Someone You Need To Know with Rashanah Baldwin

In this special Fair Housing Month episode, I sit down with Willie “J.R.” Fleming, the Chairman of the Anti-Eviction Campaign, to discuss housing as a fundamental human right and what it takes to protect that right—from the South Side of Chicago to Capitol Hill.

We explore:

• J.R.’s powerful journey into housing activism and community organizing.

• The mission of the Anti-Eviction Campaign and its national impact

• Public housing demolition and its lasting effect on Black communities

• Mandates from the Cook County Land Bank and holding the government accountable

• CDFIs, political posturing, and the future of affordable housing policy

• Youth homeownership and why real estate should be accessible for all

• J.R.'s federal advocacy efforts with the Biden-Harris Administration

This is more than a conversation — it’s a call to action.

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#SomeoneYouNeedToKnow #JRfleming #AntiEviction #FairHousingMonth #PublicHousingMatters #AffordableHousing #HousingJustice #ChicagoAdvocates

In honor of Fair Housing Month, join me, Rashanah Baldwin, as I interview Cassandra "Ms. Cass" Sneed — Principal Broker of the Aspire Group powered by EXIT Strategy Realty. 🏡✨

Ms. Cass is more than a REALTOR® — she’s a connector, educator, and powerful advocate for community growth. In this episode, she shares her journey in real estate, her passion for serving diverse communities across Chicago and the suburbs, and the importance of bridging real estate and community service.

We dive into:

• Her impact through organizations like R.A.G.E., the Dovetail Project, and more

• Tips for first-time homebuyers and seasoned investors

• How community engagement and real estate go hand-in-hand

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Let's celebrate leaders making a difference — one neighborhood at a time. 🏡💬

#FairHousingMonth #SomeoneYouNeedToKnow #RealEstateMatters #MsCass #HousingEquity #Podcast

In this week's episode, Rashanah revisits a conversation from 2020 when COVID was just beginning to spread throughout the U.S., she chats with Corey Mays, a retired NFL linebacker turned angel investor and motivational speaker about life after professional football, business strategies for entrepreneurs, small business owners to stay connected, and business tips for how entrepreneurs can pivot during COVID-19. Corey Mays is an angel investor, entrepreneur, mentor, keynote speaker, and volunteer with various organizations that give back globally in the Chicago community. He currently serves as President of the NFL Alumni Chicago Chapter and is Co-Chair of the Economic Empowerment Committee for the 100 Black Men Chicago Chapter.

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know? Visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com

In this episode of Someone You Need to Know, Rashanah reflects on the memories and life of Harold Lee Rush.

Harold Lee Rush was a radio personality, Chicago legend, and historian who passed away on Jan 1. 2022

Harold was my mentor, teacher, and trusted advisor. He saw appreciation for my work and mission to change the negative narrative about Englewood into a positive one when I was only blogging about the Good In Englewood and sharing on social media. Harold was nice enough to share the mic with me and carved out 10 minutes of his airtime to allow me to launch “What’s Good In Englewood’ with Shanah B, a weekly segment on WKKC’s 89.3 FM radio station during Harold’s shift. For over six years, I shared the mic with Harold, where we reported on Good News in the neighborhoods, not just Englewood but also surrounding Black communities. This led to many media spotlights and profiles, such as the front cover of the Chicago Tribune, Huffington Post, and PBS Documentaries. Harold was alongside me in every one of these media profiles.

Harold was unapologetically Black with an infectious laughter who touched the lives of countless individuals beyond the city of Chicago, held an impeccable passion for history that goes far beyond any historian I know, and had a lover Bid-Whiz!

Harold made an everlasting impact in his radio career, impacting many students at Kennedy King King, online, and worldwide.

Harold, you will be truly be missed, and your radio silence is deafening. Rest In Power HLR.                                                                                      

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know, visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com

In this episode, Rashanah chats with Danielle Perry who serves as the Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer (CROO) for Illinois. They explore the challenges of the Illinois Cannabis industry, the licensing process, how many minorities have been granted licenses, and the new policies implemented to make improvements in the process ensuring that the social equity component addresses the communities impacted by "The War On Drugs" and ensure those communities get a fair shake in obtaining cannabis licenses.

Danielle was appointed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker after legalizing Adult Use of Cannabis, she works with 13 state agencies to direct the regulation and taxation of the Illinois cannabis industry.  Her priorities for the office are ensuring Illinois reaches its social equity goals through community reinvestment, diversifying the industry, and expungements. Within her first year, Danielle led the expungements of nearly half a million cannabis-related arrest records.

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know, visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com

In this week's episode, Rashanah revisits Spring 2020 when Cornavirus was fairly new to the United States and each state was handling mandates differently and many industries were forced to adapt. In May of (2020) Rashanah chatted with international film director, producer, and writer Mark Harris on what the new normal will become for the film industry as the world deals with the pandemic of COVID-19.

