Brothers in Law Podcast | Podcast en RSS.com

Brothers in Law Podcast

Brothers in Law Podcast

por Imani Waweru

Gobierno Política

Temporada 2

Power To The People: Conrad For State Assembly

On this episode, Conrad and Imani discuss Conrad’s run for State Assembly. Conrad is a Harlemite and proud Democratic Socialist running in the upcoming 2026 election for Assembly District 70. He shares his personal story and his vision for Harlem. Conrad explains how, as a public defender, he stood with and defended people who have suffered under state violence and won battles many believed were lost causes. He also discusses how his work as a union organizer and his role as a member of his union’s executive board, serving as the Black Caucus representative, led him to run for office. Conrad shares his belief in building collective power and using a bully pulpit to challenge the forces that divide us. He emphasizes that, despite our differences, we are all part of the same class when we consider the undeserved power wielded by billionaires and corporations. He believes we are far stronger together. Conrad knows that our system can change only when we understand that whether we are Black, White, Queer, Trans, Immigrant, or Native, we are all working class. Hopefully, after listening to this episode, you will be inspired to learn more about local politics and support Conrad in his run for State Assembly.

Temporada 1

From the Block to the Ballot: An Uptown Convo with Zohran Okporo

On this live episode, Conrad, Imani, and Eli are joined by Mayoral Zohran Mamdani for a town hall in Harlem. Zohran is a New York State Assemblymember and democratic socialist running for Mayor. He shares his experience as an immigrant born in Uganda and raised in New York City. He talks about how he has fought for the working class in and outside the legislature. Zohran explains how the cost of living is crushing working people but he believes that the government can lower costs and make life easier in our city. He promises that he’ll use every tool available to bring down the rent, create world class public transit, and make it easier to raise a family. This live episode was a moderated conversation between Zohran and the community he wants to lead. They had an unfiltered conversation about what it means to run New York City. Zohran shared his values and his vision for the city. They touched on the difficult topics like how communities of color are distrusting of local government, how to rethink what safety looks like, and much more. Hopefully, after this episode you will be encouraged to engage in local elections, interested in learning more about the 2025 New York City mayoral candidates, and empowered to use your voice.

Stand For Something, Or Fall For Anything: A Conversation With Edafe Okporo

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Edafe Okporo. Edafe is running for city council in New York City District 7, located in west Harlem. Edafe was born in Nigeria. Edafe shares how he migrated to the United States in 2016 as an asylum seeker and is now a refugee of the United States. He talks about his global activism and his concern with the issue of displacement. He wants to live in a world that is a place of welcome for LGBTQ displaced people. Edafe believes that New York City needs leaders who are willing to stand up for bold change and show that government is capable of solving our biggest problems. He hopes to be an independent voice for upper Manhattan, fighting against the political establishment to make sure that housing is truly affordable, that our streets are safe, and that our government is accountable to its constituents. Hopefully, after this episode you will have a better understanding of the role that city council plays and insight into Edafe’s not only as a politician but more importantly, as a person.

Let My People Go: A Lesson On Clemency

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Professor Steven Zeidman. Steven Zeidman is a Professor at CUNY School of Law and Director of their Criminal Defense Clinic. In this episode, Professor Zeidman shares his story from working as a public defender to pursuing his work seeking clemency. He explains that clemency is the process of a governor or other executive officer reducing or pardoning the punishment of someone convicted of a crime.. He describes it as an act of mercy, which is something the American legal system seems to lack entirely. Professor Zeidman acknowledges that there are many factors that contribute to the United States incarceration problem, which includes racism, capitalism, the war on drugs, the government's campaign to “get tough on crime”. However, he adds that what may be more salient is that the United States is uniquely overly punitive that any other country in the world. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of the importance of clemency and how it can be used as a tool to combat mass incarceration.

Freedom Ain't Free: The Realities of Parole

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Anthony Dixon. Anthony is the Deputy Director of the Parole Preparation Projection (Parole Prep). Parole Prep provides critical advocacy and direct support to currently and formerly incarcerated people serving life sentences, with the goal of transforming the parole release process in New York State. More concretely, Parole Prep trains community volunteers to assist incarcerated people with their applications and appearances before the Parole Board; collaborates with advocates across the state to push for a more transparent, just and merciful parole release process; and supports currently and formerly incarcerated leaders of the prison and parole justice movements. In this episode, Anthony explains what parole is and goes into detail about what it entails. Anthony talks about his own experience with incarceration and with parole. They discuss some of the myths and misconceptions associated with parole. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of the importance of the work surrounding parole and be interested in learning more about how it impacts people’s lives.

