YWCA Lower Cape Fear Presents Talk On Race
Talk On Race is an effort to engage with the community in conversation as we race towards an equitable and just society. Each month we focus on a sector of society, and pull in experts and community leaders to discuss disparities, implicit and explicit bias, how racism shows up in their work, and their hope for our community and the future.
2021 Topics

Episode One | Wilmington’s Talk on Race
Panelists:
- Jhaniqua Palmer, Racial Justice & Advocacy Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear (Host)
- Macon Funderburk, New Choices Economic Advancement Program Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear
- Sean Bynum, Operations Director, Step Up Wilmington
- Christy Alley, Community Outreach Coordinator, The Harrelson Center
- Evelyn Bryant, CEO, Northside Bridgebuilders
Episode Two | School Talk On Race
Panelists:
- Jhaniqua Palmer, Racial Justice & Advocacy Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear (Host)
- Dr. LaChawn Smith, Deputy Superintendent for New Hanover County Schools
- Dalvonte Howard, Student Support Specialist, Williston Middle School
- Dr. ShaRon Dukes, CEO, The Rite Effect Consulting Group
- Marquis Duncan, Teacher, Friendship Ideal Academy
- Stefanie Adams, New Hanover County School Board
- Nelson Beaulieu, New Hanover County School Board
- Sabrina Hill-Black, Principal, D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy
Episode Three | Get Out the Vote
Panelists:
- Jhaniqua Palmer, Racial Justice & Advocacy Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear (Host)
- Deborah Dicks Maxwell, President, NHC NAACP
- Kathryn Hedgepeth, President, League of Women Voters of the Lower Cape Fear
- Pamela Pearson, General Counsel and North Carolina Voter ID Coalition Coordinator, Vote Riders
Episode Four | Public Safety
Panelists:
- Jhaniqua Palmer, Racial Justice & Advocacy Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear (Host)
- Sheriff Ed McMahon, New Hanover County Sheriff
- Vanessa Gonzalez, Bilingual Immigration Attorney, The Law Office of Vanessa A. Gonzalez, PLLC
- Dr. Joseph Jones, Associate Professor of Political Science, Philander Smith College
- Lettie Shumate, Historian and Antiracism Educator
Bonus Episode | Domestic Violence
Panelists:
- Jhaniqua Palmer, Racial Justice & Advocacy Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear (Host)
- Amber Burgin, Elijah’s Farm
- Amy White, Assistant District Attorney, New Hanover County
- Andrea Stough, Domestic Violence Shelter Wilmington
Bonus Episode from YWCA USA | Voices of Young Women of Color: Racial Justice
YWCA USA asked Generation Z women of color about the racial justice concerns facing their communities. Listen to what they have to say:
Episode Five | A Celebration of Indigenous People
Panelists:
- Jhaniqua Palmer, Racial Justice & Advocacy Coordinator, YWCA Lower Cape Fear (Host)
- Ashley Lomboy, Waccamaw Siouan Tribe
- Beth Jacobs, Waccamaw Siouan Tribe
- Jasmine Jacobs, Waccamaw Siouan Tribe
- Nancy Strickland Fields, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Episode Six | Youthful Minds
Panelists:
- Bethany Henry (Host), College Sophomore
- Janae Young, College Sophomore
- Mikala Parnell, College Freshman
- Chey Farrar, High School Senior
- Leah Avant, College Senior
- Brealyn Freeman, Middle School
Episode Seven | Mental Health
Panelists:
- Jhaniqua Palmer, Host, YWCA Lower Cape Fear Racial Justice and Advocacy Coordinator
- Ashley Gilmore, Gilmore Counseling & Consulting Services
- Susan Lewis, Community Counseling Center
- Dr. Miranda Y. Pearson, Divine Appointment Counseling Services
- Crystal Pellom, Coastal Horizons
- Daniela Williams, Community Counseling Center