Vanessa Roberts Avery became the U.S. Attorney for the district of Connecticut just two months ago. But she’s already changing the way her office connects with the public. This week, we talk with Avery about what it's like being the first African American woman in the role and her goals for her tenure. And we hear from the executive director of a new Yale program that is making law school more accessible to historically marginalized students.

GUESTS:
Vanessa Roberts Avery: U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
Kayla Vinson: Executive Director of the Law and Racial Justice Center at Yale Law School and co-leads the ‘Access to Law School’ program
Akia Callum: Fellow in Yale's ‘Access to Law School’ program and an incoming student at the University of Connecticut School of Law

This program was produced by James Szkobel-Wolff, J. Carlisle Larsen, Kevin Chang Barnum and Catie Talarski. 


Thanks to our summer interns, Anya Grondalski and Mira Raju.

Vanessa Roberts Avery became the U.S. Attorney for the district of Connecticut just two months ago. But she’s already changing the way her office connects with the public. This week, we talk with Avery about what it's like being the first African American woman in the role and her goals for her tenure. And we hear from the executive director of a new Yale program that is making law school more accessible to historically marginalized students.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Vanessa Roberts Avery: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct">U.S. Attorney</a> for the District of Connecticut</li>
<li>Kayla Vinson: Executive Director of the Law and Racial Justice Center at Yale Law School and co-leads the<a href="https://law.yale.edu/centers-workshops/law-and-racial-justice-center/access-law-school"> ‘Access to Law School’ program</a></li>
<li>Akia Callum: Fellow in Yale's ‘Access to Law School’ program and an incoming student at the University of Connecticut School of Law</li>
</ul>
This program was produced by James Szkobel-Wolff, J. Carlisle Larsen, Kevin Chang Barnum and Catie Talarski. 
Thanks to our summer interns, Anya Grondalski and Mira Raju.

Disruptions are all around us. Some spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. Every week on Disrupted, host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean unpacks how big and small disruptions are shaping our lives.

From technology, economics, education, and healthcare to navigating our way through a global pandemic, continued racial inequalities, geopolitical upheaval, and climate change. What can history teach us about the current moment? What can we learn as we prepare for the disruptions yet to come? Who are the people using their voice to reset, reenergize, and create change? What are we learning about ourselves and our society to help us move forward?

Disruptions are all around us. Some spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. Every week on <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">Disrupted</a>, host and political scientist <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/khalilah-brown-dean">Khalilah Brown-Dean</a> unpacks how big and small disruptions are shaping our lives.
From technology, economics, education, and healthcare to navigating our way through a global pandemic, continued racial inequalities, geopolitical upheaval, and climate change. What can history teach us about the current moment? What can we learn as we prepare for the disruptions yet to come? Who are the people using their voice to reset, reenergize, and create change? What are we learning about ourselves and our society to help us move forward?

Disrupted

For U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, community engagement is critical

Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. returns to the show to talk about his new book, 'We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For.' The book reevaluates our understanding of leadership and argues that ordinary people need to become leaders. He also explains his views on the 2024 election and how reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X changed his life.

GUEST:


Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.: James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. He is a frequent contributor to MSNBC and a bestselling author. His newest book is 'We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For.'

You can listen back to the first episode of Disrupted, which also features Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. and was mentioned in this week's interview, on our website.

You can read the piece in Time that Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. wrote that was discussed in this episode on Time's website.

<a href="https://aas.princeton.edu/people/eddie-s-glaude-jr">Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.</a> returns to the show to talk about his new book, '<a href="https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674737600">We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For</a>.' The book reevaluates our understanding of leadership and argues that ordinary people need to become leaders. He also explains his views on the 2024 election and how reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X changed his life.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.: James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. He is a frequent contributor to MSNBC and a bestselling author. His newest book is '<a href="https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674737600">We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For</a>.'
</li>
</ul>
You can listen back to the first episode of Disrupted, which also features Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. and was mentioned in this week's interview, <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2020-10-07/creating-an-america-as-a-better-steward-of-its-ideal">on our website</a>.
You can read the piece in Time that Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. wrote that was discussed in this episode on <a href="https://time.com/6966768/fantasy-white-america-eddie-glaude/">Time's website</a>.

Rethinking how we approach leadership with Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

With the release of Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter, the long and often-ignored history of Black country music is back in the spotlight. This hour, we talk to a woman who has made a career in country music, even though the industry hasn't always been welcoming. Alice Randall is a chart-topping country songwriter and author of the new book 'My Black Country A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future.' She'll explain how she co-wrote the lyrics to a number one country song and tell us about the Black musicians who have shaped the genre from the very beginning.

