The Critical Mass Podcast

In today’s political climate—defined by strong party loyalty and clear ideological lines—Carla Cunningham made a move that is becoming increasingly rare: she left the Democratic Party. After years serving in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Cunningham switched her voter registration to Unaffiliated following a high-profile primary loss. The decision has sparked questions across North C...

Season 2 of the Critical Mass Podcast opens with a powerful and timely conversation featuring North Carolina State Representative Carla Cunningham , a nurse, community advocate, and one of the most independent voices in the North Carolina General Assembly. In this premiere episode, we go beyond headlines and political talking points to explore the lived experiences, policy priorities, and politica...

In Episode 6 of The Critical Mass Podcast, we sit down with California Assembly Member Isaac G. Bryan , joined by co-host Yvette Carnell, president of the ADOS Advocacy Foundation. Together we explore California’s shifting political landscape —from redistricting and demographics to education and equity—while taking a close look at Assembly Bill 7 and its broader implications. This conversation unp...

The Critical Mass Podcast Episode 5: The Reparations Framework
Featuring Yvette Carnell and Aisha Muhammed In this powerful and timely episode, we’re joined by Yvette Carnell, President of the ADOS Advocacy Foundation, and Aisha Muhammed, Policy Director and dedicated volunteer, for a deep dive into the only comprehensive reparations framework built from the ground up for and by American Descendan...

In this episode of the Critical Mass Podcast, we sit down with Jecorey Arthur—educator, musician, activist, and former Louisville Metro Councilman—to explore how art and advocacy collide to drive systemic change. Whether you’re an educator, artist, or advocate, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to think differently about what it means to lead—and to serve . 🎧 Listen now on Apple Po...

For centuries, Black landownership has been a symbol of freedom, self-sufficiency, and generational wealth. But time and again, that land—hard-earned and carefully passed down—has been taken, not by force in the traditional sense, but through a legal mechanism known as eminent domain . The government’s power to seize private property for “public use” has been justified as progress—high...

Today, we’re tackling a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention—the urgent need for dedicated research on American Descendants of Slavery, or ADOS, and why disaggregating racial and ethnic data is essential for justice and equity. For too long, American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) have been lumped into broad racial categories, erasing our unique history and the specific harms of chattel s...

In the debut episode of The Critical Mass Podcast , we sit down with Yvette Carnell , Founder of the ADOS Advocacy Foundation , for a powerful conversation about the fight for reparations and the policies shaping the future of American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) . From her childhood and early influences to her time on Capitol Hill , Yvette shares the experiences that led her to become a leading...