Rethinking Freedom

Ayayi
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This isn’t just a show—it’s a movement. A call to rise above limitations, to reclaim the power that’s already within you. Whether it’s freedom in your finances, your health, your rights, or your voice—we’re here to spark the change that leads to true liberation. With every story, every beat, and every conversation, we’ll inspire you to dig deeper, to challenge the status quo, and to chase the life you deserve. So, buckle up—this is the ride of your life, and inner freedom is our destination.

  1. 4d ago

    Making Sense of God and Christianity

    Educator and biblical scholar Gilbert Richards joins young thinker Kene Eneli for an intergenerational conversation about God, Christianity, and faith. Together, they wrestle with the contradictions within Christianity and explore what it means to understand and practice faith as men of African descent. Support the show

  2. Sep 14

    THE VOTE AND THE VETO: Black Voting Rights, Then and Now

    In one week, three moments in Black history — 68 years apart — collide on the calendar. The Civil Rights Act of 1957. The Little Rock Nine. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. All three come back to the same fight: who gets to vote, who enforces that right, and who has tried to violently stop it. That fight isn't history. It's happening in the U.S. Senate right now. In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we trace the full arc — from Reconstruction to Shelby County v. Holder to the current fight over the SAVE Act and mid-decade redistricting — and break down exactly what's at stake before the 2026 midterms. Plus: which organizations are fighting back right now, and the specific things YOU can do this week to protect the vote. We're also joined by Clayton Tucker, candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, for a conversation you won't want to miss. 🎙️ This Episode's Guest Clayton Tucker, Candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner www.claytontuckertx.com ✊🏾 Take Action — Organizations Fighting for the Vote Right Now NAACP Legal Defense Fund — litigation, election protection, poll monitor training https://www.naacpldf.org Black Voters Matter — "We Got Us" 2026 voter education & mobilization campaign https://blackvotersmatterfund.org Fair Fight Action — Southern states voter protection & mobilization https://fairfight.com NAACP — national town halls mobilizing Black voters ahead of the midterms https://naacp.org League of Women Voters — nonpartisan voter protection litigation & advocacy https://www.lwv.org Organize Tennessee — the poll-monitoring model other states are watching https://www.organizetennessee.org 📌 What You Can Do This Week ●Check your voter registration status ●Call your senators about the SAVE Act — find your senators' numbers + a script at 5calls.org ●Sign up to be a poll monitor (LDF / Black Voters Matter) ●Track redistricting litigation in your state ●Get on the alert lists for the organizations above #RethinkingFreedom #VotingRights #BlackHistory #SAVEAct #Midterms2026 #BlackVotersMatter #NAACP #TexasPolitics #ClaytonTucker Support the show

    THE VOTE AND THE VETO: Black Voting Rights, Then and Now

  3. Sep 7

    The Vote Is a Weapon

    US elections 2026: Your vote connects the fight over district maps to decisions about schools, healthcare, and your family’s future. So what’s at stake—and what can you do before November 3? In “The Vote Is a Weapon,” Rethinking Freedom host Aya Fubara Eneli examines Texas gerrymandering, voting rights, and the policy decisions shaping everyday life. She connects the headlines, examines the records, and makes the case for using your vote. IN THIS EPISODE: • Texas redistricting, racial gerrymandering challenges, and the Supreme Court’s role • Religion in public school classrooms • ICE enforcement and racial profiling concerns • DEI rollbacks and their impact on Black federal workers • Student loan limits and the stakes for HBCU families • Billionaire wealth, Medicaid, SNAP, and public health • The records and actions of Abbott, Patrick, Paxton, Buckley, and Hickland These issues reach beyond any one community. Understanding who makes the decisions is the first step toward holding them accountable. 💬 Which issue in this episode deserves more attention? Tell us in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for conversations about freedom, history, politics, and accountability. 📲 Share this episode with three people and start a conversation. 🔴 PREMIERES: Monday, September 7, 2026 at 7:00 AM Central Time 📻 Also on KRGN 98.5 FM & KVBM 104.7 FM 🗳️ TEXAS GENERAL ELECTION — NOVEMBER 3, 2026 • October 5 — Last day to register to vote • October 19–30 — Early voting • October 23 — Deadline for your ballot-by-mail application to be RECEIVED, not postmarked • November 3 — Election Day; polls open 7 AM–7 PM local time Check the official resources below for registration, mail-ballot eligibility, voting locations, and local schedules. REGISTER & PLAN YOUR VOTE Bell County voter registration Bell County ballot by mail Bell County early voting Bell County Election Day locations Texas voter information Official Texas election deadlines RESEARCH CANDIDATES & ISSUES VOTE411 Ballotpedia The Texas Tribune VOTING RIGHTS & COMMUNITY RESOURCES NAACP Texas NAACP Black Voters Matter Fund Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law LULAC Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE Know the records. Make your voting plan. Bring three people with you. #TexasElections2026 #VotingRights #RethinkingFreedom Support the show

