The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The RealPower.TV Podcast, Kenn sits down with Kayla Griffin, Esq., President of the Cleveland NAACP, to discuss the importance of civic engagement, voting rights, and the role of the NAACP in advancing social justice. The conversation explores leadership and responsibility, voter participation and democracy, and community empowerment, with a focus on how these issues affect Cleveland, the Black community, civic leadership, and political power.

Key Topics Covered:

The role and legacy of the NAACP

Importance of voting and civic engagement

Challenges facing democracy and voter participation

Leadership responsibility in social justice work

Community empowerment and youth initiatives

Guest Bio:

Kayla Griffin, Esq., is the President of the Cleveland NAACP and a dedicated advocate for voting rights and community empowerment. She serves as the Ohio State Director for All Voting Is Local and has worked extensively in public service, including with the City of Cleveland, focusing on youth violence prevention and community initiatives. With a background in law, public administration, and community organizing, Griffin is a leading voice in advancing civic engagement and protecting democracy.

Why This Conversation Matters:

This conversation matters because it highlights the critical role of civic engagement and voting in shaping the future of communities. It connects directly to issues of representation, democracy, and accountability, emphasizing how organizations like the NAACP continue to play a vital role in protecting rights and empowering marginalized communities.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Ohio's Supreme Court is 6-1. One seat stands between that court and a clean sweep, and it belongs to Justice Jennifer Brunner. It's on the ballot November 3rd.

Kenn Dowell and Dr. Heather E. Burton, joined by Judge Michael Nelson, break down what that last seat decides and what happens to checks and balances in Ohio if it goes. Recorded live on The RealPower Radio Show, WOVU 95.9 FM.

Get the stories behind the vote at RealPower.TV:
https://realpower.tv/join/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=brunner-supreme-court-seat

The RealPower Radio Show airs live Tuesdays, 12 to 1 PM, on WOVU 95.9 FM.

Eight days. That's how long it took. The Supreme Court decided Louisiana v. Callais on April 29, and by May 7 Tennessee had cut Memphis into three Republican districts. The state's only majority-Black congressional seat is gone.

Kenn Dowell breaks down who moved, how fast, and what it costs. With Callais, the Court gutted the main protection Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act gave Black voters, and Tennessee didn't wait a minute to use it. State Rep. Justin J. Pearson called the new maps "racist tools of white supremacy." The legislature also scrapped its 50-year ban on mid-decade redistricting on the way through.

The real question is who's next. If your vote can be redrawn out of existence in eight days, you'd better know who's holding the pen.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Power, politics and Cleveland, from inside the rooms where the decisions actually get made. Kenn Dowell breaks down who holds power, who is losing it, and what the moves mean before they hit the news.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode of The RealPower.TV Podcast, Kenn sits down with General Demetrius Harvey to explore whether Black masculinity is being fundamentally reprogrammed or if we are witnessing a significant power shift in society. The conversation dives deep into cultural dynamics, identity, and structural changes, focusing on how these shifts impact leadership, family structure, and community stability in Cleveland and beyond.

Key Topics Covered:

Notable Moments:

- [ 04:15 ] – [ Defining strength in the modern Black man.]

- [ 21:10 ] – [ The value of listening to the "OGs" (Original Gangsters/Elders) ]

- [ 48:50 ] – [ Demetrius shares a personal story of tragedy and overcoming adversity]

- [1:06:40] – [ Is therapy being used to escape responsibility? ]

Guest Bio:

General Demetrius Harvey is a respected leader and voice for personal development and community accountability. His work focuses on self-discipline, financial literacy, and strengthening the family unit, helping men navigate the complexities of modern society with poise and purpose.

Why This Conversation Matters:

This conversation matters because it highlights how black media and independent journalism are reshaping political awareness and civic engagement at the local level. It connects directly to questions of leadership, accountability, economic power, representation, and the future direction of communities in Cleveland and across the United States.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The RealPower.TV Podcast, Kenn sits down with Bilal Akram (Code M Magazine) and Terry Murphy (Fresh Lyfe) to discuss the role of black media, economic ownership, and community leadership in shaping political power. The conversation explores how media influence, health disparities, and entrepreneurship intersect, with a focus on how these issues affect Cleveland, the Black community, civic leadership, politics, business, and power.

Key Topics Covered:

The decline and evolution of black media platforms

Food deserts and their impact on community health

Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment

Financial literacy and ownership in Black communities

The role of leadership, mentorship, and community support

Notable Moments:

01:35 – The history and decline of Black media in America

08:20 – Food deserts and their impact on health outcomes

17:10 – Nutrition, natural health, and lifestyle changes

26:30 – The importance of economic support within the community

41:10 – Financial literacy and building long-term wealth

Guest Bio:

Bilal Akram is a media entrepreneur and the founder of Code M Magazine, focused on storytelling, culture, and community influence.

Terry Murphy is the founder of Fresh Lyfe, a brand centered on health, nutrition, and empowering communities through better lifestyle choices.

Why This Conversation Matters:

This conversation matters because it highlights how black media, economic ownership, and community leadership directly influence political power and long-term sustainability in Black communities. It connects to broader issues of leadership, accountability, economic power, representation, and the future direction of communities across the United States.

Organization: Code M Magazine, Fresh Lyfe

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode of The RealPower.TV Podcast, we sit down with entrepreneur Akin Affrica to uncover one of the most intense comeback stories ever told in Cleveland’s Black business community.

From growing up around a historic Black-owned hotel, to surviving street life, multiple prison sentences, and even being shot, Akin’s journey is a raw reflection of pain, survival, and transformation. Today, he stands as a successful entrepreneur behind a growing soul food empire and real estate portfolio.

This conversation goes beyond business—it’s about identity, redemption, discipline, and building legacy after destruction.

Key Topics Covered:

Growing up in Cleveland’s Black business legacy environment

Street life, crime, and early survival decisions

Prison, identity change, and spiritual transformation

Rebuilding life through entrepreneurship

Building Angie’s Soul Cafe and other businesses

Real estate growth and generational wealth mindset

Survival after violence and life-threatening experiences

Lessons on redemption, purpose, and legacy building

Notable Moments:

00:00 – Intro: From the Pews to Policy Presents Akeem Africa

01:30 – Growing Up in Cleveland's Black-Owned Hotel

05:45 – The Legacy of Akeem’s Father & the Carnegie Hotel

12:00 – The Collapse After His Father’s

15:20 – From Hotel to Projects: Falling Into the Streets

20:10 – Drug Game, Car Hustles, and Early Crime Life

25:50 – Juvenile Time & Learning to Hustle Young

30:40 – The Arcade Robbery Story + High-Speed Chase

35:55 – His First Prison Sentence & Changing His Name

40:00 – Deep Spiritual Journey and African Identity

45:30 – Building Businesses After Prison

50:10 – Angie’s Soul Cafe: The Legacy of His Mother

54:45 – Real Talk on Generational Wealth & Will Planning

59:00 – Carolina’s, Evolutions & Early Entrepreneurial Hustles

1:03:00 – Prison Again: Charge & Lessons Learned

1:06:15 – Craigslist Hustles & The Grease Trap Story

1:10:45 – Opening Multiple Angie’s + Real Estate Moves

1:15:20 – Owning 130+ Doors & Real Estate Philosophy

1:19:50 – Zanzibar Shooting: What Really Happened

1:25:40 – Living After Being Shot: Reflections on Survival

1:29:10 – Why He Took Cash Out of His Businesses

1:31:50 – Thoughts on Brotherhood, Redemption, and Purpose

1:35:00 – Final Message: It’s Never Too Late to Change

1:37:00 – Outro: The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell

Guest Bio:

Akin Affrica is a Cleveland-based entrepreneur, restaurateur, and real estate investor. After overcoming incarceration, violence, and hardship, he rebuilt his life through business ownership and community-driven entrepreneurship, becoming a symbol of resilience and transformation.

Why This Conversation Matters:

This conversation matters because it highlights how trauma, environment, and adversity can either destroy or build leaders. Akin Affrica’s story shows that redemption is possible and that legacy can be rebuilt through discipline, vision, and entrepreneurship.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Episode Summary:

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Umar Johnson delivers an unfiltered perspective on the condition of Black America, focusing on relationships, family structure, education, and cultural responsibility.

The discussion explores how strong families, healthy relationships, and self-love play a critical role in rebuilding Black communities. From dating dynamics to community accountability, this episode examines the deeper social systems affecting Black empowerment and generational progress.

This is a raw, thought-provoking conversation about identity, leadership, and the future of Black unity.

Key Topics Covered:

Relationships and Black family structure

Empowerment of Black women and men

Dating, love, and community responsibility

Education system and Black youth development

Cultural identity and self-determination

Economic and political awareness in Black communities

Building stronger, independent institutions

Notable Moments:

00:00 – Opening: Idol Worship & Cultural Reality

01:00 – Defining Freedom & Black Autonomy

02:00 – Reflection on Black Struggle

03:00 – Yoruba Name & Cultural Identity

06:00 – Childhood & Early Influences

08:00 – Family Roots & Historical Legacy

10:00 – Spiritual Destiny & African Identity

13:00 – Trauma and Purpose Disruption

16:00 – Revolution vs Rebellion

18:00 – Responsibility in Oppression

20:00 – Political Power & Black Vote

23:00 – Systemic Racism & Allyship Debate

26:00 – Education System & Black Boys

30:00 – FDMG Academy Vision

33:00 – Lack of Institutional Support

36:00 – Funding Black Education Systems

40:00 – Teacher Representation in Schools

44:00 – School-to-Prison Pipeline

48:00 – Economic Impact of Relationships

52:00 – Black Love & Family Structure

56:00 – Welfare System Impact

59:00 – Faith, Church & Political Silence

01:04:00 – Black Economic Blueprint

01:06:00 – Education Reform

01:09:00 – Pan-Africanism

01:12:00 – African Federalism

01:18:00 – Media Influence & Hollywood

01:23:00 – Independence of Black Communities

01:26:00 – Allyship vs Reality

01:31:00 – Africa, Land & Resources

01:35:00 – Leadership & Resistance

01:38:00 – Faith & Accountability

01:42:00 – Community Consequences

01:46:00 – Youth Empowerment

01:48:00 – Healing & Liberation

01:50:00 – Closing Reflections

Why This Conversation Matters:

This conversation matters because it highlights the urgent need to address education, family structure, and cultural identity in Black communities. It challenges viewers to think critically about relationships, leadership, and long-term empowerment strategies.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The RealPower.TV Podcast, Kenn sits down with civil rights attorney and law professor Dr. Ayesha Bell Hardaway to discuss whether America should pay reparations to Black Americans. The conversation explores the legal foundation of reparations, historical injustices, and economic inequality, with a focus on how these issues affect Cleveland, the Black community, civic leadership, politics, business, and power.

Key Topics Covered:

The legal foundation for reparations in the United States

Historical harm and systemic injustice against Black Americans

Comparisons with reparations given to other communities

Economic impact and the racial wealth gap

Political and legal challenges of implementing reparations

Notable Moments:

00:00 – Intro: Should America Pay Reparations?

01:30 – Meet Dr. Ayesha Bell Hardaway

03:00 – Is America Legally Obligated?

05:45 – Legal Grounds for Reparations: Tort Claims & Precedents

09:00 – Why Black Americans Were Skipped Over

12:15 – Unique Harm of American Chattel Slavery

14:00 – Legal Hurdles: Standing & Proving Descendancy

17:45 – Past Reparations: Japanese, Native Americans, Holocaust

20:00 – The Moral Argument: "Where’s My Chain?"

23:30 – National vs. Individual Responsibility

26:00 – What Reparations Could Look Like

30:30 – Evanston's Model: Home Lending & Redlining

33:45 – Proof, Genealogy & Identity Challenges

37:00 – Economic Healing: What If We Invested in Black Communities?

41:00 – Can America Afford Reparations?

44:00 – Collective Good vs. Individualism

47:00 – Education, Political Will & Changing the Narrative

50:00 – Final Thoughts from Dr. Hardaway

Guest Bio:

Dr. Ayesha Bell Hardaway is a civil rights attorney and professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Her work focuses on social justice, civil rights litigation, and addressing systemic inequality through legal and policy reform.

Why This Conversation Matters:

This conversation matters because it addresses one of the most critical and unresolved issues in American history—reparations for Black Americans. It connects directly to questions of leadership, accountability, economic power, representation, and the future direction of our communities.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The RealPower.TV Podcast, Kenn sits down with Dr. Umar Johnson to discuss the hidden truth behind Black education in America. The conversation explores systemic racism in schools, the misuse of special education programs, and how Black leadership in cities like Cleveland impacts education, politics, and community power.

Key Topics Covered:

Weaponization of special education against Black boys

Systemic failures in the public school system

Black leadership and political/economic betrayal in Cleveland

The “5 Families of the Black Bourgeoisie” concept

Mass organization and self-determination for Black communities

Notable Moments:

00:00 – Introduction and framing the discussion on Black education

21:25 – Dr. Umar discusses “Psycho-Academic Holocaust” and school system control

33:04 – Breakdown of the 1994 Crime Bill and its long-term impact

49:14 – FDMG School update and challenges

1:07:42 – Vision for building Black Wall Street and economic independence

Guest Bio:

Dr. Umar Johnson is a psychologist, educator, and Pan-Africanist known for his outspoken views on Black empowerment, education reform, and institutional independence. His work focuses on advancing Black unity, self-determination, and cultural awareness.

Why This Conversation Matters:

This conversation matters because it directly addresses the structural failures in education that continue to impact Black children and communities. It connects education policy, systemic racism, and community leadership in Cleveland and across America, while challenging viewers to rethink how power, schooling, and political influence shape future generations.

The RealPower.TV Podcast with Kenn Dowell. Cleveland-born, Glenville-raised. Never afraid to say what needs to be said.

Read, watch and listen at realpower.tv