Cari reflects on Reverend Jesse Jackson’s death (Tuesday, February 17) and what he represented to her growing up; watching family gather around the TV during his 1984 and 1988 presidential runs, hearing “Keep Hope Alive” and “I am somebody,” and learning how much those messages of dignity and possibility mattered to Black communities. Cari speaks on Jackson’s legacy and contribution to the Civil Rights movement, his presence at key moments like Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, and argues that even with flaws, his impact can’t be erased, especially in a time of DEI rollbacks, political turmoil, and threats to marginalized communities’ rights.

From there, the episode shifts to NBA All-Star Weekend: why fans keep complaining the game is boring, and how today’s stars feel more focused on social currency and being friends than on real competition, something earlier eras embodied through players like Kobe Bryant (and even stories about Michael Jordan’s mindset).

Cari also recaps a major highlight from the all-star weekend: a “Love & Basketball” 25th anniversary panel sponsored by HBCU First Look, featuring Sanaa Lathan, director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Candace Parker, Jane Kennedy, Cheryl Miller, and hosted by Laura Coates. They talk about how the film was ahead of its time, how it helped shape women’s sports storytelling, the importance of giving elders their flowers, and the way each generation builds on the last, along with behind-the-scenes stories and standout cast memories.

The episode closes by tying it all back to the same message: if you don’t document your history and control your narrative, someone else will.

Connect @CariChampion 

Subscribe Cari Champion's YOUTUBE Channel

Cari reflects on Reverend Jesse Jackson&rsquo;s death (Tuesday, February 17) and what he represented to her growing up; watching family gather around the TV during his 1984 and 1988 presidential runs, hearing &ldquo;Keep Hope Alive&rdquo; and &ldquo;I am somebody,&rdquo; and learning how much those messages of dignity and possibility mattered to Black communities. Cari speaks on Jackson&rsquo;s legacy and contribution to the Civil Rights movement, his presence at key moments like Martin Luther King Jr.&rsquo;s assassination, and argues that even with flaws, his impact can&rsquo;t be erased, especially in a time of DEI rollbacks, political turmoil, and threats to marginalized communities&rsquo; rights.
From there, the episode shifts to NBA All-Star Weekend: why fans keep complaining the game is boring, and how today&rsquo;s stars feel more focused on social currency and being friends than on real competition, something earlier eras embodied through players like Kobe Bryant (and even stories about Michael Jordan&rsquo;s mindset).
Cari also recaps a major highlight from the all-star weekend: a &ldquo;Love &amp; Basketball&rdquo; 25th anniversary panel sponsored by HBCU First Look, featuring Sanaa Lathan, director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Candace Parker, Jane Kennedy, Cheryl Miller, and hosted by Laura Coates. They talk about how the film was ahead of its time, how it helped shape women&rsquo;s sports storytelling, the importance of giving elders their flowers, and the way each generation builds on the last, along with behind-the-scenes stories and standout cast memories.
The episode closes by tying it all back to the same message: if you don&rsquo;t document your history and control your narrative, someone else will.
Connect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/carichampion/reel/DDq_H9_x4Yh/" data-outlook-id="2c551c4f-a2d3-4bed-8660-63b815d663dd">@CariChampion</a>&nbsp;
Subscribe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ItsCariChampion" data-outlook-id="9338f3cc-c159-458e-8d53-931405b1390d">Cari Champion's YOUTUBE Channel</a>

NAKED SPORTS lives at the intersection of sports, politics, and culture. It is a niche groundbreaking interview-based show that dives deep into the lives of the game-changers who have helped shape our world. We explore how sports are interwoven not only into their personal lives; but the role they play in the global experience.  NAKED SPORTS is hosted by Cari Champion, a trailblazing broadcast journalist and television personality renowned for her pioneering contributions to sports media for women.

In each episode, this distinguished host sits down with, a diverse array of athletes, politicians, and cultural innovators who have left an indelible mark on their fields. Through intimate, unfiltered conversations, the show reveals the raw and vulnerable sides of their journeys—peeling back the layers to explore the defining moments, personal struggles, and transformative experiences that live at the intersection of sports, culture, and politics.

These conversations are thematically linked to live at the intersection and on this new season of NAKED SPORTS, we begin with a six-part docu-series, The Making of a Rivalry: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese, in which Cari questions how this “rivalry” started. Does the necessity for success depend on a foil? In a time of divisiveness, are sports—more specifically the WNBA—a reflection of our country? Or will the greatness of two supernovas unite this country and heal race relations?

NAKED SPORTS guests will span varied backgrounds, providing diverse perspectives as we examine how sports play a crucial role in nearly every aspect of life.

Connect: @CARICHAMPION 

NAKED SPORTS lives at the intersection of sports, politics, and culture. It is a niche groundbreaking interview-based show that dives deep into the lives of the game-changers who have helped shape our world. We explore how sports are interwoven not only into their personal lives; but the role they play in the global experience.&nbsp; NAKED SPORTS is hosted by Cari Champion, a trailblazing broadcast journalist and television personality renowned for her pioneering contributions to sports media for women.
In each episode, this distinguished host sits down with, a diverse array of athletes, politicians, and cultural innovators who have left an indelible mark on their fields. Through intimate, unfiltered conversations, the show reveals the raw and vulnerable sides of their journeys&mdash;peeling back the layers to explore the defining moments, personal struggles, and transformative experiences that live at the intersection of sports, culture, and politics.
These conversations are thematically linked to live at the intersection and on this new season of NAKED SPORTS, we begin with a six-part docu-series, The Making of a Rivalry: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese, in which Cari questions how this &ldquo;rivalry&rdquo; started. Does the necessity for success depend on a foil? In a time of divisiveness, are sports&mdash;more specifically the WNBA&mdash;a reflection of our country? Or will the greatness of two supernovas unite this country and heal race relations?
NAKED SPORTS guests will span varied backgrounds, providing diverse perspectives as we examine how sports play a crucial role in nearly every aspect of life.
Connect: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carichampion/?hl=en">@CARICHAMPION&nbsp;</a>

Naked Sports with Cari Champion

NAKED SPORTS lives at the intersection of sports, politics, and culture. It is a niche groundbreaking interview-based show that dives deep into the lives of the game-changers who have helped shape our world. We explore how sports are interwoven not only into their personal lives; but the role they play in the global experience.  NAKED SPORTS is hosted by Cari Champion, a trailblazing broadcast journalist and television personality renowned for her pioneering contributions to sports media for women.
In each episode, this distinguished host sits down with, a diverse array of athletes, politicians, and cultural innovators who have left an indelible mark on their fields. Through intimate, unfiltered conversations, the show reveals the raw and vulnerable sides of their journeys—peeling back the layers to explore the defining moments, personal struggles, and transformative experiences that live at the intersection of sports, culture, and politics.
These conversations are thematically linked to live at the intersection and on this new season of NAKED SPORTS, we begin with a six-part docu-series, The Making of a Rivalry: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese, in which Cari questions how this “rivalry” started. Does the necessity for success depend on a foil? In a time of divisiveness, are sports—more specifically the WNBA—a reflection of our country? Or will the greatness of two supernovas unite this country and heal race relations?
NAKED SPORTS guests will span varied backgrounds, providing diverse perspectives as we examine how sports play a crucial role in nearly every aspect of life.
Connect: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carichampion/?hl=en">@CARICHAMPION </a>

Honoring Our Stories! RIP JESSE JACKSON

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/176b5746-8c90-4b30-9c15-b3f500c4c5f3/transcript