée Jordan shares critical insights on choosing the right committee for your dissertation journey. While it may be tempting to pick committee members based on personal relationships or convenience, Dr. Jordan emphasizes that your committee should align with your research goals and bring the expertise needed to push your work forward.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Choosing the Right Committee Members: It’s essential to pick faculty members who are a good fit for your research topic and methodologies. Dr. Jordan shares her experience of choosing committee members who provided valuable expertise, particularly in qualitative research and African philosophy.
• Feedback Matters: Not all committee members will provide the same level of feedback. Dr. Jordan discusses how understanding the feedback style of each member can help guide your interactions and improve your dissertation.
• Time Management and Flexibility: Dr. Jordan stresses the importance of time management and how she had to be flexible when refining her proposal. She explains how she used time-blocking techniques to accelerate her process and meet deadlines.
• Setting Clear Deadlines: By counting backwards from your defense date, you can set manageable deadlines and avoid getting stuck in the coding or analysis phase. Dr. Jordan emphasizes that you should not try to analyze everything—focus on a section of data and refine your dissertation piece by piece.

This episode will help you reflect on the importance of committee dynamics, feedback, and staying organized while navigating the dissertation process. Flexibility is key—whether it’s choosing the right people to support your work, adjusting to their feedback, or meeting your deadlines.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you ensure that the committee members you choose align with your research goals and methodology?
2. What strategies can you use to manage the feedback you receive from your committee?
3. How do you balance flexibility with the need to meet your dissertation deadlines?

Tune in to learn how to approach committee selection and feedback with flexibility while staying focused on your dissertation goals.

In the fourth episode of the Flexibility in Research & Life series, Dr. Renée Jordan explores the vital role of committee feedback in shaping your dissertation and the importance of being flexible with your approach. In this episode, Dr. Jordan shares her own experience with committee feedback, illustrating how changes and adjustments, when handled flexibly, can lead to clearer, more impactful work.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Aligning with Your Committee: Choosing committee members who align with your research goals and can provide meaningful feedback is crucial. Dr. Jordan discusses how her committee's expertise and differing feedback styles shaped her work.
• Managing Feedback Effectively: Not all committee members will read your work the same way. It's important to understand their strengths and how to leverage their feedback effectively. Dr. Jordan shares how she worked with her committee to refine her dissertation through short, actionable presentations—10 slides at a time!
• Turning Feedback Into Clarity: Dr. Jordan recounts a pivotal moment when feedback from her research methodologist led to a breakthrough in how she communicated her findings. The lightbulb moment came when she adjusted her work to make it clear and practical for educators and instructional designers.
• Making Your Work Crystal Clear: One of the goals of your dissertation is to ensure it communicates clearly and effectively. Dr. Jordan encourages PhD candidates to take the time to revise and clarify their work until it’s something others can understand and apply, regardless of their discipline.

This episode emphasizes the importance of flexibility in receiving feedback and adapting your dissertation so that it’s clear, concise, and accessible. The process of refining your work through feedback is an essential part of the academic journey, and Dr. Jordan’s experience highlights how to embrace that process and make it work for you.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you manage and apply the feedback you receive from your dissertation committee?
2. What steps can you take to ensure your dissertation is clear and accessible to those outside your immediate field?
3. What aspects of your research need further clarification or refinement to ensure they are impactful and meaningful?

Tune in to hear Dr. Renée Jordan’s insights on how to turn committee feedback into crystal-clear, transformative work that will set you up for success in your dissertation and beyond.