Arrested Mobility

Clean Neighborhoods: WE ACT for Environmental Justice

When majority minority neighborhoods become sacrifice zones for pollution, it can fall on community members to stand up and defend their health and wellbeing. Case in point: the nonprofit organization, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, was founded in 1988 to organize the people of West Harlem and protest the construction of the North River Sewage Treatment Plant. Today, WE ACT continues to advocate for environmental justice in Northern Manhattan, and beyond. By centering community outreach, they've managed to include residents into the processes that determine their neighborhood's health. Our guest today is Lonnie Portis, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at WE ACT.  Find WE ACT at https://weact.org/

Fighting For Health Equity: California Black Health Network

Healthcare is a difficult system to navigate in the United States, no matter who you are. But research shows that Black Americans face unique challenges when seeking medical care. On this episode, Charles T. Brown speaks with Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network. This is an organization that advocates for Black Californians of all backgrounds to have quality, equitable access to healthcare. Find California Black Health Network at https://yourcbhn.org/

Essential Riders: Detroit People's Platform

One night in 2014, Renard Monczunski was stranded at a transit center in downtown Detroit. It took three hours for a bus to come. He was angry, but the experience got him thinking about the state of public transit in the city that built the American automobile industry. Renard decided to do something about it. Together with Detroit People's Platform, he built a team of transit riders that have learned to wield power by refusing to stay invisible. It's been years of difficult, often unglamorous work. But today, he's affected real change by making sure that city officials can't ignore the importance of transit justice in Detroit. Find The Detroit People's Platform at detroitpeoplesplatform.org

Supporting Young Athletes: Advancing Beyond in Sports (ABIS)

Advancing Beyond in Sports (ABIS) is an advocacy group that addresses sports-specific inequity, particularly for young athletes of color. Their work involves showing students alternate options to consider after their athletic career, and helping athletes secure Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to build businesses and wealth. Today, Charles T. Brown and his son, Christian Brown, speak with ABIS Chief People Officer, Renae Myles Payne. Find ABIS at https://weareabis.org/

Narrative Change: The Center for Cultural Power

The Center for Cultural Power works with BIPOC communities to amplify authentic stories that counter harmful narratives and build public will for policy change. From supporting Walmart workers to advancing reproductive justice, they've seen firsthand how the right story told at the right time can reshape entire movements. In this episode, Charles T. Brown sits down with Aisha Goss, CEO of the Center for Cultural Power, to explore how narrative strategy creates lasting social change.  Find The Center for Cultural Power at https://www.culturalpower.org/