Throughout this recent climate, people are removing the wall of racial division, instead creating a bridge towards understanding, healing and unity. Whether it’s through participation at marches, or just sitting down and having a conversation with one another, the days of cultural isolation are slowly fading away to a time of growing in friendship across all barriers.

Gainesville residents Nicki Bland and Franie Robin, creators of “A Different Truth” podcast, have been doing their part to close the gap for years.

The Fairfax-born, yet Manassas raised Nicki has been friends with the Caribbean-raised Franie for more than 15 years, and recently the PW Perspective spoke with the duo on how they met. Through their strengthened bond and desire for change, they are leading the charge on having the long overdue conversations on race.

Their story starts as they met at Chapel Springs Church in Bristow, where they were in similar social circles. How it manifested, however, is what makes this story so unique.

“There was this book called ‘The Dream King,’ in which my mother was an editor,” says Nicki. “The book is based on racial reconciliation and at the end of it has a call to action. I happened to give Franie a copy and that’s how the [book discussion] group started.”

Franie, who moved to Prince William County in 2005, didn’t grow up in categories according to race, so it was a shock when she came to America and experienced both classism and racism.

“It was always a fight for me to get the things I needed,” said Franie. “I struggled to get my voice heard, but I always spoke out on issues I felt were not fair.” She recalled a story in which she had to get her tires fixed and the mechanic would eschew her in favor of other customers, which provided a jarring reality.

“I realized that if I was ever going to see things get done correctly, I had to speak out.”

As they read the Dream King together, their friendship grew into action. Franie even wrote a workbook for it, asking pertinent questions on sometimes uncomfortable topics among the groups. Classes were once a month. They would go through different themes, including talking about the slave bible and slave prayer that was recited in the book.

Nicki learned from family members that she not only may be a descendant of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, but is also related to abolitionists. Upon this discovery she had to ask herself an important question, which dictated her direction.

“In response to the call to action in ‘The Dream King’ I asked myself,” recalls Nicki,”What do you want to be a part of? The blessing or the curse?”

The history major Nicki, who proclaims that she was “obsessed with the Civil War,” made her decision.

“I wanted to run to every Harris Teeter [grocery store] and hug every black person, but Franie said no.” The friends laughed as they shared what was a pivotal moment.

Going forward, they became part of an organization called “Be the Bridge,” which according to their mission statement ’empowers people and culture towards healing, equity and reconciliation.’ When the duo met the organization had only 25,000 members. Currently has over 60,000 members.

They created their own “Be the Bridge” in January 2019. Among the topics they discuss in their group is a subject called Bridge Building 101. In it they discuss how society is built from a white construct.

Nicki brings up a very interesting point as they discuss the group, which is a diverse mix of participants. “Ask a white person about their culture, and in most cases they won’t know how to respond.”

The conversation switches to how they created the first episode of “A Different Truth” podcast. How did it happen?

Nicki says, “I was in the car on my way to work listening and everything on the radio was either a college course or a talk show with a lot of opinion but very boisterous. I wanted something really informative but also conversational. I called Franie about creating our own version and she said yes before I even finished the question.”

After laying the groundwork, the first episode was recorded in January but not published until February.

Franie talks about the reaction of the podcast from other listeners. “Feedback has been very positive. We wanted to present history in bite size pieces, every time we post something, we could tell others to look at the previous episodes. In our second episode we discussed the historical timeline of racism in this country.”

Nicki discusses how their podcast teaches history not often taught to students in school. “Most black history is taught like this: the Civil War, then Civil Rights, then [President Barack] Obama. There’s so much missing that is not talked about. People won’t study the history unless they seek it, and that’s what we do.”

“On one episode we provide resources so people would be able to find where to get the information.”

Franie says that each episode provides a foundation for people to move forward. “We ask them at the end of each show to take action. So many blacks are lending their heritage as part of the struggle. People are carrying the weight, especially in the black community. We are educating them in so many ways. There is a hunger to learn and for people across the color spectrum to engage.”

Speaking of engagement, the show has created a new level of understanding within Nicki’s family. She discusses a story of how Asheville, North Carolina began to recently offer reparations to black people, and how she was able to speak with a relative of hers regarding it.

“I had shared the story of (reparations) in Asheville, NC that was on FB. My aunt calls me to ask about it. The scales are falling away from people’s eyes.”

Despite the progress, there are still areas in which the duo feels have yet to be reached when it comes to America’s past. “A lot of Christians don’t understand the history of slavery. Our church was started by a black pastor that split during Jim Crow,” says Nicki.

As the conversation winds down, they begin to talk about the future of race relations, and how the current climate can open the door for the necessary change.

Franie goes first. “I see change happening at the higher level. We need to encourage young people to run for office. The church is having conversations now about race. People need to invest more in the black community. We need change in the legal arena, and the 13^th amendment finally amended.”

Nicki follows up with how she participated in the “Behind the Sign” rally in Haymarket last month, where she was a panelist. She recalls one of the conversations she had regarding disparities in school discipline. “We discussed how black kids are more likely to be punished in school than white students.”

Among them they have seven children, and they feel it’s imperative to have them carry on the mantle of leadership. Nicki provides an overview of what she believes need to happen going forward. “We need the next generation to stay involved. I have three teenage girls who are actively studying these topics and now sharing stories with me. I have black teenagers coming to me asking what to do next.”

For more details on their show and how they are bridging the racial gap, follow them on Facebook, Instagram (@differenttruthpodcast) or Twitter.

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