Justice Above All

The Legal Defense Fund
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  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
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The Thurgood Marshall Institute at the Legal Defense Fund brings you Justice Above All, a quarterly series about the evolution of, and continued need for, racial justice advocacy. We’ve entered a time where many of the building blocks underpinning our work for racial justice are being questioned or actively undermined. Justice Above All provides an accessible way to help inform the national debate, revive our history, and remember how far we still must go in our quest to realize the ideals for which Thurgood Marshall and the advocates he led fought. 

  1. FEB 13

    Re-Air: How Does Racism Undermine Scientific Innovation?

    In honor of the 100th anniversary of what we now know to be Black History Month in the U.S., we are re-airing a special episode. In the roughly two years since we recorded this episode, public education, especially STEM education and research, has been under attack. This presents a formidable threat to the success of Black innovators today and in the future.  Elijah McCoy, Garret Morgan, George Washington Carver, and Madame CJ Walker are names you might recognize. They're Black inventors whose inventions modernized the world. But they may also be the only names you recognize when you think of Black inventors. Due to racism and other discriminatory structural barriers, potential Black inventors have been locked out, or in some cases violently forced out, of invention pipelines.  On this episode of Justice Above All, Dr. Kesha Moore, TMI Research Manager, takes a deep dive into the world of innovation and tracks how racism has undermined scientific innovation. She is joined by the following guests:  - Tiffani Burgess, Assistant Counsel, Legal Defense Fund  - Eric S. Hintz, Historian, Lemelson Center  - Corey Mack, Inventor  This episode was written and produced by Jakiyah Bradley, Keecee DeVenny, Jackie O’Neil, and Dr. Kesha Moore. Resonate Recordings provided production support. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    37 min

  2. JAN 28

    What Is Originalism, and Who Does It Leave Out?

    The United States is at a tipping point, as the anti-truth movement attempts to erase the history of pivotal moments that advanced racial justice. Related to this movement, the legal theory of originalism falls short of a truthful retelling of history and therefore threatens America’s cultural memory. This episode of unpacks originalism and how it has helped fuel recent efforts to dismantle birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment and is a cornerstone of U.S. democracy. Episode guests also discuss progressive originalism, a theory that can help bring the nation closer to a truthful account of history and democratic renewal. Today's host is Karla McKanders, Director of the Thurgood Marshall Institute. She is in conversation with the following guests:  - Morenike Fajana: Senior Counsel, Legal Defense Fund  - Mark Joseph Stern: Senior Writer, Slate, and Co-Host, Amicus podcast This episode was written and produced by Jakiyah Bradley. Resonate Recordings provided production support. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    26 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    Responsibility and Repair: The Promises of Restorative Justice

    Too often, the criminal legal system fails people who experience harm or violence. At the same time, it also often fails the communities that harmed people are members of.  In many cases, survivors and the accused belong to the same community. Restorative justice centers the specific needs of people who have experienced harm or violence with an eye towards healing both the harmed individuals along with the community that was impacted by the harm or violence. Compared to punitive criminal legal system policies, restorative justice approaches better address the root causes of threats to public safety by remedying harm and repairing relationships at the individual and community levels.  In this episode of Justice Above All, guests discuss the diverse practices connected with restorative justice as well as the positive outcomes that are associated with it.  Guests will also discuss how we can incorporate such approaches to build greater safety in our communities. For more information on this episode, please visit: tminstituteldf.org/justice-above-all.  This episode was produced by Lauren O'Neil. It is hosted by Kesha Moore, PhD. Resonate Recordings edited the episode.  If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    39 min

  4. 11/10/2025

    Democracy Disrupted: How Federal Takeovers Target Black Communities

    Today, cities such as Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City are under heightened scrutiny, with political narratives around “crime” fueling discussions of potential federal or state intervention. These dynamics echo a long history of power struggles—from Reconstruction, when the federal government deployed forces to protect Black citizens, to the Civil Rights Movement, when federal oversight was critical in advancing desegregation and voting rights. This episode explores the ongoing and historical dynamics of federal and state intervention in cities with large Black populations—particularly when those cities are led by Black mayors.  Today's host is Karla McKanders, Director of the Thurgood Marshall Institute. She is in conversation with the following guests:  Louis A. Bedford IV: Policy Counsel, Legal Defense Fund Lee Harris: Mayor, Shelby County, TennesseeThis episode was recorded on September 26th at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 85th Annual Legislative Conference. Jakiyah Bradley, In Rare Events, and Resonate Recording provided production support. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    27 min

