Photo credit (small photo in upper right):
Pax Ahimsa Gethen / Wikicommons
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast features movement voices, stories, and strategies for racial justice. Co-hosts Chevon and Hiba give their unique takes on race and pop culture, and uplift narratives of hope, struggle, and joy, as we continue to build the momentum needed to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Build on your racial justice lens and get inspired to drive action by learning from organizational leaders and community activists.
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Episodes
Episode 07: Policy is Local, Local, Local! with Debra Gore-Mann from The Greenlining Institute
On this episode of Momentum, Debra Gore-Mann, President and CEO of The Greenlining Institute joins Chevon for an energizing conversation on Greenlining’s “The Solution to Redlining” work!
Episode 07: Policy is Local, Local, Local! with Debra Gore-Mann from The Greenlining Institute
On this episode of Momentum, Debra Gore-Mann, President and CEO of The Greenlining Institute joins Chevon for an energizing conversation on Greenlining’s “The Solution to Redlining” work!
Debra talks about becoming the first woman to hold the leadership position of The Greenlining Institute in the organization’s 26-year history, and tells the stories of how the complexities of growing up in a biracial Black and Japanese family prepared her to lead Greenlining in 2021. She also talks about the history of Greenlining’s work in relation to the concept of “Redlining” and makes the historical parallels that have happened for communities of color during the (now year-long) COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination efforts. Debra and Chevon discuss the fraught topic of recent racial attacks by Black youths against Asian elders and the systemic ways the violence is perpetrated, Greenlining’s ongoing work supporting the Green New Deal and advocating for an Office of Racial Equity in California, and the clear ways advocating for/implementing racial equity policy at the local level can influence federal policy.
We also preview a clip of Race Forwards’ #RaceAnd The Movement Forward: Organizing For Racial Justice After the Inauguration, where Race Forward and other organizers/activists discussed the Biden Administration’s first month in office, and analyzed steps taken so far in crafting federal policy to address urgent racial justice priorities. Check the shownotes for video of the full online event!
Resources (by order of mention)
#RaceAnd The Movement Forward: Organizing For Racial Justice After The Inauguration
The Greenlining Institute
Official Website
The Greenlined Economy Guidebook
“Algorithmic Bias Explained: How Automated Decision-Making Becomes Automated Discrimination.” (via CNET)
Debra Gore-Mann
Building a Nation Where Communities of Color Thrive: Debra Gore-Mann on Why She Joined Greenlining
Toward a Shared Liberation (Debra on the recent incidents of anti-Asian violence)
Bank Boards Need More Women of Color by Debra Gore-Mann, Rawan Elhalaby
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva, Cheryl Cato Blakemore
Episode 06: New Year, New Administration, and New Opportunities, with Fatima Goss Graves from the National Women’s Law Center!
A historic election in Georgia. The insurrection at the U.S Capitol. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ inauguration. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hiba and Chevon return to kick off the second half of Season 2 by addressing everything that happened in the month of January and talking about the work moving forward under a new presidential administration.
Episode 06: New Year, New Administration, and New Opportunities, with Fatima Goss Graves from the National Women’s Law Center!
A historic election in Georgia. The insurrection at the U.S Capitol. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ inauguration. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hiba and Chevon return to kick off the second half of Season 2 by addressing everything that happened in the month of January and talking about the work moving forward under a new presidential administration.
Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center and co-founder of the Times Up Legal Defense Fund joins Chevon and Hiba to talk about the importance of the new historically-diverse administration, what it means for the future of women and communities of color, and the persistent work, mobilization, and legislative efforts it took to get to this moment –– and why we need to continue pushing even further. Fatima also talks about her journey to becoming involved in gender justice work, the NWLC’s accomplishments as it heads into its 50th year next year, the creation of the Times Up Legal Defense Fund, taking on the leadership of the NWLC at the beginning of the Trump administration, and the NWLC’s new initiative during the beginning of the Biden/Harris administration: 100 Wins, 100 Days: Decisive Actions to Advance Gender Justice.
Some important news: Hiba will be going on sabbatical for the next few months, but she will be back for Season 3 –– in the meantime, Chevon and the Momentum team will continue to bring you exciting guests, and all the latest updates within the racial justice movement!
Resources (by order of mention)
Ossoff, Warnock receive their Senate committee assignments (via AJC)
Leading Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations Denounce Domestic Terrorism at U.S Capitol
Reconstruction in America: Documenting Reconstruction Violence (via Equal Justice Initiative)
[Video] History of White Backlash Against Progress: Rev. Dr. William Barber (via Story of America)
Leading Civil Rights Groups Call on President Biden to Create White House Racial Equity and Inclusion Office
National Women’s Law Center
100 Wins, 100 Days: Decisive Actions to Advance Gender Justice [Resource]
Why Collecting Data Is So Important for Advancing Equity [Blog]
The Biden-Harris Administration’s First Action on Reproductive Health Care Is a Win, But They Must Do So Much More to Expand Access to Abortion and Birth Control [Resource]
Times Up Legal Defense Fund –– About
https://nwlc.org/times-up-legal-defense-fund/
Unlocking Opportunity for African American Girls: A Call to Action for Educational Equity (2014)
NWLC on Tik Tok
Fatima Goss Graves
instagram.com/fatimagossgraves
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva, Cheryl Cato Blakemore
Associate Producer/ Editor: Kendy Solis
Episode 05: Mid-Season Finale: “Culture In the Time of the Uprisings” Highlights (featuring Layshia Clarendon, Crystal Echo Hawk, and Cristina Jiminez)
In this special mid-season finale, Chevon and Hiba bring you highlights from the “Culture In the Time of the Uprisings” plenary from Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference, featuring WNBPA Vice President Layshia Clarendon, IllumiNative Executive Director Crystal Echo Hawk, and United We Dream Co-founder Cristina Jiminez.
