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Jason is joined by Amin Elhassan this week, and the guys discuss the upcoming historic Super Bowl 57 as Jalen Hurts' Philadelphia Eagles & Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs will square off. It marks the first time two black players at QB will face each other at the Super Bowl. The guys discuss Meyers Leonard's attempt at a comeback to the NBA. Leonard has not played since 2021 after using an antisemitic slur during a video game livestream. The guys are visited by Greg Taylor, Executive Director of the NBA Foundation. Greg announces the Foundation's extended partnership with the Children's Defense Fund. It is the largest single grant to date, totaling 3.6 million over three years. Through this partnership, the Children's Defense Fund will help identify candidates and support program management for the NBA HBCU Fellowship program. Additionally, Greg talks about the Foundation handing out 31 grants totaling 12 million dollars to 34 nonprofit organizations historically serving the black community.

We take a deep dive inside the Ed Reed situation at Bethune-Cookman University. We listen to Ed's comments courtesy of Roland Martin's show and we are visited by the athletic director of Bethune-Cookman, former NBA great Reggie Theus! Jason and Kirk discuss the Shannon Sharpe incident at the Lakers' game last week and his apology thereafter. The show ends with a chat about F1 racer Lewis Hamilton as he discussed suffering racial abuse at school.

Jason and Kirk discuss the Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, interfering in the NHL planned diversity job fair that is coming up in February. The governor's office forced the NHL to change how the fair is presented. The guys then discuss the rant from Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed as his video going off on the conditions at Bethune Cookman went viral. The fellas wrap with a nod to the career of Maya Moore who officially announced her retirement this week and a congratulations to Ran Carthon who has been hired to take over as GM of the Tennessee Titans. Gary Linnen, CEO PeerForward PeerForward is a nonprofit organization that has placed more than 350,000 students from low-income communities on the path to college and career success. The NBA Foundation has recently announced that PeerForward is one of their 2022 grant recipients. This is the 7th round of recipients the NBA has announced. Gary has been CEO of PeerForward for over a decade and has shaped PeerForward's current peer-to-peer structure which, as studies show, has resulted in up to 26% of higher financial aid applications being submitted via partnering and paticipating schools in comparison to those wothout the PeerForwad Program.

The guys discuss the Houston Texans firing Lovie Smith after one season. This marks the 2nd straight season the Texans hired and then fired a Black head coach after one season. After reacting to Stephen A. Smith's comments that all black coaches should avoid the Texans, the guys praise the job Mike Tomlin has done and speculate which black coaches deserves a shot at the open NFL head coaching jobs. Discussion on the history made by Fisk University as their women's gymnastics team became the first HBCU to compete in NCAA gymnastics making their debut at a comeptition in Las Vegas. The program is less than a year old. The school held their own agaisnt some powerhouses in the sport and finsihed 4th overall. The guys end the show discussing the importance of the Martin Luther King holiday.Megan Perry - Basketball Analyst; Former Player, WNBA/NBA League Exec & VP for Executive Engagement & Women's Initiatives at Sports Innovation LabMegan joins the show and shares her experiences as an executive in the league offices that involved working with some of the top African-American women at the highest level within the office. Discussion also include the WNBA taking a leading role in speaking out against controversial issues, both politcally and socially. The WNBA has been a leader since the league's inception. The former Ivy League champion talks about her time at Sports Innovation Lab that focuses on driving growth and investment in women's sports. 

Jason and Kirk discuss Brittney Griner returning home from a Russian penal colony and the various reactions surrounding her release. The guys also discuss Kevin Durant and the Durant Family Foundation's 500k donation to renovate the gym at Bowie State. The show ends on a chat about T.C. Taylor, a former JSU standout player and Deion Sanders' WR coach at the school taking over for Sanders as head coach of the Jackson State football team. The guys are joined by Darryl Woods - Executive Director, Coaches vs. Racism. Darryl joins the show to discuss this year's Roundball Classic, hosted by Coaches vs Racism. Coaches Vs. Racism is a national nonprofit leading the charge to end systemic racism through sports. The HBCU Roundball Classic features a series of high profile match-ups between Division 1 schools and HBCUs. This year the particiapting schools are Univeristy of Houston, North Carolina AT&T, Prairie View A&M, Texas Tech & the Univeristy of Montana. There is a little bit of an extra buzz this year as Houston was ranked #1 in the nation and Texas Tech is a top 25 team calibner team. The games seek to amplify awareness of incredible athletic talent from all schools, placing an emphasis on HBCUs who traditionally lack resources and equipment and are routinely overlooked by professional talent scouts. Darryl talks about about how this event has evolved, how CVR is combating racism through sports and what to expect this week as the games take place.

The guys discuss the Georgia runoff elections for senate that saw former NFL running back Herschel Walker lose to the incumbent, Rev. Raphael Warnock. Discussion includes exploring why Herschel, who has zero experience in public service, was even in the race for a senior level position in congress to begin with. The guys react to Deion Sanders officially taking the job as head coach of the University of Colorado and the many reactions from people on both sides of Deion's decision. The guys chat about Nike's decision to end its deal with Brooklyn Nets guard, Kyrie Irving. Steve Wyche, Chief National Reporter at the NFL Network and a graudate of Howard University, joins the show to discuss why folks are disappointed in Deion Sanders' decision to leave Jackson State for the University of Colorado. Deion has done a lot for HBCUs by his many successes at Jackson State, aside from winning games. Folks wanted that to continue. Deion has always wanted to be a coach at a Power 5 school and his opportunity came with the Colorado offer. This isnt a surprise that he took the job. The opportunities are still there for HBCU athletics to grow and for investments to come into those universities. Applications are through the roof at HBCUs. Folks like Deion and VP Kamala Harris have helped the resurgence of HBCUs. Deion will get players at Colorado and Colorado will be turned around quickly. He can motivate young people and they have faith in him. He will just have tougher competition and more attention than he had before.

