Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Tamika D. Mallory On Finding Her Voice, Boycotting Companies Rolling Back DEI, New Book + More

Episode Information:

• Title: INTERVIEW: Tamika D. Mallory On Finding Her Voice, Boycotting Companies Rolling Back DEI, New Book + More
• Host: The Breakfast Club with DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God
• Guest: Tamika D. Mallory
• Release Date: February 11, 2025

Introduction

The episode kicks off with the vibrant energy typical of The Breakfast Club. DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God introduce Tamika D. Mallory, a prominent civil rights activist and author, who joins them to discuss her newly released memoir, I Live to Tell a Story: A Memoir of Love, Legacy, and Resilience.

Book Deal and Creative Control

Tamika recounts her journey to publishing her memoir, emphasizing the importance of creative control in her book deal.

Tamika D. Mallory [00:31]: "I had a lot of creative control here. I would text you and say, they're not listening to me. Tell them something, you know."

She credits Charlamagne as family who supported her decision to opt for an imprint where she could retain her narrative voice.

Distinguishing Memoir from "State of Emergency"

DJ Envy probes into the differences between her memoir and her previous work, "State of Emergency."

Tamika D. Mallory [01:36]: "State of Emergency was more so my theory of change for America... This book is a prescription for me."

Tamika explains that while "State of Emergency" laid out strategies for societal change and allyship, her memoir aims to resonate personally with readers, particularly young black girls, by sharing her own challenges and resilience.

Book Cover Significance

The conversation turns to the distinctive cover design of her memoir, featuring her iconic cornrows juxtaposed with a full-blown bust.

Jess Hilarious [03:13]: "What was the decision to do? Cause the front of the book, there's the braids on one side and the back of the book is the full blown 30 inch bust down."

Tamika elaborates on how the cover reflects her multifaceted identity and the importance of black housing projects in her upbringing.

Tamika D. Mallory [05:22]: "This cover is more than just a cover. It's like telling you a story about what's in the book and what's in my life."

Finding Her Voice and Strategic Communication

Tamika discusses her evolution in using her voice more wisely and strategically, moving from constant debates to impactful, timing-sensitive advocacy.

Tamika D. Mallory [07:18]: "I have learned to protect my peace. ... So I just decided to make my voice mean more by using it at the appropriate time."

She underscores the importance of focusing energy on meaningful actions rather than engaging in every possible argument, a lesson solidified during the Women's March.

Tamika D. Mallory [08:56]: "Once I started seeing how many people have the same experience, I knew it was time for me to release this story."

The Women's March and Internal Movement Challenges

Charlamagne Tha God questions the longevity and internal dynamics of the Women's March, prompting Tamika to reflect on the complexities of maintaining unity within a movement.

Tamika D. Mallory [14:23]: "We were trailblazers... now some people are trying to take credit without understanding the foundation we built."

She acknowledges ongoing efforts to make the Women's March more inclusive, particularly for black women, while expressing frustration over internal conflicts and the slow pace of progress.

Dealing with Attacks and Upholding Nonviolence

The discussion delves into how Tamika navigates attacks from both external adversaries and within her movement, maintaining a stance rooted in nonviolence inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tamika D. Mallory [16:00]: "I have always tried to maintain a posture of not getting into a public battle... Carmen Perez would say, you attack the forces of evil and not people doing evil."

She recounts a documentary scene illustrating the tension between Dr. King and Stokely Carmichael, highlighting her approach to handling differing strategies within the same overarching goal.

Inside and Outside Strategies in Activism

DJ Envy introduces the concept of balancing internal and external strategies in activism, referencing historical and contemporary figures.

Tamika D. Mallory [20:13]: "We have to have that inside, outside game... It's problematic people all over the place."

Tamika emphasizes the necessity of coordinating both internal advocacy within institutions and external protests to effectively combat systemic issues like white supremacy and racism.

Boycotting Corporations Rolling Back DEI

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Tamika's activism against corporations retracting their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly Target.

Tamika D. Mallory [25:44]: "We shouldn't show up in spaces where people are saying they don't want... I'm actively black."

She advocates for strategic consumer boycotts, encouraging the black community to redirect their spending towards black-owned businesses to counteract corporate rollbacks of DEI commitments.

