On today’s Making Contact, journalist Juan González discusses his new book, Reclaiming Gotham.  He chronicles the evolution of the growth machine in America’s cities – from redlining and racial covenants in the early 20th century, to land grabs and privatization in the 21st – and the rise of progressive alliances to reclaim them. Featuring:  Juan González, … Continued


On this edition of Making Contact, we’ll examine how young people are using spoken word as a mechanism for social change.  The show also will explore how Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam has challenged mainstream culture and created spaces that welcome and encourage marginalized communities to speak up about their life experiences – all through poetry. Featuring:  Kayla Kitchen; … Continued


Making Contact

Fallen Heroes of 2017

Thousands of local social justice organizers, activists and other leaders passed away this year. People doing crucial work in their communities, whose deaths didn’t make the headlines.  On this edition of Making Contact, as we do every December, we’ll hear about some of the fallen heroes of 2017.   Featuring:  Dick Gregory, comedian and civil … Continued


When one or both parents are incarcerated the family is also incarcerated and are adversely affected in profound ways that exacerbate existing structural inequalities and struggles. Programs for inmates and families like FamilyWorks and the Storybook Program, encourage rebuilding and maintaining relationships despite being separated by prison. The Osborne’s FamilyWorks program, the first comprehensive parenting … Continued


Two neighborhoods — Boyle Heights in Los Angeles and Crown Heights, Brooklyn New York — are experiencing the gamut of changes associated with gentrification. And some are pushing back against those who would cash in on the eviction and displacement of longtime residents. On this edition of Making Contact we hear how one Crown Heights … Continued


In the last three years, Fantastic Negrito, an Oakland-based black roots revivalist has gone from busking at bus stops to winning a Grammy and touring internationally. He’s done this by creating a unique sound — melodic hooks, primal blues-rock chords, clever lyricism, a killer falsetto, and in-your-face social consciousness. On this week’s Making Contact, we … Continued


Master filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished, Remember This House. The result is a radical, up-to-the-minute examination of race in America, using Baldwin’s original words and flood of rich archival material. I Am Not Your Negro is a journey into black history that connects the past of the Civil Rights movement … Continued


Making Contact

Making Contact – October 27, 2017

Covering the movements, issues and people fighting for some of the most important social justice issues of our time. Hosted by Marie Choi, Monica Lopez, RJ Lozada and Anita Jonhson. Sign up for program alerts and sneak peeks from Making Contact at http://ow.ly/1FkV30aq1z2