Episodes

In Louisiana, petrochemical factories are built upon the bones of African Americans as communities have been transformed into industrial structures. Sharon Lavigne is the founder of RISE St. James, a faith-based grassroots organization formed to advocate for racial and environmental justice. Lavigne sits down with Rev Yearwood to discuss how we can fight to end the destruction of the petrochemical industry in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley. Land in the Black community continues to be haggled away by ...

Cancer Alley, the eighty-five-mile stretch located in the southern state of Louisiana along the lower Mississippi River where enslaved Africans were forced to labor, serves as an industrial hub, with nearly 150 oil refineries, plastics plants, and chemical facilities. Over 100,000 people live in this area who have likely suffered long-term exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. With the expensive cost of cancer treatment and the density of low-income residents, developing cancer is essentially a ...

For too long, people with political capital have known about water contamination and lead exposure and did nothing to fix these issues for communities of color. In many cases, elected officials made decisions to keep lead pipes in the ground for Black and Brown communities while acting swiftly to provide clean water to white communities. Jeremy Orr is a senior attorney at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), focusing on drinking water and source water protection issues, and working to ensu...

Rev Yearwood speaks with Corrine Van Hook-Turner, Director of Climate Innovation, Movement Strategy Center, & Dontay Wimberly, of Young Climate Leaders. The Young Black Climate Leaders program amplifies young leaders and their objectives while also providing resources to succeed while asking the questions, What does climate mean? How is it correlated to other things such as our culture, our liberation, and our history? The post Uproot the System w/ Corrine Van Hook-Turner & Dontay Wimberly appe...

The Global South is paying the price of the climate crisis caused by the Global North. This pattern of environmental injustice has repeated itself for decades. As we usher in a new decade, it must be the Global South and frontline communities that lead on solutions for the climate crisis. To kick off Climate Week NYC 2021, The Coolest Show Host Rev Yearwood sits down with Christiana Figueres, a globally recognized leader on climate action, to discuss how we can take actions to go from positions ...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States. “I’m hopeful because I do think that we have a resilient system and the mechanisms in place to push back on people who are challenging democracy. But it also requires an engaged citizenry.” Former Congresswoman Donna Edwards speaks with Rev Yearwood in the conclusion of the “C...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States. Congressman Henry “Hank” Johnson shares how actively engaging in political movements is a declaration of faith. “But really, our work and our family, everything off, everything that we do is a matter of faith, is an extension of our faith. Faith permeates all of our actions…” ...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from New York’s 9th Congressional District joins Rev Yearwood and inspires the next generation as she speaks to young Black women. “We do our part in lifting up and lifting up not only our community, but by extension, all of humanity, because we have...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of whom are currently serving districts across the United States. “I want to end poverty in this district. I’m going to do everything in my power to work with other elected officials and whomever to end poverty in this district.” Congressman Jamaal Bowman from New York’s 16th Congressional District joins Rev Yearwood to discuss hip hop histo...

In honor of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation’s 50th year of servitude to the Black community, we interviewed 5 of its representatives, four of who are currently serving districts across the United States. “Everything that we do, we should look at [it from]a historical perspective and then connect it to what is going on now.” Rev Yearwood speaks with Congresswoman Maxine Waters of California’s 43rd Congressional District. The two discuss the intersectionality of issues with the cl...

The BlackOak Collective is a networking organization that aims to build a formal home for the many Black environmental communities in the DMV. BlackOak Collective co-founders Sarah Nesbit and Wes Gobar join The Coolest Show to discuss how we must foster mentorship and build a channel for Black talent in environmental fields. Support the BlackOak Collective. The post BlackOak Collective w/ Sarah Nesbit and Wes Gobar appeared first on The Coolest Show.

After spending 30 years in a movement, one is able to reflect on the challenges, the growth, and provide insight to the next generation. Movement spaces are but a microcosm of society where, just like the world we’re striving to change, we have to center and build on our values. Rev Yearwood speaks with Leslie Fields, the National Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Legal at Sierra Club. The two discuss discriminatory philanthropy, reparations, and global intersections on climate change. The post...

It takes a lot of courage for whistleblowers to come forward and reveal information, risking their livelihoods. What began with an EPA employee exposing unethical vanadium pentoxide mining in South Africa led to the protection of whistleblowers from discrimination and retaliation. Rev Yearwood speaks with Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, EPA whistleblower, former Black Panther, and president of the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition. The two discuss the No FEAR Coalition, decoding the language of wh...