    The Vote Is a Weapon

  4. Aug 31

    They're Coming for the Books — The War on Education, Democracy, and Your Right to Live

    Texas book bans, school vouchers, and the Ten Commandments in every classroom — this is the fight for the future of Texas public education, and it's happening right now in Bell County. Vouchers. The Ten Commandments in every classroom. A Bible-infused curriculum. School chaplains replacing licensed counselors. And now, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatening to strip a full letter grade off any school district that won't ban the "wrong" books. In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli traces the throughline from historic anti-literacy laws, Jim Crow's underfunded classrooms, and apartheid's Bantu Education Act to the Texas education policy fights happening in Austin today — then sits down with two Bell County Democratic candidates fighting to change course: Dawn Richardson (Texas House District 54) and Amelia Rabroker (Texas House District 55). 🎙️ GUESTS Dawn Richardson — Democratic Candidate, Texas House District 54 A retired educator with 39 years in the classroom, 27 of them right here in Central Texas. Former President of the Killeen Education Association and Chair of the Black Caucus of the Texas State Teachers Association. 🔗 https://www.dawn4texas.org/ Amelia Rabroker — Democratic Candidate, Texas House District 55 Central Texas educator, artist, and small business owner running to put public schools, veterans, and working families first. 🔗 https://www.ameliafortexas.com/ 💡 WHAT WE COVER Texas SB 2: the $1 billion private school voucher / Education Savings Account program Texas HB 2: the $8.5 billion school funding package — and whether it's enough SB 10: the Ten Commandments mandate in every public school classroom SB 11 and the Bluebonnet Learning Bible-infused curriculum The 2023 law allowing school chaplains to serve in place of licensed counselors Dan Patrick's threat to downgrade school accountability ratings over library books STAAR testing, school takeovers, and the fight over what Texas kids are allowed to read What Dawn Richardson and Amelia Rabroker would each fight for first in Austin 🌟 IT GIRLS MENTORING PROGRAM Midway through this episode, Aya talks about Intelligent & Talented Girls, Inc. (IT Girls) — a mentoring program for girls ages 10–18 built to make sure our girls know their history, their worth, and their power, no matter what any legislature tries to take off the table. 👉 Register your young woman for IT Girls or learn how to support the program: www.intelligentandtalentedgirls.com 📅 Early voting matters. Local races matter. Get informed, get registered, and get involved. 🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for more conversations at the intersection of policy, power, and community. #RethinkingFreedom #TexasEducation #BookBans #SchoolVouchers #PublicEducation #TexasPolitics #TexasHouse #HD54 #HD55 #BellCounty #KilleenTX #DanPatrick #TexasLegislature #VoteTexas #ITGirls #BlackHistory #EducationMatters #DemocracyMatters Support the show

    They're Coming for the Books — The War on Education, Democracy, and Your Right to Live

