Making of an Activist

Andscape
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Documentary
  • Series

Andscape presents “Making of an Activist”, a three-part companion podcast. In August 2014, DeRay Mckesson left his home in Minneapolis to drive down and participate in the protests of Mike Brown’s murder in Missouri. In this three-part series, we explore DeRay’s formative years in Baltimore, growing up with two parents struggling with addiction, and the circumstances that propelled him into teaching after graduation from college. We discover how, in the aftermath of Mike Brown’s brutal murder in Ferguson, Missouri, DeRay simply cannot sit still. We explore what sparked his drive down to Ferguson to join the protestors, and how life changed forever.

  1. Episode 1

    An Activist is Born

    In episode one of Making of an Activist we explore DeRay Mckesson’s early years in Baltimore, growing up with two parents struggling with addiction. However, with the assistance of a broader support system, DeRay manages not just to survive, but to thrive. At a young age, he was already campaigning and organizing. We explore the nature and nurture circumstances of DeRay’s activism. Expert commentary and historical context provided by Harvard Professor, Brandon Terry, and other experts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    24 min

  2. Episode 2

    An Activist is Formed

    In episode two of Making of an Activist we dive into DeRay Mckesson’s college years where he was the first and only class and student body president at Bowdoin, DeRay was the centre of civic life on campus. We explore the formative experiences on and off campus, what drew him to the classroom, and revisit what key people in his life at that time remember about DeRay the student, leader, and teacher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    24 min

  3. Episode 3

    An Activist is Activated

    In episode three of Making of an Activist we discover that after stints in Baltimore and Harlem Children’s Zone, DeRay Mckesson heads to Minneapolis to lead the human capital department for Minneapolis Public Schools. In the safety and security of a career-defining role, DeRay watches the immediate aftermath of Mike Brown’s brutal murder at the hands of a police officer in Ferguson and simply cannot sit still. There is no going back for DeRay, we discover what sparked his drive down to Ferguson, and how life changed forever. Expert and historical context provided by Harvard Professor Brandon Terry, and others. We learn more about what came before the death of Mike Brown and the systemic issues of policing in the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    23 min
See All Season 1 (3)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Andscape presents “Making of an Activist”, a three-part companion podcast. In August 2014, DeRay Mckesson left his home in Minneapolis to drive down and participate in the protests of Mike Brown’s murder in Missouri. In this three-part series, we explore DeRay’s formative years in Baltimore, growing up with two parents struggling with addiction, and the circumstances that propelled him into teaching after graduation from college. We discover how, in the aftermath of Mike Brown’s brutal murder in Ferguson, Missouri, DeRay simply cannot sit still. We explore what sparked his drive down to Ferguson to join the protestors, and how life changed forever.

Information

  • Creator
    Andscape
  • Episodes
    4
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025, The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Making of an Activist