Jason and Kirk talk about the many protests at the World Cup taking place in Qatar. They also update the latest reports on the poor conditions Brittney Griner is dealing with at a Russian penal colony. From there, the discussion turn to the 1957 photo that has Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (14 years old at the time) looking over a crowd of white students as six black students walked up the steps of North Little Rock High School in Arkansas as the school was being integrated. The show ends with a chat on the job offers Deion Sanders has been getting from FBS schools.

Jason and Kirk react to Dave Chappelle's opening monolugue on Saturday Night Live; discuss the NFL's Racial & Gender Hiring Report Card that was released and we remember the great Fred Hickman, who passed away recently.

Dr. Adam J. Kuban, Professor, School of Journalism & Strategic Communication, Ball State UniversityDr. Kuban is the editor of the book 'Facing Social Justice in Sports'. The book follows the lives of over 20 athletes, coaches and sports-media professionals in different stages of their careers, from youth to collegiate to pro. It also captures their experiences and the defining moments that propelled then to advocate for change. The genesis was shortly after the death of George Floyd. Dr. Kuban explains how the project started. Dr. Kuban challenges his students starting with a class in 2022 to explore the ties between sports and social justice. The book was written by Ball State undergraduate students in Dr. Kuban's intermediate Sports & Writing course. The stories deal with topics such as racism, gender equality poverty international-student rights, mental health, disability and LGBTQ+ challenges. Dr. Kuban doesn't want the book to be seen as a criticism of a particular group, but a chance to listen to opposing views respectfully.

Discussion on Jackson State University Football and head coach Deion Sanders. The guys recap JSU's week after appearing on ESPN's GameDay as well as playing great football in front of a large national audience. Deion has made HBCU football bigger than it has ever been. Discussion also includes if Coach Prime would leave JSU for a Big 5 job. In addition, the guys react to what Deion said to his team following the murder of hip hop artist, Takeoff.  In addition, the guys discuss Kyrie Irving and his outspokeness which led to many folks calling for disciplianary actions for his promotion of an antisemitc movie. Following that, there is a  chat on the reason why LeBron James is no longer calling himself a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

This week on the show, Jason and Kirk discuss Brittney Griner's appeal being denied by a Moscow court. The guys react to the news that Celtics star Jaylen Brown and LA Rams star Aaron Donald are leaving Donda Sports amid the Kanye West controversy. College GameDay is heading to an HBCU! Discussion on how big it is that ESPN will be at Jackson St. for Jackson St.- Southern's rivalry game Saturday. Discussion on Dusty Baker attempting to win his first World Series as a manager and the third African-American manager to do so. Jason weighs in with his thoughts on last week's code-switching discussion.

Following an awkward exchange between Jackson State football head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders & his interviewer, the guys discuss 'code switching'. Code switching is not just in media but it in all walks of life. The guys react to Steph Curry's opening night speech where he shouted out Brittney Griner on her birthday. The guys explain why it was so important for Steph to do that. Brandon Copeland, NFL LB, Host Money Music Culture PodcastThe 10-year NFL veteran joins the show and talks about how/why he got into the podcast game. It was finding a different way to get his message and information to the masses. Financial literacy is important to Brandon and for those who are interested in learning and or seeking that knowledge they can listen to MMC. As an educater you learn that people retain information in different ways so Brandon, through MMC, provides a variety of different ways for folks to learn about the conversation about money. The Penn grad came into the NFL with a chip on his shoulder because of not being drafted, and having to deal with the stigma of being an athlete from an Ivy League school. Brandon talks about what you will get when listening to the podcast along with his co-host Ro$$ Mac. Its a down to earth, digestable way to have high level money conversations.

The guys react to Brett Favre releasing a statement denying any wrong doing in the scandal in Mississippi involving money that was allocated for needy families in the state.Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Former NBA GDiscusses his memoir, entitled 'In The Blink Of An Eye'. He discusses the process of writing and why he wrote the book. The title was derived from his team that helped him put this project together. It was a name that resonated with him. Reading became a passion of his following his conversion to Muslim. Mahmoud learned so much about America historically. He explains his reason for protesting against the anthem. Nothing has changed, he still protests in his own way to this day. He names the folks that supported him at that time. Mahmoud talks about his love for basketball which is a part of his journey. Talks about how his style of play would translate to today's game. Greg Kelser, Former NBA F, Current Detroit Pistons TV AnalystGreg is appreciative of forums like Forward Progress. There is so much more we need to do collectively and the show helps do that. The NBA has done a good job with being at the forefront of this conversation between race and sports. Some sports were late to the party or have slowly backed off, but the NBA is still at the forefront. The players seem to be all in. They recognize their platform is important. The NBA hasnt always gotten it right. Greg uses Greg Hodges and Mahmoud Abdul - Rauf as examples from the past. In terms of Michael Jordan, many wanted him to be the spokesperson against the issues at the time, but not everyone is Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali or Jackie Robinson. 

