In this compelling two-part interview with renowned attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, we discuss the stark disparities within the criminal justice system. Stevenson shares his insights on how racial bias and economic status impact our U.S. justice system and create different realities for the "haves" and the "have-nots."

He highlights the critical need for public defenders and the role lawyers play in creating hope and challenging injustice. He questions why, despite a surplus of lawyers, many people of color and the poor still lack adequate representation. We also explore the harsh realities faced by defendants on death row and the broader implications of poverty as a barrier to equal justice.

Stevenson, a leading voice in the fight for equal justice, discusses the historical context of racial bias, from the use of lynching to intimidate African Americans to the indifference shown when "bad" individuals commit violent crimes. Stevenson emphasizes the importance of redirecting resources to prevent violence through education and intervention, urging a more responsible and complex approach, as the political expediency of promising punishment doesn't limit victimization.

With a wealth of experience, including multiple victories at the United States Supreme Court and major legal challenges against unfair sentencing, Stevenson provides a powerful perspective on the ongoing struggle for equality in the criminal justice system. His work has led to significant legal and social reforms. From founding the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice to authoring the critically acclaimed book "Just Mercy," Bryan Stevenson's impact is profound and far-reaching.

This is an unforgettable conversation about justice for all in the U.S.

In this compelling two-part interview with renowned attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, we discuss the stark disparities within the criminal justice system. Stevenson shares his insights on how racial bias and economic status impact our U.S. justice system and create different realities for the "haves" and the "have-nots."

He highlights the critical need for public defenders and the role lawyers play in creating hope and challenging injustice. He questions why, despite a surplus of lawyers, many people of color and the poor still lack adequate representation. We also explore the harsh realities faced by defendants on death row and the broader implications of poverty as a barrier to equal justice.

Stevenson, a leading voice in the fight for equal justice, discusses the historical context of racial bias, from the use of lynching to intimidate African Americans to the indifference shown when "bad" individuals commit violent crimes. Stevenson emphasizes the importance of redirecting resources to prevent violence through education and intervention, urging a more responsible and complex approach, as the political expediency of promising punishment doesn't limit victimization.

With a wealth of experience, including multiple victories at the United States Supreme Court and major legal challenges against unfair sentencing, Stevenson provides a powerful perspective on the ongoing struggle for equality in the criminal justice system. His work has led to significant legal and social reforms. From founding the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice to authoring the critically acclaimed book "Just Mercy," Bryan Stevenson's impact is profound and far-reaching.

This is an unforgettable conversation about justice for all in the U.S.

In this eye-opening episode, we explore the deep-seated and often unconscious biases that persist in the U.S. with Tim Wise, renowned author and anti-racism educator. Drawing from his book "White Like Me" and his recent speech, Wise sheds light on the pervasive racism that affects people of color and the collective denial that allows it to persist.

Wise begins by addressing the crucial premise that combating racism is everyone's responsibility. He highlights the fundamental problem: White America, both corporately and collectively, has never truly been prepared to address the reality of the experiences faced by people of color. He recalls the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where displaced black homeowners were barred from returning to their neighborhoods, and the stark difference in perceptions between white and black Americans about the racial implications of the disaster.

Through insightful polling analysis and powerful anecdotes, Wise critiques the liberal tendency to shift focus away from race and hide behind discussions of class. He notes how every generation might acknowledge injustice in hindsight, however, in the present the dominant group enjoys the luxury of ignorance about institutional racism and inequality. This denial and rationalization of our present-day racial inequalities, he argues, make it difficult to have honest conversations about race and perpetuate systemic injustice through ostensibly race-neutral policies.

Join us as Tim Wise, a Tulane University graduate and prominent anti-apartheid activist, discusses the institutionalized racism that continues to foster white privilege in the U.S. This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to facing the truth of racism in the U.S., confronting our own biases and taking an active role in the fight against racism.

On this episode, we honor Ernest Green, a member of the historic Little Rock Nine, as he reflects on his experience as one of the first African-American students to attend Little Rock Central High School.

Green shares his profound insights on the importance of Black History Month and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Green delves into the critical moments of his journey, including the prejudice and bias that led to the erasure of African Americans from American history, depriving all Americans of a sound education. He discusses the significance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the anniversary of the outlaw of the poll tax, and the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case, which served as a catalyst for the second phase of the civil rights movement.

Highlighting the enduring importance of these historical milestones, Green explains how America's commitment to liberty, equality, and justice has been tested by race and how the freedoms we enjoy today were hard-won through relentless struggle. He poignantly describes America as a "State of contradictions" and underscores the necessity of aligning our principles with our actions.

This episode offers a deep dive into the foundations of the civil rights movement and its relevance today. Ernest Green's reflections on his pivotal role in desegregation, his continued activism, and the legacy of the Little Rock Nine provide a unique and inspiring perspective on the fight for equality in the U.S.

Green's poignant and legendary role in the civil rights movement is a story of courage and the enduring importance of Black history.

Richie Havens was known for having the most iconic voices in American music. Join this memorable conversation with the late and great Havens, opening the door to his remarkable life and musical legacy which left an indelible mark on the world.

Born Richard Pierce Havens on January 21, 1941, in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood surrounded by cultural diversity. His mother's roots in Barbados and his father's Blackfoot Native American heritage instilled in him a profound belief that "no one is any different than anyone else."

