Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

Hall of Fame Georgetown Basketball Coach John Thompson would have been 79 years old today. On his birthday, we're commemorating his life, career, and the impact he had on those he knew and coached, including Mark himself, who worked under Coach as Manager of the Georgetown Men's Basketball team from 1986-88. The first conversation is with the iconic Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, who led Coach's teams to three Final Fours and a National Championship. Their intimate discussion is followed by another legendary name who also considered Coach to be like a father to him, NBA Hall of Famer and Georgetown Hoya Dikembe Mutombo. And finally Mark speaks with journalist David Aldrige, who interviewed Coach countless times and developed a friendship and deep respect for him over the years. Aldridge is the Editor-in-Chief of the Athletic D.C., and has worked for nearly 30 years covering the NBA and other sports for Turner, ESPN, and the Washington Post. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple

If you're feeling anxious about misinformation campaigns surrounding the 2020 election, your fears are justified; according to Ashley Bryant and Andre Banks, Co-Leaders of the Win Black/Pa'Lante Initiative, Black voters were the #1 target in 2016, where foreign actors flooded social media platforms impersonating Black leaders and reached millions of followers, driving voter suppression and record-low turnout in the general election. In today's episodes, Ashley and Andre detail how their campaign and partners are using specialized methods to prevent misinformation in this 2020 election cycle and additionally how they're engaging African-American and Latinx voters in battleground states. MORE INFORMATION HERE: WinBlack.org Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redci

Tom Perez says the RNC had a lot of "happy talk" about things like health care and the coronavirus response, but the tales are detached from reality. Outside of the Republican bubble, a hurricane clobber cities, the state of California is on fire, and a racial justice crisis is continually unfolding across the country. As the Chairman points out, despite the love stories being told at the convention about Trump's record, the only president to have a worse jobs record than Trump is Herbert Hoover. CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS HERE: iwillvote.com *This episode originally aired as a Facebook Live on 8/27, which you can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/MakeItPlain/videos/1044960409307953 Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today's episode begins with Congresswoman Karen Bass, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus who was recently a contender for Biden's VP. She shares her reaction to the attempted murder of Jacob Blake, the House's efforts to hold police accountable for murdering innocent civilians, her thoughts on the attacks against Sen. Kamala Harris since her appointment as Biden's running mate, and the criminality of the Trump administration. She's followed by another Carmen Perez, who is the President and CEO of The Gathering for Justice. She discusses the organization's 15th anniversary, which lands the day after today's March on Washington. While protesters and police forces clash nationwide in the name of Black Lives Matter, Carmen discusses the intersection of Latinx and Black movements, and how police are trying to deter people from protesting by sticking organizers with felonies. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additiona

Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs, is BACK for this week's installment of #ThursdayKos and we finally get to hear his thoughts on Joe Biden selecting Senator Kamala Harris for VP, reflections on the Democratic Convention, and why he and Mark are both shook by Kimberly Guilfoyle's shouting, errr, I mean, speech, at the RNC, among other strange & sloppy program features. Markos also assesses the state of the U.S. Postal Service and has some helpful tips on making sure your vote gets counted. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, says the phenomenon of today in Black America is the working poor: great jobs, prestigious degrees, but salaries that haven't kept up with inflation and therefore keeps Black people earning an average of $30,000 dollars less than white families per year. And that's just one piece of the pie, as we're facing a health crisis that is spurring on an economic crisis, and simultaneously is the racial justice crisis. Ahead of this Saturday's March on Washington, Marc explains how "we have an opportunity to stand on [Martin Luther King's] shoulders." More information on the march here: https://nationalactionnetwork.net/register-for-nans-march-on-washington-get-your-knee-off-our-necks/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Op

DeAndra Dycus' son was just 13 years old and attending a birthday party when he was shot in the back of the head, which took away his ability to walk and speak. After she got her son home from the hospital, DeAndra was mobilized and sprung into action, linking up with Everytown Survivor Network and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America to share her story and the word on gun safety. In today's episode she tells her tale of tragedy-turned-to-activism, and what might be in the cards for her in the future (like maybe a run for office!). Check out DeAndra's profile in PEOPLE Magazine here: https://people.com/crime/dnc-convention-indiana-mom-teen-survived/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com(  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There's a lot of criticism and theories on millennials -- entitled, wasteful, lazy...but Jill Filipovic is subverting these assumptions in her new book "Ok Boomer, Let's Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind." The millennial generation is living on the edge of poverty not because of avocado toast, but because of a country with a faulty structure of poor policies, created largely by the Baby Boomer generation -- and millennials are taking the hit for it. But as Jill discusses in today's episode, millennials are handing back the inequalities they've been served. BUY HER BOOK! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/OK-Boomer-Lets-Talk/Jill-Filipovic/9781982153762 Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

At the top of the show Mark talks to former Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Kirschner who breaks down Steve Bannon's arrest (which was handled by the Postal Inspection Service, also known as the Post Office Police...as Mark calls it, "poetic justice"). We then get to hear from two of the keynote DNC speakers: first is Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari on Marquida Bradshaw making history as the first black woman to be the nominee for a major party in a statewide race in Tennessee, followed by Congressman Malcolm Kenyatta on Black men, criminal justice, and Senator Kamala Harris. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"When I think about Black women, we're not allowed to stumble," says Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. But she also recognizes the strength it takes to be Black in America, and she sees that in Senator Kamala Harris, making her that much more hopeful for a Biden/Harris victory in November. She joins the show to discuss the Democratic Convention, for which she is acting as a surrogate for the Biden/Harris campaign, and also shares some interesting in information on the RNC, happening in her city next week. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Listen to Black women, win with Black women -- that's our strategy for the 2020 election. Each week we'll hear from powerful Black women on their strategies, concerns, and plans of action leading up to November, because we don't just want the presidency, we want the whole dang hill. We're kicking this series off with a killer lineup, featuring Jotaka Eaddy, Convener of the #WinWithBlackWomen Movement, Founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies, Mamee Groves, Hospitality Professional for the largest private club company in North America, Karen Finney, Communications Strategist for the Democratic Party & CNN Political Commentator, Christina Cue, Former Obama Administration Official, Staffer for Castro and Warren Campaigns, Lead Principal of OneCue Management Group, and LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter Movement. Share this episode and hashtag #WinWithBlackWomen Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: mak

