We’ve been talking about 10 years at the Witness… but today we want to talk about us. Because who we were when we met in 2012 is NOT who we are now. The movement is not just theoretical or idealistic… it’s personal. We grow. We change. And we find freedom. Let’s talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10 years ago it started with a facebook page and a calling. Today through God’s providence we have grown to a full blown collective through podcasts, articles, live events, a new foundation, and so much more. Enjoy this look back at the last 10 years from RAAN to The Witness and dream with us about what’s in store for the future! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this special bonus episode of Pass The Mic, Jaden Michael joins Jemar to talk about his work on the new Netflix series 'Colin in Black & White'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
First giving honor to God, who is the head of my life…. Some of yall were NOT good Church kids and it shows! Did you grow up in the Church? This one's for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the tragic loss of Michael K. Williams at age 54, our sister Ekemini Uwan tweeted out the statement "Black men should grow old." ((18) M.DivA, 100% Intelligent Black Child on Twitter: "Black men should grow old." / Twitter). Today on Pass The Mic, we ask the question: Can we? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Should those with a platforms speak on life or death issues like Covid-19, Vaccinations, Justice or otherwise? Well... it depends. Let's talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Like... What do we do with them? There is a shifting world under our feet and the realities of what we have been taught socially and relationally, and the family conversation overall have changed. It's different to be a Black parent now...while also being a Black son/daughter. For reference this week be sure to check out these articles: How Black Parents Survived 2020 - The New York Times (nytimes.com) PTM: Leave LOUD- Tyler Burns' Story Part 2 | The Witness (thewitnessbcc.com) Learn more about ...
…Are y’all still leaving loud? Listen, Tyler and Jemar are back on the mic together and the return does not disappoint! In this episode, we discuss why some of us are hesitant to “Leave Loud” and confront some of the things that keep us from making an essential decision. Whether fear, idols, the approval of people, the way we heard the Gospel, all of it. We’re coming for it all today. Also, don’t miss Jemar sharing powerful words of freedom from Galatians 5. If you’ve felt guilty or hesitant, th...
Listen to this author interview and be sure to buy her book! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jemar shares his PHD journey. Alternate names include: “Phinally Done!” “PhDone!” “Dr.J” “Three Little Letters” “The Man, THe Myth, The Doctor” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Run or Walk 5K, 10K, 26 Miles or 50 Miles Throughout SeptemberUpload your distances & photos daily to win a prize: 9/1 - 9/30 The Active Witness Challenge is a virtual fundraiser to commemorate the 1956 March on Selma. It is not remiss that we are in the midst of our generation's Civil Rights Movement. Whether participants walk, run, or support through a donation, we have an opportunity to be active about our witness. We run because they walked. This fundraising challenge is for supporters t...
Well, family, for the first time in PTM history, Tyler is doing a solo podcast episode! Stop the press! Tyler is back this week with a word from Nehemiah about staying committed to OUR work first, making sure we are truly doing what God has called us to do. Time is PRECIOUS, family. Do not waste it on conversations that do not benefit you! Receive this word and be free! Don’t forget! To sign up for the Active Witness Challenge, click this link: https://events.elitefeats.com/preview/693e103f98aa4...
This week on Pass The Mic, we go inside the ‘drafts’ to unpack some of those “tweets we don’t tweet” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our guest today is a courageous voice for justice for those whom we often forgotten about. Tyler invites Terence Lester onto the podcast for a conversation about his powerful new book “When We Stand”, a book on the power of seeking justice together. Terence Lester is an activist, writer, storyteller, and community leader. He is known for nationwide campaigns that bring awareness to issues surrounding homelessness, poverty, and economic inequality. His awareness campaigns have been featured on ML...
Sho just released He Saw That It Was Good, a collection of essays on the topics of work and creation. The conversation begins by discussing this book and how important it is for this moment. But…the dialogue took a turn. The trio talked about Black organizational unity, Black men in leadership, Sho’s history within Christian Hip Hop, the future of tearing down/building up, and much more. This is a vulnerable, prophetic conversation and we hope our audience is as moved by it as we were. Purchase ...
Jemar Tisby reads Frederick Douglass' entire "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July." It's long! But the section on the American church is piercing, prophetic, scathing, and, sadly, still relevant. In this special episode of Pass The Mic Jemar Tisby reads the entire historic address of Frederick Douglass entitled, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this special episode of Pass The Mic, Jemar reflects on Juneteenth after it became a national holiday and was officially commemorated nationwide. He talks about why Juneteenth should be a national holiday and the unintended consequences of taking a Black-centered holiday and making it mainstream. He also delves into the history (of course!) as he discusses the actual contents of General Order No. 3 which was read to enslaved Black people in Galveston, TX on June 19, 1865. Finally, Jemar discu...
Saturday was our first Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and it feels...complicated. What was once ours doesn’t feel like just ours anymore. We are excited but also aware of what this might mean for a sacred day of Black belonging and freedom. Tyler and Jemar shared about these complex feelings for our holiday, our celebration, our day. This podcast was recorded during our second annual “Free to Be” Juneteenth celebration. Watch the event in its entirety here: https://fb.watch/6gCGUCfATt/ Learn m...