Discussion about a 'slave auction' prank at a HS in Northern California resulting in the cancellation of the school's entire football season. The guys react to Deion Sanders' Jackson State squad earning its highest ranking ever in the FCS Top 25 poll, but 'Coach Prime' says his goal is the Celebration Bowl. The guys discuss Sanders' goal not just for Jackson State but for HBCU Sports. Discussion on the latest accusations of BYU fans chanting racial slurs at athletes. This time it happened during a women's soccer match between USC and BYU when members of the USC team knelt during the anthem.

Discussion on the latest news involving Brett Favre and his alleged involvement with the misuse of state funds in Mississippi. The guys react to Women's College Basketball Head Coach Kim Mulkey's response or lack thereof to the plight of her former player, Brittney Griner. There is a better way she could have answered  the question about her former star player.Dave Sheinin & Michael Lee - Journalists, Washington Post​Dave, Michael, and a team of journalists at the Post have a series on black head coaches in the NFL and the struggles that are keeping the opportunities to a minimum. Their investigation shows that despite the Rooney Rule, teams' hiring practices still disadvantage Black coaches and it is getting worse. The series includes hearing from, via video, 16 of the 24 current and former black head coaches who are still living, to tell their stories. They also analyzed data, provided perspectives, and lists their key findings. They felt that the investigation was needed following the Brian Flores news cycle. It shouldn't have taken that, but in the news world that was the hook to get the investigation going. The reporters didn't want this to just be a 'news cycle story' that will go away after every hiring process. They wanted this to be definitive. The guys explain the process of the investigation and the various angles they pursued. There are some fascinating data that they have uncovered in this study.

The guys discuss the news that Robert Sarver is beginning the process to sell his teams, the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. In terms of who will buy the team(s), everyone in Phoenix loves Jerry Colangelo and the fans would love to see him return to Arizona in some capacity. The darkhorse may by Grant Hill. Hill, a former Sun who is familiar with the area, has a desire to be an owner. Discussion about Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards' fine of $40k for homophobic comments on social media.Chris Miller - Washington Wizards TV PxPChris is the new television play-by-play man for the Wizards. He and Jason discuss the rise of black broadcasters sliding from 'sideline' reporter, to being the lead pxp person on television or radio. Chris talks about how much this job means to him. Chris credits the other broadcasters for helping him get to this point. Chris understands the responsibility...his oldest son is a broadcaster in Denver that watched him growing up. Young broadcasters need to learn how to do the job the right first and put in the work. That means working for little money in small markets. That will eventually lead to big-money jobs, as long as you are willing to put in the work. Chris is surrounded by comfort. He has been around the organization for a long time. Chris talks about the Wizards and previews next season.  

The guys react to the suspension of Suns owner Robert Sarver following the NBA's investigation that found Sarver used inappropriate comments and instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees during his time with the Suns/Mercury. The guys then discuss the news that BYU did not find evidence of racial heckling towards Duke volleyball player Rachel Richardson. Show wraps with a chat on Mickey Joseph being named interim head football coach at the University of Nebraska, making him the first black head coach at Nebraska in any sport.Cynt Marshall - CEO Dallas Mavericks; Author, 'You've Been Chosen: Thriving Through the Unexpected'Cynt is the CEO of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, the first black female CEO in the NBA. She has been named one of the '30 Most Powerful Women in Sports' by Adweek and one of the '15 World's Most Inspiring Leaders' by Forbes. She is a cancer survivor and a regular speaker at cancer-related events. In this book, Cynt details her path from an abusive household, racism, corporate America, and fighting stage 3 colon cancer. She also discusses her personal struggles as a wife and mother including four miscarriages and the loss of an infant daughter, the opportunities in her life to serve others by being a 'first' (there are several), how to respond to adversities in life, leadership lessons after 40+ years of work and how faith is her anchor and carried her through her biggest challenges. Cynt calls the book the good, great, bad, and ugly of her journey. 

Discussion on South Carolina Women's Basketball Head Coach Dawn Staley's decision to pull back her team's games against BYU in light of what happened at the Duke-BYU volleyball game a week ago. The discussion also includes folks who try to downplay the incident and paint Rachel Richardson in a negative way. Discussion on Serena Williams' farewell and a reflection on her great career. The guys also discuss tennis legend Margaret Court's comments that Serena never reciprocated the admiration Court has for her. Additionally, the guys talk about Coco Gauff and how she can be the 'next' Serena if she continues to win. Jason recaps the Orange Blossom Classic held in Miami between Jackson State and FAMU last weekend. It was an extravaganza. It included luncheons, dinners, battle of the bands, and of course the game itself. 

