79. Open Mic: Sivonnia DeBarros

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." -Harriet Tubman   What a week (/year) in America. The events at the White House on January 6th, regardless of our political affiliation, were horrendous. No one wants to see elicited violence like this, no one. Like many of you, I am still trying to fully unpack what I saw and question how something like this even happens in America in 2021? A T&T Open Mic conversation was in order to say the least. Given the visible (and tangible) differences between the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year and the domestics terrorism that happened on January 6th, I wanted to gain the perspective of a person of color AND someone close to the law. I knew what I thought, but of course do not see the world through everyone else's eyes. I messaged Sivonnia DeBarros (lawyer, author, speaker, podcaster, mom), inviting her to come on T&T for a candid conversation about where America is now and she graciously accepted. I have not met Sivonnia in person, but I knew right away she is a varsity human on a mission and she would not hold back in this conversation! The fact that two people that don't know each other, that don't look the same, can get together and have a heavy conversation in itself, gives me some ray of hope… but man, do we have a long way to go. Sivonnia and I discuss the events of January 6th, the difference between protesting and terrorism, how she explains the world to the young humans in her life, and what she's hopeful for as a black woman in America… and so much more. Please check out all the good that Sivonnia is putting into this world, with her family, her practice, books, and all initiatives she working on for 2021! God bless every person out there working to do the right thing every day you are not alone. #keepthefaith   Sivonnia DeBarros:   The Protector of Athletes - is a first-generation lawyer and law business owner, woman in business and a former track and field Division-I College athlete. DeBarros has represented pro athletes from the NFL, MLS, and Pro-Table Tennis sports by helping them to properly set up businesses, put proper agreements in place and create legacies that will pay dividends in the future.   DeBarros's practice areas are Business, Employment, Sports, and Entertainment. DeBarros is passionate about helping athletes, women, and first-generation business owners because she understands the peculiar struggle many have faced by not having the necessary support and guidance to be successful.   Additionally, DeBarros is a public speaker, entrepreneur, and a bestselling published author of What Are You Sporting About?   DeBarros previously authored The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act: the Roadblocks to Recovery law article, published in Chicago-Kent College Of Law's Seventh Circuit's Review Law Journal, and published the new Children's Book, JoJo Learns About Credibility, which is the first book of her new Children Series, JoJo's Legal Adventures, and recently, JoJo Learns About Voting in November 2020.   To learn more about Attorney DeBarros, her firm or her publications, please visit www.sldebarros.com or buy her book on Amazon. To Learn more about her podcast and webinars, visit www.prosportlawyer.com.   @sldebarroslaw @whatareyousportingabout   Connect with T&T: IG: @TurmericTequila Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com   Host: Kristen Olson IG: @Madonnashero Tik Tok: @Madonnashero Email: [email protected] Website: www.KOAlliance.com