Live from the CRJ

This week, Lawrence and Tia sit down with Sheyiwa "Set" Shakur, president of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, daughter of the founder Afeni Shakur and brother to hip hop icon Tupac Shakur. They talk about the origins of the foundation, its focus on mental health and wellness, and its future.

The mission of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation is to address mental health conditions and eradicate the effects of trauma on our community by providing access to therapeutic resources, creative arts, and education designed to support mental health, physical wellness, and overall development.

You can Find More Info at their website: http://www.tupacshakurfoundation.org/

This week, Lawrence and Tia talk to the Property Bruhz (Austin Fleury & Justin M. Lee, Sr) as they speak on the real estate market, credit and debt, and the things that you need to know in order to prepare to purchase your first home

Justin M. Lee, Sr., the powerhouse behind J.M. Lee Construction Co. in Decatur, GA, is different from your average Licensed General Contractor. Born and raised in New Orleans, Justin's bringing that unique Louisiana flair to the construction game. As the owner of a minority-owned enterprise, he's not just building homes; he's crafting dreams, specializing in residential and commercial projects. And that's not where it stops – Justin's also a top-notch Real Estate Broker and Co-Owner of Fleur De Lee Realty, LLC, hustling alongside his brother, Austin Fleury, a Morehouse Alumni, beyond his degrees from Morehouse College and LSU, including an MBA in Family Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Justin's on a mission for more. He is pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership at South College, he has big plans to teach entrepreneurship and small business courses back at Morehouse.

This week, we talk to cast members Jordan Bordenave and Matthew Thompson about the NOLA Project's production of George C. Wolfe's The Colored Museum. Lawrence(also a part of the cast) talks about the show's history, the decision to produce this play, and how the play and representation work toward the fight for racial justice.

Originally premiering in 1986, this bold and provocative satire presents a series of 11 "exhibits" representing Black American culture. Described by playwright George C. Wolfe as both "an exorcism and a party," THE COLORED MUSEUM has electrified, discomforted, and delighted audiences of all colors, redefining our ideas of what it means to be Black in contemporary America.

 THE COLORED MUSEUM is presented in partnership with the New Orleans African American Museum and will take place in and around the historic venue (1417-1418 Governor Nicholls Street). Please note the immersive* production contains some adult content.

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THE COLORED MUSEUM is made possible by The Carol Sutton Memorial Grant, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The NOLA Project is an ensemble theatre company that challenges, entertains, and engages diverse New Orleans audiences through adventurous productions of classic works, the development of innovative new plays, and practical education opportunities. For over 15 years, The NOLA Project and their intrepid ensemble of artists have brought bold, innovative, and imaginative theatre to the people of New Orleans. Twice awarded with the National Theatre Company Award from the American Theatre Wing, they’ve carved a niche in the Gulf South with our immersive and innovative original plays.

This week, we talk to Mr. Reginald Johnson, founder of YORRA(Youthful Offenders to Reformed and Responsible Adults), who was unjustly imprisoned in 1984. We speak on his former incarceration, his continuing fight for exoneration, and his push to help others on the road to healing.

BAR NONE by DeSign encourages those impacted by incarceration to eliminate recidivism, dismantle the prison industrial complex and work together to design a just, ethical, and equitable criminal legal system.

For More Info, visit their website at https://www.bar-none.net/

Happy 2024! We are back!

This week, we get to speak with DU students DeAndrew Thomas, Rajah Thomas, and Mikayla Weary on their experience on the CRJ's Official Trip to Italy this January. We talk about the culture, the sights, and let's not forget the food!

This week, Lawrence speaks with Mr. August "Gerttown" Williams, who was unjustly imprisoned in 1968. We speak about his case, his time, and his work with Bar None on the road to exoneration.

BAR NONE by DeSign encourages those impacted by incarceration to eliminate recidivism, dismantle the prison industrial complex and work together to design a just, ethical, and equitable criminal legal system.

For More Info, visit their website at https://www.bar-none.net/

This week, Lawrence speaks with April Winder with the Southern Poverty Law Center as we go into depth with what SPLC does and how it's working in the community here in New Orleans. For more info about the Southern Poverty Law Center, visit their website

https://www.splcenter.org/

***CONTENT WARNING***

This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, sexual assault, and self-harm.

This week, Lawrence and Tia speak with Josie Ashton, a domestic violence activist as we talk with her about her experience with domestic violence in the criminal justice system, the work that she's done with the Bride's March, and her healing journey.

Josie Ashton is a victim advocate and an activist in the South Florida community since 1994. As a survivor of domestic violence, she uses her experience and her education in criminal justice to help victims navigate the system and use it in a positive way to help families restore their lives. Josie is also known as the creator of The Bride's March, a 1300 miles journey in a wedding gown to raise awareness about domestic violence. Contact Josie at [email protected]

Greetings from the CRJ!

On this episode, we introduce you to our hosts, Tia Suggs(Project Coordinator) and Lawrence Weber Jr(Project Assistant) of the Center for Racial Justice as they embark on the first of hopefully many more episodes!

This week we are speaking with journalist and author Bankole Thompson as we speak about current events, the upcoming election and his new book, Fiery Conscience.

Bankole Thompson is a nationally acclaimed journalist and a twice-a-week opinion columnist at The Detroit News. Thompson, a racial justice champion, is the dean of the anti-poverty think tank, The PuLSE Institute and a member of the Executive Board of the Center for Racial Justice at Dillard University.