The Kojo Nnamdi Show: Recent Episodes
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The Kojo Nnamdi Show is a daily talk show — a meeting space for curious Washingtonians to make sense of the communities where they live and work. We'll introduce you to the people shaping the present and future of the region, tap into fascinating local stories, explore overlooked local history, and meet up-and-coming talent from around the region.
On this last episode, we look back on 23 years of joyous, difficult and always informative conversation.
Kojo talks with author Briana Thomas about her book “Black Broadway In Washington D.C.,” and the District’s rich Black history.
Poet, essayist and editor Kevin Young is the second director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. He joins Kojo to talk about his vision for the museum and how it can help us make sense of this moment in history.
Ms. Woodruff joins us to talk about her successful career in broadcasting, how the field of journalism has changed over the decades and why she chose to make D.C. home.
After almost 90 years of searching, archeologists have uncovered St. Mary's fort, the founding site of the Maryland colony.
She led the Mystics to 2019 WNBA championship. Hear why she says, "life is more than a game."
In times of uncertainty, we look to medical professionals for guidance. Emergency physician and public health expert Dr. Leana Wen joins us — one last time — to share her expertise and answer your essential questions.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) recaps this week's H.R. 51 hearing and tells us what's next for statehood. And Maryland State Sen. Clarence Lam (D-District 12) talks about the state's vaccine rollout and previews the last two weeks of the legislative session.
The pandemic has changed how the federal government operates, but should those changes remain?
The leader of the largest museum complex in the world shares his thoughts on the institution's past, present and future.
Many students have been out of the classroom for more than a year. Kojo talks with local high school students and WAMU education reporter Debbie Truong about what a year of COVID-19 has meant for them.
A kid from Takoma Park decided she wanted to shine on the big stage when she grew up. Here's how she made it.
How is the local Asian American community coping in the wake of the tragedy in Georgia? And what can be done to counter racist attacks in Washington and across the country?
Indivisible's Director of Democracy Policy Meagan Hatcher-Mays tells us why the national organization is making D.C. statehood a priority. And Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) talks about the county's vaccine rollout, loosening COVID-19 restrictions and more.
Special guest José Andrés joins Kojo for a conversation about what this pandemic year has meant to D.C.'s food scene, and what recovery could look like in our region.
It's been 17 years since Brood X cicadas emerged en masse in the D.C. region. University of Maryland's Michael Raupp, aka The Bug Guy, tells us what to expect.
With the Cherry Blossoms beginning to bloom, we’re discussing how the flower took root in the District, and its significance in Japanese culture.
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA, 10th District) talks about the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. And Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro (D-District 4) talks about vaccine equity.
Museums in the District are transferring many of their exhibits and programs online, and it seems to be more accessible for everyone.
Award-winning writer Ta-Nehisi Coates joins us to discuss this moment in history, his Washington roots and what's next for Superman.
Kojo sits down with three Washingtonians to talk about making a side-business out of their passions, and the joys and challenges of working for yourself.
Kojo talks with the Bowie native about growing up in the region, her rise at CNN and everything in between.
Poet Safia Elhillo joins us to discuss her first young adult novel, "Home is Not a Country."
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman (D) talks about the county's vaccine rollout and making the tax code more progressive. And D.C. Councilmember Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) talks about disparities in the District's vaccinations and how the pandemic has affected plans to bring a hospital east of the Anacostia River.
For almost a year, many local theaters and music venues have been entirely shutdown. How are they coping, and could the $15 billion federal aid set aside for the arts be enough to "Save Our Stages?"
The D.C. crime writer talks about his latest projects and other local authors you may want to discover.
Gun homicides reached a 15-year peak in 2020. How are D.C.'s communities responding to the violence?
Jesse Washington, who co-authored "I Came as a Shadow" with John Thompson, joins us to discuss the life and legacy of the Hall of Fame Georgetown University basketball coach.
The Virginia legislature passed a marijuana legalization bill Saturday, joining 15 other states and the District of Columbia.
At-Large D.C. Councilmember Robert White talks about bias in the way D.C. police respond to protests. And Virginia State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-District 36) talks about abolishing the death penalty and his other priorities this legislative session.