  5. Aug 24

    Setting Them Up to Succeed: A Parent's Guide to Academic Support

    What does success actually look like for our children — and how do we help them get there? In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with three powerhouse guests to dig into what it really takes to set our kids up for academic success: not just good grades, but a genuine curiosity and love of learning. We cover:  ✅ How parents actually define "success" — and the gap between what we say we want and what the data shows we reward  ✅ Building routines that support learning, starting from infancy  ✅ Recognizing and addressing your child's mental health as part of their academic journey  ✅ Navigating the special education system, IEPs, and the school-to-prison pipeline  ✅ Building your village — mentors, grandparents, and community support Guests: Toya Algarin — Philadelphia-based education advocate with 25+ years championing quality education for underserved children and families. Former KIPP Philadelphia Schools board member, founder of Educational Opportunities for Families, and founder of Grandma's 4 Literacy. Dr. Elizabeth Jennings — Occupational therapist, mental health advocate, author of 13 books, and founder of Boys Matter 2 Men and Remember You Matter Coaching, Consulting & Mentoring. Dustin Rynders — Director of legal and legislative work at the Texas Civil Rights Project, whose advocacy uncovered and eliminated an illegal cap on special education enrollment in Texas that had denied services to over 300,000 students. 📚 Resource mentioned in this episode: Disability Rights Texas — IDEA Manual (a parent's guide to special education rights and the special education process in Texas): https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/publication/idea-manual/ https://www.charlescoleiii.com/black-agentic-parent-ebook Grandmas4Literacy: https://www.grandmas4literacy.org/ I&T Girls: https://www.grandmas4literacy.org/ This is the extended, full-length version of the conversation. A shorter cut aired on KGRN 98.5 FM and KVBM 104.7 FM in Killeen, TX. 🎧 Subscribe for new episodes of Rethinking Freedom, and catch African News Review for pan-African news and analysis. #RethinkingFreedom #ParentingTips #AcademicSuccess #SpecialEducation #IEP #MentalHealthAwareness #BlackParenting #EducationEquity #SchoolToPrisonPipeline #Mentorship Support the show

    Setting Them Up to Succeed: A Parent's Guide to Academic Support

  6. Aug 17

    It Takes a Village: Who's Responsible for Our Kids' Education?

    Who failed our kids, and what will it take to fix America’s education crisis? In 2024, 70% of U.S. fourth graders scored below proficient in reading. For Black fourth graders, that number rose to 84%. This is bigger than test scores. It is a crisis in Black education, literacy, parent involvement, public schools, student accountability, and community responsibility. In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli brings together three educators and community advocates for a direct conversation about one difficult question: Who is responsible for our children’s education? Is it the parents? The teachers? School leadership? The students themselves? The community? Or have we spent so much time assigning blame that we have forgotten what it actually means to be a village? MEET THE GUESTS Christopher Owusu U.S. Army combat veteran, educator, and mental health professional with more than 12 years of experience in public education. Toya “GiGi” Algarin Philadelphia education advocate, founder of Grandma’s 4 Literacy, and longtime KIPP Philadelphia board member. Dr. Janelle Muhammad Principal of Killeen High School in Killeen ISD and TASSP Region 12 Outstanding Principal of the Year. IN THIS EPISODE • Why so many Black students are struggling with reading proficiency • The literacy crisis facing American schools • Where the relationship between parents and educators is breaking down • What schools need from families • What parents should expect from schools • The role students play in their own academic success • How mental health affects learning and behavior • Education equity and the achievement gap • Why community involvement cannot stop at the schoolhouse door • What it will take to rebuild the village around our children The education crisis will not be solved by blaming one group. Parents matter. Teachers matter. Students matter. School leaders matter. Communities matter. The real question is whether we are willing to work together before another generation pays the price. 👇 Who do you believe carries the greatest responsibility for educating our children? Join the conversation in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for conversations on education, history, race, public policy, freedom, and community accountability. 📲 Share this episode with a parent, teacher, principal, student, or community leader who needs to be part of this conversation. #RethinkingFreedom #BlackEducation #EducationCrisis #WhoFailedOurKids #BlackStudents #LiteracyCrisis #ReadingProficiency #EducationEquity #ParentInvolvement #PublicEducation #EducationReform #BlackFamilies #BackToSchool2026 Support the show

    It Takes a Village: Who's Responsible for Our Kids' Education?

