As of June, the city of Minneapolis has seen 273 gunshot victims in 2021, up 90% from the previous year. In May of 2021, 6-year old Aniya Allen was shot and killed by a stray bullet in North Minneapolis while eating a happy meal. That same month 9-year-old Trinity Ottoson-Smith was shot and killed while jumping on a trampoline in North Minneapolis. According to Minneapolis police, 22 children have been struck by gunfire so far in 2021. This episode, North Minneapolis community leaders Anthony Scott and William Walker discuss the importance of community accountability and not relying on outside organizations to address violence in our communitutes. Activist Angela Hooks leads the conversation in studio with Anthony Scott and William Walker who share their experiences and knowledge of living and working in North Minneapolis and how community leaders can help stop gun violence. Anthony Scott is the founder and co owner of Lil Fella Management Group, community leader and father of two. William Walker co owner of Lil Fella Management Group, community leader from south Minneapolis and father of 1. WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

On episode 12 of We Form The Future, you’ll hear from your podcast host, Jasmine McBride! Jasmine McBride is a writer, public speaker, creative professional and outspoken advocate for non-traditional education. She is currently a journalist for the independent media outlet BLCK Press. Her experiences growing up attending traditional public schools and alternative charter schools have led her to be a passionate leader and champion for young people and their education.  On this episode of We Form The Future, you'll hear Jasmine's experiences in education and what she thinks educators and our current education system needs in order for our youth to thrive. WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

On episode 10 of We Form The Future, we hear from Chef and food educator Lachelle Cunningham. Chef Lachelle gives us a tour Saint Paul’s Frogtown Farms, which is a public park, non-profit and one of the largest urban farms in the country. Among many things, Chef Lachelle is currently running the Natural Roots at Frogtown Farms program, where she teaches community to enhance their nutritional healing and home remedies through nature. Using plants for healing is a way to be proactive, and preventative. You’ll hear all about the farm, and Chef Lachelle will tell us what plants we can use in our very own backyard for different herbal remedies and healing. Chef Lachelle is a dynamic force on the Twin Cities’ food scene known for cooking globally inspired comfort food that thwarts unhealthy stereotypes and fuses in global flavors. She began her culinary career by launching Chelles’ Kitchen catering in 2012. She soon became known for her work as the founding Executive Chef of Breaking Bread Cafe in North Minneapolis, where she received many accolades for her food creativity and social justice work. In 2018, Chef Lachelle began building The Healthy Root Institute, with a mission focused on healing and social justice through food education, culinary arts and entrepreneurship. Through the Healthy Root Institute, Chef Lachelle curates cooking workshops and retreats, teaches culinary arts, and food business classes. WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com www.lachellecunningham.com

On episode 9 of We Form The Future, we hear from food entrepreneur Zachary Hurdle. Zachary creates homemade delicious foods out of his own home and uses spaces in commercial kitchens. He talks to us about the growing field of Cottage Food, a way for home cooks and bakers to sell their creations to their neighbors and at markets. This is happening at the same time as an emerging trend, Cottagecore, which focuses on idealised rural life, self-sufficiency, and traditional skills. Cottagecore is centered around the period from the 1900s-1950s, and it is largely seen through a white and colonial lens and one of privilege during that time. Zachary shows us that anyone with a passion can make Cottage Food and gives us advice on how to get started in the industry. WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

On episode 7 of We Form The Future, Jonathan Jones and his son Christopher interview some of the most influential folks in the black educator pipeline. Jonathan is a seasoned educator who is passionate about learning how the intersections of education, philanthropy and business can address inequities and oppression in our community. Christopher is a rising third grade student and attends Saint Peter Claver School in Saint Paul. Christopher loves to draw, color, go camping and is a master lego builder. WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

On episode 8 of We Form The Future, we hear from faculty in Prescott College's Social Justice and Community Organizing program about justice, police and abolitionist movements. Derek Chauvin v. the State of Minnesota was an unexpected response to former Minneapolis Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin's killing of George Floyd. Chauvin is the first white officer in Minnesota to be charged with the death of a Black man in Minnesota. Despite the unprecedented trial, the question and pursuit of abolition remain. Across Minneapolis and across all of our communities, people are trying to imagine a just response to the killing of George Floyd. The question of what abolition looks like in this moment is the theme of the discussion. Moderated by Cirien Saadeh, panelists include Craig Gilmore, Rachel Herzing, and Kim Wilson - all faculty in Prescott College's Social Justice and Community Organizing program.Prescott College is a liberal arts college offering Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. programs in areas like Environmental Studies, Education, Counseling and Mental Health, Art, Social Justice, Sustainability, Critical Psychology and more. WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

On episode 6 of We Form The Future, we hear from life-long activist Angela Hooks. Angela Hooks is known as "The Iconic Daughter of St. Paul". She began her work over 35 years ago as a a teenage role model when she was crowned internationally as "Miss Black Teenage World 1985" representing not only Minnesota but the USA. Traveling the world as a teen and seeing the racial disparities in her own neighborhood, inspired her to act and led her to a life of community activism. She founded and is Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Black On Black Development and Entertainment, who’s mission is to empower the Black community with several tools and platforms and dismantling barriers of any kind. Angela is an educator of policy change and prison reform for the incarcerated having lived and experienced the injustices and racial disparities as a formerly incarcerated woman. She is an active Board member of the Summit University Planning Council and member of Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC) prison reform group. She has received the P.O.W.E.R award, Professional Organization Of Women Of Excellence Recognition which is a national online magazine. Find out more at blackonblackhelp.org WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

On episode 5 of We Form The Future, we hear from Cirien Saadah , Nevada Littlewolf, Robin Wonsley & Salena Beasley on a live reporting event by the Minnesota Women’s Press. During this live event we hear from these individuals who have helped shape our equity & justice coverage. They talk about their work, their efforts to disrupt and transform systems, and what listeners can do as action steps. WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

On episode 4 of We Form The Future, we hear from Mercedes Yarbrough. Mercedes is a multi-racial female mixed with Black, white, and Native American from the White Earth Ojibwa tribe. She works for Saint Paul Public Schools as an Intervention Specialist. She loves art and shoes which inspired her to create Sprinkle My Feet. Sprinkle My Feet makes customized footwear and hosts Birthday parties for kids, making their artistic visions come to life! During the Covid-19 outbreak her business has since changed directions, and she now also produces SMF (Sprinkle My Feet) toons which are short social stories that are culturally relevant and reflect today’s generation. Check her out at www.sprinklemyfeet.com WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com

Niles is a Hip-Hop artist, educator and entrepreneur. He is the founder of "The Avant Garde" music and entertainment company. He also teaches his "Hip-Hop, History and The Arts" youth artist development curriculum from the Twin Cities to different states across the nation. On episode 3 of We Form The Future, "It is called "My Favorite Songs". The segment is about some favorite songs of mine that represent 5 genres: Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock & Roll, House and Reggae. I speak about the songs before they are played and in the end I talk about what the true meaning of music is to me and how playing uplifting and creative music can keep your spirits up during these pandemic times. " - Niles WE FORM THE FUTURE is a new podcast and radio program aired on WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, that is meant to empower Black Voices and our community. We Form The Future is a grant funded project developed by WFNU, and funded by the Transformative Black-led Movement Fund, whose goal is to “respond to the political and cultural opportunity to defund police and begin the transition process toward developing and implementing a shared vision of community-led safety and investment". Learn more at www.weformthefuture.com