73.  The Sounds of Us

73. The Sounds of Us

Author: African American Policy Forum December 18, 2025 Duration: 1:04:35
Music has long been central to the fight for freedom—the rhythmic heartbeat of the struggle for justice. From Beyoncé to Shaboozey to L’il Nas X and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, Black artists have sparked a much-needed conversation about the rich legacy of Black artistic achievement in multiple genres of American music. This episode celebrates the Black roots of country, blues and folk music by bringing together a dynamic group of artists and scholars to reclaim this often ignored history. Guests: Jake Blount (Musician and Historian), Amythyst Kiah (Banjo Player and Historian), Amanda Ewing (Luthier), Tim Wise ( Writer and Racial Justice Educator), Denitia Odigie (Musician). Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, produced by the team at the African American Policy Forum Sr. Podcast Producer /Mixer Nicole Edwards Find more on our show and the African American Policy Forum at ⁠aapf.org⁠ Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Beyoncé, DeFord Bailey. Follow the podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠Bluesky⁠ Check out our special series on the attack against CRT and DEI called ⁠United States of Amnesia: The Real Histories of Critical Race Theory Donate to our show

Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term itself, Intersectionality Matters! brings the framework of intersectionality from academic theory into the heart of contemporary conversation. This podcast, presented by the African American Policy Forum, examines how overlapping social identities-such as race, gender, class, and sexuality-shape individual experiences of discrimination and privilege. Crenshaw, a foundational scholar of critical race theory, guides listeners through nuanced discussions that connect legal analysis, current events, and cultural critique. Each episode tackles pressing issues in the news, from voting rights and economic justice to political movements and pop culture, demonstrating how a single-axis view of inequality often falls short. The dialogue here is rigorous yet accessible, featuring conversations with activists, thinkers, and community organizers who are on the front lines. Listening to this podcast provides the analytical tools to understand the complex, interconnected nature of power in our society. It’s a space where the personal, the political, and the structural collide, offering clarity on why seeing problems through an intersectional lens is not just an intellectual exercise but a necessity for meaningful advocacy and change. You’ll hear deep dives into policy, law, and the stories that define our moment, all grounded in the reality that our struggles and liberations are deeply linked.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Intersectionality Matters!
Podcast Episodes
64. Election 2024 Round Table, Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
Welcome to AAPF's Election 2024 Round Table, Part 3! There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives, be…
63. Election 2024 Round Table, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:25
Welcome to AAPF's Election Round Table Series, Part 2! There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives,…
62. Election 2024 Round Table, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:12
There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives, between now and election day, the African American Poli…
61. Why We Need Police Reform [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
Attorney Ben Crump joins host Kimberlé Crenshaw and members of the #SayHerName Mothers Network to spotlight the ongoing fight for justice for the killing of Sonya Massey by police. Warning: this episode contains graphic…
60. Tennessee: Tip of the Spear in the Fight for Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:34
It’s Freedom Summer 2024! We’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964, and kicking off our annual Critical Race Theory Summer School in the locus for the recent attacks on racial justice and democracy:…
59. A moment with Tim Wise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:31
Join host Kimberlé Crenshaw behind the scenes at the African American Policy Forum in this series of brief, intimate conversations on intersectionality and how we can use it to interpret and navigate our multiracial demo…
58. A moment with CJ Hunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:50
Join host Kimberlé Crenshaw behind the scenes at the African American Policy Forum in this series of brief, intimate conversations on intersectionality and how we can use it to interpret and navigate our multiracial demo…
57. Never Too Much: The Untold Story of Luther Vandross [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:45
Guest Dawn Porter, director of Luther: Never Too Much, joins host Kimberlé Crenshaw to discuss a new Luther Vandross biopic. They explore Luther's unmatched artistry, the intersections of the pop star's lived experience…
56. The Revolutionary Act of Self Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
Guest host Shermena M. Nelson is joined by Huru founder Imani Joye Samuels to discuss the life-saving importance of rest for Black women. They also unpack strategies for creating a sustainable, effective self care practi…