Episode 251 - #BYPSpotlight with Danez Smith

Black Youth Project has joined forces with AirGo for a year-long #BYPSpotlight series, featuring our favorite Black academics and activists. This special Juneteenth #BYPSpotlight episode is with poet Danez Smith. Danez is a Minneapolis native who has been intimately involved in the uprising that began in response to the murder of George Floyd by MPD officer Derek Chauvin. They are also the author of three award-winning collections of poetry, and the cohost of VS, a Poetry Foundation podcast produced by AirGo cohost Kiss. They talk about their experience over the last three weeks in the streets, how they contributed to demanding change from the Poetry Foundation, and much more.

DONATE to The Hallie Q Brown Community Center: www.hallieqbrown.org/site/

Support on-the-ground organizing by donating to Danez's venmo @danez-smith

Climate Changemakers Vol 4. with Patricia Abrams

Climate Changemakers is a 5-part podcast series, showcasing and celebrating leaders in equity work and climate action across Illinois, presented in celebration of the 20th anniversary of nonprofit organization Elevate Energy. This month's Climate Changemaker is Patricia Abrams. Pat is the Executive Director of the Renaissance Collaborative, a social impact organization that has provided affordable housing, workforce development, employment, and educational services and solutions to over 1,000 individuals annually in Bronzeville and its adjacent communities for the past 27 years. She talks about how environmental sustainability became an important piece of her work, the transformation of the historic Wabash YMCA that houses the organization's office and housing, and how we can move forward in a more human direction.

Learn more about the organization: www.trcwabash.org/about-us.html

Learn about Elevate Energy and their 20th anniversary: www.elevateenergy.org/

Episode 250 - Revolution & Evolution with Jennifer Pagán

What a time for a 250th episode! Dame and Kiss are joined by organizer and educator Jennifer Pagán, who was attacked and arrested alongside Damon last week, to break down this moment, the beautiful transformation we're witnessing, how we got here, and what the fight looks like moving forward.

Redistribute your wealth to the orgs and causes on the the Chicago Liberation Resource List: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y…/edit?usp=sharing

Donate to the #LetUsBreathe Collective on Cashapp: $letusbreathe or paypal: letusbreathe2015@gmail.com

photo by Evonee Castillo: www.instagram.com/evcvstillo/

BONUS - Making Meaning of this Moment w/ Angela Davis, Jamila Woods, M4BL, & more

On this bonus episode of AirGo, we're excited to partner with the Rising Majority and the Movement for Black Lives to share the audio from Making Meaning of This Moment, an online conversation that took place this past Saturday 6/6/20. Let their wisdom direct your righteous anger to move the fight forward!

Participants
Angela Davis: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Davis
Jamila Woods: twitter.com/jamilawoods
Timmy Châu of Dissenters: wearedissenters.org/
Ntanya Lee of Leftroots: leftroots.net/
Kayla Reed of Action STL: actionstl.org/
Karissa Lewis from the M4BL: m4bl.org/
Greisa Martinez of United We Dream: unitedwedream.org/
The Rising Majority: therisingmajority.com/

Episode 249 - Christopher Thoughtpoet Brown shares what happened to him on 5/31/20

On 5/31/20, a series of Black organizers and protestors were assaulted and arrested by the Chicago Police Department at a protest on 53rd street in Hyde Park. As community members mobilized to get them out, we didn't know that our comrade Chris Thoughtpoet Brown was one of the people arrested, and didn't lift up his name in the calls to release our people. A day later, Chris went live on his IG, explained what happened, and shared his perspective on the moment. He's given us permission to use that audio for an episode of AirGo.

Donate to Chris on Cashapp: $thoughtpoet
Follow him on IG: www.instagram.com/thoughtpoet77/

Redistribute your generational wealth to one of these resources in Chicago: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y…/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 248 - Reflection after Police Abuse: Call for Abolition and Communal Accountability

A Note from Damon:

On 5/31/20, I was assaulted by the Chicago Police Department. I was slammed on my head on 53rd street, my face pressed to the pavement and officers pressed their knee on my neck similarly to what killed George Floyd. I’m banged and bruised up, but Jennifer and I are home and okay. I love my people and am grateful for all the support.

Follow AirGo for more resources and opportunities to contribute to the fight: instagram.com/airgoradio

Redistribute your generational wealth to one of these resources in Chicago: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YwWvuScaYjqrKLdl_4AkvSKhQE0OCWHvJ-dRyZbQ_wE/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 247 - On the Line with Tempestt Hazel

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Since early April, we've been hopping on the line with front line workers in different spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home.