Discussion on the Duke-BYU volleyball game where Duke player, Rachel Richardson endured racial slurs from some fans at BYU. Chat includes how the situation was handled, if Duke should have walked off the floor & BYU's response. Discussion on the players at Florida A&M University having issues with the university about a variety of issues with the athletic department. The players did the right thing by writing a letter to the University President. A bunch of young men stood up for themselves.Dan Taylor, Author Walking Alone, The Untold Journey of Football Pioneer Kenny WashingtonKenny Washington broke the color barrier in the NFL on September 29th,1946 for the Los Angeles Rams. Dan's book focuses on the immeasurable impact on the sport and beyond. Legends of the NFL hailed Washington as one of the greatest players in football history. He was also a baseball star and there were efforts to make Washington the first black player in major league baseball along with Jackie Robinson. Discussion on the abuse Washington has to deal with, his refusal to play in the South, and how he impacted ignorant teammates through his character and talent. Kenny Washington was one of, if not the most popular athletes in Los Angeles throughout the '30s and '40s. The Rams and the NFL should do more to recognize Washington's role in professional football. After reading the book, Dan hopes folks will reflect on how they treat people. We are all God's children. He also wants people to understand Kenny Washington and put him on a much higher platform for all he has done for the sport.

DiscussionDiscussion on the news that the NFL is claiming former head coach Jon Gruden sent derogatory emails while serving as head coach. Kirk is curious to know what the end solution will be. Discussion on the little leaguer having cotton placed in his hair. Regardless of why it was done and if there was no ill-intent, you must be aware of the long-standing history of black folks and cotton.Greg Taylor, Executive Director NBA FoundationDiscusses the 2nd anniversary of the Foundation and how the foundation has grown in 2 years. The 6th round of grants sees 40 non-profit recipients granted more than 20 million dollars. This has been a partnership with the players association. They share the vision of the work of the foundation. Discusses how the resources have been used over the last two years. Greg explains the challenges that the pandemic has caused. Greg discusses the relationship the foundation has with Canada. Explains how to expand while at the same time continuing to work with current partnerships.

Amin Elhassan joins Jason again this week and the guys discuss the 2022 NBA Racial and Gender Report Card. Then, they discuss an article detailing how black NFL retirees have finally been approved for dementia claims. Finally, the guys react to the news that 14 HBCU medical students have been chosen for an NFL diversity initiative. 

Discussion on Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and an article that brings up the work he has done to diversify coaching in the NFL, meanwhile he is involved in a disciminatory lawsuit. Discussion on the resignation of Oklahoma Sooners Assistant Coach Cale Gundy, the longest-tenured coach in the BIG 12 for using racially insensitive words toward a student-athlete.Shamaree Brown, Iowa State Senior Associate Athletics DirectorAfter over a decade at the ACC, Shamaree joins Iowa State and he explains his new position where he will oversee physical and mental health wellness for student-athletes. Wellness has been the #1 priority over the course of Shamaree's career in that space. There are tons of mental health issues facing our student-athletes. Coaches today need to learn how to get the most out of student-athletes without coaching 'the old-school' way which can be perceived as bullying. Today's athletes are a little more sensitive to tone. Discussion on the recent Transformational & Educational Experience for Social Justice trip to Selma, Alabama that was taken by students and administrators of the ACC, BIG 10 & PAC 12. That trip touched everyone that went. It was a life-changing experience.  

Kirk & Amin remember the life and legacy of Bill Russell. Bill was a lot more than a basketball player. We listen to a piece where he shares stories from the Civil Rights Movement years. The NBA Finals MVP Award is named after Russell. The guys discuss if more can be done to honor him, like retiring his number universally in the NBA. Discussion on the Miami Dolphins being disciplined by the NFL for a variety of infractions. The guys discuss the Brian Flores lawsuit and how that is impacted by the findings of the league's investigators. Jason Reid, ESPN, Andscape NFL Senior Writer; Author, 'Rise of The Black Quarterback: What it Means for America'Quarterback is the ultimate leadership position that is uniquely American. In corporate America, if you are the team leader, you are labeled the quarterback. When you think of the quarterback, you think of intelligence, leadership, toughness & the person who inspires. If black men are excluded from playing QB it says a lot about how far black men can go in this country.  It used to be that black college QBs would have their position changed. It was the norm. It has changed to the point that the NFL realizes that black quarterback can help teams win and make money. The Cardinals 'stepped into it' so to speak by having a clause in Kyler Murray's contract about his study habits. It was a mistake by the Cardinals and it will follow Murray for the rest of his career. In the late 80's the NFL could not overlook players that can help them win. The pressure on teams and coaches to win became great.  There is a lot swirling around Lamar Jackson and his contract negotiations. He represents so much about where we have come, where we are now, and what the future is for the black quarterback. Jason takes a moment to remember the career of Vin Scully who passed away this week. Jason would like for people to read the book with an open mind and read about the stories of what black QBs have had to go through. Hopefully, they'll gain an understanding that they didn't have coming in and look at things a little differently when they leave.

Discussion on comments made by former President Trump suggesting he wants LeBron to play for his basketball team of women. The jab seemingly is toward men who want to play women's sports and trans athletes. It's unclear where the benefit is of taking a shot at transgender athletes. Discussion on the comments from Charles Barkley regarding his future possibly joining LIV Golf and the criticisms of the golfers who choose to play for the Saudi-backed tour. Discussion on the peculiar contract stipulation in QB Kyler Murray's new deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Is it because Murray needs the work, or is it a racial dog whistle? The guys react to Olympic legend Michael Johnson being accused of racism because he questioned the times at the world championships.

