NAACP Akron – Power & Community Podcast | Season 3 Premiere

Season 3 opens with reflection, renewal, and recommitment. In this January premiere of the NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast, hosts Dr. Lathardus Goggins II and William E. Blake reflect on recent community-centered work, including Akron’s Kwanzaa celebrations and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Power, Love, and Justice Weekend.

The episode also recaps the first NAACP Akron Unit General Meeting of the new year and highlights community observances honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, grounding these moments in the ongoing struggle for justice, equity, and collective responsibility.

Beyond reflection, the conversation lifts up the importance of cultural joy—as sustenance, resistance, and affirmation—while encouraging listeners to join the NAACP, stay engaged, and remain connected to upcoming activities, advocacy efforts, and opportunities to build power in community.

Season 3 begins with clarity and purpose: honoring legacy, organizing in the present, and moving forward together.

Resources mentioned:

MLK Akron - https://mlkakron.org/

AROPI Legacy Building Project - https://akronritesofpassageinstitute.org/building-project/

NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast is available now wherever you get your podcasts or visit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2500020/episodes.

NAACP Akron website - www.AkronNAACP.org

In this episode of the NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast, cohosts Dr. Lathardus Goggins II and William E. Blake break down the key takeaways from December’s NAACP Akron Unit General Meeting—naming the work, the wins, and the responsibilities ahead.

The conversation then turns forward, spotlighting what’s coming up in the community:

• Akron Area Kwanzaa Celebrations, with special focus on Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)—sponsored by the NAACP Akron Unit—uplifting Black entrepreneurship and collective economic power.
• A preview of the Power, Love, Justice Weekend in January, honoring the legacy of Martin L. King, Jr. and recommitting to action rooted in justice, love, and community accountability.

Grounded, unapologetic, and community-centered, this episode connects reflection to movement—because meetings matter, culture matters, and what we do next matters most.

Ujamaa Celebration - https://www.afrocentric.info/Ujamaa/

MLK Power, Love, and Justice - https://mlkakron.org/

NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast is available now wherever you get your podcasts or visit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2500020/episodes.

NAACP Akron website - www.AkronNAACP.org

NEW EPISODE: “Power, Love, and Justice – November Reflections”
 We’re honoring legacy, breaking down the ballot, and celebrating collective power. Tune in for updates on the NAACP Akron’s November meeting, election recap, and a preview of the Ujamaa Kwanzaa Celebration and the Power, Love, and Justice Weekend.

🎧 Available now wherever you get your podcasts.
 #NAACPAkron #PowerCommunityPodcast #Kwanzaa #BlackLeadership #OrganizedPower

NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast is available now wherever you get your podcasts or visit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2500020/episodes.

NAACP Akron website - www.AkronNAACP.org

Season 2, Episode 3 (October 2025)
In this episode of the Power and Community Podcast presented by the Akron NAACP, hosts Dr. Lathardus Goggins II and Willie B recap the October general meeting and dive deep into key community updates. The conversation honors Akron’s civil rights legacy with a “History Moment” spotlighting the trailblazing Helen Arnold, explores issues from education and environmental justice to local ballot initiatives, and stresses the importance of informed, organized community action. Listeners will also hear about upcoming events like the Freedom Fund Dinner featuring Rev. Mark Thompson. Tune in for real talk on advocacy, accountability, and the power of collective progress—because knowledge is power, and organized power makes change happen.

NAACP Akron - https://www.naacpakron.org/

NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast is available now wherever you get your podcasts or visit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2500020/episodes.

NAACP Akron website - www.AkronNAACP.org

Summary of September 18 NAACP Akron general membership meeting and a discussion on qualified immunity.

NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast is available now wherever you get your podcasts or visit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2500020/episodes.

NAACP Akron website - www.AkronNAACP.org

Welcome to the NAACP Akron Power and Community Podcast, where knowledge meets action, and our voices drive change.

