Black Robe Podcast

The System That Separates Families And Calls It ‘Help’

What if the system meant to protect children is actually causing harm?In this powerful conversation, the Black Robe Podcast sits down with renowned scholar, author, and activist Dorothy Roberts to expose the truth behind what she calls the family policing system, often labeled “child welfare” or “child protection.”Dorothy Roberts, author of Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World, explains how families, especially Black and Brown families are routinely surveilled, investigated, and separated, often not because of abuse, but because of poverty, housing insecurity, and systemic inequality.In this episode, we explore: • Why family separation is framed as “help” and what it actually does • How poverty gets legally reclassified as neglect • Why over half of Black children face child welfare investigations before age 18 • How police, schools, hospitals, and social services work together to police families • The trauma families experience during investigations and removals • What real family support and community investment could look like instead • Dorothy’s upcoming memoir The Mixed Marriage Project and her lifelong advocacy workThis conversation challenges long-held assumptions and invites us to rethink how we protect children, support families, and build safer communities.🎟️ Dorothy Roberts is the keynote speaker at IBJ’s Liberation Gala on February 28.📚 Her books include Torn Apart, Killing the Black Body, Fatal Invention, and her upcoming memoir The Mixed Marriage Project.

Black Voter Power Isn’t Dormant, It’s Decisive

In this episode of the Black Robe Podcast, Frederick White and community leader Darryl Crews break down why Black voter turnout, local elections, and civic engagement matter now more than ever.Darryl exposes the real challenges around voting rights, how Supreme Court decisions impact Black communities, and why local government holds more power over our daily lives than most people realize.If you want to understand your civic power, and how to use it, this conversation is essential.Key Topics:- Black voter power & voter suppression- Why local government matters- Supreme Court decisions & community impact- The fight for voting rights- Civic engagement that actually creates change

Democracy Isn’t Dying, It’s Being Redefined

We are at a time when faith in democracy is being tested across the world. Who really has the authority to make change, and where does your vote have the most impact?Senator Yasmin Trudeau joins the Black Robe Podcast to dissect the shifting balance of government power and the fight for voting rights, both of which shape the future of our communities. Dive with us into urgent questions about federal authority, state leadership, and the essential role of voting rights restoration, especially for people overcoming systemic barriers. Discover what it means to truly reclaim your voice, build trust in turbulent times, and champion community engagement for lasting change. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Black Robe Podcast for more powerful conversations on community, advocacy, and change.

Why Social Justice Work Fails Without Lived Experience

What does it really take to fight homelessness, empower youth voices, and make politics accessible? In this episode of the Black Robe Podcast, host Frederick White sits down with Pierce County Commissioner George Conzuelo, a dedicated community organizer, social worker, and advocate for youth empowerment, to uncover the answers.George shares his journey working with Family Promise, where he’s seen firsthand how housing, childcare, and financial stability are deeply interconnected. He explains why lived experience is essential in shaping effective social services and how underrepresented communities can overcome systemic barriers to access government resources, civic engagement, and public service opportunities.This powerful conversation highlights the importance of youth empowerment in politics, the need to build accessible pathways into public service, and the urgency of holding elected officials accountable. George makes it clear that advocacy and political engagement aren’t just for career politicians, they’re for everyone, especially young people ready to use their voices to drive meaningful change.✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:-How lived experience shapes social work and community service.-The intersection of housing, childcare, and financial stability.-The role of community engagement in driving social justice.-How Family Promise impacts families overcoming homelessness.-Why youth voices matter in politics and campaign strategies.-Ways to make political spaces accessible for young people.-The importance of accountability and transparency in public service.If you care about social justice, youth empowerment, and building stronger communities, this episode is for you.

Black Fatherhood Isn’t Broken, It’s Being Rebuilt.

This episode is more than a conversation, it’s a call to action. A call to redefine what it means to be a father, to uplift one another, and to build stronger, more connected families and communities.Our host Frederick White sits down with Steve Primas, a seasoned relationship and parenting coach, for a raw and deeply personal conversation about the realities of Black fatherhood.Steve opens up about his own journey as a young black father navigating challenges, breaking generational cycles, and finding strength through vulnerability. Together, they explore the critical need for emotional healing, mentorship, and community support systems that empower black men to show up fully in their roles as fathers and leaders.If you're a father, a mentor, or simply someone who believes in the power of fatherhood, this is a must listen.Subscribe, share, and join the movement toward empowered, present, and purpose-driven Black fatherhood.