Host Davey D spoke with Pan African organizer Obi Egbuna Jr. and activist and cultural producer Russell Shoatz III about *Kotelemela Bolingo*, a two-album musical project honoring Assata Shakur and Pauline Opango Lumumba. Meaning resistance with love in Lingala, the collection features 30 songs across six genres. Egbuna explained that the project emerged from the Assata Shakur Cuba Defense Campaign and is also intended to support approximately 4,000 Cuban doctors serving throughout Africa. The guests highlighted Cubas often-overlooked contributions to African liberation, education and public health, including its response to Ebola, its medical missions across the Global South and its training of Zimbabwean teachers.

The conversation also examined culture as a political battleground. Shoatz described the album as more than a tribute: it combines political education, mutual aid, intergenerational organizing and support for politically conscious artists. Davey connected the project to the tradition of Paul Robeson, the Black Arts Movement, Harry Belafonte and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who treated artists as essential movement partners. The guests contrasted that history with entertainment that glorifies gangsters, pimps and billionaires while erasing revolutionary struggle. Egbuna emphasized that the fight is ultimately about the power to define"whether Black people understand Cuba, Africa and liberation through their own history or through narratives manufactured by Hollywood and the U.S. government.

Key takeaways:

* *Kotelemela Bolingo* honors Assata Shakur and Pauline Opango Lumumba while connecting their legacies to contemporary liberation struggles.

* The project supports Cuban doctors working across Africa and challenges dominant narratives about Cubas international role.

* Shoatz emphasized that cultural projects should combine political education, mutual aid, intergenerational work and material support for artists.

* Davey D argued that successful movements historically prepared artists to become informed public advocates rather than using them as last-minute entertainment.

* Culture can either glamorize exploitation and erase resistance or become a powerful weapon for preserving history and advancing liberation.

### Black August, Political Prisoners and the Legacy of Johanna Fernndez

On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with longtime organizer and Black Power Media contributor Kalonji Changa about the history and continuing purpose of Black August. Changa stressed that Black August is rooted in the resistance of incarcerated freedom fighters and must remain centered on political prisoners. Black August is about resistance, he explained. Its an annual commemoration. Its not a celebration. He traced its origins to California prisons and the killings of George and Jonathan Jackson, while warning against turning the observance into a general celebration of everything Black that happened during August. This is not the Black History Month of the summer, he said. While Marcus Garvey and the Haitian Revolution deserve recognition, Changa argued that folding every historic event into Black August risks watering down its original political purpose.

The conversation took an emotional turn as Changa remembered historian, prison abolitionist and activist Johanna Fernndez, who recently passed. Calling her a powerful, beautiful, serious freedom fighter, Changa emphasized her decades of tireless work on behalf of political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. Fernndez, a professor at Baruch College, was also the author of *The Young Lords: A Radical History* and helped expose more than one million NYPD surveillance records documenting decades of monitoring antiwar activists, civil rights organizations, the Black Panther Party, the Young Lords and other movements. Changa recalled that whenever he helped bring Mumia onto Black Power Media or KPFA, Johanna Fernndez was on the line. He praised her consistency, saying she fought for Mumia without using his name to build her own profile. Davey D described Fernndez as such a constant presence that many assumed she would always be there, making the full impact of her passing difficult to comprehend.

The discussion then connected Black August to todays political climate. Changa defined a political prisoner as someone targeted for their political beliefs or someone who develops a political consciousness while imprisoned. He described the current period as McCarthy Era 2.0, pointing to government attacks on groups opposing war, capitalism and U.S. foreign policy. His advice was to study history, organize carefully and reject empty posturing. Dont watch what I say, watch what I do, he concluded. Action is supreme.

### Questions Surrounding Nolan Wells Death Demand Answers

**(HKR-07-20-26)** A Mississippi family is grieving, troubling questions remain unanswered, and activist Marquell Bridges wants the public to keep paying attention.

During a powerful conversation on *Hard Knock Radio*, host Davey D spoke with Bridges, president and founder of the Building Bridges Coalition, about the death of Nolan Xavia Wells. The promising young football player disappeared after traveling with four white associates to Horn Island for a Fourth of July celebration. His body was later discovered on the uninhabited island.