Black and brown communities in our region and nationwide have been hardest hit by the coronavirus. Now, these same communities are facing low vaccination rates for COVID-19.
About 1 in 5 American households missed needed medical care during the pandemic. We discuss the health crisis unfolding in the shadow of COVID-19.
Kojo sits down with Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron to talk about his retirement, how the paper changed under his tenure and the future of journalism.
After more than a century, Baltimore is on the verge of controlling its police department again.
A study suggests that D.C. is no longer the "most intensely gentrified city" in the U.S., but some are skeptical about the new ranking.
Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay talks about the coronavirus vaccine rollout. And Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) discusses the Senate impeachment trial.
What can local lawmakers and community leaders do to address structural racism in our communities and in the region?
Hear how people who are experiencing homelessness are faring during these unprecedented times, and learn about ways you can help the shelters that are their lifeline.
Eight-year-old Relisha Rudd disappeared from a D.C. homeless shelter in 2014. In WAMU's podcast "Through the Cracks," host Jonquilyn Hill explores what happened to Relisha, and whether her disappearance was, as the city later claimed, "unpreventable."
Researchers and residents have been unearthing human remains on a block in Georgetown for the last century. DCist's Elliot Williams joins us to talk about his latest reporting on the issue.
How can the political divisiveness our Founding Fathers faced help us understand today's challenges?
Meet us at the intersection of politics and comedy. We talk with Eric Saul, the creator of local satire site The Takoma Torch, and Josh Gibson, the man behind the D.C. Council's wry Twitter account.
We're checking in on Amazon's HQ2 project and discussing the company's plan for a "Helix" tower.
Emergency physician and public health expert Dr. Leana Wen says one result of the vaccine has received little attention, and it could mean the end of our pandemic nightmare.
Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti gives us the latest on Arlington's vaccine distribution. And D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson talks about COVID-19, gun violence prevention and more.
The Kojo Connects series on race and social justice begins with a conversation about American education, and the importance of learning Black history.
Two big transportation projects are on the table in Maryland. But is now the best time?
We talk about the hit TV series, "The Queen's Gambit" with 2019's U.S. Women's Champion.
The author of "Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter?" explains why kids of all races need a book like this.
Washington Post Congressional Reporter Mike DeBonis gives us the latest on the impeachment trial. And Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich talks about the vaccine rollout, the Capitol Beltway expansion and more.
Many in the D.C. region have been relying on neighbors and volunteers to help them through these difficult, pandemic times.
Officials across the region are pushing for public schools to reopen as early as March. And the District plans to bring some students and teachers back for in-person instruction starting next week. We speak with D.C. Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee about what safety protocols are in place.
Following Amanda Gorman's show-stopping inaugural poem, Kojo sits down with E. Ethelbert Miller and Marjan Naderi to talk about poetry and activism.
Last week, President Biden issued an executive order giving LGBTQ people nationwide protections from discrimination.
Ever wonder what a day in the life of a police officer is like? We talk to Montgomery County Police Officer Ana Hester.
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) discusses reforming voting laws and getting big money out of politics, both goals of his For the People Act. And Virginia Governor Ralph Northam talks with us about abolishing the death penalty.
Pandemic relief may be coming to Maryland, and to the nation. What do the plans look like?
The D.C. economy is typically unfazed by recessions, but not this time. We'll find out why.
The inauguration of President Joe Biden will happen under military lockdown amid a pandemic. The Washington Post's Marc Fisher joins us to discuss this extraordinary moment in our country's history. Plus, computer scientist Jen Golbeck on what's most worrisome about the chatter happening in the darkest corners of the web.
For Martin Luther King Day, we hear from an artist who makes civil rights heroes leap off the page.
Rev. Dr. Yolanda Pierce, Dean of Howard University Divinity School, joins us to discuss Dr. King's legacy.
We get a preview of the legislative sessions in Maryland and Virginia. And we hear from D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine about last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The federal eviction moratorium has been extended through January, but what happens on February 1?
The enrollment period for some health plans is ending soon in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. We talk about the options.
