Still Surviving

Jun 4

Episode 15: Still Surviving: Defying the Odds with Dignity

WITH GUEST DR. REGINA VINCENT-WILLIAMS
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Gena V, an author, poet, speaker and unflinching truth-teller whose life journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised in the rural South during the painful transition out of segregation, Dr. V’s story is one of systemic injustice, personal resilience and the quiet dignity of continuing on when the world stands in your way. She brings both wisdom and warmth as she shares how she fought for her education, overcame the obstacles of teen motherhood and found her voice through faith, writing and advocacy. This conversation will challenge your assumptions and offer a deeper understanding of what survival really means, especially for Black women in America.

Key Themes from the Episode:

Segregation, Injustice, and the “Split Shift” Era
Dr. Gena V shares what it was like to be transferred out of her all-Black high school into an unprepared, racially tense new environment, where educational resources were slashed and outcomes deeply unequal. Her fight for justice continues to this day as she advocates for honorary diplomas for the students who were failed by the system.
Teen Motherhood and the Pursuit of Higher Education
Becoming a mother at 17 didn’t end her dreams, it reshaped them. With the support of her family, she returned to school, enrolled in college, and eventually earned her doctorate while balancing motherhood, work and marriage.
Rebuilding After Job Loss and Rediscovering Faith
After losing a job under painful circumstances, Dr. V found strength in her spirituality. What started as journaling became her first book and marked the beginning of a prolific writing and speaking career grounded in hope and healing.
Marriage, Complexity, and the Strength to Stay or Go
Dr. V speaks candidly about her current marriage, the emotional dissonance of being with someone who doesn’t fully understand your purpose and the difficult choices women often face between staying, leaving or redefining survival in real time.
Survival as Resistance and Legacy
From erasure of public records to enduring silencing, Dr. V continues to write, speak, and advocate not just for herself, but for future generations. Her story is a call to honor all the ways survival shows up and how turning pain into purpose is itself a radical act.

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