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Season Six

Greening America’s Cities Pt. 1 w/ Russell Armstrong, Marquees Harris Dawson, Richard Garcia, and Skipp Townsend

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Assistant Producer Destiny Hodges takes the reins, filling in for Rev Yearwood, and sits down with an inspiring lineup of guests to delve into the transformative world of urban greening.

In this episode, Destiny leads discussions with Russell Armstrong from the Hip Hop Caucus, Marquees Harris Dawson, Councilmember for District 8 of Los Angeles, Richard Garcia of Alma Backyard Farms, and Skipp Townsend, CEO of 2nd Call. 

Our guests share their experiences in championing environmental justice and empowering Black and Brown communities to reclaim their land. They explore the urgent need for policies that prioritize the well-being of marginalized communities. Through dialogue, advocacy, and education, they’re spearheading the development of vibrant green spaces and fostering economic development and climate resilience to create thriving neighborhoods across Los Angeles. Tune in as we uncover the inspiring stories and strategies driving the urban greening movement!

This episode is supported by Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America’s Cities initiative.

About the Bezos Earth Fund

The Bezos Earth Fund is transforming the fight against climate change with the largest ever philanthropic commitment to climate and nature protection. It is investing $10 billion in this decisive decade to protect nature and drive systems-level change, creating a just transition to a low-carbon economy. By providing funding and expertise, it partners with organizations to accelerate innovation, break down barriers to success, and create a more equitable and sustainable world. Join the Bezos Earth Fund in its mission to create a world where people prosper in harmony with nature.

About Greening America’s Cities

The Greening America’s Cities commitment is one of the largest-ever funding initiatives to put money directly into the hands of community organizations, where it can most effectively address urgent environmental and economic justice priorities. With missions that include land reclamation, native plant and tree cultivation, green workforce development, and urban farming support, these organizations are true leaders in their communities. Greening America’s Cities was launched in July 2023 as a multi-year $400 million initiative through 2030. The first round of funding totaling $50 million is currently supporting 30 organizations working on urban greening in and around the cities of Albuquerque, NM, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA and Wilmington, DE.

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Season Six

Colorado River Basin: It Goes, His People Go w/ Daniel Cordalis

In this episode of The Coolest Show podcast, host Rev Yearwood engages in a discussion with Daniel Cordalis, a distinguished member of the Navajo Nation and Staff Attorney at the Native American Rights Fund. Together, they delve into the pressing issue of the Colorado River Basin’s dwindling water supply, a lifeline for 40 million people across multiple states and Tribal Nations. The conversation unfolds to reveal the stark reality of a “mega drought” that has plagued the region since 2000, resulting in the river losing a staggering 10 trillion gallons of water. As the basin faces its first federally declared water shortage and earns the ominous title of the most endangered river in the U.S., Yearwood and Cordalis shed light on the profound impact on communities

They dissect the socio-economic disparities underlying such water usage patterns, emphasizing Cordalis’s crucial role in advocating for equitable water rights and addressing the systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities within the Colorado River Basin. Through their insightful exchange, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between water scarcity, environmental justice, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions in safeguarding our most precious resource.


The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Season Six

Yes, Black People Are in Alaska: Part 2 w/ Chad Brown

Chad Brown is the Founder & President of Soul River Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting inner-city youth with the outdoors through transformative experiences. Chad has focused his efforts on empowering marginalized communities to engage with nature and become stewards of the environment. In Alaska, Chad has been instrumental in leading expeditions and educational programs that highlight the importance of protecting the state’s fisheries and ecosystems. Through his work, he combines his love for the outdoors with a commitment to social justice, inspiring individuals to connect with nature and advocate for environmental sustainability.

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood engages in a deep conversation with Brown, delving into the intricate relationship between Alaska’s fisheries, the cultural significance of salmon to Indigenous communities, and the perilous impacts of the climate crisis and corporate interests in the region.

Support: https://soulriverinc.org/

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Season Six

Yes, Black People Are in Alaska: Part 1 w/ Alyssa Quintyne

Alyssa Quintyne is a Bajan-American community organizer, musician, researcher, and artist based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Her artwork subverts the artistic trope of Black women portrayed in positions of servitude. Her organizing is centered in intersectionality, democracy, accessibility, and communal healing and action in response to the impacts of industry and the climate crisis.

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood speaks to Quintyne about artivism, the critical condition of Alaskan fisheries, and the role of Black women and femmes in creating a climate just future.

Support: https://www.gouachebody.com/

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Season Six

Trouble in the Water: Mississippi River w/ Sikowis Nobiss

The Mississippi River has shaped much of American history–from colonization and forming borders to enslavement and “Manifest Destiny.” This river basin is the largest drainage basin in the US, the second longest river in North America, and runs almost the entire length of the US before flowing into the Gulf of Mexico through southeast Louisiana. It covers about 40 percent of the continental United States, providing drinking water for nearly 20 million people. This lifeline for the nation is constantly facing challenges due to pollution from “big agriculture”, saltwater intrusion, the climate crisis, and more. These issues disproportionately affect the health, livelihoods, and cultural practices of Black and Indigenous communities in the region. 

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood speaks with Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Director of The Great Plains Action Society. They delve into the historical context of how these issues have evolved and the intersectionality of environmental racism in the Mississippi River Basin. 

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com!