GOT TIME

In this meaningful episode, we explore the depth and complexity of Black life through the lens of joy, resistance, and humanity. Centered on the exhibition Black Joy, in Spite of…, this candid conversation illuminates how moments of happiness, connection, and pride persist even in the shadow of historical and ongoing struggle.

Joining us is Brigette Janea Jones, the visionary guest curator behind the exhibit. Jones shares the intentionality behind selecting photographs from across Tennessee that span eras from enslavement to the present, offering a three-dimensional portrayal of Black American life. Rather than centering trauma alone, the exhibit uplifts family, friendship, and the enduring spirit of joy. This episode invites us to reimagine what it means to see, honor, and embrace Black joy in the past, present, and future.

Resource: Black Joy, in Spite of. . . - Frist Art Museum

In this powerful episode, we explore the enduring legacies of African Americans in STEM, stories of brilliance, resilience, and innovation that have shaped the world we live in today. From groundbreaking discoveries to transformative technologies, these contributions have often gone unrecognized yet remain foundational to progress across generations.

Joining the conversation is Dr. Whitney Gaskins, a dynamic mathematician, educator, and advocate for equity in STEM. Dr. Gaskins shares her insights on representation, the importance of access and opportunity, and how we can create pathways for the next generation of Black innovators.

Together, we reflect on the past, examine the present, and reimagine the future of STEM through a more inclusive lens. This episode is both a celebration and a call to action, reminding us that the future of innovation depends on who we choose to see, support, and uplift.

In this episode, Dr. Eric R. Jackson comes to the table to explore the legacy and current realities of Black Studies. Dr. Jackson is a Professor of History, and Associate Dean, in the College of Arts and Sciences, at Northern Kentucky University, with almost thirty-five years of academic experience at the university level, Dr. Eric R. Jackson has taught numerous classes in the fields of American and African American History, Race Relations and Peace Studies. 

Dr. Jackson has published a wide array of books, books reviews, articles, etc. in many local, regional, national, and international journals, such as the Journal of African American History, the Journal of Negro Education, Ohio History, the International Journal of World Peace, and the Journal of Pan African Studies. With over fifty publications, Dr. Jackson is a trusted scholarly resource. 

Storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful tools, and at the heart of this tradition stands the Griot. In this episode, we explore the enduring legacy of the griot as historian, truth-teller, and cultural guardian, whose voice has preserved the memory, values, and identity of generations.

Rooted in countries like Mali and Senegal, the griot tradition embodies the art of weaving history, ancestry, music, and moral wisdom into living narrative. Through reflection and conversation, this episode illuminates sacred responsibility carried by storytellers and considers how the storytellers influence lives today. 

Creatives, Akosua Akoben and Brandon Isaac come to the table to examine why storytelling remains essential to preserving truth, shaping identity, and reimagining our collective future. Through insight and lived experience, they unpack why storytelling is not just an art form, but a vital tool for cultural preservation and transformation.

A candid conversation on access, advocacy, and the unfinished work of democracy!

At a TIME when questions surrounding access, participation, and trust in the democratic process continue to shape our national conversation, this episode of GOT TIME with Christopher John takes a thoughtful and poignant look at the realities of voting in America. From voter suppression to voter fatigue, this dialogue explores the challenges and responsibilities tied to civic engagement and what it truly means to participate in democracy today.

Joining Christopher John at the table are two respected leaders in civic advocacy, Gwen McFarlin and David Whitehead, for a candid and unscripted conversation centered on registered voters and the power of informed participation.

Gwen McFarlin is a trailblazer whose career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to civil rights, voting rights, and social justice. In 1995, she made history as the first African American elected to the Springfield Township Board of Trustees, ushering in a new era of representation and trusted leadership. She continued breaking barriers as the first African American woman to serve as Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party and later as the first African American to chair the Hamilton County Board of Elections. Through each of these milestones, McFarlin has not only expanded access to leadership but has also created pathways for future generations to engage in public service and civic life.

David Whitehead is a dedicated advocate for civil rights and community empowerment, currently serving as President of the Cincinnati NAACP and Political Action Chair for the Ohio NAACP. With a strong background in voter engagement and economic advocacy, he brings both strategic insight and grassroots experience to the conversation. In addition, his role as Voter Empowerment Chair for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons underscores his commitment to mobilizing communities and strengthening democratic participation.

Together, this episode invites listeners to reflect, question, and recommit to the importance of voting, not just as a right, but as an enduring responsibility.

The story of wealth in the U.S. is one of access and opportunity, as well as the narratives, agency, ownership, and the power to shape the future. In this episode, we dive into a conversation exploring how history, leadership, tangible assets, and global perspective intersect to expand possibility.

Grounded in economic inclusion and empowerment, this dialogue explores wealth-building not as an abstract concept, but as a practical, tangible strategy. We examine how access to assets, property, precious metals, businesses, and knowledge to create leverage across generations. 

At the heart of the discussion is Numismatics Noir™, a Calibrated Lens initiative that reframes coin collecting as both cultural storytelling and asset strategy. Through its four pillars of reshaping narratives around money, elevating the hidden figures of U.S. currency, positioning tangible assets as tools of agency, and confronting the racial wealth gap; Numismatics Noir™ blends financial literacy, history, and precious metals education into an accessible pathway for ownership.

From coins to property, from global insight to local impact, this episode challenges listeners to think differently about wealth. Not as something distant or inherited by default, but as something intentional, studied, and built.

Jen Ingram, a visionary, business leader, strategist, author, artist, and founder of Numismatics Noir™, joins Christopher John for a multidimensional conversation. Embodying servant leadership and sincere humanity, Jen shares how leading from alignment rather than performance has shaped her work as a corporate executive and entrepreneur across industries including real estate development, philanthropy, healthcare, higher education, and numismatics.

Having visited all seven continents, Jen is among the ranks of less than 1% of people in the work, she brings a global lens to conversations about culture, experience, access, and opportunity. Travel has sharpened her curiosity, deepened her cultural humility, and broadened her understanding of how different societies define value, ownership, and legacy. From global markets to local communities, she reflects on how perspective reshapes possibility and how humility strengthens leadership.

Classism shapes more than status, it drives inequality, fuels hypocrisy, and reinforces systems of exclusion rooted in race, gender, and access. In this episode, C.J. unpacks how class operates in everyday life while illuminating the legacies of Zora Neale Hurston, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Mary McLeod Bethune, challenging us to rethink power, privilege, and equity.

In honor of Women’s History Month, he’s joined by LaNesha McCoy Debardelaben, Executive Director of BlackPast.org. A visionary leader and former CEO of the Northwest African American Museum, LaNesha shares insights on culture, leadership, and the transformative work of preserving Black history.

https://blackpast.org/

In this episode, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacies of women whose names deserve to be spoken with reverence and clarity. Long before the nation rallied around Rosa Parks, a 15-year-old girl named Claudette Colvin made the same quiet but defiant decision to remain seated on a Montgomery bus, yet her story, like so many others, was pushed to the margins.

We also center the voice and witness of JoAnne Bland, who as a Foot Soldier on the front lines of the struggle for voting rights. Her words remind us that history is lived, felt, and carried: “I marched alongside more than 600 peaceful activists who ended up being brutally beaten, tear-gassed, and hit or trampled by policemen on horses with Billy clubs. At one point, I saw a horse near me, and then a woman fell. I can still hear her head hitting the pavement. I must have fainted after that, because the next thing I knew… I was in a car with my head in my sister’s lap, and her blood was dripping from wounds on her head. Later, she needed 26 stitches.”

We explore the emotional truth behind the realities and a few of the women who risked everything to bend the moral arc of this nation. Their stories challenge us to reconsider what courage looks like, how movements are truly built, and why the legacy of Black women remains foundational to the ongoing struggle for justice.

This is not just a reflection on the past, it is an invitation to remember, to reckon, and to honor Our Dear Foremothers.

Exhibiting social justice involves using art, activism, and community engagement to address issues of inequality, identity, and environmental justice, fostering dialogue and awareness. 

Exhibiting social justice through art and community engagement not only raises awareness of critical issues but also fosters empathy and understanding across diverse groups. By participating in art justice events and supporting relevant exhibitions, individuals can contribute to meaningful social change and advocate for a more equitable society.

In this episode Omar Eaton-Martinez joins Christopher John to explore how social justice is imagined, practiced, and sustained within museum spaces and far beyond their walls. Through this candid conversation centered on museum practitioners, scholars, artists, and community advocates, the episode examines the role of museums as sites of truth-telling, resistance, and transformation. Rooted in lived experience and critical inquiry, this episode invites viewers and listeners to rethink the power of museums as catalysts for social change and imagine what justice-centered storytelling can look like amid these challenging times. 

Omar is the host of The Museum J.E.D.I. Show podcast, where he leads dynamic conversations at the intersection of museums and social justice. He currently
 serves as the Senior Vice President of Historic Sites at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He formally led Prince George’s County Historical Resources, overseeing historic house museums, an aviation museum, the Black History Program, and archaeological parks, with a focus on preservation, community engagement, and innovative programming.

In this episode, Jide’ Fresh [Brandon Hill] comes to the table to address discovering resilience through creativity. Digital artist, Jide’ Fresh has created a line of coloring books fused with anime, hip-hop, western comic books and pop culture influences. The books are created with mental wellness in mind. Sold under the business moniker In Fly We Trust, each coloring book volume speaks to a different era of Brandon’s own mental health journey.

In the spirit of using our creative force to battle, heal, and restore; this episode is dedicated to Nikki Giovani.