Broke-ish®

Ready or not, you can't run. You can't hide; America's unjust, racist economics are gonna find you!! In this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Algernon Austin, the Director of Race and Economic Justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, to discuss how capitalism and economics often function as the invisible, undiscussed arm of American racism. Dr. Austin starts with a historical exposit on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and this nation's intentional attempts to sanitize, downplay, and outright erase Dr. King's work for Black economic liberation and his belief that this work was integral to the Civil Rights Movement. The attempt to divorce the pursuit of justice from economic fairness drives many of the unique issues facing Black men, ineffective policy agendas, and job security. Press "play" to listen and learn!

Here we go again, Brokers! Amber and Erika are back for the Season 6 opening episode. Not only do we catch up, but we discuss all the new things coming this season. From audio and visual episodes (we fancy now!), to our new membership in the Black Power Media Network, and our expanded platform - we are giving you the scoop on everything you can expect in the upcoming episodes. We can't wait for y'all to join us in our new adventures as we try to expand our reach and dive deeper into the broken "ish" that's always trying to keep us down and out. Take a listen because we are back!!

They say, "Time flies when you're having fun!", and Season 5 has definitely flown by so quickly. On this Season 5 recap, Amber and Erika take a stroll down memory lane and discuss all the highs and lows of the season, including the takeaways from each episode and the wisdom imparted by our guests. We also spill the tea on what we're working on and the new things you can expect in Season 6. Tune in to look back at it with us!!

Links for giving:

1. Haiti:

http://www.elevateherinternational.org/

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/supporthaitians

2. Palestine

https://linktr.ee/palestinianyouthmovement

On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Haitian native, Dieula Previlon, to discuss both the beautiful history and present-day environmental and political crises in Haiti. Dieula, who is a trauma counselor, ordained minister, and non-profit executive, offers us unique insight into both the factual occurrences and the real impacts on the hearts and bodies of people living and surviving through it. We start by recounting the courageous history of Haiti's founding, which is rooted in a successful revolt by enslaved Africans against the French colonialists. Then we look at the ways that historical racism, unjust capitalism, and settler colonialism have left the island nation broken and impoverished. Properly contextualizing the present-day struggles against the backdrop of racist colonial conquest and America's insidious political interference is a sobering reminder of the universality of the struggle facing Blacks throughout the diaspora. Tune in to listen and learn!

On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Jared Ball, Professor of Communication and Africana Studies at Morgan State University and expert in media literacy. Dr. Ball, an honorary member of the Broke-ish family, helps us to trace the origins of the media's power in our society and the ways that powerful elites profit by curating the messages that they want society to believe and buy into. Dr. Ball gives the Brokers a historical overview of how racism within the media shapes the messages about Black people and blackness within America. He also provides us some practical tips about how to be savvy curators of media sources and ways to identify misinformation and propaganda. Tune in to get the scoop!

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are discussing how not all skinfolk are kinfolk in Black social justice circles. It gets a bit messy as we call out some of your faves and interrogate whether they do more harm than good elevating the stories of victims of police brutality. We question the motives and methods of well-known activists and try to figure out where all the Black Lives Matter money is. Take a listen to the episode to hear what we're talking about!

On this episode, Amber and Erika discuss money, marriage, and the unique ways that systemic and economic inequities burden Black love. The impacts of mass incarceration, wage and education gaps, student loan debt, and gender expectations can combine with other societal and cultural barriers to make building an effective financial partnership within a marriage especially difficult. Tune in to hear the hosts' personal experiences and the objective data on the joys and pains of combining romance with finance!

Broke-ish is officially fifty episodes in, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than a family reunion! Broke-ish co-founder and former co-host, Delina McPhaull, stopped by to interview Amber and Erika. No topic was off-limits as we strolled down memory lane, discussed current events, and of course, we cut up a little and had some fun! Through our reflections on Broke-ish's past impact and our hopes for its future, this fiftieth episode is all about the love, joy, and familial connections that empower us to fight for justice and freedom. So throw on your favorite family reunion t-shirt and cookout slides, then tune it to the episode to hear what's happening!

On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika are discussing Black Athletes - the challenges faced at the highly competitive collegiate level, the impact on mental and physical wellness, finances, and of course, the increasing social and political activism in and out of the sports arena. Joined by Jarrett Drake and Destanie Sykes, two former NCAA Division I athletes, who provide a firsthand account of the unique ways Black collegiate athletes are commodified and expected to produce without the benefit of ownership or monetary compensation. They also offer their insight into why so many professional athletes are leveraging their influence in support of political causes and as social justice advocates. Take a listen to the episode to hear what we're talking about!