Naira sits down with Chicago rapper, friend, and the brains behind Love and Nappyness, Matt Muse. Naira and Matt dive into the captivating world of the "Long Hair Don't Care" show and benefit concert. Matt opens up about the inspiration behind the event, shedding light on the haircare donation drive that forms an integral part of the initiative.The conversation takes a deeper turn as they explore the artist's role in social movements and community engagement. Matt Muse shares his insights on finding one's unique place within these spaces, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the community while staying true to your individual strengths and talents.Join Naira and Matt Muse in this thought-provoking episode as they navigate the intersections of art, community, and personal empowerment. It's a journey of self-discovery, social impact, and celebrating the power of artistic expression. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and real talk on Sh*t Talks!Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guest: Matt Muse, Chicago rapper and founder of Love and Nappyness @mattmuse12 on all social media and Matt Muse on all music streaming platformsResources:@loveandnappyness on InstagramProduced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #benefitconcert #loveandnappyness #haircare #blackhair #longhairdontcare #chicagomusicians #rapbenefitconcert #communitycare

This week on Sh*t Talks, Naira is joined by Dixon Romeo and Kiara Hardin to explore the ongoing battle against displacement and gentrification in Southshore Chicago. Dixon Romeo and Kiara Hardin are both at the forefront of the fight against the looming specter of gentrification, particularly in the context of the Obama Presidential Library development.Together, they delve into the intricacies of the Obama CBA ordinance and explore how residents are taking matters into their own hands to resist being pushed out of the community.Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guest: Dixon Romeo, a community organizer with Obama CBA and Not Me We, and Kiara Hardin, a community organizer and writer with Obama CBA, Not Me We, Chicago Votes, and the list goes on.Resources:Obama CBA Coalition: obamacba.orgNot Me We mutual aid: @notmewe_ on InstagramProduced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #CBA #ObamaCBA #communitybenefitsagreement #displacement #gentrification

When do you feel most free? What does that freedom feel like?In this week’s Sh*t Talks episode, Naira engages in a timely and thought-provoking conversation with Shawnee Dez, Isra Rahman, and Stuti Sharma on freedom and collective liberation. The episode centers around the war on Gaza and the trio's collaborative effort in organizing a youth teach-in on the topic.They explore broader themes of liberation and freedom, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various struggles for justice around the world. They discuss the need for community liberation and the ways in which individuals can actively contribute to creating positive change.“Liberation: From Gaza to Chicago" strives to engage listeners with critical topics, encouraging them to reflect on their role in fostering a more just and liberated world.Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guest: Shawnee Dez, musician and community advocate (Instagram @shawnee_dez), Isra Rahman, journalist, writer, and community advocate (Instagram @israrahman1998), and Stuti Sharma, stand up comedian and community organizer (Instagram, Twitter @cyborgstuti)Produced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #Liberation #FreePalestine #CollectiveLiberation

What is mutual aid and how is it different from charity? Trina T, a Data Director at the Invisible Institute, a journalist, a native Southsider, and a mutual aid practitioner with Not Me We, joins Sh*t Talks to let us know.Together, Naira and Trina delve into the importance of mutual aid and community support. They emphasize the interconnectedness of factors impacting safety and stress the value of building networks of care. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode as they explore the power of love and community in times of need.Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guest: Trina T, Data Director at the Invisible Institute (@invisibileinstitute), Organizer with Not Me We (@notmewe_)Produced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #MutualAid #Data #CommunityOrganizing

There is a lot of pressure, guilt, and burnout in organizing work. Let’s talk about it. Alycia Kamil, a multidisciplinary artist and freedom fighter from the south side of Chicago, joins Naira to discuss burnout, particularly for people who started organizing at a young age. Together, they talk about the experiences of being adultified in organizing spaces and the challenges of maintaining self identity outside of organizing. Alycia shares recovery tips, including her current focus on pursuing arts after taking a break and her organization Undoing Our Erasure. Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guest: Alycia Kamil, Interdisciplinary Artist & Freedom Fighter (Twitter: @kamilalyciaa). Follow Undoing Our Erasure @UOErasure.Produced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #ChicagoOrganizing #Burnout #RestforRadicals #ChicagoPolitics

