Nkechi Taifa: An Audacious Quest for Justice

#45: In this episode of Beyond the Culture, Dr. David M. Walker speaks with Attorney Nkechi Taifa. Nkechi Taifa is the president and CEO of the Taifa Group, a social enterprise firm whose mission is to advance justice. She also convenes the Justice Roundtable, an advocacy coalition advancing progressive justice system transformation.  Attorney Taifa received her Juris Doctorate from George Washington University Law School, and she is a proud alum of Howard University. Attorney Taifa is the author of Black Power, Black Lawyer: My Audacious Quest for Justice. She's also the published author of several classic books for children. Attorney Taifa has written numerous scholarly works including law review articles, book chapters, and white pages.

Listen in to learn more about her continued quest for justice. 

“It’s a sad commentary…we’ve come from Black power to just let me breathe.”- Nkechi [23:50]

What you will learn in this episode: 

·      [3:20] Attorney Taifa discusses the George Floyd/Derek Chauvin verdict: The 9:29 video and the crumbling “Blue Wall of Silence.”

·      [7:40] She explains her experiences growing up in the 50s and 60s: Emmett Till, Fannie Lou Hamer, Brown v. Board

·      [9:30] Attorney Taifa describes how she was influenced to become a lawyer by Huey P. Newton’s incarceration.

·      [11:04] She explains her connection to the Black Panther Party and how she got involved in social justice issues

·      [15:17] Attorney Taifa describes her journey as a Black Lawyer working in Washington, DC.

·      [20:05] She explains how the crime bill of the 1990s impacts justice today.

·      [26:55] Attorney Taifa discusses the HR 40 Reparations Judiciary Committee Vote

Relevant Links:

www.BlackPowerBlackLawyer.com

Books by Nkechi Taifa:

Black Power, Black Lawyer: My Audacious Quest for Justice.