Bridges questioned accounts alleging that Wells voluntarily remained behind. He noted that Horn Island has no buildings, residents or public transportation and can only be reached by boat. Wells phone and keys were reportedly taken back to the mainland without him.

What type of friend leaves someone on an uninhabited island? Bridges asked. He also challenged early narratives suggesting Wells drowned, emphasizing that numerous details remain disputed and that the public should avoid treating speculation as established fact.

Bridges described Wells as a loving, joyful young man whose parents had invested deeply in his future. He was positive. He wanted everybody to get along and be okay, Bridges said. He was that amazing spirit, full of love and laughter and joy.

The discussion expanded beyond this single case to examine Mississippis complicated racial reality. Bridges described a state with a rich Black culture and powerful sense of community, but also a long history of racial terror, segregated institutions, police violence and unequal justice. He argued that this history cannot be separated from how Black families experience law enforcement and official investigations today.

Davey D pressed Bridges on whether advising Black people not to become isolated within white social circles unfairly burdens potential victims. Bridges responded that he was not promoting hatred, but practical awareness. Im living in objective reality"how the world is, not how I wished it to be, he explained.

Bridges closed by urging listeners to support Wells parents, Elmore and Christine Wansley, as they pursue independent answers and accountability. He emphasized that financial support may help fund investigators, pathologists, organizing and the familys long-term fight.

His message was direct: support the family, reject online rumors, circulate verified information and keep Nolan Wells name"and the unanswered questions surrounding his death"in the public eye.

HKR-07-13-26 | Youth Speaks at 30: Brave New Voices Carries the Legacy of Poetry, Hip Hop and Social Change

As Youth Speaks celebrates its 30th anniversary, Hard Knock Radio host Davey D sat down with Youth Speaks Creative Youth Development leader Darius R. Parker and Youth Poet Laureate and Brave New Voices participant Sehinne Yohannes for a powerful conversation about poetry, activism, education, and the enduring influence of Hip Hop culture. The discussion highlighted how Youth Speaks has become one of the nation's most important platforms for young people to transform their lived experiences into art and social action.

Parker traced the organization's roots back to 1996, explaining that Youth Speaks was founded to provide young people with a safe space to "speak truth to power." He described the organization as standing on the shoulders of the Black Arts Movement, the Black Panther Party, LGBTQ liberation struggles, and Hip Hop culture. According to Parker, "There would be no spoken word slam poetry without Hip Hop," while emphasizing that today's movement is strengthened by many traditions working together rather than a single influence.

Davey D explored the relationship between spoken word and Hip Hop, asking how today's young poets connect with earlier generations of revolutionary artists such as Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, and Langston Hughes. Yohannes explained that her own journey began through San Leandro High School's Social Justice Academy, where studying revolutionary poets inspired her to see writing as "its own form of revolution." She credited her teachers and mentors for helping her recognize poetry as a bridge between history and the present.

The conversation also challenged common stereotypes about young people. When Davey D raised concerns about declining reading habits and the growing dependence on artificial intelligence, Parker pushed back against the narrative that today's youth lack curiosity or discipline. Instead, he argued that young people arrive with wisdom born from their own experiences and that Youth Speaks helps sharpen"not create"their voices. Yohannes added that poetry rekindled her own love for reading by exposing her to literature that reflected her identity and community.

The guests also pulled back the curtain on the demanding preparation behind Brave New Voices. From intensive writing workshops and fact-checking to memorization, coaching, and performance techniques, they emphasized that excellence comes through discipline while still preserving each poet's authentic voice. Yohannes explained that whether writing about immigration, racism, or joy, poetry serves as both a coping mechanism and a tool for social transformation. "We're not just saying anything," she said. "We're writing for revolution."

Throughout the interview, Davey D underscored the importance of organizations like Youth Speaks at a time when many communities feel silenced. Together, the conversation affirmed that Brave New Voices is far more than a poetry competition"it is a gathering of young leaders using language, creativity, and courage to shape a more just future while honoring the rich traditions that paved the way.

rom Vallejo to Newark: Hard Knock Radio Explores How Community Leaders Are Building a Culture of Peace

On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D welcomed three respected voices committed to ending community violence: Miami Da Most, Vallejo community leader and founder of Honey Buns for the Homeless Ones, Rudy Corpuz, founder and executive director of United Playaz, and Hakim Green, educator, activist, and member of the legendary Hip Hop group Channel Live. Together, they discussed the upcoming Ceasefire Vallejo 707 Day initiative while exploring how mentorship, Hip Hop culture, and grassroots organizing can help reduce violence and restore hope in communities across the country.

