State of Black America

National Urban League 2022 Recap feat. Karen Finney

December 22, 2022 21:56 - 44 minutes - 41 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the National Urban League, sits down with Karen Finney, a political strategist, activist, and commentator who currently serves as Board Vice Chair for NARAL pro-choice America, Board Chair at Ultraviolet and a co-founder Power Rising. Together, they discuss the major wins that took place this year, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court a...

Bridging the Digital Divide

December 14, 2022 15:37 - 37 minutes - 33.9 MB

This week, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, and Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau, sit down with Commissioner Geoffrey Starks from the Federal Communications Commission to discuss ways to bridge the digital divide. For more information or to see if you qualify for the affordable connectivity program, visit https://nul.org/news/affordable-connectivity-program Discussed in this episode: Federal Communication Commission, FCC, Commissioner,...

The Red Wave that never Happened

November 28, 2022 13:50 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the National Urban League, sits down with Terrance Woodbury, founding partner of HIIT Strategies. Together, they discuss midterm election results, the ‘red wave’ that never happened, and what to expect with Georgia’s upcoming run offs in December. Discussed in this episode: HIIT Strategies, polling, voters, black men, Stacey Abrams, Herschel Walker, Senator Raphael Warnoc...

People, Policy and Power

November 04, 2022 23:40 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and SVP of Policy and Advocacy of the National Urban League, sits down with Laphonza Butler, President of Emily’s List, and Latosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter. Together, they discuss the issues voters care about most, races and candidates we should watch out for, and activations you can join to mobilize your community and help get out the vote. Our spotlight segment features Khalil Thompson, Campaign Director...

Get Out the Vote

November 03, 2022 04:49 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and SVP of Policy and Advocacy at the National Urban League sits down with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, who currently represents Wisconsin's 4th district. She has served in this seat since 2004 and was the first African American elected to Congress from the state. Congresswoman Moore discusses what's at stake on the ballot, top concerns for voters and how YOU can activate your community and help get out the vote on Election Day....

PSLF and the Student Loan Debt Crisis

October 28, 2022 02:37 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MB

As millions of student loan debt borrowers prepare for the repayments to resume in January, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the National Urban League, sits down with Ashley Harrington, Senior Advisor at the Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid. Together, they discuss President Biden's recent efforts to address the debt crisis, important updates on the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program and information on how to ap...

A sit down with Karine Jean- Pierre

September 23, 2022 14:50 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MB

This week, Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League and Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Karine Jean-Pierre, the first Black woman, Caribbean and open-LGBTQ+ Press Secretary of the White House. Together, they discuss some of the Biden administration’s priorities and accomplishments and what’s at stake in the midterm election. Discussed in this episode: Karine Jean-Pierre, White House, press secretary, ci...

Abortion Rights: The Black LGBTQ movement POV

July 14, 2022 13:42 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Kerrie Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Together they discuss the nation's reaction to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and its impact on the LGBTQ community and the importance of including the LGBTQ community's perspective and existing within different intersections as well updates on Brittney Griner's case. Discussed in this epis...

Black LGBTQIA+ people in the Civil Rights and Justice Space

July 01, 2022 20:54 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Dr. David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). Together, they discuss how to create a safe space for Black LGBTQIA+ members within the civil rights and justice community. Discussed in this episode: LGBTQIA+, LGBTQ, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, transgender, queer, civil rights, justice, Pose, space, safety, f word, health, Black community, B...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

June 09, 2022 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Dr. Michael Lindsey, Executive Director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University (NYU), the Constance and Martin Silver Professor of Poverty Studies at NYU Silver School of Social Work, and an Aspen Health Innovators Fellow. He is also the incoming Dean of NYU Silver School of Social Work as of July 2022. Together, they unpack the stigma surrou...

Reproductive Justice is Racial Justice

May 26, 2022 19:08 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Jacqueline Ayers, SVP of Policy, Organizing, and Campaigns at Planned Parenthood Federation of America; and former Urban Leaguer. Together, they discuss the recent leaked document from the United States Supreme Court on the draft decision by Justice Alito on the Dobbs v. Jackson case that would overturn Roe v. Wade and the impact this decision would have on women's reproductive righ...

