Marion Orr, PhD., is the inaugural Frederick Lippitt Professor of Public Policy and Professor of Political Science and Urban Studies at Brown University. He previously was a member of the political science faculty at Duke University. Professor Orr earned his B.A. degree in political science from Savannah State College, M.A. in political science from Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University), and a Ph.D. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Professor Orr's expertise is in the area of American politics. He specializes in urban politics, race and ethnic politics, and African-American politics. He is the author and editor of eight books. His book, House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs, Jr. (University of North Carolina Press, 2025), is the first biography of Michigan's first Black member of the U.S. House of Representatives. At the height of the civil rights movement, Charles C. Diggs Jr. (1922–1998) was the consummate power broker. In a political career spanning 1951 to 1980, Diggs, Michigan's first Black member of Congress, was the only federal official to attend the trial of Emmett Till's killers, worked behind the scenes with Martin Luther King Jr., and founded the Congressional Black Caucus. He was also the chief architect of legislation that restored home rule to Washington, DC, and almost single-handedly ignited the American anti-apartheid movement in the 1960s. Drawing on extensive archival research, including Diggs's rarely seen personal papers, FBI documents, and original interviews with family members and political associates, political scientist Marion Orr reveals that Diggs practiced a politics of strategic moderation. Orr argues that this quiet approach was more effective than the militant race politics practiced by Adam Clayton Powell and more appealing than the conservative Chicago-style approach of William Dawson—two of Diggs's better-known Black contemporaries. Professor Orr argues that Congressman Charles C. Diggs Jr. is one of the most consequential Black federal legislators in US history.  Says Dr. Orr, "Congressman Diggs was a legislative lion whose unfortunate downfall punctuated his distinguished career and pushed him and his historic accomplishments out of sight. House of Diggs restores him to his much-deserved place in the history of American politics."   Host/producer/engineer:  Donna Morrow Wolfe  

Journalist and author Lewis W. Diuguid poses a chilling question: Does the treatment of immigrants in the United States echo the treatment of enslaved people in this country’s early history? Both, he argues, have lived under the constant fear of being seized and irreparably harmed. Both have been compelled to carry papers and prove their right to exist wherever they stand. And in this historical continuum, Diuguid draws a provocative parallel—ICE functions much like the slave patrols that eventually evolved into modern policing.  Lewis observes, "we are caught in the riptides of history, threatened by floodwaters of exclusion and widening economic inequality." Lewis Diuguid brings decades of experience and moral clarity to this conversation. A St. Louis native, he spent more than 39 years at The Kansas City Star, where he rose from reporter to vice president of community resources, overseeing the paper’s philanthropic and community outreach efforts. He wrote an award-winning column for 30 years, served on the editorial board for nearly two decades, and held roles including op-ed page editor and letters editor. Today, he is a multimedia consultant, lecturer, freelance writer and editor, and certified diversity facilitator. His work has earned some of journalism’s highest honors, including the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism and Harvard University’s Louis M. Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism. In this episode, Diuguid challenges us to confront history—not as something safely behind us, but as a force still shaping who is protected, who is vulnerable, and who belongs. Lewis W. Diuguid is a multimedia consultant, lecturer, freelance writer and editor, certified diversity facilitator. He is a former columnist, editorial board member, op-ed page editor, and letters editor at The Kansas City Star, as well as a published author. He is a St. Louis native and worked more than 39 years as a journalist with The Kansas City Star, rising to vice president of community resources responsible for the newspaper’s philanthropic and outreach efforts in the community. He wrote an award-winning column for The Kansas City Star for 30 years and served on the editorial board from 1999 to 2016. He is the recipient of many awards, including the 2000 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and the 2017 Louis M. Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism from Harvard University. Diuguid is a member of the National Association Black Journalists, Kansas City Association of  Black Journalists (president 1986, secretary 1987, vice president 1993, treasurer since 1994), National Society Newspaper Columnists, Monroe Trotter Group of Black Voices in Commentary. He serves as chair of the Political Action Committee for the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), which honored him with the Carter G. Woodson Service Award in 2014. Books by Lewis W. Diuguid: • Exploring Cuba: Erasing Fears through Multicultural Education [with Bette Tate-Beaver] • Our Fathers: Making Black Men • Discovering the Real America: Toward a More Perfect Union • A Teacher’s Cry: Expose the Truth about Education Today Lewis’ current reading list: Robert D. Putnam: The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again   Host/producer/engineer:   Donna Morrow Wolfe

