Make It Plain MIP with Rev. Mark Thompson

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is of growing concern to the medical community and the country-at-large, as the number of those infected are spiking, mostly in areas where vaccination numbers are low. Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the U.S., joins the show to dispel some myths surrounding the vaccine as well as an update on the potential need for boosters and how long our current vaccines’ protection is lasting.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

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Arena’s mission is to convene, train, and support the next generation of candidates and campaign staff. The organization rose up after Donald Trump was elected in 2016, in an effort to put their frustration to good use, and they’ve now trained 5,500 people since the beginning of 2019. Lauren Baer is a Managing Partner with Arena, and today she explains how getting involved in local races is a game-changer, as the effects inevitably ripple out into national politics. And as a former Obama administration member and Florida congressional candidate, Lauren knows the importance of a good support staff; at Arena, you don’t have to train to run for office in order to get involved--you can learn how to participate in campaigning and supporting a candidate from behind the scenes.

For more information: https://arena.run/

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

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During the final stretch of the Black Voters Matter Freedom Ride, Mark checks in with LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, Co-Founders of Black Voters Matter. The co-founders look back on their historic journey to do the hard work on the ground to fight voter suppression through strategic organization and awareness. They also look ahead, knowing the work is far from done but the network is expanding and there’s democracy to defend this summer.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

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New movie “In the Heights” was initially considered an important step for more Latino representation in movies, but a controversy has risen regarding colorism and the film’s cast. The movie takes place in a New York neighborhood, Washington Heights, which is predominantly Afro-Dominican. But, as our guests explain today, the cast does not include dark-skinned Latinos. Yvette Modestin is a writer, poet and activist who focuses on shedding light on the Afro-descendant experience in Latin America, as well as the Founding Director of Encuentro Diaspora Afro; Anne Hernandez is a social worker and activist board member of Encuentro Diaspora Afro. Their expertise allows for a nuanced discussion on colorism, anti-blackness, and representation in the arts.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

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It’s the last leg of the Freedom Ride on the Black Voters Matter bus, and in today’s episode, we hear from constituents and politicians from North and South Carolina. Are they happy with their leaders? How have their local industries been impacted? The people have hit the streets to spill the tea while standing up for voting rights.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

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As the journey continues on the Black Voters Matter Freedom Ride, Mark talks to one of the original Freedom Riders, Dr. Mary Jean Smith. She shares the story of her early days of activism, joining up with John Lewis from Nashville, which led to her eventual arrest. These courageous humans risked their lives on a daily basis in the name of racial justice, and we must do our part to preserve their names and fortitude in history.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

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What would this country look like without racism? That's what LaTosha Brown wants you to envision today, as we hear from her and Cliff Albright, Co-Founders of Black Voters Matter, speaking to a crowd in Georgia about voting rights and fighting against racism, oppression, and suppression. Mark is participating in the Freedom Ride with Black Voters Matter, and he also lets us know where the bus is headed so you can join in on the events if they're hitting your city.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

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Mark is on the road with Black Voters Matter, as they recreate the historic 1961 Freedom Rides and to fight for voting rights and against voter suppression. In today’s travels, Mark talks with Tennessee State Senator Brenda Gilmore on what they are doing in the state to protect voting rights, including restoring that right for convicted felons. But before we hear from Mark on the bus, we first get word from the CDC’s Director of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, Dr. Henry Walke. He fills us in on the major concerns with the coronavirus variant known as delta, including who is high risk for this highly transmissible strain. Mark also talks with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on this week’s equity summit and reopening schools in a way that is safe and productive for teachers, students, and parents.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

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It took 2 years and six months for slaves to learn of their freedom--because what we know all too well in this moment, is that passing legislation is often more symbolic than it is transformative. As Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday, we must be reminded that actual justice does not come with the signing of a bill, it comes with persistent and strategic action by the people. In today’s episode, we get a world-class history lesson from Majority Whip James Clyburn, a former history teacher himself, who shares the story of the most significant person in South Carolina’s history: Robert Smalls. Smalls was a former enslaved person who recruited 40,000 African Americans into the Union Army and later became a congressman. Let us be reminded this Juneteenth that legislation is but a small step of many on the road to reparations.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

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21 House Republicans voted against awarding Congressional Gold Medal to all police officers who responded at the Capitol on January 6th, and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett knows they did that because it would force them to admit there was an insurrection. Since they’re still denying that truth, Rep. Plaskett explains how things have changed on the hill between colleagues. She also discusses her legislation, H.R. 3434, which provides equity to people living in the territories, specifically seeking health insurance and Medicaid. And in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month, she explores the topic of statehood for the British Virgin Islands and what independence means, and could look like, for the people she represents. And ahead of Juneteenth, Rep. Plaskett honors the importance of recognizing it as a federal holiday.

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

For additional content: makeitplain.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy