Civil Rights University: Recent Episodes
B.K. Leonard
This podcast is designed to provide an education, unlike the one received in traditional schools and colleges. Instead, CRU is focused on three things: Educating our listeners about Civil Rights Pioneers and activists from the past and their successes and stories; Empowering current activists in their struggle to achieve social justices and equality; and Encouraging Entrepreneurship, by social entrepreneurs, minorities, and disadvantaged populations, in order to secure and maintain a brighter future for our generation, the next generation, and those generations to come.
In this episode we discuss, the transition of a civil rights icon, Harry Belafonte, news and notes in the civil rights area. In addition, we highlight an educational program in human rights, as well as discuss potential job opportunities in the area of civil rights. We also discuss grassroots activism, in particular defining what it is and what it represents both historically and today. We discuss the importance of studying grassroots movements by current and future activists and how studying the methods, and practices of the past can help to guide future activism. For more information about the life, legacy, and activism of Harry Belafonte, go here. For information on the EEOC suit against Walmart go here. and for information about the Dukes case go here. For information about the voting rights groups suing over election rules go here. For information on groups in Mississippi suing over state appointments of police and judges over local residents without being elected go here. For information on the Sexual Harassment settlement by R&L Carriers go here. For more information about the sexual harassment settlement with an Alabama Sheriff by the U.S. DOJ, go here.
For information about the Ph.D. program in Human Rights at Arizona State University, go here. In addition, for information on civil rights jobs with the ACLU go here. For information on jobs with the federal government, go here. For information on civil rights jobs in Georgia go here.
In today's episode we discuss: a civil rights activist, who many have mixed feelings about: Booker T. Washington. We discusshis early influences, his agenda, which focused on industrial education, trades and service occupations, economic empowerment and other important aspects. We also talk about what we can learn from his example. We also discuss how hisexample is relevant to today's struggle.
To learn more about Booker T. Washington here are some helpful resources: Library of Congress: https://guides.loc.gov/booker-t-washington; Tuskegee University: https://www.tuskegee.edu/discover-tu/tu-presidents/booker-t-washington ;National Park Service Museum: https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/tuskegee/btwashington/index.html
In this episode I discuss remote activism. In particular I talk about the different types of ways that Activists, Attorneys and Social Entrepreneurs can engage in activism, despite the need to do so remotely. As we remain in what many have called the "new normal" where virtual events and gatherings are continuing to take place, activism must also adapt and change to be able to be effective but remain safe in fighting for civil rights. In this episode I define what remote activism is, discuss some of the major tools that are available to engage in remote activism, and give examples of organizations that have successfully utilized remote activism in the midst of this global pandemic. I discuss both traditional tools as well as newer tools that can be used to help activists, attorneys, and social entrepreneurs continue to engage not only their audiences, and constituencies, but also to engage and advocate in front of policy makers, legislators, elected officials, and other decision-makers. For more resources and information about this topics see here. This episode is packed with wonderful insights and analysis for you and your activism. Please subscribe to the show, rate it, and share it with others. As always for more great content and to sign up for updates and to find out when we will offer more free content like this, as well as other products and programs, including our upcoming online courses, please visit our website. Thanks for tuning in. Enjoy the show!
This is the second part of a podcast series discussing Critical Race Theory in Housing and Land Ownership. This episode deals primarily with discriminatory zoning laws and practices that have contributed to segregated neighborhoods historically, many of which still exist today. In this episode we discuss, how zoning laws have historically been used to discriminate against African Americans and other racial minorities in this country. Furthermore, I discuss the relationship between the rise in the number of zoning laws in the early twentieth century and segregation in housing between African Americans and other racial minorities and whites. I also discuss the more subtle yet sinister play at work in this area and examples of how these practices work. Furthermore, I discuss the affects of discriminatory zoning laws beyond just housing. I also discuss solutions to discriminatory zoning, some that have been tried in the past and others that are currently being considered, including potential solutions that you can engage in to overcome this problem. I hope you enjoy this episode.
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In this episode we start the first part of a series as Civil Rights University Podcast will begin to deal with various topics related to the webinars, courses, and programs that we offer. For this series, we will deal with a hot and relevant topic: Critical Race Theory. We will begin in this episode by first defining Critical Race Theory, and then discussing the myth vs. the reality of Critical Race Theory. Next we will focus on Critical Race Theory in Housing and Land Ownership. In this episode we discuss such topics as redlining, blockbusting, HUD, and the Fair Housing Act. We will also discuss a new book by Georgetown Law Professor Sheryll Cashin, White Space, Black Hood (Beacon Press, 2021). We will also discuss how President Richard Nixon and current U.S. Senator and former Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney's father George Romney impacted housing discrimination in this country. Furthermore we will discuss reporting by Nikole Hannah Jones. So as you can see this is an informative episode and we certainly hope you will enjoy it.
In this episode, we continue with the theme of how to get started in various careers, with How to get started as a Civil Rights Lawyer. Topics covered include the three major areas of civil rights law practice, what those areas look like, as well as examples of civil rights lawyers and other resources that may be helpful to those wanted to get started as a civil rights lawyer. Thanks for listening to this episode and get great information to help you on your journey in civil rights.
In this episode I discuss becoming a Social Entrepreneur. I give some tips on how to get started as a social entrepreneur. I also talk about some current events in civil rights, including a new reality tv show coming out called The Activist. In addition I talk about recent philanthropic work done by the George Floyd Memorial Foundation. I talk about the various resources that are available on social entrepreneurship. For instance, I discuss All Square, a civil rights social enterprise as an example. I also discuss See Change Magazine. I also talk about Dr. Gregory Dees, who is regarded as the father of Social Entrepreneurship Education, and the founder of the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship, as well as his book, Enterprising Nonprofits. Furthermore, I also discuss entrepreneur.com's resources on social entrepreneurship. Of course, I also discuss Civil Rights University. Check out this great episode.
In this episode we talk about how to get started as a civil rights activist. What are some career paths that you can take on the way to becoming an activist? We also discussed some challenges involved with getting started as an activist as well as what opportunities may be available to help you get started on your activism journey.
In this episode, I discuss an important topic that is taken from my book, Movement Mentors, Dred Scott, Homer Plessy, and Rev. Oliver Brown:Three Courageous Men, Their Landmark Cases, and Their Enduring Legacies, which is now available on Amazon and at www.civilrightsuniversity.com. The topic is Lesson 3 from the book, Building Organizations Lays the Foundation to a Movement. In this episode I give historical and practical examples of why building organizations is so important to civil rights activism, as well as provide a brief overview of steps that you need to take in building your organization.
In this episode we talk to Attorney Jarelle Lewis, a Title IX Director for an urban school system. We discuss what Title IX is, how to get involved in this work, and some keys to help you along your career in the area of civil rights. We also discuss valuable advice in general for your professional journey. Welcome to Civil Rights University’s Podcast! Class is now in session...
Julius Chambers was the most significant Civil Rights Attorney in the U.S. after former Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. In this episode we talk to Professor Richard Rosen, law professor and co-author along with Dr. Joseph Mosnier, of the Book, Julius Chambers: A Life in the Legal Struggle for Civil Rights. In our wonderful and enlightening conversation with Prof. Rosen we discuss:
- Origins of Julius Chambers' Life
- How and why Julius Chambers became a lawyer
- How Julius Chambers started a Civil Rights Law Firm
- The life and career of a civil rights lawyer
- The types of cases that a Civil Rights lawyer handles
- Lessons to be learned from the life and career of Julius Chambers
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