NorthStar GAZE
Embark on a transformative journey with the "NorthStar Gaze" podcast, sharing intimate stories from Geo-Stem luminaries. In 1-on-1 chats, explore their journeys and profound contributions to geography and GIS.
Inspired by our Telescope program, each episode offers a telescopic view into their lives. Uncover the human side of Geo-Stem, where passion meets purpose, and racial justice is central.
"The NorthStar Gaze" is your invitation to a Homecoming, where diverse voices paint the tapestry of contributions to geography and STEM. Tune in and let the brilliance of these geo-stars guide you.
Inspired by our Telescope program, each episode offers a telescopic view into their lives. Uncover the human side of Geo-Stem, where passion meets purpose, and racial justice is central.
"The NorthStar Gaze" is your invitation to a Homecoming, where diverse voices paint the tapestry of contributions to geography and STEM. Tune in and let the brilliance of these geo-stars guide you.
Episodes
26 episodes
Tara Roberts – Mapping Hidden Histories Underwater Exploration
In this episode captivating Homecoming keynote, Tara Roberts, shares insights from her profound underwater journey to uncover the untold stories of Black history through scuba diving, storytelling, and geospatial exploration. She shares transfo...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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23:40
Clinton Johnson – Welcome to Homecoming Art, Afro-futurism, Geo
In this opening keynote episode of NorthStar GAZE, Clinton Johnson sets the tone for the season by exploring the transformative power of GIS and storytelling in building equitable futures. Reflecting on the theme of Art, Afro-futurism, an...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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18:36
Aisha Jenkins - Passing the Torch to Yariwo and Erica
Join us in this special episode of The NorthStar Gaze where we celebrate the vibrant and innovative voices from the African diaspora, season 2 will debut our new hosts Yairwo from Kenya and Erica from the US. Listen to their intimate st...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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17:34
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The NorthStar Logo: Infusing History and Innovation
In this, the final episode of season 1 of the NorthStar GAZE, Aisha, along with co-founder Clinton and graphic designer Skye, take listeners on an inspiring journey recounting the creation of the NorthStar logo. They delve into the historical s...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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25:30
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The Origin Story: NorthStar of GIS from Connecting to Transforming
Join Aisha Jenkins and Clinton Johnson as they delve into the deeply personal and inspiring origins of NorthStar of GIS, a community-driven effort to create a racially just geography. From the emotional impact of Philando Castile's death to the...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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35:22
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Dr. Gladys B. West - Celebrating Black in Geography Day (as told by daughter Carolyn Oglesby)
Celebrating Black Geographers: Dr. Gladys West's LegacyThis special episode of The North Star Gaze podcast celebrates Black Geographers Day by honoring the incredible story of Dr. Gladys B. West, a hidden figure whose pivotal contributi...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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46:32
Aisha Jenkins - The Battle For Souls in the Geo-Sphere
In the closing keynote speech, Aisha Jenkins highlights the importance of representation and having the right people in the room for conversations that impact marginalized communities. She expresses gratitude to the attendees and sponsors, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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19:40
Dr. Dawn Wright - Hold the Door... A GIS Legacy
In this episode of the North Star Gaze podcast, host Aisha chats with Dr. Dawn Wright, Chief Scientist at ESRI. They talk about Dawn's journey in the GIS field, from her introduction to it as a doctoral student at UC Santa Barbara to her curren...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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37:34
Nick Okafor - Liberatory GIS and Angelic Trubel Makers
In this podcast episode, join Aisha as she interviews Nick Okafor, the founder of Trubel&Co, a tech justice nonprofit. They discuss the concept of liberatory innovation, the importance of amplifying ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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35:03
Veronique Couttee - Centering Humanity in GIS Work
In this profound conversation between Aisha and Vero, they explore the intersections of geospatial equity, leadership, and personal growth within the African diaspora. Vero, founder of Geospatial Equity Tech and the AfriTech Fellowship, delves ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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43:16
Kevin Carrington - The Minds of Kids, Where Innovation Lives
In this episode, Kevin Carrington, a hospital executive and founder of the nonprofit, the C3 Initiative, Inc., discusses his love for GIS and how it all began with his fascination for encyclopedias and...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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20:53
Eric Brown - Leveraging Soft Skills in the Workplace
