On this episode of the Legal Lens podcast, my conversation with Dr. Sydney McKinney, Executive Director of the @nationalblackwomensjustice5728, explores the unfortunate cycle of the criminalization and “over discipline” of Black girls in schools and the lifelong consequences that follow.

In this clip, she highlights how the data reflects a pattern that repeats across nearly every discipline category tracked by researchers.

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This week’s episode of the Legal Lens podcast features Dr. Sydney McKinney, Executive Director of the @nationalblackwomensjustice5728.

Building upon the book, Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, by Dr. Monique Couvson (formerly known as Monique W. Morris), along with the supporting documentary @pushoutfilm5140, Dr. McKinney and I discuss this unfortunate cycle, along with how the early severe discipline of Black Girls in schools connects to their potential tagging and subjection to the criminal justice system – creating a lifelong cycle that becomes difficult to break.

Dr. McKinney, with a PhD in sociology and a master’s in Law and Society from NYU, plus a master’s in public health from Columbia. has spent nearly two decades in research and evaluation on this topic, along with other critical topics impacting Black women, girls and children.

In this clip she shares how school pushout, juvenile legal contact, and later-life outcomes are more connected than most people realize.

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How Do We Create the Schools that Black Girls & Other Children Deserve?

“Listen to Black girls. We know that they know what the answers are.”
– Dr. Sydney McKinney, Executive Director of the @nationalblackwomensjustice5728

On the newest episode of The Legal Lens podcast, I am joined by Dr. Sydney McKinney, Executive Director of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI).

Our conversation is data-driven and deeply personal, centered on the unfortunate cycle of the criminalization of Black girls in schools and the lifelong consequences that follow.

In this clip, Dr. McKinney focuses on why the individuals closest to the problem – young Black girls – often hold the clearest answers.

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On the latest episode of the Legal Lens podcast, I am joined by Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Founder and CEO of the @HipHopCaucus , for a sweeping conversation that connects environmental justice, litigation, voting rights, and the power of culture as organizing tools.

In this clip, we look at how Rev. Yearwood connects his mother’s words to the long-term importance of participation in democracy.

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On this episode of the Legal Lens podcast, my conversation with Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Founder and CEO of the @HipHopCaucus explores voting rights, climate and environmental justice, and challenges this generation of leaders to consider what true legacy means.

In this clip, we discuss the growing concern around data centers, land use, and who bears the cost when profit and public health collide. Rev. Yearwood highlights why community advocacy and legal action continue to matter in these debates.

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This week’s episode of the Legal Lens podcast features Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Founder and CEO of the @HipHopCaucus in a discussion about environmental justice, community health, and the ways climate and environmental policy affects everyday life.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. is a Senior Advisor for Bloomberg Philanthropies and is one of today’s most innovative advocates for racial and climate justice.

He was one of 50 changemakers selected for Forbes’ inaugural Sustainability Leaders list in 2024. He has been recognized as a White House Champion of Change for Climate Leadership and has been called a “New Green Hero” by Rolling Stone.

Raised in an area called “Cancer Alley,” a region in Southeastern Louisiana extends approximately 85 miles along the Mississippi River and causes some of the highest rates of cancer in the U.S,, Rev. Yearwood brings a lived perspective to the conversation around air quality, water access, and the unequal burden placed on Black and Brown communities.

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“100 years from now, most of us will not be here but the work that we leave behind will be. What [the next generation] will care about will be clean air and clean water … and that generation that’s not even born yet will tell us, “Thank you.” “ – Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Founder and CEO of the @HipHopCaucus

On the newest episode of the Legal Lens podcast, I sit down with Rev. Yearwood Jr. for a conversation on climate justice, the consequences of not voting, and using culture to change the world.

🔍 In this clip, the focus is on how today’s choices can shape the lives of people who will come after us. Rev. Yearwood reminds us that civic work is not only about the present moment, but also about the future it helps build.

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On this episode of the Legal Lens podcast, I sit down with Nadine Smith, President and CEO of @colorofchange, to discuss her views and the work of Color of Change relating to technology, civil rights, and the growing role of AI in everyday decision-making.

🔍 In this clip, Nadine addresses concerns about algorithmic discrimination and surveillance technologies, including their potential impact in areas such as employment, education, consumer pricing, and public safety.

She emphasizes the importance of public awareness, accountability, and collective engagement as these technologies become more widespread.

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On this episode of the Legal Lens podcast, I am joined by Nadine Smith, President and CEO of @colorofchange for a conversation about civil rights, civic engagement, and organizing in the digital age.

Celebrating its 20th year anniversary, in this clip, Nadine shares the founding framework behind Color Of Change: identify the source of harm, examine who benefits from it, and build community power to pursue change.

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This week’s episode of the Legal Lens podcast features Nadine Smith, President and CEO of @colorofchange.

Our conversation covers the work of the organization in advocating in this current social and political climate with use of their “sand in the gears” strategy.

Using this strategy, they and other organizations around the country have quietly racked up wins against the current agenda, and what it means to organize Black people and other communities of color and disenfranchised communities in the digital age.

Nadine draws on her years of experience and advocacy in the state of Florida, including her work with Equality Florida, to discuss how local organizing, legal advocacy, and civic participation can influence public policy.

In this clip, she describes a “sand in the gears” approach: sustained action that challenges harmful proposals and requires decision-makers to account for their choices.

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