Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; A new hope for Black communities that have been divided, deprived, and denied opportunities to accumulate wealth
Release Date: 09/05/2022
States Rights, Legal Wrongs: A Recurring Page from the Segregationist Playbook
ellisconversations's podcast
In this episode, the hosts discuss the history of invoking some form of States’ Rights theory to limit the efforts of the federal government to expand or protect the rights of persons within the United States Southern Manifesto Mississippi State Sovereign Commission . “Calhoun’s justification of nullification and secession as constitutional rights of the state also went beyond traditional states’ rights doctrine as they were based on an unprecedented notion of absolute state sovereignty. Most old states’ righters, including James Madison, condemned...
info_outline
Claudine Gay: The Latest Victim in the Debate over DEI, Affirmative Action, and Meritocracy
ellisconversations's podcast
In this episode, the hosts discuss the controversy concerning the Resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay.Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion undermining merit or does it address a history of Discrimination, Exclusion, and Inequality.
info_outline
From Jamestown to Charlottesville: Virginia and America’s racial divide
ellisconversations's podcast
In this episode, the hosts discuss the leading role that Virginia has played in the racial divide in America’s history. Home to the Founding Fathers and Capital of the Confederacy, the state has been the crucible of the ideals which built this country and the ideas which would tear it apart. Washington, DC History Virginia 1619 . Florida Episode - Indiana Episode -
info_outline
Holding the Line: Sandra Day O’Connor’s legacy of bringing stability to the Supreme Court by protecting its established precedents.
ellisconversations's podcast
In this episode, the hosts discuss Justice O’Connor’s role as the “swing vote” as the Court addressed major fault lines in our society on issues such as abortion, affirmative action, and gender equality. Planned Parenthood v. Casey Grutter v. Bollinger
info_outline
Black History: Never Equal; Never Protected: Up North to Indiana
ellisconversations's podcast
In this episode, the hosts continue examining how specific states have addressed racial equality, Black history, and White Supremacy. In this episode, they travel outside the Deep South, and focus on the state of Indiana – Klan Capital and home of Sundown Towns. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Links for podcast Violence in Jacksonville Florida Ax Handle Saturday Indiana History links Rosedale, NY Racist attacks Other Related Episodes Check out Check out
info_outline
Black History: Never Equal; Never Protected - First Stop: Florida
ellisconversations's podcast
In this episode, the hosts begin a series of episodes examining how specific states have addressed the racial equality, Black history, and White Supremacy. First stop: Florida. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Smithsonian Magazine Florida Academic Standards 2023 Ron DeSantis and the State Where History Goes to Die Removing Relics of "The Lost Cause" | On the Media | WNYC Studios Lost Cause Other Related Episodes Check out Check out
info_outline
Colorblind Remedies for Color-Conscious Wrongs
ellisconversations's podcast
Photo Credit : Encyclyopedia Britanica In this program, the hosts discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to forbid race-conscious affirmative action approaches to achieve diversity n higher education. The discussion contrasts Justice Roberts’ pronouncement that decisions should be color-blind with Justice Jackson’s reminder that the country has been far from colorblind and the effects are not just historical but real in the present because of the intergenerational transmission of inequality. Moreover, the “self-evident” truth that all are created equal has not...
info_outline
Not in Our Stars, but in Ourselves: How The Supreme Court Undermined Its Own Reputation
ellisconversations's podcast
Image Credit: Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States In this episode, the hosts discuss the Roberts Court’s failure to adhere to precedent and the effect this is having on the public’s confidence in the Supreme Court. Respect for precedents and the application of the principle of stare desisis provide constancy and comfort and avoids the appearance that the Court is swayed by political consideration. Simple assertions that a prior decision was wrongly decided are inadequate to justify undermining the expectations of parties before the Court and the public at...
