What Matters?
Only we, as a community, can answer that. So, BLM brought four very different people together to have a candid community conversation about the issues that matter most to us. We can’t wait for any party or president to address the needs of our people directly. We have to do it ourselves.
The purpose of Black Lives Matter’s What Matters podcast is to explore how we can address our problems together rather than settling for the typical two-party system and accepting the lack of investment in Black communities that we’ve seen for decades.
Our community is diverse and multifaceted, and we recognize that no one-size-fits-all solution exists. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or by searching for “BLM Presents: What Matters” on your preferred podcast app.
Episodes
Get Out the Vote!
In this episode, we dive into the upcoming election and why our vote is a powerful tool for self-determination. We explore how voting extends beyond presidential candidates, impacting the local races and ballot measures that shape our everyday lives. We emphasize the significance of informed, down-ballot voting and holding elected officials accountable to give our votes real purpose. This episode highlights the necessity of staying engaged beyond election day, reminding us that voting is just the beginning of our work to build a better future for our community.
Resources and Organizations Mentioned
Reimagining Our Education
In this episode, we explore the deep inequities in our education system. Inspired by the Black Panthers’ Oakland Community School, we discuss how education can shift to a community-driven holistic model that uplifts and empowers students. We call for a radical reimagining of public education that prioritizes culturally relevant teaching, mental and physical well-being, and family engagement.
This conversation highlights alternative models like community-based schools and technological innovations, emphasizing the importance of advocating for our children’s education and creating schools that support their identities and limitless potential.
Resources and Organizations Mentioned
Building Our Economic Power
In this episode, we explore the deep economic disparities that persist within Black communities. Our hosts reflect on historic examples of Black economic success and discuss how systemic barriers, including the racial wealth gap, continue to affect Black entrepreneurship and job opportunities.
Through personal stories and expert insights, this episode highlights the urgent need for reparations, economic independence, and community-driven solutions that uplift Black businesses. Together, we envision a future where Black economic power is restored, and financial freedom is achieved through self-determination, wealth-building, and collective progress.
Resources and Organizations Mentioned
- Oakland & the World Enterprises
- A Full Circle Moment Honoring Elaine Brown and Continuing the Legacy
Keeping Our Community Safe
In this powerful episode of What Matters, we unpack the complex relationship between the Black community and policing, diving into the harsh realities of systemic racism embedded in law enforcement.
Join our hosts as they share personal stories and examine critical issues like racial profiling, qualified immunity, and the devastating criminalization of poverty. This conversation highlights the urgent need for alternatives to traditional policing, calling for transformative changes such as demilitarization, comprehensive policy reform, and community-led safety initiatives. Together, we envision a future rooted in public safety, where harmful policing practices are abolished, and empowered communities take the lead in keeping each other safe.
Resources and Organizations Mentioned
Host Bios
D’Zhane Parker
D’Zhane Parker is a seasoned organizer and passionate activist who has dedicated her life to advocating for marginalized communities. With Bachelor’s degrees in African American Studies and Organizational Communications from California State University of Los Angeles, D’Zhane has built a strong foundation for her work in social justice. Deeply influenced by her personal experiences growing up in a household impacted by mass incarceration and raised by a single mother who instilled in her a profound understanding of the societal challenges Black people face, D’Zhane was taught that being Black in America comes with inherent struggles – lessons that fueled her commitment to activism.
Xavier Buck
Xavier Buck, Ph.D. is a public historian, Founder of the Black Panther Party Museum, and the Executive Director of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, where he leads efforts to preserve the legacy of the Black Panther Party and foster new conversations on Black liberation. Based in Oakland, CA, Dr. Buck holds a B.A. from St. John’s University and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. With a passion for storytelling and education, he connects with audiences across generations. Whether through his social media platform @Historyin3, museum exhibitions, or public history, he forges pathways for the Black community to reflect, learn, and strategize for the future.
Joshua Joseph
Joshua Joseph is a 20-year-old political content creator on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube based in Chicago. He focuses on history, issues affecting the black community, and other
political issues from a progressive point of view. With a broad focus on debunking misinformation that is spread online, his goal is to help create a future in which we break down systemic oppression and uplift people everywhere.
Arial Robinson
Arial Robinson is a Multidisciplinary Artist & host of the What Matters podcast. Hailing from Charlotte, NC, with a degree in Multimedia Journalism from NC A&T, Arial is using her Southern background paired with her passion for storytelling to connect with audiences across the Black diaspora and beyond. By utilizing a combination of various mediums like photography, writing, art & fashion direction, print design, sound art, & most importantly, her voice, Arial is forging a new path for Black artists across the nation and world to embrace every facet of their being.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the organization.
In this podcast, BLM brings together four very different voices for a candid community conversation about the issues that matter most to us. We cannot wait for any party or president to address the needs of our people directly; we have to do it ourselves.
While we strive to present diverse perspectives, our goal is to foster an open dialogue and community-building. We invite your feedback and encourage you to join the conversation through our socials. As always, listener discretion is advised, and we encourage critical engagement with the topics discussed.
Thank you for supporting BLM as we continue to amplify voices in our community.