Davey D opened the conversation by noting that gun violence has become a national crisis, pointing to recent shootings across several cities and challenging the notion that violence is confined to places like Oakland or Vallejo. Rather than relying solely on policing, he asked what communities themselves could do to create lasting peace.

Rudy Corpuz emphasized the urgency of the work by reminding listeners that "The number one cause of death for children that are 18 years and younger is gun violence." He explained that the goal of the 24-Hour Ceasefire is simple but powerful: encourage everyone to put their differences aside for one day and commit to avoiding gun violence. "Sit on their hands for 24 hours," Corpuz said, describing the campaign as a starting point for changing community culture and demonstrating that peace is possible.

For Miami Da Most, the conversation was deeply personal. Once known for influencing the streets through music and lifestyle, he now uses that same influence to uplift young people. "I lead by example," he said. "I want to be influential on the kids... and even some grown people." Through his nonprofit and daily community work, Miami Da Most encourages youth to believe in themselves, embrace purpose, and understand that the credibility they earn in the streets can instead be used to build stronger neighborhoods.

Joining from Newark, New Jersey, Hakim Green shared lessons from 24 Hours of Peace, a movement that has united artists, educators, activists, and local government for more than a decade. He explained that "understanding the power of Hip Hop culture and reaching out to these kids in a way that they understand through culture" has helped reduce violence while creating opportunities for young people to thrive. Green stressed that real change comes from consistent programming, structure, and showing up every day"not one-time events.

Throughout the discussion, all three guests agreed that peace begins with trusted community voices willing to mentor, educate, and lead by example. Whether in Vallejo, Newark, or any other city, they argued that investing in young people and reclaiming Hip Hop's original spirit of unity offers a pathway toward breaking cycles of violence and creating safer communities for future generations.

**Hard Knock Radio Examines the Fight for Haiti and the Battle Over Temporary Protected Status**

On this edition of *Hard Knock Radio*, host Davey D welcomed Pierre Labossiere of the Haiti Action Committee for a sobering conversation about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing the Trump administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 350,000 Haitians living in the United States. The discussion explored not only the legal implications of the ruling but also the historical and political forces that have fueled Haiti's ongoing crisis.

Labossiere argued that the decision cannot be separated from a long history of anti-Black racism directed at Haiti dating back to the nation's successful revolution against French slavery. He pointed to decades of U.S. intervention, from support for dictatorships to the removal of democratically elected Haitian leaders, as major contributors to the instability that has forced so many Haitians to flee their homeland.

Davey D challenged listeners to consider why Haitians seeking refuge have consistently been treated differently than refugees from countries favored by U.S. foreign policy. He contrasted the reception given to Haitian refugees with that afforded to Cubans, Ukrainians, and other groups, while highlighting the role successive Republican and Democratic administrations have played in shaping Haiti's political landscape.

The conversation also examined the legacy of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's removal from office, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, and the influence of popular figures such as Wyclef Jean in shaping public perceptions of the country. Labossiere stressed that the violence often attributed to "gangs" is rooted in decades of foreign intervention and the arming of paramilitary forces, leaving millions displaced and struggling to survive.

Closing the interview, Labossiere urged listeners to move beyond charity and embrace solidarity with the Haitian people. He encouraged supporters to contact Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla and press them to support Senate Bill 4814, which would protect TPS recipients. Throughout the discussion, both Davey D and Labossiere emphasized that Haiti's future depends not on foreign control but on allowing the Haitian people the freedom to determine their own destiny.

Hard Knock Radio host Davey D welcomed longtime Bay Area artist, educator, and organizer Ras Ceylon to discuss his ninth album, Scrolls of Lion Rock, and the role politically conscious music continues to play during a period of growing repression, war, and social upheaval.