The day after insurrectionists stormed the Capitol, the United States recorded the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities in a single day since the pandemic started.
D.C. Police Chief Robert J. Contee III talks about the police response to this week's insurrection in the U.S. Capitol. And Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) talks about what it was like on the inside — and Trump's final days in office.
Thousands of insurrectionists entered the District for a pro-Trump rally and broke into the Capitol building.
Black Americans still don’t trust the healthcare system. How can physicians overcome a history of racial bias and regain trust?
Right-wing groups, including the Proud Boys, are taking to D.C. streets to falsely claim that President Trump was reelected. District officials are worried that they'll incite violence.
She leapt from Louisiana to New York to Washington, where she's now one of The Washington Ballet's brightest stars.
We hear from people incarcerated in the D.C. Jail who have turned to books and writing during the pandemic. And our guests answer their questions on writing and journalism.
What has the D.C. Department of Corrections done to curb COVID-19 cases, and how has it shifted its educational programming to be virtual?
If you like robots, space and wild adventures above and below the sea, we've got just the writer for you.
There hasn't been a pet in the White House since the Obama's dog Bo, so get ready for the Biden's dogs Major and Champ (and maybe a cat too).
D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen talks about the Second Look Act and other bills approved by the council. And Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando discusses the jurisdiction's latest COVID-19 restrictions.
Schools in the county are changing curriculums to ensure immigrant students are welcomed and supported.
We discuss the violence from a Proud Boys protest in D.C. at a historic Black church, and the Black church’s role in Civil Rights.
Group singing means something very different in 2020. We hear from The Washington Chorus and The Children of the Gospel Choir on how they've adapted both performance and practice to virtual and physically distant settings — and how they're finding joy this holiday season, in spite of it all.
Millions of Americans could receive the vaccine by the end of this month. What will that mean, and when might things return to normal? Public health expert Dr. Leana Wen joins us to discuss the latest news and answer your coronavirus questions.
We hear from WAMU reporter Daniella Cheslow about all the latest news from the Virginia governor’s race. Then, we're talking to D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine about the DoorDash settlement, police reform and more.
We discuss Jason Wright’s new role, and where the team stands in this moment of racial reckoning.
Doctors Leana Wen and David Diemert join the show for an hour about hope and the coronavirus vaccine. With seven vaccines now in the final stages of clinical trial, how soon can we expect a safe and effective vaccine for all?
The acclaimed author has just released a video of his spoken word poem, "For Every One," which makes the case for taking your dreams very seriously.
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, (D-Ward 5), joins the show to talk Metro's woes, election readiness, school openings and more. Then Virginia Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, (D-Fairfax), gives us the latest from the General Assembly's special session on police reform and the pandemic.
Live music venues have been some of the hardest hit businesses in the area. Now, venue owners are considering how they'll navigate their reopening.
Athletes are standing up for racial justice this season. Should sports and politics mix?
Maryland Delegate Marc Korman weighs in on the state entering Phase Three while Montgomery County opts to stay in Phase Two. And D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham talks about the police shooting of an 18-year-old in Southeast D.C.
Activists are fighting to preserve the memories of their ancestors and their once-thriving communities in Bethesda.
As local schools embark on an all-virtual start to the academic year, how are students and their families adapting to the new normal?
We get an on-the-ground look at the 2020 March on Washington. And D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joins us to talk about the Democratic National Convention, the beginning of the school year and more.
Is it a space of protest, of education, of violence or of hope? It may depend on who you ask.
Changes at the U.S. Postal Service have made many in the DMV wonder whether mail-in ballots will be counted.
Howard University Provost Anthony Wutoh talks about alumna Kamala Harris' vice presidential nomination. Virginia House Majority Leader Charniele Herring previews the upcoming special session focusing on criminal justice. And D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen talks about the spike of gun violence in the District.
The doctors are here to advise. Public health experts Dr. Travis Gayles and Dr. Leana Wen join us to share their expertise and answer your essential questions.
It takes a Senate super majority to make D.C. a state. These statehood advocates say that must change.
