Native Land Pod

Angela Rye welcomes Tina McKinnor, a California Assemblymember who discusses her work on Proposition 50 aimed at redrawing electoral maps to favor Democrats. They delve into the implications of this measure and its importance for representation. Later, Melanie Campbell, President of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, highlights the urgency of voting rights and civic engagement. The conversation turns to the spiritual aspects of policy-making and the ongoing struggle for SNAP benefits, urging listeners to stay active in protecting their rights.

At AfroTech, the hosts dive into vital conversations about creating authentic spaces for Black professionals in tech. They tackle the pitfalls of corporate DEI efforts, highlighting the need for real commitment. Challenges faced by Black founders in fundraising reveal systemic biases. The hosts also discuss empowering youth politically and the importance of engaging communities in local media. Finally, they caution against misinformation from AI and inspire listeners to stay proactive and politically active.

Two hosts tackle the troubling violence during recent HBCU homecoming events, focusing on incidents at Howard and Lincoln University. They discuss the unfair media narratives that harm HBCUs while exploring safety strategies that don't compromise the celebratory spirit. Insights on the role of non-student actors in the violence and examples of successful event coordination highlight the complexities. Ultimately, they advocate for equitable policing and maintaining the cultural essence of homecomings amidst necessary security measures.

The hosts tackle the looming government shutdown and its impact on SNAP benefits, affecting millions. With trust in the government eroded, they explore community resilience and grassroots support. They discuss misinformation, accountability for political leaders, and the importance of mutual aid. Faith organizations are stepping up, and there's a push for legal actions to protect essential services. The conversation emphasizes voter mobilization and the need for urgent community responses as the midterm elections approach.

Join Angela Rye and guest A.B. Burns-Tucker, an attorney and political commentator known as IAMLEGALLYHYPE, as they dive into California's Proposition 50, which aims to reshape electoral maps for better representation. They discuss the implications of gerrymandering, the importance of voter education, and the timing of recent reparations bills vetoed by Governor Newsom. Angela encourages civic engagement, highlighting the need for accountability while uplifting community voices in the voting process.

Takema Robinson, an executive producer and activist, along with Pamela Dias, mother of Ajike Owens, discuss their efforts surrounding the impactful documentary, The Perfect Neighbor. Pamela shares her motivations to publicize AJ's story for community awareness and policy change. They emphasize the devastating implications of Florida's Stand Your Ground law in AJ's murder. The duo highlights the community's mobilization and the film's role in raising awareness and inspiring action against racial violence.

Charlamagne Tha God, renowned radio host of The Breakfast Club, joins the discussion to critique previous takes on anti-intellectualism within the Black community. He emphasizes that true intellectualism is defined by curiosity and knowledge for empowerment. The conversation dives into the feasibility of labor strikes, ongoing threats to voting rights, and why it's crucial for Black voices to occupy mainstream platforms. The dialogue stirs reflections on cultural engagement and the responsibility of media creators to address audience needs.

Native Land Pod hosts Tiffany Cross, Angela Rye, and Andrew Gillum are LIVE at CultureCon 2025 for a special conversation about where they see politics intersecting with creative spaces. PLUS questions from the audience.    CultureCon started in 2016 as a small gathering of Black creatives in Imani Ellis NYC apartment. In less than 10 years, it has become one of the world’s most premiere gatherings of creatives and cultural influencers, with Black talent at the center.   And of course we’ll hear from you! If you’d like to submit a question, check out our tutorial video: http://www.instagram.com/reel/C5j_oBXLIg0/ and send to @nativelandpod.    —--------- We want to hear from you! Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast.    Instagram  X/Twitter Facebook NativeLandPod.com   Watch full episodes of Native Land Pod here on YouTube. Native Land Pod is brought to you by Reasoned Choice Media.   Thank you to the Native Land Pod team:    Angela Rye as host, executive producer and cofounder of Reasoned Choice Media; Tiffany Cross as host and producer, Andrew Gillum as host and producer, and Lauren Hansen as executive producer; Loren Mychael is our research producer, and Nikolas Harter is our editor and producer. Special thanks  to Chris Morrow and Lenard McKelvey, co-founders of Reasoned Choice Media.  Theme music created by Daniel Laurent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal government shutdown is impacting broad swathes of American life, from health care costs, to plane travel, to baby formula, to federal workers and members of the military missing pay checks and ending up at food banks.    On this episode, we'll hear from some of the folks who have been impacted, and talk about how WE get ourselves out of this mess.    Contact your members of Congress: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member   Want to ask Angela Rye a question? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to participate in the chat.   Welcome home y’all!    —--------- We want to hear from you! Send us a video @nativelandpod and we may feature you on the podcast.    Instagram  X/Twitter Facebook NativeLandPod.com   Watch full episodes of Native Land Pod here on YouTube. Native Land Pod is brought to you by Reasoned Choice Media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The discussion kicks off with a listener's question about participating in the No Kings protest. Tensions around protest fatigue in the Black community are explored, alongside the need for clear goals in marches. Andrew highlights the emotional weight of showing up for targeted officials, while Angela emphasizes activism beyond voting. They discuss the human cost of political prosecutions and the unseen burden within the justice system. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for engaging in forms of activism that align with personal strengths and sustained efforts.