Mia Birdsong on Showing Up

On this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. speaks with writer, activist, and storyteller Mia Birdsong, author of the book How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community. They discuss her book and the ideas of individualism vs. interdependence, the trope of the strong Black woman, the need for meaningful connections, and how people react to her when she talks about it. M.J. asks Mia what we can do on a daily basis to help reclaim family, friendship, and community. Mia talks about the ideas of freedom and accountability, and sustaining and tending to relationships. M.J. also asks what educators can do to make sure that children understand interconnectedness. They discuss her journey to becoming a writer and an activist and her parent’s role in her upbringing. Mia shares tips on how to become an activist, and explains that we all authentically belong to the earth no matter who we are.

Mia Birdsong is an activist, facilitator and storyteller. She is author of the book How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community. A Senior Fellow of the Economic Security Project, she was also an inaugural Ascend Fellow of both The Aspen Institute and New America California. She was founding Co-Director of Family Story and Vice President of UpTogether (formerly Family Independence Initiative). Mia speaks widely at conferences and gatherings across the country. She lives with her loved ones on the occupied land of the Chochenyo Ohlone people (a.k.a. Oakland, CA). Read more about her work here.