Erica Lafayette, Student-Athlete, Rutgers Women's Basketball JuniorWalks us through the trip. Erica feels that this was one of the best experiences she has ever had. Knew what the trip was about but didn't know what to expect. The journey took the student-athletes back to what folks went through in Alabama. The experience has led Erica to not complain about trivial matters some folks may complain about today. She feels blessed about all she has. Social Justice lawyer Bryan Stevenson addressed the group and his comments really resonated. When voting comes around people need to vote because voting matters. Additionally, people should give back to the community.Sadio Fenner, Student-Athlete, Nebraska Track & FieldThis was a very heavy trip that he will never ever forget. One of the things that stood out was a speaker who said, her generation had to put the unity in community, and she would like to see this generation put human, in humanity. It was an emotional trip and you had to feel something, especially as a black male. Everything was put out for us to see. History books really watered down what happened. It was hard to see that one group of people treated another group of people so poorly, and enjoyed it. The conversation is about how to fix these injustices and inequalities and not relapse. It was an eye-opening experience to share this space with so many others from the other conferences. Hearing other folks' stories, made Sadio empathize with them. We have a network with others from around the country where we can communicate and make a change.Teresa Gould, PAC 12 Deputy Commissioner Sports Management & Institutional ServicesThe trip was a once in a lifetime experience. To share the experience with and see the reactions of the student-athletes was intense, emotional, and inspirational al at the same time. What inspired her the most was seeing the student-athletes take in, reconcile and understand the history, but then pivot to a place of inspiration, motivation, and responsibility. A combination of all the different activities on the trip has positioned the student-athletes to be a beacon for change. It was difficult to put words to a lot of what was seen. It was that intense. It was also life-changing. It was great seeing the shared commitment with the student-athletes from all the schools. The PAC-12 Impact initiative is the social outreach initiative of the PAC 12 Conference. It's committed to using the power of sport to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion. The Impact Initiative has been around the PAC 12 for over a decade. It has grown considerably over the last few years and the conference is very proud of it. What's next? In the short term, it's to capture the richness and impact of the experience and share it with those who didn't go on the trip. In the long term, this can be a more regular excursion for staff and student-athletes.

Discussion on the Las Vegas Raiders hiring Sandra Douglass Morgan as the first black woman to be hired as the new team president of an NFL franchise. The guys then talk about HBCU players getting the opportunity to participate is a showcase during the NBA Summer League. This gives the players a chance to perform in front of all the top executives in the league.Fr3deR1cK Taylor -College Baseball Player Turned Emmy Award-Winning FilmmakerFr3deR1cK explains what makes a very good sports movie. Fr3d tells us what he likes to see in modern sports movies. One thing that should be done is to have more athletes in the movies. That authenticity is essential. Discussion on sports and how it relates to one's inner self. Discussion on the relationship between socio-economic power and sports; the role of women in a sense of being beacons of social justice and equity. Fr3deR1ck would love to see a movie done on the women's national soccer team. They have consistently been better than the men and are one of the best teams in the world. The story of Sarah Fuller, the young FG kicker at Vanderbilt would be a good smaller budgeted film as well. Fr3deR1ck promotes future projects he is currently working on. The inspiration for his projects flows. Sometimes it comes to him, and sometimes he goes out and looks for it.

Jason and Kirk celebrate Mike Grier as he becomes the first black GM in the NHL. Kudos to the San Jose Sharks organization for breaking that glass ceiling. Mike has paid his dues ans was one of the hot GMs on the market. Mike's older brother Chris works for the Dolphins as their GM. Discussion on Brittney Griner's letter to the President on Independence Day. The diplomacy end of this situation is very delicate. The analogies and frustrations are accurate.Stars of the TV Series 'Johnson'Thomas Q. Jones, Actor; Former NFL RB and Deji LaRay, Actor; Creator, Series Co-Writer & Co-Lead The show revolves around four lifelong friends living in Atlanta, all sharing the same last name (Johnson). The plot centers on what happens when after 25 years of friendship the foursome finds themselves in vastly different places in their lives and it begins to threaten the unity that has always been so strong between them. The genesis behind the show was that Thomas, Deji, and their friends were not seeing anything on TV that represented them. They were seeing a lot of stereotypical programs and at the same time were being cast in very stereotypical roles, so they created something that was representative of them and their community. Discusses how the duo came together and put the series together. The work ethic and dedication are matched by both men. They have worked on multiple projects over the years since they paired up. It's important to portray black men properly in the series and to control the narrative. Thomas discusses how his football career and his acting career are similar. The guys give us a preview of what to expect as season 2 premieres this week.

Discussion about NFL defensive lineman Carl Nassib's donation to the Trevor Project for Pride Month. Carl continues to be an inspiration for LGBTQI athletes of all ages. We take a listen to a portion of Carl Nassib Human, a piece done by the NFL which includes athletes who were inspired by Carl coming out last year. Discussion on F1's Nelson Piquet's use of a racial slur toward Lewis Hamilton. Piquet has since apologized, but there is a fatigue in play with 'teaching moments'. Discussion on San Francisco Giants' manager Gabe Kapler's protest against gun violence. It's reminiscent of Colin Kaepernick's protest and the guys tip their cap to Kapler.

Discussion about advancing news in the NBA as the Phoenix Suns hire Morgan Cato as Assistant General Manager & VP of Basketball Operations. She is the first woman of color to be hired by an NBA team as an assistant general manager. Update on the Brittney Griner situation and the error that was made as Griner was scheduled to have a phone call with her wife. Discussion on Naomi Osaka teaming up with LeBron James' company, SpringHill to launch her new media company called Hana Kuma. Hana Kuma will produce documentaries as well as scripted and unscripted series.Tunisha Singleton, Ph.D. - President of the Board, Black Girl Hockey ClubJoins the show to discuss the Club partnering with the Colorado Avalanche in a campaign to disrupt racism, and make hockey more inclusive. Tunisha tells how the BGHC came about and what the club's goals are. The club is very diverse. During the pandemic, the club utilized the ability to meet up virtually to reach more people. The club continues to grow & this season has been able to have its meetups in person again. The club has had meetups all over America & Canada. The Avalanche are one of many teams in the NHL that work with the club in a variety of ways.  Hockey is a sport that requires a lot of resources so to offset the costs the club offers scholarships. The club is 100% donor-funded and has given out scholarships to many young girls for up to $5,000. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been given out thus far. The club is very proud of its scholarship, leadership, and development programs to help get girls involved in hockey in any way they'd like. Austin Matthews winning the Hart Trophy (2022 NHL MVP Award) really resonated with the club as he is the first player of Mexican descent to win the award.

The guys start off discussing The Players Tribune article written by former 2007 NFL #1 pick JaMarcus Russell. JaMarcus opened up about his life in the article. The guys discuss the pressures Russell was under at 21 years old. It was too much for him to handle & folks were upset because they felt it was a talent wasted. Discussion on Jack Del Rio's initial comments about the January 6th insurrection and the Washington Commanders' decision to fine him for them.Adewale (Wale) Ogunleye, Head of Sports & Entertainment at UBS; Former NFL Defensive EndFeels that players like JaMarcus Russell were treated as a transaction. This leads athletes down a path of mistrust, so the industry needs to do a better job of understanding where the individual comes from and give them a sustainable financial future. Young players sometimes do not have anyone to confide in. In some cases, teams are getting rid of veteran leaders who can lead and teach. It would be nice if the successful business leaders that own the teams didn't stay away from the players. The entertainer's side of this business is sometimes worse than what athletes go through. The industry does a poor job of showing how short your career is. Wale promotes the release of 'The White Paper', Family Ties- How Athletes & Entertainers Navigate Financial Expectations of Family & Friends. The paper and Wale's efforts help guide athletes and entertainers around wealth management. While athletes and entertainers have good entertainers for their communities, many find themselves facing financial hardship because so many people depend on them for support. Unchecked generosity can put all parties at risk with many athletes losing their wealth.

Angela Hucles - 2x Olympic Gold Medalist; VP Player Development & Soccer Operations Angel City FC (National Women's Soccer League)Angela's resume is extremely long and she is very blessed to have a fun career in a sport she has loved as a child. Discussion on how she has seen the development of the sport of soccer. Wasnt many girls playing when she was younger, she had to play with boys. When telling her story, where she has been at every level imaginable in the sport, the pathway is what sticks out most when impacting the next generation. Explains how she turned the sport of soccer into her career and how Title IX was enacted around education policy and change first. Women's sports has always made an impact on social change. We are seeing incredible change now & it began over 50 years ago. Sports has been a vehicle in the shift. Discussion on the women in leadership positions making the changes needed. Having these women in positions has made an incredible difference. Chat on how women athletes are now being used by major corporations for marketing. These corporations are investing in women's sports.Val Ackerman - Big East Commissioner; Naismith Basektball Hall of Famer; First Ever WNBA PresidentTitle IX has enriched the sports world. More girls and women are playing sports and going to games. We have the rise of professional leagues and now women are getting opportunities to be in decision-making positions. It's exciting to see 50 years being celebrated. It's personal for Val because there were very few opportunities for girls when Val was a youth. Val's first chance to play sports was in high school in the seventies. It was hard to be a part of the building process, but she wouldn't trade it away. It was exciting to lead this back then. There has been a lot of progress. There are signs of growth in recent years in all women's sports.  Credits Title IX for NIL. 

The guys react to the latest mass shooting in this country, this one at an elementary school in Texas. What has been happening the last few weeks has been unreal. It is refreshing to hear Coach Kerr use his platform to advocate for people of power to do something.  Discussion on Dion Dawkins and his Buffalo Bills teammates going into the community to help heal in the wake of the Buffalo shootings from last week. Dion Dawkins' foundation, Dion's Dreamers, had already planned to go into the community before the shooting. His goal is to support underserved communities. **Followup from last week​​** Reggie Bullock won the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. 

Quick follow-up on the Delaware State Lacrosse team bus incident. Many things have happened since last week's interview. It was great to see the support from contemporaries and HBCUs supporting DSU. The NBA lists the 5 finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. The winner will be announced this Sunday. The finalists are Reggie Bullock, Jrue Holiday, Jaren Jackson, Jr, Karl Anthony-Towns & Fred VanVleet.Discussion on what each of the five finalists has done to earn this honor. Discussion on the collective bargaining agreement reached by the US Soccer Federation and the Women's & Men's National Team Unions.

