Bankole's Nation

Bankole’s Nation – Season 2, Episode 21: Top Republican Tom Leonard Says MI Gubernatorial Candidates Must Address Affordability Crisis

This week, Bankole Thompson interviews Tom Leonard, a prominent Republican and the former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, about the 2026gubernatorial race. Leonard was one of several GOP candidates running for governor this year, but recently dropped out of the race.  The discussion centers on why Leonarddropped out, his refusal to imitate President Donald Trump on the campaign trail, his advice for fellow Republican candidates, and the challenges and opportunities that Democrats have in this election season.  During the interview, Leonard explains why he got into the race, the issues he plans to tackle, and why hethinks Democrats present a formidable challenge if Republicans don’t prosecute their case powerfully before voters in November.

Bankole’s Nation – Season 2, Episode 20: Detroit Business Leader Cindy Pasky Reflects on Mayor Sheffield’s First 100 Days

This week, Bankole Thompson interviews Cindy Pasky, a prominent Detroit business leader and founder and CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions, on the first 100 days of Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration. Pasky was the first business leader to publicly support Sheffield’s mayoral bid, long before many believed Sheffield could become the city’s first female mayor. Their discussion centers on Sheffield’s policies, the urgency of addressing poverty and economic inequality, and the importance of workforce development. Pasky also explains why she believes the administration should expand support for small and mid-sized neighborhood businesses throughout Detroit. During the interview, Pasky recounts that Sheffield reached out early in her campaign, visiting her office to seek her endorsement. She also emphasizes that business leaders should look beyond profits and make meaningful investments in the communities they serve—without assuming they automatically understand those communities' needs.

Bankole’s Nation – Season 2, Episode 19: Former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver on Backing Mike Duggan for Governor

This week, Bankole Thompson sits down with former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, who led the city during the height of theglobal water crisis that brought national attention to Flint. Weaver reflects on her historic election in 2015 as Flint’s first female mayor and weighs in on Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial race. She explains her decision to support former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, now running as an Independent, and shares insights from their time as leaders of two of Michigan’s most challenged cities. Weaver outlines why she believes Duggan has the experience and leadership needed to serve as the state’s next governor. The conversation also touches on her strained relationship with current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, widely seen as a leading Democratic contender. Weaver notes that Benson has not reached out to her to engage on issues affectingFlint. Additionally, Weaver speaks candidly about the importance of not taking Black voters for granted, emphasizing that supportfrom urban communities must be earned through meaningful engagement and results.

Bankole’s Nation S2 Ep 18: Top Attorney Tina Patterson Speaks Out on Economic Equity, Lawsuit Against Genisys Credit Union

This week on Bankole’s Nation, journalist Bankole Thompson interviews Attorney Tina M. Patterson, Esq., a nationally recognized legal authority and the Principal Attorney at the Patterson Justice Council, PLLC, about economic equity as a 21st-century business strategy in line with the vision of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Patterson, whose previous cases have been cited in the Georgetown Law Journal on Poverty and by the University of North Carolina School of Law’s Banking Institute, also discusses her federal lawsuit against Genisys Credit Union in Michigan, which was recently dismissed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The lawsuit alleged racial discrimination against her Black client, who had been a longstanding client of the bank.  Patterson, a former federal government attorney who previously worked for the Social Security Administration, and Thompson discuss the importance of the Genisys Credit Union case and how it raises questions about “Banking while Black,” the phenomenon in which Black customers routinely report being denied services or maltreated at financial institutions across the country.  The interview examined economic justice as a catalyst for systemic change and the need to create accountability platforms that will shape equitable economic outcomes for marginalized communities. She waxed on the fact that Black and other minority consumers have the power to hold major corporations accountable, pointing to the ongoing, successful boycott of Target as an example following the corporate giant’s decision to roll back its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.  In the interview, Patterson, who is also the President and General Counsel of The PuLSE Institute, Detroit’s national anti-poverty think tank, and one of the few Black women in the nation leading a major economic justice institution, reflected that economic justice is not achieved overnight and requires consistency, education, courage, and leadership at all levels to achieve equity.

Bankole's Nation: S2 Ep 17: Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Son Jonathan Jackson Speaks Out on Father’s Wish, DEI, Midterms and American Democracy

This week on Bankole’s Nation, journalistBankole Thompson interviews Chicago Congressman Jonathan Jackson, one of the sons of the late Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., the renowned civil rights leader and global statesman who passed away last month.  Congressman Jackson, in the interview,revealed that his father told him three years ago he wanted him to deliver the eulogy at his funeral as the civil rights leader and aide to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began to get ill.  At the private funeral for Rev. Jackson,Congressman Jackson delivered what became the eulogy that climaxed days of activities across the country honoring his father. His powerful remarks defended Rev. Jackson’s decades of groundbreaking work to improve thelives of not only African Americans but also people of African descent in the global Black Diaspora, which included successfully fighting for NelsonMandela's release during South African apartheid. Like a surgeon, Congressman Jackson, in his eulogy, dissected the fallacies of his father’s critics, who opposed his crusades for economic justice and his push for diversity, equity, and inclusion.  In the interview, he reflected on the eulogy, the urgent need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and why Congress needs to push the issue rather than abandon it. He also discussed the upcoming midterm elections, the 2028 presidential election, and what is at stake for the nation.