Sh*t Talkers, this week Naira sits down with MFnMelo, a member of the West Side-born hip hop collective Pivot Gang & the John Walt Foundation, & Theresa Ashford from G Herbo's Swervin Through Stress. The connection between hip-hop, rap, and community is indisputable, but how does it show up in Chicago? How are Chicago artists using their platform for advocacy and change? Sit down with host Naira, MfnMelo, and Theresa Ashford to find out. The John Walt Foundation is a Nonprofit Organization, formed after the tragic death of John Walt, one of the founding members of the PIVOT Gang (Chicago’s Westside Boy Band), along with his cousins Saba and Joseph Chilliams, friends MfnMelo and Frsh Waters. Swervin Through Stress is G Herbo's organization, aiming to destigmatize conversations around mental wellness among African American men. Host:Naira Ikoro (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guests:MfnMelo (@mfnmelo), Theresa Ashford from Swervin Through Stress (@swervinthroughstress) Produced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #ChicagoOrganizing

Chicagoans will vote on the next Mayor of Chicago on April 4, 2023. Will will choose between Brandon Johnson, endorsed by the Chicago Teacher's Union, and Paul Vallas, supported by the Chicago Police union (Fraternal Order of Police). Who will you choose? We asked Brandon Johnson about the role of police in the city, protecting and empowering the transgender community, cannabis equity, and more. This episode of Sh*t Talks Special Sessions was recorded and produced by local creative Heavy Buy Lite. #ShitTalk

It’s no secret that politics as usual typically means young people aren’t included. The result is policies that fail young people and distrust between elected officials and young folks. Sit down with abolitionist organizers Jen Nava, Catlyn Savado, and Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez, as they chat about Chicago city politics, electoral organizing, and movement building. This episode is presented by Chicago Votes Give a Sh*t program in collaboration and produced by SoapBox Productions and Organizing.

This episode of Sh*t Talk Studio Sessions is presented by Chicago Votes Give a Sh*t program in collaboration and produced by SoapBox Productions and Organizing. Watch all Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Sh*t Talkin' Central episodes.

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, the movement for Black Lives re-ignited, gaining support and action globally. Defunding police departments and even abolishing the police entered mainstream conversation. As we pay homage to our ancestors and the work that came before us envisioning a new world, Damon Williams, Chima “Naira” Ikoro, and Jordan Esparza break down abolition, the history of police and prisons, and how we are that much closer to actually getting free.

This episode of Sh*t Talk Studio Sessions is presented by Chicago Votes Give a Sh*t program in collaboration and produced by SoapBox Productions and Organizing. Listen and watch all episodes on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Sh*t Talkin' Central.

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, the movement for Black Lives re-ignited, gaining support and action globally. Defunding police departments and even abolishing the police entered mainstream conversation. As we pay homage to our ancestors and the work that came before us envisioning a new world, Damon Williams, Chima “Naira” Ikoro, and Jordan Esparza break down abolition, the history of police and prisons, and how we are that much closer to actually getting free.

This episode of Sh*t Talk Studio Sessions is presented by Chicago Votes Give a Sh*t program in collaboration and produced by SoapBox Productions and Organizing. Listen and watch all episodes on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Sh*t Talkin' Central.

Guaranteed income is the direct cash payment to community members below a certain income, with no strings attached. Guaranteed income redistributes wealth to people who need it most and who’ve historically been impacted by disinvestment and lack of opportunities. Hear from Rachel Pyon, Research coordinator and E.A.T (Equity and Transformation), and Deonte Baker, artist, and cash payment program participant, about guaranteed income in Chicago.

This episode is presented by Chicago Votes Give a Sh*t program in collaboration and produced by SoapBox Productions and Organizing. Listen and watch all episodes on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Sh*t Talkin' Central.

Charlie Nutley, Atlas Quest, and Rita Carmona join our host Gaby Bosquez to discuss mental health, mental illness, and accessing help.

This episode was directed by Matt Woods and produced by Chicago Votes in partnership with Street Level, a program of Urban Gateways.

Episode 103, "Housing & Displacement: The changing landscape and its impact on Black and Brown Chicago," features Dixon Romeo, Frederique Desrosiers, Shayne Khalvin, and Gaby Bosquez (host).

This episode was directed by Matt Woods and produced by Chicago Votes in partnership with Street Level, a program of Urban Gateways.

"Gentrification: Our Changing Neighborhoods" features Gaby, Kai, Kierra, and Ty'Kira grappling with gentrification in Chicago. This episode was directed by Matt Woods and produced by Chicago Votes in partnership with Street Level, a program of Urban Gateways.

In the first-ever Sh*t Talk Table Talk, Jean and Jane, Nate Copeland, and Nasa sit down with Gaby Bosquez (host) to discuss cannabis, its uses, and its effects on the body.

This episode was directed by Matt Woods and produced by Chicago Votes in partnership with Street Level, a program of Urban Gateways.