Tamika D. Mallory [31:42]: "People are big consumers... once you are able to say, I'm going to join this movement and start to boycott, it's easier to start thinking, what else can we do together?"

Navigating the Fragmented Landscape of Social Media Activism

DJ Envy raises concerns about the fragmentation of protest movements in the age of social media, questioning how coordinated efforts can be maintained.

Tamika D. Mallory [59:29]: "It's not perfect... but it's a continuation of what we've been doing."

Tamika explains the grassroots origins of the boycott movement, highlighting the importance of on-the-ground activism alongside digital efforts to ensure cohesive and effective protests.

Personal Trauma and Resilience

In a deeply personal moment, Tamika shares her experiences with sexual abuse as a child, discussing how writing her memoir has been a form of healing and empowerment.

Tamika D. Mallory [73:14]: "I went through all of that, and I'm still here... taking care of myself looked like writing it down."

She recounts a harrowing incident where a neighbor intervened to save her from potential assault, illustrating her resilience and the impact of community support.

Tamika D. Mallory [73:52]: "The mother of one of the boys saved my life... I got out of there with a pit bull sitting in front of the door."

Balancing Activism with Personal Well-being

The hosts inquire about how Tamika manages her personal struggles while being on the front lines of activism.

Jess Hilarious [73:19]: "When do you take time to deal with your own personal stuff?"

Tamika shares that she has become better at managing her emotions, utilizing support systems and her experiences in rehab to prioritize her mental health.

Tamika D. Mallory [73:55]: "Take care of me now... I will die fighting for freedom, but this time freedom includes me."

Conclusion and Upcoming Events

As the interview winds down, Tamika promotes her book tour and upcoming events, emphasizing community engagement and continued activism.

Tamika D. Mallory [80:00]: "I'm going to have events in New York, D.C., Tulsa, New Orleans, Miami, Jacksonville, and Atlanta... you can see where I am all over the country."

She encourages listeners to support her efforts by attending events and purchasing her book from black-owned bookstores.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Tamika D. Mallory [01:36]:

   "State of Emergency was more so my theory of change for America... This book is a prescription for me."

2. Tamika D. Mallory [05:22]:

   "This cover is more than just a cover. It's like telling you a story about what's in the book and what's in my life."

3. Tamika D. Mallory [07:18]:

   "I have learned to protect my peace... I just decided to make my voice mean more by using it at the appropriate time."

4. Tamika D. Mallory [16:00]:

   "I have always tried to maintain a posture of not getting into a public battle... you attack the forces of evil and not people doing evil."

5. Tamika D. Mallory [25:44]:

   "We shouldn't show up in spaces where people are saying they don't want... I'm actively black."

6. Tamika D. Mallory [73:55]:

   "I went through all of that, and I'm still here... taking care of myself looked like writing it down."

Key Themes and Insights

• Empowerment Through Storytelling: Tamika emphasizes the power of personal narratives in inspiring and guiding others, particularly young black girls, to find their own voices and resilience.

• Strategic Activism: The discussion highlights the necessity of balancing internal advocacy within institutions with external protests and consumer boycotts to effect systemic change.

• Resilience and Healing: Tamika’s personal story of overcoming trauma underscores the importance of self-care and community support in sustaining long-term activism.

• Corporate Accountability: The episode delves into the complexities of holding corporations accountable for rolling back DEI initiatives, advocating for informed consumer choices and economic empowerment within the black community.

• Generational Wisdom: Tamika bridges the efforts of past civil rights leaders with contemporary activism, stressing the importance of both elder wisdom and youthful energy in progressive movements.

Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers a profound and multifaceted conversation with Tamika D. Mallory, blending personal memoir with strategic activism. Tamika’s insights into consumer boycotts, corporate accountability, and personal resilience provide listeners with both inspiration and actionable strategies for contributing to ongoing social justice movements. Her dedication to empowering the black community through economic means and storytelling serves as a compelling call to action for all who seek meaningful change.

Note: For listeners interested in Tamika D. Mallory's work, her memoir I Live to Tell a Story is available at major bookstores and online retailers, with events scheduled across various cities to engage and inspire communities nationwide.