The Coolest Show

The Global South is paying the price of the climate crisis caused by the Global North. This pattern of environmental injustice has repeated itself for decades. As we usher in a new decade, it must be the Global South and frontline communities that lead on solutions for the climate crisis. To kick off Climate Week NYC 2021, The Coolest Show Host Rev Yearwood sits down with Christiana Figueres, a gl...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States.  “I’m hopeful because I do think that we have a resilient system and the mechanisms in place to push back on people who are challenging democracy. But it also req...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States.  Congressman Henry “Hank” Johnson shares how actively engaging in political movements is a declaration of faith. “But really, our work and our family, everything off, everyth...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States.  Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from New York’s 9th Congressional District joins Rev Yearwood and inspires the next generation as she speaks to young Black women. “We do our par...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States.  “I want to end poverty in this district. I’m going to do everything in my power to work with other elected officials and whomever to end poverty in this district...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of who are currently serving districts across the United States. “Everything that we do, we should look at [it from]a historical perspective and then connect it to what is going on now.” Rev Yearwood speaks with Congresswoman Maxine Waters of Ca...

The BlackOak Collective is a networking organization that aims to build a formal home for the many Black environmental communities in the DMV. BlackOak Collective co-founders Sarah Nesbit and Wes Gobar join The Coolest Show to discuss how we must foster mentorship and build a channel for Black talent in environmental fields. Sup port the BlackOak Collective . The post BlackOak Collective w/ Sarah...

After spending 30 years in a movement, one is able to reflect on the challenges, the growth, and provide insight to the next generation. Movement spaces are but a microcosm of society where, just like the world we’re striving to change, we have to center and build on our values. Rev Yearwood speaks with Leslie Fields, the National Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Legal at Sierra Club. The two dis...

It takes a lot of courage for whistleblowers to come forward and reveal information, risking their livelihoods. What began with an EPA employee exposing unethical vanadium pentoxide mining in South Africa led to the protection of whistleblowers from discrimination and retaliation. Rev Yearwood speaks with Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, EPA whistleblower, former Black Panther, and president...

Black farmers are facing extinction with a 99% decline since 1920 due to racial discrimination by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. While seeking debt relief through section 1005 of the American Rescue Plan, farmers of color are facing delay due to white farmers suing to block payments. Rev Yearwood speaks with John Boyd, the president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association. The two di...

Pan-Africanism is rooted in the connectivity and power of the Black/African diaspora. The continent of Africa is the epicenter of humanity–driving the future of not only the diaspora, but the world. Rev Yearwood speaks with Emira Woods, the senior advisor of Shine and associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. The two discuss the colonial and economic oppression of Africa, the pow...

It’s extremely dangerous when people in positions of power/leadership make empty promises and play two sides of the field. Slow-walking progress costs people their livelihoods. We must hold the people “on our side” just as accountable as those who oppose us. Rev Yearwood speaks with energy investor Dr. Michael K. Dorsey. The two discuss the U.S.’ role in the shift to clean energy, an energy revolu...

It is important to be grounded when doing this work. For people like Rev Yearwood and Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, urban strategist and author, they ground themselves in their spiritual faith. They discuss extractivism vs regeneration, phases of the environmental movement, and the connections between Islam and the environment. The post Green Deen w/ Ibrahim Abdul-Matin appeared first on The Coolest Show .

On July 2nd, 2021, the Hip Hop Caucus held a press conference to rally around the Byhalia pipeline fight in Memphis, Tennessee. Later that day, Plains All American Pipeline announced the cancellation of the 49-mile proposed Byhalia pipeline that would have gone right through the predominantly Black Southwest Memphis to transport crude oil for export. In this episode of The Coolest Show, you’ll hea...

While people are profiting off the planet and the most vulnerable, creatives are leading innovation in sustainability with a heart and people-centered approach. The artist’s eye is the bridge between the culture and movements. Rev Yearwood speaks with Maya Penn, environmental activist and CEO of the eco-fashion brand Maya’s Ideas. Maya and Rev discuss standing on the shoulders of giants, buy...

Racism is a public health crisis that fuels the Black community’s lack of trust in the government. Incidents such as the Tuskegee experiment and the Flint water crisis are examples of environmental racism, also categorized as genocide. Rev Yearwood speaks with Elise Tolbert, Founder and Executive Director of Next Step Up and the Deputy Director of Partner Engagement at Climate Action Campaign. Eli...

The producers of The Coolest Show (DeJuan Cross, Destiny Hodges, and Tamara Toles O’Laughlin) give listeners an inside look at the production of the show. Rev Yearwood guides them through a critical conversation on: why spaces like The Coolest Show are needed to speak truth to power; the importance of prioritizing a Black audience for a climate podcast; and “lifting up the struggle while it’s evol...

Institutionalized groups want young, Black, and Indigenous organizers to be inspirational and play a superficial role. But oftentimes, they don’t want to fund their work to effectively dismantle systems of oppression. It is easier to do the work that coddles one’s privilege because they don’t have to confront their privilege or the realities that communities first and foremost affected are experie...

The fight for fair equity and access to appropriate resources has been an uphill battle for many organizations started in black communities. Funders have historically not trusted black organizations, resulting in folks doing twice the work for a small percentage of any available support. Rev Yearwood Speaks with Natalie Mebane, Associate Director of U.S. Policy at 350.org. Natalie shares her origi...

The Coalitions are necessary in working to solve the climate crisis. They are often composed of people with different experiences, perspectives, needs, and opinions. So how do we secure a win with such a coalition? Rev Yearwood speaks with Jane Fleming Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and President of Bold Alliance. She shared her experience as a former young activist, building the Co...

The Black church has played a major role in many social justice movements. There is a history of politicians and the climate movement being transactional and extractive with Black churches. Rev Yearwood speaks with Rev. Michael Malcom, the Executive Director of Alabama Interfaith Power and Light. He shares insight on the performance of worship, the role of the Black church in the movement, and the...

Many grassroots organizations have found themselves in a competition for support from donors. Unfortunately, organizations vying for attention have created a circumstance where groups step on each other for resources, leaving those who need help the most buried. Rev Yearwood speaks with Actress, Activist, and Author Alyssa Milano about her work connecting organizations to people on the ground in t...

Historically in the United States, building new or better communities hasn’t always benefited people of color in these areas who have been systematically oppressed due to tactics like redlining and gentrification. President Biden’s proposal of the Build Back Better plan will include investments in infrastructure and is projected to create 10 million clean-energy jobs. Expenditures woul...

The fight for Energy Justice has an adversary posing as a friend. The fossil fuel companies have begun to use their tactics in the clean energy space by taking indigenous lands to create solar farms in Hawaii and other island nations that have historically depended on their energy solutions from outside sources. Rev Yearwood speaks with Raya Salter, the “Climate Auntie,” an attorney, consultant, e...

Transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy has been a hot issue for activists, communities, and the people most affected by the climate crisis. While actions like mountain top removal pollute the air, water, and food in neighborhoods surrounding the Appellation region in West Virginia and Kentucky, 68% of Black Americans also reside near coal fire power plants in their communities, making thi...