Rooted In Reality

In this episode I discuss the U.S. and Isreal attack on Iran and put it in historical context. We zoom out to see what's really going on and why. Ohio primaries are coming up so I give some important dates to look out for. I'm also not done celebrating black women, and during what better time than Women's History Month. This one is on the activist, the icon, the revolutionary Angela Davis. Tune in, it's a good one!

This week, I’m honoring Ida B. Wells — the investigative journalist who exposed the truth about lynching when telling the truth could cost you your life.

After her friends were lynched in Memphis in 1892, she used data, reporting, and fearless writing to dismantle the lies that justified racial terror. Her work reshaped journalism and civil rights history — even as she was pushed to the margins.

In this episode, I’m breaking down her story and why her name deserves to be centered, especially during Black History Month.

This week on Rooted in Reality, we’re diving into the Haitian Revolution — one of the most powerful freedom movements ever fought.

We break down how it started, the leaders who organized it, and how formerly enslaved people defeated empire to create the first Black republic. And we connect that history to right now — to conversations about race, migration, resistance, and what true freedom has always required.

This isn’t just history. It’s a reminder of what people are capable of when they decide they’ve had enough.

This week on Rooted in Reality, I’m breaking down the life and legacy of Marcus Garvey — a Jamaican immigrant who helped build Pan-Africanism, Black pride, and global Black political power.

I talk the UNIA, the Black Star Line, his conflicts with other leaders, and how the U.S. government worked to shut his movement down.

Perfect for Black History Month — and necessary for right now

This week we're back on the Yard with my girl Maya, continuing the HBCU series. Sit back, relax, and join us in reminiscing our time at the illustrious Howard University.

In this episode of Rooted in Reality, I take a hard look at what’s happening in Minnesota with ICE enforcement and community response, especially in the wake of the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good and the broader surge in federal immigration activity in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. From local protests to questions about civil rights and public safety, I explore how this moment echoes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s calls for justice, dignity, and the protection of human rights — and what his legacy invites us to consider about state power today.

Below listeners can see how to document or report ICE activity, support immigrant communities, and stay informed:
• National Immigration Law Center (NILC) — resources on immigrant legal rights
• ACLU — tips on recording and reporting civil rights violations
• Monarca Minnesota Rapid Response Team — volunteer observer training and hotlines for reporting ICE presence in Minnesota

This episode is both a reflection and a call to stay vigilant, informed, and grounded in the values Dr. King championed — equality, justice, and community care.

Five days into the new year and there’s already… a LOT going on. In this episode, I break down Trump’s latest move in Venezuela, Ohio’s changes to weed laws, and a Rolling Stone report raising serious questions about Amazon data centers and health impacts like cancer and miscarriages. I also get into what it means now that ACA subsidies have expired, and why the Trump administration is restarting wage garnishment for people with defaulted student loans.

It’s a packed episode — news, context, and how all of this actually affects real people’s lives. Tap in.

This week we're continuing with the HBCU series and this one features a Southern University grad. Aaron takes us through the journey of student-althete turned Defensive Line coach and drops a lot of gems a long the way. Tune in, you don't want to miss this one!

In this episode of Rooted in Reality, I talk about ICE’s presence in Columbus, Ohio — and why it’s not needed or wanted. I break down what ICE actually does here, how their presence creates fear instead of safety, and why local communities are pushing back. Resources below:

- https://immigration.ablelaw.org/know-your-rights/

- https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/EmployerGuide-NELP-NILC-2017-07.pdf

- columbus.gov/allofus

- ohioimmigrant.org

This week on Rooted in Reality, I’m talking about what happens when power goes unchecked. I break down Trump’s executive order blocking states from regulating A.I., his dangerous attacks on Somali Americans in Minnesota, and Congress failing to act as ACA subsidies get closer to expiring. These might sound like separate issues, but they all point to the same problem — communities being targeted, protections being stripped away, and everyday people left to deal with the consequences. I talk about who’s being protected, who’s being ignored, and why all of this matters.