The pandemic has completed altered how elections will operate in November. What does Virginia have planned?
D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton talks about statehood, federal coronavirus aid for D.C. and the Black Lives Matter protests. And Maryland State Sen. Cheryl Kagan talks about Maryland's fall election plans.
Most schools in the Washington region will remain closed this fall. So, what's being done to prepare students, teachers and families for continued remote learning?
D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman talks about yet another contentious D.C. Council meeting and the latest coronavirus news. And Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey talks about how the county is handling the pandemic and rethinking policing.
The library system is celebrating a renovation of its main branch, and coping with coronavirus challenges they didn't cover in library school.
Many low-wage workers were the first to lose their jobs when the region shut down, and many have still not gone back to work. So, how are they getting by?
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson talks about this week's budget debates. And Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz explains how the county will address the coronavirus' disproportionate impact on Hispanic residents.
As the new school year approaches, students coming to the Washington region from other countries face unique challenges.
How did the District address race-based health disparities in light of the coronavirus pandemic?
What do D.C.’s police officers think about the protests? And what do they think about police reform proposed by the D.C. Council?
John Lewis was a key figure in the civil rights movement, including the 1965 march in Selma, Alabama. Today, we look back at a conversation with the late congressman and civil rights icon.
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh isn't happy with the governor's plans to hold regular, in-person elections this fall despite an ongoing pandemic. And Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall talks with us about removing a Confederate statue in Leesburg, studying the county's government structure and more.
The new school year is fast approaching, and many districts are drafting their plans for the fall. In the first of our Education in a Pandemic series, we hear from local school district leaders and public health experts.
Jeffrey James Madison and RuQuan Brown are more than a generation apart and have never met. For better and for worse, they have much in common.
Public health experts say wearing a mask will reduce the spread of the coronavirus and prevent more people from getting sick. So, why are masks so hotly debated? Dr. Leana Wen joins us to discuss.
Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld talks about the future of WMATA and what reopening will look like. And D.C. Councilmember Vincent Gray walks us through city budget and gives us an update on building a hospital east of the Anacostia River.
With policies and programs ending that were helping tenants, are we heading toward an avalanche of evictions in the D.C. region?
The D.C. Council's emergency police reform bans chokeholds and the use of pepper spray on peaceful protesters. But D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson says these and other proposed measures are already on the books.
The homeless population is at a higher risk for infection from COVID-19. What is the District government doing to protect them?
Join us for an in-depth conversation about race with local activists, legislators and professors.
A Netflix film explains the evolution the movement. We look at how local activists continue the fight for inclusion.
Are customers comfortable coming back? How hard has it been to secure PPE for staff? And is the partial reopening enough to keep these businesses going?
LGBTQ employees are now protected from workplace discrimination thanks to a recent Supreme Court decision. What does this ruling mean for local employers and employees?
Local school boards are struggling to decide how — and when — to reopen schools. Fairfax County is letting families decide.
Virginia Del. Danica Roem talks about LGBTQ nondiscrimination laws that go into effect July 1, and an effort to repurpose "Stonewall" in Manassas' Stonewall Middle School. Plus, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser talks about statehood, police reform and her recent national spotlight.
Sandy Greenberg lost his sight in his junior year of college. His roommate Art Garfunkel convinced him to return to the ambitious life plan he had made for himself.
As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country, we hear from emergency physician and public health expert Dr. Leana Wen on how to stay safe and still enjoy a bit of summer.
D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie joins us to talk about police reform and a racial equity bill. Prince George's County Chair Todd Turner talks about how his county is approaching policing and entering Phase Two of reopening.
Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in America. What is the history behind the holiday? And how is Juneteenth being celebrated in a year of pandemic and protests?
How has the pandemic affected adults working towards their high school diploma? And how great is the digital divide in D.C.?
Arlington County Board Member Christian Dorsey talks about the protests and the economic toll of coronavirus. Montgomery County Board Member Will Jawando leads the effort to make racism a public health crisis. Plus, we hear about the "Decriminalize Nature D.C." campaign.
A mother and father confront the pain of racism after their black son was murdered by a white man while visiting the University of Maryland.