Using My Oar, My Voice, to Design Equitable Futures: Ubuntu and Social Justice with monique liston

June 24
1h 14m

Episode Description

dr. monique liston, founder of Ubuntu Research and Evaluation, tells the story of how her dissertation research on human dignity for Black people led her to root her organization in the concept of ubuntu: “I am because we are” as a rejection of individualistic, capitalist thinking and a response to anti-Blackness and data violence.

She shares how navigating academic and professional spaces as a Black woman moved her to create an environment where smart Black girls are affirmed and where teams can interrupt harmful narratives, misinterpretations, and visual depictions about Black communities.

dr. liston connects Ubuntu to abolitionist leadership, describes Ubuntu Research and Evaluation’s “undisciplined” and “ungovernable” approach, and encourages listeners to read books, write books, and embody Ubuntu right where they are.

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00:00 Dignity and Ubuntu Roots

03:04 Humanity Quote and Abolition

05:52 Show Intro and Guest Welcome

08:24 monique liston Background

09:40 Activation and Ancestral Seeds

12:00 Founding Ubuntu and Data Violence

17:24 Why Ubuntu Name Matters

24:21 Seeing the Oppressor Within

28:04 Vibration and Impact Stories

32:02 Undisciplined and Ungovernable

37:21 Advice for Future Evaluators

41:00 What Keeps Her Going

42:21 Choosing Ubuntu Daily

43:41 Time Travel and Ancestors

46:09 Lovecraft Country Detour

47:32 Finding Poetry’s Power

52:25 Books That Shaped Me

55:33 Speaking to the Ancestors

58:09 Read Books Write Books

58:55 The Justice We Imagine Prompts

01:05:29 Message to Future Generations

01:07:43 The Oar and Voice

01:11:16 Closing Thanks and Outro

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