Airgo

Black Youth Project has joined forces with AirGo for a year-long #BYPSpotlight series, featuring our favorite Black academics and activists. This month’s #BYPSpotlight episode is with New Yorker columnist, professor, and organizer Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, who hops on the line with us in the midst of this shelter-in-place period. We discuss the relationship between her writing and her organizing work in Chicago, understanding the ways that racism is at the core of COVID-19's destruction, the implications of pegging human needs to profit motives, and much more. Read Keeanga's excellent piece The Black Plague in the most recent New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-black-plague Recorded 4/24/20 remotely Music from this week's show: Park - Isaiah Rashad

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Zain Bullie, a high school teacher and mentor at Uplift High School, a social justice CPS school in Uptown. Bullie breaks down what the transition to online learning has been like, how he and his fellow teachers have adapted to be there for both their students and their students' families, some of the humanizing potential of this crisis, and more. Check out Kuumba Lynx: https://www.kuumbalynx.com/ Learn about Uplift Community HS here: https://uplifths.cps.edu/ NOTE: AirGo has created the COVID Stimulus Redistribut

Climate Changemakers is a 5-part podcast series, showcasing and celebrating leaders in equity work and climate action across Illinois, presented by Elevate Energy. This episode's guest is Juliana Pino, the policy director at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) in Chicago. At LVEJO, Juliana analyzes, researches, and advocates for environmental justice, climate justice, and economic justice in local, state, and federal environmental policy. Recorded back in Early March, Juliana discusses the challenges that COVID exacerbates in Little Village and other environmentally unjust communities. NOTE: This was recorded before the recent demolition of the HILCO smokestack in Little Village. Juliana discusses the site of the demolition, but the devastating demolition had not yet happened. To learn more about the demolition and it's effects, check out this recent episode of the Hoodoisie, featuring Juliana: https://www.facebook.com/thehoodoisie/videos/1122529154767343/ Learn about Elevate Energ

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. On this episode, the guys talk with Alice Kim and Timmy Châu of the Prison Neighborhood Arts Project. They share info on what's happening inside Stateville Prison, where they both teach, connect dots between this crisis moment and the prison industrial complex's decades-long destruction of parole and other types of prison release programs, and explore the particular dangers and opportunities of this moment in relation to organizing and militarism. Help get people out of Illinois prisons: https://www.freethepeoplecoalition.org/ Learn more

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode features a series of conversations recorded with people currently detained at Cook County Jail, who describe the conditions they're experiencing. The interviews are conducted by the Invisible Institute's Maira Khwaja and produced by South Side Weekly Radio's Erisa Apantaku. The piece first ran on SSW Radio–thanks to both of them for allowing us to share their work! Join the Bond Fund's Call-in Campaign: https://chicagobond.org/2020/04/09/call-the-city-of-chicago-to-demand-they-drop-their-opposition-to-release/ Collage by J M

In collaboration with the Chicago Public Library, AirGo has produced this bonus episode exploring the legacy of Harold Washington. Dame and Kiss sit down with four young people here in the city to discuss the impact Chicago's first Black mayor has had on their lives, whether they know it or not. Thanks to Sylvia Ewing, who curated the piece as part of a scheduled birthday celebration at the Library that has been postponed due to COVID-19, and to the four young people–Denzel Burke, Faith Epting, Amir Leonard, and Nisa Anna Perez–for sitting down with AirGo and sharing their thoughts. Check out the Harold Washington Collection on the CPL website: https://cdm16818.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rhwc/search/searchterm/Harold%20Washington%20Archives%20%26%20Collections/field/collec/mode/exact/conn/and Photo by Antonio Dickey

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez of Chicago's 33rd Ward. Rossana talks about how her office is supporting mutual aid work without coopting it, what City Council looks like right now (not much), and what hard lines the mayor and governor need to be taking to keep people safe. Read the Right to Recovery legislation demands: https://actionnetwork.org/campaigns/right-to-recovery Learn about everything that the 33rd Ward office is doing: https://33rdward.org/covid-19-resources/ Recorded 4/12/20 in Chicago Music from this

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Dennis Kosuth. Dennis is a nurse in Chicago Public Schools, at Provident Hospital in Washington Park, and now inside of Cook County Jail. He gets on the line to talk about last week's shutdown of the ER at Provident Hospital, what he observed and experienced taking care of the people being held in Cook County Jail, what this moment means for CPS students, and how he stays struggling for a world less rooted in greed and profit. Sign the Petition to keep the Provident ER open: https://www.change.org/p/elected-officia

From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home. This episode's guest is Sharlyn Grace, who is a cofounder and the Executive Director of the Chicago Community Bond Fund. She talks about the front lines work CCBF is doing to protect and free the 4500+ people currently held in Cook County Jail, where the COVID infection rate is 40 times that of the rest of Chicago, and shares how y'all can contribute to their current call-in campaign. Participate in the call-in here: https://chicagobond.org/call-in/ Recorded 4/6/20 in Chicago Music from this week's show: On the Line - Isaiah Rashad

The guys are doing okay. From the isolation of our homes, AirGo is presenting a series called On the Line, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the people putting their bodies on the line to help us all survive and heal. Over the next few weeks, we'll be hopping on the line with workers in the health care, educational, governmental, organizing, and prison abolition spheres to talk about what their work looks like right now, and what we can do to help as we isolate our physical bodies at home.. On this first episode, Damon and Kiss check in about how their quarantines have been and answer some listener questions. Recorded 4/6/20 in Chicago

Each month this year, we're going to revisit an episode from the 200+ episodes in the AirGo Archives and bring that conversation back to the forefront. This month, we're revisiting our conversation with the magnificent recording artist Saba from 2015. Since then, Sab has ascended to a global spotlight–he killed a feature on Dreamville's collaborative Revenge of the Dreamers III, has released two critically-acclaimed projects Bucket List Project and CARE FOR ME, and now lives in LA with his brother Joseph Chilliams and his partner(who you may have heard on last week's episode). At the time of recording, Sab had recently released Comfort Zone, a beautiful project that solidified his spot as one of Chicago's hottest rising stars, and was about to play a show at Township, a small venue in Logan Square–the venue sold out so quickly that they ended up moving the show the day before. We talk about his craft, the solidification of Pivot Gang, and much more. Recorded 11/18/2015 on WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from th

Back before the world turned upside down, Dame and Kiss kicked it in LA with the wonderful Qurissy, a Chicago native and member of the community here who recently moved to Los Angeles. Qurissy is a portrait photographer, designer, art director, and visual creator whose photography has shone a lens on so many members of the arts world in the city that we showcase and celebrate. She's the Art Director at Gumbo Media, a multimedia company that curates content, experiences, and services to expand the narrative of Black life. We talk about her transition to LA, cohabitating with her boo (who's an AirGo alum), developing one's eye, and much more. Plus, some damn good jokes from the guys and a little constructive feedback time, since Qurissy is a regular listener of the show. Get in the pre-pandemic time machine! Follow Qurissy: http://instagram.com/qurissy Recorded 2/3/2020 in Los Angeles Music from this week's show: Uptown - Podington Bear Rebelion - Joe Arroyo

Sitting on your couch? So is our resident AirGo DJ. Daniel aka DJ Empathy returns with a new #coronamix for you couch potatoes out there. Sit back and enjoy. Songs on this mix: Everybody Wants to Rule the World - @themind Moon River - Frank Ocean CYANIDE - Daniel Caesar Time Alone - Jacob Collier x Daniel Caesar Break In - @themind Yo Love - Vince Staples x Mereba x 6lack Antidote - Orion Sun Mixed 3/28/20

Climate Changemakers is a 5-part podcast series, showcasing and celebrating leaders in equity work and climate action across Illinois, presented by Elevate Energy. This episode's guest is Suzy Schlosberg, the Co-Director of the Chicago Youth Alliance for Climate Action. A senior at Whitney Young High School, Suzy is also on the steering committee for the Ready for 100 Chicago Collective and is a student intern at the Sierra Club office. Learn about Elevate Energy and their 20th anniversary: www.elevateenergy.org/ Check out the Chicago Youth Alliance for Climate Action: https://www.cyaca.org/ Recorded 2/23/20 in Chicago

Well, that escalated quickly. In the first week of Chicago’s social distancing and self-isolation due to COVID-19, AirGo takes a moment to wish you and yours some love, and share some laughs from a recent recording session. We’ll be back next week with full AirGo episodes. Keep your hands washed and your hearts full! Recorded 3/18/20 in Chicago

Unelectable is an live podcast event series that engages electoral politics through the filter of radical imagination. AirGo and Black Youth Project are using the 2020 election cycle to have tangible conversations about impactful issues dismissed as being too big or unrealistic by mainstream political media. Vol. 1 happened on Feb. 26 at the Silver Room in Hyde Park, and featured Ald. Jeanette Taylor and Chicago Teachers Union VP Stacy Davis Gates. It was a great conversation about what protecting the public looks like, what elected officials need from movement workers, and how we learn about politics in the classroom. Check out Black Youth Project: http://blackyouthproject.com/ Recorded 2/26/20 in Chicago Music from this week's show: Burn - Lava La Rue

Time stands still sometimes for Benjamin Earl Turner. The emcee, writer, craftsman, and intellectual has a theory and praxis for his writing and music-making that creates some of the most remarkable raps in the world, in which he can challenge himself and his listeners to see themselves, their shortcomings, and the complexity of their spirits. Dame and Kiss went to his home studio in Burbank, CA for a sitdown that turned to an all-nighter, which we are releasing in two parts. On part 2, Benjamin tells a mythical story, talks through how he's thinking about masculinity and growth, and a remarkably comprehensive beef with the 20th century. Music on this week's episode is all from @benjaminearlturner's album Bad Nature, which you should stream now!: soundcloud.com/benjaminearlturner/sets/bad-nature Follow Benjamin on twitter: twitter.com/benjaminearltea Recorded 1/30/2020 in Burbank, CA

Time stands still sometimes for Benjamin Earl Turner. The emcee, writer, craftsman, and intellectual has a theory and praxis for his writing and music-making that creates some of the most remarkable raps in the world, in which he can challenge himself and his listeners to see themselves, their shortcomings, and the complexity of their spirits. Dame and Kiss went to his home studio in Burbank, CA for a sitdown that turned to an all-nighter, which we are releasing in two parts. On part 1, we talk about finding his craft, his bond with Damon, and the magical summer of 2012 that he spent creating and growing in Chicago. Part 2 drops next week! Music on this week's episode is all from @benjaminearlturner's album Bad Nature, which you should stream now!: https://soundcloud.com/benjaminearlturner/sets/bad-nature Follow Benjamin on twitter: https://twitter.com/benjaminearltea Recorded 1/30/2020 in Burbank, CA

As part of our #BYPSpotlight series, Dame and Kiss talk with Jawanza Malone. Jawanza is the Executive Director of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, or KOCO, a nearly 50 year-old community stalwart fighting for the communities of the Kenwood Oakland neighborhood. Jawanza talks about his journey as a father, living in Fred Hampton's legacy, the fight for a Community Benefits Agreement in connection to the new Obama Presidential Center, and more. Learn more about KOCO: https://kocoonline.org/about-us/ Support the CBA fight: http://www.obamacba.org/ Join the fight to lift the rent control ban: https://www.ltbcoalition.org/ Recorded 1/18/20 in Chicago

Debbie Southorn knows how to throw down. Debbie is the cofounder of the city's Black and Pink chapter, was a central figure in the #NoCopAcademy campaign, and is a founding member of We Are Dissenters, a new group activating students toward anti-militarism and anti-war organizing on college campuses. She also works at the American Friends Service Committee, a century-old Quaker social justice organization. We talk about her path into the work, DINOSAURS, dealing with serious burnout, the impacts of militarism, and more. Follow Debbie: http://twitter.com/madlittledebbie Check out We Are Dissenters: http://wearedissenters.org NOTE: Leave AirGo a rating and review! It helps new folks find the show, and gives us the validation we deeply crave. Recorded 1/27/20 in Chicago Music from this week's show: I Can See It - Darksunn