On this episode, we are joined by Democratic Texas State Representatives Jarvis Johnson and Sheryl Cole. Representatives Cole and Johnson were among the other Democrats in the State legislature who staged a national walk out to avoid voting on an anti-democratic and anti-voter legislation as part of the national pushback on voting rights across the country. They discuss the voter suppression bill in detail, the threat of arrest by Governor Abbott and how those on the ground can help mobilize around this issue. Discussed in this episode: HR 3 Texas House bill For the People Act John Lewis Votin ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Andre Perry, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. As one of the contributing authors of the National Urban League’s State of Black America report, Dr. Perry discusses the economic disparities in the Black community due to COVID, its impact on housing and potential solutions to alleviate these issues and help the Black community build generational wealth. The host of this episode is Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the National Urban League’s Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy of the National Urban L ..read more

The State of Black America, co-hosted by National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the National Urban League’s Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy of the National Urban League, is aimed at elevating and discussing persistent policy, social and civil rights issues affecting African Americans and communities of color.   Marc Morial: Twitter: marcmorial Instagram: marcmorial   Joi Chaney: Twitter: @joitweets Instagram: @joigrams ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kary Stackelbeck, State Archaeologist for Oklahoma. Dr. Stackelbeck is currently conducting archaeological investigations and excavations into mass graves thought to contain the remains of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. She discusses the science, as well as the conscience of her work, and the role it will play in healing the deep racial wounds of the past. Host Clint Odom also draws parallels between the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the June 1, 1921 massacre in Tulsa. The host for this episode is Clint Odom, NUL Senior Vice P ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by U.S. Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL), who is a member of the freshman class of the 117th Congress. He is currently one of just three Black Republicans serving in Congress. Prior to Congress, U.S. Representative Donalds served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2016-2020. He discusses his role in the 2020 presidential electoral vote certification, caucus plans, and the next generation of Republicans in Congress. The hosts for this episode are Clint Odom, NUL Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy and Toni Wiley, NUL Director of ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by U.S. Representative-elect Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), who is a member of the freshman class of the 117th Congress. She holds the distinction of being the first member of Congress of both Korean and African-American heritage. Prior to Congress, U.S. Representative-elect Strickland was a prominent businesswoman and served as mayor of Tacoma, WA from 2010-2018. She discusses her journey to Capitol Hill, caucus plans, and her vision for serving the citizens of Washington’s 10thcongressional district and beyond. The host for this episode is Clint Odom, NUL Senior Vi ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), who currently serves on the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Budget, and Environment and Public Works. The senator explains that the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished most—but not all—slavery, permitting slavery or involuntary servitude “as a punishment for crime.” The punishment clause exception has led to the incarceration of millions of Black Americans since Reconstruction and continues to feed the current mass incarceration of people of color. Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative W ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), the current Assistant Whip of the Democratic Caucus and first vice president of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Representative Khanna discusses how the economy’s move towards cashless and contactless payments, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, could further widen the racial wealth gap and lock Black Americans out of the new tech economy. The hosts for this episode are Clint Odom, NUL Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy and Toni Wiley, NUL Director of Advocacy. From the National Urban League, For The Moveme ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by Evan Marwell, CEO of EducationSuperhighway, a non-profit organization that just smashed a very ambitious goal to connect 99% of America’s public school classrooms to high-speed internet. Mr. Marwell talks about the work and partnerships that contributed to this successful venture and what’s next for the organization as America’s students migrate away from classrooms to at-home learning. The hosts for this episode are Clint Odom, NUL Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy and Toni Wiley, NUL Director of Advocacy. From the National Urban League, For The ..read more

On this episode, we are joined by Pete Buttigieg, two-term mayor of South Bend, IN, 2020 U.S. presidential candidate, and Biden campaign surrogate. Mayor Buttigieg stops by for a “Election Eve” conversation about race, politics, and moving the country forward following one of the most divisive election cycles in recent history. The hosts for this episode are Clint Odom, NUL Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy and Toni Wiley, NUL Director of Advocacy. From the National Urban League, For The Movement discusses persistent policy, social, and civil rights issues affecting communities of ..read more