Naked Sports with Cari Champion

Valeisha Butterfield Jones grew up with Politics and Service ingrained into the culture of her family.  Her career was influenced by this innate leadership, although her initial interest was to follow her dream of becoming a Music Exec, she wanted to make her parents proud so she went to their alma mater to study law. After a year in law school, she pivots, moves to New York, and focuses all her energy on walking in her own path.  Fast forward Jones now serves as the first black female Co-President at the Recording Academy and as the Co-Founder of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, here’s her story.   Stay Connected: @CariChampion @Valeisha Learn More: Valeisha.Org  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Naked will talk about “Citizen Ashe”. the new documentary about tennis champion and activist Arthur Ashe, and we are joined the films creators Rex Miller and Sam Pollard. During the episode we discuss Arthur Ashe as a child in Richmond Virginia, becoming the first black man to win a tennis Grand Slam, and how his success gave him a platform to  become an activist.  Cari also take a moment to give her thoughts on the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Listen and Enjoy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gabrielle Dennis is a multi-hyphenated artist with a background as a trained dancer, actress, and singer. Being a triple threat was traditional approach to training and an upfront blessing for her career.  She is best known for her comedic flare and several television drama (The Game, Blue Mountain State, Luke Cage). Dennis uses all of her training to stay out of the corner of being pigeonholed into one category. She elaborates on the role and the nerves of playing the legendary, Whitney Houston and the creative pivot to the Black Lady Sketch Show. There is no role it seems Dennis can’t play and she has plans to move behind the scenes. Standing by to see what she creates next! What’s everyone watching? @NakedwithCariChampion Connect @Gabrielle_Dennis @CariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wosny Lambre is a cultural critic and NBA analyst with The Athletic who joins Cari for a full NBA Recap as the ’22 season comes to an end. In this episode, Cari offers a dissection of the basketball season and doesn’t hold back any punches while Lambre shares his thoughts on the NBA Finals. Why won’t Westbrook change his game? Has Lebon come face-to-face with his basketball mortality? Did we get the best out of Anthony Davis? Should we give Chris Paul a hard time? The Milwaukee Team? Etc… There are a lot of questions that we all have but of course, the overall question is, who will win it all?! Tune in for Champion and Lambre predictions. Share your NBA Hot Takes with us @NakedwithCariChampion Connect: @BigWos  @CariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Harriot is an author, culture critic, and humorist.  He is an “expert” on white people (aka a Wypipologist) and their behavior patterns and also coined the phrase, “invited to the cookout”. Harriot is the Senior Writer at TheRoot.com where he covers the intersection of race, politics, and culture.  Also, animal attacks. (But mostly the politics and race stuff.) His work has appeared in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, NBC, BET, and on his mother’s refrigerator. He is a frequent political commentator on MSNBC and CNN and earned the National Association of Black Journalists Award for digital commentary as well as TV news writing.  He grew up home-schooled by his mother because she believed that a black person’s humanity cannot be fully realized in the presence of white folks.  Harriot’s mind was cultivated without the influence of an inferiority complex which probably also inspired his fascination with the differences between Caucasians and Blacks in this county. Follow @NakedwithCariChampion Connect @MichaelHarriot @CariChampion Learn More: MichaelHarriot.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacque Reid s an American television and radio personality and journalist. She was the lead news anchor of The BET Nightly News from 2001 to 2005. On this episode, Reid shares her opinion on how important it is for the culture to have an outlet that reports our stories and information.  After BET dissolved nightly news, Reid pivoted and created, Vegan Sexy Cool – a modern guide to being vegan and fabulous curated by an ethical vegan, Plus Cari and Jacque have a humorous banter trading awkward interview stories. Connect: @JacqueReid @CariChampion Learn more: Vegan Sexy CoolSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creative control cannot be given to Katt Williams, he has and always had control. After releasing 11-self-produced specials, Williams releases his second collaborative production with Netflix entitled “World War III”.  Yes, this is a comedic special and yes you will laugh, but the topics/theme of misinformation breaking down the lies vs the truth are worthy of sparking conversation.  In addition, Katt shares; stories of mutual instrumental relationships throughout his life from, Stephen Curry, Tyronn Lue, and Prince and offers his opinions on the business of make-believe and how it plays out in “real” scenarios ie: the Oscars, the incident at the Hollywood Bowl with Dave Chappelle and Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction.   After a few years of not hearing from Williams, he does not hold back on this episode. If you haven’t watched the latest special here is a juicy introduction to what Katt Williams has to say.  Connect  @KattWilliams @CariChampion Visit: Katt Williams World War IIISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I know I can change. We know we can change. Vote. Vote. Vote! We hear people saying this often and how important it is. Latosha Brown is an American community organizer, political strategist, and consultant. She is the co-founder of the voting rights group Black Voters Matter.  Brown grew up with the notion that some people had more power than/over others. After beginning her career, she understood and was activated by the power of voting to change her community and mobilize black people towards liberation. As long as the policy is governing our communities, our livelihood and every aspect of our lives we must take agency, engage and gain power in order to deconstruct white supremacy.  Learn More: BlackVotersMatter.org MsLatoshaBrown.com Connect  @msLatoshaBrown @CariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Younger women who weren’t born or active during a time when abortion was legal, don’t have a reference to the pre-Roe vs Wade era. But what is it? What is Roe vs Wade and why is overturning it causing such an upset? Roe v. Wade is the name of the lawsuit that led to the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion in the United States.  Ok, now that you know, do we have to explain why overturning it has created great concern not just for women's rights, but for the legal right of same-sex marriage, Trans rights, and perhaps civil rights as well. Marianne Williamson is a passionately pro-choice woman who has previously run for political office and is a member of the Democratic Party.  She is a bestselling author, political activist, and spiritual thought leader. She joins us on this episode of, Naked to expound on the differences between the political parties and the repercussions of the decision to change this existing law.  She reminds us that it is ok to feel discouraged; there are enough hours in the day to cry, but there is also time to kick ass and get up and do something towards making legislative change. Learn More: Marianne.com and CandidateSummit.com Connect: @CariChampion @MarianneWilliamson Let us know how you’re thoughts: @NakedwithCariChampionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second half of this interview with Brandon Marshall, we learn more about Marshall’s personal evolution as a man. He expounds on his steps toward healing and how they inspired his platform on mental health and wellness.  Share your story with us @nakedwithcarichampion Connect @CariChampion  @bmarshall Learn More: IAmAthleteTV.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.