The conversation began with Davey D asking whether songs like "Free the World" are created with the intention of becoming movement anthems. Ras explained that throughout his career, beginning with his first cassette release in 1999, substance has always come before commercial appeal. He said the song was intentionally crafted as a universal anthem connecting the genocide in Gaza with struggles facing oppressed communities throughout the world, emphasizing that meaningful music should naturally emerge from an artist's convictions rather than feel forced.

Davey connected Ras' work to the cultural philosophy of the Black Panther Party Cubs, noting that Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. has long stressed the importance of artists serving as the movement's cultural arm. Ras agreed, explaining that years of organizing and political discipline prepare artists to respond when moments of crisis arise. Rather than waiting for instructions, he said revolutionary artists "lock and load" because they've already been training during "peacetime."

Asked to introduce himself to listeners unfamiliar with his work, Ras described himself as "a humble servant of the people" whose life has been divided between organizing, education, and music. He discussed his connections to the Black Panther Party Cubs, Jamaica's Judgment Yard movement led by Sizzla Kalonji, and more recently the Wu-Tang extended family. He paid tribute to the late Oliver "Power" Grant, co-founder of Wu-Tang's business empire, explaining that Scrolls of Lion Rock serves as both a continuation of his own artistic journey and a tribute to Grant's mentorship.

The discussion then shifted to artistic censorship. Davey asked about Ras' new song "River to the Sea" and the risks artists face for criticizing governments. Ras reflected on how his earlier peace anthem "Heal Lanka" was banned in Sri Lanka, preventing him from safely returning to his homeland for thirteen years. He explained that authoritarian governments understand the power of culture, often targeting musicians and journalists who challenge official narratives. Despite knowing there may be consequences, Ras said artists have a responsibility to speak truth during moments of injustice, arguing that fear is one of fascism's most effective tools.

The interview concluded with an in-depth conversation about the modern music industry. Davey questioned why major labels continue posting record profits while independent artists struggle to earn meaningful income from streaming. Ras argued that independent musicians must build alternative economic models through physical media, direct-to-fan sales, live performances, and ownership of their publishing. He described Scrolls of Lion Rock as a carefully curated body of work"available on vinyl, CD, and cassette"that encourages listeners to experience the album as a complete artistic statement rather than a collection of singles. Davey broadened the discussion by comparing the exploitation of musicians to the widening wealth gap affecting workers across numerous industries, framing the conversation as part of a larger critique of economic inequality.

Ethnic Studies Under Fire: Educators Sound the Alarm on Hard Knock Radio

I recently tuned into a powerful Hard Knock Radio roundtable hosted by Davey D that tackled a subject every parent, student, and community member should be paying attention to: the growing attacks on Ethnic Studies in California and across the nation. Joining the conversation were educator and former San Francisco School Board member Gabriela Lpez, San Francisco Unified teacher and Ethnic Studies curriculum developer Aimee Riechel, and University of Arizona professor Dr. Nolan Cabrera. Together, they painted a troubling picture of how political forces are reshaping education.

Aimee Riechel explained that while California officially adopted Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement, the original vision of the curriculum has been diluted through political pressure and controversy. Reflecting on the state's revised curriculum, she noted that it "bears very little relation to the original draft that we created." She also warned that districts across California are scrambling to implement courses without enough trained teachers or a clear understanding of what authentic Ethnic Studies should look like.

Gabriela Lpez connected these curriculum battles to larger political struggles happening at the local level. She described how school board races have become a major battleground for outside interests seeking to influence what students learn. Lpez pointed to efforts that divide Ethnic Studies into competing camps, saying that one version is framed as "inclusive" while another is labeled "critical," creating a misleading narrative about what should and should not be taught.

Dr. Nolan Cabrera brought a national perspective, drawing parallels between current debates and Arizona's infamous ban on Mexican American Studies. He argued that many attacks on Ethnic Studies are rooted in protecting what he called "white comfort." Cabrera emphasized that research consistently shows Ethnic Studies improves student outcomes, adding that "those who are the worst served by our system are the best served through ethnic studies."

Throughout the discussion, Davey D challenged listeners to think critically about the role of school boards, community engagement, and political organizing. The guests agreed that these attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated national strategy. At the same time, they stressed that collective action, coalition-building, and community accountability remain essential tools for defending Ethnic Studies and ensuring that students learn histories that reflect the full diversity of our society.

