In Search of Black Power

Send us Fan Mail In part two of our podcast analysis of Heather McGhee’s book “The Sum of Us,” hosted by Lawrence Grandpre, we use a historical lens to examine the effectiveness of multiracial positive-sum politics. We challenge McGhee’s argument that multiracial coalitions can effectively address global warming, showing that the history of political advocacy complicates this view. Her analysis ri...

Send us Fan Mail Heather McGee’s book, The Sum of Us, is touted as a new approach to racial justice. Her arguments, showcased from TED Talks to late-night shows, suggest that framing investments in Black communities as beneficial for everyone can counter white backlash. However, this emotional appeal to multiracial coalitions undermines Black autonomy by decentering demands for Black power, accept...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Lawrence explores the intersections of race and economic redistribution.  Advocates of "race-neutral" economic redistribution policies have rebranded them as "race-conscious," asserting that policies like baby bonds and Universal Basic Income (UBI) would disproportionately benefit Black people while mitigating political backlash.  This discussi...

Send us Fan Mail In May 2023, Baltimore’s City Council unanimously voted to establish the Community Reinvestment and Reparations Commission to oversee the distribution of funds granted by the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, making Baltimore City the first jurisdiction in Maryland to establish a commission like this. In this episode Dayvon Love, Director of Public Policy for Leaders of a Be...

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking interview, Dayvon speaks with Shawna Murray-Browne,  founder of Kindred Wellness, about the intersection of African spirituality and revolutionary struggles for Black Liberation.  With a wealth of knowledge and experience as a healer, therapist, and community leader, Shawna shares valuable insights into the ways in which traditional African spiritual prac...

Send us Fan Mail Lawrence and Rasheem discuss the intersection of environmentalism and racism in the United States. They explore the ways in which environmental racism has become a key focus of anti-racist discourse and organizing, drawing on the influential book "Dumping in Dixie" by Robert Bullard.  Through a critical analysis of legal strategies and grassroots organizing, they offer i...

Send us Fan Mail In this interview, Dayvon Love sits down with Jamye Wooten, the founder and CEO of CLLCTIVLY, to explore the critical need for collective economic development and narrative change to challenge myths of Black pathology in our communities.  Jamye shares insights into his work with CLLCTIVLY, an organization committed to supporting and amplifying Black-led social change initiatives....

Send us Fan Mail Lawrence and Rasheem engage in a stimulating conversation that challenges the "food desert" narrative and explores what true food sovereignty might mean for the Black community. They discuss the dangers of relying solely on grocery stores to feed Black communities and why a more comprehensive approach is needed. Drawing on the histories of Black farmers and their legal b...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Todd Steven Burroughs, a renowned author, historian, and expert on the contributions of Black political prisoners to the struggle for freedom and justice. In this video, Todd shares his deep knowledge and expertise on the subject, with a particular focus on the intellectual contributions of Mumia Abu-Jamal and oth...

Send us Fan Mail On this special episode, Lawrence Grandpre hosts a discussion on how the Black community should process the results of the 2022 Midterm Election. Support the show In Search of Black Power is a Black-owned internet show and podcast.  This podcast is sponsored and produced by Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS) . The internet show is published in collaboration with Black Liberatio...

Send us Fan Mail In part two of our interview with Dr. Jared Ball - he discusses his book, “The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power”, and addresses the folly of Black capitalism. Jared A. Ball is a father and husband. After that, he is a Professor of Communication Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. and is founder/curator of imixwhatilike.org, a multimedia hub of emancipator...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Dr Jared Ball - co-founder and host on the Black Power Media (BPM) digital platform. In part one of our interview, he lays out the ways that mass media and propaganda are used against struggles for Black Liberation. Jared A. Ball is a father and husband. After that, he is a Professor of Communication Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. and is foun...

