State of Black America

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 and the negotiation efforts that brought Brittney Griner home, as well as priorities for 2023. Discussed in this episode: Karen Finney, Brittney Griner, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court, black twitter, President Biden, voting rights, Congress, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals. Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @finneyk, @naral, @ultraviolet, @iampowerrising, @stopbigmoney. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Follow us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content!

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, Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, Geoffrey Starks, digital divide, broadband, free internet, internet, affordable connectivity program, National Urban League, Washington DC, DC, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals.   Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @GeoffreyStarks, @FCC. Visit their website www.FCC.gov for more information. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy, @NatUrbanLeague. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content!

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 Warnock, young voters, President Biden, Congress, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals. Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @t_woodbury1, @hitstrat or visit: www.hitstrat.com for more information.   To read President and CEO Marc Morial's latest op-ed on the midterm election, click here: https://nul.org/news/why-pundits-and-junk-polls-got-midterm-elections-wrong To join the National Urban League's Reclaim Your Vote campaign, visit our website at www.reclaimyourvote.org Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook:  Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content!

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 for the Reclaim Your Vote campaign at the National Urban League. For information regarding polling stations, volunteer opportunities and more, visit www.reclaimyourvote.org. Discussed in this episode: Laphonza, Laphonza Butler, Latosha, Latosha Brown, National Urban League, Washington DC, DC, voting, get out the vote, President Biden, state, federal, local, Congress, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals. Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @laphonzab @emilyslist | @melatoshabrown @blackvotersmtr. Visit www.emilyslist.org and www.blackvotersmatterfund.org for more information. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook:  Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content!

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. For information regarding polling stations, volunteer opportunities and more, visit www.reclaimyourvote.org. Discussed in this episode: Gwen Moore, National Urban League, Washington DC, Wisconsin, voting, get out the vote, Student Loan Forgiveness, President Biden, forgiveness, generational wealth, home ownership, Congress, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals. Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @repgwenmoore or visit:www.gwenmore.house.gov for more information. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook:  Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content!

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 apply for this benefit.  Discussed in this episode: students, student loans, student loan forgiveness, student loan debt, Americans, PSLF, Public Student Loan Forgiveness, President Biden, forgiveness, generational wealth, home overnship, Congress, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals. Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @ACHesquire or visit:www.studentaid.gov for more information. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook:  Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content!

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 Service Loan Forgiveness program and information on how to apply for this benefit.  Discussed in this episode: students, student loans, student loan forgiveness, student loan debt, Americans, PSLF, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, President Biden, forgiveness, generational wealth, home ownership, Congress, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals. Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @ACHesquire or visit:www.studentaid.gov for more information. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.orgEmail: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook:  Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content!

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, civil rights, justice, infrastructure, Build Back Better, voting rights, midterms, November, Brittney Griner, WNBA, safe space, safety, health, Black community, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals  Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @PressSec. Visit: www.White House.gov Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the State of Black America podcast on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you think of our content! Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy   

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 episode: LGBTQIA+, LGBTQ, lesbian, gay, bisexual,  trans, transgender, queer, civil rights, justice, Brittney Griner, Russia, WNBA, safe space, safety, health, Black community, Black men, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals  Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @TaskForceAF. Visit: https://www.thetaskforceactionfund.org. Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy  Kierra's Bio: Executive Director, Kierra Johnson, joined the National LGBTQ Task Force in 2018 as Deputy Executive Director but was already engaged with the organization, previously serving on the National LGBTQ Task Force's board of directors and its National Action Council. Johnson came to the Task Force after serving as (Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity) URGE's Executive Director with a wealth of experience in organizational leadership and management, program development, youth leadership and reproductive justice. As a bisexual Black woman, Johnson is one of few out queer-identified women of color at the helm of a national LGBTQ organization. She is recognized as a national expert on queer and reproductive rights issues and has testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives and has appeared in Newsweek, The New York Times, Fox News, Feministing.com and National Public Radio. Johnson also serves on the boards of directors of the General Service Foundation, Groundswell Fund, and Guttmacher Institute. Here are opinion pieces written by Kierra Johnson that were mentioned in this episode: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/03/transgender-people-get-pregnant-sometimes-trans-people-need-abortions/   https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2022/6/29/how-scotuss-roe-decision-fails-todays-america

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, Black men, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals  Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @@MrDavidJohns + @NBJCOnTheMove. Visit  https://nbjc.org Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy |

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 surrounding mental health in the Black community, how to identify signs of mental health issues in children and how we can do better at acknowledging these issues and seeking help when we or those in our community need it most. To read the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health recent report, Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America, click here: https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Full_Taskforce_Report.pdf Discussed in this episode: mental health, mental health awareness, mental health professionals, therapy, therapist, social work, counseling, treatment, medicine, Black men, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals  Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @DrMikeLindsey or visit https://socialwork.nyu.edu/faculty-and-research/our-faculty/michael-a-lindsey.html Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.orgEmail: podcast@nul.org Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | 