info_outline
The Fire This Time: Black History Surviving in the Time of Modern-Day Book Banning
ellisconversations's podcast
Photo credit: Afro.com EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, the hosts discuss Black History and the historical use of book burning, book banning, and other methods to suppress inconvenient truths. False narratives flourish when voices remain silent are have been removed from the discussion. To download the transcript, A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE Denying Black people education and banning books is part of historical pattern to control access to information to control the narrative This practice of banning and burning books has been used throughout history by people in power...
info_outline
Martin Luther King: Waiting on His Dream
ellisconversations's podcast
EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, the hosts discuss why Martin Luther King should not be limited by a selection of words from the “I Have a Dream” speech delivered in 1963, and how he pointed out the failings of America, confronted those in power, and challenged them to make that dream a reality. A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE If you look at the "I Have a Dream "speech, and you don't look at that one line, but you look at what he said about the state of Black America and how black Americans were shackled in their own country, then you get a better sense of how he was...
info_outline
EPISODE SUMMARY
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: A new hope for Black communities that have been divided, deprived, and denied opportunities to accumulate wealth.
In this episode, the hosts discuss various policies and practices which have adversely affected Black communities and hindered the ability to build wealth. Also in the podcast are reasons why provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 can help begin the process of repairing some of the damage by fostering a community-based approach to environmental issues. Finally, Jamil tells the audience about the new company he founded with his brother, Jelani, Unified Ground.
A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
- Historically, wealth has systematically been removed from black communities.
- Often that wealth was removed in ways that left communities in less desirable land leading to climate change disproportionately affecting people of color.
- It’s a great time to form partnerships that have the same goal of saving the planet and hopefully The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will be a big step for focusing on that goal.
- Unified Ground’s goal is to enable these partnerships. Its mission is to build technology to connect existing organizations and businesses to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments, with the goal to reduce the income and wealth gap and lift up communities of color.
MORE ABOUT UNIFIED GROUND
Vision
Our vision is to close the income and wealth gap in vulnerable communities because a sustainable planet is not possible without an equitable society.
Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable, low-income as well as Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities. We believe that strengthening the resource networks of these communities is an integral part of creating a sustainable planet. If communities can hold onto more resources, they will better address current climate emergencies and make sustainable choices.
Mission
We are building the technology to connect existing networks of community organizations and businesses to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments,
with the goal to reduce the income and wealth gap and lift up communities of color.
Problem
Demand for ESG investments, already a rapidly growing requirement for business, will increase as the markets make it a requirement for publicly traded companies. Social Impact funds have a continual need to find verifiably impactful community-based investments. Some states and municipalities across the US have aggressive goals to reduce carbon emissions. We can only achieve these goals with successful investments in vulnerable communities and communities of color. Historically, these customers have had trouble engaging successfully with communities and local vendors.
Why The Time is Now
- Climate Disasters are upon us - We are in the midst of another record season of fires, flood, drought, and hurricanes in the US.
- Climate Impact will be a business requirement - The 2022 IRA represents landmark climate legislation in the US. The SEC will have public companies report on their environmental impact starting with 2023. In addition to 2022 IRA, many states and cities are moving forward with aggressive climate policies
- Business Stakeholders are putting the pressure on - Corporate boards and internal stakeholders are demanding goals and verifiable impact results. Employees want to know their companies are not just committed to their climate and community impact goals, but making them a reality.
Solution
Unified Ground provides the services and technology platform to connect Environmental, Social, and Government investors with a network of community-based vendors and climate justice organizations. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will be a catalyst for Climate Technology and Environmental Justice.
For more on Unified Ground check out our website
To download the transcript, CLICK HERE
LINKS IN THIS EPISODE
Follow Ellis Conversations on Twitter
Follow Judge Ronald Ellis on Twitter
Follow Jamil Ellis on LinkedIn
Check out Unified Ground
Check out BlackHistoryChatGPT
OTHER EPISODES OF INTEREST
The Hands That Rock The Cradle: Donald Trump, the Supreme Court, and the Federalist Society