Episode 05: Mid-Season Finale: “Culture In the Time of the Uprisings” Highlights (featuring Layshia Clarendon, Crystal Echo Hawk, and Cristina Jiminez)
In this special mid-season finale, Chevon and Hiba bring you highlights from the “Culture In the Time of the Uprisings” plenary from Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference, featuring WNBPA Vice President Layshia Clarendon, IllumiNative Executive Director Crystal Echo Hawk, and United We Dream Co-founder Cristina Jiminez.
All periods require a collective leap of imagination. In recent years, artists, athletes, culture-bearers, cultural organizers, and narrative strategists have moved millions to embrace radical racial justice narratives and ideas. Black and Indigenous people and other people of color working in culture expand our desire for racial justice and sense of possibility. How are people innovating and advancing racial justice narratives? How do we think about the cultural battleground now in this time of uprisings? Race Forward is proud to present this plenary of leading cultural organizers, thinkers, and influencers.
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast will be back early in the new year to continue bringing you the latest updates in the fight for racial justice. We wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year, and we look forward to bringing you the answer to the cliffhanger –– “What was in the box?”.
Resources (by order of mention)
Layshia Clarendon
Crystal Echo Hawk
https://twitter.com/crystalechohawk
Cristina Jimenez
https://twitter.com/crisalexjimenez
WNBA revolts over Atlanta Dream co-owner Sen. Kelly Loeffler's comments about Black Lives Matter (via CNN)
https://cnn.it/36UWyQW
WNBA players endorsed the opponent of Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler to help force a runoff for Georgia's Senate seat (via Insider)
https://bit.ly/3mZIn2E
IllumiNative advocacy group strives to provide accurate results of Native votes (via Navajo-Hopi Observer)
Biden Wants Another Crack at 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform' But Activists Are Wary of Past Failures (via Newsweek)
https://bit.ly/3oxhh3o
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva, Cheryl Cato Blakemore
Associate Producer/ Editor: Kendy Solis
Episode 04: Momentum LIVE at Facing Race with Hiba and Chevon! (with Marc Morial and Glenn Harris)
In the aftermath of a nail-biting 2020 Presidential Election, Hiba and Chevon host their first (virtual) live show joined by our Facing Race audience! (recorded via the Hopin platform)
Chevon and Hiba lift up the wins driven by Black women and BIPOC communities that were seen and felt across the nation and were instrumental to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris’ win. From Georgia flipping blue because of massive voter registration efforts to Arizona organizers’ unrelenting work, our hosts discuss how it all collectively came to fruition.
Episode 04: Momentum LIVE at Facing Race with Hiba and Chevon! (with Marc Morial and Glenn Harris)
In the aftermath of a nail-biting 2020 Presidential Election, Hiba and Chevon host their first (virtual) live show joined by our Facing Race audience! (recorded via the Hopin platform)
Chevon and Hiba lift up the wins driven by Black women and BIPOC communities that were seen and felt across the nation and were instrumental to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris’ win. From Georgia flipping blue because of massive voter registration efforts to Arizona organizers’ unrelenting work, our hosts discuss how it all collectively came to fruition.
Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, joins Momentum to talk about the energy surrounding the presidential win, the recent lawsuit filed against President Trump’s Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, which Marc refers to as a “manifesto on white supremacy” and how the new #TruthBeTold campaign is being used to fight back. Marc also talks about the Lost Cause movement from the 1800’s and its ties to censorship today, and why strategic partnerships/coalition building is so important to combat such efforts, such as the emerging partnerships with the NBA, NFL, and the NHL.
Race Forward President Glenn Harris makes a special appearance to talk about Race Forward’s #BannedWords campaign, which also addresses the impacts of Executive Order 13950, the priorities the incoming Biden/Harris administration will need to take to reverse the damage from the outgoing administration, and how Momentum has become instrumental during this time in promoting voices and ongoing work from the racial justice movement.
Thank you to everyone that helped make Facing Race 2020: A National Virtual Conference a success! Stay tuned for our bonus mid-season finale which will feature highlights from Hiba and Chevon having moderated the “Culture In the Time of the Uprisings” plenary, next time!
Resources (by order of mention)
Race Forward Celebrates Historic Election and Turnout of People of Color, Calls On Biden Administration To Center Racial Justice
Fair Fight Action
Native American votes helped secure Biden’s win in Arizona
https://bit.ly/2HshwwI
Mauree Turner is the first nonbinary state legislator and first Muslim Oklahoma lawmaker
Native American votes helped secure Biden’s win in Arizona
https://bit.ly/2HshwwI
Mondaire Jones and Ritchie Torres Become First Black LGBTQ+ Congress Members (via Colorlines)
Resistance Maricopa
https://www.colorlines.com/tags/resistance-maricopa
Marc Morial (via National Urban League)
Marc Morial on Twitter
https://twitter.com/MARCMORIAL
Race Forward's new #BannedWords Campaign
https://www.raceforward.org/bannedwords
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, National Urban League, National Fair Housing Alliance File Suit Against Trump Administration
The Lost Cause’s Long Legacy (via The Atlantic)
#TruthBeTold Campaign
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva, Cheryl D. Cato Blakemore
Associate Producer/ Editor: Kendy Solis
Episode 03: Discussing Felony Disenfranchisement with Nicole Porter from The Sentencing Project + GO VOTE!
With one week to go until the 2020 Presidential Election, Hiba and Chevon bring you an election season-themed episode for you to listen to as you make plans to vote [before, or on] Tuesday November 3rd!
Episode 03: Discussing Felony Disenfranchisement with Nicole Porter from The Sentencing Project + GO VOTE!
With one week to go until the 2020 Presidential Election, Hiba and Chevon bring you an election season-themed episode for you to listen to as you make plans to vote [before, or on] Tuesday November 3rd!
In this episode, Chevon and Hiba are joined by Nicole Porter, Director of Advocacy for The Sentencing Project, who talks about the newly-released report Locked Out 2020: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction. The report reveals “5.2 million Americans [that] are forbidden to vote because of felony disenfranchisement, or laws restricting voting rights for those convicted of felony-level crimes.” Nicole also talks about her work managing The Sentencing Project’s state and local advocacy efforts on sentencing reform, voting rights, and eliminating racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and provides personal anecdotes to highlight the importance of each of these topics.
Hiba and Chevon also discuss recent events in culture in the lead-up to the presidential election, including Ice Cube’s recent controversial meeting with the Trump Administration to promote his “Contract With Black America”, and P. Diddy’s endorsement of Vice President Joe Biden––a reversal from his “Hold The Black Vote” stance earlier this year. In this context, Chevon talks about the importance of creating your own advocacy efforts and how voting is “one lever we can pull” in the broader fight for racial justice.
Also, BIG. NEWS.
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast will have a special LIVE post-election episode at Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference taking place Tuesday, November 10th. Join us for the largest multiracial, intergenerational, gathering of racial justice movement making, where podcasting will be featured for the very first time as part of the programming!
Resources (by order of mention)
Facing Race 2020 Program
https://facingrace.raceforward.org/program/full-program
The Inside Story of how Ice Cube Joined Forces with Donald Trump (via Politico)
https://politi.co/3jpAr8q
Diddy Offically Endorses Joe Biden, Launches His Own Political Party (via Billboard)
Locked Out 2020: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights Due to a Felony Conviction (via The Sentencing Project)
[Topic] Felony Disenfranchisement (via Colorlines)
[Topic] Voter Suppression (via Colorlines)
Snoop Dogg Says 2020 Elections First Time He Votes (via USA Today)
Reform, Abolish or Defund the Police—Explained (via Colorlines)
#TogetherWeVote #WeVoteWeCount Campaign (via the Racial Justice Anchor Orgs)
https://provoc.me/togetherwevote/
History of the term Felony
https://thelawdictionary.org/felony/
Jim Crow’s Lasting Legacy At The Ballot Box (via The Marshall Project)
Nicole Porter
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nicoleporter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicoleporter
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva, Cheryl D. Cato Blakemore
Associate Producer/ Editor: Kendy Solis
Episode 02: Yusef Hawkins “Storm Over Brooklyn” Doc, and Reacting to the Breonna Taylor Verdict
[Producer’s Note]: This episode was originally recorded September 24th.
After a couple of heavy weeks filled with collective loss and grief, Chevon and Hiba open Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast working through the powerful and difficult emotions generated by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s refusal to prosecute the Breonna Taylor case, and the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. (Do not miss this—Chevon and Hiba have one of the most important conversations that we have ever had the privilege to share.)
Episode 02: Yusef Hawkins “Storm Over Brooklyn” Doc, and Reacting to the Breonna Taylor Verdict
[Producer’s Note]: This episode was originally recorded September 24th.
After a couple of heavy weeks filled with collective loss and grief, Chevon and Hiba open Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast working through the powerful and difficult emotions generated by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s refusal to prosecute the Breonna Taylor case, and the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. (Do not miss this—Chevon and Hiba have one of the most important conversations that we have ever had the privilege to share.)
In this very timely conversation, Hiba and Chevon are joined by the team behind the HBO documentary, Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, which “tells the story of Yusuf Hawkins, a black teenager who was murdered in 1989 by a group of young white men in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Yusuf Hawkins’ death and the official response to it sparked outrage in New York, unleashing a torrent of racial tension and spurring tireless civil rights activism that exposed deep racial prejudices and inequities which continue to plague the country today.”
Director Muta’Ali and Producer Victorious Decosta share how they came to work on the film, the behind the scenes experiences working with Yusef’s family and friends to tell his story, and the importance of creating solutions oriented resources in collaboration with activist groups to keep the conversation going for viewers. Muta’Ali and Victorious also talk about the impact of the Breonna Taylor verdict and the parallels to the lack of justice in the Yusef Hawkins case.
In the spirit of solidarity and collaboration –– Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference is only one month away, and we’d love to have you join us for the largest multiracial, intergenerational gathering of racial justice movement making.
Resources (by order of mention)
Facing Race
www.facingrace.raceforward.org
Here's What's at Stake If Trump Replaces RBG on the U.S. Supreme Court (via Colorlines)
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/heres-whats-stake-if-trump-replaces-rbg-us-supreme-court
“There is No Justice Here” (via Colorlines)
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/there-no-justice-here
Breonna Taylor's Family, Advocates React to ‘Outrageous and Offensive’ Grand Jury Decision (via Colorlines)
Detroit Police Officer Charged in Shooting Death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones (via Colorlines)
Bree Newsome Bass
https://twitter.com/BreeNewsome/status/1308824112270372865?s=20
WATCH: 'Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn' Debuts on HBO
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/watch-yusuf-hawkins-storm-over-brooklyn-debuts-hbo
Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn
https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/yusuf-hawkins-storm-over-brooklyn
For the Color of His Skin: The Murder of Yusuf Hawkins and the Trial of Bensonhurst
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1753735.For_the_Color_of_His_Skin
“Storm Over Brooklyn” Discussion Guide
Muta’Ali
Official Site
Victorious DeCosta
www.instagram.com/victoriouswashere
www.twitter.com/VictoriousAqui
Executive Producers:
Chevon Drew, Hendel Leiva, and Jeff Chang
Associate Producer/ Editor: Kendy Solis
Episode 01: Starting Your Podcast and Building Community Featuring Blk Pod Collective!
For our season premiere, Chevon and Hiba link up with Blk Pod Collective’s Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Ona Oghogho, and Membership Director Sheunopa Mugobogobo to talk about the growing Black podcasting landscape and the importance of building community and showing solidarity in podcasting.
In the conversation Ona and Shenuopa talk about their collaboration in building up Blk Pod Collective, and how their efforts to create systemic change resulted in the Blk Podfest Micro Con at the Podfest Global Summit which brought together over 1,500 attendees last month.
Episode 01: Starting Your Podcast and Building Community Featuring Blk Pod Collective!
For our season premiere, Chevon and Hiba link up with Blk Pod Collective’s Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Ona Oghogho, and Membership Director Sheunopa Mugobogobo to talk about the growing Black podcasting landscape and the importance of building community and showing solidarity in podcasting.
In the conversation Ona and Shenuopa talk about their collaboration in building up Blk Pod Collective, and how their efforts to create systemic change resulted in the Blk Podfest Micro Con at the Podfest Global Summit which brought together over 1,500 attendees last month.
Shenuopa and Ona also discuss their experiences that led them to the podcasting space, their individual philosophies in podcasting, the importance of ownership, and the ways Blk Pod Collective is aiming to become the “one-stop-shop for all of your podcasting needs to help you on your journey to work with Black creatives.”
Hiba and Chevon also talk about the big news items in the last couple of months, including Senator Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidential nomination, the protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin that resulted from the police involved shooting of Jacob Blake, and they give a heartfelt “rest in power” to Chadwick Boseman who tragically passed a couple of weeks ago following his undisclosed battle with cancer.
Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference is less than two months away! –– have you gotten your tickets yet?
Resources (by order of mention)
Facing Race Tickets
https://facingrace.raceforward.org/
It’s Official: Senator Kamala Harris Is the Democratic VP Nominee (via Colorlines)
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/its-official-senator-kamala-harris-democratic-vp-nominee
Jacob Blake Is Shot By Police in Wisconsin, Inspiring Protests (via Colorlines)
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/jacob-blake-shot-police-wisconsin-inspiring-protests
White Teen Charged With Death of 2 Protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/white-teen-charged-death-2-protestors-kenosha-wisconsin
Native Land (find out more about local Indigenous territories and languages)
Kenosha Protests, Violence Expose Racial Disparities Among The Worst In The Country
Actor Chadwick Boseman, the First Black Superhero, Dies at 43
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/actor-chadwick-boseman-first-black-superhero-dies-43
Chadwick Boseman Gets Emotional About Black Panther's Cultural Impact (via SiriusXM)
Blk Pod Collective
https://www.blkpodcollective.com/
Blk Pod Collective (The Podcast)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blk-pod-collective-the-podcast/id1509140101
Highkey Woke (Hosted by Sheunopa Mugobogobo and Symone Dunn)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/highkey-woke/id1463285527
Blk Podfest Micro Con 2020: Attendee Insight
https://www.blkpodcollective.com/thecollectiveblog/blk-podfest-attendee-insight
Is Podcasting a Hobby or Potential Career for You?
https://www.blkpodcollective.com/thecollectiveblog/Podcastinghobbyvscareer
Podcasting Tip: Things to Plan for Before Starting https://www.blkpodcollective.com/thecollectiveblog/podcastdevelopment
Blk Pod Collective on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/blkpodcollective/
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Jeff Chang
Bonus: Five Things To Know About Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference
In this bonus episode of Momentum, Chevon talks to Hiba (who is also Race Forward’s Conference and Convenings Manager) about everything you need to know about Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference taking place November 10 - 12, 2020!
Facing Race is the space for racial justice movement making and is the largest multiracial, intergenerational gathering for organizers, educators, creatives, and other leaders. In this special 10 minute episode, you’ll learn all about:
What is Facing Race?
Why is Facing Race going virtual?
Bonus: Five Things To Know About Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference
In this bonus episode of Momentum, Chevon talks to Hiba (who is also Race Forward’s Conference and Convenings Manager) about everything you need to know about Facing Race: A National Virtual Conference taking place November 10 - 12, 2020!