Knuck If You Buck

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Hawk Newsome. Hawk is an activist in pursuit of Black liberation. Haw is a Bronx Native and has dedicated his life to fighting on behalf of vulnerable and marginalized communities. Hawk is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York alongside his sister Chivona Newsome. Hawk believes in empowering people to know more about the law than the police. Initially, Hawk planned on becoming a lawyer, but following the killing of Trayvon Martin, he chose a different path. In this episode, Hawk shares his story. They discuss the power of the media to convey the harms plaguing the Black community. They reflect on the numerous lives lost due to police brutality. Hopefully, after this episode you will understand the reasoning and passion behind those of us who dedicate our lives fighting for Black liberation.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent: The Devastation of Wrongful Convictions

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Bruce Bryan. Bruce is a human rights activist, professional connector, and human justice ambassador. He currently works as a Senior Client Advocate at the Queens Defenders. Prior to this role, Bruce was wrongfully convicted of murder at the age of 23. Last year, after 30 years of incarceration, Bruce was granted clemency and released from prison. Bruce’s story is one of perseverance, and serves as a prime example of the flaws within the criminal injustice system. In this episode, Bruce shares his testimony. He talks about his experience and how it impacted his relationships with public defenders. He explains how he maintained his mental health during his incarceration and he talks about life since being back in the community. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of the harms of mass interaction and gain insight into how an innocent man can end up serving 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Fork In the Road: A Conversation About Career Transitions

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by their fellow Brother In Law Phillip Hamilton. Phil is a Managing Partner at Hamilton Clarke, LLP and Adjunct Professor at Cardozo School of Law. He is an experienced trial attorney and litigator whose practice includes a broad range of high-stakes civil and criminal matters throughout the nation’s state and federal courts. Phil tells his story of how his childhood led him to starting his career as a public defender at the Bronx Defenders, and he shares the reasons why he left to start his own firm. Phil encourages Imani and Conrad to believe that their abilities and expertise can take them places. They talk about how many Black male lawyers navigate imposter syndrome and feeling unworthy or unqualified to be in certain spaces. Hopefully, after this episode you will leave understanding the experiences and considerations that many Black lawyers are faced with when pursuing careers.

Driving While Black: A Way To Protect Yourself When Pulled Over

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Paulina Bryan. Paulina is the founder of the Live Lawyer App. And a mother and wife, Paulina Bryan is an advocate for mothers of murdered children. Inspired by her son Jordan Bryan, she invented the Live Lawyer App. Her son, Jordan Bryan, purchased a car and kept being pulled over by police. He called his mom and would complain about being pulled over and not knowing what to say. Paulina replied: "Too bad you couldn't Skype a lawyer." This is how the idea of how the Live Lawyer App was created. Unfortunately, Jordan was murdered on April 17th of 2016. The mission of the app is to ensure people know their legal rights in their time of need. In this episode, Paulina shares her story. Hopefully after this episode, you will be inspired to find ways to respond to the the harms and injustices that plague our criminal legal system

Why Confess If You Are Innocent: The Truth About False Confessions

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Jeffrey. In 1990, at the age of 17, he was wrongfully convicted of raping, beating, and strangling his high school classmate. Jeffrey made a false confession that was immediately withdrawn, but became the basis for his conviction. He served 16 years, some in an adult "super max" as a minor, while maintaining his innocence. He requested post-conviction DNA testing, but the DA's office who refused to accept his request. In 2006, crime scene DNA testing led to proving that he was innocent, and the led to the man who was actually responsible for the murder. In 2014. Jeffrey won a federal civil suit against the county for wrongful imprisonment. He went on to become an attorney and an advocate for reform of the criminal justice system. He educates the public through public speaking, published articles, and the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, which he established. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of just how flawed our criminal legal system is, particularly with respect to how police routinely coerce false confessions.

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