In this episode, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacies of women whose names deserve to be spoken with reverence and clarity. Long before the nation rallied around Rosa Parks, a 15-year-old girl named Claudette Colvin made the same quiet but defiant decision to remain seated on a Montgomery bus, yet her story, like so many others, was pushed to the margins.

We also center the voice and witness of JoAnne Bland, who as a Foot Soldier on the front lines of the struggle for voting rights. Her words remind us that history is lived, felt, and carried: “I marched alongside more than 600 peaceful activists who ended up being brutally beaten, tear-gassed, and hit or trampled by policemen on horses with Billy clubs. At one point, I saw a horse near me, and then a woman fell. I can still hear her head hitting the pavement. I must have fainted after that, because the next thing I knew… I was in a car with my head in my sister’s lap, and her blood was dripping from wounds on her head. Later, she needed 26 stitches.”

We explore the emotional truth behind the realities and a few of the women who risked everything to bend the moral arc of this nation. Their stories challenge us to reconsider what courage looks like, how movements are truly built, and why the legacy of Black women remains foundational to the ongoing struggle for justice.

This is not just a reflection on the past, it is an invitation to remember, to reckon, and to honor Our Dear Foremothers.

Exhibiting social justice involves using art, activism, and community engagement to address issues of inequality, identity, and environmental justice, fostering dialogue and awareness.

Exhibiting social justice through art and community engagement not only raises awareness of critical issues but also fosters empathy and understanding across diverse groups. By participating in art justice events and supporting relevant exhibitions, individuals can contribute to meaningful social change and advocate for a more equitable society.

In this episode Omar Eaton-Martinez joins Christopher John to explore how social justice is imagined, practiced, and sustained within museum spaces and far beyond their walls. Through this candid conversation centered on museum practitioners, scholars, artists, and community advocates, the episode examines the role of museums as sites of truth-telling, resistance, and transformation. Rooted in lived experience and critical inquiry, this episode invites viewers and listeners to rethink the power of museums as catalysts for social change and imagine what justice-centered storytelling can look like amid these challenging times.

Omar is the host of The Museum J.E.D.I. Show podcast, where he leads dynamic conversations at the intersection of museums and social justice. He currently
serves as the Senior Vice President of Historic Sites at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He formally led Prince George’s County Historical Resources, overseeing historic house museums, an aviation museum, the Black History Program, and archaeological parks, with a focus on preservation, community engagement, and innovative programming.

In this episode, Jide’ Fresh [Brandon Hill] comes to the table to address discovering resilience through creativity. Digital artist, Jide’ Fresh has created a line of coloring books fused with anime, hip-hop, western comic books and pop culture influences. The books are created with mental wellness in mind. Sold under the business moniker In Fly We Trust, each coloring book volume speaks to a different era of Brandon’s own mental health journey.

In the spirit of using our creative force to battle, heal, and restore; this episode is dedicated to Nikki Giovani.