The Coalitions are necessary in working to solve the climate crisis. They are often composed of people with different experiences, perspectives, needs, and opinions. So how do we secure a win with such a coalition? Rev Yearwood speaks with Jane Fleming Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and President of Bold Alliance. She shared her experience as a former young activist, building the Cowboy Indian Alliance, and ongoing pipeline fights.
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The Black church has played a major role in many social justice movements. There is a history of politicians and the climate movement being transactional and extractive with Black churches. Rev Yearwood speaks with Rev. Michael Malcom, the Executive Director of Alabama Interfaith Power and Light. He shares insight on the performance of worship, the role of the Black church in the movement, and the intersections of church and climate.
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Many grassroots organizations have found themselves in a competition for support from donors. Unfortunately, organizations vying for attention have created a circumstance where groups step on each other for resources, leaving those who need help the most buried.
Rev Yearwood speaks with Actress, Activist, and Author Alyssa Milano about her work connecting organizations to people on the ground in the movement. Alyssa dives into the realities of being a celebrity activist, cancel culture, and the backlash for speaking up for justice.
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Historically in the United States, building new or better communities hasn’t always benefited people of color in these areas who have been systematically oppressed due to tactics like redlining and gentrification.
President Biden’s proposal of the Build Back Better plan will include investments in infrastructure and is projected to create 10 million clean-energy jobs. Expenditures would also have government funds on housing, education, economic fairness, and health care.
Rev Yearwood Speaks with Dr. Cecilia Martinez, Senior Director for Environmental Justice, CEQ, about a whole government approach to EJ and creating clean energy jobs in communities worst impacted. Dr. Martinez shares strategies and ideas of Building Back Better and fossil-free in this episode of The Coolest Show.
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The fight for Energy Justice has an adversary posing as a friend. The fossil fuel companies have begun to use their tactics in the clean energy space by taking indigenous lands to create solar farms in Hawaii and other island nations that have historically depended on their energy solutions from outside sources. Rev Yearwood speaks with Raya Salter, the “Climate Auntie,” an attorney, consultant, educator, and the Lead Policy Organizer for the NY Renews Climate Justice Coalition.
Raya explains the energy fight through the lens of the people being affected first and worse by showing how much income is lost in paying energy bills. Also, she shares how she became involved in the movement as the Climate Auntie and how social media has become her platform to spread awareness and joy with her climate family.
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Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. is the host of The Coolest Show. He is also the President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, a minister, community activist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and one of the most influential people in hip hop political life. As a national leader and pacemaker within the climate movement, Rev Yearwood challenges the establishment, media, and policymakers to reimagine climate solutions as racial justice. He uplifts people of color who have dedicated their lives to climate and environmental justice. And, he stands up for communities who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, having been arrested more times than he can count as an activist in the streets. He hosts The Coolest Show so the smartest, most dedicated, and passionate leaders, who he admires, can have a platform to share their stories and truths.