Journalist and author Lewis W. Diuguid makes a bold argument: the same systemic racism that once united white colonists against British rule may again serve as a catalyst — not through solidarity, but through shared suffering. In this episode, we explore how deep-rooted racial biases helped pave the way for Donald Trump’s second term, including America’s resistance to a Black woman ascending to the presidency. But more urgently, we ask: what happens when white Americans begin to feel the sting of the very injustices long endured by black and brown communities? Drawing inspiration from the 1619 Project and the tragic legacy of Dr. Charles Drew — denied proper care in a segregated system he helped improve — Diuguid proposes a shocking reversal: White Americans are now facing a form of racialized treatment once reserved for the marginalized. From overpriced, low-quality healthcare to food deserts and job scarcity, we explore whether this erosion of privilege might finally awaken a broader movement for change. Could recognizing this shared oppression be the unlikely way out of the Trump-era malaise? Lewis W. Diuguid is a multimedia consultant, lecturer, freelance writer and editor, certified diversity facilitator. He is a former columnist, editorial board member, op-ed page editor, and letters editor at The Kansas City Star, as well as a published author. He is a St. Louis native and worked more than 39 years as a journalist with The Kansas City Star, rising to vice president of community resources responsible for the newspaper’s philanthropic and outreach efforts in the community. He wrote an award-winning column for The Kansas City Star for 30 years and served on the editorial board from 1999 to 2016. He is the recipient of many awards, including the 2000 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism and the 2017 Louis M. Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism from Harvard University. Diuguid is a member of the National Association Black Journalists, Kansas City Association of  Black Journalists (president 1986, secretary 1987, vice president 1993, treasurer since 1994), National Society Newspaper Columnists, Monroe Trotter Group of Black Voices in Commentary. He serves as chair of the Political Action Committee for the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), which honored him with the Carter G. Woodson Service Award in 2014. Books by Lewis W. Diuguid: • Exploring Cuba: Erasing Fears through Multicultural Education [with Bette Tate-Beaver] • Our Fathers: Making Black Men • Discovering the Real America: Toward a More Perfect Union • A Teacher’s Cry: Expose the Truth about Education Today Lewis' current reading list: Jim Hightower   Thieves in High Places: They've Stolen Our Country and It's Time to Take It Back Malcolm Gladwell   Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About People We Don't Know Derrick A. Bell   Faces at the Bottom of the Well:  The Permanence of Racism   Host/producer/engineer:  Donna Morrow Wolfe

Suzanne Johnson was born of Korean parents, somewhere in the Korean countryside, at sometime in 1966. Suzanne does not know her true birthdate. She explains why that is the case in this conversation. Suzanne is a "first waver" Korean adoptee, which means her adoption is directly tied to the aftermath of World War II. It is specifically tied to the Korean War since she was adopted in 1969. South Korea is the first country to allow mass adoption to other countries. At that time no laws existed to oversee the adoption process or to protect the children who were adopted. These adoptions were advocated by the Korean government and by foreign adoption agencies. American citizens Harry and Bertha Holt who adopted eight South Koreans in 1955,  facilitated Suzanne's 1969 adoption and later established Holt International Children’s Services adoption agency. Holt continues to facilitate international adoptions. Suzanne sees current political parallels with her birth country, Korea, and the United States. The current administrations threats and practices of mass deportation, the drive to end birthright citizenship and the failure of US legislation to protect adoptees retroactively, refusing to provide citizenship prior to 2001, in Suzanne's perspective, makes the South Korean diaspora relevant and compelling for all adoptees and immigrants, regardless or origin or ethnicity. Deported Adoptee's Death Heightens Calls for Citizenship Bill Phillip Clay, an adoptee from South Korea to the United States who was deported in 2012, was found dead on May 21. Adoptee deported from the US over lack of citizenship criticizes South Korea and agency Adam Crapser, an adoptee who was deported to South Korea in 2016 because his American parents never secured his citizenship Host/producer/engineer:  Donna Morrow Wolfe

Whitney Plantation is a non-profit museum dedicated to the history of slavery, situated on a historical sugar, indigo and rice plantation which operated from 1752-1975. The museum preserves over a […] The post American History preserved – slavery at the Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana appeared first on KKFI.