Send us Fan Mail In part two of our examination of Black nationalism, we look at the political implications of the marginalization of Black nationalism. We analyze the limitations of current progressive Black political formations through the lens of not learning the lessons of Black nationalism and Pan-Afrikan nationalism. Finally, we use examples of work we do at LBS as examples of how the insigh...

Send us Fan Mail In the first of this two-part episode, we take a look at some of the historical successes of Black nationalism as a political methodology. We then juxtapose those successes with the caricatures and stereotypes used to marginalize Black nationalism.  Support the show In Search of Black Power is a Black-owned internet show and podcast.  This podcast is sponsored and produced by Lead...

Send us Fan Mail In part two of our interview with Dr. Cleo Manago - we discuss the dynamics of intra-racial violence amongst Black people, particularly sexual and gender minorities. Cleo Manago is an African American activist and social architect who coined the term “same-gender-loving” (or SGL) as an alternative for African descended or black people who do not wish to identify as gay or lesbian...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Cleo Manago - founder of the AmASSI Center in Baltimore, Maryland. We discuss the impact of colonialism and white supremacy on the collective attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of people of African descent. Cleo Manago is an African American activist and social architect who coined the term “same-gender-loving” (or SGL) as an alternative for Af...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Ernest Shaw Jr. to discuss parallels between the Black Arts Movement and contemporary Black arts and Politics. Shaw is a globally renowned painter, teacher and mural artist from Baltimore City. He’s currently an artist in residence at Motor House. Learn more about his work: https://www.eshawart.com/ Support the show In Search of Black Power is a Black-owned intern...

Send us Fan Mail A common argument among the left is that cross-class multi-racial organizing is the key to defeating capitalism and inequity in general, with unions being the most potent tool to accomplish this task.  In Part 2 of our examination of Ira Katznelson's book "When Affirmative Action Was White", we analyze his argument that Northern unions and the political allies acqui...

Send us Fan Mail Universalist social policies like Social Security and Unemployment Insurance are praised as key to eliminating racial inequity. However, Ira Katznelson's book, "When Affirmative Action was White", challenges this argument. He explainins how Northern Democrats conceding to Dixiecrat desires to exclusion of Blacks from critical support provision led to White benefitin...

Send us Fan Mail Samantha Mellerson is with the W. Haywood Burns Institute, a national Black led organization that works to dismantle structural racism. We discuss the mainstream criminal justice reform movement and its successes and challenges. She also brings a depth of knowledge around nonprofit capacity building and is a certified empowerment and diversity coach.  Sam has worked across public...

Send us Fan Mail In the second part of this conversation, we discuss some of the critical political elements, including:  The power dynamics within interracial adoptions  The politics of the Democratic party and an over-reliance on the Supreme Court  Potential legislative solutions to build Black power in the child welfare space  Support the show In Search of Black Power is a Black-owned internet...

Send us Fan Mail Many well-meaning folks, in the name of "protecting children" support the idea of "child welfare/protective services" - believing government services that surveil families for signs of mistreatment are the only way to prevent child abuse. However, in a special two-part episode, we analyze how the reality of this system does not live up to its promises. Far from...

Send us Fan Mail Part Two of our conversation around the "left" and its engagement (or lack thereof) with urban gun violence.  Topics discussed include: How the Black left should understand the "Black establishment" in more nuanced ways (to understand how to extract resources for the community on critical issues).  What the left's failure of to persuade working class Black...

Send us Fan Mail Previous conversations have addressed how the progressive mainstream is failing to offer effective solutions to urban gun violence. In this follow-up episode, Lawrence and Dayvon address some of the reasons why these limitations exist. They’ll be discussing the nature of the left and what are the ideological and structural reasons why in-depth solutions to gun violence in the Blac...

Send us Fan Mail Senator Jill P. Carter is the most progressive member of the Maryland State Senate and long time Maryland legislator. She discusses her battles with the Democratic Party establishment in Maryland.  Jill P. Carter has had a successful career championing for the marginalized and disenfranchised because it is in her DNA. Carter is the daughter of the late civil rights activist, leade...