Facing Race is the space for racial justice movement making and is the largest multiracial, intergenerational gathering for organizers, educators, creatives, and other leaders. In this special 10 minute episode, you’ll learn all about:
What is Facing Race?
Why is Facing Race going virtual?
What does registration and pricing look like?
What about accessibility for folks with disabilities or a special need?
Will there still be vendor and sponsorship opportunities?
Thank you for your support and patience as we’ve worked to convert Facing Race into a virtual experience; we’re looking forward to having you join us in November for the first ever Facing Race happening entirely online!
Also, stay tuned for the premiere of Season 2 of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast, coming soon!
Resources (by order of mention)
Facing Race
https://facingrace.raceforward.org/
Facing Race FAQs
https://facingrace.raceforward.org/faq
Registration and Pricing
https://facingrace.raceforward.org/register
Exhibition and Advertising
https://facingrace.raceforward.org/participate/exhibition-advertising
Sponsorship Information
https://facingrace.raceforward.org/participate/sponsor
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Jeff Chang
Episode 10: Season Finale: Building Power with DEMOS President K. Sabeel Rahman and Recognizing a Historic Win in North Carolina
In our season finale, Demos President K. Sabeel Rahman joins Hiba and Chevon for an exciting conversation addressing racial and economic inequities to boldly fight for the future of American democracy. Sabeel shares his experiences growing up as a first generation Muslim Bangladeshi- American to become an Associate Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School and his current role, leading the innovative work at Demos.
Episode 10: Season Finale: Building Power with DEMOS President K. Sabeel Rahman and Recognizing a Historic Win in North Carolina
In our season finale, Demos President K. Sabeel Rahman joins Hiba and Chevon for an exciting conversation addressing racial and economic inequities to boldly fight for the future of American democracy. Sabeel shares his experiences growing up as a first generation Muslim Bangladeshi- American to become an Associate Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School and his current role, leading the innovative work at Demos.
In the conversation, Sabeel talks to our hosts about the inspiration behind his books, Democracy Against Domination, and Civic Power, his take on the fight for constitutional law to be applied equitably, and the important reconciliatory work that will be essential beyond the November election.
Chevon and Hiba also talk about the recent win in Asheville, North Carolina which will see the city provide investment based reparations to its Black residents, and give a big shout out to our GARE (Government Alliance on Racial Equity) team members for their important contributions in this step towards racial justice.
Thank you to all who submitted ratings and reviews –– we shout out some of our listeners, and we’re looking forward to continuing to share the love!
Season Two of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast will premiere in mid-August, but in the meantime, stay tuned for a special bonus episode about our upcoming Facing Race 2020 announcement!
Resources (by order of mention)
In historic move, North Carolina city approves reparations for Black residents (via USA Today)
Asheville, NC, approves investment-based reparations for Black residents (via Twitter Moments)
https://twitter.com/i/events/1283493252067258368
Government Alliance on Race and Equity
https://www.racialequityalliance.org/
Demos
K. Sabeel Rahman (Demos Introductory Video)
Democracy Against Domination (Oxford University Press, 2016)
https://bit.ly/2ZRrle6
Civic Power (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Uprising (via Demos)
https://www.demos.org/blog/uprising
We Need a Truth and Reconciliation Process for the Trump Era (via In These Times/ Demos)
https://www.demos.org/media/we-need-truth-and-reconciliation-process-trump-era
K. Sabeel Rahman (Twitter)
https://twitter.com/ksabeelrahman
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui
Episode 09: Superheroes and Representation in the Comic Book Universe
We’re in the full swing of summer, and Chevon and Hiba are diving into a conversation about representation in the superhero universe and the comic book world!
Episode 09: Superheroes and Representation in the Comic Book Universe
We’re in the full swing of summer, and Chevon and Hiba are diving into a conversation about representation in the superhero universe and the comic book world!
DC Comics authors Gene Luen Yang and Minh Le join our hosts to talk about their projects “Superman Smashes The Klan” and “Green Lantern Legacy” and how their art and stories fit into the broader context around diversity and inclusion in superhero narratives. The conversation explores the origins of some of our modern superheroes, the influence of the events of WWII and the Civil Rights movement, and why comics are as important as ever to young readers of color.
Next time on our season finale, we’ll be shouting out some of our fans that have left us reviews –– stay tuned, same Momentum time, same Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast!
Resources (by order of mention)
Wes Moore Talks Fighting Poverty, Budget Priority, Systemic Change + His New Book (via Breakfast Club Power 105.1)
Gene Luen Yang
Official Website
https://twitter.com/geneluenyang
Gene Luen Yang: Comics Belong in the Classroom (via Ted Talks)
https://www.ted.com/talks/gene_luen_yang_comics_belong_in_the_classroom
Superman Smashes The Klan (via DC Comics)
Minh Le
Official Website
https://twitter.com/bottomshelfbks
Green Lantern Legacy (via DC Comics)
https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/green-lantern-legacy
March (series) by US Congressman John Lewis
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/1MA/march
Thich Nhat Hanh: The Monk Who Taught the World Mindfulness Awaits the End of This Life (via Time Magazine)
https://time.com/5511729/monk-mindfulness-art-of-dying/
The Shadow Hero
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18465601-the-shadow-hero
The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew
Captain America Truth: Red, White & Black
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/670341.Truth
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui
Episode 08: Honoring Junteenth, and a Conversation with Race Forward’s President, Glenn Harris
Glenn Harris, President of Race Forward and Publisher of Colorlines, joins Hiba and Chevon for a timely conversation on “the moment” our nation is facing, and the disproportionate impacts COVID-19 has had on communities of color. Race Forward responded swiftly to the crisis, and the work being undertaken within the racial justice movement to safeguard our democracy in another tumultuous election year.