Pamella Jenkins - Delaware State University Head Coach Women's Lacrosse; Diversity & Inclusion DesigneeDescribes the trip home from Florida and the issues her team endured after being stopped in Georgia. The reason it took so long for the story to go national was because of the school investigation and end-of-semester work for the student-athletes. The police came on the bus in an accusatory tone, so she felt obligated to try to stay calm to protect her student-athletes. The whole team was in shock. It was a real quiet ride for a while after the incident. As they got closer to home, the team began to talk a little more. Coach is comfortable that everything is coming out now while the team is surrounded by their families and friends at home. There hasn't been an apology given at all from the Liberty County Sheriffs' department to the Delaware State team. Coach is concerned about future road trips for her team. You don't know how each girl will react when they go on road trips.Dr. T.M. Robinson-Mosley, Counseling Psychologist & Sport Mental Health ExpertMay is Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Mosley would like to see mental health awareness recognized every month. Lots of athletes' mental health starts off the field or off the court. What happens there impacts the athletes' play. Folks can help athletes by listening and creating an environment of comfort. Dr. Mosley discusses athletes' recovery from major injuries and the mental health implications it can cause. She explains the goals of her signature wellness and peak performance program, Sports Mental Health & Wellness Playbook, which has been used by the NBA, WNBA, NFL, NCAA, and 40 + more organizations. It is important to take a deeper dive into the mental health discussion regarding high-performing athletes and mental health & therapy. Social media has had both a negative and positive effect on athletes' mental health. 

Discussion Discussion on Chicago Bears scout Chris Prescott losing his job for saying Bears 2nd round pick Jaquan Brisker was a good selection because he loves football and is poor, hungry, and desperate. Those comments make you wonder, how do executives rate athletes who love the game, but have other interests and passions outside of football. Dr. Myron Rolle - Pediatric Neurosurgeon; Former NFL Defensive BackDiscusses his path to becoming a neurosurgeon. Credits his parents for instilling his work ethic into him that has guided him his entire life. The same way he went at playing football is the same way he went at his classes. Explains why he chose Florida State. He knew when he got there that he wanted to be a neurosurgeon and wanted to start a foundation. Bobby Bowden told him to follow that path. Is grateful to have the career he has had. Both journeys, football, and science have fed and continue to feed each other. Discusses his book The 2% Way. The book talks about his journey, including how to deal with obstacles that were in his path. The Rolle Foundation is something he started in 2009 to address childhood obesity and hypertension. Chad Brown -Entrepreneur; Former NFL LinebackerChad was always an entrepreneur at heart. He didn't grow up wealthy so whatever he wanted, he had to figure out a way to work for it and get it. Always loved animals growing up. He developed a passion for animals, especially reptiles at a young age. He got into breeding and was able to sell 'his babies' while in college to make money. It was legal and it didn't get Colorado in trouble with the NCAA. There is enough reptilian diversity to satisfy anyone interested in raising one. Chad compares his business to playing in the NFL, both in-season and off-season. Owners want to hire people they are comfortable with so they may not be comfortable hiring people of color as head coaches. Race isn't the main problem in NFL hiring, nepotism is.

Jason discusses NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin being required to complete a sensitivity training course following posting an anti-Asian meme on social media. At this stage, Hamlin has to know that as a star in his sport, he needs to be more aware of who is taking in his messaging, and how they are taking it in.Bob Kendrick - President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Host of Black Diamonds PodcastPromotes the new season of Black Diamonds. Baseball is a global game today and the Negro Leagues were a part of making baseball a global game. Bob is filled with great joy and takes pride in that. This new season of the show will take a deep dive into integration. There was a process that lead up to Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. Once MLB was integrated, midwestern negro teams were able to hold on because Major League Teams were too far away for fans to travel, but the eastern teams died almost immediately. There hasn't been much push back from people who want to 'rewrite' history. The story of the Negro Leagues is a story of the American spirit. The relationship between the museum and Major League Baseball has been tremendous. That partnership will do nothing but continue to grow. Jon Wertheim - SI WriterExplains how his article came about on two former NBA players, Sarunas Marciulionis and Alexander Volkov working to get young players out of Kyiv. Jon talks about the teenagers in Europe are huge fans of the NBA and love to talk about the league and basketball. Many of the players have left Ukraine with their families and are finding ways to deal with the conflict by playing basketball. It's the same with teens all over the country who has likes in activities like music. Volkov told Jon that he wishes for the kids to continue to play in FIBA tournaments representing Ukraine. Jon explains the difficulty of many from Ukraine trying to flee to places all over Europe and North America. Some countries like Amsterdam have been more friendly than the UK. Jon also heard from people that have had issues coming into America. There is a lot of aid coming in and it is helping. A lot of folks are just helping and worry about the finances later. Many of these institutions will take many years to rebuild. There is a fear that this culture can be erased.

Discussion on Colin Kaepernick breaking his silence on the 'I Am Athlete Podcast'. It was great to actually hear from Colin. Kap's message has been turned and twisted over the last six years.  Colin is fine with not making it back to the league, he just wants a chance. Discussion on The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports, Complete 2021 Racial and Gender Report Card that summarizes and analyzes the individual 2021 report cards of the NBA, WNBA, MLS, NFL, MLB, and college sports. The card shows the NBA and WNBA have been leading the way in diverse, equitable, inclusive hiring. While everyone is doing well, there is room for improvement, especially in college sports.Bomani Jones - 'Host of Game Theory'Discusses how Game Theory came together and connected with HBO. Bomani first told the developers that the show as it was laid out then, wasn't meant for him, but he also knew that if the show was going to work in the vision they had, Bomani had to host it and cater the show to his style and vision. Bomani looked for ways to add little elements of 'Morning Jones', his old radio show on Sirius Radio. That show was tons of fun and he was very creative then. HBO pushed Bomani to treat the show and make the show, the show Bomani want. The 'blackness' of the show is organic. The show is for the people who like it. 

