Race to Social Justice

David Mura (a Japanese-American and accomplished poet, writer, critic, and playwright) recounts his transformation from assimilation as a youth to embracing his own color as an adult and shares historical, literary and ethical narratives from his new book that unmask how white stories about race erase the brutality of the past and underpin systemic racism in the present.

BL Shirelle (a Black queer woman from Philly) and Fury Young (a white Jew from NYC), the powerhouse team behind Die Jim Crow Records, talk frankly about their quest to dismantle stereotypes around race and prison by amplifying the voices of talented incarcerated musicians. This episode features a clip of the song "Conspiracy" off of BL Shirelle's album Assata Troi, released in 2020 on Die Jim Crow Records.

Jessica Craft, herself a drummer, keeps a strong beat during this episode, through her tough adolescent years, band gigs and current billing as a dynamic leader of a non-profit organization that helps Philadelphia youth discover their own music selves and positive life directions.

Rabbi Greg Marx, a senior rabbi in suburban Philadelphia, and Frederick D. Strober, Esquire, a senior Philadelphia real estate lawyer, discuss increasingly acute Antisemitism facing the Jewish communities across the country.  Their compelling advocacy is rooted in fascinating, sometimes humorous, original stories and professional perspectives delivered in a lively discussion mixed with sensitivity and humor.

Emily Richards, a dynamic Episcopal priest, speaks to her life experience, religious calling and social justice from three unique personal perspectives as a young woman growing up in White privilege in the South, severely disabled from youth, who became the mother of an adopted daughter of color.

E. Ethelbert Miller, a literary activist and prolific, award-winning poet, recounts his long history of racial justice advocacy with the same richness that imbues his poetry, some of which he reads. You will hear a blend of Black history, jazz, baseball and humor, filled with metaphors and stories, in this wide-ranging discussion.

Andrew Maraniss, a best-selling author of narrative fiction for adults and teens, leads a discussion about the intersection of sports and social justice. The jumping off point for this lively podcast is his incredibly well-researched, award-winning book about the life and times of Perry Wallace, the first Black basketball player in the Southeast Conference.

Nisha Anand, a self-professed progressive, builds bridges to find common ground through unlikely partnerships with conservatives. Her life’s mission is to create solutions that promote social and racial justice in three focused areas: criminal justice reform; green economy; and tech equity. This narrative of this storyteller, organizer and policy expert is hopeful and refreshing.

Dr. Nicholas V. Montalto, an expert in American immigration and ethnic history, is an accomplished manager, trainer, consultant, researcher, speaker and author. He talks to us about his life’s work helping Americans understand the value immigrants bring to our country and finding solutions to the policy challenges caused by our ever-changing diversity.

Jimmy Chong, a son of non-English speaking immigrant South Korean parents, fought his way through grade school in reaction to anti-Asian bullying. Now a busy lawyer, his fierce, thoughtful advocacy for racial harmony and honest opinions on violence against the AAPI community and “Model Minority” labeling are telling.