The R Word

A conversation with author Robert Jones recorded live at the Fayetteville Public Library.

In this episode, Lowell presents a sermon on Matthew 3:1-10, and previews the upcoming screening of The Big Payback later this month.

In this episode, Dustin and Lowell review where we have been and preview where we are going.

In this live episode at St. Paul's Church, Rev. Jonathan Brooks preaches about Zacchaeus and the call to repair.

In this live episode at St. Paul's Church, Lowell calls folks from St. Paul's to repent, repair, and be healed, and folks from St. Paul's Becoming Beloved Community group respond to the call.

In this episode, The Zacchaeus Foundation board members Sharon Killian and Dr. Trisha Posey introduce themselves.

In this episode, The Zacchaeus Foundation board members Dr. Caree Banton, Chris Seawood, and Lynette Washington introduce themselves. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at https://www.thezacchaeusfoundation.org/.

In this episode, Dustin and Lowell interview Joi McGowan and MoniqueJones. Joi is the co-founder of Resilient Black Women and the co-host of the Resilient Black Women podcast. Monique is the director of the Squire Jehagen Center. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at https://www.thezacchaeusfoundation.org/.

In this episode, Lowell interviews Aria Florant, who is the co-founder and CEO of Liberation Ventures, a non-profit that accelerates the Black-led movement for racial repair. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at https://www.thezacchaeusfoundation.org/.

In this episode, Dustin and Lowell interview Robin Rue Simmons, who is the Founder and Executive Director of FirstRepair, a non-profit that informs local reparations, nationally, and who was an alderman in Evanston, IL, where she helped pass the first government-funded Black reparations legislation. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at https://www.thezacchaeusfoundation.org/.

In this live episode at Fayetteville Public Library, Dr. Christina Edmondson discusses her book Faithful Antiracism, is interviewed by Dr. Caree Banton and Dr. Trisha Posey, and answers questions from the audience. Video of the episode is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmiHVxbS7Zw. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at thezacchaeusfoundation.org.

In this episode, The Zacchaeus Foundation board members Dustin McGowan, Lowell Taylor, and Betty Wilton introduce themselves. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at thezacchaeusfoundation.org.

In this episode, Dustin and Lowell interview Rev. Peter Jarrett-Schell, member of the Reparations Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, and author of Reparations: A Plan for Churches. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at thezacchaeusfoundation.org.

In this live episode at the University of Arkansas, Dustin, Lowell, and Dr. Caree Banton (chair of the history department at the University of Arkansas and host of the Undisciplined podcast) introduce The Zacchaeus Foundation. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at thezacchaeusfoundation.org.

In this episode, Dustin and Lowell interview Ekemini Uwan, co-author of Truth's Table: Black Women's Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation and charter member of The International Civil Working Group for the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent at the United Nations. Learn more about The R Word podcast, The R Word events, and The Zacchaeus Foundation at thezacchaeusfoundation.org.

Dustin and Lowell discuss Lowell's interview with Dr. Michael J. Rhodes, author of Practicing the King's Economy and Just Discipleship.

Dustin and Lowell discuss Lowell's interview with Dr. William A. Darity Jr., author of From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century

Dustin and Lowell discuss Lowell's interview with Dr. Robert P. Jones, author of The End of White Christian America, White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, and The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: and the Path to a Shared American Future.

Chris sits down with HR professional and community collaborator, Monique Jones, to talk about her experiences running the St. James Missionary Baptist Church's Community Food Pantry, addressing the transportation needs of the community in Fayetteville, running for public office, and her inspiration to continue speaking truth to power.

Dustin and Betty discuss a message Lowell gave at Grace Church NWA called “What to White People is Juneteenth?” about reparations and the church in NWA.

Dustin and Lowell discuss an interview with Propaganda about his art and the impact that songs like Playing with Fire and What Do You Know About Grace have had on us.

For our fourth episode, Lindsey and Chris introduce and discuss The State of Black NWA, a groundbreaking community-wide initiative designed to amplify the voices of the Black community across Northwest Arkansas (NWA). The Council is launching the census project to gain a deeper understanding of the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas, with a particular focus on members of the Black community.The State of Black NWA census is for individuals who identify as Black or are descendants of the African diaspora living in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and is available here.

In this episode, Dustin and Lowell discuss Lowell's interview with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, author of Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church, Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times, and Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.

Dr. Danielle Williams, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance and member of the NWA MLK Council, talks with Chris and Lindsey about the history, evolution, and meaning of Juneteenth, now a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas at the end of the Civil War. University of Arkansas' 26th annual celebration of Juneteenth. Freedom Fest will take place at Shiloh Square in Springdale, June 17th from 1-9 p.m with musical performances by Bone Thugs N Harmony, the Ohio Players, Young Joc, the Funk Factory, and more. Freedom Fest is a family-friendly, free event.

Episode 3 of The R Word's second season, hosts Lowell Taylor and Dustin McGowan welcome Dr. Christina Edmondson, author, educator, mental health therapist, Certifited Cultural Intelligence facilitator, public speaker, and much more. Dr. Edmondson shares her experience and expertise on faith's and the church's role in antiracist movements. We then hear from Lowell and Dustin on what they heard in the conversation with Dr. Edmondson and on what they hope, after hearing from her and her work.

Join NWA MLK Council treasurer Chris Seawood and Dr. Rickey Booker as they discuss the diversity, equity and Inclusion landscape, it's necessity, history and ongoing placement in the sphere of race relations in Arkansas and beyond. You can read Dr. Booker's article "Progress Takes Time" on Arkansas Soul here. And you read more about Dr. Booker's work and read more of his writing here.Learn more about the work of the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Council's work here.

The R Word begins its second season with this live book discussion with Greg Thompson, co-author of Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair, at the Fayetteville Public Library. Greg speaks to a live audience about his book. Thompson begins with a discussion of the major themes of his book, particularly about how reparations are a return of the threefold thefts of truth, wealth, and power from African Americans in this country. This is followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Caree Banton and Dr. Trisha Posey, and questions from the audience.

The R Word, a podcast hosted by Lowell Taylor that explores reparations' role in racial, social, and economic justice and the Christian Church, is back. Lowell gives us a preview of what to expect in season 2 of the podcast and a preview of the R Word's latest book discussion on Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair by Greg Thompson and Duke Kwon.

For our inaugural episode, Lindsey talks with University of Arkansas Chancellor, Dr. Charles Robinson, about his historic appointment as the UA's first African American Chancellor. He also talks about his recommitment to the land grant mission of the University, increasing access and resources for students from Arkansas, and how hard it is to choose between R&B and hip hop in Lindsey's fast five questions. To learn more about Dr. Robinson, visit chancellor.uark.edu, and learn more about the Northwest Arkansas MLK Council here.

The Beloved Community Podcast is designed with community in mind. We seek to highlight individuals and organizations that strive to build Dr. King's beloved community in the Northwest Arkansas region, the state of Arkansas and beyond. Each month, you'll hear from leaders in our community, working to combat poverty, racism, and inequity and promote the ideals of the Beloved Community where injustice ceases and love prevails… Be inspired to join the movement!

In the final episode of The R Word, we hear from Black Christian leaders Rev. Suzanne Bridges, Rev. Stephen Ivey, Dustin McGowan, and Chris Seawood, along with host Lowell Taylor, recorded at a live community conversation, Thursday, July 28th at The Historic St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville. This is Part 2 of a two-part episode.

In the final episode of The R Word, we hear from Black Christian leaders Rev. Suzanne Bridges, Rev. Stephen Ivey, Dustin McGowan and Chris Seawood, along with host Lowell Taylor, recorded at a live community conversation, Thursday, July 28th at The Historic St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville. This is the Part 1 of a two part episode.

On the third episode of The R Word, Lowell speaks with Jemar Tisby, founder of The Witness Foundation, on his two books, How to Fight Racism and The Compromise of Color: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism. Jemar speaks to the American Christian Church's history of complicity in racism, his call for Black Christians encountering racism within their own church to "Leave Loud," and how acting in the pursuit of Justice is what makes reconciliation and healing possible.

In Episode 2 of The R Word, Lowell talks with Greg Thompson, co-author of Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair. Greg discusses why reparations are necessary in racial, social and economic justice and healing and why the Christian Church plays an important role in leading the way.

The R Word is a limited-run podcast series hosted by Lowell Taylor exploring reparations' role in achieving racial, social and economic justice and the White Christian Church.