Ep. 148 - DEI is Defanged (Erec Smith)

Martin Plaut discusses his new book Unbroken Chains: A 5,000-Year History of African Enslavement, which explores overlooked history and challenges common misconceptions.Unbroken Chains: A 5,000-Year History of African EnslavementBest Book Martin’s read this year so far: The Place of Tides: A Transformative Nature Memoir of Isolation, Forgiveness, and Self-Discovery on a Remote Norwegian Island

Free Black Thought c-founder Dave Gilbert shares his journey from a rural Tennessee childhood to academia, technology, and his insights on AI, race, and society.Show notes:Dave’s “Critical Race Theory Comes to City Hall” for the Journal of Free Black ThoughtDave’s “Inequality Has Become Its Own Explanation” for the Journal of Free Black ThoughtDave on X

Khadijah Queen shares her inspiring journey from childhood adversity to becoming a poet, author, and academic after a life altering career in the Navy.Show links:Khadijah’s websiteBetween the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: A Veteran’s Memoir

Michael DC Bowen and Winkfield F. Twyman Jr. explore the multifaceted world of AI, discussing its power, hype, motives, ethical considerations, and future implications including space colonization and property rights.

Behavioral scientist Cory Clark discusses the concept of adversarial collaboration in science, aiming to bridge gaps between conflicting scholars. The conversation delves into the impact of COVID-19 on public trust in science, the feminization of society, and the complexities surrounding implicit bias research.Show notes:Adversarial Collaboration ProjectCory’s WebsiteImplicit Racial Bias StudyCory on X

Connie Morgan chats with DEI reformer Amri B. Johnson. Amri discusses his upbringing in a family with a rich history of self-determination and entrepreneurship, highlighting the influence of his parents and grandparents on his values. He reflects on his academic background in public health and epidemiology, which strangely eventually led him to the field of organizational development and diversity training. Amri emphasizes the importance of creating conditions for everyone to thrive in organizations, moving beyond traditional DEI frameworks to what he terms ‘emergent inclusion.’Show notes:Inclusion WinsAmri’s “How to Foster True Inclusion” for the Journal of Free Black ThoughtAmri’s SubstackAmri’s Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable

Connie Morgan catches up with FBT President Erec Smith about his move from academia to the Cato Institute, where he now serves as a research fellow. They discuss leaving professorship behind, today’s cultural climate, testifying on Capitol Hill, and, of course, rhetoric.

Michael DC Bowen and Winkfield F. Twyman Jr. explore a range of topics including the emergence of AI agents, reflections on Black History Month, generational perspectives on black identity, and the impact of migration on black communities.

Host Connie Morgan talks with Nique Fajors about his journey from a difficult childhood to Harvard Business School, his views on marriage, family, cultural identity, and personal responsibility, and his evolution as a Condoleezza Rice–Colin Powell style conservative.Nique’s podcast

Host Connie Morgan interviews her father, and the truth behind who she is finally comes to light.