More than 100 Years Since Tulsa...

May 18, 2022 13:52 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with 3 advocates that discuss the impact of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Massacre more than 100 years after the attack and the recent reparations case that was recently approved by the Tulsa County District Court Judge. Our guests on this episode include Damario Solomon-Simmons who serves as lead counsel and board chair of the Justice for Greenwood Foundation, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher who is a d...

State of Black America Under Siege: the Plot to Destroy Democracy

April 20, 2022 20:46 - 1 hour - 67 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, focuses on the National Urban League's annual report titled, State of Black America Under Siege: the Plot to Destroy Democracy, which raises the alarm on the outlook of Black and Brown people as political forces have launched an all-out assault on voting rights. Joi sits down with 2 guests: First, is Shannon-Janean Currie, Vice President of the Benenson Strategy Group, and author of The Pulse of B...

Black Women are Power Rising

April 06, 2022 01:57 - 43 minutes - 59.4 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down Reverend Leah Daughtry, co-convener of Power Rising, a space for Black women to turn power into action and create an actionable agenda to be implemented in their communities and nationally that leverages social, political, professional, cultural and economic power and influence for the betterment of ourselves, our communities and our country. Together, they discuss the organization effor...

Housing Justice is Gender Justice

March 30, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families, an organization that works to improve the lives of women and families by achieving equality for all women. Together, they discuss the National Partnership's recent report, Housing Justice is Gender Justice, a comprehensive outline which breaks down the current barriers in place that prevent women from becoming...

She Will Rise: The Road to Confirming the First Black Woman as SCOTUS

March 09, 2022 13:47 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Kim Tignor, Co-leader of She Will Rise, as they discuss the historic significance of the first Black woman to be nominated to the United States Supreme Court – Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Together, they discuss Judge Jackson’s Senate hearing and confirmation process, SCOTUS mobilization efforts lead by She Will Rise and ways our listeners can help amplify Judge Jackson’s confirmati...

Why Mentoring Matters

February 23, 2022 08:00 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Shalondan Hollingshed, President of the National Urban League Young Professionals, and Marcus Johnson, President and CEO of the Springfield Urban League in Springfield, Illinois as they discuss the importance of mentorship in the Black community. Together, they discuss ways to develop meaningful professional relationships, seek mentorship and its lasting impact on future leaders in...

Critical Race Theory 101

February 10, 2022 15:12 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Jelani Cobb, historian and author who currently works as a staff writer at the New Yorker. Together, they debunk myths and misinformation around critical race theory, a term that, although coined in the 1980s, has regained traction since the tragic death of George Floyd and the United States’ racial reckoning. They also discuss Derrick Bell, the architect behind this theory, and his...

A Conversation with a Goddess of Democracy

January 27, 2022 12:50 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MB

This week, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Helen Butler, Executive Director of the Georgia Coalition of the People’s Agenda. They breakdown the current nationwide attack on voting rights, in which Georgia Is ground zero, and Helen Butler – known as a “Goddess of Democracy” -- has been on the front lines. They also talk the U.S. Senate’s recent failure to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis act, which would have protect...

New Year, Same Priorities

January 12, 2022 14:20 - 1 hour - 56.9 MB

To kick off the new year, our Executive Director Joi Chaney sits down with National Urban League President + CEO Marc Morial and the Senior Vice President of Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives Jerika Richardson. They discuss the National Urban League's policy priorities for 2022 and the priorities they believe the Biden-Harris Administration should focus on this year. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: [email protected] Twitter + Instagram...

2021 Wrap up with the White House

December 22, 2021 06:16 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MB

For our last episode of 2021, Joi Chaney, our Executive Director and SVP of Policy and Advocacy, sits down with Trey Baker, Senior Advisor of Public Engagement for the White House. Trey answers America's most anticipated questions about the Administration's Build Back Better plan, Voting Rights, Policing, Public Student Loan Forgiveness and more. For updates on the policy priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration, visit their website at www.whitehouse.gov. And follow them on Facebo...

