This year’s Kwanzaa theme is “Kwanzaa and the well-being of the world: living and uplifting the seven principles” and Mark talks with the creator, Pan-African activist and academic Dr. Maulana Karenga, to welcome the holiday and give context to the holiday’s purpose. On this sixth day of Kwanzaa, we look back at Mark’s conversation with Jessica Care Moore, a critically acclaimed poet with numerous collections, the founder and CEO of Moore Black Press, Executive Producer of Black WOMEN Rock!, and...
Dec 31, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 220
This year’s Kwanzaa theme is “Kwanzaa and the well-being of the world: living and uplifting the seven principles” and Mark talks with the creator, Pan-African activist and academic Dr. Maulana Karenga, to welcome the holiday and give context to the holiday’s purpose. For this fifth day of Kwanzaa, we take a listen to Mark’s conversation with DCP Entertainment CEO Chris Colbert, who introduced us to his new podcast project, “Say Their Name,” which features stories he collected while traveling aro...
Dec 30, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 219
This year’s Kwanzaa theme is “Kwanzaa and the well-being of the world: living and uplifting the seven principles” and Mark talks with the creator, Pan-African activist and academic Dr. Maulana Karenga, to welcome the holiday and give context to the holiday’s purpose. For this day of Kwanzaa, we’re featuring Mark’s conversation with Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, who says the phenomenon of today in Black America is the working poor: great jobs, prestigious degrees, but salar...
Dec 29, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 218
This year’s Kwanzaa theme is “Kwanzaa and the well-being of the world: living and uplifting the seven principles” and Mark talks with the creator, Pan-African activist and academic Dr. Maulana Karenga, to welcome the holiday and give context to the holiday’s purpose. For this day of Kwanzaa, we’ll hear from Carmen Perez, who is the President and CEO of The Gathering for Justice. She joined the show in September to discuss the organization's 15th anniversary, which was the day after the March on ...
Dec 28, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 217
Merry Christmas, Make It Plain family! Our gift to you is another listen to our conversation with everyone’s favorite auntie, Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Congresswoman Maxine Waters predicted Senator Kamala Harris would be Joe Biden's pick for Vice President, and now she's celebrating that nomination. She looked ahead to the Biden/Harris 2020 campaign and how Senator Harris might handle the inevitable criticisms of her appointment. On the subject of Trump, the congresswoman directly confronts h...
Dec 25, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 216
Dr. Michael LeNoir, one of the nation’s top Black physicians, AAWP Founder and past president of the National Medical Association, has released a PSA campaign that addresses the disproportionate effects COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, on the Black community. Dr. LeNoir also addresses concerns that are circulating within the Black community regarding the safety of the coronavirus vaccine. Check out the PSA campaign here: https://digitalmedia.vnr1.com/2020/11/03/2020-070_AAWP_LenoirPS...
Dec 24, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 215
Jamala Rogers, editorial board member and columnist at BlackCommentator.com, defines COVID-19 fatigue as a wearing out from the relentless onslaught of information, and sometimes misinformation, as well as a loss of “normalcy” that gave a lot of people a quality of life they never imagined they’d lose. Today she discusses her latest article, which explores this disproportionate impact on the African American community, as well as the fears of jumping to take the vaccine. Read Jamala’s piece here...
Dec 23, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 214
President-elect Biden said he wants to reopen schools within the first 100 days of the new year, and Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, is on board. But first, Biden needs to build the public’s trust back for both the CDC and the government processes that were tarnished under the Trump administration. Randi also weighs in on where teachers should fall in the line for vaccinations and how that could correspond with reopening schools. Executive Producer: Adell Cole...
Dec 22, 2020•15 min•Season 1Ep. 213
Early voting is underway in Georgia and Jaime Harrison is here to remind you that voting for Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock is voting for your health, your jobs, and justice for all. He also speaks to the harsh reality of the situation: Democrats need a senate majority to finally say goodbye to Mitch McConnell and his foolish games and hello to progress. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See acast.co...
