Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

Throwback episode! As we battle COVID-19 variants, we’re looking back on this conversation with Dr. Michael LeNoir, one of the nation’s top Black physicians, AAWP Founder and past president of the National Medical Association. Last winter, he released a PSA campaign that addressed the disproportionate effects COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, on the Black community. Dr. LeNoir also speaks to concerns that are circulating within the Black community regarding the safety of the coronavirus vaccine. Check out the PSA campaign here: https://digitalmedia.vnr1.com/2020/11/03/2020-070_AAWP_LenoirPSAs/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Texas Republicans are attempting to pass some of the most egregious voter suppression laws in the country, so Democrats left the state in order to prevent the laws from passing. The Poor People’s Campaign stands in solidarity with those legislators fighting for voting rights, and their leadership, including the Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, gathered with thousands of constituents and supporters alike over the weekend to stand up against Republicans and voter suppression. In a caravan of 151 cars, they traveled from Georgetown to Austin to represent the 151 years since the passage of the 15th Amendment, which guarantees the right to vote regardless of race or color. Distinguished Guests: Rev. Dr. William Barber II; Beto O’Rourke; Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III; Rev. Dr. S. Todd Yeary Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: http

It began as a lucky break that landed Noah Hurowitz on El Chapo’s beat, writing about his trial for drug trafficking and money laundering. Now, he put all his investigative work into his book “El Chapo: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Infamous Drug Lord,” which explores the Mexican kingpin’s rise to power. Noah also digs into the role of the U.S. government and how they use the war on drugs as a coercive element of foreign policy in Mexico--which is also the reason why they have no real desire to end the drug trade. Noah navigated one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists in order to fill out El Chapo’s story and form the pages of this book and he shares those stories today. Buy the book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/El-Chapo/Noah-Hurowitz/9781982133757 Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://red

Fox News has mentioned Critical Race Theory more than 1,900 times in the past 3 ½ months, with 901 mentions in June alone. That’s according to Media Matters for America, as we hear from Sergio Muñoz, Policy Director, who explains Fox News’ devotion to demonizing anything that can and should be used to promote true racial equity. And Fox is not only using the academic theory to sow division, but also to destabilize the midterm elections. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mark reconnects with Tim Black, Host of Tim Black TV (link below), to continue their discussion on H.R. 40, where they have different points of view on how reparations should be carried out in America. We also get Tim’s take on voting rights, the situation with the filibuster, and the frustration that sits at the core of his criticism of how Democrats are handling business on Capitol Hill. Tim also discusses Nina Turner’s run for a seat in the U.S. House in Ohio’s 11th District, and if she’s getting the type of support she deserves. And the conversation would not be complete without some analysis on the “psychology of a Karen.” Listen to Mark's appearance on TBTV here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBlQ4c4N_2Y Check out the rest of TBTV content here: https://www.youtube.com/user/TimsTakeLive/videos TBTV website: https://timblacktv.com/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcirc

Last week, Black male leadership gathered on Capitol Hill to protest the largest attack on voting rights since the civil war and reconstruction. An epic lineup delivers inspiration and hard truths about what’s at stake as we look to the next midterm and presidential elections. We close out the event with words from our very own Mark Thompson. After the speakers concluded, Mark and the other demonstrators were arrested for standing up for the right to vote. Speakers: Ty Hobson Powell, Community Activist in Washington D.C.; Tamir Harper, Assistant Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Richard P. Mattox, Senior Province Vice Polemarch of the Eastern Province of the National Social Action Chair of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; Kenneth Rogers, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; Mondale Robinson, Founder of the Black Male Voter Project; Daryl Jones, Transformative Justice Coalition; Mark Thompson, Host of Make It Plain with Mark Thompson Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distr