Discussion on the additional coaches added to the Brian Flores lawsuit. Steve Wilks (former HC Arizona Cardinals) and Ray Horton (an NFL Assistant since 1994). It has also come out in the lawsuit, that the Houston Texans retaliated against Flores by removing him from consideration for their head coach vacancy. Discussion on Jackie Robinson Day this weekend in Major League Baseball. MLB will all wear #42 in the style of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Quick chat about the lack of African American youth playing baseball.Greg Taylor, Executive Director NBA FoundationDiscussion on the HBCU Classic, held All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. The Foundation is always looking for innovative ways to grow the game of basketball. The Foundation's work is to promote economic and educational opportunities for black youth and they accomplished that in Cleveland. There is a shared commitment and a movement of folks who understand that we need to apply opportunities and resources to people. Discussion turns to the success and progression of the NBA Fellowship. Greg highlights two young men who have stood out so far. The Fellowship has big plans and dreams going forward. The fifth round of grants is providing incredible opportunities. There is more to come. Discussion on several programs and organizations and how well they're working in providing real opportunities. 

DiscussionCongratulations to Dawn Staley and the University of South Carolina women's basketball team for winning the NCAA Championship. South Carolina invested in their program and in Dawn and she delivered. Watching her navigate this space as a head coach is truly remarkable.Chris Lamb​ - Author, 'Stolen Dreams: The 1955 Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars and Little League Baseball's Civil War' Explains how it came about to write the book. In July 1955 when the 11 and 12-year-olds on the Cannon Street YMCA All-Star team registered for a baseball tournament in Charleston, South Carolina, it put the team and the forces of integration on a collision course with segregation, bigotry, and the Southern way of life. The Cannon Street team won two tournaments by forfeit. If they won the regional tournament in Rome, Georgia, they would have advanced to the Little League World Series. But Little League officials ruled the team ineligible to play in the tournament because they had advanced by winning on forfeit and not on the field, denying the boys their dream of playing in the Little League World Series. It was a national story for a few weeks then faded away. During a reunion years later, the white players told the black players they wanted to play, but it was their fathers that were against it Fr3deR1cK Taylor - College Baseball Turned Emmy Award-Winning FilmmakerAn Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, Fr3deR1cK's projects have led him to informal settlement villages in Nairobi, Kenya, Lusaka, Zambia and hospitals for the poor in Lima, Peru. Fr3deR1cK has documented kids in India and at-risk people in South Central Los Angeles. Fr3deR1cK's adventure into content creation started with a film education at Temple University's highly regarded documentary filmmaking program, where Fr3deR1cK played baseball for half of his college career. Explains the decision to give up baseball to focus on social justice, advocacy, and equality for all people. It's crazy to see how black athletes have made changes in sports throughout history. His civil rights documentary “Counter Histories: Rock Hill,” which is about the black college student group the Friendship 9, is currently screening at the Cannes Film Market. The film was featured on Magic Johnson's television network “Aspire!” as part of the American Black Film Festival series. “Counter Histories: Rock Hill” continues to win the best documentary and audience awards in film festivals around the world.  A cornerstone of his philosophy and the mantra for his company is to develop media concepts with diverse and universal appeal with the highest of production standards. Fr3deR1cK actively encourages and demands diversity in staffing and hiring in order to accomplish this goal. His commitment to training and mentoring young people of color, women, and LGBTQ youth is unwavering.

The guys react to the news that the NFL will expand the Rooney Rule. Going forward all 32 NFL teams will hire a minority offensive assistant coach for the 2022 season, part of a series of policy enhancements announced to address the league's ongoing diversity efforts. The league is trending toward offensive assistants and those are the ones getting the head coaching jobs. Discussion on Deshaun Watson's comments at his introductory press conference as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Discussion on the NFL Inspire Change program being ahead of schedule in their 10-year monetary schedule.

Discussion about the National College Players Association filing a civil rights complaint with the US Department of Education against Division 1 athletics. The suit says D-1 colleges are violating Black students' civil rights by imposing a collusive athlete compensation prohibition. The NCPA is looking for fair athlete pay including scholarships for Ivy League Athletes; safety standards to prevent serious injury, sexual abuse & death among athletes; enforce Title IX and preserve all sports. Discussion on the NFL Inspire Change initiative and the pieces done involving Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark and Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones. Kenny Clark shares his experience of growing up with an incarcerated parent and how that inspired him to get involved with the U.S. Dream Academy, which supports children with parents in incarceration. U.S. Dream Academy is one of the NFL's Inspire Change education grant partners. Byron Jones talks about why it is so important to have people of color in the rooms where decisions are being made in the media and marketing industries, which is why he supports the work done through the Marcus Graham Project. Discussion and update on WNBA star, Brittney Griner. Brittney has been granted and has had access to, a consular from the US Embassy. She is reportedly in good spirits.