This episode's guest is Tempestt Hazel. Tempestt is the Arts Portfolio Program Officer at the Field Foundation, and the founder of art curatorial platform 60 Inches from Center. She talks about the shifts that COVID is demanding from philanthropy, how the sector is responding, how she's slowing down to take care of her people, and much more. Plus, she makes Daniel cry at the end, so stick around for that.

NOTE: Tempestt mentions a few great orgs here in Chicago that you might want to learn more about through their past AirGo episodes. Check them out:

LaSaia Wade of the Brave Space Alliance - airgoradio.com/airgo/2017/5/18/e…de-90-lasaia-wade

Page May of Assata's Daughters - airgoradio.com/airgo/2016/9/14/e…-page-may-returns

Hoda Katebi of Blue Tin Production - https://airgoradio.com/airgo/2019/2/7/episode-174-hoda-katebi

Sadia Nawab of IMAN (Inner-City Muslim Action Network) - airgoradio.com/airgo/2017/7/20/e…de-99-sadia-nawab

Anton Seals Jr. of Grow Greater Englewood - airgoradio.com/airgo/2020/5/21/episode-245

Episode 246 - On the Line with Zohran Kwame Mamdani

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Since early April, we've been hopping on the line with front line workers in different spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home.

This episode heads to the East Coast to chop it up with Zohran Kwame Mamdani. Zohran is currently running for a NY State Assembly seat representing Astoria, Queens. He's been endorsed by DSA, and a wide swath of other progressive and to the root coalitions. He's also one of Kiss' oldest friends. Zohran talks about how he's shifted his campaign into a mutual aid project, the lessons he learned as a foreclosure prevention counselor, the shortcomings of representative politics, and his high school vice presidential campaign.

Support Zohran's campaign!: www.zohranforassembly.com/

Episode 245 - Climate Changemakers with Anton Seals, Jr.

Climate Changemakers is a 5-part podcast series, showcasing and celebrating leaders in equity work and climate action across Illinois, presented in celebration of the 20th anniversary of nonprofit organization Elevate Energy. This month's Climate Changemaker is Anton Seals, Jr. Anton is the Lead Steward of Grow Greater Englewood, a social enterprise focusing on building a equitable and resilient local food system that fosters protections of vacant land in divested communities and focuses on connecting those residents with community wealth building opportunities. In this wide-ranging conversation, Anton talks about the connections and unique challenges of reshaping Black Chicagoans' relationship to food, as well as how the structures and pathologies of power limit this transformative work.

Learn more about Grow Greater Englewood: growgreater.org

Episode 243 - On the Line with Zama of DCH1 Amazonians United

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Since early April, we've been hopping on the line with front line workers in different spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home.

This episode's guest is Zama, one of the founders and lead organizers of DCH1 Amazonians United. He and his comrades have been bringing together workers and fighting for better conditions in the Amazon Fulfillment Center on 28th and Western here in Chicago. He talks about how the work evolved, connecting with other Amazon worker groups around the world, and how they've been forced to push the fight forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Follow DCH1 Amazonians United: www.facebook.com/DCH1United/

Episode 242 - On the Line with Asiaha Butler of RAGE Englewood

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Asiaha Butler, the cofounder of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood, aka RAGE. Asiaha talks about the pandemic-related shift in the communal development of the mind RAGE does, how she's built a food distribution system for the seniors in Englewood, and how she creates communal development while fighting against displacement.

Big thanks to AirGo Alum Tonika Lewis Johnson for the connection!

Support the work of RAGE Englewood: ragenglewood.org/

Episode 241 - On the Line with Pura of the Little Village Solidarity Network

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Pura of the Little Village Solidarity Network/Red de Solidaridad de La Villita. Pura and her comrades have led the fight to raise awareness and demand the shutdown of a series of immigrant youth detention facilities run by influential Chicago nonprofit Heartland Alliance, in which COVID-19 has been running rampant. Pura details the information they've gathered about the carceral conditions inside, how the dozens of documented COVID-19 cases have changed life inside these baby jails, the direct action tactics and strategies that LVSN takes, and how we can contribute to this urgent fight.

Learn more and support LVSN: https://www.facebook.com/LaVillitaSolidaridad/

Episode 240 - We Need to Talk About the Whites

As the pandemic's stay-at-home orders have come under fire from conservatives and industrialists, a whole buncha whites have been descending on state capitol buildings, weapons in hand, to demand that these necessary communal rules be lifted. While waiting for a late guest, Dame and Kiss dove into a deep, loose, and pretty damn thorough exploration of what the hell is going on with white people, why, and what might help address this centuries-long crisis of consciousness.

