SHOW EPISODES
Policing Politics And The Pandemic
As the national Black Lives Matter protest continues to shine a light on what it calls systemic racism and police brutality, combined with the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on communities of color, this episode of The Chavis Chronicles goes in-depth to reveal how policing, politics and the pandemic are forcing a major paradigm shift in American culture. Guests include: Major Neill Franklin, Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP); Representative James E. Clyburn (D- SC), Majority Whip, the third-ranking Democrat in the United States House of Representatives and currently serving as the Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis.
TCC Episode #101
Super Role Models in The Black Community
Dr. Chavis is joined by two esteemed guests in this week’s episode. Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, President of Tennessee State University (TSU), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and the International President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African-American college women, with nearly 300,000 members and over 1000 chapters all over the world. In this climate of increasing urban turmoil, unrest and police shootings of African Americans, Dr. Glover offers TCC viewers insight about the renewed urgency and importance of HBCUs, as well as the influence that the African American Greek-letter organizations (namely the AKAs) will have on the upcoming 2020 election. Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D. is president of HBCU Howard University in Washington DC., and also a practicing surgeon. As the leader of one of the oldest and most renowned HBCUs, Dr. Frederick reveals his insight regarding the impact of George Floyd’s death, the protests it led to across the world, and the continuing pattern of systemic racism in the U.S. Dr. Frederick’s words about the African American experience feel more urgent than ever. He also discusses how his career as a surgeon has influenced his work as an educator, administrator and champion of underserved communities, and why he believes we may be on the cusp of the next “golden generation.”
TCC Episode #102
The Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter: Where Do We Go From Here?
In this episode, veteran civil rights activist and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton reflects on the intersection of the Black Lives Matter movement and the three great civil rights acts of the 1960’s. Despite those changes, Congresswoman Norton says the vestiges of racism remains embedded in American life. Yet she believes this new, young multicultural generation sees race differently and will demand greater change, just as social justice crusaders fought for over 60 years ago.
Also, The Honorable Chokwe Antar Lumumba is making it his mission to transform the city of Jackson, Mississippi into “the most radical city on the planet.” Jackson is a city with a rich American history, but it’s also plagued by persistent poverty, health disparities, confederate symbols and generations of racist sentiments. By advocating for social and economic change, Mayor Lumumba is determined to transform this 85% African American city into a model of economic optimism.
TCC Episode #103
The Most Important Vote of Our Lives
The right to vote is a fundamental right under the United States Constitution. It is a right that millions of people have fought and died to protect and preserve since the birth of our democracy. The NAACP is just one of many national organizations gearing up for a possible historic 2020 Presidential election. Voter suppression and getting out the vote are key issues. Civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. speaks to National NAACP President Derek Johnson about how the nation’s largest civil rights organization is moving from protest to power at the ballot box.
TCC Episode #104
Race And The Pandemic
COVID-19 laid bare America’s need to combat health disparities, especially the disproportionate death toll suffered by African Americans and other communities of color. As the number of coronavirus cases continue to spike across the nation what healthcare strategies and vaccine clinical trials are underway to protect communities of color during this pandemic? The Chavis Chronicles will address these issues with two leading public health physicians, Dr. Reed Tuckson, former Senior Vice President for Professional Standards of the American Medical Association and Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick, an infectious diseases physician and CDC-trained medical epidemiologist.
TCC Episode #105
Legacy of The Black Press
Globally renowned scholar, author, preacher and media personality Dr. Michael Eric Dyson discusses the need for America to renounce innocence, privilege, fragility and comfort. Dr. Dyson shares his hopes and fears that if white America does not embrace the need to engage with black, brown and indigenous cultures the US will not live up to her great mission as land of the free. Mississippi Publishers DeAnna Tisdale-Johnson and Jackie Hampton also join the program to discuss the important legacy of the black press and dangers African American publishers faced in the south.
TCC Episode #106
When Women Lead, Everyone Wins
Two nationally acclaimed female leaders discuss the unique ways black women contribute to uplifting America from past to present and especially now during racial protests and the pandemic. Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Chair and President, of the National Council of Negro Women and Dr. Lezli Baskerville, President of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education join the Chavis Chronicles to share their unique perspectives on staying strong and keeping hope alive during these uncertain times.
TCC Episode #107
Music For The Movement
In times of crisis we historically turn to music. From the tragedies of war, to the perseverance of civil rights freedom fighters to today’s coronavirus pandemic, music continues to give us a sense of hope and solace. On this episode of The Chavis Chronicles several musical artists share why they believe inspirational songs can provide an antidote to the growing feelings of isolation and fear brought on by COVID-19 and racial unrest. Grammy award winning artists Juan and Lisa Winans and new breakout artist Toneshia Harris also perform some of their inspirational hit songs.
