In this episode, we kick off our Safety First series by diving into the first three lessons of the Black-Liberation.Tech OER—centered on protecting yourself and others in digital spaces.

Join Dr. Renée Jordan as she reads the stories of Jazmin, Ebony, and Njoki—three women navigating online safety with intention, community, and clarity. Through conversations with girls, moms, and mentors, we explore how personal information can be misused, the difference between posting and oversharing, and how to build safe digital environments that protect both ourselves and those around us.

Whether you're a student, educator, or community member, this episode will leave you reflecting on your digital choices and inspired to lead with care in online spaces.

✍🏽 Reflective Questions

1. What types of personal information do you share online—intentionally or unintentionally?
2. How do your social media habits support or challenge your own safety?
3. Has there ever been a time when you felt vulnerable or exposed online? What would you do differently now?
4. What does it mean to create a safe online space for others? What can you do to contribute to that?
5. How can you teach someone younger than you to stay safe in digital communities?

In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée reflects on childhood friendships, neighborhood connections, and the art of building community—from knocking on doors to asking the right questions. As the only girl in a house of brothers, she had to learn how to build her own circle of sisterhood.

She also dives into how books—especially those by Terry McMillan, Maya Angelou, Zora Neale Hurston, and Cicely Tyson—shaped her understanding of relationships, emotional labor, and self-worth. Through stories and observations, this episode invites you to consider how you and your daughters build friendships, navigate social cues, and learn how to be in relationship with others—on purpose.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Community-building is intentional. Teaching girls how to introduce themselves, ask questions, and initiate friendships lays a foundation for strong social skills and confidence.
• Books shape our relational intelligence. Stories by Black women authors help us understand the complexity of relationships, resilience, and personal growth.
• Friendship is a practice. Just like reading or riding a bike, kids must learn—and practice—how to interact, listen, and communicate clearly.
• Observation is a teacher. Whether through real-life examples or fictional characters, we learn how to engage others by watching how people handle love, loss, conflict, and joy.

🪞Reflective Questions

1. How are your daughters (or nieces/students) learning to make friends? Are they the ones initiating connection?
2. What books helped you understand yourself or others better? What did they teach you about love, boundaries, or resilience?
3. Do your children know how to recognize when a friendship isn’t working—and do they feel empowered to speak up?
4. How are you modeling community-building and friendship for the young people in your life?
5. How do you help young girls notice social cues, navigate discomfort, and create space for honest conversations?

In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Jordan reflects on a transformative 7-year mentorship with a Social Policy professor—how it began, how it grew, and the impact it continues to have. She also shares a surprising twist: receiving letters of recommendation from two unexpected sources—an adjunct professor and a former faculty member who had already left the institution. Tune in to hear how meaningful connections can come from both the expected and the unexpected, and why nurturing authentic relationships matters more than you think.

🎧 Reflective Questions:

1. How have your long-term mentoring relationships shaped your academic or professional path?

2. Have you ever underestimated the impact you made on someone—only to later receive unexpected support from them?

3. What does this episode teach you about the value of maintaining genuine connections, even when circumstances change?