Episode 08: Honoring Junteenth, and a Conversation with Race Forward’s President, Glenn Harris
Glenn Harris, President of Race Forward and Publisher of Colorlines, joins Hiba and Chevon for a timely conversation on “the moment” our nation is facing, and the disproportionate impacts COVID-19 has had on communities of color. Race Forward responded swiftly to the crisis, and the work being undertaken within the racial justice movement to safeguard our democracy in another tumultuous election year.
We also include audio from last week’s Building a Movement: A Virtual Town Hall with Minneapolis Organizers, a powerful online event where we heard directly from long-time activists building a movement to end police violence and systemic racism in our communities.
In recognition of Juneteeth, Chevon and Hiba discuss their personal efforts to learn and engage with the spirit of the holiday, and talk about the recent landmark Supreme Court Title VII ruling, which prohibits employment discrimination against LGBTQ people.
––
Resources (by order of mention)
The Time For Reparations Is Now [Op-Ed] by Yirssi Bergman, Shweta Moorthy, and Juell Stewart (via Colorlines)
www.colorlines.com/articles/time-reparations-now-op-ed
SCOTUS Says: The 1964 Civil Rights Act Protects LGBTQ+ People, Too (via Colorlines)
www.colorlines.com/articles/scotus-says-1964-civil-rights-act-protects-lgbtq-people-too
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley on Ending “Qualified Immunity”
www.twitter.com/RepPressley/status/1272575869400371200?s=20
Laverne Cox on the SCOTUS Title VII Ruling Prohibiting LGBTQ Employment Discrimination
www.twitter.com/AlexPattyy/status/1272567736707801091?s=20
Building a Movement: A Virtual Town Hall with Minneapolis Organizers (hosted by Race Forward)
www.facebook.com/RaceForward/videos/209147303485329
Angela Davis Talks 'Orange is the New Black,' Prison Abolition (via Colorlines)
www.colorlines.com/articles/angela-davis-talks-orange-new-black-prison-abolition
Glenn Harris, President of Race Forward and Publisher of Colorlines
www.raceforward.org/about/staff/glenn-harris
“What is systemic racism? Here's what it means and how you can help dismantle it” (via USA Today)
Glenn Harris and James Haslam: A New Social Contract (via Partners For Dignity And Rights)
Democracy May Not Exist, But We'll Miss It When It's Gone, Astra Taylor (via Goodreads)
Race Forward’s Statement On Disproportionate COVID-19 Cases And Deaths In Black and Latinx Communities: It’s Time To Lead With Racial Equity
We Vote We Count Report
wevotewecount.org/report-we-vote-we-count
“Authoritarian State or Inclusive Democracy? 21Things We Can Do Right Now” by Eric Ward (via Southern Poverty Law Center)
Movement For Black Lives: Policy Platforms
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui
Episode 07: BLACK LIVES MATTER
After a two month hiatus, Chevon and Hiba are back!
In this hour long conversation, our hosts address the events of the past few months, from the coronavirus pandemic to the recent Black lives lost to police violence that have sparked a movement— and the resulting rebellion happening across the nation.
In this truth-to-power episode, honest discussions are had on allyship, the insidious ways white supremacy shows up in our everyday lives, and ways to continue pushing back against systemic racism.
Episode 07: BLACK LIVES MATTER
After a two month hiatus, Chevon and Hiba are back!
In this hour long conversation, our hosts address the events of the past few months, from the coronavirus pandemic to the recent Black lives lost to police violence that have sparked a movement— and the resulting rebellion happening across the nation.
In this truth-to-power episode, honest discussions are had on allyship, the insidious ways white supremacy shows up in our everyday lives, and ways to continue pushing back against systemic racism.
Below you’ll find links to everything covered in the episode, including articles, podcasts, mental health resources, and more.
In our next episode, Race Forward’s President Glenn Harris will be joining Hiba and Chevon for a discussion on the current moment and looking ahead to the future of racial justice work and building a just democracy — stay through to the end to hear a special message from Glenn.
––
Resources (by order of mention)
“Momentum” in roundup lists
#BlackoutTuesday Resources
Educate Yourself: 13 Podcast Episodes About Black Life in America to Download Right Now
Anti-Racism Resources for White People
Asian Boss Girl: Resources For Allyship
Episode Resources
“My Role in a Social Change Ecosystem” by Deepa Iyer
http://bit.ly/SocialChangeEcosystemIyer
Eater: Mutual Aid Groups Band Together to Feed Communities Through Crisis
Mapping Police Violence
Colorlines Reporting
“The Unmattering of Black Lives” by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
https://newrepublic.com/article/157769/unmattering-black-lives
Race Forward’s Race Reporting Guide
www.raceforward.org/reporting-guide
Drop the I-Word
www.raceforward.org/practice/tools/drop-i-word
Public Health Experts Weigh In on COVID-19 Risks at Protests
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/public-health-experts-weigh-covid-19-risks-protests
Unsung: The Series
Mental Health Resources
Open Path Collective
Therapy For Black Girls
The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema
Dive in Well
HealHaus
Inclusive Therapists
Ethel’s Club
The Nap Ministry (resources)
https://linktr.ee/thenapministry
Music Credit:
HaTom - Asleep
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui
Episode 06: Hyping Census 2020: My Family Matters, My Family Counts!
