The Bakari Sellers Podcast

Bakari Sellers is joined by political reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Greg Bluestein to discuss his new book, ‘Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopoly on Republican Power’ (5:07), how much credit is owed to Stacey Abrams for Georgia’s impact on the 2020 election (7:08), and why the peach state is so critical in the 2022 election (12:13). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest:...

Bakari Sellers is joined by Mark McKinnon, co-creator and co-host of Showtime’s ‘The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth’, to discuss the current state of U.S. politics (4:43) before digging into President Biden’s performance thus far (8:28). Plus, what viewers can expect from the seventh season of the hit documentary series (16:20). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Mark McKinnon Produc...

Bakari Sellers is joined by legendary actor Courtney B. Vance to break down a career that began at Harvard University (:58), the preparation for his Emmy Award–winning portrayal of Johnnie Cochrane (10:21), and his newest role in AMC’s '61st Street' (16:11). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Courtney B. Vance Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices....

Bakari Sellers is joined by Houston mayoral candidate Chris Hollins to discuss his career prior to seeking public office (1:11), why Texas has become ground zero for today’s culture wars (11:04), and the prospect of following in Mayor Sylvester Turner’s footsteps (14:03). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Chris Hollins Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad...

Bakari Sellers is joined by CEO of the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) Phyllis Dickerson to discuss why Black mayors matter to Black citizens (7:14), the ways AAMA impacts and assists small-town mayors (9:50), and the current state of Black political power (11:19).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Phyllis Dickerson Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more abou...

Bakari Sellers is joined by Wendi Wallace, deputy executive director of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), to discuss the path that led to her current role (1:01), break down what the DGA does (5:38), and analyze upcoming gubernatorial races throughout the country (12:47). Donate to DGA: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dga-homepage?refcode=contrib Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Wendi Walla...

Bakari Sellers is joined by Silicon Valley Congressman Ro Khanna to discuss the importance of understanding technology (2:54), the potential revitalization thanks to the US Innovation and Competition bill (8:10), and what Democrats need to do to maintain numbers in the House and Senate (15:22). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt...

Bakari Sellers is joined by James Cadogan to discuss his path from working in the Obama administration to his current role as Executive Director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition (1:16), the scope of the coalitions mission (23:03), and the ongoing conversations around getting Brittney Griner home safely (26:22). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bakari Sellers is joined by writer and cofounder of 'Very Smart Brothas' Damon Young to discuss the creation and sale of his popular website (:46), why his 2019 book 'What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker' hasn’t been banned yet (4:05), and the launch of his new podcast, ‘Stuck With Damon Young’ (12:21). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Damon Young Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod...

Bakari Sellers is joined by CEO of First Independence Bank Kenneth Kelly to discuss the challenges facing minority-owned banks (3:58, his book ‘Prepared Before I Let Go’, and the importance of last will and testaments (8:01). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Kenneth Kelly Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Journalist and political commentator John Avlon joins to discuss the value of "centrism" and the danger of "both sides-ism" in politics (4:06), grading President Biden’s performance in historical context (13:17), and Abraham Lincoln’s role as peacemaker in his new book ‘Lincoln and the Fight for Peace’ (16:56). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: John Avlon Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jar...

Bakari Sellers is joined by TV and theater actor Justin Cunningham to discuss his path from Arkansas to Hollywood (4:23), the sense of responsibility to the culture (6:51), and his role on NBC’s ‘Grand Crew’ (11:14). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Justin Cunningham Producer: Donnie Beacham  Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bakari Sellers is joined by actor and star of CBS’s ‘Good Sam’ Edwin Hodge to discuss avoiding stereotypical roles in Hollywood (3:31), who he’d put on his Mt. Rushmore of Black acting (9:23), and what makes ‘Good Sam’ stand out from previous medical dramas (14:18).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Edwin Hodge Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choice...

Bakari Sellers is joined by civil rights attorney and candidate for attorney general of Texas Lee Merritt to discuss what led him to seek office in the Lone Star state (1:42), his idea of actionable police reform (9:30), and the plan to close the racial voting gap in Texas (20:33).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Lee Merritt Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more abou...

Bakari Sellers is joined by attorney and CEO of HeirShares Mavis Gragg to discuss her career fighting for Black land ownership (3:03), the systemic racism of property law (5:54), and actionable tools and steps to take when owning land (16:01).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Mavis Gragg Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

Bakari Sellers is joined by actress Kyla Pratt to discuss her transition from child to adult actor (2:58), working with legends like Eddie Murphy (8:11), and the upcoming reboot of ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’ (19:05).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Kyla Pratt Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bakari Sellers is joined by actress of stage and screen Condola Rashad to discuss challenging herself as an artist (4:16), the legendary storytellers she looks up to (6:19), and what to expect from season 6 of ‘Billions’ (11:32).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Condola Rashad Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...

Bakari Sellers is joined by Tishaura Jones, mayor of St. Louis, to discuss leading a progressive city in a conservative state (2:49), the implementation of non-law enforcement agencies to curb violence (7:48), and managing the politics of the pandemic (11:35).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Tishaura Jones Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices....

Bakari Sellers is joined by author and justice correspondent for The Nation Elie Mystal to reflect on the legacy of Justice Stephen Breyer (:59) and discuss why the upcoming nomination matters (3:51) before breaking down the short list of possible replacements (8:43).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Elie Mystal Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choi...

Bakari Sellers is joined by legendary journalist Carl Bernstein to discuss the start of his career during the civil rights movement (8:57), the current state of political journalism (13:11), and what he wants readers to take away from his new book, ‘Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom’ (22:27).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Carl Bernstein Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadh...

Bakari Sellers is joined by the 52nd mayor of Baltimore, Brandon Scott, to discuss what outsiders don’t know about Baltimore (3:14), reforming policing within the city (7:43), and the work toward equitable economic development (17:13).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Mayor Brandon Scott Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

Bakari Sellers welcomes author of 'An Abolitionist's Handbook' and cofounder of the Black Lives Matter movement Patrisse Cullors to discuss progress, or lack thereof, since the movement’s inception (6:00), the importance of 911 alternatives during mental health crisis (14:35), and actionable ways to reform the U.S. prison system (18:37). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Patrisse Cullors Producer: Donni...

Bakari Sellers is joined by Dr. Anthony Fauci to emphasize the importance of vaccinations and boosters (:59), discuss the coronavirus’s impact on the youngest and most vulnerable of us (4:12), and to dispel some of the biggest misconceptions about the good doctor (13:03).  Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Dr. Anthony Fauci Producer: Donnie Beacham Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Learn more about yo...

Bakari Sellers is joined by activist and founder of Moms Demand Action Shannon Watts to discuss what led to her founding the nation’s largest grassroots group fighting gun violence (:52), taking on the NRA (5:49), and the prospect of reforming gun laws in 2022 (19:31). Host: Bakari Sellers Guest: Shannon Watts Executive Producer: Jarrod Loadholt Producer: Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad ch...

Bakari Sellers is joined by artist Reggie Brown to discuss his journey from biotechnology to children’s illustration (1:38), and the method behind the art of his and Bakari’s new book, 'Who Are Your People?' (10:33). Plus, legendary activist Rev. Al Sharpton joins to discuss everything from his relationship with James Brown (22:54) to the unsung heroes of the social justice movement in America (26...