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 rights if it were finalized.  To join the Nation Urban League's text campaign, text 'PROTECTCHOICENOW' to 52886 To join Planned Parenthood BANS OFF OUR BODIES campaign, visit https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/rightfully-ours/bans-off-our-bodies Discussed in this episode: Dobbs v Jackson, United States Supreme Court, Supreme Court, Justice Alito, leaked document, abortion, abortion rights, planned parenthood, fetus, pro-life, pro-choice, United States Senate,  Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals  Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @JacqAyers and @PPFA or visit www.plannedparenthoodaction.org Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague

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 descendent of some of those harmed during the Tulsa massacre and Executive Director of the Terence Crutcher Foundation and Eric Miller serves as Professor at Loyola Law school and Co-Counsel on the reparations case. Discussed in this episode: Tulsa, Oklahoma, Massacre, White Mob, Racism, Reparations, small businesses, black community, community, residents, survivors, descendants, Politics, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals.   Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @AttorneyDamario and @TiffanyCrutcher       Visit their websites at www.greenwoodfoundation.org and https://www.terencecrutcherfoundation.org.  Contact and Follow the National Urban League at:  Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/

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 Black America poll, a survey of Black Americans' opinions and attitudes about the issues shaping the nation. Second, is Dr. Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, President and Founder of Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race (WISER). She authored the report's Equality Index, which offers insight to the need for policies that help fight inequality. For this week's spotlight, we feature Mia Keeys, Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Robin Kelly, to highlight Black maternal health awareness week. Discussed in this episode: Equality index, poll, Pulse of Black America, State of Black America report, equity, wealth, wage gap, barriers, black maternal health, HEAA, tri-caucus, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals  To read this year's State of Black America Report, visit: https://soba.iamempowered.com  Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @Rhondavsharpe and @WISERpolicy, @BenensonStrGrp and @RepRobinKelly Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.orgEmail: podcast@nul.org Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | 

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 efforts amongst black women after the 2016 election and the formation of Power Rising, the group of friends she proudly proclaims as the colored girls and how Black women influenced President Biden to officially nominate the first black woman to the United States Supreme Court. Discussed in this episode: Politics, Colored Girls, SCOTUS, Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Trump, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Black America, African Americans, Race, Black Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals.   Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @leahdaughtry or visit their website at leahdaughtry.com or powerrising.org.  Contact and Follow the National Urban League at:  Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org  Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/  

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 homeowners which include racial wage and wealth gaps, homelessness, economic instability and the formation of single family homes. This report outlines key takeaways and recommendations that would alleviate these issues and create opportunities for minority women to attain home ownership. Discussed in this episode: National Partnership for Women and Families, women, children, homelessness, gender, justice, housing, barriers, Black America, African Americans, Race, Balck Women, Black Families, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @NPWF or visit their website at https://www.nationalpartnership.org/ Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/

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 confirmation.  Discussed in this episode: Ketanji Brown Jackson, Judge Jackson, Supreme Court Justice, United States Supreme Court, SCOTUS, She Will Rise, SistaScotus, Black women, history, nomination, President Biden, Community, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter: @Kim_tignor + @sistascotus or visit their websites at: https://www.sistascotus.org  Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.orgEmail: podcast@nul.org Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/  The State of Black America Podcast is the official podcast of the National Urban League, formerly For the Movement Podcast. The show is hosted by Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President, Policy and Advocacy and produced by Niambé Tomlinson, Senior Director of Communications. The show is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Thank you to our sponsor and our listeners. Please follow us and tune for the next episode.  You can find old episodes of For the Movement Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/1QQUhFUddChkMEYxQniJmj

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 our community. Discussed in this episode: Mentorship, Professional development, Leadership, community, millennial, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter: @NULYP and @SpringfieldUL or visit their websites at: http://nulyp.iamempowered.com/ and https://www.springfieldul.org/ Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.orgTwitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/ The State of Black America Podcast is the official podcast of the National Urban League, formerly For the Movement Podcast. The show is hosted by Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President, Policy and Advocacy and produced by Niambe Tomlinson, Senior Director of Communications. The show is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Thank you to our sponsor and our listeners. Please follow us and tune for the next episode.  You can find old episodes of For the Movement Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/1QQUhFUddChkMEYxQniJmj

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 influence. They also discuss how CR has evolved into one that is currently weaponized by conservative candidates in recent local elections and the upcoming midterm elections. More importantly, they outline how we can educate ourselves in order to decipher the misinformation that currently exists. Discussed in this episode: critical race theory, history, Derrick Bell, Lani Guinier, racial reckoning, George Floyd, elections, midterm elections, Black America, African Americans, Race, Balck Women, Black Families, Black Men, Politics, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @jelani9 or visit his page on the New Yorker to read his recent pieces website at https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/jelani-cobb Contact and Follow the National Urban League at: Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/ The State of Black America Podcast is the official podcast of the National Urban League, formerly For the Movement Podcast. The show is hosted by Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President, Policy and Advocacy and produced by Niambe Tomlinson, Senior Director of Communications. The show is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Thank you to our sponsor and our listeners. Please follow us and tune for the next episode.  You can find old episodes of For the Movement Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/1QQUhFUddChkMEYxQniJmj

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 protected the right to vote no matter where you live. More importantly, they lay out the plan for overcoming these set backs, including what you can do to ensure everyone's voice is heard in the 2022 elections and beyond.    Discussed in this episode: U.S. Senate, United States Senate, Voting rights, Voter suppression, voter suppression tactics, Black America, African Americans, Race, Balck Women, Black Families, Black Men, Economy, Politics, State of Black America, For the Movement, National Urban League, Urban League Movement, Young Professionals    Contact and Follow our Guest(s) on Twitter @gcpagenda or visit their website at www.thepeoplesagenda.org   Contact and Follow the National Urban League at:   Web: www.nul.org Email: podcast@nul.org   Twitter and Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/   The State of Black America Podcast is the official podcast of the National Urban League, formerly For the Movement Podcast. The show is hosted by Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President, Policy and Advocacy and produced by Niambe Tomlinson, Senior Director of Communications. The show is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Thank you to our sponsor and our listeners. Please follow us and tune for the next episode.  You can find old episodes of For the Movement Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/1QQUhFUddChkMEYxQniJmj

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: podcast@nul.org Twitter + Instagram: @NULpolicy | @NatUrbanLeague Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NULPolicy | https://www.facebook.com/NatUrbanLeague/  Tune in to the National Urban League's Instagram page every other Tuesday at 6 p.m. for Jerika's JUSTICE NOW IG Live Series The State of Black America Podcast is the official podcast of the National Urban League, formerly For the Movement Podcast. The show is hosted by Joi Chaney, Executive Director of the Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President, Policy and Advocacy and produced by Niambé Tomlinson, Senior Director of Communications. The show is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Thank you to our sponsor and our listeners. Please follow us and tune for the next episode.  You can find old episodes of For the Movement Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/1QQUhFUddChkMEYxQniJmj.

For our last episode of 2021, Joi 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 and Public Student Loan Forgiveness.  For updates on the policy priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration, visit their website at www.whitehouse.gov. And follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @Whitehouse. For updates on the National Urban League's Washington Bureau, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @NULPolicy

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 IG: prochoiceamerica Facebook: NARAL Pro-Choice America For updates on the National Urban League, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @NULPolicy

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 @higherheights. To keep up with the National Urban League's Washington Bureau, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @NULpolicy 

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 BOSS Network, visit her website at https://www.thebossnetwork.org. Follow her on social media: Facebook: https://www.thebossnetwork.org Twitter: @TheBOSSNetwork Instagram: @thebossnetwork For updates on all the things National Urban League: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @NULPolicy

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, Instagram and Twitter: @natashasalford To watch her documentary, "Afro-Latinx Revolution: Puerto Rico", click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uM83LNZmWs Make sure to follow the Washington Bureau on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NULpolicy for an update on all your policy needs

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 As always, for updates on the policy priorities of the National Urban League, visit our website at www.nul.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NULpolicy

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. To keep up with the Washington Bureau, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @nulpolicy. To keep up with the Washington Bureau, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @nulpolicy

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. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @NULpolicy  For information on how to donate to relief efforts in Louisiana, visit the Urban League of Louisiana's website at www.urbanleaguela.org. For information on where to donate to relief efforts in Mississippi, visit the Mississippi Urban League website at www.msul.org.

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   Follow Joi Chaney:   Twitter: @joitweets Instagram: @joigrams   Follow the National Urban League Washington Bureau:   Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @nulpolicy   The State of Black America podcast is the relaunched podcast of For the Movement. To find past episodes of for the movement, click here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-the-movement/id1345148843   https://open.spotify.com/show/1QQUhFUddChkMEYxQniJmj?si=9dzQRLEOQSOA4ROci1Ixfw&dl_branch=1  

On this episode, we are joined by Democratic Texas State Representatives Jarvis Johnson and Sheryl Cole. Representatives Cole and Johnson were among the other Democrats in the State legislature who staged a national walk out to avoid voting on an anti-democratic and anti-voter legislation as part of the national pushback on voting rights across the country. They discuss the voter suppression bill in detail, the threat of arrest by Governor Abbott and how those on the ground can help mobilize around this issue.   Discussed in this episode: HR 3Texas House bill For the People Act John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Voter Suppression Voting Rights National Urban League's State of Black America Report: https://soba.iamempowered.com/   Follow our guests on social media: Rep. Jarvis Johnson: Twitter: @Jarvisjohnsontx Instagram: @Repjarvisjohnson   Rep. Sheryl Cole: Twitter: @sherylcole1 Instagram: @sherylfortexas   Follow the Washington Bureau for updates on future episodes: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @nulpolicy Join the National Urban League's movement by texting PROTECTOURVOTE (all one word) to 52886.

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

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