In the first episode of this limited series, Critical Race Theorist Kimberlé Crenshaw takes listeners on a journey through the origin story of Critical Race Theory (CRT), from her days as a student demanding desegregation at Harvard, to the moment she learned President Trump banned CRT in his 2020 executive order. This episode delves into the hopes and inspiration that birthed the CRT legal movement, and how the current opposition to CRT is history repeating itself. Support our work: https://www...
Jan 29, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a new series, host Kimberlé Crenshaw takes listeners on a journey through the real history of critical race theory (CRT). She explores the "anti-CRT" legislative attacks against public education, and as a founding critical race theorist, Prof. Crenshaw provides a first-hand account of the origin of the theory, from its inception at Harvard Law School to the current backlash against it. Through interviews with thought leaders, activists, academics and the communities affected by anti-CRT and a...
Jan 22, 2025•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the final episode of AAPF's election roundtable podcast series, host Kimberlé Crenshaw is joined by Black women advocates, analysts and activists to offer their side of the story about the election and highlight the risks to American democracy if Black women and their experiences continue to be erased. Watch the extended version on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/live/0g8WK8CDS3c?si=nviixofPcmxBcFNd Featuring: Barbara Arnwine, President & Founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition Karen...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to AAPF's Election 2024 Round Table, Part 3! There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives, between now and election day, the African American Policy Forum presents a series of election round table conversations featuring three thinkers who are deeply enmeshed in academia, media, and community activism unpacking what’s at stake on Nov 5th: Kirsten West Savali, Kaye Wise W...
Nov 05, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to AAPF's Election Round Table Series, Part 2! There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives, between now and election day, the African American Policy Forum presents a series of election round table conversations featuring three thinkers who are deeply enmeshed in academia, media, and community activism unpacking what’s at stake on Nov 5th: Kirsten West Savali, Kaye Wise...
Nov 04, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives, between now and election day, the African American Policy Forum presents a series of election round table conversations featuring three thinkers who are deeply enmeshed in academia, media, and community activism unpacking what’s at stake on Nov 5th: Kirsten West Savali, Kaye Wise Whitehead, and Tim Wise. The trio will tackle the issu...
Nov 01, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Attorney Ben Crump joins host Kimberlé Crenshaw and members of the #SayHerName Mothers Network to spotlight the ongoing fight for justice for the killing of Sonya Massey by police. Warning: this episode contains graphic descriptions of violence. Listen to conversations with Attorney Crump and other CRT Summer School 2024 participants for a limited time here: https://linktr.ee/intersectionalitymatters Hosted by: Kimberlé Crenshaw (@sandylocks) Featured Guests: Attorney Ben Crump (@attorneycrump) ...
Oct 23, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Freedom Summer 2024! We’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964, and kicking off our annual Critical Race Theory Summer School in the locus for the recent attacks on racial justice and democracy: Nashville, Tennessee. Host, Kimberlé Crenshaw is joined by CRT Summer School contributors, Tennessee Representative Justin Jones; Superintendent for CRT summer school and celebrated educator, radio host, and film producer—Kaye Wise Whitehead; and Tim Wise, a groundbreaking anti-r...
Jul 10, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join host Kimberlé Crenshaw behind the scenes at the African American Policy Forum in this series of brief, intimate conversations on intersectionality and how we can use it to interpret and navigate our multiracial democracy. This episode features anti-racist author, educator, and lecturer Tim Wise (@timjacobwise) Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw (@sandylocks) Produced by Sr. Producer Nicole Edwards Mixing by Sean Dunnam Episode art by Ashley Julien Music by Blue Dot Sessions Follow us on Instagram ...
Jun 26, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join host Kimberlé Crenshaw behind the scenes at the African American Policy Forum in this series of brief, intimate conversations on intersectionality and how we can use it to interpret and navigate our multiracial democracy. This episode features comedian and Emmy-nominated director CJ Hunt (http://gocjhunt.com/). Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw (@sandylocks) Produced by Sr. Producer Nicole Edwards Mixing by Sean Dunnam Episode art by Ashley Julien Music by Blue Dot Sessions Follow us on Instagram...
May 30, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Guest Dawn Porter, director of Luther: Never Too Much, joins host Kimberlé Crenshaw to discuss a new Luther Vandross biopic. They explore Luther's unmatched artistry, the intersections of the pop star's lived experience that stopped him from receiving the accolades he rightfully deserved, and his legacy as the soundtrack to so many lives. Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw (@sandylocks) Guest Dawn Porter (@dawnporter) Produced by Sr. Producer Nicole Edwards Mixing by Sean Dunnam Support provided by San...
Apr 18, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Guest host Shermena M. Nelson is joined by Huru founder Imani Joye Samuels to discuss the life-saving importance of rest for Black women. They also unpack strategies for creating a sustainable, effective self care practice. Shermena, Imani, and other wellness practitioners will host an evening dedicated to Black women's self care calledYou Carry the Dream: Reclaiming Rest and Resilience on March 28th during this year's Her Dream Deferred week. Join in person in NYC, or host a watch party and liv...
Mar 27, 2024•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join Kimberlé Crenshaw and the African American Policy Forum at Sundance Film Festival on January 19th, 2024 at 8 pm MT for The Story of Us (Part 4), live at The Park in Park City, Utah. Register for your free pass here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-story-of-us-surviving-the-war-on-woke-black-storytelling-tickets-793686827667 In this episode, host Kimberlé Crenshaw and African American Policy Forum present the Story of Us (Part 3) panel, recorded live from the Sundance Film Festival in 2023....
Jan 12, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode highlights a new milestone for the #SayHerName campaign: a new book, entitled #SayHerName: Black Women’s Stories of Police Violence and Public Silence. Co-authored by podcast host Kimberlé Crenshaw and the team at the African American Policy Forum, this book helps readers better understand Black women's susceptibility to police brutality and state-sanctioned violence. It explains —through Black feminist storytelling and ritual — how we can effectively mobilize various communities an...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast To kick off Banned Book Week, host Kimberlé Crenshaw (@sandylocks) is joined by award-winning author George Johnson (@IamGMJohnson). They talk about the book bans that are sweeping the US, and George's new reality as one of the most banned Black authors in America. They also discuss the triumph of George's memoir, All Boys Aren't Blue, and unpack why George's work is needed now more than ever. Join AAPF for the second year of the Books Unbanned Tour, kicking off at the Brooklyn Book Festival on ...
Sep 29, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, host Kimberlé Crenshaw is joined by Cheryl Harris, Robin D.G. Kelley, and Janai Nelson. They explain what has been happening with the College Board’s proposed AP African American Studies course, share a close reading of what the revisions are and what they mean, and discuss what we can all do about it. Kimberlé also shares exciting news about the launch of the Freedom to Learn Network, including information on the national day of action happening on May 3rd, 2023. With: Cheryl H...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast **TRIGGER WARNING -- THIS EPISODE CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND SOUNDS OF GUNFIRE. PLEASE TAKE CARE WHILE LISTENING.** In this episode, the sisters of Atatiana Jefferson, Amber and Ashley Carr, share a portrait of Atatiana’s life. Atatiana was killed by former police officer Aaron Dean in 2019. He is currently on trial. Host Kimberlé Crenshaw reflects on the Mothers Network and the 8th anniversary of the #SayHerName campaign, which supports Amber, Ashley, and other mothers,...
Dec 14, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode marks the beginning of a new IMKC series called Author Talks, where host Kimberlé Crenshaw sits down with the authors of books banned by anti-CRT legislation. They break down why the featured author’s work is so crucial to an understanding of America's racial history, and why its opponents have labeled the work’s subject matter as forbidden knowledge. On this episode, Kim is joined by Ibram X. Kendi, founding Director of Boston University Center for Anti-Racist Research, and the you...
Nov 28, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Kimberlé Crenshaw is joined by Cliff Albright, cofounder of Black Voters Matter. Together, Crenshaw and Albright discuss voter suppression, gerrymandering and intimidation tactics -- and the ways they intersect to suppress the voices of Black communities today, and throughout history. They reminisce about their recent cross-country tour, bearing witness to erasure of history at stops along the way -- like the fact that there is not so much as a plaque at the site of a Black newspaper that w...
Nov 06, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast From October 8th to the 21st, we’re hitting the road with the 10 Million More Black Voters initiative. We call our tour Books Unbanned: From Freedom Riders to Freedom Readers, and we're handing out 6,000 copies of books banned by anti-CRT laws across the country. This effort is to ensure that everyone has access to critical literature — especially stories that teach America's true racial history. Host Kimberlé Crenshaw is joined by friend and collaborator Barbara Arnwine, president and founder o...
Oct 19, 2022•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drawing on the history of Freedom Summer, the African American Policy Forum launched its Critical Race Theory Summer School in 2020 as a response to the state-sanctioned murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless Black lives that spurred the subsequent summer of racial reckoning. Next week (7/18-22), in the face of a rapidly advancing assault on racial justice, we convene for another edition of Summer School under the theme: “Teaching Truth to Power”. The program will take place over ...
Jul 15, 2022•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Kimberlé is joined by W. Kamau Bell, director of the four-part documentary series We Need to Talk About Cosby. Together, the two use an intersectional lens to explore Bill Cosby's descent from his seemingly immovable status as "America's Dad.” Unpacking the complex interactions of race and gender that enabled Cosby's alleged sexual violence, this conversation brings a new dimension to the exploration of the mogul's tarnished legacy and the subsequent range of responses from the ...
May 12, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Kimberlé is joined by thought leaders Jelani Cobb, Sherrilyn Ifill, and Cornel West, who share their perspectives on the threats to Black history and realization of Black freedom. The conversation is anchored in the question, "Was 2022 the last Black History Month?” and makes explicit why we must to fight to ensure it was not. Revisiting the crucial insights they raised as part of the MasterClass series, “Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love,” each guest discusses what l...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Kimberlé is joined by Bob the Drag Queen for a conversation full of critique and celebration of all things drag. Having once existed at the margins of legality and social acceptability, drag has now moved into the mainstream with the popular success of shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dragula and We’re Here. Even with this moment in the limelight, drag’s inherent subversiveness, fearlessness and resilience shine through, posing fundamental questions like: What is gender and how it...
Mar 02, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Kimberlé is joined by an all-star panel to examine not merely the details of the shocking January 6th insurrection, but also the key undercurrents of racial resentment and right-wing authoritarianism that fed into the attempted coup. Together, the panelists unpack how the Trump administration’s shocking effort to subvert democracy was made possible by the longstanding dogmas of permanent minority rule that supplied its strategy and tactics. Furthermore, one year out from the ter...
Jan 13, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast For the last year, we have been surrounded by debates on Critical Race Theory spurred by the Right's organized, widespread campaign to stifle anti-racist education. For all of this debate, though, we hardly ever get to hear from the teachers, administrators, and students who are the subjects of these vicious attacks, and who are risking it all in defense of educational integrity and truth-telling. On today’s episode, Kimberlé presents a conversation from the African American Policy Forum's Under...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thirty years ago this week, Anita Hill sat across an all-male, all-white Senate Judiciary Committee to testify that her boss, Supreme Court Justice nominee Clarence Thomas, had sexually harassed her. A historic moment that brought visibility to the issue of sexual harassment, Anita's bravery during the 1991 confirmation hearing set the stage for countless others to better understand and speak out against their own experiences of gender-based violence. Decades later, questions of how gender-based...
Oct 15, 2021•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Over the last year, the Right has ignited a widespread disinformation campaign around Critical Race Theory -- and mainstream media is fueling the fire. Mentions of CRT in the news grew exponentially this past year, with journalists often framing the conversation around education censorship as an equal debate between supporters and opponents of anti-equality legislation. And despite CRT’s well-documented history of emerging in 1989 with a clear and fixed definition, the media have decided to play...
Sep 21, 2021•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Over the past year, Critical Race Theory has been increasingly misrepresented by the Right in an organized, widespread effort to stifle racial justice and gender equity, and weaken our multiracial democracy. In response to these attacks, AAPF held a 5-day Critical Race Theory Summer School in mid-August to educate participants about the origins, principles, and insights of Critical Race Theory, and to chart a path forward. On this episode, we bring you a conversation that took place on the first...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Transcript available on Metacast When we think about the history of Black athletic resistance, we don't tend to think of Black women athletes like Wyomia Tyus, Rose Robinson, or Wilma Rudolph, who have all taken great risks to speak out against racial injustice. On this episode, Kimbelé is joined by Layshia Clarendon and Sydney Colson of the WNBA, Demario Davis of the New Orleans Saints, and civil rights icon Dr. Harry Edwards to celebrate the achievements of today’s Black women athletes, reflect on the history of athletic acti...
May 26, 2021•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