The Future of Roe v. Wade

December 08, 2021 15:36 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MB

This week, Joi sits down with Mini Timmaraju, the new President for NARAL Pro-Choice America. They discuss the recent oral arguments for the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the effects upholding this case can have on access to abortion services, and the lasting impact overturning Roe might have. For more information on NARAL's mobilization efforts, visit their website at: www.NARAL.org For updates, follow them on social media: Twitter: @NARAL Instagr...

The Power of Black Women at the Ballot Box

November 17, 2021 15:55 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MB

This week, Joi sits down with President, CEO and Co-founder of Higher Heights for America, Glynda Carr. Glynda shares how the importance of having Black women run for office, the creation of Higher Heights, and how we can mobilize other communities to increase voter turnout. To learn more about Higher Heights, visit their website here: http://www.higherheightsleadershipfund.org To keep up to date with Higher Heights and Glynda Carr, follow both pages on twitter at: @glyndacarr and @hig...

How to be a BOSS with Cameka Smith

November 03, 2021 05:46 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MB

This week, Joi sits down with Cameka Smith, Founder of the BOSS (Bringing Out Successful Sisters) Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through digital content, programs, and event-based networking. Cameka discusses the creation of BOSS, her motivation and purpose behind her work, and the importance of giving women of color who are aspiring entrepreneurs a community of their own. For updates on Cameka and all the work she does at the...

Hispanic Heritage Month: Latinx Identity

October 20, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB

In this episode, Joi speaks with the Natasha Alford, Vice President of Digital Content and Sr. Correspondent for theGrio digital network. Natasha, who identifies as Afro-Latina, discusses the complexities of Latinx identity and the importance of claiming your heritage, her journey to motherhood and being a 'boy-mom', her career path to theGrio and more! To learn more about Natasha Alford, visit her website at www.natashaalford.com Follow her on all her social media platforms: Facebook...

Coming to America: Haitian Migrant Crisis at the Border

October 06, 2021 04:56 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MB

This week, our host Joi Chaney sits down with Nana Gyamfi, Executive Director for BAJI, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration. They discuss the Haitian migrant crisis, American asylum policy, and what the Biden-Harris Administration's must to protect black immigrants. For updates on BAJI's initiatives, visit their website at www.baji.org Follow BAJI on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @Baji Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: [email protected] ...

National Small Business Week feat. The U.S. Small Business Administration

September 23, 2021 15:10 - 32 minutes - 30 MB

On this episode, Joi sits down with Natalie Cofield, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership at the U.S. Small Business Administration. They discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, the unique experiences and challenges facing women and minority owned small businesses, and the opportunities that exist post pandemic. For more information, visit their website at www.sba.gov. Contact and Follow the National Urb...

The Devastation of Hurricane Ida

September 08, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MB

On this episode, Joi Chaney speaks with Judy Reese Morse, President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana and Portia Espy, President and CEO of the Mississippi Urban League. They discuss the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, the effects of climate change and relief efforts taking place along the east coast. For information on the National Urban League relief efforts, visit our website at www. nul.org. For information on how to donate to relief efforts in Louisiana, visit the Urban Leag...

Voting rights part 2: The fight for voting rights in Congress

August 26, 2021 17:45 - 39 minutes - 53.9 MB

On this episode, our host Joi Chaney interviews Congresswoman Nikema Williams, who represents Georgia’s 5th district. She is the successor to the late Congressman John Lewis and joins us to discuss the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, COVID-19 and her policy priorities. Follow Congresswoman Nikema Williams on social media: Instagram,Twitter and Facebook: @repnikema On this episode, Joi Chaney speaks with Judy Reese Morse, President and CEO of the Urb...

Texas Democrats and the fight for voting rights

August 11, 2021 07:00 - 38 minutes - 53.5 MB

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...

Economic Disparities in the Black Community

August 08, 2021 15:43 - 38 minutes - 53.5 MB

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 Urb...

The State of Black America - Intro Episode

August 08, 2021 15:37 - 4 minutes - 5.56 MB

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: @joitw...