TCC Episode #108
The Rise of White Supremacy
White supremacist groups pose the largest threat out of any domestic extremist group in the US, according to a new Department of Homeland Security report.
This episode of The Chavis Chronicles explores the intersection between white supremacy and the law from the perspective of two racial justice activists. Civil rights attorney William H. Murphy of the legendary Murphy family, founders of one of the oldest black newspapers in the country. We also meet Daryl Davis and learn of his efforts to improve race relations by convincing members of the Ku Klux Klan to leave and denounce the KKK.
TCC Episode #109
More Family Time
Singer, songwriter, and producer Ziggy Marley is an eight-time Grammy and Emmy winner. The son of legendary singer Bob Marley joins The Chavis Chronicles to share inspirations for his new album “More Family Time” created while he was in quarantine during the height of the coronavirus outbreak. Marley says giving children something to be happy about during the pandemic is more important than every before. We also hear from national veteran radio host and civil rights activist Reverend Mark A. Thompson. Thompson discusses what’s on the horizon for America and the new civil justice movement in 2021.
TCC Episode #110
A Candid Conversation With One of The Most Admired Women in America
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was recognized by Glamor Magazine as one of the 2020 Women of the Year. She is also one of the most influential and admired women in America. In this episode of The Chavis Chronicles we share in depth and candid conversations about the life, family and career of Mayor Bottoms. Dr. Chavis also interviews former Washington Post editor and award-winning documentary film producer Chris Jenkins. Jenkins’ film entitled “Trapped: Cash Bail in America” uncovers the tragedies and injustice of America’s cash bail system and how it disproportionately impacts the poor and communities of color. The feature length documentary exposes how every night, across America over 500,000 U.S. citizens are imprisoned simply because they don’t have enough money to pay their bail even before they are convicted of a crime.
TCC Episode #111
A RESPONSIBILITY TO SPEAK TO THE TIMES
Grammy award winning artist Anthony Brown is lighting up the Gospel Music community. Brown has collaborated with legendary award winning performers such as Stevie Wonder, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond and more. Brown reflects on the pandemic, social unrest, police brutality and how he is committed to using his music as a platform to speak out about injustice. Dr. Chavis is also joined by prominent attorney A. Scott Bolden. Bolden is a leading government and trial lawyer with a long family history in the civil rights movement. Bolden shares top issues that will be addressed by the Supreme Court in 2021 and why America’s promise of freedom justice and equality can never be reached without eliminating racism.
TCC Episode #112
TENOR OF THE TIMES
TCC Episode #113
SURVIVING IN THE SHADOW OF THE PANDEMIC
TCC Episode #114
EXPECTATIONS OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
TCC Episode #115
SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER
Award winning actor, director and playwright Ruben Santiago-Hudson is best known for his role as Captain Roy Montgomery on the hit TV series Castle. Hudson joins The Chavis Chronicles to talk about his journey in the entertainment industry and his new movie, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom staring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman and COVID-19’s impact on the entertainment industry. Wanda Durant also joins the program to discuss her foundation and how her work raising two champions in the sports world prepared her to be a champion for underserved women and children.
TCC Episode #116
TOXIC FOREVER CHEMICALS
Dr. Chavis discusses drinking water safety, contamination and the intersection of race, with leading environmental justice attorney Morgan Johnson, and meets with Rep. G.K. Butterfield, U.S. House Chief Deputy Whip (D-NC) to discuss issues facing the 117th Congress.
A growing body of research reveals that lower income communities of color are more likely to endure pollution. Members of the environmental justice movement have sought to give those communities a louder voice. Hundreds of everyday products are made with highly toxic fluorinated chemicals called PFAS. These dangerous chemicals build up in the human body and never break down in the environment. Very small doses of PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive damage and other deadly diseases.
TCC Episode #117
PROTECTING AMERICA'S TREASURES
Robert Stanton was the first African American to serve as Director of the National Parks Service. Stanton shares with Dr. Chavis his historic career and the majestic history of NPS. Dr. Chavis also learns about author, surveyor and astronomer Benjamin Banneker from Melanie Dance Dengler, Director and Chandler (Chase) Louden, Docent/Historian of the Benjamin Banneker Museum.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service, a new federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for millions of acres of parks and monuments. However establishing a National Park Service (NPS) during the height of segregation was a struggle. While national parks are federal preserves those parks located in states that held tight to Jim Crow laws, fiercely challenged NPS officials in their efforts to treat all visitors equal.
TCC Episode #118
POLICE BRUTALITY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR