THE SPECIAL REPORT | Podcast Archives
With Areva Martin

Being funny in unfunny times | Ft. Kim Whitley
Actress and comedian Kym Whitley has been hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis. These ¨interesting times¨ have fundamentally altered her personal life as well. 2020 has brought on a profound period of evolution for this longtime TV star. She sits with us today to share perspective on personal growth in trying times. TIMESTAMPS 0:40 Strengthened through Shared Struggle Like most of us, Kym Whitley has had both friends and family members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic uncertainty. As a result, finding any sense of normalcy has proven a challenge. Enduring such difficult moments while retaining a creative

Why police departments have to be defunded now! | Ft .Minneapolis City Councilwoman Lisa Bender
The demonstrations that have awakened citizens in every corner of the country got their spark in the streets of Minneapolis, where George Floyd was murdered by police officers. Lisa Bender, President of Minneapolis City Council, has tasked herself with ensuring his death was not in vain by compelling law enforcement to reimagine the way it interacts with the public. One of the most visible points of progress was the recent resolution to disband the MPD, and here she goes into detail on what a new model of policing may look like. 0:59 Decoding Defunding At first glance, a phrase like

Interview with Ella Jones
Few public officials today have a connection to the social justice movement of today quite like Ella Jones, Mayor of Ferguson, MO. After spending the early part of her adult life in the private sector as well as immersed in the Church, she underwent an evolution of purpose after one of America’s most infamous incidents of deadly police misconduct, and this engaging episode follows her footsteps to the forefront of local politics. 2:34 Forged in FergusonThe case of Mike Brown was a traumatic incident for much of the nation, and for residents of Jones´ Missouri hometown in particular. After extensive

Interview with Dr. Melina Abdullah
While much of recent American history has been shaped by incremental change, the ongoing protests that have gripped the hearts and minds of a nation demonstrate that the time for deliberation has passed. Dr. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter LA Chapter, has worked tirelessly to catalyze change both for those that rely on her most and in society at large, and expands on her perspective in this engaging conversation. 3:34 Women of the FutureAs chair of the Cal State LA Pan-African Studies department, Dr. Abdullah has persisted as an agent of change for her entire adult life.

Interview with Jane Elliot
Jane Elliott, world-renowned educator and advocate, can hardly believe the world is still in such need of her work. Today working as a diversity trainer for organizations, Jane´s road to the forefront of allyship has spanned over 5 decades, and involved many moments of pain and deep introspection. Here, she offers her perspective on a world that isn´t quite as different as she´d imagined after a half a century fighting the good fight. 0:37 Early EducationAs racism is a learned behavior rather than an innate attribute, Jane Elliott holds early education on the topic paramount in creating individuals well-suited to

Interview with LAPD Chief Michael Moore
Law enforcement is under more scrutiny than ever before, and few people carry such a deep understanding of the crossroads at which the profession stands as LAPD Chief Michael Moore. His decades on the force in one of the nation’s largest, most populous, and most diverse cities give him a unique and valuable perspective in the ongoing struggle to define and deliver justice for all in the United States of America. 2:15 Creating ConsistencyMoore has become the target of public scorn over recent weeks for the behavior of his department, particularly at the ongoing police brutality demonstrations stemming from the