Episode 239 - On the Line with Antonio Gutierrez

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Antonio Gutierrez, an architect, organizer with Organized Communities Against Deportations, and a co-founder of the Autonomous Tenants Union. They delve into how ATU supports tenants as they fight against the violences of eviction and displacement, how this current crisis has both created enormous strife and brought many new renters into the conversation, the connections between the violence of eviction and that of deportation, and what a culture of de-commodified housing could look like.

Sign ATU's petition demanding a rent freeze in Chicago now!: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/rent-freeze-in-chicago-now

Get information about how you and your neighbors can exercise your rights as tenants: autonomoustenantsunion.org/covid19

Episode 238 - #BYPSpotlight: On the Line with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

Black Youth Project has joined forces with AirGo for a year-long #BYPSpotlight series, featuring our favorite Black academics and activists. This month’s #BYPSpotlight episode is with New Yorker columnist, professor, and organizer Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, who hops on the line with us in the midst of this shelter-in-place period. We discuss the relationship between her writing and her organizing work in Chicago, understanding the ways that racism is at the core of COVID-19's destruction, the implications of pegging human needs to profit motives, and much more.

Read Keeanga's excellent piece The Black Plague in the most recent New Yorker: www.newyorker.com/news/our-columni…the-black-plague

Episode 237 - On the Line with Zain Bullie

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Zain Bullie, a high school teacher and mentor at Uplift High School, a social justice CPS school in Uptown. Bullie breaks down what the transition to online learning has been like, how he and his fellow teachers have adapted to be there for both their students and their students' families, some of the humanizing potential of this crisis, and more.

Check out Kuumba Lynx: www.kuumbalynx.com/
Learn about Uplift Community HS here: uplifths.cps.edu/

Episode 236 - Climate Changemakers with Juliana Pino

Climate Changemakers is a 5-part podcast series, showcasing and celebrating leaders in equity work and climate action across Illinois, presented by Elevate Energy. This episode's guest is Juliana Pino, the policy director at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) in Chicago. At LVEJO, Juliana analyzes, researches, and advocates for environmental justice, climate justice, and economic justice in local, state, and federal environmental policy. Recorded back in Early March, Juliana discusses the challenges that COVID exacerbates in Little Village and other environmentally unjust communities.

NOTE: This was recorded before the recent demolition of the HILCO smokestack in Little Village. Juliana discusses the site of the demolition, but the devastating demolition had not yet happened. To learn more about the demolition and it's effects, check out this recent episode of the Hoodoisie, featuring Juliana: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2861913267258859

Learn about Elevate Energy and their 20th anniversary: www.elevateenergy.org/

Check out LVEJO:
www.lvejo.org

Episode 235 - On the Line with Alice Kim & Timmy Châu

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. On this episode, the guys talk with Alice Kim and Timmy Châu of the Prison Neighborhood Arts Project. They share info on what's happening inside Stateville Prison, where they both teach, connect dots between this crisis moment and the prison industrial complex's decades-long destruction of parole and other types of prison release programs, and explore the particular dangers and opportunities of this moment in relation to organizing and militarism.

Help get people out of Illinois prisons: www.freethepeoplecoalition.org/
Learn more about PNAP, including their Mutual Aid effort for people behind bars: p-nap.org/

Episode 234 - Invisible Institute x SSW Radio: On the Line in Cook County Jail

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode features a series of conversations recorded with people currently detained at Cook County Jail, who describe the conditions they're experiencing. The interviews are conducted by the Invisible Institute's Maira Khwaja and produced by South Side Weekly Radio's Erisa Apantaku. The piece first ran on SSW Radio–thanks to both of them for allowing us to share their work!

Join the Bond Fund's Call-in Campaign: https://chicagobond.org/call-in/

Collage by J Michael Eugenio/South Side Weekly.

Episode 233 - On the Line with Ald. Rossana Rodriguez

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez of Chicago's 33rd Ward. Rossana talks about how her office is supporting mutual aid work without coopting it, what City Council looks like right now (not much), and what hard lines the mayor and governor need to be taking to keep people safe.

Read the Right to Recovery legislation demands: actionnetwork.org/campaigns/right-to-recovery

Learn about everything that the 33rd Ward office is doing: 33rdward.org/covid-19-resources/