Mark Harris is the owner of 1555 Filmworks and is a self-taught filmmaker. His movies have come out to the major distributor and he’s self-distributed many of his earlier films and sold hundreds of thousands of copies in the US and overseas. Mark was born and raised in the Englewood community of Chicago. His projects have been seen in movies theaters around the world and on stations like BET, Starz, TV-One, and even distributed on Netflix. Mark is known for spotlighting local businesses in Chicago in his films, hiring local talent as well as casting some of Hollywood’s highly sought-after actors.

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know, visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com

Rashanah revisits a conversation with Oren Jacobson, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director of Men4Choice. Men4Choice organizes male allies in the fight for reproductive freedom in support of the leaders of this movement – which are the women and individuals impacted by the anti-abortion movement’s constant and growing attacks.

In this present time of November 2021, the supreme court is considering cases regarding states like Texas and Mississippi that are opposing Roe vs. Wade, in some states making abortion illegal after 6 weeks of pregnancy.

This conversation is just as relevant as it was a year ago when Rashanah chatted with Oren about the need to vote in all elections, especially in local elections, and how he is organizing here in Chicago and beyond for residents to use this voice to vote.

The phrase “Vote Like Your Life Depends On It” rings loudly and consistently during these uncertain times in our world. The then 2020 presidential election became "one for the history books" as it was an extreme battle between political parties that seemed to get muddy and gritty during their presidential debates and campaign rallies. Rashanah gets in-depth with Oren Jacobson, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director of Men4Choice, on why the millennial generation & generation Z need to show up in full force at the polls, the importance of local elections, consistency in voting during all election cycles, accountability with police reform, impacting policy, using your vote to voice for your concerns, women’s reproduction rights, plus more!

Oren Jacobson is a civic entrepreneur, organizer, thought leader, and consultant focused on helping communities and organizations build the strength and capacity necessary to drive tangible systemic progress.

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know, visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com

In this week’s episode, Rashanah revisits a conversation with Ted Williams, III who explains why the then 2020 presidential election is more important than any other U.S. election. A year later and it seems our democracy is still up for grabs.

It’s now October 24, 2021, and the Democrat-led Freedom to Vote Act has failed to pass Congress as the bill was filibustered by Republicans. The bill is aimed at strengthening voting rights and essentially overhauling the nation's election system, however, there is a stalemate in Congress between Democrats and Republicans. 

In October 2020, Williams explains why voting in all elections is important, Ice Cube’s Black Agenda, how President Trump became president, and past policies of former Vice President Joe Biden. Williams also shares how he is keeping his students informed about the role civics plays in our everyday lives.

Ted Williams III has taught Political Science at Wright College, Chicago State University, and currently is the Chairman of the Social Science Department at Kennedy-King College. He holds degrees in Public Policy Studies from the University of Chicago and Rutgers University and is the former host of WYCC-PBS television’s The Professors weekly talk show. He has provided political commentary for BET-TV, WGN-TV, NBC-TV, Upfront with Jesse Jackson, PRI’s Smiley and West, WVON radio, and a host of periodicals.

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know, visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com

In this recent episode of “Someone You Need To Know”, Rashanah chatted with Emmy Award-winning veteran journalist Harry Porterfield. Porterfield is a well-respected journalist, attorney, violinist, and retired WBBM-TV anchor who has worked in broadcast since 1955. Porterfield shares how the award-winning TV series “Someone You Should Know” came into fruition.

Porterfield shares how the award-winning TV series “Someone You Should Know” came into fruition. The Emmy TV series aired on WBBM-TV CBS 2 in Chicago From 1977 to about 2015, where Porterfield interviewed extraordinary people who did incredible work, made everlasting impacts in the world, and overcame many physical hurdles. In this conversation they explore the state of journalism in 2020, covering the pandemic, covering former president trump, and the objectivity journalist must maintain. Even after Porterfield’s retirement in 2015, he stills stays abreast of the news while relaxing and enjoying time at home with his family in Gary, Indiana.

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

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Rashanah revisits her conversation with Kanesha Baynard, who is a professional and personal certified life coach, educator, facilitator, blogger, crafter, and inner wellness author featured on the Dr. Oz Show.

There is no shock that COVID-19 has impacted everyone's mindset and mental health, affected business, impacted relationships, and, most importantly, relationships with self.

Kanesha teaches her clients the importance of self-love, living boldly, exploring inner wellness, and more!

Kanesha is the author of The Self-love Playbook for #boldthinkers, 52 Powerful Questions: A Journal and Planning Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs, and Focus on What Matters: A Guided Journal.

Kanesha works with non-profit organizations, wellness groups, caregiving resource providers, women business owners, leadership teams, youth organizations, and individual clients to improve productivity habits, manage mental wellness through creativity, expand outreach opportunities through focused brainstorming sessions, and provide life skill mapping.

Kanesha has over 20 years of experience as an educator, leadership developer, and curriculum designer. She was a secondary teacher for eight years, served as a K-12 professional development administrator, and oversaw the teacher certification program at a large university. She holds degrees in Spanish, secondary education, educational leadership, and linguistically diverse education. She is also has a certification in life coaching.

Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [email protected] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB

Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know, visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com