Since the #LeaveLOUD movement began, the most common question we have been asked is “Where do we go now?” Every person who is taking the journey toward finding healthy spaces of flourishing will inevitably encounter “The Wilderness.” We feel stuck, weighed down, insecure about the season that we’re in. In this episode, Tyler and Jemar talk about what it means to walk through the wilderness. They discuss shame, learning and unlearning, patterns of growth, and some perspective about what’s happeni...
Buckle up! We have the incredible Dr. Anthea Butler with us today to talk about her new book White Evangelical Racism. Dr. Butler joins Tyler and Jemar to talk about the importance of understanding social and political power, the popularity of a multi-ethnic approach to racial reconciliation, and so much more. This is not one to miss! Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. A sought-after commentator on the BBC, MSNBC, CNN, The History Cha...
This Behind the Mic was too good not to share! Tyler and Jemar talk about the cost of reconstruction after #LeaveLOUD, give a candid look at our democracy, and costly soul care in this moment. In 2018, the New York Times published an article tiled: A Quiet Exodus: Why Black Worshipers Are Leaving White Evangelical Churches that chronicled the plight of Black Christians who quietly exited their churches after their pastors and fellow believers failed to denounce state-sanctioned violence against ...
Today we have a special interview for you! Our host Tyler Burns recently interviewed Danielle Coke, also known as @ohhappydani, to talk about creative anti-racism in a world of injustice. In the conversation, they talked about her journey, her own #LeaveLOUD story, and how disruptive creativity can enhance the cause of anti-racism. Be sure to follow Danielle on Instagram at @ohhappydani and pick up her art at https://ohhappydani.com! Danielle Coke is a designer turned illustrator and social just...
Jemar is BACK! Returning from his brief hiatus, Jemar and Tyler give you the official explainer of what #LeaveLOUD really is and who it is for. We know you have questions, so we’re taking time to answer as many as we can. We answer the questions: -Are we saying all Black people HAVE to leave? -Are we leaving Jesus behind? -Are we giving up on white people? -Where do we go from here? This is an old school PTM episode, filled with laughing and preaching. It’s good to have Jemar back! ********* In ...
This past week, the world paused and held its collective breath, waiting for the verdict in the Derek Chauvin Trial. Almost a year after Chauvin placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck, and killed him for all the world to see, his verdict was read. Is this justice? Will this lead to lasting change? Is this something to celebrate? Tyler, Ally, and new Witness team member Brea Perry are here to discuss and help you process this important moment. ********* This is our final installment of Behind the...
Family, sometimes you have to throw out the script! That’s what PTM host Tyler Burns and Witness VP Ally Henny did during their latest Behind the Mic on IG Live. What was originally an episode recapping the second part of Tyler’s Leave LOUD episode turned into an unscripted convo about Black freedom in white spaces. Make sure you’re sitting down for this one! #LeaveLOUD ********* In 2018, the New York Times published an article tiled: A Quiet Exodus: Why Black Worshipers Are Leaving White Evange...
This conversation is like water for the soul, fam. Today’s episode features the incredible Cole Riley, the creator and writer of Black Liturgies— a project seeking to integrate the truths of Black dignity, lament, rage, justice, and rest into written prayers. Black Liturgies creates a space of sacred welcome. A space of dignity, lament, truth-telling, healing, rest, and liberation. These liturgies have been a healing balm of love and light for Black Christians in dark times. Cole shares her hear...
Leave LOUD: Tyler Burns with Greg Burns This is a deep cut, y’all. A few weeks ago, you heard Tyler Burns tell his own #LeaveLoud story, but we couldn’t leave it there. As always, there’s more to the story. Tyler invites his father, Greg Burns, onto the podcast to discuss being converted and trained in white spaces, his own growth in understanding his identity, how this journey has affected their relationship. #LeaveLOUD ********* In 2018, the New York Times published an article tiled: A Quiet E...
The stories continue…After Jemar Tisby and Tyler Burns shared powerful episodes of their #LeaveLOUD experiences, it’s time to hear from our very own Ally Henny. How is the Black Christian experience different in rural settings? Are multiethnic churches truly safe spaces for Black women? What happens when Black women #LeaveLoud? Ally had to courageously confront these questions during her time in white evangelicalism. What changed? What did she learn? This is her journey as only she can tell it. ...
Tyler, Jemar, and Shannon join the podcast to talk about an exciting but bittersweet announcement regarding Jemar and the future of The Witness. We’re just getting started! The Work Continues! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The stories continue…After Jemar Tisby and Tyler Burns shared powerful episodes of their #LeaveLOUD experiences, it’s time to hear from our very own Ally Henny. How is the Black Christian experience different in rural settings? Are multiethnic churches truly safe spaces for Black women? What happens when Black women #LeaveLoud? Ally had to courageously confront these questions during her time in white evangelicalism. What changed? What did she learn? This is her journey as only she can tell it. ...