Join us as we explore Havens' folk music circles of Greenwich Village to the iconic stage of Woodstock, where his electrifying performance catapulted him into stardom. Havens' rhythmic guitar style, soulful voice, and heartfelt and revolutionary lyrics resonated with audiences around the globe.

Havens was a lifelong advocate for social change. He supported numerous causes and change-makers, including Representative Shirley Chisholm. In the 1970s, he co-founded a museum for children in the Bronx, providing a creative outlet and a doorway to opportunity for young minds.

Havens' music and activism spoke to the deeper consciousness of American identity, rejecting a false sense of nostalgia and striving for a vision of continual progress, shared opportunity, and personal freedom. As he poignantly stated, "The world has never been whole."

Havens passed away at his home in New Jersey at 72 years old. His lessons and music live endour. Join our conversation and listen to Richie Havens' own words and reflections, capturing the essence of a man whose life was dedicated to bringing people together through the universal language of music.

Richie Havens was known for having the most iconic voices in American music. Join this memorable conversation with the late and great Havens, opening the door to his remarkable life and musical legacy which left an indelible mark on the world.

Born Richard Pierce Havens on January 21, 1941, in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood surrounded by cultural diversity. His mother's roots in Barbados and his father's Blackfoot Native American heritage instilled in him a profound belief that "no one is any different than anyone else."

Join us as we explore Havens' folk music circles of Greenwich Village to the iconic stage of Woodstock, where his electrifying performance catapulted him into stardom. Havens' rhythmic guitar style, soulful voice, and heartfelt and revolutionary lyrics resonated with audiences around the globe.

Havens was a lifelong advocate for social change. He supported numerous causes and change-makers, including Representative Shirley Chisholm. In the 1970s, he co-founded a museum for children in the Bronx, providing a creative outlet and a doorway to opportunity for young minds.

Havens' music and activism spoke to the deeper consciousness of American identity, rejecting a false sense of nostalgia and striving for a vision of continual progress, shared opportunity, and personal freedom. As he poignantly stated, "The world has never been whole."

Havens passed away at his home in New Jersey at 72 years old. His lessons and music live endour. Join our conversation and listen to Richie Havens' own words and reflections, capturing the essence of a man whose life was dedicated to bringing people together through the universal language of music.

Join us for an inspiring and powerful episode as we sit down with Spencer Haywood, an NBA legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Born into the harsh realities of the segregated Mississippi Delta, Spencer was one of ten children growing up in a shantytown, picking cotton and facing the brutalities of racism and the KKK. Amidst the violence and oppression, Spencer's spiritual mother provided him with the strength and faith to rise above his circumstances.

In this candid interview, Spencer shares vivid memories of extreme poverty, including dumpster diving for toys and surviving on sugar-water for dinner. He recounts the terrifying experience of being jailed in high school for speaking too loudly at a country club and the heartbreak of his bus journey to Chicago, only to find his cousins living in similar poverty.

Despite these challenges, Spencer's basketball talent shone brightly. At Trinidad State Junior College, he averaged 28.2 points and 22.1 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the 1968 U.S. Olympic team at just 19 years old. Leading the team in scoring, he helped secure a gold medal and set a Team USA field goal percentage record.

Spencer's journey from the ABA to the NBA is legendary, overcoming league rules to join the Denver Rockets and becoming the youngest MVP in ABA history. His incredible performance continued with the Seattle SuperSonics and other NBA teams, despite facing personal battles with addiction.

Spencer’s story is not just about basketball but resilience, faith, and the unwavering support of his mother. Tune in to hear his remarkable journey from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the heights of professional basketball, and how he became an enduring symbol of hope and determination.

Don't miss this extraordinary episode of "From Cotton Fields to Basketball Glory: Spencer Haywood's Journey."

Join us for an inspiring and powerful episode as we sit down with Spencer Haywood, an NBA legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Born into the harsh realities of the segregated Mississippi Delta, Spencer was one of ten children growing up in a shantytown, picking cotton and facing the brutalities of racism and the KKK. Amidst the violence and oppression, Spencer's spiritual mother provided him with the strength and faith to rise above his circumstances.

In this candid interview, Spencer shares vivid memories of extreme poverty, including dumpster diving for toys and surviving on sugar-water for dinner. He recounts the terrifying experience of being jailed in high school for speaking too loudly at a country club and the heartbreak of his bus journey to Chicago, only to find his cousins living in similar poverty.

Despite these challenges, Spencer's basketball talent shone brightly. At Trinidad State Junior College, he averaged 28.2 points and 22.1 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the 1968 U.S. Olympic team at just 19 years old. Leading the team in scoring, he helped secure a gold medal and set a Team USA field goal percentage record.

Spencer's journey from the ABA to the NBA is legendary, overcoming league rules to join the Denver Rockets and becoming the youngest MVP in ABA history. His incredible performance continued with the Seattle SuperSonics and other NBA teams, despite facing personal battles with addiction.

Spencer’s story is not just about basketball but resilience, faith, and the unwavering support of his mother. Tune in to hear his remarkable journey from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the heights of professional basketball, and how he became an enduring symbol of hope and determination.

Don't miss this extraordinary episode of "From Cotton Fields to Basketball Glory: Spencer Haywood's Journey."