  7. Aug 10

    Jalil Muntaqim: Black August, Political Prisoners and the Fight Against Genocide

    He spent 49 years in prison for something the state never wanted the country to fully understand. Now he's telling the whole story. Our Black August episode hit 17,000 views in 48 hours — because this history isn't just history. It's still happening. So we went back for the conversation the moment demanded: a full sit-down with Jalil Muntaqim. At 16, he joined the Black Panther Party. At 19, he was captured — one week after George Jackson was killed at San Quentin. What followed was 49 years as a political prisoner, 11 parole denials, and a life spent organizing from inside a cell most people can't imagine surviving. In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, Baba Jalil Muntaqim joins me to talk about: 🔹 His life — from Oakland to the underground to nearly five decades behind bars 🔹 The real history of Black August — who it honors, and why it started 🔹 Why Black August still matters in 2026 🔹 What liberation work actually looks like right now — and what he's asking us to do next This is the continuation of the conversation we started on August 3rd. If you haven't watched that episode yet, start here: https://youtu.be/vJ2K-R6AU8k?si=UHxfDgAHaPrUOGh3 🎙️ Catch Rethinking Freedom every week — on air at 98.5 FM KGRN and 104.7 FM KVBM, and everywhere you get your podcasts. 👇 Subscribe so you don't miss what's next. #BlackAugust #JalilMuntaqim #BlackLiberationArmy #BlackPantherParty #RethinkingFreedom #PoliticalPrisoners #BlackHistory #WeChargeGenocide Support the show

    Jalil Muntaqim: Black August, Political Prisoners and the Fight Against Genocide

  8. Aug 3

    Black August: The History They Don’t Want You to Know

    What is Black August, and why has it become one of the most significant traditions of remembrance and resistance in the Black freedom struggle? In this special episode of Rethinking Freedom, I explore the origins of Black August, its historical roots, and why it continues to be commemorated around the world. We examine the lives and sacrifices of those whose struggles helped shape this tradition and discuss why the movement to support incarcerated activists remains as relevant today as ever. This episode explores: * The origins and meaning of Black August * George Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, the San Quentin rebellion, and the birth of a movement * The lives and ongoing advocacy of political prisoners, including Mumia Abu-Jamal and Jalil Muntaqim * The campaign to hold the United States accountable under the United Nations Genocide Convention, from the 1951 We Charge Genocide petition led by W. E. B. Du Bois, Paul Robeson, William L. Patterson, and others, to contemporary efforts * The findings of the 2021 International Tribunal that concluded the United States has committed genocide against Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples * Why the United States often criticizes other nations for holding political prisoners while many activists argue it does not recognize political prisoners within its own borders * Current issues including mass incarceration, extrajudicial killings, environmental racism, educational inequity, health disparities, and economic inequality * Practical ways you can support political prisoners, their families, and organizations working for justice Whether you are hearing about Black August for the first time or have commemorated it for years, this episode offers historical context, critical analysis, and a call to action. Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments. Premieres Monday, August 3, 2026 Listen and subscribe: YouTube: @RethinkingFreedom Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode challenged you, inspired you, or taught you something new, please: * Like this video * Subscribe to the channel * Share it with your family, friends, and community * ⁠Leace a comment * ⁠Donate to help cover our expenses  * Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform #BlackAugust #RethinkingFreedom #PoliticalPrisoners #GeorgeJackson #MumiaAbuJamal #JalilMuntaqim #WeChargeGenocide #BlackHistory #BlackLiberation #MassIncarceration #PrisonAbolition #SocialJustice #CivilRights #HumanRights #BlackResistance #AfricanAmericanHistory #FreedomStruggle #KnowYourHistory #HistoryMatters #BlackPower #Justice #Activism #Education #Podcast #YouTubePodcast Support the show

    Black August: The History They Don’t Want You to Know
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About

This isn’t just a show—it’s a movement. A call to rise above limitations, to reclaim the power that’s already within you. Whether it’s freedom in your finances, your health, your rights, or your voice—we’re here to spark the change that leads to true liberation. With every story, every beat, and every conversation, we’ll inspire you to dig deeper, to challenge the status quo, and to chase the life you deserve. So, buckle up—this is the ride of your life, and inner freedom is our destination.

Information

  • Creator
    Ayayi
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rethinking Freedom
  • Show Website
    Rethinking Freedom

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