Join Aisha as she sits down with Eric Brown of AWS to discuss career advice, the impact of GIS on communities, the importance of being reflective, and workplace diversity. Eric shares his career background in tech, his experience attending the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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29:15
Jenn Summers - The Importance of Community Involvement in GIS work
In this episode, Aisha and Jenn Summers discuss the National Academies' Gulf Research Program and its focus on environmental protection and stewardship in the Gulf of Mexico region. Jenn shares her career journey and her passion for using Geogr...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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19:46
Gloria Desanker - Education has Always Been an Act of Resistance
In this episode, Aisha interviews Gloria Desanker, a GIS consultant and founder of MapNerd Consulting, who shares her journey and experiences as an entrepreneur in the field of environmental and soci...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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18:37
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Margo Corum - Being Black in White Dominant Spaces
A conversation between Aisha and Margo Corum, where they discuss Margo's role as a visiting scientist at the National Academies and her current sabbatical, the workshops she is running for the National Science Foundation, the challenges of impo...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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19:54
Michael Feldman - Mentorship, Cultural Competency and Resilience
Today's podcast features an engaging conversation between Aisha and Michael Feldman. Michael shares his career path, from working on the Census of Marine Life to his current role at the National Academy of Sciences in the Gulf Research Program....
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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18:40
Frank Romo - Using Geo Technology for Social Change and Impact
In this episode, Aisha sat down with Frank Romo, a community organizer, and activist from Los Angeles, discusses the work of Romo GIS in using technology for social change and social impact. He highlights ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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19:12
Dr. Amy Yeboah Quarkume - In Truth and Service
In this conversation, the host interviews Dr. Amy, an Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Data Science at Howard University. They discuss Dr. Amy's career journey, the importance of owning and knowing who owns data, and the significance...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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16:09
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Dr. Tony Graham - Culturally Competent Education For Us by Us
In this episode Aisha has a conversation with Dr. Tony Graham, a retired professor and GIS pioneer, discussing the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the challenges and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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34:12
Dr. Linda Loubert - Existing at the Intersection of Economics and Geo
In this podcast episode, Aisha chats with Dr. Linda Loubert, a political economist, GIS professional, and professor at Morgan State University discusses the intersec...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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26:44
Cari Harris - Intergenerational Diversity in Environmental Justice Work
In this episode of GAZE, Aisha interviews Cari Harris about her work with HEJTT, the HBCU Environmental Justice Technical Team. Cari shares her journey into the field of environmental justice and GIS, the mission of HEJTT, and the importance of...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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32:35
Skye Jones - Mapping Should Honor and not Commodify
In this episode of North Star Gaze, Aisha interviews Skye, a GIS professional with a background in graphic design and user experience. They discuss the importance of representation in the GIS industry, the power of maps in communities, and the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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23:40
Sandra Auchter - Navigating Imposter Syndrome
In this episode, Aisha interviews Sandra Auchter, the Director of National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Denver. Sandra shares her inspiring career path, starting as an imagery analyst and working her way up to become a senior executive in the...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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17:10
Shannon Bartlett - The Importance of the Community Gaze
A conversation between Shannon Bartlett, the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at the National Geographic Society, and Aisha about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. They discuss embedding DEI in a...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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27:42
Clinton Johnson - Welcome to the Audio Homecoming Experience
In this opening keynote Clinton Johnson, one of the founders of the North Star of GIS, welcomes the participants to their first in-person Homecoming event. The event aims to promote racial justice through equitable geographic approaches. The th...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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32:11
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