It's Democratic National Convention week and today's episode features two distinguished Black female congressional leaders who are currently serving as surrogates for the Biden/Harris campaign. First you'll hear from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who thinks that, in light of Senator Kamala Harris' appointment as Biden's running mate, this is an important moment to understand the history of Black women in the United States. We also hear from Congresswoman Terri Sewell who pulls no punches when discussing what's at stake on the ballot: our very lives. She also shares what she thinks of Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling the House back in session to save the United States Postal Service. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Until recently, Igor Volsky, Executive Director of Guns Down America, considered himself an expert on the level of corruption happening inside the NRA; but when he read the details of New York Attorney General Tish James' lawsuit against the organization, he admits to being completely floored -- he had no idea it ran this deep. In today's episode you'll hear all the ways that Wayne LaPierre got reimbursed with NRA funds, also known as the money made off members, for all sorts of egregious behavior. And in doing so, they're breaking the laws of the IRS, and the IRS doesn't like it when they don't get their share of the money. All this, PLUS Igor talks about what a Biden/Harris presidential team can mean for gun reform & some information on the recent spike in gun violence in certain cities. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Adver

Today's episode features a panel of three powerful Black women discussing Senator Kamala Harris' appointment as Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 election. Guests include Errin Haines, Founder and Editor of The 19th News, Reecie Colbert, Founder of BlackWomenViews Media, and Sharon Pratt, Former Mayor of Washington D.C.. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Congresswoman Maxine Waters predicted Senator Kamala Harris would be Joe Biden's pick for Vice President, and now she's celebrating that nomination in today's episode. She looks ahead to the Biden/Harris 2020 campaign and how Senator Harris might handle the inevitable criticisms ahead. On the subject of Trump, the congresswoman directly confronts his most recent dangerous behavior, including his embrace of Russia and Putin, his erratic Tweeting, and his use of military force against protestors in Portland. "I wouldn't be surprised if he has to be taken out," says the congresswoman on Trump losing the election and potentially refusing to leave the White House. Auntie Maxine is speaking, kids, so listen up! DONATE to her 2020 re-election campaign: https://maxinewatersforcongress.com/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inqui

The jobs report is more complicated than just how many jobs were added. That's an important piece of the conversation, says Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, but considerations must be made well beyond that marker. Gaining 1.8 million jobs in July is definitely a good thing--but we're still in a MASSIVE deficit (to the tune of 12.9 million jobs) since February. And it should come as no surprise that ALL of this has been harder on the Black community. Mark and Chad break down the need-to-know information on jobs, unemployment benefits, and the state of the economy in today's episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jaime Harrison knows South Carolinians concerns, because he grew up with similar ones. In his bid for Lindsey Graham's senate seat, he's been connecting with voters on the issues that matter most to them: access to quality healthcare (especially in rural areas), small businesses burning out and job losses from coronavirus, and food insecurity that was prevalent even before the pandemic hit. In today's episode, he not only addresses how he plans to take on the state's biggest challenges, but he also points to exactly how Lindsey Graham has no time for his constituents, but plenty of time to make appearances on Sean Hannity's show. South Carolina is in need of a change -- Lindsey Graham is standing in the way, so Jaime Harrison is stepping up. DONATE: jaimeharrison.com Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redci

The word "fascism" gets thrown around a lot these days -- but do we know exactly what we're saying? Dr. Jason Stanely, professor and author of the book "How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them," has studied the patterns of behavior throughout history, including the likes of Hitler, Putin, and now Trump. He breaks the ideology down into 10 pillars that make it easy to recognize and identify, and now especially in the midst of a pandemic, we can see how it is coming to life here at home. Mark and Jason get into the topics of propaganda, conspiracies, the media, the news cycle, coronavirus, and more in this wide-ranging lesson on fascism. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mark Sumner, author and writer at DailyKos, has been writing about coronavirus since December of 2019, before the U.S. had even counted its first case. He's written more than 100 stories on the virus, and he remembers the day of March 13th when Donald Trump, flanked by multiple big-box CEOs, promised extensive testing and tracking across the country. But as we know now, that didn't happen -- not even close. So, now we must ask: did Trump commit criminal negligence or genocide through malice? Mark Sumner says it deserves to be investigated, and the Marks crack into all that and more surrounding this virus, including some insight and information on where we stand with developing a vaccine. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Confederate Cindy is not just another clever Internet meme -- it's the nickname for Mike Espy's opponent; you might remember her for saying she'd attend a public hanging if invited. Mike Espy, the former Secretary of Agriculture and Representative of Mississippi's 2nd District, is now the Democratic nominee to take the Senate seat away from the Trump sycophant who considers the Confederacy to be the "best part of Mississippi's history." But in addition to opposing Cindy Hyde-Smith's blatant racism, Mike Espy has plans to nurse Mississippi back to health from coronavirus, where cases are currently spiking as the pandemic shines a spotlight on the state's already-broken healthcare system. He also wants to expand food stamps, get more money into school districts, and oh yeah, he believes in SCIENCE. Hear his plans for Mississippi's future and the stories that helped shape them in today's episode. DONATE: espyforsenate.com Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Bri