Last week, Black male leadership gathered on Capitol Hill to protest the largest attack on voting rights since the civil war and reconstruction. An epic lineup delivers inspiration and hard truths about what’s at stake as we look to the next midterm and presidential elections. Speakers: Francys Johnson; Hollis Lewis, Co-Chair of West Virginia Black Caucus; Rep. Troy Carter, LA-02; Rashad Robinson, President of Color of Change; Cornell William Brooks, Harvard Kennedy School; Rep. Hank Johnson, GA-04 Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Last week, Black male leadership gathered on Capitol Hill to protest the largest attack on voting rights since the civil war and reconstruction. An epic lineup delivers inspiration and hard truths about what’s at stake as we look to the next midterm and presidential elections. Speakers: Cliff Albright, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter; Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, MO-5; Wes Bellamy, National Co-Chair of Our Black Party; Rep. Ron Reynolds, TX-27; Rep. Jarvis Johnson, TX-139; Rep. Al Green, TX-9; Rep. Jamal Bowman, NY-16; Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. TX-18 Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Grant Stern is the Executive Editor of Occupy Democrats as well as host of the Only In Miami Show on Jolt Radio. He breaks down what’s happening in Cuba where the economic crisis, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in massive electricity outages and food and medicine shortages--and now, people are protesting the communist regime. Grant also gives us the inside scoop on Floridian politics, including why he thinks Rep. Val Demings can win the senate seat she’s running for, and what he thinks about the rumors that Gov. Ron DeSantis will run for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is a summer rerun episode! Mark returns next week, and until then, we're taking a look back at some of the year's best episodes. What would it look like to engage in nonviolent direct action consistently, through strategic organizing? That’s what Kai Newkirk (Founder of For All www.forallorg.us) and Rev. Stephen Green (Pastor, Scholar, and Activist) explain in today’s episode, as they discuss the piece they co-authored, “Why Kingian democratic socialism is the best path forward for the progressive left.” This is especially relevant in the context of our current society where unarmed Black people continue to be murdered by police. They also dig into why we need statehood in D.C. in order to make winning Georgia actually count and see progress on reparations. Read their article here: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2021/04/why-kingian-democratic-socialism-best-path-forward-for-progressive-left/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional

This is a summer rerun episode! Mark returns next week, and until then, we're taking a look back at some of the year's best episodes. In today's throwback, Rev. Dr. Willian J. Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign joined Mark in Selma to draw the startling connection between poverty and voting rights. Rev. Barber reminds us of the racist Southern Strategy from the 1960s and how it played out with not just Trump’s win, but continues to appear in the GOP’s ongoing efforts to suppress the vote of poor people and people of color. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is a summer rerun episode! Mark returns next week, and until then, we're taking a look back at some of last year's best episodes. We start with a tribute to the inimitable John Lewis, who passed one year ago on July 17th. Majority Whip Clyburn met Congressman John Lewis back when they were just John and Jim, marking the beginning of 60 years of friendship and activism that eventually propelled them both to Capitol Hill. Whip Clyburn recalls the day they met in 1960, not surprisingly brought together while organizing for action, as well as "one of the most memorable weekends" of his entire life that happened with John at his side. Hear their stories and Clyburn's dedication of this election year to John in today's episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is the third and final part of The Poor People Campaign's “Season of Nonviolent Direct Action,” which calls on congress to end the filibuster, pass all provisions of the For the People Act, restore and expand the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and raise the federal minimum wage to $15 dollars an hour. In this series finale, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chair of the Poor Peopls’ Campaign, moderates this session that gives specific instructions on how to move forward, organize, and accomplish the goals of this season of action. Get ready to get fired up and call your senator! Speakers: Attorney Shailly Gupta Barnes, Policy Director for the Poor People’s Campaign; Marianne Smith, Oklahoma Poor People’s Campaign Tri-Chair; Michael Marshall, Rochester Poor People’s Campaign; Rev. Carolyn Foster, Alabama Poor People’s Campaign; Rev. Kazimir Brown, Poor People’s Campaign *Producer’s Note: Women’s Moral Monday took place on Monday, July 19th Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: D

