Ever wonder who will carry the torch of change into the future of American politics and environmental action?  Be inspired by two trailblazers whose leadership and determination exemplify what's needed to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all.  Juan Ramiro Sarmiento of Run for Something discusses how the organization reshapes the political sphere by supporting young, diverse candidates in key, down-ballot local and state elections.  Transitioning from the ballot box to the courtroom, we are joined by the formidable Talia Hernandez, whose environmental activism t ..read more

Venture with us into an episode where  Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro and Ronda Chapman from the Trust for Public Land discuss their efforts to reconnect Black communities with nature's joys and healing powers.  Their stories weave a narrative tapestry that celebrates culture, fosters community, and uplifts Black voices in the outdoor spaces. While both Rue and Ronda bring to light the systemic racism that has long kept outdoor spaces out of reach for many, each, in their individual efforts, also stitches a roadmap toward repair and reclamation. Together, their visions converge on a futur ..read more

Discover the powerful role of artificial intelligence in preserving indigenous languages in our latest episode, where I, Angela Glover Blackwell, engage in a compelling discussion with Keoni Mahelona, the talented CTO of Te Hiku Media. We delve into the rich history of the Maori people, uncovering the injustices they've faced and the ways AI is paving the way toward the revitalization of their language. Get ready to be intrigued and enlightened as we discuss how Te Hiku Media is disrupting traditional systems using AI to ensure the preservation of the Maori language. We also explore the pivot ..read more

Get ready to be inspired by revolutionizing education. Our guest, Ja'Sonta Roberts, the offsite programs manager for Assemble, takes us on a journey through a new STEAM curriculum that’s infused with Black history and Afrofuturism. This dynamic approach, developed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helps students envision their future selves as innovators and leaders. We dive deep into the heart of this progressive curriculum, exploring how Afrofuturism is woven into lessons, the value of representation, and how this approach is shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for education. Envision a le ..read more

What if the nearest source of clean water was miles away from your home? Picture a world where access to this basic necessity is not a given, but a struggle. That's the reality for many in the Navajo Nation, and our guest, Cindy Howe, director of the Navajo Water Project at DigDeep, knows it all too well.  Yet her passion for bridging the water divide shines through as she talks about the importance of local leadership and collaboration in addressing this crisis, while fighting the recent Supreme Court ruling against the Navajo Nation's water rights. This episode is enriched with stories ..read more

Can you imagine a world in which we not only acknowledge the systemic injustices tied to housing and land disparities but actively rectify them? Join us as we engage in a profound conversation with Rasheedah Phillips, Afrofuturist and Director of Housing at PolicyLink to explore spatial reparations -- a transformative approach to rectifying historical wrongs. We journey through local initiatives like those in Evanston, Illinois, demonstrating the possibilities of reparations targeted at specific communities. We also bridge the connection between spatial reparations and movements like the landb ..read more

Ever wondered how communities become the frontline warriors in the battle against climate change? Well, we've got Doris Brown, co-director of West Street Recovery, to unravel this mystery. She lifts the veil on how systemic inequities, housing, infrastructure, and government funding are all intertwined with climate issues. Her work in Houston, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, has led to community organizing that transformed devastation into platforms for change. A fascinating journey from a community of 12 to over 100 members in the Northeast Action Collective, they've manage ..read more

If we are to realize a radically inclusive, thriving, multiracial democracy,  we must lay claim to that future, raise our voices, and use our collective power to redesign a nation that truly works for all.  Tune in for a stirring discussion with Michael McAfee, President & CEO of PolicyLink, as we unpack the significant impact of President Biden's Executive Orders on racial equity and how they can be wielded to effect real change.  We discuss the impact of Black voters turning out in record numbers in the 2020 election, joined by young voters and people who were demanding a ..read more

"If we have any hopes of fundamentally breaking away from the patterns of the past and rupturing the inadequate present, the future can no longer be envisioned only by those with the privilege of time and space to imagine. It can no longer be constructed within a bootstraps narrative of personal responsibility and self-determination that treats only some as deserving of a roof over their heads. Our measure of progress must rely on how much we can transform our values to provide broad scale and equitable access to housing opportunities for all.” In this episode, Angela talks to PolicyLink Housi ..read more

Non-police emergency response remains an extremely relevant topic, even though we're seeing strong pushback against the Defund the Police movement -- including from those who were initially supportive.  Yet police, throughout the country, continue to remain at odds with the communities they are supposed to protect. In this episode, Angela discusses the potential of emergency triage that doesn’t involve police intervention with Brandon Anderson, an abolitionist and founder of the police reporting network Raheem and Arturo Carrillo, an emergency mental health clinician in Chicago, who is pu ..read more