Welcome to Hot Topics! In this episode, host Gabrielle Crichlow engages in a thought-provoking conversation with guest Difernt Caldwell as they explore the history, significance, and future implications of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth holds a special place in American history as it commemorates the moment when enslaved people in Texas first learned of their freedom in 1865. Recently, this important day has been recognized as a federal holiday, thanks to legislative efforts.

During the episode, Gabrielle and Difernt delve into the challenges faced by enslaved people in receiving news about their emancipation. It took two years for word to spread due to deliberate efforts by slave owners to conceal this information, coupled with barriers like illiteracy within the enslaved community.

While making Juneteenth a federal holiday is a significant step towards acknowledging America's history of racial injustice, the conversation highlights the need for further action. The guests discuss the importance of providing reparations in the form of financial support, equitable education access, and business loans to black communities, as a means to combat systemic racism.

The discussion emphasizes that the responsibility of advocating for change lies with Black Americans. By working together through community organizations and supporting black-owned businesses, progress can be made towards addressing the ongoing racial inequities that persist in society today.

Overall, this episode of "Hot Topics!" aims to raise awareness about the profound significance of Juneteenth and encourages listeners to reflect on its historical context while actively contributing to a more inclusive and equitable future.

Who is Difernt Caldwell?
Difernt was born on December 15, 1990, in Houston, Texas, Fifth Ward. Overcoming homelessness and foster care. She had a normal childhood up until the time she was around the age of eleven; then her and her family ended up homeless. For the next three years Difernt and her family would live in varies places including: strangers’ houses; cars; parks; bus stops; shelters; and even a crack house. At age fourteen, she was secretly placed in foster care and after the first six months of being in the system and trying to get out. She discovered that, in the State of Texas “foster kids” who aged out of care-- college tuition fees were waived. A light bulb went off in Difernt’s head, she then used her street smarts to elevate her book smarts. In which, led to Difernt beating the odds. She is now an alumni of Sam Houston State University and a member of the Beta Theta Chapter of Phi Chi Theta. She graduated receiving her BA in International Business, with two minors in Economics & Business Communication, and her Master’s in Entrepreneurship. She is also a Texas Real Estate Agent. She has a love for traveling and has visited over fifty countries and participated in amateur kickboxing. Her hobbies include reading, watching "Shark Tank", journaling, meditating, biking, ATV riding, ziplining, and hanging out with her best friend—her nephew. Difernt always knew she was meant for greatness, however, she understood to become the person she was meant to be—it would take fixing her inner issues that plagued her past. It was not until she found the courage to do something about her depression and dismissed the notion that “black people don’t do therapy”. While in therapy Difernt was encouraged to channel her negative experiences into a positive outcome. She quickly learned that with strategic planning, proper preparation, and constant prayer. Difernt could manifest the life she was meant have—and wants others to do the same with their lives. Now at the age of thirty, realizing she is not person she once was and by God’s Grace; Difernt is ready for the next adventure in her life-- publishing her first book. It is with WHAT IF? A Controversial Paradigm Shift, Difernt hopes to inspire individuals to have healthy conversations with others about systemic racism. She hypothesizes that when we have these conversations about systemic racism and other taboo subjects. Then overtime social awareness will spread and society can start to change for the better. Because when you know better, you do better.

You can find Difernt Caldwell:
On the web: https://diferntsworld.net/
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/difernts3rdeye
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/th3rdeye_entertainment_llc/
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClq5x1LR_DSU_Fo7GDz4MSA

Difrent has a book called "What If A Controversial Paradigm" - purchase it today from her website: https://diferntsworld.net/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aXiJIdo2nF4
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Original date of episode: June 20, 2022