Get ready to laugh, reminisce, and celebrate the power of language with Sh*t Talks host Naira Bills, and Chicago Votes staff Katrina Phidd and Kiah Sandler! The three of them–children of bilingual parents from the Black Diaspora– dive deep into their immigrant roots and the power language has to foster connections and shape barriers.Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guests: Kiah Sandler, Chicago Votes Development Manager, and Katrina Phidd, Chicago Votes Communications DirectorProduced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #ChicagoOrganizing #language #immigrantparents #lostintranslation

There is no getting around the fact that the city budget impacts damn near every aspect of our lives. First off, Chicago residents are the ones who pay the taxes. It’s our money. Then, the City Council and the Mayor (all elected positions) make and vote on how to spend that money in the City Budget. The money is put towards things like parks, youth jobs, garbage pickup, police, mental health facilities, and more. So what better time than now–when Chicago is actively creating the 2024 City Budget–to sit down with Natalie Frazier, City Bureau Documenters Coordinator and City Budget expert? Together, Naira and Natalie break down the city budget process, encourage residents to participate in public hearings, and highlight the impact of budget decisions on residents.Beyond that, you’ll learn about City Bureau’s Documenters program and other ways you can get involved with local civics. Get Involved:citybureau.org documenters.org@city_bureau, @CHIdocumentersHost: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guest: Natalie Frazier, City Bureau Documenters Community CoordinatorProduced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #ChicagoOrganizing #ChicagoCityBudget #BudgetSzn #ChicagoPolitics

Sh*t Talkers, in this week’s episode Naira sits down with Tre King and Elizabeth Tutu to discuss the significance of representation and self-expression, particularly in relation to hair and identity. Tre King and Elizabeth Tutu are two Columbia College Chicago graduate film students creating a documentary focused on young black individuals' relationship with their hair and capturing it through film photography. Together, they discuss the cultural significance of hair in the Black community, the importance of representation in media for shaping aspirations and self-confidence, and more than one hairstyle disaster… Stream on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guests: Tre King (@tre_king), filmmaker and graduate student at Columbia College Chicago, Elizabeth Tutu, photographer, model, and graduate student at Columbia College Chicago Produced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #ChicagoOrganizing

The laws, court system, lawmakers, and judges, are supposed to serve us, the people. As young Black and Brown people, we know that these systems are at the very least flawed, and maybe even obsolete. If you had civics in school, you might remember learning about the three branches of government and how bills become laws. It was also probably taught in a lame way, missing the mark on connecting the dots to how you can take action right now. Don’t worry sis, we will make you think about the courts and lawmaking process in a new way. This week, Naira sits down with two of Chicago Votes’ very own: Camille Williams, program manager, and Frederique Desrosiers, policy manager. Together, they break down the judicial and legislative branches in a way that actually makes sense and make sure you know how to be a part of changing/dismantling these systems. To learn more about judges, please check out injusticewatch.org. To get involved in Chicago Votes’ policy work, visit chicagovotes.com/unlock-civics-policy-platform Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guests: Camille Williams, Chicago Votes Programs Manager ([email protected]) Frederique Desrosiers ([email protected]) Produced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #ChicagoOrganizing

If you’re Black in this country, you’ve probably been asked, “Where are you from?” Followed by, “But where are you REALLY from?”This week on Sh*t Talks Naira is joined by Makafui Searcy, the founder of Fourtune House, and David W Johnson, the founder of True Chicago, to talk about finding our familial stories, the challenges in documenting and preserving family history, and reconnecting with family members. Fourtune House is a creative company and art center on the South Side. They host events, programs, art exhibitions, and more. True Chicago exists to create an eco-system where young artists can take ownership over their creative future through mentorship and access to career knowledge that will not only support them as individuals but will also have lasting investment into the health of their community.Host: Naira (Instagram: @niara.bills TikTok: @nairabills)Guests: Makafui Searcy (@makafuikofisearcy), founder of Fourtune House (@fourtunehouse), David W Johnson (@dwjcreates), founder of True Chicago (@truechicago.co) Produced by Chicago Votes @chicagovotes#GiveAShitChicago #ShitTalks #ChicagoOrganizing