GUEST:


Alice Randall: Chart-topping songwriter whose hits include “XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl),” which was first recorded by Trisha Yearwood. She is a bestselling novelist and Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies and Writer-in-Residence at Vanderbilt University. Her newest book is a memoir titled 'My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future.' A new album called 'My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall' features her music recorded by Black women.

You can learn more about the interview with Leah Penniman that was mentioned in this episode on our website.

Special thanks to our interns Scout Raimondo and Sajina Shrestha.

With the release of Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter, the long and often-ignored history of Black country music is back in the spotlight. This hour, we talk to a woman who has made a career in country music, even though the industry hasn't always been welcoming. <a href="https://www.alicerandall.com/">Alice Randall</a> is a chart-topping country songwriter and author of the new book '<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Black-Country/Alice-Randall/9781668018408">My Black Country A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future</a>.' She'll explain how she co-wrote the lyrics to a number one country song and tell us about the Black musicians who have shaped the genre from the very beginning.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.alicerandall.com/">Alice Randall</a>: Chart-topping songwriter whose hits include “<a href="https://youtu.be/N4Q68U4-2A0?si=nX2amh_dsyBuAp9D">XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl)</a>,” which was first recorded by Trisha Yearwood. She is a bestselling novelist and Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies and Writer-in-Residence at Vanderbilt University. Her newest book is a memoir titled '<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Black-Country/Alice-Randall/9781668018408">My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future</a>.' A new album called '<a href="https://ohboy.com/collections/my-black-country-the-songs-of-alice-randall">My Black Country: The Songs of Alice Randall</a>' features her music recorded by Black women.
</li>
</ul>
You can learn more about the interview with Leah Penniman that was mentioned in this episode <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2023-12-27/our-2023-favorites-black-americans-are-reclaiming-their-relationship-with-nature">on our website</a>.
Special thanks to our interns Scout Raimondo and Sajina Shrestha.

Songwriter Alice Randall is part of a long tradition of Black country music

This hour, we hear from people who think a lot about religion - both their own experiences and how it impacts society.

NPR National Political Correspondent Sarah McCammon grew up in Kansas City as an Evangelical. Her new book, The Exvangelicals - Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church tells her story and the story of others who felt disenchanted by the movement and walked away.

Hear from three Gen Z-ers about their relationship with religion and spirituality.

Later in the show, we’ll hear from Myokei Caine-Barrett, Shonin. She’s the first person of African-American and Japanese descent—and the only American woman—to be fully ordained as a Buddhist priest within the worldwide Nichiren Order.

GUESTS:


Sarah McCammon: NPR National Political Correspondent and author of The Exvangelicals - Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church


Myokei Caine Barrett, Shonin: Resident Priest of Myoken-Ji Temple in Houston

This hour, we hear from people who think a lot about religion - both their own experiences and how it impacts society.
NPR National Political Correspondent Sarah McCammon grew up in Kansas City as an Evangelical. Her new book, The Exvangelicals - Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church tells her story and the story of others who felt disenchanted by the movement and walked away.
Hear from three Gen Z-ers about their relationship with religion and spirituality.
Later in the show, we’ll hear from Myokei Caine-Barrett, Shonin. She’s the first person of African-American and Japanese descent—and the only American woman—to be fully ordained as a Buddhist priest within the worldwide Nichiren Order.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Sarah McCammon: NPR National Political Correspondent and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Exvangelicals-Loving-Living-Leaving-Evangelical/dp/1250284473/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LSGCn5Q-ACQ_YTQ7fmO78DLbMONvHuJsHDsvZXMsbcyuX9yRydYZmKJMQOupfAyKZZ1kpWOQExbWXKQfpemORSHg5oM-hoiWU6PZtWXQj3BfzXg6v5Lbpo4Z9mYrLAkiYfSj-MyeHq2IpCSdD0VSQBuGLZv1zLfAoWiYUycdpSPApbA3fYI_SKuVJ-Qj1MEYYFky8Re0oHocfOJZ21T2N-lstyv9gpUiTrVOg4oYPDg.b9ORpGyPjTox8NB84raT3bdFg2n_AiWCYXaTfP_N0pg&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=661160246552&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocphy=9003363&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=8122711364039180747&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2088535218673&amp;hydadcr=8236_13500857&amp;keywords=the+evangelicals&amp;qid=1711742511&amp;sr=8-1">The Exvangelicals - Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church</a>
</li>
<li>
Myokei Caine Barrett, Shonin: Resident Priest of <a href="https://myoken-ji-usa.org/">Myoken-Ji Temple</a> in Houston
</li>
</ul>

For U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, community engagement is critical

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