The message from this conversation was clear: the fight over Ethnic Studies is really a fight over whose stories matter, whose voices are heard, and what kind of future we want our schools to build.

**Google's AI Is Changing How We Think"And That's a Bigger Deal Than You Realize**

We use Google so much that it's become a verb. Need information? Google it. Need directions? Google it. Need to settle an argument? Google it. But what happens when Google stops showing us a range of sources and starts giving us a single AI-generated answer?

That's the question explored on Hard Knock Radio as host Davey D spoke with Kit Walsh, Director of AI and Access to Knowledge Legal Projects at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The conversation wasn't just about technology"it was about power, influence, and who gets to shape the information we consume.

For years, search engines pointed us toward websites, articles, and research that allowed us to make our own decisions. Today, AI-generated summaries are increasingly appearing at the top of search results, presenting answers that sound confident and authoritative. According to Walsh, that's where the danger begins.

"You're getting an authoritative-sounding answer, and people are likely to leave it at that," she explained, noting that AI systems often fail to communicate uncertainty, nuance, or competing viewpoints. In other words, just because an answer sounds smart doesn't mean it's accurate.

The discussion also highlighted a troubling reality: AI isn't neutral. These systems are trained on massive amounts of existing content and tend to repeat the most common perspectives. That means dominant narratives are often amplified while marginalized voices can be pushed further into the background.

Davey D connected the dots between today's AI tools and decades of media marketing strategies designed to shape public behavior. From radio programming to targeted online advertising, companies have long studied how to influence audiences. The difference now is that AI has the potential to make those interactions feel personal, conversational, and trustworthy.

Walsh also raised concerns about what she called "answer engine optimization""the growing effort by organizations, advertisers, and political interests to influence the information AI systems pull into their responses. As more people rely on AI for news, history, and political information, the stakes become even higher.

The takeaway from this conversation is simple: convenience should never replace critical thinking. AI can be a useful tool, but it's not a substitute for reading original sources, exploring multiple perspectives, and asking deeper questions. In an era where information is increasingly filtered through algorithms, media literacy may be one of the most important skills we can develop.

On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with political strategist, attorney, and author Steve Phillips to discuss his provocative new book, Are White Men Smarter Than Everybody Else? The wide ranging conversation explored race, democracy, corporate power, media influence, and the ongoing backlash against racial justice efforts in the United States.

Davey D opened the conversation by noting that Phillips has spent more than a decade warning about the dangers of undermining multiracial democracy. Phillips connected todays political climate to the unresolved tensions of the Civil War, arguing that the fight over whether America will become a true multiracial democracy or remain rooted in white nationalism is still unfolding. He pointed to recent Supreme Court decisions, voter suppression efforts, and attacks on representation as evidence of what he described as an ongoing power grab designed to preserve inequality.

Throughout the interview, Phillips repeatedly emphasized that racial inequality is not accidental, but deeply embedded within American institutions. He reflected on the period following the murder of George Floyd, when corporations publicly embraced racial justice initiatives. While companies like Walmart and Facebook pledged millions toward equity programs, Phillips argued that many of those commitments represented only a tiny fraction of corporate wealth and were often more symbolic than transformative.

Davey D pushed the conversation deeper by questioning whether many institutions that publicly support racial justice still fundamentally resist meaningful Black empowerment. Phillips responded by arguing that the solution is not simply changing hearts and minds, but building political power capable of reshaping institutions. He highlighted grassroots organizing, small donor fundraising, and coalition building as key strategies for creating what he called a multiracial New American majority.

One of the books central ideas is Phillips concept of SWAMP, an acronym for Straight White American Male Preference. He argued that discussions around diversity often focus on the perceived shortcomings of women and people of color, while ignoring how systems consistently favor white men in leadership positions. Phillips called for SWAMP audits of schools, corporations, pension funds, and public institutions to expose disparities in power and resource distribution.

The conversation also explored media and culture. Phillips stressed that books, films, and news narratives shape public understanding about race and equality. He pointed to the influence of works like Gone With the Wind and the role of social media in spreading footage of George Floyds murder as examples of how storytelling can either reinforce oppression or inspire change.

By the end of the discussion, both Davey D and Phillips agreed that the struggle for racial justice is ultimately about power, participation, and the willingness to build institutions that truly reflect the needs of a diverse democracy.