  5. 10/15/2025

    Essential Infrastructure: How Transportation Shapes Our Lives

    Every day, transportation is an essential thread woven into the fabric of our lives. Public transportation systems have silently shaped the landscapes of communities, perpetuating disparities and reshaping urban environments in ways that often go unnoticed. Historically, accessible and equitable public transportation infrastructure has been crucial for low-income communities. However, systemic disinvestment and car-centric transportation policy has consistently and disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, exacerbating economic and social gaps. Guests on this episode describe how addressing longstanding neglect and discriminatory practices in transportation planning is crucial to supporting marginalized communities in the fight for economic justice. For more information on this episode, please visit: https://tminstituteldf.org/justice-above-all/.  This episode was research and produced by the TMI 2024 Summer Research Fellows (Oreoluwa Ale, Wisdom Chandler, Shaleyah Carter, Aliyah Davenport, Loren Floyd, Chelsea Mendes, Mardet Mulugeta, and Priyanka Mukhara) with assistance from Lauren O’Neil. It is hosted by Priyanka Mukhara. Resonate Recordings edited the episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and helping others to find it! To keep up with the work of LDF, please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    26 min

  6. 09/15/2025

    Who Controls Our Water?

    Local officials have a great deal of power and authority over both our access to water and our water quality. For that reason, water is frequently on the ballot in local elections. Currently, Black communities are not being well served by water utilities, including water infrastructure and billing policies. The guests on this episode will walk listeners through the water justice crisis as it relates to Black people’s health and wealth. They also encourage listeners to hold their locally elected leaders accountable for delivering safe and affordable water to all. This episode was produced by Lauren O'Neil. It is hosted by Sandhya Kajeepeta, PhD. Resonate Recordings edited the episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and helping others to find it! To keep up with the work of LDF, please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    30 min

  7. 08/11/2025

    Gang Policing: The Truth Revealed

    Police departments claim that gang policing is a crucial, precise crime prevention strategy. In reality, gang policing operates as a racially discriminatory police practice, targeting thousands of Black and Latinx boys and young men and labeling them as “gang members” without justification. In this episode, the Justice Above All team will demystify gang policing and describe the real harm it brings to marginalized communities.  For more information on this episode, please visit: tminstituteldf.org/justice-above-all. This episode was produced by Lauren O'Neil. It is hosted by Sandhya Kajeepeta, PhD. Resonate Recordings edited the episode. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    38 min

  8. 07/14/2025

    Driving While Black

    Content Warning: Themes of racism, violence, and police brutality are discussed throughout this episode. Please proceed with caution and care.  The U.S. has persistently relied on armed law enforcement to enforce traffic laws. However, existing evidence does not support the notion that police traffic enforcement improves public safety. In fact, police traffic enforcement has serious adverse consequences for community health and well-being, with disproportionate impacts on Black communities. Last year, the Thurgood Marshall Institute published a research brief, Safe Roads for All, which found that police traffic enforcement is not associated with safer roads. This episode of Justice Above All builds upon what is discussed in that brief and presents a community-centered public health approach to traffic safety. Our guests come from the transit safety and police reform worlds. Together, they agree that we can reimagine traffic safety in a way that prioritizes public health and eliminates our heavy reliance on policing.  Today's host is Dr. Sandhya Kajeepeta, Senior Researcher and Statistician at the Thurgood Marshall Institute. She is in conversation with the following guests:  Kim Saltz: Justice in Public Safety Project Legal Fellow, Legal Defense Fund Amber Sherman: Policy Organizer, Decarcerate Memphis Tiffany Smith: Program Manager, Vision Zero Network For more information on this episode, please visit https://tminstituteldf.org/driving-while-black.  This episode was written and produced by Jakiyah Bradley and Dr. Sandhya Kajeepeta. Resonate Recording provided production support. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

The Thurgood Marshall Institute at the Legal Defense Fund brings you Justice Above All, a quarterly series about the evolution of, and continued need for, racial justice advocacy. We’ve entered a time where many of the building blocks underpinning our work for racial justice are being questioned or actively undermined. Justice Above All provides an accessible way to help inform the national debate, revive our history, and remember how far we still must go in our quest to realize the ideals for which Thurgood Marshall and the advocates he led fought. 

Information

  • Creator
    The Legal Defense Fund
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Justice Above All
  • Show Website
    Justice Above All

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