Author: DeJuan Cross

In this special Memorial Day episode of The Coolest Show Podcast, host Rev Yearwood delivers a heartfelt message encouraging listeners to take time to rest, relax, and enjoy their holiday. Acknowledging the importance of reflection and rejuvenation, Rev Yearwood underscores the significance of Memorial Day as a time to honor those who have served while also taking a moment for self-care and connection with loved ones.

Looking ahead, Rev Yearwood offers an exciting preview of upcoming episodes, with June dedicated to celebrating Black Music Month. He teases a lineup of engaging conversations and deep dives into the rich history and cultural impact of Black music. Listeners can look forward to a series of thought-provoking and entertaining episodes that highlight the contributions of Black artists and the enduring legacy of their music in shaping society. This Memorial Day message sets the stage for a vibrant and inspiring month on The Coolest Show.

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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In this special episode of The Coolest Show Podcast, host Rev Yearwood steps into a different role as he delivers a heartfelt commencement speech at Paul Smith’s College. The occasion is particularly poignant as Rev’s son, River Yearwood, is among the graduates of the class of 2024. The episode captures the essence of the moment, filled with pride, hope, and the weight of responsibility that comes with stepping into the future.

Rev Yearwood’s speech is a stirring message of hope and inspiration. He emphasizes the critical role the graduates will play in shaping a better world, urging them to embrace their responsibilities with courage and determination. Drawing on his own experiences and the challenges faced by previous generations, Rev imparts wisdom on the importance of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to justice and sustainability.

As the graduates prepare to embark on their new journeys, Rev Yearwood’s words serve as a powerful reminder of their potential to effect change. He highlights the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and political issues, encouraging the class of 2024 to be leaders in their communities and beyond. This episode of The Coolest Show is not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a call to action for the next generation of change-makers.

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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In the latest episode of The Coolest Show Podcast, hosted by Rev Yearwood, listeners are treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse as the producers, Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, Destiny Hodges, and DeJuan Cross, take the stage. As the sixth season unfolds, this special episode serves as a comprehensive update on the intersection of climate, culture, and politics. With a fervent dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices, the podcast dives into pressing current events, dissecting their implications on our world and collective future.

The Producers provide invaluable insights into the latest developments shaping our planet and society. From climate action initiatives to cultural movements and political shifts, they navigate the complex landscape with clarity and passion. They offer a roadmap for what’s to come on The Coolest Show, teasing upcoming guests and topics that promise to provoke thought and inspire action. With their finger on the pulse of change, they invite listeners to join them on this journey towards a more just and sustainable future.

As season 6 unfolds, The Coolest Show Podcast continues its mission to elevate voices, challenge norms, and spark meaningful dialogue. Through the expertise and dedication of its producers, listeners can expect nothing short of engaging discussions that delve deep into the pressing issues of our time. From climate justice to cultural transformation and political reform, this podcast remains a vital platform for those passionate about creating positive change in our world.

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

In this episode, Destiny leads Dr. Manuel Pastor, director of USC Equity Research Institute, and Sissy Trinh, Executive Director, Southeast Asian Community Alliance (SEACA-LA). 

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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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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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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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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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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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! 

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In this episode of “The Coolest Show,” Tamara Toles O’Laughlin engages in a dynamic conversation with Heather McTeer Toney. As the Executive Director at Beyond Petrochemicals, Heather leads the charge in pioneering sustainable practices, championing environmental justice, and bridging gaps in the energy sector. With a stellar background, including her impactful collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, Heather delves into her multifaceted experiences and contributions to climate advocacy. The conversation unfolds to explore her recently released book, “Before the Streetlights Come on,” where she artfully weaves narratives that highlight the intersection of race, resilience, and the environment. Heather and Tamara delve into the pressing issue of climate change disproportionately affecting Black communities, addressing systemic challenges and advocating for solutions that empower and uplift. This episode promises an enlightening exploration of Heather’s influential journey, her current endeavors, and the pivotal role of climate justice in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.

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! 

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