Wasim Kahn, CEO of Baraza African Cultures Center is a Certified Diversity Professional and is Yan-Koloba Certified and has vast experience working with immigrants, refugees & indigenous peoples. He has […] The post Wasim Khan and Andrea Smith Khan of Baraza African Cultures Center on immigrant experiences in Kansas City appeared first on KKFI.

Adenike AmenRa is also known as Kandaki-Ma Beqsu Nuta AmenRa-Mosley. Kandaki equals  Queen-Mother, Minister, Priestess, Teacher, Artist, Environmentalist, Maker, Recycler, Wife. Adenike AmenRa graduated from the University of Kansas, (M.Ed, […] The post Adenike Amen Ra of Amen Ankh Urban Farms on growing food, NOT lawns appeared first on KKFI.

Lewis W. Diuguid is a multimedia consultant, lecturer, freelance writer and editor, certified diversity facilitator. He is a former columnist, editorial board member, op-ed page editor, and letters editor at […] The post Author, journalist Lewis W. Diuguid on truth, lies and America appeared first on KKFI.

Tracie Canada, Ph.D, is  socio-cultural anthropologist whose ethnographic research uses sport to theorize race, kinship and care, gender, and the performing body. Dr. Canada’s work focuses on the lived experiences […] The post Dr. Tracie Canada, ethnographer and anthropologist, on the intersection of race and sport: Black college athletes unpaid labor, power, profit and survival appeared first on KKFI.

Andrew LaMont Eanes was nominated twice by then President Barak Obama as Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eanes served at the SSA from July 2014 through December […] The post LaMont Eanes on leadership and transformation at the Social Security Administration appeared first on KKFI.

Over four decades ago, Laura moved to Kansas City to begin her career at a local Social Security Administration service center. In this episode, she shares firsthand reflections on her […] The post Inside the SSA – A Kansas City Story appeared first on KKFI.

Bird Ellington Fleming, is the Executive Director and founder of the Traditional Music Society. The Traditional Music Society (TMS) offers a dynamic global journey through music and dance from multiple […] The post Bird Fleming of Traditional Music Society on celebrating the journey of humankind appeared first on KKFI.

Lewis W. Diuguid is a multimedia consultant, lecturer, freelance writer and editor, certified diversity facilitator. He is a former columnist, editorial board member, op-ed page editor, and letters editor at […] The post Journalist Lewis W. Diuguid on working with the “Scarecrow” appeared first on KKFI.

On Tuesday, March 25th, the Kansas City Defender and the Kansas City Call hosted an urgent town hall titled Kansas City’s Crisis of Black Food, Land & Survival — And […] The post Carl A. Stafford, founder of My Region Wins! on food, land, conservation and survival appeared first on KKFI.

Marilyn McCleod, Anne Calvert and Harry Bognich discuss concerns and activities of Leagues of Women Voters. They are interviewed by Radio Active Magazine regular Spencer Graves. Marilyn is President of […] The post KC Metro Leagues of Women Voters appeared first on KKFI.

Joseph Jackson is host, producer and engineer of KKFI public affairs program, Cow Town Conversations, which airs every Thursday, 9 am to 10 am, www.kkfi.org, following Democracy Now. Joseph is […] The post Joseph Jackson, host of KKFI’s Cow Town Conversations on his bucket list trip down south -Super Bowl to Selma appeared first on KKFI.

Damron Russel Armstrong is the founder, CEO and Executive Artistic Director of The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City (BRTKC). The mission of BRTKC is to educate and inspire our […] The post Damron Armstrong, founder, artistic director of the Black Repertory Theater of KC on Mahalia: A Gospel Musical appeared first on KKFI.

Lewis W. Diuguid is a multimedia consultant, lecturer, freelance writer and editor, certified diversity facilitator. He is a former columnist, editorial board member, op-ed page editor, and letters editor at […] The post Journalist Lewis W. Diuguid on working with the “Scarecrow” appeared first on KKFI.

Dr. Wylin D. Wilson is Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School, where she teaches within the Theology, Medicine and Culture Initiative. Her teaching and research are at […] The post Dr. Wylin D. Wilson on Womanist Bioethics: Social Justice, Spirituality and Black Women’s Health appeared first on KKFI.

Kansas City native Karen E. Griffin (KE) is a self-taught visual, teaching, and performing artist who creates vibrant abstract works that explore themes of identity and urban landscapes. She is […] The post Local artist Karen E. Griffin sewing seams to create stories, honor culture and celebrate ancestry appeared first on KKFI.