Black farmers are facing extinction with a 99% decline since 1920 due to racial discrimination by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. While seeking debt relief through section 1005 of the American Rescue Plan, farmers of color are facing delay due to white farmers suing to block payments. Rev Yearwood speaks with John Boyd, the president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association. The two discuss the history of land theft from Black farmers, tactics to prevent them from receiving money, an...

Pan-Africanism is rooted in the connectivity and power of the Black/African diaspora. The continent of Africa is the epicenter of humanity–driving the future of not only the diaspora, but the world. Rev Yearwood speaks with Emira Woods, the senior advisor of Shine and associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. The two discuss the colonial and economic oppression of Africa, the power and potential of women, and liberation leaders of the past and future. Support the Shine Campaign: htt...

It’s extremely dangerous when people in positions of power/leadership make empty promises and play two sides of the field. Slow-walking progress costs people their livelihoods. We must hold the people “on our side” just as accountable as those who oppose us. Rev Yearwood speaks with energy investor Dr. Michael K. Dorsey. The two discuss the U.S.’ role in the shift to clean energy, an energy revolution in the Black diaspora, and the Black Owners Solar Services organization. Support Black Owners ...

It is important to be grounded when doing this work. For people like Rev Yearwood and Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, urban strategist and author, they ground themselves in their spiritual faith. They discuss extractivism vs regeneration, phases of the environmental movement, and the connections between Islam and the environment. The post Green Deen w/ Ibrahim Abdul-Matin appeared first on The Coolest Show.

On July 2nd, 2021, the Hip Hop Caucus held a press conference to rally around the Byhalia pipeline fight in Memphis, Tennessee. Later that day, Plains All American Pipeline announced the cancellation of the 49-mile proposed Byhalia pipeline that would have gone right through the predominantly Black Southwest Memphis to transport crude oil for export. In this episode of The Coolest Show, you’ll hear part of our press conference to depict the tone and fight before the cancellation, as well as the...

While people are profiting off the planet and the most vulnerable, creatives are leading innovation in sustainability with a heart and people-centered approach. The artist’s eye is the bridge between the culture and movements. Rev Yearwood speaks with Maya Penn, environmental activist and CEO of the eco-fashion brand Maya’s Ideas. Maya and Rev discuss standing on the shoulders of giants, buying Black and ethical, and the rise of Black women entrepreneurship. Support Maya’s Ideas: mayasideas.com...

Racism is a public health crisis that fuels the Black community’s lack of trust in the government. Incidents such as the Tuskegee experiment and the Flint water crisis are examples of environmental racism, also categorized as genocide. Rev Yearwood speaks with Elise Tolbert, Founder and Executive Director of Next Step Up and the Deputy Director of Partner Engagement at Climate Action Campaign. Elise and Rev Yearwood discuss the need for young leadership, Black mental health, and the challenge to...

The producers of The Coolest Show (DeJuan Cross, Destiny Hodges, and Tamara Toles O’Laughlin) give listeners an inside look at the production of the show. Rev Yearwood guides them through a critical conversation on: why spaces like The Coolest Show are needed to speak truth to power; the importance of prioritizing a Black audience for a climate podcast; and “lifting up the struggle while it’s evolving.” The post Producers’ Discussion appeared first on The Coolest Show.

Institutionalized groups want young, Black, and Indigenous organizers to be inspirational and play a superficial role. But oftentimes, they don’t want to fund their work to effectively dismantle systems of oppression. It is easier to do the work that coddles one’s privilege because they don’t have to confront their privilege or the realities that communities first and foremost affected are experiencing. Rev Yearwood speaks with Isha Clarke, Co-founder of Youth Vs Apocalypse, and Aniya Butler, Hi...

The fight for fair equity and access to appropriate resources has been an uphill battle for many organizations started in black communities. Funders have historically not trusted black organizations, resulting in folks doing twice the work for a small percentage of any available support. Rev Yearwood Speaks with Natalie Mebane, Associate Director of U.S. Policy at 350.org. Natalie shares her origins in the movement, the culture in her home of Trinidad and Tobago, using privilege to help the envi...

The Coalitions are necessary in working to solve the climate crisis. They are often composed of people with different experiences, perspectives, needs, and opinions. So how do we secure a win with such a coalition? Rev Yearwood speaks with Jane Fleming Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and President of Bold Alliance. She shared her experience as a former young activist, building the Cowboy Indian Alliance, and ongoing pipeline fights. The post Bold Climate w/ Jane Fleming Kleeb appe...