In this inaugural episode of the Second Season, co-hosts Dr. Lathardus Goggins II and Will E. B. (William E. Blake) introduce the purpose and vision behind the podcast—providing monthly updates from NAACP Akron Unit 3169 and diving deep into key topics affecting our community.

This month features an empowering conversation with NAACP Akron President Judi Hill, who shares insights into the mission of the organization and the vital work of its standing committees, including Education, Criminal Justice, Youth Engagement, Housing, and Political Action.

Learn how the NAACP Akron is mobilizing voices across all sectors—youth, LGBTQ+, and beyond—to build equity and foster real community progress.

Hosted by: Dr. Lathardus Goggins II & William E. Blake
 Production Director: Demetrius Goggins

NAACP Akron Power & Community Podcast is available now wherever you get your podcasts or visit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2500020/episodes.

NAACP Akron website - www.AkronNAACP.org

Episode 6: Criminal Justice – Systems, Disparities, and the Fight for Equity

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Attorney Imokhai Okolo, a dedicated advocate for justice reform, to unpack the complexities of the criminal justice system. We explore fundamental questions: What is the criminal justice system? How does it work? And why is it critical for community members—especially Black and Brown communities—to understand its structure, purpose, and impact? Together, we delve into the historical disparities that have shaped the system, the ways racism is embedded in its processes, and how these injustices continue to reinforce inequality in Akron and beyond. This conversation is a call to action for informed engagement, advocacy, and community empowerment to transform a system that too often fails to serve those most affected.

As we close out this first season of the NAACP Akron Power and Community Podcast, we want to thank you for listening, learning, and growing with us.

But we’re not done. Starting next month, we’ll be back with a new monthly podcast format. Because knowledge is power—and organized power makes change happen. So stay tuned, stay involved, and stay connected as we continue working to make Akron a more just, equitable, and vibrant place for all.

In this episode, we explore the critical connection between environmental issues and racial justice. Environmental hazards disproportionately impact communities of color, often with devastating health and economic consequences. We’ll discuss with our featured guest Beth Vild how environmental racism shows up in Akron—whether through pollution, lack of green spaces, or unsafe water—and the power of community organizing for environmental equity. Join us as we highlight local efforts to ensure clean air, water, and a healthy environment for all, and learn how you can get involved in the fight for environmental justice.

In this episode of the NAACP Akron Power and Community Podcast, hosts Judi Hill and Dr. Lathardus Goggins II explore the pressing issue of economic justice and its impact on individuals, families, and communities in Akron. Our guest Terrence Shelton with Black Economic Wellness Coalition of Akron (BEWCA) discusses economic justice and creating fair and inclusive pathways to economic sustainability that uplift historically marginalized communities.

We examine the roots of economic inequality, from disinvestment and discriminatory practices to wage gaps and barriers to capital. The discussion also highlights initiatives designed to expand access to entrepreneurship, workforce development, financial literacy, and equitable housing opportunities.

This episode centers on how organized power can transform economic systems—turning obstacles into opportunities and injustice into action. Join us as we discuss how Akron can build a stronger, more equitable future where everyone has a fair shot at success.

Episode 4: Education Equity – Empowering Minds, Transforming Futures
In this episode of the NAACP Akron Power and Community Podcast, hosts Judi Hill and Dr. Lathardus Goggins II delve into the critical issue of education equity—a cornerstone for achieving justice and opportunity in Akron and beyond. Our guest, Dr. Christina Collins, with Honesty for Ohio Education discusses national and state level trends that challenges ensuring that every student, regardless of zip code, race, or income, receives the resources, support, and culturally responsive instruction they need to thrive.

We explore the historic and ongoing disparities in school funding, curriculum, discipline practices, and academic outcomes that disproportionately impact Black and underserved students. 

This episode challenges us to reimagine education as a tool of liberation and community transformation. When we invest in equitable education, we’re not just teaching students—we’re building a future rooted in justice, empowerment, and hope.