This is part two of The Poor People Campaign's “Season of Nonviolent Direct Action,” which calls on congress to end the filibuster, pass all provisions of the For the People Act, restore and expand the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and raise the federal minimum wage to $15 dollars an hour.   Head back to Friday, July 16th for part one of this inspiring event. Speakers: Rev. Leonina Arismendi, Iglesia Del Pueblo; Attorney Barbara Arnwine, Transformative Justice Coalition; Ezra Levin, Indivisible; Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Presybterian Church USA; Bishop Tavis Grant, Rainbow Push Coalition; Jean Stokan, Sisters of Mercy; Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, Maryland Poor People’s Campaign Faith Leader Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Earlier this week, Bishop William Barber and The Poor People’s Campaign held an event in Washington D.C. to launch a season of nonviolent direct action, supported by a coordinated effort of clergy and moral leaders and organizations, including SEIU, the Sunrise Movement and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. In today’s episode, we listen in on the first portion of that event, with inspiring words and harsh realities from some of the most powerful voices in the movement. National Moral Monday rallys will be held weekly until August 8th in a stern but peaceful attempt to save our democracy--Monday the 19th will be the women’s moral march on Washington. Speakers: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II; Attorney Roz Pelles, Vice President of Repairers of the Breach; Rev. Dr. Alvin O. Jackson, The Poor People’s Campaign; Linnell H. Stokes Fall, Maryland Poor People’s Campaign Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: ht

Dr. Amara Enyia is a strategist, social Innovation and social Impact professional, and public policy expert on city and state policy as well as international affairs/foreign policy with expertise in Central Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. But today, she comes to us as a representative for the Movement for Black Lives, and helps us understand the difference between the BREATHE Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. What she and Mark explore is that there is no justice in policing, and the BREATHE Act seeks to address what’s missing in the George Floyd act: putting resources into the community as opposed to law enforcement. Dr. Enyia also uses her expertise to help us understand what is happening in Haiti right now, following the assassination of the country’s president, Jovenel Moïse. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-O

You know Brittany Temple as the Producer behind the scenes of Make It Plain, but she’s also a writer and publisher of a bi-weekly newsletter, Write All Along. Her most recent issue was inspired by Bill Cosby’s release from jail--she wasn’t surprised it happened, and felt frustrated with the continued fixation on big headline stories, when sexual assault is happening in our communities every day. She chose to share her story in hopes of contributing to the collective strength of survivors who are standing up to say they won’t be silent about sexual abuse any longer. Brittany makes the point that, statistically speaking, we all know someone who has been sexually abused, and in order to create a supportive culture, we have to demand it by speaking up. Read her newsletter here: https://brittanytemple.substack.com/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-O

Eric Boehlert, Publisher of Pressrun.media, is back for our monthly dissection of political press coverage, and as usual, things are a sexist mess. Politico is on a mission to push VP Harris’ office as chaotic and inaccessible; whether or not that’s true, Eric can’t find any evidence of male politician’s offices being examined in the same way--and certainly not Pence or any VP before her. Eric also unravels the story surrounding award-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and the anti-Clinton donor and newspaper owner who set out to make sure the university wouldn’t hire her. And Eric also unpacks Tucker Carlson’s claims that the NSA is spying on him; turns out, he was trying to get an interview with Putin, potentially using some shady channels all the way back in 2019, and now his own network won’t even touch the story. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy

It’s time for our monthly analysis of the most recent job report with Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy and Priorities. Chad helps us understand the numbers in the report, as well as what makes the unemployment rate misleading. Chad explains why we are in desperate need of unemployment insurance reform, as Republican Governors across the country prematurely end the fully federally funded unemployment insurance benefits, which are scheduled to run until September.June Jobs Report with Chad StoneAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Depending on where you live in America, it might be hard for you to imagine that some people in this country are without access to high-speed or broadband internet (or in some cases, they can’t afford to buy access). That’s why HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge thinks these guarantees are necessary components of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which invests $65 billion dollars in expanding broadband access to all Americans, reduce the prices of high-speed internet, and complete overdue expansion of broadband on Tribal lands, in consultation with Tribal Nations. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy