In conversation about political violence, Black women, and discriminatory narratives perpetuated by hateful figures, our newest FTR explores it all.

In this episode, hosts Makayla Rivera and Jasmine Patrick open up with reflections on the transition of leadership from Dr. Helene Gayle to Interim President Dr. Brewer before diving into an honest conversation about Black women’s leadership. They explore what leadership means, why Black women often carry its weight, and how rest can function as a powerful key to leadership. The hosts unpack Spelman’s unique culture of leadership, from classroom expectations to RSO dynamics, questioning both the pressures and the performance that come with being a leader.

African Diaspora and the World (ADW) is a course that all Spelman students are required to take, yet the experiences that students have with the course vary widely. In this episode, Gabrielle, Denim, and Mari from the Archives team discuss the history of ADW and situate it within the context of the movement of Black studies programs. They discuss student experiences and feedback on their ADW experience, concluding with a radical imagining of what the future of ADW can look like.

In this episode, Host Makayla Rivera alongside Archives Lead Gabrielle and TBR Director Jasmine Patrick explore the historical evolution of Black Americans from commodities under slavery to participants in capitalism, questioning whether true liberation can exist within a system built on exploitation. The group critiques the commodification of "Black Excellence" and the rise of respectability politics, highlighting how elitism and capitalism undermine collective uplift. Ultimately, the episode asks whether freedom lies in reforming the system or building a new one rooted in community and sisterhood. Contributions made by Communications Lead Gabrielle Dandridge

In this episode, host Makayla Rivera (co ‘28) and TBR director Jasmine Patrick (co ‘26) explore the complexities of sisterhood at Spelman College, beginning with a mental check-in post election season.

The two trace the origins and traditions of Spelman, examining how ideals of unity, legacy, and belonging have shaped the student experience. From the symbolism of first-year rituals to questions of imposter syndrome and inclusion, the conversation considers what sisterhood truly means in both historical and contemporary contexts.

The episode concludes with a reflection on how authentic, sustainable sisterhood can be cultivated within TBR and across the wider Spelman community.

Join Haven Gilcrist and Blair Martin from the Archives team in reflecting upon the stories of pregnant and parenting students and their journey through Spelman College.

TBR Host Jocelyn Baker sits down for a chat with Archivist Blair Martin in a talk on legacy and leadership through Spelman College’s student-led publication, The Blueprint.

For the Record is joined by student guest Righteous Walton in a discussion on queerness at Spelman. In this episode, Gabrielle, Janae, and Righteous uncover how students of the LGBTQ+ community take up space on campus and add nuance to the Spelman experience.