We’re talking all about the upcoming Census 2020, and the “My Family Matters, My Family Counts” campaign!
In this episode, Maria Dautruche, Vice President for Foundation Partnerships at the National Urban League joins Hiba, Chevon, and Elana Needle, to talk about her work in fundraising, racial equity, civic engagement, and discusses her role in the reproductive justice field as co-founder of New Voices For Reproductive Justice.
Episode 06: Hyping Census 2020: My Family Matters, My Family Counts!
We’re talking all about the upcoming Census 2020, and the “My Family Matters, My Family Counts” campaign!
In this episode, Maria Dautruche, Vice President for Foundation Partnerships at the National Urban League joins Hiba, Chevon, and Elana Needle, to talk about her work in fundraising, racial equity, civic engagement, and discusses her role in the reproductive justice field as co-founder of New Voices For Reproductive Justice.
Maria describes the framework of the “My Family Matters, My Family Counts” campaign, answers questions about families being accurately counted on Census Day, and talks about the impact of the census on communities of color in the next decade.
We preview “What is Energy Democracy?”, our new video available on YouTube, that uplifts the events of the 2019 Strategic Energy Democracy Convening. Thirty-six energy democracy leaders from across the nation convened to build collective power around the mission of advancing the movement to democratize energy, while placing an important emphasis on the centrality of race to energy issues.
*Producer’s note: In this episode there are references to in-person organizing for Census 2020. In the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency, we encourage all organizing to take place by phone or online. Please see our official statement below.
Resources (by order of mention)
My Family Votes, My Family Counts
Census Website (take the census online)
What Is Energy Democracy? (Video)
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
https://www.wkkf.org/who-we-are/overview
National Urban League
New Voices For Reproductive Justice
http://www.newvoicespittsburgh.org
Racial Equity Anchor Twitter
Maria Dautruche Twitter
https://twitter.com/MariaDautruche
Maria Dautruce Instagram
https://twitter.com/MariaDautruche
My Black Counts Instagram
Episode 05: Kenrya Rankin, Fighting White Supremacy, and Black Romance Literature
Author, activist, and doula Kenrya Rankin (of Colorlines), joins Chevon and Hiba to talk about everything from ‘freedom dreaming’ to Black love and sex in books and podcasts. Kenrya talks about her beginnings in Cleveland and her move to New York, what her book How We Fight White Supremacy: A Field Guide To White Resistance means to her one year later, and her own journey as co-host of The Turn On, a podcast about sex and literary erotica.
Episode 05: Kenrya Rankin, Fighting White Supremacy, and Black Romance Literature
Author, activist, and doula Kenrya Rankin (of Colorlines), joins Chevon and Hiba to talk about everything from ‘freedom dreaming’ to Black love and sex in books and podcasts. Kenrya talks about her beginnings in Cleveland and her move to New York, what her book How We Fight White Supremacy: A Field Guide To White Resistance means to her one year later, and her own journey as co-host of The Turn On, a podcast about sex and literary erotica.
We preview a new Mass Freedom FRED Talks conversation between Dawn Harrington, Executive Director at Free Hearts, and Jessica Rodriguez, an immigrant rights activist and Director of the Southside Workers Center. They explore why it’s important to build solidarity across movements to end mass incarceration and mass detention.
In celebration of Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, Hiba and Chevon discuss the late Eva Rutland’s contributions to the romance novel genre, and talk about the importance of uplifting Black romance writing and representation.
Resources (by order of mention)
Eva Rutland, Browne Popular Culture Library (Thread)
Entwined Destinies Digital Gallery: Elsie B. Washington, Vivian Stephens, and 40 Years of Black Voices in Romance
https://digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/exhibits/show/entwineddestinies/introduction
30 Romance Authors of Color You Should Be Reading, Twin Cities Geek
http://twincitiesgeek.com/2019/12/30-romance-authors-of-color-you-should...
Mass Freedom FRED Talks with Dawn Harrington and Jessica Rodriguez
https://www.massfreedom.org/fred_talks/
Kenrya Rankin Website
The new and updated Colorlines website
How We Fight White Supremacy: A Field Guide To Resistance
The Turn On Podcast
https://www.theturnonpodcast.com/
Executive Producers: Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui
Episode 04: Angela Glover Blackwell, “Who Do We Think We Are” Colorlines Series, Discussing Lizzo and Body Positivity
Angela Glover Blackwell, founder in residence at Policylink, and host of the new Radical Imagination Podcast, joins Chevon and Hiba to talk about her longtime work as a leading voice in the movement for equity and racial justice. In this conversation, Angela talks about the “racial moment” we are currently living, and challenges us to think radically in creating narratives that will lead to concrete solutions.