Dec 21, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 212
The story of Sean Monterrosa’s death is one we’ve become too familiar with: he was kneeling down with his hands up when Vallejo police shot and killed him at a local Walgreens on June 2, 2020, during protests for George Floyd. Now his sisters, Ashley and Michelle Monterrosa are calling on Governor Newsom to break his silence on the Monterrosa case, drop the criminal charges against the Monterrosas and their allies who were arrested, and take the appropriate legal actions to hold Sean’s murderers...
Dec 18, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 211
Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs, is back for an update on how things are unfolding in Georgia as early voting begins in the pivotal runoff election, and as Republicans are seemingly growing disenchanted with voting after Trump's loss. Markos also speaks to Biden's cabinet picks and if Republicans will be getting in the way of any confirmations. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See a...
Dec 17, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 210
The vaccine is rolling out across the country and Dr. Keren Landman is back to discuss the common myths, conspiracies, and legitimate fears and concerns you may have about its quality, testing and approval process, and more. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://re...
Dec 16, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 209
Basketball coaching giant John Thompson’s posthumously published autobiography is out today and Mark is joined by co-author Jesse Washington and star point guard for Thompson’s championship Hoya’s Michael Jackson. Jesse shares his first meeting with Coach, how he landed the position of co-author on the book, and how he challenged him as a writer throughout the experience. Michael also shares his experience playing on Coach’s team and how he was ever the teacher, giving his most important lessons...
Dec 15, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 208
Hunger is a solvable problem, but charity is not the only answer. Alison Cohen, Sr. Director of Programs at WhyHunger and Rob Robinson, Co-Founder of of the Leadership Committee to Take Back the Land Movement, are on today to discuss this year’s Hungerthon, which is squarely focused on the fact that COVID-19 has worsened the state of access to food and the right to housing in the United States. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additio...
Dec 14, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 207
Should Tom Vilsack return to his position as the Secretary of Agriculture, despite already spending 8 years in the position? Lloyd Wright says no. He worked with the United States Department of Agriculture for 37 years, serving as the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, among other positions, and has firsthand knowledge of what Vilsack’s tenure was like. He penned a letter to the Biden administration opposing the nomination, making the case that Vilsack did not act in the best interest of Af...
Dec 11, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 206
Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs, is back to discuss the latest rejection Trump has received, this one courtesy of the Supreme Court of the United States when they shut down the Pennsylvania lawsuit asking them to overturn Biden's win. Markos also gets into Biden asking congressional Democrats to waive one of the requirements for defense secretary nominee in order to get Lloyd Austin in the position, as well as his nomination of Tom Vilsack for Agricultural Secretary, and of cour...
Dec 10, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 205
The November jobs report is out and job creation has slowed yet again. On top of that, programs from the CARES Act are due to expire at the end of December, and there will be fewer seasonal jobs available this holiday season. Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, is back to break it all down. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and ...
Dec 09, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Jesse Barba is The Young Invincibles’ Senior Director of External Affairs and today he introduces us to “The Path Forward,” which includes 40 policy proposals for political and institutional leaders that were created by young people, for young people. Jesse walks us through two crucial components of the plan, which the organization hopes will be embraced by the Biden administration: student debt forgiveness across all borrowers and universal healthcare. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer...
Dec 08, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 203
Racial justice should be the center of every discussion, and the NAACP is making sure that’s happening as Biden builds out his administration. The organization’s President and CEO Derrick Johnson tells us today why securing a meeting was of the utmost importance before inauguration day and what’s on the critical agenda. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out i...
Dec 07, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 202
The National Bar Association (NBA) is leading the charge in Georgia in representing Black Voters Matter Fund, Transformative Justice Coalition and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, in the lawsuit against the illegal purging of almost 200,000 voters by the Georgia Secretary of State. NBA President CK Hoffler is on today to explain what's happening ahead of the historic runoff election. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: mak...
Dec 04, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 201
Daily Kos founder Markos Moultisas talks about the constituencies of color that flipped GA in November and whether they can do it again in January. Also, Markos and Mark discuss what impact Trump and his base of voters might have on the GA runoffs, as well as pay for pardons, and the need for the new administration to engage with more diverse groups and to make more diverse appointments to senior positions. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainmen...
Dec 03, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 201
Rachel Bitecofer is a Senior Advisor for The Lincoln Project, Editor of The Cycle, and host of her weekly YouTube show “The Election Whisperer.” She blew everyone’s minds when she predicted the 2018 midterms with alarming accuracy -- how did her predictions fare in 2020? She also covers important strategies to consider as we move toward the January runoff in Georgia as well as the 2022 midterms, which include plans of shaking Mitch McConnell to his core. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Produce...
Dec 02, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 200
The FBI is out with a new report that shows hate crimes have risen to an all-time high in 2019. Lecia Brooks is the Chief of Staff at the Southern Poverty Law Center and she’s here to explain the report’s details, including what groups saw an increase in targeting, who saw an increase for the fourth straight year, and why the SPLC thinks the FBI’s final numbers are much lower than reality, as hate crimes continue to be severely underreported. Do you need resources for recognizing radicalization?...
Dec 01, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 199
How did Senator Susan Collins defy the odds and win a race she was projected to lose? Sam Smith has been a progressive journalist for over 56 years and a longtime resident of Maine, and he takes us along her path to victory, paved my rural voters. Sam also gets into what he thinks the Biden administration priorities should be once they’re in the White House. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See acas...
Nov 30, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 198
Markos gives us a reality check that the release of a vaccine will be great, but it will bring new problems and opposition, just as masks did. In the meantime, the media divides on the topic, with conspiracy outlets like Breitbart buying into Trump’s noise. Markos also discusses the potential for winning those key Georgia senate seats in January. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See acast.com/privac...
Nov 27, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 197
Yonasda Lonewolf is an activist, writer, speaker, and community organizer who has been fighting for Black and Brown people since she was a child and her mother was leading the way. Her mother also used to gather people on Thankstaking and teach them about the real history of Indigenous people in America. Yonasda continues that work and today she honors her mother’s memory by discussing the ways in which Indigenous people continue to be marginalized on their own land. Executive Producer: Adell Co...
Nov 26, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 196
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has sued HUD, Secretary Ben Carson, and the Hartford Housing Authority and the city of Hartford, Connecticut to challenge a set of policy decisions that set up low-income Black and Latinx families to fail as they were improperly moved from their unlivable unsubsidized housing. Thomas Silverstein is Lead Attorney on the case and he explains the way the government agency cheated people out of a place to live and left them without options. Executive...
Nov 25, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 195
The New Consensus is a recently-formed think tank that wants to adjust the way we’re responding to some of the biggest problems facing humanity. Dr. Robert Hockett is a fellow at New Consensus and the Edward Cornell Professor of Law & Finance at Cornell University and former Counsel at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the International Monetary Fund, and he joins to today to discuss a memo The New Consensus sent to the incoming Biden administration including their proposed strategy f...
Nov 24, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 194
Eric Boehlert, Publisher of Pressrun.media, is back for our first post-election conversation, and he’s got a suggestion for the incoming administration: ban all media outlets that circulate conspiracy theories, including Fox News. Eric also gives a sobering critique of an interview done by the New York Times of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, where he normalizes Trump’s cries about the election results. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainm...
Nov 23, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 193
The proof is in the data: voters want gun law reform. Igor Volsky, Executive Director of Guns Down America, is back to talk about what the incoming administration needs to do to give the people what they want. Igor also gets into this year’s increase in gun violence, which includes the unsettling truth that more Black men are committing suicide. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com See acast.com/privacy...
Nov 20, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 192
