Colors: A Dialogue on Race in America

17 year old Jackson Reed High School student Lilia Choice has been a journalist since she was 7. Now she's about to turn the page on her career. 

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Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque has built a remarkable digital ministry, reaching more than 187,000 followers and generating over 1.2 million monthly views with her daily messages of hope and encouragement. In this episode of Colors, she discusses the future of the church, why younger generations are seeking faith in new ways, the dangers of fear and division, and how curiosity, compassion, and hope can help bridge America's deepest divides. 

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Did the first Black Union regiment come before the famed 54th Massachusetts?

Retired Army officers Chris Allen and Ben Hodges say the 1st South Carolina Volunteers of African Descent were the first Black soldiers to serve in Union uniforms during the Civil War. In this episode of Colors: A Dialogue on Race in America, they discuss their research, the historical evidence, and their effort to secure long-overdue recognition for a forgotten group of American heroes.

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For nearly 50 years, the Washington Association of Black Journalists has helped shape the future of American journalism through mentorship, advocacy, scholarship, and fearless storytelling. At a time of deep division and disinformation, WABJ continues to elevate voices, strengthen newsrooms, and defend the essential role of a free and representative press. President Phil Lewis joins us.

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Roxy, who points out that she is Cuban, not Cuban-American, grew up in New York and New Jersey. But she, like most Cubans, she says, ended up in South Florida because she was drawn there. As she's grown and thrived there, she says it's important to remember your roots, those around you, and where you're going. The Senior Services Coordinator in the Village of Key Biscayne is aware of all the divisions around the country. But she chooses to bring people together, every day, in her neck of the woods. 

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In this episode of Colors: A Dialogue on Race in America, Dina Curtis traces her family’s journey from Mound Bayou, Mississippi, the oldest continuously all-Black town in the U.S. and the civil rights legacy of Memphis to her adult life in Washington. She reflects on ancestry, education, migration, resilience, and the uneasy reality that many old battles over race, power, and belonging are returning in new forms. It is a candid, deeply personal conversation about history, democratic backsliding, and what it takes to stay grounded, engaged, and hopeful in a turbulent America.  

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Naomi Ishisaka, columnist with The Seattle Times breaks down her sit-down with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, offering a clear look at how the city’s leadership is navigating public safety, inequality, and community demands.

The conversation highlights a more nuanced, listening-driven approach to governance and what it means for communities of color facing real, everyday pressures.

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In this episode, JJ Green speaks with William H. Lamar IV, pastor of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church and author of Ancestors, about how the past continues to shape power, identity, and decision-making today.

Lamar makes a compelling case that our ancestors are not behind us—they are active, influencing everything from politics to personal belief.

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Melissa Hellmann, senior reporter on the Guardian US's race and equity team joins us to update us on the top stories related to race in U.S., her travels and her career. And she's give us some thoughts about race in America, right now.

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Mahogany Books was built on a simple but urgent idea: make Black books accessible—no matter where you live. For Derrick and Ramunda, that mission is personal. From growing up near Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street without ever being taught its history to witnessing generational change and gentrification in Washington, D.C., their work is about closing gaps—in knowledge, in visibility, and in opportunity. They discuss it all with us. 

• Tweet us at @podcastcolors. 
• Check out our partner program on international affairs, Global with JJ Green on Substack. Please subscribe.
• Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.