Episode 04: Angela Glover Blackwell, “Who Do We Think We Are” Colorlines Series, Discussing Lizzo and Body Positivity
Angela Glover Blackwell, founder in residence at Policylink, and host of the new Radical Imagination Podcast, joins Chevon and Hiba to talk about her longtime work as a leading voice in the movement for equity and racial justice. In this conversation, Angela talks about the “racial moment” we are currently living, and challenges us to think radically in creating narratives that will lead to concrete solutions. Drawing on a lifetime of experience as an activist, Angela provides a reframing of “hopelessness” in this moment in the U.S., and inspires us to use the moment as an opportunity for important social change.
We introduce our brand new Colorlines series “Who Do We Think We Are” by Race Forward’s Senior Fellow, Rosana Cruz that is timely in the wake of the recent “American Dirt” book controversy. Hiba sits with Rosana for a conversation about the creation of the series, and their experience interviewing Latinx-identified movement leaders, artists, and cultural innovators about how they define themselves racially.
Hiba and Chevon also discuss the former ‘Biggest Loser’ trainer Jillian Michaels and her recent comments on Lizzo’s body image, Lizzo’s response and self-affirmations, and place Michaels’ comments in the context of systemic racism, anti-blackness, and fatphobia.
Resources (by order of mention)
“Who Do We Think We Are” Colorlines Series
http://bit.ly/WhoThinkWeAreCLSeries
PolicyLink
Radical Imagination Podcast
“My Role in a Social Change Ecosystem” by Deepa Iyer
http://bit.ly/SocialChangeEcosystemIyer
Update on Moms For Housing Campaign
http://bit.ly/RFMomsForHousingUpdate
Angela Glover Blackwell on Twitter
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui
Episode 03: Talking about Race and Marijuana, Police Abolition, and Stigma
Kassandra Frederique, managing director of policy, advocacy and campaigns at Drug Policy Alliance, joins Chevon and Hiba to talk about her work in advancing policy and community solutions to reduce the harms associated with drug use and the carceral system. They also touch on the importance of language as an organizing tool, and provide a framework that demonstrates racial justice work and marijuana policy reform are inextricably linked.
Episode 03: Talking about Race and Marijuana, Police Abolition, and Stigma
Kassandra Frederique, managing director of policy, advocacy and campaigns at Drug Policy Alliance, joins Chevon and Hiba to talk about her work in advancing policy and community solutions to reduce the harms associated with drug use and the carceral system. They also touch on the importance of language as an organizing tool, and provide a framework that demonstrates racial justice work and marijuana policy reform are inextricably linked.
Resources (by order of mention)
Drug Policy Alliance
www.instagram.com/drugpolicyalliance
Vocal New York
Follow Kassandra Frederique on Twitter
EPISODE 02: The “Joker”and Cancel Culture, and Immigration & an Expanded Lens on the Crisis at the Border
In this episode of Momentum, Hiba and Chevon take on ‘cancel culture’ in the comedy world, discussing “Joker” director Todd Phillips recent comments about not being able to make comedy films because of “woke culture”, and Saturday Night Live’s recent hiring and firing of Shane Gillis.
EPISODE 02: The “Joker”and Cancel Culture, and Immigration & an Expanded Lens on the Crisis at the Border
In this episode of Momentum, Hiba and Chevon take on ‘cancel culture’ in the comedy world, discussing “Joker” director Todd Phillips recent comments about not being able to make comedy films because of “woke culture”, and Saturday Night Live’s recent hiring and firing of Shane Gillis.
Race Forward’s Research Associate Yirssi, joins the conversation to talk about her work with “Shattered Families” around the intersection of immigration enforcement and the child welfare system, and gives us insight into the current state of the work and what she saw on her recent trip to Arizona and Mexico.
Our featured guest is Tsion Gurmu, Legal Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), who joins the podcast for a conversation on her background as an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, BAJI’s efforts in lifting up black immigrant experiences with narrative projects such as their recent Black Lives At The Border webinar and direct work in Tapachula, Mexico.
Resources (by order of mention)
Shattered Families
www.raceforward.org/research/reports/shattered-families
Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
www.firrp.org
RAICES
www.raicestexas.org
Al Otro Lado
www.alotrolado.org
Colorlines Reporting
www.colorlines.com/series/shattered-families
BAJI (Black Alliance for Just Immigration)
www.baji.org
Black Lives At The Border (report and webinar)
www.baji.org/resources-webinars-black-lives-at-the-border/
http://bit.ly/BAJI_Webinar
Demands from the Assembly of African Migrants in Tapachula
http://bit.ly/demands-assembly
National Immigrant Integration Conference
(October 20-22, 2019)
www.niicnewamericandreams.org/register-2019
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui
Episode 01: Introduction To Momentum With Chevon and Hiba
In this very first episode of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast, get to know co-hosts Hiba and Chevon as they record from the new Race Forward offices in midtown Manhattan, sipping on Big Freedia wine!
Episode 01: Introduction To Momentum With Chevon and Hiba
In this very first episode of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast, get to know co-hosts Hiba and Chevon as they record from the new Race Forward offices in midtown Manhattan, sipping on Big Freedia wine!
Chevon and Hiba discuss how they came to understand and become committed to racial justice work. Chevon talks about learning about systemic racism from an early age, and how it showed up in different ways throughout her life. Hiba talks about her Sudanese Muslim background, her work with the National Urban League, and her work coordinating convenings at Race Forward.
Executive Producers:
Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui